Summer Pasta

Yummy in my tummy.

Now that the end of summer is here (tear)...

fresh TOMATOES are popping up everywhere.

So, I decided to make a simple tomato/garlic pasta.

You'll need:

1 tub of tomatoes

1 tub of sliced mushrooms

A handful of basil (finely chopped.)

4-5 garlic bulbs (finely chopped.)

Add the garlic to about 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

Cook the garlic until it turns a "golden brown."

Add the mushrooms.

Cook for about 5 minutes (until the mushrooms are slightly brown.)

Bring a pot of water to boil.

Add 3/4 of a box of angel hair pasta.

*Follow the cooking directions on the box.*

Add your tub of tomatoes to the mushroom/garlic mixture.

Cook for 3-5 minutes.

Add the pasta.

Then... the good part!!!

Add a handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese...

and a handful of basil.

Stir.

Then, sprinkle some fresh parmesan on top of your bowl of pasta.

You can also add some salt/pepper.

So delicious!

Light and simple.

Takes about 20 minutes TOP to make.

Easy dinner with fresh, summer veggies.

53 Reasons Why I Love You

My mama's birthday is next week.

She'll be turning 53-years-young.

I decided to do something simple and sweet for her gift.

First off - she LOVES, LOVES chocolate.

So, I picked up her favorite candies and a cute box.

Then, I wrote out 53 separate reasons "why I love you"...

Things like:

1.) You always put others first.

2.) You see the best in people.

3.) You are the heart and soul of our family.

Each "reason" was then taped to a piece of candy.

I put all of them inside the pretty box.

Each time she goes to snack on a "sweet" - 

she'll have something "sweet" to read too!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

You are the best.

(Reason #54)

Tabletop Makeover

I love taking something "old" and transforming it into

something "new."

Case in point:

My hallway table.

It was passed down to me from my grandparents.

But, I was ready to give it some new life!

So, I found an old frame that I wasn't using anymore.

Took the glass out.

And, wrapped some fabric around the "inside" cardboard of the frame.

Tada!

I still used the legs from the other table...

just placed the "picture frame" on top.

I layered some books...

"decorative balls" in a bowl...

and a picture frame on top.

BEFORE

AFTER

I already had the fabric from another project.

Already had the table frame...

and the picture frame.

Cost for project:

$0

Lamp Love

I was strolling the aisles of Home Goods this weekend 

(one of my FAVORITE stores) 

in search of a brand new lamp.

And... behold... 

I found what I was looking for!

Love the base - love the shade.

However...

did not love the price.

A whopping $69.99

Luckily - 

There was another lamp with a similar shape/style for HALF the price:

$34.99

While it doesn't have the fun, funky texture of the other base...

 ... it is still REALLY pretty.

And, matches the "circles" on my curtains!

A perfect little corner lamp.

That saved me $35 buckaroos!

I (heart) you Home Goods.