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.

Burst of Yellow

Sorry I haven't written in so long!

I've been busy moving into a different place.

But, the one good thing about moving - 

is that you can change things up in your home.

For example - 

this picture...

I was sick of it.

So - 

I decided to buy some gorgeous yellow fabric.

Cost me $9.99 a yard.

(Luckily - I only needed one yard.)

Iron that baby out...

Then, wrap it around the canvas - and staple in place

with a nice, sturdy staple gun.

(It's kind of like you're wrapping a Christmas present.)

Look how much better that is!

$9.99 is cheaper than going out and having to buy new artwork!

(After)

(Before)

Then...

I took the scraps from the fabric - and put 

BURSTS of yellow throughout the room.

One thing to remember - 

you always want 10% of a "splash" of color in a room...

it gives the eye something to look at.

So,

I took my coasters - (they're the ones you can insert photos in) -

and instead...

I inserted a piece of the fabric in each one.

How cute!

I also inserted the fabric into a picture frame.

Notice where it is?

Something up "high" and something down "low."

This is right when you walk into the living room.

The yellow just BURSTS.

Also added my favorite yellow pillows from

TARGET!

Love, love them to pieces.

Also added a burst of yellow to my wall of art work.

These are just pieces of fabric wrapped around canvases...

inserted in frames...

and then some plain frames without anything in them.

A collage of frames and fabric.

One other thing - 

I added yellow fabric to my folding room divider.

Another yellow pillow.

And my yellow flower pot!

In love.

Only cost me $2.00 at Gordmans.

Then, I added a small succulent plant to it.

More room decorating tips to come!

Don't forget...

10% burst of COLOR!