Tag: ann arbor eats

Food Photography x What it is like to be an Instagram Star

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People sure are eating with their eyes these days! It is like you’ve got your whole meal planned out thanks to Instagram or Yelp prior to even calling for your Uber.  Not saying I am not guilty of this first hand, because I do my fair share of Yelp scouting prior to dining in.

I do have to say that I give back to the Foodie Community by Yelp Reviews and Foodstagrammin’ ! & if the spot is truly giving me a coregasm i’ll post a Google and Facebook review too.

My fair share of taking pics of food began with Yelp – where i’ve earned the honor badge of being Elite for a number of years now. Check out my dank delights by clicking here  – gotta give good graces to my @Miami_FoodPorn pal & contributor for kicking me early on about joining in on the Yelp community.  This was WAYYYY before it became @Tr3ndey

Yelp is just the gateway to what detonated the internet  into a world of food images on Instagram. The foodstagrams can take a number of forms and specialties – relating to veganism, raw diets, burgers only, city specific, or just a simple this food is fucking great and u NEED it NOW.

People feel compelled to share their good eeeeats and let everyone know they are doing it ! But some really just do it better than others – and what makes one Insta star versus another?? The PHOTO – duh!

Here are a few things to consider while taking a stellar shot –

Lighting : To use flash ? or to not? Is your natural lighting on fleek? or does a friend need to use their flash light app?

Angle of shot : this is VERY important – make sure you get the money shot

Placement : do you get up close and personal? do you take an overhead shot? do you get the drinks in? are the drinks the focus?

Fingers : are they manicured! why are you even showing the fingers? hands? DO NOT include your face, or your friends.

Props : are you putting your favorite sunnys in cuz it plays into the vibe of the image? are your kicks in the shot because its a photo of coffee? what are you really trying to showcase here – the lifestyle or the food?

Exhibit 1 - above view, drinks in view, props on set

Exhibit 1 – above view, drinks in view, props on set

Exhibit 2 - larger zoomed out above view ( famed of @ChicksonChairs) , Yes props and yes drinks,

Exhibit 2 – larger zoomed out above view ( famed of @ChicksonChairs) , Yes Props and Yes Drinks

Exhibit 3 - a bit closer view point, more exclusive look into the food itself, minor props

Exhibit 3 – a bit closer view point, more exclusive look into the food itself, minor props, poor plating set up

Exhibit 4 - zoomed in, solo food shot of specific item

Exhibit 4 – zoomed in, solo food shot of specific item

Exhibit 5 - you get the whole view of the star of the photo

Exhibit 5 – you get the whole view of the star of the photo

THE MONEY SHOT !!!

THE MONEY SHOT !!!

Now you have an inside look on what it’s like to Live Like Lindsey and be a FoodStaGrammer. This collab went down in Wynnwood @ZakTheBaker one of my must haves and go-to ‘s while in Miami!  If you are down there you gotta check it out !

Keep on Eatin’,

Lshawtay

@HelloAnnArbor x Farmer’s Market Haul

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UGHHHH the thing I look forward to the most on Humpdaze is going to the Kerrytown Farmer’s Market – literally whatever city I may live in next must have a legitimate Farmer’s Market with the freshest flowers and local dank goods. If you would like to follow me on SnapChat @Lshawtay you’ll get a walking tour of me at the Market. On my walk there this week I noticed this lovely Robot engraved on the sidewalk – I wish there was more casual art like this around Street Botthe town. I’d like to call him

If you happened to follow my story yesterday you would have first spotted it there – that is of course if you haven’t stumbled upon it yet in person – it is also live on my Instagram @Lshawtayy

@Argus Farm Stop

I live week to week by the scent of these incredible Oriental Lily’s – they literally will last an entire week and then some ! $3 per stem I feel like it’s a steel deal ! The scent fills my apartment and brings a smile to my fayce everytime I walk in the door. Sometimes i’ll sleep on the couch just to get a better aroma – I guess it may be easier to bring the vase into my room but I literally did not think of that until just now.

Big fan of the Roos Roast Cold Brew Coffee , a locally brewed treat that’s a pricey $4 per cup but pretty worth it. Shopping Haul

Shopping Haul ! These are the BEST items  – outside of the flowers – that I got yesterday.  These Rosemary & Sea Salt Gluten Free by the Taste like OMG you’ve never had anything so amazing with out gluten ! Today I splurged for the large box for $10 – otherwise they come in smaller sizes for $3.50 – they’re also sold at Lab Coffee & the Argus Farm Stop.

The White Lotus Farm has quickly become my go-to booth at the Kerrytown Farmer’s Market.  If there could only be one butter left on earth it should be their Herb Butter with Taragon. You know this is the purest butter that can grace your lips!

Go on & get after it !

Lshawtay

@HelloAnnArbor x @AnnArbor_Eats x #Kerrytown

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Honest Co. One of my favorite things about living in Ann Arbor, Michigan is the Historic District of Kerrytown. Kerrytown is home to Zingerman’s!  You may have heard about the famous sandwich shop/ deli  located at 422 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  It’s about a causal 10 minute walk to Kerrytown from where I currently live. I always bring my Re-Usable Honest Co. Canvas Tote in case I want to pick up some goodies from Zingerman’s or other shops near by! I am not the most eco-friendly gal but one of my best friends works at an Organic Baby Store in NYC and always hooks it up with these awesome bags !

Check out my instagram posts of two yummy sandwiches from Zingerman’s.

Month of May Special Sandwich : Fried Chicken Breast, Lettuce, Spicy Pickles, Pimento Cheese

TNT Cowboy Ruben : Hand Pulled Bbq Brisket without the Coleslaw and melted Provolone Cheese

Here is an inside look of @AnnArbor_eats Your Source for the BEST eats in Ann Arbor !

Never Stop Eating or Exploring,

LShawtay

@HelloAnnArbor x @AnnArbor_Eats x Neopapalis

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Bianca Pizza Neopapalis the Pizza King on the block of 500 E.William which you can also call ahead and place your order for pick up or you can dine in. I prefer to dine in most of the time because they have friendly staff, great seating options for big or small parties, and a bar area with TVs and local microbrew beers!

What to order? The Bianca Pizza @ Neopapalis is just simply incredible ! I am not typically a Pizza Person but this Pizza is out of this world ! The Bianca Pizza base is made up of Herb-butter base, asiago and mozzarella cheese & honey. That small touch of honey really makes each bite super delicious!  Featured here upon request a crispy crust + artichokes, spinach, jalapenos and FIG.

Be sure to go over and grab a 12” pizza at Neos like … now!

Only YOU can make it better

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Start UP your day with a bumping playlist of tunes or just simply one song on REPEAT

Today’s Eargasm has got me going all day ( granted it’s only 215PM) ! Pump up the volume for this Bumping Beat of The Day: Revolution by Diplo ! This remix will most def turn up your day.

Maybe the music to your ears isn’t enough to make your day better. If you happen to be in Ann Arbor walk on over to your nears Arbor Bike Stop – mine happens to be the Library Lane located on South 5th Street between East William & East Liberty.  You can slide in your credit card and for $6 you get to pop out a lovely blue bike to ride for the next 60 minutes. Ice Coffee & Arbor Bike I didn’t really have a plan of where I would go on my bike ride … just let the sunshine and day take me to where the road led.  On my journeys I got a bit thirsty and remembered the Jefferson Market & Cakery was near by.  The Jefferson Market was voted Best Local Cakery in Michigan more than 3 times. Today, April 15th happens to be their 8th birthday! To celebrate they were rolling out Free Slices of their famous cakes. Balloon Cake Although the pic of the cake is not featured you can find one hear on my @tR3NDEY instagram account.

Inside Jefferson MarketTo celebrate today was the official opening day of their re-model of the interior of the shop. The Jefferson Market is located on 609 West Jefferson Street in downtown Ann Arbor.

HOURS

Monday they are closed but are open : Tuesday – Thursday 8-2PM and Friday 8-5. The best time to go I think is for the weekend brunch : Saturday & Sunday 10-1 PM. Floors at Jefferson Market

I was totally feeling this authentic wood floor and had to take a snapshot.

Here is a photo of my lunch ” The Enlightenment ” on a Pretzel Roll & the Arbor Bike i Rode over. Lunch 4.15.15 It was totally fabulous and did provide me with some enlightenment that it is up to you to make your day better !

It was really fun to hop on a bike! I probably haven’t biked since my last bike share ride in Miami Beach. I love that I was able to get in a few miles walking this morning, a few miles biking this afternoon and later on will go to Yoga down the block.

Vibe On, Walk 10,000 steps, and eat things you love,

Lshawtay

Blogging on Medium | Hello Ann Arbor

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I’ve been working on a new project called Hello Ann Arbor – I’ve been living in Ann Arbor since the Fall of 2008 with two short breaks. The first break was when I studied abroad in Barcelona , Spain aka Barshawlona. In my studies abroad I focused on Digital Media & Web 2.0. Of course I blogged about my adventures and the media while in Barshawlona – check it out. I am intrigued by the way society is effected by the mass media.

So yes back to my new project – @HelloAnnArbor on Instagram and I have been making short less than 1 Minute Reads about Ann Arbor Action on Medium. Check um out & Let me know what you’d like to see more of !

Live it UP,

Lshawtay

Mondaze in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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A big part of Mondaze is Motivation, Mindfulness, & maintaining a Meatless diet

#TGIM – Thank G-d It’s Monday – well yesterday was the first time i ever came across the abrev #TGIM – very bizarre but i went with the notion and continued to follow through with my version of Mondaze.

Mindful Monday was a sweet sweet success yesterday. Waking up on Monday Mornings I turn quickly to “snooze” which I think could be re branded as a time dedicated to meditation. I do not use my “snooze” to just roll my eyes back into my head & dream land but a moment of clarity.
Meditation Music makes the end of your day a sweet send off

Music of the day : Thomas Jack Vol 4 Tropical House

Getting super pumped up to go see him preform live in Chicago in February at The Mid. If you want to join me purchase your tickets here

Signing up for not one but TWO classes at The Barre Code in Ann Arbor : they have two fabulously convenient locations on is right downtown Ann Arbor on E Liberty between Maynard St & Thompson Street and the second is off Plymouth Road. The owner of The Barre Code Adri is a honey and i love supporting local startups & women ! #Girlpower – you don’t see too many men around The Barre Code but don’t let that stop ya felllas !

    Meatless Diet

Within the first thirty minutes of being awake and up & moving I like to have a piece of fruit to rev up my metabolism. Typically a Granny Smith Green Apple or Bartlett Pear.

Driving to Ann Arbor and getting off at Main Street I can’t help myself but stop into Mighty Good Coffee

Moving forward to lunch I walked over to my new go-to loving lunch spot Salads Up for a Mix It Up Salad filled with edamame, chic peas, cucumbers , red peppers, avocado , olives and broccoli with a spicy shiracha dressing! Dank.

Lady J ( maybe you remember her from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Videos ) whipped me up some mouth watering orgasmic roasted Brussels sprouts for dinner along with our favorite breakfast for dinner omelet while i took on my Mondaze Motion hard.

Mondaze are the perfect day to take your tasks head on >>>> this weeks mondaze motion was to figure out that darn crock pot that is taking up so much space in our kitchen ! One of my new favorite social networking sites Yummly.Com allows amateur and professional chefs alike share recipes in a YUMMY way ! Check out my Yummly Collection of #1307Daily Recipes . FRENCH ONION SOUP you are my b*tch and i’m making you mine ! tipping this off was to caramelize onions! wpid-snapchat-3594131855462917539.jpg

Follow along to hear more about how my #1307Daily activity of the week goes down !

#TCOY – take care of yourself

Keep Mindful and keep it Up !

Vibe On,
Lshawtay

FYI : Ramen Noodles

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Ramen Noodles are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Originating as an extremely popular dish in Japan, this trend is crossing the oceans and Ramen Noodle Bars are popping up around the corner from YOU !

The rise of Ramen Noodles may single handly be contributed to the Uki Family who migrated to the US a little over 30 years ago! Their company SUN NOODLE is the top notch brand of Noodle makers!

 

Two Ramen Bars in downtown Ann Arbor are both located on E.Liberty Street not too far away from one another.

> Slurping Turtle which is between State Street & Maynard Street on E Liberty

> Tomukun Noodle Bar which is between Maynard Street & Thompson Street on E.Liberty

 

Slurp On !