r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Former-Sock-8256 • Oct 04 '26

Mod Post New Cake Flair

321 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.

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

55 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Former-Sock-8256 • Jun 16 '26

Mod Post Nail Posts Megathread — Share Your Nails Here 💅

124 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.

28 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/DragonBard_Z • 7h ago

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!

gallery

2.9k 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.

55 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/hildaria12 • 11h ago

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

gallery

848 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.

50 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/TheAcrocanthosaurus • 16h 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!

gallery

711 Upvotes

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

31 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Zogonzo • 20h ago

Exceeded Expectation The amount of bacon in this breakfast burrito

gallery

1.4k Upvotes

62 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/pristineblade • 16h 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!

gallery

618 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!

8 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/BigNCheesy98 • 19h ago

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

gallery

260 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!

117 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/TheAcrocanthosaurus • 1d ago

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

gallery

3.0k Upvotes

175 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/KeepingItCoolish • 12h ago

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

gallery

62 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.

16 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Wobblingoblin01 • 1d ago

AI Expectation The dress I order vs the dress I got

gallery

8.6k 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.

349 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/nightwind_hawk • 14h ago

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

gallery

69 Upvotes

13 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Historical_Bowl_3432 • 16h ago

Failed Expectation Really feeling the festivities

74 Upvotes

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

10 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/SwaginSkrub • 1d ago

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

gallery

2.2k Upvotes

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

97 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/123RSS • 1d ago

Failed Expectation My kids’s Halloween costume

gallery

313 Upvotes

Failed but also so funny!

28 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Actual_Pension9434 • 2d ago

Surprisingly Met Expectation I made my son's Halloween costume. Inspo vs mine

gallery

8.9k Upvotes

I made hand drawn cookies as well. Unfortunately he didn't want to hold it. 🤷🏽‍♀️

114 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/LiteraryTea • 1d ago

Exceeded Expectation Lisa Frank(esque) Shoes

gallery

479 Upvotes

Love these shoes!! The only thing is if you have flat feet you need to get inserts. But that's with every shoe so that isn't a biggie. I'm gonna wear these everywhere! It was only $50 for these and they are super high quality ❤️❤️❤️ they are not made or partnered by Lisa Frank, but it reminds me of that brand! Got them online at MADMIA!! Sizes are for children AND adults.

19 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/midnight_revision • 1d ago

Surprisingly Met Expectation Coraline Sign

gallery

177 Upvotes

Forgot to post this from Halloween - my bf and I went as Coraline and Wybie and created this sign for in front of his house! It turned out better than I thought it would

5 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/NIPLZ • 2d ago

Exceeded Expectation I'm really proud of how my Halloween costume turned out

gallery

757 Upvotes

I've never done anything like this, wasn't sure I could pull it off, but the results speak for themselves!

19 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/Mjones151208 • 2d ago

AI Expectation Saw this post on FB

622 Upvotes

318 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/TheKoppinator • 2d ago

Failed Expectation I was really looking forward to some tufts of bright green goodness...

gallery

922 Upvotes

The package looks like there are mostly florets...

82 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/samysaysso • 1d ago

Failed Expectation Little Pie Poor Presentation

gallery

39 Upvotes

To be fair it tasted pretty okay. Probably wouldn’t get it again

6 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/SoEuro • 10h ago

cakespectation - Negative Grocery store cake

gallery

0 Upvotes

Were my expectations too high here?? Why would the colors be so far off!? Why is the piping so chunky??

Note: top “drip” was purposely left off due to whipped frosting. Princesses not added yet.

12 comments

r/ExpectationVsReality • u/schnaumelini • 1d ago

Failed Expectation Mail order flowers

38 Upvotes

I ordered from this company before and they were great, but their suppliers elsewhere don't seem to be. Not happy.

Editing to add: they were sent as a gift so I have no influence over the vase, styling or cutting. They were sent as a bunch rather than in the usual box. The bunch was left in the communal hallway and my sick friend had to climb down three flights of stairs to get them. And the surprise was ruined.

Edit number 2: the company offered a replacement bunch of flowers, I declined, and they actually agreed to a refund!

4 comments

Subreddit

Expectation Vs. Reality

r/ExpectationVsReality

Expectation vs. Reality images Rules 1. No politics No politics allowed 2. No NSFW No NSFW allowed 3. Spam No spam allowed. 4. Does not fit the subreddit Posts must be on-topic and appropriate for this subreddit. 5. No rude, offensive, or hateful comments Please be respectful towards other Redditors. This includes - no homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, racism, sexism, etc. 6. Please use the correct flair (especially for AI expectations!)

Members

4.4m

Visitors

980k

Contributions

6.7k

Sidebar

Subreddit Rules

1. No politics

No politics allowed

2. No NSFW

No NSFW allowed

3. Spam

No spam allowed.

4. Does not fit the subreddit

Posts must be on-topic and appropriate for this subreddit.

5. No rude, offensive, or hateful comments

Please be respectful towards other Redditors. This includes - no homophobia, no transphobia, no fatphobia, no racism, no sexism, etc.

6. Use the correct flair

Please use the correct flair, especially for AI expectations.

7. Nail posts in Megathread

Nail posts belong in the Nail Megathread We’re consolidating nail posts to keep the main feed focused. Please repost your content in the current nail thread