Substack (the host of this newsletter) introduced a new feature for writers to share videos. This was something I jumped on immediately and asked to have the new feature, still in beta testing, added to my account. I have so many ideas of how to incorporate videos. The first and most obvious would be short videos showing demonstrations throughout my Kitchen Club recipe newsletters. My second idea was tutorial videos. Stuff like how to break down a chicken or how to cream butter. This would be a way to give in-depth visuals along with descriptions. Then last Sunday I saw Haley Nahman from Maybe Baby post a vlog and within two minutes of watching, I was running into the living room to talk strategy with Marco.
My plan was to post a weekly video every Friday for Kitchen Club members, a hybrid of vlogs, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes stuff. My creative wheels were turning and I was pumped about my new task. The following day, Monday, I planned to spend the day recording my first vlog.
Well, Monday came and I recorded myself ALL day. I talked, ran to the butcher shop, made Strawberry Cream Cookies, and grilled a ribeye steak for dinner. All of this was recorded in 4k landscape mode on my phone. There was a learning curve and I was slightly stressed during it but overall I had a ton of fun. Marco went out to a work dinner that night and I spent the evening editing everything together…
Let me tell you, I was not prepared for how horrifying it is to watch footage of yourself for 45 minutes! Initially, it was fine but the more I watched the more I couldn’t stand it. I found myself nitpicking every last detail and feeling incredibly insecure. Sure I record myself all the time for Instagram but quick one-minute clips are a lot easier to digest. When Marco returned home, we watched part of it together and halfway through I decided I am not a vlogger. No way I could do this every week.
I do want to start incorporating videos in my newsletters but I am going to ease into it. My new goal is one video a month. We have some exciting travel coming up and a food recap will be fun in video format. Tutorials I’m excited to tackle, just no vlogs for now. Keep an eye out for new videos in your inbox from me. You guys will be the first to hear about it when I finally send one out.
As if you didn’t already know, today is Super Bowl Sunday. This is a day that does not affect me even slightly. I didn’t grow up watching sports and even living in a big football town such as KC, I just can’t pay attention to any sports. I had a little chuckle this morning remembering that on this day last year I promised Instagram “next year I’ll have some recipes for the Super Bowl.” Here we are and I have nothing. Good thing for you, every other food source posted dip recipes galore! Maybe I’ll try again next year.
Me not creating Super Bowl specific recipes and content feels good. I create a ton of stuff every week already and creating something I don’t care about would end up being mediocre. Remember more authentic, less performative? I wasn’t the only creator to skip over the super bowl, Annie from What’s Annie Eating posted that she didn’t have the time for it this year and I loved to see her being open about that.
If you do love the Super Bowl, I hope you have a wonderful day watching!
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Donkey & Goat - Twinkle 2019
An interesting but easy sipper out of California. Not totally effervescent but there is a little sizzle present. It’s a light red with peppery fruit flavors. Make sure to serve this guy chilled. We have enjoyed this wine on a few occasions and it’s always good. It can lighten up a steak or go casual with pizza but holds up on its own for a quick drink with friends. More details, here.
On repeat this week 💯
I knew I needed a bendy arm tripod and put off buying one for so long…but I didn’t know how life-changing the remote would be. If you shoot any type of content you absolutely need this tripod and remote!
Don’t forget Strawberry Cream Cookies make the perfect V-day treat!
Talk to you next week 💖 M