Category: DIY

DIY /

Elevate Your Cocktail Bar For Summer – Santa Margherita Wine

Elevate Your Cocktails: Rather than serving up traditional mimosas and bellinis, put a new spin on the classics by serving Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore with seasonal fruit purees. Allow your guests to mix their own cocktails and set up a DIY cocktail bar with various purees, such as honeydew, nectarine, raspberries, watermelon and strawberry, which are seasonal and pair perfectly with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore. Provide options for garnishes, such as simple mint sprigs, raspberries and sliced strawberries. The additional fruits can make for great décor as well; cut a small groove into citrus fruit to hold place-cards for table if you are hosting a sit down meal at your party.

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Revamp Your Ice Cubes: Warmer weather is here, meaning your favorite cocktail won’t stay chilled for long anymore. To keep your glass chilled without diluting the cocktail and add an extra dash of flavor, fill your ice cube trays with seasonal fruits like strawberries and kiwi and top with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore.

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Go For Bold Garnishes: Upgrade your classic wine cocktail by rimming the glass in the juice or peel of your citrus of choice (e.g. lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) and dip into citrus infused sugar. To make this, just grate your favorite citrus into granulated sugar and mix to combine. The same can be done with shaved coconut or minced fresh herbs. For a quick rimming trick, you can opt traditional sugar for gold or colored sugar for rimming your wine cocktail.

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Turn To Your Garden: Impress your guests with your garden’s summer harvest and appeal to the senses of smell and taste by pairing fresh herbs with Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore. Adding fragrant herbs like springs of thyme and lavender or muddling some fresh mint leaves into the bottom of your wine glass will brighten up your traditional wine. You can even tie a small bundle of herbs around the stem of a wine glass and utensils for an added rustic flare – the aromatics also hit your nose as you’re drinking the wine!

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Beauty /

ORS Black Olive Oil Repair 7 – Healthy Hair

Regardless of hair type or texture, all women will experience a form of hair damage at some point in life. Often times, it’s a result of poor thermal and daily styling routines all for the desire to remain on hair trend while managing busy lifestyles.

For DIY home stylists, maintaining vibrant and healthy hair is often a challenge. With the introduction of Black Olive Oil Repair 7™, ORS is meeting the need for healthy hair head-on with a full maintenance line designed to moisturizer, strengthen and protect hair from future damage. This premium product line features Sulfate Free Shampoo; Rinse Out Conditioner; Leave-In Conditioner; Leave-In Treatment; and Oil Elixir–all formulated to address 7 signs of hair damage.

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“We aim to meet the needs of the ever evolving home stylist with quality hair solutions that address real hair issues,” said Candace Cage, Senior Brand Manager, Namaste Laboratories, makers of ORS brand products. “The Black Olive Oil Repair 7 system revitalizes damaged hair leaving it stronger, healthier and ready for versatile styling.”

Rich in Vitamin E, anti-oxidants and Omega 3, the black olive hydrates, nourishes and protects the hair. The Repair 7 benefits include thermal protection, shine, frizz control, anti-breakage, strength, reconstruction and volume which leaves hair shiny, strong and beautiful.

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ORS™ Black Olive Oil Repair 7 ™ is now available at select Target stores, on Target.com and Amazon.com.

Product Range & Key Benefits

Sulfate Free Shampoo (12.5 oz.) SRP $7.99

Thoroughly cleanses hair leaving hair feeling moisturized all while preparing hair for conditioning treatments.

Rinse Out Conditioner (12.5 oz.) SRP $8.99

Penetrates and rebuilds hair damaged by thermal styling improving overall hair health, shine and elasticity.

Leave-In Conditioner (8.5 oz.) SRP $8.99

Two phase conditioning spray that improves hair strength protects against thermal damage and adds shine and moisture. Great for use before blow drying.

Leave-In Treatment (4.5 oz.) SRP $10.99

This miracle leave-in treatment, instantly addresses the 7 signs of damage. Perfect for use after conditioning to help protect hair from environment and thermal appliances.

Oil Elixir (4.5 oz.) SRP $10.99

Highly potent oil elixir that transforms dry, damaged hair back to vibrant health. Hair instantly looks glossier, shinier and silkier.

ABOUT ORS

ORS™ (formerly Organic Root Stimulator™) is a leader in the ethnic hair care market. Trusted, true and the “original,” our hallmark is exceptional quality, performance and integrity – qualities which we employ to develop and deliver the best products for relaxed and natural hair.

Our Mission:

To meet the unmet needs of the health-conscious, style-seeking, multicultural consumer with new and natural solutions for hair, skin and body.
To be based on a philosophy of quality, performance and integrity.
To use only the highest quality of natural ingredients in our products that will be of the highest benefit to the consumers.
To extend the power of the brand to help uplift communities and support forward thinking.

DIY /

Sparkling Ice Cocktails – Celebrate Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras begins next week, so I wanted to share some fun and refreshing cocktail recipes from SPARKLING ICE – a great tasting, lightly carbonated, zero-calorie beverage which combines sparkling water, fruit juice, vitamins, antioxidants, and BOLD natural flavors.

Bourbon Street Black Raspberry Brut

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Ingredients

1 ½ oz. Silver Tequila
2 oz. brut Champagne
7 large black raspberries
2 oz. Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry
¼ oz. lemon juice
Instructions

1.Muddle black raspberries, Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry and lemon juice in a glass.

2.Pour ingredients into a glass filled with ice.

3.Add tequila, stir, and strain into a large rocks glass filled with ice.

4.Top with brut Champagne and garnish with a skewered black raspberries.

Lemonade Hurricane

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Ingredients:

2 oz. Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade
1 oz. light rum
1 oz. dark rum
½ oz. passion fruit juice
1 oz. orange juice
Strawberry and Lime for garnish
Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together with ice.
Pour into a tall glass over ice.

Sparkling Whiskey Sour

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Ingredients

.5 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1.75 oz Sparkling Ice Lemon Tea
1.25 oz Bourbon
.25 oz simple syrup*
*Low calorie option: Omit .25 oz simple syrup, add one packet of Splenda.

Instructions:

1.In mixing cup add ice, lemon, bourbon and Sparkling Ice.

2.Stir and strain over rocks.

3.Garnish with a cherry

Accessories /

Style Slam at American Craft Council Show in Baltimore

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Handcrafted fashion is as relevant today as it was when the American Craft Council (ACC) began its shows in the 1970s. This year, in an effort to highlight ACC’s talented network of fashion wearables, accessories and jewelry artists, ACC is partnering with regional stylists for its newest exhibition, Style Slam.

Four regional stylists will participate in Style Slam at the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, which is being held at the Baltimore Convention Center, February 19-21, 2016. Each stylist will work with ACC’s network of artists at the Show to demonstrate how handcrafted statement pieces are the perfect fit for any fashion-conscious wardrobe.

On Friday, February 19, the stylists will be scouting the show floor looking for those fabulous fashion finds they’ll use to visually articulate their signature styles in person, on mannequins and model and online throughout the show. On Saturday, February 20, the stylists will be offering show attendees fashion tips, doing member makeovers and collaborating with participating interior designers from the Make Room: Modern Design Meets Craft exhibition on commentary related to the intersection of fashion and design. Throughout the Show, stylists will be available at the Style Slam booth to discuss how attendees can incorporate craft pieces into their own wardrobe to complement and accentuate their style.

Stylists participating in Style Slam are:

ABOUT THE AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL

No one understands the world of artful living better than the American Craft Council. The national nonprofit educational organization has been shaping the artisanal craft movement for decades, serving as a craft chronicler, tastemaker, convener and provocateur through its bimonthly magazine American Craft, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, thought leadership conferences, awards for excellence, research library, workshops and seminars. For additional information visit craftcouncil.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/CraftCouncil and on Twitter at twitter.com/craftcouncil.

DIY /

Sparkling Ice – Award Season Inspired Cocktails

Celebrate the upcoming Oscars by hosting your own viewing party to watch your favorite celebrities strut their couture on the red carpet. No viewing party is complete without delicious cocktails and mocktails, so sip in style during the trendiest season with these Award Season inspired cocktail recipes featuring SPARKLING ICE and Coco Joy.

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Ingredients:

4 oz. Blueberry Pomegranate SPARKLING ICE
2 oz. Pomegranate Juice
Blueberries
Pomegranate Seeds
Add a splash of vodka or prosecco for a cocktail modification

Directions:

Fill a glass with Blueberry Pomegranate SPARKLING ICE
Add pomegranate juice
Top with 5-6 blueberries and a small handful of pomegranate seeds
Stir to combine
RED CARPET READY

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Ingredients:

4 cups apple cider, chilled
2 cups cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
2 cups SPARKLING ICE Crisp Apple, chilled
1 can (12oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate
Apple slices for garnish
Rosemary cranberry sprig for individual garnish, as shown in image, or float fresh or frozen cranberries in punch bowl
Add a splash of vodka or prosecco for a cocktail modification

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients and let sit overnight
Serve chilled, garnish with rosemary cranberry sprig

BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELL

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Ingredients:

Frozen black cherries
1½ oz. Kentucky bourbon
1 oz. SPARKLING ICE Black Raspberry
Directions:

Crush cherries into bottom of a glass
Pour bourbon then SPARKLING ICE over crushed cherries and ice
Add more cherry for garnish
CELEBRITY COLADA

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Ingredients

½ crushed pineapple
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup vodka
2 cups cold Coco Joy Water
2 limes
Directions

Combine pineapple, ice, vodka and Coco Joy Water in a blender and pulse until smooth
Garnish with limes

DIY /

GuruNanda Essential Oils and Diffuser – Lifestyle Tip

GuruNanda 100% Essential Oils with Diffuser (www.GuruNanda.com), an aromatherapy gift set that features two different oils (calming lavender and uplifting peppermint) and an ultrasonic diffuser with a color-changing LED light to add to the sensory experience.

This would be great for:

  • Natural products and aromatherapy enthusiasts
  • Alternative beauty and wellness enthusiasts
  • A holiday party hostess gift
  • Affordable gifts/gifts under $25 (It retails for $19.99)
  • Gifts for the home
  • DIY spa-ers
  • The woman who has everything
  • Stressed out holiday shoppers who need to wind down or reenergize

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The kit houses two different oils – lavender and peppermint  — and an ultrasonic diffuser that disperses them into the air, where they release their wonderful natural fragrance and the healing aromatherapy benefits.    It can transform a room into a mini DIY spa in seconds.    The diffuser also features a color-changing LED light to add to the atmosphere.

Best of all, at only $19.99, it’s an affordable, thoughtful, one-size-fits all gift with tangible benefits.   It will be available in November at Walmart.

Beauty /

Epsom Salt Beauty Tips – Beach Survival Guide

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As beach season draws near, here’s an unusual idea that could prove useful: Epsom salt. Doctors say it can help treat sunburn and it also helps with summer beauty, as you’ll see in the two news releases below, which quote experts who have worked with celebrities:

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  • One quotes a celebrity skin care guru: Summer Skin Care Tips who says you should exfoliate before going out in the sun to rev up circulation, facilitating the elimination of toxins or impurities that may be trapped in the skin. In addition to detoxification, Ole Henriksen says exfoliation leaves the skin luminous, smooth and soft in texture, and it removes any excess dead skin, allowing for better absorption and easier application of sunscreen or lotion.

 

Here’s Henriksen’s recipe for an at-home dermabrasion resurfacing treatment he calls the “Shower smoothie:”

Ø  Ingredients: 4 oz. of Epsom salt, 4 oz. coffee grounds, 1 TSP eucalyptus oil and enough sesame oil to form a smooth paste.

Ø  Mix the Epsom salt and coffee grounds in a medium bowl, then add the oils and stir thoroughly until you have a smooth, but not runny paste.

Ø  Get in the shower, get wet and turn off the water. Use the entire palm of each hand to vigorously scrub your body for several minutes, from your neck to your feet.

Ø  Afterward, just rinse and glow. Your skin will feel smooth, and you’ll notice an immediate lifting and constricting of the skin.

  • The other quotes an award-winning celebrity manicurist Summer Beauty Tips who recommends bi-weekly pedicures to ease aches and pains, reduce swelling and disinfect blisters or lesions.

 

EpsomSalt

Marsha Bialo’s suggestions:

Ø  Give your feet a comfortable place to rest by folding a bath towel and positioning it at the bottom of a bucket.

Ø  Mix half a cup of Epsom salt with some warm, soapy water to soften skin and calluses and dry out the bacteria from blisters.

Ø  Remove old polish with a cotton pad soaked with nail polish remover, cut nails straight across with clippers then file them square to remove sharp edges.

Ø  Soak for five minutes, dip a file into the water and use it to smooth your heels, the balls of your feet and the outer edges of your pinkie toes.

Ø  Add Calcium Gel Fortifier or Ridge Filling Base Coat by China Glaze followed by a bright, summery coat of polish, and then finish with Seche Vite top coat for a lasting shine.

DIY /

Coffee Station: How To Guide and Lifestyle Tip

I drink coffee and that’s a well-known fact.  The aroma of a delicious brew and warmth of a well made cup gives me an instant boost of energy.  My favorite flavor is Pumpkin Spice or when I need a “mommy boost” Cafe Mocha.

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I like to prepare coffee at my home because it’s easy access and affordable.  Honestly, I don’t always have the patience to wait in line, so I brew a cup while getting the boys dressed or cleaning my home.  With a constant search for cups, sugar, and grounds I decided to create a coffee station in my kitchen.

You may not drink coffee and like to sip tea but having a beverage station can save time and help with entertaining guests.  For example, your coworker stops by after work, why not offer a cup of tea?  Or you changed diapers all day but want a nice aroma in your home (before your bestie comes over) brew a cup of coffee!

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Creating a coffee station can be fun and based on your personal style.  Some people like to include baskets, special containers, straws, bottled water, and fruit.  Others keep it simple with a tray, creamer, sugar, and mugs.  I designed a station that’s a combination of all hot beverages for coffee, tea, and cocoa.

Below are “How To” tips for creating a Coffee Station:

*  Place a small scoop next to coffee grounds for accurate measurement

* Shop discount stores or thrift shops for unique inexpensive containers

*  Add a chalk board for notes with salt & pepper shakers to hold cinnamon or cocoa

*  Use a tray or basket to separate the space

* Don’t forget your coffee mugs, straws, spoons, and liners

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photos are from Pinterest.com

 

DIY /

Homemade Salad Dressing: Lifestyle Tip and Summer Option

Two weeks ago I was preparing lunch and realized there was no salad dressing.  I instantly became upset because my salad was delicious and wanted the full experience.  My mind began to wonder and that’s when I created my own dressing!  Honestly, homemade salad dressing is a healthier option because there’s no added sodium or fat.  You can regulate the ingredients according to your individual diet.

Mandarin Salad - Favorite Salad Option
Mandarin Salad – Favorite Salad Option

My recipe started with the base ingredients such as olive oil, salt, pepper, Coleman’s mustard, parsley, and vinegar; there’s so much more to make your dressing appealing.  Homemade salad dressing can be prepared in less than 15 minutes and in larger quanities.  It’s also delicious with (other) afternoon snack options such as tuna, veggies, cheese, and crackers.

It’s almost summer which means we want quick healthy meals.  Consider making homemade salad dressing to compliment snacks, lunch, or dinner!

Quick Girl’s Classic Vinaigrette Dressing

 

1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar

 

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

1 tablespoon Coleman’s Mustard

 

 

1/8 teaspoon pepper

 

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

 

Preparation:

 

Combine ingredient’s in a bowl and whisk.  Don’t forget your salad dressing maker and other tools from Target!
Salad Dressing Maker
Salad Dressing Maker
DIY /

Hostess Gift Ideas and DIY Inspiration

How many times have you been invited to someone’s home and asked yourself, “what should I give the hostess?”  Proper etiquette states that we should gift something that “evokes a memory” but we want to be creative and thoughtful.

My first suggestion would be to consider the occassion.  Is this a housewarming party or game night?  Next, take inventory of small trinkets you already own.  Have you purchased a beautiful basket or set of mason jars?  Also, try to think of the interests or hobbies of the hostess.  Does she enjoy cooking or gardening?

Ultimately, giving the perfect gift can be delightful for both you and the hostess.  You’re adding a special touch to sincerely say, “thank you for having me at your home!”

Hostess Gift Ideas

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Photos can be found from Pinterest.com