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Perfect Paper: Five DIY Stationery Ideas

February 16, 2012 By

Personalized stationery is a great way to add a little fun to a letter or note, and there are some things you just can’t do over e-mail. If you’re the crafty type, it’s easy and fun to make your own stationery. Here are five great ideas to get you started:

For a really unique stationery presentation, take heavy, colored paper and embroider designs and shapes on them. Use bright, colorful thread and create a captivating design for a special note. Or just stitch a decorative border along one side of the paper.

Rubber stamps are also a great way to give a little visual interest to stationery. You can use a variety of ink or paints, but one really attractive method is using embossing powder and a hard surface to give your project a classy look.

One nice way to kick plain note cards up a notch is by using vintage fabric or wallpaper on the outside. Use Wonder-Under or another sheet glue to attach them, then add decorative stitching around the outside.

One clever way to add a little visual style to stationery is by making a pinhole pattern in the paper. Print out a template and then punch out holes every few centimeters – not enough to rip the paper, but just enough to communicate your design.

Block printing is a great way to add a decorative border or backing to stationery. You can use several different patterns for a more complex look, or just stick with simple geometric designs.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2012 By

Best wishes for happiness on Valentine's Day and every day.

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Five Most Romantic Songs For Valentine’s Day

February 9, 2012 By
Nothing will get you in a Valentine’s Day mood more quickly than romantic music. Whether you’re looking for songs to play as background ambiance during a Cupid Day date or just some tunes to enjoy on your own as you pine for your special someone, here are five of the most heart-stirring songs out there:
 
"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra
This Sinatra classic offers sweet, passionate lyrics and a timeless message about love. An added benefit: it’s the kind of song that's easy and fun to dance along with, so it’s an especially good choice if you’re looking to put something romantic on the sound system and get cheek to cheek with your partner. 
 
"Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers
This song has perhaps become best known as the soundtrack to the sensuous clay-sculpting scene in Ghost, but you don’t have to be sitting at a potter’s wheel to relish the tune’s soaring romantic ambience. "Unchained Melody" captures longing like almost no other piece of music out there.
 
"Je T’aime…Moi Non Plus" by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin
This sensuous French song combines breathy vocals, alluring instrumentals, and a tone of passionate longing. It will create the perfect ambience for a candlelit evening with your object of Valentine’s Day amour.
 
"Fields of Gold" by Sting
This sweet song about love in a rural setting has an otherworldly romantic quality that will make it perfect for your iPod while you take a dreamy Valentine’s Day walk. It’s also ideal tune to play on your iPod dock while you and your sweetheart are enjoying a Cupid Day picnic outdoors. 
 
"I’ll Stand By You" by The Pretenders
This 90’s hit is as fresh today as it was ten years ago. The lyrics capture perfectly what it means to have a close connection with another person, whether it’s a friendship or a romantic relationship. The song is an especially great one to send along to your special someone for a Valentine’s Day listening treat. 
 
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Introduction to Fermentation

February 2, 2012 By

The ancient art of fermentation has served humankind with myriad uses from intoxication to preservation over the centuries. Now, with the nutritional benefits of probiotics prompting a flood of fermented products,  it’s the perfect time to learn how to make your own fermented foods and drinks at home.

Learn from the master
Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz is considered the bible of home fermentation. This tome covers the science behind fermentation and contains dozens of recipes for everything from beer to sauerkraut to cheese.

Start simple
Sauerkraut and kimchi are great first fermentation projects. Requiring few special ingredients or equipment, the process is as simple as salting your ingredients, squishing out the water that the salt pulls from them, and letting them sit at a cool temperature for a few days. The result is delicious and full of beneficial live bacteria.

Save money on kombucha
Devotees of this sweet-sour concoction tout its health benefits and a bottle from a health food store can run you several dollars. But all you need to make your own is tea, sugar, and a kombucha mother – this mass of yeast and bacteria starts the fermentation process. Kombucha mothers can be ordered online or you can seek out local fermenters who have a mother to spare.

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Valentine’s Day Gifts From Hands And Hearts

January 31, 2012 By

Nothing says “I love you more” than the gift of your own time and creativity. But it’s important to make sure that homemade gifts are something that the recipient will be able to use. Here are some ideas for thoughtful homemade gifts for Valentine’s Day.

  1. Make homemade candy, cupcakes, or cookies, and give them to your beloved in a hand-decorated box or bag.
  2. If your partner keeps a journal, a scrapbook, or a photo album, make one for them. You can decorate a pre-made book or make one from scratch. Personalize one page with a photo, collage, or note to the recipient.
  3. Personalize a photo of yourself and your loved one. The possibilities are endless – you can surround the photo with keepsakes and reminders of your relationship in a shadowbox frame, make a collage, or decorate a frame for the photo.
  4. Give the gift of scent – sew small squares of fabric and stuff with lavender or rose petals to make sachets. Create a custom blend of essential oils, or buy a soap making kit and present your partner with homemade soaps in their favorite colors and fragrances.
  5. Remind your love that spring is right around the corner with some pretty pots and seeds. Make your own seed packets with personalized messages and rubber stamps.

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Young Ears: The Best Kids Albums

January 26, 2012 By

The days of music for kids being unlistenable for adults are over. Some of the modern artists for the younger set make music that parents can also enjoy. Here are five essential records that parents will enjoy, too:

Dan Zanes – House Party
Zanes is one of the most popular names in children’s music today. He has multiple albums on the market, but House Party is one of the most accessible, full of fast-paced songs that will get your kids moving.

Laura Veirs – Tumble Bee
This Canadian singer-songwriter is known for her grown-up work, but her first kids album, produced with husband Tucker Martine, takes classics from the Smithsonian Folkways collection and gives them a new spin.

The Deedle Deedle Dees – Strange Dees Indeed
Brooklyn-based historical rock band takes some of the most important people in the annals of humankind and crafts catchy, addictive tunes about them.

Gustafer Yellowgold – Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wide Wild World
This entertaining concept album draws from the excesses of 70s rock to tell a rollicking tale of a strange creature who fell to Earth from space.

Jim Copp & Ed Brown – Agnes Mouthwash and Friends
The totally unique records created by Copp and Brown in the 1960s still hold up today. They’re bursting with strange, funny characters and addictive tunes, and kids of all ages love them.

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Five Unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

January 19, 2012 By
Are you looking for a memorable way to spend Cupid’s favorite day this year? Whether you’ll be celebrating with a long-time amour or a new romantic interest, these creative date ideas are certain to flutter your sweetheart’s pulse:
 
Outdoor Love
This year, why not skip the all too typical movie-and-restaurant Valentine’s routine and head outside instead? Consider a romantic evening picnic on the beach or in a park. Good wine, candles, and a warm shared blanket will make the experience especially cozy and intimate for the two of you.
 
Romantic Treasure Hunt
Rather than just handing a present to your special someone this year, consider making the gift-giving process extra fun. Hide your surprise and draw up a treasure map with intriguing twists and turns. You can also leave little romantic notes for him or her to discover along the way. 
 
Rev up the Restaurant Routine
It can be hard to choose a restaurant for a special Valentine’s Day meal, so why limit yourself to just one? Considering starting out with appetizers at one place, moving to another for the main course, finishing with dessert at another restaurant – and then capping it all off with a nightcap somewhere else? A fun evening of restaurant-hopping will let you enjoy a memorable variety of tastes and atmospheres with your sweetheart. 
 
Small Town Sweetness
Consider planning a romantic daylong outing to a small town near you, preferably one that you’ve never visited. Then spend the afternoon with your loved one exploring the town’s unique offerings – parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants. 
 
Arts and Hearts
February 14th often occasions cultural events like poetry readings, concerts, and museum exhibits, so why not enjoy some of these romance-inspiring offerings with your sweetheart? Check out local papers and events calendars to see what’s happening in the arts world. You can make the day extra sweet by capping it off with a creation of your own, presenting your special someone with an original poem or piece of art. 
 

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Get It Started: Five Best Party Music Albums

January 18, 2012 By

Music is an essential ingredient in a successful party. If you don’t have the time to make an iTunes mix, there are still ways to keep the soundtrack bumping. These five albums are solid party sounds from beginning to end:

  • Will Smith – Big Willie Style. The former Fresh Prince has made a career producing inoffensive, catchy party rap songs, and this is one of his most solid albums. With nothing even resembling a ballad, it’s a great soundtrack for a summer barbecue.
  • The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks 1964-1971 – A spectacular Greatest Hits collection drawing from the legendary British band’s most creatively satisfying period. Some of their most danceable songs are on here.
  • The Avalanches – Since I Left You – This Australian electronica group really only released one great album, but it’s a classic. Since I Left You is a cunningly assembled pastiche of sounds scavenged from all over the world, and it blends together seamlessly.
  • Pulp Fiction Soundtrack – Quentin Tarantino’s movies all have great soundtracks pulled from pop music history, and the best is probably Pulp Fiction’s collection of guitar classics.
  • Beck – Midnite Vultures – Easily the alternative star’s funkiest release, this album features whacked-out soul jams with ludicrous lyrics and irresistible beats that will get any party percolating.

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Sockeye Wow: Five Great Ways To Cook Salmon

January 5, 2012 By

There’s no denying that fish is one of the healthiest meats you can eat. Not only is it high in protein, but also essential fatty acids. One of the best fish to cook is salmon – it’s remarkably versatile in the number of things you can do with it. In this article, we’ll share five preparations that are guaranteed to be a hit.

  • Make a glaze with brown sugar and mustard and liberally coat the top of the fish (not the skin side). Cook uncovered under a broiler and the glaze will caramelize, infusing the salmon with a complex sweetness that suits the fish’s natural flavor.
  • Another great way to bake salmon involves making a mixture of fresh breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and olive oil, and then spreading in a thick layer over the top of the fish before baking. The mixture will toast as the fish cooks, giving an excellent flavor and texture.
  • Wrap the salmon in parchment paper with fresh ground ginger, salt, pepper, and green beans and then bake it in the oven. The beans will cook and the ginger will add a little bit of a kick to the meal.
  • Make a slaw of baby tomatoes and fennel and place it under the fish on a baking sheet. Lightly rub the fish with olive oil and broil uncovered. This is a great one-pot dish that never fails to impress.
  • If you have scraps of salmon, bake it and mix with orzo pasta, dill and olive oil for a succulent pasta dish.

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The Venice Of America: Visiting Fort Lauderdale

December 29, 2011 By

One of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in Florida, a trip to Fort Lauderdale can provide excitement for just about any traveler. If you’ve always wanted to make a trip down, here are some suggestions for can’t-miss activities.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal system. These man-made waterways open a large portion of the city up to boating, and water activities are one of the biggest reasons to visit. Fort Lauderdale is one of the major yachting cities in America, and on any given day you can see impressive pleasure boats skimming through the waters. A number of charter services provide boats to fit just about every budget as well.

Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale is a chaotic event – every year, hundreds of thousands of college students flock to the beaches to party. It can be kind of intense if you’re not in that age group, but for young people this is a can’t-miss time. A crackdown on purveyors of alcohol has brought things more under control in recent years.

Visitors to the town flock to the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, where a number of must-see museums and concert halls have located. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts attracts local and national acts, and many hip clubs call the area home.

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a short drive to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park will clear your mind – this 180-acre park features camping, nature trails, and more.

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