Category: Uncategorized

We’ve got some exciting news! In an effort to expand our local footprint, Virginia Bloggers is looking for ambassadors in each region.

 

Local Ambassadors will be responsible for:

• Identifying meet up opportunities in your area of the state. (This doesn’t mean you have to plan all of the events, just help us brainstorm ideas in your area and find a contact person to “host” the meet up.)
• Organizing a Facebook group to facilitate conversations between local bloggers. (This gives bloggers an opportunity to connect, share ideas, ask questions, etc.)
• One guest post per month, highlighting what local bloggers in your area are up to. (This can be a pretty simple round up post linking to blog posts)

This is a great opportunity for those looking to expand their blogging impact and read a wider audience!

To apply: send us an e-mail at virginiabloggers (at) gmail (dot) com and let us know why you want to be an ambassador. Be sure to include your blog link in the e-mail. Please contact us my 2/22 if you’re interested!

(If you’ve already sent us a Facebook message or e-mail, no need to re-send!)

This Valentine’s Day, we rounded up a few sexy recipes from our Virginia Blogger Members & Contributors.  Impress you’re someone special with one of these recipes … oh and don’t forget to connect with our local bloggers for more romantic recipe ideas.  

Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats for Valentine’s Day

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats are packed with protein and easy to throw together the night before Valentine’s Day. Use the berry chia jam to make a festive heart shape on top and enjoy with someone you love! This heart (<3) healthy recipe comes from Brittany @eatingbirdfood, where she proves that living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring or bland by sharing recipes, fitness activities and tips.

Click here for the recipe!

Berry Ricotta Biscuits with Vanilla Bean Glaze

Valerie, @Pursuit of Sweetness, thinks that nothing says “I love you” like a homemade breakfast. She recommends these adding these berry biscuits with vanilla bean glaze to your Valentine’s  weekend brunch menu to really impress those you love.

Click here for the recipe!

All that’s missing is some eggs and bacon for a lovely breakfast in bed … Oh and thanks to Kate @Kate Hates Broccoli, we have you covered (see below).

Sweet Potato Hash with Sunny Side up Eggs & Bacon

Kate says this recipe would be best enjoyed on Valentine’s Day with a cocktail (or 5), and then excessive cuddling once the bubbly kicks in. She is such a romantic!

Click here for the recipe!

Pear and Cardamom Sparkling Bellini

Did someone mention a cocktail? Tinsley & Jason @CookingShorts (husband and wife team) have a sexy love potion that’s bubbly, sweet, refreshing and super fragrant.

A little cardamom adds the right amount of spice to take your taste buds on an exotic vacation.

Click here for the recipe!

Homemade Takeout with Lime Marinade

 

What could be more romantic than spending Valentine’s Day catching up on memories of favorite places, and eating comfort foods? When Lauren @Steel+Heels thinks about the best Valentine’s celebrations she’s had, they’ve typically been spent at home.

Why not spend this year’s love-infused holiday with your favorite person at home, whipping up one of my favorite “date night” meals.

Click here for the recipe!

OMBRÉ PUMPKIN BRÛLÉE CREPE CAKE

This special occasion cake is one that you should make for someone you really love. Remember, pumpkin isn’t just for fall. This unique (and stunning) recipe comes from Marcella @Broad Appetite, a Richmond-based food blog that focuses on both global and local food-culture.

 Click here for the recipe!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

<3   from all of us @Virginia Bloggers

 

 

It must be the season of meet ups! We just had our Northern Virginia Bloggers meet up last Saturday and we had a wonderful turn out. HUGE thank you to our DC ambassador Rana for hosting!

We had a great blogger meet up on Saturday for the local NOVA bloggers. We met at the cafe of Angelika Theater.

It was a great turn out with Kim, Erin, Tinsley, Brandie, Shannon, Stephanie, Rebecca, Tayler and myself.

It turned out to be a great forum to learn from each other about blogging. A few of the topics we discussed were the difference between using blogger and wordpress, how social media can help your blogging, the differences in blogging genres, self hosting, keeping balance and just discussing blogging in general. It was a really inspirational discussion to hear what other bloggers are doing, and getting tips and help from others. We are so excited to have another meetup with more NOVA bloggers. We are planning on having more regular meetups and even doing meetups that have to do with different blogging genres. If you have any suggestions for other meetups, email me at runningrana at gmail dot com! We are excited to meet more NOVA bloggers 🙂

–Rana @ Running Rana

This Saturday we donned our finest leggings and tanks for a ballet-inspired workout at Richmond Barre.

 

 

photo by Ashleigh Hobson.

Just look at their studio in the heart of Libbie and Grove – complete with chandeliers! (Who doesn’t want to workout with a chandelier?)

 

A word of caution that all of us can now attest to: Don’t be fooled into thinking this is an easy workout. It is intense. Class started out with a quick warm up, free weights, then thighs and seat at the barre with some abs at the end with stretching in-between.

The music switched from upbeat to slow songs as we shifted from stretching to “working songs.” We loved the music, the moves, and the awesome instruction. At the end of class, Ashley told us to take the biggest breath we’d taken that day, and bend into our last stretch.

After class we got to mix and mingle with the other bloggers and learn more about Richmond Barre from Ashley, the owner.

She explained to us that barre exercise is safe and effective because it is very low impact and we use small isometric contractions instead of the bigger range of motion that people are used to performing when working out. We work the muscles to fatigue which creates shaking in the muscle group. Shaking is a good thing because that means it is working and creating change. We then stretch the muscle group just worked so that it creates length instead of bulking defining long lean sculpted muscles that we all desire to have. Also, There’s a little rumor that Richmond Barre classes fill up fast, but Ashley gave us the inside scoop on how to get off the wait list and into class.

 

 

Here are Ashley’s tip for getting into class! 

• Join the wait list, even if it looks long or intimidating.
• Check your email up until class time. Cancellations can occur up to 2 hours before class.
• Sign up for text/email alerts and be notified as soon as you’re bumped off the wait list.
• Remember, even if you get a spot at the end of the wait list, there’s still a chance you’ll get in. Clients can make reservations up to 20 days in advance, so cancellations are common as schedules change.

How awesome would it be to have your bachelorette party at the “barre” instead of a bar? Check out this fabulous barre bachelorette party at Richmond Barre from Style Me Pretty. Who thinks Liz should have her bachelorette party at the barre?!!

 

Photo by Cyn Kain.

Thanks to all who came out for the event!

–Christina

Finding new blogs is like making new friends. It’s exciting, it broadens your perspective, and it makes you feel more connected. Part of the goal of Virginia Bloggers is to connect people. So let’s connect with some lifestyle bloggers today:

 

From Yo to Ya’ll chronicles “what it’s like for a gal to move from NY down South and all the great adventures that ensue” so you can imagine you’re in for some good stories!

Alyson’s blog is full of helpful tips to make life easier. Meal plans, recipes, and DIY projects. This Richmond realtor has more than just adorable photos of her family (although they are adorable), she also has great inspiration for your home!

 

If you love puppies (and seriously, who doesn’t?) then you need to follow Groovy Goldendoodles, because Harley and Leo are adorable.

 

Follow some new blogs and connect with others! Tell us your favorite new blogs in the comments.