Bella and The Cupcake Cafe - Lake Havasu City, Arizona

 While on our trip cross country, I found some wonderful shops and met some great people.  Over the next week, I'm going to let you inside these shops - all of which are places you must see if you are ever close by! 

 

First up is Bella and The Cupcake Cafe, owned by Anita Fluke, located at 171 Swanson Avenue #102 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Before I even start I have to say I loved meeting Anita!! What a kick! Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious! When I entered her shop and introduced myself, she welcomed me with opened arms, offered me a cool glass of water and before I knew it, there was a delicious cupcake set aside for me!

I first read about Bella and The Cupcake Cafe when the stores were featured in the article "Sweet Shop" in the August 2011 issue of Romantic Homes magazine.  While nearing the California-Arizona border, I checked the map to see how far off our route Bella would be - only 20 miles off the main highway AND the London Bridge was there - another sight we wanted to see. The side trip was well worth it!

Anita created beautiful graphics for her store - The Bella logo you see in the first picture - it is painted on a wall above her wrapping station for the gift shop.  The Cupcake Cafe logo you see here is painted on canvas and hung in a prominent corner in The Cupcake Cafe- a separate area in the same building!  She came up with a great idea to have a place to gift shop and a place to grab a sweet treat, when a group of regular customers like to linger in her shop!

We got to the store an hour before closing and we were lucky to get a cupcake at all as she was just about sold out!  This is the cupcake display case - the front panel of the case is a salvaged window she turned on its side.

The window makes a beautiful display!  

The pom-pom trimmed banner adds a whimsical touch!

Cupcake towers, pedestal dishes and boxes sit atop the display cabinet waiting to fill orders to be delivered - Boxes all receive a sticker with "The Cupcake Cafe" logo before going out the door!

A signature decoration at the Cupcake Cafe is the floor to ceiling "Cupcake Tree".

The flocked tree is decorated with pink feather boas and of course, lots of cupcakes!

But cupcakes aren't the only reason people visit Anita's shop!  Bella, the gift store side of the shop, is filled with fabulous European and shabby chic treasures displayed in creative ways by Anita. I love her display of bangle bracelets displayed on a cupcake display piece - a perfect marriage of cupcakes and gift ware!!

A queen size bed anchors the space filled with luxurious linens!  I love the sign "The Queen will NOT be accepting an audience!"

Soaps made from lavender and olive oils fill the old postal cubbies - I love the green color she picked to paint the wall - it subtly tells shoppers the soap are 'all natural'.

A combination of industrial galvanized boxes and wire baskets anchor this tabletop display - note the Romantic Homes magazine in the middle basket - it is the issue the store is featured in!

Apothecary jars sparkle with their decorative stoppers.

 

 A shabbied vintage cupboard displays Cavalleni postcards, stamps and note cards.

 A lavish Louis XVI dressing table shows off purses well. 

I just love the vintage clothes rack!

 

Anita carries lots of vintage and European inspired jewelry - This weathered cement statue sums up how I felt about my visit to Bella and The Cupcake Cafe - Satisfied and relaxed!  I recommend a stop by this wonderful shop on your travels!  You can contact Anita at (928) 855-PINK (7465).  Anita and her friend, Tammy, also have their own online shop www.pinkfunnyfarm.com where they sell vintage and European inspired gift ware.

And don't forgot to visit the little European landmark as well!  A billionaire moved the London Bridge to Lake Havasu City brick by brick - the gorgeous bridge features ornate street lamps and there is a English Tudor style tourist town built at the base where you can even pick up some fish and chips! Next post - a find in Amarillo, Texas . . .

Road Trip: Joshua Trees - London Bridge

We woke up this morning to beautiful blue skies at the Holiday Inn Express in Tehachapi, CA.  A brand new hotel, our room and bathroom were huge and immaculate, the beds comfy, and there was a buffet breakfast included.  A nice surprise since we pulled in at 10:00 pm!  The breakfast buffet had the usual fare: hard boiled eggs, muffins, cereal, juices, fruit, and this pancake machine.

 

I had never seen one before so I had to share it with you.  It claimed to make a pancake in 45 seconds!  So I toasted my English muffin, got some juice and coffee, and waited for someone to come along who wanted a pancake for breakfast so I could see how it worked.  A beautiful young girl, about ten years old, with big brown eyes and thick curly hair came in and pushed the button.  I asked her if it was ok if I took a picture of her pancake.  She replied, "No English".  So I said, "Espanol?" and she said "French". And then the first pancake came out!

I told her I spoke a little French and we had a short conversation, the second pancake came out and we said, "Au Revoir!"  Who would have thought I would meet a little French girl at  Holiday Inn in the desert?  But the machine was pretty cool - I thought about all the pancakes I made while the boys were young and how convenient this machine would have been!

So we got back on the road and headed across the desert . . .

 We saw a windmill farm and more desert . . .

I was getting worried as the closest thing I saw to shabby chic was this shabby Joshua Tree in a small town named Bodon.  Evidently, Bodon is the birthplace of Borax - you know, the cousin to Comet, the powder cleanser?!  Now you KNOW there wasn't much out in the desert since I'm blogging about Borax!!

 And, if you are really inspired you can visit the Borax Museum to learn all about Borax!  I thought about going in - maybe they had a gift shop?!  Mike and I decided we wanted to spend our time learning about something else so we continued on down the road.

It started looking pretty bleak as the Mojave desert never seemed to end and the gas gauge declared 50 miles remaining.  After checking our GPS we figured out we had 49 miles to go before we got to the next diesel station. It was only 108 degrees outside when we discovered we wouldn't make it with the gas in our truck and didn't feel like walking, so we pulled into the first rest stop in 70 miles and got the five gallon gas can out that Mike had brought along in case of emergency - Thank the Lord!

Ah water!  When we got to the diesel station in Needles, it was 114 degrees and the diesel was $4.99 a gallon!  They have you over a barrel because it is the first place in miles for a fill-up and virtually every single car and truck got off  the highway in Needles!  We only put about 20 gallons in the truck because we planned on stopping in Lake Havasu City and we figured we would fill up all the way then.  We crossed the Colorado River into Arizona and we had to stop at the truck scales since we were a commercial vehicle.

 As our luck would have it,  it was the first day on the job for the officer at the truck scales so you guessed it! She asked for every single piece of paper that was possible: vehicle license, trailer license, Mike's Class A license, proof of insurance, US DOT number, and a "trip pass" or permit from the State of Arizona in order to pass through the state.  We had everything but the 'trip pass' and what should have taken a seasoned officer about a minute and a half of paperwork ended up taking a half hour - she had to call her supervisor over since she had never filled out one of the forms!  We thought about axing our side trip to Lake Havasu City, since it was about 20 miles off the highway but I am sure glad we didn't!

We had heard the story of the guy who moved the London Bridge, stone by stone from over the Thames River in England to Arizona, and since we were so close we had to go see it!  One of the founders of Lake Havasu City bought the bridge for $2.4 million and then spent $4.5 million to move it to Arizona and rebuild it in Lake Havasu!

We drove over the bridge just to say we did and then parked our 'ride' and got out to take pictures.  There is a whole English Tudor type tourist town built around the base of the bridge, which is weird to see in the middle of a desert!  But the bridge is beautiful!

This was my favorite view - you could see the Colorado River, complete with ski boats and vacationers, and the rocky hills, through this arch.

 The lamp posts along the sides of the bridge are the original ones as well and have elaborate lamps atop each one. 

 This is the statue of the founders - there is a plaque at the base of the statue that tells the story about the bridge and the move. After the bridge, we had just one more stop which I wanted to visit.

The current issue of Romantic Homes Magazine has a feature article entitled "Sweet Shop".  The article was about a store called "Bella" that had expanded and now sold cupcakes as well as European decor and was in - Lake Havasu City!

"Bella" is located about two city blocks from the London Bridge so it was easy to find.  I walked in and introduced myself to Anita, one of the owners.  Her 7th grade daughter was sitting behind the counter working on homework.  I told her I had seen her store in the magazine and she was thrilled!  Then she said, "You drove all the way here from Highway 40 just to see my store? Wow! Do you need a drink of water? Can I get you a cupcake?"  

She had added "The Cupcake Cafe" to her shop when lots of her customers liked to hang around the sop.  Anita was delightful and we talked about retail stores, running a shop, her expansion, etc. and I asked if I could take some pictures.  About that time, Mike came in after visiting the ice cream shop a few doors down, and Anita offered him a drink as well and told him he was a saint to build his wife a box to transport 'treasures'!  He sat down in her Cupcake Cafe and they continued to talk while I set out to work, or should I say, shop and take pics!

I plan to feature her whole shop in a separate posting later but here is a sneek peek!  Anita does a great job setting up vignettes in creative ways.

One display I loved was this one: she used a cupcake holder to display her bangle bracelets - combining both aspects of her business!

Another favorite was her cupcake Christmas tree that stays up year round in her "Cupcake Cafe".  Anita had excellent customer service and her energy is infectious!  Visiting her store and meeting her was one of the highlights of the day and if you are ever in Lake Havasu City - go by, introduce yourself, and prepare to have a lot of fun!

We said our good byes and got back on the road - about this time the sun was getting low and the colors of the southwest were getting more intense.  The warm oranges and reds on this rocky precipice grabbed my attention.

As the sun went down, the sky was full of pinks, blues and wispy white clouds -

Our goal was to get to Flagstaff tonight.  We had about an hour to go and we were getting hungry so we stopped in the next town to get some vittles!  As we pulled off the highway and passed the Historic Route 66 Hotel, we realized we were on the old road and passed a sign that said "Roadkill Cafe ahead".  We looked at each other as said, "We have to go!"  My mind raced - what would be on the menu - jackrabbit goulash?  rattlesnake pie?  

Unfortunately when we got there it was closed! But across the old Route 66 road was a little diner called "Westside Lilo's" and there were lots of cars in the lot so we pulled in.  The diner had a pair of murals on the outside - the one above welcomes travelers in German because they serve great schnitzel and you can order sauerkraut as a side with any order!  And this smaller one . . .

I know it is famous for its German food but I had a refreshing Grilled Chicken Salad that was fresh grilled with a great blend of spices, that did NOT come from Costco!  Mike had one of the three nightly 'specials' a Mexican food plate he enjoyed as well.  The diner was full when we left at 9 pm! I recommend a stop there is you are ever in the area! We got to Flagstaff at exactly 10 pm - wearing a full day of 118 degree sweat and road grease. We took our showers, and Mike retired.  I plan on doing the same as soon as I am done with this post! Albuquerque or bust tomorrow!

Fun 4th of July Cupcakes!

Looking for something new for dessert to surprise your 4th of July guests? Here's a easy, fun, quick idea! Remember those Pop Rocks candies you would eat straight from the little envelope that came in, that exploded in your mouth?

How about using them for your "sprinkle" decorations on some cupcakes? 

Just bake some cupcakes . . 

Frost them with your favorite frosting and put in the refrigerator 

or set them aside until ready to serve.

                                                           

Then right before serving - sprinkle the "pop rock candies" on to the top of each cupcake . . .

. . . add an American Flag pick to each cupcake and serve!  

 Your guests will get a mini-explosion in their mouths with each bite!  Pop Rocks come in many different flavors which are different colors.  I used Cherry flavored here so I had red sprinkles.  Some of the pop rock candies will pop right when you put them on the frosting so the 'sizzle'  and the 'popping explosion' both add to the fun of the 4th! 

Enjoy and Happy Fourth of July!

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"Ooh La La Lingerie" Bridal Shower

Ah - June! Love is in the air and there are loads of weddings!  But before the weddings, come the bridal showers. After my posting "Before and After: Patio Table" I had numerous emails asking me to reveal the rest of the shower so . . ..  At the request of my readers, I am sharing the "Oooh La La Lingerie" Bridal Shower I held for my niece!

These invitations were full of surprises!

The little lingerie card slide out the top of the gift box and the colors set the color palette for the party- Pink, white and black with a sassy french twist!

First -decorate the mantel! My Flea Affaire wreath, made by my friend Deidre,  with "Je t'aime" - the french words for 
"I love you" hangs in front of the mirror. Perched below it, two lovebirds with miniature silver vases, filled with white roses.

More candlesticks flank either side of the mirror with pale pink candles - the candlelight will add a bit or romance to the evening shower!!  A 'Congratulations" banner hangs below.

 

Next - set up the dessert and drink buffet table.  A black and white square tablecloth was layered over a pink damask table cloth to cover the table.

 I placed one of my small patio tables on top to create height.

A black satin decorator tablecloth was draped over the patio table.

Wine glasses, champagne flutes, some pink tumblers, crystal wine charms and a darling shoe bottle opener were placed on top.

 

My patio table converted into an accent table for the buffet! A bow, made with pink sparkle tulle, gathered around the extra fabric finished off the look!  I placed my silver punchbowl filled with the champagne, wine and lemonade bottles just to the left of the glassware table.

 French sparkling lemonades are great to offer your guests who would prefer non-alcoholic beverages.  Find them at Cost Plus or Bev Mo!

 

 

A vintage oval mirror placed in the middle of the table 

reflects the candlesticks and cupcake holder as the  centerpiece.  

I love using mirrors as part of my tablescapes!  They add so much glamour and their reflective surface adds that extra bling to the display.  

My grandmothers sterling candlesticks sit alongside some glass and mercury glass candlesticks, filled with various shades of pink candles.  

The silver shell dish, and the crystal candy dishes were some of our wedding presents.

The pink two tier serving dish was a treasure found at TJ Maxx years ago for $3!  

It had a little crack in the glass at the top tier but I didn't care- it was darling!

The black tiered server has been used for years and the cupcake display under the plastic I just received from my sons for Mother's Day this year.

The black chandelier seemed a bit undressed after I got the table set up so I decided to swag some pink organza fabric around the arms to dress it up!  This chandelier with the crystal bobeches was once of my 'finds' - it only cost me $5 at a thrift store!  

I loved the crystal accents and the fluidity of the arms, but it's bright gold color quickly got a coat of satin black spray paint when I got it home.
Voila! A perfect chandelier for my french themed dining room!

(I did have some help from my son, Alex, who took it apart and reassembled it 

when I was done painting - he was always good with puzzles!)

 

I glittered this "love" cutout of wood, and hung it from the bottom

of the chandelier for a special touch.

The 'hardscape' was complete - it was time to move on!

With all the rain in our area this year, my roses were more beautiful than ever!  I was running out of time and wanted to have lots of fresh flowers arrangements so I asked one of my adopted daughters, Lyndsey, to come over to do the flower arrangements for me.

  Lyndsey is one talented young lady and had competed 

in flower arranging in FFA (Future Farmers of America) in high school.  

I showed her all my vases and where they would be, showed her around my garden, 

gave her some clippers and a work area and she went to work on the arrangements.   Lyndsey did a fantastic job, adding a bit of greenery and the flower buds from my ornamental bamboo plant.  

This one large mercury glass vase arrangement needed to be a little higher on the table, so I placed the vase in a crystal pedestal bowl and filled the bowl around the vase with more kisses- now it was the perfect height!

I placed a quilted, toile runner down the middle of my kitchen table, added the vintage pedestal mirror, and a small crystal dish filled with various pink flavors of Jelly Belly jellybeans. Lyndsey filled my silver Revere bowl with more roses from my garden.

Roses frame the vintage candy dishes, filled with pink candies, 

on top of a vintage mirror to decorate the coffee table.

 This Lenox vase was just the right size  to use on my kitchen island.  It looked beautiful filled with roses atop another dainty vintage mirror!  The pair of salt and pepper lovebirds were another Anthropologie find. This display holder was meant to hold a photograph and is perfect for menus or in this case, an invitation!

Ecstatic!  That is what is felt when my shopping excursion brought me to this  lingerie!  What could be a better gift for my niece than lingerie that matched her bridal shower invites - especially since it was a lingerie shower?!  I found two pair of boyfriend panties - this pink one with the black lace trim and an all black pair, so I added them to her gift as the camisole only came with the little thong you see in the middle right of the picture!

I made three kinds of cupcakes for the dessert bar: Super Lemon - a lemon cupcake with lemon frosting, Mochachino - a chocolate cupcake with chocolate chips inside, with Kahlua infused frosting accented with a piourette cookie, 
and a Lemon cupcake with Raspberry frosting.  

I found these bride and groom cupcake picks,in a little Meri Meri kit. complete with liners, at Sur La Table.  Pink and white candies filled various dishes 

to add more pink to the buffet.  The Pepperidge Farm Raspberry cookies fit the bottom tier of the dish well with Jordan Almonds on the top. 

 The layered strawberry cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries was enjoyed by guests as well but I didn't get a picture of it!  

My niece's name is Jordan - what would her bridal shower be without a sweet little silver dish filled with Jordan Almonds?!

These sweet little favor bags matched the invitation and theme perfectly!  Filled with Hershey's Kisses, each guest went home with 
a little "Oooh La La" from the shower!

Jordan - the beautiful bride!