1. boots

Boots boots boots! It's kind of scary how much my best friend and I are thinking alike. Recently, we met up in Oregon and packed pretty much the same suitcase. It was interesting because she had just bought a pair of boots and I was looking for the perfect pair. I was on the fence about ordering some from Nine West and then went ahead and ordered some from Amazon. I found out that if you have Prime with Amazon, you get free shipping and returns on most shoes and boots (it will say “Eligible for FREE Shipping and Free Returns” or say “Eligible for Free Returns” with the Prime logo). Once I learned that, it was all over. I ordered 6 pairs of boots over the course of a couple of weeks and returned all but the two pairs above.

I'm still on a quest for a pair of black ones that don't look weird on me. Curtis on the other hand says I'm not allowed to order any more boots.

2. this mascara

Florida is very humid so I have to wear waterproof mascara. I have to. If you sweat even a little bit, you can end up looking like a raccoon. Or maybe it's because I blink a lot. I recently got a sample of this mascara as a gift with purchase from Ulta and I loved the brush. It's easy to get mascara on my very thin eyelashes…so I ordered the waterproof version!

3. baking cookies

These cookies of course! I'm working on my cookie swap cookie recipe and this happened. But I will figure this recipe out and can't wait to ship out my cookies. I want to make these too…Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies.

4. pinterest style board

I'm obsessed with StitchFix and adding to my style board on pinterest for them. And also visiting J's Everyday Fashion. I'm finding it really helpful to find ideas for outfits. The other thing I love love about StitchFix is that it has made me look at clothes differently. It makes me try on clothes I never would have tried on before, not only because they send you the clothes to try on but when I go shopping in stores. I'm looking at clothes differently and trying new things that I never would have tried on before!

PS here's an outfit I got inspiration from Pinterest!

5. pears

I recently Harry & David and what are they known for? Their gift baskets and their amazing pears. I'm dreaming of different recipes I can make with their amazing Royal Riviera pears. Like…

these Cranberry Pear Rum Coolers

and
Autumn Spinach Salad with Pecan Vinaigrette
Caramelized Pear, Crispy Prosciutto & Blue Cheese Pizza
Cocktails & Mocktails using Pear Puree
Pear Butternut Spread
Prosciutto, Pear, and Goat Cheese Panini

Sooo tell me, what are you obsessed with right now?

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, I'm just sharing with you what I love. There are affiliate links in this post.

The post five things I’m obsessed with this fall appeared first on The Little Kitchen.

I have been trying to resurrect my five things series and I thought this would be perfect to write about this weekend! Yesterday was the 3rd Annual Florida Blogger and Social Media Conference and the 3rd time I attended and spoke at the conference. Boy, has it come a long way!! The first year, the keynote and conference took place at a small private school in Maitland. Last year, it was at the Orlando Science Center and this year at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. (Here's my recap from last year.)

I actually grew up a few streets down from Full Sail University and it's definitely changed over the years. The classrooms are amazing and the backlot where we had lunch and the after party seemed like something out of the movies! It looks just like an actual Hollywood backlot.

Headshots by Macbeth Photography…genius idea by the way to have this at a conference. Jim from Macbeth is fantastic…so what do you think of my photo that he took?

I spoke again this year (as I mentioned before) and I was nervous again…here are 5 things I picked up from the conference…

Sunnybell was really sweet!

1. Friends not fans

Again, I heard Lou Mongello speak and he's amazing! He's motivational and inspiring and never pretentious. Lou actually gave me a huge pep talk before my talk last year and he definitely helped me calm my nerves a little.

He talked about how he thinks of the people who read his site, watch his videos and participate on his forums as friends, not fans or readers. This really struck me because I feel funny calling people who visit The Little Kitchen; fans or readers. A friend is exactly what I think of you. I'm just sharing food I love with friends who stop by and visit. So thank YOU for being a friend and coming by to visit.

2. Offline engagement fosters a sense of community

Another nugget from Lou's talk. Meeting up and meeting other bloggers and friends of The Little Kitchen has been the most rewarding aspect of starting this site. It's interesting how that how happens. We can do so much online but sometimes we need just need human interaction or to meet others in person to further the community and to solidify that sense of belonging.

3. I need to read War of Art

My dear friend, Jeanette, kicked butt in her session and loved the quotes she shared from Steve Pressfield's book War of Art. I need to read it!

PS If you don't already follow Jeanette's blog, please check it out. She is a huge inspiration to me when it comes to fashion!!

4. Google+ — use at least three hashtags when posting

Clayton did a great talk on G+ and I loved that he said you should include at least three hashtags when posting. He said he often posts and checks out what G+ adds in automatically and then edits his posts to add more or edit the ones G+ added.

Thanks to Wanda for taking this photo!

5. A little rum helps…

Thanks to Bahama Breeze for serving a curly tail rum drink at lunch. I think that helped me a teeny bit. Last year, when I spoke, it was the first time I was speaking not on a panel. I knew I knew the material but I just got soo nervous. This year, it was a little easier but I still got really nervous. I think I had two bites of food and two sips of the rum drink. As people started coming into the classroom for my session, I started feeling more and more nervous. Once it was all over, I felt a lot better. Huge sense of relief. I'm hoping that the more I speak, the easier it will get. It's a work in progress but something I'm willing to work on.

I had a few people come up to me afterwards and they were soooo nice and supportive! I feel so fortunate. I met some new to me bloggers who are so awesome! I can't wait for next year!

In case you're interested, I'm embedding my slides from my presentation below.

Huge, huge kudos and thanks go out to the FL BlogCon planning committee: Bess, Ben, Brian, Jeanette, Joe, Josh and Katy. I know they worked so hard and the event this year looked effortless and was beyond my wildest dreams. This group is so talented and giving, I feel that the Central Florida blogging community is so fortunate to have them!

A couple of things, if you don't have a blog and have always thought about starting one, read this. And if you are a food blogger in the Central Florida area, please sign up to hear about our meet ups!

My next five things post will be about food! Read my other {five things} posts.

Disclosure: There's an affiliate link in this post.

The post 5 things I learned at the 2013 Florida Blogger Conference appeared first on The Little Kitchen.

Last month, I was fortunate to be a part of the Food Blog Forum team once again, helping to organize a conference for food bloggers at the Walt Disney World Resort. Here's a recap of what I learned and what I saw.

1. You are the sum of all of your parts. Our food blogging community is large and vast and it is beautiful. We learned that building community is so important in creating, writing and keeping a food blog. It's our intentions and how we go about it that's just as important. Being true to ourselves and being true to our beginnings may make us vulnerable but those are the things that make us unique.

Taken by Guy

A great backdrop for the conference at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa…doesn't hurt! The hotel is gorgeous and amazing!

This always makes me smile. Whenever you check into a Walt Disney hotel, you get this.

Taken by Guy

The food was delicious and…

beautiful.

Taken by Lindsay

2. I LOVE to take pictures. Okay, I already knew that and you probably already knew that but DO WHAT YOU LOVE. But also create a balance, do what you love and make time for the important things like your family. Jaden and Scott talked about redefining success and also creating a balance. All of the trips and all of the money in the world won't make you happy if you're not prioritizing and making time for the people in your life who are most important to you.

Ever since I started this venture, The Little Kitchen, taking it full time last year, I have been struggling with that balance and making sure I create a semi-balance. Because for me, it will never be perfect but I never want to lose sight of what's important and that means saying no sometimes. Saying no and being honest is just as important as saying yes.

3. From Diane & Todd's talk, why do you do the things you do? Look beyond the obvious and be deliberate. And the most important thing, don't compare yourself to others but be inspired by others.

We all get into a rut sometimes and we see what others are doing, they are doing amazing, inspiring work. But do not compare yourself to them. You are unique and you are you. No one else can replicate you (and let's face it, if they try to, they will fail miserably because you are the only you.) Look to others' successes as what's possible and what's attainable. Use it to motivate and inspire.

My friend, Ashley, she's beautiful inside and out.

Walt Disney World does such an awesome job of organizing and doing the most beautiful food, aren't these cupcakes cute? Can you name all of the characters?

They did an amazingly beautiful lunch for us based on their revamp of the kids' menu all over the Walt Disney Resort. This turkey pot pie was allergy and gluten free, served by Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant, a new restaurant that just opened in the Magic Kingdom park. I cannot wait to eat there!

Taken by Guy

I adore these people.

4. Beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. This picture was taken outside of our conference space. The Disney Chefs were setting up for our lunch and he happened to roll by with this gorgeous cake display.

Don't forget to look up and see what's around you, from your phone or your computer. You never know what you'll be inspired by or what you can miss if you don't look up.

And then it was Sunday and time to say good bye at the Whole Foods brunch.

I just had to share this because I'm totally stealing this idea. Yogurt parfaits in jars, total genius!

Taken by Guy

5. Anything is possible if you have an amazing team. I just want to take a moment to thank Jaden, Scott, Diane and Todd for creating this wonderful thing called Food Blog Forum. The energy in the room at the conference, the attendees, the wealth of knowledge shared would not be possible without the four of them. So from the bottom of my heart, I thank them.

With Jaden, Scott, Diane, Todd and Lindsay, we were able to have the best Food Blog Forum ever! I'm so thankful for the support and friendship, each one of these people have given me over the years. I feel so lucky! Part of the Food Blog Forum mission is to give back and share knowledge. By holding these events, we hope to continue to share and make this community even stronger.

Huge thanks go out to our talented speakers including, Jeff Houck, David Leite, Elise Bauer, Babette Pepaj, Erik Deutsch and Disney Imagineer Tim Warzecha.

No words necessary.

Events like these would not be possible without our hosting sponsor, Walt Disney World. Their team is second to none and amazing to work with. Huge thanks go out to Leanne, Pam, Karen, Joyce, Jennifer and Marisa.

And to our other amazing sponsors who make the event even more special, KitchenAid, OXO, and the Florida Dairy Farmers, with their amazing support and even more amazing prizes. Thanks to GIR for giving every attendee one of their amazing spatulas and thanks to Whole Foods Market Orlando for hosting our attendees and their families with a delicious brunch and a wonderful way to send our attendees back home.

Taken by Ricky

And this pretty lady, my best friend. Thank you for being you and thank you for being so awesome! You're a keeper and I'm so proud to be able to call you my friend!

Others who wrote about their FBF experience:

• Todd & Diane from White on Rice Couple
• Jaden from Steamy Kitchen
• Lindsay from Love & Olive Oil
• Julie from The Little Kitchen
• Alicia from Alicia Carlson Photography Part 1 Part 2 Brunch
• Amanda from Kevin & Amanda
• Amy from The Nifty Foodie
• Angie from Big Bear's Wife
• Camille from A Girl, A Granny & A Goal
• Carla from Carla's Confections
• Caroline from Chocolate & Carrots Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
• Cheryl from Pook's Pantry
• Cindy from Hungry Girl por Vida
• Damaris from Kitchen Corners
• Denise from addicted 2 recipes
• Dianna from The Kitchen Prep Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
• Erin from Eat Bake Drink Cook
• Erin from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
• Janet from Captain's Daughter to Army Mom
• Jenn from justJENN recipes Panels Food Grand Floridian Star Wars Weekends
• Jessica from My Baking Heart
• Joelen from What's Cookin, Chicago
• Julie from Table for Two
• Kasey from Kasey's Kitchen
• Katie from Ruffles & Truffles
• Katrina from In Katrina's Kitchen
• Kim from KC Bakes
• Lauren from Healthy. Delicious.
• Liz from The Lemon Bowl
• Michelle from The Domestic Mama & The Village Cook
• Rachel from Baked by Rachel
• Ricky from TastyChomps The Orlando Food Blog
• Robin from Simply Southern Baking Part 1 Part 2
• Sarah from Sarah's Cucina Bella FBF Video
• Stephanie from Macaroni and Cheesecake
• Yelena from Cooking Melangery FBF Brunch

The post five things I learned at Food Blog Forum Orlando 2013 appeared first on The Little Kitchen.

1. charley's hip surgery

I wanted to update you on Charley's surgery. I'm so touched by all of the messages I have been getting and the well wishes for Charley. Thank you so much.

He was diagnosed with hip dysplasia over a year ago and over a week ago, his specialist said his need for surgery was urgent. It kind of happened fast and I was completely stressed out the day I dropped him off. You see, Charley has my heart…at almost 9 years old, we adopted him a couple of months after Curtis and I got married. He's definitely our baby. He has other health problems that we are always trying to keep on top of, including not being able to make the digestive enzymes required to digest his own food. For which he requires about 21 tablets of medicine a day, mixed in with his food.

He went in for hip surgery (femoral head ostectomy or FHO or floating hip) on Tuesday and I pretty much held my breath the whole time. I kept looking at his empty bed in our office (this spoiled dog has two beds) and it would break my heart. He of course came through the surgery just fine and now we're working on recovery mode. Despite the pain and despite hobbling around on three legs, he's a smiley boy (as pictured above).

I'm sharing his X-rays in case you're interested but you'll have to click over to see them. You can see on this left hip (right side on the picture in the picture on the right) where they removed the femoral head of his leg. This is supposed to reduce the pain caused by the hip dysplasia which causes a rub of bone on bone. (The left picture is the before and the right is the after shot.)

He was smiley but he HATED this cone because of the velcro. He snapped at us every time we took it on and off. And we should have known because he hates certain sounds like cutting wrapping paper and the sound of us using packing tape.

2. you can find comfort in different places

After I dropped Charley off, I didn't want to go straight home and I drifted along in my car and found this red sign. Donuts are comforting and I forgot how much I love freshly fried and glazed Krispy Kreme donuts. There's nothing like it.

3. I love my job

This is what I get to do after I photograph a plate of food. If you haven't made chicken and waffles before, you need to. Pure comfort food, hop on over for the recipe for Chicken & Biscuit Waffles.

4. finally realized how easy homemade pasta is to make

And I'm completely obsessed. I used the KitchenAid pasta attachment with my 7 Quart stand mixer and I can't wait to share what I made with you next week! Seriously so easy, not sure why I was ever scared.

5. I dropped my camera this week

Ughhhh, yep I did. I was in a rush and left it on the edge of my desk and my foot got caught in the tether cable. It still works…whew!! Can you see the dent in the lens?

So how has your week gone? I was glad for the weekend to come, were you?

Read my other five things posts.

Disclosure: All photos shot with my iPhone. I received the KitchenAid products I mentioned in this post for the purpose of review. There are affiliate links in this post.

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Is it possible to love a dishwasher? I didn't think it was possible until I got this particular dishwasher (similar) last year from KitchenAid. The guy who installed it said that it was the best dishwasher on the market. I asked why he thought that, he said that the owner of the appliance shop he works at just had the same dishwasher installed at his house and declared it was the best one.

1. It's so quiet.

First, let's compare, we got Angel last year before the new appliances arrived and when we turned on our old dishwasher, she jumped wondering what the heck the noise was!?!?!

This KitchenAid dishwasher is sooo quiet, we actually opened it several times to make sure it was still running. One of our friends, who is a homebuilder, said that he had heard they added the little light on the front so that people would know it was on…that's how quiet it is.

I have to admit, I still open it just to check to make sure I didn't forget to turn it on.

2. I don't bump the buttons anymore.

The dishwasher is located in a spot of the kitchen where I stand the most. It's right below my main work area in the kitchen. I used to bump the controls on the old dishwasher all the time – turning it on, turning it off when it was supposed to be on.

And I love the vents are on the bottom. I don't want to die of heat exhaustion while I'm cooking/prepping/working in the kitchen while the dishwasher is on.

3. I love the adjustable utensil caddy.

I can flip the top down and stand up my utensils to get them cleaner and faster since there's space in between in each one. But you can also load the way you usually do with the utensils face down. Curtis and I can't agree on which way we like better so it's nice that's it's configurable either way.

4. It has a third level culinary tool rack.

I put our spatulas, BBQ tools, Curtis' knives and cheese graters, etc. on the top culinary rack. It's pretty sweet. I don't think I can ever have a dishwasher without this third level!

5. It holds a lot of dog food bowls.

We use 6 dog food bowls a day – as they each get three meals a day. I go through a LOT OF DISHES. I love that it holds a lot and although I still have the habit of scrubbing everything before it goes in the to dishes, Curtis doesn't share this habit. This dishwasher is versatile enough to handle different loading styles.

I love love this thing. Sooo tell me what features do you look for when shopping for a dishwasher?

Disclosure: KitchenAid provided me with new appliances for my kitchen last year. I’m happy to share them on my blog along with my own honest opinions. I was not compensated for this campaign and I only share with you brands that I love.

The post five things i love about my dishwasher appeared first on The Little Kitchen.

I know you all have gift cards to spend or returns you need to make…so what to get with those gift cards? Or do you have a couple of late late gifts you need to purchase? I have some items that are both new and old favorites in my kitchen that I think you should get…

OXO Large Cookie Scoop – I seriously cannot live without my set of OXO cookie scoops, I use it for cupcakes, madeleine cookies, tons of stuff. I love that I can measure out cupcake batter, cookie dough or whatever uniformly. The only thing I would say is, I need one of those little teeny brushes to clean the metal release a little bit faster. It takes some time but I usually can get it. I have all three sizes and recently gave a set to my sister. In love and makes my life easier.
Retail: $14.99

Le Creuset 12 ounce Oval Mini Cocotte – I also have the mini cocotte sets from Le Creuset and love them and love these oval ones, they hold a little more with 12 ounces. Great for gratins, mini mac & cheeses or you can even store spices or whatever you want in them. I love love all of Le Creuset's cocottes because they are so easy to clean and of course oh so cute!
Retail: $25.00

GIR Spatula – The last spatula you'll ever need. I was so excited to receive this spatula in the mail after my friend, Lindsay, said she loved it so much. It's pretty awesome. I use it to brown taco meat, make tomato sauce, scrape the bottom of my stand mixer and make cookie dough. It's ergonomic and it's versatile, very heat resistant and easy to clean.
Retail: $22.50

Artisan Pizza and Flatbread in Five Minutes a Day – We love love this book. At least once a month, I make the pizza dough recipe in this book and it literally just takes a few minutes and is the best tasting pizza dough recipe I have tried at home. I also own their Artisan Bread book and we love it too.
Amazon Price: $18.47

Wilton Chocolate Pro – Melt chocolate in a double boiler? I don't even bother anymore. I use this chocolate melter when I'm making truffles, cake pops or whatever. This little melter is great for a party too. I highly recommend this chocolate melter if you like to do a lot of dipped chocolates, truffles or cake pops!
Retail: $25.00

And one more thing…I got an email from Sur La Table about a new Le Creuset color, can I say I'm obsessed? Not only is blue my favorite color but so is yellow. Swoon!

If you were making this list for a friend, what would you have included? I want to hear about your favorite kitchen products under $25.

Check out my other five things posts.

Disclosure: I recently received the GIR spatula for review. I did receive the Wilton Chocolate Pro last year for a campaign with Wilton. Everything else on this list, I purchased myself. I was not asked to mention or promote any of these products or brands in this post. I always only share my honest reviews and opinions! And there are affiliate links in this post.

The post five things under $25 – what to buy with those gift cards! appeared first on The Little Kitchen.