I did not know how popular the Forsysia post would be. After reading it, many of you were out there cutting and displaying them in your gorgeous homes!! I especially love the photos from those who did not have Forsythia in their yards but wanted to participate anyway!!!!! As promised, I am sharing all the wonderful photos….Thank you to my amazing readership for keeping me going every day with your incredible enthusiasm and support…we really are stronger together!!!!
Let’s face it, at-home time can be boring at times. To help you out, this post will explore some of the best ways to keep yourself entertained. I was preparing this article for tips to pass the time while traveling, however, now I think it is so important to have some fun tips to pass the time while we are spending time at home.
Music
Music means something different to everyone, but most people are able to sit down and listen to their favorite tracks for hours on end to pass the time. Websites like https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-download-music-for-free can make it nice and easy to save offline versions of the songs you like without breaking the law, and this will be essential when you’re in places that don’t offer an internet connection. It can be worth choosing music you haven’t listened to for a while for this, and some people will like to use the chance to listen to music they’ve never heard before. You can also live-stream concerts, what about listening to a Bruce Springsteen show?
Movies/TV
Back in the old days, the idea of being able to watch television and movies on a portable device would have been laughed at. Nowadays, though, your smartphone is more than capable of giving you the chance to consume your favorite TV shows no matter where you are. Services like YouTube can be used offline if you’re willing to pay for it, and there are loads of companies on the market that sell movies and television shows for temporary downloads onto your devices. It always makes sense to have these things available no matter the state of your internet connection. And, here’s what to watch when you’re caught up on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,”
Video Games
Few things are better for passing time than video games, giving you the chance to ignore the fact that you are stuck at home. Smartphones can be good for this, with most models being able to run an array of different games. Alongside this, though, a portable console like the Nintendo Switch can also be an excellent option. For those with laptops, services like Google Stradia can make it possible to play games that would usually be reserved for very high-end game consoles or computers.
Or how about some of these FUN IDEAS (adapted from Apartment Therapy):
Take notes on how to organize your freezer from Ina Garten.
Enroll in weekly art lessons from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Tour Tate Modern’s Andy Warhol exhibit.
Or just head right inside Prince Charles’ residence.
See the Japanese cherry blossoms around the world.
Take tips (and backgrounds) from Jonathan Adler for camera time, too.
Try these no-equipment workouts that you can easily do at home.
Volunteer remotely to make a difference from home.
What to do when you declutter!!!
Yesterday I received an email from a reader in Chicago. She said that she has a bunch of upcoming zoom conferences and social calls….and wanted some tips on something new to wear (that would be within her budget) and asked for some help on how she should set up her zoom “scene”. I partnered with Belk, a fun Florida Department store, to bring you some under $30 fashion finds. Their signature brands are really great looking and take a queue from some of the more expensive lines…I love the striped sweater highlighted below, it reminds me of the NY popular fashion brand La Ligne. I also included a few pairs of statement earrings. They are a must since earrings really pop in a video conference. Right now most items are 35% off with the code AMAZINGSAVINGS. As for creating the Zoom scene, I found a few tips for you! Please keep the emails and messages coming. I am trying to cover a lot of fun topics to keep everyone entertained for the next many weeks and I love all the interesting questions, and requests that you send to me!!!! Bon Weekend!!!
Click the images below for more product information!!!
Here are some tips for elevating your Zoom background or “scene” as I like to call it!!!
Set up your computer in front of the window so your face gets natural light, which is the most flattering type of light.”
You can improve your appearance and look airbrushed. Just click the “enhance my appearance” button under video options.
Use laptops/computers over phone/tablets. It allows for better control of viewing and accessing chat features.
Mute mics and only unmute when you are speaking; it eliminates some of the screen jumping that is triggered by sound/noise.
Surround yourself with things that inspire you: a decorative piece, a Himalayan salt lamp, or burn a candle.
Place Lamps At Both Sides Of Your Desk, if you are seated at a desk.
Clean your space. Do not show clutter. Think about your background. A nice piece of artwork or your fireplace and mantle would work nicely. Basically something interesting to look at.
Add a decorative object to the background, like a vase of flowers.
A book shelf makes for an interesting and eye catching backdrop.
Have nice accessories, a pretty mug (my friend, Melissa, used these recently) or glass. Use a decorative pen or notebook, if you need one during the meeting.
I know, I know..everyone is complaining about being stuck inside and all the non-stop eating but requests are still coming in for baking recipes!! My friend Paula made this for her family this week and served it with ice cream. She said almost the entire thing went in one night. Thankfully she forwarded the recipe to me and I knew I had to share it. Don’t worry..next week I have a Weight Watchers recipe all set up for you!!!! Bon Appetit!!!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling over cake
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons dark rum
- 2 baking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Granny Smith) (3-1/2 – 4 cups chopped)
- Confectioners’ sugar (optional), for decorating cake
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform or regular cake pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. If using a regular cake pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease again.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Using a handheld mixer with beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and rum. Don’t worry if the batter looks grainy at this point; that’s okay. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped apples.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even the top. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool on a rack. Run a blunt knife around the edges of the cake. If using a springform pan, remove the sides. If using a regular cake pan, carefully invert the cake onto the rack, remove the parchment paper, then gently flip the cake over and place right-side-up on a platter. Using a fine sieve, dust with Confectioners’ sugar (if using). Cake can be served warm or room temperature, plain or with lightly sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Freezer Friendly Instructions: The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.
adapted from once upon a chef
One thing that I love about all this at home time is that I really get a chance to catch up with my friends who are usually too busy for me during the week!!!!!!!!!!! My dear dear and one of my oldest friends Leeann is one person I am ecstatic that I can actually get her on the phone during the day!! I kid you not, it is probably easier to get in touch with the president than Leeann at work…soooo yesterday we were discussing one of our favorite topics, The Tiger King. In between Leeann telling me that in her lifetime, she never had a desire to pet a baby tiger (which might be the best line of this entire 2 + month quarantine!!!), she asked me if my hands are raw from all the washing. Actually, because of this dry skin fix my hands are in great shape despite the fact that I am washing them constantly. It’s really easy and really fun to make.
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup olive oil or coconut oil
10-20 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
1/2 pint mason jar, or other glass container
Combine sugar, olive oil and lavender essential oil in a mason jar. Stir well to combine. Add more oil, if necessary.
To Use:
Use a spoon or other clean device to take a couple tablespoons of the diy hand scrub out of the container. Gently massage into hands for 1 minute. Rinse with warm water.
(adapted from fountain avenue kitchen)
WOW….is my house feeling really bare…I usually pick up flowers and try to spruce up things around here from week to week..There really is nothing like fresh flowers around to keep your spirits up!! Even the $9.99 grocery store variety does the trick. I was walking the other day and noticed that there are so many beautiful and bright forsythia bushes popping up all over. I went home, grabbed my clippers and cut a few branches…I put them in a tall vase on my kitchen counter and Voila…What a difference!!!!! After almost a week, they are really holding up…Then I saw my uber-talented friend Stephanie post a photo of the ones she cut and arranged on her dining room table…andddddd a post was born. How fabulous do these simple arrangements look?
Here is my friend Stephanie’s Dining Room…ABSOLUTE PERFECTION…
