Sprinkles Cupcakes

Today was one of those days.  It all started last night when I laid in my bed for a few hours without even so much as a yawn.  When 3 a.m. rolled around and I was still awake, I gave up, got up, and did some reading for class.  I am now ahead of schedule on my homework, which is not like me.  Maybe insomnia is healthier than I thought.
My alarm went off at 6:30.  That's less than three hours.  Frankly, I have no idea how I'm functioning still.  After I dragged myself from the grips of REM, I found myself on the shuttle, bound for class.  I am not a morning person, and heading for class that early is not something that necessarily makes me any happier.  A few sodas and one very strong cup of coffee later, I made it to my second class.  I feel quite awful, but honestly, at that point, the lights were off and the projector was on and all I could do to keep my mind awake was to think about the rest of my day.
This was the plan I formulated:
Get another cup of coffee to remain awake on the shuttle;
Get on the shuttle;
Get off the shuttle;
Make it to my room;
Start laundry;
Nap;
Finish laundry;
Nap;
Read;
Continue with traditional college Friday night out.

I haven't napped yet, but I did get my laundry done.  When I returned to my room, two of my roommates were in a frenzy.  I had barely made it through my door when they began quick firing a bevy of words at me.  All I caught was "free" and "cupcake."  I was in.

On the way, they filled me in.  I've been hearing a lot about Sprinkles Cupcakes for the past few weeks from everyone, but especially from my roommates.  I'd been dying to try one, so this opportunity was perfect.  Apparently, twelve minutes before I had walked through the door to my room, my two roommates, Joanna and Taylar, had received something called a whisper from Sprinkles' Facebook page.
Now, I consider myself to be pretty up to date on what's going on in the technological and social media worlds of today, but I had never heard of a whisper before.  Maybe it's because I spent too much time in China without things like cupcakes and Facebook.  Whatever the reason, I'm glad I know now.  Apparently, when you like a company on Facebook such as Sprinkles or More, you're privy to their status changes, which on occasion, will say something witty like today's.

Taylar & Joanna Fighting for a Spot

 "My mother told me to pick the very best one and Sprinkles is it! First 50 to whisper “eeny meeny” at Sprinkles get a free cupcake of choice! "

Happy Girls - Taylar, Elizabeth, and Joanna

We left immediately.  I could feel the tension building as we neared the bakery.  When it was in sight, people began running.  Yes, RUNNING.  There was a group of girls behind us that realized we were heading to the same place they were.  The scene got ugly fast.  "Oh no you don't," I heard from behind us.  Joanna and Taylar started running while their friend Elizabeth and I brought up the rear, laughing.  Inside, the tension rivaled that of Macy's on Black Friday.  Everyone (all girls) stood in line politely, but I feel that if anyone had tried to cut or step out of line, violence might have followed.  Turns out, all you have to do to receive this free cupcake is say "eeny meeny" at the register.  It feels silly, but hey, you get a free cupcake out of it right?
 We left the store victorious.  I would never have guessed how good a cupcake can taste when a) it's free, b) you had to run for it, and c) you're walking in the Gold Coast.

You can find Sprinkle's Facebook page  here.
Sprinkles Cupcakes is one of a currently booming industry.  Candace Nelson founded the first Sprinkles  in Beverly Hills in 2005.  Nelson's food philosophy includes a commitment to excellence and simplicity likely sprung from her grandmother's french culinary history.  She has since been featured as a judge on the popular Food Network show Cupcake Wars.  It seems she has climbed the sugar-lined ladder to dessert bliss.    The company features ambient cafes, as well as a lust for sustainability that becomes more and more common in a green society.
Nelson also seems to understand that cupcakes are a hip, young, and even sophisticated part of every day life.  There are many choices when it comes to flavoring, ranging from basic vanilla and dark chocolate to spiced chai.  Don't know which one you'd like?  There's even an app for that.  The cupcakes are deep, rich, and moist, and the buttercream frosting is a perfect top off.  Sprinkles Cupcakes has even taken to the road with their own food truck, so you can grab one on the go.

Sprinkles is truly an all-encompassing bakery as they cater to weddings and work events.  If you can't make it to the store or the food truck, they also ship their cupcakes out.  You can even buy the batter and make your own at home.
Three years ago, I made my first visit to a cupcake bakery.  Molly's is still very near and dear to my heart.  Sitting at the cupcake bar, I thought this was something very special.  I had never heard of anything like it before.  Since then, the phenomenon has exploded exponentially.  Here I have included a list of most of the cupcake bakeries in Chicago.