A DREAMY GARDEN PARTY

THIS WAS AN UNFORGETTABLE, PINCH-ME EXPERIENCE IN MY OWN BACKYARD

Before we dive into full-on fall mode, I have to take a moment to reflect on the most dreamy garden party I recently hosted. My friend and stylist, April Perrin, approached me early in the warmer months with an idea for a photoshoot featuring my favorite local dress boutique, Fancy & Nell. The theme? A Garden Party showcasing Fancy & Nell’s latest dress line alongside my cakes! My immediate response was, “Yes, and let’s do it on my property!”

This was my first real photoshoot, and I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I had visions of cakes melting and sweating through my borrowed dress. But instead, the entire experience was completely stress-free—in fact, it was pure joy.

Chelsea, co-owner of Bluebird & Co. and the energy behind Fancy & Nell, curated a lovely selection of spring dresses, and April thoughtfully selected them for each model. The models? I was having a Taylor Swift moment because all of them were my friends! Our photographer, Beth Kag of Beth Kag Photo, captured everything perfectly.

Funny story that deserves a spot on this post: I kept calling Beth “Jill” throughout the day, even though I’ve worked with her before and know her well. Maybe photoshoot stress manifested in this way? I joked to my friends and wondered if I should be worried. Alas, “Mom Brain” was the answer. Now, every time I see Beth, I go out of my way to call her Jill so we can keep the joke alive.

The early spring morning was perfect, with the sun glistening through the trees, casting just the right amount of shade on our set. April adorned the table with fresh flowers and my grandmother’s china. My friend Suzie contributed her homemade French macarons to the spread. My cakes, which I had frozen a few days prior and timed to thaw just right, held up perfectly in the warmth.

I made my popular Lemon Blueberry with Lemon Buttercream Cake and my first-ever cake recipe, a Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream. Both were a hit, and everyone was thrilled to take home a few slices.

This entire experience reminded me how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such beauty—my home, my friends, my nearby town, and the creations we share. It was a day that will live on in my memories, and here are a few of my favorite photos that I’ll cherish forever.

If you love these dresses, you can shop Fancy & Nell Online and use my discount code CAKEJOIE20 for 20% off your purchase.