{Living Room - Glam Girl}

I created my first room inspiration board on polyvore.com. Can you say new addiction?!? I am in serious trouble. But it was oh so fun.

A glam living room, with a feminine flare...
{check out the details here}

I'm loving this color combo. In fact, the outfit I wore to work today is what inspired this little diddy - gray pants, pink top, and just a touch of black & gold in my accessories.

Note to self: life is good.

{source}

I know I usually keep it very light here, with posts dedicated to all things domestic. But something has been on my mind a lot lately, and seeing how this blog is really like a journal of sorts for me, I figure it's a good place to put my thoughts into words. Like writing a little note to myself. And if it speaks to anyone, that's a bonus. I'm not going to get too specific. I don't think I need to be. I'm pretty sure a lot of people will be able to relate to what I have to share, no matter where they are in life. So, here goes...

Have you ever wanted something so badly you think you might just explode if you don't get it? I've thought I felt that way about a lot of things. But recently I've come to realize what it truly means to want something with every fiber of your being. And I'm not talking about a million dollar home I found on realtor.com, or a perfectly designed room in one of those beautiful glossy magazines. I'm talking about something that really matters. Something you want and would do anything to get, but it just isn't up to you. It can consume your every thought, affect every decision. It's a real test of faith. And patience.

One minute you have all the faith in the world and can so clearly picture the day when you will finally have it. You know how wonderful it will be and how much joy it will bring you. Most of the time, that is enough to keep you chugging along. But then there are the times of doubt, the bouts of impatience and frustration, the feeling of being completely helpless. Those times are tough. I know they make you stronger, and I know they help you grow, and I know they ultimately make the prize even sweeter. But that doesn't make them any more fun.

Thankfully, for me, the hopeful moments outweigh the discouraged ones. But the whole cycle is exhausting. An "emotional rollercoaster", if you will. Hoping, doubting, not knowing...repeat. It's easy to feel sorry for yourself. But then you think about all of the things that are right in your life and all of the blessings you've been given. And you realize life is good. Regardless of whether you get that "thing" you so badly want, life is good. And God has a plan for you. It may not make sense now, but one day it will. So that's the message I have for you today. And that's what I will continue to believe. Enjoy what you have while you have it, friends. The rest will fall into place. Note to self.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Yesterday, I mentioned I was going to make spaghetti carbonara for dinner. It seemed like the perfect meal for a snowy (spring!) night in. I ended up using Nigella Dawson's recipe as a guide and made a few tweaks along the way.

{Ingredients}
1 pound spaghetti
2 cups cubed pancetta rind removed - I used 10 slices of bacon instead
2 teaspoons olive oil - I used only 1 tsp
1/4 cup dry white wine or vermouth
4 eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup heavy cream - I used half 'n half
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly ground nutmeg
*Additions - 2-3 cups fresh spinach, 2 cloves garlic finely chopped, liberal amount of salt.

{Directions}
Put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta. In another large pan that will fit the pasta later, cook the pancetta cubes in the oil until crispy but not crunchy. Pour over the white wine or vermouth (and add garlic) and let it bubble away so that, after a few minutes, you have a small amount of salty winey syrup left. Take the pan off the heat.

In a bowl, beat together the eggs, Parmesan, cream, and pepper. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, but since you want it kept al dente start checking it 2 minutes before end of the recommended cooking time. When the pasta is done, remove approximately 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Put the pan with the bacon cubes back on the heat and add the drained pasta, tossing well to coat with the syrupy pancetta. Take the pan off the heat again and add the eggs and cheese mixture (and spinach), and swiftly toss everything to mix. Thin with pasta water, if needed. Grind over some more pepper and grate over the nutmeg to serve. Also add salt to taste and more freshly grated parmesan on top. If you like wine, have a glass of chardonnay with this. Perfect combo!

Just another cozy spring night at home.

So...it's March 26th. Spring sprung about a week ago. It was in the 80's here on Monday. Yet this is the scene out on our deck this evening.

We should be grilling something tasty on this...

and lounging with a cold one here...

But instead we're inside.
Watching lots of basketball (at least one of us is),
cozying up to this...


and enjoying a little of this...


and in just a little while, I will be making some version of this...

{spaghetti carbonara}

Definitely not your typical spring night at home. But I'll take it!

Fresh Cut Friday

This week's blooms came from Dierbergs. I dropped in to pick up lunch, and thought they would have a decent selection of flora to choose from, for this week's FCF. Not so much. Talk about slim pickins'. I was disappointed, but I had to find something because I knew I wouldn't have time to stop anywhere else. So I decided on this bunch of miniature roses for $8.99.

I thought the color was pretty and figured I could break them up into a couple different arrangements. Plus, I knew the greenery and spider mums from last week's arrangement were still going strong, so I had those to work with, too. Gotta love flowers that can do double duty! So here they are, divided into two small arrangements.

{one for the dining room}

{and one for the coffee table}

I think I'll return to one of my more trusted sources for flowers next week. But all in all, I'd say these mini grocery store roses did OK for themselves.

You could totally make that - Anthro Lamp.

My friend, Jill, recently saw this lamp at Anthro and sent me the link to it.

Very cute and kitschy. The price isn't so cute though.
$198??? Mmm...no thank you.

I've never made a lamp before, but I'm thinking this could be done for $20 or less. All you would need are some thrifted dishes, strong epoxy, a lamp kit, and a shade. And the ability to drill through the dishes without cracking them. Hmm...not sure I have the tools for that, but I bet my dad does! Imagine it made with mismatched colorful dishes. You could get really creative with it.

Just might have to add this to my ever growing "Projects To Try If I Ever Have Time" list. And I think I might have a recurring blog feature on my hands here. Cleverly titled "You could totally make that." Thanks for the inspiration, Anthro...and Jill!

Fresh Cut Friday

Like the inaugural fresh cut bouquet, this week's arrangement came from Walter Knoll. It's made of white spider mums, white freesia, blush pink stock, and a really cool greenery. I so wish I could remember its name! With its subdued colors, this arrangement has a sweet, romantic feel to it.

I debated over what to use as the vase.

Until I settled on a Shakespeare's Pizza cup.

Not on its own, of course. I put it inside this antique sugar canister...

Hope your weekend is as sweet as this bouquet :)