A perfect cream cheese icing to couple with the most fabulous chocolate cake, seen below.

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

perfect summer outfit:

navy belted dress, here.

delicate mother-of-pearl clover necklace, here.

and my favorite colored camel sandals, here.

although I absolutely hate shopping, and even more, hate buying things, I do love looking online at all the fun sun dresses and shoes, especially inexpensive $15 sandals! I have enjoyed my recent employment though, because now when I see something I potentially like, I can actually buy it (ha.)

My rule to buying, and something that saves me from many impulse purchases:

If 30 days go by and I am still thinking about a particular item, I will splurge. Otherwise, I feel like I am spending money on a whim that will probably go to waste. Unfortunately, there is a chance that 30 days later the item might be long gone... but that's just a sign I didn't need it in the first place, right?!

As you might, or might not know, I was wait listed at Vanderbilt University in April, and won't find out if I have been accepted or rejected until anytime from May 5 to July 1. This was rather disheartening, but at the same time, good news. I wasn't denied. I exceeded my expectations. It wasn't a no. But if you know me, you know I am not a very patient person. So now, I wait.

In the meantime, this weekend, my parents and I took a quick trip to Nashville, TN to visit Vanderbilt University.We traveled there to get a better view of the college- to experience the college during a school year (last summer we visited, not a soul was on the campus, so all we could see was the beauty of the campus) and to see if this a place I really wish to pursue. To put it simply, I fell in love. The campus is beautiful, the buildings are magnificent-with old exteriors but wonderful interiors, many great research opportunities, plus a great city to explore. We got to go inside one of the dorm rooms, and they were absolutely beautiful. Some concern was raised about the "type" of people that go to Vanderbilt, (especially with the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" families, as mom so nicely put it, on our tour) but in my opinion, there are uppity people at every college, so I don't see is as a valid argument. I can find my niche in this campus, and can find a great group of friends. It really is an amazing school. I would give anything to have an acceptance letter in my hand right now, in three months venturing off to this campus. Being there made me feel like I was already a student, already a member of the Commodore class of 2014. But I have to remind myself, that in reality, I am not there. And chances of getting there are slim (see here). So now, all I can do is wait and be hopeful. And if things do Not go my way, I will still be an official student at the University of Oklahoma, which is nothing to be upset about, because the campus was great as well. But all I can hope for is Vandy.

On a lighter note, I received a letter today stating I was selected for the David G. and Jacqueline M . Braithwaite Scholarship in Medicine, Biotechnology, and Veterinary Medicine, administered through the East Texas Communities Foundation! Now I am waiting to hear from the Austin Bank and Junior League Young Women's Leadership scholarship committees!

This picture encompasses everything I love. Books, birds, and doodley swirlies expelling from things. For your enjoyment:

Most Fabulous Chocolate Cake.

If you are ever in need of a chocolate cake that will beat all others, here is the recipe. I made this cake two days ago, unaware of how delicious it would turn out, and alas, it has become my go-to recipe for my cake decorating, and eating, desires. I paired it with a whipped cream/cream cheese icing, which was also delicious. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

This is my tree cake I baked. My piping was runny due to the icing I chose to use-- should have used a buttercream recipe. But, I was going more for taste than look on this cake. As Emily says, the tree trunk looks like bacon.