I feel like these weeks are flying by. This week was my first full week of counting macros (have you done that before? I accept tips.. lol). My kids are full into school and Life is running even when I want it to slow down. It’s no surprise that I have had some issues and have been struggling a little bit, so this week I focused on JOY.
I wrote down a list of things I can do to bring JOY into my home, into my children’s lives and most importantly to my readers and listeners. I feel like radiating joy will help keep me aligned with positivity and not feel so overwhelmed with big things I can’t control. So this week, I am talking about the five different aspects of baking, and how they bring me JOY. They aren’t what you think…. so buckle up, and take a JOY ride with me.
1. Recipe Development
This may seem like an odd thing to bring joy, but let me walk you thru the thought process of One Barb Charon. I love finding an ingredient and trying to “Mac that.” In fact, a year or two ago, my friend Kayla (@loveoffrostingco) and I wanted to do a series called “Mac That.” I may still do it, but life gets busy, and reels need to be made and I haven’t done much with the idea in a IG sort of way, but I do it weekly when trying to create new well, balanced flavors. Like a spicy Jalapeño Boysenberry Mac. Or a Caramel Cookie Butter Fluffnutter (say that three times fast); so many options out there and I am destined to find them all. Remember the Wild Berry Lime Crumble? Yep!
I hope to do way more of this in the future. (Cue brand deals with companies…J/K…kind of) But until then, just know I cruise the aisles of the grocery store and bakery shelves looking for inspiration.
2. Color Palette
Its no secret that I am a huge fan of color, but when I am sitting down to create an ascetically pleasing color palette I think of: flavors, mood, season and event. Some of my most successful pop-up shops are when I coordinate the colors of the dozens so every box looks like a gift. Color is just something that I love. Do you remember all my mixing videos when I would mix colors in live time for reels? Bright, vibrant, copasetic color that just brightens my mood. Speaking of the most under-valued colors, if I were to pick, I would pick these four: (Prepare to see more about them soon)
3. Packaging
Julie Andrews said it best in the movie The Sound of Music: “brown paper packages all tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things!”
Let’s talk ribbon. I love snagging ribbon during the holidays at places you wouldn’t normally search out ribbon, such as TJMAXX and Homegoods. I also love the dollar spot at Target, and I look online (ETSY) for ribbon that is unique and perfectly fits my style.
Do you remember the first Lookbook we put out? It was all about unique packaging that was guaranteed to set you apart in your small business, or the perfect additions to wrap that neighbor gift. I have two more Look Books in the works; I just need more hours in the day to get them all together. (Don’t we all need more hours in the day!)
What’s your favorite part of packaging? Have I convinced you to try ClearBags yet? Or are you more traditional and prefer boxes?
Here are a few of my favorite ‘Back to School’ packaging ideas that you will love
For a cute clear bag look snag these:
For a box traditional look snag these:
RIBBON
BOX
CUPCAKE LINERS
TWINE
TAG
4. Photo Shoots/Filming
You can scroll back on our IG to see some of our most epic photo shoots, I have amazing photographers and they help capture every ounce of my art and work. The photo shoot days are always long but the reward seeing brightly colored macarons in a perfectly placed background always Brings me JOY. These photos are on my computers, my Home Screen, on my phones — heck! I may even tattoo them (JUST KIDDING, MOM) Wait! I am adult, I could literally do this if I wanted. lol.
Now lets talk about the ELEPHANT in the room. Reels. I know so many on IG wish it would go back to Photo Sharing, but I truly love Reels. I love to make them, film them, find the perfect audio and challenge myself to new and fun ways to get tips and tricks out there. I get this is not a popular opinion, but hear me out… We started making reels the very day reels were released and we haven’t looked back. We use our beautiful photos for the covers and have the fun videos spreading joy thru out IG.Have a hard time making reels? Go look at our IGTVs and you will see several tutorials on how to make reels.
5. What’s on the Blog
This week we dropped a recipe and a tips and trick post, and I didn’t do it alone. I have the most amazing people helping me. So, go try the Blackberry Curd in our Blackberry Macarons post, or try to combat your hollows in our TIPS AND TRICKS post.
I want to hear from you: a comment or review!