Best Bib & Tucker

I know it’s February and it’s been a really nice winter, but I’m ready for spring to get here.  So, today we are giving you FIVE ideas on how to add a hint of spring to your winter wardrobe.

For more ideas be sure to check out our Adding a Hint of Spring to your Winter Outfits board on Pinterest!

1. Change your purse—I’m one of those girls who carries the same purse all winter.  I think it’s time to shake it up and add some color.

2. Start adding spring trends—tangerine tango, neons, polka dots, and pastels—add them now and become a fashion leader.  Check out Fashion Trends Spring 2012 on our Pinterest boards for more ideas.

3. Switch to a lighter scarf— As it warms up break out your lighter linen and cotton scarves in bright colors and fun prints.

4. Add pops of color— Belts, purses, scarves, jewelry, and shoes are all great opportunities to add some spring color.

5. Layer up your spring skirts and dresses with tights and cardigans.

via Adding a Hint of Spring to Your Winter Outfits on Pinterest

I was flipping through this month’s Self magazine over the weekend.  They featured three accessory trends to look for this spring.  I’m liking the gold, but I’m not so sure I’m brave enough for the neons.  What do you think?  Join the discussion on our facebook page!

Neon

Piping

Gold

Start by cutting across the t-shirt just under the arms.

Then cut 1-2 inch strips from this cut side up towards the hem.  Because you will be braiding, your total number of strips should be divisible by three. ( I had 27 strips.)

You can stop here and wear this as a fringe scarf or you can continue on to make a necklace.
Braid and knot the ends.
Roll down the hem then wrap the braids around twice.  Tuck in ends.  Repeat for all braids.

To finish the necklace off. Cut a contrasting strip from another t-shirt.
Tie one of the ends to one of the braid ends, wrap it around, then tie off on the braid ends of the next knot.

I finished it by sewing on a bow and a button that I had lying around my craft room.

Linking up at:
Craft-O-Maniac Monday
Embellishing Life

This basic tie is one of my favorites.  It’s really fast to do and the extra tuck at the end gives it a polished and fashionable look.

Looking for more ways to tie a scarf?

Check out our Scarf Tying Pinterest board or join us at one of our free hands-on scarf tying demonstrations.

Upcoming classes:
Please bring a scarf for practice.
Registration is requested but not required.

January 18th, 6-7pm
Plain Community Branch Library
1803 Schneider St NE
Canton, OH 44721
Phone: 330-494-3399, online registration

January 26th, 6-7pm
Perry/Sippo Lake Branch Library
5710 12th St. NW
Canton, OH 44708
Phone: 330-477-8482, online registration

Time moves in slow motion as the glass of red wine tips but rapidly speeds up as everyone rushes to blot it out.  The good news is, if caught quickly, red wine is not a difficult stain to remove.

The first step for washable fabrics is to dilute the stain.  (Dry clean only fabrics are in a totally separate category and need taken to the cleaners.) Water is a great option and really works just as well as club soda.  To keep the stain from spreading use small amounts of water at a time.  (For carpet stains put salt around the edges to block the stain.)  Then start blotting (not rubbing) with a rag.  Fabric works best but paper towels will do in a pinch.

The dyes in red wine won’t stick to cotton and polyester fabrics, so a mixture of equal parts dish soap (like Dawn) and cold/lukewarm water will work.  Blot until the stain is removed then wash as usual.

For fabrics like silk, wool, and nylon a different method is needed.  (Again, read your labels these are often the fabrics that need to be dry cleaned.)  The dyes in red wine will stick to these fabrics so, in addition to diluting the stain you need to bleach it so you can’t see it or use an acid to release it.  While bleaching (using equal parts dish soap and hydrogen peroxide) works really well, I always worry that my fabric will discolor.  So, my first choice is to use a mixture of:

• 2 C warm water
• 1 T white vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 T dish soap (something neutral like Dawn- do not use the soap for your dishwasher or ammonia- they will form a salt that is really difficult to remove)

Reapply this treatment until the stain is removed then wash as usual.  Do not put the item in the dryer unless the spot has been completely removed.

The opinion on wearing pantyhose is definitely split on generational lines.  The 50+ crowd grew up wearing pantyhose and on the other end of the spectrum  many of the 20 and younger ladies out there have never worn a pair.

Mom and I talk about this all the time.  In summertime we both usually go the bare legged route, especially when wearing casual skirts and dresses.  Even for formal occasions in the summer I tend to go without because I like wearing open-toed shoes.  I cringe when I see ladies wearing strappy sandals with a reinforced-toed pair of hose.

My only summertime exception would be for days I’m wearing a suit.  Without the pantyhose, the business professional look seems to fall a little short.  So, I wear them with a pair of closed-toed shoes and hope it stays cool.

Wintertime is a completely different (and chilly) story.  If I’m dressed in a knee length cocktail dress or a pencil skirt the hose get put on too.  Usually super sheer so as not to be noticeable; I am very fair skinned and can’t stand when my legs look darker than my arms.  Or, I’ll do a sheer black, gray, or patterned pair.  I love all the patterned pantyhose out there this season- lots of options.

With my more casual dresses and skirts I go with tights.  Colored and patterned tights are really popular this season.  They can be worn with boots, heels, and ballet flats.  I wear leggins under my tunic tops and long sweaters.  Remember ladies, leggins are not pants, the top you wear over them should cover your bum.

For more examples check out our
Looks with Tights/Leggins Pinterest board.

We’d love your opinion!
When is it ok to wear pantyhose?
Join in on the discussion on our Facebook page.

Today is my dad’s birthday and when I asked him what wonderful sweet treat he would like he requested scones.  Excellent!  I love scones.  These would also make a great Christmas morning treat.

I used a recipe from Mom’s Big Book of Baking by Lauren Chattman.  It’s a fantastic book, full of simple recipes, great tips, and yummy baked goods.

Add-On Scones:
The book gives a list of possible add-ins.  I used dried apricot and threw in some orange zest.

6T unsalted butter, chilled
3 C flour
1/3 C sugar
1T baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 C dried apricots cut into small chunks
2 t orange zest
2 large eggs lightly beaten
3/4 C whole or lowfat milk

• Preheat the oven to 450°
• Cut butter into 1/4″ chunks and put in freezer
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt
• Add chilled butter and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse meal.Stir in apricots and zest
• Stir in eggs and milk and mix by hand until just moistened- don’t overmix
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and divide in half.  Shape each into a 6″ disk
• Cut each disk into 6 wedges
• Place the wedges 1/2″ apart on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet
• It’s optional at this point to brush the tops with another lightly beaten egg
• Bake until golden about 12 minutes

I let my scones cool and topped them with this orange glaze.

We saw this beautiful tree tutorial over at landeeseelandeedo.com  and just had to make our own.

It really just took scraps of material, a Styrofoam tree and straight pins!

We used a piece of a sheet for the pink one and an old shirt for the silver one.

See them on display at Christmas at the Hollow at Quail Hollow State Park tonight and Saturday.

These are the yummy cookies I’m entering in tonight’s Evening in the Village Cookie Contest!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies
with Cinnamon Frosting (frosting recipe follows)

Yield: 4 dozen
Ingredients:

• 2 C flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t nutmeg

• 1/2 C unsalted butter
• 1 C packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 C canned pumpkin
• 1 t vanilla

• 1 C chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries
  (I’ve tried the recipe with each and all have been delicious)

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°. Position oven rack one notch above center.

2. Beat butter for 30 seconds to soften then add sugar and beat until really fluffy
(and I mean really fluffy- it will take awhile, even on high speed).

fluffy butter and sugar

3. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg- set aside.

4. Once the butter and sugar have been thoroughly mixed add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla and stir to combine.  Batter will now look slightly separated.

5. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

6.  Stir in chocolate chips. (I like to hold back a handful to add in later.  It always seems like my batter is running out of chocolate for the last tray.)

7. Drop from teaspoon about 2 inches apart on a greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.

8. Bake 7 minutes then immediately cool on a wire rack.

9. Frost with cinnamon icing once completely cooled.

*******

Cinnamon Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1/4 C butter
• 1 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 1 T milk
• 1/2 t vanilla
• 1/2 t cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until your arm falls off, hands have cramped, you’ve discovered you can’t stir with your left hand, and you are about to give up.  Then you will have the perfect frosting

I like to grate the butter to soften it- seems to speed up the process a bit.

clumpy, dry frosting- keep stirring

Use a butter knife to spread a bit of frosting on each cookie

We will be taking a break from weekly What to Wear Wednesday posts during our winter break.  We’ll keep posting fashion, clothing, and stain removal tips but plan on adding some new content as well.

Follow along as we share how we are decorating for the holidays, highlights from Em’s shabby chic vintage wedding, and eventually sneak peeks of the new store!