Birthday Cake

his is the closest thing to a recipe as I come...

The Strawberry Shortcake Cake

In reality this is very, very easy.

I originally was inspired (to do the easy version) by The Pioneer Woman. She posted a small, very cute little cake that she whipped up from scratch.

Rarely...and I mean rarely, do I cook from scratch. I applaud the women who do, but my friends, from-scratch is not for me. If I wasn't such a snob about my baked goods, I would seriously buy stuff like this at the grocery store. Luckily for my husband - I like baking.

Ingredients:

1 package yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist)

Ingredients to complete Betty Crocker super moist: 3 eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 & 1/4 cups water

Strawberries. If you're big on strawberries - go nuts and get a ton. I just got one little package.

About 1/4 cup sugar (about...seriously it's all a matter of opinion.

Whipped Cream Frosting - I used this recipe as a guideline.

1/2 Cup White Sugar

2 Cups whipping cream

1 package *softened* cream cheese

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

I used 2 9" round cake pans and followed the cake directions to bake them. *Important: grease the ever-living out of those pans. Last year I attempted this and it wasn't so much cake as it was a heaping mess of cream and cake with strawberries. I learned this year - spray those pans like there's no tomorrow.

After they were done I set them out to cool.

For the strawberries: cut them into slices (or really, do what you want - I sliced mine), and in a bowl sprinkle white sugar over them until it feels right. Note: they shouldn't be covered in sugar - just sprinkled. Then put them in the fridge to do their thing. There's a word for it...and I think PW uses it but I can't remember.

Frosting:

*Make sure the cream cheese is soft. It's important. I put the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract into my mixer first and set the speed at medium. Then slowly poured in the whipping cream. After it's all in, set the speed a little higher. Stop it a few times to scrape the sides and make sure there's nothing sitting at the bottom. Then after a couple minutes you should see it start to "peak," which is a cooking term I never use. It'll start looking like whipped cream, alright? It should be slightly stiffer than you normal whipped cream consistency though.

Putting it all together:

Once the cakes are both cooled, I cut off the tops to make sure they're even enough to stack on each other. On the first layer of cake spread an even layer of the whipped topping and then you can spread on, or place strawberry topping. Then place the top layer on and ice the top and sides until fully covered. It doesn't have to be perfect - this topping wasn't made to be spread perfectly. After it's iced throw some more strawberries on top and you're done.

It's delicious - trust me.

I'm linking up here on Friday:

and here:


and here:

Thirty Days: Pity Party

Sweet Tooth Friday

Little Brick Ranch

Whoa...I'm kind of a link whore...

What I Want Wednesday: 3/30

Today is my husband's birthday...true story.

So I feel a little guilty putting up a bunch of frivolous wants of mine. It's true, I already went shopping for him and got him a few things I hope he'll like. I'd put up a couple pictures of what I bought him, but this isn't exactly a masculine blog. That and I worry he'll somehow find out (if he hasn't already snooped...which is very likely) so I'll put up a few things I found yesterday during some lazy afternoon browsing online.

1. Hollister Henley top. 2. Ruche Jacket. 3. Charlotte Russe Headband. 4. Abercrombie Super Skinny Jeans. 5. Ruche Earrings. 6. Charlotte Russe Booties.

I want to wear this outfit...today. I know that the henley might seem a little casual for the whole outfit, but if you just imagine it under the jacket... I'm sort of in love with the headband and earrings too. And the shoes. And the pants. Really this outfit just needs to be in my closet, magically.

Found here.
This is ADORABLE. I'm not exactly why, but I love the ginormous buttons. I know it's Spring in all other parts of the country, but it's still perfect weather for a coat like that here. And I want it...

Found here.
I've decided I need to get a little more daring and while the lines of this dress are classic, the color and pattern are normally something I wouldn't try on. But I should - because it's cute.

Found here.
I have crushes on coats today. Probably because I'm cold. But this is SO cute.

Found here.
Yoga pants. If it were accepted, I'd wear them all day, every day.

Found here.
Elephant paperclips? Are you kidding me? I would love to have cute stuff like this on my desk. The problem is, the novelty would be lost on the rest of the office. But I think they're adorable.

Found here.
This is a tape dispenser. A tape dispenser!!

Found here.
Another ruffly shirt I have a crush on.

Well that's all for today!


What are some of your finds?

She's like a wizard with a flat iron...

So, um, have you heard of Reagan? At Reagan's Blob & at Hair Dresser on Fire? I kinda heart her. First off - there's her personal blog where she talks about her life in New York and her cutie pie of a daughter, Piper Jane. If you don't already follow her, you should. Seriously. Go now!

Then she has a blog dedicated to hair and how-to tutorials and questions for hair dressers. And raise your hand if you're that person who has their hair done, it looks amazing but you can never, NEVER, replicate it again! That's totally me.

In fact this last time in the styling chair, I was shown how to do wavy hair with a flat iron. Its not that I've never heard of such a feat before, my little sister went to hair school, I've seen tutorials, it's just I've never dared to try it myself.

Luckily the day after I chopped my hair off, (my cut and inspiration is here. Except my hair is blond - only difference. Oh, and I curled my hair tighter than that today.) I went out of town and had a few days off - therefore I had some time to mess around with it. The first day it took me almost an hour and a half...and I still cracked out a curling iron. The second day I succeeded with the exception of a few wonky hairs that wouldn't stay tucked under and wouldn't obey the flat iron (OK...and eventually the curling iron too.) The third day was on the right track. I have it down to where it takes about 20 minutes to curl my entire head. And honestly it probably wouldn't take so long except I'm still a wimp and I don't want to recreate any wonky or kinky curls again. (It was real bad.)

Anyway, even if I feel have the whole flat iron curl technique down, I still can't seem to get the loose wave right. (See Scarlett again.) I STILL struggle with replicating the stylist. I even keep a picture on my phone for reference, but I can't do it. It always ends up a weird wonky mess.

Enter...Reagan.

I give you...the Flat Iron Waves Tutorial. (Seriously - this is gold people, tutorial GOLD!)

Hairdresser on Fire HDOFblog.com Tutorial-- Style Hair with Waves Using a Flat Iron from Jacob Breinholt on Vimeo.

My life will never be the same. (How awesome is she for doing this. I want to hug her...except she's across the country.)

Birthday Spoils

I thought I'd share my birthday finds. I love birthday shopping. It feels like a shopping spree. Which is every girl's dream...next to the "being locked up in the mall overnight and getting to keep what you find" dream. No? Just me?


I'm a little mad right now. After searching for my birthday clothes, I've found that 1 of the tops I found went on clearance for half of what I bought it for - and the other one? It's nowhere to be found. I think it went on clearance too and it's just not available online anymore. Luckily I posted about it. It's the blue one down at the bottom. It too, is probably half priced.

We'll review the others though:

Found here.
I posted yesterday that I not only bought this, but was wearing it. I have it in "white sand" and it's very light weight and comfortable. That actually was a disadvantage yesterday because it SNOWED. I'd also like to point out how sorry I am for this model...I wonder if the self tanner was her idea or the company's.

Found here.
I bought this in the "Moon struck" color. Keeping with a pale pink and light grey theme to my outfit purchase at Down East.

Found here.
I bought this sweater except they don't have the color online. I think it's part of their fall line, so that would probably be why I got it on sale for a whole $5 off. The color I purchased is a gray color - which is also why I bought the light pink cami and the gray and pink skirt mentioned above. I also bought really adorable ruffle heels that for some reason, I can't find online!

Found here.
It is a really cute top. I feel like I'm being lazy, because honestly it's not hard to see how it's made, and with some time and effort I could copy cat it...but it was my birthday...so I went for it.
Also...I'm lazy.

Found here.

I'm wearing this today. I LOVE the material, it's soft and stretchy. I also have on the gray cardigan mentioned above, skinny jeans, a cute necklace my husband gave me and some flats on as well. I love shirts like this because they're cute staples to have in the wardrobe that you can wear plain, or pair with cardigans or vests easily for a different look.

This shirt is now $10.00. Which truthfully, just plain pisses me off.

Anyways - those are some of the birthday presents...thought I'd share some finds.

Not even ashamed...

As of the 21st of this month, I am now 26 years old. The age that most people start considering themselves adults. (I read that somewhere...) The downward slope to thirty. No longer am I "mid-twenties" or "early twenties." I'm 26.

And I'm buying this movie today:



Have I mentioned I don't have children yet? I'm buying this movie for myself. At 26. Because I'm an adult who LOVED this movie. I'm the adult who set aside some of her birthday money specifically to purchase this movie.

Because that's how we adults roll.

Pleated Poppy: Giveaway

Do you remember this post?


Well today is your lucky day. The Pleated Poppy has a giveaway for $25 to her shop. That's right - you could purchase some of the stuff I rambled on and on about.


Take a peek - you'll be happy you did!

Ruffles...

It normally takes me a while to accept new fashion. Do you remember 2001-2002 when those peasant tops were in? I straight up refused it. Shopping made me angry because I hated that phase.

Its taken me, what, 2 years to accept skinny jeans?

I'm very serious when I say that if I wore a fashion once already in my life, I won't be doing it again. That's why you won't find me in leggings or ruffle skirts. I don't care if it was kindergarten the first time around - I already did that once!


But every so often there will be a fashion idea that comes along that I just accept with open arms. Lately, it's been ruffles. I'm not even sure why - if you asked me 10 years ago if I'd be caught dead in ruffles, I would have slapped you.

But I LOVE them now.

Some of these sources have links to where you can purchase them, others don't. But you'll see what I mean.

Found here.
I don't think I have the guts to pull something like this off with my weak and "safe" fashion choices, but it doesn't mean I don't love it.

I love metallic along with the ruffles.

Found here.
Um...how awesome is Ruche? Ruffles take this to the next level.

Found here.
I know, these are a little out there, but with the right outfit and accessories...

Found here.
I'm currently looking for a cute pair of sandals like this. I might not purchase any though because I have long toes...and these accentuate them.

Found here.
Again - Ruche. These are called the Jackie O. Very fitting.

Found here.
I don't even have a reason to have a clutch, but this called out to me.

Found here.
Simple cardigan made adorable thanks to ruffles.

Again, no source but still adorable.

Found here.
I LOVE the color. The pleats are amazing too.

Found here.
This would be such a fun top for spring.

Whoa...I'm not sure adding sequins made them better, but I'd still try these on.

Found here.
Another fun top for spring and summer. I love the blue color it comes in as well.

Found here.

Yep...I'm a fan.

Found here.
I'm wearing this today...true story. I was gifted this shirt for my birthday in "White Sand."

Don't ruffles just make you happy?

Jo Totes Giveaway - Tatertots and Jello!

Tatertots and Jello is giving away a Jo Totes camera bag.


That's right - that's a camera bag. And it's incredibly cute. Dude...it has houndstooth lining - HOUNDSTOOTH!



I can't even tell you how much I want this.

Go take a peek!

Sephora

Found here. (I bought Shimmery Golden Beige)

I love Sephora. There's a Sephora downtown SLC but I don't usually go inside unless I'm out of state. I'm not sure why. I normally just browse, but since I was in Alabama with some birthday money I decided to just get something and spoil myself! So I purchased $14 lipgloss. Which felt ridiculous, but that's because I'm used to spending $5 tops. (I wear Bonnebell still, remember?) I must say I love this stuff! I can't smell it on my lips at all - which is important to me. I like the color (shimmery golden beige) and the flecks of gold.


I also would love to purchase some high quality tweezers but I can't bring myself to spend between $15-$20 when I know that I can buy some at Target for $1.99. But look how cute:


I think I've mentioned before that I'm always - ALWAYS looking for eyeshadow. Lately I've been looking for bronze and gold hues but I'm coming up short. I saw this - it's Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Pink Quartz and it looks like I've found what I'm looking for. Except I can't bring myself to pay $38 for eyeshadow.

Found here.

I also like the gold hues of this Stila Eyeshadow. I saw a review by a consumer who felt that it was the best gold ever. I'm intrigued. But $28 is still pretty steep for me.

Found here.

I really like the shimmer and glitter too. It may remind me a little of middle school and that white glitter phase, but I think for evening, adding a little glitter/ shimmer to the eyelids is fun!

Found here. $19

Mascara is tricky for me. I like anything that volumizes...period. From hair products to mascara. I feel like I still haven't found "The Perfect Mascara" but I've read that Dior is up there when it comes to mascara. I would love to sample this and see what I think, but for $28, I think I'll just think on it.

The one thing I really think I would invest in for quality would have to be make up brushes. Anyone who has put on make up can attest that a good quality brush is essential. At $34 I feel it's a bit much but I know that a great face brush is something to consider.

Found here.

Now when you purchase Sephora in stores frequently they'll throw in a sample or two. I was given a sample of facial cleanser. One of these days when I get brave, I might try it. I worry because I have sensitive skin, but I still might try it and see.

Online you can actually pick 3 free samples when you order. And what's better than free samples?! Personally I'd pick perfumes as my samples, but that's just me. I wasn't even aware Jennifer Aniston had a fragrance, but I'd be curious to see what scent she puts her name on.

Last but not least - Beauty Advice. This is where you go if you have that question about how to correctly apply "smoky eye" and learn about blush placement for your face shape. These are crucial key things each woman should know! There's even a tutorial on the "5 Minute Makeup" technique. For girls on the go, a.k.a girls who slept through the alarm! I've been applying my own make up since I was a "tween," and seeing something like this probably could have stopped me from trying my "double eyeliner" technique (I put on brown eyeliner and then white eyeliner in a straight line on top of that...) or advised against the bright blue liquid eyeliner that I bought at Claire's in those middle school years. I guess at one point we all have to learn. And then our mothers keep pictures to document such stupidity...


Either way, Sephora in store or online is a place all women should visit a time or two. If they're seasoned make up wearers or young girls starting the adventure - it's a great place to be!