Starting with a little old-fashioned design:
Submitted by Gen W., made by Lori of Elegant Cake CreationsThe detail here is stunning. Look at the intricate piping on that lace! It looks like delicate tablecloths on each tier. (And those colors are magnificent!)
I am in love with the "rusted" look of this cake:
By Nancy's CakesIt's flawless! Is it metal? Is it wood? NO! It's CAKE! Awesome.
Sub'd by Sara B., made by Catherine Joann CakesI'm pretty sure my G-ma still has Tupperware exactly like this on top of her fridge. I love it.
And this cake looks a lot like some yarn-art she had hanging on her wall when I was a kid. (Which might actually still be there.)
My G-ma Ruth was so ahead of her time.
How could you ever cut into this?
Helloooooooo, gorgeous. Cripes, the bead-like piping is flawless! And I don't always love pink, but I love this.
This one is immaculate:
Let's take a closer look at some of that detail:
Have I said "flawless" yet? Because I'll say it again: FLAWLESS. Wouldn't you think this was the most fragile of porcelain? And look at the gently embossed vines by the flowers. I can't even draw a straight line. Unbelievable.
Next let's visit some art deco divas.
I want this as a dress:
Sub'd by Libby G., made by Rhianydd EastonThose feathers are actually edible wafer paper!
Can someone give me another word for "breathtakingly gorgeously beautiful... seriously, this is flawless"? (For some reason this reminds me of Miss Piggy's dream sequence in The Great Muppet Caper.)
This architectural look is amazing.
Stunning.
Jen and I debated whether this cake features an egg or a pine cone:*
Either way, it's GORGEOUS. It's just magical... perhaps literally. Look closely at the bottom tier: Is it levitating? (Must be the enchanted pine cone.)
And this might be my favorite cake of the whole post:
By Lulu Cake BoutiqueAnd maybe my most favorite cake ever. I can't get over that fabulous mint green! I want this as a dress, a cake, and a wallpaper. And a hat. Simply... flawless.
Have a Sweet to suggest? Then e-mail it to Sunday Sweets [at] Cake Wrecks [dot] com.
*Note from john: Apparently, you guys are convinced it's a pineapple. Or an artichoke. I happen to think it's a daisy but what do I know?
*Note from john: Apparently, you guys are convinced it's a pineapple. Or an artichoke. I happen to think it's a daisy but what do I know?
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135 comments | Post a Comment
Beautiful cakes! Now I think I will go make one. =)
I'm in total agreement with the "How could you ever cut into one of these?" statement. Those are way too pretty.
Wow, that is some amazing cake artistry! Thanks for sharing such amazing eye candy =).
Regarding the pine cone cake, apparently when you see decorations like that on London statues, they're supposed to be pineapples. I can't see it myself - I've always thought they looked like artichokes.
Not an egg or a pine cone! That's an architectural feature you sometimes see as a finial or on a newel post. For some reason, they call them pineapples.
awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wd
That topper looks more like an artichoke to me than an egg or a pinecone.
These are awfully pretty though!
Pretty!
I think the pine cone is actually a pineapple, which is meant to be a symbol of welcome and hospitality.
I think that egg-pine is really a pineapple. It was a symbol of hospitality in colonial days. I have a stencil I bought in Massachusetts years ago that looks sort of like it
between the jadeite green cake and the tin cieling panel looking one.... gorgeous! however, i realize (with my own DISNEY wedding closing in), i think CW feeds both my fears and fantasies as to what kind of cake we'll end up with!!!!
i guess our photographers will be able to make the most of it though, right?? :)
Those are CAKE? You know, things made of flour, sugar and eggs? And the decorations are things that can be eaten???? Who would?
The last cake isn't mint-inspired, it's Absinthe inspired. You can tell by the spoon.
Neither an egg nor a pinecone, it's an artichoke!
Lotus blossom?
Whatever it is, it's incredible. As are all the cakes.
Yes, I agree, I want a dress like the pink one.
And I agree with zebe912. I believe that is an artichoke finial. See http://www.thefind.com/garden/info-artichoke-finial
I just wanted to mention I have a Grandma Ruth too.
I think that thing on top looks more like a hop flower
Egg? Pineapple? Don't be silly! It's so obviously Epcot...
Love the cakes! I think given the feathers on the middle layer that the top is actually a feather-covered egg. While I see where folks think it could be a pine cone, a pineapple, or an artichoke, why would it be in the shape of an egg? We should ask the baker!
I've always seen the Mysterious Object as a magnolia cone, probably because I generally only see it used as a motif when in the classier parts of the South.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Gq0vRY91-Y0/RspK3YMGUjI/AAAAAAAAA4E/w8-2tXSoYuM/s800/DSC_0981.JPG ?
This post should be waved in the face of all brides and their mothers:
Attention brides and momzillas: More frou-frou and crap does not make your cake any more classy.
Simple and elegant (LIKE THESE) is way better...any day...than all the rainbow-colored waterfalls and goldfish and "individuality" you can dish out.
And brides? That goes for your dress, too.
WV: Palin...oh, there's just too much to choose from to get started on this one.
Yes indeed, I agree with the other posters. It is definitely a pineapple, based on pineapple figurals.
http://www.history.org/visit/christmas//dec_pineapple.cfm
I did all of the flowers for my sister's wedding 12 years ago. When we were shopping for her bouquet, she was having a total bridezilla moment and being really bitchy to my mom and I. I got mad at her and picked up the first vaguely ball-shaped thing I could find, which happened to be a faux artichoke, and pegged her in the shoulder with it. She clutched her shoulder and said, "Why would you throw an artichoke at me?!" My mother answered her, with a shrug "Nothing says 'I love you' like an artichoke." Since then, we've made the artichoke our secret family symbol of love. Obviously, so have the people who had that cake made for their wedding.
Egg or pinecone? It looks like a white artichoke to me.
*love* the architecture cake, and the granny one with the oversized yarn flowers. I don't like the mint green one at all, though.
I noticed that you had a cake from "I Dream of Cake" in San Francisco. When my husband and I were looking at wedding cakes we went there are not only are their cakes absolutely stunning, they taste amazing too. Unfortunately the price was a little too high for our budget.
Kim
I think I'm gonna say lotus blossom, feathered egg, or Epcot...
You know, I've wondered why anybody would pay $1000 or more for a cake.
The first cake here just showed me why. The bakers and decorators here today are true artists. The absinthe (last) one has such spirit and wit, as well as technical skill.
Now, if only I were rich enough to support Cake Art . . .
Beautiful selection today!
My contribution to the Eggcot scandal: my first thought was that it was a protea flower, but I doubt it unless the cake was made in / for South Africa :)
WTHeck is a protea? http://farm1.static.flickr.com/84/211206381_0ba24c4757.jpg
I thought Jen wrote this post until I got to the "Jen & I . . ." part, so now I'm wondering why John wants a pink dress? :)
I think it's neither an egg nor a pineapple but a protea flower.
Emery on Maui
@jkelsofarrell, that's not a spoon, it's a pie (or cake) server.
I love Sundays.
Yes, they are called pineapple finials, mostly because they were designed by people who had never actually seen a real pineapple, and assumed that they must look rather like pinecones. Personally, I always thought that they looked more like a protea.
I think it's an egg. There are feathers on the cake and it's surrounded by nest-like twigs at the bottom.
Beautiful cakes all around! I love Sundays! =D
Angie
Simply stunning cakes. I could look at pictures of cakes like that all day.
I think it is an egg. The nest materials around the base and the feathers on one tier lead me to think, "egg".
But, what do I know? :P
it has to be a pineapple, a traditional symbol of hospitality.
how could you ever cut into one of these? WITH A KNIFE.
obnoxious sarcasm duty discharged for the day. :D
LUV U!
This is my favorite Sunday Sweets yet.
Sarah
i'm with josin on that one: i don't like the mint (or absinthe) green cake either.
while the artist who made it is clearly extraordinarily skilled the cake looks a bit overdone to me.
get rid of all those bows and sugar-ribbons and the cage like structure on top of the cake and it would be classy and beautiful.
Such perfection. Again, your site is a favorite Sunday morning ritual. Vanilla coffee, flavored creamer and these lovely cakes. Ahhhhhhh...nice! Your book is on my holiday wish list. Thanks for displaying such beauty. There aren't many things in life that are perfect, except my handsome son and these cakes! Thank you! Austin, TX
As gorgeous as these cakes are, how wrong of me to try to envision them as true wrecks? My poor family couldn't understand why I was chuckling at these beautiful creations....
*It's a pineapple. Traditional Colonial American symbol of hospitality... And the embellishment on many a newel post.
i am agog, as usual! the two white cakes in the middle of the post (one w/ pink beadwork, the other with black) are amazing, and the blue w/ white totally reminds me of my grandmother wedgewood.
correct me if i'm wrong, it's the "pinecone" on the top of that one actually supposed to be a pineapple, a symbol of hospitality?
Stunning...I love Sunday Sweets!
Surely it's an egg...there is a feather motif on the cake & a nest around the base. Maybe a feathered egg, but an egg nonetheless.
I agree with Meg that that's a cake/pie server pictured in the last photo -- and what a beautiful jadite cake stand!
But @jkelsofarrell, thanks for the comment about absinthe! I looked it up to learn about the spoon and they are similar to cake servers. It's always fascinating to see how precise and extensive the culture is around alcoholic drinks. Suddenly that cake takes on a whole new meaning if it is indeed absinthe-inspired.
Your magical pine cone is actually a white protea blossom - http://arockridgelife.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/white-protea-2.jpg?w=500&h=334
A pineapple is a symbol of friendship and hospitality. The one on the cake is a styalized version of it. They are all over the place here in New England. For some history behind it:
http://www.mindspring.com/~sixcatpack/pineappl.htm
I don't think the last cake is inspired by absinthe. I think it's a riff on vintage. The cake stand is jadeite, which originated in the 1930s/40s. Jadeite pieces were often included in bags of flour or oatmeal. It was known for being pretty sturdy glassware.
The cake itself also seems to come from the 30s/40s. The flower motif on the cake plus the molded sugar (?) pieces that are affixed to it have an art deco feel.
And that's a vintage silver cake server, not an absinthe spoon.
I think the bride is giving a nod to either a particular era. Either that or she really likes mint green. ;)
wv: rined
Oh, she rined that cake with all the geegaws and doodads!
The feathers. I want me a feather cake like that. Wow.
They are all beautiful...I wish I were that good!
Maybe it's a Faberge egg. You know, the ones with jewels and precious metals?
Okay- the thing on the top of that gorgeous blue cake is definitely AN EGG. How did I deduce this? First, there are feathers on one of the tiers, and second, it appears to be sitting on a nest! Am I right?
Not that it matters. It's beautiful even if you think the topper's an artichoke or whatever.
I love Sunday cake posts the most of all the week. :O) These amazing artists are so inspirational. Thank you for posting every week :o)
wow! and as much as i love all those cake shows on tv i have never seen any of them do a cake as stunning as any of these. takes more than a baker to make these, they are artists.
joanne
As someone who sees them all the time, I think that thing looks like the seed pod from a magnolia tree.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://yard.piddling.info/photos/sep06/magnolia1175_small.jpg&imgrefurl=http://yard.piddling.info/%3Fp%3D170&h=345&w=460&sz=19&tbnid=edCIgDvBIWfq9M:&tbnh=96&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmagnolia%2Bseed%2Bpod&zoom=1&q=magnolia+seed+pod&usg=__Vm2w0TmPfcS_ZlN8tJZ0oX7PCk0=&sa=X&ei=jCrgTOLONJL6sAPOhIHmCg&ved=0CCIQ9QEwAw
According to Rylan's description of the cake, it's an egg. However, there's no explanation of why there's an egg on top of a birthday cake lol.
The most original, elegant cakes ever! Now I'll go back and look at some of my poor efforts that I thought were OK at the time and cry! Or maybe sell all my cake pans????
As an alternative to the pineapple theory, it reminds me a lot of stylized chrysanthemum flowers found in Ottoman szaz style art.
For that matter, it is entirely possible that colonial architects were inspired by floral motifs found in India and the Near East when they first designed those "pineapple" features.
I was wondering what your feeling is on the martipan/fondant printer/cutters available now. It certainly makes for an attractive, flawless cut (the eyelets, cutouts, etc.), but do you think it's cheating? On the one hand, I sort of think people are making up with technology what they lack in skill, but on the other hand, if it's available and looks good, why not use it.
Linda P.
Beautiful! Makes me wish I had an actual wedding so I could have had one of these cakes, although I have to wonder how much they cost! The last cake (green) looks even better because they chose to display it on a milkglass green pedestal. Very pretty!
I think the pinecone/pineapple/artichoke might be a feather plume... since there are other feathers on the cake.
Like other posters have said. It's a pineapple, a sign of hospitality. Mostly seen in and on houses decorated in the Mid-Colonial era. You see a lot of them in Virginia and in some of the older houses in Texas, especially Broadway in Galveston (as well as elsewhere but that's what sticks out in my mind.)
It's one of the few things that I retained from my American Material Culture course (and to think I was considering a graduate degree in American Decorative Arts, hah!)
I can't say I would put one on a cake but on a mantle or gate post? Sure.
A friend of mine mentioned I made it here! Thank you so much for featuring one of my cakes! Actually, the topper isn't supposed to be anything although I was inspired by the pineapple looking "thing" everyone is mentioning about. Originally, I called it a faberge egg with a twist but thinking about it now, it does remind me of a pinecone with the wintery blue. Hahaha!
The pineapple was a popular decoration during colonial times. It is said to represent a warm welcome.
The pineapple has been used to represent a warm welcome. It has also been use to represent upper class status symbol.
I have seen vague references connecting the pineapple to the Virgin Mary.
Literature has compared the pineapple to a lovers kiss.
The pineapple on the top of the cake looked really familiar to me, but I can`t place where I have seen it. I am fairly sure I have seen white pineapple decorations before. In an era gone by ( perhaps at my grandmothers)
I think the "pine cone" is a cycad blossom (a.k.a., sago palm).
Beautiful. But the "rusted" cake from Nancy's Cakes doesn't look at all rusted to me. It is flawless, but it looks ivory, not like metal or wood.
Confection perfection. (aka flawless)
~~Di
Pinecone thingy on the blue cake looks like an artichoke to me. Reminds me of an architectural accent like a finial, or the ornament atop a newel post (vertical post at the end of a wooden banister), which is in keeping with the very classical feel of the cake design.
Safe to assume that the married couple are trying to invoke some sort of symbolism by featuring this image atop their wedding cake. The pinecone has been used to symbolize enlightenment, spiritual ascension, rebirth and immortality, & has been associated w/various religions including Catholicism (http://www.conesandstones.com/historical-symbolism.html). It was an important image in ancient Greek and Roman cultures, which are the classical roots of contemporary Western civilization.
The artichoke also has historical significance as a symbol of blossoming love (http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/products/articles/artichoke-history/).
Anyhoo, whoever said pineapple needs to go take another look at a pineapple.
I LOVE that one with The Epcot Center on the top.
I just checked the flower pictures, it really does have similarities! Thanks for sharing!
"You're a phony! Yes, you are! And you know what? You can't even sing. Your voice was dubbed!"
Thank you for not only showcasing a gorgeous array of cakes today but also referencing one of my all-time favorite movies.
A daisy. John, I love that that's your default flower! Such beautiful cakes.
Definitely a Victorian Era pineapple. Goes perfect with the rest of the design.
Beautiful
Uh. That is clearly a Magnolia blossom as any good southerner who has seen a Magnolia tree should know and it is perfectly done!
Okay, I have to ask. Who posted this? When I read the dress comments, I figured it was Jen. But then I read a sentence where Jen's name is mentioned - so is it John who wrote the post? 'Cause I so ... the dress comments make me kinda wonder, y'know?
;)
I vote for 'pineapple', though I could also see magnolia. Or another rejected design for Spaceship Earth. "Lose this one -- people will think they're receiving a Victorian welcome, not stepping into the future!"
As a guy, the two questions that occur first to me are, 'is it edible?' and 'how much longer before they serve the cake?'
http://www.shopping.com/jaclyn-smith-today-pixie/Rpydcd-SN-7Bex0eDAkanA==/info
i think its a feather covered egg. this is the only pic i could find but the one i saw was identical to the cake topper. it was a pink christmas ornament i saw at michaels the craft store.
gorgeous cakes! although I don't particularly like the last one - too 'busy' at the mint green of the icing/fondant clashes with the cake stand.
I don't know which one I like more. The last one, that green and white one is just beautiful, or the pink and white one. Wow, just wow.
I see Rylan has been posting a bit here about his cake. But he's very modest, so I'll direct you to see more of his outrageously incredible cakes at: http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-photos-by-Rylan.html
He is very gifted, I'd be thrilled to have as much talent as he has in his little finger.
Thank you "cake wrecks" for featuring my string work cake today. I feel like I've won an award! It's an honor to be in the Sunday Sweets "club". Lori
Love this site! Always makes me smile! These really are gorgeous. I know the sidebar commentary is not usually mocking in nature on Sunday, but I have to say, The pink one? Marie Antoinette had that dress. The next one, beautiful, and maybe inspired by the dress Queen Amidala wore at the end of Ep.One. As for the egg/pinecone? who cares- it has sugar feathers lifting it off the platter making it "float" above the nest of twigs! The last one, I just have too many words for, cause there is waay too much going on there. Then again, I design hair, not cake.
So beautiful!! I want one for my daughter's wedding!!
I have to add to the chorus and say that it looks like the bud of a Magnolia tree. (http://yard.piddling.info/photos/sep06/magnolia1175_small.jpg). I've got a nice tree here in my front yard in Houston.
Blue cake has a pineapple on top. Isn't that the symbol of hospitality?
I think it's funny that even after the cake artist reported that the "egg/pineapple" topper wasn't anything particular, people still are arguing about what it is. That being said, after seeing the pictures of the protea, that's what I vote for. (ha, ha).
These are the most beautiful Sunday Sweets ever! The string work on the first one is magnificent. I must admit, however, that the green one at the end doesn't suit me; it's too ornate. The subtle beauty of the others is what makes them really special. Thanks Jen and John for a truly Zen post.
physicsmom
All these wedding cakes makes me wonder....what did Jen and John's wedding cake look like?
The "cone" on the blue cake looks like the cones that fall from our magnolia tree.
Those are some of the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen. I would hate to cute them, but I would love to have a bite!
An un-opened lotus blossom, perhaps? It would be pretty if it was. Plus, what sense does a pineapple make on top of a wedding cake?
... About as much sense as any other of these weird cake toppers, I suppose.
I know this is a clone response as far as you're concerned, but i SO love all your posts! Please don't ever stop!
Absolutely beautiful. It could be a Fabergé egg...
I just received your calendar in the mail yesterday!!! I can't wait to open it and read it...on Christmas :(
You should publish a Sunday Sweets book too!
I actually think the "Grandma-era" cakes look very modern. So yeah, I guess your grandma (mine was Ruth, too) was ahead of her time.
I don't like the last one, much. It's impeccably done, and clearly took way more skill than I have, but it's much too busy.
I think the topper is a thistle blossom.
According to Art and Appetite's website (verbatim): "I achieved the floating effect on the bottom tier by elevating it on a small seperator. Those curled pieces were made out of gumpaste using a modified hydrangea leaf cutter. I made the fleur de lis using a custom mold and then made the flower buttons (altered) using a purchased jewel mold. I’m telling you, mold making is addicting!
The topper is actually a foam egg covered in the same pieces as the ones from the bottom tier. If you want the whole thing edible, you can make a giant chocolate egg. One of my favorite part about this cake are the feathers. I hand cut it from gumpaste and then attached them on the sides (I really love the flow). Finally, I then used a frill cutter to give the board a finished look."
I disagree that the last cake is Absinthe-inspired. That is a pretty standard, fancy cake server, not an Absinthe spoon.
@Rooh That was totally my thought! John wants a dress...and a second one! Wow who'd have thought ;-)
I just have to say that anyone who mentions Miss Piggy's synchronized-swimming dream sequence while looking at a feathery cake is awesome.
AWESOME.
I'll throw my voice in with the pineapple crowd. Actually I'm kinda surprisd you didn't know that, it's a traditional decorating motif.
http://decoratkaccents.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/pineapple-plaque.jpg?w=258&h=258
Oy. What was the Epcot level today, John?
I love all the cakes. The string work awes me, because I could NEVER have that steady a hand to pipe it.
You can tell who posted the entry at the bottom of the entry. It says, "Posted by **" on *date* at *time*. I believe today's was posted by #1, aka the Other Jen. At any rate, cakes were amazing, and I would love to have a couple of them as dresses, too!
Oh, and the topper? It's so obviously Spaceship Earth. Or whatever Rylan (you know, the BAKER?) says it is.
They are all exquisite. I think my favorite is the first.
It looks like a Protea. The National flower of South African.http://plants.newplant.co.za/gxgjvaqcv/family/proteaceae/size/4/page/5
The cakes are all done perfectly!
The Cake Personality Test
Which cake are you like?
http://www.3smartcubes.com/pages/tests/cake-personality/cake-personality_instructions.asp
Amazing cake artistry, WoW!
Okay, about the pine cone/egg cake, you say, "Jen and I debated," which led me to believe John was writing this post. If so, please tell me why you keep saying, "I want this as a dress." Something we need to know John?
The one thing I never fail to think about when I see those is the price. What must something like that cost? I'm sure the top tier of any one of those cost more than my house payment each month. Yikes.
Every party needs a pooper. Guess that's why you invited me!
I'd agree with others...artichoke. It's a symbol of "blossoming love"
I think it's an egg. The beautiful Robin's Egg Blue color of the cake, the feathers, and last but not least, the twigs that make up the "nest" at the bottom of the cake.
Whatever you see, it's beautiful, and so very well done.
Dawnetta
I love the cake with the pink!!! The shape of the tiers is so fun!
I'm fairly certain it IS an artichoke. My mother has these little stone artichokes at the corners of her garden that look just like it (the little stone artichokes prevent garden hoses from being dragged inadvertently through the flower beds). It's lovely and old-fashioned. This post has the most amazing cakes!
A whole lot of pretty all in one post but I must say - That architectural one just makes me want to play Bioshock!
I thought the bud on top of the cake was a lotus. You see them alot on fountain tops. So my vote is an unopen lotus blossom.
:D
Beautiful!!!!
Pine cone makes the most sense to me since it is a symbol of the pineal glad - the center of consciousness and spirituality found in many civilizations, including Catholicism. Go to the Court of the Pine Cone in the Vatican Square.
http://www.tokenrock.com/explain-Pineal-Gland-73.html
I skipped right over to Sunday Sweets because I got a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when I began reading your most recent post above this one...as usual, made me admire and smile over all the beautiful cakes !
Judging by the feathers on the third tier, and the fact that the cake appears to be sitting on a NEST, I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be an egg on top. It almost looks to me like an egg made of feathers.
I think that the top of that cake is a lotus blossom, the symbol of purity.
Now, I haven't read any comments (I'm still recovering from reading the Epcot ones just last week), so I'm sorry if this has been mentioned already, but the top of that cake reminds me a bit of a Waratah. All incredibly beautiful.
I think the pineapple-pinecone-artichoke may be a lotus flower.
Andrea
Oh wow, the love and artistry that go into these is awesome.
Less IS more.
errr something is amiss.. or there's something someone's not telling us.... piece together these two comments...
"I want this as a dress:"
and
"Jen and I debated...."
mmmmmm
That thing on the last one is an owl's inverted pituitary gland.
I vote artichoke. That way, I get a magnificent cake, and then top it with my favourite vegetable!
Did no one notice the actual creator of the 'egg'-topped cake posted on here and told everyone what it was!
beautiful cakes!!! i love sundays too! x
The egg/cone topped cake resembles: not just any Faberge egg, but the Faberge Imperial Pine Cone Egg. Except, the direction of the points are different in that:
http://www.google.com/images?q=faberge+imperial+pine+cone+egg
Oops, the pine cone egg was Faberge but not Imperial.
It's a pine cone.
Check out this (Dutch) website:
http://borro3.tripod.com/id136.html
Not a pineapple or a flower but a symbol
Oh my gosh...such an amazing buncha cakes!
very pretty cakes.
wow. i want a piece of all of those
"Have I said "flawless" yet? Because I'll say it again: FLAWLESS. Wouldn't you think this was the most fragile of porcelain? And look at the gently embossed vines by the flowers. I can't even draw a straight line. Unbelievable."
I read this in a New Jersey accent. (Try it.)
Also, these cakes are incredible.
Don't be stupid, it's a hippogriff egg.
I think that is an old fashioned pineapple or artichoke on that cake. In the old south, a lot of pineapples in wallpaper looked like that. It means that guests are welcome. I dunno.
I recognize that last one from and old issue of Westchester magazine! It's from Lulu Cake Boutique in Westchester, NY. They have all sorts of gorgeous eye-candy cakes like that.