Expensive-Sounding New York Desserts That You Can Make At Home

Living in New York can get a little pricey, especially if you have a habit of going out to restaurants two or three times a week. But it turns out that you can actually recreate a lot of their staples in the comfort of your own apartment. All it takes is a little know-how and the right equipment. With the correct knowledge, you can build your repertoire of cooking skills and create something genuinely delicious. 

So, let’s take a look at some apparently pricey New York desserts that you can whip up for much less at home. 

Gin And Tonic Lemon Tart

Creating a decadent dessert is all about generating certain flavor associations. Why is it that champagne, for instance, tastes expensive to us? It’s not because it feels like eating dollar bills - it’s because of the associations that we have with it. 

That’s why gin and tonic lemon tarts are genius. Because they taste a little bit like our favorite high-brow drink, they remind us of the high-life and, therefore, feel more luxurious. Add some candied citrus to the mix, and you’re laughing all the way to the bank. 

Turkish Delight Cake

You can also make your desserts feel more expensive by using exotic or rare flavors. Making a Turkish delight cake is a great example of this in action. It’s essentially a regular cake but with a rose jelly and pomegranate flavoring. The result is something that makes you feel like you are in a wholly different part of the world. 

Mille-Feuille Pastry

This Napoleon dessert is exactly the type of thing that you typically find selling for over $20 in New York restaurants. Establishments feel confident in charging customers this much because they think they can’t make it at home. The entire dessert seems so hopelessly complicated that there’s no way you could replicate it yourself, right? 

Well, that’s not entirely true. It turns out that all the little layers of pastry you get in this dessert happen naturally when you bake the puff pastry correctly. Once you have your sheets, it’s just a matter of topping them with your filling and presenting them on the plate. There’s not much more to it than that, to be honest. 

No Bake Cheesecake

No bake cheesecakes are also a common, trendy feature of hip restaurants looking to create a big impression. These desserts are typically made of a mixture of oats/almonds for the base, and then some sort of yoghurt or cashew-based topping. What’s amazing about these desserts is that you never put them in the oven. You just rely on the ingredients themselves to do the talking. In a sense, therefore, they’re actually easier to make than regular cheesecakes, once you know how. 

Margarita Tarts

Margaritas are also fancy drinks that cocktail bars love to sell in NYC. So including the flavors in the tart can be a great way to transform a dessert. Tarts served at restaurants are usually small, delicate and individual. And, sometimes, quite alcoholic.

3 Recipes That'll Make Your New House Feel Like Home

When you move into your brand new home, it can often take a while to really settle in. Even if you’ve unpacked to perfection, organized your belongings and unwrapped your new furniture, it can still not quite feel like home just yet.

Making a new house feel like your home doesn’t need to take a lot - in fact, it’s the little things that really make the difference. One aspect of life that has huge emotional, homely connections is cooking. The smells of home cooking can make your mind and body feel truly at home for the first time, giving you that warm feeling you get when you’re safe in the home you love.

In today’s post, we’ll share 3 recipes that’ll make your new house feel like a home. 

1. Pecan Cornbread Cake 

There’s nothing like a good old fashioned carbohydrate dish to make you feel truly at home. If you love a little bit of Southern flair, you’ll love this cornbread cake recipe, which comprises a simple combination of flour, sugar, nuts, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla.

This easy-bake cornbread cake will fill your new home with the delicious aromas of nutty, sweet goodness. If you want to make your new house smell delicious and feel warmer, this is the recipe that’ll do just the trick. Plus, it’s not a complicated recipe, and can be whipped up in no time at all with little equipment - perfect for new movers!

2. North African Eggs in Stew

Gordon Ramsay’s classic stew recipe will make you feel that gooey, warm, homey feeling once and for all. If you love healthy one-pot recipes that can be catered to different diets, this one's for you!

A luscious combination of onions, peppers, chilli and fresh tomatoes cooked down in a cast iron casserole pot, with baked-in eggs, fresh herbs and an optional side of crusty bread, this mouthwatering recipe will turn your new-smelling home into an aromatic haven.

Plus, the ingredients for Ramsay’s North African Eggs are easily sourced and cheap - and this recipe can be frozen, reheated or stored in the fridge if you want to come back for more! A true family style classic, this recipe shouldn’t pass you by.

3. Homemade Pizza

There’s nothing like homemade pizza. If you have kids and want to get them involved in your first big meal in your new home, this recipe is for you.

You can find plenty of homemade pizza recipes online, or even make one up yourself if you’re something of a culinary whiz! The smell of sweet tomatoes, soft dough and herbs and spices that you add to the pizza will swirl through the house, making you feel like you’ve finally arrived home.

Final Thoughts

If you love cooking and have just moved house, why not use your passion to help you settle into your new home? It can be difficult to feel like you’ve emotionally moved into your house - and there’s nothing like home cooked food to make you feel happy and settled in your new place.

The Ultimate Guide To Selecting A Remodeling Contractor

We all update our home from time to time to give it a fresh new look. If you are looking to remodel your home and don’t know how to find the right contractor, you are in the right place. Here is your complete guide to choosing the best Orange County home remodeling contractors. 

1. Understand What You Want 

The key to selecting the right remodeling contractor is to know what you want. For example, what areas of the home do you want to remodel, and what kind of features you want? It will help you narrow down your search and find a remodeling contractor that excels in giving you what you need. 

Decide what you want to remodel and how you want to remodel it. Having this plan will make it easier to find a contractor to provide you accurate estimates and schedules to get the job done under your budget and on time. 

2. Check Online Reviews 

Never hire a contractor for home remodeling in Orange County, CA without doing your research first. That is why you should search them online and check the kind of reviews they have. If there are a lot of positive recommendations, it means the contractor knows what they are doing. 

Keep in mind that you should check authoritative sites for reviews, so you know it is authentic. Besides that, you should also look at how the contractor responds to the online feedback. If they are responsive and ready to solve an issue, it means they will accommodate you as much as they can during the remodeling. 

3. Ask Around 

If your close friends, family, or neighbors have gotten their home remodeled, you can always ask for their recommendations and what contractor they liked. It will help you narrow down your list as you will understand what contractors to avoid. 

After all, you need to know who does a good job and who doesn’t so you can only get the best for your home. A remodel requires a lot of time and money, which should never go to waste. That is why asking around is essential. 

4. Talk To A Few Contractors 

Once you have narrowed down your list, it is time to talk to the contractors. Tell them your plan and get estimates, so you know which contractors suit your budget and your preference. Keep in mind that each contractor will charge a different rate because they are unique in what they do. 

You can talk to them on the phone and ask if they have worked on similar projects, the costs associated, and their availability. It will give you a better idea and help you decide the right contractor for your preferences and budget. 

Final Words 

That was your complete guide to choosing the right remodeling contractors for your home. Follow these guidelines, and by the end, you will have the perfect contractor for your home remodel. After all, you deserve the best, and you need to use the proper guidelines to ensure you get the best contractor. 

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Trim A Palm Tree?

Many people believe that cutting back a palm tree will make it grow faster, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Doing that only hurts the tree and will waste your time. That is why you should when and how to properly trim a palm tree. 

Here is everything you need to know about trimming a palm tree to ensure it is healthy and thrives for a long time. There are many Orange County tree services that are ready to service your palm trees, and they have a license, vast experience, and are covered with all types of tree business insurance.   

The Best Time To Trim Palm Trees 

Technically, you can trim your palm tree any time or season of the year. However, if you want your palm tree to enjoy the best health, you should trim them in the summer season, such as late spring. Keep in mind that you should not trim them mid-summer as it will be challenging for them to recover and thrive. 

Trimming in spring allows the palm tree to recover and grow beautifully. That is because palm trees thrive in weather where there is humid air, moist soil, and a lot of sun. So, they will grow back even stronger than before once you trim them in late spring. 

How To Gear Up To Trim A Palm Tree 

When trimming a palm tree, it is essential to have the right equipment and clothing to protect yourself. Here is everything you will need to prepare for trimming palm trees appropriately:

1. Clothing 

While trimming a palm tree, you need to wear appropriate clothing as the tree is thorny and can easily cut through light clothes. That is why you should wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and appropriate boots to ensure you are protected from head to toe. It will save you from any unnecessary cuts or scrapes. 

2. PPE 

One of the most important things to use is PPE. It will prevent branches from poking into your eyes or cutting other parts of your body. Ensure you have a shield around your face and you are wearing gloves to protect yourself during the trimming process. 

3. Shears And Lobbers 

If you want to effectively trim the palm tree, you will need shears. They are meant to prune the tree and ensure that your trimming process goes smoothly. Keep in mind that the shears you use need to be sharp. 

Besides that, if there are thorn fronds that the shear can't handle, you will need to use lobbers. They will take care of all the difficult trimming for you in no time. 

4. Pole Chain 

If you can’t get into extended tree fronds, you will require an electric pole chain to reach these fronds. That is because they will not be reached with ladders. So, make sure you have it while trimming your palm tree. 

Final Words 

That was your complete guide to the best time to trim a palm tree. If you don't want to do the trimming yourself and are looking for palm tree trimming in Orange County, CA, OC Tree Service Pros is the number one option in town. They will save you time, and your palm tree will be professionally trimmed in no time.

The Top 5 Causes Of Drywall Damage

Are you dealing with damaged drywall? Do you need to understand how to repair it but can't figure out the cause? If you answered yes, you are in the right place. Here are the top five causes of drywall damage you need to know about. In the event any of these occur, you should really consider contacting an Orange County drywall contractor to come repair your drywall asap.  

1. Water Damage 

One of the most common causes of drywall damage is water damage. It can happen because of a plumbing leak or because of a broken water line in your home. The first thing you should do is fix the leak and then proceed to repair the drywall damage. 

To ensure this doesn’t happen again, you should check your home’s plumbing from time to time to see if it’s working in optimal condition. Besides that, if you spot this problem, you should repair the drywall immediately before it starts growing mold. By having efficient drywall, you can protect your home from water damage - but make sure to check out waterproof wall panel installation instructions to ensure it's done correctly.

Modern solutions are better-fitted for issues such as preventing water damage while also enhancing the look and durability of your walls. The experts working at https://www.butlerbuildingparts.co/butler-wall-panels insist on using advanced materials that provide long-lasting protection and energy efficiency. These panels are designed to resist moisture, reduce maintenance needs, and improve insulation. By upgrading to such options, homeowners can ensure a safer, more comfortable living environment.

2. Termite Damage 

Termites can ruin the home as they eat away on all the furniture and other items. You can test if there is termite damage by striking the wall. If there is a hollow sound, it means there is termite damage. 

Other signs of termite damage include wood damage, ruined paint, etc. As soon as you spot this problem, you should call an exterminator. Termites can spread to many places and impact the health of your home. 

3. Poor Fastening Technique 

When the drywall is installed, joint fastening tape is utilized. With time, the tape can become loose due to moisture. Another reason is a poor fastening technique, which you can tell if the nails are popping through your drywall. 

When you notice these nails popping, don't try to hammer them back in the wall. The best thing to do is to remove it and find the stud to fasten it again. You can also call a professional service to install it again in a better way. 

4. Holes 

If your drywall has holes, it means it is damaged. These can happen because of various reasons such as blowing doors open, furniture bumping on the walls, and much more. Once you notice these, get them repaired and patched as soon as you see them. 

The fast repair will ensure that the holes don't become bigger. If they do, you will need to replace your entire drywall. It will add to your cost, effort, and time. 

5. Cracks 

Finally, another common cause is cracks. Typically, cracks show up when the drywall is installed incorrectly. As soon as you notice a crack, you should call some Evanston Drywall Repair Services to come and fix it.

If the crack gets bigger, you will have to get your roof inspected to check signs of further damage. Ignoring the crack will lead to a worse problem in the future. 

Final Words 

These are the top five causes of drywall damage. If you notice any of these signs, it is time to contact a professional drywall repair in Orange County, CA. They will fix your issue and ensure your drywall is as good as new in no time. 

Advice for decorating with photos

If you are anything like me you love photographs and want to display them in your home, be it photos of your family, your friends or a beloved pet, or even those beautiful scenic snaps from your last holiday. However, it can end up becoming a little cheesy with the basic photo gallery style that everyone has. So, here are some tips on how you can decorate with photos whilst keeping it stylish and cool.

Allow for growth on your gallery

As mentioned, one of the most popular ways to showcase your photos is by creating a gallery or picture wall that can be extended or rearranged at any time. You can maintain a more formal display by keeping the sizes and frames uniform or you can create a somewhat haphazard layout using a collection of different coloured frames of varying sizes. Alternatively, you can create something in between with these custom hexagon canvas prints to create an alternative and unique display. These can be slotted together in perfect order to create one large photo, or you can put a different image on each one whilst mixing and matching as much as you like. This is perfect if you want something different but you can still craft a little bit of order in your decoration. 

Keep it unpredictable with a picture ledge

Using a mantle or a shelf to display photos is a great way to incorporate other items into the display like trinkets or ornaments. A ledge is also super easy to change up whenever you feel like it, adding any new knickknacks to it or experimenting with different layouts whenever the mood takes you. You can purchase specific picture ledges of custom sizes if you are organised enough to plan in such detail and know exactly what size shelf you need for your desired display. A floating shelf can be perfect for displaying photos and if you paint it the same colour as the wall it really blends in and lives up to the “floating” concept.

Centre Stage Piece

You probably have one photo that means more than any other, possibly a family portrait or a wedding photo, one that you do not want to get lost amongst a sea of other pictures. The best thing to do is to get this printed on a large canvas and display it somewhere befitting its significance. If you really wanted to highlight the photo you can splash out on bespoke framing and even get a picture light to sit above it.

Individual event displays

Wire picture frames are great for transient smaller photos that you want to cherish right now but will perhaps want to replace with another in a few months. This is perfect for capturing the first year of a child’s life, family occasions or holidays. You can also display these types of photos with washi tape (a type of masking tape that is available in lots of colours and patterns) that will create a casual, creative look.