Great Cupcakes in Grand Rapids, Michigan

CAPS & GOWNS AND CUPCAKE BY DESIGN ABOUND

cbd-jennifer — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:45:59 +0000

I have two graduates in my family this year – the youngest from high school, the eldest from college. While there were similarities in the graduation ceremonies (caps, gowns, speakers, diplomas), I was struck by the marked differences in the proceedings. My daughter’s high school graduation was a solemn affair with frequent reminders to hold applause until all the graduates had crossed the stage (and a sentimental tear or two as parents realized that their “babies” were babies no more.) My son’s college graduation, on the other hand, was replete with smiles of encouragement, fist bumps, and shouts of pure joy (mostly from relieved parents at their newfound financial freedom.) Despite the disparities, I’ve found a unifying way to acknowledge this academic achievement. Graduation cupcakes, of course.

Whether hosting a formal open house or opting for a casual cookout, graduation cupcakes from Cupcake by Design are the perfectly sweet salute to the graduate in your life. Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids has such a huge variety of gourmet daily delights and special order cupcakes, it’s a no-fail reward for your graduate and a straight-A way to please your party guests (no matter what “flavor” celebration.)

Got a graduate this year? Let us help you design the best ‘cakes for the occasion in your graduate’s school colors! And take advantage of our hand delivery!

MOTHER’S DAY PUTS A SONG IN YOUR HEART (AND A CUPCAKE IN YOUR HAND)

cbd-jennifer — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:56:30 +0000

How much do I love you? A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”

Every childhood hug was accompanied by this little ditty and a tight squeeze from my mom.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.”

Rather than embarrass me with questions about teenaged tears of disappointment, Mom would ease my hurt with tuneful words of encouragement.

My mother has always had a way of dissolving bad dreams, mending broken hearts and healing boo-boos with snippets of song. (My father, God bless him, tried this tactic with less effective results. “Twinkle, twinkle little star, hope that cut don’t leave a scar.”) This Sunday is Mother’s Day, the opportunity to honor moms — not just for the obvious sacrifices made to send us down the road to success, but for the many little gestures that smoothed the bumps along the way. This year I’ve decided to follow in the footsteps of my mother and show my love musically. So here goes …

“In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore. With some sweet Key Lime Pie, we shall eat ‘til we can’t eat no more.”

No? Hmmm. How about this …

“Oh, I wish I were a Snickerdoodle Toffee. That is what I’d truly like to be-e-e. ‘Cuz if I were a Snickerdoodle Toffee, you could make a cupcake out of me.”

Huh. Sorry. Guess I got Dad’s musical gene.

Sunday, May 12 is Mother’s Day. Mom is sweet. She deserves a treat. No wonder I have cupcakes on the brain! Key Lime Pie (May’s flavor of the month), Peanut Butter Paradise, Cookies & Cream, and many more gorgeous gourmet ‘cakes. Mother’s Day cupcakes from Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids are a yummy way to let Mom know you appreciate all she’s done, hoped, dreamed, sung for you. Happy Mothers Day, Mom.

(And because I am genetically compelled to have the last musical word … “B-A-N-A-N-A SPLIT. Got to have some more of it! Oh!” … with apologies to Aretha Franklin.)

P.S. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful bouquets of Mother’s Day cookies at Cookies by Design. Open 10-4 on Saturday.

Cupcake by Design LOVES Nurses!!

cbd-jennifer — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:15:05 +0000

Nurses are the stuff of legend.

Florence Nightingale: the mother of modern nursing, a vigorous political lobbyer for healthcare reform.

Clara Barton: American nurse and teacher who turned a lifelong passion for helping others into heroic battlefield rescues and ultimately founded the American Red Cross.

Fictional nurses: memorable for fierce determination (Nurse Ratched, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest), sex appeal (Hot Lips Houlihan, M*A*S*H; Edith Shain, the lady kissing the WWII G.I. in that famous photo), flawed yet fearless humanity (Gaylord Greg Focker, Meet the Parents/Meet the Fockers; Jackie Peyton, Showtimes Nurse Jackie).

The common trait? A heart that beats to the song of others. May 6-12 is Nurses Appreciation Week — yes a week, because that is the LEAST we can do to honor the hard work, sacrifice and courage of those people who labor without recognition for US. Lets show our appreciation for these sweet-hearted people with cupcakes! Lots and lots of sweet treats from Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids. Cupcakes that cover every flavor of nurse — from earthy (like Carrot Cake) to bright (like Luscious Lemon) to spicy (like Chai Latte.) If you are a doctor or a ward supervisor or a healthcare teacher you owe it to the nursing professionals in your life to treat them to a THANK YOU from Cupcake by Design.

ADMIRE YOUR ADMIN WITH CUPCAKES ON APRIL 24

cbd-jennifer — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:47:50 +0000

Next Wednesday is the day to show gratitude and respect to the people in your world who labor tirelessly to make the workplace more efficient and employers more effective. It’s Administrative Professionals Day – and this year it’s gearing up to be one of the largest workplace observances worldwide! There are many community events, social gatherings, and corporate activities being sponsored to recognize the invaluable assistance of support staff.

Is there an administrative professional in your sphere whose efforts make your life easier? Are you an administrative professional who could use a tasty token of appreciation? Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids has just the festive and flavorful treats you need to celebrate Administrative Professionals. Something for every office … church office (Chocolate Divine) … accounting office (Vanilla Bean) … construction office (Rocky Road) … veterinarian office (Chunky Monkey) … high-court office (Chocolate Supreme ) … home office (Raspberry Delight) … and every office in between!

With so many flavors from which to choose PLUS the option of hand delivery, there is no excuse to not thank your favorite admin(s) with the admirable taste of cupcakes from Cupcake by Design.

For delivery details and to order, give us a call at 616-364.9787, toll-free at 866.644.3848, or stop by our store at 1971 E Beltline NE (Knapp’s Corner), Grand Rapids

APRIL SHOWERS BRING… SPRING CUPCAKES!

cbd-jennifer — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:28:23 +0000

Winter is giving way to spring, albeit with much protest. There’s the hope that April showers will eventually give way to May flowers. But in the meantime, a series of cold, gray, wet days has painted a bland landscape in West Michigan — except at Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids. Cupcakes are blooming all over the store in a riot of colorful flavors! Sunny tastes like Luscious Lemon, Raspberry Delight, and Orange Creamsicle … warm earthy flavors like Vanilla Bean, Peanut Butter Cup, and Carrot Cake (April’s flavor of the month). It’s nearly impossible not to smile at the sight and smell of Chocolate Coconut and Banana Split ‘cakes – it’s like a mini tropical vacation! So spring into Cupcake by Design and beat the blues with your favorite spring cupcake (there are enough flavors to keep a spring in your step until the “real deal” arrives!)

EASTER CUPCAKES BEAT PEEPS AT CUPCAKE BY DESIGN

cbd-jennifer — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:57:34 +0000

PEEP-PEEP-PEEP.
It’s everywhere, that crazy sound.
PEEP-PEEP-PEEP.
Is it robins in springtime or trucks backing ‘round?
PEEP-PEEP-PEEP.
Please tell me it isn’t the gross-gooey mess,
Of ‘mallow and sugar your dentist detests.
Oh no, it’s much better! In fact, it’s the best:
PEEP-PEEP-PEEP.
It’s the sound of an oven that’s bursting its seams,
With chocolate and sprinkles and sweet buttercream,
Cupcake by Design has the answer it seems
to
EAS-TER-TREATS.

Mock the poem all you want. But you CAN’T DENY the awesome goodness of easter cupcakes at Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids. No more dental-destroying, gelatinous orbs as the symbol of the season
It’s time to take Easter to the next level – it’s all about new beginnings. And Easter cupcakes are a fabulous way to begin a new tradition of tastefulness with every bunny. How about the Chocolate Supreme or Vanilla Bean cupcake with Cookies by Design cookie ears, or everyone’s favorite a Carrot Cake Cupcake. Easter cupcakes –now that’s the sound of REAL peepin’ happiness!

Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids … designer cupcakes, baked fresh daily, hand delivered.

CUPCAKE BY DESIGN GETS THE LAST LAUGH (WITH A MUSTACHE!)

cbd-jennifer — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:23:29 +0000

The organizers of LaughFest have tapped into a genius idea. Bring together the funniest people and the most cabin-fevered populous, throw in a bunch of fake mustaches and … VIOLA! … warm hearts in the middle of cold West Michigan. With the proceeds benefiting cancer research, it’s all for a good cause.

LaughFest kicks off on March 7^th at Rosa Parks Circle with an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing false mustaches. Because we agree that helping others is FUN, Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids is getting into the spirit. We’re offering a pi”stache”io cupcake that sports a crazy candy mustache. Plus we’ve locked arms with our sister, Cookies by Design, and come up with some seriously silly “whiskered” cookies guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. We love to laugh!

Just for grins, Cupcake by Design wants you to “show us your mustache and we’ll show you ours.” Snap a picture of yourself being hilariously helpful – we want to see you doing something nice for someone else while wearing a fake mustache! Post your mustache photo on our Facebook page anytime from now until March 17, 2013 and we’ll treat you to a FREE cupcake, your choice of flavor. Only one per person.

Entertaining and edible. Cupcake by Design. Hahahahaha

CUPCAKE BY DESIGN SOLVES THE CUPID VS. VALENTINE DILEMMA

cbd-jennifer — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:41:24 +0000

From                     St. Valentine
To                           Cupid
Subject                 St. Valentine’s project

Despite our rocky history, The Boss wants us to work together again on my annual February 14^th celebration. Can you meet later today so we can draw up a preliminary plan for Valentine’s Day?

From                     Cupid
To          Valentine
Subject                 Re: valentine project

I can’t really refuse The Boss. But please note that I draw the line at calling you Saint since you stole credit for my work. You never would have started leaving gifts for pretty women if I hadn’t nailed you with one of my arrows.

From                     St. Valentine
To                           Cupid
Subject                 Re: Re: St. Valentine’s project

I can’t help it if people refer to lacy cards, chocolate-filled hearts, and sweet treats as “valentines.” Would you prefer people give “cupids” to those they love? How inspiring is it to receive a chubby toddler wielding a weapon?

From                     Cupid
To                           valentine
Subject                 Re: Re: Re: project

You think I don’t know who started circulating those terrible photoshop pictures? Anyone who really knows me says I look more like Fabio!

From                     The Boss
To                           Staff
Subject                 Valentine’s Day and Cupcake by Design

Due to some artistic differences and realignment of duties, we are contracting-out this year’s valentine celebration to our good friends, Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids. Their delectable selection of cupcake flavors is sure to please every palate – from Luscious Lemon to Chocolate Supreme, Chai Latte to Orange Creamsicle, and so much more. And just in time for Valentine’s Day is a sweetheart of a deal on a delightfully decorated package of Chocolate Divine, Red Hot Mama, Raspberry Delight, and Red Velvet cakes. Cupcake by Design is graciously “sharing the stage” with Cookies by Design who is offering adorable cookie bouquets with fun themes like Love Bug, Wacky Hearts and Toadally Yours. Please join me welcoming them both to this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration preparation. Thank you.

From                     Cupcake by Design
To                           Sweethearts Across West Michigan
Subject                 Valentine’s Day

You’re welcome! J

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES AT CUPCAKE BY DESIGN

cbd-jennifer — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:03:40 +0000

Despite having the fewest days, February manages to pack in a whole lot of celebrating. There’s Ground Hog Day, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras and the Oscars. Of course February is most noted for Valentine’s Day. But what about February birthdays?

If you’re a February baby, you are in good company: Josh Groban, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Palin, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Jordan, Rihanna, and Larry the Cable Guy all celebrate their special day in February. And what better way to get the party started than with birthday cupcakes! It’s easy to guess which Cupcake by Design flavor some celebs would choose … Ashton: Give Me S’More, Sarah: Rocky Road, Jennifer: Red Hot Mama (February’s flavor of the month), Larry: Chunky Monkey. Any way you look at it, February is the perfect excuse for birthday cupcakes, valentines cupcakes, and just- because cupcakes.

Luckily, Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids has every cupcake reason covered!

Are you are February baby? Tell us your name, birthdate, and favorite Cupcake by Design ‘cake flavor. We’ll draw a winner from all Feb-babes and you’ll walk away with a super sweet b-day present of a six-pack of deliciousness from Cupcake by Design. Reply to the blog to be entered by Monday, February 11. Want an extra entry? Enter on Facebook too!

Inaugural Festivities Inspired by Cupcake by Design?

cbd-jennifer — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:02:12 +0000

I admit to getting caught up in the pomp and circumstance of the recent Inaugural activities. What started as mild curiosity over the people and the fashion soon became a full-blown case of de ja vu. What was it about the celebrations that seemed so … familiar?

Was it merely because this is round number two for the First Family? It had to be more than the fact that Michelle Obama chose the same dress designer for her second inaugural ball. The music, the pageantry, that dress … I had an overwhelming feeling of having seen ruby red velvet, elegant bouquets, and beaming people somewhere before. Then it hit me.

Cupcake by Design in Grand Rapids.

We’ve been setting the stage for next month’s Valentine’s Day celebrations by mixing up heavenly batches of Chocolate Divine and Red Velvet cupcakes. We’ve been making room in our delivery van for a “motorcade” of Raspberry Delight and Red Hot Mama valentines day cakes, as well as delightful Valentines Love cookie bouquets featuring red, pink & white roses. We’re ready to dazzle the paparazzi – or at least sweethearts across West Michigan – with miles of smiles and valentines goodness.

Headlines about the Inaugural Ball read “trendsetting”and “sophisticated.” Seems we’ve had that going on all along at Cupcake by Design. (And, just like the First Lady, we have excellent taste.)