Last week my family and I went on a cruise.
We had been planning it for about a year, and finally last week we went.
We had a fantastic time, really. It was a Disney Cruise, so it was a great time for the whole family…
But I will say. Over the course of the week on a boat with thousands of people I learned a few things about the human condition…
Would you mind if I shared some of my keen observations? Thanks.
First, people are far too concerned with comfortable footwear. I saw more pairs of Crocs and Tevas than one should ever have to bear witness to in their life. I get that we are on a ship and that comfort is key, but comfort at what cost, I ask?
Second, I apparently am not a huge fan of other people’s children. Sorry. I am sure your kids are great and all that, but if we don’t share DNA…well…I’m not a fan.
Third, a free soft serve ice cream machine guarantees that my husband will eat no less than 6 ice cream cones a day. I knew my husband loved ice cream, but I honestly had no idea that it could blossom into a full fledged addiction.
Fourth, old people dancing to The Black Eyed Peas makes me feel awkward. Nothing against the BEP, any top 40 dance-ish song does the trick, really…I mean, when your Grandma yells, “Somebody call 911, Shawty fire burnin’ on the dance floor, whoa!” I just want to leave the room.
Fifth…the promise of free food via buffet makes people cah-razy! Like stampede, crazy. I have honestly never seen anything like it in my life. I can’t say that I was above this either. I became obsessed when feed-time rolled around every 20 minutes, if there was a buffet to be had, you could guarantee that I was there, elbowing people to get to the shrimp cocktail. The sensation of hunger escaped me for a good 7 days.
Sixth, now ladies. Please, I do not mean this to offend anyone…but never, EVER, get your hair braided with beads on vacation. Besides appearing incredible painful it just looks bad. We should never have to see that much of your scalp. AND it makes your head look small, which in essence makes your body look big. Kind of like an engorged tick. We never want our body to appear proportionally larger, so just say no to “island braiding”. It’s fine for the little girls, but if you are over the age of 15, it’s not a good look.
Also men, it will never be ok for a gentleman to braid either. I was a first-hand witness to beard braiding. Don’t let the islanders encourage you to make poor vacation choices. The pictures will haunt you forever. If Brad Pitt can’t make it work, you can’t either.
And last but certainly not least…Open Bar is a choice, not a challenge.
That is all.
While I was on vacation I got tons of dessert inspiration. Disney makes some fun stuff.
This isn’t one of them, though, so stay tuned 
I have seen these push-up pops all over internet-land for a while now…I finally decided to get some and give them a go.
I am HOOKED! They are so fun and cute and portable.
I ordered them HERE.
Here was the assembly process…
I baked a cake (Funfetti) in a large “jelly roll” pan (15 1/4×10 1/4) so it was rather thin, and also made a batch of vanilla buttercream.
Then I use the top of the push up pop container to make the perfect sized rounds….this was my husband’s idea and I have to say it worked great!
After I poked out my cake rounds I started assembling…
I filled a piping bag with the vanilla buttercream…I didn’t bother using a fancy tip, because it was just gonna get smushed down anyway…I just snipped off the end with a pair of scissors.
Next I squirted in a bit of frosting…
I had some colorful sprinkles on-hand, so I figured, why not?
I layered the sprinkles, another cake round and more frosting…
I gently pushed the sprinkles into the top layer of frosting so they wouldn’t all fall off everywhere when you open the cupcake pop.
And I even added a cute little pink chocolate on top.
If you are wondering how to eat them, just take the lip off and push up.
So easy.
What’s even cooler is that since they come with lids they are totally easy to transport.
No worries about cupcake carriers…
Love these little guys!
Can’t wait to try out more fun ways to use them.
Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you are not alone, doesn’t it? 
So so cute! I always wanted to buy those but didn’t know what do to with them.
joy recently posted..Help, I need to be Entertained
OMG!!!! This “And last but certainly not least…Open Bar is a choice, not a challenge” had tears rolling down my face!
My hubby and I got married in an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. I’ve never seen that much beer at breakfast! But, he was sober on our wedding day
Great post, had me laughing and what a fun way to eat cake.
Andrea @ Recipes For Divine Living recently posted..The Liebster Blog Award
How cute!! Kids will go crazy for that, even myself
Fallon recently posted..Dangerous Chocolate Bars
Very cute. Somehow, I think I’m going to end up all a mess eating one though, lol. Did they make for messy eating? I realize the entire world may not be as clutzy as me.
Totally not messy at all! I thought they might be a bit of a mess too, but actually they weren’t!
Oh my gosh your observations are hysterical! And YES to no braiding on vacay…there’s a reason we don’t wear out hair like that when we aren’t in the tropics…
Heather (Heather’s Dish) recently posted..Lemon-Chili Marinated Chicken
I agree on the no braiding on vaca. I actually had a local Jamaican tell me to never let my kids do that either, b/c they will ALWAYS get lice.
omg! gross! I would have never thought about that, but it makes total sense!!
I have many times considered buying those little push-pop cups, but I’m wondering if they are meant to be disposable? Or can you use them over and over again? Is their durability such that they can be used for a long time?
What I have discovered on cruises…or any location where masses of people congregate: People are annoying. ;oP
I have reused mine. I washed them in the dishwasher, on the top shelf and they were fine. I imagine if you wanted to use them as favors it might be awkward asking for them back
These are way too much fun!
Um, I think your husband likes ice cream almost as much as I do. I would not be able to walk off the boat after a week of unlimited soft serve… you would have to roll me.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet recently posted..Reese’s Pieces Cake Bars
I have very thick, naturally curly hair. At age 12 I had not yet figured out the virtues of gel, smoother, anti-frizz, any of that amazing stuff. And we went on a cruise. In the summer, with the heat. You see where this is going.
4 bead-braids on one side of my head. 4 braids that stuck right to my head. The left side of my head had about 4 inches of hair ballooning out and around to the back.
There are, unfortunately, pictures and VIDEO that will never go away. Ever. I can’t even.
At least it will be a wonderful deterrant for when I take my kids on a cruise. I’ll stow the picture in my fanny-pack (I kid) and whip it out when one of my 3 girls gets a hankering for the most unfortunate hairstyle to ever grace their poor mother’s head.
Thank you SO much for bringing back that nightmare.
HAHAAA! That is hilarious! Those braiding stations should be BANNED!
Best post EVAH!!! Your cruise observations were PIMP funny! Oh yeah, the dessert was very cool too
Carolyn Mustopa recently posted..January SFYTT (just barely!)
I am in for a cupcake anytime, but making them portable, lordy yes! I think I need to keep one in my purse at all times, in case of an emergency cupcake craving!
Awesome!
Jen of My Tiny Oven recently posted..Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits
Love it. We went on a cruise for our honey moon and I remember thinking many of the same things. Cruising is a whole different world. I loved that soft serve machine.
RJ (Kids and Cast Iron) recently posted..Fruit Roll Up
I’ve had the push pop containers for months and finally broke them out a couple of weeks ago. They are kinda cute and the kids loved them. Although the portability only goes so far, pavlova and passionfruit curd push up pops in the lunch box with the lid popped off is not so great.
How brave of you to do the cruise, I look forward to seeing your Disney inspired posts:)
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet recently posted..Love is in the Air cake pops with cute birds and hearts for valentines day
Sadly, I bought a bunch of these pushpops for cupcakes months ago but have yet to use them. I feel like I am waiting for something but I have no idea what.
Erin recently posted..Superbowl XLVI Recipe Roundup
awesome, I can just see grandma now LOL. And I want to try these push pops so bad, but they cost too much to ship here, darn it all.
sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more recently posted..The Good and the Bad -Butter Cream Truffles- My Total Fail
OH MY GAWD.
Jessica recently posted..Tuna Cakes with Fresh Tomato Salsa {Giveaway!}
Not so crazy about making the pops ( although they seem really cool) But your commentary is freaking Hilarious as usual!! You make my day!!
Hahaha! I have tears rolling down my eyes! You are speaking what I have in my head lol.
Also, the push pops? Genuis. I guess I must not be amoungst the cool crowd, because this is the first time Ive seen them
Oh lordy! This whole post had me rolling! We went to Disney for the first time last year, and there was much of this going on there, too. I think it’d be pretty much the best time ever just to be a mouse in your pocket and watch you interact with everyone during the course of your cruise!
Although. I have a confession…and don’t judge me… I…gulp…wore crocs all week at Disney. BUT they were really super cute, these-don’t-look-like-crocs crocs, so I think I can still hold my head high.
I have had these push pops on my wish list for months, but haven’t quite been inspired to buy yet. I think it’s time.
Darla | Bakingdom recently posted..Malted Milk Chocolate Pots de Crème with Malted Dark Chocolate Ganache
Laughed so hard over your observations… the one about the open bar reminded me of “All you can eat is not a personal challenge.”
We used these containers to make desserts too, people LOVE them! To answer one person’s comment… they are plenty strong enough to be used multiple times (though you’d want to properly sanitize them). They are made of a plastic that can be recycled… but Whole Foods is the only place that will accept them in our area (Atlanta).
Your observations did make me laugh!!! I particularly like the comment about other people’s children. My husband and I have been saying something similar for years now. I’ve never tried push-pops before but you make it look do-able, so I’m encouraged to jump in and have a go. Thanks for sharing (particularly the first part!!)
Sarah recently posted..How to Make a Castle Cake Tutorial – Part 2
do you know what a fabulous idea this is for birthday parties!?!?!?!? like easier than cake pops more original and just as cute. i’m totally in love!
I am seriously laughing out loud over here! My boys will love these, gotta try it!
Oh my, still giggling about those Crocs, I totally agree
Dawn recently posted..Cute Flower How-To and a Giveaway!
You really made me laugh .. thank you! What an awesome idea .. I’m off to buy some push pops now! Did you see they also make a cookbook for them? Not that you need it because you’re so clever, but here’s the link http://www.amazon.com/Push-up-Pops-Courtney-Dial-Whitmore/dp/1423625315/ref=pd_luc_bxgy_01_01_t_lh
Love this post! People are so funny, and I could imagine that cruises bring out the best {and worst!} in people haha. I need to have my hand at these cupcakes pop. They are just so cute!
Krissy @ Krissy’s Creations recently posted..Chocolate Soufflé Cupcakes
These are so ca-yute!!! Love those little push-up holders. Makes me want orange ice cream.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch recently posted..16 Simple Super Bowl Menu Ideas
Exactly why I will nevah evah be going on a cruise. A floating, inescapable island of rubber clad feet? No thank you.
I’ve been dying to try the push pop cupcakes…these look great!!
Cookbook Queen recently posted..Root Beer Float Fudge
Where can you buy the push pops? I want to make these! They look delicious!
You can get them on amazon…I put a link in the post
These are so cute! Also, I totally agree about the vacation braids! Just about died laughing.
Those are too cute! Perfect for a party
I love making push pops. The first time i made them there were mini cupcakes flying everywhere because everyone was pushing to hard and fast. Two mini cupcakes fit perfectly.
I want a whole batch of these…like, now. Amazing!
Cassie recently posted..Wednesday Ramblings
OK so I seriously laughed so hard when I read this post you are too much! I am so wanting some of these super cute push-up thingys! I want to make some. Thank you for the inspiration!
Hugs
Carley
Carley Carter recently posted..GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!!
BEST IDEA EVER.
Lauren recently posted..My Favorite Turkey Taco Meat {Healthy!}
I’ve been on two cruises in my life…and I concur. With everything you said. Major concurrence. Except…I totally own Crocs. My pair looks like Vans, though. Just normal slip-on shoes. I hate the regular kind…with a fiery passion.
Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Risotto with Carrots and Feta…Eat.Live.Be.
I have to admit, I got braids in FL when I was in my 20′s. The worst part, having to go to work with them when I got back!
I love this idea. These are going to be perfect on the sweet table for my cousins bridal shower!
Cyndi recently posted..Product Review – Prima Pasta
Such a great idea!! I really want to make my own now!
Elizabeth recently posted..Browned Butter Blueberry Muffins
People at buffets terrify me. I’ve been going to a lot of open houses for law schools lately that offer food at the end. I have skipped most of them purely to avoid the stampede of hungry students.
I love these funfetti push-up pops! Such a unique idea!
These look so cool! And I have a daughter who happens to have a birthday next week. I’m sitting here chanting “I do not need to spend $30 on birthday cake supplies. I do not need to spend $30 on birthday cake supplies.”
(I kind of need to spend $30 on birthday cake supplies).
popmistress recently posted..Day 32 — Chocolate Chai Ice Pops
These are so cute! I’ve had my push pop containers for over a year now..i really need to do something sweet with them!
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets recently posted..Hearts In Bloom Brownie Bites!
I’ve gone on 4 Disney Cruises now and absolutely love them! But I have to say…I agree with every single one of your comments. But I will add that on one of my cruises my mom were in the elevator with this lady who uttered the phrase “There are too many damn kids on this boat!” Really, lady? Really? And what did we expect when booking a Disney Cruise? Haha can’t wait to go on one again soon!
And btw…your push-up pops are an amazing idea! Can’t wait to try!
That’s hilarious!!
Great post. I can’t keep those push up pops in stock at my shop. People by them by the 100′s. I find it a challenge to make 12! What do people do with 100′s?
Love, love, love these! I have seen the push pops before and have wanted to try them. These would be fabulous for kids birthday parties. Thanks!
Loved your Disney observations, too:)
I totally agree with you on everything. People be crazy!
Anyhoo, I love your cupcakes. I have got to get some of those push pops. They would be perfect for my daughter’s birthday coming up.
I am going to have to make these for my daughters birthday. She loves everything push pop, suckers, ice cream whatever.
They look so great!!!
Thanks so much!
Oh my goodness. This looks amazing!
That is ridiculous. I love it!
How cool would I look if I brought these for my daughter’s class? I would look like I was the craftiest woman in the planet!
I’ve seen these all over the web and love them but haven’t tried them.
Sounds like your vacation was fun and “educational”!
I laughed so much while reading this post! Who knew that it was possible to combine the words “engorged tick” and “cupcake” in the same post, haha. This recipe is super cute, as well.
My craft store sells the push pop containers… and I’ve seen them on almost all the food blogs… maybe this is a sign I should give them a try.
Yours look fab!
P.S. your posts crack the heck out of me!!!…… really, they do.
This is sheer genius! I love all the possibilities. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hugs,
Snoopy
oh my goodness! I love, love, LOVE this idea!! My son’s birthday is coming up – I bet he’ll want these!
Ha ha! You are so funny! Love your observations, crocs and braids definitely not attractive. Love these push up pops. So cute and fun,
L.M.A.O.!!!! This has to be my new favorite post of yours EVER. Engorged tick…LMAO!! omg…being judgmental is the BEST. And you’re so perfectly snarky. Please, judge others more often!!!!
ahh, if only the world was filled with people like you!
it IS though!! I’m telling you, it’s a guilty pleasure for so many. I honestly think you should add a blog section to TWWS that’s purely for guilty pleasure judging. The one thing I hate about the blog world is how fake and polite everyone is (or has to be). I can’t bring myself to do it. I often have my comments deleted
so hilarious! I can’t imagine what you would say to have your comments deleted!!
Oh believe me it’s mild just to avoid deletion! But the blog world is THAT prissy. It’s really nauseating.
This post cracked me up!
Maybe you didn’t notice this because you were on a Disney cruise…but in my experience people show waaayy tooo much skin on cruises. The ‘belly rolls’ and clevage I’ve seen on the 3 cruises I’ve been on will last me a lifetime! Must be the mentality of ‘I’ll wear what I want because I’ll never see these peope again’. Definitely something I don’t practice…we met up with someone on our last cruise that lives around the corner!
And it’s always with the people that shouldn’t be showing so much skin! It’s baaaad!
Now, beard braiding is something I’d be totally ok to never witness first hand… These are so fun, and would be great for a birthday party!
Deborah recently posted..Blogger Spotlight | Eats Well With Others
I vow to never get my hair braided on a Jamaican island. Ever. Swearsies.
Funny you should post this, I just happen to have some cake pops in my fridge from http://cakeslidercreations.com/ – I LOVE them! (should you ever want to purchase them ready made, go there, otherwise continue on with your bad self and make them)
jenny – Sugar Loco recently posted..Loco Kids: Sweet Treats at an Under The Sea Birthday Party
As someone with chronic foot pain, I have to defend the comfortable footwear! I’ve always thought cruises sounded better in theory, because I’ve assumed the large number of people in a relatively small space would annoy me. Your post is just affirming my belief.
I guess you have feet that do not hurt otherwise you would not give other people’s footwear chopice a second thought. In fact I have yet to wonder why people care what other people choose to wear. If the person is happy with how they look who are we to judge? Same for the hair braiding. It is the rude people that i find hard to deal with and yes the kids that the parents think are so wonderful and we should all be willing to put up with them in our space.
The portable cupckaes are cute but not sure worth the trouble to put together instead of a good old fashoned cup cake.
Love the push-pops. I’ve only used them for cookies so far, much easier to wash and re-use
These look really pretty and fun. I’m glad to hear you had a fun family vacation. Love all the tips too!
Cristin (Pinkie) of Cristin’s Cookies recently posted..Art Palette Cookies & Free Printable Cookie Tags
Hilarious observations! Love the push-up cake creation. I’ve never seen these before, but what a great idea!
Vicki V recently posted..Comfort Food Classic
Such a cute dessert! I love the pops- built in portion control. Looking forward to the Disney-inspired recipes.
Cookie Sleuth recently posted..The Cravory- Part 2
I am so thankful that Pinterest led me to your website! I could not go to sleep last night as I was drooling over your creations and could not looking to the next one! I cannot wait to try your amazing ideas =)
Oh, Shelly! I am laughing so hard, that my child is yelling across the house, “What’s so funny?!?”
I have never been on a cruise…I’m going to reread this post if I ever get the idea to book one.
AND, I have had a case of those push-pop containers in my guest room closet for, oh, about a year now. Thanks for the inspiration to DO something with them!!!
bridget {bake at 350} recently posted..The Traveling Cookbook
God, I love ya. “Open Bar is a choice, not a challenge.”
SAYS YOU.
How many pops did this recipe make? They are super cute!
Emilie @ Emilie’s Enjoyables recently posted..My Rockstar Fiance
It makes about 12
You outlined ALL the CONS in a cruise and that’s why I haven’t been on one since I was 13!! Was ROFLMAO at work during a stressful day so thanks for that! Love the pops by the way!
LOL my girlfriend recently took her family on a Caribbean cruise and I asked her to please please please do not get your little girls hair braided hahaha
And you totally read my mind with the push pops!! I have to make 150 push pops for a kid’s party coming up and I was thinking of doing the sheet pan method for the cake layers as well.
Could you please tell me how many push pops you were able to make from 1 sheet pan of cake? I know it’s going to take a LOT of cake to make 150 pops but it would be a HUGE help with estimating how much cake & frosting I’m going to need.
Thank you!!!
I got about 24 pops
good luck!
Awesome, thank you!! That doesn’t sound too bad.. roughly 7 sheet pans of cake should be enough plus extras for “testing” lol
Oh another question? Do you think it would be at all possible to make ahead & freeze prepared cupcake push pops?
I think that would work fine with these
Thanks for all your help! I’m excited to start putting them together
So funny and I love the pop idea! Can’t wait to try it out!
How did you make the green stand they pops are placed into?
haha, well..it’s actually floral foam with green construction paper with holes poked out. Not so glamorous, but efficient
Wonderful idea, can’t wait to try it. Thank you for sharing..
Hi! I just came across your blog…and absolutely love it! You had me laughing aloud with this post (did I mention I share an office…got some strange looks my way!
And love, love, love these cake push up pops. I just recently made cake pops, even though the fad has been going on for awhile, finally got around to it and now have a new treat to try.
Will definitely be following your blog from now on. Just recently started blogging myself, and if you ever get a chance, would love (honestly) some feedback on mine.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and sweet treats!
I just found your website through my daughter today. Saw these and had to order the push-ups. Thought they were so cute. And I love what I’ve seen so far on your blog. Can’t wait to check it out some more.
Hi! You’re too funny with the observations. I feel the same way about the braids.
I know I’m late in the game, but I wanted to ask – how long do the cake pops last in the containers? Would I be ok making them the day before the party? And what kind of icing would you recommend for that? Just regular store bought? These would be for the kids at the party. The adults will be getting the layered cake.
Thanks!!
erin recently posted..I’m a Facebook Master!