{In Case You Missed It}: 2021 Highlights

 

I gave myself the grace to remain in a Happy New Year state of mind for the entire month of January.  And so, here I am on the final day (my how time flies!!), sharing my perennial recap of the year gone by.  So before January is a distant memory, let me get on with the D.M.R. Fine Foods highlights of 2021, despite it being another challenging and fulfilling year-in-one.  

I embraced every wave of energy, inspiration, occasion and celebration to make the most of my passions and share them with you.  I’m always grateful for each and every person who shares this journey with me and appreciate every opportunity to make it worth your while.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorite highlights of 2021:

Food

2021 brought more home cooking, as I relished long-time favorites and new recipes, alike. From Creole Jambalaya, to Peach Shortcakes, Peach Crisp, Skillet Cornbread, Stuffing Biscuits, and more, it was nothing short of happy eating on full display. 

Travel

I eased back onto the travel scene with a mix of staycation/short road trips, to quickie flights to Ft. Lauderdale and NYC, a Caribbean getaway to Aruba, and a final jaunt to Las Vegas, replete with the Christmas aura I love to experience during holiday season travels. You can check out my quick and fun travel recap here.

Lifestyle

One of the biggest highlights of the year was being selected as a 2021 Better Homes and Gardens Stylemaker! Can you say awe-mazing?!  It truly was and no less exciting being honored a second time around, following my 2018 BHG Stylemaker selection.  An exceptionally curated two-day event, marked by the best brands and authorities across the lifestyle spectrum, the BHG Stylemaker team and my fellow Stylemakers made for another unforgettable hallmark in my journey to date and a welcomed nod that my contributions matter.

Collaborations

Finally, I enjoyed the privilege of once again collaborating with fellow culinary creators as we hosted the Juneteenth Virtual Cookout, replete with a bevy of recipes, stories and celebration around the theme of freedom and what it means to Black Americans.  I additionally enjoyed the honor of sharing more about what Juneteenth means to me on the Stasherbag instagram platform for the (now federal) holiday commemoration. Other collaborations with high fashion brand Marcell Von Berlin and America's Test Kitchen were also a delight.

All in all, I remain grateful for the blessings God continued to bestow on me, even as we continue to navigate the “new normal” in food, hospitality—and life, as a whole.  As a final reminder, the archives are always available for you to dig in and devour D.M.R. Fine Foods through the years. :)

Thank you again for being here and here’s to a blessed, healthy, and prosperous 2022!

xx,

Dawn

5 Essential Tips For The Best Road Trip

Growing up, road tripping was the de facto way of travel for my family. From summer vacations to the beach, to family reunions, and everything in between, if we went—it was a road trip. (In fact, I didn’t board my first flight until I was in college.)

Times have surely changed—for my family and likely most travelers—with the road trip being eclipsed by air travel as the more common way of travel. 

And then came a global pandemic that changed everything. 

Now, as many are preparing to travel this Summer and beyond, the road trip is taking center stage once again as a popular way to go and explore against the ongoing pandemic backdrop. 

If done right, road trips are travel goals for taking in more than a singular destination, going at your pace, soaking in scenic routes and attractions, and bonding with travel companions on another level. 

Here are my 5 tips for making your journey one to remember—for all the right reasons:

1. Know Thyself.

Your travel personality (get there already, stop & smell the roses along the way, or a mix of both) will be key for embarking on a road trip that feels like a joy vs. a cruel sentence. Knowing how you typically like to go and flow (with some flexibility built in for surprising yourself) will put you in a positive space for embracing the journey ahead.

2. What happens in the car—matters. 

One of my most memorable road trips growing up was one where we sang all of Whitney Houston’s new (at the time) album. I knew every song by heart by the time we were done. Talk about fun! So prepare your playlists (music, podcasts, audio books & such) to keep the good vibes in gear. 

3. Food, food and more food. Keep the “hangries” at bay with a good stash of stacks. A mix of healthy snacks (fresh fruits, nuts, popcorn, flavored waters) and indulgences (chips, jerky, cheese and crackers, sweet treats, etc.) can go a long way in between stops and fuller meals. And if you have kids, it's a non-negotiable for keeping everyone sane and satiated. :)

4. Prepare for a safe journey. 

Be sure to check your car, stash a first aid kit, extra gallons of water, chargers and more, before hitting the road. 

5. Add travel resources to your arsenal. 

Roadtrippers, AAA, and other road trip apps, are essentials for seamlessly planning the perfect getaway. 

I wish you a safe, healthy Summer and lots of...

Happy Traveling!

Photo Credit: Bon Traveler