Buy Decorating Cookies: 60+ Designs for Holidays, Celebrations & Everyday on Amazon

Royal Icing Recipe from Bakeat350.blogspot.com

(This will cover 2-3 dozen 3.5 inch cookies in 2 colors; I usually double this recipe.)

4 TBSP meringue powder

scant 1/2 c. water

1 lb. powdered sugar

1/2 - 1 tsp light corn syrup

few drops clear extract (optional)

Combine the meringue powder and water. With the paddle attachment of an electric mixer, beat until combined and foamy.

Sift in the powdered sugar and beat on low to combine. (Do NOT skip the sifting!)

Add in the corn syrup and extract if desired. ( I think the corn syrup helps keep the icing shiny.)

Increase speed to med-high/high and beat for about 5 minutes, just until the icing is glossy and stiff peaks form.

(You should be able to remove the beater from the mixer and hold up and jiggle without the peak falling.) Do not overbeat.

Cover with plastic wrap touching the icing or divide and color using gel paste food colorings.

Watch these tutorial videos from Home Depot:

Holiday Snowflake Light

Christmas Ornament Display Frame

Get inspiration for DIY holiday wreaths and decorations.

Wreath Chandelier

Triple Wreath on Front Door

Chandelier made out of garland

Follow Stretch Your Dollar's Patricia Lopez on Pinterest for more great ideas!

Wonder Woman dog costume

Star Wars AT-AT dog costume

Black and orange dog mohawk

Following found at 99 Cent Store:

Bark Lite beer can Halloween dog costume

Corn dog costume

13 named trees to plant as recommended by Randy Lemmon

1. Green Ash (Fraxinus Pennsylvanica)
2. White Ash (Fraxinus Americana)
3. Shumard Red Oak (Quercus Shumardii)
4. Nutall Oak (Quercus Nuttalli)
5. Overcup Oak (Quercus Lyrata)
6. Mexican Oak (Quercus Polymorphas)
7. Mexican Sycamore (Plantanus Mexicanus)
8. Cedar Elm (Ulmus Crassifolia)
9. Winged Elm/Corky Winged Elm (Ulmus Alata)

10.White Oak (Quercus Alba)

      11. Bradford Pear (Pyrus Calleyranna)

      12. Drummond Red Maple (Acer Rubrum)

     13. Laurel Oak (Quercus Laurifolia)

Get your family's morning off to a quick and healthy start with these breakfast ideas.

Ham and Cheese Frittata

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mini-frittatas-with-ham-cheese-10000000521726/

Oatmeal (12 servings)

Make oatmeal as directed by label

Add ½ cup of dried fruit bits

Add ¼ nuts of your choice

Add brown sugar to taste

Once your oatmeal has cooled, line a muffin pan with plastic wrap and fill with a cup of oatmeal. Stick in freezer and once each cup has frozen, transfer into freezer safe bags. Microwave each serving for 45 seconds to a 1:30.

Breakfast Sandwich

(6) Wheat English Muffins

Scrambled Eggs

Canadian Bacon

Cheese

Place your ingredients in an assembly line to easily build your sandwiches. Wrap in wax paper and place in freezer safe bags.

Heat for about an minute in the microwave.

Franklin Beauty School

http://www.franklinbeautyschool.com/

Remington College

http://community.remingtoncollege.edu/reaches_out/cuts_for_kids.php

JC Penney Free Haircuts for Kids

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/jsp/browse/category.jsp?id=cat100300164

Bow World

9700 Harwin Dr. Ste 121

Houston, TX 77036

(713) 975-0888

 ***Save money & still travel in style***
 
10. Be organized by thinking about your itinerary beforehand and pack accordingly

 9. Pick one color story (for example, go all black or with neutrals) and pack bag so items coordinate

 8. Wear the heaviest or bulkiest items on the plane (like wedge sandals, denim, etc)

 7. Bring a cute dress that can be multi-functional (worn as dress for dinner, then as a swimsuit cover-up)

 6. Pack delicate items in the middle of the suitcase.  Dressier beaded or embellished items can be turned inside out to avoid damage

 5. Buy travel size EVERYTHING & ask if samples of your favorite product are available -- deodorant,

shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, perfume, tinted moisturizer, etc

 4. Pack a flat tote bag that you can haul loot back, if you choose to do so

 3. Besides your carry-on, bring a LARGE purse that can hold other small handbags, jewelry, toiletries, electronics

 2. Think minimal footwear by color story and function. A wedge, flip flops, and a dressy pair if needed.

 1. Lay everything as FLAT as possible, lining your suitcase with the least amount of folds with heaviest on bottom and shoes on top.

Value Village

Goodwill

Salvation Army

Below are just some examples of plants that you can use in Small Space Gardens and Containers:

Sunny Spot:
Mexican Sedum
Ponytail Palm
Ice Plant
Hens & Chicks
Small prickly pear varieties
Aloes
Yuccas

Shade:
Impatiens
Airplane Plant
Shrimp Plant
Variegated Fig Ivy
Golden Globes
Ajugas

Herbs:
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Lavender
Rosemary
Parsley

Veggies:
Tomatoes
Corn
Peppers
Egg Plant
Squash
Cucumbers

http://nelsonwatergardens.com/

Bodacious Boots Company

Diva B Designs

Try these Houston resale shops for great rodeo fashions and more, at a huge savings.

ANew-U Ladies Designer Consignment Boutique

Men's Resale by the Village

Cake Pops Recipe

Provided by Nadine Moon of “Who Made the Cake”

•Cake from cake mix box

•Container of icing

•Candy melts

Directions:

Make the cake according to the directions. Let the cake cool. Mix the icing in with the finished cake until it feels like cookie dough. Form the mixture into balls. Put in the freezer for about an hour. Melt the candy melts. Take the stick and dip it into the candy melt chocolate before sticking into the frozen ball. Dip the "pops" into the melt mixture. Let cool. They should all harden and dry in about 10 minutes. Nadine Moon from "Who Made The Cake" recommends sticking the pops in a block of Styrofoam covered with wax paper, so they dry.

For more information visit www.whomadethecake.com

Red Stamp -- Service for digital and paper correspondence

Cards App -- Send cards right from your iPhone or iPod Touch

Cartolina App -- Send brief but beautiful messages

You can find inspiration from the Year of the Dragon to put unique touches into your wardrobe.  But while some hot runway looks can be pretty pricy, budget-friendly finds work just as well.

Find some items at the following locations:

• SW Trading Accessory Plaza
• Hong Kong City Mall and Food Market

Instructions for carving a watermelon like a football helmet

Create football designed Rice Krispie treats

Cookies and chocolate covered strawberries become footballs

Hamm Store Humble

Hamm Store Kingwood

Cap Thrift Store

Melissa A. Bogle, MD/Dermatologist

http://www.lasercosmetic.com/ls-drbogle.html

Cleansers:

1. Cetaphil
2. Purpose
3. Dove

Sunscreen:

1. For men:
2. For Women: Aveeno SPF 30

Make up with Suncreen:

1.  Saramay
2. Cetaphil
3. Neutrogena

Dry Skin:

1. Neutrogena Sesame oil

Eye Cream:

1. ROC retinol Correxion eye cream

Nighttime Cream:

1. Oil of Olay Reginerest

www.thediningdiva.com

Zesty Peach Chutney

Ingredients

2 lbs Peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped (Frozen peaches will work, too)

1 lb Onions, chopped

3/4 Cups red wine vinegar

1/2 Cup Apple cider or juice

1/2 Cup Chopped, pitted dates

1/2 Cup Raisins

1 Habanero pepper, seeded and minced

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Ground ginger

1/4 tsp Ground cloves

1 Tbsp Mustard seeds

Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon

1 1/2 Cups Packed dark brown sugar

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine peaches with remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer until peaches and onions are tender, stirring occasionally for about one hour. Stir more often as mixture begins to thicken to prevent scorching. Ladle into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Secure lids and rings. Process for 15 minutes in a hot water bath. Great with pork or chicken!

Herbed Butter

Ingredients

1 Cup Unsalted butter, softened

3/4 tsp Salt

1 clove Garlic, pressed (optional)

6 Tbsp Finely minced fresh herbs

Directions

Mix together all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Roll into a cylinder on waxed paper or plastic wrap or spread in butter molds. Refrigerate until serving time.

Berry Infused Vinegar

Servings: 1 Cup

Ingredients

1 Pint Fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries)

2 Cups Distilled white vinegar

Directions

Combine the berries and the vinegar in a nonreactive container. Crush the berries to release juices. (You can also puree the mixture in a blender or a food processor.) Cover, and let the mixture rest for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. Strain the mixture through a double thickness of cheesecloth, gently pressing on the solids to extract as much of the juice and vinegar as possible. Discard the solids. Bottle the vinegar and tightly cap. The vinegar will keep about 6-8 months. I store mine in the refrigerator so it will be ready for salad dressings!

Hot Pickled Okra

Ingredients

3 1/2 lbs Small okra pods, washed and patted dry

3 1/2 Cups Water

2 1/2 Cups Vinegar (5% acidity)

1/2 Cup Canning (pickling) salt

1/2 Cup Sugar

12 Sprigs Fresh dill

4 tsp Dried dill seed

4 tsp Mustard seeds

2 tsp Celery seed

1 tsp Crushed red pepper

4 Cloves Garlic (or more!!), peeled and halved

4 Small Hot red peppers, halved lengthwise

Directions

Trim stems of okra pods. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. In the meantime, evenly divide the okra pods, fresh dill, dill seed, mustard seeds, celery seed, crushed red pepper, garlic, and hot peppers among the sterilized jars, packing okra pods in tightly.(I find it best to begin placing the okra pods in stem first, then poke the "pointy" ends down between them. This will allow you to get more into each jar.). Fill each jar with hot brine, leaving ½ inch headspace. Wipe rims well, place lids on, then screw down bands. Place jars in rack and lower into boiling water. When water returns to a boil, place the lid on the pot, and process for 15 minutes. Remove carefully with jar lifters. Let cool, and check to be sure each jar is sealed.

Zucchini and Summer Squash Relish

Ingredients

1 lb Zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 lb Yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch dice

2 lbs Onions, diced

1 1/4 Cups Kosher salt

Cold water

3 Cups Distilled white vinegar (5% acidity)

1 Cup Sugar

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

1 tbsp Finely minced fresh rosemary

1 tsp Crushed red pepper

Directions

Toss the zucchini, yellow squash and onions with the salt in a large nonreactive container. Cover with cold water and let rest for 2 hours. Drain; rinse, twice and drain thoroughly. In a medium saucepan bring the vinegar, sugar, garlic, rosemary and pepper to a boil. Simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add the drained vegetables and boil 5 minutes. Divide among the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch headspace. Process for 15 minutes in a hot water bath. Remove jars, let cool, and store for up to one year.

Google Shopping: http://www.google.com/prdhp?hl=en&tab=ff

Coupon Cabin: http://www.couponcabin.com/

Coupon Code: http://couponcode.com/

Retail Me Not: http://retailmenot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/GardenLine-with-Randy-Lemmon/115129939929

I can't get my mind off the weather. I've been watching TV forecasts like a soap opera addict, waiting for a prediction that rain is on the way and that this drought will break. But slight possibilities or a few afternoon thundershowers won't make up for the nearly 20-inch rainfall deficit we are now enjoying. Even if tropical moisture on its way, it will never be enough to deep-root water all the trees in our area that are in such desperate need.

So, this week I hope I can encourage you to chip in and help some trees near you. We are going to lose many because of drought stress - we simply won't be able to save them all. In fact, we could experience one of the worst tree losses since Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. But let's at least save as many as we can. I and organizations like the Texas Forest Service and Trees for Houston are encouraging residents to water the trees around them, whether they own them or not. And, yes, it needs to be done even with the watering restrictions that have been imposed on many communities.

Damage from the current drought has been seen in exponential ways just in the past couple of weeks. And it's only going to get worse if some of us don't step in to help out. Otherwise, there could be an even more absurd domino effect that could go on for three years. I could write five more columns on how such a loss would reduce the environmental benefits of healthy tree canopies, not to mention the beauty of healthy trees in general.

So, here are some helpful tips about watering trees. Please help out where and when you can - especially with younger trees. Experts say a tree's first two years are crucial.

A rule of thumb during a drought is to give a small, one-year-old tree 28 gallons of water a week, a two-year-old tree 56 gallons a week, and a three-year-old 112 gallons a week.

Large, mature trees also need help. About 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter is recommended each week.

Don't waste your time or water on any tree that doesn't have at least some green in it right now. If it's completely brown, holding on to brown leaves, it's dead. No amount of moisture will bring it back to life.

To help save the urban forest, Trees for Houston recommends a deep, thorough soaking once a week during the growing season. A watering schedule that maintains a lawn in a drought is not adequate to maintain trees.

The key is a long, slow soaking, so water can penetrate deeply into the root zone. Options include:

•  Turning the hose on at just a little more than a trickle and letting water soak into the ground under the drip line or canopy until that area is saturated. Then, move the hose to another area and repeat.

•  Using soaker hoses.

•  Poking holes in the bottoms of five-gallon buckets and placing them beneath trees, then filling the buckets so the water slowly seeps into the soil.

•  Purchasing slow-release systems (right) such as Ooze Tube or Treegator, which tree experts say are especially beneficial for younger trees.

•  For homes with irrigation systems, and where no watering restrictions are in effect, it is recommended to run a second cycle so water can percolate deeper into the soil.

•  If your trees are so big, and the root systems so dense, that you can't auger holes (left) in the soil beneath them yourself, call a professional tree service today to start some deep-root feeding.

Recipes:

French Toast

http://busycooks.about.com/od/breakfastmaindishes/r/freezefrentoast.htm

Egg Muffin

http://busycooks.about.com/od/breakfastmaindishes/r/eggmuffinsandwi.htm

Breakfast Burrito

http://busycooks.about.com/od/breakfastmaindishes/r/freezerburrito.htm

Bacon Hash brown Rollups

http://busycooks.about.com/od/porkentreerecipes/r/baconhashroll.htm

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Items you will need:

• 1 Cup Borax (estimated cost is 25 cents)
• 1 Cup Baking Soda (estimated cost 33 cents)
• Large Mixing Bowl

Directions:

Mix equal parts Borax and Baking Soda in a large mixing bowl.  Mix until well combined.
This recipe will yield 14 uses.

**Use TWO tablespoons per load.
The cost to make this product is approximately 58 cents. Divide that by the number of uses (14) to get the cost per load/use -- 4 cents per load.

Homemade Scrubbing Powder

For this project you will need these items:

• 1 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax -- $2.99 per box (cost is 25 cents to use 1 cup out of the box)
• 1 Cup Baking Soda -- 66 cents per box (cost is 33 cents to use 1 cup out of box)
• 1 Cup Salt -- estimated the cost of 1 cup of salt to be around 19 cents
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring Cup

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl combine equal parts Borax, Baking Soda and Salt.  Mix together well.  Place contents in an air tight container when not using.
Total cost to make is 77 cents. 

How to make Homemade Laundry Detergent:

This recipe will make you 94 (one tablespoon) loads.  If you plan on using two tablespoons per load, then you will get 47 loads from this recipe.

For this project you will need these items:

• 1 Large Bar Laundry Soap -- 79 cents (found in the laundry detergent aisle)
• 1 Box 20 Mule Team Borax -- $2.99 per box (cost is 75 cents to use 1/4 of the box)
• 1 Box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda -- $2.29 per box (cost is 57 cents to use 1/4 of the box)
• Food Processor OR Cheese Grater
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring Cup

Directions: 

In the large mixing bowl, measure 3 cups of Super Washing Soda and 3 cups of Borax. Grate the whole bar of soap into small pieces.  This sounds hard, but the soap is very soft and easily grated. Place into the mixing bowl and mix all ingredients well.

Cost Breakdown:

Soap -- 79 cents

Borax -- used 75 cents worth

Super Washing Soda -- used 57 cents worth

Total cost to make is $2.11 to make 94 loads (one tablespoon) worth of Laundry Detergent.

There is a   going on this saturday at the Hilton on Nasa Road One, from 9 to 4pm. They will appraise what you have and if you agree will sell it at an upcoming auction, after which you will be paid.

Shatter and Crackle

OPI Shatter: $10 at OPI Consultant Salons
Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat: $7 at Walgreens

Nail Polish Strips

Salon Hansen Salon Nail Effects Nail Polish Strips: $10 at Walgreens
The Minx Manicure that the nail strips are inspired by: $55 and up

Glitter

Deborah Lippmann “Boom Boom Pow”: $20 at Neiman Marcus
Sally Hansen Xtreme wear nail polish in “Set that Stage”: $4 at Walgreens

Pastels

Chanel “Mimosa”: $25 at the counter

Nail Art

Konad Stamping Set: $16 dollars online
Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens: $6 at Walgreens

Glitter

Deborah Lippmann “Boom Boom Pow”: $20 at Neiman Marcus
Sally Hansen Xtreme wear nail polish in “Set that Stage”: $4 at Walgreens

Pastels

Chanel “Mimosa”: $25 at the counter

Nail Art

Konad Stamping Set: $16 dollars online
Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens: $6 at Walgreens

For the millions of Americans who are out of work, or working far below their previous income level, paying their mortgage is a monthly challenge.

Now there is help on the horizon, but you do have to act fast.The Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program is a new program for unemployed or underemployed homeowners who behind on mortgage payments or are in foreclosure right now.

Rules for the program are available from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Money Management International is the local office handling the program.  On the right hand side of their website the words 'Apply Now' are written in green.  That link takes you to a 15 item questionnaire to let you know if you pre-qualify.

You can also call Money Management International at 877-329-2502.

*Make sure there's someone you can call if you receive unauthorized charges.

*Read the fine print about "free trial offers." How long do you have to cancel and how much are you charged?

*Be sure the amount you spend on bids is not more than cost of the product.

*Also use a credit card -- not a debit card -- for online purchases you're unsure about.  You have greater protections to dispute charges you paid for but did not get. 

Monday, April 25, 2011

Starring

Rachel Gower

Mod Squad

Cecelia Kerr

          There’s nothing quite like looking someone in the eyes with confidence, knowing that you look great. The eyes are one of the most problematic and highly visible spots on our body. There are a wide variety of cosmetics aimed at improving the precious tissue around our peepers. Rachel Gower and her squadron of beauty-philes have put numerous products through the ringer, and determined which ones deliver on their lofty promises.

Main Concerns About Eyes:

-         Dark Circles

-         Puffiness

-         Wrinkles

-         General signs of aging such as crow’s feet, dryness & sagging

Rollerballs to Combat Puffiness

There are three things you need to combat puffiness around the eyes:

1. Caffeine
2. Vitamin B
3. Coolness

Combining these three will help restrict the blood flow to the surface of your under-eye tissue, and keep your eyes looking refreshed and alert.

SPLURGE: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Express ($44 @ Neiman Marcus)

-         Has a rollerball applicator that easily dispenses the serum (rich in caffeine & vitamin B)

-         Leaves eye tissue refreshed and invigorated

-         Very handy, about the size of a pen

STEAL: Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller ($12 @ Walgreens)

-         Provides all the great benefits of the YSL product, minus the hefty price tag

-         Very cooling & hydrating

Dark Circles

Unfortunately, these babies are hereditary. If you’re born with them in your genetics, chances are they’ll just get darker with time & stress. We have yet to find an eye cream that effectively eliminates the problem of dark under eye circles. Here, you’re best served by spending less on your eye cream, and investing in a high quality concealer.

Anti-Aging Eye Creams

Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid- Power Duo

Probably the most promising of all eye creams combine retinol and hyaluronic acid to combat the signs of aging in the precious subcutaneous eye tissue. The retinol keeps cell turnover at a healthy rate, which will help decrease the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. With all that cellular activity going on, you’re going to need a powerful hydrator to keep the skin moisturized, which will ensure that you don’t experience dryness & flaking. Hyaluronic Acid is a very special ingredient in cosmetic formulations, because it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

SPLURGE: Jan Marini Age Intervention Eye Cream ($92 @ The Upper Hand)

-         Packed with retinol & hyaluronic acid

-         Helps resurface the eye area, while keeping it moisturized & glowing

-         Sinks in easily

-         Softens & hydrates the eye area

-         A little goes a long way!

STEAL: Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Eye Cream ($21 @ Walgreens)

-         Contains the same active ingredients as the Jan Marini, yet it’s so much easier to work into your budget!

-         Lightweight, absorbs easily

-         After a couple weeks of using, the skin around your eyes will feel noticeably softer and plumper- who doesn’t want that?

STEAL FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: Roc Retinol Correction Sensitive Eye Cream ($17 @ Walgreens)

-         Contains retinol and hyaluronic acid

-         Slowly releases retinol over time, which helps prevent inflammation that many can experience when using a retinoid

-         A milder formula of the widely popular Roc Eye Cream, one of the most raved about drugstore eye creams on the planet

Peptides

If you find that retinol is too harsh for your skin, then you’re going to want to look into an anti-aging eye cream that contains peptides. These are essentially shorter chains of amino acid than collagen, which is naturally occurring in youthful skin. Peptides work by signaling for your skin to produce more collagen, carrying copper deep into your skin (which results in skin repair), and adding back firmness to sagging skin.

SPLURGE: Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Eye Cream ($100 @ Neiman Marcus)

-         Contains an ingredient called Elemi PFA, which restores tensin, a protein that is naturally occurring in skin that anchors cells and controls how they connect

-         Helps tighten & reinforce the skin

-         Very hydrating

STEAL: Roc Multi-Correxion Lift Anti-Gravity Eye Cream ($21 @ Walgreens)

-         According to the manufacturer, works around the clock to “fight the multiple signs of aging caused by the downward pull of gravity.”

-         Contains a proprietary “Protient Plus” blend of peptides to firm & tone the eye area

-         Has shea butter to aid in hydrating the eye area, which needs more hydration than the rest of your face

Buffalo Exchange 

(713) 523-8701

1618 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77006

Buffalo Exchange/HEIGHTS

(713) 868-2400

249 W 19th St

Houston, TX 77008

AND

FASHION RECYCLER

1629 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77006

(713) 529-7463