No. 9 || Apple of my Pie
"I think the apple's rotten right to the core", some summer recaps, crazy collabs, and a whole lot more. . . (I hope you're singing this rather than just reading it lolz)
Dear Readers & Cake Eaters,
**Audio Version Goes RIGHT HERE from now on so you don’t miss it!**
A lot of you are new here, welcome! I couldn’t be more thrilled to have you. :)
I took an impromptu break from writing (not that any of you noticed, lolz) to soak up my San Francisco summer, work on some projects, hang with people IRL, bake some cakes, and also eat all of the things. But I’m back, baby!
My summer was nothing short of magical from catching up with old friends, to eating my weight in Mexican and deep fried foods, hosting my first Substack Writer’s Meetup Event, driving my trusty old Jeep around 24/7 to the point that my left arm is a visible two shades darker than my right from driver’s seat sun exposure, meeting fellow writers IRL like Kellyn aka
& , interviewing friends and tastemakers for my new interview series that I will shortly be unveiling, and just getting ready for what’s next.& If you’ll allow me 2 seconds of vanity, I’d like to gratefully mention that I was quoted by (who you may also know as Movie Pudding) for her super fun Vogue article on stylish up and coming jelly brand, Gelée which you can read HERE. Additionally, I was interviewed by the one and only for her newsletter, The Molehill on the less demure and less cutesy things about fashion week which you can read HERE. To say I’m grateful that anyone would want to hear my two cents on anything is an understatement and 20-year-old-me is absolutely screaming. No, scratch that. 6-months-ago-me is screaming!!! Thank y’all and looking forward to highlighting incredible tastemakers and get-r-done-ers in the interview series that I’ll be dropping soon, stay tuned!
Lastly, just a head’s up that my next issue will be my 10th and will also be when I finally turn on the paywall! It’s time, but I hope you’ll continue to feast with me. I’m excited to announce that next issue’s theme will be Pumpkin (Spice) and while I already have a million things planned for it, do feel free to ping me with anything pumpkin related you think might be fun or relevant!
And for those of you who are new to The Cakewalk, just a head’s up that my newsletters are always VERY long and the idea of the menu setup is so that you can piecemeal the content as you wish.
Now let’s dig in! xo
THE CAKEWALK - WEEKLY SPECIALS MENU
Thursday, September 19th, 2024
Happy Hour Specials: NYFW (&LFW) Edition
FYI, the Happy Hour Specials would normally merit their own newsletter but I only have a handful of highlights so cram it here, I shall! Also I’m well aware that we’re deep into fashion month and PFW is just around the corner but I’m behind!
Leeann Huang presented her SS25 collection by way of popup installation at the Ace Hotel in Brooklyn during NYFW and let me tell you, it does NOT fall short of expectations (mine anyway). As a proud owner of her Shrimp Cocktail Spaghetti Tank in which I painstakingly stalked the release of, I’m primed to expect only the most covetable clothing items with cheeky foodstuffs on them from her from now on. You can be damn sure I’m impatiently awaiting the announcement of the SS25 Collection’s availability.
Kate Barton’s SS25 Runway Show was sponsored by wait for it, Goldfish and not just that, their partnership made its way into the collection as well. Yes, as in the friendly little baked cheddar snacks that were always a lunchbox hit. In case you’re confused as to how this partnership came to be (I was too in the beginning), it basically stemmed from one of Barton’s most iconic pieces being a floating goldfish bag that supposedly went viral after being worn by Heidi Klum. That’s about as organic as a partnership can get and I can only applaud it and manifest the same type of organic snack partnership for myself lolz.
Monte’s Fine Foods partnered up with Bloomingdales to launch an exclusive capsule collection as part of their “From Italy, With Love” Initiative. “From Italy, With Love” is a 2 month-long retail event featuring over 300 exclusive products from 150+ renowned partners, and the introduction of over 30 new brands with a shoppable marketplace, dubbed Il Mercato, at its 59th Street flagship. To celebrate the occasion, Monte’s hosted a San Gennaro-themed bash to fete the partnership conveniently coinciding with NYFW. So happy for Monte’s, and still waiting to get my hands on their previous collab bag with Staud that you can actually pre-order here.
Paris Hilton teamed up with Joe & The Juice to bring us the ultimate pink drink - The Iconic Tonic and according to the company’s official page, “This juice has a tropical refreshing hydrating twist and collagen for a touch of glow and beauty 💅, that will keep you ✨sliving✨”. Paris Hilton, pink, collagen juice, nyfw. . . not necessarily groundbreaking but I’m here for the Paris Hilton ride as much as anyone else. And who doesn’t love to see a queen thriving. Sorry, I meant sliving.
Poppi soda celebrated the launch of their cherry cola by throwing a NYFW party and a 2-day “Poppi World” pop-up featuring a performance by 50 Cent, Vashtie Kola as the DJ, and celebrity appearances from the likes of Emily Ratajkowski, Jasmine Tooks, Patrick Ta, and more. I’m just bummed that they were sitting on a treasure trove of wordplay between “Pop”pi(ng) and cherry (cola). Missed opportunity. . . oh well one thing’s for sure, my curiosity has been piqued and while I have yet to try out the brand (not a huge soda girlie), I suppose I’ll have to pop(pi) my cherry (cola) very soon. Lolz. (Sorry if that was painful.) BUT, I will say, Poppi knows a thing or two about buzz and strategy and they’re clearly keeping things rolling by recently announcing their newest investor and brand partner, Post Malone. (Not sure I saw that coming.)
ICYMI - a few weeks ago Lidl announced their Croissant Handbags collaboration with NY based designer Nikolas Bentel in which you can imagine, almost instantly sold out. Consequently, Lidl hosted “its first ever London Fashion Week pop-up - Patisserie Lidl” for croissant bag round II. Bags sold for £50 on a first come first serve basis. Visitors to the pop up were able to “sample the muse behind the handbags, the Lidl ‘All Butter Croissant’, available for just 59p with all proceeds from the popup going to children’s charity, the NSPCC.” All bags may have found a loving home at this point but as a final effort to give the people what they want, Lidl has also partnered up with “peer-to-peer fashion rental app, By Rotation”
where the “handbag will be available to rent from just £5 a day, down from £50 RRP. All proceeds are going to children’s charity NSPCC.”
Appetizers
Ben & Jerry’s presents: limited edition flavor Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee lolzz. “Inspired by Harris' viral question, "You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?" Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield partnered with political advocacy group MoveOn to create the limited-edition pint under the "Ben's Best" label as part of its get-out-the-vote tour. Kicking off Sept. 16, the "Scoop the Vote" tour will make 20 stops across key battleground states — including Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Pennsylvania — by way of an ice cream truck. At each stop, Ben & Jerry themselves, elected officials, activists and other guests inside the truck will help people make a plan to vote by Nov. 5 while also handing out free ice cream.” As if I needed a reason to love Ben, Jerry and their entire company even more. Also you can enter to win one of the pints HERE!
Heinz introduces Carbonara . . . in a can. This is why we can’t have nice things lolz and as expected, Italians are fuming. While The Kraft Heinz Company may be American, the funny thing is that this product has only launched in the British market. I bet Italy has no regrets about Brexit. Also, I hate to say it but I’m really not mad at the pink and yellow branding - that alone has me wanting to buy one (plz don’t cancel me my beloved Italianos!)
Louis Vuitton has released several cleverly monogrammed (comfort) food keychains including a croissant, a hamburger, and a slice of pizza. (There could be more but these are the only ones I’m currently aware of.) Could anything BE more Cakewalk-coded?! I know for a fact that the 5th Ave LV has them available (if they’re not already sold out) but if you’re really on the hunt, I’d just give your local LV a direct call (because I’m sure you have one on speed dial, LOLZ). Price is somewhere between $900-$1000. Someone please tell Santa for me.
JELL-O has just released a line of inflatable JELL-O chairs in a shape inspired by their famous jelly molds. 90’s nostalgia is still in fact, in the room with us. Find them in four different colors, available for purchase HERE (although it currently says not available, coming soon).
Oreo x Coca Cola - there was a brief period where this was just a rumor and it was hard to discern whether or not it was a real collab or just another AI casualty. Well, believe it or not it’s the real deal and my friend
, the mastermind behind Cake Picnic (whose NY date which I will be attending has already sold out btw) has actually tasted the soda and tells me that it’s “pretty good but needs more Oreo” lolz. Well folks, the jury has spoken! I hate to say it but personally, I consider this as one of those collabs that never needed to happen. Also I’m mad that the soda is zero sugar. Hot take but I personally feel like that ruins the taste altogether. Anyone try the Oreos yet - I guess they have popping candy inside for that fizzy effect. Buy the Oreos HERE, and the Coca Cola HERE.
RHOBH fans know that actor, Harry Hamlin aka Lisa Rinna’s hubby cooks up some mean sauce, literally! (In case you don’t watch, it was once the subject matter of some typical petty onscreen drama.) Well, fans rejoice because you now get a chance to taste it for yourself and see if it’s worth spreading lies and ruining friendships for lolz. At the moment, only one item is available for purchase on their shop which is what I’m guessing is the signature product, the Rosemary Red Wine Sauce which you can pre-order HERE with the only options being the 3-pack or 6-pack and apparently it ships mid-Oct. I (clearly) haven’t tasted it yet (nor do I really care to, tbh) but I can already tell you I’m now a bonafide Monte’s girl. Also I can’t help but lolz at the branding/stock image it looks like they pulled up for Harry’s label.
ICYMI, Spirit Halloween is on a (cinnamon?!) roll this year a Cinnabon costume, an Auntie Anne’s one, and not 1 but 5 Chipotle bodysuit costumes - Chipotle Burrito, Chipotle To-Go Bag, Chipotle Water Cup, Chipotle Fork, and Chipotle Napkin. Honestly, ICONIC.
So many options to choose from this Halloween season, my head is spinning. And I mean that forrealsies seeing as I was a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos last year, lolz.
Main Course
Sooo the latest viral beverage trend is. . . “Gatorwine”. As in gatorade mixed with wine. . . but specifically, the light blue Glacier Freeze Gatorade and cheap red wine (as in anything under $12) mixed in equal parts. According to “Cook and YouTube star Andrew Rea, much better known by the handle Binging with Babish” who is responsible for shedding light on this blasphemous cocktail, it’s not so bad.
“In a very disgusting, perverse way, I like it.” says Rea.
“I definitely don’t like it as much as Sangria, but I don’t like it any less than that,” he said with a confused laugh.
Look, I’m very much a student of the “don’t knock it ‘till you try it” school of thought but the way that weird food and drink combinations go viral and become a trend these days is. . . wild. Did I just age myself? Lolz. I don’t picture this tasting any better or worse than Liquid IV honestly (I don’t know if that means anything because personally, I’m not a fan of the taste but perhaps some of you are?) and while I don’t believe for a second it rivals the electrolytes of Liquid IV, it’s probably not terrible for you to replenish your hydration with some good old Gatorade while drinking cheap red wine. Then again, there’s always good old H2O for that. . .
“People Are Using PineAPPLES To Find Love Instead Of Dating Apps” - I’ve talked about grocery store dating before and so have many others but the latest viral trend requires a lot more active participation and apparently got started in Spain.
“Between 7 and 8 P.M. at Mercadona, a supermarket chain based in Spain, single people put their pineapples upside down in their shopping carts if they're looking for love. They then head to the wine aisle and if the person sees someone they're interested in and their pineapple is also upside down, they crash into their cart.”
What’s interesting is that the upside down pineapple already has a meaning associated to it which is that you’re a swinger. Now, how those origins came to be and what it means exactly is not the most clear but the internet seems to have an ample number of ideas. Who’s gonna start bringing this dating method to places like NYC or LA? I can only imagine the look of disgust on a Frenchman in Paris, God forbid I crash into his grocery cart hoping for a date. Then again, I don’t remember the last time I saw a grocery cart in Paris’ tightly packed grocery stores so imagine me bumpin’ baskets. LOLLLZ.
In terms of pies, tarts, and desserts in general, I’ll admit that apple is not my fruit of choice but whenever faced with the option of a hot slice of apple pie à la mode, you can be sure I’ll take it. And speaking of “à la mode”, if you’re hunkering for a history rabbit hole on the meaning behind and usage of the term, check out this write-up from Gastro Obscura. Do any of the below float your boat? If I failed to include a different apple (dessert) of your eye please let me know what it is in the comments!
À La Carte
Vintage Wood Woven Picnic Basket With Apples Purse Handbag (left)
Kate Spade Wicker Apple Bag (right)
Ichendorf Glass Apple Teapot (left)
Ichendorf Apple Stem Glasses (right)
Les Nereides Apple Necklace (left)
Hermès Leather Apple Keychain (top right)
Handmade Clay Apple Ring (bottom right)
JW Anderson Apple-Motif Knitted Vest (left) - It’s unisex in case you weren’t sure. Chances are you’ll find it if you do a bit of internet sleuthing but for now, you can get a size L on Farfetch HERE or take your chances with it at a fraction of the price with Clothbase HERE, a site I’m unfamiliar with.
Leo Lin Apple Print Dress - Head’s up this is a pre-order item as it’s SS25!
1970s Needlepoint Cross Stitch Apple Handbag (top right)
Vintage Apple Cardigan (bottom right)
Vintage Bavarian Coffee & Teapot Set || Seltmann Weiden (top left)
Apple Toothbrush Holder (bottom left)
Vintage Apple Shaped Clock (top right)
Vintage Apple Measuring Spoons (bottom right)
Vintage Ceramic Apple Pie Trompe-l'œil Plate #2 (bottom left)
Vintage Ceramic Apple Pie Trompe-l'œil Plate #3 (top right)
Vintage Ceramic Apple Pie Trompe-l'œil Plate #4 (bottom right)
(Not Just) Desserts
(roundups, reviews, recommendations, opinions, your “just desserts” for subscribing I suppose)
ARTings - in case your IG feed did NOT blow up last weekend with tantalizing images of Chloe Wise’s latest work as part of WSA (as in part of NY’s Water Street Projects)’s “Yes, Chef” exhibit well, eat up! The exhibit is curated by Zoe Lukov and features a total of almost 40 fabulous artists in addition to Wise. Be sure to catch it from Fri-Sun through October 20th and I gotta say, I’m pretty bummed to find out that I’m gonna miss my chance to see it by 2 days. Additionally, check out their programming for the next couple of weeks featuring a fun event with Cakewalk friends, the one and only on Oct 3rd (limited tix dropping soon so keep your eyes peeled!) as well as another event on 10/12 titled “Playing With Your Food With Chloe Wise”.
RED CARPETings - For the premiere of Emily in Paris in Roma, Ashley Park aka Mindy was fitted with some custom farfalle pasta accessories by small Brooklyn based brand/creator, Panache Bklyn who I’ve been a fan of for some time now. You can actually shop the removable pasta bag strap (seen on the far right) which I’m also a proud owner of, HERE. 100% one of my favorite accessories. Very cool to see someone like Park shedding light on small designers rather than only highlighting the predictable powerhouses like Chanel, Saint Laurent, etc.
COMMUNITY HELPings - After a Parisian summer that was filled with the promise of big business around the Olympics that ultimately didn’t pan out the way it was intended to, Boneshaker Donuts, a sweet treat staple in Paris since 2016 (especially for Americans who want a REAL donut fix) needs our help to stay open!
They’ve started a Go Fund Me which you can access HERE, as you can imagine, every bit counts!
As fun as Snoop Dogg made the Olympics out to be, if it’s one thing I’ve heard across the board is that A LOT of businesses suffered with a few even having to close as a result. Unfortunately the Olympic turnout was just not as nearly as epic as it was promised to be and in a time period that’s already been so unstable for the restaurant and hospitality industry, staying open when you probably would have been on vacation only to be a casualty of the Olympics is simply tragic.
RECIPE-INGS - Deranged Face Apple Pie
I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t dig that deep for the world’s best apple pie recipe so click with a grain of salt. What I WILL say is that I’ve had this scary pie style up on my Halloween Pinterest board for forever so hopefully it inspires you at the very least. I highly suggest you to CLICK HERE for next level scary pie face inspo and it would appear that a cherry or at least red berry pie would be the most ideal for this type of endeavor rather than brushing your apple pie with red food coloring but hey, we’re talking apples this issue and I’m doing my best!
Digestif
Apple’s 80’s Fashion Line - Are you aware of its existence? Do you remember? The image above is a page out of the catalogue they released for it and well, tell me you’re an 80’s fashion catalogue without telling me. . .
Nothing like nostalgic McDonald’s Apple Pie packaging, eh?
Check out what the Apple Jack’s cereal mascot looked like in 1965. Stuff of nightmares if you ask me. . . like maybe ‘tis the season but I can’t help but think he’d make a great horror movie subject. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to that. . .
I’m obsessed with old ads. All of them really. This one is hot.
Did you know about The Cartoon Network show, Apple & Onion? I didn’t, lolz. Here’s a clip. That is all.
and voila the perfect image for this issue by Victor Keppler, (General Mills advertising campaign—Apple Pyequick), 1947
My next issue is already cooking but in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to share this page with anyone you think might like this sort of content. After all, my newsletter can only feed its subscribers if they’re hungry. :)
And lastly, your feedback also means the world! Please feel free to comment below, or email me at thecakewalk@substack.com. xoxo
Found you via Viv’s newsletter and to say I am obsessed is an understatement!! I love the intersection of fashion and food. So happy to be here ✨
oh god, i might need that lv burger purse...