I don't wear a whole lot of pink, but this light shade with black hearts and a little bit of lace at the top is right up my alley. I got it a couple of years ago and wear it at least once a week in the spring. I love the sleeves and how easy it is to dress up or down depending on your shoes, bag, and jewelry.

This bag is totally amazing as well--It's simple and luxurious enough to be an evening bag, but it's huge, so you can fit everything you need in it. I take it out to dinner as well as carry it around during the day if I don't feel like bringing my bigger bag.

Dress: Modcloth | Clutch: Baggu

Sandals: Merona (at Target) | Glasses: Tory Burch

Photos by Andi Perullo for Freckled Italian.

Lately Rob and I have been watching Cooked on Netflix and it's inspired me to do a few new things when it comes to food; among them finding a butcher, eating more vegetables, and trying to make things I would normally buy--like ketchup.

I decided to make my own ketchup and wanted to do it the easiest way possible--a lot of recipes call for reducing canned tomatoes on the stove or in a crockpot, but I saw a few methods that only involved mixing ingredients and letting them sit in the refrigerator at least overnight, so I went with that. I tried to make it without sugar, thinking that you don't really need sugar in ketchup, but you kind of do--so I added a tablespoon at the end and I think it made a really big difference. So I guess this isn't Paleo ketchup, it's just Paleo-er ketchup.

I like making my own sauces because you can customize them however you'd like--I may add some curry powder to mine next time! (If you live in Charlotte and haven't had the currywurst from Old Mecklenberg Brewery, you are seriously missing out.)

Ingredients: 

• 1 6-ounce can of tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder (more or less depending on your heat preference)
• A pinch or two of salt
• Optional but not that optional: 1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions: 

1. In a large jar, combine all ingredients.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

Currently feeling this song, on repeat.

Lately I've been astonished at how little it takes for me to feel really good. A clean bathroom. Fresh flowers in the kitchen. Putting the laundry away after I fold it. The other day I vacuumed our living room and opened all the windows before bed, and when I woke up I walked through the apartment feeling like a new person.

I think a lot of it is just relief after my biopsy two weeks ago. So much of my life this past year or two has been about worrying, and I'm finally starting to let that go. It's coinciding perfectly with the onset of some truly gorgeous spring weather. Shaking out the dust. Feeling the sun on my shoulders. I'm awake.

Sometimes I think we can go through so much that we have trouble finding a new normal. But gratitude is a good place to start.

Happy Friday, friends.