Life is sweet

I’m so excited about the new reader-submitted white sightings arriving to White Cabana!

To help kick things off, today I’m taking you inside Life is Sweet, one of my favourite shops in my neighbourhood known as The Beaches in Toronto. (I know, I know, I keep taking you to cupcakeries… but they’re irresistible!)

Life is Sweet shored up on The Beach (as it is also called) in 2007, just when I came, too. Located at the eastern end of Queen Street East where it’s quieter and devoid of the heavy coast town signage that suggests that the surf’s up on Lake Ontario, I instantly fell in love with this little shop and her sweet owner. I really need to get her name (she has wavy brown hair, brown eyes and has a pretty smile- and her photo is up on the wall)- and these days her mom is working at the shop, too.

Life is Sweet is a quaint little shop that makes you want to go in, this pic from BlogTO

Life is Sweet has been there for me over the years. I’ve now been in The Beach for nearly five years and I have served many a mini cupcake along the way. I recently picked up some minis for a friend’s visit- they’re just a perfect two-bite size so you can try a few flavours without feeling like a glutton going for two regular-sized ones (although that’s perfectly okay at my place).

My favourite flavour on the menu is the lemon cupcake- it even has lemon custard in the centre (mini ones too!). I’m also a huge fan of the white chocolate, toffee, coconut, and I know some peeps who really like the Earl Grey- spiced cake with orange icing.

Inside the shop you’ll find lots of pretty white things- perfect for that ‘oh-you’re-so-thoughtful’ gift. I love everything and yet I always buy here for others; I’ve given a gorgeous locally-made apron covered in artichokes and a fun set of dinner napkins for a certain white design blogger…

Here’s what caught my eye yesterday as I wandered in for a sweet treat:

Why not add some bling to that cake plate? So fun and festive!

I really like this dish- great for sauces, nuts, after-dinner mints, you name it

I’m in love with these soy candles from a local candle gal, Amy,

who I met a few years ago at a arts & crafts fair. Amy’s Place candles are on Facebook here

My cupcake haul from yesterday- at no cost since I had no change

and the owner couldn’t break a $20!  And then I realized when

I got home that the owner snuck in an extra cupcake for me. Aw <3

Cupcakes on the east side

Jordana and I are just step-in-step this week!

You’ll recall that earlier this week Jordana featured the quaint cupcake shop Sweet in Boston. Meanwhile, here in Toronto I was snapping pics at Desmond & Beatrice, a cute cupcake bakery in the ever-hip Leslieville neighbourhood.

I had the pleasure of sampling the salted caramel and red velvet cupcakes (not shown.. should have taken the pics *before* eating) – the red velvet’s cream cheese frosting took the cake and declared that cupcake a winner!

And, folks, I’m very fussy when it comes to frosting so just so you know, you can trust me here that these are worth the calories, uh huh. (And Desmond & Beatrice also offers icing shots– for real!! Apparently kids love ’em.. and I really like that idea, myself.)

Q: Are cupcakes the new black? white?- there are cupcake shops popping up everywhere!

The blueberry lemon at Desmond & Beatrice- as if that even matters. Just look at these perfect concoctions.

The Vanilla Latte cupcakes

The Easter-topped Very Vanilla cupcakes