Reupholstering a Dumpster Find

02nd Jul2012

Reupholstering a Dumpster Find

by Dinah Wulf

Written by Loren Crane

I thank you for Dinah for letting share my new chair with you guys. If you remember my last chair was done with Ikea fabric.

I decided to go in another adventure in reupholstering a chair. The new chair is completely different from the other one I did and it had different challenges. I again found this beauty by the dumpster months ago. It just seating in my porch getting abused by my cat. My kitty and dog love to abuse furniture that does not belong in our home. I believe they smell other animals on fabric and they start just smelling it and stretching their nail on it. Also with the warm weather coming in and the bugs coming out, I decided to start reupholstering process. I really did not want to be outside in 90 degree weather.

The first thing to do was to remove the fabric from the frame of the chair. Removing the fabric is my least favorite part because there are thousand of staple to remove. Unlike the previous chair this chair was factory made and there was not as many staples but it took three days to remove all the fabric. It took so long because I was doing it all by my lonesome. I finally convince the hobby to help remove the last of the fabric since I need some muscle to pull it off.

Here are the tools you might need:

1. Knife

2. Tack lifter

3. Fabric Scissors

4. Pliers

You might also want to wear a mask when removing the fabric. The fabric will through up dust that will irritate your sinus, trust me.

The first thing I did was to find a place where the fabric was no longer attached to the frame. Then I a used the tack lifter to help pull the staples away from the frame enough to where they can be pulled out with the pliers. The foam in the inside of the chair was in good condition so this time around I won’t need to replace it.

You might find this funny but I use a oven mitten to remove the metal things ( I really don’t know what they are) in one pull. You will need to be careful not to damage the frame. At times when removing staples you can crack the wood.

In some places where the staples were impossible to remove I use a knife or fabric scissor take off the fabric. I really was trying not to damage the frame of the chair while removing the staples. The chair is modern and the wood is not really good quality wood.

The bottom fabric of the chair needs to be removed by placing the chair upside down and removing the black fabric. I going to keep the black fabric because it helps keep out dust and other things from getting in the chair.

On the top third bottom picture you see a thin rope where the stables there was twice the amount of staples. You will need to remove staples from the top and the bottom of the rope line.

The inside foam was cut into different panels and each one was inserted in between two pieces of fabric. One fabric was the reupholstering fabric and the other looked like muslin which was stapled to the frame of the chair.

Once the purple fabric was taken off the back of the chair it expose the foam and then I just pulled it up to slip off the foam from both fabrics. Then I just removed all the staples from the inside of the frame of the chair. The foam looks like tentacles…I must be tired.

I am sorry I am repeating the word remove but that’s all you are doing. haha. Trust me this step is super frustrating. Because it seems like the staples never end.

I finally finished!! All of foam and the batting was in good shape and it did not need to be replace. So I just Lysol the crap out of it (excuse my language, hehe).

The only piece of fabric that I did not remove was where the cushion would rest. This piece of fabric is attached to the inside of the frame while the chair was in two different pieces in the manufacturing process. It would be impossible to attach a new piece of fabric. I decide to leave it and I’ll show you what I did with it later on.

Here is the link to the previous chair I did.

I am so excited to get started on the fabric. As of right now I have $0.00 invested. It great to find a free chair.Come and take a look at the finished chair here!

Here is a sneek peek, hehe

Till Later,

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Category : DIY Furniture

Tags : Guest Author, Refurbishing Ideas, Upcycling Ideas

2 Comm

29th Jun2012

Cocktail Desserts and After Dinner Drinks

by Dinah Wulf

Cocktail Desserts and After Dinner Drinks

The first one is reminiscent of my mother’s favorite candy bar… The Milky Way.

Milky Way Cocktail Martini:

Ingredients:

1½ oz. Vanilla Rhum
¾ oz. white crème de cacao
¾ oz. Irish cream liqueur
Hersey’s chocolate syrup

Instructions:

Place a martini glass in a freezer till cold. Place 1 cup of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Pour the vanilla-flavored rhum, white creme de cacao, and Irish cream liqueur over the ice; cover and shake vigorously. Dump the ice and water from the martini glass and drizzle the inside of the glass with chocolate syrup. Strain the cocktail into the glass to serve.

Tiramisu Cocktail Martini:

Ingredients:

1 oz. Vanilla Rhum
½ oz. Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
½ oz. Bailey’s Coffee liqueur
½ oz. Frangelico liqueur
½ oz. White Crème de Cocoa liqueur
½ oz. Heavy Whipping Cream
Monin Strawberry syrup
Crushed Toasted Espresso Beans
Tiramisu Cocktail Rimmer Mix (recipes below)

Instructions:

Place a martini glass in a freezer till cold. Place 1 cup of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Combine all liquid ingredients into the shaker. Shake vigorously until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled. Place powdered chocolate, nutmeg, and cinnamon on a flat dish and strawberry syrup in a separate dish. Dip the rim of a martini glass in the grenadine and then dust the rim in the chocolate mix. Strain shaker into prepared glass. Garnish with toasted crushed espresso beans by floating in the center of glass.

Tiramisu Cocktail Rimmer Mix:

Ingredients:

½ tsp. Chocolate powder ( more of in mix)
½ tsp. Ground Cinnamon
½ tsp. Ground Nutmeg

Preparation:

Mix all together evenly in a bowl with a spoon. Store it in dry location.

Peanut Brittle Cocktail:

Ingredients:

1¼ oz. Vanilla Vodka
¾ oz. Nocello Walnut Liqueur
¾ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream Caramel
¼ oz. Butterscotch Schnapps
1 scoop Peanut Butter (smooth)
1 oz. Agave Syrup
½ oz. Heavy Whipping Cream

Instructions:

Place peanut butter with vodka, Simple Syrup and heavy whipping cream in a food processor until peanut butter dissolves. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice in a shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass over ice.

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Baklava Martini Cocktail:

Ingredients:

1½ oz. Pistachio Bourbon (recipes in cocktail library)
½ oz. Amaretto liqueur
½ oz. crème de cacao
¾ oz. Orange Honey
½ tsp.
Baklava powder (recipes below)

Place a martini glass in a freezer till cold. Combine amaretto, bourbon, crème de cacao, simple syrup, and cinnamon in a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well; strain into a chilled martini glass.

Baklava Cocktail Rimmer Mix:

Ingredients:

1 lb. walnuts, coarsely ground
1/2 lb. almonds, coarsely ground
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

Preparation:

If you are using a food processor to grind the nuts, process the almonds separately from the walnuts. Almonds take a bit more time to grind than walnuts and you don’t want the walnuts to be ground too finely. Using a coffee grinder, grind walnuts or almonds until they are finely ground. Store it in dry location.

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Café Mocha Pistachio (cocktail):

Instructions:

1 oz. Pistachio Bourbon ( recipes in cocktail library)
½ oz. Grand Marnier
½ oz. Godiva Chocolate liqueur
½ oz. Heavy Whipping Cream
Coffee
Coffee powder

Ingredients:

Combine all liqueurs and cream in a mug. Stir in hot black coffee with light sprinkling of chocolate powder. Optional, add whipped cream for a garnish.

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!!

Photo Source: Amazon.com

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Category : Cocktail Corner, Sweets and Treats

Tags : David Edessa, Guest Author, Party Treats

2 Comm

26th Jun2012

Upcycled Baseball Themed Dresser

by Dinah Wulf

Written By: Barbara from Chase The Star

Hi there! I’m Barbara from Chase the Star, a little blog about decorating and crafting on a budget. I love to take something in need of some DIY love, and make it look fabulous! I just recently stumbled upon Dinah’s blog, and must say, I’m a big fan already! I’m so excited to be a part of her blog today!

A few months ago I updated my kid’s old dresser and shared it with my readers, it was a real labor of love, so I thought I’d share it with you here at DIY Inspired!

In my world there is family and baseball-not necessarily in that order. My husband has passed his love for the game down to the boys and well in my case, if you can’t beat ‘em…

We’ve recently moved into our new house and I’ve been in a decorating frenzy. The boys insisted on selecting a theme for their room; yup you guessed it, golf. Ok, I jest—you were paying attention after all! Baseball is of course the ‘theme’ for this room, and more specifically the Boston Red Sox (no we are not from Boston; this team is just a random passion my husband acquired in his childhood).

So in keeping with my need/love for cheap-ness I decided to add a personal touch to their room by updating an old Ikea dresser they’ve had for years. I decided on what else but a Red Sox, red dresser—get it? I went with subway style lettering depicting several different common phrases associated with the Red Sox. Had to consult the hubs on that one (and also our “Fever Pitch” dvd).

Who knows who #9 Williams is??? Everyone in my house does. Everyone.

The entire piece was lightly sanded and the drawer fronts were painted in a pale grey that I had leftover from another project (because I’d run out of white). I bought some vinyl letters at Michael’s, and placed them on the drawer fronts intentionally overlapping some of the words passed the end of the drawers.

My trusty assistant

I enlisted my 3 year old assistant to paint the entire piece Red (Cherries Jubilee by Glidden). I kid! He got tired after 4 strokes of the brush.

Once the entire piece dried overnight, I carefully peeled the vinyl lettering off and sanded the edges, as well as over the letters for a distressed look.

I love the way this turned out!

See the intentional overlapping passed the ends of the drawers? Love!

This project took lots of patience, and about 2 day’s worth of time, but it was sooo worth it! The boys are so HAPPY with it, and I’ve even caught them bragging to their friends about it.

Mom SCORES!

Please stop by my blog Chase the Star for a visit, you’d make my day! Dinah, for letting me share my Subway Dresser your readers!

P.S. Here’s a quick preview of some of my most popular posts:

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Union Jack Stools

File Cabinet Makeover

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Category : DIY Furniture, Kid Stuff

Tags : Guest Author, Refurbishing Ideas, Storage Ideas, Upcycling Ideas

3 Comm

22nd Jun2012

Pistachio Infused Whiskey Cocktails

by Dinah Wulf

Written By David Edessa

Two weeks ago I posted how to create a delicious Pistachio Infused Bourbon. Today, we will put that infusion to work with after dinner Pistachio Infused Whiskey Cocktails.

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Here are some great party recipes for after dinner cocktails

Pistachio Shortbread Martini:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Light cream
1/4 cup Pistachio Infused Bourbon
2 teaspoons JELL-O Pistachio instant pudding mix
Hershey’s butterscotch sauce
Crushed Shortbread cookie crumbs
Whipped cream

Instructions:

Mix cream, Bourbon, and JELL-O instant pudding mix in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Chill a martini glass by filling it with 1/2 cup of ice and cold water. Dip rim of glass in butterscotch sauce then dip rim into shortbread cookie crumbs. Strain drink into chilled glass. Top the corner rim of glass with whipped cream and a cookie if you wish

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The next recipes will be single portions.

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Spiked Pistachio Shake:

Ingredients:

3 oz. Whole milk
2 oz. Seltzer water
6 oz. french vanilla ice cream
1 oz. Pistachio Infused Bourbon
½ teaspoons JELL-O Pistachio Instant Pudding mix
Whipped cream
Crushed almonds

Instructions:

Chill a martini glass by filling it with 1/2 cup of ice and cold water. Combine the milk, bourbon, and Jell-O mix in the blender and blend until combined, about 5 seconds. Add the ice cream and blend until smooth, about 10 seconds. Garnish with whip cream and crushed almonds.

Pistachio Tumbler:

Ingredients:

2 oz. Pistachio Infused Bourbon
3/4 oz. Chambord liqueur
1/2 oz. cranberry juice
Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

Build the ingredients in a cocktail glass over two ice cubes. Garnish with a lemon twist.

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Pistachio Cranberry Bark Martini:

Ingredients:

1 oz. Irish cream liqueur
1 oz. Pistachio Infused Bourbon
½ oz. White crème de cacao
½ oz. Light Cream
½ oz. Cranberry syrup (recipes below)
Hershey’s chocolate syrup

Instructions:

Chill a martini glass by filling it with 1/2 cup of ice and cold water.

Place 1 cup of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Pour the bourbon, cranberry syrup, white crème de cacao, and Irish cream liqueur over the ice; cover and shake vigorously. Dump the ice and water from the martini glass and drizzle the inside of the glass with chocolate syrup. Strain the cocktail into the glass to serve.

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Cranberry Syrup:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup cranberries sauce (canned)

Instructions:

Equal parts of sugar and water are warmed until dissolved, and then add two parts of cranberries. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cranberries are falling apart, about 15 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl and let the strainer sit over the bowl until the syrup has cooled to room temperature, about 1 hour. Store it in the refrigerator up to two weeks.

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!! And always enjoy

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : David Edessa, Father's Day, Guest Author, St. Patrick's Day

0 Comm

19th Jun2012

Savvy Tips to Get Rid of Your Unwanted Mattresses

by Dinah Wulf

Savvy Tips to Get Rid of Your Unwanted Mattresses

Written By Jack Black

Imagine this scene. A proud owner of a brand-new mattress waiting for his purchase to be delivered is jumping up and down with excitement. Tingles travel down his spine as he thinks of the coming nights with the fresh mattress beneath his tired and aching body. A delivery truck with a mattress logo appears around the bend. The driver climbs down, unloads the merchandise, and sets it down where the owner wants it. The owner, at this time, sees that the old mattress is still where the new one is supposed to go. He then scratches his head in confusion and says, “What should I do with THIS one?”

This is not an entirely uncommon situation. Mattress buyers are usually at a loss on what to do with the old one. The matter of recycling and reusing mattresses is a rather newborn idea in the green world of protecting the environment. Nevertheless, here are some suggestions on the disposal of your old mattress, be it in an ecological or just a practical way.

Take It to a Landfill

This is the most obvious answer for everyone. Taking the old mattress to the landfill and letting the people who work there do their own thing is simple for most people. Calling the garbage collectors who have the ability to pick up larger items is even easier even though one might need to call well in advance.

Although disposing old mattresses by dumping them in a landfill is at the height of convenience, there are some landfills that refuse to accept discarded mattresses. They take a lot of room and they damage the landfill equipment in the process. Because of their bulk, the mattresses need to be compacted before they are disposed. In the process of compaction, their springs get tangled frequently in the equipment. Old mattresses are an inconvenience not only to their previous owners, but to landfill operators as well.

Donate It

If the old mattress is still of passable quality and can still satisfy the needs of someone else, then why not donate it? There are a lot of centers that can put old mattresses to good use. Battered women shelters, half-way homes, homeless shelters and other similar institutions are in dire need of mattresses for their members.

Less fortunate individuals in the community would also appreciate the comforts of a soft yet supportive surface under their bodies. Just because you no longer find your old mattress no longer comfortable to sleep on does not mean it can’t be for someone else.

Recycle It

Recycling mattresses is relatively new, but there are already a few companies that do it. They take the old mattresses apart and separate them into their components. Cotton and cloth may be turned into clothes, foam may be recycled, and wood may be turned into chips. Inner springs could also be sold as metal. If everything goes well and the company does its best, 90% of the mattress can be reused.

Dispose It

If other alternatives don’t work out for you, there are always other options that may… If one is refused by garbage collectors and landfill operators, then you may better off going online and find out what you can do with your unwanted mattress. With a little research, you can find mattress outlets that offer to pick up your stuff and pay you for disposing it.

Old mattresses need not be a burden to anyone. In fact, with a little use of your imagination and a little sprucing up, they can let you earn back the money that you once spent on them or be the blessings that other people desperately need!

Author Bio: Jack Black is a Global Brand Manager at Mattresses-tomorrow- online retailers of memory foam mattresses. We offer a wide range of mattresses whether you are looking for a double, single or kingsize.

Photo Sources: Mattresses Tomorrow & Google Images

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Category : Trash To Treasure

Tags : Guest Author, Recycling Ideas

6 Comm

15th Jun2012

Happy Father’s Day Cocktails

by Dinah Wulf

Written By David Edessa

Happy Father’s Day Cocktails

Who’s the Boss?

While having their evening dinner together, a little girl looked up at her father and asked, “Daddy, you’re the boss in our family, right?” The father was very pleased to hear it and confidently replied, “Yes my little princess.” The girl then continued, “That’s because mommy put you in charge, right?”

Spiked Hot Chocolate with Maple Bacon Bourbon

Ingredients:

1 oz. Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon
1¼ oz. Nutella
6 oz. Whole Milk
Whipped cream
Cocoa powder

Instructions:
Place Nutella and 2 oz. of milk in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until blended. Add the rest of the milk, increase heat to medium-high, and whisk until hot and frothy. Pour into coffee mug and add bourbon and stir well. Top with heavy cream and sprinkle lightly with cocoa powder.

Bacon Manhattan

Ingredients:

3 oz. Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon
½ oz. Italian vermouth
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Instructions:
Stir (never shake) in a glass or shaker tin with ice. Strain in to a cocktail glass and garnish with a piece of crispy bacon.

Maple Bacon Old Fashion

Ingredients:

2 oz. Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon
2 tsp. Maple syrup (Grade A dark amber recommended)
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange wedge
Orange twist

Instructions:
Muddle an orange slice in a glass and make sure to muddle up the glass to create a cascade of flavor. Add ice, bourbon, bitters and syrup to glass. Pour into a shaker, leaving no pulp behind in the glass and shake vigorously. Then, pour over two big ice cubes in a rocks glass. Rub twist of orange on the rim and use it as a garnish.

Tip- You can use a bacon strip as your garnish.

Bacon Bourbon Flip

Ingredients:

2 oz. Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon
1 oz. Egg
½ oz. Light Cream
1 tsp. Superfine Sugar
⅛ tsp. (grated) Fresh Nutmeg

Instructions:
Place egg yolk in cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes and seal. Shake for a few seconds. Then, in a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the bourbon, sugar, and cream. Shake well. Strain into a chilled glass and grate fresh nutmeg over top and serve.

Bacon BonBon Martini

Ingredients:

1 oz. Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon
½ oz. Butterscotch schnapps
½ oz. Vanilla schnapps
1½ oz. Light Cream
Hershey’s chocolate syrup

Instructions:
Prep martini glasses by swirling chocolate syrup inside the glass. Place glasses in freezer or refrigerator to chill.

In a cocktail shaker, combine all liquid ingredients. Add ice; cover and shake vigorously until very cold. Strain into a chilled prepped martini glass.

Bacon Chocolate Tart Martini

Ingredients:

1 oz. Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon
1 oz. Godiva Chocolate liqueur
½ oz. Butterscotch schnapps
1 oz. Light Cream
Hershey’s chocolate syrup
Butterfinger bar, chopped

Instructions:
Rim martini glass with chocolate syrup. Add Butterfinger pieces to flat saucer then coat rim. Place glasses in freezer or refrigerator upside down on wax paper to chill.

In a cocktail shaker, combine all liquid ingredients. Add ice; cover and shake vigorously until very cold. Strain into a chilled prepped martini glass.
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Next week I will share more cocktails with bacon bourbon, and drink recipes utilizing the Pistachio Infused Bourbon.

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!! And have a BACON day!!!

Check out David’s complete Cocktail Corner Recipe Index.

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : David Edessa, Father's Day, Guest Author

0 Comm

12th Jun2012

Scrap Fabrics

by Dinah Wulf

Written by Linn of The Home Project

Hi guys! I’m so happy to be the guest writer here at DIY Inspired! Today I wanted to talk a little bit about the concept of using up scrap fabrics.

Do you have a scrap pile full of fabrics that seem too small to really use for anything practical? Well, if you do, then that’s an excellent opportunity to get creative and attempt a quilt design. There is something so neat about sewing fabrics together and creating something unique, something that is distinctive to you!

I suggest you make a quilted trivet or an oven mitt, which is a fun and manageable project that won’t take you two weeks to finish. Unlike a large-scale quilt, you don’t need a lot of time on your hands. And if you have never quilted before, then this would be an excellent opportunity to try it out. First of all, decide what kind of design you would like. For this quilted trivet, I was going for a somewhat more haphazard look and not perfect squares. This can be fun to do, and definitely presents you with more of a design challenge.

However, there is nothing wrong with perfect squares either! And here comes the great part: you can make them as large or as small as you want. If you literally have tiny scraps of fabric to use up, then make a trivet with tiny squares. Sure, it will take a little longer, but I bet the result would be absolutely fantastic!

Or you can go the route that I went with this oven mitt. Here I cut stripes of varying lengths of fabric and sewed them together for a quilted striped design. That works too, and I rather like the way this one looks.

When making oven holders and mitts I strongly recommend you double or triple up on the heat-resistant batting, because it’s no fun to get burned! I also recommend that you sew through your design (the definition of quilting) to get all layers connected (if you’re making a mitt, sew through each side of the mitt before connecting them together.) That way the layers won’t come apart even if you wash the mitt or trivet later on.

Also check out Linn’s tutorial for a Kitchen Cart Makeover.

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Category : Crafts

Tags : Craft Ideas, Guest Author, Recycling Ideas

1 Comm

08th Jun2012

Father’s Day Cocktail Recipes

by Dinah Wulf

Written By David Edessa

Prep for Father’s Day by making him Maple Bacon Infused Bourbon.

WARNING BACON IS NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST ANYMORE!!!

When creating an infusion I like to choose a good and reasonable priced brand. There is no need to waste your money on expensive bourbon. However, avoid buying rot gut booze… NOTHING IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER!!! Furthermore, it would be sacrilege to use a single batch whiskey. I hope you enjoy these Father’s Day Cocktail Recipes.

Knock Knock!

Who’s there?

Bacon.

Bacon who?

Bacon a cake for your birthday.

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Maple Bacon-Infused Bourbon:

Ingredients:

12 oz. Bacon
3 cups Bourbon
4 to 6 oz. Maple Syrup (amount to personal taste)
1 tsp. Unsalted Butter (the real stuff!!!)

Instructions:

Brown the bacon until you have at least one cup liquid. Be cautious not to over crisp the bacon and avoid burning the meat. Remove fat from heat and pour into a heat-resistant container to cool (I added a teaspoon of unsalted butter). If there is particles from bacon do not worry. Fill a glass container that has a tight-fitting lid with three cups of bourbon. Once the fat has cooled slightly, add one cup to glass container. Add additional pieces of fat or bacon on top. Seal container and let sit at room temperature in a dark place for a 7 to 10 days. Remove the solidified fat and strain liquid by straining through a sieve, then again through coffee filters. Add the 4 to 6 ounces of maple syrup shake and keep refrigerated. Remember to taste-test and this point. You might want to add a little more syrup.

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Pistachio Infused Bourbon recipe:

Ingredients:

3 cups Bourbon
1½ cups Pistachios (without red dye)
4 to 6 oz. Corn Syrup

Instructions:

Use a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Add the three cups of bourbon to container. Chop the pistachios using a heavy knife. Gather the nuts in a circle slightly smaller than the length of the knife’s blade. Rock the blade back and forth, rotating it around the circle with a firm, quick stroke. Periodically stop and reposition any nuts that have shifted outside of the circle. Continue chopping in this fashion until the nuts are in large coarse pieces. Be very cautious not to over chop the pistachios and lose that flavorful oils that you will need for the infusion. Add the chopped pistachios to the container with the bourbon then seal and shake. Refrigerate for 12 to 14 days and shake occasionally. After two weeks discard the pistachios by straining through a sieve, then again through coffee filters. Add 4 to 6 ounces of corn syrup shake and keep the liquor refrigerated. Remember to taste-test and this point. You might want to add a little more syrup.

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Next week I will share cocktails just in time for Father’s Day

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!! And have a BACON day!!!

Check out a complete list of David’s Cocktail Recipes and Tutorials.

Photo Source: Amazon.com

***Would love your vote for Top Eco-friendly Blog! You can vote once a day! Thank you!

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : David Edessa, Father's Day, Guest Author

3 Comm

07th Jun2012

Recycled Text Books

by Dinah Wulf

Recycled Text Books, Written By Caitlin Farkas (@Ms_Cait) of This Crazy Life

You, your kids or someone you know is graduating from school. After the congratulations are put to rest, the cake is eaten and the money collected there’s something left over that might seem to intrude on your living space; textbooks. Every student has them, but not all of them want to keep them.

You have a few options to consider. First off, be green in your thinking.

(whiteislyme.com)

Don’t be rude to mother earth and fill a landfill with pages of equations and historical accounts. Instead choose one of three ways to handle the piles of textbooks.

Option 1: Spruce up your bookshelf collection with a creative design on the textbook.

For example you can cover the textbook with half used paper from the printer, paper bags from the grocery store or left over scrapbooking paper to assemble a cute book collection such as the one shown below, from Apartmenttherapy.com.

Top the blank cover with text, such as “Honesty” or the subject matter to set your home décor mood. Add a bow to spice up the collection.

Picture borrowed from About.com

Another simple, ingenious idea arises from Isaac Salazar, who developed art from an unwanted book. He cut letters, words and names on the outer edge of pages to present a delightful construction.

(The-deamhome.com)

After you’ve decorated the once atrocious looking textbook, move your creative aspirations to the bookshelf. You can check out Freshome to reinvent or construct a more appealing bookshelf to now hold your decently designed book.

Option 2: Sell them.

Travel to a local buy back store or surf the net to EBay, Amazon or even Oodle Marketplace to resell those bulky books.

Most importantly to a recent grad, this option allows for income to flow back into the bank. By selling those textbooks to future students the longevity of the textbook is extended. Also, that student buyer saves a little dough by purchasing the book from you.

Option 3: Place the textbooks in the blue recycle bin.

They might be other various colors in your neighborhood. Recycle those boring books into your local bin to insure the items don’t destroy the environment.

Now you’ve rid your house of those disturbing piles of textbooks, while doing something great for the environment.

***Would love your vote for Top Eco-friendly Blog! You can vote once a day! Thank you!

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Category : Trash To Treasure

Tags : Guest Author, Recycled Book Pages, Recycling Ideas, Repurpose, Repurposing Ideas

1 Comm

05th Jun2012

Movie Party Birthday Bash

by Dinah Wulf

Written By Amy Greene of Pounds4Pennies

Amy Greene of Pounds4Pennies lives in Texas with her husband and blended family of three kids, two who are 10 and a 2 year old. Amy has been a frugal shopper for years and enjoys throwing a party on a budget. She enjoys couponing, cooking and crafts.

This year my daughter turned 10. Yep she is double digits now. I can’t believe it. Where did the time go? I remember she was born a little over two weeks after 9/11. I was thinking of what kind of world was I bringing her into. Things have not changed as drastically as I thought they might.

MOVIE PARTY IDEAS

She picked her party theme “A Night at the Movies.” She wanted this to be a red carpet event. So I did my best to give her a fabulous Movie Party event on an extreme budget.

The Menu

We are talking eight 9-10 year old girls, so I wanted to keep the menu simple. My first thought is what do you get at the movies? Hotdogs are served at the movies. Then I thought nachos, my all-time favorite and hers too. I purchased some Velveeta cheese for this event, one of the most expensive things for the party. I had plenty of salsa from and I bought some chips. Then of course the most obvious thing at the movies is popcorn. I didn’t want to spend my time popping a million bags of popcorn in the microwave. I knew they could eat a ton from the last party she had. So I borrowed a hot air popper from a friend. I popped five batches of popcorn. Yes that is a lot of popcorn. They serve candy at the movies, so I got all sorts of candy and chocolate chips to mix in the popcorn.

Menu:

Hot Dogs & Buns
Nachos
Popcorn
Candy
Chocolate Chips
Popcorn Cake

By the way the plain chocolate chips were a big hit. Who knew? Hint hint if you are throwing a party soon, chocolate chips are cheaper than candy.

And of course, since it is a birthday party you will need a cake. I didn’t feel like buying one from the store. So I decided to make one instead. It is a Popcorn cake. Click the link to see how to make this fabulous cake… super cute. I even made a Popcorn Cake of these for a friend who had a Movie Party.

She enjoyed putting the “popcorn” on the cake.

Decorations

I purchased a generic silver star set from the party store last year. I choose this since it would go with a lot of party themes and not be a one-time purchase. We just recycled these and hung them around the house. I found a cheap red carpet at the party store we place outside our door. I colored large yellow stars with sidewalk chalk in front of the house to make it look like the Hollywood walk of Fame. (If I had a little more time I was going to write the girls name who were attending the party in the stars).

I made her a banner for her birthday. Her name is at the end, I do not want to share it to protect her identity. She loved it.

I found the popcorn buckets at Target for $1.00 each. And the paper ones at hobby lobby for 8 for $2.49. I couldn’t find my coupon or it would have been cheaper. They made their popcorn buckets and filled them with candy and popcorn and everything. I didn’t care what they ate as long as they had a great time.

For the table I used a red table cloth. I covered my cake dish with black tissue paper for the stand where the popcorn gift bags were. I also covered a bowl with black tissue paper to place the Popcorn cake on. I thought it looked fabulous for a movie party idea.

Entertainment

My husband borrowed the projector from his work and we hooked it up outside and put a large white sheet on the back of the house. He used a staple gun to tack it up. It looked great. I spread several blankets outside on the lawn where they could lay down eat popcorn and watch the movie. (not too much movie watching happened) They even had a popcorn fight and I didn’t care since all of this was outside. I just picked up the blankets shook them off and I was done with clean up… super easy.

Everyone had a great time! This was fun for me too, since most of the party took place outside I didn’t have a lot to clean up inside.

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Category : DIY Budget Party

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, Guest Author, Theme Party Ideas

2 Comm

01st Jun2012

Gummy Bear Cocktail Recipes

by Dinah Wulf

Written by: David Edessa

There is always room for Jell-O!!!

Last week I mentioned that I was going to infuse Gummy Bears for a trip down the river, and a wonderful mistake happened. I will be giving both Gummy Bear Cocktail Recipes. It proves there are no mistakes!!!! Just Jell-O

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Drunken Gummy Bears:

Ingredients:

1 (750 ml) bottle Banana Vodka
48 oz. Bag Gummy Bears
8 oz. White Cranberry Juice

Instructions:
Fill a glass or ceramic container (container with a lid is ideal) about halfway with gummy bears. Then fill the container with vodka and white cranberry juice till the top of the gummy bears. The ratio of vodka to juice is 3:1. Allow the gummies to swim in the vodka for 24 hours in the refrigerator. If you leave them in the vodka for more than 24 hours, they will get slimy and bloated, so don’t make them too ahead of time. Serve with tooth picks. If you have liquid left behind from the soaking, you have great tasting infused vodka….Drunken Gummy Martinis!!! Or Drunken Gummy Bear Snow Cones (my favorite).

Hint:
The soaking time may vary due to the type of candy. If you have stale gummy bears work great!!!! And you can use rhum if you prefer. You can use other gummy candies.

Be careful when eating these adult vodka soaked candies. It’s very difficult to estimate how much alcohol one consumes per gummy bear.
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The first batch I made a mistake by not storing the batch in the refrigerator. Also, I had them soaking for three days where it started to dissolve.

EUREKA….. I had an idea!!!!
SPIKED GUMMI BEAR JELLO SHOTS

I let the batch sit for an additional two days (5days total). Then, I placed batch in a food processor and made gummy syrup. Be careful to lay newspapers down when working with syrup.

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SPIKED GUMMI BEAR JELLO SHOTS:

Ingredients:

1 (750 mL) bottle Banana Vodka
48 oz. Bag Gummy Bears
8 oz. White Cranberry Juice
1 (3 oz.) package Lime Jell-O
2 cups Hot water

Instructions:
Fill a glass or ceramic container (container with a lid is ideal) about halfway with gummy bears. Then fill the container with vodka and white cranberry juice till the top of the gummy bears. The ratio of vodka to juice is 3:1. Allow the gummies to swim in the vodka for three to five days at room temperature. Then, place gummy batch in a food processor and blend till gummy bear syrup is the end result. Place in container at room temperature.

Boil two cups of water and remove from heat and pour into a heat-proof pitcher. Add box of Jell-O into hot water and stir till it completely dissolves. Mix in three cups of gummy bear syrup into pitcher. Pour batch into 2 oz. plastic cups then cover and transfer cups into refrigerator overnight. Chill until firm.

Enjoy!!!!!

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!! And always follow the rainbow

For a complete list of David’s how-to and drink recipes, visit our Cocktail Recipe Index.

Photo Source: Amazon.com

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : David Edessa, Guest Author, Party Ideas

1 Comm

31st May2012

How to Make Organic Deodorants

by Dinah Wulf

Written By Alexis Thompson

How to Make Organic Deodorants

How many deodorants are there out in the market? How many have you actually tried? Come on, be honest. Who hasn’t tried a lot of deodorant brands promising to make you smell cleaner for longer hours, or to make it less itchy, or make it smoother or lighten the color? Unknown to many, commercial deodorants contains a lot of ingredients like aluminum, penetration enhancers and fragrance, among others, that are harmful to ones health.

In the dawn of organic products when people now believe in the power of anything homemade, it not surprising that people makes anything from their own pantry. If you are guilty of this, raise your hand. (Raises my hand.) Who needs to spend extra cash on a $30 scrub when you have some brown sugar and olive oil in your house? Need a hair mask? Use some mayonnaise and plastic wrap on your hair. Body wash? Add some milk to warm water and wash away for a smoother skin. But have you ever thought of homemade products for your more delicate parts like arm pits and privates? Me neither. Have I tried it? Yes and no, I don’t stink.

So what do you need? Without further ado, here are your new best friends:

4 tbsps. Coconut oil – softens skin and has antibacterial properties. It is your best weapon against bad odor.
1 tbsp. Shea butter – softens and smoothens skin even after shaving or after waxing.
4 tsps. Clay - Keeps sweat from reaching your clothes.
1 1/2 tbspas. Beeswax – keeps the deodorant solid and stay its shape in the container
10-20 drops of Essential oil/s like tea tree, rosemary, lavender, lemon, or peppermint -serves as odor-stopper. It is antibacterial and anti fungal.
You also have to keep a sterilized deodorant container with you where you will put the mixture in.

Time to channel your inner Giadda or Barefoot Contessa. Here’s what you need to do:

Melt the beeswax and coconut oil together in a very low heat while mixing it slowly and continuously, take a bigger cup and fill it with hot water and place the two ingredients together in a small cup and put it on the bigger cup.

Once it has melted, whip in the shea butter in the mixture and remove from heat. The mixture should now be in liquid form. Sprinkle or fold in the clay and mix well.

Finally, add in the essential oil/s of your choice. Let the mixture cool down for a while and then spoon in a sterilized container. Refrigerate the container until it has hardened.

Surprisingly, there have been a lot of recipes of homemade deodorant available online and its ingredients are found in the comforts of our own kitchens. Like many other homemade things, you can be assured that your deodorant contains only harmless materials. Creating your own deodorant not only saves you the horror of bumping into someone in the alley of deodorants, while you inspect the components of the new product that claims “24-hour protection“, but also saves from harmful things, saves a lot of money in the long run, and saves a lot of dark underarms.

It is easy to make your own deodorant. Just make a small amount, maybe just half of the portions I mentioned and try it for a week. I bet you will swear by it by the time you try it.

Author bio:

Alexis Thompson is a former Mountain Backpacker and a 26 year old mother of 2 daughters, Sophie and Rhian. She is into almost all types of Music especially The Fray and Hillsong. She also has a passion in Singing and Scrap Booking. Follow her escapades on her Twitter.

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Category : Crafts

Tags : Craft Ideas, Gift Ideas, Guest Author

0 Comm

29th May2012

Road Side Find

by Dinah Wulf

I love meeting new Bloggers through my blogging journey. There is so much creativity and talent out there that it’s very inspiring. It’s one of the reasons that keep me blogging. There’s an unspoken sense of community and camaraderie that only fellow Bloggers can understand. I met Susan via Blog Frog. She’s a new Blogger with great ideas. Check out this cute updated Road Side Find she made. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @homemakermom.

Written By: Susan Jaxon of Susie Homemaker

My Road Side Find, Trash to Treasure

I am excited about my new blog as I journal my journey as a homemaker. I am a wife, home schooling stay at home, entrepreneurial mom. I am a woman with big dreams & goals. I have actually set my mind on a few and they have come true! I believe in never giving up. I have a lot of hobbies & passions. I get so happy when I create something! I see the imperfectness of life as art.

I found an old yellow broken mirror on the road side for free. I saw it could be something great. One man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure! I started by spray painting it. Next I put scrap booking paper in the back where the mirror used to be. I took wooden letters I had got for only 10 cents and Exacto knifed pretty paper to fit them, and then glued them on. I painted a special wooden key that was hand made for me via whittling, as a gift. I painted it white and mounted it. I think it’s a wonderful way to display my special key!

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Category : Trash To Treasure

Tags : Decorating Ideas, Guest Author, Refurbishing Ideas

0 Comm

25th May2012

Memorial Day Cocktails

by Dinah Wulf

Written By David Edessa

Memorial Weekend is filled with celebrations via picnics and barbecues. Why not celebrate with an American classic liquor….. Whiskey!!! Here are some refreshing Memorial Day cocktails using whiskey/bourbon.

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Mint Julep Cup – 10 fl oz

Mint Julep Punch Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups Water
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Peach schnapps
3 cups Bourbon
½ cup fresh mint leaves
Mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

Combine water, sugar and mint in sauce pan and stir over high heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow it to return to room temperature. Strain into pitcher and chill in refrigerator. When ready to serve, add Bourbon & Peach schnapps, stir and serve over crushed ice in old fashioned glasses. Garnish with mint sprig.

French Mango Spiked Iced Tea Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 cups Water
6 Black Tea bags
1 cup Mango nectar
1 cup Fresh Orange juice
½ cup Fresh Lemon juice
½ cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
¾ cup Bourbon
Grand Marnier
Fresh orange slices
Mint sprigs, for garnish

Instructions:

Bring two cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan; remove from the heat, add tea bags, and let steep 10 to 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Transfer to a heat-proof pitcher, add two cups of cold water to bring temperature down a bit before adding the nectar & juices, and then stir to combine. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, stir in the ¾ cup of whiskey. Fill tall glasses with crushed ice and then pour tea over it, leaving some room at the top for the ½ ounce of Grand Marnier floater. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

This drink is also great and refreshing without the Grand Marnier.

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Libbey Selene Punch Set

Prosecco Strawberry Lemon Sorbet Punch Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 quarts Meyer Lemon sorbet
1 (750 milliliter) bottle Prosecco
1 (2 liter) bottle Seagram’s Ginger Ale, chilled
10 oz. Pineapple juice
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen
Strawberries, partially thawed
Lemon slices

Instructions:

In a large punch bowl, combine sorbet, juice, ginger ale and strawberries. Then, mix slowly the sparkling wine to try to avoid as much foaming as possible. Decorate punch bowl with lemon slices. Gently stir and serve over crushed ice and garnish with a lemon twist.

Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Lemon Sorbet Punch Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 quarts Meyer Lemon sorbet
1 (2 liter) bottle Seagram’s Ginger Ale, chilled
20 oz. Pineapple juice
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries, partially thawed
Lemon slices

Instructions:

In a large punch bowl, combine sorbet, juice, ginger ale and strawberries. Decorate punch bowl with lemon slices. Gently stir and serve over crushed ice. Garnish with lemon twist.

Both recipes are created to be served right away and not made a head of time.

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Even though I used Bourbon in these recipes, American Rye whiskey is a great alternative (I personally prefer).

This week I started on Spiked Gummy Bears infused with Tito’s Vodka for Memorial Day on the river. I’ll let you know next week how it turned out

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!! And always follow the rainbow

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : David Edessa, Fourth of July, Guest Author

2 Comm

22nd May2012

Repurposed Shadow Box

by Dinah Wulf

I am very happy to be a guest here at DIY Inspired! I want to thank Dinah for the opportunity. I am Loren over at Pandora’s Craft box. I am a full time mom and crafter. I hate to cook but love to make messes. I am clumsy and hot tempered but I love with all that I have in my heart to give. I am hoping you all enjoy my journey in making my dreams come true and make a difference.

I am so excited to show you what I did last weekend. I was up to 2 am doing this project all by myself! It almost sounds like a song, haha. Yep, I am a little corny.

I am rating this post

I have had this shadow box for a couple of years and it has always been in the way. Its to big and bulky and it would never stay in place. Finally on Friday night I pick it up to place it somewhere else and it came to me. I’ve been looking for a footstool on craiglist, by the dumpster and The Salvation Army and I can’t find the right one. Why not make one? The stool is sturdy enough to handle the weight and big enough for my cute little tootsies.

The first thing I did was run to home depot and get stool legs which I then stained. One piece of advice don’t start staining in 90 degree weather because the wood won’t have enough time to soak in the stain and will dry to fast.

While doing this project I learned something new which was the thread rod extends. I was not told that by the associate. Don’t get me wrong I like the the HD associates and they are very helpful and knowledgeable but this little piece of information would have sped up the process. Another associate did recommend a T-nut to be used to hold the stool legs in place. I was so happy he recommended it, forgive the blurriness as i intended to take a better one but… well you’ll see.

The T-nuts have little teeth at the bottom to dig in the wood to make sure the legs stay in place. First you will need to make the hole and then hammer the t-nuts in the hole. Then you can attach leg bottom.

I cut a piece of airtrex foam chair pad to fit the top of the shadow box and then cut the Ikea fabric to cover the foam.

Second piece of advice make sure you fold in the edge of the fabric so you have a nice hold. If not you will need to take out the staples and do the hold thing all over again, like I did. I had already started gluing the trim when I figured out what I did wrong. The glue I used was fabric glue and it dries clear so it was not a big problem.

At the center of the box I decide to use Ikea fabric to cover the T-nuts.

Ta-Da!! I finished my footstool. If I wanted I could even attach the stool to the wall so it would not move. I have not decided if I want to remove the mounting hanger from it.

I know you where wondering what book I am reading, right? Are you reading any of the same ones?

I hope you liked my journey from shadow box to footstool. Now to go read a book. If you want to see my tutorial on the matching chair Here

Link Parties I attend

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Category : DIY Furniture

Tags : Guest Author, Repurpose, Repurposed Furniture, Repurposing Ideas, Upcycling Ideas

2 Comm

18th May2012

How to Make Candy Infused Alcohol

by Dinah Wulf

Written By David Edessa

Candy Infused Booze- Cause the Candy Man Can!!!

This is great for Memorial Weekend… Especially since infusion has to be made at least two to three days prior.

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How to Make Candy Infused Alcohol

WARNING- Not for the under aged!!! Or the completely immature!!!

Infusing alcohol candy and creating a candy flavored drink is nothing new. However, it always has been a fun thing to do for parties and the holidays. You can even create color matching with your party’s decor by separating the colors of the candy. There are two colorful candies that I personally find easiest to work with…. Skittles and Jolly Rancher, however, there are many more listed below. For the recipes I will be using Jolly Rancher (Skittles & Jelly Bean candy will also use the same procedure).

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Candies that can be used and flavors are…. (All flavors are not represented)

Jolly Rancher candies come in many different flavors, including:

Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Cherry, Sour Green Apple, Sour Watermelon, Raspberry, Wild Strawberry, Raspberry Lemonade, and Peach.

Help Bring back Lemon Jolly Rancher -Unfortunately in 2004 lemon flavored Jolly Rancher was discontinued. It was one of my favorite flavors as a child. I believe that the Lemon Jolly Rancher would have made a great lemoncello like infused liqour.

Another great alternative is Jelly Belly Gourmet Jelly Beans and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. And if you are looking for a candy to use that is Kosher or Halal, then look no further….JELLY BELLY gourmet jelly beans.

Jelly Belly flavors:

Bubble Gum, Cantaloupe, Chili Mango, Juicy Pear, Kiwi, Mango, Orange Sherbet, Strawberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Jam, Toasted Marshmallow, Tutti-Frutti, Wild Blackberry, Apricot, Chocolate Cherry Cake, Super Fruit Mix with Açaí Berry, Grape Crush, Orange Crush, and Pomegranate Cosmo.

Jelly Belly Sours flavors:

Sour Lemon, Sour Orange, and Sour Apple

Original Fruit Skittles:

Blackcurrant (purple)
Lemon (yellow)
Lime (green)
Orange (orange)
Strawberry (red)

Tropical Skittles typically have two flavors in one skittle:

Banana Berry (yellow)
Kiwi Lime (green)
Mango Tangelo (orange)
Pineapple Passion fruit (blue)
Strawberry Star fruit (pink)

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One 1.75 liter bottle of rhum or vodka. Do yourself a favor and utilize a reasonable priced liquor and always a clear liquor. There is no need to purchase an expensive vodka or rhum (nothing above 80 proof), but avoid utilizing rough cheap booze. Remember that the infuse liquor will still need to be mixed or shaken with something(mixer or liqueurs) to take that burn flavor from the alcohol away in your cocktail recipes.

Infusion Procedure:

I tried to be as generic as possible on main ingredients in the infusion procedure. The purpose is that you can utilize vodka or rhum and different candies based on your personal taste, yet the process is always the same. I used Jolly Rancher Sour Watermelon, Raspberry, Cherry, Wild Strawberry, and Peach for the cocktail recipes. And as for the booze I used rhum (rum).

Five empty plastic water bottles to split the liquor equally yet do not fill to the top. Also, if you do not have five containers you can purchase five pint flasks of vodka or rhum and pour into a bowl a quarter to half the liquor.

1.75mL Bottle White Rhum
3.75 lbs. bag of mixed Jolly Rancher hard candy.
Five empty plastic water bottles
A funnel

Make sure to cover your work area with newspapers or plastic, I also like to use rubber gloves. When infusing with candy it can get messy and stain your surface and hands as well.

Candy Ratio:

10 Skittles to 1 oz. of Booze
2 Jolly Ranchers to 1 oz. of Booze
¼ Cup single flavored Jelly Beans to 8 oz. of Booze

Separate your candies into five groups based on flavors. Set up your Infusion Bottles and fill your bottles with approximately 6 ounces of rhum or vodka in each. Pour the candies of one flavor into one bottle, and then repeat process until you have all five bottles filled with candy and liquor. Make sure your hands are dry before handling candy. You might have to top off containers with more booze, make sure to leave room in the bottle for agitation when shaking sealed bottles. You will see that the colored candy coating has already rubbed off into the liquor quickly, but the core of the candy still have a lot of dissolving to do. Let candy soak for 48 hours (Jolly Ranchers 24 hrs.) while shaking containers vigorously 2 to 3 times a day. Once they’re all dissolved, you’ll notice a lot of white muck or other particles floating at the top (depending on candy being used). Then strain and filter liquor after forty-eight hours using a dampened coffee filters and funnel or sieve (wetting the filter before putting it into the funnel and straining allows you to retain more of the liquor). Place four to five coffee filters in the funnel or sieve over a measuring cup. Then remove top filter every time you feel the filters are clogging from the candy particles. Some colors will need to be filtered through the process twice. Then I took the liquid from the measuring cup and poured it into a clean flask using a clean funnel. Repeat this process for each flavor. In the end, you’ll have about 5 containers holding 8 ounces of candy infused liquor in each. Place finished flasks in cooler to chill before serving.

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Cocktail #1

Ingredients:

2 oz. Infused Strawberry or Raspberry Rhum
¼ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
5 oz. Sprite

Instructions:

Pour lemon juice and rum over ice in a tall glass. Fill with Sprite.

Cocktail #2

Ingredients:

2 oz. Infused Watermelon Rhum
½ oz. Peach Schnapps
5 oz. Sprite

Instructions:

Pour lime juice and rum over ice in a tall glass. Fill with Sprite.

Cocktail #3

Ingredients:

2 oz. Any Infused Flavored Rhum
4 oz. Sprite

Instructions:

Add 2 oz. infused rum to tall glass filled with ice. Fill with Sprite.

Cocktail #4

Ingredients:

2 oz. Any Infused Flavored Rhum
4 oz. Seagram’s Ginger Ale

Instructions:

Add 2 oz. infused rum to tall glass filled with ice. Fill with Ginger Ale.

Cocktail #5 (martini)

Ingredients:

1½ oz. Any Candy Infused Flavor Rhum
½ oz. orange liqueur (Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, etc.)
1 teaspoon superfine sugar or ½ oz. simple syrup
¾ oz. freshly-squeezed lemon juice

Instructions:

Mix the infused booze, orange liqueur, sugar, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice; shake vigorously. Pour strained liquor into sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a twisted peel of lemon. To create a sugar-rimmed glass, take a lemon wedge and rub the drinking surface of the glass so it is barely moist or flat plate of triple-sec. Dip the edge of the glass into a flat plate of superfine sugar. I recommend keeping plenty of room between the mix and the sugar rim (also avoids spillage on your carpet)

Cocktail #6

Ingredients:

2 oz. Raspberry or Cherry Infused Flavored Rhum
4 oz. Coca-Cola

Instructions:

Add 2 oz. infused rum to tall glass filled with ice. Fill with cola.

Shooter #1

Ingredients

1 oz. Any Candy Flavored Infused Rhum
8 oz. can Red Bull energy drink

Instructions:

Pour a small can of red bull into a tall glass. Add infused liquor and serve.

Shooter #2

Ingredients

1 oz. Any Candy Flavored Infused Rhum
½ oz. Triple-Sec
1 oz. Sour Mix

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients with ice into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously then strain into shot glasses.

The best thing with this infusion at a party setting is to keep it simple….. Even just straight as a shooter.

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DRINK RESPONSIBLE & DRINK SMART!!! And always follow the rainbow

Pass it on!

Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : Birthday Party Ideas, David Edessa, Guest Author, Party Treats

4 Comm

11th May2012

Mother’s Day Bubbles & Fizz Cocktail Recipes

by Dinah Wulf

Mother’s Day Cocktail Recipes

Written By: David Edessa

Mother’s day is celebrated throughout the world on different days of the year, furthermore, we all agree in the celebration and appreciation to these angels that brought us into this world and raised us (not always both). However, more times than few these women came to us as grandmothers, aunts and sisters, and to others chosen later in our childhood but always with the love of a mother.

Poems & Proverbs:

A man loves his sweetheart the most; his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

Libbey 7 Piece Sangria SetThe following Sangria recipes are for two pitcher servings. The reason I did this is because I think you should definitely enjoy one pitcher at brunch with Mom and a second pitcher at sunset!

Tropical Moscato Sangria Recipe

Ingredients:

750-ml bottle Moscato Spumante
750-ml bottle dry rosé wine (can use a dry white… I prefer new world and un-oaked)
¼ cup Peach schnapps
¼ cup Cruzan Strawberry rum
12 oz. pineapple juice
6 oz. fresh orange juice
12 oz. guava nectar
3 cups sliced fresh Strawberries
2 large orange, cut crosswise into thinly sliced
1 large lemon, cut crosswise into thin slice

Optional:

½ cup lychee juice (from the can)
½ cup whole lychees cut in half (canned)

Instructions:

Pour rosé wine and liquors into two pitchers. Toss in the fruit slices (leaving out seeds if possible). Add all juices and stir. Let the batch chill overnight to blend and work its magic. Add strawberries and lychee fruit (optional) 2 to 3 hours before serving. Add sparkling wine into pitchers just before serving. Fill tall glass with ice pour sangria over it. Garnish with orange slices and serve.

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Hint:

1. If you need to add bubbles to your fizz. You can always top the glass with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.

2. You can find guava nectar and lychee fruit in ethnic food section of grocery store.

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Non-Alcoholic White Sangria Recipe

Ingredients:

2O oz. White grape juice or Non-Alcoholic wine
10 oz. pineapple juice
6 oz. cranberry juice
6 oz. guava nectar
2 lemons, sliced into wedges
1 limes, sliced into wedges
3 cups sliced fresh Strawberries
2 large orange, cut crosswise into thinly sliced
1 large lemon, cut crosswise into thin slices
1 liter bottle of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale

Instructions:

Pour all juices (nonalcoholic wine if you choose to use it) into a pitcher. Squeeze juice from lemons and limes wedges into pitcher without seeds. Toss in the citrus fruit slices (leaving out seeds if possible) and strawberries then stir. Let the batch chill for a few hours. Fill tall glass with ice and pour the sangria over it. Garnish with mint leaf and serve.

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Venetian-Style Champagne Flutes

Also, a great idea is to create a Champagne bar with mixers and syrups.

Guava Mimosa

Ingredients

1 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
1 oz. Guava Nectar
4 oz. Prosecco or Sparkling Wine

Instructions:

Fill a chilled Champagne flute ⅓ full with chilled orange juice and guava nectar. Top off the flute with the sparkling wine. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Garnish with an orange twist.

White Poinsettia

Ingredients:

2 oz. White Cranberry juice
4 oz. Prosecco or Sparkling Wine

Instructions:

Fill a chilled Champagne flute ⅓ full with chilled white cranberry juice. Top off the flute with the sparkling wine. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Lychee Sparkler

Ingredients:

2 oz. Lychee juice (from can)
4 oz. Prosecco or Sparkling Wine

Instructions:

Fill a chilled Champagne flute ⅓ full with chilled lychee juice. Top off the flute with the sparkling wine. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Garnish with a whole lychee fruit cut in half.

Grand Pomegranate Sparkler

Ingredients:

½ oz. Grand Marnier
2 oz. Pomegranate juice
3½ oz. Moscato Spumante

Instructions:

Fill a chilled Champagne flute about ⅓ full with chilled pomegranate juice. Top off the flute with the sparkling wine. Then, float the Grand Marnier. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Garnish with an orange twist.

Grand Peach Sparkler

Ingredients:

½ oz. Grand Marnier
2 oz. Peach Nectar
3½ oz. Moscato Spumante

Instructions:

Fill a chilled Champagne flute about ⅓ full with chilled peach nectar. Top off the flute with the sparkling wine. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon. Then, float the Grand Marnier. Garnish with an orange twist.

And my personal favorite!!!

Italian Sparkler

Ingredients:

1 oz. Campari
5 oz. Prosecco or Sparkling Wine

Instructions:

Top off the flute with the sparkling wine. Then, float the Campari. Garnish with an orange twist.

WARNING: Campari is a dry bitter Italian Liquor. I love it!!!

Previous posts have had syrups that would be a great addition to the champagne bar, for instance, lavender and hibiscus syrups. However, I would only add ½ to 1 ounce of syrup per drink.

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Have a Happy Mother’s Day and call her for God’s sake!!!

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : David Edessa, Guest Author

3 Comm

07th May2012

Embossed Cherry Thank You Cards

by Dinah Wulf

Written By: Jennifer Hostetler

As a mom of two already you don’t expect anyone to want to throw you a baby shower, but when I found out I was having twins my girlfriends stepped up and threw one of the best baby shower ever. The baby shower was Cherry themed and they left no details to spare.

I decided that with all the work they put into the shower that I needed to hand make thank you cards to them and the guest. I had never embossed cards before but I thought this would be the perfect time to try and I found that it was very easy and a lot of fun!

Here is how I made Embossed Cherry Thank You Cards.

Materials:

-Embosser (Martha Stewart Crafts Embossing Starter Kit)
-Embossing Powder
-Clear embossing ink
-Red stamp pad
-Thank you stamp
-E6000 Multi-Purpose Adhesive-3.7 Ounce (one of my favorites)
-Brown String
-Scissors
-Foam Brush
-Toothpicks
-Card Stock
-Envelopes
-Paper Plate

1st I used a red stamp pad and thank you stamp and placed it on the card stock. I positioned the stamp in three different locations; the bottom left, bottom right and middle.

2nd I used the clear embossing ink to make two circles next to each other on the card stock. (I was lucky that the top of the embossing ink was the perfect size circle I needed. Otherwise, you can use a 1” circle stamp.) Then, I sprinkled the embossing powder over the circles. I found that if you use a paper plate you could put the embossing powder that doesn’t stick back in the container. Tip: If you flip the paper over and flick the back of the paper the loose powder will fall off. If any remained on the paper I used the foam brush to remove it.

3rd Now is the fun part. You use the embossing tool to heat up the embossing powder. It only takes a few seconds; once you see it begin to bubble you are done. If you hold it to long you will notice the embossing powder start to move.

4th Cut the brown string to about 5”. Then I folded the string in half and tied a knot about ¼” from top of the string. Then I cut the loop that was created by tying the knot. The string now should look like two cherry stems. Then glue the stems to the card stock so they are just touching the red dots embossed previously.

This completes the card! Here are a few examples of the finished product!

I cannot thank my girlfriends enough for showering the twins with the most beautiful thoughtful Baby Shower ever! I truly appreciate you and your friendship!

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Category : Special Occasions

Tags : Baby Shower Ideas, DIY Invitations, Guest Author, Jennifer Hostetler, Theme Party Ideas

2 Comm

04th May2012

Cinco De Mayo Cocktail Recipes Two

by Dinah Wulf

Written By David Edessa

Cinco De Mayo…. To the Revolution!!!!

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and throughout the US cities with a significant following in the college community. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually September 16. However, I believe every day should be celebrated as our own personal independence day. Live life and Enjoy!!! So raise your glasses and cheer out-Viva Mexico…. Viva USA!!!…Viva Tequila!!!

Here are some new Cinco De Mayo Cocktail Recipes I’d like to share with you.

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Margarita Spiked Watermelon

Ingredients:

10-15 lbs. Seedless Watermelon
3 cups White Tequila
Two Infused Salt
2 Limes

Instructions:

Using a paring knife cut a hole in the top of the watermelon that is deep and wide enough to insert a kitchen funnel, keep the watermelon plug. Insert the funnel into the watermelon and pour as much room temperature tequila as can be absorbed, approximately ½ cup to 1 cup. Remove the funnel and insert the reserved watermelon plug. Let sit at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours and then pour in another ½ to 1 cup of tequila and let sit again for another 3 to 4 hours. Repeat as necessary until all the tequila has been completely absorbed. Place watermelon in the refrigerator till it becomes ice cold.

Spread out a layer of coarse infused salt onto a small plate and a second plate with the juice from the 2 limes and unused citrus juice from the salt infusing process. To serve place the melon slices and soak them into the citrus juice mix and then sprinkle the infused salt to taste. I personally prefer to split the melons into three groups; naked (no salt), orange chili infused salt, and lime infused salt. The combination of the sweet melon, chili, salt, citrus and tequila is lip smacking good!!!

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Lime Infused Salt Recipes

Ingredients:

3 Limes (zest)
1 cup Sea salt (coarse) or Kosher

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit, with a rack in the center. Grate the bright green zest off of 3 large limes (make sure the limes have been stored and used at room temperature if you can) being careful to avoid the bitter white pith underneath, into the salt (doing this over the bowl of salt ensures that you capture as much of the citrus oil released while grating as possible). Combine the lime zest and salt on a baking sheet, tossing to combine. Spread the mixture into an even layer and bake at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours, turning once after the first hour. After two hours, remove the baking sheet from the oven and break up any clumps that may have formed. Transfer the salt to airtight jars and store in a cool, dark place.

Spicy Orange Infused Salt Recipes

Ingredients:

2 Orange (zest)
2 Tsp. Mexican Chili powder
1 cup Sea salt (coarse) or Kosher

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit, with a rack in the center. Grate the bright orange zest off of 2 large oranges (make sure the limes have been stored and used at room temperature if you can) being careful to avoid the bitter white pith underneath, into the salt (doing this over the bowl of salt ensures that you capture as much of the citrus oil released while grating as possible). Combine the orange zest, chili powder and salt on a baking sheet, tossing to combine. Spread the mixture into an even layer and bake at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours, turning once after the first hour. After two hours, remove the baking sheet from the oven and break up any clumps that may have formed. Transfer the salt to airtight jars and store in a cool, dark place.

Tips:

The infused salt will keep for up to six months.
Watermelon with seeds is best; however seedless watermelon works well too. The sweetness will have to be tweaked (seedless are less sweet).
Keep unused limes and oranges for later.

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Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipes

Ingredients

6 cups Fresh Seedless Watermelon
3 cups water
2 Fresh limes juiced
12 Tbsp. granulated sugar

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. However, I prefer to add only 8 tablespoons of sugar in the beginning and taste (add more if necessary). Place juice into a pitcher and refrigerate. When serving; pour over ice with a mint sprig as a garnish. This drink is excellent as non-alcoholic beverage or as a mixer for your favorite liquor.

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Watermelon Smash Recipes

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Peach Schnapps
1 oz. Pink Lemonade (regular sweetened is fine)
Fill with Watermelon Agua (it should be a 3 to 1 ratio to lemonade)

Instructions:

Pour all the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously then pour all ingredients including ice into a glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

Watermelon Margarita Martini Recipes

Ingredients:

2½ oz. White Tequila
1½ oz. Watermelon Agua Fresca
1 oz. Triple Sec or Citronge orange liqueur
½ oz. Agave Syrup
Kosher Salt or Coarse Sea Salt
Garnish lime wheel

Instructions:

Spread out a layer of coarse sea salt or kosher salt onto a small plate. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of a stemmed martini glass. Place the lime soaked rim into the salt. Move the glass around in the salt until the rim is evenly coated then place prepped glasses in freezer.

Mix all ingredients together in a shaker and chill. Add crushed ice and shake until ice cold and then strain into salted rimmed prepped stemmed glasses and then garnish with lime wheels.

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For a slight different taste…. Try the infused salts!! Or substitute honey for agave syrup.

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Remember not to drink and drive!!!!

Photo Sources: Baby Center, Google Images

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : Cinco de Mayo, David Edessa, Guest Author

4 Comm

01st May2012

Upcycled Vanity

by Dinah Wulf

Written By Loren Crane of Pandora’s Craft Box

I am finally back in my groove in doing projects after taking a month off. I’ve been working overtime trying to setup and maintain my blog that I needed a small break. I did not know how much I would miss doing projects until I finished my little monsters desk.

I found this little girls vanity by the dumpster about two months ago. We find a lot of goodies every time people are moving. I kept trying to figure out what to do with the vanity, a lot of ideas kept coming to mind but nothing seemed right. Until my little monster kept getting into my desk and my hubby’s desk every time we were not around. The best way to use the vanity was to make a cute little desk for my cutie.

The first thing I did was remove the mirror which I will use for something else later. Then I had the hubby cut the legs to were it would be comfortable to be used by my little monster.

After sanding I painted the desk blue and covered the inside of the drawers with a cute fabric with spaceships on them. I used modge podge on the drawers to glue the fabric. I also changed out the hardware to make it more modern.

We place his desk in the middle of my hubby’s and my desk so we can watch him play while we are both working own our projects. He loves to play with the drawers and his blocks. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Till later!

Link Parties I attend

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Category : DIY Furniture, Kid Stuff

Tags : Guest Author, Refurbishing Ideas, Repurposing Ideas, Storage Ideas

0 Comm

27th Apr2012

Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipes

by Dinah Wulf

Written By: David Edessa

Fiesta Paper Fan DecorationsTime for a Siesta or Fiesta!!!

The upcoming month of May is the best time to work on drink utilizing the following fresh fruit at their peak: Bananas, Pineapple, Rhubarb, Strawberries and Mangoes.

However, with Cinco de Mayo just around the corner…. I say we work on the fiesta, and the “resaca” (hangover)!!! Here are some Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipes.

Sombrero Fiesta Tissue Straws<~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~>

Rhubarb & Strawberry Agua Fresca (Non-Booze)

Ingredients:

8 cups Fresh Rhubarb (diced ½”- 1″ size pieces)
5 cups Water
1 cup Organic Honey
2 cups Fresh Orange Juice
3 tbsp. Grated Lemon Rind
¾ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 qt. Ginger Ale
1 qt. Fresh or Frozen Strawberries (sliced in half)

Instructions:

In a pot; combine the water, rhubarb, strawberries, and the lemon rind, and bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and allow rhubarb mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes, until rhubarb is tender. (Stir occasionally). Cool; strain through a sieve. Measure 4 cups juice and return to kettle with the honey. Remove from heat, and stir in the sugar, until the honey is well dissolved and then chill. Stir in the orange and lemon juices (if you add citrus while hot it creates a bitter batch); refrigerate until cold. Taste and adjust based on your personal preference. You can add a bit more honey if you think you need it, or more water if you feel like it’s too overpowering. Just before serving, add ginger ale. Fill glasses with ice; pour agua fresca over ice and garnish with an orange wedge. Can be made 2 to 3 days ahead of time (recommended).

Using a silver tequila in a cocktail creates a sleek, clean cocktail more along classic lines, while the prominent oaky and vanilla notes in añejo tequilas add another dimension to the drink that is definitely worth experimenting with.

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Pulco translates to small thoughts or a little bit of something.

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Traditional Pulco Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz. Cointreau or
2 oz. Reposado Tequila

Instructions:

Pour all the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker with
ice cubes. Shake vigorously then pour all ingredients including ice into a glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Kah Tequila Reposado 750MLStrawberry & Rhubarb Pulco Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 oz. Rhubarb Strawberry Agua Fresca
½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz. Cointreau or
2 oz. Reposado Tequila

Instructions:

Pour all the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously then pour all ingredients including ice into a glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Sunny Siesta Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. Silver Tequila
½ oz. Triple Sec
½ oz. Pink Lemonade
Fill with Rhubarb Strawberry Agua Fresca

Instructions:

In a tall glass, fill with ice; add liquids, shake, and serve. Garnish with a mint leaf or orange wedge.

Enjoy!!!!

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Category : Cocktail Corner

Tags : Cinco de Mayo, David Edessa, Guest Author

0 Comm

26th Apr2012

Expensive Furniture for Less

by Dinah Wulf

Expensive Furniture for Less

Written By: Rasy Sor

Have you heard of the phrase, “champagne taste on a beer budget?” I have and unfortunately, I too, am afflicted with this. I definitely have champagne test on a beer budget when it comes to interior design.

One of my favorite furniture shops is Room and Board. I usually go there for design inspiration since I’m unable to afford most of their furniture. Then, I discovered that Ikea had very similar styles for a lot less! I know. I know. Most of you are thinking, Ikea is the last place you’d shop when it comes to your home; especially when you use to shop there to furnish the apartment that you shared with 5 roommates because let’s face it, ANYTHING goes with your 3^rd roommate’s bean bag. Ikea, in my opinion, has definitely come a long way.

Here is some furniture that I love at Room and Board that I also found at Ikea, but for A LOT less!

Portica Dining Table at Room and Board $1,209