My dear friend Miko celebrated a milestone birthday this month – 40! (but she looks 30 – Asian genes! SWEET!) Tough to get cooler than Miko. A musician, artist, mother, feminist and small business owner, she’s what all the youngies hope to become. She’s like a Japanese Canadian Kim Gordon. Age is such a strange phenomenon, especially for women. So much emphasis is placed on youth in our culture – but one can’t be young and beautiful forever. It’s an impossibility! I remember when I was turning 20 years of age, a long-ass time ago – I had such a freakout. I felt so OLD. But really, I was still a total child. I think it wasn’t until I turned 30 that I began to feel comfortable in my age, and aging. And in fact the closer I get to 40, I’ve given up on caring – it’s going to happen, and I feel more accepting of it; I’m still me, just an older, wiser version, ha! I am getting more philosophical about life too. And yeah, you can still be cool and listen to feminist punk music when you’re an older lady.
Miko’s sweet beau Jason threw her a wonderful party – full of friends, family and loved ones all there to celebrate a really incredible woman! For her birthday cake, I made a pink ruffle birthday cake – dark chocolate cake with a creamy milk chocolate ganache filling and pink vanilla buttercream piped in a ruffly vintage look. Man I am loving the sweet 1980s vibe of that cake topper too – I hand cut the letters out of craft paper and then stuck the letters onto some medium length wooden cocktail sticks.
Not only is Miko an amazing mom and super sweet friend, she also just launched a new business – Coral and Cloud! Brightly hued, super stylish and modern, hand-painted wooden bead necklaces. I’m in love with them! She makes them for both adults and kids, too. Happy happy birthday, Miko! I’m so lucky to call you my friend. xo Lyndsay
How to Philosophize with Cake
That looks gorgeous! Love the ruffles, so pretty! :)
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
thanks so much! ^__^
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen
Haha I am turning 30 next year and I am already freaking out. Everything is relative isn’t it? This pink cake would make me feel better for sure, like the ones mum used to make when I was only turning 10! Love the colour palette.
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
30 and beyond is amazing, mariana! once you ease into it. i loved 31 to 33. haha! 33 is called your “jesus year”. make big goals and work hard to accomplish them that year! xo
Michelle @ MakeMeCake.Me
The cake is, of course, super cheerful and lovely! As for your friend, she sounds wonderful and I love your take on aging! I couldn’t agree more. Let’s just be who we are. Lying about your age, a once and oddly enough still common practice amongst women, seems so crazy to me. I turn 32 in a few days and that’s just dandy by me :) Happy 40th to your friend!
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
heehee! yes michelle i’m trying to make it cool to be older!! ^__^ everyone will get to these ages eventually … best to embrace, accept and celebrate!!! xo
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
Why are you and all your friends so awesome, cool and talented?! I just checked out Miko’s etsy page – everything is gorgeous and I want to buy it all. Just like I want to ooh and aah over your adorable cake…before planting my face into it. As for age – I ain’t skeered of aging. You couldn’t pay me all the money in the world to relive my 20s! Everything was so scary, new, uncertain. The 30s are the new 20s anyways ;)
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
aw nancy!! that’s so great you checked out her etsy – her necklaces are so beautiful! yes to 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond!!! ^__^
Hanh
Hi! I just found you blog/website. You’re amazing! I am making a birthday cake for my daughter’s first birthday and was wondering if you’ll share what tip number you used on this cake? It’s beautiful. Thank you in advance.
-Hanh
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
hi hanh! it’s a good old Wilton 1M tip, an open star tip! ^__^ have fun – email me the results, i’d love to see, and happy 1st birthday to your little babe! xo
jen
Hi, I love your cakes and blog. I follow you on ig too. I just wondered what kind of icing you use for your ruffle cakes? Also wanted to say hang in there, try to keep enjoying life while going through treatment. Think,plan and be positive,it’s good for healing both physically and emotionally. And sleep. Take care,love jen
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
Hi Jen – I use buttercream! Swiss meringue or classic “American” style although I always use way less sugar than most recipes call for. Adjust as you see fit … thank you for the note and have fun with decorating! xo