Down-Sizing

I'm very sentimental with "stuff" and it can be very difficult for me to get rid of it...even if I haven't used it lately and it needs to go. A couple of coping mechanisms that have worked for me are:

1. Take a photo of the item. I find that my mushy, sentimental feelings are triggered when seeing the item. So a photo creates the same warm feelings, but without taking up space.

2. Put items you are considering getting rid of in a box and keep them there for a week or two. Then look through the box again and make your final decision. Time to adjust to getting rid of it sometimes is all it takes!

Games, Games, Games

I love games and would play them every night if I could. Here are the top games recommended to have in your collection based on the number playing. Fortunately, I have a lot of these.

Games for Two or Just a Few:

• Othello (doh! I got rid of mine. But I found an online version here.)
  
• Scrabble (we have the travel edition and take it on the road with us)
• Mancala (have it and love it!)
  
• Lost Cities (never heard of it...guess I should add it to my wish list)

Games for Small Groups:

• Twister Moves (no, thank you! apparently this version comes with a CD that calls out the moves.)
• You're Pulling My Leg (never heard of this one, but it looks really good...recommended for "getting to know you")
• Clue (I thought we had this one, but I don't see it in my stack.)
• Uno (of course!)

Party Games:

• Cranium Turbo Edition (don't know about "turbo" but we have the regular one...Mr. Ginger doesn't like it!)
• Apples to Apples (have it! love it!)

Mouth Wash

I don't really like mouthwash, but I know I should be using it. The different types also confuse me. But I read recently that if you want all around protection you should use a fluoride (ACT, Colgate) rinse at night and an antibacterial (Listerine antiseptic, Cepacol) rinse in the morning.

Dirty Keyboard

(I plan on doing this to my keyboard at work tomorrow...I haven't been exactly careful about keeping crumbs out of it!) You can take a piece of scotch tape and slide it between the rows of the keyboard. All those yucky crumbs stick to the tape.

Find an Apple Orchard

All About Apples is a cool website...um...all about apples. They also have a map of the US with all the apple orchards. I love apple picking!

Complaint Letter

Have you ever wanted to write a complaint to a company but never know what to say or how to word it? Consumer Action has a template for you to use to make it much easier.

Tasting Party

I have hosted a Chocolate Tasting party several times, and everyone has always enjoyed it. This book has ideas and information for different kinds of tasting parties like tea, wine, cheese, honey, balsamic vinegar, or apples. I'd love to do them all!
Tasting Club

Easy Omelets for a Group

• Bring water to boil in a large pan.
• Beat eggs, salt and pepper.
• Have bowls of omelet fillings...like spinach, bacon, ham, cheese, peppers, etc.
• Pour about a cup of the eggs into a quart sized Ziploc.
• Add whatever filling you'd like.
• Close bag...let all the air out.
• Drop bag into boil for about 8 minutes.
• Open bag and slide the omelet to a plate!
• Easy. Perfect make-your-own breakfast for guests or large groups.
  

Measure Walking Distance

Since we've moved to the city, we're walking a lot more. I often wonder how far we've walked. Now I can calculate it!

• Go to Ask.com.
• Enter addresses.
• When you're map is returned, click the "Walking" tab.
• It gives you the walking miles and even a walking time estimate.
  
• Then you can move the pushpin icons around to recalculate different walks/distances.

Old School Craft Idea - Tin Cans

With the fun and stylish paper (scrapbooking, wallpaper) and fabric (scarves, cloth napkins) that you can find these days, you can cover a tin can for multiple uses:
Pencil cup
Party favor container
Flower vase
Candle holder centerpieces at a funky party
Holder for craft table supplies

Cure for flat hair?

Kiehl's Stylist Series Super Thick Volumizer

Phytovolume Actif Maximizing Volume Spray

Best Face Powder

Reasonably priced:
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Pressed Powder
$12.50

Best for "mature" skin: (I'm not getting any younger!)
Covergirl Advanced Radiance Age-Defying Pressed Powder
$7

Simple Sauces

CREAM SAUCE
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan
Mix ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.

BASIL PESTO SAUCE
1 small garlic clove
1/4 pine nuts
3 cups fresh basil leaves, washed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Combine and pour over steaming pasta.

OLIVE OIL and GARLIC SAUCE
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup pasta cooking water
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds, making sure it doesn't brown. Add pasta water, red pepper, salt and parsley and bring to a boil.

POMODORO
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, including liquid
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
12 fresh basil leaves, torn
Heat oil in saucepan. Add garlic and cook until light brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and juice, salt, pepper and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer , crushing tomatoes with a wooden spoon until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in basil.

Home Inventory

Know Your Stuff has a free software download you can use to do a household inventory by logging items room by room, uploading digital photos, and scanning receipts. There are MANY reasons to do this inventory...so JUST DO IT!
**Hint - once you do this, store the information somewhere besides your house.

Carpet Dents

I've always heard that you can use an ice cube to revive dents in the carpet from furniture legs. I recently read that you can also use the tines of a fork to fluff the carpet fibers back.

Easy Greeting Cards

Whether you need a last minute birthday card and can't get to the store or whether you want to be really organized and plan paper cards to be mailed throughout the year or whether you live oversees and it's hard to mail domestic cards...CARDSTORE is for you.

They will print and mail your card the next business day, either to you or directly to your recipient, INCLUDING addressed and stamped envelopes. Or you can upload addresses, create a card, and set reminders throughout the year.

Finding Airfares

These are the first two websites I go to find airplane tickets...they search dozens of airlines and travel suppliers all at once for the best fares.
KAYAK
MOBISSIMO

Pink Ribbon Jewelry

I just love this gorgeous hand painted "pink ribbon" jewelry by Angela Moore. And 15% goes to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Digital Camera Tip

Tips when buying a digital camera...because I can never remember this.

Look for:

• a 3x zoom (or 6x if you take lots of close-ups)
• a fast shutter button
• an ISO rating of 800

Ignore:

• megapixels - all new cameras have plenty

Sink Strainer

Again, I don't need one of these now, but may have a sink in the future where I will need one.
Oxo Good Grips Strainer
Why I like it: Flips inside out for easy disposal of muck into the trashcan

Caramel Apples

The best apples to use for homemade caramel apples are: Granny Smith, Gala, and McIntosh.

Freezer Basket

I don't need this for my current freezer but have in years past, so maybe I will in future years.
Plastic coated metal bins for freezer storage, one deep and one shallow at The Container Store.

Best Brownie Mix

Best Cakey Brownie Mix:
Cherrybrook Kitchen Fudge Brownie
(I've never heard of this brand or seen it in my stores.)

Best Fudgy Brownie Mix:
Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge

Parmesan Polenta

1 Tbs kosher salt
1 cup instant polenta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
4 Tbs unsalted butter

Bring 4 cups of water and the salt to a boil. Stirring constantly, add in polenta. Cook while stirring until polenta thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan and butter. Cover until butter melts.

Speed-drying a Manicure

You can use Pam cooking spray to speed up the drying process of a manicure. You can also dip your fingers in ice cold water to set your polish.

Grainy Mustard Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
3 Tbs chicken broth
1/4 cup coarse-grain mustard
2 Tbs chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Whisk together all the ingredients in a large skillet over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce has thickened slightly about 3 minutes. Pour over beef, chicken or pork.

Best Bath Salts

Best bath salt for dry skin:
Archipelago Botancals Milk Oat Salt

Best bath salt for soothing a cold:
Kneipp Eucalyptus Herbal Bath Oil

Best bath salt for relaxing:
Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution Lavender

Arugula Tortellini

1 lb. cheese or meat tortellini
4 oz. sliced bacon
6 Tbs unsalted butter
2 cups arugula (you can also use spinach or basil)
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

• Cook tortellini according to package.
• Cook bacon until crisp and break into pieces.
  
• Brown butter in a skillet
• Them add arugula, salt, pepper, and cooked tortellini.
• Toss well. Serve.

Helpful Scents

Smells that can change your perception:

To make a room seem bigger - green apple scent
Energy boost - buttered popcorn or strawberries
Increase learning - floral scent
To suppress your appetite - peppermint or banana scent

Stinky Freezer

If your freezer is not smelling good, wipe down freezer shelves with pure vanilla extract.

Cool Sugar Dispenser

The Sugar Please Automatic Sugar Dispenser dispenses 1/2 teaspoon at the touch of a button. It's pretty cool looking also.
You can buy it here.

Polish Remover

A no-mess fingernail polish remover from Barielle...just press down on the pump to saturate your cotton ball. I guess this is similar to what they use in nail salons, so I guess you could just buy one of those bottles and fill it yourself.
Barielle's Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover

Travel Alarm Clock

I can't travel without a sound machine, so this looks like a great option. The Sharper Image Travel Sound Soother with clock, alarm, radio, and sound machine.
You can buy it here.

Real Simple - February 2007

Best Lotions

Living in Chicago, dry hands are part of life. Knowing the best rated lotions is essential.
Best Value: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Best Fragrance-Free: Cetaphil Therapeutic Hand Cream with Shea Butter

Real Simple - December 2006

Glossy Greetings Gift Tags

Sephora has some really cool Christmas gift tags by Cargo Cosmetics. Each gift tag includes a sample dose of lip gloss. There are 2 different types.
You can buy them here and here.

Real Simple - December 2006

Sparkly Dishwasher

You can use a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid to clean your dishwasher. Pour one packet into the detergent cup and run the washer while empty. It works very well!

Travel Detergent

Dropps are easy washing detergent packets for travel or for smooth walks to the laundromat.
You can buy it here.

Real Simple - May 2006

Personalized Notepads

You can send a digital photo, choose a notepad size, and PicPads will create a personalized notepad.
You can buy it here.

Real Simple - May 2006

Ohso Travel Toothbrush

This wouldn't be good for a really long trip, but would be okay for a short one. The Ohso toothbrush has a vacuum pressure that sucks toothpaste from your tube at home into the toothbrush, so that you have toothpaste and toothbrush all-in-one. It might also make a creative gift for a traveler who has everything.
You can buy it here.

Real Simple - May 2006