Bakingdom

All you need is love. And dessert.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Bakingdom! {UPDATED}

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Triple Layer Strawberry Cream Brownie Cake by BakingdomHappy birthday to you me…um…sugar!
Happy birthday to sugar!
Happy birthday, dear Bakingdom!
Happy birthday to sugar!!

The only thing better than singing is more singing. – Ella Fitzgerald

I couldn’t agree more, Ella. I’m not much of a singer, though, no matter how much I love it, so allow me to say, the only thing better than baking is more baking.

The last three years have been the most fun and the most creative of my life. I always knew I loved cooking and baking, creating and crafting, and sugar and glitter, but Bakingdom has allowed me to explore and grow my creativity in abundance. It has gifted me with my calling, and brought me joy on a daily basis. Most of all, it has opened my life up to the most amazing new friends. I’m very blessed.

I’ve told the story of Bakingdom’s beginning as a creative outlet, and avenue of sharing with my long distance friends many times, but I’ve never told you, in words, what this blog truly means to me. I want you to know today, as a thank you for your amazing support, why I really do this.

I blog for the love of sweet, beautiful food. I hear there’s quite a lot of money to be made in this industry, and I’ve seen that it can bring fame, but I didn’t start Bakingdom to acquire those things, and I don’t keep going in the hopes of attaining them either (frankly, being famous would only make me an anxious ball of puddly sweat; gross). No, I keep blogging because it makes me happy.

My blog makes me happy because I get to do what I love every day. It makes me happy because I get to create – something that I have learned over the years is vital to my sanity. If I can’t create, I get anxious and feel boxed in. Bakingdom makes me happy because I get to be myself, no matter who myself is. Finally, it makes me happy because it makes others happy. I never dreamed three years ago that along the way I would receive the most heart warming, kind, thoughtful, and generous letters of love and gratitude from readers who had the most beautiful stories to share about something I had created or inspired them to create.

Like I said, I’m very blessed.

Please allow me to say thank you. Thank you to each and every one of you, who come back and visit me here. Thank you for letting me create for you. Thank you for letting me be myself, in all my pink and glittery geeky glory. My personal growth, due to this blog, has been the most rewarding and gratifying experience, and it’s all because I’ve learned that it’s ok to be everything I am; I don’t have to pick the girly, dress-wearing, hair and make up-loving woman or the nerdy tee wearing, sci fi loving, book devouring, Harry Potter obsessed geek. I am both, and I’m lucky to be able to embrace myself for it.

Thank you for being a part of what makes me happy.

I’m a firm believer that birthday cakes should be made purely out of what makes us happy, so this cake has only things that bring me joy.

Glitter Birthday ThreeLike glitter. Candy. And sprinkles…

Happy Lalaloopsy Cake by Bakingdom…and tiny, cute little dolls with marshmallows in their hair and fuzzy white dresses. Because it makes me happy.

Strawberry Fudge Brownie Cake by BakingdomAlso, brownies, strawberries, and fluffy buttercream. All happy makers.

Oh yeah, and ModCloth. One of my favorite happy makers of all. I love adore Modcloth. I did a little tally, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve ordered over three dozen things from them, mostly dresses. I have no shame. I love them.

I first discovered ModCloth shortly after I first started my blog. I saw Emma Watson wearing the cutest little blue dress to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. After a quick google search, who should be selling said dress, but ModCloth. I bought it, I loved it, and the rest is history.

The best part about ModCloth is that they don’t just sell cute dresses and clothes. They also sell adorable, unique accessories, fabulous shoes, and wonderful home decor and accessories.

Strawberry Cream Brownie Cake by BakingdomTo say thank you to you, and because I love ModCloth as much as I love you guys, I’m bringing all my love together to gift one of you with a $50 ModCloth gift card. 🙂

I’m totally jealous, because I could do a lot of damage with a gift card!

Our winner is:

166Comment #166!

BeccaCongratulations, Becca!! Thank you for your sweet words about my cake (it was totally one of the best cakes ever, and I’ve failed to come up with a reason not to make another…) I will be emailing you about your prize soon!

So, you want it? It’s easy.

Just visit ModCloth, browse around, find what you love the most, and come back here and tell me about it in the comment section below.

Would be buy a fun and flirty new dress? A cute and comfy pair of flats? Or would you buy a unique and whimsical new something for your home?

I wanna hear about it!

This giveaway is open to international readers.

Only comments answering the above question count as entries.

Only one comment per person, please.

Contest will run until 9 pm PST Wednesday, January 30, 2013.

The winner will be chosen randomly at www.random.org and announced Thursday, January 31, 2013.

The winner will be contacted by email, so don’t forget to add your email in the email section!

**Comments are moderated, so if you’ve never commented before, it will take some time for your comment to appear!**

Good luck with the giveaway!

♥,
Darla

P.S. If you haven’t already, click the ‘like’ button on my facebook page here, and follow me on twitter here, and you can ‘like’ ModCloth here, and find them on twitter here.

*Recipe info: I made a double batch of my favorite brownies and divided the batter into three 6-inch cake pans. I then filled and frosted the layers with whipped strawberry frosting (omitting the rose water). Enjoy!

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Comments

  5. I used ModCloth for my bridesmaid’s dresses… And they turned out cuuuuuute! I think I would buy something totally awesome for our apartment, though. ModCloth is amazing in that they have so much clothing, but so many other cool things!

  6. Happy 3rd Birthday! My daugher has been wanting a new backpack for a while now, and I know she would LOVE the ‘Pack in the Groove’ pink polka dot back pack..so I would be getting that. 🙂

  8. Happy 3rd birthday! I just visited ModCloth, super cute stuff. I fell in love with their Seaside Wedge in Fudge and their Sand Me On My Way Wedge. There were some other things but too much to list here.

  10. I also love Modcloth! I’m currently wanting the Modern Madeline top, but there are so many cute things!

    Thanks for the giveaway and happy birthday!

  11. I LOVE Modcloth! They just had an amazing sale and I ordered a cute color blocked dress. Hasn’t arrived yet, but I can’t wait! Right now I’m loving the chef’s table dress. Thanks for the giveaway, and happy anniversary to you!

  12. I found your blog searching for something related to Harry Potter,and have followed you ever since! Everything about your blog makes me happy! I too am a girly girl who loves pink and glitter and reads obsessively and adores Harry Potter! Keep doing what you are doing, you bring a lot of smiles to the world!

  13. Happy Birthday to your blog…congrats, too!

    I’d love the Emily and Fin Too Much Fun dress – great for my niece’s wedding in the summer.

  15. Oh my gosh. The profit and gloss shoes in pink. They are gorgeous! And I love your cake, per usual. It looks amazingly delicious.

  16. Happy Birthday! I love the brownie cake idea; I’ll have to try it for the maelstrom of February birthdays coming up!
    I would definitely go for the flats; they’re so adorable! <3

  17. I love mod cloth too. I love their vintage dresses! I would probably get a red vintage dress, maybe one with polka dots or just a nice a line simple red dress. Something super fun to rock this spring and summer!!!

  19. Happy 3rd Birthday! I have never heard of ModCloth until now…thanks a lot! Now I have another website I am addicted to! I am totally head over heels in love with the Network and Play Dress and Ice Cream Sundae Drive Flats!

  20. Happy bloggy birthday! To answer your question, I would have to get the Traveling Cupcake Truck Dress. I love it in both pink and black, so I would have a hard time choosing, but I love the vintageness of it, and being a primarily cupcake baker (my nickname is even Red Velvet) it is perfect to represent, well, me! 😀

  22. Happy Third Birthday! Bakingdom is an incredible place full of so many things that i love! Sugar, chocolate, Doctor Who, sparkles i could go on an on! Thank you for being so awesomely true to yourself! Modcloth is incredible i spend hours look at the dresses. i hope to buy one sometime soon!

  24. I absolutely adore Bakingdom! Such a happy place to be. Thanks a lot for sharing happiness, sugar and beauty (and of course chocolate) in various forms Darla. Wishing you and BakingD many more years!

  25. Happy birthday to your blog! I’ve had ModCloth’s With Only a Wink Dress pinned forEVER, so I would probably use the gift card to offset the cost of that. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!

  26. First of all, Happy 3 year Birthday to Bakingdom! I first found your blog about a year ago and I have loved it ever since! So creative and fun, I’ve made so many of your recipes and they’ve all turned out great! And Modcloth, I’ve never heard of it but all the clothes and accessories are great! What really caught my eye, though, is the hinge benefits frame set. I just bought a house a few months ago and we’re still trying to find good things for decor, this would be perfect!

  27. trying to pick just one modcloth dress is impossible! I love them! I’m really liking the new Breathtaking Bell dress, it’s so whimsical and and dreamy. The Pull Up a Cherry dress in black is super a adorable for a more causal sundress.

    Happy 3rd blog-birthday! Thank you for all the yummy treats, fun crafts and cute stories!

  28. Happy Blog Birthday!!! I enjoy following your blog so much!

    And I too have a Modcloth problem. lol. I am digging the This Day and Sage dress right now, and a gift card would really be awesome. This dress is very ’60s and the color is to die for! This would be perfect for my upcoming cake photo shoot in March!

  29. Congrats on your 3. Blogbirthday.
    Your Blog is always an Inspiration for me 🙂

    If i could choose from the Shop,it would be the Breathtaking Belle Dress

  30. Happy three years blogging! I have loved following you and trying your recipes. I love the Modcloth site and would love to buy from there. I love the colored petticoats and the Galaxy’s Greatest undies. Plus most of the shoes and dresses, and thights, and jewelry.

  32. Happy 3rd blogiversary! the cake looks scrumptous!
    Thank you for doing what you do, I am a humongous fan for yours!
    Omg! I had never been to Modcloth before, well, guess what? I am broke now! I love everything! If I won the gift card I would totally use it on the A Little Bit Bunny Cardigan, so cute!

  35. Happy Blog-birthday! That cake looks divine!
    I’m having such a hard time answering your question because everything looks so interesting and amazing. A POP-UP Encyclopedia on Dinosaurs?! Be still my heart! And they even have the Pick-Up Cent kitty bank. Sold out, of course! UGH. But I figured I’d answer the like an adult and avoid silly things like the mounted Dino head (I’m pretty sure it’d scare me the first few nights anyways but how awesome is that?!).
    So, being a mature grown up that I am *cough*, I have to say I absolutely love the Dear to Me Top. It’s just too cute. 🙂

  38. I absolutely adore the “Breathtaking Belle Dress”. Everything from it’s color to it’s shape really is breathtaking! PS. Happy blogiversary!!

  39. I haven’t ever seen Modcloth, but I have been in love with your site for 2 of those 3 years! I looked around on Modcloth and they have the cutest Owl kitchen things like a tea set, an apron, and really super cute potholders. I love owls!

  40. I found your blog several weeks ago via Epbot, and I love it. My girls and I go through it often to pick treats we want to try and make. (Today we’re stuck inside due to a snowstorm, so we’re making the quick caramel apple bread. Can’t wait!). Anyway, this is the first time I’ve heard of modckoth, and I thought everything there is super cute, though I’m partial to the Network and Play dress. Happy birthday to your blog and thanks for introducing my family to fun new treats (and websites)!

  43. Ahhhh, too many cute things to choose from! I ultimately decided on the “Juice Stop by Glass Set” (the mason jar glasses with cutout lids). I dream of throwing fun little parties and these would be perfect for entertaining! Happy blogiversary! Looking forward to many more years of yummy treats!

  44. Happy 3 years blogging anniversary! 🙂 Keep up the great work and inspiring recipes 🙂
    As for the giveaway, I think I’m gonna go with the Moonlight Marvel Dress as I love that colour.

  47. Happy birthday!
    I love Modcloth– right now I’m drooling over their Milkshake Things Up dress! Hoping to get it for spring. 🙂

  49. I love modcloth but have never ordered anything. Don’t know why, but alas. I have had my eye on the Soda Fountain dresses for a long time. Any color but I really love the grape! I would also buy a cute vintage swimsuit to cover up my new mommy stretch marks this summer but still look cute!

  52. Happy Happy Bloggy Birthday!!!! I just adore your site! So fresh, and fun, and pretty and definitely yummy!! Your recipes are wonderful and I just love trying them out! And I too love Modcloth! If I could pick out any one thing to buy it would be the Cutensils, or the Mix and Munch flatware. Or both. Probably both. I love them and keep looking for a reason to buy them! Have a wonderful birthday!!

  55. How did I not know about ModCloth before now??
    I’m about to move to a colder climate for work, so I’m thinking I need a Crinkle in Time scarf in every color (that name – love!).
    But then there are the wallets and phone cases. I love them. All of them. Peacocks, and owls and books and sugar skulls? YES PLEASE!

  56. Alles Liebe zum Blog-Geburtstag! I love coming and seeing such cute and geeky things you create. Definitely my favorite blog on the blogosphere ^_^

    I personally am in love love love with all of Modcloth’s sweaters. Give me a nice, comfy sweater and I’m good to go!

  58. I love all of their dresses!!! Thanks for reminding me about them!! I really like the 101 Carnations Dress!!! It reminds me of something a southern bell would wear!!! Love it!

  60. Happy Bloggy Birthday. You’re blog is always so fun and sparkly….and pink.. Sparkly and pink are two of my favorite things.
    I’ve never heard of this ModCloth but I think I’m IN LOVE!!!! I clicked the link…saw that white RSV pretty dress….the one with the embroidered flowers and I Need it….not want it but actually Need it. My husband is going to ban me from your blog because I found a new shopping place. Anywho…..if I win I’m getting that dress….and if I don’t win….well I’m still buying that dress.

  64. I love that sweet pink iced chocolate cake! Happy blog birthday!

    ModCloth has this sweet navy dress with big white polka dots and lace ruffles on the placket. I’d love to get that dress!

  66. Happy blogiversary Darla! Thank you for sharing so many wonderful receipes, your humor, your love for Harry Potter and other nerdy things, pink and sparkly things, and your time. Your blog is a great source of all of those wonderful things and puts a smile on my face whenever I open my inbox to find post and a pretty picture of gorgeous, sugary food! What a sweet giveaway too! I loved the navy blue flats with the daisies on them! I’m not even sure why…they just made my smile! http://www.modcloth.com/shop/shoes-flats/everyday-daisy-flat. They would be a completely self-indulgent, yay for me, kinda treat!

  68. Happy Blog Birthday Dear Darla!! We love your blog and enjoy seeing those pretty pictures and delicious recipes.
    Wishing you many years of sweet to come!!

    PS: I do not shop for myself a lot, so anything from that store would be wonderful for me.

  69. Happy birthday, Bakingdom! Thank you for providing me with some of my favorite dessert recipes! If I had to choose an item from ModCloth, I’d pick a cute dress–probably the Windy City dress! Or maybe I’d wait for the Screen Siren dress, which has been out of stock forever. A girl can dream, right?

  73. Congratulations on three years of blogging! From ModCloth, I would probably choose a dress…something to mix it up at work! 🙂

  75. I have never heard of this site before, and I am so glad that I did because now just about every dress on there is going on my Christmas list. Shopping for me will be so easy now! 🙂 I looked and looked, and finally found a dress I loved with a high waist and flexible top, since I expect to be getting much rounder in the next few months, and I picked the Glamour Power to You dress in spearmint stripes. I am so happy to have found your blog, and wish it a very happy birthday and many more birthdays to look forward to 🙂

  76. Hi Darla! Happy Blogiversary! I always enjoy browsing your sweets for inspiration… It’s like everything on pinterest into one sweet treat! I would love that Zanzibar dress.

  77. Happy birthday Bakingdom! I have always loved your posts! (ever since i saw your Harry Potter cotton candy cupcakes.) That cake loots AMAZING! I might have to change my daughters birthday cake recipe! Also Lalaloopsy dolls are mine and my daughters favorites!
    I had never heard of Modcloth before but after checking it out its probably going to be my new favorite place to shop online ^-^ If i ever got anything from there it would probably have to be the High Low, I love you Dress its SO cute and I just know my daughter would play with the skirt! :]

  78. I love Modcloth! I’m currently obsessed with a couple of darling dresses there so that’s what I would be getting, I’m sure. However, any time I look at the site I see something new I love. LOL This cake is gorgeous. Congrats on three years! Love your blog.

  80. EASY! I’ve had my eye on the cat with eyeglasses sweater for a long time.

    Congrats on your blog-birthday! I’m always so happy to see a new post from it on my feed. I’ve never actually tried to make anything, but just looking at it makes my day better.

  81. And the winner is… The Windy City Dress!!
    Congratulations on your blogs 3rd birthday! I enjoy your posts and ModCloth is pretty snazzy too!
    Great giveaway, thanks!!

  82. Happy blog birthday! I have made so many of your recipes, that my mother now asks ‘is this a Darla recipe?’ whenever I make something new – ha! ModCloth has so many wonderful things! I love the ‘That’s Doll, Folks’ dress!!

  85. So happy to revisit ModCloth (looked at them a couple of years ago) and find that their plus section is much bigger now. Before it was impossible to find anything that would fit there’s a great black dress that I’d love to pick up with this gift card!

  87. Oh my gosh, you’ve created a monster by introducing me to this site! If I had to pick just one thing (yeah right), it would be the Precious Metals Dress!

  89. I just wanted to tell you something. That thing that you said about baking and this blog being your creative outlet and thus keeping you sane? I couldn’t have worded it any better.
    Almost precisely eight years ago, I was diagnosed with depression. I’ve seen many doctors since then, been handed many different diagnoses (depression, bi-polar, anxiety, social anxiety, etc.), taken a ton of different drugs in all sorts of doses, and even saw a counselor (who spent the majority of my time playing ridiculous activities like trying to decide what season or color I was – what does that have to do with anything?). I often gave up hope that I’d ever find a solution, and would stop the search for help altogether, withdrawing from the world including all of the people that cared about me.
    But finally, there was a light. At first it started with a simple curiosity about making something from scratch. There was my childhood and forever favorite, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Then still a bit nostalgic, animal crackers/cookies – the kind that come in the circus box. Eventually it even became something I wanted to share – from the delicious but ugly red velvet shoe cake I made for my sister’s birthday to the gingerbread houses I now make every Christmas to the doggie treats for all “my” (really my friends’ or family’s) pets. At some point, baking became what I was known for. My family expected at least one new thing from me every time they saw me (and are now unsurprised when I spontaneously unload a smorgasbord of sweets), my old friends were always happy to greet me and whatever treat I brought along, and I was even making new friends. I started with cookbooks, then blogs, and now I’m even tweaking my own creations. When I’m in the kitchen, I feel like an unstoppable force. I’ll often find myself singing and dancing as I work. Besides when I go running, it’s one of the few times that my mind is clear and my soul unburdened.
    That’s not to say that baking “cured” me. Far from it. (I had a wonderful boss with her own depression/anxiety issues that recommended an incredible therapist to me who I’ve been seeing for almost two years. With her help, I’ve come to understand my depression/anxiety issues – including accepting that this will forever be a struggle in my life – and how best to deal with them. If you’re curious or want to recommend a book on the subject, I highly recommend both “The Depression Cure” by Stephen S. Ilardi and “Self-Compassion” by Kristin Neff. I was seriously skeptical when my therapist assigned them both to me, but they are well-researched and well-written which are two things I most appreciate.) But baking has brought me solace through even the roughest of times.
    And part of all of that, is you. I stumbled on your blog once so long ago and have been hooked ever since. Yours is the one that I tell people always has the best recipes that I get the most compliments on. Yours is the one that I trust when comparing similar recipes and looking for the best option. Yours is the one that I find myself laughing, crying, and pumping my fist in the air triumphantly right along with. And yours is the one that I come back to time and time again. You’ve jump started my creativity, shared my interests, and even provoked some new ones (I’m hooked on Dr. Who and currently knee-deep in the fourth season). Reading your blog feels like exchanging letters/emails with a friend who moved away, just a little more one-sided. Hopefully this is not at all creepy for you because I do realize that we haven’t actually met and I’m not like stalking you or keeping a wall of your posts in my basement. I don’t even have a basement, but if I did, it would be filled with lights and happy things to make it as unscary as possible. Cause I’m a total wuss when it comes to basements. And reptiles. And escalators.
    Anyways, so I just wanted to thank you for all you have done and meant to me. Even if you didn’t have a clue. Happy third blogaversary! I sincerely wish you a very happy year.
    PS: This week was my first at culinary school. And I LOVED it!

  91. I never heard of ModCloth before. Cute dresses, in a bit different colors and styles. I love the Day 1 of Work dress! Great color!

  92. Happy blog-anniversary Darla! Needless to say that I love your blog since I commented every single post from the day I discovered Bakingdom. Your recipes are yummy, the pictures you took are wonderful and you’re a sweetie! 🙂
    That cake is the most perfect and deliciously tempting cake I’ve seen in a while! Beautiful pink frosting, yummy brownie cake and adorable glitter! I wish you to celebrate many more years in the blogsphere!
    xoxo

  94. I love modcloth’s mini dresses but I am too tall for them. When I bend over everyone can see my knickers… If I win I would try one of their longer lengths dresses. Or a nice pair of flats 🙂

  97. Happy blog birthday!!! My 3 year is coming up too and I do it for many of the same reasons you said! Always look forward to your fun creations, can’t wait to see what 2013 brings. As for mod cloth, totally some of their kitchen stuff-so many owls to choose from!

  102. Modcloth is like my life. Intenet life I mean, unfortunately its too expensive to be me actual life…but I am totally in love with the ‘When the Night Comes’ dress. Lace dresses are so beautiful!

  104. Congratulations on three years! You are so right about baking being a wonderful creative outlet – something I’ve really only discovered and embraced recently – and partly, in fact, to the discovery of your Rolo Brownie Trifle recipe (and Bakingdom as a whole) on Pinterest early in the new year! I couldn’t wait to re-create those gorgeous things, and I’ve been on a baking and cooking kick ever since. So thank you! 😀

    I love, love, LOVE ModCloth, so was easy to dip into my wishlist and pick out a new addition that I’m DYING to get my hands on –
    http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-gadgets/roy-g-baker-food-prep-set
    This gorgeous, colourful 9-piece food prep set needs to be in my life. Like, now. Haha 😀

  106. Oh goodness! Well, I almost never buy dresses for myself, subsisting on hand-me-downs. The one time I did was a beautiful solo dress that I use for cello recitals, and it’s so shiny and pretty. So I think I would get an everyday-but-special dress that I could wear out on happy days. 🙂

  107. I love everything on Modcloth. Really. Everything. I’ve also ordered a lot of stuff. In fact, I should probably consider making it my homepage… My favorite thing on the front page is the Nest Door Neighbor Top. Super cute.

  108. As much as I love the dresses, my wardrobe is filled to the brim with them (a girl can never have enough dresses!) so I would splurge on the cute homewares. Maybe the Mushroom stool?

  109. Happy Birthday! I went to check my modcloth wish list and saw the “Chevron the dance floor dress” I am in love!! It would be perfect for me to wear to my friends rehearsal dinner in May.

  110. Happy anniversary Darla! Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes, photos, ideas and all the quirky nerd stuff with us. Thanks to you, my wee Hermionerd will have a nicely geeked out Harry party in March. I also loved Emma’s dress but never knew where it was from, what cute stuff!

    I would have to say I really like the Pine with Me dress, I love green and it would be a nice dress for my daughter’s Communion in May. They do have cute kitchen items as well so it’d be a tough choice!

  116. Haaaaappy Biiiiiirthday!!! 😀

    I also adore Modcloth! I’ve never had the chance to buy anything yet, but I would love a dress from them!!

  121. Definitely the what are you waiting photo necklace.
    Photography is my passion, and this necklace just embodies what I love so much.

  124. I’m SO glad this blog has done something for you in return for what it has done for me as a reader. Your posts always make me smile (and salivate), and you (in addition to one of my coworkers) have added Dr. Who to my geekery. This cake looks amazingly and simply delicious! Perhaps I shall demand it for my own birthday in September? 😉 Well, I love ModCloth, so I have to join in this giveaway. I’ve been eyeing their Coach Tour Dress in Noir and the 712 More Things to Draw book. I am often seeking inspiration, and I Love to doodle. They stopped carrying the ‘prequel’ and I was thrilled when they started carrying this one. I, too, feel trapped and restless without a creative outlet. 🙂 So glad you’re still here! -Andrea

  130. Happy blog birthday! I found your blog a little over a year ago. You had posted something about Doctor Who. Then, I realized it was a baking related blog and I have been a fan ever since. I’m a big Doctor Who fan and I also love to bake. I also LOVE ModCloth so it’s really hard to pick just one thing I would buy, but the “Grace Gardens” dress showed up in a Facebook ad for me the other day and I have been swooning over it ever since.

  133. I love ModCloth! I love that so many of their dresses are vintage-style, since that’s what I prefer in my clothing. I’m in deep smit with their Anchors A-Sway dress! It would be perfect for a 1940s event I’ll be attending next summer.

  134. Happy Blogversary!! I came here through CakeWrecks, the chocolate cake with orange and the pumpkin decorations, I think. Never leave after that. I don’t really cook but I tried some of your recipes and they were a great hit with my family.

    Modcloth is wonderful. I love many, many things but right now, I love this umbrella http://www.modcloth.com/shop/umbrellas/ladybug-out-umbrella and a lot of the jewelry specially this earrings http://www.modcloth.com/shop/earrings/natural-utopia-earrings and this necklace http://www.modcloth.com/shop/necklaces/cogs-of-time-necklace

  138. Happy Birthday!!! I Love your blog!! I would love the pink boots…… Betsey Johnson Looking for Fun Boot…or the Charlotte’s Web T- Shirt!! You make me happy!!!

  140. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (kinda!) lol but I understand, you put so much heart into everything you make and then sharing it with us (thanks!) its like a little baby you gotta celebrate 🙂 Although I gotta say… why doesn’t the cake have more glitter? 🙁 can’t go wrong with glitter, why else would the 3 be higher then everything else? 😉

    When I saw what your giveaway was I was like…. please…. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, let me win because I want this http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/when-the-night-comes-dress-in-red so much! But I just can’t afford it without any extra help 🙁 😉 It was hard to pick just one thing! Its hard! Modcloth = love 🙂

  143. Aw, man. I always wish I could buy the things on ModCloth. Mostly the dresses. If I had my way, I would only wear cute dresses. But it is in the negatives here in Maine…

  144. Oh my goodness, their clothes are great! I have this thing about cardigans, weird but I love them. I would get one of their beautiful cardigans. Or a birthday gift for my sister-in-law. She is hard to shop for and aftwr just a quick glance I saw three things she would love.

    By the way, that cake is what really caught my eye! I’m going to make it to see if it’s as good as it looks. If so, it will be perfect for my daughter’s 3rd bday! Thank you!!

  147. A new dress, I have a “goal weight” dress picked out. It’s called “work with me” I think. Love your blog, I want to be you (but not in a creepy way) 🙂

  149. I´d totally love a new dress like Again and A-Glen Dress, Quintessence of Style Dress in Amethyst or Soda Fountain Dress in Grape, aren´t they beatiful.

  152. I had never heard of ModCloth so thank you!! There are so many pretty dresses, but being a SAHM I don’t need a dress very often. I can’t decide between the City Coasting Sweater and the New Girl Courage Top in Stripes. Happy Birthday 🙂

  153. Thanks for the great giveaway. It’s my first time visiting Modcloth and it’s awesome. I’m loving the City Coasting sweater. Thanks for all your wonderful blog posts and Happy Birthday.

  154. Definitely the Flamingo Go Get Em Bag. Because bright pink is my THANG. Or books. They have so many amazing books! Like Feminist Ryan Gosling and the Truck Foods cookbook!

  159. Happy Birthday Darla! Love that cake! Thanks for Modcloth–now my new addiction! Love the vintage line:) Picked out my dress-must have the Dotted Dessert Dress-what else!! It’s me! Can’t wait to win it! Thank you!

  162. Happy Birthday! I love your blog, and my daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan. She wants to have a HP birthday party this year, and we have been looking at all the neat HP recipes on your blog! She definitely wants me to make butterbeer!! I have never even heard of Modcloth, but they have really cute stuff! I especially liked the Terra dress in Cinnamon. Thanks for a great giveaway and here’s to many more years of Bakingdom!

  165. I am so dying to get something from Mod Cloth. I go and peruse all of their dresses. If I get this gift card I am going to buy a retro dress. Pick me please random.org

  166. This brownie cake looks absolutely marvelous. It’s adorable, and cute, and glittery, and fluffy, and just *sigh*

    Happy Birthday Bakingdom! *<]:o)

    As for ModCloth: I absolutely love them. They have such cute things, but I can't afford like any of it. 😛 I really like the Puttin' on the Spritz dress, the pretty partner skirt, and of course I had to look at the kitchen stuff and I basically need to have that pan-da frying pan! :3

  167. Congratulations! Three years of blogging is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud of yourself and all the effort that’s gone in to making this site a resource for all of us bakers. I don’t think I’ve commented before but I have made several of your recipes and read all your posts. And I appreciate all the work that has gone into Bakingdom!

    And thanks also for the fun giveaway. I love ModCloth! I am a dress person, so I would choose the Lovely Little Birds dress. So fun for summer!

  169. Happy 3rd blog birthday, Darla!! This cake looks sooo gorgeous! 🙂 If I were to win I’d love one of the gorgeous aprons they have!! They’re so pretty and would be a step up from my ‘domestically challenged’ apron the boy bought me a few years ago. Lucky for him I’ve learnt to love all things cooking and baking since then!!

  170. Oh my goodness! I want it all : ) I love love love the “your favorite things sweater.” It would look great with a neat skirt or a pair of pants, casual or dressy. Love it!

  171. Happy Blogiversary! Is it possible to pick just one thing from Modcloth? But if I had to only pick one, I think I’d want the “Brunch with Buds Dress in Wildflowers.”

  172. Happy 3rd Blogiversary!! I really like the Striking Style Necklace and the All Eyes on Me Scarf! And I love all of the socks ~ how cute!!

  174. While I could definitely spruce up my work wardrobe with the network and play dress or frond memories top, I would not be able to pass up the book Darth Vader and Son for my 2 year old too.

  176. You mean I have three YEARS of back reading to do?! 🙂 I found your site last fall while searching for HP inspired recipes for my Hogwarts Halloween and have been hooked ever since. So far I’ve made the pretzel/nutella brownies, the s’mores cookies (i told my class i wanted smore of those good grades and these cookies were made to inspire them!), a blue and yellow layer cake, cockroach clusters, and i can’t remember what else. You have also turned me on to some other fun sites. THANKS!
    If I were to win this contest, I would definitely begin with the “Work with Me Dress in Red Stripes” and I only wish I could find the red retro shoes she wears with it in the video.
    Here’s to another 3 or 30 or ??? years of Bakingdom!

  185. HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY to Bakingdom!!! I LOVE your blog! Everything about it!! Your recipes, Gorgeous Dessert Creations, Photography, Stories, etc. You’re VERY TALENTED and I’m very HAPPY for YOU and for Bakingdom and I look forward to visiting your blog for years to come. 😀
    That Cake looks beautiful and of course delicious and the little dolly is adorable.
    I love ModCloth, their dresses are so very pretty and I am definitely in love with the Crafty Party Dress in Stone Grey with the lovely purple sash, my favorite colors!!

  186. http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/wine-and-dynamic-dress-in-glass-window. This is the cute dress that I would pick if I were the winner. Modcloth has a lot of cute clothes for all different people. I have never seen the site before today. I will need to mark it as a favorite!
    I love to bake and I like seeing your creative ideas. Haven’t found the cherry chips to make the cupcakes for Valentines day but I am hoping to find something before then.

  188. Oh my word. So many cute things! I would get the Convivial Pursuit Dress, the Cupcakes and Candles Dress, or the Luck Be a Lady Dress in Violet. Or maybe all three. 🙂

  191. I have been drooling over the windy city dress for several months now. I would definitely put it towards that. Happy 3rd Birthday 🙂

  193. I actually think you read my mind. Along with visiting your blog everday, I check Modcloth everyday for their new arrivals! I am currently loving the In the Key of Chic dress. I love music and play both the clarinet and piano, and have been watching this dress for a couple months! Happy Birthday!

  194. I would buy as many pairs of poetic licence shoes as possible. I love that brand and modcloth always has a great selection. I also love their dresses… but I’m in a shoe phase right now!

  200. So, I found this really pretty little turquoise dress, I mean it’s adorable (and my size is actually in, which is highly unusual), and it has this sheer black lace collar, it’s just a really generally lovely dress. Which I have no specific purpose for, but I could always wear it to Improv shows (I go to one in a coffee house just off my college campus every couple of weeks), or class. So I could find a use for such an pretty dress.
    It’s here: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/like-you-a-lattice-dress if you want to see it. Like I said, I’m in love.

  203. Happy 3rd blogaversary!

    Modcloth is amazing.. they also have the vintage-style one-pieces I’ve been looking for so I’d have to splurge!

  207. Hi Darla! First let me say Happy Birthday! I love your blog, I think it is Fantastic and you do an awesome job!
    I found this cute little black dress called When the Night Comes Dress! Super Sexy!

  209. I would love to get some cute flats. Between a large shoe size, a student budget, and bad knees I find it incredibly difficult to find shoes which are both comfortable and fun to wear.
    Then again, I do really love the new Garden et Moi Dress.

  216. Oh how I heart ModCloth. I check the site almost daily for updates. They have the best dresses. I’ve had my eye on a few but the Day After Day dresses are calling my name.

  218. I’m so happy that you have had three years of happiness in this blog. I love it as well. I remember the beginning, and I’m happy to say that your blog still makes me happy. I love seeing everything you do, and living vicariously through your craftiness and creativeness. I am not, but I can recreate. Because of you my kids get to work with me in the kitchen and then eat the results. My kids love to be in the kitchen with me! Happy Blogiversary to you! I am so excited to see what you have coming in the future!

    Oh, and…http://www.modcloth.com/shop/skirts/le-centre-pompidou-skirt This skirt is fabulous! I could totally see myself in it!

  219. Happy Anniversary! I enjoy your blog! And who knew Modcloth had stuff for the house – I have just been admiring all their cute clothes. It’s hard to choose, but I pick the Dining Fable Lunch Bag 🙂

  222. i *love* the lalaloopsy sitting on the edge of your cake plate… they are so pretty! thanks for sharing the wonderfulness that is modcloth! i’m going to buy the dino head to put above our fireplace.

  224. This looks sooo yummy!

    And now I’m in love with ModCloth which is bad since I also just paid my bills and there’s no money left for cute dresses! But I love the Still Life As We Know It. Very cute.

  230. Happy Birthday!! I absolutely love this blog.I love Confessions of a cookbook queen as well.I had never heard of mod cloth before!But i love it!!Wow and the things you picked are the things I would get!Its like we have the same taste in clothing. 🙂 I would love to get Comfy Critters flats as well.how cute!

  231. Since I just got a job (!!!), I’d buy something I could wear to work…like maybe the Skews Me Please or On a School Night dress, and I’m already in love with the Vintage Reserve Alice Heel and the Umbrella Statement flats.

    Ay ay ay, I think me knowing about Modcloth is just going to be trouble!!

  232. Happy Blog-versary Darla! Bakingdom has inspired me in many ways, so here’s wishing you have many, many more! 🙂
    Modcloth looks fab, i’m going berserk seeing all that lovely stuff! Favs are the from the Kitchen & Dining – Tabletop section: ‘Mix & Munch Flatware Set in Ocean’ and ‘Multicolor’. Oooh, i’m also loving the ‘Juice Stop By Glass Set’!! (Told ya i was goin berserk!). Also loving the ‘Cutensils Flatware Set’!
    Dunno what you have started here, but Modcloth sure is addictive! 😀
    Cheers Darla!

  233. Happy anniversary birthday! Thank you for giving us such an amazing blog to read! I think you should do some more special harry potter themed things 🙂

    I LOVE MODCLOTH! They are such an amazing site and I am glad they are shipping to Canada now. My favorite dress right now is the RSV Pretty Dress. I am getting married in November so I am on a tight budget meaning no dress for me 🙁

    Hope all is well!

  235. Such a cute cake.
    And honestly; had heard of mod cloth but never officially been on the site ’til you brought it up.
    That said, The More the Marigold Flats are so darling and vibrant!
    Happy Birthday Bakingdom!

  236. ohhh I love modcloth so much! It’s what made me start to like dresses- although not to start wearing them, since I don’t exactly have the means to buy myself one of the many gorgeous frocks on there. However, my absolute favourite item on there would probably have to be this fantastic wallet (http://www.modcloth.com/shop/wallets/the-definition-of-darling-wallet) which looks like a dictionary- I’m a total sucker for those types of things 🙂
    Happy third Bakingdom-birthday! I’ve been informally following you for a while now and loved every minute of it!

  239. Happy 3rd Birthday, Bakingdom!
    I love reading your blog! Thank you for your funny, personal, delicious insights from your kitchen!
    I neverd heard of ModCloth before, but I am looking at it right now and the Milk Manners Glass Set would definitely be my thing http://www.modcloth.com/shop/tabletop/milk-manners-glass-set
    or the World Class Cookie Cutters http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-gadgets/world-class-cookie-cutter-set 🙂
    Thank you for the international giveaway, it’s great to have a chance too 🙂
    Much love,
    Lisa from Graz (Austria!)

  240. The color and flexibility of the Versatile Lifestyle Dress wins my vote. That dress looks so comfy, and easy to dress up or down.

  241. Happy Birthday! I adore Modcloth so much! I am currently loving the Bright Student flat! They are so unique and I would love to own them!

  242. Happy Birthday Darla! I love your blog so much! I am totally in love with Modcloth so this giveaway is really exciting:D I am IN LOVE with the Wizard of Awesome dress! I hope I win so I can buy it!

  247. Hi Darla!!

    I absolutely love ModCloth and am in desperate need of the Grace Gardens dress in slate grey. It is so elegant and enchanting! It makes me feel like I could dine with the Crawleys at Downton! I digress…

    Happy 3rd Blogiversary!!

  251. Oh my gosh! Happy blog birthday! And I love that sweet little doll. Those dolls sure do make me happy when I walk past them in the shops. As for Modcloth. My word! It’d be so hard to pick just one item. I usually hop on to see what they have and spend hours looking at their prettiest items! I am pretty much in love with the retro swimsuits avaliable! Not to mention all the pretty lace items in the new Susan Selects look book! Darla you are brilliant! Happy Birthday!

  252. I love Bakingdom so Happy Birthday!! I am now loving Modcloth so I need a gift card! I have a list of wants from a 5 minute browse: the Time to Bow bracelet, the Let’s Stick Two-gether rings, the Fruit Blossoms necklace, and the I Link it’s Love necklace are my starters!

  253. Happy birthday to Bakingdom!! I found your blog about a year and a half ago and it quickly became one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your passion with your readers! I am new to Modcloth, but not for long. I found about twelve dresses that I just absolutely have to have. One is the Chevron the Dance Floor dress. I have two weddings to attend this spring so this might just have to be my party dress!

  255. I absolutely adore ModCloth!! I love owls and they have the cutest owl stuff. I think if I had $50 to spend, I’d have to get this adorable owl tote I’ve been eyeing… and maybe a sweater….and some jewelry lol

  257. Happy birthday to your wonderful blog! Your photography is fantastic – and I must say, love it when you show off your geeky nature (since I am rather geeky too!). I wish you many happy blog-iversaries to come!

    I have been eyeing some dresses on ModCloth for many months now! It’s already hot in Florida and I’m daydreaming of comfy sundresses. Thanks for the great giveaway!!!

  258. Happy Birthday Bakingdom!!!!!! I have to log on every week just to see what new and delish treet you have came up with. Thank you for doing what you do!

  261. This cake looks ah-ma-zing!! When are you inviting me over for a tasting?
    I found a few awesome things on ModCloth: for example this Tardis and Dalek shaker set http://www.modcloth.com/shop/kitchen-gadgets/doctor-the-recipe-shaker-set
    or this bag http://www.modcloth.com/shop/handbags/full-course-load-bag
    or this dress http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/frill-there-was-you-dress
    or this one http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/masterful-monologue-dress

  264. You may have done something very, very bad. Like start a new shopping addiction. But your posts of sweet treats make up for it!

    I’d looooove to get a dress from Modcloth! Like the criss-crossing border dress in blossoms or I Pink I Can.

  266. I recently made a cake with brownie layers too! I mean, how can one go wrong with a brownie cake?! 😉 It’s not as cute as yours, but it was perfect for the “hockey is back!” get together I went to. (http://instagram.com/p/UsaFukg5pl/) 🙂

    As for ModCloth, there are so so SO many things on there that I’ve been eyeing for quite some time, one of them been the Definition of Darling Wallet, which the nerd and book lover in me demands to have! lol

    Oh, and, Happy 3rd Birthday, Bakingdom! 😀

    P.S. I love the Ella Fitzgerald quote and I love Ella Fitzgerald! <3

  267. Happy 3rd Birthday! I love reading your posts and trying your super yummy recipes 🙂

    Never heard of Modcloth but checked it out and LOVE their dresses. Thinking about ordering “What a Keeper Dress in Chambray”. So cute!

  276. Yeesh, it’d be tough to pick just one thing. I’m eyeing those Up to Parlour shoes, but since it says there’s just one pair left (eek) I’d go for some of those camisoles…so versatile!

  277. O.M.G.!! Now I can understand why you have so many dresses from that fabulous site!! How can I ever choose just one?!? I am into purple at the moment so definitely Time of My Life Dress!! I also like Windy City Dress and Heart Over Heels Dress is too adorable!! If only I knew this site, My Favorite Macaron Dress would be perfect for my birthday yesterday (Jan 28th)!! I made my first 4 layers french vanilla alternate with strawberry cake and frosted with a ruffled swiss merginue buttercream in PINK!!! So pretty & yummy!! 😀

  279. Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog with the adorable ideas and inspirations in baking and craft! I’ve not heard of ModCloth before, but browsing through the website, I’m in LOVE! Such gorgeous dresses! I love the Swathed in Suave Dress…it would be so awesome to have such a lovely dress, especially for me who always have problems purchasing cute dresses 🙂

  288. I really need a new pair of boots for all of my steampunk costumes so I would probably buy the Prospectress Boots that they have! <3 I just adore your lalaloopsy dolls!

  294. Happy Bloggiest of Blogs Birthdays! Modcloth is amazing. Not as amazing as chocolate or glitter or nerdy girly stuff, but that’s why I have Bakingdom. Limiting to one thing or category is hard. I do think I’d take the Coach Tour dress in any or all of the colors they have. Then I’d have to get some cute tights and more shoes to match each one, of course some jewelry and pretty hair accessories. . . . .

  298. Happy Birthday!

    I’ll never forget the first thing I saw from you. I was perusing Cakewrecks and saw your rainbow heart cake and I was all :O WOW. So then I hurried over here and fell in love. I’ve made tons of your recipes and loved them all!! Then, when I met my boyfriend, who is diabetic, I had to figure out how to make everything sugar-free. Still delicious. Thank you for your beautiful blog, fun personality and, of course, yummy yummy recipes!

    I’ve never heard of ModCloth, but wow, what amazing clothes! I love the Soda Fountain dress: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/soda-fountain-dress-in-cherry#

    Here’s to many, many more bloggiversaries!

  299. Yay! Happy birthday Bakingdom! I absolutely adore this site, I’ve made your apple caramel bread many times and everyone always loves it <3
    As for me, I would have to get a new spring dress, I badly desire a new spring dress, something like the "My Finest Aura Dress" it's absolutely adorable!

  301. Oooh, there are a lot of lovely things on ModCloth! I’ve already found a few options: there’s a beautiful purple skirt I’d love to add to my wardrobe, and I found a great bathing suit for if I decide to give in to my boyfriend’s desire to see me in swimwear.

    Happy blogger-birthday! ^_^

  303. Wow! Thanks for introducing me to ModCloth! Officially Obsessed!!!!! 2013 is a big year for me in the friends department. My bestie and another close friend are getting married-total number of showers so far =4, plus another close friend is having her first baby…Big year for dresses! I would love to buy a dress from ModCloth as they are absolutely adorable and I have many, many occasions coming up! Thank you for your blog! It brings me joy each day! Thanks!

  304. Happy happy birthday to Bakingdom!
    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the jewelry. Totally want the striking style and wonderland necklaces…to start with!

  308. Happy birthday Bakingdom! Congratulations on the 3rd blog anniversary!!! I love any of their jewlery and dresses and such, So it’s just to hard to pick! ^_^

  316. Such a tought decision! I’m absolutely in LOVE with Modcloth and my wishlist is ever-expanding (unlike my closet…), but if I had to pick one thing as my favourite on the site, I would have to say it would be their Coach Tour Dress. It comes in 9 different colours and patterns (check it out here: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/search?keyword=coach+tour+dress&category=all-categories&commit=Search), and I want it in 8 of them! It’s perfect for teaching, or a night out! 🙂

  322. Happy Birthday!!! My daughter absolutely adores Modcloth for their dresses! But I would love to buy some more cutesy things for my kitchen, like the Owl Mug Set….adorable!

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