Another talented vendor that RFC would love to introduce you to is Cristina Machado-Maciel of The Sweetest Thing.  I’ve actually had the pleasure of working with Cristina for a recent event.  She did the gorgeous cake for a 50th anniversary party and RFC did the flowers for the cake.  BEEE-YOU-TEE-FUL is all I can say!  Cristina is a true professional, and takes great pride in her work.  She puts a lot of love in every cake that she makes, and is a true hidden gem! Keep your eye out for this rising star, as she’s making her mark- One cake at a time…

RFC: – How did you come up with the name for your business?

TST:- “The Sweetest Thing” is one of my favorite films. When I started making cakes it just seemed like such a great fit, it also inspired me to name each of my cakes after a film. Nothing is “Sweeter” then biting into a scrumptious cake filled with delicious fillings.

RFC:- Tell us a bit more about The Sweetest Thing…

TST:- I make specialty fondant cakes for all occasions such as weddings, showers, birthdays. I also create cupcake arrangements and those are a lot of fun and they have become very popular!

RFC:- What would you say makes you different from everyone else?:

TST:- I guess what sets me apart from everyone else is my strong attention to detail and a unique creative vision that allows me to express myself though the cakes.

RFC:- Are you a home based business or do you have a location?:

TST:-  Yes, I am a home based business. I have a 3 yr old daughter. She is the reason I got into this business of making cakes. I so desperately wanted to make a beautiful birthday cake for her and so I started exploring and reading and eventually started experimenting with different recipes and next thing you know, I was hooked and I haven’t stopped since.

RFC:- Where do you see your business in 5 years from now?

TST:- I hope that 5 yrs from now, I will still be baking and decorating cakes, and hopefully competing in some shows….I love to create, and when you go into a competition, you get so inspired by all the beautiful cakes.

RFC: -Your best advice for your clients is?

TST:- There is so much that you can create with a fondant cake, I would recommend to think outside the box and go for something fun and different, something that will reflect who you are as an individual.

RFC:- What would you say people are always surprised to learn about you?

TST:- I never used to like eating cake before….I never even tried my own wedding cake ( I was too upset that it looked nothing like what I had envisioned), but since I started baking, I love it now and can’t get enough….

RFC:- 3 items we would always find in your purse:

TST:- My phone, my keys and a “To Do List” !!!!

RFC:- Quirky trait everyone should know about you:

TST:- Since I started making cakes, I tend to turn everything I see into a cake idea….whether it be a piece of fabric, a dress or an invitation…..I’m always saying, “Hey, this would make a great cake”.

RFC:- Favorite quote…

TST:-”Treat others as you would like to be treated”

RFC:-How would you answer this… “I think everyone should…”

TST:-”Be kind to one another” &, oh yeah, order one of my cakes!!! You won’t be disappointed.

RFC:-”No matter how much you paid me, I would never…”

TST:- Stay away from my family for a long period of time!!!! Well, unless Mr Duff from “Ace of Cakes” calls me and wants me to work on his show as a guest cake decorator…LOL.

RFC:-Business Tag Line…

TST:- “Cakes Too Cute To Eat!”

Thanks Cristina!  Your cakes truly are too cute to eat!  If you would like to get in touch with Cristina of The Sweetest Thing, you can visit her website, email her at thesweetestthing@rogers.com or by phone @ 416.568.1083.

 

Cathy Crispo is a Professional Makeup Artist like no other.  With over 10 years of experience in the Makeup Industry, she is the one makeup artist that will make your ideas come to life.  If you’re a bride, then look no further! She’ll bring her personal touch and attention to you and transform you into the glamorous bride you’ve always envisioned yourself to be.

CC has been nominated by CNoMA (The Canadian Network of Makeup Artists) for Best Bridal Makeup Artist 2004.  CC is the owner of Lux Spa in Yorkville, Toronto, Ontario,  and a freelance writer of various beauty and fashion columns including WHATEVER Vaughan Magazine. 

Here is our interview with the Makeup Diva herself!  We were quite surprised to learn a thing or two about this multi-talented chic!  Read below to find out some pretty helpful tips to consider when booking your makeup artist and planning for your big day! 

RFC:- What inspired you to get into makeup?

CC:- The fact that I could actually do this for a living! It had never dawned on me that being a Professional Makeup Artist could be a career. All I knew was that I loved applying makeup, I loved learning about skin care and different makeup techniques.

RFC:- Tell us a little bit about what it would be like to work with Cathy Crispo-Mancini on the day of your wedding?

CC:- Cathy is most certainly a lot of fun. She helps to calm the nerves, she puts the day into perspective and yet keeps it in the spotlight. She can take any “disaster” and turn it into a fairytale. As for Cathy Crispo Mancini the Professional Makeup Artist doing your makeup on your wedding day; well, with a wave or two of her brushes, she can take anyone from “the girl next door” right into the “bride that belongs on the front cover of a wedding magazine”. She listens attentively to her clients requests, wants, and needs but also makes certain that the final look is suitable for her client. She has a few crazy rules that girl! If you haven’t eaten, she won’t do your makeup. And her final rule and parting words: “Don’t press, lick or rub your lips together!”

RFC:- Do you always recommend a trial run before the big day?

CC:-  Absolutely! No one likes surprises on their wedding day, well, unless of course it has do with diamonds. A trial run takes all the guess work out of the makeup application on the day of. It ensures that things go super smooth and in a timely manner.

 

RFC:- Do you have a favourite kind of makeup you prefer to use? 

CC:- As long as I have my RCMA foundation, I can put anything else on top. Okay, that and my Max Factor mascara!

RFC:- What is your “trade secret” tip that you can share with everyone?

CC:- How to keep your lipstick on!
1. Apply foundation to your lips
2. Set your foundation with powder
3. Using a lipliner, line and colour in your lips
4. Apply lip colour all over your lips
5. Blot off excess lip colour
6. Re-apply your lip colour

RFC:- Tell us about your other business, Lux Spa in Yorkville.

CC:- Lux Spa is my latest business venture. It is a nail spa located in Yorkville at Bay and Bloor. We have quite the reputation for pampering hands and feet. I have re-launched Makeup By CC in Lux Spa and the clients are soaking it all up!

RFC:- Who is your inspiration? Where do you draw inspiration from?

CC: – My inspiration believe it or not isn’t actually a makeup artist, it’s a friend who’s entreprenuerialism rubbed off on me. I draw my inspiration from my brides and their excitement when they describe to me what they want to look like on their wedding day, what their gowns look like, their colours, their themes.

RFC:- List 3 things you would never be caught dead without?

CC:- Makeup? Undereye concealer, eyeliner and mascara!!

RFC:- What is the best part about being a makeup artist?

CC:- Being able to hang out behind the scenes and watch the progress. Watching people transform before my very eyes.

RFC:- Favorite quote?

CC:- I don’t know who said this: “Go big or go home”

RFC:- What advice would you share with anyone getting married to be prepared for the big day?

CC: -Don’t tell your parents or in-laws what your ideas are. Wait until after you’ve booked something or confirmed something and then let them know. Once things are already booked they tend to back off. If you’re still only in the planning stages, they’ll slowly convince you to change your plans!

RFC:- Tell us one thing that we don’t know about you, and would love to find out…

CC:- I absolutely LOVE Elvis Presley!! I think I’m secretly obsessed. I’ve been to GraceLand and plan to go back. I have XM radio and all I listen to is Elvis Radio…YES!! it actually exists..Elvis Radio! 

Thanks so much Cathy! To get in contact with Cathy, she can be reached for trial consultations by phone @ 416.520.8560 or by email info@makeupbycc.com and also at www.makeupbycc.com.