Spring Carrot Bundt Cake

This weekend was one of the nicest weekends I have enjoyed with family in such a long time!!!! I had an 80th birthday for my grandpa and all of the family came over to celebrate. I absolutely love hosting birthday parties ( or anything for that matter!) and  I got a little theme happy and customized special details like napkins that said "happy birthday pawpaw" in teal and silver, matching balloons, and special customized cookies from Lily's that went along with the theme. It was absolutely beautiful...however the one thing he insisted upon was his homemade carrot cake. I obliged to this request of course and created the perfect carrot cake!!! This is my own recipe so I hope you enjoy it!!!!

shopping list:

One box carrot cake mix

one box raisins

grated carrot ( about 1/2 cup)

one box vanilla pudding

one box cheesecake pudding

1/2 cup veggie oil

4 eggs

 1 1/4 cup water

1/2 stick butter softened

one package of creme cheese softened

almost two cups of powdered sugar

Mexican vanilla.

Procedure

In a mixing bowl combine cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and puddings...beat until smooth. Add in about 1/2 cup of raisins and fold in. Pour batter into a greased bundt cake pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Then in a separate bowl add the butter, creme cheese and mix on high until creamed and smooth...slowly add in the powdered sugar little by little to thicken and form a nice paste..add the vanilla during this portion of the process too.  Once cake is cooled invert onto a cake plate and frost with the frosting...garnish with the grated carrot. AMAZING!

Summer Fun!!!!

I can totally relate..

I am ready for SUMMER!!!!

So, because I am SO over the top ready for summer I decided to share some of my summer favorites! I think I just said the word summer way to much....

Here we go!

1. The number one item that is a must have for summer I THINK is a really great POOL BAG!! Unless you are an alien and do not spend time by the pool or beach this summer then this will not apply to you but a nice roomy summer bag is something everyone needs for summer! I bought this really cute Yellow one from Target and it is only TEN dollars!!!!! I already moved in and am ready for the pool. Here are some other cute options 

option 1.

option 2.

option 3.

2. Number two on my summer list is a pretty pink lipgloss that will work beautifully with your summer tan! I found THE greatest lipgloss ever at MAC this weekend and I will wear it all summer long 

MAC- Lovingly Yours

MAC- MODEST

They are SO pretty and fun for summer!!! 

3. Numero Three on the list is a FUN and colorful Sandal... I have a few options for you but my favorites are these 

I mean they are so much fun!! I would wear them with shorts, a cute color block maxi, black dress, white skinnies..whatever they are just cute!!!! Here are some other styles that I love for summer too!!

option 1 I just got these in gold and am living in them!

option 2 These are a less expensive option and just as cute I think!

4. A GOOD SUMMER READ is a huge must have for my summer list. I love love LOVE to read books and literally will finish them within a few hours because I'm obsessed so I have to have a good list going. These are a few that I bought and hope to delve into once school is over. I will do a book review after I have read them all but I have heard things about 

The Husband's Secret

The Time Travlers Wife- 

(I am currently reading this and am in love. I saw the movie but the book, of course, is so much better!!! )

Tigers in Red Weather

I saw this book while browsing in Barnes and Noble and it just LOOKED interesting... sounds dramatic.. sounds romantic...thought I would try it :)

5. Last but not least...

A BEACHY HAIR PRODUCT

I love the beachy wave thing..and really loved it when my hair was longer. I still can do the beach look but have to work a little harder at it since my hair is shorter...I have worn this hair product for YEARS!!! I got it one day at Walmart ( seriously ) and swear by it. It has actual sea salt so your hair is amazingly beachy <--- not a word but whatever.  Its five bucks and will change your life. Promise. 

Here are some other options though that I have tried and really and truly like

option 1

THIS IS AMAZING 

( This technically is not a hair product it is a fragrance but you will feel as though you are in Hawaii when you put this on. It smells SO SO SO Good.) 

Okay back to business

option 2

option 3

Well there ya have it...just some fun summer inspirations for you :) 

Our life through pictures

Tonight I am hosting my first

Stella & Dot Party!!

I am so excited!! So my post is going to be short and sweet because I need to go prepare and get pretty for my girls!!!! I will leave the link at the bottom of this post so that you can view all of the adorable spring collection!!! I am already eying a specific yellow statement necklace...check it out!!!!

We have been doing LOTS of home updates lately...maybe because we are anticipating a few changes we decided to go ahead and up our game for this house.. we may be selling it in a year or two!! 

I apologize in advance for the plethora of pictures....

here is life lately...

A trip to ATX ..my favorite city in Texas!!!! Starbucks in hand I am a happy camper!

 On our way... but first a selfie :)

Ahhh....we are here and happy...popped a bottle and got to partyin

WHOO!!!

Heading to the pool

My golfer taught me a little something' about golf...Top Golf was SO fun!!!

 :)

 My quiet time...I seriously recommend this book if you are looking for a new bible study or quiet time book. It is optimistic and amazing...

A little more Austin...this was us at my favorite restaurant Eddie V's

 They have the best Martinis...

Just fun on sixth with my man!!!!!

Representing Stella and Dot!!!! 

On another date:)!

 Dad and mom came in to visit and took us to chuch and brunch

My Gardener potting my plants  for me

Hanging with the bestie...and little bestie :)

Cute new pillows for our bench!

Pulled pork citrus tacos...recipe found on the blog!

Thinking everyone should own a pair of these Sam Edelmens..right now they are 50 percent off!!! I paid a whopping 35 bucks for them and I love them! 

And now for the Stella and Dot Trunk Show...

Shop all summer items on the website listed on this e-card.

Next post will be all about my Party Hosting tips and tricks :) I love a good party!

Citrus Infused Pulled Pork Tacos

Citrus Infused Pulled Pork Tacos

OH....My....

GOSH.

These were good.

I made a HUGE batch so I had both my neighbors and my mom come for dinner..  everyone had seconds and thirds and everyone asked for the recipe. It felt amazing to know I thought up and cooked this wonderful recipe and everyone loved it!!! I should write a book!! JK..
Kind of.


Shopping List
*** CROCK POT

1 large Pork Butt ( aka Boston butt, pork shoulder roast)
one large naval orange
sea salt and black pepper
BBQ sauce
one cup water
green onion
Mexican blend cheese
cayenne
cumin
smoked chili powder ( this was a specialty item found in the health aisle of HEB)
one large yellow onion -sliced
one package of corn tortillas

Procedure

Before placing your pork in the crockpot you will want to vigorously rub the meat down with all of the above spices. Start with your salt and pepper, then add the cayenne, cumin, and chili powder...rub it all over so it has a nice coating.
Place in crock pot and add one cup of water
slice the Naval orange in half and then squeeze the life out of it all over the pork. Place the rinds inside the crock pot. Next add your sliced onion and gently lay it all round the pork...layer the top with BBQ sauce and set the lid on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. 

Once the pork is finished cooking you will want to drain all excess liquid from the inside. Shred the pork ( "pull the pork) until you have the desired amount you wish. Inside a warm corn tortilla add a scoop of pork, green onion, shredded cheese, and maybe some avocado and top with a dollop of BBQ sauce and you will thank me forever and ever and ever for this recipe.

 

Barrington Bag and a Bundt Cake

I am SOOOO excited about  my new summer bag!!!

 I found this bag while reading a great review from a fashion blogger and decided to feel out their website and I was immediately obsessed. You can choose from a plethora of patterns, colors, and bag styles and also have your initials printed on the front!!! Um yeah....I am in love with leopard so that is the bag that jumped out at me. Here is a picture of me sporting my new Barrington Bag!

A random pic of us because I think he is so cute :)

Me and my AWESOME BAG!!!! Look see my intials :) I love it so much!

click here to shop all of their fabulous items :)!

now for the food portion of this post....

A delicious and chocolaty Cadburry Crème Bundt Cake :)

Are you drooling??

I found this recipe off of the infamous Mixandmatchmama 100 Bundt Cake recipes..I knew I Had to try this because it was 1. Easter and 2. Cadburry Crème..I mean need I say more. Here is how it went down

Shopping list:

one box swiss chocolate mix

two boxes of chocolate puddings

1/2 cup veggie oil

1 1/4 cup water

1 cup chocolate chips

7 cadbury creme eggs ( could be creme or caramel)

4 eggs

one stick of butter

3-4 splashes of milk

vanilla exract 

softened block of creme cheese

Procedure:

preheat oven to 350

in a bowl combine cake, eggs, water, oil and puddings

mix thoroughly and then add the chocolate chips

stir in three of the cadbury eggs

pour batter into a greased bundt pan and bake for 45 mins

let cake rest on counter then invert and let cool

to create your icing- beat the butter with milk and powdered sugar. Add your drop of vanilla exact and creme cheese and beat again.

frost cooled cake and add the cadbury eggs ( roughly chopped) as a garnish on top of the cake

** I do not have a picture because my family ate it all up!!!!!! :(