My mom gave me some crafting materials for Christmas, and among the presents was a Martha Stewart Pom-pom kit. I have wanted to use these at a party for-ev-er, and was so excited to hang them from the ceiling for NYE. Unfortunately the ceilings in my ancient apartment must have 30 layers of lead paint on them, because it was impossible to get tacks into the surface to hang them up.

Plan B: decorating the mantle. My boyfriend suggested I use them to make a display above the fireplace with some big glittery numbers.

A late night trip to Michael’s and we were on our way… I cut numbers out of foam, slid them on a stick, and glittered-the-heck out of those babies.

The numbers stood up on another block of foam…

… and then I nestled them behind the pom-poms…

Of course the night ended with drunken guests wearing pom-poms on their heads and tossing them around the room. We’re clearly not ready to be  grown ups yet. At least I got good pictures at the beginning of the night.

I threw a mean NYE party, if I do say so myself. So mean in fact, that I didn’t have the energy to post about my crafty decorations until January 2nd, but better late than never!

My first DIY decoration was metallic flower vases, and they were so simple. I started by wrapping some old coffee cans and quaker oats containers in foil…

… then I sprayed them with some adhesive and sprinkled glitter around the bases…

… and voila! Sparkly NYE decorations:

I was hoping to post pictures of my New Years Eve decorations this morning, but they just need a little more tweaking tonight (and by tweaking I mean my boyfriend drove me to the craft store at 9:00 last night so I could buy more glitter — he is a saint).

In lieu of glittery decorations this morning, you will have to subside on a recipe I threw together for dinner this week. I think every issue of the Rachel Ray magazine has some variation of her peas and ricotta cheese pasta dish. I adapted it by tossing in some of my own ingredients, it’s simple, quick, and deliciously rewarding.

Start by boiling a box of pasta of your choice (I used shells, because they trap the cheese and peas quite nicely).  While the pasta is boiling, chop and brown 2-3 links of sausage in a small pan (I used sun tried tomato chicken sausage). If you’re truly talented at multi-tasking and can boil water, brown sausage, and take on an additional step… put some frozen peas in the microwave to warm them up. Next, empty half a small container of ricotta cheese into a bowl (about a cup) and toss it with some garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. When the peas are warmed they can be mixed into the ricotta cheese (reserve a few to sprinkle on the top). When the sausage is fully browned, add a handful of pine nuts to the pan and let them toast for just about a minute (they burn easily, so keep them moving around the pan). Drain the pasta and reserve a dash of the pasta water (if you’re using shells you can really just quickly drain them and throw them back into the pot, they’ll hold some water naturally because of their shape). Finally, mix the ricotta and peas in with the pasta. Spoon the sausage and nut mixture, and any reserved peas on top of the pasta and finish with some parmesan cheese. Eat and enjoy!

I absolutely love cooking, but its a total challenge in my pitifully tiny excuse for a kitchen. This weekend though I was motivated left and right to cook… first ol’ Martha tempted me with pictures of her Christmas brunch. Caramel drizzled camembert anyone? How about a fried egg in a steaming hot popover? Holy drool Martha.

I also indulged my indulgent side and watched Julie and Julia with a glass of wine on Saturday night. Is it possible to gain weight from watching someone cook? Who cares, anyone that loves butter that much is all right with me.

Inspired, I made an attempt at beef bourguigon on Sunday night, and it was heavenly… and for anyone that wants my review: the book, and the recipe, were better than the movie. But isn’t that always the case?


I’m getting really excited for New Years Eve; I’m hosting a party at my apartment for a few of my friends and I’ve been scouring online for ideas. I’m on a budget so I have a few DIY decorations that I will share once they’re in place. In the meantime, here are some of the images that inspired me…

The silverware and pink combination is so classic.

The ConfettiSystem from Urban Outfitters has that punch of 80’s glam that a NYE party needs.

It’s no Times Square, but this faux chandelier would certainly set the mood for the countdown to midnight! (And its on sale!)

Despite my anger with the Container Store, and their deceiving wrapping paper… I have to say, my Christmas presents came out pretty darn cute. Almost too cute to rip open (ok, no wrapping paper is THAT cute).

I got back from a great weekend getaway in Quebec City (FRIGID, but great). The hotel we stayed at, Le Port-Royal, was modern and lofty. I had to snap a pic of the gorgeous wallpaper and furniture in the lobby.

The old city was like a magical winter wonderland, every store front was decorated for Christmas! They really go all out with the Christmas lights in Quebec. How cute are the santa clothes hanging from clothes lines?

The highlight of the weekend? Not my first attempt at skiing (I did more gymnastics-style tumbling than actual skiing), but the food! We had an amazing dinner at a restaurant called L’Echaude. And the icing on the cake? I tried my first macaroon; now I know what everyone has been talking about! Anyone ever try to make them? The recipes look intimidating!

Image via Mowielicious (looks like a delish recipe!)

I don’t usually get all corny and sentimental on the blog, but I have to share pictures of the worlds cutest baby (and recipient of my laborious baby quilt).

My good friend Taz is an amazing photographer and just posted some shots from the newborn session she did of my cousin’s son. Isn’t he just a snuggly little bundle of cuteness?

My past two weeks have been beyond hectic, and I’m having major blog-neglect-anxiety. So many things to post, so little time!

I’ve been so busy I haven’t wrapped any presents, I haven’t even been able to buy a Christmas tree. I’m going away this weekend, so I’m not sure 2009 will be Christmas tree year at all, which is a major bummer because I’ve been snatching up some cute vintage inspired ornaments and scouring for ShinyBrites to add to my collection. I’ve been thinking to cut down on the stress levels, I might take a cue from these inspiring pictures and display my collection in some bowls and vases around my apartment:

via Apartment Therapy, HGTV, and Country Living

 
 
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