Dawnsboutique

 "The smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the world's greatest inventions."  Unknown Having a batch of iced coffee concentrate stored away will save you lots of time, and money.  Contrary to popular belief, coffee is great for your health as it is anti-inflammatory, good for your brain, and rich in antioxidants.   How To Make Iced Coffee Concentrate Ingredients 1 lb. ground coffee (medium to rich roast) 8 qt. cold water Half-and-half (healthy splash per serving) Sweetened condensed milk (2-3 tablespoons per serving) Note:  Use skim milk, 2% milk, whole milk, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and syrups. Directions In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature for twelve hours or overnight.  Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour the coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.  Place coffee liquid in ...

If you are lacking design creativity and want to take your decor to a new level, celebrity interiors might just be the answer to put the joy back into decorating. Celebrity homes have style and panache and make a statement that you can easily translate to your home's interior even if you are on a budget. Below are my favorite celebrity interiors that you can incorporate into your home no matter where you live. Scott Disick Love him or hate him, Keeping Up With The Kardashian's Scott Disick's home is stunning. The design style is modern minimalism with clean lines and contemporary architectural details.  The color palette is neutral tones with black and white and a hint of grey and beige.  See below:                                                              Source:  AD Travis Barker This famous drummer's home is ...

One of the best choices for updating and replacing stained carpeting and scuffed hardwood floors is bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is obtained from the bamboo plant and is eco-friendly, sustainable, attractive, strong, and easy to install. The Benefits Of Installing Bamboo Flooring: ● water resistant ● easy to maintain ● adds a contemporary aspect to your home Types of Bamboo Flooring: ● Strand-woven ● Made from the remaining strands of the stalk of the bamboo stalk and is twice as strong as vertical and horizontal bamboo. ● Vertical ● Bamboo planks are placed next to each other in a vertical direction before being pressurized to create a smooth finish. ● Horizontal ● Similar to vertical but the bamboo planks are placed horizontally before being pressurized in order to show the growth rings of the stalk. Colors of Bamboo Flooring: ● Natural ● Carbonized ● Stained Flooring Tips: ● Choose a 100% bamboo product for the best results ● Research the best installation method; whether DIY or...

"Accessories are everything. To me, they’re more important than the clothes" – Rachel Zoe Quilted cotton handbags, luggage, and accessories one name says it all - Vera Bradley.  For over 30 years Vera Bradley has been designing luxury quilted products with unique paisley patterns, plaid prints, and florals. Company History Owners Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley wanted to create a brand of feminine luggage and handbags after observing the lack of feminism in other designer products in the marketplace. The company is named after Barbara's mother Veronica, who worked for the company as a sales representative in the Miami, Florida area. Veronica Bradley was also an ex-model for Elizabeth Arden in the 1930s. Vera Bradley is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a town full of rich culture and a hometown feel. A Philanthropic Company Since 1998, the Vera Bradley Foundation for breast cancer research has contributed over $15 million for breast cancer research. The Collection at...

Source:  Getty Images Carrots are a great source of lutein necessary for eye health and contain a high level of  carotenoids, which help to decrease your risk of cancer. Apples are a powerful antioxidant and are rich in fiber which aids in digestion and lowering cholesterol. Spiced Carrot Apple Soup is a great way to combine the power of these two veggies, see recipe below: Ingredients: 2 cups carrots, peeled 1 medium ripe gala apple peeled 1/4 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 Tbsp. butter Directions: 1. Place carrots in a food processor and pulse until chopped. 2. Spoon the carrots into a saucepan and set them aside. 3. Place the apples ginger and cinnamon in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. 4. Add the mixture to the carrots in the saucepan. 5. Add the broth to the carrot/apple mixture and heat on medium until warm, approx. 8 mins. 6. Ladle warm soup into bowls and top with nuts if desired. Serves ...

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” – Coco Chanel Fashion trends come and go, but wardrobe basics are always in style. Basic, classic pieces stand the test of time, help to build your wardrobe, and serve as a foundation for everyday wear. Here is a list of must-have basics for the fashionista: Basic White Shirt A classic crisp button-down white shirt is essential, easy to wear, and feminine. Black Pants Professional and appropriate for any occasion. A must-have for wearing to the office. Black Leather Pumps A versatile, basic shoe that can be worn from the office to date night. Trench Coat Stylish, contemporary addition to your cool-weather fashion closet. Pencil Skirt Tailored, sophisticated, and flatters any figure type. Bootcut Jeans Casual yet chic. This type of jeans balances out your overall figure. Blazer Tailored and chic. A blazer instantly updates a tired outfit.                             ...

Sometimes we just need a little help to fix some beauty or fashion issue gone wrong. Well, those sticky situations are no longer a problem as listed below are some beauty and fashion fixes we all could use.   Fashion Problems: Boots That Sag: Use Boots Stay, an easy-to-use strip that is placed inside the boot to keep it supported. http://bootstay.com/ Bra Straps That Show Replace your bra straps with Strappy’s. Remove bra straps and replace them with this jeweled strap.   https://fashionfirstaid.com/products/boot-stay-adhesive-sag-preventers RingsThat Spin On Your Finger Try BlingGuardBlingWraps. Just wrap the transparent strip around your finger and it will keep your ring stationary.     http://blingguard.com/products/blingwraps Beauty Problems Conceal Blemishes On Legs Try mixing body oil with shimmer and apply to legs or use spray-on pantyhose products available at your neighborhood drug store.   Hair Static Tame those hair strands by rubb...