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Spruce Up Your Space With These DIY Holiday Crafts

December 17, 2015 by

Instead of splurging on holiday decorations from those pricey home décor stores, make your own seasonal crafts for next to nothing. Here are three holiday craft ideas that will give you a bit of extra money to spend on gifts for your loved ones.

Magazine Trees
Take an old magazine and fold it over page by page to create fan-like holiday trees with a bit of a vintage look. Once you’re done, you can even decorate the trees with tinsel and ornaments. Display them along a mantle or up the stairwell.

3D Paper Snowflakes
If you’re decorating for a holiday party at home, these 3D paper snowflakes are a fun and easy craft that you can make in bulk. Use silver or gold paper for a metallic look, or simply use white computer paper to create a whole flurry of realistic snowflakes.

Ornament-Filled Vases
If you have some leftover ornaments that didn’t fit on the holiday tree, don’t let them go to waste. Instead, create a festive centerpiece or an accent for the mantle by placing them inside of a cheap, clear vase. Add some tall branches behind the ornaments and place the whole thing somewhere that all of your guests can see.

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How to Host a Successful Toy Swap With Your Friends, Family and Neighbors

November 19, 2015 by

If your children are too old for their current toys but you can’t bear to simply toss them out, you may be interested in hosting a toy swap with fellow parents. A toy swap enables you to swap your child’s old or unused toys with those of other children, bringing home a whole new haul of toys without spending a penny. Here are a few tips to help you pull off a successful toy swap.

  1. Create a list of guests. Try to pick guests who you feel comfortable with, who have children in varying ages, and who live fairly close to one another.
  2. Choose the perfect location. Because of the group of people and the large amount of toys, you’ll need to hold the swap in a large, fairly spacious room. If you don’t have this type of space in your own home, see if someone else would be willing to lend their living room.
  3. Send out invitations and guidelines. Emailing invitations seems to be the most convenient way to get the word out, so include a list of guidelines for the swap at that time. Describe what types of toys to bring, if they should be cleaned beforehand, how many toys to bring, and if there are any items that you won’t accept.
  4. Make it fun. Set out snacks, make sure everyone understands the rules, and keep things light-hearted!

How To Organize a Toy Swap or Toy Exchange [About Parenting]
How to Host a Toy Swap [30 Handmade Days]
How to Throw a Toy Exchange [Shareable]

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Savory Meets Sweet in These Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

November 5, 2015 by

If you think that sweet stuffings are too sweet and savory stuffings are too savory, a blend of the two flavors may be just the thing to perfect this Thanksgiving side. Here are a few sweet and savory stuffing recipes that will appeal to even the pickiest dinner guests.

Awesome Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing [allrecipes.com]
The combination of savory sausage with sweet, seasonal fruits brings out maximum flavor in this tasty stuffing recipe. Best of all, the recipe yields enough stuffing to fill a 10-pound turkey, and it’s very easy to double if you’re expecting more guests.

Dried Fruit and Nut Cornbread Dressing [marthastewart.com]
Few foods feel more like fall than the mixture of dried fruits and nuts, and although these ingredients are normally found in desserts, they offer an unexpectedly sweet crunch in this dressing. By using a hearty cornbread instead of the usual breadcrumbs, this dish also takes on a uniquely rustic taste.

Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Raisins [myrecipes.com]
If you prefer your stuffing to be positively filled with flavor, this recipe certainly won’t disappoint. Fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary and sage make it less bland than most, while autumnal chestnuts and sweet raisins add even more unique flavor.

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Safety First! Read These Safety Tips Before You Carve Pumpkins

October 22, 2015 by

Carving pumpkins is a fun fall activity that’s full of history, which makes it easy to forget that it’s also a fairly dangerous craft that involves knives. You don’t have to forbid the kids from carving pumpkins, however, you just need to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety!

  1. Invest in a kit. Instead of using any old kitchen knife, invest in a pumpkin carving kit (usually sold online or in craft stores). The knives in this kit are a bit duller and smaller, which makes it easier for children to control them while carving.
  2. Be alert. Even if your kids are old enough to carve on their own, always keep a close eye on the process in case any slip-ups happen.
  3. Don’t remove the top. Though many people cut the top off of the pumpkin and remove the insides before carving, this makes it very tempting for a child to reach their hand inside while carving. Instead, carve the pumpkin first and remove the seeds after.
  4. Use an alternate craft for very young children. If your children are still toddlers, they’re too young to carve. Instead, supply them with harmless paintbrushes and some acrylic paints to decorate their own pumpkins.

Safe Halloween pumpkin carving [Consumer Reports]
Easy Pumpkin Carving: Safety Tips [Parent Dish]

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If You’re Running Low on Eggs or Vinegar, Try These Substitutes Instead

September 17, 2015 by

When you’re running short on ingredients, you might have to get creative in the kitchen. There are a few well-known replacements for some common ingredients if you don't have everything you need on-hand. Here are four cooking substitutes for when you're in a pinch in the kitchen.

  1. If you're missing eggs: It might seem impossible to replace this unique ingredient, but you can do so with half a banana mashed with 1/2-teaspoon baking powder.
  2. If you're missing mayonnaise: If you’re whipping up a summer salad and find you're short on this condiment, substitute one cup of sour cream, yogurt or cottage cheese pureed in a blender for one cup of mayo.
  3. If you're missing vinegar: Don’t give up if you're running low and the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white vinegar. You can use 1/4-cup of apple cider vinegar or 1/3-cup freshly squeezed lemon juice instead.
  4. If you're missing soy sauce: You won’t have to stop in the middle of your stir-fry to run out and by more soy sauce. Just use four tablespoons Worcestershire sauce mixed with one tablespoon water.

Top 3 Ingredient Substitutions [All Recipes]
Ingredient Substitutions [University of Nebraska]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joys of Baking]

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Cool and Creative Uses for Plastic Bags

August 20, 2015 by

While you try to recycle everything that you can, you might still feel guilty about just how many plastic bags that you get from the grocery store each week. Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin, try one of these fun and creative tips for making something new out of your old plastic bags.

  • Use old scrap fabric and a few plastic bags to create a cute crinkle toy. Simply sew the fabric into a square pouch, bunch up a few plastic bags inside and sew it shut for a fun toy that makes a noisy crinkling sound.
  • Make plastic “plarn” for crocheting by slicing a plastic bag into strips lengthwise, taking care to keep the strips in loops. Simply loop the two together using a slipknot to create a long string of plastic yarn that you can use for crocheting placemats, rugs or coasters.
  • Make a jump rope by cutting a bag into six strips, then braiding those strips together like you would a friendship bracelet. Do the same with another six strips, then twist the two braids together into one long, sturdy rope. Wrap the ends in duct tape to create handles, then get outside and enjoy your new jump rope.
  • If crafting isn’t really your thing, you can always gather your old plastic bags and return them to the store that you got them from.

10 Uses for Plastic Bags [This Old House]
16 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags [Care 2]
Designer MacGyver: 5 Clever Plastic Bag Crafts [HGTV]

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Essentials for Your at-Home Wet Bar or Bar Cart

July 23, 2015 by

Adding a bar cart to your home enables you to make fancy cocktails for your guests and adds a bit of vintage charm to any room. If you have the bar cart but don’t have the supplies to go on it, this list of home bar essentials can help.

  • Cocktail shaker. Invest in a high quality cocktail shaker made of a durable material like stainless steel. This will help you to mix drinks thoroughly and to pour them without spills.
  • Bottle opener and corkscrew. If you or your guests prefer wine and beer to a complex cocktail, these basic tools will come in handy.
  • Wine glasses, martini glasses, highballs, and tumblers. These are the necessary glasses for just about any drink you’ll make.
  • Blender. It’s not possible to make an icy margarita without a high quality blender, so be sure to keep one stored under your bar cart.
  • Cocktail strainer. These tools strain out pulp, ice, and other solids from cocktails while letting your booze pass easily into a glass.
  • Cutting board and knives. If you frequently garnish drinks with lemons, limes, and other fruits, keep an arsenal of sharp knives and a reliable cutting board on hand.
  • Coasters. You’ll never worry about guests ruining your wooden furniture when you have a supply of coasters in your bar cart.

The Guide to A Well-Stocked Wet Bar [Esquire]
25 Essentials for a Legit Home Bar [Complex]
10 Things You Should Have in Your Home Bar [Buzzle]

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Seeking Healthy Dessert Recipes? These Pinterest Boards Are for You!

June 18, 2015 by

If you have a major sweet tooth that just can’t be contained, you’re likely always looking for delicious recipes that aren’t too much of an indulgence. Pinterest is a great resource for discovering new, healthy dessert recipes, as the online bulletin board’s thousands of recipes contain quite a few sinfully sweet dishes that you’ll love to try. Browse these Pinterest boards filled with Paleo, gluten-free, or just low-fat dessert recipes and get to pinning your own.

Ripped Recipes
The Ripped Recipes dessert board isn’t just filled with delicious desserts; it’s actually filled with desserts that won’t ruin your diet. Each of these recipes is made with protein-rich ingredients, sugar substitutes, and all natural, nutritious foods combined in such a way that they taste just as decadent as your favorite chocolate cake. Browse single serving chocolate chip cookies, birthday cake protein pancakes, and hundreds of other deceivingly healthy dessert recipes from Ripped Recipes.

Healthy Recipes
If you want to indulge without going overboard, you’ll love the artfully photographed recipes on Healthy Recipes’ dessert board. Many of these recipes adhere to vegan or gluten-free restrictions, but they’re still all downright delicious. Just click on the photos and you’ll be redirected to the simple recipe instructions on the Healthy Recipes website.

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Plan Your Dream Wedding With Help From These Two Websites

May 21, 2015 by

The wedding-planning process is an exciting time in the life of any bride or groom, but it can difficult to know exactly where to start. Whether you're planning backyard nuptials or an elaborate affair on a tropical island, these two image-heavy websites can help point you in the direction of your dream wedding.

Style Me Pretty
Arguably the most popular wedding blog out there, Style Me Pretty posts user-submitted photos from newlyweds. Each post tells the story of the bride's day through beautiful photos, which are supplemented with wedding planning advice and tips from the bride.

Once Wed
Similar to Style Me Pretty, Once Wed is eye candy for brides-to-be. Ooh and aah over images of real brides' gowns, bouquet, and shoes, then scroll down to learn how she coordinated her bridal party, decorated her tablescapes, and decided upon invitations. Borrow some of her ideas for your own wedding.

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Caffeinate Your Morning at These Two Austin Cafes

May 14, 2015 by

Although Austin is probably better known for its barbecue, the city's gourmet coffee scene is rapidly catching up. For those who love to treat themselves to a premium cup of joe in the mornings, you have more than a few options from which to choose. Here are just two of Austin’s best coffee shops to fuel your morning.

Epoch Coffee
If you’re searching for the hippest coffee shop in Austin to people watch, surf the web, and get caffeinated, Epoch just may be it. Epoch features the rustic, urban decor that Austin is known for combined with a menu of strong brewed blends and simple espresso drinks. While you won’t find a sugary, blended coffee here, you will find great roasts for coffee purists.
221 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, TX 78751; (512) 454-3762

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Mozart’s offers your morning cuppa with a stunning view on the side. The cafe’s outdoor patio overlooks a crystal clear lake, while inside friendly baristas create elaborate flavored lattes, seasonal coffee blends, and iced espresso drinks in a wide variety of styles. Although Mozart’s is best known for its sweet beverages, the shop offers more traditional cappuccinos and brewed coffees, as well. Order a coffee and a housemade pastry and enjoy it all while watching the sunrise over the lake outside.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703; (512) 477-2900

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