Ever had a good idea that just dissipated because you couldn't write it down? Keep one of these handy, and it'll never happen again. Moleskine journals are pocket-sized, acid-free, and just plain cool-looking. Hey, even if you don't become the next Hemingway, at least you can have fun writing down your grocery list.
Entertaining kids on cold winter days can be quite a challenge, but this home decorating tip could banish the boredom. Amanda Armstrong and Sarah Newell in Real Simple magazine suggest creating a wall mural with chalkboard paint. Paint simple shapes on the wall, let it dry, and then the kids can go crazy with chalk filling in the details. No more winter blues!
Araks Yeramyan, lingerie designer, reveals a good lingerie-washing tip in Lucky magazine. Fill a jar (similar to the one pictured) three-quarters full of warm water, add a half capful of gentle detergent. Throw in about 5 pieces of undergarments, and shake, shake, shake! Rinse until water runs clear, and hang to dry. Try it for hosiery, sweaters and blouses, too.
Visine can do more than just get the red out! According to makeup artist Charles Douglas in Ladies Home Journal, "Visine Eye Drops doubles as an eyeliner sealer. Apply a few drops to a powder eyeshadow, then pick up the dampened shadow with a fine eyeliner brush and stroke it next to upper lashes. The liner lasts for hours -- a better result than you'd get with water". What better way to make use of all those forgotten eye shadow colors at the bottom of your makeup bag?
I ditched my landline a couple of years ago, signed up with Vonage, and never looked back. It just keeps getting better. This Vonage V-Phone plugs into any USB port and turns any PC or laptop into a fully functional Vonage telephone, for $39.99. I'm adding this to my keychain!
For anyone living in or traveling to NYC with kids, this event is not to be missed. Carnegie Hall has a series of interactive family-oriented concerts aimed at kids between 5 and 12 years. At only $8.00 per ticket, it is a fantastic way to introduce young people to music. My husband took our 3 1/2 year old daughter and she had a blast meeting the musicians and seeing the instruments up close. She behaved like a real big girl, and came home talking about the timpani drum, her favourite instrument. Can't beat that for a cultural experience!
Did you know that you are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months? This website, AnnualCreditReport.com, sponsored by Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, is the place to do it. A good reality check for every busy consumer!
Celebrate the Year of the Boar with this noodle-filled Chinese New Year Chocolate Candy by Sammeiy on allrecipes.com. It's quick and easy, perfect as a party treat:
Chrys Solomon of The Homemaking Cottage offers up a simple concoction you can whip up from things in your fridge/pantry. Here it goes:
I'm always game to try natural remedies, so when my Dad suggested I try this Tropical Traditions organic virgin coconut oil as a moisturizer, I gave it a shot. With it's velvety texture and natural antibacterial properties, it sinks right into your skin. Perfect for soothing winter-damaged skin, hair and nails. (By the way, it tastes great in your oatmeal too!) Thanks, Dad.
My 3 year-old daughter refuses to wear anything but tights and dresses (since princesses don't wear denim, she says). Luckily, our reader Janet M. has turned me onto the perfect solution to keep her warm -- BabyLegs! They've got great colours and patterns and fit infants through size 10, so there's no chance they'll outgrow them too soon. Fashion with function! Thanks for the tip, Janet.
Just in case you're about to escape to Paris on one of those incredible winter specials, here are two things you can't be without. First is Plan de Paris, a pocket-sized book which will be your guide to Paris' Metro, arrondissements (city districts) and street maps. The second is the Paris Museum Pass. Formerly known as la carte musées-monuments, it gives you pre-paid access to all the major museums and monuments with no need to stand in admission lines. With these two things in hand, you're set for your adventure in the City of Lights!
Apparently, babies' fussy noises aren't all that random, according to Priscilla Dunstan, creator of the Dunstan Language System, in Parenting magazine. Here's a short list of five "words" that babies 0-3 months use:
Every time I sit warming my toes by a fireplace, I a.) enjoy the toasty feeling b.) wonder what noxious gases I'm inhaling. It might be the pessimist in me. Nonetheless, in a study done by NASA it was found that the common Spider plant removed 96% of carbon monoxide from the air. Hooray for houseplants!
This is a perfect solution for small spaces, or soon-to-be-parents who just don't want to commit to buying yet ANOTHER piece of furniture. The Skip Hop Diaper Toolbox holds diapers, ointments, creams, you name it, and can be moved from room to room as needed. My diaper-changing days are coming to end, but I'm still tempted to get one! Makes a great baby shower gift, too.
I was poking around late one night and found this handy Google calculator tool. Just plug your problem into the search box, like 45+34, hit enter, and there's your answer, 79. Pretty cool, and it sure beats digging around to find your computer's calculator!
Looking for something unusual to give someone who seems to have everything? The Carrotbox is a site dedicated to rings made of glass, lucite, resin, plastic, jade, wood, bakelite and even stone — anything, as long as it's not metal. It's like a trip to the candy store...
I think I might have stumbled upon the easiest chicken adobo recipe ever. Here goes:
