Bedroom Updates

Made some updates to our bedroom recently.  We don't have a headboard, so I've been contemplating what to do with the wall behind our bed.  I'm not saying that this is the most innovative idea, but I really like how it turned out, especially the white frames against the blue wall.

Before I just had the wreath hanging above the bed (tied up with a ribbon), but it looked too small and kind of lost.  Once I found the white frames on super sale at Target (I don't think I paid more than $1.50 for each of them), I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  There's also room for it to expand and add more photos or whatever in the future.  Right now I'm on the lookout for a small round mirror or interesting clock to add to the upper right corner, to mimic the shape of the wreath.  And arranging things randomly means you don't have to worry about edges and corners lining up-a huge time saver that also looks much more interesting.

The way I did it was pretty simple.  1) Hang the largest object first (in this case the wreath).  Off-center is way easier (and again more interesting) to work with than centered.  2) Cut rectangles out of paper the size of your frames.  Use tape to attach them to the wall and move them around until you get the right arrangement.  3) Mark on the pieces of paper where the nail should be driven through.  It helps to measure where the hanger is on the back of your frames and then measure it out on the piece of paper-especially with cheap frames like these where the hanger was in a different spot on each one.  4) Pound in nails and hang frames.  Simple enough.  Again, not very innovative, but it works every time.

We also got some new sheets.  Well, courtesy of my parents as a Christmas gift, but I finally got around to washing them and putting them on the bed.  They're from JC Penney's, of all places, and they are super comfortable and soft and warm.  Even better than the flannel sheets we had bought for winter-which turned out to be scratchy and rough.

They have the coolest paisley pattern, too.  It's subtle-you see the detail just in the right light-and so pretty.

Here's an enhanced photo to help see the detail.  

Sunny (Purse) Day

It may be a snow-y day (although not a snow day from work...*sigh*), but I did get a little ray of sunshine today.

Behold.

(Seriously, how cute is this tissue paper?)

(And a charming card with a delightful saying?  In pink?!?  I haven't even gotten to the part that I've paid for yet...)

(Another delightful saying?  On the dust bag??  Of course, kate spade, of course. )

(Ah, here we are...)

(Adorable polka dot lining and all.)

Yes, after waiting and waiting and agonizing and attempting to purchase, and failing to purchase, and multiple emails about final sales...this sunshine-y beauty is mine.  Add in the card, the dustbag, the sayings, and the tissue paper, and it was worth every penny.  I savored opening the package.  I am such a sucker for details.  And the pink card is on this nice, heavy paper and printed with gold lettering...I just have to decide what place of honor it should occupy in our apartment.  I love it all.

Post Weekend

Work and San Pellegrino (leftover from my Pimm's Cup).  What is it that makes San Pellegrino so delicious?  The foil topper?  I don't really know what use the foil top serves, so maybe it is involved in the deliciousness.  Seriously, what's with the foil seal?  It's like a pudding cup, or apple sauce, but when I pull the top off, I still have to do another thing before my drink is actually open.  It's equal parts charming and baffling.

Also best served with a sandwich.  Like cold, roasted chicken and honey mustard.  It's not fancy, but it's good eats.  I actually never knew I liked mustard before I moved to Wisconsin.  Not the nasty yellow stuff you get out of a bottle at summer barbecues, but really good Dijon or roasted mustard.  

Had a Shannon & Tyson Day on Sunday with the hubby.  Involved some good things (going to church, Rummikub), some necessary but boring things (meeting with the accountant to do our taxes), and some delicious things (somehow this post is all about food...).  We migrated from Barrique's for coffee...

...to the new DLux near Capitol Square.  The Double Fina Margarita:  Sweet but good.  Also very STRONG.  Burger and parmesan/truffle oil fries: average.  Fries were served in a bowl with sauce drizzled over them, which meant that sauce collected in the bottom of the bowl, leaving a sad pile of overly sauced, soggy fries at the end.  Decor:  Also average.  Definitely a "contemporary" vibe, but like the contemporary that's trying too hard.  As a whole I didn't find it super interesting or imaginative.  Also seems like it could turn kind of night-clubby after a certain hour (also not my thing).  That's probably just the designer in me coming out; most people probably think it just looks cool.  My favorite part was the artwork.  I loved the artwork.  I need to find out who did it.  It looks like they used Sharpies on some sort of acrylic or lucite, and it was fantastic.  I should have taken a close-up shot of the piece above our table.  

Valentine's Weekend

First of all, let us have a moment of silence for Matthew Crawley.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Even though I predicted his death a few episodes ago, I was really hoping, for the first time ever, that I was wrong.  I was lucky enough to have avoided the blogs and spoilers from the UK, but there was enough foreshadowing that I wasn't entirely surprised, though still so sad.  I felt like I should have been dressed in crepe and in mourning all day today...

In happier news, it was Valentine's Day.  I do love holidays.  Not to buy into their commercialism (we personally don't do anything elaborate for Valentine's) but because they are a fun way to break up routine.

I made Tyson I <3 U brownies on Wednesday night.  Served on a heart plate. 

Speaking of hearts, I also rocked my new heart blouse on V-Day.  I am nothing if not festive.

I even ate heart (and kiss)-shaped chocolates.  Growing up, my dad would hide these chocolate candies all over the house for me...under my pillow, in my backpack, in my shoes, my coat pockets...they could be so well hidden that I would usually find them well into March.  Living away from home means it's much simpler; I receive a package with the candies bundled inside, though it's admittedly much less fun.

Pictured: Day-After-Valentine's-Day-Flowers.  I think that Tyson has learned to never make that mistake again.  

Friday night we got to take in the Minnesota-Wisconsin hockey game here in Mad-town.  It was a fantastic game, the teams played excellent hockey, and Minnesota won 3-2.  So basically it was everything you could want in a hockey game.  Besides the crazy Wisconsinites yelling "SIEVE" at every.  single.  player.  Listen UW-Madison, I get that it's somehow a tradition and all, but it only makes sense if you're yelling it at the goalie.  And only when he makes a mistake.  And besides all that, it's totally annoying.

Sunday night I hosted a Downton party for the season finale.  Drink of the evening was the Pimm's Cup.  I had to *sacrifice* on Saturday and test a couple of concoctions to make sure I had the proportions right.  Someone had to do it.  I finally settled on my own version of the recipe (below), since every recipe I seemed to find was slightly different from all the others.

I also made these stuffed mushrooms, which people go absolutely crazy for.  I love these little guys.

(shannon's version of the) pimm's cup

Some versions only used ginger ale.  Others only used lemonade.  Others used a combination plus a bunch of other things.  This is like the lazy-person's Pimm's Cup.  It's the best of both worlds with the least amount of work.  

1.5 oz. Pimm's No. 1
4 oz. ginger ale
2 oz. sparkling lemonade (like Limonata)
lemon and/or lime wedges

Add Pimm's, ginger ale, and lemonade to glass, stir.  Add ice.  Garnish with lemon and/or lime wedge.

Now that's the kind of cocktail I can get into making.

Spring Clothes and Sunday Breakfast

I lied.  I realized that I actually love spring clothes.  This happens every year: I go crazy shopping in January because the sales are so good and then I go to the store the following week and all of the spring clothes are out and I'm all like "OMG THE COLORS!"  And then I remember that I thought I just liked fall/winter clothes but I actually love spring clothes, too.  And I think this repeats with every season.  Also with home things-Target has some seriously cute, colorful new home items, which makes me want to re-do everything in our apartment and start over.  This also happens at least once a season.  I would love to be able to re-design everything as the mood strikes...new furniture, new colors, new accessories, new dishes...

Everyone needs a hobby, right?

Despite my preoccupation with spring clothes, I do love my new heart shirt.  And I'm just cheesy enough to be ridiculously excited to wear it for Valentine's Day.

{I spy with my little eye a scorched pancake.  It still tasted good.}

This past weekend included making blueberry pancakes and eggs on Sunday.  Because we didn't have to do anything or be anywhere.  And because blueberry pancakes and eggs are delicious.  It also has nothing to do with anything I was just saying above, but that's okay.