I have Tai Chi and math on Fridays, and this past Friday I had a test scheduled in my math class. But check it out- I’m SO smart that my teacher let me go home without taking it because I already have an A in the class. Yeah buddy, I’m a math nerd. Who wants their quadratic equations graphed? I am all over that shit. So I was psyched because it meant I got to get baking a few hours earlier than expected. I got home around 6, helped Tony get Teno to bed and started baking a little after 7. By 9:30 I had six dozen cupcakes baked, cooled and mutha fuckin’ decorated. Math genius, baking prodigy. Natalie “Boom Boom” Slater.

So, this morning Tony ran the cupcakes over to the other Slaters at the DIY Trunk Show while Teno and I took a hilarious bath. I say “hilarious” because I normally bathe alone as does Teno. So while we were amused by being in there together, swathed in Lush bubble bar bubbles, we were also slightly annoyed. He didn’t appreciate my trying to shave my legs in his face and I would have preferred to not have dirty bath water poured in my freshly-washed hair. But so it goes.

Then the whole dang family headed to the DIY show where we checked in with the other Slater family at Cafe le Baron’s table. They were busy setting up so Teno and I wandered around and made a few purchases. First we picked up what I later found out was a dog toy from the No Meat Mafia. Teno liked it, though, and I like to buy things from people who made said things so dog toy or no, I’m glad it’s mine now.

Cafe le Baron was SLAMMED. Man, selling coffee at an indy craft show is nothing short of genius. I was hoping to buy some of their orange chocolate and their chocolate chip bacon cookies but they were WAY too busy. So I made some signs for the baked goods and ventured into the other room where I bought…

This totally cute hostess apron from Chel Domestic Goodies. It was a tough choice between this one and a Day of the Dead one but the pocket here won me over. I was actually looking at a kid’s apron for my niece, but I just gave her a Jessie Steele apron and I don’t think a three year old needs that many aprons. I dunno, if she wants one I’ll buy her one of these, though. The cowgirl one is adorable.

So while I was making labels for the Slaters and they were getting bum rushed with coffee and muffin orders Tony and Teno snuck away and bought me the cupcake tea towel you see above from Artgoodies. It’s adorable, and she makes the printing blocks or whatever they’re called herself. So they’re extra DIY.

We ended our afternoon with lunch at Chicago Diner and a trip to Coffee & Tea Exchange. I headed home because I actually had one more cupcake order to get ready not to mention two major articles due.

Tomorrow I’m taking a candy class at Vanille Patisserie. I’ll post pictures of what I’m sure will be hilarious results.

Thanks to everyone who came out and especially to the ones who have already emailed me to tell me my cupcakes are delicious. You really know how to talk to a lady.

XXX

PS I’m totally wearing my apron all over the house on Thanksgiving. With pearls.