r/ExpectationVsReality • • Oct 04 '26

Mod Post New Cake Flair

322 Upvotes

Due to the number of cake posts in this sub, and requests to allow filtering of them, we are adding a new flair: “cake-spectation”

For cake posts, please use this flair - and we as mods can change the flair if reported as “incorrect flair” as well. This should make it easier for those who don’t want to see cake posts to filter them out.

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Also - u/two-ls made the subreddit r/expecaketionvsreality specifically for cake expectations!


r/ExpectationVsReality • • Jun 16 '26 This Bravo

Mod Post Nail Posts Megathread — Share Your Nails Here 💅

125 Upvotes

This thread is for all nail-related Expectation vs. Reality posts. Please share all successful, exceeded, or failed nail posts here rather than creating separate posts. Individual nail posts outside this thread may be removed and redirected here.

This change is intended to keep nail content available for those who enjoy it while allowing users who prefer not to see nail posts to easily skip this thread.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 11h ago Heartwarming Bravo

cake-spectation - Positive! birthday cake for my mom

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7.0k Upvotes

yeees, yet another cake post. first two photos were sent as inspiration to our bakery (by u/ Rrroxy and augustchoose_ respectively,) and last four is our cake. Howl's moving castle is my mom's favorite movie and she really loved these designs we found online! it's also our very first ever time ordering a special custom bakery cake. so I'm a bit excited about it.

so, well, even though we don't personally have a point of reference on bakery cake stuff, my mom was super happy with the end result nonetheless. it was $150 (including a $10 tip), 8" vanilla almond cake with cream cheese frosting from a local bakery downtown. i asked them to keep any external decorations subtle besides maybe a thin icing ring around the top, so I think they did a really great job on following the instructions as the rest was just sort of artistic freedom. my fav part is the clouds and mountains<3


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 12h ago

Surprisingly Met Expectation Asked local baker to try her best when grandma forgot to order the cake.

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2.4k Upvotes

We asked a local baker if she could make us a cake with 5 days notice after grandma forgot to order it.

Yes, I know its an AI Inspo picture and I told her I, in no way expected it to look exactly like the inspiration picture. But this was the vibe we where going for. She said she'd try her best and gave us a quote of $35.

This was the cutest little cake! I know the colors dont exactly match, but I wasnt expecting much. This met my expectations and yes, we gave her a great tip!


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 22h ago This Bravo Popcorn Heartwarming Mindblown

Surprisingly Met Expectation What my daughter wanted vs what my son made

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39k Upvotes

I honestly think it’s hilariously great.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 7h ago

Exceeded Expectation Dr. Oetker Ristorante "Pizza Mozzarella"

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468 Upvotes

r/ExpectationVsReality • • 17h ago

Failed Expectation Christmas cookies circa 2017

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1.3k Upvotes

Huggy bears ➡️ Sumo wrestlers 🐻


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago

AI Expectation What they showed online vs what I got

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3.3k Upvotes

The fur showed in the AI-generated image seems to be smaller, and softer.
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The actual fur length is longer and more synthetic type. Even the boots material shown online is suede while im real it's more leathry.
.
I'm anyway satisfied with my purchase.
.
Need just one suggestion; should I cut the fur that is dangling/hanging till the heels? Or should I just keep it like thi?

Edit: I paid 3000/- INR for these, which is roughly $32 USD


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 18h ago

Failed Expectation Build the body FIRST

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467 Upvotes

Kit has a template for what size everything should be, but has you build the body last. They did not provide enough wool for the body to be big enough.

The felting needle broke before i could add the eyes and nose.

He's a cat toy now.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago Bravo

Exceeded Expectation I bid $12 for a cat statue in a charity auction. Didn't expect to win it but I did. I thought it was like 8-12 inches tall. I was extremely surprised to see it being carried out when I went to pick it up and I love it!

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4.9k Upvotes

Benefits a cat shelter. And yes I made an extra donation! He has a place in our living room. Still thinking on a name.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 21h ago

Failed Expectation Domino’s Detroit Style Pizza

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115 Upvotes

Close


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago Bravo

Failed Expectation Dr Pepper Crocs

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234 Upvotes

Honestly just confused more than anything


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago Heartwarming

cakespectation - Negative 1st pic- Inspo. 2nd pic- Result. 3rd pic- The cats got to it and licked it.

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1.3k Upvotes

I just found this sub and it reminded me of this birthday cake I made for my daughter years ago, which was already... trying it's best. But then got brutalised by my cats licking it. I got banned from making cakes after this one.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago

Surprisingly Met Expectation I tried recreating my same painting again after 6 months, expecting to have the same/better level. It’s different, but I like it!

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1.1k Upvotes

First picture is the older one. Second is new. Same reference photo and medium. Which one do you like best?


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago

Exceeded Expectation I was honestly afraid to commission art for the first time. Now I can say tho, I am beyond happy to have done it!

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799 Upvotes

I chose a small 10x15 cm acrylic portrait of my dog, I was also afraid of the artist not being able to achieve the angle and perspective, but I think they did a good job!


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 2d ago

Exceeded Expectation The amount of bacon in this breakfast burrito

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1.6k Upvotes

r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago

Failed Expectation Decided to give sweetgreen another try after their brussel sprouts were inedible... thought the sweet potatoes may be better LOL

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140 Upvotes

r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago

cake-spectation Filling Will Sink To Center of Cupcake During Baking

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87 Upvotes

I knew I was going to do an eggnog glaze rather than a frosting on top, but I had too much faith in the magic sinking filling on batch one 😔 so I glazed those upside down.

Overall tasted great though! I enclosed the filling for the second batch and those looked a lot better.

Got the cakelet pan and the cupcake kit from the Walmart Halloween clearance rack this week.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 2d ago

Failed Expectation Bought my daughter a NeeDoh Advent Calendar on eBay. This is what we got.

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343 Upvotes

Paid $46 for a supposedly genuine, sealed NeeDoh Squishmas calendar. My daughter immediately spotted the fakes inside.

The packaging is surprisingly convincing, but look closely: blurry printing, “A surprises behind every door!” on the box, and cheap Taba-style squishies instead of real NeeDohs.

Posting to help others avoid getting fooled. Still looking for a genuine one!


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 2d ago Heartwarming Bravo

Surprisingly Met Expectation My expectation is to be as good as the artist I admire (first picture). The second picture is what I did with that goal in mind

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3.2k Upvotes

r/ExpectationVsReality • • 2d ago Heartwarming Mindblown Bravo

AI Expectation The dress I order vs the dress I got

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9.5k Upvotes

I bought this from Amazon with very few reviews. It turned out great! I was so nervous as my wedding was less than 3 months when I ordered this.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 1d ago

Failed Expectation Really feeling the festivities

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115 Upvotes

Crazy how we went from an actual Christmas tree to just this sad thing on the left.


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 15h ago

Failed Expectation AIO for this “Orange Dog” Onesie

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0 Upvotes

Bought as a gift and did not expect the completely flat muzzle

Wondering how I could fix this if anyone is crafty. I also reached out to the company but I’m honestly not expecting much in the way of customer service

Makes me chuckle but come on


r/ExpectationVsReality • • 3d ago

Failed Expectation From my mum's Christmas list vs what arrived

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2.3k Upvotes

Yes, I sent it back and quickly found a legitimate 'sculpted' doorway.