FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

The Camera Bag

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After upgrading my DSLR action to the Canon 7D, I figured it was high time to stop tossing my camera in any old purse and using koozies as protection for spare lenses.  Once I made the decision to invest, I got to WORK searching the web for the perfect bag.  I emphasize work because me on an online shopping mission is probably one of the more strategically intense things you could ever witness in this lifetime.  I settled on two bags, this Ketti Handbag and an ONA Bag, and blasted links to all of my besties for input.  We agreed on the ONA and when I went to purchase, I just couldn’t do it.  The scale was wrong, the me-ness factor was wrong, and most importantly, the price was wrong – $229 for an off-brand, camera-only bag?  No sir.

Within minutes, my mission was modified.  I found a camera insert on the Darby Mack Etsy site and, after a lengthy back and forth (thank you Darby!!), I custom ordered this camera insert with another fabric from her collection.  And I ordered a camera strap in matching fabric.  I noted the dimensions of the insert, 11″ wide x 8″ tall and 5″ deep, and began a new hunt – the hunt for a perfectly scaled designer bag that was oh so me and oh so on sale.

On a side note, if you’d like to order something wonderful from the Darby Mack store, Darby is offering free shipping to FoodFash readers by using the code “JUST4U” at checkout.  

As luck would have it, I headed to Nordstrom and this Botkier satchel jumped off the sale rack, down the aisle, up my leg, and onto my shoulder.  It begged me to take it home and I couldn’t say no.   The dimensions weren’t exact, but I had a hunch they would work.  The price was just about what I was willing to spend.  And by the time I left the store I was completely in love, whether the insert worked or not.

The insert arrived within a week and, as you can see above, fit perfectly in the satchel.  I ended up spending just under $250, which may seem like a lot.  But if you’re an extreme purchase justifier like me, you’d convince yourself that $250 is a steal for a designer bag, a designer camera bag, and the means to make any bag in the future a camera bag.  Yeah that’s right, three (or more) for the price of one!

Hopfields And Burlap Bag

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Considering that I will either be out of town, have a visitor, or be moving for the next eight weekends in a row, I needed to make the most of this weekend.  So when Lauren shot me an “it’s been too long” email, I thought “man, she’s right, and if I don’t see her this weekend, it’s going to be even longer!”.  I forwarded her an event invite that Macarons by Jane had sent me for Burlap Bag‘s first birthday party and we made plans to meet beforehand at Hopfields.

Two new friends, Elonie and Anna, also met up with us at Hopfields.  We made our introductions and promptly sipped and snacked away.  Lauren and Elonie shared the cheese plate and I had the salad nicoise.  The salad, consisting of fresh greens, haricots verts, fingerling potatoes, olives, tuna and egg, was super impressive for a bar.  Fresh tuna and haricots verts?  Yum.  Between the food, atmosphere, and uber friendly staff, I’d definitely pay a second visit to Hopfields.

When we arrived at Burlap Bag, the place was already packed.  And as soon as we saw Jane’s tower of macarons and all of the other dessert filled tables, we knew exactly why.  A boat load of sweets is sure to lure in a crowd.

We poked around the shop, sweet snacking and goods browsing.

And then we found ourselves back at Hopfields so I could balance out all the sweet with a salty snack and we could continue conversation.  So let me revise my previous statement…  Between the food, atmosphere, and uber friendly staff, I’d definitely pay a second third visit to Hopfields!

AFBA Potluck

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As soon as I walked up to Springdale Farm for the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance potluck, I took a deep breath, made a crooked little smile, and found comfort in knowing that Austin is exactly where I’m supposed to be.  That’s big life stuff right there, but on a less serious note, the farm house was completely adorable and the perfect setting for AFBA members to test out recipes for the upcoming AFBA cookbook.

After signing in, my new camera and I were pointed towards Melissa, who is leading the photography effort for the cookbook.  I walked into a dream of a kitchen that was fully stocked with blogging accessories.  One day I’ll have a spare bedroom with plenty of natural light that will serve as both studio and storage, one day!

Even better than the accessories was the side yard full of tree stumps and fire pits and textures galore.  If I lived in a house with this much character, I would have a camera permanently affixed to my face.  I had the best of times shooting all of the fabulous dishes that everyone contributed.  All of the arranging and squatting, I felt like a pro.

As far as the food was concerned, I’m not the biggest fan of, say… group food.  Traditionally at a potluck, I’ll eat what I brought and stick to dips.  However, today’s dishes were the best of the best of local bloggers and I had faith that everything was delish.  And to that point, everything I had was worthy of getting seconds.  So not only am I excited about having some of my recipes and photos published, I’m also excited to own a book with recipes from amazing Austin bloggers that sure know how to cook a meal!

Making The Non-Toxic Switch

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I’ve always been a fan of product.  I love trying new things and knowing new things and broadcasting new things.  But until recently, I paid little attention to how all of these things could have affected/be affecting my overall health.  And since it seems pretty silly to spend a whole lot of time focusing on what I put into my body but not onto my body, I figured it was about time to start paying attention.  And about time I share some importantly good finds!

A few Saturdays ago, I walked to Whole Foods on a face wash mission that was prompted by being completely out of my current, highly toxic regimen.  I have to admit that I was first drawn to Alba because of the packaging, but after checking the face wash, toner, and moisturizer toxicity ratings on the Environmental Working Group’s website, I knew that these products weren’t just a pretty face.  I’ve been using the three of these products together for about a month and they are amazing.  My skin is soft, blemish-free, and lacks that tight feeling that most other products leave behind.

Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap has been a staple of mine since my first Emily DC visit in 2010.  It’s made purely of Water, Saponified Organic Coconut, Organic Olive Oils, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, Organic Mentha Arvensis, Citric Acid, and Vitamin E.  And the peppermint oil leaves you feeling super clean and tingly (think minty fresh breath, but body).

I am not totally sold on not using an antiperspirant, but I do think there are occasions when whether you sweat or not just doesn’t matter.  So Tom’s Long Lasting has been my go-to lately for lounging around the house or running errands.

And lastly, and least fun, tampons.  Using Seventh Generation’s chlorine, fragrance, and dye free tampons is probably the easiest switch to make right away.  I can’t begin to understand why chlorine, fragrance, or dye in a tampon is necessary, but I can be thankful that a tampon without these chemicals exists.

And if you’d like to receive a discount on your first iHerb order, use coupon code “RIS381” or click on the image above!