Arm Knitting

In an earlier post I mentioned that I was going to try arm knitting. Well, I tried it and it worked great! It only took me about 30 minutes to make a gorgeous circular scarf. It is hard to believe that it was so easy to make because the end result is so beautiful. I used this YouTube video to learn how to use my arms as the needles, but after a few rows I didn't need the video anymore.

The scarf will turn out very loosely knit so it is important to use chunky wool. You also need to use two pieces of yarn at a time. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn that I got at Michaels but any thick wool will work.

This project will be very easy if you already know how to knit, but it is also a great project for beginners.

For my scarf I casted on 12 stitches, which gave it a bunchy, cozy look.

After you think the scarf  is long enough to wrap around your neck two times, cast off and then sew the ends together.

Give it a try and let me know how your scarf turns out!

-Sarah

My favourite fixes for dry winter skin

After living in Winnipeg for 23 years I have become an expert at battling against the dry skin and chapped lips that go along with our freezing winters. Here are my favourite fixes for common winter skin problems. Try them out and let me know what you think!

Problem: Very dry face
Solution: Facial oil

I know the idea of putting any kind of oil on your face seems scary, but trust me it works. When your face gets dry it forces your skin to produce more oil which can lead to breakouts. Using facial oil after your normal face lotion traps the moisture in and stops your skin from getting dry.

It's best to wash your face before bed, moisturize, and then put a drop of facial oil in your palm and rub it on your face. In the morning your skin will be soft and ready to handle the cold winter winds.
I use Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil from Sephora.

Problem: Dry itchy skin
Solution: Coconut oil

If the skin on your body gets affected by the winter climate then coconut oil is perfect for you. Coconut oil can be purchased at any grocery store and for under $10 you can get a jar that will last you the whole winter, and maybe even longer. The oil comes in a hardened form but it melts fast when you submerge the jar in hot tap water. 

You can rub the oil on your skin before or after you shower. I find that it works much better than regular skin lotion because it adds a layer of moisture to your skin instead of just absorbing and disappearing. It also makes you smell like delicious, tropical coconut!Coconut oil is very versatile, you can use it in your hair, on your face, and even to cook with! 

Problem: Chapped lips
Solution: Vaseline

I tried every lip chap, balm, gloss, and stick I can get my hands on, and nothing works better to soothe chapped lips than good old Vaseline. The thing I like most about using Vaseline is that is doesn't dry out my lips. I find that lots of lip chaps seem to make my lips more chapped and force me to constantly apply more. Vaseline actually repairs my chapped lips! 

I purchased a cute mini jar of Vaseline that is made especially for your lips. After it is empty you can refill it with Vaseline from a normal size jar to save money.  

Problem: Cracked, dry hands
Solution: Curel lotion

After using tons of lotions to try and fix my dry hands, I have found that Curel works the best. With only one application my hands are relieved and my skin starts to look normal again. It has a mild scent and is great for sensitive skin. It's a must have lotion to fix dry hands!


What's your favourite fix for dry winter skin?

-Sarah

My four favourite things this week

1.) Chi Curling Wand

For Christmas this year I got a Chi Air Curling Wand. I was a little skeptical of this new tool but I tried it out for the first time this week and I love it! I normally use my straightener to add curls to my hair but I found the wand adds more spirals and gives a more voluminous look. The curling wand is also much easier to use than standard curling irons so they are perfect if you are a beginner. You basically hold the wand with one hand and wrap your hair around it with your other hand. The wand comes with a special glove so that you don't get burned. I highly recommend it!

2.) Bodum French Press

I worked at a coffee shop for over four years and I have to say I have become a coffee fanatic! I love trying out new roasts and methods of brewing coffee, so this week I got a french press! I love waking up on these cold mornings and making myself some freshly pressed coffee! I have a Bodum french press and so far it works great. The directions are easy to follow and you just have to make sure you use a coarsely ground coffee. My mom has a travel french press which is perfect for mornings when you are in a rush. I think I'll make myself a cup right now!

3.) Arm Knitting

This is a new trend you may have seen popping up all over Pinterest and I have to say it is pretty awesome! You use your arms as the knitting needles and you can knit scarves in about a half hour! My sister-in-law tried it last weekend and it turned out beautiful. She used a chunky knit yarn and it resulted in a cozy scarf that is perfect for this weather. I am going to try and make one this weekend, check out this YouTube tutorial and make one yourself!

4.) Girls Season 3

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love the HBO show Girls. Season 3 just premiered last Sunday night and the first two episodes were hilarious. HBO made the episodes available on YouTube, watch them here!

Best Gluten-Free Brownies!

A few years ago my brother was diagnosed with Celiac disease which means that he can't eat foods that contain gluten. It can be very hard to find baked goods that are gluten-free and don't taste like cardboard, and the ones that are tasty can be very over-priced. Last weekend was my brother's birthday so I decided to try and bake him a gluten-free dessert that would substitute as a birthday cake. I was flipping through the January issue of Chatelaine magazine and found a simple recipe for gluten-free brownies, so I thought I'd give it a try. They turned out great, the brownies were moist, chocolaty, and delicious! The neat part about this recipe is that it doesn't contain any kind of flour at all, instead it uses ground almonds which gives them a nice texture and flavour. These brownies are a great treat to make for the gluten-free people in your life and because they are are high in fibre and low in fat they are great to make when you are craving a sweet treat!

Photo by Roberto Caruso from www.chatelaine.com

Here is the recipe:

2 1/2 cups icing sugar
2 cups ground almonds
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp salt
4 egg whites
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line the sides and bottom of an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, letting the paper hang over the edges of the pan.

Whisk sugar with almonds, cocoa, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in egg whites and vanilla. Batter will be thick. Scrape into prepared pan. Smooth top.

Bake in the centre of the oven until top of brownie is shiny and crispy and a cake tester inserted in the centre comes out almost clean, about 40-45 minutes. Use parchment paper to lift the brownie out, and let cool completely on a rack.