5 Foodie Blogs I'm Swooning Over

Working at a chocolate factory has me diving into a things food.

Recently, I've stumbled a few blogs that I'm obsessing over lately, and I wanted to share.

1. Food Curated

Food Curated is run by Liza de Guia (or @SkeeterNYC), and she makes incredible videos going behind the scenes of unique food processes. Her most recent video is about a Captain Lawrence Brewery's Katchkie Harvest Ale that uses real local pumpkins making it "farm-to-brew." Love that! 

2. Joy the Baker

Joy the Baker has such a great personality in her posts with fabulous recipes. And she has the most adorable kitty, Jules. She shares a sweet story in her about video of how her dad got her into baking pies at an early age with her sister.

3. The Social Eater

The Social Eater is a blog dedicated to exploring eating local, Fair Trade and Direct Trade food. So right up my alley!

4. Desserts for Breakfast

Desserts for Breakfast is a food recipe blog with absolutely breath-taking photos! Stephanie is also an editor for a new foodie magazine, Sated, that I swoon over. I really need a subscription for my upcoming birthday. 

**Hint. Hint.**

5. Food Woolf 

Last but not least is Food Woolf. Brooke delves into the behind the scenes life of food and restaurant business. I learned about her through an amazing post she wrote about Askinosie Chocolate. 

These blogs are making my days all the more delicious, and I'm so glad I stumbled upon them in the vast universe of the Internet. Check them out!

-Coffeegirl

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The Wedding Notebook

Wedding planning came at the perfect time for me.

With an academic shaped void in my heart, I needed a project.

First thing, I did after Travis proposed was to buy a beautiful binder and meticulously organize it for the coming months of planning.

I know I'm a nerd...

but hey, I satisfied that need to buy school supplies!

I think this type of personal life organization can overflow to anyone in any stage of life, so I wanted to share some tips of how I organized my Wedding Notebook.

1. Pick a functional binder that isn't sore on the eyes.
This may seem a bit silly to note, but the more you enjoy your binder and organizational tools the more you are apt to use them. I bought binder from the Martha Stewart Collection at Staples.

2. Choose your accessories wisely.

I opted to buy one 8 tab packet with the following categories: Important, Budget, Ceremony, Reception, Guests, Flowers/Photos, Attire and Honeymoon. I mulled over how to wisely use these categories, but so far I am happy with these. Also, do NOT skimp on the fun plastic bags in the front of the binder. This is so helpful in holding small things. Martha Stewart has so many accessories so you can customize your binder to fit your needs!

3. Get a great calendar with plenty of room to write.

Like I mentioned, this Martha Stewart set had so many options. I got lots of filler paper and this great calendar with monthly to-do lists and lots of writing space. This is essential if you are planning a big event or putting together a long term project because it allows you to fill in all of the crazy details and deadlines.

4. Fill your notebook with pretty inspiration to encompass your vision.
I have ripped out magazine pages, taped photos of fun ideas and even printed out my Pinterest boards. This is the fun part, and you will definitely impress potential venders if you show them your vision in a concrete, visual way.

If you are looking for any wedding print outs, I got my ideas from this original blog post that I found on Pinterest. Just remember that organization and personalization is key when planning any event--especially a wedding.

-Coffeegirl

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He Put a Ring on It

Nine short days ago, my lovely beau of six years asked me the four most wonderful words in the universe:

"Will you marry me?"

I of course said, "Yes!"

But I want to rewind and tell you all my incredibly romantic proposal story.

About a month ago, I went to a ring sale over my lunch break.

I put a ring on that gave me chills.

The lady wrote it down for me, and Travis went back that day, but it was sold.

I was heartbroken, but vowed to not be a part of this process any longer.

Last weekend, Travis insisted we go visit family since he had work off.

I was a bit suspicious, but I did not want to get my hopes up.

On the way home, Travis told me to go ring shopping with a friend that weekend to send him a report because I needed help.

I thought, "I guess he really doesn't have a ring."

On Friday evening, he took me out on a date and told me to dress pretty.

We went to a nice Italian restaurant, and I hinted at my suspicions.

He joked, "Just wait til you get to the center of that bread!"

Again, I thought, "Okay, not tonight."

Afterwards, we were driving to my house to watch a movie, when he stopped at my favorite little white chapel behind my house.

There, waiting for us, was a perfectly laid out picnic with a dozen roses and his quilt made from his grandmother's clothes.

It was beautiful

but no proposal.

We sat and reminisced over the past six years and enjoyed the scenery.

I was on cloud nine.

We laid down to look at the sky, and out of no where, he said,

"Will you marry me?"

No box.

No knee.

Just his sweet smile and the beautiful ring that he had told me was gone!

I called him a liar, said, "Of course!," and immediately put my favorite ring on.

Then he began to mess with his phone,

and shortly afterward, fireworks began shooting off in the distance.

It was magical.

He had given my best friend, Suzie, "the signal,"

and she lit them.

(She is great at keeping secrets.)

The next night, he had a whole party planned with our family to celebrate.

It was fun and perfect and a little quirky.

Just like us.

I still cannot believe I am a bride-to-be,

but I could not be happier!

Travis is the most wonderful man I have ever known, and I cannot wait to have countless adventures with him as his wife. :)

-Beth

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The One That Got Away

My friends from high school and I have sort of started an odd tradition when I go home.

We make music videos.

Our latest project a couple of weeks ago was "The One that Got Away" by Katy Perry, right in time for her summer blockbuster.

The video involves five girls and five break-up stories.
Let's see if you can guess them all.
Enjoy!

Hope you are having a lovely summer!

-Coffeegirl

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HUNGERTHON 2012

Last weekend, I had the privilege of volunteering at HUNGERTHON again after two years. 

HUNGERTHON is Ozarks Food Harvest's largest annual fundraiser for their backpack program. 

It is a radio-thon with Alice 95.5, a local radio station, where they spend four days outside telling heartwarming stories on air to encourage people to donate to such a great cause.

All the money raised goes to help fund the backpack program for the Ozarks.

The backpack program is a program for kids who are relying on school to receive food each day, and do not always get a meal over the weekend.

Ozarks Food Harvest, our local food bank, creates the backpacks filled with good food that is easy for a child to prepare, and the backpacks are sent home every Friday with the at-risk students.

Two summers ago, I had my first internship with the PR department at Ozarks Food Harvest, and I learned so much about hunger in the Ozarks as well as valuable career skills I still use everyday.

It was so great to be able to come back and see all the people I worked with that summer.

In fact, we had an intern reunion between my former internship supervisor, Lindsey, her previous intern after me, Sara, and her current intern, Riana.

We snagged a photo to commemorate the occasion!

Sara, Lindsey, Riana and I smile for the camera!

Ozarks Food Harvest is such a great nonprofit.

They were and are huge players in the Joplin tornado relief.

If you are interested in being a part of Ozarks Food Harvest,

check out their website: ozarksfoodharvest.org. 

Do not forget to give back to your community,

-Coffeegirl

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