Hailey's Helpful Hints

When fall hits (which it clearly hasn't in Southern California where it's still a sweaty 86 as I type), I crave apples. Maybe it's because I'm a born and raised Washingtonian that grows apples from far and wide but nonetheless, there is something about warm, gooey apple desserts that scream fall goodness. I found this amazing Apple Bundt Cake over at a FarmGirl's Dabbles  and personally think that it needs to be in everyone's fall baking rotation. It's moist, dense and filled with cinnamon-apple yumminess. The glaze is just plain fantastic, too. Its texture is thick and silky smooth. And the brown-butter lends it a deep almost caramel-like flavor, while the vanilla bean speckles tempt in the sweetest of ways. ~Apple Bundt with Brown-Butter Vanilla Bean Glaze~ Serves 12   Ingredients:   for the apple bundt: 1 T. butter and some flour for preparing the pan 4 medium apples – peeled, cored, & shredded (use the big holes on your grater), to make ab...

I've never looked at these words in this way before. Makes total sense now, haha!!   Ever realized? Wo man has Man in it Mr s. has Mr. in it Fe male has Male   in it S he has He   in it M adam has Adam in it And ever notice how all of women's problems have to do with men ? MEN tal   illness MEN strual cramps   MEN tal breakdown   MENo pause GUYnecologist (ok alittle misspelled but you get the picture) HISterectomy (again, technically misspelled) Happy Friday to all you strong, capable women! Don't let those men bring you down.

As I was fidgeting around the house this morning, picking up the same dang toys for the gazzillionth time, a random question popped into my mind - what's one item in the house that has given us the most bang for our buck? I honestly didn't have to hesitate. I've got two very curious boys and they always like to see what's going on, open all things by themselves, and prop themselves up inside the sink so naturally the best $7.99 I've spent is on the Ikea "Bolmen" step stool . Don't let the plastic fool you - it's sturdy. And I love that you can easily whip it down quickly and it's ok if left outside. Which is where I find it most days as the boys stand pulling on the fence gate string. Another reason I like the plastic is because it's lightweight. The boys can easily move it from room to room to get things without having to ask. Note to self; hide all candy and chemicals out of reach. The Bolmen step stool can be found in t...

  Rich in antioxidants, high in fiber, and loaded with vitamins, this festive marriage of chocolate and pumpkin is delish. Dig in and savor the season! ~Pumpkin Swirl Brownies~ Adopted by Marta Stewart Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped, or 1 cup chocolate chips 4 large eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup pumpkin puree 3 Tbsp. canola oil 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg Directions: 1) Preheat the oven to 350F and spray a 9″x9″ cake pan with nonstick spray. 2) In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chocolate and remove from heat. Let sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth. 3) In a large bowl beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla for 3-4 minutes, until thick and pale yellow. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and beat just until combined. 4) Put about a third of the batter into another bowl and stir the pumpkin, oil, cinnamon and nutmeg i...

Your wardrobe’s not the only thing in need of an update this fall — admit it, you’re kind of sick of sporting the same beachy, messy strands every day, aren't you? Not to mention how fried your mane looks after all those months of fun in the sun. Clearly, it's time to change it up as fall 2012 gets underway. {Style}  Blunt Bangs: If you’ve got ‘em, flaunt ‘em. Bangs are the ultimate hair accessory this season. Whether they’re full and square, short and rounded or just swept to the side, bangs frame the face and accentuate the eyes. When styling, start drying the bangs first and remember to use the nozzle attachment on your blow-dryer. The key to getting the perfect style is by directing the airflow straight down from the root . Using a vent or denman brush and brushing side to side will keep them sleek and prevent you from looking like you’re seven-years-old again and your mother just cut your fringe with some kitchen shears. No bangs? No worries! Go commitment-free and use...

...to unpack your suitcase on your bed? A: Super bad!! I get on my husband about this all the time. Grosses me out. Think about all the surfaces those wheels have rolled across. I don't even want to think about what we brought back from the streets of San Fran last week.  Ew. Why is it so bad you wonder? The dirt and grime they pick can easily rub off on your linens. If that's not gross enough, your bag could be harboring the most unwanted guests ever: bedbugs . And if you haven't read my post on bed bugs, you may want to educate yourself now by clicking HERE . Bottom line - never place your suitcase on a soft surface like a bed or a chair where bugs can scurry under the cushions or sheets. They multiple quickly so keep the suitcase far from the closet too where they can latch onto other clothes. Best place to unpack is in the garage but that's extremely inconvenient. The next best - a hard surface like the floor in the bathroom or the laundry room. If you do find ...

Simple, insanely delicious, and a fun Halloween treat! ~Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats~ Posted by In Sock Monkey Slippers Makes 12 treats Ingredients:   5 Tbs butter, unsalted 1 16 ounce package of marshmallows 1/3 cup pumpkin puree, canned or fresh 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, or paste 1/4 tsp sea salt 7 cups Rice Krispies Cereal or other puffed rice cereal optional ingredients: for squares: 1 cup dark chocolate chips (60% cacao or higher) for pumpkins: 12 tootsie rolls, green cookie icing Directions: 1) In a large, preferably non-stick, pot heat butter over medium-low heat until it turns light brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. It will bubble, foam, and then caramelize. This will give the treats a nice nutty background flavor. 2) Once the butter is browned, add marshmallows and pumpkin puree and turn the heat down to low. Stirring occasionally, cook the marshmallows until they are completely melted....

{ PINNERCISE }:   To spend more time pinning exercise moves and motivational quotes on Pinterest than you do actually working out. This made me laugh out loud. It's spot on.

  If you're looking for a holiday appropriate, low cost, easy clean-up craft do with the kids, give this a try: What you'll need: Jars - small mason jars or baby food jars work best Orange & black yarn Elmer's Glue Tealights Directions: For each candleholder, dip 48 inches (more if using a larger jar) of yarn into a one-part Elmer's glue, two-part water solution. Squeeze out excess; wrap strand around clean baby-food jar from top down. When dry, add a tealight and light the night. Have a spook-tacular weekend!!

Move over, eye shadow, and step aside, lipstick; there’s a new must-have beauty product this fall - dark and dramatic nail polish. With a new season, comes new colors and with fall upon us, it's time to shake up your roster of go-to nail polish colors. You don't necessarily have to say bye-bye to those bright summer hues, but fall’s hottest nail ideas will definitely have you rethinking a shade or two. While these aren't all of fall's latest nail color trends, these are my top three that I'll be sure to try:     | GREY |    China Glaze, Concrete Catwalk, $6 I love that grey is sticking around, and I'm not talking Fifty Shades of Grey. Consider concrete grey your new favorite neutral. Although it’s more eye-catching than nude or white, it won’t interfere with your everyday style.     | CHOCOLATE BROWN |     Laura Mercier, Cocoa Suede, $18 Could brown become the new black? Try this shade with gold rin...

  Imagine biting into juicy strawberries or crisp green beans...in January. With the help of your freezer and tips from Teri Gault, CEO of the deal finding website thegrocerygame.com, you can savor the deliciousness of colorful fruits and veggies all year round. {FRUIT} Stock up on :: berries, tomatoes, and stone fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines. To preserve :: Wash and pa dry with paper towels. Hull strawberries and cherries and quarter tomatoes. Peel, slice and toss stone fruits with lemon juice and simple syrup to prevent browning. Place fruit in a single layer on a baking sheet (to keep it from sticking together) and freeze; transfer to zip-top bags. Use within :: 3 to 6 months. Label the date of when you packaged with a Sharpie. Toss if you notice crystallization. {VEGGIES} Stock up on :: zucchini, green beans, peas, and spinach. Avoid produce with a high water content such as cucumbers. To preserve :: Blanch first - drop vegetables in a pot of salted boiling water ...