spaghetti alla carbonara

On Monday night I made spaghetti alla carbonara for the first time ever. I used this recipe from {the now defunct} Gourmet and it couldn't have been easier... Okay full confession, I used bacon instead of pancetta and dried parmesan instead of fresh. Sometimes you have to make due with what you've got! It was still absolutely delicious and received rave reviews from my in-house food critic, Kiwi.

*I have been pretty lapse in the dinner cooking department... How do you guys plan your meals during the week? I'm usually fresh out of ideas by Wednesday.

pretty polish

{photos via the audrey hepburn complex}

Lately I have been getting a serious urge to paint my nails. Maybe a classic cherry red? The bad news is, in dental hygiene school you are not allowed to paint your nails at all.... If they catch you, points are docked from your clinic grade. Until school is out for the summer I will just have to live vicariously through these pretty, pretty pictures.

*For those of you that are permitted to wear nail polish... What is your favorite shade?

vintage photos

The Sartorialist is holding a vintage photo contest and this photograph of my grandmother instantly came to mind. Isn't she just gorgeous? I love her mischievous smile and sassy pose... Her personality is exactly the same now, as it was then. Do you have a favorite vintage photo?

*Update: Liz from Chic on the Cheap is the giveaway winner! Thank you all so much for playing.

island in the sun...

{sun, sand and surf}

I'm off to Puerto Rico for a few days of rest and relaxation with my girlfriends... I can't wait to dance the merengue, drink cuba libres and eat delicious tostones.

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

*Don't forget to enter the giveaway... I'll announce a winner when I get back next week!

one year + a giveaway

{a homemade life}

I can't believe I started this little blog one year ago today! It started out as a way to organize my wedding ideas... but it has turned into so much more than that. Now I use this blog as a place to remind myself that I am a person with ideas, passions and interests. There are so many blogs out there that constantly inspire and amaze me... I'm so glad I found this little community.

I've never done a giveaway before so bear with me... I happen to have an extra copy of the wonderful book A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg and I would love nothing more than to give it to one of you. Yes, you! I read this darling book while we were in Paris for our honeymoon and just adored it. Think of it as my little way of saying thank you for listening to me prattle on about weddings, projects and life in general. Just leave a comment below with a link to your blog or if you don't have a blog, your e-mail address so I can contact you. Good luck and thank you all for continuing to inspire me every single day.

*Brother Jared, I did not forget about your birthday. But I have a sneaking suspicion that you have never and will never read this blog. I love you anyway. Happy birthday!

**Update: According to Random.org Liz from Chic on the Cheap is the winner! Congrats lady, thanks for playing!

happy birthday kiwi

{photo by Brittany Strebeck}

Happy birthday handsome. Every day I get to spend with you is a gift.

I love you more than rainbows.

an education

{photos via i am a greedy girl}

Carey Mulligan is my new favorite. My mom and I saw An Education a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. She was brilliant, you couldn't take your eyes off of her... and don't even get me started on how adorable she looked on the red carpet. Her little Prada number was just stunning.

*Who do you think had the best Oscar look?

cupcakes and crepes

{13 candles}

{tulips for the birthday girl}

{apron making}

{mastering the art of french cooking}

{delicious crepes}

{bonjour ladies}

{golden girls}

Sister Allie's Parisian fete was a complete success... All the girls had so much fun decorating aprons, making crepes and smiling for the camera. Thank you all for your fabulous suggestions! I can't believe my baby sister is 13.

*Kiwi's birthday is next week and I have no idea what to get him. Men are so much harder to figure out.

the spending hiatus: temptation

Linda & Harriett sent me a sneaky little email alerting me of the sale they are currently holding. They make the most darling paper goods... I'm dying to send someone this champagne corks card!

*Does it count as cheating if I bought these to use in The Longhand Rally? I am completely out of stationary and I have a pen pal depending on me!

prayers for delia

{Delia and Santi}

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the lord our God."

-Psalm 20:7

If you could spare a moment in your busy Monday to say a prayer for my darling cousin Delia it would be very much appreciated. She has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia and is currently searching for a bone marrow match.

For more information on becoming a bone marrow donor click here.