NuMe Mini Magic: Tiny Straightener, Big Sleek Energy

 

Whether you’re prepping for a weekend getaway or just love compact beauty tools, the NuMe Mini Hair Straightener in Blue might just become your new ride-or-die. I recently gave this petite powerhouse a full test run, and spoiler alert: it surprised me in all the best ways.

L

Here’s my honest review — from heat time to hair results — so you can decide if this mini tool deserves a spot in your beauty bag

Let’s talk aesthetic — the NuMe Mini comes in this gorgeous electric blue shade that instantly brightens up my vanity. It’s lightweight, travel-sized, and honestly adorable. The sleek, minimalist design makes it feel more high-end than the price tag suggests.

📦 What’s in the box?

• The straightener (duh)
• A heat-protective pouch
• User manual
• And that satisfying “new tool” smell (you know the one!)

This baby heats up fast — like, under a minute fast. Perfect for chaotic mornings or quick touch-ups before Zoom calls or brunch dates.

• Max Temp: Around 410°F (210°C)
• Plates: 100% tourmaline ceramic (aka smoother glide, less frizz)
• Bonus: Dual voltage — perfect for travel!

I used it on both freshly washed and dry, second-day hair. It glides surprisingly well, and the compact size lets me get super close to the roots — a huge win for those tricky baby hairs.

💇‍♀️ Performance on My Hair

For context, I have medium-length, fine hair with a slight wave. Here’s how the NuMe Mini performed:

✅ Straightening:

It left my hair sleek and shiny with minimal effort. I needed to go over each section maybe twice — no tugging, no damage. It handled flyaways like a pro!

✅ Curling:

Yes — you can curl with this thing! The rounded edges on the plates mean you can create loose bends and flips, even with the smaller size. Great for bangs and framing pieces too.

✅ Touch-Ups:

Perfect for taming post-workout frizz or smoothing bedhead. It’s now my go-to for quick styling on the fly.

🧳 Travel-Ready?

Absolutely. The dual voltage feature makes it international-ready, and the size fits in a small pouch or even a purse. It’s officially part of my overnight essentials.

🧴 Best Used With:

To protect your strands and lock in the style, I recommend pairing it with:

• A heat protectant spray 
• Lightweight serum or oil for added shine
• Dry shampoo for second-day volume

💬 Final Verdict

4.8/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

If you want a mini tool that delivers major results, the NuMe Mini Blue Straightener is a must-have. It’s cute, quick, and seriously effective — ideal for touch-ups, travel, and tight spaces.

M

Love Inspiration

 

Make Your Own Vegan Candy Hearts

I've combined your two recipes into a single, comprehensive recipe for classic Vegan Conversation Hearts. This version focuses on the traditional candy-making method, which closely replicates the texture and style of store-bought hearts, while incorporating your choice 

This recipe uses agar powder (a vegan gelling agent from algae) instead of gelatin to create a dough that can be rolled, cut, and dried into firm, sweet candies.

· Preparation Time: 45 minutes active time, plus 1-3 days drying

· Yield: Approximately 100 small hearts

Ingredients

· 2 tsp agar powder (or ½ tsp guar gum as an alternative)

· ½ cup water

· 1 tbsp maple syrup (or 2 tsp corn syrup)

· ¼ tsp salt

· 5 cups confectioners' (powdered) sugar, plus extra for dusting

· Flavoring & Coloring: Food-grade extracts (vanilla, lemon, mint, anise) or finely ground spices (anise seed, cinnamon); natural food colorings (beet powder, turmeric, matcha) or liquid food coloring.

Essential Tools

· Small saucepan

· Stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand mixer

· Rolling pin

· Small heart-shaped cookie cutter (about 1-inch wide)

· Baking sheet

· Parchment paper

· Fine brush or edible marker (for writing messages)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the Agar: In a small saucepan, combine the water and agar powder. Heat over medium, stirring often until the mixture begins to bubble. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes. It will start to thicken into a gel.

2. Make the Dough: Immediately pour the hot gel into your mixer's bowl. Add the maple syrup and salt. On low speed, begin adding the confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, until a stiff, play-dough-like dough forms. It should hold its shape and not be sticky.

3. Color and Flavor: Divide the dough into portions for each color. Make a small dent in each portion, add a few drops of your chosen extract and food coloring, and knead by hand on a surface dusted with powdered sugar until the color is even. Wrap unused portions in plastic wrap to prevent drying.

4. Roll and Cut: Roll out one portion of dough on a sugared surface to about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. Use the heart cutter to cut out shapes, transferring them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Re-roll scraps and repeat with remaining dough.

5. Dry the Candies: Let the hearts dry uncovered at room temperature for 1-3 days, turning them once a day. They are ready when completely firm and slightly crisp. Drying time depends on thickness and humidity.

6. Add Messages (Optional): Once fully dry, you can write words on them using an edible marker or a fine brush with food coloring mixed with a drop of water.

💡 Key Tips for Success

For the best results, keep these practical tips in mind:

· Texture is Key: The dough must resemble play dough. If it's sticky, knead in more powdered sugar. If it's crumbly, a tiny sprinkle of water can help.

· Flavoring Choices: For a more authentic taste, some prefer using finely ground spices like anise seed instead of extracts, as they can offer a more pleasant and subtle flavor.

· Patience with Drying: Don't rush the drying. Air-drying for several days yields the best texture. Using an oven on the lowest setting or a dehydrator can speed this up to a few hours.

· Make a Cutter: If you don't have a small heart cutter, you can make one by cutting and shaping a clean aluminum can into a heart shape.

I hope this combined recipe helps you create a delightful and personalized Valentine's Day treat. If you'd like ideas for other vegan Valentine's desserts, such as chocolate truffles or cookies, I can provide some simple recipes for those as well.

How to Create a Cozy Winter Reading Nook

A cozy winter reading nook is a perfect place to enjoy a good book and a hot drink on a cold day. Here are some tips on how to create one in your home: 

• Start by finding a spot that is comfortable, quiet and has enough natural or artificial light. You can use a corner of your bedroom, living room or any other room that has a window or a fireplace12.
• Choose a chair or sofa that is cozy and supportive. You can also use cushions, pillows or blankets to make the spot more comfortable12.
• Add a small table, shelf or wall niche to store your books, magazines and e-reader. You can also display some personal items, such as photos, candles, plants and seasonal decor1234.
• Use warm colors and textures to create a cozy atmosphere. You can use rugs, curtains, throws, faux fur fabrics or pillows in colors like red, orange, yellow or brown. You can also use fabrics like wool, flannel, or faux fur125.
• Enjoy your cozy winter reading nook with a hot drink, such as tea or cocoa. You can also use a mug warmer, a thermos or a kettle to keep your drink warm12.

I hope this helps you create a cozy winter reading nook in your home. Happy reading! 

How to Use a Flickr Pro Account

Here are 20 ways to use Flickr Pro to get the most out of your membership, whether you’re a photographer, digital artist, blogger, or seller:m

Unlimited Photo Storage – Upload full-resolution photos without worrying about space limits.

Host a Professional Portfolio – Use albums and collections to showcase your best work as a digital portfolio.

Organize by Theme or Project – Sort photos into albums like “Portraits,” “Nature,” or “Client Work.”

Display EXIF Data – Show off camera settings and metadata to teach others or attract fellow enthusiasts.

5. Access Stats Dashboard – Track views, comments, and traffic sources for each image.

6. Backup Your Photos – Use it as a cloud archive to protect high-res images.

7. Promote Your Work – Share Flickr links on social media or embed galleries on your website or blog.

8. License Your Photos – Enable Creative Commons or copyright licenses to protect or monetize your work.

9. Create a Photo Blog – Use Flickr’s embed features to add photo stories to a WordPress or Tumblr blog.

10. Build Community – Join groups around photography genres or themes (e.g., street photography, macro).

11. Sell Prints or Products – Link to Etsy, Redbubble, or your own shop to sell prints or products based on your photos.

12. Use Flickr for SEO – Images with strong titles, tags, and descriptions can show up in Google Image Search.

13. Attract Clients – Add contact info to your bio or watermark images to attract bookings or freelance gigs.

14. Host Preset Showcases – Upload Lightroom preset “before and after” samples with links to buy.

15. Offer Tutorials or Edits – Share edited vs. original photo comparisons to market your editing services.

16. Pitch for Collaborations – Direct brands to your Flickr as a visual resume.

17. Run a Visual Challenge – Use groups or albums to host creative prompts or photo contests.

18. Create Pinterest-Friendly Pins – Design vertical images and pin from Flickr to drive traffic to your blog.

19. Curate Mood Boards – Use albums to group aesthetic themes for design, decor, or inspiration.

20. Link to Lightroom Presets or Downloads – Use the caption or description to link to freebies, paid downloads, or opt-ins.

Would you like me to create a downloadable checklist or blog post version of this list?