December 21, 2010
Put a Ring On It Ever look at the cheesy-but-cute cocktail rings at Brooklyn Flea and think, “I’m not paying $28 for something I can make myself.” This Christmas my friends are benefiting from my cheap side because once I realized I could make accessories for about $5 a pop, my mantra became, “Jewelry for everyone!” Here’s how:  I found some adorable vintage buttons from the bargain bin Brooklyn Charm in Williamsburg. Then I bought ring finding with 14mm trays and bead glue. I opted for nickel to keep costs low, but you can also find them in sterling silver. (Newsflash: Hobby Lobby delivers!) With needle-nose pliers I twisted off the metal loops to create a flat surface. I laid the buttons face-down on a table, dropped a bit of glue on the back, and held the ring finding on for about a minute. Warning: Bead glue isn’t for the faint of heart or newly manicured fingers. It’s like super glue on crack. Plan on soaking hands in acetone afterwards to remove little bits of dried glue. If you’re still planning on gifting one of your own creations, but have no ideas, time, or money, try turning an old record into a groovy bowl.   — Ashley

Put a Ring On It

Ever look at the cheesy-but-cute cocktail rings at Brooklyn Flea and think, “I’m not paying $28 for something I can make myself.” This Christmas my friends are benefiting from my cheap side because once I realized I could make accessories for about $5 a pop, my mantra became, “Jewelry for everyone!”

Here’s how: 

  • I found some adorable vintage buttons from the bargain bin Brooklyn Charm in Williamsburg.
  • Then I bought ring finding with 14mm trays and bead glue. I opted for nickel to keep costs low, but you can also find them in sterling silver. (Newsflash: Hobby Lobby delivers!)
  • With needle-nose pliers I twisted off the metal loops to create a flat surface.
  • I laid the buttons face-down on a table, dropped a bit of glue on the back, and held the ring finding on for about a minute. Warning: Bead glue isn’t for the faint of heart or newly manicured fingers. It’s like super glue on crack. Plan on soaking hands in acetone afterwards to remove little bits of dried glue.

If you’re still planning on gifting one of your own creations, but have no ideas, time, or money, try turning an old record into a groovy bowl.  

— Ashley

December 16, 2010 • 1 note

It’s Easy Eating Greens

When it’s so cold outside that you can see your breath but can’t feel your toes, the last thing you want for dinner is a bed of lettuce. Too many hearty meals though, and you can’t catch your breath or see your toes. This winter recipe is super-healthy, simple to make, and looks quite impressive if I do say so myself.

Warm Spinach Salad

You’ll need:

  • 1 lb baby spinach
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 purple onion (cut into rings)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Parmesan cheese

To make:

  1. Rise and drain spinach
  2. Sautee garlic and onion in oil olive for 1-2 minutes in a pan until they start to brown
  3. Add spinach to pan, flipping with a spatula as it wilts (as if you are tossing a salad)
  4. Cook for 5 minutes or until all the spinach is wilted
  5. Drain extra water from pan
  6. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese

— Ashley

December 8, 2010 • 1 note
Naughty Hot Chocolate Whether you’re locking lips with your (insert a saccharine pet name here) under the mistletoe or staying in for some, ahem, alone time, the holidays are for being with the one you love: chocolate. Forgo the Sugar-free Swiss Miss and break out the good stuff.  What you’ll need: vanilla vodka amaretto one semisweet chocolate bar pint of milk whipped cream knife 1) Melt the chocolate on low, low, low heat. Be prepared to stir constantly. !! CHOCOLATE BURNS EASILY!! As soon as it starts to melt, slowly add milk and keep stirring until the chocolate has completely melted. 2) Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and add a shot of vanilla vodka and a splash of amaretto. Top with whip cream and use a peeler to garnish with chocolate shavings. 3) Pucker up. -Jen

Naughty Hot Chocolate

Whether you’re locking lips with your (insert a saccharine pet name here) under the mistletoe or staying in for some, ahem, alone time, the holidays are for being with the one you love: chocolate. Forgo the Sugar-free Swiss Miss and break out the good stuff. 


What you’ll need:

vanilla vodka
amaretto
one semisweet chocolate bar
pint of milk
whipped cream
knife

1) Melt the chocolate on low, low, low heat. Be prepared to stir constantly. !! CHOCOLATE BURNS EASILY!! As soon as it starts to melt, slowly add milk and keep stirring until the chocolate has completely melted.

2) Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and add a shot of vanilla vodka and a splash of amaretto. Top with whip cream and use a peeler to garnish with chocolate shavings.

3) Pucker up.

-Jen

November 25, 2010 • 1 note
There once was potluck in BrooklynWhere friends gathered to show off their cookin’There was sushi, pineapple, and peanut butter pieYou would have thought you were highThe macaroni and cheese was just that incredibleThanks to a box of Trader Joe’s wineWe had a hell of a time Even though the lentil loaf was pronounced inedibleWhether you celebrate with family or friends (as we do in our annual potluck) we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. 

There once was potluck in Brooklyn
Where friends gathered to show off their cookin’
There was sushi, pineapple, and peanut butter pie
You would have thought you were high
The macaroni and cheese was just that incredible
Thanks to a box of Trader Joe’s wine
We had a hell of a time 
Even though the lentil loaf was pronounced inedible

Whether you celebrate with family or friends (as we do in our annual potluck) we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. 

November 25, 2010
Q
Is it OK to buy wine with a screw-off cap?
Anonymous
A

Yes! Actually lots of fancy wineries are starting to banish cork since it’s not sustainable and are moving towards the screw-offs. But since you’re probably asking about the cheap-o variety, we’d like to remind you that money can’t buy good taste. If you like it, drink it!