Guest blogger: Robyn of Zen Cupcake

Happy Holidays! I'm Robyn, the blogger behind Zen Cupcake. April 2008 marked the public unveiling of my cupcake blog. My first stats report revealed four page views. Currently, I'm happy to report a significant increase in my readership following a humble beginning. Cupcakes and blogging has been a multi-dimensional learning experience. It's also created new relationships with those who are equally dedicated and passionate about cupcakes and social media. Most of all, blogging about cupcakes is fun. I think that's what makes cupcakes so appealing to adults. Some days grownups need a time out to stop and taste the frosting. Personally, my favorite cuppie is strawberry cake with pink buttercream frosting from Sprinkles or Bristol Farms. It's no coincidence that a pink cupcake aptly describes my alter ego, Ms. Cupcake.

December is my favorite month of the year. I celebrate a birthday, which leads into the holiday season of parties, festivities and naturally, cupcakes. I divide my time between San Francisco and southern California. One of my favorite places in Orange County for fun--and--cupcakes is Disneyland. The DLR recently expanded its cupcake menu to include the Fab 5 in red velvet, chocolate, vanilla, lemon and buttercream. Disney cupcakes are now available at the Main Street Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Blue Ribbon Bakery as well as Marceline's Confectionery in Downtown Disney.

Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel also serves up cupcakes. The dessert display had two choices of cupcakes. In addition to green holiday cupcakes they served German Chocolate cupcakes topped with a chocolate Mickey medallion. This isn't an ordinary restaurant. A varied cast of Disney characters appear tableside throughout meal time to entertain guests and pose for photos. At our dinner Minnie and Chef Goofy were on hand to greet Ms. Cupcake. What fun!

Another fun place to enjoy cupcakes during the holidays in Orange County is South Coast Plaza. You can eat cupcakes at Mrs. Beasley's and Pacific Whey Cafe. Some of the best cupcakes at SCP are bright and shiny. Ms. Cupcake found something *pink* from Tiffany &Co. box under her tree this year. Aside from the pink cupcake they also sell a very special gold cupcake too. Maybe next year, Santa will find a clue and bring her a gold cuppie!

Another favorite cupcake palace at South Coast Plaza is Judith Leiber. The sales staff at the SCP store know Ms. Cupcake because they've seen her face pressed up against the window gazing lovingly at the holy grail of all cupcakes. Ms. Cupcake dreams of owning the cupcake clutch made famous in the May 2008 movie release of Sex and The City.

A pink cupcake was featured in the movie. It sold out months ago, but a mocha colored cupcake can be yours for $4300.00. A lil heads up. If you got the cash and really want the pink clutch, hold out until early next year. Judith Leiber is planning a Limited Edition release of more pink cupcakes.

Recently, the awesome Judith Leiber staff noticed Ms. Cupcake taking photos of the window display and invited her into the store for a closer look up close and personal. Breathtaking! The Swarovski crystals and the lining of the purse are exquisite. The photos don't do the cupcake clutch justice. Sadly, the cupcake clutch went back to the window showcase. But we didn't walk away empty handed. The kind staff gave us a sample of the new Judith Leiber perfume. It smelled heavenly!

Ms. Cupcake also got to visit with the SCP Santa to give him a heads up about her cupcake wishlist for 2009. All in all, it's been a fun and joyous cupcake holiday season and a happy ending to a year made sweeter by unexpected opportunities, new friends and lots of cupcake fun. Zen Cupcake is grateful for its readers and wishes everyone a Happy Cupcake-Filled New Year.

Saving the best for last, a super special thanks to the adored team of Rachel, Nichelle, Stacie Joy and Allison aka Cupcakes Take the Cake for their devotion to cupcakery and this guest blogger opportunity to this cupcake newbie. The first round of frosting shots are on me. You girls are the absolute best!