On Friday The Lavender Bakery entered the exciting realm of retail! Several hundred cupcakes were baked and decorated (as well as large cakes for slicing and decorated biscuits) and sold to the lovely people of London and visitors from elsewhere. The sun was actually out and although I was tired after 36 hours on my feet with only two hours sleep, it was a wonderful day - people gave me some great feedback and made some lovely comments and I even got to meet some of the great names in London food blogging - search for blogs on the Covent Garden night market and you will see what I mean. You can read Helen Graves description here - including some pictures and lovely comments about my cakes.

I had only a brief opportunity to sample what the other stalls were selling but I bought some wonderful olive oil and olives, Welsh cheese, mushroom risotto from Carluccio’s and a fantastic mozzarella panini - I fully recommend heading down this Thursday (I will be there again from 3 - 10pm) or on Friday 12 - 9pm and next week on Thursday and Friday. This is the second year the market has opened for August at Covent Garden and long may it continue - there was a great atmosphere and great food - London needs more markets like this until it becomes normal to shop and eat this way.

These mini cupcakes are the latest addition to The Lavender Bakery’s menu - they are so small, but just big enough for a satisfying mouthful. See pictures below for an idea of their scale - not sure if the egg looks big or the cupcake looks small?

After the orders for the weekend were completed, I went camping in Dorset. It was beautiful and the sun was shining - people are surprised to find I have never slept in a tent before, it seems to be understood that all Australians have (or do…). But it was great, and I will go back - it does one good to escape the kitchen once in a while -  and I will not think too hard about whether it is in fact possible to make a cake on a camp fire…

I really enjoyed this wedding cake order - the birds looked so pretty and delicate on the simple white icing. They were made by the bride and her family so I can take no credit for them at all.

I am so excited to get a mention on the wonderful Wee Birdy blog, featuring some lovely pictures and words about Lavender Bakery cupcakes. Have a look, it is full of fabulous London style and beautiful pictures.

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because I am making cakes filled with strawberries and cream and because I spent a lovely few hours in the garden of the Roebuck in Belsize park for Claire’s birthday yesterday evening - without a coat on.

Birthday cupcakes for Lilly, hen party cupcakes for The Make Lounge, thank you cupcakes for a company in central London and a dairy free cake for a London choir.

These cupcakes were delivered this morning to be packed up and sent as invitations for Charlotte’s party.

Various happy designs this week - including a trial of some wedding cupcakes to be decorated with paper cranes - made by the bride and her family, I think they will look beautiful. And a birthday cake for Nick who, with his lovely family, shows great enthusiasm for The Lavender Bakery.