At the intersection of design and architecture,

you'll find my childhood birthday cakes.

Eighth birthday, 2001, in peak form with both a crown and a cat.

My birthday is coming up on the 9th, and yesterday my mom sent me photos of my childhood birthday cakes over the years. They are something to behold, true feats of design, so I am sharing them with you today.

Mom is a self-professed reluctant baker, but she took on the challenge of my birthday cakes with the zeal of a Great British Bakeoff contestant with something to prove. The cakes became more and more dimensional over the years. Sphere cake tins were acquired at one point, because how else does one pull of the forced perspective needed to do justice to a Quidditch cake?

Please enjoy, in order of birthday, some confectionary art.

The very first birthday cake, complete with a porcelain coin bank. This is one of two Winnie the Pooh cakes. This is “Realism Pooh.” The second is a more abstract interpretation.

Pooh II.

Abstract Pooh.

A fish cake for my Under the Sea themed third birthday.

I know you wanted a detail shot of the fish. Here you go.

A Minnie Mouse themed fourth birthday.

She will haunt your dreams now.

Fun fact, I was due on the 4th of July. Another fun fact, I had yet to take a history class when I chose “America” as a party theme.

Eighth birthday, princess themed. Obviously.

Nine was the zenith of my Ancient Egypt phase.

Tenth birthday, cat themed. I can tell I did the legs because that is how I drew cat legs. And I drew a lot of cat legs in my day.

A Quidditch cake for my Harry Potter themed 11th birthday. Please note the glitter wings on the snitch.

Until next week,

Elizabeth

This newsletter is just one facet of Zhuzh, my platform dedicated to conscious consumption and making space for delight. I offer secondhand-and-vintage-based wardrobe and interior styling services, art curation, and super chill life coaching. Keep up with me on Instagram and learn more at www.zhuzhlife.com.