How to Turn an Orange Into a Candle

What if I told you that you can make a candle that’s 100% all natural and smells delicious? And yes… for cheap! It’s super simple and only took me about 10 minutes.

All you need is an orange, a knife, and oil. I used vegetable oil but you can use whatever oil you have. That’s it!!

Instructions:

1. Cut an orange into halves and enjoy the center for breakfast. I found it easiest by using a sharp knife and digging out the middle starting with the edge closest to the outside of the orange. Be sure to leave the peel and the center stem intact. This will be your wick.
2. Cut the bottom so it will have a sturdy base.
3. Next, fill the half with oil. You’ll want to fill it about 3/4 of the way.
4. Light the “wick” and prepare for your room to smell amazing!

I told you it was easy. Mine has been lit for several hours now and it still has about 1/2 the oil in it. I might try a grapefruit next time. I suppose you could really use any fruit and use the same instructions. 

 

Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Latte

It’s that time of year when everything seems to be “pumpkin this” and “pumpkin that,” or punkin’ if you live where I do! One of my favorite “pumpkin that’s” is the pumpkin latte from Starbucks. If you never tried it, I challenge you to get one today. It’s that amazing! However, who has $4.00 to spend on a latte everyday? Yes, once you have one, this will become an everyday thing. So I have found a recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte that you can make yourself for about a dollar. Not bad huh?

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons strong ground coffee
2/3 cup water
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
2/3 cup milk

1. Brew the coffee with the water in a regular coffee maker.

2. While the coffee brews, stir the pumpkin pie spice into the honey or agave nectar until completely blended. Set aside.

3. Pour the cold milk into a microwave-safe bowl, the edges of which should come up a bit higher than the milk.

4. Keep the bowl slightly tilted to the side, so that the milk is gathered more towards one side. Using a wire whisk, quickly and vigorously whisk the milk in the bowl for about 2-2 1/2 minutes. If milk is not frothy after 2 1/2 minutes, continue whisking an additional 30-60 seconds. The milk should be very frothy at this point.

5. Microwave the milk in the bowl on high for 8-10 seconds. It should puff into a high foam immediately.

6. To serve the latte, pour the hot coffee into a mug and stir in the honey/agave-spice mixture until completely dissolved. Top with the hot milk, spooning the thick foam on top. A dash of additional pumpkin pie spice or some ground cinnamon on top is a nice touch. Serve immediately.

7. ENJOY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe by: Gabi Moskowitz

When life hands you overipe bananas, make banana bread!

I went to grab my morning banana and found a brown, mushy mess. So what better time to make my hubby’s favorite, banana bread? In my house, I like to keep things simple. It can’t be too time consuming or take too much of my attention. This recipe is as easy as it gets! ENJOY!

Ingredients you’ll need:

                                                                            I/2 cup butter, softened

                                                                             2 eggs

                                                                             4 ripe bananas, mashed

                                                                             1 cup of brown sugar

                                                                             2 cups all purpose flour

                                                                             3 teaspoons baking powder

                                                                             2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

                                                                             1/2 teaspoon salt

                                                                              1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

                                                                              1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C. Lightly grease a 9x5in baking pan. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and cinnamon until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in vanilla and banana. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Blend the banana mixture into the flour mixture; stir just to combine. Fold in pecans or walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.

 

                                                                             

 

How to Make Photo Jewelry from Shrinkable Plastics

With the Holidays just around the corner, my mind has been spinning on things I can make for my family. So I thought yours might have been too. Over the next couple of weeks, I want to add some DIY projects to my blog. Maybe you can get some ideas and make this Christmas, a homemade Christmas too. This is a tradition we’ve had in my family for many, many years now. 

 

 

 

Things you’ll need for this project:

• Inkjet printable Shrinky Dink Plastic. You can find this at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby
• Oven or toaster oven. I love my toaster oven… doesn’t heat up the house!
• Flat cookie sheet
• Parchment paper
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Findings for your jewelry such as earring wires, o’rings, and chains. I like to get mine from Michael’s.

You’ll first want to choose a photo for your piece. Remember that the picture will shrink, so make sure it’s not so detailed that the recipient is not sure what it is. It also will not shrink to an exact science. So when cutting your photo into your desired shape, be sure it has a little room for wobbliness. A perfect square might end up as a trapezoid.

Next, you want to print your pictures on the Shrinky Dink. It’s best to follow the instructions on the pack. It will have all the printer settings you need and the best way to position your photos. Overall, this step is very simple. It’s best to print all your photos at once so you can utilize all the space on one sheet. Also, be sure to let it dry for a few minutes after printing to be sure you don’t smear anything.

Now you’ll need to cut your photo out. You can cut it into a shape as I mentioned before or you can cut the silhouette. Just remember, it may not be exactly the perfect proportions. But hey, this gives it character. So don’t stress about this too much! Be sure to punch holes where you’ll want to attach them to earring wires or make holes for a chain. You can’t do this once it is baked, so have a plan before the next step!

Here comes the fun part. Preheat your oven at 300F. Place your parchment paper onto your cookie sheet and arrange your pieces on top. Be sure to give them enough space so that they won’t melt into one BIG blog. Pop them into the oven for 2-5 minutes. If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy this step. You’ll need to watch this part so turn on your oven light. They’ll crinkle and curl into a hot mess, then slowly flatten out. Once they are flat, take them out of the oven and remove from the paper. They will be SUPER HOT!!! So please be careful!

You have successfully shrunk your photos! Now the creative part begins. Making the jewelry is very simple. If you are making earrings, simply loop the earring wire through the hole. They’ll fall to the bottom of the wire and viola! You have earrings! Necklaces are just as easy. You can either thread a fine chain through the holes or add o’rings and attach the chain to the rings.

This project is very simple but can have a lot of meaning. And lets be frank! It looks like you spent a lot of time making them. We won’t tell them it took less than an hour! Shhhhh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos via http://www.phtojojo.com

 

Veteran’s Day 2013

Veteran’s Day doesn’t seem to get the same reaction as other holidays. We don’t count down to it for weeks or plan a gathering with our family, but November 11th is an important holiday. It’s a time to remember all those who have served our great country so that we can all be “free.” Some have given up years away from their families and many have given their lives. No matter the branch of service, these brave men and women are heroes among us and should be given the praise they deserve.

Have you stopped to thank a veteran today? Whether you know someone personally or post something on a social network, please take the time to do so. Many may never hear a “thank you” and that is just unacceptable.

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” -Cynthia Ozick

Picture sourced via http://verteransday-holidayscentral.com/

How to Keep Your Nails Looking Great

OK ladies! With this cold weather coming, you may not find yourself in the salon every week to get your nails and toes done like you do in the summer. However, that does not mean you cannot keep your digits looking great! I mean, you have to take the mittens and boots off sometimes right? (I’m sure your husbands would appreciate it if you did!!)  I found a couple of simple things that will help you get through these frosty months and I had to share!

First things first. You have to take care of your cuticles. To keep them from looking rugged, push them back. DO NOT CUT THEM! We have cuticles for a reason. They seal the gap between your nails and the skin. This helps keep out bacteria that can cause infection that will not only harm your nails, but could harm your overall health as well. Its also good to use cuticle creams or oils to help keep your cuticles soft. Nothing stinks more than a hangnail! Those things can hurt if they’re yanked off!

To keep your nails at their best, always trim and file them to keep them at their strongest. When you are filing, avoid rough emery boards. They can be harsh to your nails and cause breakage. It’s also a good thing to add a Biotin supplement to your daily vitamins. This will also help with your skin and hair as well. You don’t mind that right?

When it comes to polishing, always apply a base coat first. This will help to keep your nails from staining for when you want to have that natural look. Also, it’s good to use a non-acetone polish remover. Acetone will dry out your nails.

Don’t forget about your toesies. All these tips apply to them as well!!

With a few easy steps, we can all look great this winter and your manicurist will appreciate it if you do. I’m sure we’ve all seen that person take off their shoes at the salon in early spring and we think to ourselves, “What happen to her?” Or…. you may have been that girl!  So go grab your favorite polish and get started. That’s what I’m about to do! HAVE FUN!

 

 

 

 

 

All the tips and tricks were found on WebMD.

 

Always go with …

Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to require the most from you. -Caroline Myss

I love this quote because sometimes in life we choose the safest route to take. Although this approach might have worked so far, why not push yourself? You might be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Just a Few Things Before We Start

Things you should know:

• I am a wife to an amazing man I like to call my hubs.
• I am a first time mom-to-be. Our little bundle of joy should be here next month!
  
• I am a full time college student who recently enrolled after 8 years of “life experience.”
• I am a little bit country. OK, A LOT COUNTRY!
• I love ice cream, especially when it’s paired with chocolate cake.
• My family is amazing.
• My house is always messy.
• I like to take pictures, shop, cook, be creative, draw, watch movies, and be outside.

I’ve always enjoyed writing and I’m excited to get blogging. If I can inspire just one person, then my journey is worth it. So grab a cup of tea, light your favorite candle, and let’s get inspired!