Stoney Balogney

Your Best At Home Manicure

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:03:40 -0600

As nice as it is to go to the salon and get your nails done, it is not always in the budget. Here is an easy step-by-step process that allows you to treat yourself to a spa quality manicure.

1. File Your Nails

Make sure they are completely dry (filing wet nails can cause splitting). Rounded nails (mirroring the shape of your cuticle) that extend just over the edge of the fingertip always look elegant.

2. Soak Your Nails

Apply a rich hand cream. Then, soak your nails in warm, soapy water for five minutes to soften the cuticles.

3. Push Back Your Cuticles

Push back your cuticles with a wet nail stone. If you have a hangnail, trim it; otherwise, don’t clip cuticles (they protect nails from infection).

4. Apply a Basecoat

It helps the color go on smoothly and last longer. Try OPI Natural Nail Base Coat. Or, if your nails have ridges, Essie Ridge Filling Base Coat.

5. Brush On Two Coats Of Color

Brush on two thin coats of color, waiting a couple of minutes after each hand. Use three strokes on each nail—on either side of the nail, then a swipe of color across the tip to prevent chips.

6. Apply a Top Coat

Singleton likes CND Air Dry, which helps cut drying time. Don’t forget to swipe the top coat across the top of each nail as well, as you did with the color.

7. Clean Up Any Smudges

Clean up any color outside the edges of your nails with an orange stick wrapped in a thin layer of cotton and dipped in polish remover.

After

Tip: Not ambidextrous? Join the club. To minimize slipups, paint your dominant hand first (it’s even trickier to use your nondominant hand when the nails are wet with polish) and always move from your pinkie to your thumb (which tends to rotate inward as you go and could get smudged).

Friendship Bracelet

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:52:01 -0600

Thanks Em for my crafty friendship bracelet!

50/50 Creamsicle Shot

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:40:12 -0600

So this past weekend, I went back home to celebrate my mom’s 50th birthday. It was a great party, with lots of food, family and friends all having a great time. She also had a themed drink called a 50/50.

Recipe:

1 oz Vanilla Vodka

1 oz Orange Soda

Splash of Grand Marnier

Whip Cream

Place Vodka, orange soda, and Grand Marnier in a shaker, and shake. Pour into shot glass, and top with whip cream.

This is me and my Aunt Debbie enjoying one at my moms party!

Photo

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:35:02 -0600

i’m a firm believer.

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:48:27 -0600

i’m a firm believer.

Denver Zoo

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:43:21 -0600

It was my roommates 21st b-day about a week ago. After a delicious breakfast at SNOOZE in Boulder, and a few mimosas, we headed to Denver and spent the afternoon at the Zoo. It was such a beautiful day! We had so much fun just moseying around looking at all the animals.

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:37:31 -0600

The perfect afternoon snack with a new twist!

4 slices of bread
butter or margarine
4 slices of mozzarella cheese
pepperoni (I used reg and cut in half but mini size would be good too)
Italian seasoning or basil
Parmesan cheese (opt)
pizza sauce for dipping

Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat. Butter each piece of bread on one side. When skillet is hot place a piece of bread butter side down on the skillet then add one slice of cheese and small shake of Italian seasoning or basil (add a small shake of parmesan cheese here too if desired). Top with a desired amount of pepperonis (I used about 8 -10 whole regular pepperonis per sandwich) If any other toppings are desired, add now. Add another slice of mozzarella and top with slice bread butter side up. Repeat with second sandwich. When bottom slice is golden brown then flip over carefully. Once both sides are brown remove from pan cut and serve with pizza sauce if desired. Make 2 sandwiches

Corona-ritas

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:07:23 -0600

Thought I’d post a simple and delicious drink recipe for spring break!

Corona-Ritas

In a pitcher, combine equal parts (use the limeade can to measure):

Frozen limeade concentrate
water
Sprite
tequila

add one Corona

Stir, serve, and be careful, ’cause these guys go down waaaay too easy!

Photo

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:59:35 -0600

Strawberry Shortcake Spring Break

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:54:13 -0600

So while my roommates are in London and Vegas, I am at home baking for spring break :)

I was at home yesterday afternoon when I got the urge to whip something up. So I went to the trusted bisquick box and made some strawberry shortcake.

Ingredients:

4 cups of freshly sliced strawberries1/2 cup of sugar (I used brown sugar here)2 1/3 cup of bisquick1/2 cup of milk3 tbsp sugar (and granulated sugar here)3 tbsp butter (melted)

Directions:

Mix strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar; set aside. Heat oven to 425 F.
Stir Bisquick mix, milk, 3 Tbsp sugar and the butter until a soft dough forms. Drop by 6 spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10-12 min or until golden brown. split warm shortcakes; fill and top with strawberries and whipped topping.

This honestly tastes like a gourmet dessert perfect for summer, and takes less that 30 min to assemble. Hope you enjoy!

A little late… But I got a little crazy with the food...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:20:10 -0600

A little late… But I got a little crazy with the food coloring this St Patricks day! I made green eggs, bacon, green pancakes and some green lemonade to top it off. This is a tradition my mom started when we were young kids to get us excited about St Patricks day! It’s been a while since I’ve been home for the holiday, so I did it for me and my roommates this year!
…sometimes it’s fun to relive childhood memories! It has a way of reminding of us to celebrate the simple things.

"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. Harriet Van Horne"

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:17:17 -0600

“

Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.

Harriet Van Horne

”

DIY Hair Color Booster

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:15:36 -0600

I found this great DIY hair mask to help boost your hair color on pinterest (my new obsession and time waster). It is right in time for summer when most of our hair color needs a kickstart! I can’t wait to try this to boost my blonde hair and lighten it for a brighter an more vibrant summer look!

Brunettes
Cocoa makes for a deeper, richer brown.

What You Need:
1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon apple-cider vinegar

What To Do:
Whisk ingredients into a paste. Shampoo hair, squeeze out the water, and apply the mask. Keep it on for 2 to 3 minutes. Drape a towel around your neck to prevent the mask from dripping, as it may stain skin temporarily. Rinse, then style as usual.

How It Works:
Honey moisturizes while acids in the yogurt (lactic) and vinegar (acetic) penetrate the hair shaft, allowing the cocoa’s pigment to sink in. “Natural acids open the cellular doors to the pigmented molecules and make the results more pronounced,” Gabriel says.

Blondes
Tea, lemon, and potato enhance sunny shades.

What You Need:
1 lemon, 1 raw potato, 1/2 cup chamomile tea, room temperature

What To Do:
Squeeze the juice from the lemon. Grate the potato and blend with the lemon to form a paste. Add the tea and stir. Shampoo, then spread the mask throughout hair, massaging lightly. Cover your head with a PVC-free shower cap or plastic wrap, then lightly heat with a hair dryer for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse, then style as usual.

How It Works:
The chamomile and lemon act as whitening agents, and the acidic lemon juice allows potato enzymes — which help brighten blonde hair — to break through the tough, keratinized outer layer of the hair.

Redheads
Carrots and berries boost red locks.

What You Need:
3 medium carrots, 2 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons yogurt, 1/2 cup cranberries (optional; works best with copper undertones)

What To Do:
Finely chop raw carrots in a food processor or blender, add cranberries if using, and make a coarse paste. Add yogurt and honey, then mix well. Shampoo, then spread the mask throughout hair, massaging lightly. Keep it on for 1 to 2 minutes and rinse. Style as usual.

How It Works:
The yogurt’s lactic acid helps the coloring antioxidants in the berries and carrots get past the surface of your locks — so they really seep in. Honey, a natural humectant, hydrates the hair.

DIY Microdermabrasion

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:19:06 -0600

This is a great and easy way to exfoliate skin with items you can always find in your kitchen.

Mix 3 parts water and 1 part baking soda into a paste.

Apply in a circular motion.

Rinse.

It is that easy, and it really works! I put moisturizing lotion on right after to fight the dry Colorado air. My face feels soft as a baby’s bottom!

Chicken Tortilla Soup (Crock-pot style!)

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:14:27 -0600

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

I usually work nights on the weekend and its hard to cook dinner after I get home. I love this recipe because I can throw it in the crockpot in the morning and enjoy it later! It also makes the house smell great :)

Ingredients:

4 chicken breast halves

2 15oz cans of black beans

2 15oz cans of Rotel tomatoes

1 cup of salsa (I use hot, but you can choose whichever you like!)

4oz can chopped green chiles

14oz can of tomatoe sauce

1 15oz can or kernel corn (optional)

Tortilla Chips

Grated Cheese

1. Combine all ingredients, except chips and cheese, in slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on low for 8hrs

3. Just before serving, remove chicken breasts and cut into bite size pieces. The chicken will be tender and should shred.

4. To serve, put a handful of chips at the bottom of the bowl and ladle soup over. Top with cheese.

Enjoy!!

Don't forget to follow me on twitter and pinterest!

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:01:34 -0700

@jesskwheeler

This is a must try recipe!! So easy and ingredients you already...

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:59:16 -0700

This is a must try recipe!! So easy and ingredients you already have in your pantry!

Let me know what you think :)

Sticky Buns

2 small tubes refrigerator buttermilk biscuits OR 1 tube Pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits

3 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/2 C. pancake syrup (any brand you like, I used Mrs. Buttersworth)

1/3 C. packed light brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 C. chopped pecans, optional

1/4 C. chopped almonds, optional

Instructions:

Spray a 8x8 pan (could use a larger pan to double the recipe or also try a fluted bundt cake pan!) with non-stick spray. Combine the melted butter and syrup in a small bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if desired). Place about half of the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top. Lay the biscuits on the bottom of the pan, overlapping edges (closely together). Top with remaining syrup and sugar mixtures. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1 minute in the pan, then invert onto a serving platter and enjoy!