Neon dolphins leaping to the sky, rainbow-hued unicorns frolicking and the cutest little leopards you ever did see. If the previous sentence reminded you of Lisa Frank and you suddenly started missing the design icon of the ’90s, you’re in luck. Now you can show your Lisa Frank love with the newest collection from ORLY, featuring a dazzling range of wraps and polish!
Your nails are in for a real treat. To get started, snag one of the two polish trios that come in collectible packaging. Choose your combo of Dancing Dolphins (magenta, yellow and orange) or Markie (cyan, purple and lime) for the ultimate 90’s vibe.
Of course, those hands need some extra pizazz. Fortunately you can also buy two new topcoats, Hits the Spot or Star Glaze. The former packs colorful confetti and the latter promises a glittery shine, perfect for layering on top of your neon nails.
Last but certainly not least, check out these nail wraps! Choose from unicorns, aliens, baby leopards or tigers, all in fantastic neon colorways. They’re non-damaging adhesive and safe for natural nails. At only $11.99 each, you might want to buy them all!
Your mani will definitely be the talk of the next book club or school drop off. All thanks to this nostalgic new collection from ORLY!
If you are tired of buying toxic chemicals to clean your home, you can easily DIY homemade cleaners using the recipes below.
Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Bathroom
1. DIY Hand Soap
With the current pandemic raising havoc worldwide, I always do everything humanly possible to keep my kids safe. This means preparing an effective and non-toxic hand soap for them to use every day when they come home from school or after using the toilet.
For non-toxic hand soap, you need to fill 25% of the soap dispenser with liquid or grated castile soap and then top it up with water. Mix it well and place it in the bathroom for everyone to use after visiting the toilet or getting home.
2. Disinfectant
Despite being where we clean our bodies, the bathroom floors are prone to bacteria infestations; therefore, Eco Peanut recommends that you disinfect them regularly. And being an environmentally conscious parent, you can prepare a simple yet effective disinfectant for your floor using simple ingredients like lime, lemon, lime peels and white vinegar. Mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, lime peels, juice of one lime and juice of one lemon and 0.24 liters of water. Mix this well and spray it on the bathroom floor and then rinse it after a few minutes.
3. DIY Toilet Cleaner
For the toilet, I have two solutions (heavy-duty and mellow cleaners) that I prepare for specific types of cleaning. The mellow cleaner keeps the toilet clean daily, while the heavy-duty formula helps with stain removal.
4. Mellow Cleaner Recipe for Toilets
To prepare this mellow toilet cleaner, you need to mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, half a cup of baking soda, and one and a half teaspoons of tea tree essential oil, lavender, grapefruit or orange essential oils. Mix it well before cleaning your toilet. This DIY toilet cleaner will leave your toilet clean and smelling nice.
5. Heavy-Duty Cleaner Recipe for Toilets
For a heavy-duty cleaner, you should mix 0.24 liters of white vinegar, ¾ cup of baking soda, five drops of lemon essential oils and 10 drops of lavender essential oils. Mix them well before scrubbing your toilet.
6. DIY Shower & Tub Cleaner
For the tub and shower, I also have two unique recipes that I use, one is for heavy-duty cleaning, and the other is for mellow cleaning.
Mellow Cleaning Recipe for Tubs & Showers: I always spray some white vinegar on the shower’s surfaces or the tub for mellow cleaning and let it sit for about half an hour before rinsing it.
Heavy-Duty Cleaning Recipe for Tubs & Showers: For deep cleaning, I mix half a cup of salt, washing soda, a cup of baking soda and five drops of lemon. Mix the mixture well and then sprinkle it on a damp floor and leave it for about 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing the floor.
Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Kitchen
7. DIY Clogged Sink Drain Cleaner
For clogged pipes, I have a simple yet effective formula that I learned from my grandmother. To unclog the sink drain, I always pour eight tablespoons of salt and eight tablespoons of baking soda down the drain. And then top it up with some water and let it sit for about three hours.
When dealing with a grim-clogging situation, I always leave the mixture in the drain overnight. And then repeat this process twice to clear the drain.
8. DIY Dishwasher Detergent
A huge percentage of dishwashing detergents have fragrances that trigger allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. So if any member of your family has allergies, you should try a DIY dishwasher detergent. Mix 0.24 liters of water with liquid castile soap and then add it to the first detergent compartment. Fill the other compartment with four teaspoons of lime or lemon juice and white vinegar.
9. DIY Countertop Cleaner
Instead of wasting a lot of cash on a branded cleaner with toxic chemicals, you can mix water and vinegar. If your countertops are not made from stone, granite or marble, then you can create a mixture containing one part water and one part vinegar and put it all in a spray bottle.
But for marble, granite and stone surface, you should mix 0.36 liters of water, 0.12 liters of rubbing alcohol, half a teaspoon of liquid castile soap and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake the mixture well and rub it gently on the surfaces using a cotton cloth.
Non-Toxic Cleaners for the Rest of the House
10. DIY Furniture Polish
For non-wood furniture, I mix 0.18 liters of olive oil with 0.6 liters of vinegar and apply the mixture to the furniture. This all-purpose cleaner works perfectly with a wide range of materials except for wooden surfaces.
For wooden surfaces, you need 0.96 liters of hot water, three teaspoons of white vinegar and six teaspoons of olive oil. Apply this mixture to wood surfaces and wipe gently using a cotton cloth.
11. DIY Floor Cleaner
For my floor, all I need is a mixture of warm water and three teaspoons of washing soda and I am good to go. After cleaning the floors, I always apply a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil in certain parts of the house and then rub it to create a shiny thin coat.
12. DIY Mirror & Window Cleaner
For my windows, I mix 5 parts water, 1 part white vinegar, squeeze some juice from half a lemon and some lemon peels in my spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before washing all the windows and mirrors in the house. You can spread the mixture all over the window using a cotton cloth or sponge.
Pass the slime! Bring out your inner child (and delight your own kids) with the new Sour Berry Slime topping from Baskin-Robbins. Yes, it looks like green slime and yes, you can put it on any scoop or shake.
For slime times in June, just ask to add it to your ice cream for 99 cents, or take a bottle of slime home for $6.99! You can also grab the Flavor of the Month, Summertime Lime, with tart candy flavors to combat the hottest days. It might look questionable, but it’s delicious!
“Baskin-Robbins is bringing out the kid in all of us this summer with the introduction of delicious and edible Sour Berry Slime, paired with the ultimate, tangy Summertime Lime Flavor of the Month, perfect for any hot summer day,” said Shannon Blakely, Vice President of Marketing & Culinary, Baskin-Robbins.
If you’re a kid of the ’90s you’re likely thinking of Figure It Out on Nickelodeon right about now. No word on whether Baskin-Robbins slime is pourable enough to recreate that game show moment, but no judgment if you decide to find out.
Getting kids involved in growing their own fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to also get them to EAT those fruits and vegetables! But convincing kids that gardening isn’t just a chore you’re forcing them to do is another challenge entirely. One of the key strategies you can use to get kids excited about growing their own produce is choosing ones that will capture their attention.
There are four criteria you can use to help your kids choose fruits and vegetables that get them excited:
1. Quick Reward: Focus on produce that grow fairly quickly and will be ready to pick sooner rather than later
2. Kid-Friendly Picking: Focus on food that kids can pick and eat right off the plant, without too much work
3. Yummy Flavor: Choose fruits and veggies that your kids actually like to eat, or might learn to enjoy without too much fuss
4. Unique or Unusual Appearances: Choose produce that look so freaky or funny your kids can’t help but be curious
Another key to choosing which plant to grow—let them be a part of it! The more ownership your child feels over the process of picking and planting produce, the more likely they are to get invested. This is where resisting the urge to correct them or steer their decisions is going to be key. Give them some guidelines about how much space they have, how many plants will fit, and how much money they are allowed to spend. If it helps, give them some choices based on our guidance by telling them a bit about their options.
Great Produce Choices for Kids:
Cucumbers: First, cucumber seeds are recognizable right away because they look exactly like, well, cucumber seeds. Your kid will get a kick out of the fact that they recognize these seeds from when they are eating cucumbers. In addition, cucumbers are one of the fastest seeds to sprout, and they come up with determination. I am always pleasantly surprised to plant cucumbers and come back to seedlings popping up within just a few days. And lastly, cucumbers are often a favorite in kids’ vegetable choices. Consider a small snacking variety that will be ready sooner, and allows your kids to simply pick them off the vine and eat them like apples. They’ll feel like they’re doing something sneaky!
Cherry Tomatoes: There is no better vegetable to grow for snacking right off the vine than cherry tomatoes. The fun thing about this veggie is that they come in way more varieties than you’ll see at a grocery store. And, if you buy a cherry tomato seedling it will be one of the first tomato plants to produce edible fruit. Try a fun sweet variety like Sungold, or go for something dramatic like black cherry. Allow kids to plan their own cherry tomato, choose a cage to support it, and—when ready—eat to their heart’s content without making them collect or save them.
Watermelon: A little bit harder to grow because they need more space, watermelon is still a fun option to try because it makes for a more dramatic result. For quicker satisfaction go for a mini watermelon variety that will be ready a bit sooner, and buy a nice healthy start so that they aren’t waiting for something to start from seed. For best results, look for something seedless or with minimal seeds so that kids aren’t frustrated with seedy flesh. For something a bit more fun and unusual, go for the cucamelon—a fruit that looks like a tiny watermelon and tastes like a cucumber with a hint of lime. They’re tiny bite-sized fruit that kids can pop in their mouths and enjoy while walking through the garden.
Yard Long Beans: In the category of fun and unusual nothing quite beats the yard-long green bean. They grow on vines that will crawl up a trellis and, when ready, can be up to 12 inches long. Cook them without cutting them so kids can eat them with their fingers and have a little playtime at the dinner table! For added fun, plant any type of green bean on a vertical bean tower—you can literally grow the walls of a fort for the kids to play in!
Decorative Gourds: Another fun one in the looks category are decorative gourds. Basically, like a little pumpkin or squash that has all sorts of bumps and warts, these gourds aren’t usually edible but they are a fun addition to the garden and can be used to decorate at Halloween or Thanksgiving. There are a ton of varieties, or mixed blends of seeds to add diversity to the results.
No matter what you grow, the important thing is to give your child a section of the garden, let them make some choices and gently guide them toward success. Remind them to water and weed when needed so that they don’t lose their veggies entirely, but try not to do it for them.
Carrie Williams Howe is the Executive Director of an educational non-profit by day, and parent, writer, and aspiring homesteader by night and weekend. She lives in Williston, VT with her husband, two young children, and a rambunctious border collie. Carrie writes about family, food, parenting, and homesteading.
Summer vacation is still a few weeks away but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the flavors of the season. Krispy Kreme has just launched their new collection and it’s available now.
Starting today, May 17, the Island Time Collection is available at participating locations in three tropical flavors. Not only do the flavors bring you to a summer state of mind, but the beachy toppings will have you craving a day at the shore, too.
photo: Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
The three flavors include:
Pina Colada Doughnut: An Original Glazed® doughnut filled with Pina Colada-flavored Kreme, dipped in a Pina Colada-flavored icing, sprinkled with toasted coconut shreds and topped with a candied cherry.
Island Time Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut filled with classic Kreme, dipped in light blue icing and graham crumbs to resemble an Island, and topped with a palm tree.
Key Lime Pie Doughnut: A doughnut filled with Key Lime Kreme, dipped in lime green icing, topped with graham crumbs and a Kreme dollop.
Not only will guests be able to enjoy the Island Times Key Lime Pie Doughnut option, but they’ll also be able to sink their teeth into the Key Lime Glazed Doughnut on Key Lime Fridays. May 21 and 28th, Krispy Kreme will offer both lime sweets for diehard citrus lovers.
The collection is only available for a limited time, so head to a Krispy Kreme near you.
The air fryer is our new favorite appliance to play with, making everything from chicken wings to Brussels sprouts. But it’s not just for savory dishes—say hello to air fryer donuts! We’ve rounded up 10 awesome donut recipes made for the air fryer, from the quick and easy canned biscuit variety to more involved raised donuts. Scroll down to see them all.
With a texture somewhere between a croissant and a donut, this recipe from Fork to Spoon is bound to be an instant favorite. Thanks to the lightning-fast cook time, they may even be quicker than running to the donut shop, too. Click here to get the recipe.
Maple bacon is one of our go-to donut orders—you can’t beat that salty/sweet combination! Now you can whip up a batch at home in the air fryer, thanks to Peanut Butter & Fitness. To get the recipe, click here.
Pretend you’re on an island vacation with these tasty coconut lime donuts from EmilyFabulous. They’re made with canned biscuits and a quick glaze, making them the perfect simple and sweet treat. Click here to get the recipe.
If you’d like to take on a weekend cooking project, this masterpiece by Mary’s Test Kitchen is just the ticket. It’s a labor of love with vegan pastry cream, yeasted dough and a simple chocolate glaze. Click here to get all the details on how it’s done.
Try out this fun fall-inspired take on donuts from Bottom Left of the Mitten. The donuts are coated in a delicious mixture of cinnamon, sugar and pumpkin spice. To grab the recipe, click here.
Your kiddo’s favorite sandwich, now in donut form! This recipe from Hungry Couple is sure to be a hit, with plenty of jelly filling and a drool-worthy peanut butter glaze. Click here to get the recipe.
These donuts from Plated Cravings are just as good as the real thing, with a soft and fluffy interior. They take a little bit of patience since they’re made with yeast, but they’ll be well worth the time. Get the recipe by clicking here.
If you’re an apple fritter fan, you’ve got to make this amazing version from Rachel Cooks. They’re filled with apple chunks and cider, and an apple cider glaze gives it an extra touch of fall flavor. To get the recipe, click here.
Don’t want a whole baker’s dozen? This recipe from Unconformed Kitchen makes just a single donut (but of course, you can double, triple or quadruple it as needed). Click here to get the recipe.
You can’t go wrong with a classic jelly donut! This recipe from Everyday Family Cooking is super easy to pull off with a cake piping tip and your favorite raspberry jelly. To get all the details, click here.
We always end up with extra marshmallow bunnies and chicks around Easter, so why not put them to good use? We’ve gathered up a bunch of ideas—everything from hot chocolate to a science experiment. Keep reading to find out the best ways to use up those PEEPS before they go stale.
1. Jimbo Pants PEEPS®
PEEPS®
Peeps dipped in chocolate and sprinkles? Yes, please! Give those extra bunnies a gourmet upgrade with this easy recipe from Master Chef JR judge, chef, author and founder of Milk Bar, Cristina Tosi.
How cute are these swimming PEEPS from The First Year? Plus they’re super easy to make using Jell-O, Cool Whip and a dash of food coloring—your kids can help out throughout the process.
We love Shared Appetite’s idea of turning PEEPS into a pretty pastel-colored milkshake. Sure, it’ll give your kids a major sugar rush, but Easter only comes around once a year, after all! Click here to get the recipe.
Send your PEEPS on a garden adventure with this clever dessert idea from Chic ‘n Savvy. Kids can even decorate the pudding cups themselves with Oreo “dirt” and candy “carrots.” To get all the details, click here.
You won’t need to restock the pantry with marshmallows after Easter. Making brightly colored s’mores with PEEPS is much easier than you might think and the sugary crunch adds a little something special. Click here to check out the quick how-to from Eclectic Recipes.
Now you can squish these PEEPS to your heart’s content without the sticky aftermath. Still Playing School’s fabulously fun recipe repurposes those PEEPS into safe edible play dough for mouthy tots.
If your little ones love crafting gingerbread houses during the holidays, then they’ll have a blast making a sweet birdhouse for your leftover PEEPS , too, like these from Kitchen Trials. Using coconut, melted chocolate and candies, the decoration options are endless.
What happens when you microwave a PEEP? This experiment is perfect for inquisitive scientists who love to collect data down to the last decimal. Click here to check out the procedure over at Lemon Lime Adventures.
This delicious popcorn from Grain Changer is the ultimate springtime treat. Drizzled with white chocolate and melty PEEPS , chances are it’ll disappear in no time.
You’ve been through every PEEPS project, and you still have more left over (that’s the nature of PEEPS). Use what you have left to make the most vibrant wreath anyone has ever seen. Head over to craft blog Tried and True for the instructions.
We love this idea that's all over Instagram where you use leftover PEEPS to create fun dioramas. Use PEEPS to recreate a scene from a favorite movie or an important event in history!
Take some inspiration from Two Sisters Crafting to repurpose your PEEPS (and other leftover candy) into a unique seasonal centerpiece. Grab artificial blooms from your local craft store and get creative.
We’re suckers for fudge, and this genius recipe from Crafty Cooking Mama is bound to be an instant favorite. It’s super simple—just melt a few ingredients together in the microwave and then refrigerate it for a few hours. You’ll be blown away by how delicious it turns out.
Create your own homemade minute to win it game! Inspired by family fun blog Not Consumed, see how high you can stack your PEEPS in an allotted amount of time. Winner takes all the PEEPS!
Don't let the bright colors make you forget that PEEPS are really just cute marshmallows. What better way to enjoy the fluffy goodness than by adding them to a mug of hot chocolate?
We love this oh-so-colorful way to use up PEEPS by making them into Rice Krispy treats. Just use them as you would marshmallows in your favorite recipe, separating colors to make a rainbow!
By now, most everyone is familiar with conversation hearts. After all, they’re the go-to treat for Valentine’s Day.
This year, Brach’s is changing up the game with its new Wisecracks “End The Conversation” Hearts. Instead of loving sentiments like “BE MINE” and “XOXO,” this little bag of goodies is packed with snide comments like “DREAM ON,” “YEAH RIGHT” and “FRND ZONE.”
photo: Courtesy of Brach’s
The new treats may be salty, but their flavors aren’t. You can snack on flavors that include Wintergreen, Lemon-lime, Orange, Banana, Cherry and Grape.
If the ice cream truck has taken a break for the winter, have no fear. The freezer aisle just got sweeter and a lot more fun. The iconic Popsicle brand just released its newest treats for 2021 and they are now available at a grocery store near you.
Popsicle has created new colorful and delicious products that will inspire imaginative play for parents and kids alike – Popsicles Mango, Strawberry and Vanilla Swirl Fruit Twisters and fan-favorite Minions and Spider-Man Popsicles.
The New Popsicle Fruit Twisters with Mango, Strawberry and Vanilla are made with real fruit and milk. The pops feature mango puree and nonfat milk twirled around a frozen strawberry core. Popsicle Fruit Twisters are agood source of Vitamin C, contain 10g of sugar and 70 calories per pop, and made with colors and flavors from natural sources. A pack of six retails for $4.49.
Minions Popsicles feature a despicably delicious combination of fruity strawberry, banana and tart blue raspberry. Spiderman Popsicles feature the irresistibly delicious fruity flavor of strawberry, blue raspberry and lime. Made with colors and flavors from natural sources they are a perfect treat for the whole family. This frozen treat is 70 –80 calories with under 10 grams of sugar per pop. A pack of six retails for $4.49.
Congratulations are in order. Nicki Minaj is pregnant. The rapper shared on Instagram that she is expecting her first child with husband Kenneth Perry.
Minaj shared a series of glam snapshots showing off her baby bump.
“#Preggers 💛,” she captioned the first image of her wearing an intricately designed bikini and rocking a curly, bright yellow hairstyle while cradling her baby bump.
In the second picture, while done up in white knee high stockings and a bright blue bun adorned with a lime green bow, Minaj teases us with a gender prediction, “I keep seeing both blue and pink…🧐❤️”
The third photo shows Minaj in the same outfit as the first while lounging on a pink couch, “Love. Marriage. Baby carriage. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude. Thank you all for the well wishes. 💛”
