Long Burning Candles

By transferring your taper candles in the freezer for a few hours before use, it'll burn for twice as long.

Entertaining Food Must-Haves

To accommodate unexpected house guests, here are some basic staples that you should have on hand.

1. Carr's Table Water Crackers

Go for the unsalted ones. I've learned that a lot of my Canadian friends have a low salt intolerance. It's always better to go more subtle for something like this. These crackers are simple and elegant.

2. Tapenade or Marinated Artichokes

I'm a huge fan of marinated artichokes, but not everyone is a fan. I like have three different times of tapenades on hand for guests to select from.


3. Garlic Brie or Stuffed Olives

I'll serve anything garlic, but some people shy away from anything that can have an offensive odor. Lemon marinated olives is a good alternative.

4. Nuts

I've found that not many of my friends have very sophisticated taste. So having something as simple and universally friendly as nuts are a favorable addition. I would stay away from the sugared ones which are sticky and can flake. A simple roasted variety with pecans, almonds, and cashews are great. Stay away from walnuts because they go rancid quickly and can ruin the entire batch of assortment. Since peanut allergies are common, I would steer away from that, as well.

5. Bread and Cheese Sticks

Bread sticks are a little plain, and I don't like to serve bread sticks and crackers. I find it a little redundant, but it's still good to have on hand. And yummy with creamy tomato soup in your flannel pajamas. I prefer cheese sticks because they have more flavor. But being Asian, I know a lot of people who are lactose intolerant. That's also something to consider.

6. Bruschetta

These Italian treats go deliciously with a simple assembly of yogurt parfait (yogurt and berries or other fruits). You can also serve it with ice cream, if you'd like. They're great for brunch or late night visits.

7. Box of Chocolates

Delectable treats that come in a beautiful package are a great treat worth enjoying. Serve it with warm almond milk.

8. Champagne

It's not a bad idea to have champagne around. It'll keep your guests from complaining about not eating. Depending on the time of year, you can add cranberries for a festive look.

Easy Cookware Cleaning

While I'm washing my plates, bowls, cups, and flatware, I usually squirt a little dish detergent and fill the cookware with water. Transfer it to a heated stove, and bring it to a boil. It'll efficiently degrease the cookware surface and make clean up easy. This is recommended for cookware with a long handle. I had to learn the hard way that using this method for a Dutch oven wasn't the best idea because I have to wait until the pot cools down. For cookware without handles, I squirt dish detergent and fill it with very hot water. You can even pour boiled water from your teakettle, just as long as it doesn't heat the entire cookware.

How to Tell If Your Eggs are Fresh or Expired

Place the egg in a pan of cold water. If it sits on its side, the egg is still fresh. If, however, it tilts on an angle, it's past its prime by about three to four days. If the egg stands upright, it's approximately ten days old. If the egg floats to the top, it's really, really old.

Bedroom Colors

To promote a restful sleep environment, select relaxing colors such as soft blues, violets, and gentle greens. Stimulating colors such as yellow, oranges, and reds will have a disruptive effect on your well-being.

How to Stay Cool

In the dead of heat, strip down to a spaghetti strap top and short shorts. Pull your hair up. Replenish yourself regularly to cool your body temperature. Eat light foods, as digestion uses a lot of energy and burns your body up. Try using a Japanese sandalwood fan, which has a light and refreshing scent. Rather than turning on the AC, consider buying a small fan focused on one area. It'll more efficiently cool the place down. Stick to sandwiches, salads, fruits, and stay away from oven cooking.

3-in-1 Product: Baby Shampoo

This is every typical girl's best friend. It's shampoo, makeup brush cleaner, and lingerie washing detergent. Use it as a clarifying shampoo because it's not pumped with massive chemicals, which is why it's gentle enough to clean your makeup brushes and delicates.