Hi! I'm Coleen. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, and now live just outside the city with my husband, Dave; our son, Liam; and our two rescued dogs, a pit bull mix named Carl, and an Australian Shepherd mix named Reese.
By day, I am a graphic designer. In my spare time (if I'm not cooking or baking), I love to read, shop (shoes and makeup are my biggest guilty pleasures), trick-train with my dogs, or go for a run.
About the Blog
I started baking at an early age, and loved it. I considered culinary school after high school, but ended up in college for graphic design.
After working three years in graphic design, I entered the part-time pastry program at a local culinary school. I worked a few years in the food service industry -- in fine dining, a bread bakery, and a wholesale bakery -- but eventually returned to graphic design. I discovered that I loved to bake a cake or decorate a batch of cookies. I don't like baking 25 cakes, and decorating 3,000 cookies, all exactly the same way. And I especially don't like waking up at 4:00 a.m.! I established a blog as a means to share my love of cooking and baking.
About the Photography
I use a Nikon D5600 SLR camera. I alternate between a 50mm f1.8 lens and a 60mm f2.8 macro lens. I try to use natural light as much as possible, but in the winter, I use a Lowel EGO tabletop fluorescent lamp.
What products do you use in the kitchen?
I have a KitchenAid PRO 6 quart mixer and mini food processor, and an OXO hand mixer. I use a lot of OXO Good Grips kitchen gadgets and cutting boards, and my favorite knives are from Misen. I have a Lodge cast-iron skillet, and an All-Clad stainless steel skillet.
For cake decorating, I have a mix of Ateco and Wilton piping tips and piping bags. I use cupcake liners and sprinkles from Sweets & Treats and Sprinkle Pop. I use Americolor gel food coloring, and if I don't make my own marshmallow fondant, then I use Satin Ice buttercream fondant.