Sugar-Coated Sticker Shock

How do you charge $10.99 for a chocolate bar? You put it in really lovely packaging. 

I was at the register of Martha's Vineyard today when gorgeous abstract illustrations behind the register caught my eye. The associate sent me to the chocolate aisle, where I was overcome by one work of art after another. 

I know, from my many trips to World Market, that I will buy things that come in pretty packages. I think the chocolate companies got that memo. 

Take for example Mast Brothers Chocolate, which looks like an array of wallpaper, that you can mix and match to create a case of 12 bars that show just the patterned spines. 

And chocolate isn't just chocolate anymore. Ever since the growing popularity of Vosges luxury chocolate (in it's pretty purple boxes) there's be an influx of hybrid flavors like blueberry lavender, vanilla rooibos and chile, such as the Raaka chocolate that caught my eye at Martha's. Raaka has even created a chocolate bar of the month club, so you can gift new flavors of chocolate all year round (2 bars per month) for only $280. 

And if you want to design the packaging to show off the flavor, take a look at Moonstruck's chocolate bark where intriguing flavors like raspberry fennel, strawberry basil, candied-orange hibiscus and prailine pecan ginger are visibly pressed into the chocolate— and of course seen through the packaging. 

Don't get me wrong, I love good chocolate and rich interesting flavors, and I fully appreciate beautiful design—but sometimes snacks come with a bit of sticker shock!

Meeting Anna, All Over Town

After Anna's House was voted best breakfast by both the public and the mLive reporters in 2013, I knew had to go check this unassuming restaurant on Plainfield.

It seemed pretty basic—hearty breakfast favorites in a crowded cafe setting. And per GR brunch style, there was a wait to be seated.

But after the article came out, I started paying attention to what were subtle changes at first – like updated signage with a bit of marketing attached.

The changes soon progressed to a complete redesign. New branding, new design, new style, new colors, and even an evolved menu.

In 2014, a second location was opened on East Beltline near 28th Street at the mall. It's a full-fledged retro inspired diner with a vintage twist on decor. Lots of vintage malt makers, toasters and blenders. And a menu featuring fresh ingredients and special attention to dietary needs. 

Just last month, a third location opened in Grandville  near Rivertown Crossings (complete with soda fountain). Which leads me to believe that breakfast is booming!

I don't know what has been the driving force behind the changes. Maybe a generational change in ownership, maybe growing popularity after the polls led to re-development. But I think it's safe to say that a facelift and design update make a huge difference. People seem quite taken with Anna, and now when they talk about meeting for breakfast, they talk about meeting at Anna's. It's the hottest new spot(s) — which means expect to wait — though people really don't seem to mind!

**Images: Google image search
 

Breakfast with a Side of #PureMichigan

Years ago, after a Guster concert at Interlochen (with an amazing surprise accompaniment by the campers), we ended up at a nearby German brewhouse called Hofbrau. 

Fast-forward to just a few months ago, as someone recapped the amazing all-you-can-eat buffet they had at this adorable place up North. They pulled a picture on their phone to show me. "Hey," I said, "I've been there."

My curiously would not be pacified till I went up North and tried this Sunday buffet, which includes carved prime rib, an omelette station, chocolate Belgian waffles, biscuits and gravy, German potatoes, and hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, myself.

It was pretty basic fare, and alone not worth the drive. But we added to the trip with a pass through the Sleeping Bear Dunes scenic drive and a stop in Glen Arbor for a Cherry Republic wine tasting and sandwiches at Art's Tavern.

The sky was blue and the lakeshore was beautiful. All-in-all a wonderful Pure Michigan day. 

Burger of the Week #214

If you aren't on Instagram yet, get there—it's my favorite social media—because it's full of pretty pictures! Like this one from Modcloth...

The burger is part of the lipbalm set from Modcloth.
 

#HappinessHunting at the Spring/Summer 2016 Cushe Brand Conference

Just wrapping up another Cushe conference, which means I'm delighted to be returning to part time this week!

All 15 Wolverine Worldwide brands set up booths inside the Devos Convention Center for another week, showcasing their SS16 lines to reps, distributors and licensees. Cushe used their repurposed shipping container booth as their store front.

The highlight of the conference, by far, was collaborating with Erica Lang of Woosah Outfitters on an original wood cut, that she screen printed live at the event onto t-shirts. See a time-lapse of the carving process and printing process on Cushe's Instagram.

Woosah Outfitters and Printshop is a naturally inspired print and apparel brand based in Grand Rapids. Erica's outdoor inspired woodcuts are meant to inspire an inner peace and calmness—what she refers to as Woosah 

Woosah will be opening a storefront at the Avenue of the Arts on Division next month. You can see the Cushe booth set-up and follow the amazing work of Woosah on Instagram.

 

Breakfast Undead

Hey remember the Skull-a-Day guy? Do you think this is what he has for breakfast every morning?


*Skull-A-Day is an ongoing online art project/blog created by artist Noah Scalin. For the first year, the project consisted of daily skull art creations created by Scalin. Now he continues to add fan submissions to the site. 

Burger of the Week #213

"This burger probably couldn't be more American unless it was cooked by bald eagles and delivered with a side of apple pie."

The Most American Thickburger will go on sale at Hardee's and Carl's Jr on May 20. The beef patty is topped with a split hot dog, and rests upon a Lay's potato chip foundation. 

Bringing Back the Bees

Wild Mitten, a honey co-op in West Michigan, is working to bring Grand Rapids' their first Community Apiary/Honey Bee Garden. The Apiary will be located 15 minutes north of Grand Rapids at The Izaak Walton League nature preserve.

The co-op was started by Joshua Kruis and Teresa DeJager in 2014 after Joshua was hired to do hive removal. Joshua was astounded by the intelligence of the bees and he brought home a swarm of bees he removed from a music festival and started a hive. The co-op arose out of people's genuine concern for colony collapse and the lives of the bees when they were having bees removed from a site. 

You can read more about their story on their website. You can also join the efforts of co-op (and enjoy the honey they produce) by purchasing a honey subscription or by becoming a virtual bee-keeper and sponsoring a hive.

Bees are a crucial part of our food landscape. Without the hives to pollinate the plants, agriculture would cease. To learn more about the rapidly vanishing bee population, you can watch Vanishing of the Bees on Netflix.

Burger of the Week #212

Planning a BBQ this summer? Hobby Lobby has got all your burger serving needs covered....

As usually HL proves to be the perfect place to shop if you love throwing a theme party!

Coloring... Inside, Outside, All Over the Lines.

When telling people about my job, I often find it's easier to just say, "I color all day."

But now adults are invited to do just that! With new studies showing that play benefits adults and stimulates brain activity, Johanna Basford is topping the best-sellers list with her adult coloring books, Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest (adult as in for adults... not as in X-rated).

According to recent research, play benefits adults immensely, as a de-stressing technique and a method for preventing darken moods. Coloring uses brain areas related to motor skills and the senses, triggering both logic and creativity. According to psychologists, The relaxation coloring provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a part of our brain involved in controlling emotion affected by stress."In simplest terms, coloring has a de-stressing effect because when we focus on a particular activity, we focus on it and not on our worries."

Coloring is just one play-centered activity that is becoming popular for adults. Businesses and products supporting activities encouraging laughter are capitalizing on this trend. Read more here. 
 

When Not Following Directions Turns Out Awesome. And Delicious.

I love cooking. But I suck at following recipes.

Tonight I made a Blueberry, Beet and Basil Summer Salad from Better Homes and Garden. This is what theirs looked like.

This is what mine looked like.

I used:
– canned red beets, not fresh yellow beets
– lemon juice, no lemon
– no basil (next time!)
– fennel seed instead of fresh fennel – in dressing ( next time I'll skip the fennel all together)
– no onion
– plain yogurt not greek yogurt  
– added dried thyme to dressing
Blueberries, arugula, honey, crushed red pepper and oil as directed.
And I measured nothing.

I will make this salad again, even though I ignored most of their directions. But I love when a recipe can serve as inspiration, rather than instruction. That's why I prefer cooking to baking, in baking, if you get it wrong, you've messed up chemistry.* But in cooking you adjust, and taste, and use what you have, substitute and create. 

I bet if you studied the preference of baking vs. cooking, it would be a right vs. left brain thing.....**
 
*Though tonight I did EVERYTHING wrong in this cookie recipe and they turned out amazing. I will never be able to duplicate this. This was my "inspiration".
**Somebody do this.

Share the Stars

I love stamps.* Today I received the most charming American Flag inspired presorted stamp. Which led me to wonder... what exactly is presorted mail?

Presorted Standard Mail is usually business mail consisting of sales flyers, form letters, or other printed pieces that are generally identical in content. Items must weigh less than one pound and a minimum of 200 pieces must be sent. 

Hmph. Well I guess I'll need more friends and family if I want my holiday card to qualify for cute star stamps.   

*If you're an avid reader, you've realized this.

Burger of the Week #211

A warm donut, Nutella patty, passion fruit gelatin, strawberry, and kiwi wedge. Basically a cavity with a side of fruit.