New Favorite Chocolate Frosting

As these uneven cake layers tell you, I would not consider myself a serious pastry or cake baker.

I am not precise, and generally rush my way through the steps so as to get the finished product in my mouth sooner. 

Think Kevin from The Office.

All that being said, I have found that my favorite cake personally is not from scratch but store bought boxed cake. 

Gasp. I know. 

It just tastes better to me, is more moist, and the crumb is something that has yet to be beat, in my book. Duncan Hines Classic White is my all time favorite. 

HOWEVER, you could hand my a $10 bill and a free tub of store bought icing and I still would not frost my boxed cake with it. I can't stand the thought or the taste of the stuff. I also feel like it rips your cake super easily anyways. 

I will say once you start making your own buttercream it becomes simple. I have stopped measuring when making the basic recipe I use, and just go by texture and sight. 

Chocolate Frosting however is another story.

 I've never quite found a good Cocoa Powder one that I have just loved.

Two weeks ago while flipping through Pinterest looking for a Chocolate Buttercream,

 I came across Barefoot in The Kitchen's Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

The concept of melting chocolate chips for your cocoa base sounded so good.

Again I am not a perfectionist when it comes to baking and cake decorating but the flavor made up for it entirely. The texture was so creamy, it tipped on the verge of a whipped cream frosting. 

I did swap out a 1/2 cup of the butter for room temp Cream Cheese just to see.

It was out of the World fabulous. 

I creamed the butter and cream cheese a ton per her instructions, and at that step alone I had to fight the urge to dip my finger in for a taste. :D Gross haha. 

 Baby Boy seemed to approve. I shared a slice with some fam and they said it was the best ever. I didn't pry and ask if the meant that as a figure of speech or if they like really, really meant it. :D
I kinda really, really mean it though when I state it IS my new favorite Chocolate Frosting!

My Current Coffee Set Up

This is my second model of this brand. I loved the first model and it packed a great punch for such a budget friendly gadget. I mistakingly thought I would replace it with a Nespresso, and while i like my nespresso it is not the same as a good ole fashion shot of creamy expresso.
So when I received Christmas money from the Hubbs I righted my wrong and bought the newer version of this model De'Longhi

When buying my first expresso maker I put at least a month of research into which brand I wanted. I looked through reviews, watched videos, flipped through pictures. I settled on the Delonghi because of the price and the amazing reviews. Also since this was my first expresso maker I figured if it was a flop and not something I was into I wouldn't be out much cash.  I ended up getting pretty into making a good pull and trying out all the drinks. 
I thought I would share some of information with you in case you were thinking of buying one for your home. While its not something I use daily, I do get tons of use out of it and make Lattes or Iced Lattes 4-5 times a week. It makes such a great ha-time indulgence.*cough: Pick-Me-Up*  My only complain so far with the newer model is the steam wand. The old model had a dial that gave better control of the amount of steam being released. The newer model basically has a med high setting and high setting. Not a deal breaker but also a bummer.

Here is my favorite Expresso Grounds *Expresso and Coffee grounds will be different in darkness and the actual grind. Expresso grinds are ground more fine.

This is my all time favorite syrup brand. It makes me more comfortable to know that the ingredients are real and simple. The flavor is the best also. My husband who is not interested in all natural foods or "health stuff" haha notices a difference when we run out and I switch to the major coffee chains brand (starts with Star haha), he says he has to use more to get the flavor he likes. 


I used this TUTORIAL from a gentleman to teach me how to run my machine and such. I was starting from scratch and reading through a manual is not my thing. He breaks down every thing quickly and explains things well. Plus if you don't think this old man is adorable than we can't be friends. :D

Emmet Lee

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Isaiah 40:11

This verse held me together during labor. I knew God would be gentle to me.

I also reminded him that I was formed of dust.

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”

Psalm 103:13&14

The photos below are placed in the order of them happening.

 Transition. Feeling like labor would never come to an end, as if it would never crescendo, as if the urge to push would never be felt.

Squating/ leaning against the birthing tub.  With this end of labor I felt a lot of pressure on my tailbone. There is no way I could've sat and placed any pressure on that area. 

With my last birth my eyes must have been clenched shut because I do not remember him being placed on my chest. It really is a bummer because he was born encaul. 

This birth however after his head emerged I watched the rest of his body being birthed. 

Seeing him be born was amazing.

So Much Cleavage. Pregnancy boobs, am i right? Haha

God kept me present and grounded through my slow then fast labor. 

My husband kept me sane. He was so selfless in his care for me. He ran off absolutely no sleep for two days.

I was able to cut this babies cord myself. A first!

Don't Miss Out On The Fun!

As you may have already figured out I am the assistant over at Lilac Lane Patterns.

Melissa does such a great job designing fun and unique patterns.

Her patterns range from purses and quilts to her specialty girl clothing's! <3

She is having a H-U-G-E Launch Party to celebrate not only her new

website but her 50th pattern being released! 

All week you have a chance to be entered to win all 50 of her patterns!

Today you can enter to win my top 5 favorites from her.

And all week there will be other fun things so be sure to visit the new website daily!

Good Luck!