SHOES! ~ Urban Outfitter Sweepstakes

Urban Outfitters has numerous sweepstakes and contests. This is just one, in which you can enter for a chance to win shoes for a year; one pair every month. To sign up visit the Urban Outfitters website.

EPIC ~ BWW Sauces How To

Epic Portions has recipes for your favorite restaurants' dishes! Being a fan of BWW, this sounds like a fun thing to do... except I like Mild and Sweet BBQ....

Parmesan Garlic

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Spicy Garlic

• 1 Cup Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce
• 1/3 Cup vegetable oil
• 1 Teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon course ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Medium Wing Sauce

• 1 cup Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Hot Wing Sauce

• 1 Cup Franks cayenne pepper sauce
• 1/3 Cup vegetable oil
• 1 Teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 Teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 2 Teaspoons water
• 2 Teaspoons cornstarch

Blazin’

6 fresh habanero peppers (with seeds)
5 lemon drop peppers (or other small hot pepper)
8 jalapenos (with seeds)
2-3 garlic cloves
2 cups white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
fresh ground black pepper
salt

Mango Habanero

• 2 cups Mango Nectar (found in your local grocery store)
• Any habenero hot sauce.  I recommend El Yucatan.  The amount is up to you, depending on how spicy you like your wings.
• 1 Tbsp corn syrup. (sugar works too)
• 1/4 cup Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce
• 1/3 cup melted butter

Asian Zing

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup chili-garlic sauce (sriracha!)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Carribean Jerk

• Tablespoons margarine
• 2 Tablespoons minced onion (white and light green parts only)
• 1 Cup water
• 3/4 Cup ketchup
• 1/2 Cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 Cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons white distilled vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce
• 2 Teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Teaspoons lemon juice
• 1-1/2 Teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 Teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 Teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 Teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 Teaspoon ground clove
• 1/8 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 Teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 Teaspoon rubbed sage

Cooking Instructions:

Heat shortening in your fryer to 350 degrees F.  Fry wings for 10-12 minutes, or until light brown. Remove wings and drain on a rack or paper towels briefly.  After draining wings place wings in a plastic container with a lid. Add 1/4-1/3 cup of your sauce of choice to the container. Replace lid and shake well to coat wings.  Pour wings out onto a plate and add celery on the side, plus ranch or bleu cheese dressing for dipping.

Count Your Love ~ 75 Ways to Show Love

It's been a week since Valentine's Day, and hopefully all the love and spice wasn't given all on that day, but spread throughout the year. Below is a list of 75 Ways to Show Love.


1. A kiss on the forehead
2. Uninterrupted quality time
3. A note under the pillow
4. Tell him when he looks masculine, sexy, or hot
5. Turn a regular day into an All-About-You day just for your mate
6. Breakfast served in bed
7. A romantic picnic indoors
8. An unexpected dinner cruise
9. Propose marriage on one knee
10. Don’t complain when he leaves the toilet seat up
11. A rose on the pillow
12. Tell her she’s beautiful
13. Pour on the chivalry (open doors, pull her chair out)
14. A bubble bath with rose petals and her favorite scented candles
15. Verbalize what your relationship means to you
16. Surprise her with her favorite flowers and candy
17. An “I love you because…” list
18. PDA (public displays of affection)
19. Heart shaped pancakes or cookies
20. A walk in the park together
21. Hold your beloved a little tighter and longer than usual
22. Do some of his/her chores
23. A handwritten card sprayed with your scent
24. Spoil each other
25. Renew your marriage vows
26. Be first to say “I’m sorry” after an argument
27. Personalize (i.e. engrave) gifts
28. Place an “I love you” flyer under the car’s windshield wiper
29. Send a surprise gift to his/her workplace
30. Support each other’s dreams
31. Make love slowly, passionately
32. Run his bath water
33. Give your spouse space when needed
34. Buy her feminine hygiene products (before she asks)
35. Bring him a cold beer while he watches football
36. Put a love note in her purse

37. Hold hands
38. Take showers together and wash each other’s back (or whole body)
39. Look deeply into your lover’s eyes
40. Always kiss goodbye and goodnight
41. Boast about your mate and your relationship to mutual friends
42. Arrange for a babysitter so you can have an unexpected date night
43.  Say how much you love each other even if you think it’s known
44. Use cute pet names for each other
45. Rub your noses together
46. Remember to say thank you (often)
47. Excuse each other’s mistakes
48. Meditate together
49. Sleep in his t-shirt
50. Wash her hair
51. Step outside of traditional gender roles to help each other (Cook dinner for her; take the trash out for him)
52. Verbally reassure your lover
53. Take photographs as a couple
54. Give up the last piece of food on your plate
55. Write a short fairy tale using you and your mate as the characters (Once upon a time…”)
56. Listen more intently
57. Flirt with each other
58. Sing your significant other a love song
59. Get up early to help him/her get ready for work
60. Say “I adore you”
61. Watch a chic flick with her
62. Kiss your mate somewhere you never thought to kiss before (i.e. elbow, knee, toe)
63. Initiate affection (hugs, kisses, spooning)
64. Take good care of yourself so that you’re at your best for the one you love
65. A handmade gift or card
66. Write a sweet message on a fogged-up mirror so he/she will see it after exiting the shower
67. Cook your significant other’s’ favorite meal
68. Feed each other chocolate covered strawberries
69. Cuddle by the fireplace
70. Laugh and have fun with each other
71. Rub his/her feet
72. Create a scrapbook together
73. Start a hobby together
74. Dance indoors to your favorite song
75. Ask about each other’s day

Happy Plate ~ Wheel of Nutrition

"This product was developed with Hafsteinn Juliusson for HAF, in collaboration with Joana Pais"


These plates provide the recommended "amount" of food for regular meals, diets, and "super size."


Not sure how this would effectively work, but a pretty neat idea!


Wheel of Nutrition

H20, The Way to Go ~ Body Reactions to Soda

Studies have recently come out to say that the artificial sweetener in diet sodas are carcinogens (cancer causing). "Less cancer-causing" is the caramel color in ALL sodas. Below is what happens to your body within an hour's time of digesting it. 

• In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.
• 20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (There’s plenty of that at this particular moment)
• 40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.
• 45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.
• >60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.
• >60 Minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyte and water.
• >60 minutes: As the rave inside of you dies down you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, pissed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like even having the ability to hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth.

Information provided by Wade Meredith

Frozen Flash ~ Top 7 Flash Mobs of All Time

I have chosen to not spoil the fun and just show one flash mob. To view the other 6 visit Social Times.

No Reservation ~ Dinner For Schmucks

I was really looking forward to this movie, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Jeff Dunham.. how could it be bad? Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. I was so annoyed by this movie, despite the few comedic parts. Honestly, I couldn't even make it through it. I fell asleep just so I wouldn't have to watch it anymore.

Party Melon ~ How to Make A Watermelon Keg

Kegs only give the party goers one option, beer. What if you want to have a punch or cocktail keg instead?

This is a cute, summery and an eco-friendly idea at that. Use a watermelon  as the keg.






Cut a hole out of the top of the melon and scoop out the fruit.
Drill a small hole near the bottom of the melon, where the tap will be inserted. These can be found at liquor stores and online.
Fill the melon with your favorite fruity alcohol concoction, something with watermelon would be best.
Enjoy!





For more information visit The Design Town.

Dating Disruptions ~ What Not to do in Relationships

The information below, is of course, due to Valentine's Day being tomorrow, and is from the site Lifehack.

Want to build positive relationships? Then make sure not to commit the following 10 things that disrupt relationships:

1. Giving hurtful comments. Are you hurting others by your lack of tact? You might think that you’re being helpful, but your intentions might have hurt the other party instead. Put yourself in others’ shoes first. If it’s not a comment you appreciate hearing yourself, then perhaps it’s not something others will appreciate either.
2. Giving solutions when the person is really looking for a listening ear. Probably an understatement: A lot of times what people want is a listening ear. Deep down, people have solutions to the problems they are facing – they are just looking for someone to share their frustrations with because they have had a long and hard day. I had a friend who would always butt in with suggestions whenever I shared my frustrations. Our conversations became stifling – in the end I stopped talking about them altogether because I wasn’t getting the refuge I wanted. Be more conscious of what the other party is looking for, and adjust accordingly to fit that.
3. Being judgmental; Thinking you are above others. No one likes to be judged or labeled. If you are constantly judging others for what they do/say, it might be good to reflect that upon yourself.  Putting someone off doesn’t make someone a better person; it just makes him/her appear insecure. Humility is a timeless virtue that’s appreciated by everyone.
4. Being defensive to criticism. How well do you respond to criticism? Do you become defensive and wall yourself up? Or do you graciously take it into stride and use the criticism constructively for growth? Learn to deal with critical people – it might be the most important skill you can ever acquire.
5. Telling people what to do. Most of us don’t like it when people try to boss us around. Learning to energize people and get them on board a common vision is more empowering than trying to order people around.
6. Being aloof; Not being responsive. I have experienced situations where acquaintances do not respond to correspondences, possibly because they do not see them as important. Subsequently I form a very bad impression of them, and deprioritize their requests when they seek my help later on.
7. Thinking you know it all. The more I learn, the more I realize what I don’t know. There is a wealth of knowledge out there for us to learn. Thinking you know everything, rejecting new methods and vehemently insisting on your ways prevents you from connecting with others. Be open to trying new things.
8. Being a complainer. It’s okay to complain every once in a while, but doing it all too often puts off people. Complaining too much makes you an energy vortex – it becomes draining to be around you. People like to be around positive people, not energy vampires. If you are one, it’s not too late to change – start by focusing on positive things around you and work from there.
9. Not following up on things you agreed on. One of my pet peeves is when people don’t follow up on things they agree on (be it appointments, favors, etc). I think it makes them unreliable and leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. These are the same people that I make a note not to work with in the future.
10. Not listening. Are you present in your conversations with others? Or is your mind on something else? When conversing with someone, learn to not only listen, but listen actively. Seek out the underlying message behind what someone is saying.

Lovely Letters ~ "Letter's I'll Never Send"

If you have ever heard of Post Secret, this is along the same lines. Since the big V-Day is only a 2 days away, I thought this would get some people in the lovey-dovey mood. This site is a compilation of letters from people, addressed to their loves, which they will never send.
Some say it's a waste of time, others, so romantic. What do you think about it?? Or will you post your own letter you'll never send.

More letters never sent

Drunken Red Velvet Cupcakes ~ DELICIOUS

Like I said, I got some Pinot Noir wine and made these delicious cupcakes! It was my first time making them from scratch, and a not box mix. These turned out surprisingly good!

I used a sandwich bag to pipe on the icing, again, my first time attempting that.

The batter was runny, I scared myself with it - but as you see below it turned out fine and is super moist. I ate my first one with a spoon, because it was still warm and sticky.

The icing, was fun to make, I made a little of a mess, but it was fun!

I didn't have two tablespoons of red food coloring, only make a half teaspoon, but the wine overpowered it and created this purple color!

* While creating from the recipe below, when it says to combine the dry ingredients, it mentions baking powder, but in the ingredients, it's not listed. I just added the same about of baking powder as soda.

Drunken Red Velvet ~ How to Make the Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

Valentine's day is only a few days away, and what better treat than Red Velvet Cupcakes? Well, I have an even better way to make them; swop out the oil for red wine. I heard this while watching "Cupcake Wars" and thought "why not?" I found some easy and delicious sounding recipes for the cupcakes and cream cheese frosting (below). If you want to make Drunken Red Velvets, too, simply add 1 1/2c. red wine (such as Pino Noir) instead of the vegetable oil. I'm sure it will work on box mixes as well...

Things You'll Need:

• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 1 c. buttermilk (room temperature)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. red food coloring
• 1 tsp. distilled white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper baking cups.
   
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. Gradually pour dry mixture into wet, about 1 cup at a time, until fully incorporated and blended thoroughly.
   Fill baking cups about 2/3 full. Bake cupcakes for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool, then top with Cream Cheese Frosting

Read more: How to Make the Best Red Velvet Cupcakes

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2 c. softened butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 4 1/2 c. powdered sugar (plus more, as needed)
• 6 oz. softened cream cheeses
• mixing bowls
• hand mixers

Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add 2 c. of the powdered sugar, beating constantly.
3. Gradually beat in the rest of the powdered sugar until the mixture is spreadable.
4. Use immediately.

Read more: How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting 

Cubicle Paradise ~ Contest for Office Space

Of course this office space is just a fantasy, but if a company made cubicle/desk wraps, I would be all over it! Who wants to look at a boring fake wood and drabby desk, when there is potential for a beautiful tropical or mountain view! 

If anyone invents this or knows of a company that does, please let me know! :)

Beyond the Rainbow ~ List of Colors

I usually, ok I never reference Wikipedia, but this chart stopped me in my tracks. With an alphabetical list of just about any color you could think of, Wikipedia breaks down the number, hue, colors and other details to re-create that same color. This will be useful whether working in Adobe or online HTML coding. For the entire list, visit List of Colors.

Toasty Scribbles ~ Toast Messenger

This toaster, designed by SashaPure is as unique as can be! The top of the toaster is a message board that toasts the message onto the bread. She suggests messages can be written from romantic notes to your other half or even reminders for the day! I don't know how it works, but I would get one!

Digital Doodles ~ Noteslate

It's not a spiral notebook, nor an iPad. These tablets have a whiteboard or chalkboard-like technology, with multiple color themes. These tablets are 13 inches long. The buttons on the bottom allow for saving and erasing of the "pictures" on the screen. To learn more about these $99 tablets visit Mobile Magazine.

No Clips! ~ How to Tie a Tie (4ways)

I don't know how to tie a tie, I've never helped a guy tie one. So, for those (like me) who don't have a clue, here is a guide for 4 different ways. Now, there are no more excuses for those cheesy clip-ons. Plus, with Valentine's Day around the corner, guys - you'll want to look your best, right?

Photo

24 hours ~ A full day in a single shot

On December 30, 2010, amateur astrophotographer Chris Kotsiopoulos set out to capture an entire day in a single photograph. After several days of preparation and nearly 30 hours alone in a stationary position, Kotsiopoulos produced this incredible image:

The 'day part' is composed of a dozen of shots covering the landscape from east to west and the Sun's course from sunrise to sunset. The Sun's position was recorded exactly every 15 minutes using an intervalometer, with an astrosolar filter adjusted to the camera lens. In one of the shots, when the Sun was near it's maximum altitude, I removed the filter in order to capture a more 'dramatic' shot with the Sun's glare. After the sunset, I took various shots with the camera facing west - northwest in order to achieve a more smooth transition from the 'day part' to the 'night part' of the picture. The 'night part' is also composed of a dozen of shots covering the landscape from west to east. After the 'transition' shots I mentioned above, I took a small startrail sequence, with approximately half an hour duration, and the camera facing northwest. Then at 19.13 local time, I turned the camera to north and I started taking the all-night startrail which lasted almost 11 hours. After the 11 hour startrail I turned the camera to northeast and I shot a half an hour startrail, and finally with the camera at northeast and east some 'night to day' transition shots.

Info and photo from The Atlantic. 

DIY Skin ~ Homemade Facial Toner

Homemade Apple Cider and Aspirin Toner

Benefits: 
Apple vinegar and aspirin is a one-two exfoliating punch to clear acne scars and smooth bumpy, dry skin. Use daily for a softer, brighter complexion. If you have delicate skin, use this sparingly.

Yield: Approximately one month of daily applications

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce organic apple cider vinegar
• 3 ounces mineral water
• 5 plain aspirin tablets, uncoated

Instructions:
1. Dilute 1/2 ounce organic apple cider vinegar with 4 ounces of mineral water.
2. Use pestle and mortar to crush aspirin tablets.
3. Add aspirin tablet mixture to water and vinegar mix.
4. Apply toner sparingly to areas with acne, rough skin or enlarged pores.

The solution will stay fresh for one month in the refrigerator.

For more information visit: The Daily Green