Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Mousse (serves 12)

This chocolate mousse recipe is simply delicious and it’s a great dessert choice because all the preparation is done ahead of time, so you can spend more time chatting to friends and less time stressing out in the kitchen!

Ingredients:

300g milk chocolate, chopped
3 eggs at room temp, separated
2 tbsp castor sugar
1 cup thickened cream
1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts, chopped
grated dark chocolate

Method:

1. Place milk chocolate in a large, heatproof, microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave, uncovered, on medium (50%) for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds with a metal spoon until melted.
3. Set aside for five minutes to cool slightly.
4. Add the egg yolks to the chocolate and stir until well combined.
5. Using an electric hand beater, beat the egg whites in a bowl until soft peaks form.
6. Sprinkle sugar over the egg whites.
7. Beat until thick and glossy.
8. Using a large metal spoon, fold half the egg white mixture into chocolate mixture until combined.
9. Gently fold in remaining egg white mixture.
10. Whip the cream until soft peaks form.
11. Fold cream and hazelnuts into chocolate mixture until combined.
12. Spoon mixture into twelve 1/3-cup capacity glasses.
13. Place on a tray and cover with plastic wrap.
14. Refrigerate for four hours or until firm.
15. Top with grated chocolate just before serving.

http://www.justeasyrecipes.co.za/2009/08/26/chocolate-mousse/

What Makes People Click?

The Route To Happiness - An Example

Basic/Fundamental Needs:

• Physiological Needs – Food, drink, oxygen, temperature regulation, elimination, rest, activity, sex.

• Safety Needs – Protection from potentially dangerous objects or situations, e.g. the elements, physical illness. The threat to both physical and psychological.

If people can’t pass this point, how can they achieve this?…

• Love and Belongingness – receiving and giving love, affection trust and acceptance. Affiliating, being part of a group (friends, work, family).

Without love and belongingness how can people achieve…

• Esteem Needs – The esteem and respect of others and self-esteem and self-respect – a sense, therefore, of competence.

Without feelings of worth, competence and confidence, how can people reach the next level?

• Cognitive Needs – Knowledge and understanding, curiosity, exploration, need for meaning and predictability.

If cognitive needs are not met or achieved…. This cannot be met:

• Aesthetic Needs – Beauty – in art and nature – symmetry, balance, order, form.

So without feeling comfortable to explore the beauty of life and a sense of balance… this cannot be achieved…

• Self Actualisation – Realizing your full potential, “becoming everything one is capable of becoming’ – to be the best that you can be. **Happiness**

http://hubpages.com/hub/Psychology-101-What-Makes-People-Happy

Condensed Milk make your own at home

If you catch yourself in the middle of preparing a recipe and find the can of sweetened condensed milk you thought you had--has vanished into thin air--don't fret, you'll find this is a very good substitute for the canned variety. It's also easy on the pocketbook!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 cup boiling water

1 cup nonfat dry milk

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

1. Place all ingredients in the container of an electric blender in the order given; process on medium-low speed for 2 minutes.
2. Allow to cool to room temperature before using in a recipe or store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Makes 1 1/4 cups or the equivalent of 1 (14-ounce) can.

Luminous Butterfly Top

Want your girlfriend’s boobs to look like a luminous butterfly?
So does French design house Lumigram. Meet the Lumitop bra. It will illicit responses like “I’m up here!” as it seems to hypnotize you not with what lay behind it for once, but with it’s bright luminescent shine. Because there’s nothing sexier then a futuristic, luminescent babe right?
The bras are part of Lumigram’s new collection – light for style. It’s powered by 1.5V replaceable batteries, which will cause boob-shine for more than 12 hours and sports a small on/off switch. Current pricing is from 100 to 170 Euros. If I may, in my current state of euphoria, paraphrase from a Neil Diamond song. “Turn on your bra-light. Let it shine wherever you go. Let it make a happy glow, for all the world to see…”

http://www.slipperybrick.com/2008/08/lumitop-bras-highlight-what-youre-already-looking-at/

KNITTED SLIPPERS

MATERIALS

• Patons® Classic Wool (100 g / 3.5 oz)
• Main Color (MC) (00230 Bright Red)
• Medium or Large 2 balls
• Contrast A (00220 Bottle Green)
• Medium or Large 1 ball
• Size 5.5 mm (U.S. 9) knitting needles or size needed to obtain tension.

SIZES
To fit foot length
Medium 9 ins [ 23 cm ]
Large 10 ins [ 25.5 cm ]

TENSION
15 sts and 20 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with 5.5 mm needles and 2 strands of yarn in stocking st.

STITCH GLOSSARY
Yb = Bring yarn to back of work.
Yf = Bring yarn to front of work.
Sl1P = Slip next stitch purlwise.

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smaller size. If changes are necessary for larger size the instructions will be written thus ( ). When only one number is given, it applies to both sizes. For ease in working, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.

SOLE (make 4).
With 2 strands of MC and larger needles beg at heel, cast on 7 (9) sts.
1st row: (RS). K1. (yf. Sl1P. yb. K1) 3 times.
2nd row: (P1. K1) in first st. Purl to last 2 sts. (P1. K1) in next st. P1. 9 (11) sts.
3rd row: K1. (yf. Sl1P. yb. K1) 4 (5) times.
4th row: Purl.
5th row: K2. (yf. Sl1P. yb. K1) 3 (4) times. K1.
6th row: (P1. K1) in first st. Purl to last 2 sts. (P1. K1) in next st. P1. 11 (13) sts.
7th row: K2. (yf. Sl1P. yb. K1) 4 (5) times. K1.
8th row: Purl.
9th row: K1. (yf. Sl1P. yb. K1) 5 (6) times. K1.
10th row: Purl.
Rep 7th to 10th rows of Linen St Pat until work from beg measures 4½ ins [11.5 cm], ending with RS row.
Next row: (WS). (P1. K1) in first st. Purl to last 2 sts. (P1. K1) in next st. P1. 13 (15) sts.
Pat 5 rows even.
Next row: (P1. K1) in first st. Purl to last 2 sts. (P1. K1) in next st. P1. 15 (17) sts.
Cont in pat even until work from beg measures 8½ (9½) ins [21.5 (24) cm], ending with a WS row.
Next row: (RS). Sl1. K1. psso. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog.
Next row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows to 7 (9) sts. Cast off purlwise (WS).
Sew 2 soles tog using running stitch.

UPPER
With 2 strands of MC and larger needles, cast on 59 (63) sts.
Work 6 rows in Linen St Pat.
Next 2 rows: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 55 (59) sts at end of last row.

Shape instep: 1st row: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat across next 24 (26) sts. Sl1. K2tog. psso. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 51 (55) sts.
2nd row: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat across next 22 (24) sts. Sl1. K2tog. psso. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 47 (51) sts.
3rd row: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat across next 18 (20) sts. Sl1. K1. psso. Sl1. K2tog. psso. K2tog. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 41 (45) sts.
4th row: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat across next 15 (17) sts. Sl1. K1. psso. Sl1. K2tog. psso. K2tog. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 35 (39) sts.
5th row: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat across next 12 (14) sts. Sl1. K1. psso. Sl1. K2tog. psso. K2tog. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 29 (33) sts.
6th row: Sl1. K1. psso. Pat across next 9 (11) sts. Sl1. K1. psso. Sl1. K2tog. psso. K2tog. Pat to last 2 sts. K2tog. 23 (27) sts.
7th row: (Sl1. K1. psso) twice. Pat across next 4 (6) sts. Sl1. K1. psso. Sl1. K2tog. psso. K2tog. Pat to last 4 sts. (K2tog) twice. Cast off rem. 15 (19) sts.
Sew Top seam.
With 2 strands of MC, sew Upper to Soles using Blanket st and Blanket st around Soles.

Pom-pom (make 4).
Wind A around 2 fingers approx 60 times. Remove from fingers and tie tightly in center. Cut through each side of loops. Trim to a smooth round shape. Sew 2 pom-poms to top of each slipper.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Christmas-Crafts/Holiday-Pom-Pom-Slippers#

DIY PEDICURE

The perfect summer pedicure is a breeze to attain when you go to the spa and having well-groomed toenails is a must-have for this season’s hottest strappy sandals.
Giving yourself your own pedicure can be a little tricky, but with the right tools, fabulous results are possible. Follow these seven simple steps and you’ll be rocking the summer with sexy feet.
Step 1 - Remove polish from your toes. Try OPI Polish Remover enriched with Aloe Vera
Step 2 - Cut and file your nails. Use a Tweezerman Stainless Steel Toenail Clipper  and cut nails to desired length. Use your file to shape and prevent any splitting. The softer the file, the better. We love the SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Nail Buffers and the SEPHORA COLLECTION Glass Nail Files
Step 3 - Soak your tootsies in warm water in the tub, a bowl or a foot spa with epsom salts, your favourite aromatherapy oils or try The Body Shop’s Peppermint Cooling Foot Soak
Step 4 - Cutting cuticles can be difficult, but gives a clean look. Try Tweezerman’s Cuticle and Hangnail Snippers .If you’re not comfortable doing it, skip this step or get it done at the spa.
“I don’t usually recommend doing cuticle work at home because you can hurt yourself,” says Debbie Trigilidas, nail technician for Concepts Day Spa and Salon Toronto. “But you can do callous work during the week in the shower.”
Step 5 - Scrub and exfoliate your feet. Use a foot file or pumice stone and lightly scrub the sides and balls of your feet, your heels and around the toes to get rid of dead skin. Stop if your feet turn bright red.
Step 6 - Once your feet are soft, dry and trimmed, it’s time to apply a clear coat of polish. You can use a nail hardener like OPI Nail Envy Natural Nail Strengthener Original Maximum Strength Formula , or the Sally Hansen Complete Care 4-in-1 Nail Treatment  which will act as a base coat, a bio-strengthener, a growth activator and a mega gloss top coat. Now you’re ready to add a burst of colour. Pick your favourite polish, add one to two coats and finish with the nail hardener as a top coat.
Step 7 - Finally, the most important step is to moisturize. Since we’re on our feet most of the day, they get dry and need that extra kick of moisture, so apply cuticle cream and use a moisturizer like True Blue Spa (by Bath and Body Works) Shea It Isn’t So Shea Butter Foot Cream .

http://lipstickpowdernpaint.com/2010/07/14/the-perfect-summer-pedicure-at-home/

Make Up Hints

#1 I always start with a clean face. Then I put on Intuit ‘Photo Shoot.’ Intuit is a great company and I love the names of their products. Photo Shoot is a make up primer. I put it on after my moisturizer, which basically is like a moisturizer that will fill the pours on your face which will help set the foundation so it will last longer.

#2 I use Cle De Peau concealer stick (it’s super expensive, but works for me). It comes in two colors, I use Ocre, which is the darker of the two. I also use M.A.C. concealer (which comes in a little pot) if I run out of Cle de Peau. Everyone’s color is different but I use NW25. I put the concealer under my eyes because I absolutely hate dark circles! I also use concealer to cover up blemishes!

#3 After I put the concealer on I put on Make Up Forever liquid foundation. I mix one pump of No. 5 and two pumps of No. 4. I also have No. 3 for the winter time when I am really pale. I mix the foundations to get the perfect color. I blend them with the coolest make up brush. Its the M.A.C. brush No. 180.

 #4 Since I hate dark circles, after the foundation, I put on a little more concealer just under my eyes since the foundation makes it darker under my eyes. I use a lighter concealer from M.A.C. NW30 in a little lipstick tube-looking container and I select ‘moisture cover.’

#5 To set the foundation I lightly brush on with a big powder brush M.A.C. Select Sheer Pressed Powder NC 30, then to make me a little tanner I lightly brush on M.A.C. Powder NW 45.

#6 Now its blush time! I’m obsessed with blush! I use a color called Gingerly to warm me up and give me a little color and then add a pink color called Cheek to give me rosy cheeks. I just started getting into cream blush and find it works a lot better and lasts a lost longer.

#7 Time for the eyes! My favorite part! I first put down a M.A.C. Paint pot in a light color that matches my skin called Painterly. I just use my finder and put enough onto cover the lid. This creamy shadow makes it so that the powder eye shadow does not crease. Like, if you wear make up all day you will see that the eye shadow begins to crease and get oily, but if you put this paint color down first it won’t! I love cream shadow and use the color cream pots too! I love colored shadow; so it depends on the color depend of shadow I plan to wear: If it’s black smoky I use Carbon by M.A.C.; if its Grey smoky I use Knight Divine or Print; if it’s brown smoky I use Embark by M.A.C. I love a fresh shimmery look as well and use M.A.C. Pigment called Tan. Its so pretty! I love bright colors for eye make up! I absolutely love Make Up Forever and don’t think anyone does pigment colors better than them. So again, depending on what color you feel like wearing, go look at Make Up Forever’s colors to choose from.

#8 I always use black pencil eyeliner. My favorite is Stila black pencil.

#9 Now its mascara time! Putting on mascara completes the look, but I have it when I mess up and get it on my eye lid and mess up the eye shadow. I used to use Lancome Hypnose, and still do, but I recently started to use M.A.C. Zoom mascara — which is amazing! I take my time and put coat after coat. I love to layer mascaras so I will probably start with the M.A.C. Zoom and then put Lancome Hypnose on top. I always use a separator brush to separate my lashes. I am completely clueless on how to put false lashes on, so I only wear them for photo shoots sometimes.

#10 The final touch is putting on lipstick! I usually use M.A.C. Lipliner called Stripdown (I use it very lightly) and a lipstick called Angel and put Nars Turkish Delight lipgloss on top. Or for my very nude matte lip I wear Nars Belle De Jour and I line my lips first with M.A.C. Subculture lipliner.


http://pinkchocolate-break.blogspot.com/2010/11/kim-kardashians-beautymake-up-secrets.html