Saturday, August 20, 2011

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.

Monday, August 15, 2011

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)




Sunday, August 7, 2011

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

Monday, August 1, 2011

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.