Guest Blogger: Classy Chic & Chardonnay

Posted on May 20, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Happy Monday! Today’s guest blogger, Chelsea, has a gorgeous recipe to share with you all. Her cake decorating skills are crazy impressive, and her blog is awesome! Enjoy! -Liz

Hi! I’m Chelsea from Classy Chic & Chardonnay and I have a confession to make: I love baking… almost as much as shopping! To me it’s relaxing, allows you to be a little creative and furnishes results that you can enjoy! I love trying new recipes and thanks to Pinterest (follow me here) there are endless recipes that are on my “to-make” list! I wanted to make a bake that had spring like flavors and when I came across this Triple Berry Lemon cake I knew it was the one
I used my go-to website for baking (Martha Stewart) and found the lemon cake recipe. I added Trader Joe’s frozen berries (which includes strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries) into the cake batter. I wanted there to be three layers so in the top and bottom layer berries were added, the middle layer was just lemon cake.

For the filling between the layers of cake I made a lemon pudding from a jello mix. (Who the heck knows how to make pudding from scratch?!)

The icing was a normal butter icing however I added some lemon zest to give it a little extra zing. (Also, if you’re going to make anything from scratch make your icing! It is super easy, hardly takes any ingredients and you can add just about any flavor to it!) I added a little bit of pink food coloring to give it more of a spring time look.

For the icing of the cake, I piped these roses. I’ve seen it done a bunch of times before, read a quick tutorial of it and was astonished at how easy it is! It was my first time too, so next time I’ll learn from my mistakes.

(You can read the tutorial that I used here via I am Baker!)

Chelsea @ Classy Chic & Chardonnay

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites

Posted on May 17, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Today’s post is from the bloggers over at CookingShorts, as husband and wife team “designed to bring short recipes and good food to your table.” We love that mission!

Every woman (and man) loves a good cheesecake. However, many of us steer clear of cheesecake with worries of the calorie count behind a huge slice. My solution is portion control … turn the big slice of cake into small bites. This allows you to enjoy the creamy, sweet deliciousness of cheesecake, but without the guilt of eating a full slice. Tinsley made these cuties for a recent girls’ night out and they were a hit. Our waiter even begged us for one.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients:
1 box red velvet cake mix
1 stick butter, softened
3 eggs
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
whipped cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 9×13 baking pan lightly with cooking spray. In a large prep bowl add cake mix, butter, and 1 egg. Beat with an electric mixer on low until combined. Please note, this batter will be very dense. Scoop the cake mixture into prepared pan and spread it your fingers; set aside.

In a medium prep bowl add cream cheese and sugar. Beat until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat to combine. Spread cream cheese mixture over the red velvet bar.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until bars barely start to pull away from sides. Cool completely before cutting. Use a small biscuit cutter to cut out bites. Garnish each bite with a dollop of whipped cream.

Things To Do With Your Dog in VA Beach

Posted on May 13, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Hey all! Today’s guest post is from Aimee over at Irresistible Pets and Irresistible Icing and she has some great ideas for taking your pooch out this summer! Enjoy! -Liz

Hi VA Bloggers! My name is Aimee and I blog at Irresistible Pets and Irresistible Icing. I was born and raised and still live in Virginia Beach and couldn’t imagine living away from the water! I have a Chihuahua named Chuy that I love spending time with, especially at the beach. I put together a list of some of my favorite things to do with your dog in Virginia Beach!

Take a Stroll on the Boardwalk

Virginia Beach has been voted for having one of the best boardwalks in the country. We love going to the boardwalk for bike rides or just a relaxing walk. If your dog needs help with socialization, the boardwalk is perfect! There’s so many different types of people, sounds, and smells.

Play on the Beach

Chuy has been going to the beach since he was 9 weeks old! He loves running in the sand! After you walk along the boardwalk, be sure to let your dog check out the beach!

PS – Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Boo! You can read the full policy from the city here.

Take a Pic by King Neptune!

The King Neptune statue has become iconic to Virginia Beach, so you have to snap a pic! I recommend getting a pic during the “off” season. Otherwise, Mr. Neptune is always surrounded by tourists during the summer. Chuy is in there somewhere lol.

Walk, Run, and Play at Mt. Trashmore

Mt. Trashmore was the first landfill park created in the entire world! Yes, that means it was created with trash! It rises over 60 feet high and you can see it from the interstate! The park itself has tons of trails, lakes, playgrounds, and even a skate park. Chuy and I often go after work to get in a nice long walk. He even loves running up the “mountain!”

If you are ever in Virginia Beach, be sure to say hello on Twitter @MyIcing or Instagram.

Love + Paws,

Aimee

Northern Virginia Meet Up!

Posted on May 9, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Hey Northern Virginia bloggers! Listen up! We are having a meet up in Arlington! Details below:

What: Virginia Blogger Meet Up

Where: Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Rd.)

When: Saturday, May 18th @ 3pm

RSVP: For questions, leave a comment below and our DC ambassador Rana, will answer your questions!

bayou

Meet ups are a great way to meet new bloggers in the area. Feel free to bring your camera and business cards! For other meet up ideas, please e-mail us at virginiabloggers@gmail.com and we’ll see what we can do!

Event Announcement: Thrifting in RVA THIS SATURDAY

Posted on May 8, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Hey all! Sydney, the blogger behind Chic Stripes is having another thrifting event! Be sure to check it out. I can say from expereince, it’s a great time! – Liz

Like most of you all, I love thrifting and find it’s 10x better to do it with fellow thrifters! The Group Shop Events are simple: we have a set itinerary of a few different thrift or 2nd hand stores that are grouped relatively close together and are similar in the type of store they are (thrift, consignment, etc). We meet up at the first, shop, head to the next, and shop some more! As needed/wanted, I encourage carpooling as it’s not only eco-conscious, but you can get to know your fellow thrifters.

This trip will feature 3 City Thrift Stores and I’ll be on hand to give style/consulting advice, as will all of the other fabulous fashion bloggers, of course.

See below for all the details!

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013

Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Locations: City Trip - Fantastic Thrift, The Clothes Rack, Diversity Thrift

Met Up Place: Fantastic Thrift, Richmond, VA @ 1:30 PM
RSVP: chicstripes@gmail.com

Sydney @ Chic Stripes

DIY Olive Oil Vases

Posted on May 6, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Today’s post is from the bloggers over at CookingShorts, as husband and wife team “designed to bring short recipes and good food to your table.” We love that mission!

DIY Olive Oil Vases

Have you ever noticed how manufactures are making bottles of olive oil super sleek and eye popping? They’re really coming up with cleaver ways of making their product stand out besides the actual label. Looking at these bottles and then looking at the price that I pay for quality olive oil got me thinking – these bottles (labels removed) would make really simple but neat vases. After I finished my last bottle of olive oil, I saved it and made cute vase out of it. It was super easy to get more bang out of my buck and get a second use out of the bottle. Here’s how you can make a really pretty vase to add a pop of something different to your kitchen.

Materials:

1 olive oil bottle
1/2 cup glass beads (vase filler)
food coloring
long steamed flowers

Directions:

Soak olive oil bottle for a couple of hours in soapy water to remove label. Use a wire cutter to remove metal ring around the mouth of the bottle. Add glass beads and fill with water. Choose whatever color that goes well with your kitchen and add in a drop or two of food coloring. Stir with a straw to incorporate the coloring in with the water. Finish by adding your flowers and viola! You’ll have a gorgeous vase that will stand out and make you feel proud to display.

I made my vase seasonal by snipping some long steams of my forsythia at the beginning of spring. I changed it up about a month later and replaced the steams with slightly bloomed red buds. There are a million and one uses for this simply project. Hosting a bridal shower? Use flowers that match the brides color theme to make a centerpiece that will really pop. Add drama to your Christmas buffet with holly or pine. These vases would also stand out as centerpieces for a wedding.

Guest Blogger: OMG Yum!

Posted on May 2, 2013 by virginiabloggers

I’m so excited about today’s guest blogger! Anna’s blog OMG Yum! is awesome, her pictures are gorgeous, and this girl is so sweet! I hope you enjoy her blog as much as I have! -Liz
Hi! I am Anna Bruce, a Portrait Photographer in Northern Virginia with a passion for food and cooking!

As a matter of fact, I think I was destined to be a foodie/cook (ish). My mom loves to cook and so does my grandfather (her dad), so I guess it is in my genes.
As far back as I can remember my mom would always make incredible meals. Then, whenever I got to go and visit my grandparents, I was equally spoiled with my granddad’s culinary goodness (especially his meat sauce pasta). I should probably tell you that I am half Italian When I met my hubby, I was yet again spoiled by his mother’s cooking! So I am grateful to say that my life has been filled with good eatin’ everywhere!

How This Blog Was Born:
Ever since the dawn of smartphones meet social media, I have been pretty much sharing my life across the web. I never really realized how much I posted about food until my best friend said to me “yeah, your Instagram is nothing but food!” (She’s not huge on social media so I guess I made quite a delicious first impression to her via Instagram).
As I think back, people have always had positive feedback towards my food posts and photos on Facebook and Twitter. They seem to all think that my cooking is delish. After so much positive feedback I threw it out there that I was thinking about starting a food blog. I think I got more likes from my photo fans on that post than any other status update to date. So here it is! OMG Yum! Anna’s food blog.

What this blog is:
-Fun
-Encouraging people to cook
-Educating people about products I love
-Sharing locally owned restaurants and food businesses
-Sharing some of my favorite recipes or food experiments hehe
-Sharing my Venezuelan-Italian background
-Positive

Go say hello, and check out Anna’s blog OMG Yum!

Bread Craft- A Roanoke Restaurant Review

Posted on April 24, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Hey Roanoke bloggers! Today’s guest post is from David who blogs at From Ballparks to BBQ. If you find yourself in Roanoke, be sure to check out this local bakery! If you’re interested in submitting a guest post, click here.

When a place calls itself an “artisanal bakery,” I get skeptical. Everyone is now making sandwiches on artisan bread and I don’t even know what it means anymore. I think some restaurants take store bought bread and let it get stale and hard and then voila – “Artisan!” When I saw Bread Craft in Downtown Roanoke and the phrase “artisanal bakery” on the window, I figured “yeah right.” Well…I was wrong.

I have now been to Bread Craft on three different occasions, and the baking has been impressive each time. For my first visit, I had breakfast with a co-worker and tried the croissant with spinach, feta, and artichoke. The croissant was light, flaky, buttery and delicious. My previous two visits have been for lunch and I’ve ordered paninis both times, which were both very good. The Turkey Florentine Panini was my favorite of the two. It comes with turkey, bacon, spinach, artichokes, feta, and fresh mozzarella on flatbread. I don’t even like artichokes but I guess I do when I’m ordering them at Bread Craft. The other panini I’ve tried is the Roast Beef, which was also good, but I would recommend the Turkey Florentine if I had to choose between the two. It makes such a difference when the bread is one of the highlights of a sandwich, and that’s what you get at Bread Craft. Sandwiches are around $6.50 and are served with a side of a salad I don’t really know how to describe. I think it’s pickled cauliflower and mixed with a couple other vegetables.

The atmosphere at Bread Craft is great because it feels like an authentic, European café. It reminds me of the cafes I’ve visited in France and Switzerland. The fresh pastries on display, baskets of fresh baguettes, unique loaves that are only made on certain days of the week, and a friendly staff that knows its customers by name all help create this unique vibe. Even the touch of having small, round tables that are designed for parties of two help create the European café ambiance. It’s something people probably would have laughed at in Downtown Roanoke 15 years ago, but it now appears to be thriving.

Between On the Rise and Bread Craft, Downtown Roanoke has two great bakeries. And the fresh baked breads and pastries at Bread Craft help it meet the description of a true artisanal bakery.

Bread Craft
106 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011
540.562.4112
www.breadcraftbakery.com

Guest Post: The Doyle Dispatch- Chalk Paint

Posted on April 16, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Today’s guest post is from Dory @ The Doyle Dispatch. She’s a DIY crafter, and she’s got some great tips to share today on chalk paint! Enjoy!

I am a DIY-er. A crafter. Someone who loves to get her hands dirty and be creative. But I also am impatient, and I don’t like to wait, prep, or bother with the steps that slow me down. I am a little like Veruca Salt: “I want it (done) now.”

As I was making a post for Young House Love’s Pinterest Challenge for Winter 2013, I had my first experience with a crafter’s best friend: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

What? Chalk paint? Do you mean chalkBOARD paint?

Well… yes and no.

Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint is a decorative paint that has been around for years (according to her website, over 20). The idea is that it is a versatile paint that acts like a limewash to make an older look to freshly-painted furniture.

Ok, but can’t I use paint from the hardware store for that?

Sure, but not in the same way. The great thing about Chalk Paint is that it has no odor, and you don’t need to pre-treat the surface before using it. That means no sanding, no priming, just painting. It is simply heavenly for an impatient crafter like me.

So colors?

There are around 30 different colors to choose from, but there are endless ways to mix, match, and further treat the colors to get basically any look that you want. My first use of the Chalk Paint was for my new menu board, and I wanted a flat color. I am planning on using it in the future for the surface of my map table. I just need to have a top coat of the clear wax to make sure the paint surface stays scuff-free and a little shiny.

The name says it’s “chalk paint.” Can I use it to make a chalkboard?

YES! You can use any of the colors to make a chalkboard surface. Colorful and versatile!

I want to learn more!

Yeah, after seeing my neighbor use this stuff, I was pretty convinced too. To find out more information, you can go to Annie Sloan’s page about using the Chalk Paint. You can find the American retailers here (I love that they also have store hours on that page).

Here are some fellow bloggers and their take on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint:

Have you ever tried chalk paint? For more DIY tips, head over to Dory’s blog!

Event Announcement: Clothing Swap!

Posted on April 5, 2013 by virginiabloggers

Hey all! We have an exciting announcement from our friends over at RVA Fashion Bloggers. They’re organizing a clothing swap and you’re invited!

When: Saturday, April 13th from 12:30p-3p

Where: Tastebuds American Bistro, 4019 MacArthur Ave, Richmond VA 23221

Details: This event is open to any fashionable ladies who would like to swap, not just RVAFB members. In addition to the swap you will be able to purchase Stella and Dot jewelry from Sydney of Chic Stripes and items from A Girl Named Leney (and her Etsy Shop) to go along with your new swapped items!!! Of course there will also be treats and refreshments provided.

Swap Rules:
- Everyone must bring at least 5 items.
- You can bring clothing, shoes, and accessories (jewelry, scarves, sunglasses, belts, etc). No underwear, lounge wear, work out clothes or swimwear please.
- All items should be spring/summer/all season items that are lightly worn and in style (no old t shirts, nothing too worn, nothing with holes and rips, nothing with stains etc).
- Make sure all items are clean, and wrinkle free.
-Everyone will have an hour to arrive and the swapping will start promptly at 1:30p so don’t be late or you will miss the good stuff!!
- At 1:30p you will have 10 min to “window shop” everyone’s items, after the 10 min everyone can start swapping, you aren’t obligated to switch with everyone.
- You can decide what works for you as far as swapping (example: if you have a really nice pair of shoes you would like to swap for 2 necklaces go for it, whatever works for you and the person you are swapping with) however we ask that there be no money transactions, only trades.
- At the end there will be a donate box for anyone who wants to donate any items they didn’t wind up swapping. All items will be donated to the Goodwill, but you aren’t obligated to donate.

For more info check out the Facebook event page here.

Please RSVP to rvafashionbloggers@gmail.com ASAP. Hope to see you all there!!

Virginia is for Bloggers