Happy Friday all!
I’m so happy Friday is here! I’ve been lucky enough to have a few days off but I feel like I have even MORE to do when I’m not working my 9-5. I ran a ton of errands, spent that Ulta coupon 
and had a lovely dinner and happy hour with friends (Love ya Vick!). Here’s to setting goals (a la Tuesday’s entry) and living by them! 
So for my brother’s baseball party, we decided to try a recipe I pinned from Sugar Cooking for Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel frosting. I was successful at the cake recipe but was completely defeated by the icing. I have no idea what went wrong but after an hour (and 2 bags of powdered sugar) of working on just the frosting, I had to give up. However it was by far one of the best chocolate cake recipes I’ve made and it was unbelievably easy!
Since I was going to use store bought frosting (insert crying here), I decided to spend extra time on the decorating. On the baseballs, I used the Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting and red candy melts in a piping bag to do the stitches. For the fields, I dyed the cream cheese frosting green for “grass” and used chocolate frosting for the diamond.
To add something extra to the party, we threw in some of our well-loved red velvet cake pops. I hope to make them again in the future but with more delicate piping (I just was not at the top of my game by the end!).
Just so everyone knows it’s not all sunshine and rainbows here at Simply Evani, I often find myself stressed out while baking because I’m such a perfectionist and its probably better for me to choose either a complex recipe OR intense decorating. I just wish I could let go of that Type-A side of me but I’m definitely an all or nothing person so I dive into any project wanting it ALL and 4 hours later, I hate my life. Haha anyone else a perfectionist baker?
This weekend, I will be out at the fields watching my brother play his All Star State Tournament in Santa Ana. Time to slather on the sunscreen and do some hardcore blog planning the old fashion way (aka pen and paper!). Do you have any plans for the weekend?
Happy Friday!
simplyevani
simplyevani
simplyevani
simplyevani
Hi Evani! Baseball theme came out great. Since you’re really into baking, have you heard of the Threadcakes contest? I participated a few years ago (7 cakes) but they also accept cupcakes! My link is here but you can also get to the homepage from there: http://www.threadcakes.com/gallery/search/user/1863
Hey Michelle! Thanks for being one of my longtime followers, from way back in the day!
Thanks so much for passing this on, I checked out your art/cake work and it’s beautiful! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!
Haha you are not alone, sistah! I am not huge into cooking or baking but I am a type-A perfectionist. I get super excited about something and dive in head-first, only to overwhelm myself by biting off more than I can chew. I think the cupcakes and pops look fabulous! Just remember: perfection is impossible and trying to get there is exhausting. It can be quite liberating to tell yourself in those moments of frustration that “acceptance is freedom” and just enjoy something for what it is. If that makes sense.
have fun in Santa Ana this weekend, chica! And yes, LOTS of sunscreen — it’s HOT! Will you be going to D-Land while you’re nearby?
Lol your comment led me to the conclusion that I was NOT going to Santa Ana! Gah I wish I were anywhere NEAR Disneyland but alas, I am not. Haha But thanks for letting me know I’m not alone. Things can get pretty crazy behind the scenes of crafts/baking projects for Simply Evani, I can get super panicked. I definitely need to let go of the idea of perfection more often! Great reminder love
Cute
and I totally feel you on the perfectionist thing…are you a virgo too? Lol
Lol funny that you ask, I’m right on the cut off for a Virgo but I’m a Libra. I’m happy you can relate on the perfectionist thing too Niki!
http://www.LoveNiki.com
OMG, this is so great!!! I really love these!!! evani you are such a cake artist!!
love K
Thanks Katrine!
That’s a huge compliment from one of my DIY idols!
Those cupcakes are so cute! Bummer about the frosting but sometimes those things happen. I happen to love store bought frosting too!
Thanks Stephanie, I mean I’m not gonna lie, I love store bought frosting too! If I’m just making baked goods for myself and people in my house, I don’t mind it but if I’m bringing something to other people, I just want everything homemade! But sometimes it’s a bit too ambitious.. lol
yum!! Want to make me some? haha. If my team makes it to the play offs I’ll try to make those for a little viewing party!
Girl, I can only imagine the trouble we would get into if we could just pass baking supplies/wine around between the two of us! I would love to bake some and drive them over to you if we weren’t separated by the midsection of California! lol
I LOVE cupcakes! Those are so adorable!
<3 Jenny
http://www.crazystylelove.com
Thanks Jenny!
I appreciate you stopping by to comment!
How insanely cute! I’m going to have to make these! You are so talented!
Thank you for the compliment Devon! I bet Jack would love to get his hands on some cupcakes!
OMG. you make such lovely bakes! Yummy! =)
That is such a big compliment coming from mydearbakes!! You make such AMAZING creations I can’t even fathom! Thank you for stopping by my blog!
You certainly just described me! The good news is, I absolutely love these! They look fabulous and delicious!
Thanks Ariana!! Don’t you hate being a perfectionist sometimes? I think it gets in the way too often! But hey, you can’t change who you are
Wow those look amazing!!! Baseball LOVE!!
xoxo, Elle
http://www.thehighfeather.com
Thanks so much Elle! Just checked out your blog and you take GORGEOUS pictures girl! I love your sense of style and I’ll definitely be following via bloglovin!
Hey there! I was nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award and I passed it on to you! Check it out at http://www.lalalists.com/2012/06/versatile-blogger-award.html
Sorry if this seems spammy but it is a really cute thing!!
Rachel
http://www.lalalits.com
Thanks so much for the award Rachel! You are too sweet
I’ll definitely have to pass this on later this week, thank you again for thinking of me!!
<3,
Evani
Hi! I’m following you from the GFC Blog Hop! Look forward to reading more! I would appreciate the follow back!
Have a great rest of the weekend!
-Kat
http://mom-uncensored.blogspot.com
hahaha, i feel your pain (that was me with the cake! box cake mix? noooooo!!!). BUT major PROPS for the decor. I have no patience. But one day I will. By all means, I’m no perfectionist in ANYTHING, but when it comes to baking, I’m a type A. I’m honestly a Type B in general, but baking is a different story. I don’t know why… I wonder. Hahah…
Rima
wow!! great decorations!!!
Thanks Sandy