Jay's Birthday

Happy 23rd Birthday to Jay!! 

I love this guy so much and cannot wait to see him tonight and spend the next week with him! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Saturday was my father's 59th birthday so I decided to make his favorite cake as a surprise. His favorite cake happens to be Carrot Cake and of course I had never made one before which lead me to researching all different recipes. I found a ton of recipes until I came across one I thought would be perfect with the addition of one more ingredient. The extra ingredient I added was chopped walnut pieces because he loves just about every type of nut and I knew he would love the addition of them here. I have to admit throughout the baking I was worried that it wouldn't taste good but he reassured me in the end by being very surprised and saying he believes it is the best Carrot Cake he has ever had! I apologize for not taking more pictures but I wasn't even thinking about that at the time but if you need a great Carrot Cake recipe and Cream Cheese Frosting here you go!

 

Carrot Cake:

 

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs

3/4 cups vegetable oil

1/2 cup applesauce

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrots

1 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 inch cake pans. Set aside.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Mix together the eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla in a large electric mixing bowl.

4. Stir in the small bowl of dry ingredients then fold in carrots and walnuts.

5. Divide between your two 8 inch round pans.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

 

 

Cream Cheese Frosting:

 

Ingredients:

16 oz. of cream cheese, softened

8 oz. of unsalted butter, room temperature

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups powdered sugar

 

Directions:

1. In an electric mixing bowl cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth.

2. Slowly add 2 cups of powdered sugar and vanilla extract while continuing to mix for 3 minutes.

3. Add last two cups of powdered sugar and mix for another 3 minutes or until smooth.

4. Frost cake and enjoy!

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

 

 

Double Fiesta

I know it has been awhile and this post was meant to go up last week but with the crazy weather we had here in the South for two days and then finishing up my last few days of classes as a undergrad left me with very little time to get this up. I sincerely thank y'all for being so loyal and supportive during these past few months. Anyway it is Cinco De Mayo which makes it the perfect day to get this post up! A little over a week ago I hosted this Double Birthday Fiesta for two friends which entailed freshly made margaritas and homemade street tacos. Don't worry I will be posting the recipe for the margaritas in case you plan to make one or two today to celebrate Cinco De Mayo so be sure to check that out further down in the post. Now let's party!

 

Fresh Squeezed Lime Margaritas:

(for individual serving)

 

2-4 limes (juiced)

2 tbsp. of light agave nectar

4 tbsp. silver tequila

Ice

 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice and agave nectar. Shake well and strain into the glass. Enjoy! 

 

 

Lots of Love, Natalie

Belated Birthday

I am so sorry that I have been gone from here since Thursday. Well that was actually my 23rd birthday so I have been busy studying for tests and then celebrating it this past weekend. I just wanted to thank my friends and family for making this birthday the best one yet! My friends even planned a small surprise party for me and I was so elated and shocked as you can see from the picture below. I loved all the gifts and love that I received and this truly was the best birthday yet! Some of the presents I received was some spending money, a Meyer Lemon tree, a big Jambox, and some clothes. I bet you are thinking the lemon tree sounds so random well in a way it is. I decided that I really wanted one for my birthday this year! I think they are very pretty and I also like lemons so why not owe one! Now lets just hope I will be successful in growing it!

Lots of Love, Natalie

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

On Christmas we also get to celebrate my mom's birthday! Yes, she really is a Christmas baby so I wanted to wish her Happy Birthday!

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

7th Birthday

Happy 7th Birthday to my baby boy Mozart! I cannot imagine how my life would have been had I not picked him up that freezing afternoon after he was abandoned as a 5 week old puppy. He really does bring the biggest smile and joy to my life!

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Weekly Favorites

- Ordered these gorgeous new Pointed Ankle Booties for the Fall from Zara. I knew I had to have these after seeing  Mary of Happily Grey wearing them here -

- Tuesday night Jay bought me Roses but that wasn't all he also cooked dinner. Flank Steak with Cauliflower mash and Parmesan Asparagus -

 

- Celebrated my sweet friend Victoria's 21st birthday on Wednesday! She is the baby out of our friend group so needless to say she was very excited to finally be 21 -

 

- Wearing my Maroon scrubs today since it is Maroon Friday. Tomorrow is Mississippi State's first football game of the year against Oklahoma State in Houston, Texas. Go DAWGS!! -

 

- Going home today for the long Labor Day weekend. Hopefully I will be doing some Fall clothing shopping! -

 

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

 

 

 

Strawberry Cream Cake

As you know my friend Liz's 21st birthday was last week. She asked for a Strawberry Cream Cake so I flipped through some of my Southern Living magazines and came across a Strawberries and Cream Cake (found here). I decided that I would use their recipe for the Strawberry Jam filling but other than that I came up with my own combination of flavors. For the cake I figured a vanilla cake would be wonderful with the Strawberry filling. Lastly, I topped it off with a Cream Cheese icing with two drops of red dye to get a light pink color. Add a few sprinkles and tada a girly Strawberry Cream Cake.

 

Basic Vanilla Cake:

Ingredients:

 

1 1/2 cup(s) sifted cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking powder

1/4 teaspoon(s) salt

1/2 cup(s) (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup(s) sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature      

1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

1/2 cup(s) whole milk

 

Directions:

 

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8-inch cake pan with butter and dust with all-purpose flour. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl.

2. Beat in the butter one heaping 1/4 teaspoonful at a time, using an electric mixer set on low speed, until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Beat in the sugar a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture resembles fine damp sand. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla and milk, and beat on medium-high, just until blended. Do not over beat.

3. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

4. Un-mold and cool completely

Strawberry Jam Filling:

Ingredients:

4 cups mashed strawberries

2 1/2 cups sugar

1 (3 oz.) package of strawberry gelatin

 

Directions:

 

1. Stir together strawberries and sugar in a large saucepan; let stand 30 minutes.

2. Bring strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat; boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in gelatin until dissolved; cool completely (about 1 hour). Cover and chill 8 hours.

 

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients:

 

4 ounces unsalted butter, softened

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions:

 

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract.

 

 

I know that is a lot of different recipes but remember you could always use a boxed cake mix and store bought frosting. I promise it will still taste amazing either way!

 To make this cake layered I cut my two 8 inch cakes in half and then put three layers of the filling. Finally, I frosted the whole cake. 

Enjoy!

 

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Weekly Favorites

My week started out wonderful by getting to Puppysit this adorable little girl named Lucy! I love dogs and she was so cute. After taking a little nap she decided it was time for her walk and started walking around with her leash. I mean how sweet and adorable is that! After, sitting her I decided when I do decide it is time for me to get another dog I want it to be a girl.

Jay and I had not played tennis in years and we have decided to start playing again this summer. Well, I am not going to lie we were not that great but are steadily improving. The best part is we have found two other couples to play with and look forward to playing doubles with them.  

Jay cooked for me for the first time this past week. He decided to make his Flank Steak and it was very tender, juicy, and full of taste. I will be posting the recipe for the Flank Steak next week so be sure to get it!

After, playing tennis I got to lay out. Finally pools are open and the weather is hot enough. Summer is here!

I made this Strawberry Cream Cake (recipe to come) and a Tissue Tassel Garland to celebrate my friend Liz's 21st Birthday! To make the garland check the post below this one!

 

 

I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! I am not sure what my plans are just yet for it but I sure I will get it figured out! Happy Friday!

 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

D.I.Y. Tissue Tassel Garland

Yesterday was one of my good friends 21st birthday and I have been seeing these tissue tassel garlands everywhere. I decided I would make one for her party! I was suprised at just how easy this was to make. Also, best part one sheet of tissue makes four tassels. This tutorial was easy to follow and helpful. After gathering all my supplies and watching the tutorial I turned on Netflix to Season 3 of Gossip Girl and got to work. This was amazing because it added that extra little something to the party.

 

What You Need:

First, fold the tissue in half length wise or as I learned in elementary Hotdog style.

Second, fold the tissue hamburger style (width wise) and again.

 

Third, cut the tissue leaving about 2 inches at the top.

 

HINT: I used clips to keep the tissue closed and tight so I could cut straight lines.

Fourth, open it up and you will have four pieces

 

Fifth, twist at the center tightly

 Sixth, twist it together and secure it with a dab of hot glue

Last, string them onto the twine in a pattern and hang!

Lots of Love, Natalie