{In Case You Missed It}: 2017 Highlights

Happy New Year! Embarking upon another year has always been a source of excitement, hope and anticipation for what's to come.  As 2018 continues to unfold, I'm pressing the pause button to reflect and share some of the amazing highlights that 2017 brought to D.M.R. Fine Foods.

There's a heightened sense of gratitude that occurs when I realize just how amazing this past year has been.  On virtually every front, I was so blessed to create, curate, and share my passions in both familiar and new (for me), exciting ways!

If you've been along for the ride with me until now, multiplied thank yous!! And if you're newer to D.M.R. Fine Foods, welcome!  I look forward to you settling in and staying awhile. :)

So without further adieu, here's our best of 2017, starting with a short video stream of some favorite moments (recommended: watch in full screen mode).
Travel ~
My year in travel was probably my biggest in recent memory.  I literally started the year in the midst of a winter getaway to Rome, Florence and Paris and got to take in these favorite cities (and fall in love with them) all over again.  Within a month, I was off to warmer terrain in the U.S. Virgin Islands and enjoyed a lovely return visit to St. Croix.  My journeys continued to New Orleans, Chicago, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Cuba, Phoenix (including one amazing day trip to the Grand Canyon) and finally, my perennial favorite, NYC.  Travel is such a source of joy and discovery and refreshing for me, so a year heavy in taking in destinations near and far couldn't have been better.


Food ~
2017 was by far the most exciting year in food to date!  I started the year sharing recipes inspired by travels, like Warm Goat Cheese Salad, soon followed by a phenomenal virtual potluck with 27 other food bloggers in honor of Black History Month!! It was a one-of-a-kind showcase of global black culture--through the lens of food, including my Curry Chicken Pot Pie feature.  More goodness followed with recipes like Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Cherry Upside Down Cake, Roasted Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers, Braised Short Ribs and more!

Beyond my kitchen, my food journey was also inextricably linked to my travels, and I had the pleasure of taking in unforgettable local eats and restaurants, such as this and this and this.  It was another delicious year, indeed!

Media ~
Beyond sharing here on the blog, my recurring column in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, digital and social media, I was immensely blessed to add both television and radio to the fold.  From a radio interview on the food and culture scene in St. Croix, USVI to several appearances on CBS46's Atlanta Plugged In morning show, I couldn't have been more thrilled for the opportunities to share my food and lifestyle passions with broader audiences.

The year brought continued successful collaborations that included media relations and social campaigns for the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, The Four Seasons Hotel, St. Lucia Department of Tourism, Davio's Northern Italian Restaurant, PopSugar, and more.

Fashion & Lifestyle ~
Fashion found its way center stage through style files on Trench Coats, the Met Gala Red Carpet and the exceptional Ragtrade Atlanta Fashion Week and Runway Show.

And lifestyle inspiration spanned fall tablescapes, to holiday-themed decor, and more.

Thank you for allowing D.M.R. Fine Foods to share with you and may you be inspired to live "the good life" like never before!

xx,
Dawn

{Let's Celebrate!} Popsugar Must Have Box Turns Five!

If you're like me, it doesn't take much to get you in the mood for a celebration.  And when my August PopSugar Must Have Box arrived in the mail recently, it was just the indulgence I needed.  As a resident girly girl, it was right up my alley.  From beauty treatments, to a stylish journal, to glitter candles (my personal favorite), a gorgeous confetti tray, chocolate chunk cookies (yes, you read that right), and more, I've been like a kid in a candy store. 

But that's not the only reason this month's box is special.  The August Must Have Box also marks the five year anniversary of this lifestyle favorite.  And to keep the celebration in high gear,  PopSugar Must Have is doing weekly giveaways!

All current subscribers are eligible--and if you're not a subscriber yet, not to worry.  Simply sign-up before the end of August to get in on the fun and chances to win.  And use the discount code 'PARTY' to receive a $10 discount off of your first box if you order by August 31st.

Here's to more celebrations and many more years of curated goodies!

Happy Birthday Must Have Box!

{POPSUGAR MUST HAVE}: Summer In a Box!

Summer called and just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend, your essentials for a stylishly fun season await!  Beauty, fashion, fun, snacks and more make for perfect afternoons by the pool or oceanfront.  And the before the month wraps, you can get everything delivered to your door in POPSUGAR's June Must Have Box!

Featured Clockwise: Wild and Wolf's Ridley's Game Room "Who Am I?" Quiz | Hat Attack Neutral Diamonds-Printed Sarong | Pacifica Deodorant Wipes | Knock Knock Compact | Sisters of Los Angeles "Cheers" Gold Bottle Opener | NCLA Born on the 4th Nail Lacquer | Sriracha Pressels 

Happy Summer Living!

Disclosure: POPSUGAR sent me this Must Have Box to try. All opinions are my own.

POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BOX: Indulge, Pamper, Celebrate

Earlier this week a wonderful package arrived to my sheer delight and excitement.  And as soon as I opened my October 2014 POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BOX, I knew I had every reason to feel the way I did.  

Indulgent, delicious, and filled with goodies made for pampering, I couldn't keep this all to myself.  From candles to candies to beauty and bath and more, there's really something for everyone.  So here's what's inside:

Happy Socks

Warm and cozy leopard-print socks perfect for the cooler temps now (happysocks.com)

butter LONDON  

A blendable WINK Eye Pencil in Earl Grey that's great for achieving an effortless look for day or something more dramatic, like a smokey eye, for night. (butterlondon.com)

Isaac Jacobs International  

An acrylic frame that's durable, chic--and great for displaying your special memories. (isaacjacobs.com)

Mine Design 

A supremely fragrant Chalkboard Candle.  Made out of soy, it's reusable and rewritable, so you can send the perfect message every time. (minedesignhome.com)

Dean & Deluca 

Pumpkin Spice Balls made with real pumpkin spices and dipped in dark chocolate; they perfectly capture the flavor of Fall. (deandeluca.com)

Nailed Kit  

Nail art decals that are fun, festive and easy to apply. (nailedit.com)

Bonus!: K. Hall Designs

Shoreline Shea Butter/Olive Oil Bar Soap--the moisturizing and refreshing treatment your skin will love, especially as the colder months approach. (khalldesigns.com)

And not to fret.  You can get your own MUST HAVE BOX subscription at a special discounted rate from now through November 2, 2014. Simply go here and enter the code OCT10Select to save $10 off a 3-month subscription. 

Happy Indulging!

Disclosure: POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.