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Ghoulishly Good Halloween-Themed Desserts

September 23, 2016 by

Whether you’re planning a costume party or simply looking for tasty treats to give out throughout the Halloween season, there are a number of spooky recipes that people of all ages will love. Here are just three fun, creative Halloween-themed desserts that are just as scary as they are delicious.

Chocolate Orange Spider Cupcakes [parenting.com]
This is a slightly advanced recipe that any avid baker will have fun experimenting with right before Halloween. It involves making your own chocolate cupcakes from scratch and jazzing them up with an orange zest, but the real finishing touches are the cookie sticks and round candies that you’ll use to transform each cupcake into a cute and crawly spider.

Giant Candy Corn Cookies [food.com]
While not everyone is a fan of candy corn, you can guarantee that almost anyone will love this candy corn-inspired cookie. By dying boxed sugar cookie mix with three different colors of food coloring, you can create pretty simple cookies that look just like the popular Halloween candy.

Spooky Witches' Fingers [allrecipes.com/]
For a treat that’s much scarier than most, this recipe is a great pick. While the actual recipe is fairly traditional, molding these cookies into the shape of severed fingers certainly isn’t. Top them off with half an almond to create the “fingernail.”

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Household Remedies to Help You Ease the Itch of Bug Bites and Poison Ivy

July 29, 2016 by

There’s nothing like the itch of a bug bite or poison ivy to bring down your mood in the summer time. Instead of heading to the drugstore for relief, there are few household remedies you can use to ease the itch. (Some say they might work just as well as any over-the-counter medicine!) Here are some tips to help ease your poison or bites.

  • Wrap ice cubes in a towel and press it against your bites for around 10 minutes. The ice will numb the bite area and can help control the swelling.
  • Press a used tea bag against your bites until the itching seems to calm down. Tea contains natural tannins that act as an astringent, which removes the toxins from your skin.
  • Tea tree oil can help treat both bug bites and poison ivy. Just dab a little onto a cotton swab and rub it on to your bite or rash. The oil's antiseptic properties will help calm the itching and promote healing.
  • Use a mixture of water and baking soda to apply directly onto your bite and allow it to dry. This will help neutralize the pH and reduce itching. Apple cider vinegar will also do the trick.

DIY: 7 Best Natural Mosquito Bite Remedies [Gardenista]
Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac [American Academy of Dermatology]
9 Genius Ways To Relieve Bug Bites [Women's Health]

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Holiday Crafts the Whole Family Can Make

December 18, 2015 by

While you’ll likely be doing a lot of shopping during the holidays, you can balance out all that spending with some homemade crafts that the whole family can make together. Here are four great ideas for your next holiday-themed craft night.

No-Sew Holiday Aprons [marthastewart.com]
Create pretty and protective aprons just in time to decorate cookies with this fun DIY project. New sewing is required to make these cute aprons, which makes this project ideal for tiny hands and delicate fingers. You can even make them in larger sizes to give to Grandma as a gift!

String Tree [bhg.com]
Display all of those holiday cards in style with this modern craft idea. Simply stretch multicolored string in the shape of a Christmas tree across a sturdy cork board, then tuck the cards under the string as they start rolling in.

Thanksgiving Menu [realsimple.com]
Get your crafting started early with this cute DIY Thanksgiving menu in the shape of a pumpkin pie. All it takes is some standard construction paper and seasonal decorations like wheat or berries to go around the edges. Have the little ones write the names of each dish on the center and this craft will even play double duty as a writing assignment.

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Bring Fall Indoors With These Festive Wreath Tutorials

October 23, 2015 by

Who says that a wreath has to hang outside? There are a number of fun and creative ways to make DIY wreaths that bring the beauty of fall indoors, and many of them don’t cost a dime to make. Here are three great wreath tutorials for you to try this weekend at BLVD l Loudoun Station.

DIY Apple Wreath [thewoodgraincottage.com]
While an actual apple wreath would likely be too heavy to hang, this one uses faux apples from the craft store to achieve the same effect. All it takes is some hot glue, a Styrofoam wreath mold and some burlap to hang it.

Glitter Wreath [homemadebyjill.blogspot.com]
If you’re looking for a fun wreath project that the kids can do, too, this one is a great choice. They’ll enjoy cutting out the small leaves from heavy cardstock, and they’ll enjoy it even more once it’s time to sprinkle glitter all over.

Fall Wheat Sheave Wreath [bhg.com]
If you prefer something with a more natural look (and a quicker preparation), this tutorial is one of the simplest you’ll find. Simply gather some dried wheat and tie it together with a piece of oversized ribbon in a fall color, then attach the whole thing to your door (or anywhere else that can use a bit of decoration).

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Easy Pumpkin Carving Projects for Kids

September 18, 2015 by

Carving pumpkins is a fun fall activity that the whole family can do together, but young children require carving projects that are a bit simpler (and safer) than others. Check out these adorable ideas for kid-friendly pumpkin carvings that your little ones will love.

Candy-Cursed Jack-o’-Lantern [Martha Stewart]
This pumpkin pattern may be simple, but that doesn’t mean that it’s boring. Instead of placing a candle inside, it’s made to accommodate a bowl of Halloween candy. The oversized mouth acts as a serving bowl for the sweets inside, and the kids will love to sneak a few pieces from their pumpkin once it’s complete.

Mini White Pumpkins [Apartment Therapy]
Mini pumpkins are much easier for kids’ tiny hands to navigate, and this project will transform them into something truly unique. By adding beady red eyes and costume vampire teeth, the kids can create an army of cute pumpkin vampires to put on display.

Cat Face [SheKnows]
This cat face pumpkin carving pattern is a bit more modern than most. It features a splashy silhouette of a scary cat face, and animal-loving children will get a kick out of carving it after a visit to the pumpkin patch. Although some of the smaller details may require some assistance, it can be a fun collaborative craft for parents and children.

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How to Make Your Own Spring Floral Arrangement

March 6, 2015 by

These fast and easy tips will help you to create a florist-quality spring floral arrangement that you’ll be really proud to display in your home.

  1. Begin with the color palette. If you want to mix and match flowers to create your own bouquet, it’s best to have a color palette in mind. Stick with muted tones, a blend of bold primary hues, or variations of one color to create a cohesive look.
  2. Create a space for each flower. Cheat by creating a sort of grid guideline inside of the vase. Place a piece of chicken wire flat inside of the opening, or even create a crosshatch of durable florist tape across the surface of the vase. The goal is to have a series of 1-inch squares where you can place each type of flower.
  3. Start with the largest flower. Create a base by adding the largest flower (or branch or fern) in the center.
  4. Add the thickest flowers. Arrange thick, heavy flowers around the tallest one in the middle.
  5. Finally, add accent flowers. Add tulips, daffodils, roses or other eye-catching accents last.

DIY Spring Flower Arrangement by Ashley Woodson Bailey [Design Sponge]
How to Make a Cool Flower Arrangement: 8 DIY Ideas for Spring [Stylecaster]
Simple Spring Centerpieces [Better Homes and Gardens]

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Just Add Candlelight: Romantic Valentine’s Dinner Ideas for Two

February 13, 2015 by

Whether you’re on a budget or you simply want to plan a more personalized Valentine’s Day date than dinner at a crowded restaurant, preparing a home-cooked meal for that special someone is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday. Here are three romantic dinner ideas that are made for two—just be sure not to forget the candlelight!

Surf-and-Turf for Two [coastalliving.com]
This is normally one of the priciest dishes on the menu at an upscale restaurant, so preparing it at home is a more affordable way to enjoy an indulgent Valentine’s Day meal. With tender, juicy steak and plump scallops cooked in a champagne-butter sauce, this meal will surely elicit a thank-you kiss.

Creamy Tomato Soup [myrecipes.com]
Valentine’s Day falls at the tail end of the winter in most parts of the country, so snuggle up with your better half over a bowl of steaming hot tomato soup. Gain a few extra romance points by pairing it with grilled cheese sandwiches cut into festive heart shapes.

Mini Heart Pizzas [thenerdswife.com]
Pizza is the fastest route to just about anyone’s heart, as you’ll quickly learn when you present your special someone with these adorable (and delicious) mini pizzas. They’re baked in the shape of hearts for a more festive flair, and they’re so easy to make that even the most novice home chef can prepare them with ease.

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How to Care for Winter Skin and Hair

January 2, 2015 by

From dry, static-filled hair to rough, cracking hands, the chill of winter sure takes its toll on your body. Here are a few soothing tips to help you care for sensitive skin and hair this winter season.

  1. Avoid the hot shower. Although a steaming hot shower can feel great after a long day of work, hot water actually strips your skin of its natural moisture and causes it to become even drier in the winter.
  2. Trade in your lotions for replenishing oils. Moisturizers and lotions are both good ways to add moisture back to dry skin, but nothing works better than rich grapeseed or argan oils. Apply these nourishing oils immediately after a bath or shower to help them absorb better.
  3. Care for your feet at home. By using a pumice stone on your feet once a week and applying a rich cream every night, you can prevent rough, calloused winter feet before they happen.
  4. Moisturize the scalp to prevent dandruff. One of the most obvious (and embarrassing) signs of stressed out winter skin is dandruff on the scalp. Prevent it by switching to an anti-dandruff shampoo, using only lukewarm water in the shower, and moisturizing the scalp with a vitamin-rich oil.
  5. Minimize shampooing. If your hair feels dry and brittle during the winter, try shampooing only every other day.

19 Tips for Healthier Skin and Hair This Winter [Greatist]
10 winter skin and hair care tips you can’t do without! [The Health Site]
Winter-Proofing Your Skin, Hair, and Eyes [Real Simple]

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These Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipes Are Better Than Storebought

December 12, 2014 by

While making hot chocolate from a package is fast and easy, there’s just nothing that compares to the real deal on a cold winter afternoon. Here are three authentic hot cocoa recipes that take a bit longer to make, but are more than worth it once you take the first sip.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate [Bon Appetit]
There aren’t many ways to improve already-delicious hot chocolate, but incorporating peppermint is definitely one of them. This sweet and minty concoction uses bittersweet chocolate and peppermint extract to achieve its complex flavor, and it is topped with homemade whipped cream that will impress your holiday guests.

Homemade Hot Chocolate [Martha Stewart]
If you want to improve on the classic hot chocolate recipe, this all-natural recipe is the one to use. It calls for only four simple ingredients, and ordinary table salt acts as a secret ingredient that really makes all of the other flavors shine.

Naturally Sweetened Homemade Hot Chocolate [DIY Natural]
Cut down on the artificial sweeteners in your hot chocolate with this all-natural recipe that’s just as warm and delicious. It’s sweetened with pure maple syrup and pure vanilla extract for a rich flavor, and it doesn’t contain any of the harmful additives that store-bought hot chocolates might have.

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Squash 101: How to Prep and Bake Acorn Squash

November 21, 2014 by

Acorn squash is a fairly unusual ingredient, but it is certainly worth checking out. If you know the right techniques, you’ll likely find that preparing this sweet, nutritious squash is much easier than you would think. Here are the basic steps for prepping and baking acorn squash.

  1. Slice the squash in half using a very sharp knife. It shouldn’t require too much pressure from you, as forcing a dull knife through the squash could result in injury.
  2. All squash contain seeds and stringy particles inside, so be sure to scoop those out using a metal spoon. It doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, just enough so that you don’t end up with a mouth full of seeds.
  3. Place the squash halves face down on a foil-lined baking sheet, then add enough water so that it slightly covers the bottom of the squash. This will ensure that the squash gets moist and soft.
  4. Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes, checking the acorn squash periodically to gauge its softness.
  5. Remove from the oven and add a bit of butter to the center of each half. Place the squash under the broiler for 5 minutes, until the butter melts and the squash turns a lovely brown color. You can also add a teaspoon of brown sugar or a sprinkle of salt for added flavor.

How to Prepare/Bake Acorn Squash [Chef In You]
How To: Cook Acorn Squash [The Kitchen Magpie]
Acorn Squash Basics [Martha Stewart]

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