approaching joy

Approaching Food:: BBQ Cookoff

Has anyone else noticed the proliferation of BBQ shows on television? As self-proclaimed Food Network junkies the Mister and I have definitely taken note and as a result have gotten curious. Sure, we were excited for spring weather so we could grill the obligatory steak when friends came over, but "real" BBQ? That's pretty intimidating.

Phrases like "low and slow" and "flavor profile" make sense to us but making these things happen is a totally different and much more difficult process. All the references to "bark", "smoke rings", "pit candy" sound weird but look tasty. (Can I also point out how absolutely awesome is it to see women being a major part of the pitt master movement?!?)

So what's a girl to do? As much as I love those shows I'm not going to become a champion griller by simply watching television so I'm pretty pumped that I get to hit the streets and learn the art of the grill from contestants at a local BBQ contest. Insert excited face here!!

The details-
What: Kraft Dibs on my Ribs Contest and Cook-off Event Who: Contestants who submitted their favorite pork rib BBQ recipe and were chosen to compete as the best of the best!
When: October 12 Where: Tyson Foods Home Office in Springdale Arkansas (You didn't know that Tyson was one of the Fortune 500 companies, not to mention a great corporate citizen, here in Northwest Arkansas?! It's true!)
Why: Showcase both the best BBQ-ers and how they use Kraft BBQ sauce to wow both the judges that give awards in contests and the judges that give hugs at home
Want more information?  Want to come with me?  Check out the Pork Checkoff site or follow the hashtag #dibsonmyribs
The best part? I'm taking you guys with me so we can all learn how to be grill masters!! Make sure you follow me on Twitter and Facebook to get the play-by-play the day of the cook-off. Next week: I'll share both the secrets BBQ pros choose to share and see if I can make grilling happiness happen at Approaching Joy.

Until then- What questions would you ask a BBQ pro if you had the chance?

Also! As I've mentioned before, I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Kraft.  However, everything I've expressed above stems from both my dorky excitement to become a legit grill-master and my community pride that such a fun event is being held just down the road.  Wish me lots of learning and keep those BBQ questions coming!!
#CBias #SocialFabric

Approaching Local :: The Little Craft Show

Do you remember that time when you had just learned to sew and you were convinced you could mass produce purses (and go on to rule the fashion world) from your mom's kitchen table?  
No?  That was just me?  Okay, whatever.   

Regardless, I have an opportunity for all of my Arkansas (and Oklahoma and Missouri and Tennessee and Texas and Louisiana and Mississippi and Kansas) readers to join in to really see if you could make your crafty dreams come true: The Little Craft Show. 

The Little Craft Show has been put together by an absolutely awesome trifecta of local artisans who were disappointed about the indie arts and craft shows that our fun (i.e. young and hip) community could potentially give to the area.  I mean, crocheted doll dresses (link) circa 1989 are cool if you're still running your craft business with your grandmother (not hating- ya'lll know I love my grandmother), but Natalie, Amber, and Jonathan wanted to offer a craft show where both the artists and community knew that there would be a break away from the traditional craft show.  

Some examples:

• Gingibar - LOVE. HER. PRINTS.  Remember when I talked about the local shop the Mustache?  Her art/ clothing/ home decor is there and she recently had a Fab sale.  Total awesomeness.
• Perrodin Supply- This is the husband / wife team that is 2/3rds the backbone of The Little Craft Show. Those map cut outs: Clean? Graphic? Homey? Sold.  
• Natalie Creates - #1 She shoots with film.  Film, guys.  Remember that black spool of stuff that used to go in the back of your camerea?  Crazy awesome, right?!?!  #2 Her blog is a beautiful snippet of her home (which I was honored to visit during a volunteer get-together recently) where the adjectives "simply lovely" don't quite capture the essence of her home but, until I get a more extensive vocabulary, will have to suffice.

So are you wondering how you can get in on the awesomeness of The Little Craft Show?!?!
Check out all the overview here and

• If you're an artist and want to get in on the fun (and show off your wares to 1000+ lovely people), apply here.
• If you're my neighbor and want to volunteer with me, do that here. (Seriously, I've only gone to one volunteer event but while there I was greeted so warmly I want to make this a weekly thing.)
• If you are a rocking local business and want to support our local artists and continue to increase our communities cool factor, do that here. 

If you live in NWA did you participate/ attend The Little Craft Show last year?
If you don't live in NWA are there any other local indie craft shows that you would recommend in your area?

DIY Date :: Happy Cart Crafts for St. Jude

I was so excited by the positive response to that came after announcing this month's DIY Date.  Knowing that fellow bloggers were excited to use their crafty talents to help kids at St. Jude just reinforced the knowledge that this blogging community really has something special.  Please please please take the time to check out the links below and support the ladies who were so generous with their time and gifts.

1. MJ at Pars Caeli
2. Monica at Small Town Mojo
3. Louise at Laid Off Mom (and the original DIY Date-r)
4. Stephanie at Pretty and Delectable
5. Lisha at One House One Couple
6. Joy at Frock Files 

And no, there's not an Approaching Joy craft in that list.  I have mine all typed up but no fun pictures yet.  You'll forgive me, right?

#AJFW Business Cards via Moxy Ox

In all the excitement of AWBU and then the Fashion Week announcement and then the giveaways (here and here), I almost forgot to show you the business cards that I picked up right before I left for AWBU.  Check them out!

They turned out just like I had imagined them... except a little bit cooler because they made me feel so legit!

Some quick notes about design:

• I think I've said it before but I will say it again: My inner six year old always likes to come out and play.  These sticker add-ons (inspired by the lovely Melissa Esplin) were also a Moxy Ox product. LOVE!!
• The tiny clips were just the pop of color these business cards needed, don't you agree?
• I didn't have enough room to put my contact information for every single account so I used icons instead. Less space + cute graphic element = win
• Right above that: The phrase "Like me, maybe?"  Yep, a shameless spin off of a pop culture reference.  Cool but not as cute as this video using the same song from my boss' daughter.

I love that I have something that personifies me via paper to give out when I head to New York next week.(Eek! Saying, "New York next week" still doesn't seem real!!)

As I mentioned earlier in the week Moxy Ox doesn't pay me, but they are providing these fabulous photo books to give to the first twenty five people who sign up but all opinions are my own.