bloom does...a good thyme for life

We did dinner with our friends for a good cause. Tuesday, March 5th was the annual Good Thyme for Life event which is a fundraiser to support Berks County's only organization providing support to those affected by HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It's so simple and so fun to participate in - simply get a great group of friends together, pick a participating restaurant, make a reservation and have a amazing evening while supporting a good cause. Just the kind of evening the Bloom Girls love!

First up, Christin's visit to the Black Dog Cafe. Head over to Monday's Child and get the scoop on her foodie night out in the country!

And Phoebe tasted and toasted at the new and improved Hong Thanh: 

for more on her foodie night out, check out her blog.

bloom does...valentine's day

is your red lip not red enough for this day long love-fest? never fear! do like dallas says and put a creamy concealer on your lips first! voila! really red lips.

happy valentine's day lovers! sending you hugs and kisses from berks county!

xoxo

the bloom girls

bloom does...adventure (and beer!)

so, it's no secret we l o v e where we live. and the proof is in the pudding, or the beer and music, in this case. raise a glass and enjoy this epic collaboration between a few of our favorites: the manatawny creek ramblers, frecon farms, the other farm brewing company, in berks county's very own boyertown.

it makes our hearts all a flutter to sit back and watch as our creative friends collaborate and build community, culture and kick-ass experiences. kudos to you good people and thanks for doing what you do. you make us proud to bloom here and we're counting down the days until bluegrass n' brew fest!

suffering a case of the same old, same old restaurant funk?

have you savored the bites at the new Say Cheese! Restaurant, in West Reading?

we have and it's safe to say...

we like.

just one of the starters...cornmeal and lavender encrusted artichoke hearts.

not sure i have more pics.  we really went to town on the appies.

if this is your first visit, might i suggest you do it old school... basic grilled cheese and oh so savory tomato soup.   you will love this comfort food basic.   i wanted mine to come home with me for the weekend but i ate it instead.  

the 'witch had the perfect crunch and was not greasy.   the creamy, piping hot tomato soup wasn't overly complicated in flavor and made me sing (in my head).  homemade chips, the only way chips should be served.   the only thing that would have sent me around the moon, for a 2nd time, was a pickle.

the cheese platter was a dinner option enjoyed by our gluten free friend.

then the dessert sampler was served...

and we were thankfully thrilled

visit say cheese! and say the bloom girls sent you

bloom does 2013...

...with a sublime calendar from spread the love of course! 

we have so many fun and fabulous events planned for you and are bursting with excitement to bring you the best of berks all year long!

cheers to 2013!

xoxo,

the bloom girls

bloom does babies...

and not just any baby, a new bloom baby! we've added a sweet little girl to our bloom tribe this year and we're tickled pink! we're also crazy about spoiling her pretty mama, bloom style of course, 

and so was born the "new baby nosh box".

it's got all the fixin's for a few good meals so our mama can focus on her baby and not breakin' her back in the kitchen. the best part? we take the box back after we unload the goodies, so we can fill it up again and deliver another night of meals (and steal some kisses from our little bloom baby)!

so, what's in there? we choose items that can do double duty and can be eaten right away or frozen for later. here's the scoop:

- homemade tomato sauce and freshly grated mozzarella cheese for pizza or pasta

- neapolitan style crust from salino's

- pretty orcchiette pasta

- organic lettuce and salad fixin's from phoebe's pure food

- phoebe's favorite morning loaf from fields and french hens

- marinated artichokes for topping pizza, salad or pasta

the best part? our box came to the rescue since thanksgiving leftovers just ran out at bloom mama's house!

we're already working on our next nosh box necessities...stay tuned to see what we deliver!

meet bloom...

our very own christin kelley!

 

 

meet bloom...

our very own phoebe canakis!

bloom does holiday...

happy friday dear readers! we're so excited for the holidays over here we just want to share EVERYTHING to make your celebrations a little sweeter. so, in that spirit, we're bring you holiday themed friday finds so you can get your local santa spirit on while giving and receiving. 

these pretty wrapping papers from local resource penmerry design by  katharine smaglinski, have got us smitten with the season. she carries a  line of high quality line of gift wrap from waste not paper (sister company of the paper-source). 

ohhh, paper-source products available in berks county! why yes! it's true! 

normally they retail for $7.50 per roll, which is two large sheets of 26.5 x 39" but she is running a special this year, order 2 or more rolls and it will be $6.00 per roll! 
contact katie at design@penmerry.com
 hurry up though, we know she's selling out quickly!

better yet? host a girls night gift wrapping party! we are giddy about this idea and will keep you posted on a play-date :) 

bloom goes greek for a day . . .

Sticky sweet baklava, pastitsio, moussaka, finikia for finger eating, piping hot Greek coffee, savory olives & cheese . . .  a cultural meal shared in a church hall, with your neighbors, at a wallet friendly price. . . I'm not sure what's a better way to nosh.

Hope you didn’t miss the 54th annual Greek Bazaar at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, the scoop was on our facebook page.   The savory platter options were tantalizing.  The line for dining in was long so arrive early.   If you prefer avoiding the crowd take advantage of the drive up options.  

Not only did we pick up sweets to enjoy during the week but we visited the pop-up shops that included the pantry (olive oil, cheese, olives, baked goods, bread, candy), the attic (second hand items for super cheap), gift shop, jewelry and books.  

Saint Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, in Berks County, hosts their annual Greek Festival in mid October.  Make a note, in your fancy smart phone, for the 2013 Greek Bazaar in Berks or Lancaster County and you too can be Greek for a day.

berks to nyc marathon 2012 for IM ABLE

handicap: a disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difficult . . .

. . . but not impossible

There is something afoot in Berks and it's inspiring.

A team of 5 locals (Janet Oberholtzer & Beverly Shantz sporting IM ABLE gear, right photo) will be running the 2012 NYC Marathon, representing and fundraising for IM ABLE.   It began with the dream of Chris Kaag, founder if IM ABLE & Corps Fitness (top left, center).  

The IM ABLE Foundation was created to build active lifestyles for individuals with disabilities.  The mission of the IM ABLE Foundation is to remove obstacles that prevent people affected by disabilities from being physically active by providing resources, grants, fitness opportunities and motivation. They change attitudes about the potential of disabled individuals by exposing what is possible.

There are amazing roots building beautiful things in Berks.  

Last night's send off party is where enthusiasm and motivation bloomed.

bloom does beauty...

Glitz, Gloss and Glam was everything it promised to be and more as we got our beauty on at the Bell Tower this week. It was a night full of beauty tips and tricks from Bell Tower and the amazing NARS girls and lots of sparkle, pop and shopping with sweet Sorrelli. Add that to the B Scene at Berks County Living and you've got a room full of beautifully happy Berks County fashionistas!



Sorrelli sandwich with PR goddess Amanda Zeigler; Marketing and Creative Director, Lily Oswald; Founder and Designer, Lisa Oswald; and Bloom girl Christin. The sweets and sparkles during the evening were divine. And Amanda got a lip lesson from the one and only Jen Atwood at NARS.

 

Bell Tower make-up goddess Pav giving Christin a crash course in Eyeliner 101.  The result: eyes that POP! The secret: lining the bottom lid too! Pav taught us that it gives more contrast against the white of your eye. Brilliant!

Naturally perfect skinned Phoebe went for some elegant eye make up with Pav and WOW, that brown-eyed girl has really got it going on with a little added glam.

Christin's leather peplum (yes, the one from Zara) was the talk of the town that evening.  Her WIW action:  F21 boyfriend ripped jeans, Dolce Vita heels from Bell Tower, and Sorrelli sparkle.

Being beautiful isn't just about loving yourself inside and out as the Bloom girls learned, you've also got to know how to POSE! As we learned...head down, chin out! Or just laugh so hard at each other doing it you're sure to snap a good shot.

A special thanks to the lovely Amanda Zeigler for getting us on the guest list and keeping the Bloom girls glam.

hooray! we had a wonderful time at the fall fest!

                          

our gold standard for fresh flowers these days came to play - 

pretty posies from the rustic bunch! 

to infinity and beyond with the double dutch single 

and double infinity scarf! 

christin rocking her double infinity with a custom caftan 

from susan golembski designs (yes, you need one!). 

shout out to fields and french hens and their ahhmazing lavender shortbread cookies - these guys were selling like hotcakes (vegan, hotcakes that is!). and lemony square sweetness from phoebe's pure food, a must for a three o'clock tea break. can't get enough of these goodies!

 

 phoebe showing off her stuff with her delicious tea blends. 

{oh hey, pretty new logo by melanie linder.}

 

congrats to our luck winner xxx? 

a bag of bloom goodies just for you! thanks for stopping by :)

 

the bloom babes hanging out at our beautiful tent at hello, bluebird!
stay tuned and get to meet us on the blog.

winter prep you kitchen:

that cool breeze is here to stay but while the sun is still warm it's high time to get your kitchen and garden ready for all and winter.

plan for your 2013 garden

• it's not too late to pick up herbs for your 2013 summer savory kitchen gardens.  I always have thyme (in 3-4 varieties), rosemary, dill, sage (2 varieties), and mint in my flower beds, close to the house for easy "grab in a pinch" recipes  pick-up fresh herbs HERE
• plant your garlic bulbs by Thanksgiving for early summer harvest  buy local garlic HERE
• clean up your beds, removing any debris and weeds, tilling if necessary rodale's 9 TIPS
• create checklist of items you missed from this year's garden and buy seeds for 2013. remove unsuccessful/cheaper-to-buy than grow plants from your garden... garden smarter not harder
• rotate your veggie garden to prevent disease and repell persistent bugs. TIPS

bring the outside in

• if you have a sunny window that needs a splash of green, when your view will soon be all brown, bring in some of those herbs.   I love bringing in potted rosemary and scented geraniums.   They are perfect to use in sweet or savory winter dishes or baked goods.
• take herb cuttings and dry for use all fall & winter. TIPS
• get every last bit of basil for pesto.  freeze, in snack-sized sandwich bags, for dips and soups during the cold months
• take rosemary and lavender cuttings to make herb infused salts and sugar.   the perfect gift for foodies this holiday season.   you can also dry the lavender buds and pulse in your spice mill (fancy talk for coffee grinder dedicated for pulsing herbs) and mix with sugar to use in baking or with tea all winter long!  

we came, we saw, we BLOOMED

just a little shout out of love over here on the blog from the bloom girls to everyone who made saturday a blooming success! we met so many amazing people, reconnected with fabulous friends and got lots and lots of inspiration for what bloom can be to all of you!

a huge heart-felt thank you, again, to alex at hello, bluebird for being our hostess with the most-tess! and to all the lovely local brands that participated with us :)

stay tuned to the bloom blog and facebook over the next few weeks to meet us, if you missed out over the weekend, or to just get to know us better. we've got some fun QA for you from the bloom girls you won't want to miss.

until then, check back for lots of eye candy from over the weekend and have a beautiful monday!

xx,
the bloom girls

Hello Bluebird,  have you been?   We bloom girls love cozying up to Hello Bluebird.  It is the go-to place for the kind of gifts you'd love to receive and would be proud to give (not all puffed up kinda proud...but proud you are gifting handcrafted, eco-friendly and socially-conscious goods).

There is a special reason we chose Hello Bluebird to introduce bloom.  Alex McCarty, owner, epitomizes the movement & support of local indie-made goods as she works to celebrate lovely things and people in her cozy nest of a shop, located in the heart of West Reading on the Brownstone Row.

  

A recent upstart, this cozy, colorful palette of all things hand-crafted is celebrating their 3 years.   The self-described Alex, is a "plucky gal who prefers maryjanes and pigtails to heels and a suit, is the mastermind of this indie art emporium" and has given voice to the small business folks with big dreams of creating.

Alex has been supportive in her community not such by representing about 250 independent artists, but buy hosting non-profit events, hosting DIY craft gatherings, featuring local artists on her porch for fun & family events, and organizing Handmade in the Shade, at Shupp's Grove.

  

As if you need us to talk her up...she was voted, by local shoppers, “Best In Berks 2010” for local gift shop (Berks County Living Magazine). Jump on her fan bandwagon via Facebook to follow her events, view her spotlighted artists and for shopping specials.

Be sure to stop by Hello Bluebird to celebrate her 3 years in happy, indie business this Saturday for the Fall Festival and to meet we three Bloom Girls and shop our area favorites!

xoxo,
bloom girls