Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vanilla Beans (I got mine here)

• Vodka (I used 2 750ml bottles, doesn’t matter what brand)

• A few Jars or Bottles (I used these 8oz bottles)

I didn’t even know you could make your own vanilla extract until I saw it on an episode of Barefoot Contessa not long ago. The recipe is fairly vague, but simple enough to figure out. I used three vanilla beans cut in half in each bottle.

Then I filled each bottle with enough vodka to cover the beans.

The next step is to store it in a dark location for a few months. It is suggested that you store it for at least 6 months for the best results, but I’m going to see how it looks 4 months from now so I can give it away for Mother’s Day.

This is the finished product. I’ll report back in a few months to let you know how things are looking.

New Years Resolutions

 

I am such a bad blogger. I haven’t posted anything since August, oh my. Well things are going to change in the New Year. I have made a list of 12 things that I want to change for the New Year. I even put blogging daily on my list so I promise to be a better blogger. 

12 Changes for 2012●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

1. Live a God first life every day.

2. Get some muscles.

3. Live below my means. Budget.

4. Be more positive. Random acts of kindness.

5. Stop changing my major!!!

6. Cook more often.

7. Find a better/second job.

8. Read a book a month.

9. Blog on a daily basis.

10. Spend more time with my family.

11. Get fixed up more often.

12. Get organized.

The thing about New Year’s Resolutions is that it always seems that as soon as February comes around I have forgotten all about my resolutions. Not this time, I’m holding myself accountable by blogging the list.  Starting January 1, I'll be posting some exciting things so stay tuned.

What I Cooked Wednesday

So, anyone who knows me best knows that I am obsessed with Ina Garten from The Barefoot Contessa. I am usually hesitant to try anyone else’s recipes because I have had such great luck with everything I have made of hers.

However, an episode of Alton Brown’s came on one day featuring him making Pizza from fresh Pizza Dough. After watching this episode my boyfriend, being a hungry college boy, begged me to give it a go.

Thankfully, I did and it was a huge hit.

Okay now, stop sitting there with your mouth drooling over my homemade goodness and go make Alton’s Deliciously Perfect Pizza Recipe.

Intro to Tiara's Glitz

First of all, I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to visit my blog.

Without further ado, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Tiara. I’m a 21 year old college student studying Finance. I have a strong faith in God, I enjoy reading blogs, cooking, interior design, and fashion.

I have an amazing little brother and sister who bring so much joy into my life. Here is a photo from my 21^st Birthday Party of my brother Garrett and my sister Kayla.

I decided to start my own blog to share my all of the things near and dear to my heart. I want to share my home with you, as well as some of my favorite recipes and maybe even some what I wore posts.

I encourage you to comment on my posts with honest opinions. That is the beauty of blogging. I can share my opinion of something in hopes of hearing your opinions. Whether you like with my posts or not I want to know what you are thinking. I just ask that you please keep the comments clean, I don’t mind criticism but I ask that you be polite and stay positive.