I have three jobs.
I'm a stay-at-home mom who is married to a stay-at-home dad. I could use the popular new term work-at-home but that would imply that either of us gets much work done while playing with our little guy.
I'm a cupcake blogger who is just starting to make real money from her blog. Thanks for reading! I still make only slightly more than half of what I did at my first job out of college, so it's clearly about the love and not the money. However, I'm making enough now that I do consider it one of my three jobs and not just a hobby.
 |
| That's me after my TV appearance talking about my People magazine appearance. |
I am the S. in J. Pollack Photography - which is to say that it's my husband's business, but I do a lot of work behind the scenes. We truly believe the motto that everything is more fun when you do it together. Jonathan is involved with the blog (taking photos, editing my posts, and taste-tasting - of course), and I am involved in his business (scheduling, second shooting, and doing a first pass review of every wedding and family shoot). That's just how we roll.
 |
| Here I am behind the scenes (literally) trying to capture the expression on the little girl's face. She is clearly not looking forward at Jonathan's camera. |
Let's also not forget that in 2007, I couldn't keep a hula hoop around my waist and now I'm a hooper! Take that, corporate Stef.
Then, there are the things that never change:
Happy 2011!
Best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy 2011. My 2011 wish for you is that you are comfortable in your skin and are proud of how you roll!
How To Win a T-Shirt
Update: I have drawn the winner. It is Sourkraut who said:
- Love the shirt and this post! While not totally new about me, in the past few years I've become a much better and more daring baker. One thing about me that'll never change is my love of desserts, whether made by me or someone else.
While you can no longer enter. I am keeping comments open. The comments that people have left have been inspirational. Read and please add your own.
The "This is How I Roll" T-shirt was a gift to me from Buy Olympia (check out the "Just Beat It" shirt, too - so cute!). To win either T-shirt for yourself, leave a comment on this post (it must be on the blog, not Facebook, email, or Twitter) telling me one thing that is totally new about yourself over the past couple of years, and one thing about yourself that will never change. Be sure to leave me a way to contact you if you win.
I will randomly draw the winner on January 5 at 11:59 PM CST. The shirt can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.
Quick Shout Out
Thanks to reader Kari who sent me an email telling me about this T-shirt! I had to have it after I saw it!
96 comments:
I've been reading your blog for a year and never commented! So here's my first comment and thanks for being an inspiration. Truly. Happy Happy 2011 Stef.
... and one thing that will never change is my love for baking.
Congrats Stef!
One new thing about me is my want to decorate everything. Before I was always a "it's all about the taste" girl, but now it's gotta be taste and presentation!
And one thing will never change is my love for baking. Heck, even my maiden name is Baker. ;)
I've found out I don't hate exercise, just what I've been trying all along. Which is really a great discovery as I love baking. I need to offset that!
Hello, I have only been reading your blog for a couple of months and love it... The thing that is new to me is that I finally followed my dream and went to Culinary School. I went to Le Cordon Bleu College in Austin. I went for culinary but will go back for Patissierre in about a year.
The one thing that will never change is my love to bake and make people happy.
1. The sweet potato matches yr hair.
2. I was literally a hair away from buying Myles a shirt with a stroller on it that reads "This Is How I Roll" because I thought it was so cute. Funny.
3. Can Xtina M. and I come over in Jan. for some Bananagrams?
L'Shana Tova,
-byron
Hi new Stef! I loved your post and can really relate! It's a great thing to realize that we can completely change our lives, even though it seems like when we pick our first career, we can never look back.
I would love to win that great tee shirt! One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that I am really self-driven. When I was "corporate Debbie," I thought I needed a manager to keep me on task. This year I self published a book. In order to do that I had to learn all about layouts, type setting, page design, isbn's... so much! But it all went great and I'm so proud.
Thanks for this opportunity and I look forward to many more Cupcake Project posts! :)
...one thing that will never change is my love of 80's music! :)
Something totally new about me in the past couple of years is that I've finally discovered the "athletic" side of myself through softball and swimming, after years of thinking I was terrible at sports!
Something that will never change is my love of reese's peanut butter cups. :)
One new thing in the past couple of years is how much Japanese food I cook (probably due to living in Japan for two years...) and one thing that will never change is how much I love dill pickles!
I love the t-shirt! One thing new about me is that I'm officially done with grad school! One thing that will never change is my love for chocolate and peanut butter!
I have a "new" baby (she's one, so not exactly new) and she's totally changed my whole life.
One thing that will never change? I will always love to bake and will probably always be using the wrong tool until my chef fiance makes me use the right one :)
One new thing is that I renewed my love of blogging nad will be starting my own brand new blog in 2011. And one thing that will never change is my love of food, especially baking and making it pretty-licious.
picabo@gmail.com
One new thing about me is a love of photography. And one thing that will not change is a love for cooking and baking :)
Thank you!
bridgestranslation at yahoo dot com
Stef! I love the beat it shirt, only because I own the "this is how I roll" shirt! I sent you the pic! Maybe I should dye my hair red, it looks great on you. I learned in 2010 to never lose hope. Even when the news is bad, hope at times is all you can hold on to, or use for strength. Thanks for the inspiration this year - can't wait what 2011 will bring!
@kvriesema
That shirt is awesome!! I love it!
Love the t-shirt.
But I don't share your love of sweet potatoes. Bleh! :)
Love love this shirt! Thanks for all your inspiration, and congrats on all of your successes!
This year I created my own cupcake business for fun at college!
Happy 2011!
Love the shirt and this post! While not totally new about me, in the past few years I've become a much better and more daring baker. One thing about me that'll never change is my love of desserts, whether made by me or someone else.
a new thing about me is realizing my love for baking and gaining an associate's degree in it. my one thing that will never change is my high level of procrastination :D
ana153@jwu.edu
One thing that is new about me is that I finally decided to take me love for baking to the next to step. I started to attended culinary school in Connecticut and it's amazing!! I never knew how in depth baking really was until now!
One thing that will never change is the undivided love I have for my 2 children. I love them with all of my being. They are the best thing that god could have ever given me. And if I have the chance to be blessed with more, they will have the same undivded love. <3
Heathersmorin@yahoo.com
One thing that has changed is my go-getter attitude. I've always been complacent for second best and now I'm not happy unless I go for what I really want. One thing that I never want to change is my passion for food, creativity and nutrition. Sometimes they counter one another, but it's a challenge that I love!
I admire how you know and are comfortable with exactly who you are.
I'd love to win the shirt! One thing that has changed for me this year is that I moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles to pursue a production career. One thing that will never change is that my success will be based solely on my hard work and wits.
Hmm...something new about me - I've recently discovered cutout cookies (for years I've baked 10-15 dozen cookies a week, but they've always been drop cookies - i'm having WAY too much fun with the new decorating/rolling/etc) This t-shirt would be totally appropos because of this! The thing that will never changes is my love of teaching the children in my life about food and the wonder of creating wonderful things to eat!
In the beginning it was very hard for me to be a stay at home mom. But I have grown to love it, every minute of it. My son is now 14 and until he goes off to college I plan on staying home and being there when he needs me - and even when he doesn't want me. He and I have a great relationship and I wouldn't give that up for any amount of money.
In 2010 I discovered my passion for baking. In 2011 I will graduate from nursing school and become an RN! Can't wait!
Love that t-shirt, it's adorable!
I have just started reading your blog and I have to say that I quite enjoy it!
The new thing about me is that I have vowed to never be more than 5 minutes away from a cupcake and that, my friend , will never change!! I find them to be a better "cure all" than anti-depressants and vodka-tonics! That change came about 14 years ago!!
Love that shirt!!! One thing that has changed about me in the past few years is that I'm a Mom. One thing that will never change is my love for all things baking!
Michelle (vplus10@earthlink.net)
Cute shirt! In the past 9 years, I have worked in a office, stay at home mom then in retail. I'm not sure if I will ever go back as a helpdesk person since I love my retail job (M - F). One thing that will never change about me is I love to bake and how can I had coffee and chocolate in it. Happy New Year!
I never thought that I would be happy staying at home (retired), but I love it. The one thing that I would never change about myself is my love of baking.
I love your blog and look forward to all your new posts.
Something totally new about me is that I have lost 70 pounds and have been maintaining for 6 months. I love to bake and one of my New Year's resolution is to bake more in 2011. I got a Cricut Cake for my birthday and can't wait to try it out! You can contact me through facebook: facebook.com/mthayer2
Totally new - completely self employed - hooray! The { BEST } boss ever : )
Somethings that will never change is my love of the ocean, love of doing for others and love of laughter.
Stef,
I now have a food blog and have been blooging Since April 2010. I'm also on Foodbuzz, bakingandcookingataleoftwoloves.blogspot.com. You are partly responsible for my blog, and I hope to meet you one day! I love the shirt and cupcakes!
I am so lucky to have a lot of new. positive things in my life this year. Not the coolest nor the most life changing, but definitely a fun new thing is my Kitchenaid stand up mixer. I know, I know...BUT I now get to make my very own cupcakes instead of admiring everyone else's! The bigger picture being that since I am now staying at home to homeschool (teaching my child instead of everyone else's), I can take time to bake, craft, and make our house a home.
diddymom@gmail.com
I made my first fondant covered cake creation in July of 2010. Now, I'm blogging my sugar adventures. I learn so much from other bloggers like you! Here's to expanding that knowledge in 2011!! Happy New Year!
I love this post! I especially love your wishes for everyone in 2011. Being comfortable in your own skin is a fantastic feeling. Realizing you're enough as you are and finding happiness within I think is what we're all searching for. I enjoyed you and Jonathan in 2007 and even if life has brought you to a place you didn't expect, I think you're both great people now living a wonderful life. Cheers to loving ourselves and doing what we love in 2011!
One new thing about me; I've been enjoying cooking more challenging things at home (primarily ethnic foods and baking). One thing that will never change about me; my love of finding a wonderful new wine or liquor. 2010 was about ports and ice wines.
-KW
It's been eleven months and I hatched an eleven year old girl... our foster daughter. Soon to be our adopted daughter, fingers crossed. It's been a rocky road, but my pie can't be beat. I use lard and a combination of butter and get that crust really thin. I'm the youngest member of a garden club in our area - majority of members are retired. So I make pie, and the grandparents smile and dig right in, because it's from scratch, comes out of fluted edged pottery, and it tastes divine. I ♥ sweet potatoes too!
love the t shirt.........One thing I"ll never change is my love for cooking and baking for the family
Carole
gram122@comcast.net
Love the t-shirt. Pick me! Pick me!
Your post is very inspiring. I'm a SAHM & am tired of people asking "so, what do you do all day?". Grrr... thank you for the uplift :)
I love reading your blogging adventures, it is fun to know where you came from too, thanks!
New thing for me this year is photography, after starting my blog in February I now snap food photos all the time!
Happy New Year!
"This is How I Roll"...keep rolling, you are doing a great job. I have been in transition for the last couple of years...my biggest change is that I have added the word "NO" to my vocabulary. Happy New Year, Vickie
I have always loved to bake.... I made my first pie at the age of 10... So that will never change.
A new thing is that I have conquered my fear of yeast.... I have branched out and I now make bread!! For years it scared me and I don't know why!!
Oh... And I love your blog! I love cupcakes.... So much my family sometimes looks at me like... Your making cupcakes again!!
Something new: I actually look forward to running in the morning.
Something old: I will NEVER stop loving food -- creating, sharing, discussing...you name it.
PS -- Love your blog, & I may need to get myself one of those t-shirts even if I don't win!
I've learned over the past couple of years that I do really enjoy baking and that I am pretty good at it!!
I would LOVE to someday make it a career...Never say Never!!
osuwife(at)yahoo(dot)com
PS...I absolutely LOVE your blog!!
New to me is the ability to say no and think about me.
One thing that remains constant is the way I love and care about people, and I'm glad it will never change.
The me of five years ago was going to be a history teacher. The me of today is still really confused how I ended up a Business Analyst for a large multinational....
I am, and will always be, a nerd. Happy to be it.
The new thing about me is that I'm now a food blogger. The thing that will never change is that I won't ever stop cooking/baking now. I'm always looking for a new recipe to try!
The new thing about me is that I am now married!! The one thing that will not change is my joy and willingness to learn new things especially about baking!!
Love your blog!!
Maria
In 2010, I became a mommy to a beautiful little girl. I chose to work from home and do the full time mommy thing which really threw me for a loop. I always thought I'd go right back. Now that I'm settling in and this whole working/SAH thing has sunk in, I wouldn't change it for anything. Total and utter joy doesn't begin to describe most days.
I can totally relate not knowing exactly how to tell people what I do though. I wear many hats and juggle as best I can.
We're definitely a sweet potato house. I don't think that will ever change.
Something new about me is that I'm going back to school... 8 years after graduating from college. You're never too old to learn!
One thing that's new about me ... I became a cyclist this year. I hadn't touched a bike since I was maybe 14, but after finishing grad school I bought a bike and thought "Eh, I'll bike the 3 miles to the coffee shop or so." And now I'm biking to work, buying cold weather gear, and tricking out my bike. I had no idea I was going to love it so much.
One thing I hope doesn't change - I hope I'm always crafty. Paper crafts, photography, yarn crafts, I'm also getting into sewing, and a touch of beading. But I have to have something creative and pretty to do with my free time.
New about me over the last couple of years...two things...I am trying to reconnect with friends..from high school, college, and beyond and I am finally learning to sew. One thing that will never change...I am now, forever, and always...a control freak :)
LOVE cupcakes! Love the blog! LOVE the T-shirt.Would LOVE to own one for myself. Happy New Year and keep up the great blog.
in 2003 I went to school to be a graphic designer. I got my AA in 2005 and started working in graphics right away, but after a year it was nothing i loved, they took the love away from me buy not being creative enough. In 2006 i started working as a counter girl for a local tattoo shop. I loved it but i wasnt the one being creative. So i moved on to a photography studio to do phtography again which i loved but then they found out i had a graphic design background, so i was put behind a desk editing photos. But after editing head shots and coorprate photos over and over and nothing creative I got bored and went to starbucks. I realized that I loved makin drinks for people, and then this past summer i worked at a bakery! IT was so much fun and creative and everyday there was something new. I realized I always enjoyed decorating and baking with my mom when i was younger and I loved it i had to stay, but unfortunately i lost my job there due to my health. I finally woke up and decided I had to get myself back out in the baking world and get my name out there my way. So I started my own blog. And was just baking as much as i could to keep myself creative and learning new ways of doing what i love! So thats my new thing. Is being public with my love of baking and reading and learning from everyone else...
One thing that will never change is my obsession for working out and running! I cant wait for the weather to clear up so i can run again!
I love the shirts :D
One thing that is new- My boyfriend and I are buying a house together! One thing I will never change- I will always be an artist.
contact info - evilducky77 at gmail dot com
such an awesome tshirt!
one thing new is i'm learning to relax more. one thing that'll stay the same is that i'll always be a scheduler :)
Love, love the shirt. I love to cook/bake, even if I only take a bite of those dense fat laden desserts.. it's really therapeutic for me.
Something new in the past year is my love for cupcake making (mostly inspired by this blog). One thing that hasn't, or won't, change is my love for eating cupcakes! yum!
Let's see... one thing that has changed about me in the past year... hmm. I got a promotion? LOL, BORING.
One thing that will never change is that I love macaroni and cheese. When I was little I once refused to eat anything other than mac and cheese, and I still love it to this day.
One thing different about me in the last few years is my hair is predominantly grey now. It happened practically overnight after my mum passed away. And one thing I will never change about myself is my (new) grey hair. I still am not sure I like it but I am gonna find a way to rock it and not be a slave to having to dye it so I’ve decided to embrace it.
One thing new about me is my willingness to step out of my comfort zone. One thing I will never change is my fear at stepping out of my comfort zone.
Love this blog. Thank you for sharing so many great recipes, photos and stories with us.
Over the last few years, I've learned to let go and delegate. The me just out of college and into the business world couldn't do that at home or work. Thankfully, I've learned my lesson and it's made life so much simpler.
Have a great 2011.
I had to think about this for a bit... I've gotten more into gin and "fancy" old fashioned cocktails. I find I just need one versions trying to slam back several cheap well drinks. I think this same distinction has translated into everything from cupcakes to clothes. Quality versing quantity.
I'm a new mom. Which is still pretty weird to me. And One thing that wiull never change is my love for baking, books, and art.
I am 100% more confident in the kitchen now than I was 3 years ago. I'm also 35 pounds smaller than I was 3 years ago. These things amazingly aren't related. And I love the shirt!
One thing that's changed about me is that I've fallen in love with being an EMT and the medical field--I never used to be interested in that kind of thing until I hit college.
i left a terrible but high-paying job for a fun but low-paying job and i've never been happier!
Love your blog - one thing new about me is that I discovered a love of blogs this year. What an inspiration! Love baking and making people smile!
Love the blog! I've been reading for over a year now. One thing that is new about me is that I am now married! One thing that will never change is my love for reading.
leestuff1 at gmail dot com
I love your blog! I enjoy seeing your stuff on facebook as well ... I also love cupcakes & baking for people. I have a website for my 'creations' that show my dream. That will never change about me. It makes me grounded and centered and happy. Happy for sure, in life. It's like nothing exists when I bake - that will never change. :)
- http://dessertsbymissm.webs.com
Love this post! It's fun learning more about the bloggers behind the blogs. Also, that shirt is adorable.
New about me: similar to you, I became a food blogger and writer last year. I still don't tell people that when they ask what I do (I always say my day job, although some of my income and a lot of time goes into writing now).
What will never change? Lots of things I guess, but certainly that I love baking!
A new thing is that I finally got some writing published (online, but it's a start). The same? My weight.
I've been reading your blog for a number of years now and I absolutely love it! It always my source for a great Oreo cookie recipe (my favorite cookie) along with many other delicious treats!
One new thing about myself over the past few years is my love for cooking. I knew I always loved baking but it wasn't until I met my current boyfriend that I realized the joy of cooking. Over the past few years I've learned to cook not only for a family of four, but a house of up to 60 people on a weekly basis. I'm a college student in a communal living situation where I help cook dinners throughout the week for all the students living in the house. It has brought my great happiness share my love of food with others. I've been cooking for 60 people for so long that I've forgotten how to cook for two!
One thing I will never change about me is my love of food and all things delicious. :)
Happy New Year and looking forward to more recipes from you. :)
One thing about me that has changed is my personality. I used to be quiet and shy. Now I am outgoing and energetic.
One thing about me that will never change is how much i love to bake. I have been baking with my mother since I was old enough to pour ingredients into a bowl and now my daughter helps me bake as well!
One thing that has changed about me is I've grown up a little bit more, have gotten some 'real world' experience under my belt, finally.
One thing that hasn't changed is my optimistic attitude :-)
Happy New Year!
One thing that has changed about me is that I now love to shop - used to hate it! I've become more comfortable with my appearance and that has given me more self-confidence.
One thing that will never change is my love for my family and friends - I have been so blessed!
Blessings to you and yours this new year!
If I win this cute t-shirt, you can contact me at mclinch05 at gmail dot com...
One thing about me that is that I've discovered at 39 that I am actually capable of exercise on a regular basis (who knew?). One thing about me that will never change is my love of stinky cheeses and buttery seafood - hence the needs to exercise!
Love your blog and loved this post. Something new about me... I'm following my dream and have a toe in the scrapbook industry. Not making enough money to consider it a job, but I'm being creative and I'm happy and I'm being recognized for it. Something the same: I am ultimately a SAHM and nothing will ever be a higher priority to me than my son.
totally new about yourself: I am also diving into the world of becoming a mother!
one thing about yourself that will never change: I'm obsessed with peanut butter m&ms. love them!
Love your blog!
Something new: I've finally realized that perfection is over-rated. Something that will never change: Family is everything.
Started taking ballroom dancing lessons (single and finally decided to stop waiting around for a partner). I love it! And, though you're never supposed to say never, I will always love creating my own sweet recipes. What can I say, baking is just a better tasting form of chemistry. :)
Hi Stef! Still enjoying your blog and facebook posts - thanks so much. One thing that is new(er) about myself is that I enjoy being an excorporate and current stay at home mom who now is heavily involved in my children's school (although I haven't found a way to make any $$ doing that so you are better than I at that!). One thing that will never change is the love I have for my family - husband, kids, dog and cats - even when they are driving me crazy!! Happy New Year. Jere @ james106@snet.net
Two new things of the past few years, baking and marriage! I've always loved food, but I only discovered my passion for baking in the last three or four years. I don't think either will ever be changing - so yay!
Just happened upon your blog a few months ago and fell in love. I have been able to please myself and others using your recipes, so thank you. Something new: I made a career change, and now six months later I'm still learning more about myself and getting used to the new (totally different) schedule. Something that will never change: Deep down I am a procrastinator and no matter how I try to break the habit I can't seem to do it. Maybe next year...lol
-Kristin
bake.something@hotmail.com
Just started reading your blog. I really like it. Thank you and I like the tshirt too. how cute!
Mary
Ladefly@aol.com
I finally got some crimini mushrooms!!
Yay!
Oh and I love the T-Shirt!
I really wish I'd seen those 2 t-shirts before Christmas - so cute and they would have been perfect for my sister-in-law! One thing that is new about me is that I can now call myself a marathon runner and I never, ever thought that would be possible. One thing that will never change is my ability to procrastinate.
What's new about me- I wear socks with my flats whenever I feel like it. I don't care what people think, because this is my way of nonconformity and simply being myself.
What I'll never change- I love to read both book and magazines. I now have at least six magazine subscriptions and read fiction on a regular basis.
one thing about me that is new in the past few years is that I finally quit my job (its a good thing) and followed my true passion. One thing that will never change is that I will always laugh and laugh LOUD!
The new thing is my very own food blog ... almost a year old! Woo-hoo!
And the one thing I would never change is the way I write. Snarky rules!
Something that will never change is my inner dork. And something new is that I've learned to be proud of that part of me :)
I guess we really are all just works in progress! Something that new for me is being comfortable taking myself out for solo dinner nights. And something that I hope will never change is my thirst for knowledge and learning!
Great shirt!
New about myself: I've really grown-up the last few years. (rumor has it college and graduating will do that to you). I've slowly discovered that despite what I previously thought, I can be organized and good at managing employees and work. It first dawned on me when someone described me as "organized" last year- I've never thought of myself that way before. I'm beginning to like it!
Things about me that will never change - I will always get emotional over sappy movies and songs, I will always get so caught up in books that I forget the time, and I will always get really excited over the little wonderful things in life. :)
Corporate Me just died this summer to be replaced by SAHM Me and Educational Consultant Me! I struggle with the innocent question "what do you do?" because I don't yet make nearly what you're making even though my passion is there.
Unfortunately, it seems like Clean Freak Me isn't going anywhere which makes for more boring art projects for my kids than what they did with their teachers.
amanda.townsend2 at gmail dot com
Love that shirt!!
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