You can do it!

Although I do not live alone, I think there are things that every girl should know how to do around the house. Here are a few easy to learn if you don't know already....

Cooking/Baking

This is so basic and with cookbooks, shows, and the Internet- there is no reason why you cannot make a tasty and healthy meal. If you haven't already, master one really great dessert or side dish you can take with you to parties, BBQ's, and potlucks. Experiment with the crock pot, try broiling, and make cakes and cookies by scratch. If it's terrible, throw it out and try something else.

You really need have the basics too- good knives, measuring cups, mixing bowls, and a mixer. Without these cooking and baking can be difficult. Before starting any recipe, make sure you have all the ingredients as well.

Using a Grill

I admit, I'm still a little scared when it comes to using our gas grill. Knobs, fire, and a propane tank can be intimidating, but food on the grill is healthy and tasty!

Depending on the type of grill you own: charcoal or gas...refer to the manual for manufacturer specifications and recommendations.

Tools

Every girl should own tools or at least have access to their hubs or boyfriends. I'm not talking about hack saws or anything crazy, but the basics such as a screw driver, hammer, and wrench. Every girl should be able to tighten up a loose hinge, hang a photo on the wall, and make minor repairs around the home.

Sew

I don't own a sewing machine nor do I know how to operate one, however I can sew. Sewing kits, containing string, buttons, and needles are available at most stores in the craft isle and are a must have in all homes. It's easy to repair small holes in shirts or sew on missing buttons.

Learn:

how to sew a button visit:
http://www.marthastewart.com/268329/sew-on-a-button?czone=crafts/sewing-cnt/sewing-techniques-tips&center=326405&gallery=275336&slide=268329

Fix a small hole:
http://www.marthastewart.com/274965/how-to-patch-a-hole-mend-a-seam-and-fix/@center/277000/homekeeping-solutions?czone=crafts/sewing-cnt/sewing-techniques-tips&center=326405&gallery=275336&slide=272639#187304

Cleaning

Yes I am OCD when it comes to cleanliness, however every girl should know how to clean their house thoroughly. I'm talking about cleaning you don't do daily, but should do. For example, changing air filters in your home, replacing water filters in your fridge or water pitcher, cleaning the inside of your washing machine, and changing filters in your vacuum. Doing this type of upkeep will keep you healthy, your home looking good, and keep these types of appliances running smoothly for years to come.

Inside your home, don't overlook your microwave, oven, toaster, fridge, and baseboards when cleaning! Don't forget about your makeup brushes too :)

How to arrange Flowers

When flowers arrive to your doorstep either by a carrier or by a hot date, you should know the basics from selecting the right vase to trimming the ends.

Here is a quick step by step! Also to keep your beauties alive, use flower food (the small packet that usually comes with the flowers). Florists also recommend you change the water every few days, some suggest distilled H20 over tap, or warm tap instead of cold, but in all food, trimming, and water should keep them alive and looking their best!

Oreo Cake Truffles

A friend was asking me for an easy cookie recipe for her neighborhood holiday cookie exchange and instantly this easy one came to mind.

This recipe is a non-bakers trifecta- only 3 ingredients, quick, and delicious...oh did I mention they are NO BAKE?!

 

Ingredients:



• One package of regular Oreos (3 full sleeves)
• One block of softened cream cheese
• Dolci Frutta Chocolate (in white or milk- your choice) *see my past blog entry for more on this

How to:

1. Using a food processor, grind up all of the Oreos. Make sure to grind fine, eliminating all chunks and large pieces.
2. Using a stand mixer, blend together cookie crumbs and block of cream cheese. Softened cream cheese blends together nicely. If the cream cheese is rock hard and cold, you are going to have issues.
3. Roll mixture into small balls (about the size of a bouncy ball) and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. They will look like little balls of coal.
4. Place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
5. Follow microwave directions for Dolci Frutta....you can use melted chocolate instead, but trust me it's easier, less messy, and better tasting using the Dolci Frutta.
6. Dip chilled Oreo balls into the chocolate and let them sit. You may have to dip them twice to completely coat all sides. After they dry store in fridge.

**To make dipping them in chocolate easier, you can stick a toothpick into each ball before putting into the fridge. Then when you go to dip, they are already on the toothpick, which makes it easy to dip into the chocolate.**

There are many ways you can play around with this recipe by how you decorate them. You can use white or milk chocolate on the outside and can create swirl patterns or add sprinkles. Here are some cute ones I saw online:

Holiday!

Mixture

Swirl

Using Oreo crumbs on top

 

Valentine's Day

With nuts

Baking from Halloweenland

 Happy Halloween!

 

As Maryland gets ready for Hurricane Sandy this weekend, my hubs and I are attending a Halloween Party tonight.



Jack Skelleton, the Pumpkin King from Tim Burton's, The Nightmare Before Christmas.
 

I saw discovered this cupcake design from a link on Pinterest and just had to make them.

Easy and cute!

Here are my skull cakes....

 Chocolate cupcakes, vanilla frosting, and black decor icing.

 Tomorrow I will post my costume :)

For a look back at last years....go here.

My Pinterest Fails

Pinterest is filled with seemly endless inspiration, recipes, and home remedies. Some pins I have tried and loved and others were nothing more than a waste of time and money.

 

After stumbling across this hilarious blog Pinstrosity, I learned I was not alone and I thought I should share some of my own misses as well.

Let's start with food:

This is the picture of the only 2 ingredient recipe for pineapple angel food muffins. Looks good right? I thought so as well and sounded so easy- only 2 ingredients and the pin also boasted to be "fat free"!

 

I followed the instructions as directed and combined the two ingredients which whipped up into an almost science experiment consistency. Not dissuaded, I continued and filled the cupcake tins and baked for 350 for 40 minutes or until golden brown. I was left with dry and overflowing muffins that not only looked disgusting but tasted awful too. Not to mention this recipe could have made at least 4 trays of 12!

 

My advice is too not follow any pins that do not link to an actual web page. I have never seemed to have any luck with this type and it's also a disadvantage since you cannot read any feedback, reviews, etc.

Another Crappy Recipe:

 

Chipolte at home and healthy!? Yes please! So I tried this "Copy Cat, Skinny Barbacoa Beef" and should be renamed to Barbacoa BARF! This one had tons of rave reviews.....however my husband and I couldn't even stand the smell of it! This was a HUGE waste of ingredients, time, and left me scrambling to find something else to make for dinner last minute.

Around the house tip:

This tip was to soak old paint brushes in vinegar for 30 minutes and they would be "as good as new!"

 

Wrong! Not only did I waste my time and a bottle of vinegar- I had to wash out the gross smelling paint brushes. My brushes looked exactly the same after as they did pre-vinegar.

Hair Tip:

Simply flat iron over twisted sections of dry hair for easy beach waves! WOW! Sounds to easy- well because it doesn't work. No other way around this one, just really doesn't work!

Beauty tip:

Ohh looks sooo easy! And this one comes from Martha's people at Real Simple? Just had to try!!! Simply dip your wet nails into a bowl of could ice water and just like magic they dry! NOT! There is a reason you don't see this at any salons, because it doesn't dry your polish it just f*cks it all up!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed my Pinterest Fails....I'm sure there will be more to come!! Feel free to comment with your fails :)

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

 

 

I found this recipe online one night and had all the necessary ingredients, so I made them.

 They are different, simple, and not too overbearing.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest, grated (I used Tangerine, becuase that is all I had...I also used like 4 tablespoons)
• 12 ounces (2 cups) white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. (IF NOT THE WHITE CHOC CHIPS WILL BURN).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until light and creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add flour mixture until combined. Stir in orange zest and white chocolate chips (by hand).
4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes (I did 10 minutes) or until golden brown around edges. Cool for 3 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to rack to cool completely (I removed cookies immediately transferred to cooling rack).

Recipe found at Sweet Pea's Kitchen Blog.

As always, my notes are in pink!