Recipes
Cookies & Cream Puffs
Over the last few months, I’ve been working on expanding my kitchen skills. Because of my busy work and blog schedule, I’ve turned to the internet for options I can do on my own time.
First up? Salted TV. Salted is a subscription service that offers a wide range of cooking classes that range from how to make the perfect bone marrow, to mastering the croissant and everything in between. I loved this option but there were so many videos I quickly got overwhelmed by the choice, did a little of a bunch of them and then forgot I had subscribed.
Next up was YouTube. I know, it sounds silly but I’ve actually gotten some great food tips from YouTube. Did you know that you can make fresh pasta dough in a food processor without getting your hands dirty? Neither did I until last week but it worked so well! The videos are free to watch (a nice change) but the downside of course is that anyone can add videos so there’s no telling how qualified your instructor really is.
Unlike Salted TV, on Craftsy you buy one class at a time but each class is so in depth that it’s worth it. Earlier this month, I took a pâte à choux class. Eclairs have always been my favorite so I thought that if I could master pâte à choux I could make them for myself all the time. Dangerous right?
As with all things, I started small with cream puffs to get a handle on pâte à choux. Even though they are made from the same dough, in my mind the their smaller shape made them easier to master.
While not overly challenging, pâte à choux was time consuming and took an attention to detail. If your dough gets too wet there’s no fix – you have to toss it and start over.
If you get the cream puffs done and have the energy to make a pastry cream filling, more power to you. I got so antsy to eat these that I went straight for the ice cream in my freezer to use as filling.
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup (150g) all-purpose flour
- ½ Cup (125ml) water
- ½ Cup (125ml) milk
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 7 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1 container of cookies and cream ice cream
- Chocolate sauce
Recipe
- Preheat oven to 375 F
- Line two sheet pans with a non stick baking sheet and fit a large pastry bag with a large open plain tip and set both aside
- In a 2-quart, heavy saucepan, combine the milk, water, sugar, salt and butter
- Stir over low heat until the sugar, salt and butter have completely melted
- Turn the burner to high and let the mixture briefly come to a rolling boil.
- Take the pan from the heat and add the flour
- Using a large wooden spoon, stir the mixture vigorously until smooth and there are no lumps of
Travel
ULTIMATE PACKING LIST FOR ANY TRAVEL DESTINATION
If you are planning to travel, or if you just love packing bags and going on a trip, then this list is for you. The packing list that we have compiled includes everything that you will need. We’ve put together a checklist of important things to pack when traveling overseas.
These items cover different weather conditions while also keeping your luggage weight to a minimum. Not only for your trip overseas but also useful when you travel within the country as well.
While packing, just remember it’s not necessary to pack all of these items in one bag. You can distribute them among your luggage and keep the weight even. Some people like to dress light, with just enough clothes and toiletries for the trip. While others prefer to be prepared for any weather conditions and pack heavy, you can decide what is more important: Weight or Comfort/Safety?
You’ll find these and many more items on our comprehensive checklist. We’ve organized everything into three distinct categories: Essentials and Outdoor Gear and Toiletries. At the same time, do not forget to purchase fashionable Apple watch 6 bands to secure your Apple watch wherever you go.
Essentials:
Clothing – The first category includes clothing essentials for any trip. Keep in mind that you will be packing for different weather conditions and keep the weight in mind as well. There are also other items such as footwear, accessories, and outerwear.
1) Casual Clothing – These are the clothes that you would wear on any normal day at home or at work. You can pick whatever outfit makes you feel good but just remember that you won’t be able to bring everything with you. You can choose your favorite t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers or shorts and sandals if it makes you feel comfortable. But only pack the things that will make you comfortable for your trip.
2) Travel Clothing – You want clothing that is comfortable enough but also lightweight so it doesn’t add extra weight to your luggage. This usually depends on the destination but you always want to blend in when you travel. If it’s summer, pick lightweight cotton and shorts because let’s face it, they are easier than jeans and long-sleeved shirts. And if it’s winter, consider bringing clothing that is warm enough but still made of lightweight materials.
3) A Couple Of Pairs Of Different Shoes – I’m a big fan of having one versatile pair of shoes that can be worn in all kinds of climates and conditions. For example, bring one pair of sandals that are closed-toe, sturdy enough to walk around the city but also waterproof if it rains. And then if you are traveling to a cold climate, bring one pair of durable sneakers. They are comfortable enough to walk in but also have thick soles so your feet stay warm.
4) Outerwear – Outerwear is really just another name for anything that you wear on top of …
Stitches
To Stretch Bar or Not to Stretch Bar
Time to talk about stretch bars. And no, this isn’t some strange workout fad I’m trying to get y’all into for 2018. I’m talking about the contraptions that we use to hold our needlepoint projects in place!
What are stretch bars?
Stretch bars are literally bars, usually made of wood or plastic, that hold your needlepoint canvas in place while you’re stitching. Sounds useful right? It is!
I have a few sizes of wooden stretch bars that many of my canvases fit on to. I can break them down and store them when I’m not using them.
Do I really need to use them?
Yes….and no. Honestly it’s going to depend on the type of project you are doing. For example, I stitch belts on a fairly regular basis. Just last month I wrapped up this shark-eating-a-fish belt for my middle brother. Thin projects like belts don’t need stretch bars because if they do get pulled out of shape, they’ll be added to leather and fixed at that point.
When working a larger canvas however, having stretch bars to hold it in place can be so helpful to prevent the project from getting stretched out. Not sure you need them? Think about the needlepoint bag I made for my mom. It was a square canvas that once stitched, was supposed to fit perfectly on the pocket of a canvas bag. I forgot to use stretch bars so the canvas wasn’t a rectangle at all by the end. It could have been worse but I will always know when I look at it that it is slightly diagonal. And now I suppose so will all of you.
How do I use stretch bars?
Alright, so I’ve convinced you that you need stretch bars. Now what? Find a size that works for your canvas! If you’re going to sketch designs, I would recommend doing it before putting the canvas on bars. I often use mugs for example, to outline Christmas ornaments. I do this on a flat surface before adding the canvas to stretch bars.
When you’re ready to mount the canvas, connect the four corners of the stretch bars. Many are made in such a way so that they easily fit securely together. Align the canvas on the bars and use metal tacks to secure it. Don’t do one side at a time. To ensure that it stays even on the bars, start with the four corners and then do one tack per side, making your way around until you feel like your canvas is secure.
When you’re done with your canvas, all you need to do is remove the tacks, put away the stretch bars and get your project finished!…
Lifestyle
Buying Guide for Apple Watch Bands in Different Colors
When you buy an Apple watch, it usually comes with a band. However, there being so many band colors out there, you don’t have to settle for the basic band that came with the watch. Switching to a different-colored Apple watch band is an opportunity to customize your accessory and add a personal touch. But the big question is – what Apple watch band color should you choose?
In this buying guide, we will explore some popular Apple watch band colors so it can be easier for you to choose the most suitable option.
Which Apple Watch Band Color is Right for You?
Here is a list of different Apple watch band colors and some things that make them stand out.
• Black
A black strap blends well with not only a black Apple watch but all colors. Black is a neutral color. Therefore, it will blend with a grey, white or red Apple watch. Another pro of buying a black strap is that it always looks clean and is easy to maintain. Therefore, if you are looking for an everyday wear Apple watch band, black should be your top choice.
• Brown
For decades, Brown has been a popular watch band strap color. When paired with an Apple watch, it’s easy to mix and match. Plus, you can choose a lighter or darker hue, depending on your preferences.
• Rose Gold
The thing about black and brown Apple watch straps is that they are subtle colors. A rose gold strap is an excellent choice if you have a bold personality and don’t mind drawing attention. Rose gold is a symbol of luxury, and it looks great on all skin tones. And even though this strap color is rare, you can buy rose gold apple watch bands online.
• White
A white Apple watch band is pretty versatile. It can blend with most Apple watch colors, from blue to red. It also stands out and looks unique. White bands also go well with a wide range of attires, from casual to official. It’s worth mentioning that white straps get dirty quickly and are hard to maintain.
• Midnight Blue
The last Apple watch band color recommendation on our list is midnight blue, also known as navy. This is a neutral color that has some element of uniqueness. It’s super easy to maintain and rarely shows dirt. Midnight blue will look good on any Apple watch.
Tips on How to Choose the Best Apple Watch Band Color
• Choosing contrasting colors is the best way to make your Apple watch look interesting. If the Apple watch is black, don’t hesitate to go for rose gold or red straps.
• Complementing colors is a fun way to create a unique design.
• Matching the strap with the dial is a brilliant idea for those who prefer a subtle option.
• The material also contributes to the final design. You can choose from leather or nylon.
• As you compare different Apple …
