Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner…

January 29, 2010 5 Comments
Those of you who know me know that I hate chicken.  I mean, I eat it and all, but it’s just. so. darn. boring. Enter in this New York Times article. Looking for some new ways to spice up a plain chicken breast? The author talks to some of the city’s most esteemed chefs who share their tricks on making chicken breast much, much tastier. And their tips are easy enough that even a not-so-skilled chef could figure them out.

I, on the other hand, fell for the picture that took up 3/4 of the Dining section cover, and decided THAT was what I was making.  Lucky for me, the Times shared the recipe here.  I’m making it Sunday for my sweet boyfriend.   The photo online doesn’t really do it justice – the one in print was much more impressive.   I mean, look at it.  Don’t you wish you were my boyfriend? It’s fried, and contains ham and cheese and sauerkraut.  It’s like, everything delicious all rolled into one.

What is soon to be, Sunday night's dinner. Courtesy of the New York Times.

What are your favorite Sunday dinners? Do share!

Filed Under: Cooking Tagged With: , , , , ,

Yay! DIY for University Chic

January 27, 2010 2 Comments

Posted by Lia and Erin…

Today was a big day at Yay! DIY.  We are so excited to announce that we are the DIY experts for University Chic, a great online magazine for women at colleges and universities across the nation and the globe.  Each week, we’ll be bringing our tips and tricks for surviving college on a budget to the University Chic audience, teaching them how to be fabulous while stretching a dollar to its absolute limit.

Needless to say, we’re extremely excited about this opportunity. Having been broke college girls at one point ourselves, we know every trick in the book – and we’re so pleased to share the lessons we learned!

Best of all, whatever doesn’t make it on University Chic will be posted on the Yay! DIY – so check back Friday for a “super” way to celebrate the very important date of February 7!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Dressing Up a Lampshade

January 26, 2010 1 Comment

I recently inherited a very corporate-looking lamp from a friend after her recent move.   I took the lamp, even though I knew it didn’t match the somewhat girly décor in my apartment. But I saw its potential, so I kept it.  A few months later, Yay! DIY contributer Alicia sent me this link from one of our favorite blogs, Living With Lindsay showing us how to fancy-up a lamp shape with some grosgrain ribbon and old buttons.

And you know what? It totally did the trick! The lampshade took on a whole new light. (Pun intended.)

Using my trusty hot glue gun I wrapped some ribbon around the top and bottom, then faked a bow in the front by wrapping the ribbon back and forth.  I found a pearl button and a black button, and glued them to the bow, in the middle.

Isn’t the end result cute?  My only complaint is that I rushed the project, so it’s not as straight as I want it to be, because I did this after four galsses of wine but it looks good enough!

Filed Under: Home & Garden, Under $20 Tagged With: ,

Risotto… A Labor of Love

January 25, 2010 3 Comments

My favorite go-to “impress the guests” dish is a standard, creamy risotto. Its texture and rich flavor always manage to please a crowd. You’ve probably heard the rumors that Risotto is difficult to get right.  But actually, it’s not as difficult as it looks; it’s just time consuming and in need of some attention and TLC.  A true labor of love.

Risotto!

I like risotto as a main dish, but this vegetable risotto also makes a great side dish to London broil, baked chicken, salmon or scallops.

With risotto, timing is everything.  You’ll want to make sure you have about 1.25 – 1.5 hours before you’re ready to serve the dinner.  Here’s what you’ll need:

[Read more...]

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Netflix Origami

January 22, 2010 Leave a Comment

"Starched Shirt," via Netflix Origami

This almost makes me want to renew my Netflix subscription!  This month’s Real Simple highlights the Web site “Netflix Origami,” which features some pretty ingenious ways to reuse  Netflix DVD packages.   My favorite was this little shirt, but the site also has instructions for a crab, a snack tray and paper airplane, just to name a few.

Pretty clever!

Thanks to loyal Yay! DIY reader (and logo designer) McKenna, and Alicia “Quill Out” Wells,  for the tip!

Filed Under: Crafting, Miscellaneous, Must-Dos Tagged With: ,

Michaels "Madness" Sale

January 22, 2010 Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, I am one of those people who wakes up in the morning and immediately looks at my BlackBerry.  I acknowledge that this is unhealthy – but when there’s a coupon for Michael’s that says “Madness Event?” Well that’s the best “good morning” one can hope for!

The store is offering two big sales this weekend. Find both coupons here! Note that stores in Utah and Paramus, NJ are holding their sales at different times – so plan accordingly. Happy shopping!

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Twentysomethings Get Creative in Recession

January 21, 2010 1 Comment

Today’s New York Times has an interesting story about people who have been able to parlay their unemployment into a more creative – and sometimes lucrative – career and lifestyle.  It’s not the first story of its kind during this still-down economic cycle, but this one struck me for the ingenuity its subjects employed.  And even more inspirational, some are making significant money!

We’re curious – are any of you selling the goods you make for dough?

Filed Under: Must Reads

Beef Wellington DIY Style

January 20, 2010 2 Comments

Posted By Erin…

This winter I was looking for a new “fancy” meal to add to my repertoire for future dinner parties. I had never had Beef Wellington, but I knew that it was impressive.  That, I decided, was what I would conquer.  And, well, a battle it was.  But it is a dish that is certainly master-able, if you have a little patience.  Traditional Beef Wellington is made with Fois Gras, which is not quite my forte, so the recipe I’ll share with you is a derivative I created after looking at a few different recipes.  It’s “Beef Wellington – DIY style” if you will.

Beef Wellington!

Beef Wellington!

My brother wanted to know why you’d ruin a perfectly good Filet Mignon with puff pastry and an oven, but I think this really is a perfect way to enjoy filet in the winter, when you may not want to go near a grill – or perfect for those of us in NYC, where grills are scarce.

The instructions and photos are from my second attempt at making it. My parents helped me experiment with recipes the first time, and we took quite a few learnings away from that session.  Getting the dough (don’t worry – I’m NOT suggesting you make it from scratch!) right is trickier than expected, so I suggest doing a test run before you make it for an important event or dinner.

[Read more...]

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Eleven Questions for Crafty People: Edith Zimmerman

January 19, 2010 2 Comments
The lovely and talented, Edith Zimmerman.

Yay! DIY is so happy to start off a new series today, “Eleven Questions for Crafty People.” We’re even happier to

Edith's parsnip mermaid attacks!

launch with Edith Zimmerman, food artist, writer and one of the newest editions to New York Magazine’s Culture Vulture blog.

I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that I’m a little obsessed with Edith’s blog and short stories, which walk the fine line between dark and hilarious. And it was through poking around the archives of her site that I discovered her other talent – hysterical food art.

Edith answered our questions on how she got started, finding inspiration in the produce aisle and why parsnips are awesome.

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Brooklyn Flea…

January 16, 2010 1 Comment

I have a confession to make: I’ve never been to the B rooklyn Flea.  It’s not something I’m proud to admit.  But I’ve heard its amazing if you’re looking for anything vintage or crafty.  I’m hoping to their in the next few weeks, and will have a full report of everything I find then, but in the meantime, since it’s not, oh, 10 degrees here today, I thought some of you may like to spend your Saturday or Sunday there.

Starting last weekend, they have a new location near the Atlantic Avenue subway.  You can look up directions and a vendor list here: http://www.brooklynflea.com

If you go, share some pics of what you find! For those of you outside NYC, are there any cool vintage/crafty shopping spots in your hood? Tell us about them and we’ll post them next week!  Happy Shopping.

Filed Under: Crafting Tagged With: , , ,
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