DIY Halloween Mason Jar Globes

Even though Halloween is not my favorite time of year, I do appreciate the creative process of those who love and embrace it.  I can see how fun it would be to create a haunted house or zombie apocalypse in the backyard.

For this particular craft, you can be as creative as you wish and the materials will vary, but here is what I used:

• Various sizes of jars
• Halloween figures such as skeletons, rats and spiders
• Glycerin
• Black Plasticine
• Purple or black glitter
• Wooden skewer
• Waterproof Crazy Glue
• Sandpaper
• Black spray paint (optional)

I found this plastic skeleton at our local party store and removed the skull and arms.

For a creepy display in a jar, take some Plasticine and form it into a mound; add glitter if you wish.

Stick it to the bottom of the jar. I used a wooden skewer to press the edges of the Plasticine down.

Place the skull and other items as you wish.

Fill with water. 

For an inverted jar, sand the bottom of the figure and the lid. You want to make it rough so the glue adheres.

Stick the figure to the bottom of the lid with waterproof glue and allow to dry.

Cover with Plasticine and glitter if you wish.

To create a “snow” globe, fill the jar with water and add a pinch of glitter and a dash of glycerin, to make the glitter fall slowly. Do not add too much glycerin, or the glitter will stick to the bottom.

Slowly insert a figure into the jar and close tightly.

Here are some of the globes I made. I spray-painted the lids black, but that’s entirely up to you.

For this one, I simply placed some white yarn and spiders inside a jar. I added water and skipped the glitter.

Have fun and use your imagination.

From : ehow

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DIY Carved Pumpkin Planters Tutorial

It’s officially pumpkin season! One of our favorite ways to decorate for fall is through the use of pumpkins and brightly colored autumn plant varieties. Today we’ll share how simple it can be to combine these two classic seasonal staples to create a welcoming (and living) fall array for the front porch, stairs and entryway to your home.

Things You’ll Need

• Sharp carving knife
• Large spoon or scraper
• Large bowl
• Power drill or screwdriver
• Gardening gloves
• Gardening trowel
• Gardening soil

Start by selecting pumpkins and the coordinating plants you’ll pair them with. Look for pumpkins that will easily accommodate the size of the potted plants you choose. We went with a mix of fall plant varieties such as mums, ornamental versions of peppers and kale. Choose styles and colors that speak to you, and opt for plants that thrive in an autumn climate.

Using a sharp knife, cut the tops from the pumpkins as if you were making a jack-o’-lantern. Cut a wide enough diameter to account for each plant.

Scoop the seeds and roughly scape the innards from each pumpkin to clean them out.

Tip:Don’t toss those seeds! Save them to make a nice seasonal batch of roasted pumpkin seeds. Find our favorite recipe here.

Using a power drill (or screwdriver and muscle), puncture four holes through the bottom of each pumpkin to allow for drainage.

Fill the base of each pumpkin planter with a layer of garden soil, and then gently fit each plant into its respective pumpkin, adding more soil as needed to fill the pumpkin.

Give each planter a healthy watering, and it’s time to decorate!

These pumpkin planters work really well to brighten up a front stoop or stairwell and would make for a fun “living centerpiece” for fall gatherings, parties and even weddings.

Looking for more pumpkin projects? See how we’ve decorated them in the past using doilies, paint and painter’s tape, and learn how to create surprisingly beautiful designs using a power drill.

Cheers,
Mary & Tim

From : ehow

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How to Speed Up Metabolism

When it comes to weight loss, a fast metabolism makes the difference between reaching your goals and spinning your wheels without seeing much progess. Not only does a speedy metabolism help you burn more calories, but it allows you to eat more during your weight loss journey, making you more likely to stick with your new lifestyle for long-term results. Luckily, you can maximize your metabolic rate through exercise, diet and lifestyle choices.

The right diet, exercise and lifestyle tweaks will get your metabolism racing. (John Howard/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

Contrary to popular belief, the way to get a faster metabolism is not through hours of cardio. Weight lifting is the best thing you can do if you want a faster metabolism, because it helps you build and maintain lean muscle. “Someone with more lean muscle mass has a higher resting metabolic rate because it takes more calories to maintain muscle than it does fat,” says Jarrett Arthur, a fitness and self-defense expert.

Working out with moderate to heavy weights also helps you burn more calories in the hours after your workout. This phenomenon, called EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) makes your body take in more oxygen, firing up your metabolism for hours after you've left the gym.

Schedule muscle-building sessions into your gym routine 2 to 3 times per week, with at least one day in between each session for recovery.

Build muscle to burn more calories 24/7. (Thinkstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training

Transform boring cardio into a metabolism-boosting workout with HIIT, or high intensity interval training. Like weightlifting, HIIT stimulates EPOC, so you’ll burn more calories all day -- not just when you’re working out.

If you already do cardio on a regular basis, start adding sprints to the mix. Work at maximal effort for 15 seconds to 1 minute, then slow down to recover between sprints. Here's a quick 5-minute HIIT workout to get you started.

• 45 seconds burpees
• 15 seconds rest
• 60 seconds jump rope
• 15 seconds rest
• 45 seconds jump squats
• 15 seconds rest
• 60 seconds ice-skaters
• 2 minutes rest

Repeat three times.

If you’re new to aerobic exercise, ease into interval workouts. Try moderately raising your intensity for three brief intervals during your workout, but don't go all out, suggests Arthur. As you get fitter, you can start adding more intervals and work at a higher intensity during your sprints, then start reducing the amount of time between intervals.

Add sprints to your cardio to torch more calories after your workout. (Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Spice It Up

Add a little fire to your food to get your metabolism revving, says Charmaine Jones, a registered dietitian based in Washington, D.C. Spicy meals, like ones containing cayenne or ginger, increase your body temperature, which speeds up your metabolism. You can add a pinch of cayenne to almost any savory meal, and even include fresh cayenne and ginger in your smoothies.

For a metabolism-boosting pre-workout, make this energizing pineapple ginger smoothie:

Combine 2-3 pineapple chunks, 1-2 small slices of fresh ginger, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a squeeze of lemon, and ½ cup coconut water or filtered water. Combine all ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth. If you want a chillier treat, use frozen pineapple instead of fresh.

Fiery fare, like ginger and cayenne, naturally raises your metabolism. (maceofoto/iStock/Getty Images)

Pump (Dietary) Iron

Raise your metabolism with meals and snacks high in iron, says Jones. Iron helps transport oxygen to your cells, supports your cellular metabolism, gives you natural energy, and helps with chemical reactions needed to burn fat.

Foods rich in iron also tend to contain protein, which raises your metabolism. Protein has a high thermic effect, so your body burns more calories while digesting protein than it does digesting carbs and fat. Foods high in protein also tend to be filling, so they can help you stick to a calorie-controlled diet.

Add lean meats and beans to your meals to increase your iron intake, recommends Jones. Here are a few ideas on how to add more protein to your diet:

• Add a handful of chopped chicken breast or grilled tempeh to your salads
• Pair celery and carrot sticks with black bean hummus
• Drink a protein shake as a meal-replacer or post-workout snack
• Swap out regular yogurt for Greek
• If you're craving fruit, pair it with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
• Swap refined carbs for lentils or quinoa
• Add protein powder to your oatmeal

Iron-rich foods, like beans, boost your energy and your metabolism. (Lusoimages/iStock/Getty Images)

Use Metabolism-Stimulating Supplements

Certain vitamins and herbals supplements can also speed up your metabolism. The B-complex vitamins help you get the most energy from your food, providing a boost that powers your workouts and revs up your metabolism, says Jones. Green tea extract, or GTE, contains caffeine, a natural metabolism booster. GTE acts as a thermogenic, raising your body temperature to increase your calorie burn throughout the day.

Make sure you check with your doctor before taking any supplement, cautions Jones. Your doc can recommend an effective, quality-controlled supplement and recommend a dosage that’s not likely to cause side effects.

Supplements, like vitamins and green tea extract, can raise your metabolism -- but check with your doctor before you take them. (Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Drink Icy H2O

Staying hydrated is key to boosting your metabolism, says Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian and personal trainer. Water helps flush away energy-sapping toxins that would otherwise make you feel drained and tired. Getting enough water is especially important as you lose weight, because your body generates more toxins when it burns fat.

Down at least 64 ounces daily, and choose cold water for a further metabolism boost -- you’ll burn a few extra calories warming it up to body temperature.

Icy water improves hydration and speeds your metabolism. (Design Pics/Design Pics/Getty Images)

Get Your Z's

Revving your metabolism involves more than healthy diet and exercise -- you also need enough rest each day. Your body regenerates lean muscle while you’re asleep, says Palinski-Wade, so quality shut-eye boosts your metabolism by helping you build muscle tissue. Getting enough sleep also helps reduce stress and regulates your hormone levels, preventing a buildup of stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to weight gain.

Good sleep hygiene benefits your muscles and helps you burn fat. (View Stock/View Stock/Getty Images)

From : ehow

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How to Kiss a Girl - Steps of kiss a girl !!

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Say Goodbye to Pain and Bad Posture with These Simple Exercises

Let’s face it – life happens in front of us. Literally.

We walk forward, reach for objects in front of us, like the steering wheel while driving or a keyboard while typing, and interact with people face to face. There’s no question that the majority of everyday movement is geared toward the muscles on the front side of our body. It’s a silent killer to the development of the oh-so-important muscles on the rear side of our body. Bad posture can take the body’s skeletal structure out of alignment, which can lead to chronic pain or more serious conditions like herniated discs or osteoporosis.

Working out in the gym can worsen bad posture because people tend to focus their training on what they can see in the mirror. I can’t even count how many guys I see hit the dumbbell rack at the gym to crush an arm, shoulder or chest workout. The results are the slouched stance, forward shoulders and possible chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders common to many people we know.

Luckily, I’m here to shed some light on the fix.

Poor posture is usually a combination of tightness of some muscles and weakness of others. Being able to stand tall should come naturally, and when your front muscles get too tight and restrictive, your posterior muscles can’t do the job they’re designed to do. With that said, the first step would be to improve your mobility. Use the following two drills to help “open you up,” so to speak, and improve flexibility and freedom of movement in your shoulder area.

Wall Slides
Find a wall and put your back against it. Make your heels touch the wall too. There can be bit of space under your back. Raise the arms and make sure your elbows, wrists and fingers all touch the wall. Slide your hands all the way up and down the wall without losing any points of contact. If you can’t do this, step 6 inches away from the wall with your feet, and try again. Focus on sets of 15-20 slides. It’s a bit more challenging than it looks.



Shoulder Dislocates

Don’t worry, it’s not as painful as it sounds. Find a broomstick or dowel and hold it at arm’s length with a wide overhand grip. Maintaining straight elbows, perform a full revolution to the rear side of your body, and then return the same way you started.


These exercises will help open up the tight anterior muscles, such as the chest, and give your back the chance to contribute to good posture once again. In the gym, complement these workouts through resistance training for the upper back. Smart exercise choices to help improve posture would be:

• Seated rows
• Lat pull-downs
• Reverse flies
• Prone supermans
• Overhead press

It won’t happen overnight, but a consistent effort and dedication can help you improve your posture and feel healthier in the process.

Thank me later!

From : ehow

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The Tastiest Homemade Christmas Gift: Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee

Looking for a delicious homemade Christmas gift to give to family, friends and neighbors? This dark chocolate sea salt toffee is the perfect candy for the holidays. (Not to mention easy!) Follow these steps to create a tasty treat for all to enjoy...



What You'll Need
To create the chocolate sea salt toffee, you'll need: 2 cups granulated sugar, 4 sticks salted butter, 3 cups dark chocolate chips, and 3 tablespoons sea salt. Tools needed include: candy thermometer, 10"x16" pan with 1/2" sides, non-stick pot, and a wooden spoon.



Melting Phase
In a non-stick pot, melt the four sticks of butter over low heat. Use a wooden spoon to stir as butter is melting. (Wood is best -- a metal spoon will get too hot.)



Place candy thermometer on the side of the pot, and then add sugar to the melted butter. The sugar will not completely dissolve (it has a "sludge-like" consistency at this point). Add a pinch of salt. Stir with wooden spoon.



Raise heat to medium or higher until mixture comes to a boil. Then raise the heat to high (stirring constantly with the spoon). Stir until candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees. This might take up to 15 minutes.



Pouring Toffee
Line a pan with tinfoil or parchment paper. Lightly grease the foil or paper with either butter or cooking spray. Pour the candy mixture onto foil and spread even with the wooden spoon. Let cool for 30 minutes.



Melting Chocolate
Melt chocolate in a microwaveable bowl until melted. Spread chocolate on top of toffee (the toffee might still be warm but not hot). Chocolate should spread easily.



Adding Sea Salt
Sprinkle sea salt on top of chocolate layer (within 30 minutes of spreading chocolate so it will stick). You can also add chopped nuts or crushed peppermint candy pieces!



Breaking Toffee
Let toffee and chocolate completely cool before breaking into pieces. You can use a knife, pizza cutter, or simply use your hands to break the toffee into rustic, bite-size pieces.



Packaging Toffee
Use cute Christmas candy boxes to package candy. Just line boxes with wax or parchment paper and fill with little toffee pieces. It makes the perfect holiday gift.



Try mini candy cane boxes or even cupcake liners to hold the toffee in addition to candy boxes. There are a variety of holiday-themed candy holders available at craft and cake stores. These will definitely make the holidays even happier!


From : ehow

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3 Gorgeous Wedding Hairstyles You Can Create Yourself

Doing your own hair to attend a special event or wedding can be completely intimidating, so I thought I would share some hairstyles I have tried on my own hair recently that worked for a quick and easy solution.

With each of these hairstyles, prep your hair by creating ready-to-go waves. Using a medium barrel curling iron, wrap section by section around the wand starting at the top and hold. Do not clip. Finish with hairspray or texturizer for hold.

Twist and Wrap Pony
1. Add waves and texturizer or hairspray (see above).
2. Gather into a side ponytail and secure with a hairband.
3. Separate the hair in two above the hairband.
4. Flip ponytail under and through the hole.
5. Pull the ponytail up to tighten.
6. Pull out sections of the twisted sections for full, looser look.
7. Take a section of hair behind the ponytail and wrap around the hairband. Secure with a bobby pin. Now you’re ready to go!

This is a simple spin on the good old Topsy tail. I wore this style to a wedding last weekend and it lasted all night. Hairspray doesn't hurt either.

Double Crown Braid
1. Add waves and texturizer or hairspray (see above).
2. Take a 1 inch section from behind each ear and braid all the way down.
3. Pull the first side over around your ear and to the other side of your head and secure with bobby pins. Place those pins through the braid so they don’t show.
4. Do the same with the second side, securing the braids to each other with more bobby pins.
5. Bring the hair over the sides so ends don’t show. Hairspray to secure.
6. For an alternate version, swoop hair to the side for a side pony look.

So easy, but really elegant, fun, and will last all night! However, if your hair is silky straight make sure to use lots of hairspray.

Floral Twist Up
1. Add waves and texturizer or hairspray (see above).
2. Gather your hair back and start to roll the ends up (facing ceiling).
3. Continue to roll until you reach the base of your neck.
4. Use multiple bobby pins to secure the twisted sections to the back of your head. I place them behind the front of the roll so they can’t be seen.
5. Hairspray to hold.
6. Using a floral strand or floral crown (I folded my wire crown in half), place inside the twist up and secure with more bobby pins.

This can be bridal, for a bridesmaid, or even if you are attending a nice event. Works for day or night!

Which look do you like best? Be sure to let us know if you give it a try! Would love to see the results!

Read more : ehow

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