Northern Virginia Meet Up!

Posted on by

7

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 by

0

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 by

0

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.Olive Oil Vase

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 by

3

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!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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 :D  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!

4.Cheese_Steak_Sanwich

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.

Roasted_Veggie_Gnocchi-4

 

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 :)

Spring_Grilling_Beer_Chicken_Pineapple_Skewers_Potoatoes-13

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

Bread Craft- A Roanoke Restaurant Review

Posted on by

2

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. 

Picture

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.

Picture

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 by

1

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.

chalk paint 1

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!

chalk paint 3

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 by

0

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!

rvafb clothing swap pic SMALL

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!!

Vote for a Virginia Blogger!

Posted on by

0

There are some exciting things happening here in Richmond!

Start-up_Comp

i.e.* is a “collaborative community initiative to support and accelerate cross-industry creativity & innovation in the Richmond region” and a product of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. One of the ways in which they are encouraging creativity is to sponsor their Start-Up competition, now in their 2nd year of running. And this year, two Virginia Bloggers are in the running!

The way it works is this: if you have a small business up and running for less than a year, or not running yet, then you could enter a 100 word description of your business describing what you do, your target audience, how you will market your business and how you will fill a market need.  Sydney and Shannon have both entered, and their blurb is below.

From Sydney:

cropped-chicstripeslogo1

Chic Stripes Styling’s MO is shopping 2nd hand 1st. Need a new blazer? Head to your local thrift store. Craving a pair of red-soled shoes? Check out the high-end consignment boutique. Want to re-do your wardrobe as your life responsibilities shift? Sign up with Chic Stripes Styling – the only Richmond-based personal style consultant who will help craft a streamlined wardrobe filled with investment pieces by shopping second hand. With a built in audience from style blog collaborations with GRID, RVA Fashion Week, and DowntownShortPump.com, CCS is ready to help Richmond live life by dressing up while shopping 2nd hand 1st.

From Shannon:

BOHO_Logo

Boho Cycle Studio is Richmond’s only fitness studio specializing in and dedicated to indoor cycling. We have taken elements and ideas from yoga, mixed them with what it feels like to dance all night at a nightclub, and put it on a bike! Unlike big gyms that offer indoor cycling, we dedicate all of our energy to making every class an exceptional ride. We have created a format that is a full body conditioning experience, geared to riders at every fitness level. There are no contracts or commitments required as we operate on a pay per class model. We are dedicated to giving back to our community by promoting a healthy lifestyle. We provide discounted rides to students, fundraising rides for local charities, and healthy resources to riders and neighbors. Riding at Boho is not just a work out. It is an experience. A party on a bike! Clip in. Let go. Enjoy the ride.

We are so excited for such awesome local ladies to have a chance to put their ideas in the spot light! So here’s what you should do:

  1. Click here to vote for Sydney or click here to vote for Shannon
  2. Spread the word to your family and friends!
  3. Vote! 3 times – March 26, March 27, and March 28

Good luck, everyone!

-Liz

Guest Post: Buttoned and Bustled

Posted on by

0

Hello everyone.  I just joined the VA Blogger group and I am so excited to be a part of this group!  Please stop over at my blog, Buttoned and Bustled, to say hello! Would love to meet you.
engaged 2
I wanted to share my 6 tips to the newly engaged since we are just passed Valentine’s Day, New Year’s and Christmas and many of you may be NEWLY engaged.  The Holidays are a popular time to get engaged!   My hubby proposed to me the day after Christmas…I am a difficult person to surprise so a Christmas Day proposal would have been highly anticipated by yours truly.

Congrats to everyone that is newly engaged! Here are my Six tips for the newly engaged:
engaged
Enjoy the Moment. Our first instinct as soon as we get engaged, is to start planning.  We’re usually calling the church to get their availability the moment we say yes!  Enjoy that sparkly rock that now resides on your finger.  Kiss and hug your hubby-to-be a few more times.  Celebrate with your family and friends.  Relish in the excitement.

Be Organized.  Planning Books that you can find at Barnes and Noble or Target will be your best friend.  They will keep you organized.  A reminder of all the little things that you need to think about and plan for your wedding day.  You can also make your own binder if you’re on a stricter budget.  Save your favorite photos from magazine’s and pintrest for inspiration and to add to your planner.  I also think that a wedding website is the best way to keep you and your guests organized.  It’s a one stop shop for them to find the information they need.

Ask for help.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help or take your friend up on her offer to help you.  Most of the people offering their help; your bridal party, your mother, your mother in-law to be, your high school friend, truly want to be of help to you.   Whether it’s helping you stamp and lick all 200 tasty envelopes or decorating the church the day before, they want to be there.  It’s how they feel more involved in your special day and because they love you.   Plus, you won’t be running around like a chicken with your head cut off.

Have fun.   Don’t get too caught up in the stress of planning.  It can and will be stressful.  Just remember that this is usually a once in a lifetime event.   Enjoy this time with your hubby-to-be as you begin to plan your life together.  Get to know each other’s family better. Celebrate. SOAK it up!

Do the Research & Collect Information. Before you set a date, be sure to talk with all your family members and closest friends.  Also, know your budget from the beginning.  You don’t want to book that winery in Northern, VA on the last Saturday in June to find  your parents will be going on vacation that same weekend and they won’t have any extra money to spend!

Be yourself.  Let your own personality be present when planning your wedding.     It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing or has done for their wedding.  Don’t get me wrong, find inspiration in other’s weddings.  Remember that this is your wedding day and to reflect on the personality of you and your fiance’s.  It will only make your wedding day that much personal and enjoyable.

Do you have any tips to share?

Event Reminder: Thirft Shopping THIS SATURDAY

Posted on by

4

If you are looking for things to do this weekend, you should plan on adding the Thrift Crawl (as it has been called) to your agenda! Here’s how it will go down: we’ll meet up at a staple Richmond thrift store, shop for about 45 minutes and then as a group move on to the next thrift store on our list to continue the fun..If you haven’t been thrifting before (or just never find anything cool when you go), this is a great chance to shop with other frequent thrifters and learn some tips and tricks. Keep reading for the specific details! 
 
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2013
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Met Up Place: Fantastic Thrift, RIchmond, VA @ 1:30
Locations: CityTrip – Fantastic Thrift, The Clothes Rack, DiversityThrift
Contact: Sydney - @chicstripes
 
Psst. You can check out the first unofficial event here