all buttercream; chocolate shells and "sand" for topper; first attempt at sugar shack's smoothing technique (love it!) except i had a disaster on the ride over and had to patch it hastily. :( i was inspired by Jocmom's bubbles that she piped on her beach wedding cake -- the bride wanted a very simple cake and wanted it all plain, but it was too vast a space of just white. it needed something! thanks, Jocmom!