How To Repair a Broken Makeup Compact

As far as makeup is concerned, there is rarely nothing worse than dropping your favorite eyeshadow and watching it disintegrate into a powdery mess of color. You know from that moment that your makeup bag will carry a light dusting of Disco Gold and your fingers will be gilded every time to reach for the shadow. Fear not there is a way to fix it. And its actually pretty easy. 



Here's What You Gotta Have

• Rubbing alcohol

• The broken makeup and compact case you wanna repair ( duh)

• A broad handled makeup brush 

• A piece of paper

Here's What You Gotta Do:

On top of a piece of paper, use the handle of your makeup brush to crush the broken makeup into a fine powder. 

Fold the paper in half and use it to funnel the powder back into the original makeup case.

Put the filled compact back on top of the pace to keep the repair area clean. 

Add enough alcohol to the powder to create a thick paste. 

Exact measurements are not important here but remember 

the more alcohol you use the longer it will take the makeup to dry.

Use the end of the brush to smooth out the paste and let the makeup air dry.

Depending on the humidity in your home, the dry times will very. 

My powder took about 5 hours to dry completely but I live in Arizona. 

Voila!

Life Is Delicious...Go Taste It!

Honey Baked Sriracha Tofu

Just because I don't like to eat meat doesn't mean I can't appreciate a great meat based dish. After all, rarely is it the meat that makes a dish smell and look amazing. It's the spices, marinades and rubs that make the dish truly special. So I am not afraid to admit that this dish was inspired by an amazing looking meat dish I came across on Pinterest. The Pin lead me to The Recipe Diaries which featured Baked Sriracha Honey Wings. The ingredients list was full of the stuff dreams are made of. Well, it did have sriracha and lime, and that is what my dreams are made of.  I said aloud, "I'm gonna make that with tofu". And I did. And it was amazing!
For the first time in 5 years I actually purchased real butter for another recipe. I have tons of it left over so it seemed like a great time to make use of it. Veganize this dish by simply using a non-dairy butter substitute.
I also used a great product to flavor the tofu called Not Chick'n. It is a chicken-esque flavored bouillon cube that it perfect for flavoring soups, broths, and tofu. It's completely vegan and adds a great complex flavor to dishes. I found mine at the local Frye's in the natural foods section, but it can be ordered online here. 

Here's What You Need:
  

• 15 oz Extra firm tofu

• 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 cube of Not Chick'n seasoning cube or a vegetable bouillon cube

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves

• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Glaze

• 5 tablespoons salted butter

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup honey

• ¼ cup Sriracha

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons of lime juice

 Here's What You Gotta Do:
 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. 

1. Press the block of tofu for 15 to 20 minutes. * 

1. In a small bowl, mix the butter, vegetable oil, garlic powder, and Chick’n bouillon cube together until the bouillon is dissolved. 

1. Cut the pressed tofu into ¼ inch slices. Place the wings in the pan and pour the butter mixture on top. Gently move the tofu pieces around to coat them evenly with the sauce.

1. Arrange the tofu in a single layer in the pan and bake for 25 minutes. Turn the Tofu over and cook for and additional 10 minutes. 

1. While the tofu is baking, melt the butter in a small sauce pan over a low-medium heat. When the butter is melted, whisk in flour. 

1. Whisk in Sriracha, honey, soy sauce and limejuice. Bring to a light boil then remove from heat.

1. When the tofu is finished baking, take it out of the oven and immediately pour the glaze on top, gently turning the tofu pieces over to coat. 

1. Top the tofu with the cilantro and sesame seeds.

Fresh Chopped Cilantro

This sauce is the stuff dreams are made of. 

* The process of pressing tofu is used to get as much of the water the tofu is packaged in out. I press my tofu by taking the tofu out of the plastic container and sitting it on top of several paper towels. I put the package on top of the tofu and put a heavy can inside. I let it sit for 20 minutes to an hour, changing the paper towels out every 15 minutes or so. 

Life Is Delicious....Go Taste It!

How to Protect Your Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is a fun and inexpensive way to add some jazz to any outfit. However custome jeewlry is ususally made of plated metals and will fade. I got tired of watching my favorite pieces fade to an undesirable shade of blah, so I started protecting my tiny investments with a clear coat of Modge Podge. Check out the instructions below.

Here's What You Gotta Have:

• A wire hanger

• Tape ( Pictured here is painters tape, but I'd Imagine any tape will do)

• Pliers

• Clear acrylic sealer or clear spray paint 

Here's What You Gotta Do: 

Use the pliers to undo the area where the hanger wire connects. 

Then create a small hook on the end opposite the larger, already existing, hook.  

Tear the tape into various sized pieces to accommodate various sized jewelry.

Place the jewelry on the hanger in between the tape to prevent the jewelry from drying stuck together. 

Connect the two hooks of the hanger. 

Hang the jewelry hanger in a well ventilated area and spray a thin even coat of the sealer on the jewelry using a sweeping motion.

Note: I used matte clear acrylic sealer  because the jewelry I was protecting had a brushed metal finish. 

I use the regular clear sealer on shiney items. 

Let the first coat dry according to the sealant instructions

 and apply a second coat for extra protection. 

Let the jewelry dry completely according to the sealant instructions before wearing. 

Enjoy your beautiful baubles!

Life Is Delicious... Go Taste It!

Toostie Roll & Bit-O-Honey Fudge aka "Obama Fudge"

Nothing says I love you like homemade sweet treats, except maybe a diamond ring, and a new pair of shoes. So when my super amazing and supportive cousin was feeling down, I knew it was time to fire up the burners for some good old fashion love in a pot. I don't like chocolate myself, but these were not for me and I know that my sugar toothed relative would appreciate the sacrifice involved in whipping up these fudge bites ( I don't even like the smell of chocolate really). I have lovingly nicknamed these bars my Obama Bars, they remind me of Michelle and Barack side by side looking like the sweetest bits of  classic Americana.

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Heres What You Need:

Toostie Roll Layer of Fudge:

• 24 tootsie Roll Midgees

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 1/2 Tablespoon Peanut Butter

• 1 1/4 tablespoon Milk

• 1 3/4 Cup Confectioners sugar (store bought or make your own*)

Bit - O- Honey Layer of Fudge:

• 24 Bit-O-Honey Small Bites

• 1 1/2 tablespoon butter

• 1 1/2 Tablespoon Peanut Butter

• 2 tablespoon Milk

• 1 3/4 Cup Confectioners sugar 

• Sliced Almonds ( Optional)

Here's What You Gotta Do:

1. Cover and 8 inch x 8 inch baking dish in Aluminum Foil, lightly oil the pan and set aside.
2. In a heavy bottom pot melt together the tootise rolls, butter, peanut butter and milk over a low heat. Stir mixture constantly to avoid burning the fudge before the ingredients melt.
3. When the the candy mixture is melted and smooth, ( about 5 minutes) slowly add the sugar in 1/2 at a time. Stir well until all of the sugar is melted and the fudge mixture is smooth
4. Spread the Tootsie roll fudge in the prepared dish, this is your bottom layer. Set pan aside.
5. In the same clean pot or another heavy bottomed pot melt togehter the Bits-O-Honey, butter, peanut butter and milk over a low heat. Stir mixture constantly to avoid burning the fudge before the ingredients melt. The Bit-O- Honey will take about 5 minutes more than the tootsie rolls, be patient its so worth the added trouble.
6. When the the candy mixture is melted and smooth, slowly add the sugar in 1/2 at a time. Stir well until all of the sugar is melted and the fudge mixture is smooth.
7. Spread the Bit-O-Honey  fudge in the prepared dish, this is your top layer.
8. Press the sliced almonds into the fudge and let the fudge cool.
9. Once cool, take the foil out of the pan and cut the fudge into what ever shape you choose.
10. If you will not be serving immediately, make sure to store the fudge in a airtight container.

Classic Candies

* After mixing in the homemade powdered sugar. 

Find out how to make powdered sugar in a pinch in the post called "Confectioner's Sugar in a Pinch- DIY Your Own"

The first layer of Tootsie Roll fudge spread out in the baking pan. 

Showing the second layer of "Bit-O-Honey" Fudge smoothed out and topped with sliced almonds.

The sweet brown layers reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. President, 

side by side, making the world a better place. 

The nuts, well you can't be a politician without dealing with a few nuts. 

Okay so I did pinch off pieces of the Bits-O-Honey layer. 

Don't judge me it looked so good!

Care packaged and ready to go!

Life is Delicious...Go Taste It!

DIY: Confectioner's Sugar in a Pinch

I wanted to make my cousin some "Obama Fudge" but was missing only one ingredient: confectioners sugar. One quick google search and boom...DIY confectioner's sugar. Who knew it was this easy...oh apparently the whole dang internet!

Here's What you Need:

• 1 cup sugar 

• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch

• A blender

Here's What you Gotta Do:

1. Blend the cornstarch and sugar for 2 minutes, stopping the blender to stir the sugar every 30 seconds or so. 

1. Stop when the sugar is powdery and not grainy to the touch. If more blending is needed pulse an additional 30 seconds and check the texture. 

1. Let the sugar dust settle in the blender before opening. Store in a dry container or plastic bag.

 Use whatever variation of sugar you want, mine was organic whole cane sugar because that's what I had in the cupboard.

Note: For best results, unless you have a heavy duty blender, stick to blending in 1 cup batches. I got a smoother less grainy powder this way. 

The After Photo

Note: the cornstarch can be omitted if you are using the sugar right away, but it does a great job of preventing the sugar from flaking and clumping.

Life is Delicious...Go Taste It!

Whirlwinds and Other Blessings

Okay so  its been a long while since I wrote a post. I can assure you it has not been because life has not been absolutely chock full of deliciousness. In fact I think its been so chock full I've been busy eating it up. A lot has happened so let me fill you in.

On May 9th I found out that I passed the Arizona bar. Wohoooo! All that hard work and forfeiture of fun was not in vain. Then, as is the next logical step, I decided to start my own law firm. Yep, Keo'vonne Wilson Legal, PLLC is officially a thing now. I hosted a launch party which just so happened to coincide with my birthday. Yep, I had a birthday and threw myself a party. It was wonderful!  I also built a website, created business cards and marketing merchandise ( magnets, t-shirts, social media accounts). I am so proud of my little start up.

I also got a very awesome video from my sister and bro-in-law back home. KJ, my nephew, is crawling! I am so excited. It has been an amazing journey watching him grow up. I am so thankful for social media and technology because I don't have to miss a moment.

With a new business, interesting clients, networking, blogging for the firm, cooking, attempting to push the limits of professional wear, it has been the most delightful whirlwind!

Below is a photographic peek at all of the delicious-ness
The order of events is a little hazy but it's all great.

                                                This is how I celebrated passing the bar.

Well I passed the Bar here, so I figured it was time I finally became a licensed Arizona Driver. 

Here is the hummus I made for road trip to Cali Number 1.

Rice Noodles with kale, bell peppers and mock beef. 

Gosh I hope I wrote down this recipe somewhere.

Granola I made for Road Trip To Cali Number 2. 

This was a photo used on my birthday/website launch invite.
Pretty snazzy huh!

Days before my birthday my sister's birthday gift to me came in the mail. 

A rice cooker! This woman knows me too well. 

My old one crapped out months ago. 

Rice cooker's maiden voyage, Spicy rice and beans. 

Birthday bling for birthday/launch party. 

The business cards arrived just in time for the birthday bash. 

The party favors were gourmet cupcakes in these cute takeout boxes. I pulled out the shoe-string looking ties and replaced it with ribbon that coordinated with the business card style magnets. 

I enjoyed this blue cheese stuffed olives in my dirty gin martini. Of course I hosted my birthday/launch at Hanny's. I love this place, this martini...

...and these people. 

This was one of the only time I enjoyed yogurt. I really dont like it unless it's mixed in something. Summer ripened peaches, a light dusting of ground ginger, agave and toasted oats and almonds. 

This was a perfect breakfast.

I FINALLY made my sister's super simple eggplant parmesan. 

I will share this recipe soon. 

Homemade almond pesto. 

I have since killed the basil plant, but the legend of the pesto live on.

Heading to the gym wearing one of the t-shirts I designed featuring my firm's moto

"Turn Your Dream Into Your Legacy"

Shield your eyes from the dirty mirror.

This is what Bono looks like with his summer do. I didn't realize how smal this dog really was. 

He still believes he is half great dane, half Beyonce. 

Went to Vegas for the 4th of July watch my "little" cousin, Leena Star, open for Doug E. Fresh. 

She is a little fire cracker on the stage and off. 

Us being silly and posing for a fan picture in front of the poster she is on. 

We had a blast at the afterparty!

Rang in the 4th of July celebrations at a Pho place in Treasure Island. 

Yum!

Taking shelter from the heat of the Las Vegas Stip in on of the many casinos. 

Riding on the highway with the top down seemed like a good idea...

It was not!

Selfie after dinner in the Ling Ling Lounge on the third level (of five) at Hakkasan. 

Hakkasan is allegedly the hottest restaurant in Vegas. 

The food was exceptional, but it was so dark that the guy at the next table lent me his phone with a flashlight app to read the menu. 

At this point in the night, the only thing I was fighting was sleep. It was a great end to my Vegas trip!

I've begun tutoring this cutie twice a week in preparation for kindergarten. 

My cousin's son keeps me laughing the entire time.

After finally cleaning out my car, I made this handy organizer to keep things in reach but out of the way. 

Instructions coming soon.

My World cup outfit. Go 'Murica!

Picked up that tie for a dollar.

This is the local pub at 10am on a tuesday during a USA World Cup match. 

I kept wondering, where do these people work?

Mom's birthday gift arriving the standard month later. 

After my last phone bit the dust, mom made it clear that I had no more excuses. 

Bono finding comfort in sweaty gym bags. 

Life is Delicious...Go Taste It!