Hailey's Helpful Hints

Entertaining this 4th of July weekend? Tired of the same 'ol boring BBQ menu? Step it up this 4th of July with these delicious slider recipes. These are a sure hit and perfect when feeding a large group. Everyone loves finger foods. Everyone loves sliders. Just make sure to make enough. Everyone goes back for slider seconds. ~Chipotle Sliders~ Ingredients: Chipotle Mayonnaise: 1 cup mayonnaise 2 chipotles in adobo sauce (ask man at grocery store on where to find!) 1 tablespoon adobo sauce 1/2 lime, juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper Sliders: 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, 80/20 Salt and freshly ground black pepper Cheese slices, your choice Mini burger buns Burger Bar (if desired): Chipotle Mayonnaise Pickles Red onion slices Directions: Chipotle Mayonnaise: Add all the ingredients to a food processor and puree. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Sliders: Preheat grill over medium-high heat. Form the meat into 2 to 3-ounce portions, packed tightly. Season with salt a...

Looking for a new concoction to kick off your 4th of July festivities? Give this red, white and blue spritzer a try. ~4th of July Cocktail~ Courtesy of The Food Network Magazine Ingredients: 1 ounce watermelon schnapps 1 big splash cranberry juice 1 slice lemon 1 slice lime 1 1/2 ounces tequila 1/4 ounce blue curacao 1/2 ounce simple syrup Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional) Directions: Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass. Muddle the lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired. Cheers!

Awhile back a faithful reader Lisa asked about the best under eye dark circle cream . Now I've been asked about the best eye wrinkle cream. Sorry Christy it's taken me so long. Ok so we've all heard the claims: "Younger-looking eyes in just 24 hours" (Avon Anew Rejuvenate), a "brighter, vibrant, refreshed" eye area (Clinique Repairwear). Americans must really want these boasts to be true since it's said that we spend more than a billion dollars a year on wrinkle removers. Based on the research I did, I'm not going to tell you not to waste your money as there are some that are worth trying but just don't expect them to turn the clock back to your dewy-skinned youth. There were several studies done that revealed that after testing various creams; 1) results varied and 2) changes were minor. Products tested reduced wrinkle length or depth for at least some people and did nothing for others. Even among the best-performing products, wrinkle reduct...

On our way home from a family day up at Lake Arrowhead (gorgeous!) as I was thinking about what my "Sweet Sunday" post would be, I received a text from Mia, my good friend and queen of desserts, saying she had an AMAZING Sweet Sunday dessert for me to blog about. Praise the Lord! Thanks Mia for making today's post so easy! Although I've never tried this, Mia swears it's to die for. Super healthy and even if you aren't a peanut butter fan, she claims it doesn't even taste anything like peanut butter. ~Clean Eating Caramel Popcorn~ Ingredients: 1/4 cup peanut butter (she used the natural pb, so there isn't any added sugar) 1/2 cup honey 8-10 cups popped popcorn Directions: Tip: Read through the steps first so you know what you to. You’ll need to work quickly. In a small pot, warm the honey on high heat. Bring it to a boil. Let it boil up in the pot about 1 inch and then quickly remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter with a whisk and whisk until smooth. ...

Looking for cheap fun in the sun? My little sis mailed Chase this Beach Ball Sprinkler and he spent hours running through it this past week. All you have to do is inflate the beach ball, hook it up to a hose, and then water flies out of four sprayers on the ball. Children can roll and chase the ball around on the grass or fill pouch in the bottom of the ball with water to keep it stationary. For $10 at Walmart, this is a must-buy if you're looking for an activity to keep the kids cool and occupied on a hot summer day! Available at Amazon.com , Walmart and Target. Have anything that tickled your fancy this week? We'd love to hear!!

If there's one thing that you'll never find my refrigerator without it's Spray Butter. Zero calories and zero fat...of course it's in my refrigerator. I recognize it's probably the most processed item on the grocery shelves but I figure a few squirts here and there, isn't going to kill me. Plus I did some research and there is nothing on the Internet claiming that it's harmful to your health. Recently "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" came out with a few new products. One being the "I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray Made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil." Although they claim it's great for roasting chicken and vegetables and it's got the added benefits of the EVOO, this product, in my opinion, is hands down DISGUSTING!!! The olive oil taste is repulsive. I give this two thumbs DOWN. While we're on the Spray Butter topic - Vons/Safeway grocery stores have recently come out with their own generic brand of Spray Butter. Wh...

Easy, fresh and ready in 15 minutes. My kind of meal. Similar to Margherita Pizza, this is so so yummy! ~Tomato & Basil Pesto Pasta~ Ingredients: Penne Pasta Ripe Sweet 100 tomatoes (type of tomato - small and round; use as many as you prefer) 2 cups fresh Basil leaves, packed 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/3 cup pine nuts 3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste What you'll need: Skillet Food Processor Directions: Cook pasta as directed In skillet, add olive oil and slowly heat tomatoes To make Basil Pesto Sauce: *Makes one cup In food processor, combine basil with the pine nuts, pulse a few times. Add garlic, pulse a few more times. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while food processor is on. Stop to scrap down the sides with a spatula. Add grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and ground pepper to taste.

Dave and I got married 8 years ago this August and a day hasn't gone by that I don't

OMG. Carve out 15 minutes in your day to try out this new virtual makeover tool on Real Simple's website. Actually let's be realistic, don't dabble on this site unless you have a good 30 minutes. You'll get suckered in. Trust me. This is a free interactive tool that allows you to upload a photo of yourself and "try on" several different hairstyles and colors from short to long, curly to straight, black to blonde. It's so fun to see if that style you've always wondered about would actually look good on you. In addition to hair, you can try different shades of makeup on your eyes, lips, and cheeks. Once you find a color that suits you, it will list the brand, color and price of what you chose. You can save it to your "favorites" or you can click and buy right there. Talk about amazing! Click here to get started. I'm addicted. Are you?? BEFORE & AFTER If you can't view the after picture, click on this URL: http://www.taaz.com/user_i...

I was caught off guard the other day when a women thanked me for saying thank you to her. Umm. Ok. She acted as if she hadn't heard those two simple words in years. Since that encounter, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to give thanks and how do I, as a parent, raise attitudes of gratitude. The spirit of thankfulness is a complex one for young kids to grasp, but by modeling generosity in our everyday actions and by openly talking about the subject, your children will begin to absorb and emulate this emotion. And I’m not talking about the usual prompt, “What do you saaaay?” that we’ve all sung to our kids. Reminding kids to say thank you is simply a matter of politeness and doesn’t necessarily translate into a general attitude of gratitude. So, how do we raise thankful children? According to Emily Geizer from Child Perspective; Real Parenting Solutions, here are four steps; 1. Make gratitude a habit. Spend time each day appreciating what you have (love, shelter, food...

This is an old, childhood favorite my aunt Cindy used to make especially for me. She always made it with chocolate pudding but you could do Banana, Vanilla, Butterscotch or Pistachio pudding and it's equally as tasty. This is one of my top five favorite summer desserts and a must make! ~LAYERED PUDDING~ Ingredients: 16 oz. Cool Whip (need 2 - 8 oz. containers) 8 oz. cream cheese 2 small instant pudding packets (whatever flavor you desire) 1 cup powdered sugar 3 cups milk 1 cup Flour 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (optional) *To double the crust, use 1 1/2 cups flour and 3/4 cup butter Directions: Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees Spray pan with Pam cooking spray Crust: Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup nuts in bowl Spread crust in 9" x 1-2" pan Poke holes in crust with fork Bake for 15 minutes 1st Filling: Combine 8 oz. Cool Whip , 1 cup powdered sugar and 8 oz. cream cheese in bowl Beat until fluffy Spread on crust 2nd Filling: Combine 2 small...

When it comes to finding the ultimate long-lasting, color building, eyeshadow that can work alone or as a base, it can be rather complex. Why? Because, there are so many eyeshadow products marketed to a standard, that simply make many promises they cannot keep nor they just cannot live up to. Christian Dior's Eye Show is different. I became hooked on this product after being stopped in my tracks by the sales women behind the Dior makeup counter at Nordstrom . Her eye makeup was A- mazing so I stopped to ask if she'd give me a makeup tutorial. She explained to me that the secret to long-lasting eye shadow is to apply a base. So before applying any shadow, she coated my lids with the Eye Show's "Undressed Beige/#622," a neutral peachy/beige that can be worn alone or as a base. Instantly, I saw a difference. What sold me on this product is the soufflé texture that created a soft velvety powder effect on my lids. It acted as a color-building base as she applied it ...

Most all of us have been there: the mind-splitting migraine, acute sensitivity to all things louder than a fruit fly, and the nausea to the point of throwing up inches away from the open toilet. It may not be the most glamorous way to wake up after a debauched night of drinking, but the hangover is something you have to experience firsthand to realize you never want to experience it again - until the next time, that is. So, rather than shoot yourself to bring an end to the living hell that has become your life, why not simply end the torture instead? Sadly nothing will heal you of that hangover other than time. If something really worked, you would know about it by now. As with Viagra, you'd be seeing TV commercials for this million-dollar blockbuster cure during football games. The pursuit of a legitimate cure is, in fact, purely commercial, for most medical researchers do not see the hangover as an ill to cure but rather nature's way of stopping us from abusing alcohol. While...

While gifts certainly aren't the only way to show you care on Father’s Day, there's nothing like the sense of personal satisfaction you can gain from giving a thoughtful item to the most important man in your life. With the help of askmen .com, here is a list of the top 10 most desired Father's Day gifts. Combine giving something in the list below with a day you've planned just for him, and you’ll make the old man very happy. No.10 Grilling tools : The grill, like a man's office, is a personal sanctuary where mastery means everything. Your dad may not realize just how many useful tools exist now to help make the grilling experience that much better, so providing him with a practical tool belt or grilling tongs will both educate and impress him. Why? Taking the time to upgrade dad’s grill equipment will give him even more joy out of the primal experience of cooking meat over an open flame. It'll also translate to better meals for you when you drop in on his nex...

A delicious sweet and salty low-fat "you can't eat just one" treat! ~Strawberry Yogurt Covered Pretzels~ Ingredients: 1 large bag mini pretzels 2 cups strawberry yogurt 4 cups confectioners sugar Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 250ºF. 2. Beat together the confectioners sugar and yogurt until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Add up to a cup more of confectioners sugar if necessary to make it thicker. 3. Stir in the pretzels. 4. Place the pretzels on a lined cookie sheet. Turn OFF your oven and place the pretzels inside, propping the door open slightly. This will help dry the frosting. Allow them to sit there for 3 hours before removing. I hope this ends your weekend on a sweet note! xo

I've said this before but in case you missed it, I'm a jean girl. At one point I think I had like 25 pairs of jeans. Denim goes with everything and every color. Except I'll admit, I'm always hesitant to wear it with light blue for some reason. Dress them up. Dress them down. Pair them with a Zip hoodie . Wifebeater . Silk shirt. Flip flops. Running shoes. Stilettos. This week my fancy was tickled when I learned that there is alittle more variety of denim for this summer besides just jeans. Denim brimmed hats. Denim shorts. Long denim skirts. Denim jackets (yes, I wondered if I'd ever be able to wear those 4 jackets again!) Denim wide leg pants (finally something other than the boyfriend and skinny jean!) Denim shoes. Yep I said denim shoes. And I found them. Cuter than ever too. I randomly wandered into DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) last week. I'd never been. Holy cow. Shoe overload. Rows and rows of help-yourself shoes. I beelined straight to the wedge sectio...

You know how it goes….you have every intention of getting some cleaning accomplished during the day, only to find that by the time the kids are in bed, your house is no cleaner than when you woke up! How does time get away from us? Everyone always walks in my house and wonders how the heck it's always so clean. Yes, I'm anal (and so is my husband. Deadly combo) and yes, I'm a perfectionist so if it wasn't this way, I'd be out of sorts BUT there is more to it. I'm all about "systems" -AKA an organized, purposeful routine to my madness. I am the most productive and am able to maintain order best when I am consistent in how I do certain tasks. A crucial first step in trying to get organized is you must set up your environment for success. By establishing cleaning routines and stocking rooms with the appropriate tools, you’ll be able to take advantage of those precious few minutes every day to make a nice dent in those lingering household tasks. Here are s...

Sorry guys this post is for the ladies. Now that I've had two kids and am not nursing anymore, things just don't look or fit like they used to. I heard last week that sleeping in a bra keeps your breasts perky longer and it got me wondering if there is any truth in that statement. So I dug around the internet and found this answer from the ladies over at The Frisky who brought in an underwear expert (Is there a special degree for that??) named Brianna to answer that exact question. Brianna responded like this: "Here’s the deal with breast sag: there are no muscles in the breast. The Cooper’s Ligament is what keeps them suspended (aka perky). Over time, gravity and poor support can stretch the ligament beyond repair. Stretched ligament = saggy boobs. If you’re telling me you only wear a bra when you leave the house, then all the time you’re going bra-less, gravity is basically bungee jumping on your Cooper’s Ligament, pulling it down and stretching it out. If you want to ke...

I needed this more than anything this morning. And God knew it. It was like he directed my hand straight to this verse in my devotion jar (thanks Lindsay). This verse is so simple yet so hard to come back to when you're in the trenches of life. No matter what you're going through, I hope this brings you hope and a sense of peace that you aren't in this alone. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worr about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:34-35

Although I'm not super crafty, I know a lot of you are so because I love to make all y'all happy, I thought I'd share with you the 28 most popular homemade gift tutorials from the Tip Junkie Homemade gift site. I know that sometimes the words “homemade gifts” or "do-it-yourself (DIY) projects" conjure visions of construction paper and cheerios, but that really doesn’t have to be the case! There's nothing more heart-felt and personal than a homemade gift. Whether it's for a special occasion or "just because," they are unique and surprising which makes them all that more fun to give and receive. So here ya go. There are some wonderful craft projects in this list – and you don’t need to know how to sew or even consider yourself to be the “crafty type” to dive in and attempt one: FABRIC FLOWER TUTORIALS: 1. Fabric Flower Pin {No-Sew} 2. Long Stemmed Fabric Flower Tutorial {diy} 3. How to Make a Fabric Flower Ring 4. How To Make a Pom Pom Bib Necklace...

As if tiramisu weren't already decadent, this recipe has added dulce de leche ice cream to the mix. With a traditional ladyfinger base and loads of java flavor (thanks to coffee ice cream and liqueur as well as the standard brew), this frozen variation may be your new go-to version. Prep Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 4 hours ~Ice Cream Tiramisu~ Ingredients: 3 oz bittersweet chocolate 18 soft ladyfinger halves 1/4 cup brewed coffee 1/4 cup coffee liqueur 1 pint coffee ice cream 1 1/2 cups whipped topping 1 pint dulce de leche ice cream Garnish: Chocolate Curls Directions: Line an 8-in. square pan with nonstick foil, leaving a 2-in. overhang on two sides. Grate 3 oz bittersweet chocolate (1 cup). Arrange 18 soft ladyfinger halves on the bottom of pan, slightly overlapping. Mix 1/4 cup each brewed coffee and coffee liqueur in small bowl; brush the ladyfingers with half. Place 1 pint coffee ice cream in large bowl; stir until smooth but not melted. Spread over ladyfingers, then sprinkl...

Ok you'll have to bear with me as my world as of late is consumed by everything baby. But hold up - even you aren't a mom or plan to be a mom, you too must read on. These make for a unique baby gift that any expecting mother of a little boy will thank you a million times over. Ever heard of the Tinkle Topper? I hadn't until a high school friend of mine sent me a package of University of Washington (yes, I am an Alum) toppers recently. Were they Christmas ornaments? Game pieces? A party hat? I honestly had no idea. But then in dawned on me - they are intended to cover the tinkle before he sprinkles!! Duh. Yet another "why didn't I think of that?" product. I didn't put two and two together because based on how it was packaged I thought "Tinkle Topper" was the cutsy company's name who made them. For a mother expecting a boy, these are an essential must have. If used correctly (one hand holding the tinkle topper over the wee-wee, the other one ...

It's my favorite time of the year - when the sun is shining and getting dressed becomes a no-brainer. Casual dress + Flip flops or wedges = cute and comfy for almost any occasion I walked into Target a few days ago to get diapers and a gift card. And sadly I walked out $300 later with six summer dresses (all under $18.00), four tank tops, three bathing suits and a pullover hoodie. Shhh don't tell Dave. Before I hung the dresses in my closet, I tried them on again and began to second guess my purchases. Buyers remorse or just not the right fit? Right color? Right style? Sadly it looks like I'll be returning a few. If you're wondering how to make summer dress shopping easier and return free, read on for the latest in dress trends for 2011... Color : While white is a perfect color to wear in summer, you can't be afraid of color. Vibrant colors like yellows, blues, reds, corals, pinks, mint green and lavender are showing up all over department stores. Ethnic prints as w...

Plum District offers some amazing deals but this is definitely a favorite of mine! NEIGE , a french word meaning "snow," is a clothing line you will FALL IN LOVE WITH!!! Adrienne, a dear friend of mine, has designed a children's line that is wearable, modern and playful. The quality is out of this world and the simplistic designs are practical for any occasion. From solid and simple prints to stripes, their separates can be mixed and matched. Quite simply, the Neige Collection is understated and timeless. Today on Plum District, you can get $50 worth of Neige clothing for $25! Deal is good for ANYONE, ANYWHERE!! You better buy one for yourself and one for a friend! Need to buy a baby gift?? Get that baby decked out in head-to-toe Neige! And what makes this deal even sweeter - Neige's Spring Sale is going on right now so you can get more bang for your buck if you buy this deal! And it keeps getting better - if you buy it, you share it with friends and 3 of them buy it...

We do our fair share of entertaining and I can not for the life of me remember how to set the table correctly. I always have to stand over the table and think hard about what goes where. Maybe it's because I am out of practice. Nowadays the extent of my table settings consists of a truck fork, an Ikea animal placemat, a plastic divided train plate and a sippy cup. Regardless, these are things I need to know and remember even if I am sleep deprived and ready to pull my hair out come dinner/entertaining time. Do you know how to properly set a table? According to Emily Post's Etipedia (Etiquette + Encyclopedia), setting a table is not as difficult as it seems. The basic rule is: Utensils are placed in the order of use, that is, from the outside in. A second rule, with only a few exceptions is: forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right. A third rule of thumb: utensils are placed one inch from the edge of the table. Here are some table etiquette rules...