~Have your Cake and Eat it Too!~

Happy Tuesday!

So as promised a weekend recap including my baking fun times.

First off, how was your weekend?  I love to hear about my blog buddies lives so do share

:-)

Ours:

Friday:

Grouting grouting grouting until 10 pm, pretty crazy party animals we are!

BUT the bathroom is looking fantabulous, will share pics when complete!

(For pics from our remodel chk out this post)

Saturday:

BAKING!

Some of you may have read my Strawberry Rufle Cake post . . .

(if not it's here for ya)

So I made this fancy shmancy ruffle cake for my Mom-in-law's birthday.

Baked 5 hours (between freezing to set, layers, frosting, cooling and reading blogs in between!)

And then we met them up for an AMAZING dinner at this cute little Italian place La Rustica in Seattle.

Note to self: scrunchy smiley face: not hot!

I ordered ox tail and polenta . . . mussels for app and some yummmmy vino!

Happy Birthday Maria!

Ok so here's the cake breakdown:

Recipe for Strawberry Creme Filling Cake

Frosting: Martha Stewart's Swiss Meringue Buttercream

So my very first attempt at a fancy cake turned out ok . . .

the in-laws were so excited and impressed and that's all that mattered!

Lessons learned:

1) Martha Stewart is not always perfect (frosting was wayyyy runny but maybe an operator error?! He he.) Next time: find an amazing frosting recipe.

2) If using lots of frosting, tone down the cake flavor.  A little too strawberry and sweet?

3) Cut of the crust BEFORE layering.  Biggest lesson learned!

So all in all it was so much fun and turned out good, but I'm striving for amazing!!!

Any Master-Bakers out there wanting to share some tips?!

~Ruffle Strawberry Cake~

Happy Saturday my loves!

What are you up to this wonderful day?

Me:

Baking!!!

I am making my mom-in-law a pretty ruffle birthday cake.

(source)

(source)

Using this recipe for

 Strawberry Cream Cake and Filling

And I found this video for tips on ruffle frosting:



Cake has just baked and is in the freezer to set so I can continue . . .

more photos soon!

Don't miss out on:

Giveaway from Tasteful Tatters

 and over on my other blog

Simply by Tamara Nicole

Weddings and Events:

My Vintage Literature Photo Shoot in the Woods inspiration post

Gorgeous white and pink burlap wedding decor

and Mother's Day brunch plans

Have a fabulous weekend my dears!

~Pretty Pink Party Decor~

Ok so my mind whirls around all crazy all the time

I think it's just being female, right?

Anyway I just wanted to share with my blog buddies my latest obsession:

~Pink Party Decor~

(source)

I'm throwing a bridal shower this summer . . .

so excited!

I've been talking about having a cute summer tea party for a while, and now I can!!!

Just bought:

on Etsy from Farmer's House, LOVE!

Striped straws, aww! From Hey Yo Yo on Etsy

(serious fun shop, chk it out!)

Also from Hey Yo Yo:

Fun twine!

I found so many fun tea cups on Etsy, but I don't want to pay shipping for a lot of them individually, so I'll just check out local thrift stores to find enough pink/gold/yellow cups.

Also:

Cake pedestals

Mason Jars

Need to make fabric garland and poms

A cute white distressed dresser

Soooo excited!

Inspiration:

(via the Loveliest Day)

(via Inspire the Bride)

(Via Let's Indulge)

Via Peach Blossom Party Ideas

(Via JL Designs)

(Via a Subtle Revery)

So pretty right?!

And you know I'll be posting pics when we have the party in my backyard!

Are you into throwing parties?

Any great ideas/inspirational blogs/sites you want to share

~Tamara Nicole~

 

ALSO: Spring Blog Swap coming later this week!

AND gorgeous scarf from Nikkisic . . . Giveaway extended until Saturday!