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Postcard from Paris: The Sugarplum Fairies

By June 28, 2011No Comments

Serendipity is everywhere in life, and I believe it was what led me to the Sugarplums. I had a hard time getting a response from two Parisian cake bakers that came highly recommended – and thought perhaps an American cake baker would respond faster.  (No offense…it’s just a fact, mon petit chou!)  After a google search, I found the Sugarplum Cake Shop, and received a response within 48 hours.

Laurel, Krista, and Taylor, the three proprietors of the shop, are a perfect example of serendipity, too. They had found themselves all working together at a bakery in Paris, and realized they could do it better, themselves.  After their jobs came to a rather dramatic end (it’s a crazy story, and best told by the Sugarplums – they are planning on a book, and I predict it will indeed become a movie; their whole history is fascinating), they bought a cafe in the vibrant Mouffetard-Contrescarpe neighborhood east of St Germaine des Pres, and the rest is history.  A short history – just a year since they opened the shop, they are a rip-roarin’ success.

A view of the shop...

Laurel and I corresponded entirely via email leading up to my trip; just before I left, she requested wedding magazines – France has next to none!  Eager to meet, I stopped by during my very first day in town, ‘smuggled’ magazines in tow.  She invited me to sit in on a tasting, and it was so much fun – the couple were sweet and funny, and watching Laurel in action was fantastic. I also got to hear how the couple’s wedding planning was going, at a beautiful chateau outside of Paris – an insight into wedding planning, Paris-style.

A Sugarplum tasting plate: Heart-shaped cakes, to dip in homemade ganaches...

My share of the tasting...delicieuse!

The next night, Laurel took time out of her busy schedule (like me, she’s a mom too – but with an actual cafe to run and TWO kids – I don’t know how she does it!) to join me for a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie, and told me her story.  We shared thoughts and ideas on weddings both American and Parisian, and what it’s like to be your own boss – exhilarating, exhausting, and everything in between.  She’s a good egg, that Laurel – a powerhouse.  She and her sisters in arms, Krista and Taylor, are going places, fast!  Next time you’re in Paris, head straight over to the Sugarplum.  It’s a haven for Americans and Parisians alike – warm, friendly, with good coffee and freakin’ amaaaazing cake!

Laurel and I after un pichet du vin...