DIY

Salted Burnt Caramel Coffee Syrup

- Amanda

Aside from the obvious, pulling-at-my-heartstrings kind of stuff that I’m really missing during lockdown, one that is still close to my heart but I think I can (possibly) live without for the duration of all this is my beloved Starby’s (as my littles like to say.) I know, the famous coffee chain is a love it or hate it type of thing for many people. I’m definitely in the former category. But not just because their coffee. I used to not even like the flavor of it unless it was masked in one of their fun seasonal offerings like the eggnog latte, psl (pumpkin spice latte) or the cinnamon dolce (a fav of my mom & dad’s.) But now, besides having a favorite drink amongst every rotation, while living in Istanbul, it has become so much more than that.

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3 Ingredient Homemade Paint

- Amanda

What do you do when you’re quarantined at home and want to do some painting but don’t have the paints or the colors you need. Cry? No. That wouldn’t do anyone any good. You can do better and make some if you have a few pantry staples. Not gonna lie, this was my first time taking on this endeavor. And it took a few tries for us to be happy with the results. So in case you saw the previous post and want to paint your ornaments or some other fun craft this week, this paint will work great. If you’re cursing at me through your computer right now because you don’t have flour, then I am deeply sorry. So far (fingers crossed) we can still get it here in Istanbul. Buuuut, I am happy to report, there is this recipe for Watercolor Paint without flour that we haven’t tried but I’m sure we will very soon.

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Posted in DIY

Salt Dough Easter Egg Ornaments

- Amanda

This week my little crew and I are working hard to bring the brightness of Easter into our apartment. Spring is here, but it definitely doesn’t feel like it. And by that I mean, look like it from behind our windows. We’ve been having cold and gloomy days with crazy winds lately. Which I guess is somewhat of a good thing as it has made it a little easier to stay inside. The kids have not been outside in 18 days. And myself just once for a quick market-run. (If you have a backyard, we definitely envy you.)

But, luckily with the help of the world-wide web and our love for all things crafty, we have been able to fill our time (between school work and brother and sister hair-pulling shenanigans) with lots of colorful fun. And as a result, have brought some sunshine into our home.

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Posted in DIY