A Headboard DIY I’m Eyeing, the BEST Pasta, Pimple-Slashing Patches: 5 Quick Things

Arlyn HernandezJune 4, 202133 Comments

image via Domino

For a short six months back in 2011, I shared an office with a coworker who shared my exact musical tastes. It was glorious. We would blast boy bands and terrible pop all day long, much to the huffing and gruffing of our nearby neighbors. Every Friday, we had a tradition: start the day with the horrendously bad “Friday” by a teenager named Rebecca Black, mostly as a joke to ourselves, but it’s safe to say we also enjoyed the ritual. We didn’t particularly like the song, but it was a very simple song about how it feels to look forward to Fridays, so it was our thing. And for some reason, I remembered that just now.

To stop me from further discussing my embarrassing musical leanings, I’ll share some five quick things with you I was into this week:

Quick Thing #1

Uh oh…I might now be considering a headboard DIY instead. This is an inspiration, but with modifications, because this feels too cloud-like…or like uneven boobs. Maybe something more like this, or even this.

Quick Thing #2

Reader Emie emailed me a while back about this website called Movie of the Night, which is essentially an engine that you beep boop beep put in some info depending on what you want to watch, and it’ll spit out a list of suggestions to you. EUREKA! What a genius concept. I used it this past Wednesday and we landed on How to Train Your Dragon, which I’d never seen but it was very cute. Thanks Emie!

Quick Thing #3

I may not be eating literally anything in this recipe at the moment, but I dreamed of it the other day (not like, actually in my sleep, just more day-dreamed it), and I thought “Oh! I should share with FOAS.” Jon & Vinny’s is one of my favorite local joints here in LA. The spicy fusilli was the first thing I ordered there after admiring it on the Internet for months (it used to be impossibly difficult to get a reservation there). Then, I stumbled upon the recipe that the owners shared with Bon Appetit, and I’ve made it several times. Someone reading this recipe might think “this is just vodka sauce” but it’s better. Trust me. The key is really the amount of tomato sauce they use and how caramelized it gets with how long you cook it down. The shallot is also a nice touch, as are the red pepper flakes. Don’t skip the fresh basil and yeah…maybe add even more parmesan.

Quick Thing #4

A simple, straightforward idea that we often overlook in this article by Mark Manson.

Quick Thing #5

I’ve written about these before, but I just restocked and I thought I’d use this as time to remind you how great these are. Put a patch on a blemish (it works best on one that’s “ripe”…god that’s gross, sorry), leave it on for a few hours or overnight, peel it off and BOOM, the pesky little pimple is on its way out the door.

See you tomorrow, FOAS.

5 quick things Project 365

Suzanne says:

June 4, 2021 at 8:58 am

The article by Mark Manson is great. The reminder that really wanting something means you want the struggle that goes with it is so important. I appreciate the reminder that there is “daily drudgery” involved in even the most glamorous pursuits. Mark’s realization that he didn’t really want to be a musician illustrated this. He said, “I wanted the reward and not the struggle. I wanted the result and not the process. I was in love not with the fight, but only the victory. And life doesn’t work that way.” Parenting, marriage, and my relationships with family members are those things I continually run toward the pain for. Those good relationships don’t just happen. They take working through disappointments, challenges, and disagreements. I’ll admit having a therapist helps, too.

Oh, and your Friday song reminds me of when my best friend and I were in the teaching program. It was a difficult year, so we really looked forward to Fridays when we’d go out. Our song that we’d sing a few bars of to indicate our readiness for the end of the week was, I’m Into Something Good by Herman’s Hermits. https://youtu.be/6QMDRLcvrEI
Not exactly a pop song, a bit older than that, but it was our little thing that made us smile, and still does almost thirty years later and living in separate states. Thank you for triggering that memory and putting a smile on my face.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:26 pm
  
  Glad I could drum up a good memory for you!
Rusty says:

June 4, 2021 at 9:01 am

#1 A DIY headboard seems doable, to me. How handy are you and or Charles with a jigsaw and staple gun? You could do something unique and you, like you did with your dining room seating.
I don’t much like the current trend of wall-to-wall ‘headboards’ though and wonder if it’s gojng to be a trend for a hot second and then they’ll be ripped out??
#2 Movie Night sounds great! Way to go, Emie!
#3 That. Recipe. Sounds. SO. Good! Yummo!
#4 “Who you are is defined by the values you are willing to struggle for.”
Mark Manson’s excerpt was remarkable! My brother raves about his book and I’ve read an abridged version. I can’t quite get my head around it, but this excerpt definitely got through to me!!!
I’m frequently struggling to stand for my environmental and social equity values and have been sledged on blogs for calling less-than behaviours out. But, I’m prepared to struggle for those things, because they’re my truths and authentic to me.
#5 Thankfully, I’ve never really suffered with breakout skin though I wonder if we’d had Covid and had to wear masks for aaaaages like many parts of yge world, if it would’ve caused it? Sounds like a ‘magic’ solution to an exploding problem.
What an eventful week it’s been!
Saturday is WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 🌏🌿🦋
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:27 pm
  
  Pretty handy! I’ve made tons of headboards in my past. So would just be digging up my tools again!
  1. Rusty says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 7:34 am
    
    Ooooh, that’s exciting!
    BTW, I woke up with a chin zit yoday! LOL Karma, me thinks! 🤣
Suzanne says:

June 4, 2021 at 9:28 am

Came back to say I love the DIY headboard. We wanted to do one, and certainly did more DIY when we were starting out. My husband now prefers to hire out, since his job is more demanding, and I don’t have the strength or stamina I once did. I’ve also realized that the materials and time may not be worth it unless I’m trying to get something I can’t easily buy or I just enjoy the process (certainly the case with smaller craft projects). I can’t wait to see what you decide. You have some great inspiration. I particularly like the even wakes that span wider than the bed.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:28 pm
  
  Honestly, I haven’t done many DIYs these days for the same reason. I used to do them often specifically for cost and budget, but now it’s more about not finding what I want and deciding to make it myself.
  1. Suzanne says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 8:30 am
    
    Sounds like you have the skills to do it. I agree that it’s worth it to get what you really want. Good luck. Looking forward to seeing what you end up with.
Emie says:

June 4, 2021 at 11:03 am

Glad you found the website helpful! We find it easier than scrolling, scrolling, and even more scrolling. And the tip to try some of the lesser “liked” movies is brilliant!!! We don’t seem to be on the same page with what others like/dislike.
Loved the pasta recipe… and it’s unusual to see the only tomato product is tomato paste. That must be the secret.
Just for giggles another pasta recipe… https://www.tiktok.com/@the_pastaqueen/video/6954761719591783685 I REALLY want to try this but I’m one who always has to be messing with the food and moving it around. Not sure I could be patent enough to let it sit and caramelize properly.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:29 pm
  
  I’m so bad at not stirring things too! Haha glad I’m not alone. That looks scrumptious.
Sara K. says:

June 4, 2021 at 12:44 pm

I graduated college in 2011, so that song is irrevocably associated with my senior year, not least of all because for Commencement some of the college administrators made a parody video and I’m pretty sure our college president even quoted the song in his Commencement speech…
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:30 pm
  
  Oh boy!!
Lauren says:

June 4, 2021 at 2:39 pm

There was a radio station in my area that used to play the Friday song every Friday morning and I would hear it on my way to work each week so I can definitely relate. The podcast Decoder Ring actually did an episode about the song and Rebecca Black (who was really young at the time the song was popular). It was interesting and worth a listen if you enjoy podcasts.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:30 pm
  
  Ha I do. I’ll try to remember to hunt it down.
patricia says:

June 4, 2021 at 5:24 pm

Morning after morning after morning journaling for a zoom class this winter, “It’s never too late to discover your creativity”, helped me find out I really really really want to “have written a book”. But the only way to get to that point was to write the damn thing. I just got pages of notes back from my beta readers and I’m re-editing the now completed but not yet polished book. Even if I self publish with Amazon kindle (which is likely given the current publishing market), I WILL HAVE A BOOK!
And I already have some ideas and a title for the next one. Just have to figure out who gets killed…
Yes, I spent the last three months hunched over a computer either writing or researching. I did it. Even if it did take me many years to buckle down and get it done.
1. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:31 pm
  
  Oh yes!!!! Look at you. Honestly an inspiration. If you do self publish, please let us know.
2. Rusty says:
  
  June 5, 2021 at 7:36 am
  
  That is hugely exciting!!!
Susan says:

June 4, 2021 at 5:35 pm

I like DIY headboards 2 and 3. I cannot “unsee” headboard 1 as mismatched boobs, so not my fave. I like the scallop effect of headboard 2, but I would make it higher up the wall so it’s comfy to lean back against it while reading. Love headboard 3.

The Mark Manson article is interesting. My experience differs from his observations. It tells me that there is hard work/pain that we choose, such as law school for me, and hard work/pain that we don’t choose, such as migraines and ptsd for me. The things that we did not choose take up a lot of bandwidth in our lives, and often prevent us from choosing other things/hard work/pain that we would choose but for those pesky things that we did not choose. Manson seems to assume that we all are on a level playing field, but I think the playing field tilts extremely depending on the attributes we have – abilities/disabilities; health/illness; class and financial advantages/disadvantages; gender; race; ethnicity; religion; and morality/immorality. Manson believes in a meritocracy where anyone can rise to the top so long as they put in the work/pain, but sadly that is not how things work for many hardworking people. So I would say to take his article with a grain of salt – hard work often is a component of success, but success isn’t a given for people who work hard. And lots of successful people have wealthy and influential families behind them. Finally, I think high status success is only one type of success.

Manson’s article was very interesting to read and analyze. Thanks for posting it, Arlyn.
1. Suzanne says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 8:21 pm
  
  Susan, you make such a great point about not everyone being on an equal playing field. There are obstacles some face that others do not, and no amount of hard work or effort can make up for that. I read the article more as someone, who has the resources and opportunities but isn’t willing to put in the struggle, must not really want it. But we do get in trouble if we start thinking that everyone has the same circumstances and if they just work hard enough, they can attain success. I’ll probably go back and read more closely with your comments in mind.
  1. Susan says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 6:21 pm
    
    Thanks, Suzanne. I think you read it the way Manson intended it to be read, but I saw something else in it, which probably has a lot to do with many years of advocacy for people with disabilities.
    1. Suzanne says:
      
      June 5, 2021 at 7:03 pm
      
      Susan, I spend a fair amount advocating for family members with learning and neurodivergent differences, and often find myself reading books and feeling frustrated that they are written for a very small and specific privileged group. I think we’re both in the SF Bay Area, and the focus on meritocracy here without fully acknowledging obstacles many experience frustrates me often. I’ve seen far more understanding and support at public schools than at private schools. I guess it’s kind of nice that I read an article without thinking about my frustrations for once. Sometimes I get tired of fighting.
2. Arlyn Hernandez says:
  
  June 4, 2021 at 11:33 pm
  
  You’re so right about this. I did read it a bit more in the vein that the things we aspire to, or even think will make us happy, take work. Like, getting strong for instance. Everyone aspires to be strong, but the work and suffering that goes into actually getting strong is something you need to be prepared for slash okay with. But yes, not everything you work and struggle for becomes yours just because that’s what we’re told. Not everything we face is a choice, sadly.
  1. Rusty says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 7:41 am
    
    Oooooh yeeeeeeeah!!!😳
  2. Susan says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 6:27 pm
    
    I think the article is meant to be read in the way that you read it, Arlyn. And I can see why it spoke to you as you explore where to go with this blog. And for you and many others it’s a good message. I think it would be a better message if Manson had discussed the uneven playing field.
    1. Suzanne says:
      
      June 5, 2021 at 7:05 pm
      
      Yes, a mention of the uneven playing field would also expose others to that reality. The more it is acknowledged and discussed, the more likely appropriate supports can be implemented.
3. Rusty says:
  
  June 5, 2021 at 7:40 am
  
  Susan…so many excellent points!!! It’s true that privilege is the biggest societal success determinant especially generational privilege.
  Thanks for making me look deeper.
  1. Susan says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 6:28 pm
    
    Thanks, Rusty! You are so welcome.
4. Pam says:
  
  June 5, 2021 at 12:30 pm
  
  I found myself agreeing with you on each point and your comments regarding the pain we choose/don’t choose and the inequity factor gave me a powerful reaction. The article was provocative and I can understand the audience it might be intended to reach.
  1. Susan says:
    
    June 5, 2021 at 6:30 pm
    
    Thanks, Pam. I understand the intended audience, too. But I had a strong reaction to the article, as you all can see.
    1. Pam says:
      
      June 5, 2021 at 9:35 pm
      
      I thought your response was gracious and well considered (your legal training evident and well employed😊).
Pam says:

June 5, 2021 at 12:37 pm

Uneven boobs had me snickering to myself and the rest of the image was lovely. I liked the links to the other two (more) and I noticed the last link had beautiful blue and copper/rust elements you love. It really held my gaze.

The pasta dish looks like a good one to try!
Pingback: A Further Exploration of the Wavy Headboard DIY I'm *Maybe* Planning - Arlyn Says
Kelli says:

June 10, 2021 at 9:58 am

Looking for a way to incorporate that pasta into my meal plan, pronto – yum! Also, I think I would have fit in well in your office. My fiancee pretends like she hates it when I play the NSYNC channel on Pandora. I think we both know she’s just jealous that I know all the words.

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