Hi!

I still kind of can't believe how fast the holiday season already seems to be going! Like most people, I'm in go-mode from now until the start of next year. On my to-do checklist:

1. Tour guide for entire Sumner clan in NYC (first time ever!)
2. Find new apartment.
3. Organize orders for candy
4. Gift boxes for Ace Hotel clients
5. Prepare and ship candy orders for holidays
6. Begin weekly caramel delivery to Cochinita Taqueria!
7. Candy delivery to Mama's Food Bar!

Of all of these things, finding an apartment is the most daunting and least fun. Duh. I'm looking for a 1BR in Williamsburg or Greenpoint, so if you know of anything, please let me know!

On another note, I'm again working with Ed at Stencil1 on his new book, Stencil201. He had his first-of-many book release parties this past Monday night at Powerhouse Arena in DUMBO. I was on hand with some stenciled cookies, and plenty of caramels! Check out some photos:

I signed my first-ever autograph!

My pal (and current Top Chef hottie contestant) Tylor Boring stopped by to say hey and pose for silly photos!

Here's the author, Ed Roth (on the left) and yours truly.

More silly photos!

Frankly, I think pages 34 and 35 are the best in the whole book. Totally unbiased opinion, of course.

The event was really great! Lots of people came by to check it out and purchase the book. Ed has two (or three?) more events coming up across the country in the coming weeks. I guess I should add that onto my ever-growing to-do list above!

Check back here very soon for a holiday price list of candies I'm selling, and don't be surprised one day very soon when you come to this blog and it's been replaced by a page for my new company, Sumner & Company. The temporary holding page will be up first and will have ordering info, prices, products, as well as a link to this blog. Probably around the first of 2012, look for a super sexy brand new website! I'm very excited about the work Gary and I are doing on the brand, and I can't wait to share it with everyone!

Thanks!

Look at this silly cake I made. It's a pistachio cake, but you'd probably never know that based on how I decorated it.

It was actually for one of my best friends, Ashton, who became a US citizen in the last few years, and who, like me, always gravitates to a red/white/blue color scheme. This was just over the top, though.

The frosting was honey/vanilla/pistachio. It was sweet (too sweet for my taste, actually), but people seemed to really go for it.

The decor was inspired by an ice cream cake I saw in a shop in Sleepy Hollow a few weeks back, when Eric and I were taking a Sunday leaf-peeping drive. We were both like, "Agh! It's ugly! And amazing!"

Anyway, there you go.

Still in the works to get Sumner & Company up and running. I've met with an accountant who is advising me about forming the corporation and what steps I need to take. I'm also in the midst of looking for a new apartment in Brooklyn (a full-time job unto itself, as any new Yorker knows), dealing with some serious changes at my OTHER job, trying to build the Sumner & Company brand/website, all while maintaining a growing weekly order of candy for the Ace Hotel. My days are full, to say the least!

So, back to it. And if you know any any apartments in Williamsburg/Greenpoint, let me know. I'll bake you a thank-you cake!