1 year ago today, I was so excited to launch my new food blog, “Two in the Kitchen”. It’s hard to believe how fast this year went. So instead of giving you a recipe today, I wanted to take some time to reflect, share some stories, and even give some advice.
Oh, and stick around to the end of this post, because I have a fun giveaway for you that I am very excited about! 🙂
First, some reflections on why “Two in the Kitchen” was first contemplated: My husband Erik and I have always enjoyed being in the kitchen together. In fact, Erik attended culinary school and even interned at Chicago’s famous “Frontera Grill”, owned by celebrity chef, Rick Bayless. As for myself, I have always enjoyed baking because I am addicted to sweets of any kind. Growing up, I was frequently in the kitchen while my mom baked up cookies and sweets and such.
Erik and I had talked in the past about one day opening a restaurant or catering service, but we both have careers and three kids on top of that so the reality of fitting a restaurant into the mix was highly unlikely.
Butterscotch and Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Fast forward to 2012 when I threw a baby shower for a friend in the spring and a lot of people were asking me if I got my decorating ideas from “Pinterest”. And I was like pinterest?? What’s that?? Upon learning, I immediately became obsessed!!
Of course, I gravitated to dessert pins and soon realized there were actual people who ran blogs who created these yummy desserts themselves, took pictures of their creations and posted them on their blogs. I was amazed!! I quickly fell in love with dessert blogs like “Crazy for Crust“, “Mom on Timeout“, and “Shugary Sweets“.
Soon after this I finally created a Facebook account (I know…..I was late on the train for this one!! ) and reconnected with old friends, one of which I noticed had her own blog…… A homeschooling and Christian life blog called Charlie Brown’s Teacher. And I thought: You mean you can just start your own blog? How cool is that?? So I immediately started some research.
I actually researched for about a year before I started my food blog because I wanted my site to look somewhat professional. And thanks to all the helpful bloggers out there, it really was not hard at all to find information. I learned about “self hosting”, “themes”, “plug-ins”, “widgets”, “SEO” and a plethora of other terms.
I also soaked in all the information I could about food photography. I went out and bought a new DSLR camera and tried to follow all the advice I could.
I then hired “The Pixelista” in September of 2013 to design my website. Jessica Bernard, who IS the Pixelista is reasonably priced and made my design around the Innovative Genesis theme. My husband and I always liked the Arts and Crafts style and I thought Jessica did a great job in giving us a design that was the look we were after. I then spent three weeks uploading recipes and pictures I had been accumulating for the past several months to upload to the website before I launched so it wasn’t “blank” when people began to visit.
Finally on October 25th 2013, I announced our website on my own Facebook page, started commenting on bloggers sites (thus leaving my “calling card” so bloggers knew I existed) and submitted my very first recipe to Food Gawker. (Which got accepted by the way!)
Peanut Butter Swirled Brownies
And so, Two in the Kitchen was born. Since then, here are some memorable moments and interesting facts:
– Photos:
I was very excited when the first photo I submitted to Food Gawker got accepted. Understand that I really don’t know what I am doing when I take food photos.
I tend to keep things simple with my food photographs. I don’t use many props. Maybe a kitchen towel for some color and texture, but really, I like to keep it simple and the focus on the food. I keep my dial on aperture mode and normally shoot in the range of 3.2-4.5. I normally take about 50-60 shots and hope for a couple good ones. 😉
When I fist started last year, I was looking at some blogger’s food gawker galleries, and 1 blog had 63 photos accepted for a year. I thought that was a good number to shoot for so I am very happy to say that as of today, a year after I started, I have 64 photos in my food gawker gallery. 🙂 It always helps to have a goal to aim for.
Recognition:
I was floored when people first started coming to comment on my posts. When Jocelyn from Bru Crew Life and Aimee from Shugary Sweets commented on some of my early posts, I was giddy!
Three weeks after starting the blog, Erik’s “Mesquite Pork Tenderloin” was featured on Six Sister’s Stuff’s Saturday Link Party. I was dancing on the living room floor, I was so ecstatic.
I nearly fell over and fainted when America’s Test Kitchen Feed wrote a little blurb about me when I adapted their Red Velvet Cake. I mean really, my name was on America’s Test Kitchen?? Woo-hoo!!
Red Velvet Bundt Cake with a Cream Cheese Ribbon
Meeting other bloggers and Build Your Blog Conference:
I have met so many wonderful bloggers since I have started blogging myself a year ago. The blogging community is really the most supportive community ever!! I can’t even begin to name all the great people I have met on-line through blogging and I only wish that I had more time to visit their awesome blogs more often because each and every one is so inspiring and creative. I hope to meet everyone in person someday.
The one time I did get to meet some great bloggers in person was at The Six Sister’s Stuff “Build Your Blog Conference” in Salt Lake City last February. I was blown away at how many great people I met (and still keep in touch with). I absolutely cannot wait for this next year’s conference. I hope to meet many of the bloggers that I “chat” with often. (So go buy your tickets everyone!! 😉 )
Nutella, Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Braid
Social Media;
When I started a year ago, I had zero followers on any social media. And now Two in the Kitchen has;
2,426 followers on Facebook
1,664 followers on Pinterest
532 followers on Twitter
178 followers on Google+
I am not all that comfortable with Twitter and Google+, and I think I might have some followers on Instagram but I have no idea how to use it. 😉
Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Goals for year 2:
Now that I’ve got my feet wet with blogging, my plans for year 2 include:
Continuing to build my social media following and learning how to use it more effectively.
Learn to work with advertisers and affiliates. I am working with Bonnie Andrews from Hobby to Hot on this endeavor. Bonnie is amazing, and if you are a blogger and looking to grow your business side, I highly encourage you to check her out! 🙂
Give my blog a bit of a facelift.
Attend BYBC this February and possibly another conference if I can fit it in.
Improve my photography skills
Continue to grow my relationships with bloggers I am now connected with and meet new ones as well.
Most importantly, I hope to expand my readership and give my readers what they are looking for on a consistent basis! 🙂
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosted Thick and Chewy Brownies
Well, thank you SO much for reading along with me this past year! It would really not be much fun to blog if no one was around to read and comment on my recipes. I thank you for every comment, share and “click” you have given me this past year and I hope you will stick around for year 2! 🙂
To show you my appreciation, I am holding a “Tastes of Chicago” giveaway.
I am a Chicagoland girl born and raised. So to show my appreciation for my readers, I thought that I would offer you a chance to win a shipment of some of my favorite Chicago treats right to your door where ever you live in the country! (Opened to U.S. residents only)
Look at these mouthwatering delectables!! The lucky winner will receive:
– 2 pizzas from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. This pizza is so unbelievably delicious, that I order it once at least every other week or so. Seriously, you have never had pizza till you have had Lou Malnati’s.
2 lbs. of Italian Beef from Portillo’s. Portillo’s is another Chicago staple. Their Italian beef is mouthwateringly sensational. No, this is NOT your typical roast beef sandwich. It is Italian beef, done up Chicago style. You are just going to have to take a bite to understand!
1/2 lb. box of Fannie May Pixies. Fannie May candy store at Woodfield Mall was my very first job in high school. I have a soft spot for these caramel, pecan filled, chocolate drenched Pixies.
So there you have it. A “Taste of Chicago” that will arrive straight to your door if you win.
Oh, and should you NOT be fortunate enough to win, but you are still interested in these great eats, you can visit www.tastesofchicago.com which is where I will be ordering the prizes for the winner. (Tastes of Chicago is not affiliated with this giveaway, nor am I being compensated by them for this giveaway.)
So go ahead and enter through the link below! This is offered to residents of the U.S. You must be 18 or older to enter. This giveaway will end at midnight on Monday, November 3rd. The winner will be notified and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Good Luck! 🙂
Congratulations on your blogiversary Renee! I loved the read of all your reflections over the past year. I love your blog, and think you’ve done amazing things with it. And, it’s been great to get to know you! Hugs & great success in year 2!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted…Black Licorice Ice Cream
Thank you SO much Kristi! You are SUCH an inspiration and your warm and caring personality overflows across the Net. You are one person I really hope to meet SOON!! (So go buy your BYBC tickets!! I will KEEP bugging you until you do!! 😉 )
I’m seriously thinking about it Renee. I even talked to The Husband about it. Keep nagging me – you just never know, I might be buying a ticket. And, I’d love to meet you too – we’re meant to meet! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted…Thin Crust Pizza Dough
Yes!! you are meant to come to BYBC and hang out with me!! (Ok, I’m sure there are other reasons to go too, but that is the main one!! 😉 Yes we ARE meant to meet! I can’t wait!! 🙂
yayyy! Renee, happy 1 year that’s SO exciting 😉 you’ve made so many mouthwatering recipes, I bet it’s cool to look back and see everything you’ve done! wishing you the best for your next upcoming year!
Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites Vegan GF Soy Free
Thank you so much Michele!! I look forward to see where you will go with your blog over the next year as well!! I have enjoyed getting to know you! 🙂
Congratulations on reaching one year and doing it so well! I hope you enjoy the next year and reach all your goals.
Thanks so much Alice! It has been a fun year for sure!! 🙂
Congrats Renee! Your. Log has been amazing since blog post 1! Looking forward to trying your recipes to come!
Mary, Thank you SO much!! I have missed you this year since we left Schaumburg Christian!! Thank you SO much. We really have to connect soon!! 🙂
Congrats on your one year bloggiversary, Renee! I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for a year. Your recipes are always so gorgeous and mouthwatering! And what a great opportunity to be able to go to blogging conference. I hope to attend some next year, too! And great giveaway! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Halloween Snack Mix
Gayle, it has been so fun getting to know you recently!! I look forward to meeting you soon! Us Chicago area gals gotta stick together!! I thought you might like this “chicago” giveaway!! 🙂
Renee recently posted…1 Year Blogiversary and “Tastes of Chicago” Giveaway
Renee! I’m SO excited for you! CONGRATS on a whole year of blogging! I’m just floored reading about all of your accomplishments when you’ve only been blogging for a year. You are definitely going to go places, girl!
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven recently posted…30-Minute Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sarah, you are SO sweet!! And everytime I visit your blog I marvel at all that you have accomplished at such a young age! You are simply amazing!! 🙂
Yay, happy happy blog anniversary, Renee! Congrats on 1 year! Loved reading how this blog was born – it’s been so nice getting to know you this year too! You are always so sweet and I am always drooling over your incredible recipes. I can’t wait to see what year two brings 🙂
Kelly – Life Made Sweeter recently posted…Stuffed Almond Joy Energy Bites
Kelly, I think most bloggers would agree that you are one of the sweetest bloggers out there! I SO enjoy visiting your site and seeing all of your amazing creations! I look forward to continuing our on-line friendship and hope to meet you soon one day!! 🙂
Happy Blog Anniversary!
Meeting other amazing bloggers is one of the best things about blogging I think. It is such an amazing community.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Mexican Fiesta Eggs by Dannii
Dannii, I am glad we have gotten to know each other recently! You are so inspiring. And I love going to your site because it reminds me to eat me veggies!! I guess I can’t eat brownies all day long right?? 😉
Yay!! happy One year!! You always have the best recipes and I can remember how much I drooled over that butterscotch chocolate pie. Still drooling!!
Zainab recently posted…Spiced Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting
Zainab, You yourself have done such amazing things with your own blog. I started following you right after I started blogging and I am amazed with every. single. recipe!! It’s funny you remember my butterscotch chocolate pie because I still remember your Snickers and Peanut butter cake that you must have made about a year ago….. Amazing!! Thank you so much for your support this year! 🙂
Congratulations on one year! Wohooo!! I am always in love with all your recipes, looking forward to the next year!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Apple Turnovers with Lemon Drizzle
Thank you so much Manali! 🙂
Congrats on your first blogiversary! I can’t believe you actually uploaded content before launching your site. So smart! I can’t even look at the photos I took when I first started! I am excited for you and excited to see what the next year holds for you and your blog!
ps- I’ve actually been in Chicago for the past 2 weeks on business with my husband, so I had to smile at your giveaway. I think my favorite thing has been the apple fritter at Old Fashioned Donuts. <— seriously. I die.
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted…Healthy Chipotle Chicken Chili {Shaker Cornbread}
Thank you Lindsey!! Chicago has some great grub for real!! I’m glad you have enjoyed it while you were here. Seriously though: You have to try Lou Malnati’s pizza or Portillo’s Italian beef. Both are to die for!! 🙂
Thanks so much for the wonderful giveaway and webiste!
xo
Thank you for coming by Pamela! Good luck! 🙂
CONGRATS! Love your recipes, they always look super scrummy and delish!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext recently posted…Giant Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Thank you so much Jess! 🙂
I would really love to win this I was born and raised in the Chicago area and I so miss the food. Where I live now there’s nothing that compare. I guess i’m just spoiled
It is hard not to crave Chicago food when you used to live here right!! Good luck to you! 🙂
My mouth is watering already–thanks for the giveaway!
I wish you the best of luck Natalie!! 🙂
HAPPY HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!!!! I didn’t realize we started around the same time 🙂 That’s so fun! And your blog is just amazing, so glad I’ve gotten to “know” you a bit this past year!! And here’s to many more 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron recently posted…Sweet Potato Enchiladas
Oh wow! I didn’t realize that either Chelsea! Your blog is super amazing, I would not have guessed it is only a year old. Congratulations to you for all your amazing achievements as well!! I look forward to year 2!! 🙂
Congrats on your first year, Renee, and I LOVED reading how you got started! I would do things differently if I could regarding starting out — you definitely did the smart thing in having great photos and a web designed by a professional right off the bat. Very exciting stuff, and I know you’ll have an even better second year! Looking forward to more fabulous recipes. 🙂
marcie recently posted…Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Bacon, and Hazelnuts
Thank you so, so much Marcie! You are actually one of the first bloggers I felt a real connection to!! You are SO inspiring and I love visiting your blog. I hope we can meet in person one day!! 🙂
I loved this post, Renee! What a great recap of a successful year. Happy Blogiversary! I always love stopping by to see your new recipes.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor recently posted…Salted Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Thank you Ashley! You are always such a doll!! It has been fun to get to know you through visiting your blog. Your bright and cheery personality always shines through!! 🙂
You are too cute!! Congrats on your one year blogiversary. And you can bet your booty that I”m entering your giveaway. Yes, I have a portillos across the street. Yes, I have a fannie may around the corner, and YES, they are putting in a Lou Malnatis in my town this winter. BUT OMG it’s all awesome!!!! Anyways, back to you 😉 Keep up the great work!!! You are so talented!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted…Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
Aimee, I have SO appreciated your support this year!! Thanks so much for your encouragement!! That is AWESOME that you are getting a Lou Malnati’s soon!! In fact, just posting this giveaway, made me crave it so bad, that I HAD to order it for dinner last night!! 🙂
Thanks for this Awesome Opportunity & Congrats on Your One Year Blogiversary! This Prize is Right Up My Alley b/c I am the Biggest Foodie but There are Not So Many Options Where I Live! I Used to Cook All the Time & Go to Nice Restraunts When I Got the Chance but Lately We Have Been Either Ordering In or Eating Fast Food! I have Bad Neck Pain & Headaches from a Motorcycle Accident So Cooking is Not Something I Do as Much Right Now! I Bet the Food is Just Superb & Even Reading about it Makes My Mouth Water! Thanks Again for this Very Unique Opportunity & Have a Great Day! Jana
Hi Jana, Sorry about your accident and neck pain and very sorry you don’t have many food options where you live. I wish you the best of luck! 🙂
What an awesome opportunity! Thank you! Crossing my fingers!
Sandra Watts recently posted…Grub Street
Good luck Sandra!! 🙂