Want to impress your dinner guests with class, style, and knowledge? Nothing projects simplicity and elegance better than a perfectly set dinner table. Take your entertaining skills to the next level, and learn how to set the perfect table, so you can impress every time from now on. Happy hosting!
How to Set a Proper Place Setting
There’s no doubt you leave a great impression on your guests when they arrive at a beautifully set dinner table, especially on the holidays. Setting the plate the right way is just the beginning and opens up so many possibilities for creativity. Which themes will you go with this season? For more stylish lifestyle tips and tricks, visit us on YouTube!
One of the easiest ways to add a cheery curb appeal and charm to your home—while getting festive for the fall and winter season—is by having a decorative door. You can also easily craft your décor to match your style and preferences, and with this inviting and simple DIY wreath tutorial, you will be sure to add a bit of elegance to your home exterior.
How to Make an Elegant DIY Wreath
A seasonal wreath can add so much charm to your home and truly is the perfect way to greet your holiday guests! With so much DIY inspiration to choose from, Which of these crafty ideas will you try first? For more stylish lifestyle tips and tricks, visit us on YouTube!
Creating artwork to decorate blank walls is easier than you think with our creative and unique ideas. Watch the video below for five simple decor ideas that will give your home the stylish update you’ve been looking for. From repurposed chargers to travel photos to shadow boxes to floating shelves, the DIY art decor possibilities are endless!
5 Unique Art Ideas to Decorate Blank Walls
Which of these crafty ideas will you try first? For more stylish lifestyle tips and tricks, visit us on YouTube!
Is your kitchen pantry in need of a little love? With constant shuffling and the addition of new items, it can be easy for the pantry to become difficult to navigate. Pantry chaos can make finding what you need a challenge. However, these quick and easy solutions will help you stay organized and create an easy-to-use pantry. Restore order in your kitchen and cut out chaos with our tips to organize the perfect pantry!
How to Organize the Perfect Pantry
Want more clever home hacks and tips? Check out Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate video tips & guides on YouTube!
You can arrange flowers like a pro with our easy how-to video guide! Skip the florist and the price tag, with these simple tips that turn any group of flowers into a stunning arrangement. Get started here:
How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro:
First, choose a vase that works best with your arrangement. Remember that a flared opening will help stems lean naturally, adding dimension. Gather your choice of 5 types of flowers and 2 types of leaves, 1 to 1.5 times the height of the vase. Cut the stems at an angle. Arrange the stems in a web and incorporate the leaves as filler.
Now you have an arrangement that is beautiful and better than the flower shop!
When in need of a sweet treat that will spark your taste buds or something to bring smiles to the faces of your guests, this delicious carrot cheesecake will do the trick! Take a bite, and let the flavors melt in your mouth. Follow this recipe, and everyone will be savoring over your homemade treat.
Decadent Carrot Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients:
1 box carrot cake mix (Duncan Hines)
1 cup hot tap water (for soaking carrots and raisins)
2 eggs
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup chopped walnuts, plus extra for garnishing
For the maple cheesecake:
2 (8 oz. packages) cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
For the butterscotch maple glaze:
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon heavy cream
Steps:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
Place carrots and raisins included in cake mix in 1 cup of hot water and soak for 5 minutes. Drain and squeeze out any excess water.
Combine dry mix, eggs, ¼ cup vegetable oil in a bowl.
Add in the drained carrots and raisins and walnuts. Combine well.
In a separate large bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, maple syrup, sugar and vanilla until a smooth consistency is achieved. Beat in the eggs.
Add 2 cups of the cake batter to the bottom of springform pan.
Spread 1 cup of the cheesecake batter on top of the carrot cake in the pan.
Add in remaining carrot cake batter, and top again with the remaining of cheesecake batter.
Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until cake is cooked through when a toothpick is put in center comes out clean.
Cool at room temperature. Remove the side off from pan, transfer to a platter.
To make the glaze, put into a small bowl the chips, syrup, and butter. Melt in microwave for 45-60 seconds. Add the heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
Glaze top of the cake as desired and sprinkle chopped walnuts.
If you’ve ever tried to organize the linen closet, you know it can be quite the task! Finding a place for towels, bedding, and occasional odds and ends can easily create chaos. That’s not to mention the challenge of keeping everyday essentials accessible as well. Never fear, because we have the storage-savvy secrets you need to organize your linen closet.
Just about everyone loves a refreshing bowl of guacamole—so whether you’re hosting, or simply hungry, consider upping the ante with a seasonally thrilling twist, including lime crema and a little kick! Use your favorite sliced bread, from wheat to rye and more. You can even add a sprinkle of paprika, celery seed, or black sesame, to enhance flavor and presentation. Follow the simple recipe below, and you’ll be serving stunning guacamole with style in no time!
Tropical Guacamole Bites with Lime Crema
Yield: about 24 bites
Ingredients
6 slices multigrain bread
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing on bread
3 ripe avocados
1/2 cup diced red onion
3 tablespoons lime juice, add more if desired
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkle for bread
Pinch of cayenne, optional
1 cup diced mangoes
Chopped cilantro, garnish
Refreshing Crema
1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 tablespoon lime zest
2 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the crust off the edge of all the bread slices and use a rolling pin to roll flat the bread slices, one at a time and in both directions, until very thin. Place flattened slices on a baking sheet, lightly brush the top surface with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Remove and cool. Cut each slice into 4 squares.
To make the guacamole, remove the pits and scoop the meat of the avocados into a medium bowl. Add red onion, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and cayenne. Use a wooden spoon to mash the ingredients together until combined, but still a bit chunky. Add mango to the bowl and gently combine. Taste to see if more seasoning is needed.
To make the crema, combine the yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, and salt in a bowl.
To assemble, put about 1 tablespoon of guacamole in the center of each toast crisp. Top with crema and garnish with cilantro. Serve immediately.
When you’re in the mood for a jolt of java without the heat, try a homemade iced coffee popsicle. They’re quick to make and even easier to devour! Feel free to change up the recipe to fit your preferred cup of coffee, and if you want a little more sweetness, top your popsicles with a squirt of whipped cream just before they get served.
Iced Coffee Popsicles Recipe
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
3 cups fresh-brewed coffee
¾ cup half-and-half cream (10% cream)
½ cup sugar
Steps:
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl until everything is completely dissolved.
Carefully pour the coffee mixture into each popsicle mold until full.
Cover with tin foil and insert sticks, or cover with a lid and handle (if provided with your molds).
Freeze until solid, approximately 2 hours.
To unfreeze, add some hot water into your sink and submerge the mold without going over the top of the molds. After 15-30 seconds, your iced coffee popsicles should slide right out.