Ways to Get the Presents They Have Always Wanted

 Is there a person on your list that is really hard to shop for?  Here are some great tips on how to find out what they want without even having to talk to them!  Social Media and retailer wish lists can make finding the perfect gift that much easier for you.

Shopping for the guy or gal who seems to already have everything? Or perhaps you're a little clueless and not sure what to give someone you don't yet know well. Use the internet to your advantage. People are leaving online trails everywhere with their wants and wishes, making it easier than ever to gift others exactly what they've always wanted...

Search for wish lists at big retailers. Your giftee might have an Amazon wishlist already, and all you need to find it is their email address. This could be a great way to get your sister, friend or boss exactly what they want without havign to ask. Alternatively, if your giftee has recently gotten engaged, married, had a baby, or hosted a housewarming, they probably still have empty items on their registries. Even if they were married months ago, they might still appreciate recieving that cool kitchen gadget they picked out.



Glance through their social networks. Take a peek at any recent links they've posted to Facebook or Twitter to see if there's any good gift ideas. Or go through their StumbleUpon, Digg or Reddit history to find product links they liked or upvoted in the past. And if your giftee uses Pinterest, you've got it made! Find their profile to get dozens and dozens of great gift ideas that they're guaranteed to love.
Do you use the web to help you pick out great gift ideas? Share your sneaky tips in the comments!

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone Has A safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

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Get Rid of the Junk!

 Do you need to get organized and unclutter your life?  Here are three great sources that will help you get rid of your junk.  Have you ever used any of the sources below?

 

Junk: It comes in the mail. It balloons to fill every inch of space in your garage. It multiplies like Gremlins in your inbox. 

It's estimated that each American household receives some 800 pieces of junk mail annually.

Then, of course, there's also the spam, the newsletters you never signed up for, and the stuff crammed into your closet (that you do remember buying, but wish you could forget).

Junk-busting start ups and online communities have been popping up recently, claiming to banish all different flavors of junk, virtual and physical, with just a few clicks. Here are a few that might prove helpful:

 

PaperKarma
Use this iPhone app to snap a picture of your junk mail (showing your address), press send, and the junk mail will supposedly stop.

Unroll.me
After being granting access to your inbox, Unroll.me will manage your newsletters in one central spot. You can opt out of any email newsletters with one click.

Freecycle
This free platform is a place where users can connect to give away (and take!) old stuff. It is made up of grassroots members (over 9 million worldwide) who coordinate an effort to give (and get) things for free.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

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Make a Tart This November

Now that the Election is over, it is time for everyone to relax.  Here is a great delicious recipe for an apple tart that everyone should try. 

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 12 tablespoons (11/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1/2 cup ice water

For the apples:

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, small diced
• 1/2 cup apricot jelly or warm sieved apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons Calvados, rum, or water

Directions

For the pastry, place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas. With the motor running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. 

Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Roll the dough slightly larger than 10 by 14-inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges. Place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.

Peel the apples and cut them in half through the stem. Remove the stems and cores with a sharp knife and a melon baler. Slice the apples crosswise in 1/4-inch thick slices. Place overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices. (I tend not to use the apple ends in order to make the arrangement beautiful.) Sprinkle with the full 1/2 cup of sugar and dot with the butter.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking. If the pastry puffs up in one area, cut a little slit with a knife to let the air out. Don't worry! The apple juices will burn in the pan but the tart will be fine! When the tart's done, heat the apricot jelly together with the Calvados and brush the apples and the pastry completely with the jelly mixture. Loosen the tart with a metal spatula so it doesn't stick to the paper. 

Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature. 

For more information see Food Network.
Dolphin Beach

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