Potatoes are a staple of most diets. True, you really shouldn’t eat them everyday (despite really wanting to), but for a quick week night dinner, they are a great staple to know how to cook.

White potatoes – such as russets and fingerling potatoes – are the most traditional, but I really love to use yellow or red potatoes, which are smaller and therefore, cheaper to buy only 2-3 of them for a single meal. I won’t pretend potatoes are packed with nutrients; as far as nutrition goes, potatoes are well known for being high in carbohydrates, but very low (on their own) in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are great sources of vitamin C, potassium and manganese.

This recipe is very easy and very yummy. I like to use Yukon gold potatoes, but feel free to use russets, fingerlings, or whatever potato (or root – sweet potatoes and carrots would be yummy too!) you want.

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

You will need…

Holiday season is by far my favorite time of the year. It’s a season of excessive desserts, eggnog, sample sales, boots and of course, lots and lots of gifts.

What’s not to love?!

No matter which holiday you celebrate, gift giving is a staple of the holiday season. But there is some major pressure when picking out a gift for that special someone. And in this not-so-fabulous economy, a lot of people don’t have the resources to buy the perfect gift anymore.

Well, like I always say, if you can’t buy it make it. (Okay, so I don’t usually say that on day-to-day basis, but you get my point.)

Homemade gifts can be some of the most cherished and beloved gifts. There’s nothing better than seeing someone’s face light up as they unwrap and enjoy a gift you made especially for them. But not all homemade gifts are created equal. Frankly, some just plain blow. Hard. Re-gifted presents and macaroni necklaces won’t cut it anymore, so I’ve rounded up a list of the best homemade gifts that don’t suck.

Any type of baked good. Except fruitcake. That junk is gross.
Seriously though, don’t give someone a fruit-cake. That’s like slapping someone in the face or saying “You are so unimportant to me that I baked you this unappetizing and incredibly inedible looking cake.” Need some ideas? Check these out.

Scrapbooks & Calendars
Pull out your markers, construction paper, and pick your best photos to craft the perfect photobook or calendar featuring you and your favorite friends. Or if you’re not feeling like Martha, head to Shutterfly to craft an online photobook or calendar yourself. It’s easy, fun, and shows someone that you put time and thought into their gift.

No Sewing Skills Necessary Fleece Blanket
This blanket is a no-crafting-skills-needed fleece blanket, perfect for keeping someone warm throughout the holidays. Pick fleece fabrics in fun colors or prints unique to the very lucky recipient of the gift! And if you’re feeling extra generous, throw in a copy of their favorite movie, a box of hot cocoa and some popcorn for the ultimate winter night activity.

Christmas Cookie Mix in a Jar
I mean… it’s cookies in a jar. Where could you go wrong with this adorable idea? All you need is a mason jar and the ingredients for baking cookies. Fairly simple. You can make them in bulk and wrap the mason jars in pretty festive holiday ribbons!

Camel Cape for your Fashionista Friend
My favorite DIY queen, Erica Domesek of P.S. – I Made This…., gives you step by step instructions and pictures for this perfectly trendy (and warm!) camel cape. This will be the perfect gift for your fashionable friends.

Family Recipe Book
If you’re known for you superb cooking skills (or how hot you look in an apron), this could be the perfect gift to give your hungry friends. Put together a list of your best concoctions and give the gift of Betty Crocker.

Chocolate covered spoons for Java Junkies and Chocoholics
These delectable dessert treats are perfect for your coffee junkie and chocoholic friends.

What You’ll Need: Some plastic spoons, ribbon, sprinkles, and melting chocolate.
What You’ll Do: Melt the chocolate, and dip the plastic spoons in the chocolate. Add sprinkles or java chips! Let the chocolate spoons cool and harden on wax paper in the freezer. Wrap spoons in cellophane paper and wrap with a bow. Festive and delicious!

For even more DIY gift ideas, click here and here.

Come back all week long for even more holiday gift inspiration!

After all, moving to the big city (NYC!!) from Georgia was definitely a change. I went from sweet southern porches to a 5th floor walk up above a dingy pizza shop…and I absolutely love it.

But despite my utter obsession with this city, my new mostly black wardrobe, and my sudden fondness for cosmopolitans and the closest Duane Reade, I can’t forget my Georgia roots. Home is where the heart is after all. So in an ode to my hometown (and my thinning wallet), I crafted an easy and inexpensive art piece to spruce up my current home and remind me of my former home.

It’s fun, it’s personal and it’s cute. And if you don’t need wall art of your own, this makes the perfect gift for homecomings, housewarmings, and holidays (it is almost Christmas… YIPPEEE!).

What You’ll Need:

A Frame: Any type or size. New, old, dirty, dingy, fancy, or vintage. Doesn’t matter!
A paper map of your hometown: Yes, they still make actual paper maps. Who knew? You can pick up a map of your new town, your old town, or your dream town pretty much anywhere: gas stations, book stores, drug stores, the back seat of your car. I picked mine up from Barnes and Noble. For an even cheaper route, print out a color copy off the internet.
Craft paper: Find paper at any craft store or drug store. Pick a solid color, no patterns (it will clash with the map)
Scissors: Snip, snip.
Markers: Doodle, doodle.

What You’ll Do:
1. Cut your map and craft paper to the size of the frame.

2. Outline a heart on the craft paper (as big or small as you want, depending how much map you want to be seen) and cut it out leaving an open heart shape in the middle.

Other ideas: If a heart isn’t your thing, cut out something else like, “Home Sweet Home,” your town’s name, or any other word you want showcased.

3. Using markers, write a message on the craft paper underneath (or above) the heart.

Try these cute sayings: Home is Where the Heart Is, Home Sweet Home, Welcome Home!, There’s No Place Like Home

4. Now frame your work! Place the craft paper over the map and frame the two sheets! Now the map of your hometown is inside the heart. Right where it should be.

5. Hang your art, decorate a bookshelf, or wrap your DIY creation for the perfect holiday gift!

6. Relish in your own craftiness and frugal decorating skills like the creative genius that you are.

Wanna see some more DIY projects? Click here and channel your inner artist!

For this week’s DIY project, I was inspired by my downtown fashion conscious and too-cool-to-be-a-hipster hipster friend, Landon. This guy is like half artist, half designer and totally rad. He just may be the perfect man, especially with his newest creation: paint splattered boyfriend trousers.

Designers like Tory Burch and the late, great Alexander McQueen also rocked paint splattered pieces in their collections. For mucho dinero. For those of us on a college or recent-grad budget, these trousers will give you the same designer look without paying $180 (or more!) for a pair of designer digs. (Plus, you get the glory of designing them yourself…and that’s free!)

What You’ll Need

1. An old pair of trousers. If you want to go for a boyfriend slouchy pair (which are inherently more chic), try to steal an old pair from a brother, boyfriend, or random man on the street. OK, maybe not a random man on the street, but I bet you can find a great pair at the Salvation Army….

Tip: The paint splatter look would also look great on jeans!

2. Craft paint: Pick any color you prefer. Try neon colors for a modern city look, pastels for a vintage look, black and white for something a bit more understated, or whatever colors inspire you. You can get these at any craft store like Joann’s or Michael’s.

3. Paintbrush or toothbrush: Use old ones or pick up some new ones up at your local craft store or CVS.

What You’ll Do:

1. Get your inner artist on and go crazy on your trousers. You can splatter paint (for the effect seen above), or use the paintbrushes, toothbrushes, or use your finger-painting skills to decorate the jeans.
Tip: Using old or frayed paint brushes will help spread the paint out evenly so it isn’t too thick.

2. If you wanna distress your pants more (after the paint is dry, of course) grab some sandpaper and rough ‘em up a bit. And if you really want to explore your inner rock star, try adding studs around the pockets for even more designer details!

3. Cuff the hems and slip ‘em on. Pair these with a loose white tee or tank, a blazer, and a sick pair of heels. Then tell everyone how awesome you are… and look. Just try not to be afraid when people try to rip the pants off of you (unless its a hot man, like, say, Chase Crawford… then just go with it).

Wanna see some more DIY projects? Click here and channel your inner artist!

My last major DIY project was all about home décor… and the decorating bug hasn’t left me yet!

I’ve finally moved into my new apartment in NYC which is now filled with issues of Elle Décor and House Beautiful. The furniture is moved in (…and up 5 flights of stairs) and my apartment is finally coming together. However, I could not help but feel depressed when I looked at my bare, lonely, and artless walls. I was envious as I flipped through the pages of decorating magazines to see how small living rooms and dorm rooms were so fabulously decorated with different pieces of art.

But my budget doesn’t exactly allow for me to splurge on fancy art or even framed posters. So instead, I found my own cheap and chic way to spice up my walls and décor. So if you’re looking to spruce up your room or update your walls on a budget, here is an easy and fun way to make your living space unique!

What You’ll Need

Frames: Frames are expensive, especially larger frames for big walls of empty space! But the best place to look for frames on a budget is often art supply stores (like Dick Blick or even Walmart). Opt for poster frames that use plexiglass instead of glass, as they are cheaper and won’t break (aka: they can survive the college lifestyle and multiple moves). Depending on the frame size you choose, these can range from $10 to about $20. For my DIY, I got 3 16×20 size plexi-glass poster frames.

Tip: Keep in mind how you envision the frames’ position on the wall. Mix and match with different frames and frame sizes, or keep it simple with a symmetrical design of two large frames on a wall.

Wrapping paper or paper sheets: Yes, you will be framing wrapper paper. Sounds silly, but you can create a sophisticated look with something as simple as wrapping paper. Who knew?! Pick a pattern or color that suits the rest of your décor. Or pick multiple patterns/colors for different frames. Wrapping paper in larger patterns work better as they tend to look more like painted canvas or pop art. Choose anything that fits your style! Or you can go to any art store or paper store and they sell single sheets of specialty paper in cool designs for cheap.Try The Container Store, Paper Source, or even your local drug stores like CVS.

Scissors: Snip, snip!

What You’ll Do:

1. Realize first that this may be the easiest and fabulous DIY you’ve ever attempted.

2. Now that you’ve realized step 1, carefully cut your wrapping paper to the size of your frame or frames. As wrapping paper is meant to rip easily, be careful!

Tip: Use the frame paper insert (usually it’s a picture of a happy couple or animal…) to cut your wrapping paper to the exact size.

3. Now stick your wrapping paper in the frame. Pretty simple, eh?

4. Hang your frame(s) on the wall, admire your handiwork, and when friends ask where you bought your chic art tell them who the artist really is. (YOU… duh!)

Got room for some condoms in there?

OK, so you have your bedding, your towels, and your laptop; you think you’re ready to move off for your freshman year of college. Before you go, though, there are a couple of things that a freshman might not think to bring that will make dorm life a million times easier.

Take it from me, after 2 years in the dorms, I have this down to a science. Make room in those duffels, people; there are ten more things you’re going to have to squeeze in there.

#1 Tool Box
Yes, seriously, a tool box. My freshman year roommate had a brilliant aunt who bought her a mini tool kit as a high school graduation present (it was pink and girly). We used that thing more than anything else in the room. Yes, even our TV. Your bike break? A nail fall out of that little nightstand you bought from Ikea? Your ex leave something valuable at your place and you want to smash it? (JK….sorta.) You’ll have everything you need in that little box. Guys down the hall even borrowed our tools, so it’s even a social item!

#2 Condoms
This should just be common sense. Even if you don’t plan on having sex in college, you seriously never know what will happen, so be smart and prepare! The best part is that this one you don’t really even need to buy; most schools give them away for free at the student health center, so hop on over there and stock up.

#3 Duct Tape
This one is along the same lines as #1; it pretty much fixes anything. But beyond that, there’s some awesome stuff you can do with duct tape for really cheap room decor! I’ve seen everything from duct tape vases to closet doorway “beads.”

#4 Oven Mitt
Believe me when I say the stuff that you make in your little dorm microwave is HOT. I’ve burned my fingers on too many Easy Mac bowls to not give this as advice. Save your fingers, get a mitt!

#5 Febreeze
Whether you ran out of clean clothes and don’t have time (or quarters) for laundry, you spent the night at a frat party surrounded by drunk smokers, or you’ve been doing your own smokin’ in the dorm room and don’t want the R.A. to find out, Febreeze will save the day every time.

#6 Mini-Vacuum
Probably my dumbest move of freshman year was getting a navy blue rug. That sucker showed every.single.spec.of.dirt.EVER. I ended up buying a little, mini-vacuum for $10 and it was soooo handy, and not just for the rug. Or all those times I spilled Rice Krispies. Without being able to open windows, dust gathers much faster in a dorm room. It was a life saver for my allergies.

#7 First Aid Kit
Make your mom happy and get a small thing of Band-Aids, aspirin, triple antibiotic ointment, and various other helpful items. You’re not going to be invincible; you will get cuts and scrapes…and hangovers. This will be your best friend until the end.

#8 Message Board for Your Door (with an attached marker!)
This is crucial if you have a roommate. You will most likely go days without seeing each other with all the studying, classes, and late night activities you’ve got going on. This is the best way to keep in touch with a hectic schedule. My roommate and I always had a “code drawing” so that if we had a guy in the room, we’d draw it and the other roommate would know to vacate the premises. It’s also great to leave each other nice messages to cheer each other up!

#9 Book Light
Yeah, desk lamps are great, but one you can clip on to your book is even better. Roommates often live on opposite schedules and you must prepare for that. My freshman year roommate always studied when I was trying to sleep, and my sophomore roommate always slept when I studied. It really makes everyone happy when you just get a mini book light. You can see what you’re reading, and your roommate won’t be disturbed.

#10 Sewing Kit
Buttons fall off. Clothes rip. Costumes need jerry-rigging. So much stuff can be fixed with a needle and thread. Fortunately, I worked in the theater department’s costume shop my freshman year and learned how to sew. If you don’t know how, find someone who does and get a quick lesson before you head off to college. Then pack this tiny life saver. Hell, it might even be a form of income; the guys next door to me would pay me to fix their stuff for them. Beautiful.

I want to update my room style from posters of David Beckham and Edward Cullen (I love you, RPatz – if you’re out there….call me. Seriously….) to shabby chic art, furniture, and frames. I want my room to scream “I’m a fabulous adult” and not “I frequent college poster sales,” and I don’t want to spend a lot of money to do it.

Instead of bringing along a DIY corkboard (perfect for any college dorm), I decided it was time to display my favorite college mementos, pictures, and reminders in a more sophisticated way. So I scoured the internet and the few flea markets that exist in my neighborhood to get design ideas until finally I came across an old miniature dress form.

Dress forms have been a symbol of chic fashionistas since sewing was invented. To me they scream modern yet vintage décor, and can be used for more things than just designing clothes. Instead of traditional frames or tape to mount my favorite pictures and mementos on a wall, I transformed the dress form into its own display board, frame, and jewelry case.

So here is an easy, creative, and inexpensive way to step up your style and display tidbits of your life.

What You’ll Need:
1. Dress form (mini or large): You can find these online (Craigslist, ebay, All Dress Forms) or take the time to search flea markets and consignment stores in your area. A covered dress form will work best because you can easily pin stuff on, but if you find a foam or plastic form, you can always cover it with fabric first.

2. Ribbon, buttons, and decorative flair: These will personalize your dress form even more and add extra room to place pictures and mementos, like ticket stubs.

3. Sewing pins/fabric glue: To keep it all together. Used to pin your photos up. Find these at any art store or drug store.

4. Mementos: Your favorite pictures, cards, reminder notes, and necklaces!

What You’ll Do:

1. If your dress form is old/dirty/boring and needs covering, there are tons of ways to fix it up!

Some ideas: Use papier-mâché and strips of newspaper or old book pages to cover the dress form for a vintage/city look. Cut up old college t-shirts and pin them on in an interesting pattern. Or use your favorite fabric to cover the dress form to match your bed linens or the color palette of your room. Secure with fabric glue for a custom fit to your dress form or keep it just the way it is if you like the basic look of the form.

2. Cut pieces of ribbon (or use colored shoelaces!) and wrap your dress form in different places. To secure the ribbon tightly, glue to your dress form (back side) with fabric glue. For an even easier route, just pin the ends of the ribbon or shoelaces to the backside of your form (the side you will not see when displayed).

3. Decorate with your favorite things! Tuck in photos and ticket stubs behind pieces of the ribbon or shoelaces. Hang earrings and necklaces with pins. Get creative and put your newest chic display décor anywhere in your home.

4. Look at you. You’re now a grown up with chic and easy sense of style.

How?
With a little DIY, of course.

When it comes to treating yourself, you don’t need to shell out the big bucks for a professional; you can get the same results right there in the privacy of your bedroom. And we’ve got all the secrets. From great first date make-up and hair ideas, to cheap ways to bring your closet from drab to fab, here is your do-it-yourself guide to looking and feeling great.

The DIY Manicure. Even those cheap-o $12 manicures add up, so save that dough and manicure your own fine hands. You’ll have to head to your local drug store to stock up on all the essentials, like this season’s most fun and funky colors, but you’ll end up spending way less in the long run. And it’s worth it for Zebra-print nails.

The DIY Wax. If you’re especially daring, check out these seven tips for a successful at-home wax. And if you want to try the latest vajazzling craze without the awkwardness of having a strange woman in your area, there are now peel-and-stick rhinestone designs you can apply (and take off….) yourself.

The DIY Facial. We all want that perfect, glowing complexion but it’s not always (or ever??) practical to drop $90 on a salon facial. e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Creative Director explains step-by-step how to get that dewey but not greasy look yourself. And if you want to be really resourceful, you can even make face masks and body butter from leftover items in your pantry. Yum.

The DIY Makeover. There’s no reason not to look stunning for a first date (or a night out looking for a boy to take you on a first date), even with an empty wallet. Think Blair Waldorf! You can recreate her pulled-together, always classy look by making your own hair flair and copying her barely-there makeup. Just don’t forget to prepare for any mishaps (pit stains, anyone?) that might come your way.

The DIY Up-do. You don’t need some beauty school grad to update your everyday ‘do. It can be as simple and inexpensive as upgrading the half-up, half-down look, or being a little more adventurous and trying a retro side pin-up.

DIY Couture. Can’t afford the pricey goods lining the walls of your campus boutiques? Think high-fashion on a budget and add some Michael Jackson bling to your everyday V-neck tee. Instead of shelling out the cash, take your already amazing jeans and destroy them yourself. And make the boyfriend blazer you love so much completely unique and individual (like you!) by adding some funky patterned cuffs.

And if you really wanna knock everybody’s socks off, all you really need is a perfect Angelina Jolie pout and sultry smudge-proof eye makeup.

You go girl! Hit the town and knock ‘em dead….then spend all that leftover cash on something fabulous.

Anyway, after looking at the price tag I realized that I didn’t need to fork over my hard earned money for some organization and sanity – I could make these myself! And so can you.

You don’t even need a good taste in music. In fact, it’s probably better if you don’t like the record you’re melting… All you need is a little time and some H2O and you’re on your way to adorable dorm decor.

Materials:
2 vinyl records – you can get these super cheap at flea markets, old-school record stores or from that collection that’s been gathering dust in your parents’ basement.
1 pot of boiling water
1 heat resistant bowl (or another large pot)
1 flat piece of wood

This Is How You Do:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, making sure to have enough to fill your heat resistant bowl to two or three inches.

2. Pour the water into the bowl (be careful), then dip your record into the hot water, until around ¼ of the bottom is submerged.

3. Once the record heats up it should bend easily. Put slight pressure on the record so it bends, forming a 90 degree angle. Take care to not move your hand so much so the water line is straight.

4. If you want, you can use the piece of wood to flatten out any waves that form in the record. Simply press the flat part of the wood onto the bottom of the record. (The record should still be in the hot water for this step.)

5. Lift the record from the water, give it a moment to cool, dry it with a towel, and you’re done! Repeat all the steps to make your matching bookend.

Now all you need is your Harry Potter collectors’ series (oh, and all those boring text books) to put your retro bookend to good use.

So why not use them for something cute? We’ve already showed you how to make a t-shirt pillow, a t-shirt bag and a fabulous t-shirt scarf, and we’ve got one more trick up our sleeve (pun totes intended): the t-shirt bracelet.

Everyone knows that accessories really make the outfit, and this homemade accessory is no exception. With two very cute varieties, the t-shirt bracelet is free, super easy to make, and even easier to customize. Plus, with the 1,000 shirts you’ve got lying around, you can make a bunch of these to mix and match and add some serious pizazz to an everyday outfit.

Choose your favorite design, and use your favorite colored soft cotton tees to make these comfy bracelets that are perfect for summer.

Materials:
1 sleeve of a cotton t-shirt.
1 pair of scissors.

Steps for loop bracelet:
Grab a bright t-shirt, add some beads and you’ve got the summer bracelet.

1. Lay the shirt out on a flat surface and cut the sleeve hem off.
2. Cut the rest of the sleeve into horizontal strips, each about an inch wide.
3. The strips will have now become loops. Leave one loop out to tie the rest at the end.
4. Take each loop and stretch it out into a ring. The loops will start to curl on their own.
5. Place all the loops together, and use the single loop left over to tie the rest together into one big bracelet.
6. Tuck the end into the wrapped loop.
7. Add beads to fancy it up a bit, or use different colored t-shirts to make a multi-colored bracelet!

Steps for braided bracelet:
Use blue, yellow and white tees for the perfect nautical accessory!

1. Lay the shirt out on a flat surface and cut the hem off horizontally across the bottom of the sleeve.
2. Cut the rest of the sleeve into thirteen horizontal strips, each about an inch wide. (Though I totally recommend using a few different shirts in different colors for a multi-colored cuff.)
3. The strips will have now become loops. Cut one end of the loop so they become really long strips.
4. Leave one strip out, but separate the rest into four groups of three.
5. Tie each group of three strips together and braid each one, leaving the end untied.
6.  For each braid, untie the previously tied knot at the top and tie the two ends together, forming a braided loop.
7. Using the leftover strip, loop all four braided loops together and wrap the strip around, then tuck the end in.
8. Braided bracelet, done!

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2010/05/18/do-it-yourself-tuesdays-t-shirt-bracelet/feed/ 2 Brithny - Duke University tshirt bracelet 2 3