Tag: Family Life

5 Life Hacks!!

February 15, 2016 Uncategorized

I can’t get enough of life hacks!  Simple ideas that are truly genius.  Hacks that make you think “why didn’t I think of that?”  or “how did they think of that?”.   The life hacks I have posted below are five that I have found very helpful!  I hope you do too.

 

LH5

 

LH3

LH2

LH1

LH4

Thanks, Imeimei, for the life hacks!

5 Life Hacks You Need In Your Life

February 12, 2016 Uncategorized

Everyone needs convenience, speed, and organization in their life.  Here are 4 life hacks that bring you all or one of those things.  Personally I cant wait to label my keys with my favorite color nail polish.  I also cant wait to mount a magnetic strip to store my bobby pins.  Let me know if you have tried any of these or if you plan to try them!!

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  1. Turn your toaster on its side to make a grilled cheese!

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2.  Label cords in your office or home with bread bag ties.

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3. Use black paper clips to clip to your desk to organize the cords you use regularly.

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4.  Label keys with your favorite nail color.

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5. Mount a strip of magnetic tape somewhere in your bathroom or vanity area and stick your Bobby Pins to it!

 

It’s Not too Late to Decorate!!

February 11, 2016 Uncategorized

I don’t know about you, but things at my house sometimes get done last minute!  Nothing says “I love you” like quality time, craft time, and then decorating the house together too.  It’s definitely not too late to get a garland or two draped on the mantle or on a bedroom door to capture the Valentine’s Day spirit! Wouldn’t it be sweet to craft, decorate, and then eat a Valentines meal with a decorated space? What a charming idea!! Just carve 30 minutes out of your busy schedule and make it happen!!  Here are ideas to help you get started!!

heartgarland

• colored paper
• stapler
• a ruler
• a pencil
• a paper cutter / sicssors

heartwindow

  • scissors
  • hole punch
  • construction paper
  • multicolor tissue paper
  • transparent contact paper
  1. Cut hearts from of pieces of construction paper.
  2. Use a hole punch to create a starting point for removing the center of the heart.
  3. Trim pieces of multicolor tissue paper into small pieces.
  4. Remove the backing from the transparent contact paper to expose the adhesive side.
  5. Lay the contact paper smooth side down on a table, and position the red construction paper hearts on top of it. Make sure that the contact paper extends around the outside of the heart.
  6. Overlap pieces of tissue paper to the inside of the heart. The tissue paper will stick to the adhesive side of the contact paper.
  7. Trim excess contact paper from around the edge of the heart, leaving roughly 1/2” overhang.
  8. Apply the clings to a clean window and enjoy the light streaming through the transparent tissue paper.

 

heartgarland2

  • construction paper or cardstock
  • yarn
  • scissors
  • hole punch
  1. Measure out the desired length of garland  yarn. Cut the yarn and lay it out straight on a flat surface.
  2. Cut a heart out of construction paper or card stock. This will be your stencil.
  3. Trace and cut out as many hearts you will need to evenly space hearts down the length of the garland.
  4. Punch 2 holes in the arches of the hearts.
  5. Lace the yarn in the right hole and out the left hole. Slide the heart down the yarn toward the end of the garland.
  6. Repeat step 5 with desired amount of evenly spaced hearts.
  7. Repeat steps 1-6 three times with three different lengths of yarn. Trim the length yarn to adjust to space as needed.
  8. Hang for all to see!

 

 

Three Heart Shaped Sweet Recipes!

February 10, 2016 Uncategorized

I had it in my mind to make these heart shaped cherry pies for my friends for Valentines Day! I will most likely sub the pie crust for a gluten free pie crust for my friends with gluten sensitivities. As I was searching for a recipe to make I stumbled upon the following heart shaped sweet treats perfect for this weekends festivities!  And now that I think about it all of these can be made gluten free! If only they can be sugar and calorie free.. am I right? I hope you enjoy!

heartpie

Mini pastries for Valentine’s Day
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • pie dough
  • fresh cherries, chopped
  • ricotta cheese
  • sprinkle of sugar
  • 1 TBSP butter, melted
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Roll out your pie dough (I like to do this between 2 sheets of plastic wrap). Cut out shapes with cookie cutter.
  3. Sprinkle and stir the sugar with the chopped cherries in a bowl.
  4. Lay out your heart cut outs on the baking sheet. Spoon on some fresh ricotta cheese, then spoon on the cherries. Lay down the top dough, seal to press with a fork.
  5. Brush the top with melted butter.
  6. Bake for about 15 minutes or until mini hearts are golden brown. The baking time will largely depend on the thickness of your pastry dough and your oven. Just keep close watch.
  7. Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

heart cookies

Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies

Serves: 36

Ingredients:

  • 1 package peanut butter cookie dough
  • 36 heart-shaped milk chocolate candies

Instructions:

  1. Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls; roll in sugar.
  2. Bake following cookie dough instructions. Immediately press chocolate candy into top of each cookie.
  3. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

ricecrispies

Rice Crispy Treat Hearts

Serves: Depends on the size of the heart cookie cutter
Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 250g or 1 package (about 40 regular) marshmallows or 5 cups miniature
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
  • Melted chocolate wafers or chips (we used Belgium wafers in strawberry and vanilla)

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
  2. Stir in vanilla. Stir in Rice Krispies cereal until well coated.
  3. Using a lightly buttered spatula, press into a buttered 3.5 L pan.
  4. Turn pan over onto a cutting board. Mixture should release easily from pan.
  5. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make Rice Krispies Hearts
  6. Melt pink chocolate wafers using a double boiler.
  7. Dip half of Rice Krispies Heart into chocolate. Give it a tap to remove excess chocolate .
  8. Place chocolate covered hearts onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet.
  9. Drizzle white chocolate over dipped portion of Rice Krispies Heart.

 

Thank you, lottie london, Betty Crocker, and Intimate Weddings!

5 Valentine’s Day Food Crafts

February 4, 2016 Uncategorized

vdayfood2

5 Valentine’s Day Food Crafts

Need some snack ideas for a classroom or office party? What about ideas for edible Valentines or quality time with the kiddos? Here are 5 Valentines Day Food Crafts just for you!!

1. Sugar cookie heart pendant

2. Mini chocolate heart pies

3. Candy heart necklace

4. Warm fuzzy cheese balls

5. Chocolate candy cups

Click here for instructions on how to make these festive and yummy treats!

Thanks, She Knows!