the perfect pasta for summer

this pasta recipe is perfect for summer because it is super light, fresh and begs to be enjoyed out on the patio!


lemon garlic angel hair pasta:


1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
8 oz. cooked angel hair pasta
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 Tbsp fresh grated parmesan
fresh ground black pepper to taste



As water is coming to a boil, place olive oil and garlic in a non stick sauté pan and cook over medium heat just until garlic begins to brown. Remove from heat and pour in wine. Return to heat and cook on high heat for another 1 to 2 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in lemon juice and tomato and remove from heat.



Place pasta in the boiling water and cook to desired doneness, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Angel hair doesn't take long. Drain the pasta and put it into a warm serving bowl. Add the wine, garlic and tomato. Add the basil, Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Toss and serve immediately.

{ and best of all, you have leftover wine to have with dinner }

recipe from: lowfat lifestyle

try a trend: oversized clutch

the last few months there has been a reoccurring item in many bloggers photos: the oversized clutch. so, instead of paying the $68 american apparel wants me to give them in exchange for one, i decided to make it myself!

supplies:
1 yd vinyl in color of choice (sale for $4 yd)
16" zipper in complementary color ($4.95 and a 40% off coupon)
spool of matching thread ($1.95)

steps:
1. cut the vinyl to the size you desire (i chose 16"x12")
2. sew the bag inside out so the seam is hidden
3. flip it right side out and admire your work
4. sew the zipper on

(mind you i have minimal sewing skills and i was still able to manage...you can do it!)

here's how it turned out:

if i went to AA: $68
my handmade total: $9
total SAVINGS: $59

broke college girl problems

what's a girl to do when she needs to gift wrap something and has no gift wrap? this of course! a free and green alternative to going out and buying MORE paper. lord knows i don't need anymore of that. 4 years at a scrapbooking store fulfilled that need. 

the only supplies i used were: 1 trader joe's brown bag, tape, scissors, and a stapler. in order to make the bow/flower just cut strips about 1 inch thick, pull both ends in to make 2 loops and staple! then criss-cross them however your little heart desires .

try a trend: half moon nails

over the last month or so i had been seeing this new technique on different blogs and pictures from fashion week . last week i came across this tutorial on how to do them yourself! i am such a sucker with anything having to do with nail polish . i am still anxiously awaiting the new OPI by katy perry black shatter polish to make it's way into and onto my hands . Here is my version of half moon nails : 

used: sally hansen extreme wear "in the navy" & wet n' wild metallic silver

new.

the reason i have been MIA lately is because i have started a brand new chapter of my life. at a brand new school, in a brand new apartment, with a brand new roommate. i think i am loving it all a little too much to tell you the truth . i love azusa pacific! my classes AND professors. . . .what?! i also love going to a private christian school that is faith integrated. i am so glad that i had the experiences i did all thru my public school and community college days because i think it makes me appreciate this even more! the people here are great and it is so cozy in our little ikea decorated one bedroom apartment, just brooke and i. we are definitely glad it's just us 2. haha. don't fret we still feel like we have other roomies because the 5 guys that live next door to us like to play electric guitar and unknowingly serenade us with savage garden and miley cyrus songs at night. . . i don't think they have come to the realization yet that we can hear them thru the walls. can't wait to hear what they have lined up for tonight ;)

update to come on adventures in azusa!

a case of the martha's

these past few weeks i have had a case of the martha's. martha stewart that is. i have baked two things in the last week. . . which is more than the usual once in one month. i think it's because i know i am leaving and want to use he kitchen to my full advantage. haha. 
one night i made homemade english muffins. odd right? soooo good though! i honestly didn't even realize you could make them at home until i came across this recipe on cupcakes and cashmere! they turned out super yummy and it made about 18 of them, so i popped them in the freezer so there would be more for later. 
yesterday i made champagne cupcakes for new years using this recipe and they turned out good! they were like vanilla cupcakes with a hint of champagne. . . . a perfect treat for new years!

let me teach you my ways young grashopper

My name is Ashley, well Ashlynn actually, but I also go by bargain queen. I figured I would share a couple of the tricks of the trade and some new info that I found out, that just HAS to be passed on. . . it's THAT good $ Do you have a few places that you always go to? OR stores that you absolutely adore but don't always have the budget for them? Anthropologie. cough. cough. Well, here are a few pointers that work for almost every store : 


-Browse the front, but always stop by the sale or clearance racks! Usually in the back (so you have to look at all the tempting new stuff). Let me tell you it is worth the walk . . . and the treasures you can find! I usually have a "sale walk" that I do in every store. Go ahead. Judge me. But tell me what you paid for your outfit and then we'll talk. But this way you scan every department for the best deals!
-See if they have a rewards program! Things are moving up in the world people . . . it's not just Golden Spoon giving you little stamps for your purchases. Some stores that do this: Sephora, Regal Theaters, & Starbucks to name a few. 
- Get on the e-mail list. I know it may sound like a pain in the butt, but I will graciously take 2 minutes out of my day to go thru e-mails each day if it means a good deal. You get e-mails on what is new in the store, or info on online deals! For example, Sephora sent an e-mail to me last week for 15 dollars off a 40 purchase. Hello!
- This is a site I JUST found out about it and it's great! Ebates.com is a website that you create an account for and login. Then, when you are doing online shopping you go thru this site to the ones you want. Why you ask? You get cash back! For every purchase you make thru this site you get a certain % back from your purchase a few months later in a check! It's literally like you are getting paid to shop in your pajamas. 
-For all you beauty product lovers out there . . . mygiftwithpurchase.com will tell you which department stores are giving gift with purchases at the different make up counters!


These are just a few tips that I wanted to pass along, especially during the holiday season! Happy shopping and happy saving!