Blog - Page 30 of 43 - Why Don't You Make Me?

Strawberry Lemonade

06.27.13

If you asked me what the perfect summer drink is, I would respond with Strawberry Lemonade. One of my favorite Mexican Restaurants serves the perfect strawberry lemonade, which I always wanted the recipe for, but was too much of a chicken to ask for it. Lemonade recipes can be fickle. Too much sugar or lemon and it can easily get too sweet or too tart. Of course it’s all about personal preference. What’s too sweet for one person might be just right for someone else. If you ask me, this recipe is just the right amount of everything!

Recipe

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries
6 lemons
1 quart water
Ice cubes

Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
2 cups water

Instructions

1. To make simple syrup, combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Cool completely.
3. Roll the lemons back and forth on a flat surface to release the juices. Cut in half and juice into a bowl. Remove the seeds. You can also pass the mixture through a strainer. You should get about 1 cup of lemon juice.
4. Cut your strawberries in half and hull. Using a blender, blend the strawberries with the simple syrup.
5. Pour lemon juice, strawberry puree and quart of water into a pitcher. Stir the mixture. Refrigerate until cool.
6. Serve over ice cubes and Enjoy!

Bringing Back Brocade

06.26.13

Brocade is back as a big trend for Spring and Fall. I am loving this Renaissance-inspired print. I’ve seen some gorgeous Brocade at my local fabric store, but always wondered as to what I could possibly make with it. So far, a full circle skirt sounds like a winner. Or maybe some Brocade shorts for summer! You can try the pattern in light pastels for a soft and romantic look. Or wear it in bright, bold colors to make fashionably loud statement.

images: 1&3, 2, 4, 5

Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Cookies)

06.17.13

If you don’t know what alfajores are, they are dulce de leche filled cookies from South America. Surprisingly, they are made with cornstarch, which gives them a soft and crumbly texture. It’s difficult to eat just one!

Recipe:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups corn starch
2 tsp baking powder
6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream

Place flour, corn starch and baking powder in a bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl aside.
Using a stand or hand mixer, mix the butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the egg yolks one at a time.
Gradually add the flour mixture.
Finally, add the heavy cream and mix until the dough is soft but not sticky. Cover the dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place on a flat, floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out until it is about 1/4″thick and cut with a cookie cutter. (If dough is too sticky, add more flour.)
Bake cookies on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-13 mins until the cookies are firm and golden on the bottom.
Let the cookies cool.
Flip the cookies upside down and spread with about 2 tsp of dulce de leche. Recipe here. Place a second cookie on top and gently press to create a sandwich.
Dust cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

*Thanks to my mom for the recipe!*

Ikea Hack: Painted Dresser

06.15.13

This Ikea hack dresser is one of my favorite DIY pieces from my sister’s new Chicago apartment. The Tarva 3 Door Chest is a bargain, but the unfinished wood is far from apartment ready. We bought a can of Behr Coral Expression and added white paint to create an ombre look. Here’s how we transformed the dresser.

1. Start by painting the body of the dresser white.
2. Paint one of the dresser drawers in Coral. Add two or three coats.
3. Add white paint to the coral to lighten it. Paint the second drawer like you did the first.
4. Add more white paint to the paint mixture to paint the third drawer.
5. To add a bit of interest to the dresser, we spray painted the knobs gold.
6. We lined the inside of the dressers with gift wrap paper we found at Marshalls. Measure the insides of the drawer and cut the paper to size. Mod podge it to the drawer.
7. Put it all together and you’re done!

DIY Cat Ear Headband

06.15.13

A few days ago I made this inspirational post on the cute and popular cat ear headband.Today, I’m going to show you how to make your own!

Materials:

– Metal Headband
– Wire (The thicker the better. I used 21 Gauge)
– Rhinestones
– Glue
– Pliers/ Wire cutter
– Gold Spraypaint (if your headband doesn’t match the wire)

1. Cut two pieces of wire to approximately 7 inches in length. (Longer or shorter depending on how big/small you want the ears.) Bend the wire in half to form a triangular shape.