Sunday, March 13, 2011

Redecorating Project Complete! Almost...

So as many of you know my first quarter 2011 goal was to revamp my room. Many of my photos, bedding and furniture hadn't been updated since college. So it was time to graduate from hand me downs to my own personal design choices. To prove I had graduated from college, I told myself I could do the entire thing on a budget and never go to IKEA once. Mission accomplished!

It was also a wonderful journey to learn what my design style was. I've found I like loud prints more than I thought I ever would, and filling my room with my favorite personal photos and travel souvenirs makes me a lot happier than making sure it looks like a Crate & Barrel catalog. 

I think my home will always be filled with memories from all of my travels, very ala an anthropology professor, and I like that quirkiness because it tells my life story. If there's anything I've learned in this its that your home should tell your story, not look like a perfectly put together show room.

I'm still finding room for improvement and I'll keep you posted on the updates.

Focused on night two of installing the shelves from The Container Store. 

Shelves from The Container Store. Frames from: Micheal's, Target and Urban Outfitters. Cabo San Lucas print from Canvas on Demand (Photograph by myself). All bedding The Company Store (best bedding ever!).


New goal to keep my nightstand less cluttered, I think this is the best its going to get. Candle homemade by the lovely Katherine Harris. Dish from Cabo. Amethyst rock from Arizona. Coaster from Patina. Rug from Urban Outfitters. My beloved Minnetonka Moccasins (tip: You should only purchase them from a local MN store, not a national chain)

Obsessed with this rug, such a wonderful surprise from Urban.

Photos with some of my favorite ladies in my life. Nesting doll from Prague. My new favorite Buddha.


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Standby Dishes

Everyone has those stand by dishes that can be made with things you always have in your kitchen and can be whipped up by heart. Those dishes that equal comfort in everyday life.

Mine is lemon chicken pasta. So easy, quick and since I cook like an Italian grandmother I always have the ingredients on hand. (Recipe below)


 Lemon Chicken Pasta
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 20 minutes

1 lb penne pasta 
1 1/4 to 1 1/2lb boneless skinless chicken breast
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 1/2 lemons (save some slices for garnish)
grated Parmesan
salt and pepper

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper and put on a grill pan or grill at medium heat
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add penne. Cook according to package instructions
3. At about 3 minutes before the pasta is finished, heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat
4. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes for about 1 minute, take pan off heat
5. Drain the penne and add to the saute pan then put mixture in large bowl
6. Slice chicken crosswise into strips and add to the bowl
7. Squeeze lemon juice over mixture, then toss the pasta and chicken in bowl
8. Sprinkle Parmesan over mixture until top layer is coated (I like a lot of Parmesan so I add a lot, add as little or as much as you'd like)
9. Season with salt and pepper



Enjoy! I'd love to hear what you think!








 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Oscars: Best & Worst Dressed

Well my Superbowl, the Oscars was on Sunday. The red carpet was full of let's be real, BORING dresses. Everyone was so predictable and safe. The red carpet was as much of a snooze fest as the telecast was.

Here's my few standouts and my worst dressed of the night.

Mila once again killed it. Loved her in Ellie Saab. The color and texture of the dress are phenomenal!

Grade: A-
Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein. Effortlessly stunning. I wasn't that impressed by her style choices at the Globes or SAGs, but on this red carpet she brought it.

Grade: A
Natalie Portman in Rodarte. No surprise she wore Rodarte (they made all the costumes for Black Swan) and after John Galiano took a cue from the book of crazy by Mel Gibson there was no way she was wearing Dior. She looked gorgeous. The color, the cute of the dress everything worked for not only her and the bump but the Oscars. Its a look that will be timeless for years to come. Bravo Natalie!

Grade: A+

Now onto my worst dressed of the night...


Marisa, Marisa what were you thinking! The second I saw this dress on the red carpet I gasped in horror. The cut is absolutely heinous and does nothing for her amazing figure. Who cuts a bust like that? A freshman design student?! The skirt looks like you took a roll of tool dyed it in some kid's water paint and swashed it around the bottom hem.

Grade: F

Well Awards season is officially over, but you never know when fashion commentary will pop up on this blog again!

Photo Credit: Us Magazine