Saturday, 12 May 2007

Update

After putting off updating my blog for a while, here's a summary of what I've been doing...

For the 30th April, I made Oreo Cheesecake for Nizar:

M&Ms Brownie for Syarifah for 1st May:


A premium brownie for Shida's solemnization ceremony on 4th May:


Shida's request was a bit stressful for me as I have no idea how to make my brownie look like it's appropriate for a solemnization ceremony. As you know, weddings, engagement, solemnization cakes usually make use of those icings. Although I'm a keen baker, I don't quite fancy those icings actually.

So if you are wondering why there isn't any of those icings on my cakes, well, simply because I don't fancy them although they look gorgeous on cakes.

Anyways, for Shida, I decided to add on more almond flakes on the sides of her premium brownie. (It's a shame that I didn't have time to bake extras for her to taste as this will be given to the guy's side).

Then just today, 11th May:
M&Ms & premium brownie with marshmallows for Tini, which she shared with her colleagues as it was her last day at work. I really hope you & your colleagues enjoyed them.


So there you go, a summary of what I've been doing besides getting used to the bloating tummy & handling my headaches.
While updating & since I'm already logged in I remembered an incident last month which concern one of my customer's request I receive by email. I don't know how she came about to know sistabrownie but her request was to have chocolate cupcakes for her baby girl's cukur rambut. She asked if I could bake eggless cupcakes as well.
So far I've not tried eggless ones but was willing to take up this challenge.
Further to her request, she would like to taste some samples, plus look at samples of individual packaging for these cupcakes which would feature a girl's theme.
I did the cupcakes with egg & eggless & emailed her the packaging samples. And I asked her to come over to collect the cupcakes samples (only).
First she said she might be able to collect them that night. I waited & no sign of her. She SMSed me & said she might be able to collect the next day in the afternoon. So I informed my maid to hand the cakes over when the lady turned up.
No sign of her. I SMSed her to check if she was coming at all cos I'm not going to keep the cupcakes for another day as it might compromise the taste. She said she will come after 7pm, around 8pm.
No sign of her until 10pm. As I was exhausted & had to work the next day, I went to sleep but asked my maid, who's still up, if a lady were to turn up, to hand over the cakes.
The next day when I checked with my maid, she told me that the lady turned up at 11.10pm. Well at least she turned up to collect the cakes.
Two days later, she SMSed me to say that her hubby does not really like the taste of the Double Chocolate Cupcakes & therefore will not proceed with ordering from me.
That's fine. But why I brought this up is that although she is the customer, I do expect a little bit of consideration. In her case, from the beginning right to the time when she collected the cupcakes. Although I am running a business my goodies are home-made & I'm not running a store or a bakery or a confectionery.
Fair enough if she wants to sample first, but not to turn up at the said time? If she has an idea of what type of packaging she wants perhaps she could have told me what exactly she wants instead of having me to come up with ideas, post the pics & after all..... her husband did not like the taste.
I felt a little demoralized, not angry, that these inconsiderate people exist. To add, this is my own people. But I'm grateful that I have the chance to 'know' these people so I know what to expect & how to handle should I come across them again.
I've kept her number in my mobile, so I know that I shall not accept her request/s in future. If you think that I'm being overly sensitive over this I don't think I've over-reacted, cos I went all out for this request.
(Sigh!) Some people..... Well, at least I learnt something from this experience.
Okay, change subject. I've just registered my website but.... but I've not updated anything yet. I think I need my sis-in-law's help in this. Cos I'm so screwed at IT stuff.
When it's up & ready, people, I'll let you know.
Cheers!

Sunday, 29 April 2007

News

It's been so long since I update my blog, my web etc... I logged in just to check emails & order requests. For those who have sent me emails or personal messages in my Multiply & I have yet to reply, please forgive me. I'm going through a change right now.

I'm expecting my 3rd child, who is due in late October.

Frankly, there may be order requests which I have to turn down. Or otherwise I am limiting my order requests to only two in a week.

I will be extremely busy in May & June (at work). Not forgetting order requests for the hot date 7th July 2007 wedding for a customer.

I really hope to get better in May, as right now I'm experiencing morning & evening sickness and tireness round the clock. This is defnitely an unexpected pregnancy. But I do hope that it will be a smooth one.

To all valued customers, I hope for your kind understanding that I will only take in advance requests so I can make enough preparation (mentally & physically) for your orders.

For those who already have my contact, you can call me directly as I might not have time to read my emails sometimes.

Thanking you in advance for your understanding.

Sunday, 15 April 2007

Back to the oven

After being stretch to the max for the 1st of April, I managed to rest for a week after that (I think God must have heard & answered my prayers), as I did not have cake requests for the week.

On the 14th, prepared an order of M&Ms Brownie for Ida & a dozen each of Chocolate Hazelnut Cheese Cups & Tiramisu for mafiaprinses.

M&Ms Brownie for Ida
Requests from mafiaprinses:

Tiramisu shot


Chocolate Hazelnut Cheese Cups

Saturday, 7 April 2007

Totally stretched

It had been a very very busy & hectic (I noticed I've been using this word often nowadays) week last week. First was the preparation of my 'virgin' project, which was wedding favors for bride & groom Nur Salena & Zulkilfi for the 1st April '07 wedding. They have requested for additional 150 pcs Oreo Cheesecup wedding favors, on top of their existing ones provided by Anggun Andaman.

Preparation started from Wednesday, where cousins Dhiya & Kaiyisah came over to help with the decor, as it was a gold-themed wedding. The containers for the Oreo cheesecups had to be tied with gold ribbons & to stick with gold paper wedding tag.

The prepared cup & wedding tag

I really have these few people to thank for all the help they have extended to me to make this a successful project for me:

Cousins Dhiya & Kaiyisah - for being able to make it & helping me with the decor;
Mum - for coming over to cook for us & helping to stick the wedding tag on the covers;
Sis-in-law Ruzana - for designing the wedding tags;
Nur Salena & Zulkifli - for believing in my goodies & giving me this opportunity;

For all those who have helped me indirectly & supporting me - hubby, friends & relatives - a big THANK YOU to you!



Wedding Favors by sistabrownie

Besides the wedding favors, of course I'm taking in my normal cake requests although I've actually blocked out this week to other requests. But I can't bring myself to reject the other requests aince I'm able to squeeze in the time.

There were two requests on Friday, for Salim & mafiaprinses.

Salim requested for a dozen of plain & nut-filled Chocolate Mousse & a dozen of Chocolate Hazelnut & Oreo CheeseCups for his family. He has been recommended by one of my ex-colleague, who have tried my goodies.


Plain Chocolate Mousse


Nut-filled Chocolate Mousse


Chocolate Hazelnut & Oreo CheeseCups

Mafiaprinses requested for a platter of 16 pcs brownies with M&Ms, marshmallow & chocolate chips toppers, and a dozen of Oreo & Blueberry CheeseCups.


Platter of Brownies


Oreo & Blueberry CheeseCups

On Sunday, I woke up early to pack all the cheesecups into the prepared cups to be brought over to Kampong Ubi CC where the wedding was held.

On top of that, packed Syarifah's & Nina's requests as well.

Syarifah aka Mrs F requested for a dozen Blueberry & a dozen Chocolate Hazelnut CheeseCups, of which 6 to be packed separately as an engagement gift for her sister.

Chocolate Hazelnut & Bluberry CheeseCups

Nina Nurain requested for an M&Ms Brownie & a dozen Tiramisu on Sunday as well.

M&Ms Brownie for Nina


Tiramisu shot

After all these, went to sister-in-law's place Ruzana, for my niece's, Safa', 4th birthday celebration. Her birthday falls on 16th March so this was a belated birthday bash. I was planning to make platter of brownies for this occassion but due to time constraint, I only managed to make a dozen Blueberry CheeseCups.

Blueberry CheeseCups


Now I hope to get some rest before starting my bakes again.
P.S: That appointment on Tuesday will be updated at a later date.

Sunday, 25 March 2007

Requests from Effa & Kynn

I had a very busy weekend, with cake requests of course... Lucky thing was I'm able to set aside the time to bake despite preparing for a 'virgin' project next week.

Coincidentally the two order requests I had this week comes from repeat customers, who has been supporting my goodies & bakes. I'm really touched.

First was an M&Ms Brownie & a dozen Chocolate Hazelnut Cheese Cups for Effa. She came by Mum's place to collect on 24th March '07.


Effa's M&Ms
Chocolate Hazelnut Cheese Cups for Effa

Next, 30 pieces Chocolate Cupcakes for kynn. It was actually for her cousin's birthday, to be delivered on 25th March '07. I hope everybody enjoyed the cuppies, dear.


Chocolate Cupcakes for Kynn
Right now, I am looking forward to next week... Not because I'm going on vacation or anything like that, but there are a few things planned which can make me happy.
First an appointment on Tuesday; cousins coming over to help with my 'virgin' project (taking place on 1st April) on Wednesday; a dinner with ex-bosses on Thursday; on leave on Friday.
Guess I'll just have to put up with Monday.