BabyCakes Made Me Like Gluten-Free and Vegan Treats
I have a soft spot for people who live with passion, going after want they know will make them happy, and living out their dreams, no matter what conventional roadblocks may stand in their way. Erin McKenna, the owner of BabyCakes, is like this. In fact, my favorite part of shooting with her didn't even end up on camera. It was the times when we were "off-topic", at least in Elastic Waist terms. Erin was telling me about the early days of starting her business, how most people, even her friends, seemed to think she was slightly daft but stayed politely quiet. She begged and borrowed to pay for spelt flour and was working harder than she ever had in her life, staying up till all hours baking and accounting and trying to figure out how ends would meet. And in the beginning, they didn't, and she was poorer than she'd ever been.
But when you do what you truly love, and you put something out into the world that is a part of you, something that you believe in, and something that is good, I fervently believe that it works out. Perhaps that sounds naive, but it has to. What, otherwise, would be the point of working hard to make our dreams come true? And it did work for Erin: Built by Wendy designs the uniforms, Martha Stewart is a huge fan of her allergen-free treats, and soon she will have her own cookbook.
Stories like this make me glow inside. Standing side by side next to Erin, both of us apron-clad in her feminine and charming bakery making biscuits, her spirit was rubbing off on me. And nothing makes me happier than seeing someone do what they love. Nothing, perhaps, than the day I get to do it myself.
If you feel like sharing, tell the comments what your absolute dream life looks like. Be wild and expansive about it -- why the hell not?
Comments
I LURVE BabyCakes! I saw Erin on Martha a while back and was an instant fan. I aspire to try one of her recipes but doubt I can get my hands on agave nectar and garbanzo bean flour in my small-ass town of 6000.
As for my dream life, apart from stuffing my hole with unlimited baked goods and not gaining an ounce, I would love to be financially self-sufficient from writing books and selling paintings. And live in a restored old stone house full of rescued animals. And I'd travel all over the world whenever the mood struck. God, I'm a bloody stereotype. I guess in my dream life I'd be more imaginative, too.
Posted by: Suzy | October 2, 2007 12:50 PM
Suzy, Who cares if it's a cliche? (And if it is, I'm one, too.) I think an old stone house and writing books sounds divine -- maybe that why so many people want it!
Posted by: Sarah | October 2, 2007 1:16 PM
Wow, BabyCakes is really taking off! I read about them in both Domino and BUST this month! (although the Domino mag was an older issue, heh). I'm so not vegan, and even I'm tempted!
My dream life is to have all the time I need to do the things I love. I love the career I'm training for (teaching), but it sure does suck up a lot of spare time. I wish I had time to craft, teach, cook for and host my friends regularly, take up gardening, and travel at least twice a year. Oh, and the money to afford it all, as well as people to take care of all those pesky time-suckers like cleaning.
I'm not worried about having the perfect house (although an old Victorian or a city loft would be great!), high-status job, or perfect clothes. I just want the time to pursue what I love doing. That's my dream life.
Posted by: Samantha | October 2, 2007 3:51 PM
those biscuits look awesome!
i would love to work for myself someday doing something with food. hopefully empowering people to cook for themselves and others or at least give them the tools to make them feel confident in the kitchen.
i would also like to be debt free so i can stop worrying about paying those dang bills.
and a house with a yard on a quiet street. somewhere safe that my one day kids can chase the dog around without stepping on a chicken bone. i would love to be giggling with my man while taking it all in.
thanks for opening things up to let us put our wishes out there. i do believe it helps them to come true! i love all the spunk and spirit on this website!
Posted by: renee | October 2, 2007 9:36 PM
I love this game. As for me, I too, would like the time to devote to what I love. I would like to make dinner and not feel rushed. I'd like to have a red bicycle. I'd like writing in general, and Pink of Perfection specifically, to be my job. I'd like a clean and well-decorated home. I'd like to have friends nearby who I could entertain on weeknights. I'd like a sunny kitchen, and fresh flowers everywhere.
Posted by: Sarah | October 4, 2007 11:18 AM
Hi Sarah!
im enjoying your site all the way from canada. and honestly, it makes me feel good to be an independent yet old-fashioned and feminine gal, living it up in toronto!
as for me, my dream life would be to own an old-fashioned yet sophisticated apothicary-style beauty shop. i do makeup artistry on the side and i would love to be the permanent in-house makeup artist.
Posted by: rachael | October 8, 2007 9:07 PM
Wow, that sounds like a really wonderful dream place, Rachael. :)
Posted by: Sarah | October 9, 2007 8:50 AM
What the heck I'll throw down some dreams. Freelance photographer who occasionally does world traveling stints with National Geographic. I'd read and crochet on the plane rides. Live in a restored victorian in the woods where I sketch and paint for fun and retire early to be with my cat(s?) because I am a financial dynamo. Well at least the last part has a chance of coming true.:)
Posted by: Althea | October 24, 2007 9:37 AM