Pasta Salad

There are lots of things I am loving about living alone, and at the top of my list is exploring cooking and baking. I have made lots of yummy things but this pasta salad recipe by far has been the best and the EASIEST thing I have made thus far. Now this certainly is not for those that are on a diet. The only changes I would suggest in making this if you are on a diet is using whole wheat pasta...otherwise, just make it, I promise you will love it.

First off, the main ingredient is..............................MAYO. Up until I was about 18 years old I HATED mayo. I thought it was so nasty and so unnecessary (for example in sandwiches, for moisture I would always use a vinegarette). Anyhoo, I started liking mayonnaise gradually and now I like it. But I have a rule...it cannot be clumpy. On sandwiches it has to be spread perfectly, the thought of a large chunk of mayo in my mouth makes me want to vom vom.

So on to the pasta salad. I have always loved pasta salads that were vinegar based, but recently I tried one with mayo. I tried to recreate it yesterday and I blew myself away. I promise it is absolutely delicious and it is eaten cold, so just make it, stick it in the fridge, and eat when you want.

Here it is: (PS I am obvi no chef, so work with me)

Ingredients:

1 Box of the colorful fusili pasta (I use this one b/c its the traditional pasta in deli pasta salads)

1 cup of Mayo

a few gollups of red wine vinegar (I know...I know... we don't want the sauce soupy, so use your head when adding)

1/2 a white onion, chopped (you can use a red onion if you want)

1 red bell pepper, chopped

lots of salt and pepper!!!!!!!

Cook pasta al dente. Make sure to add salt and olive oil to pasta water before boiling). While pasta is boiling, chop the red pepper and the onion, set aside. In the same (now empty) pot you used to boil the pasta, add the drained pasta plus rest of the ingredients. Add more vinegar if you like that taste (I personally love it). You can eat it right away (it is hard to resist). Put the rest in the fridge and eat straight out of it.

***Here is a trick, if you have Italian Dressing in your fridge (from Wishbone or w/e) you can use that instead of the red wine vinegar. The added bonus is the rest of the seasoning in it***

Other things you can add include feta cheese, celery, sun dried tomatoes, etc. Let me know if you try it!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was nice and relaxing and somewhat productive, just the way I like it. I worked out Friday night (and did squats the right way, finally-apparently I have been doing them wrong for the past 8 years), went shopping Saturday (bought the Pucci scarf above-would NOT wear it like the model is), saw Midnight in Paris Saturday night, and PACKED on Sunday.

Packing was kind of sad, not going to lie. I was bubble wrapping things that I had been buying for 'my future apartment' even when I had no future apartment. Also little nick nacks that have been in my room forever...All of my Louboutin's...so help me God if that box gets lost in transit I will need to go to a mental hospital for a while.

I also bought the sheets for my new apt. I went with Pottery Barn's Pearl Embroidered collection in Sage and got the duvet cover monogrammed... I like the fullness of the bed skirt.

Hope you lovelies had a great weekend! Any purchases? If so, please share!

Special Quote

Came across this quote and wanted to share.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." -Marilyn Monroe

Headboard Help!

I am beyond excited about purchasing the Camden Tufted Headboard from Ballard for my nuevo apartment, but am having major troubles picking out a fabric. It seems like my bedroom colors are leaning towards pink and green because I have inherited a gorgeous skirted vanity from my mother that has pink and green fabric (top layer is floral, bottom layer is striped). So it leaves me with very few options for the fabric choice at Ballard. Initially I was all about the green gingham, but want to avoid the 'country' look. I have always LOVED burlap fabric for a headboard, but am afraid that it may be too much of a stretch from the skirted vanity I am getting... So what's left? Ivory?


I would REAAAAAAAALLLLLLLY appreciate any decorating tips from you guys. Ballard also allows you to use your own fabric, but it seems so much easier to just choose one of the ones that they offer. Take a look and help me out! Or, let me know your thoughts on the choices above.

PS: the pictures (especially the burlap one) do not do the fabric justice. The first picture looks like plain white but its actually "Pintuck Creamy".

Nails!

I used to have the most amazing nails-long and strong.....then I made the horrible mistake of getting a 'gel' overlay on top to keep them even stronger. Then one day I decided I was grossed out by the gel, and decided to take it off myself. With my father's GARAGE TOOLS. Big mistake. It has taken me MONTHS to recover from it. My nails were so paper thin and then I started biting them (gross I know). So in an attempt to get them back in shape I have bought Rejuvacote.
You see this nail polish? Do you know what it is? It's Chanel Jade... and it is mine!!! It was a HIGHLY coveted color that was limited edition and started a frenzy. I believe they had some on ebay for over $200.00, and yes, people were buying it. This past year, Milani came out with a great dupe called "dressmaker" (ps, Essie's Mint Candy Apple, though I love, is no dupe)
Yes this is my nail polish. And that hat box they are in is VERY deep. My mom tells me I cannot take it all to Philly with me, that may be a problem. Can you spot the Chanel Jade ;0)?

Highs and Lows

Today was one of those days where a 5:30 pm headache is expected. Lots of fun things come with a move, but there are also sad things and things I wish I didn't have to do, like resign from my wonderful job. I wasn't expecting to do it when I did, and I was actually caught completely off guard, but in the end the time couldn't have been better. I was dreading the "I need to talk to you about something" conversation opener, and thankfully b/c God is great, it didn't end up that way. The things I said to my boss came from the heart and I will never forget the kind words he said to me. Saying goodbye is going to be hard, and I pray that my next job is just as good to me.

On a happy note, Sheridan French had a wittle tunic incident recently and me and a few others reaped the benefits of it. The beautiful little number Sheridan is wearing below is mine!
I will totally rock it with my white J.Brand Lovestory jeans (if you don't own a pair of Lovestory jeans you need to get a pair ASAP ladies) like Sheridan did in the photo.

So in conclusion, today was the day I resigned from my amazing job, and the day I got my first Sheridan French item :)

Something Wonderful

Last night I went to go see Something Borrowed. I read the book a few years ago and thought it was the best thing ever-read it in one week and the sequel, Something Blue the next.

I honestly went into the movie thinking it would be crap, because I thought the book was so good-but to my surprise, the movie was amazing!!! They left a few things out and changed it a bit here and there, but overall I say A+

I thought it was cast really well, and everyone in the theater was foaming over the actor who played Dex, below. He reminds me of Tom Cruise during the Top Gun days-except taller.

Jim from The Office!!! He played Ethen, and played it really well. I didn't like what his character divulged in the end-minor change of plot from the book.
Ughhhhhhhhhhh mushy scenes :) LOVE LOVE LOVE
Kate Hudson looked awesome in the movie (so did Ginnifer Goodwin who plays Rachel) She has those beautiful blonde curls that look so effortless. There was a girl that went to college with me who had the same exact hair. Word on the street is that it was a perm she got on Myrtle Beach.

Has anyone ever had a perm? Now I want one and want to be blonde.

Before the movie I stopped into Anthropologie and bought a Mother's Day Card (Much to RPN's dismay---it was $8.00-Mom is worth it! Plus, I already waited so long that I bet the only cards left in CVS were awful) I also bought that lovely pink coaster above with the elephant. I have a thing for elephants and pink, thought it would be great for my apartment :)

Makeup Downsizing

If you have the new Instyle with Kate Hudson on the cover, I strongly encourage you to turn to page 276-277 and take a look at "A Perfect Match". I used to be/am a makeup junkie, and over the years, I have accumulated way too much. The makeup case below is just one of the few that I have.
I def need to downsize before the big move. I dream about having all the makeup that I use in one small bag like the cute Vineyard Vines one below. I think if you have a small bag with great products that you know work for you, you are less likely to make a makeup mistake and more likely to paint a flawless face :) With the amount of products I have, it's too easy to be overwhelmed.

My attempt at downsizing.

Anyways, the feature in Instyle has top makeup artist's picks for different skin tones. I think I lie somewhere between fair and light, so I plan on mixing and matching the products they recommend, and hopefully downsizing for the better.

Here are the products

1. Georgio Armani foundation-love this stuff, but its super heavy and more appropriate for a night out, for day I'll stick to tinted moisturizer.
2. Cle de Peay Beaute concealer-love my Laura Mercier secret camoflauge to replace, but maybe when I run out I'll try this one.
3. Dior eyeshadow palette in Ingonito or Ambre Design- have Incognito, great neutrals, but not fun enough
4. Nars Orgasm- ehh... never was crazy about this one, I have Benefit Coralista which is similar
5. Nars Bronzer in Laguna- will buy you soon.
6. Mac lipliner in subculture or spice- have spice, bought it because Penelope Cruz apparently wears it all the time...
7. Nars Pure Matte lipstick in Bangkok- will buy you soon.
8. Nars Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight or Chelsea Girls- LOVE LOVE LOVE both of these. Turkish delight is the prettiest milky pink lip gloss over.

What do you think? To downsize or not to downsize?

I did a bad thing.

I have been in SERIOUS save mode for over a month because of my big move. However, for the past 6 months, I have been going on the J.Crew website every day and typing "gloverall" in the search box in hopes that they would have the below coat in my size.Well it turns out the yellow gloverall coat is like a unicorn. It was on the website for about a week and then POOF gone forever. It is the yummiest looking thing I have ever seen. The kind of coat you could wear in the bleak winter and still feel somewhat sunny and happy. Perfect for strolling around Philadelphia, and perfect because Gloverall is a British brand and right now, thanks to Will and Kate, I am loving all things British.
On to the plaid! This baby was available every day, but not in my size. I have chatted with J.Crew 'stylists' and begged and pleaded that they find it for me to no avail. However, this morning.....there it was. And in about 10 seconds, it was mine.
Of course, the day they have it in my size there is no coupon code. No free shipping. NADA. So it was expensive...and I am feeling so guilty that I actually hope that when it arrives it looks like crap on me so that I can return it.

Ugh it's just sooo cute...