Grocery Bag Wreath

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope everyone is having a great holiday! Here is a great decorating idea for the holiday season!

I made these all the time when I was little! They are easy and awesome! You can add your own little touches like changing up the color of the bags, or cutting them to fray the edges a little bit, or changing the shape of the wreath. Its a great craft for kids around 8 or older as well! And just think it keeps the plastic bags out of the land fill! Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Grocery Bag Wreath Help

Wine Bottle Torches!

This is one of my FAVES!!! Wine bottle torches just add a nice accent to any gathering or just you and your hubby sitting out on the patio!

I have made several of these and I use citronella oil in them to keep the bugs away and they work great. I also painted some of the bottles I used to match the decor! The best advice I can give in making these is to not have a closed mind about it! I wound up using something completely different to hold the wick. I would take what ever wine bottle you want to use with you to the hardware store and just play around with it!
 Also, be sure that the wick you use is long enough... if you have a longer neck bottle you may have to get a longer wick. A standard tiki torch wick works great for this if you are using a short fat bottle or even a beer bottle(we used a Corona bottle and it looked like we were burning the beer)! If you plan on making a bunch I suggest you order a roll of Tiki wick and just cut it to your own desired length!

Wine Bottle Torch Ideas

Just remember to have fun with it!

Carpet Cleaning

So last night we were vacuuming the carpets and they started to smell like burning dog hair! EEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!! At that point I went to the cabinet under the sink only to find we were out of carpet freshening power! Sad moment!

Thank god we had a quick fix! Medicated foot powder!! Just lightly sprinkle it over the carpet before you vacuum and it won't smell like you have a litter of sheep dogs stuck in a smoldering trash can!

Have a wonderful fresh day!!

Amy

*No dogs were harmed during the making of this idea*

Cocktail Time

Sometimes you want a light cocktail but no matter what you mix either the alcohol is way to strong or it tastes a little BLAH! This a drink that me and my sister-in-law created. Its so simple and easy but tastes FABULOUS!

Ingredients:
1-16oz of water(either a bottle or in a container you can shake up)
1- Packet Great Value Pomegranate Lemonade Energy Drink Mix (Walmart- Bottled Water Drink Mix Isle)
1- Bottle of Cherry Vodka(Burnett's Vodka works great!!!!)
Ice

1. Pour the Drink Mix in the water and shake it up till it is completely dissolved . Sometimes I will make a couple bottles of the drink mix by it's self ahead of time to make sure it is dissolved completely.
2. Put ice in a glass
3. Put desired amount of vodka. I don't like putting an exact amount because every one likes it different strength but I tend to put 1-2 shots.
4. Finish off with Great Value Pomegranate Lemonade Energy Drink Mix.
5. Enjoy!

Down to The Last Ball of Wax!

Good Morning! I hope all is well for my readers!

Now this entry is about something that used to drive me crazy. I love burning candles in my home, not just for the ambiance that the flame creates but for the yummy smells! I just love how they would fill the house with the most amazing scents and it would make it so much more inviting. But a problem I ran into was that if I bought small candles they never last longer then a couple hours at best, and if I bought the big ones after a couple times using them they were hard to relight. The sides wouldn't burn, the wick would fall down in the wax or the wick was so short that if I could get it to light it would only be for a few seconds and then it would go out again. It was so frustrating!

So whats the secret??? CANDLE WARMERS!!!

Now I know that candle warmers have been around for quite a while but for some reason they are under used! Many people now use the tart melts(which are nice), but I like the fact that almost every store you go in these days have some sort of candle selection. And sometimes it can be really hard to find tarts and then what if they don't have a sent you want...blah...blah...blah!

Some younger readers may not be familiar with the original candle warmers that had no style or flare to them. They were a simple white disc with an on/off switch. Don't get me wrong, they work! I have one "warming" in my kitchen as I type. But one of the greatest things now is that you can find a candle warmer to match any room decor now!

From modern to country, from traditional to exotic! The more "creative" ones(lamp style, art deco, etc.) will run about $20-$40. The more simple ones how ever tend to be under $10(my sister-in-law found mine at a thrift store for $2). But no matter which way you go its worth it. The amount of money I save by burning the WHOLE candle and not throwing half of it away adds up every day!

So happy melting readers and remember to live your life, don't let it live you!

Double Chocolate Brownie Trifle

A Rich, easy and oh so good dessert! This recipe makes a large trifle so its great for parties or family get togethers!

Double Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Equipment:
Whisk and/or Mixer
Baking Pan
Trifle Bowl or Glass Bowl with High Steep Sides
Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients:
2 packages of Jello Instant Chocolate Pudding
2 8oz containers of Cool Whip
2 Boxes of Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix
Chocolate Shavings(optional)
**Remember to buy the EGGS, OIL and/or MILK That is needed to prepare the pudding and brownie mix according to instructions on the boxes.**



1. Prepare brownies according to the directions on the box.
2. Set brownies aside to cool.
3. Prepare pudding according to directions on the box.
4. Set pudding in fridge to cool for 2-3 hours.
5. Once pudding and brownies are cool cut brownies in to 1 ½ inch squares.
6. In a glass trifle bowl or glass bowl with high steep sides; put ½ of the brownies a single layer in the bottom of the bowl using, try to leave as little gaps as possible.
7. Next, cover with ½ of the pudding making sure to spread it evenly.
8. At this point you may want to check to see if you dripped any pudding down the inside of the bowl and if so wipe it off so it will mot mix with the next layer.
9. Open 1 container of Cool Whip and whisk until smooth (This now referred to as Dream Whip)
10. Add the container of Dream Whip over the pudding and spreading it evenly.
11. Repeat Steps 6-10
12. At this point you can serve, chill, add garnishment(i.e. chocolate shavings, coco-powder, or crumbles of extra brownie)

**This can also be served in individual bowls or glasses(i.e. martini glasses, champagne glasses, sundea bowl)**

Welcome Readers!

Welcome to Live N' Learn: tips and tricks! In this blog you will find different ideas to hopefully make your life a little easier and a lot more fun! And it might even save you a buck here or there! And remember... Live your Life; don't let it live you!