every party needs cakes and balloons.

yesterday, an old friend of mine turned 24, albeit that was four days early (his birthday's on 9/9/09 but cos it's a weekday, the party was held on the 5th). it was a pretty special one for him because he was born in the year of the cow and this year, according to the Chinese calendar, is also the year of the cow. furthermore, it was a once in a lifetime 09/09/09 celebration.
so to add to the specialness of his party, i baked vanilla cupcakes, topped with lemon and strawberry icing, just for the birthday boy!

nice and golden brown. time to move on to the icing.

ta-da! the finished product.
candy letterings read: "Happy 24th Birthday, Lippy"

this Snapware carrier case is fantastic. my cupcakes reached its destination in one piece, with no smashed icing or whatsoever.
and i'm sorry i gotta do this but...
RANT: a lady came up to me on the tram, asking where i got the case from. so i told her, "Southern Cross Station's DFO. it's a homeware shop called Matchbox." she gave me a puzzled look, and then asked, "where's Southern Cross?" so i explained, "Spencer St. it's a big factory outlet that you won't miss." she continued to ask, "is it Flinder's St station? Melbourne Central?"
at that point, i was thinking, OMG LADY. should i just draw a map for you? but i patiently answered, trying to explain to her where it is. for some reason, she got fed up with me and just rolled her eyes and walked off. no thanks, no nothing. i don't think i owe her a living or something.

party photos courtesy of Kein -

aren't these the cutest?!

Lindt Hazelnut chocolate cake in the centre.

delighted? indeed!

i just couldn't leave empty handed, especially not if there were such cute balloons!