Hi,my name is Jocelyn, and I am the baker, photographer, and writer behind Inside BruCrew Life. I have been married to my best friend for over 21 years, and we have three great kids.
On my blog you will find plenty of sugar and treats. Occasionally I like to throw out a dinner recipe and surprise my readers. That doesn’t happen too often. Most days you will find me in my kitchen baking cookies or cupcakes. I believe in cake mixes and using lots of sprinkles. Because of this crazy habit, I now have a love/hate relationship with the gym.
I do have to admit that I kind of, sort of like running now. But don’t hold me to that. I am a huge procrastinator, and I drink too much coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper. It's that caffeine high that helps me get all my projects finished.
I love my family and I love what I do. Please come over and bake, eat, and repeat with us as we share life from our kitchen.
What inspired you to first start writing your blog?
I started Inside BruCrew Life in the fall of 2008. My youngest had started first grade that year, and I didn’t want to clean house all day long. Originally the blog was going to be a fun way to share family stuff, crafts, and a few recipes. After 2 years I realized how much I enjoyed sharing the treats that I was baking in my kitchen, and it slowly transitioned to a food blog.
What kinds of posts are your favorite to write?
I love sharing funny little stories from our life along with a recipe. I think my readers like to hear more about us. At least I hope they do.
Where do most of your recipes come from?
I get ideas for things everywhere. Then my mind just starts running wild with options and ideas on how to put that into a fun dessert.
What is your favorite kind of food to make?
Anything that involved chocolate and peanut butter! I really love making cookie cheesecake bars. These Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookie Bars are one of my favorites so far!
What 3 items do you always have in your refrigerator and pantry?
You will always find crescent rolls, cream cheese, and Cool Whip in my fridge. And in my pantry you will find chocolate chips, Reese's peanut butter cups, and cake/brownie mixes on a daily basis. This is a dessert blog after all. Did you expect me to say salad? Actually scratch that. There is usually salad and milk in our refrigerator too.
What is your favorite recipe posted on your blog?
I can never get enough of these Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cups. In fact, now that I am thinking about them again, I think I need another batch.
What was your first post? How do you think your blog has changed since you first started blogging?
I’m not sure if these Peanut Butter Truffles Brownies were my very first post or not. I went through a phase where I deleted quite a few of the personal posts when I started doing more food. I do think this was the very first recipe that I shared though. I still cringe and laugh when I go back to my old photos. I don’t think my recipes have changed much, but thank goodness I have come a long way with photography. I have learned to step back from the food and not take such close shots.
What is your favorite kitchen tool/appliance?
I know everyone says this, but I really love my Kitchen Aid. I use it for almost every single recipe. My husband surprised me with it for my birthday about 10 years ago. A close second is my Ninja food processor…that thing is amazing!!!
What is your best tip for getting dinner on the table?
Marry someone who likes making dinner. Seriously! We would probably starve if dinner was left up to me or go broke from ordering out every night.
What is a food you secretly indulge in?
I have been known to sneak out to the kitchen late at night for spoonfuls of peanut butter, marshmallow cream, and Reese's pieces. All together, of course.
What is your most used cookbook?
Is the internet an acceptable answer here? I have shelves of cookbooks, but I very rarely look at them anymore because Google and Pinterest are my best friends.
What is your splurge meal?
A huge plate of Chicken Alfredo with extra Alfredo and tons of breadsticks. Go out on a carb overload I say!
What kind of camera/lens/equipment do you use?
I have a Nikon D5300 and the 18-55 mm lens and a 35 mm fixed lens. I also have a basic tripod that I use when I remember to get it out.
Any suggestions or hints to have great food photos?
Use natural light if at all possible. Look for fun food props at Goodwill. (I love having cute plates and cups that don’t match and only cost $1.) Think in thirds when setting up your shot. Your items should all relate and create eye movement in your pictures. I also love layers. I like to use napkins, placemats, and stacked plates all in the same shot.
What was the first dish you ever cooked?
I baked a cherry pie for my Dad when I was 5 years old…with my mom’s help of course.
Is there a dish that you are known for?
Does dessert count here? I don’t usually make the same thing twice, but I do get requests for my Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies and Reese's Popcorn Munch…everyone loves Reese’s treats!
When you really want to cheat, what do you eat?
I puffy heart love cheesecake!!! In fact, I love it so much that I wrote an entire cookbook about it.
If you could travel anywhere in the world – just for the food – where would you go?
Would it surprise you if I said Italy? I’m kind of a pasta-aholic!!!
What do you eat on a normal day?
My husband and I have a protein shake for breakfast, and the kids start the day off with muffins or pancakes that I made the day before. Or they eat a bowl full of sugar coated cereal. The kids pack their own lunches now..usually a sandwich, chips, and either cookies or a pudding cup…nothing fancy there. I try to do a spinach smoothie or an egg dish, and my husband will usually finish off the dinner leftovers. Dinner for us is either salad, chicken, pasta, tacos, or pizza. Every once in a while we change it up, but those are our basics.
What is your favorite part about blogging?
My absolute favorite part of blogging are the connections that I have made. So many of these connections have turned into great friendships. It has been amazing to me to connect with so many woman who have the same passion and love for food and photography.
What is your best tip to becoming a successful blogger?
Be yourself. It is easy to read other people’s writing and want to be like them. But ultimately you need to have your own voice and your own style. That voice and style is what makes your readers want to come back again and again. For you!
I am a child of God and a follower of His.
I am a wife to my best friend.
I am a mom to three great kids.
I am in love with being part of this great family!
I am a loyal friend and sister.
I am an introvert, which is why I am a better texter than talker.
I am a perfectionist and detail oriented. I am not perfect though.
I am a procrastinator and a night owl...which explains why I am always late for everything I do.
I am a list maker, but I usually lose it before getting to the store.
I am distracted easily.
I am addicted to sugar (mainly chocolate), coffee, and diet Dr. Pepper.
I am always baking new yummy treats and then blogging about them.
I am a fabric flower crafter, a scrapbooker, and a card maker, just not all at the same time.
I am always saving empty containers for "something". I just don't know what.
I am ok with creative clutter, but not ok with house clutter. (You should see my office)
I am a fan of cute shoes & purses and I own way too many.
I am passionate about anything that I start.
I am a lover of all things Fall related.
I am inspired by colors in nature.
I am learning to be a runner...still don't like it, but I am trying.
I am who and where God wants me to be. I am happy.
Some of my most popular recipes...
*Contact Me At:
insidebrucrewlife@gmail.com