Perfume Strips

One of the fun areas of a department store is the perfume section. Sure, the selection can be overwhelming, but what a treat to check out the beautiful packaging and determine which celebrity has a new fragrance. I also like how we can test the scents and leave the store smelling fresh and fine without having to purchase anything!

Most stores have these plain white strips to aid in testing perfume. Simply spray on the paper and take this home with you to help you choose a favorite.   

When I stepped into Hendri Bendel, they had these perfume test strips for selected scents. How fabulous! I would love to paint like that. Also, each girl represented the essence of each cologne.  I think I want to be as chic as Gardenia and Vanilla girl!

Just a sample of how something simple as test strips can go from blah to TADA!

Scent Memory

Hi everyone! I hope you had a restful weekend. This week, let's talk about scents, or more specifically, perfume. Maybe like me, you associate fragrance with different stages in your life?  

As a little girl, I remember Mom putting this on me after a bath. It was refreshing and it invited whiffs and kisses from my parents, aunts and uncles. Everyone can't seem to resist the smell of a baby, right? I associate this scent with being looked after, as well as sunny, carefree afternoons filled with playtime and imagination. 

As a teenager, I was quite observant of people I admired like my Auntie A and Auntie E. They were the epitome of style. I would watch them put on make-up, get dressed for parties, and spray on expensive cologne before leaving the house. "One day I want to be like them," I said to myself.  

When I went to parties myself, I would borrow some of their clothes and feel so grown-up. As a finishing touch, I needed a scent. No, the Johnson's cologne of my childhood would not do. I dared not ask my style icon aunties if I could pilfer their perfume stash. And I couldn't afford real perfume so I settled for this, an impostor scent. Inexpensive as it was, it captured the scent of a glamorous woman. Whenever I wore it, I had some swagger, like the spirit of my aunties giving me the license to have a wonderful time.

When I saw a bottle of this at the store, I bought one without hesitation. I was in disbelief that they were still manufactured, plus it was only 99 cents! I immediately uncapped it, sprayed it on my wrists and a flood of memories came back -- high school mixers, milestone birthdays, the confusion between infatuation and falling in love.        

Here's another cologne that I truly loved. They don't make it anymore {what a blah}, but it was my signature scent for some time. I thought it was calm, approachable and optimistic. 

The cologne Romance is pretty special. It's what I wore on my wedding day. I still wear it on important occasions and it continues to make me giddy. It evokes promises kept, emotion that is expressed freely and the thought that the best is yet to be.

Fascinating how fragrance can turn your day from blah to TADA! 

How about you, what scents bring back good memories?

My First Aid Kit

I must admit, I'm a bit of a control freak and a nerdy girl scout. Yesterday, I made a list to create the ideal first aid kit. You see, it bums me out to discover that I've run out of allergy medication in the middle of the night and the nearest drugstore is closed. Or to get a cut and the only band-aid I have isn't the right one.

Not too long ago, our first aid needs could be found in the medicine cupboard in the bathroom. But I decided to change that. I simplified and put everything in a plastic box:

It's easy to rummage through, can be taken anywhere {even on a road trip}, and can be kept on a tall shelf, away from children.

It has the essentials, expiration dates have been checked, and I can easily tell when I'm running low on tablets or ointments.

I removed the packaged pills from their boxes and put them in these zipper bags {I do love a well-sealed container}. It's easier to see the contents and saves me some space.

I made sure to save the labels. I cut these out {as well as the drug facts/dosage tips} from the box and put these inside the plastic bag together with the medicine.

I'm mighty proud of my kit, but it's looking a little blah, no?

 With a little help from some printed tape...

I added a crafty spin to make my kit a bit more legit.

TADA!

First Aid Kit Essentails

Here's another item that every home should have: a first aid kit.

This visual peg shows you the essentials, but for a more extensive list, check it out here, here and here. With a first aid kit on hand, you're ready to turn blah to TADA! 

Let there be Light

Hi there! Still on the subject of emergency kits, here's another visual list of lighting options when the power goes down:

I love a lantern that's bright enough for the dining room or family room. This one's made up of smaller lanterns that can be removed from the base; each member of the family can take one to the bathroom or bedroom. A headlamp proved very useful when we lost power at the height of Hurricane Sandy. It made cooking, washing dishes, brushing teeth and reading in bed so much easier! Also the trusty flashlight must be present in everyone's home, car or office...just in case. Of course, how would these gadgets work without batteries? Have a good amount of fresh ones at the ready. 

Candles aren't really encouraged because they can cause a fire. But if you need to, it's a good idea to put them in a jar or vase for protection. Matches, or even better, a torch lighter makes lighting a breeze. This was also a life saver during Hurricane Sandy. We have a gas stove which we were able to use for cooking and boiling water, but it didn't turn on automatically because we had no power. The torch lighter provided the flame. TADA! 

Now, if you're in a crafty mood, how about making your own candles:

via Martha Stewart

Turn old teacups from blah to TADA!

via Pottery Barn

Or those one-off vintage glasses picked up from the 

thrift store? They'll work well, too. 

Doomsday Prepper

Yesterday, I made a visual list of what I might put in an emergency bag -- hey, these days of global warming, you'll never know. 

Well, I'm not all plans and lists. I really assembled one!

Just a few things peeking out: a radio, flashlights and batteries, a 5-in-1 survival aid {includes a whistle, matches and compass}, non-perishable food, water, a can opener and utensils.

I packed these and a bunch of other emergency essentials in a carry-on suitcase. It's in the coat closet by our main door, ready to be wheeled out when necessary. To make it stand-out from our other bags and luggage, I made a bag tag, in true blah to TADA! fashion:

 

I used expired hotel keys and empty gift cards. Instead of throwing them away, I turned these blahs into:

TADA! -- instant bag tags! I covered the front and back surfaces with adhesive shelf liner {Washi tape would be a good substitute}, punched a hole and inserted a strip of elastic cord. Then I labelled accordingly {"Emergency Bag"}. Instantly, we know the contents of the bag and are ready when, knock on wood, emergency strikes.

Alternatively, these can be used as identification tags for school or travel bags.  

Emergency Kit Essentials

Happy Monday Lovelies! I live in the East Coast and until recently hurricanes have become a common occurrence. In 2011, there was Hurricane Irene. Because we live so near the water, we evacuated to higher ground. Thankfully, there was no damage to life or property. 

Last year, Hurricane Sandy came along and unleashed her wrath. Water from the Hudson River flowed into our building's parking lot. Our main road was blocked because of fallen trees. We lost power for over a week. Despite all these blahs, I still feel blessed given that many people lost their homes and are still piecing their lives back together months after Sandy hit.

It's these natural disasters that has compelled me to assemble an emergency kit. It's a smart investment for the home and it turns blah situations into TADA! because you know you're prepared. Plus it's something we can take with us and still use even if we decide to move elsewhere. Here is my visual list: 

You can read more about assembling an emergency kit here, here, here and here.

Random Friday

If you're a regular visitor to my blog {a big thanks for that!}, you know that I like themes. I have a theme every week. Last week, it was "adhesive shelf-liners", "hearts" the week before and this week, "crafty in the kitchen." 

Themes. That's how I roll. 

Themes keep me organized and focused. But themes can be quite stifling at times. That's why I'm introducing "Random Fridays".    

"Random Fridays" is simply that. Random things that make me smile, tear up, or say, "Wow!"  And maybe, just maybe, you'll have that same reaction, too.

Here goes:

In 2007, I was at the Taste of Chicago and I had the pleasure of meeting these Clydesdale horses. I've never seen anything like them! They're known for their size {about 6 feet tall} and the white "feathers" covering their hooves. They were enormous, as if they stepped out of a fairy tale. They got so much attention, everyone wanted to take a picture. 

Each year, I'm reunited with these horses in TV commercials -- the Clydesdales are associated with Budweiser beer. If you watched the Super Bowl in February, you may have seen this very touching ad:

Sniff. Makes me cry every. single. time.

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What is your opinion about monograms?

I've seen them a lot lately from bed linen, to napkins, to jewelry. They never went away, but clearly, I'm noticing them. Could it be that I want to have my own monogram? Here's a good read on how to create your own.

********

Downton Abbey is one of my favorite TV dramas. I admit, I was late to the party, but it's not hard to get sucked into the aristocratic world of the Grantham family and their servants, set in early 20th-century Britain.

via PBS.org

Oh, to be a fly on the castle wall as they don their beautiful costumes and film the engrossing scenes!

And with that, here's to many more random Fridays and to a weekend that's a lot of fun!

Dainty Cake Pops

I hope you're finding this week's kitchen tips pretty helpful. 

Today, another blah to TADA! idea:

I tested a recipe for citrus cupcakes. After baking, I felt the citrus taste was lacking. On hindsight, maybe I should have used the zest and a little more of the juice. But such happens with trying out recipes, some are successful, a few are not.

I didn't want to waste the cupcakes. I toyed with the idea of making a citrus glaze, or soaking them in limoncello similar to a rum cake. But because I already had the ingredients on hand, I made a few cake balls.

I crushed the cupcakes into crumbs.

I mixed a little bit of store-bought frosting.

I shaped them into balls. 

Melted some candy melts on a double boiler, and dipped in the cake balls until each one was fully coated. Then I put them on a plate until the chocolate hardened.

TADA! Cake balls that are ready for afternoon tea. 

Next time, to cut the sweetness, maybe I'll try peanut butter, speculoos or cream cheese instead of the frosting. I'll let you know if that turns out to be TADA!.

Tabbouleh Salad

Do you like using herbs in your cooking? Fresh herbs lend a lot of TADA! to a dish. Most of the time, however, I don't get to use the entire bunch.

Take parsley for instance. A few sprigs are enough to add flavor and color. Blah, wilted parsley is what I want to avoid. So I found a recipe for Tabbouleh.

 

Tabbouleh is a salad made of bulgur wheat. It's rich in fiber and friendly for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. In and of itself, it's healthy.

And when you add these ingredients -- Bam! Double healthy points! There's parsley, mint, cucumber, tomatoes, scallions, lemon and oil. 

Here's what Tabbouleh looks like.

It's light and refreshing.

Serve it with grilled meat like lamb chops.

Or inside a pita bread sandwich 

{with leftover chicken and hummus}.

The recipe was from this book.

Tabbouleh Salad {from the Mad Hungry Cookbook}

Ingredients:

1/2 cup bulgur wheat

2 tomatoes, diced 

3 scallions (white & green parts, trimmed and sliced thinly)

2 to 3 cups chopped parsley, stems removed

1 cucumber, peeled and diced

1/2 cup fresh mint leaved, chopped

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt, or more to taste

Instructions:

Rinse the bulgur wheat in cold running water and soak in a bowl of water for 20 minutes. Drain and place in a large bowl.

Add the tomatoes, scallions, parsley, cucumber, and mint. Toss together.

Whisk together the lemon zest and juice, olive oil, and salt. Stir the dressing into the salad to fully combine. Serve or cover and refrigerate for up to two days.

Tuna and White Bean Salad

My philosophy in crafting extends to the kitchen -- I don't like waste. If there's an opportunity to turn blah to TADA!, I'm on it.

Here are some of the items that seem to hang out much longer than usual in my vegetable drawer: celery, scallions, herbs and lemon. The recipes I use them for only require a few stalks or half the amount so there's always extra. I'm determined to find good use for them.  

I've been cooking from this book, and it has rewarded me with many new recipes to try, using staples that I already have. 

Today, I'm trying out a Tuna and White Bean Salad. Here's what you need to do:

Mix together one or two cans of tuna {drained} with several handfuls of beans {cooked dry beans or canned -- make sure to drain them}. Add some olive oil, a dash of vinegar or citrus juice {in my case, lemon}. Add any raw sliced veggies {like celery, scallions, bell pepper or fennel}. Add some fresh herbs or a pinch of ground dry spices {like coriander, paprika or cayenne}. And because I had an apple, I diced it up and added that, too. Serve this on greens, on toast or as a side dish.

This salad is refreshing, hearty, healthy and I'm proud to say, my fridge crisper is now clean! TADA! 

Panettone Bread Pudding

Hello dear friends! This week, we're spending some time in the kitchen. I'm trying a few recipes and I'll tell you if the results are blah or TADA!

This is a panettone, a sweet Italian bread generously sprinkled with raisins, candied fruit, sometimes nuts and chocolate. They're popular during the holidays and I've given them as gifts on a few occasions. A slice, paired with coffee or tea, makes for a wonderful breakfast or snack. 

The size of this bread is massive, so I turned half of it into a bread pudding {this is a TADA! way to use up blah, stale bread}. I followed this recipe, replacing the sourdough or French bread with panettone.

 Panettone all cubed up.

I added some chocolate chips on top

before pouring in the custard. 

 Here's what it looks like after baking. 

The top was a bit crumbly, the inside soft and moist. It had just the right amount of sweetness {I used less sugar than was required} and the built-in candied fruit and additional chocolate chips added enough crunch and character. A definite TADA! if I should say so myself.

Now, I've had bread pudding at restaurants and a few of them served a sauce with it. Why not make one to give this comforting dish an extra TADA!? For the sauce, I followed this recipe.

The bread pudding resulted to many tummy rubs and a satisfying "yum" with or without the sauce.


Cinnamon Baked French Toast {recipe from The Pioneer Woman}
Ingredients:

1 loaf Crusty Sourdough, French Bread or Panettone

8 whole Eggs

2 cups Whole Milk

1/2 cup Whipping (heavy) Cream

3/4 cups Sugar

2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Topping

1/2 cup All-purpose Flour

1/2 cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 stick Cold Butter, Cut Into Pieces

Fresh Fruit  or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with butter. Tear bread into chunks (or cut into cubes) and evenly distribute in the pan.

Mix together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread. Cover tightly and store in the fridge several hours or overnight.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add nutmeg if desired. Add butter pieces and work into the dry mixture until mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a zipper bag in the fridge.

When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle crumb mixture over the top. If you're using fruit or chocolate chips, sprinkle on before adding the crumb mixture. Bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more bread pudding texture. Bake 1 hour or more for a firmer, less liquid texture.

Scoop out individual portions. Top with butter and drizzle with maple syrup or bourbon sauce*.

*Bourbon Sauce {recipe from Cooks County}

Ingredients:

1 1/2  teaspoons cornstarch

1/4 cup bourbon

3/4 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 - inch pieces

Pinch salt 

Instructions:

Whisk the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the bourbon together in a small bowl. Heat the cream and the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of bourbon, butter, and salt. Drizzle the warm sauce over individual servings of the bread pudding.