December 14, 2015
Candace Nelson - December 2015
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AK PRODUCT AND WHY?
I love my Alexandra Knight Flip Flops in bright colors for summer. They effortlessly elevate a casual summer look!
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP OBSESSIONS AND WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WHY?
Good Eggs Organic Food Delivery Service
Just pursuing this website is enough to make me want to become a vegetarian! The produce is lush and fresh from a variety of farms. Information is available on the farmers themselves and how the produce was grown. It's like going to the farmers market but better because they deliver right to you.
Just pursuing this website is enough to make me want to become a vegetarian! The produce is lush and fresh from a variety of farms. Information is available on the farmers themselves and how the produce was grown. It's like going to the farmers market but better because they deliver right to you.
Equator Coffee
Organic, fair trade coffee that we brew at Sprinkles (as does Thomas Keller at his restaurants, I might add!). It is rich and addictive and the only way I can get through my morning!
Organic, fair trade coffee that we brew at Sprinkles (as does Thomas Keller at his restaurants, I might add!). It is rich and addictive and the only way I can get through my morning!
Frog Hollow Cal Red Peaches
Only available during the month of August. I live in Southern California with the most wonderful fruit in the world and yet I have these shipped from Northern California every summer because they are just that special. They are the sweetest, juiciest peaches ever - and require eating over the sink!
Only available during the month of August. I live in Southern California with the most wonderful fruit in the world and yet I have these shipped from Northern California every summer because they are just that special. They are the sweetest, juiciest peaches ever - and require eating over the sink!
Olaplex
My colorist, Tracey Cunningham, introduced me to this. It is a revolutionary hair strengthener developed by a scientist who was focused on molecular engineering. It rebuilds hair from the inside out and every time I use it I feel a difference!
My colorist, Tracey Cunningham, introduced me to this. It is a revolutionary hair strengthener developed by a scientist who was focused on molecular engineering. It rebuilds hair from the inside out and every time I use it I feel a difference!
Rip & Tan
My good friend, Jenni Kayne, is a creative force (fashion designer, interior designer and all around taste maker). Her blog Rip & Tan offers a peek inside her stylish California life, with inspiring photos of her gorgeous parties as well as profiles on her creative friends.
My good friend, Jenni Kayne, is a creative force (fashion designer, interior designer and all around taste maker). Her blog Rip & Tan offers a peek inside her stylish California life, with inspiring photos of her gorgeous parties as well as profiles on her creative friends.
Hype Machine
I'm sure once my children are teenagers it won't be a problem to stay on top of cool new music, but in the meantime there is Hype Machine - an amazing app that helps you discover amazing new music by following top music blogs and compiling their finds. You can also follow friends and bloggers feeds.
I'm sure once my children are teenagers it won't be a problem to stay on top of cool new music, but in the meantime there is Hype Machine - an amazing app that helps you discover amazing new music by following top music blogs and compiling their finds. You can also follow friends and bloggers feeds.
Amangiri
In pretty much the middle of nowhere is this most gorgeous and serene Aman resort to rest and restore. The beauty of the desert is the prefect backdrop.
In pretty much the middle of nowhere is this most gorgeous and serene Aman resort to rest and restore. The beauty of the desert is the prefect backdrop.
Paris - Place des Vosges
The most exquisite park in Paris and one that holds many wonderful memories for my husband and me. We were engaged in Paris and have spent many happy trips there since then. The Marais is our favorite place in Paris to stroll and we always wind up back at the Palace des Vosges.
The most exquisite park in Paris and one that holds many wonderful memories for my husband and me. We were engaged in Paris and have spent many happy trips there since then. The Marais is our favorite place in Paris to stroll and we always wind up back at the Palace des Vosges.
Mary Weatherford
I am so inspired by the art scene here in LA and have so many favorite Los Angeles artists. Mary Weatherford (and one of her neon paintings) is at the top of my list!
I am so inspired by the art scene here in LA and have so many favorite Los Angeles artists. Mary Weatherford (and one of her neon paintings) is at the top of my list!
Kristie Streicher
Have you heard of The Feathered Brow? Kristie Streicher is the genius behind it and is known as the "brow whisperer" in LA. Don't even think about booking an appointment until you have grown out your browns for 4-6 weeks. Then visit her hip salon in Beverly Hills and you will fall in love!
Have you heard of The Feathered Brow? Kristie Streicher is the genius behind it and is known as the "brow whisperer" in LA. Don't even think about booking an appointment until you have grown out your browns for 4-6 weeks. Then visit her hip salon in Beverly Hills and you will fall in love!
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I really aspire to be a tidy and organized person! This book really clarifies how to approach the "stuff" in your life. Does it spark joy? If not, it is cluttering your life and your mind! I really believe and subscribe to this mentality!
I really aspire to be a tidy and organized person! This book really clarifies how to approach the "stuff" in your life. Does it spark joy? If not, it is cluttering your life and your mind! I really believe and subscribe to this mentality!
Le Catch
My friend Marlien's blog is one that I check on a daily basis. She has the most sophisticated style and can blend high and low like no one else. You have to be fast, though. Anything she likes and links to sells out instantly!
My friend Marlien's blog is one that I check on a daily basis. She has the most sophisticated style and can blend high and low like no one else. You have to be fast, though. Anything she likes and links to sells out instantly!
Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
An exfoliating hand wash made with botanicals that smells amazing and leaves your hands feeling softly scrubbed and clean. Plus, the bottle looks great in my powder room.
An exfoliating hand wash made with botanicals that smells amazing and leaves your hands feeling softly scrubbed and clean. Plus, the bottle looks great in my powder room.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIZED POSSESSIONS?
All my boys!
My husband and business partner, Charles, and my two sons, Charlie and Harry. I'm outnumbered...but I love it! I have had a crash course in the rules of all sports and, specifically, the players on the Oklahoma Thunder and Kansas City Royals. Icouldn't be less sporty, but I have no choice but to try my best now!!
I am a contemporary artcollector and my most specialpieces are the portraits I had taken of my sons by Catherine Opie. She captured their spirits perfectly and I am thrilled I can forever gaze at my little ones' baby cheeks!
oney, my Norwich Terrier, who was my first "baby" and has weathered the indignity of two children with quiet grace. She is almost 14 and completely blind but still jumps in the air like a puppy when she smells chicken in the room. I love the breed and will halt the car if I see one walking down the street. Norwich Terrier's are rare and always worth stopping for! There is an instant kinship when Norwich owners meet one another.
A black and white photograph of my great grandmother's restaurant in San Francisco in the 30's, Craig's Fine Foods. Margaret Craig was a true inspiration to me in her culinary talents and her charitable instincts. Her restaurant served the homeless out the back door during the depression years.
YOU ARE ALWAYS DOING AMAZING THINGS WITH YOUR FAMILY - ANY FAVORITE DESTINATIONS FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES?
I love a good mountain vacation...in the winter as well as in the summer. We don't discriminate too much...we love it all: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone Club in Wyoming, Sun Valley and Aspen. As a mom of two boys, skiing and hiking are the ultimate family bonding experiences.
We traveled to Italy as a family last summer and rented a villa at Castiglione del Bosco. It was my children's first international trip and it was perfect. They lapped up the pizza, pasta and gelato and loved taking the windy Tuscan roads with my husband at the wheel of a stick shift Fiat. Later, in Venice, they were in heaven on the water taxis and typically found themselves with a captain's hat and a hand on the driving wheel. This summer we are all headed to France. Indagare travel has planned the perfect itinerary for us.
TELL US ABOUT HOW SPRINKLES STARTED?
My husband and I met at an investment bank in the late 90's. We were working with tech companies during the initial tech boom. When the bust happened, I was left wondering what to do next. Instead of heading to business school like most of my friends, I followed my passion to pastry school. I started a custom dessert business out of my kitchen. I wanted to make something artful that could be eaten daily, which led me to the cupcake which I reinvented with luxurious ingredients and a sophisticated, yet simple style. Sprinkles was born!
WHAT NEW AND EXCITING ADDITIONS DO YOU HAVE COMING UP AND HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU COME UP WITH HAVING A CUPCAKE ATM?
The Cupcake ATM was conceived in a crazed pregnancy craving moment. Sprinkles cupcakes got me through both my pregnancies, but one night my craving hit after our stores had closed and I thought it's ridiculous that I own a cupcake store and can't get a cupcake right now. My husband and I started having one of our crazy "what if" conversations. What if there was a way to get a cupcake 24 hours a day???...and the idea for a cupcake ATM was born!
Our next stores will be in Nashville and at Disneyworld! Sprinkles is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year and we have so many great new flavors to launch in celebration. If you haven't tried the sprinkle yet, it is joining the regular rotation and it is a winner!!
WHAT CHARITY OR CAUSE ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY?
I am involved in Baby2Baby which is an incredible organization that provides low income children with diapers, clothing and basic necessities. Sprinkles is launching a very special Baby2Baby celebrity charitable cupcake this Fall. Stay tuned!
WHAT ARE TWO THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD NEVER KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I was born in Indonesia and grew up most of my childhood in Southeast Asia. Being so far away from my homeland, I craved treats that kept me close to home...so I learned to bake American classics from an early age. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies and "Texas" sheet cakes were favorites.
I was a clue on Jeopardy!
CAN YOU GIVE US A SNEAK PEAK INTO A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CANDACE?
The one thing I have always been able to count on is that my schedule is always changing...filming Cupcake Wars, doing media, opening stores. Currently I am completely consumed by my desserts cookbook to be released Fall 2016.
Teaching my boys to make their own breakfast and help set the table has been a real lifesaver.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
A big scoop of Sprinkles decadent rocky road ice cream in a crisp waffle cone. I'm so proud of our ice cream and just thrilled to bring it to Houston. For anyone without a Sprinkles ice cream nearby, we ship our pints on dry ice for overnight delivery. It is the ultimate gift!!
WHAT IS ON YOUR T.V?
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST MOMENT IN LIFE OR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My marriage and my boys are the greatest joy, but I have to say that getting the call from Harpo Studios to bring Sprinkles to the Oprah Winfrey Show was pretty thrilling!!!
YOU ARE A SUPER CHIC DRESSER - WHAT IS YOUR UNIFORM AND FASHION STAPLES?
I love Celine sunglasses and bags, Patricia Underwood hats, Jenni Kayne shirts and D'Orsay flats, Stella McCartney jeans and blouses, Isabel Marant everything. The Row leather and Preen and Saint Laurent dresses.
WHO IS CANDACE NELSON AND WHY DO WE LOVE HER?
My dear friend Alexandra called me and told me that the cutest girl was moving to Houston for six weeks and could I make her feel at home. Candace and her husband had moved to Houston with their son Charlie and were opening the Houston Sprinkles. I loved the fact that they were overseeing the opening and hiring all on their own! We had them for dinner and of course were greeted with a box of the most delicious cupcakes.
I adore her and her husband - rarely do you get smitten with both but in this case we did. Her business saavy and humor coupled with an amazing energy and optimism makes her one of my favorite people to be around. Our paths cross every so often but not enough! Her work ethic, mothering skills and enthusiasm inspire me on a daily basis.
Candace is one of the most kind and generous people and what I will tell you is that she started the cupcake revolution and the empire is growing in full force. Personally I am a Cap'n Crunch ice cream girl and have been known to indulge in her Red Velvet cupcakes. There is NOTHING more genius than an ATM cupcake machine! Not surprised this cool cat came up with that.
Candace is the founder and pastry chef of Sprinkles Cupcakes, which started in Beverly Hills in 2005. Her sophisticated take on the classic American cupcake made Sprinkles an overnight bakery sensation. Candace's cupcakes, made from the best ingredients and baked fresh throughout the day, inspire long lines of devoted fans as well as accolades from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Blake Lively, Katie Holmes, Ryan Seacrest and Barbra Streisand.
Today, Sprinkles has seventeen locations nationwide, a traveling Sprinklesmobile - the world's first cupcake truck, and sells its cupcake mixes at over 250 Williams-Sonoma stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2012, Sprinkles debuted the world's first Cupcake ATM and continued its foray into classic American desserts with the launch of Sprinkles Ice Cream. Expansion plans include a franchise agreement that will bring 34 Sprinkles Cupcakes bakeries to the Middle East.
Candace filmed all 10 seasons as a judge on the hit Food Network show Cupcake Wars, and has been a contributor to The Best Thing I Ever Ate, as well as a judge on Bobby Flay's Cupcake Throwdown. She has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show and has been profiled on the Today show, Nightline and in People magazine. Her cupcakes have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and in Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
