Dawnsboutique

Go beyond the typical boring salad and indulge in a Vietnamese Pork Noodle salad that is tasty, light and exotic.                                                           Photo via Pinterest Ingredients:  4 ounces thin brown rice noodles  1 cup sliced red onion  5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided  2 tablespoons fish sauce  2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic  3 tablespoons sugar, divided  1/2 teaspoon black pepper  1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch  pieces  1/4 cup hot water  1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper  5 ounces baby spinach (about 7 cups)  1 1/4 cups matchstick-cut carrots (4 ounces)  1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves 2 tablespoons canola oil  Directions: 1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a  boil. Add noodl...

Flameless candles are safe, affordable, trendy and aesthetically pleasing. Battery operated flameless candles have come a long way since their first inception. The new and improved candles are made from real wax, have an internal LED bulb which glows from within and a blackened wick. They are now extremely realistic and most candles have a built-in timer (automatically turns itself on) which gives the user the option of 4hrs/6/hrs of glow time or an on/off switch. Flameless candles give a warm ambiance to every room, are enjoyable without the worry of flames or wax and most importantly pet-friendly. They can be tucked in a bookcase, scones, or near window treatments which would be hazardous with real candles. If you have a passion for flameless candles like I do check out QVC's Candle Impressions and Home Reflections for a variety of quality flameless candles that can be used indoors/outdoors.                   ...

Staging your home before it goes on the market is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a quick and profitable sale. Home staging involves improving the overall decor, design and function (organization) of a home in order to attract and retain potential buyers. Professional home staging can take your house from drab to fab! The benefits of a professional home staging are as follows: -Reduces the amount of time the house is on the market -Forces the homeowner to declutter and organize belongings -Increase the value of your home -Learn techniques used by realtors when selling a home to attract buyers The most important rooms to consider when staging are: bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, living room and foyer. Also, the exterior of a home should not be overlooked as curb appeal is the first step in attracting any buyer. Here are some TIPS when staging: Observe your house from a buyer's point of view and take a fresh look at it, as if looking at it for the...

Whenever I think of the Tuscan style of decor, the Italian countryside comes to mind with its rolling mountains, rustic farmhouses, lemon trees and lavender gardens. Tuscan decor is charming, warm and inviting, a great choice for homeowners to incorporate into their own home. To achieve this style of decor choose elements that have the same characteristics: simple and rustic, earthy tones, and colors found in nature. Examples of decor elements to use in the Tuscan home are: the color palette of rust, burnt orange green and white. Flooring choices are terra cotta, marble tile flooring and antique rugs. Furniture pieces should be kept simple like wrought iron, leather and wood furnishings. Accessorize your abode with Tuscan decor such as hand painted Italian ceramics, cast iron accents, and rustic light fixtures. Finally, don't forget the outdoors. To achieve a good flow from indoors to outdoors, give your backyard a Tuscan update. Add wrought iron table and chairs, and purcha...

                                                                      Source:  Google Making your home green friendly and reducing your carbon footprint is not at all complicated and just takes a few simple quick fixes that can be done in a short period of time. Living green is not only good for the environment, but it reduces waste, and is good for your health and the health of future generations. Reducing your carbon footprint means reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions you produce by reducing the amount of electricity, and heating used by heavy appliances such as dryers and refrigerators. 8 green friendly and carbon reducing footprint tips:  Use front loading washer and dryers as they are energy efficient and use less water and electricity. Dry your clothes on a clothesline and ...

Is your home office feeling dull and uninspiring lately? Then consider updating it, to keep you inspired and motivated throughout the day. Whether you spend your day writing, blogging or just paying bills, etc., your mental outlook can be greatly improved simply by refreshing and updating your home office. The first thing to consider is changing the paint color. If you need to lessen your stress levels go with cool colors such as greens, blues and purple. These color choices calm the spirit and will help you to concentrate on your task as they do not overwhelm the space. The color green in particular is a wise choice as it promotes creativity, balance and harmony. To keep you energized choose vibrant colors such as oranges, reds and yellows. These colors are in the warm color family and are vibrant, lively and will keep you alert. Next, choose a rug that complements your new paint color. This will ground the space and make it feel more comfortable. Make sure your home office ...

A red front door creates welcoming energy and positive vibes. In Feng Shui, it is believed that painting your front door red invites a welcoming flow of energy, as the front door is known as the "Mouth of Chi", where energy enters. If your house is on the market and you want it to stand out, choosing a red color for your entry door will boost your curb appeal, as a potential buyer will always remember the house with the red front door. A bold front door color like red makes a great first impression and reveals a lot about the homeowner. Below are some interesting facts worth considering before choosing to paint your front door red: The color red symbolizes passion, vibrancy and excitement.In Ancient times it was believed that a red front door wards off evil spirits and ghosts.According to Scottish tradition, to celebrate a mortgage-free home, the homeowner would paint their front door red.In Chinese culture red represents abundance, happiness and good fortune.In I...