Summer Style Inspo- Lots of Dresses!

I thought I would pair a few pics together to show you what bloggers are giving myself great ideas for summer style. 

If you have no idea who Sarah Vickers is then stop what you are doing and go stalk her blog for about 2-3 hours. Forever dying over her wedding and engagement ring. Love her simple style with the prettiest jewelry and oh so much class.

Julia Engel from Gal Meets Glam (again with the dresses) has such a simple and elegant style. LOVE. 

Krista has some of the cutest skirts and preppiest looks. Not to mention she loves the color navy. Me too sister!

When it comes to bright style and the CUTEST swimsuits Mckenna Bleu tops the cake for me. I am LOVING the trend of different fit swimsuits with different patterns and styles. I can't wait to show off mine by the pool this summer!

Never too many dresses or too many colors!

Hope y'all are feeling inspired to play with your wardrobe come summer! 

My last day of school is tomorrow and I will be taking my first week of summer to cut back from social media and blogging completely. But I will talk to you soon my ladies!

jgraceblog@gmail.com

xoxo

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layered Cake!

Happy Weekend! We made it gang :) Yesterday was a pretty awesome day because my AUNT drove down to Florida from Atlanta!!! After seeing my last cake post she asked if I would make a cake upon her arrival this weekend. She chose the incredibly delicious (proud to call her my aunt) choice of chocolate and peanut butter. I decided to make a chocolate cake with peanut butter filling and chocolate frosting. I used the rest of the left over peanut butter frosting for decoration purposes too. Man is this rich friends....but SOOOOO good oh my word. My aunt (and entire family) LOVE this recipe. Enjoy at your own risk ;)

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

For The Cake

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon of baking powder

2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup of brewed coffee.

 

For the Peanut Butter Filling

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter (creamy, not chunky)

3 tablespoons milk

2 cups powdered sugar

 

For the Chocolate Frosting:

1 cup butter, softened

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoons table salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 tablespoons milk

 

Directions:

Preheat your over to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9inch round cake pans. Trace on parchment paper the exact measurement around the bottom of the cake pans and cut to fit in the bottom. (This make turning the cake out of the pan so much easier after it has baked.

 

In a medium bowl stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients in the other bowl before adding the coffee.

Don't be worried if your batter is really thin.

 

After you have poured the batter into the pans, bake for about 20-35 minutes. This is a large range because depending on where the pans are placed or what size ovens you are using, the time could vary. Keep your eyes on your cakes.

 

After you have flipped your baked cakes onto a wire rack to cool start making your peanut butter filling.

 

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.

 

For the chocolate frosting do the same thing. Add in the butter and the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

 

Now your two frostings are done and you can assemble your cake.

 

Place your first cake layer on a cake board. Place a medium layer of the peanut butter filling on top of the first cake layer. Add the second cake on top.

 

Cover the whole cake in the chocolate frosting. Use any extra peanut butter filling for decoration.

 

Crush some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and sprinkle on top of the cake.

 

BOOM YOUR DONE!!

 

 

Read this post to see all my favorite tips, tricks, and tools for layering and making cakes.

 

If you are not a cake person, then go ahead and give my chocolate peanut butter no bake cheesecake pie a go.

 

 

What are you doing this weekend? Have a great rest of your Saturday. Talk to you soon!

 

jgraceblog@gmail.com

 

xoxo

Barklyn Grace Tee and Puppy Kisses

Happy Monday! You want to know what can brighten every day... even a Monday? A cute puppy! Am I right? I recentlly found a brand I might be a little obsessed with, Barklyn Grace. They have the most adorable tees and water bottles and (best part!) rescue dogs too! These tees are super high quality and stinkin' adorable. My pup Prissy is pretty cute too ;)

Hope your Monday just got better :) Talk to you very soon!

jgraceblog@gmail.com

xoxo

Events of the Bible: Jepthah's Foolish Vow

What We Read This Week:

God used Jepthah to rescue Israel by assigning him to lead the Ephraimites in battle against the Ammonites. Although Jepthah continued to be a great leader he made a foolish vow. Before the battle with the Ammonites, Jepthah vowed that when he came home he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his door as a burnt offering to the Lord if he gave him the victory. After winning the battle, the first thing that ran out of his house was his only daughter. Therefore, Jepthah's family line died out.

Relating it to Your Life:

I will keep it short and sweet today. Cockiness is not a good idea. Take every blessing with thankfulness. Don't be looked upon as a fool like Jepthah because you were over confident in your own ability. 

Next Weeks Reading: Ruth 1-4

Talk to you soon!

jgraceblog@gmail.com

xoxo

Homemade Biscuits and Gravy Recipe

Happy Saturday friends! Hope y'all are having a great weekend so far. Before I went to work this morning, I decided to wake up a bit early to bake y'all some homemade southern biscuits and gravy. Now don't be fooled. This may be the most non-photogenic food ever but it is a southern staple and a taste of heaven. I mean look at these fluffy bites!

This recipe makes 8 biscuits with enough gravy to generously cover each one. If you don't like gravy too much (then we can't be friends first of all..haha jk.. not really) then maybe cut the gravy recipe in half. Grab yourself some strong coffee, sweet company, and dive in my darlin!

Buttermilk Biscuits:

6 tablspoons butter

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon of sugar

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

Start by preheating your over to 450 degrees F.

Cut your butter into small pieces. 

Then in a mixer or in a large bowl with a fork, add your flour. sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add the butter and mix until the batter looks like very fine crumbs. 

Create a well in the center of the batter and add your buttermilk. Stir to combine.

Flour your surface (aka probably your kitchen counter) and turn to batter out of the bowl.

Pat and fold the batter for a couple of minutes until it is in the shape of a rectangle and fairly thick. 

Use a biscuit cutter (or the top of a cup) to cut out circles of the batter for your biscuits. 

You can fold the left over batter together so you will be able to cut out more circles.

Add the circles of batter close together on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Once the biscuits are out of the over, brush the tops generously with melted butter.

Sausage Gravy:

1 pound sage sausage

1/3 cup flour

3 cups whole milk

a dash of garlic salt

a dash of thyme

a dash of black pepper

Brown your sausage in a large saucepan. 

Once it is completely browned add your flour and cook for a few seconds longer before adding in your milk. 

Once you have added your milk continue to stir for several minutes on medium-high heat. 

Once the gravy begins to thicken, add the rest of the seasoning. 

Pour over your hot biscuits straight out of the oven and prepare to blow your guests away.

You're very welcome.

Have a great weekend ladies. Talk to you very soon!

jgraceblog@gmail.com

xoxo

Life is Better in Lauren James

Hey gang! Happy Derby Day! I won't be able to catch the race because of work but will be there in spirit ;) I have never been to the Kentucky Derby but would love to go one day and get a GIANT hat!!

Speaking of Derby and all things southern, how stinkin' cute is this shirt and the matching koozie from Lauren James? I am in love! I saw their cute shirts on Instagram and fell in love. I had to order one. They inform their Instagram followers of all the free shipping codes on Fridays and any sells they have too so for only about 25$ dollars I got a soft and adorable shirt, the matching koozie, and didn't have to pay for shipping. I am all about it!!! You can never have too many preppy tee's!

Hope your Saturday is as fabulous as you!

jgraceblog@gmail.com

xoxo

Events Of The Bible: Gideon Delivers Israel- Weekly Devotion

Happy Sunday friends. For you newbies to the blog, welcome! We are all working our way through each event of the bible together in order and doing quite swell so far. I am trying to upload these on Sunday nights from now on so keep your eyes out each week. You can catch up on each of the events so far by visiting my page here.

What We Read This Week:

God had chosen a humble man named Gideon to deliver Israel after the Midianites had destroyed their land. This was because of Israels disobedience to God. Gideon lacked confidence and often asked for signs from God to prove that he wasn't misinterpreting anything. God showed Gideon the signs and he slowly gained confidence. God tested his confidence though. As Gideon was prepared for battle with 32,000 men in his army, God eliminated all but 300 men to fight in battle. He didn't want Gideon to boast in his army but int the Lord who has saved them. The trumpets of these 300 men caused great confusion among the Midianites and they fought and destroyed each other. God had used Gideon to deliver Israel.

Relating it to Your Life:

Have you ever felt a great need to do something? Maybe God kept you up one night thinking about a certain person, group of people, or action you need to take. You continue to ask for signs because you just aren't sure how to go about helping. We have all been there and immediately want to phone a friend to help in the situation am I right? Sometimes God has a great reward at the end of this for you and he doesn't need your buddy to help. He's got you covered girl.

This Weeks Reading: Judges 11, 12 

Hope you enjoyed! Talk to you very soon!

xoxo