When Matt and I first moved to Dallas, we packed everything we owned in our two cars and made the drive from Atlanta. As in, we didn’t own one piece of furniture (except a mattress that was shipped, and which we subsequently slept on the floor on for more than two years). Little by litte, we saved up our money and starting purchasing furniture, in the hopes that, in the end, we’d have what resembled a home. First a sofa, then a TV stand. Some office furniture for me, a bookshelf, nightstands… slowly but surely, we began creating a space just for us. And then we moved to D.C., where we continued adding pieces here and there, in a space much better suited for us (read: we actually had room for a dining room table, and a whole room dedicated to just my office!)

This week, we finally finished (more or less) our bedroom. And it’s so pretty I could cry. I think what I love most about it is the fact that it’s all ours. We paid for everything ourselves, in full. We didn’t rush anything, we took our time and saved our money, and chose pieces we really loved (having a very talented interior designer for a mother helps… thanks, Mama!). I feel like a grown up. And it feels very satisfying. 

{Our blank slate of a bedroom}

{With a new coat of paint: Sherwin-Williams Ryegrass}

{After}

Let me break it down for you:

When we first moved in, our bed sat on the floor. No bed frame, no headboard… just a boxspring and mattress. {Donna Karan Serenity Bedding, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams accent pillows, Ikea Hemnes Nightstands}

Now we have a gorgeous new bed {Bernhardt’s Cooper Wing Bed}, complete with lamps {made from Target bases and Anthropologie shades}, all under pretty botanical prints {Etsy: pixiepixels} in IKEA Ribba Frames.

We finally got a dresser {West Elm Stria}, but had a bit too many cords for our liking. 

But with a bit of crafty maneuvering under the carpet, and some rearranging, we were able to create a much more peaceful space. I’m still shopping for some vases and other knick-knacks, but this is a great start. {Bradburn lamp (on large dresser… found on MAJOR sale), Home Goods lamp (on smaller dresser), West Elm frames, Crate & Barrel votives, West Elm Curtains, Target Curtain Rod}

And one more shot for good measure:

This may be my new favorite room in the house. What’s yours?

Stay tuned… living room and office projects to come.

It’s been said about Trader Joe’s wine selection that the cheap ones aren’t good and the good ones aren’t cheap.  But after reading a recommendation for their Espiral Vinho Verde, I thought it couldn’t hurt to spend $4.99 and find out for myself. Literally translated to mean “green wine”, vinho verde is a crisp, refreshing and tart white wine with some effervescence. Not quite sparkling…but almost. Imported from Portugal, Espiral pairs perfectly with spicy Thai dishes, seafood and light fare. It’s quickly become my go-to wine whenever I stop in at TJ’s. Try it!

After a particularly stressful couple of days, I knew I needed some comfort food. There are very few dishes I find as warm as chili, so I headed to the store to get all the fixins’. Grass-fed beef. Tortilla chips. Extra-sharp cheddar. The works.

This chili will make your bad days seem better and your taste buds salute. Try it!

Spicy, Comforting Chili

Serves 6-8

What you Need:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds grass-fed ground beef
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground red chiles
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chile powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 bottle dark beer (recommended: Negra Modelo)
• 2 cans low-sodium diced tomatoes, with their juices
• 1 can low-sodium black beans, slightly drained
• 1 can low-sodium kidney beans, slightly drained
• 2 jalapenos, seeds in, diced

What You Do:

1.  In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Add beef and break apart with a wooden spoon, cooking until browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the next 6 ingredients (ground red chiles through black pepper), use a fork to combine. Add spice mixture to ground beef. Stir until combined.

3.  Deglaze the pan with the beer— what you do with the rest is up to you! Add tomatoes, beans and jalapenos. Stir to combine. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 30 minutes.

4. Get your toppings ready: I prefer extra-sharp New York cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, finely diced red onion and sliced jalapenos. Scoop chili into a large bowl and top with your fixins. Feel your heart warm with joy with each bite. Serve with a cold beer.

{Recipe by Kate Parham}