Helpful Household Hints

Everyone has their own household tips and tricks that they’ve picked up over the years. Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve too and I’m continuing my little series of Helpful Household Hints to share them with you guys.

Helpful Household Hint #2: Keeping Brown Sugar Soft and Fresh

Has this ever happened to you? You find a great cookie recipe. You pull out all of the ingredients from your pantry. When you get to the brown sugar, you find that it has hardened into an unusable rock.

Hey, it’s happened to me. Brown sugar is finicky.

Instead of going out to buy more sugar or trying to save what you have at the last minute, here’s how you can prevent it from happening in the first place.

It’s simple. Your brown sugar needs moisture. You need to store it properly.

You’ll need four things:

1. A container big enough to fit your bag of brown sugar (I use a 12 oz. container that once housed frozen cool whip).
2. A small “cup” (I use a plastic measuring scoop with the handle cut off & my mom uses an old school medicine bottle with no cap).
3. A cotton ball.
4. Water.

That’s it. Nothing fancy.

Simply pour your brown sugar into the container. Place your cotton ball into the small “cup” and moisten it with a little water. Make a small indent so that small “cup” can fit in the sugar with the lid still being able to close. Seal your container tightly. Re-moisten your cotton ball ever so often.

Wha-la! No more crunchy brown sugar!

What tricks do you use around your household to make life a little easier or to fix the boo boos once they happen? Please share!

Credit: Photo taken by me.

Balsamic Pear Salad

I made a salad yesterday that actually turned out to be pretty delicious. In my hurry, I neglected to take any pictures (will you please forgive me?).

Pictures or not, the recipe was too good not to share.

Balsamic Pear Salad

Ingredients:

• 5 oz. bag of Mixed Greens
• 1 Pear
• 1/4 of a small Red Onion
• 1/4 cup Walnuts
• 1/4 cup Cashews
• Ground Black Pepper
• 3 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• Olive Oil

Directions:

1. POUR bag of Mixed Greens into a large bowl.
2. DICE the pear into small cubes. ADD to the bowl.
3. THINLY SLICE the Red Onion. ADD to the bowl.
4. CHOP nuts and ADD to the bowl.
5. GRIND fresh Pepper over the Mixed Greens.
6. POUR the Balsamic Vinegar over the Mixed Greens.
7. DRIZZLE the Olive Oil over the Mixed Greens to taste.
8. MIX and SERVE.

Here’s a photo from the website I found the original recipe and what her salad looked like…

Notes:

If you don’t have a pear, Mandarin orange slices or strawberry would also be tasty options. Further possible additions to the salad could be crumbled/shredded cheese or even avocado slices.

Enjoy!

Credit: Recipe adapted from Tried-and-True Cooking with Heidi. Photo from Tried-and-True Cooking with Heidi as well.

inspired by | willy wonka and the chocolate factory

Is it possible to create wearable style from a movie like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? I think so.

I was inspired to put together a handful of looks with hints of Willy Wonka to them. It was fun to reminisce about my favorite scenes from this classic movie and draw from the costumes and scenery.

If you had to style a look based on a classic movie, which movie would you choose and how would you put together your look?

 

inspired by | oompa loompas

 

{Girl With a Notebook & Prestigious Homes Realty}

 

{The Beauty Stop, ASOS Tailored Pleat Lapel Crepe Dress, Apple Green Bow Felt Head band & Prada Striped Canvas Lace-Up}

 

inspired by | violet beauregarde

 

{NY Daily News & NY Daily News}

 

{French Connection Sequin Mini Dress, ASOS Portfolio Envelope Clutch, Laura's Style & Bremseth}

 

inspired by | charlie bucket

 

{kiddie matinee & IGN movies}

   

{ASOS Leather And Sequin Longline Tank, ASOS 7/8 Tailored Slim Leg Pants, LILA-Silver Foil Hollow Glass Bead Gunmetal Necklace & L.A.M.B. Tawny Sequin Pump}

 

inspired by | willy wonka

 

{A Secret Forest & Collider}

 

{Paul & Joe Purple Haridel Velvet Tuxedo Jacket, Floral Garden Cami, we <3 it & Candy Shoes}

Not enough for you? Check out this great kid’s room and birthday party both inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

Sparkle and Fade

I am really into glitter, sequins, and just overall SPARKLE right now. Whether it be on a pair of pretty pumps or a fancy manicure, I’m all for it.

If you are feeling sparkly lately like me, check out the oh-so-glittery collection of images below! I don’t know about you, but these photos make me happy!

 

{ASOS Premium Sequin Collar & Chinese Laundry Good Times Sequin Ballerina}

{All that Glitters Cake Topper Flags by TheCakeStandBoutique}

 

{Vintage Mesh Evening Bag & Vintage Chainmail Necklace}

 

{A|wear Shift Dress With Sequin Detail & Vintage Sparkle Change Purse}

{black smoky eye makeup with gold glitter via eyeshadow lipstick}

  

{Aqua Jessica One Shoulder Sequin Mini Dress & Chinese Laundry Lady Bug Party Sequin Platform Shoes}

  

{Wilton Edible Glitter & Platinum Glitter Gold Reusable Cupcake Wrappers}

  

{Free-Skate Blouse & A Million Sparks Clutch}

 

{3/8 Gold Glitter Ribbon & OPI "Glow Up Already" polish}

{pretty pillow via dress design decor}

 

{Christian Louboutin Sequin Peep-Toe Pump & Sarah Seven}

 

{The Royalton Hotel, NYC & Goldstone Throne Necklace}