Monday, February 9, 2009

Stomping Grounds Cake and a Contest

First things first. The cake. I was asked to make the birthday cake for one very cool vegan kid celebrating his fifth birthday. The party was held at the "Stomping Grounds" playland, so to continue the "stomping" theme, a dinosaur cake was in order. I know my brontosaurus and his footprints aren't exactly anatomically correct, but at least they are cute. The volcano was apparently the hit of the party when the birthday boy was blowing out his candles.
Even though this was the largest cake I've ever made (11'x15'), I was nervous that it wouldn't be enough for a crowd of hungry toddlers (is 5 a toddler? I don't know these things) so I also whipped up a batch of carrot cake cupcakes. These were also stomped, I mean stamped, with a dinosaur footprint made of fondant.


And now, the contest and some stomping of your own (which has nothing to do with cake). Onlineshoes has asked me to host a giveaway for a $100 gift certificate to their store, which carries plenty of vegan friendly shoes including the super comfortable Earth brand shoes. The rules are simple. Just leave a comment describing your favorite pair of shoes that you have ever owned (mine are the shoes on my feet right now, forest green vegan flats). On February 16th at noon (CST) I will randomly select a winner, so be sure to check back and see if you've won! The contest is only open to those who currently reside in the US. Now stomp to it!

And you can triple your chances of winning if you head over to The Urban Housewife's blog and Awesome.Vegan.Rad , where they are both running the same giveaway!

100 comments:

Jennifer said...

I feel the need to de-lurk to tell you how great that dinosaur cake is! I have been watching "Ace of Cakes" and dreaming of fondant.

I'm in Canada so I'm not eligible, but regardless, my favourite pair of shoes ever was a pair of brown cotton Airwalk sneakers with black edging that had great round toes but were still fitted in a nicer way than the skate shoes "kids these days" wear. I wore those shoes until they disintegrated.

J.

Jennifer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My favorite pair of shoes ever are so terribly beat up, but I can't bear to part with them. They are an old pair of Converse One Stars...navy blue with a white star on the side. There are faded drawings on the toes (yeah, I'm one of those people) done by a good friend when I fell asleep during a bus ride. These things have been home through tough times, to funerals, to college and back. Out riding with my horses, walking the dogs. They are so so so comfy, but are falling apart and I think I'll CRY when I finally have to part with them!

Jessie said...

First of all, I must say that the cake and cupcakes are so cute! Now about my favorite pair of shoes...these were definitely a pair of black toe-strap sandals from Payless. I bought these sandals since they were cute, cheap, and leather-free, but I did not expect them to last very long. Amazingly, these sandals lasted me almost two years, and I wore them almost every day! I miss them and I have not been able to find comparable ones ever since.

Anonymous said...

My favorite shoes ever were the laceups I had in college. They were the only shoes that actually fit my arches properly. My feet are a bit disproportionate in their build, so most shoes have the arch supports a little bit too far forward for good arch support for me. Those shoes were a perfect fit. I wore them until I literally had holes in the soles. Wish I could remember where I got them.

Alicia said...

I think my favorite shoes were a pair of black and white converse that I had in college. I wore them until they were worn through.

Anonymous said...

Your cake decorating skills are beyond compare! What a cute cake--and glad it worked out!

As a kid I had a pair of Oxfords that I just loved--wore them out. (I'm not really entering the contest since I'm not eligible, but just wanted to leave a comment!)

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Amanda - you really have the midas touch with cake decorating!!! Bet it was equally delicious. :)

My favorite shoes are brown, vegan, lace-up boots! My husband surprised me with them, and says they were on sale for less than half price, and the only size left was mine!! It was so meant to be.

I love contests. Thanks!!

leslie said...

my fave shoes were a pair of green chuck taylors. i wore them all through high school and college. they were so worn out and torn up - but i still regret getting rid of them.

Amey said...

oh vegan noodle!
these are incredible! I love the big cake! and the cupcakes! exclamation point! wow... great cake. I'd be a bit intimidated to make such a huge cake, glad it turned out well. :)

as for favorite shoes... my favorites ever were probably my cowboy boots, which I bought with my own money back in high school. It took me many years after being vegan to give them away. Now I'm all about the chaco flip flops!

lao80 said...

OH, my favorite shoes are some Vegan Earth Shoes flip flops. They are so comfy.

Hungry Hungry Dancer said...

such cute cupcakes!!!! i bet those little tykes didnt know they were vegan... :)

i think my favorite pair of shoes are foe leather braided sandals. They are very "hippy" as my mom says and they go with anything! dresses, jeans, shorts... i love love love them :)

radioactivegan said...

My favorite shoes are red (vegan) pumps. They have a stunning 3 1/2 inch heel, which really helps with my 5'2" frame ... I love them!

Unknown said...

These desserts look delicious! Why do I torture myself and keep looking?!

My favorite shoes have to be my soccer cleats. Wearing them and remembering goals I scored, teams I played with and the atmosphere of being on a lit up field is exhilarating. I still have a really old pair that I refuse to toss!

Anonymous said...

Your cake decorating talents never cease to amaze me!

No idea on favorite shoes of all time. Right now, I am really loving my hiking shoes (I think they are Tevas), because they really grip the rocks, making it fun to boulder. Come to think of it, my Teva flip flops see a lot of around town mileage too. :)

Anonymous said...

Guppy's birthday is in Early May & I must figure out how you made that dino & volcano. Do you buy fondant or make it? I'd like to make her something so dinoriffic!

DJ said...

I LOVE the little dino-stomped carrot cupcakes - so adorable!!

Tacha said...

Wow! I absolutely love that cake! What a lucky little boy!

The Voracious Vegan said...

What a lucky birthday boy to have such a gorgeous cake! Love the cupcakes too.

I don't live anywhere near the US but my favorite pair of shoes are like works of art. Super sleek spike heels that are a luscious, magenta hot pink at the toe and then fade to blackish blood red at the heel. So damn sexy. And they are fake leather so I don't have to feel guilty about wearing them...even though I do feel a bit wobbly in the 4 inch heels.

Domestic Dharma said...

Hello, love your blog and all of your wonderful cakes and cupcakes! My favorite shoes that I wear all the time are Earth Lazer (vegan) shoes, they are seriously the most comfy shoes ever:)

nico said...

I think my all-time favorite shoes would have to be a pair of teal Clarks I picked up while on vacation (pre-vegan days). Nevertheless, I have very fond memories of shoe shopping in a foreign country, asking for sizes in a foreign language (which I don't speak!), and they are quite comfy and I've never seen another pair like them here in the US so they've always been pretty unique and get lots of compliments.

J said...

Love the cake!! I still want to know when you are opening your vegan bakery :)

I have to say my favorite shoes were my Doc Martens, even though my sister made fun of me for wearing them!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Gorrgeous cake!!

Favorite shoes = my boots :-)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Gorrgeous cake!!

Favorite shoes = my boots :-)

australopithecus said...

My favorite shoes ever were these handmade slip on's from Morocco. Someone stole them from my car. :(

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

I LOOOOVE the dinosaur! What brand fondant did you use? I use Wilton, but it always seems to dry up and break apart, so I have to stick with flat fondant figures :(

My fave shoes are some vegan Steve Madden black boots I found-- no one can believe they're not suede!

Anonymous said...

My favorite shoes are SO beat up and actually have a hole where my pinkie toe sticks out, but I still love them :o) They are mesh and have no backs...kind of like slip-ons? Whatever--they are great!

Courtney

aimee said...

Your brontosaurus is adorable! I have two pair of favorite shoes. They are both very uncomfortable to wear,but I will never part with them. The first are my yellow Chuck Taylor high tops I've had for more than 20 years and the second are my red cowboy boots (also mine for almost 20 years!)

Erin Semagin Damio said...

I might have to say these old black hiking boots that I've had since sixth grade -- about ten years. I don't wear them much, but I can't bear to throw them out even though the sole is falling apart.

miss v said...

i love the dino footprints! cute.

and i would love a pair of earth shoes - my husband just bought his. my favourite pair of shoes are actually black 5-inch clog heel boots... sort of army-ish. :)

Anonymous said...

I am actually a huge fan of crocs. I have worn them INto the ground. But they're glorious and lightweight and--best of all--vegan!

Lauren said...

Adorable cake and cupcakes! :)

I have so many shoes how could I choose a favorite?! I will go with my red pumps, they have a silver high heel on them..I can never feel bad wearing these, they are my happy shoes!

Anonymous said...

The cake is terrific. You are so talented it is amazing.
My favorite shoes are my slip-on checkerboard vans. I am lazy when it comes to lacing up shoes, so they are great for me.
Have a great day fellow Texan.

Tamara said...

Gorgeous cake! And YAY for contests!!!

I suppose my favorite shoes are my very old Teva criss-cross flip-flops. I can't wait until the weather is warm enough to wear them again.

:-)

jessy said...

what an awesome cake - and those cuppies! it's all just too darn cute! you're so talented! i especially love the volcano! :)

i don't really have just one particular pair of favorite shoes since i love, love, love flip flops! i can't get enough of them!

Anonymous said...

OMG! Super duper CUTE cake and cupcakes! Sooooo creative! :-D

My fav pair of shoes are a pair of knit booties I received as a gift one year!

Jingle said...

Oh, now that is tricky in that I am a shoe person! My favorite pair ever was probably my saddle shoes when I was five years old! I loved them! I wore them with everything including my purple corduroy pants! LOL!

allularpunk said...

i'm running one for $50 over at my blog! yours is obviously doubly better. so i'll enter: my favorite pair of shoes are my low-top black n white chuck taylors. and have been since i was like 13.

affectioknit said...

My favorite pair of shoes are Teva's - as soon as it's warm enough in the spring those will be on my feet!

Anonymous said...

I love the dinosaur and the stomp-prints on the cupcakes!!! I wish I could eat kid-themed treats every day!!!

Best shoes ever? Hmmmm... I don't wear fancy shoes. I am a sneaker kind of girl. But, as a kid, I had some boots that I wore inside the house and outside too! Upstairs, downstairs, in the tub, you name it. They were bright white. Super simple. I accessorized them with orange sunglasses (also worn inside and outside). Too cool. Thanks for hosting the contest Amanda!!!

laura said...

Seriously, what a lucky kid! The cake and cupcakes are gorgeous!

My favorite shoes ever were a pair of Doc Martens Mary Janes that I wore for about four years straight in college. Loved those shoes and still need a good vegan replacement!

dreaminitvegan said...

What kid wouldn't like this cake! The dinosaur looks great. Lovin the cupcakes too.

One of my favorite dress shoes were these strappy dark blue suede(pre vegan days) 3 inch stillettos. It was like I was almost walking barefoot except I had some height to me.

Anonymous said...

If I ever have kids, you're going to make cakes for them too, right? Promise?

J. Cathryn said...

Dinosaurs and cake... could a birthday get any better?

Favorite pair of shoes? Easy. I had some men's hiking sandals that I wore until the straps came out. At which point I screwed 4 eye bolts into the sides, reinforced them with superglue, and laced 'em up with a normal shoelace. They disappeared a few years ago, but I still miss them.

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

The cakes are adorable! What a lucky kid.

I think my favorite shoes are my knee-high, pointed-toe, 4" heel vegan boots. I love them so much that I have them in black and dark brown. They're sexy, comfortable, and cruelty-free!

Zucchini Breath said...

My favorite shoes are some old canvas Adidas that I bought at a thrift store. I wore them until my toes were coming out the sides and still wouldn't get rid of them until I found a suitable replacement at a thrift store. Then I tied the laces together and tossed them over the telephone lines so I could see them every day!

My favorite shoes right now are my green fuzzy house slippers. Comfy.

MeloMeals said...

AWESOME cake.. thanks for reminding me.. I am going to be hosting a giveaway for a GC too. I'll get that post up tomorrow.

Tami said...

My summer sandals are my favorites. So comfy and lots of wiggle room for happy toes.

That is one cool party!

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

The cake & cupcakes are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

My favorite pair of shoes was a pair of slinky black strappy sandals I got from mooshoes.com. They were super flat, and went great with summer dresses or slacks. I'm sad they are now broken!

Bianca said...

That is one precious cake! Makes me wish I was turning 5 so you could make it for my birthday (and because it would be awesome to be 5 again and not have to worry about the stupid economy).

As for the shoes, my favorite pair are my trusty black Chuck Taylor All-Stars. I've been through at least 5 pairs of them.

Anonymous said...

That cake is awesome. I think I need to start playing around with ideas if I'm going to make the cake for my niece's 6 year b-day party. She loves dinosaurs so you've given me oodles of inspiration.

I have to agree with Bianca. My favorite shoes are my black Chuck Taylor All-Stars. I love them.

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Yeah! Can we enter each others?! My favorite shoes are my black slouchy boots, vegan of course.

I love that cake & cupcakes! too cute.

noodlebang said...

Love the cake and cupcakes!!!! So freakin cute....

My favorite shoes are a pair of canvas wedges from sugar. They've got an amazing yellow and red design that's fairly loud and make me smile everytime I put them on.

Anonymous said...

That cake looks so good. Yummy! It's really cute, too. I'm sure it was a hit. You were my 100th commenter. I know that's not so much, but it was cool for me. I want to send you a prize. What is your info?

Anonymous said...

dinosaurs rule!! so jealous.

my new favorite shoes are my new balance 858's. so comfortable and all black!!

Desert Dogs California said...

The cake looks super cute!

My favorite pair of shoes were when I was a little kid I had one of the first pair of shoes that lit up when you stomped around (your post reminded me of them haha!)

Cake said...

My new running shoes are my favorite. They allow me to do what I love!

aTxVegn said...

Your cake and cupcakes look so professionally done! Very impressive.

My favorite shoes have always been and still are my Keen sandals. I'm on my second pair, but I still have the first pair I got 10 years ago. They last forever.

sharon said...

My favorite shoes by far (and the most comfortable ones I own) are the ugliest and strangest looking shoes ever: my crocs. They are perfect for traveling, especially in the airport security lines. They go with wet, cold, dry, hot, they are the perfect shoe. Even Mary Poppins, who is "Perfect in every way" would approve.

Sarah said...

I looove that little dino, he is so adorable! I really want to learn how to make all the cool fondate figures.

Anyways! Love the brand. My favorite shoes probably have to be my disgusting, ripped, and smelly black low-top converse. I have had them for 8-10 years. They are absolutely dreadful, they are falling apart, but I still wear them almost every day...even though I bought a new pair :)

Lisa said...

Your cakes always look ultra professional AND pretty! What a nice job. My favorite shoes are some vegan knee high black boots with a sensible heel. Vegan, stylish, and comfortable, all in one!

River (Wing-It Vegan) said...

You are such an awesome cake maker! It has a freakin' volcano on it! The dinosaur foot prints are so adorable, and I want to bite Dino's tail off!! :)

Awesome giveaway, I want in!! My favorite pair of shoes aren't glamorous, they are fluffy, they are soft, and they are comfy... my slippers! I'm serious!

Anonymous said...

What a cool birthday cake! You did such an awesome job. I just though - wouldn't it be cool to make cupcakes and stick something in them - like a toy or a fondant "bone" that could be dug out?

I've had many favorite shoes. I usually buy 1 pair and wear them every day until they're worn out. Back in my teens I loved a pair of blue vinyl Vans with orange shoelaces. I bought them at a thrift shop for $5!

Sheree' said...

Oh how I dream of having a new pair of vegan shoes. I only own 1 pair and they are tennis shoe, in fact they are the only shoes I own. lol Oh, please shoe fairy let me win!!!

You are a master baker!!!

Romina (La Cucina Vegan) said...

Love your cake and cupcakes.
My all time favorite pair of shoes is a pair of black fabric (nylon type of fabric) Donna Karan boots lined with bright yellow flannel. They are lace up and have these chunky rubber heels. I bought them 20 years ago and wish I could find something similar again!

Anonymous said...

A classic pair that has lasted me well over a decade are Reef flipflops. Quality shoe, ever comfortable.

Amy said...

Your cake and cupcakes are adorable! I love the footprints!

Eddie G said...

Beautiful cake and cupcakes!

My favorite shoes are my green and white checkered Vans. I wear them daily...kinda gross, but they feel great!

Unknown said...

I attended the party and can verify that the cake was delicious! My two year old daughter and I devoured it.

Favorite shoes? Birkenstocks! Nothing else has ever come close to the comfort of these shoes.

Michelle said...

Great looking cake!

I bought my Earth Shoes @ http://www.vegetarianshoesandbags.com/ They are AWESOME!

I also found a great pair of mules @ Saver's, of all places.

racheyalex said...

My fav shoes have always been a pair of black shoes with white trim/laces. back in the pregan days they were vans, then chucks, and I just wore through last years keds. luckily it's boot season now... but I totally need new black n whites for this spring!!

RunwithSticks said...

The cake is awesome and the cupcakes are delightful! I took a baking course a few months ago but am still intimidated by fondant (the taste mostly, not the use). You are encouraging me to branch out :) Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Katy said...

What an adorable cake! I just love the paw prints!

Ally said...

I love the cake & cupcakes! You are truly talented. I would have to say my favorite shoes would be my new Vivian Westwood shoes by Melissa. Very aesthetically pleasing although not good for long walks on the beach. ;)

Vaala ◪ said...

Oh wow, what a gorgeously cute cake! Bet the kids loved it (I can imagine the volcano being a hit!).

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, those look scrumptious! So divine!!!

My favorite shoes would be my sneakers! =D

Trista Hill said...

My most favorite pair of shoes were probably, at the time, those with the highest heel. And they were red. The only problem was that I didn't have a lot of red in my wardrobe, and I was a freak about not wearing the same clothes too soon, so the red shoes didn't come out as often as I would have liked. Yeah, and everything had to match then....

nora said...

my favorite shoes were these sparkly red mary janes i had when i was 5 and i would walk up to strangers and say, "do you want to see my pretty red shoes?!"

Anonymous said...

The dino footprints are so fun!

My fav vegan shoes are my J-41 Sidelines. You can dress them up or dress them down...and they are SO comfortable!

Kelly said...

The cake is adorable, and the cupcakes are such a perfect addition! So cute.

Hmm, favorite shoes... I'd have to go with a pair of black heels I bought recently; they have a high strap and remind me of a modern take on those awesome heels you always see gals wearing in movies from the 40s. I love them!

Bex said...

Those cupcakes! I can't decide if I want to cuddle them or cram one in my mouth.

As for the shoes. I still haven't found a replacement (although the shoes are long gone). I don't remember the brand but they were light and sneakery. They were almost like wearing no shoes they fit so well.

Catherine Weber said...

When I was little, I loved plain ol' white Keds.

Now, I love anything with a good insole and plenty of toe wiggle-room. Lately, I've been loving Merrel's "Ortho-Lite" line . . . I'm on my feet SO much, but my back and knees don't hurt like they used to!

...barbara... said...

your cakes rock....

it is so hard to pick a favorite pair...
i love my boots for winter, no name brand, just comfy knee high ones...i have a couple pairs...
but i did pick up awesome rope sandals at bonnaroo a couple years ago from nomadic state of mind and they are lovely....

Unknown said...

The cake & cupcakes were superb! (I know -- I was there!). I know you made a 4 year old super cool vegan kid very happy!

My favorite shoes were my sunshine yellow terrycloth flip flops that I had the summer when I was 9. I had a matching yellow terrycloth romper. I know this sounds nerdy, but back in 1979 I was "all that" and looking cool in my shoes. I'm sure the shoes were vegan, even though I wasn't yet at age 9. : )

Valerie H. said...

My favorite pair of shoes ever were these dirt-brown Vans classic slip-ons that I got at the outlet store back when outlet stores were still actually cheap. I hate tying my shoelaces, so slip on are amazing for me. I wore them until the brown because even uglier and there was more open space from holes than there was actual canvas left. My room mates used to joke about throwing them away when I was gone, and it wasn't until someone implied that I might need some help financially (basically that I was homeless!) that I finally parted with them. :( I miss them though.

Anonymous said...

Great cake, I'm absolutely certain that the birthday boy adored it!

Jess said...

God, you make the cutest cakes & cupcakes!!! Come teach me your skillz.

Jess said...

Oops!! And my favorite pair of shoes are my black faux leather ballet flats... But I can't wear them again until spring! They are just sitting in my closet waiting to be taken out for a spin again...

vijita said...

Ooooh pretty cakes.

I was a dancer for many years and I was the happiest girl alive when I finally got my paws on some faux-leather good quality ballet shoes!! I still love them and even wear them sometimes, even though I don't dance! :)

Jenn said...

My favorite shoes are Vegetarian Shoes boots with an aerosole - they look sort of like Docs but are non-leather.

Erin said...

That cake is so cute! I must learn how to use fondant...

My favorite pair of shoes right now are slip-on white keds-like sneakers, with colored hearts all over them. They go with everything.

Anonymous said...

My vegan New Balance walking sneakers have been my favorites for years. If New Balance stops making vegan sneakers, I'm in trouble.

The Vegan Snorkeler said...

My favorite shoes are no longer made, old school low top vegan Vans (not the slip ons). I also like No Sweat low top sneakers that look a lot like converse low tops but aren't made in sweatshops.

alana said...

I'd love to win a new pair of shoes! My favs are keens and birkis.

Unknown said...

I got my favorite shoes at the Wuse market in Abuja 5 years ago. They were the only comfortable pair of dressy shoes I've ever owned. They were black high heel mary janes. Unfortunately I left them in Nigeria when I came back home and have spent the last five years looking for somthing to replace them.

Molly G said...

I have this pair of Earth Shoes that I'm in love with. Just the right amount of support and perfect for the office.

Anonymous said...

My favorite shoes are just simply athletic/tennis shoes - comfortable and casual. My sister and I have had the same pairs of shoes for a while - maybe since 2000? They've gotten good use for sure, and we're now looking for a good pair of vegan athletic shoes.

hellobird said...

since i recently moved to nyc i had to buy winter boots! i found some northface booties and they are so amazingly comfortable and warm!

ckwebgrrl said...

My favorite shoes are my Dankso clogs. They are super comfortable, last for years and allow me to show off my funky sock collection :)

I think I'll get a few more years out of my current pair, but I'm already on the lookout for a vegan replacement that will make me as happy. Wish me luck!