Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has a peaceful holiday!  I will be spending time with family and going to see the new 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'.  I know it's too late to send my wish list out..lol...but I JUST got a new iPhone yesterday (I was still working with the 3G!).  Now, I need a new case and I've found this one on Etsy.  It is to die for!  I "need" it..lol:

West Elm Score!!

I've been on the market for a headboard for a couple years.  Yes-years!  I bought an oak-stained platform bed frame from West Elm a couple years ago only to have the color (and matching headboard) discontinued VERY shortly thereafter.  My alternate choice was a white tufted headboard-I found possibilities at QVC of all places, and Target .  Of course my dream headboard was from West Elm; but it was a little out of my price range.  Well, one evening-while taking a study break-I saw a post on Craigslist for a West Elm headboard for $100!!!  It's gray instead of white-but it's WEST-ELM and tufted-so I had to jump on it.  I am a CL addict!!

Overall I think it looks good but it makes me want to repaint and/or rethink my color scheme.  I have a couple weeks until the next semester begins.  Hmm...maybe I'll come up with something to do by then.

Stay tuned...

A New York State of Mind!

I went to New York City in October...my first time!  I went with a friend and we stayed with her brother and sister-in-law.  Great experience and very gracious hosts!  I can't believe it was sunny and warm back home while it rained and snowed.  BUT-it was NY!  Pics of the 9/11 Memorial building and our walk through Central Park after the snow:

Post #2

IKEA Inconvenience and Score on Chairs:

I've been looking for a dining table and chairs for the longest time.  I knew what looking I wanted; but I couldn't find it on Craigslist (my recommended go-to for budget-conscious shoppers like myself).  I knew I wanted a rectangular, dark stained modern table with clean lines.  Of course, I saw at Room and Board and other high-end furniture retailers; but I didn't have much luck finding decent "copies" at something friendlier to my wallet.  I finally decided to go with the IKEA Bjursta table.  LONG story short, FOUR trips back to IKEA for missing parts (and a $25 gift card for my inconvenience) later, I was finally able to put the table together and this is what it looks like.  It was a huge headache but it ended up looking pretty good.

The chairs were a score I found on CL.  $100 for the set!  I plan to reupholster and I'm not sure whether or not I want to paint the wood; but these were what I was looking for!  Swwweeet!

Oh-the burgundy rug has since been removed..it didn't really match my decor!

Thanksgiving Travesty!

Hey Everyone!

I know, I know...it's been way too long since I've posted something.  I've been working away on school projects and finals (I officially finished my project at 9:00 p.m. this evening....after SEVERAL weeks of staying up until 1-2 am); traveled to New York (pics to come soon); put up my Christmas tree; and signed up for Crossfit.  Oh-I also applied for a study abroad program in London and Paris, and am in the market to buy a house.  Ai yi yi!  And since it's been a while, I thought I would submit several posts...

Post #1 Thanksgiving Travesty.  

My mom hosted the family dinner this year and I was very prepared to help cook several dishes.  That is, until I turned my oven on and discovered it didn't work.  My landlord was out of town and wasn't able to have it fixed until AFTER the holiday (this is actually the event that made me consider home ownership..more on that shortly).  Anyway...

One of the dishes I was supposed to make was macaroni and cheese.  Since I wasn't able to make and bring on Thanksgiving, I made it for my family after my stove was fixed (a whopping 2 weeks later).  I usually use Patti Labelle's recipe but I'm considering something gooier for next time (think Paula Deen-hey, if you're going to go, go all the way!! :-)  I also use different pasta types; but this time I stuck with traditional macaroni.

Do you make your own macaroni and cheese?  What recipes do you use?