Left Hand Brewing Company is located in Longmont, Colorado and creates a milky brew called Milk Stout. Although this is not one of my favorite beers I have tried, it is one that grew on me. With a creamy texture and milky flavor this is definitely a brew to enjoy in an ice cold mug on a hot summer day. It had an at home flavor kind of like a comfort food. At first I found the milky flavor a bit odd but after enjoying a few more swigs became accustom to the flavor.
If you get a chance, check out their web site, as it is very well designed. Go into their beer section and click on any line of brews. You will see a beer bottle on your screen and with each brew you pick the label changes. Pretty cool flash design.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
CreateAthon
Keeven White, of White Space Creative, presented a seminar at the last BMA function on partnering with non-profits in the creative world. The main focus of his presentation was how important it is for creative firms to connect with non-profit organizations as an effective way to build business. So many creative agencies are asked to provide "free" services to non-profits every day. Many creative agencies turn the work down because they don't see free projects as being profitable for their organization. I somewhat agreed with this fact until listening to White's take on helping build relationships with non-profits as a way to build profitability through press.
White, in an effort to give back to non-profits, found a manageable approach to helping complete free projects and grow business at the same time -- CreateAthon. CreateAthon began as a local event, founded by RIGGS, a marketing and advertising agency, and has grown to become a national event. The event is held for a 24 hour period, where an agency takes on as many non-profit design projects as they wish, and the designers have complete creative control.
Becoming involved in such an event not only gives the creative teams ultimate control of their designs, it also reels in free press, and boosts team-building. Non-profit organizations benefit from the great work created, and according to White, many of the same organizations come back for more paid projects over time.
White, in an effort to give back to non-profits, found a manageable approach to helping complete free projects and grow business at the same time -- CreateAthon. CreateAthon began as a local event, founded by RIGGS, a marketing and advertising agency, and has grown to become a national event. The event is held for a 24 hour period, where an agency takes on as many non-profit design projects as they wish, and the designers have complete creative control.
Becoming involved in such an event not only gives the creative teams ultimate control of their designs, it also reels in free press, and boosts team-building. Non-profit organizations benefit from the great work created, and according to White, many of the same organizations come back for more paid projects over time.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
All Natural Shampoo and Conditioner
Is your hair dull and listless? Does your hair color fade quickly? Do you pay high prices for the best salon products? As far as I am concerned, you don't need to pay high salon prices for your hair care products. And yes, I was one of those consumers that thought I had to have the best of the best for my precious hair -- until I was given some of the Real Solutions hair care products to try for free from one of my coworkers at Design North.
Real Solutions hair care products are sulfate free. If you google "sulfate" and "hair color" you will see that sulfates are part of the cause of color fading. This line of hair care products also meets all of the "natural" ingredients guidelines. You can find Real Solutions in many food, drug and mass retailers. The SRP is $5.99, and currently, you can find some of the bottles with $1.00 coupons.
As I stated, I have always been picky about the hair products I use, and was purchasing all Redken products. I tried Real Solutions beginning this weekend -- I will never go back to Redken. My hair is more manageable, silky and the color is much more vibrant. I highly recommend giving any of the Real Solutions products a try and tell me what you think.
Real Solutions hair care products are sulfate free. If you google "sulfate" and "hair color" you will see that sulfates are part of the cause of color fading. This line of hair care products also meets all of the "natural" ingredients guidelines. You can find Real Solutions in many food, drug and mass retailers. The SRP is $5.99, and currently, you can find some of the bottles with $1.00 coupons.
As I stated, I have always been picky about the hair products I use, and was purchasing all Redken products. I tried Real Solutions beginning this weekend -- I will never go back to Redken. My hair is more manageable, silky and the color is much more vibrant. I highly recommend giving any of the Real Solutions products a try and tell me what you think.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Graduation
This weekend marked the end of a very long journey for me -- I finally graduated with a BA in Business Management and Communications! I had always been on honor roll throughout grade school and middle school; however, when high school came along I decided life was to be enjoyed and socialized way too much. I somewhat knew what I wanted to do in life after high school, but did not want to put the effort into college. Back in 1991, I began an associates degree at Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wisconsin, and honestly thought I would complete that degree. When I decided to get married and start a family, school was pushed aside. As my children grew older, and I returned to work, I found out real fast how important a degree is if you want to get where you want to be. Almost three years ago, I made the decision to return to school, and was determined to finish a bachelor degree. While raising a family, and working, I finally finished. I attended Concordia University Wisconsin adult education program and loved it! Concordia has two campuses located in Racine and Kenosha for the adult education program.
As an added bonus for my graduation weekend, my nephew graduated from kindergarten, at the West Suburban Montessori School located in Oak Park, IL. So I not only was able to enjoy my walk for my diploma on Saturday, but I also was able to watch my nephew receive his kindergarten diploma on Sunday.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Google Trends
What is Google trends? Simply put it is the most popularly searched terms in Google since 2004 until present. I learned about this cool Google function, from Jennifer Howard, Head of BtoB Markets at Google's Central Region offices, while attending a BMA Milwaukee event this month. Google now lists the most popular daily search trends as well on their site. Fun tool to play around with and something functional for the marketing community.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Favorite Brews
It has been a bit since I blogged about any beers I have enjoyed so now is the time to play catch up. One of my favorite beers is Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy. This is a weiss beer combined with a lemonade flavoring, which is a great combination for a summer beverage. I am sure many of you have tried this brew as Leinenkugel is quite an easy-to-find brand. I generally purchase this beer at a local grocery store or liquor store.
Another microbrew I purchased at Uncorkt, was Abita Purple Haze, which is a raspberry wheat brew. This is definitely a female style beer thanks to the strong raspberry flavor. I would suggest drinking this beer with a light dessert or fresh dinner salad.
My next blog update will be some of my less than favorite microbrews. I would love to hear comments from my readers referencing some of your recommended brews.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mama Dip's
In my previous post I discussed the food styling class I attended in North Carolina. Prior to leaving for North Carolina, I decided to go onto the Food TV Network web site, and check out if there were any restaurants any of their TV chefs had visited in the Durham area. I was in luck! Rachel Ray had visited four restaurants in the Durham/Chapel Hill area. My second evening in Durham, I decided to take a drive over to Chapel Hill and shop for a bit at the South Pointe Mall. A trip into Barnes and Noble would find me purchasing the cookbook of one of the restaurants Rachel had visited -- Mama Dip's. During checkout, I talked about Mama Dip's with the clerk, and she advised me to make sure I took a trip to the restaurant. So being the adventurer that I am, I decided to find Mama Dip's no matter what it took. About one hour later, and a tour through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I would finally find Mama Dip's Restaurant!
Although I like to adventure, I do not like eating alone, but I did so. Am I ever happy I overcame my dislike of eating alone. The restaurant looks like one of the original homes from the area restructured into a restaurant. There is a wrap around porch filled with old rocking chairs. As I walked in the doors of the restaurant, there sat an African-American woman -- IT WAS MAMA DIP! Surprisingly, I did not run over to her, introduce myself, and ask for an autograph in her cookbook I purchased, but I regret that I did not to this day. The waiter sat me in a small booth, which I later found out is Mama Dip's favorite seat when she is in the restaurant. I was thrilled to be sitting there at that moment. That evening I enjoyed fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork, corn bread, squash casserole, and greens. I also enjoyed their Country/City tea which is lemonade combined with iced tea. Everything was fabulous! My favorite was the fried green tomatoes. The fried chicken had a perfect coating with almost a sweet breading. The corn bread was fresh and full of corn flavor. I have not had many greens, but her greens were perfect. I could not eat another bite; however, could not pass up dessert, so I took a slice of pecan pie back to the hotel with me. About two hours later, I broke into the pie, and it was still warm. THE BEST PECAN PIE I HAVE EVER HAD -- buttery, full of pecans, buttery crust and a ton of gooey filling.
The next day I went to my class and could not stop thinking about the pecan pie. I had every intention to not go back to Mama Dip's the next night, but found myself driving there again. This time I tried her chicken and dumplings with corn bread, fried okra, and macaroni and cheese. Simply delicious! A home cooked meal made from the heart! Again, I packed up a slice of pie for myself and four small pies for the airplane trip home to share with family. I also exchanged the book I purchased at Barnes and Noble for an autographed book the restaurant carries in stock.
If you ever travel to North Carolina, I suggest you check out Mama Dip's, for a true American meal. The atmosphere is simply southern and old-fashioned, no bistro or high-end restaurant style. The staff is down-to-earth and the food is something you will crave to go back for again and again.
Although I like to adventure, I do not like eating alone, but I did so. Am I ever happy I overcame my dislike of eating alone. The restaurant looks like one of the original homes from the area restructured into a restaurant. There is a wrap around porch filled with old rocking chairs. As I walked in the doors of the restaurant, there sat an African-American woman -- IT WAS MAMA DIP! Surprisingly, I did not run over to her, introduce myself, and ask for an autograph in her cookbook I purchased, but I regret that I did not to this day. The waiter sat me in a small booth, which I later found out is Mama Dip's favorite seat when she is in the restaurant. I was thrilled to be sitting there at that moment. That evening I enjoyed fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork, corn bread, squash casserole, and greens. I also enjoyed their Country/City tea which is lemonade combined with iced tea. Everything was fabulous! My favorite was the fried green tomatoes. The fried chicken had a perfect coating with almost a sweet breading. The corn bread was fresh and full of corn flavor. I have not had many greens, but her greens were perfect. I could not eat another bite; however, could not pass up dessert, so I took a slice of pecan pie back to the hotel with me. About two hours later, I broke into the pie, and it was still warm. THE BEST PECAN PIE I HAVE EVER HAD -- buttery, full of pecans, buttery crust and a ton of gooey filling.
The next day I went to my class and could not stop thinking about the pecan pie. I had every intention to not go back to Mama Dip's the next night, but found myself driving there again. This time I tried her chicken and dumplings with corn bread, fried okra, and macaroni and cheese. Simply delicious! A home cooked meal made from the heart! Again, I packed up a slice of pie for myself and four small pies for the airplane trip home to share with family. I also exchanged the book I purchased at Barnes and Noble for an autographed book the restaurant carries in stock.
If you ever travel to North Carolina, I suggest you check out Mama Dip's, for a true American meal. The atmosphere is simply southern and old-fashioned, no bistro or high-end restaurant style. The staff is down-to-earth and the food is something you will crave to go back for again and again.
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