Classy Cavalier Turns One

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” - Lao Tzu

A year ago today, The Classy Cavalier was born, and I couldn’t be more thrilled and ecstatic.

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog. Starting this journey was a huge step for me. Typically, I am much more reserved in sharing my stories, but being able to meet so many amazing people through this platform has been a pure joy.

Today, I am sharing the key things that I have learned from starting my blog a year ago.

• Be consistent. When I began receiving advice from many bloggers in the start of my journey, the same advice was given to me across the board, “stay consistent.” I learned very quickly that posting weekly and staying true to myself would be the foundation of my blogging journey. Their advice was easier said than done, and at times it would be super hard to find the motivation or energy to create content. I learned very early that the only way to be consistent, is to stay organized and find a core group of individuals to hold you accountable.

• Write about what you love. When I initially started the blog, I began writing about various topics in my life. As I began to find my voice, my topics became more narrow. I think for any blogger in the beginning never limit yourself, and be open to possibilities as well as new opportunities. When you begin writing about things you are passionate about it shows clearly in your work.

• Recharge & refuel. It can be a challenge creating quality content, and if you are like me, I have a full-time job on top of doing my passion project. Blogging is something that I love doing, and really enjoy. It is very important to take some downtime and allow days to disconnect from social media and creating new content. I never wanted to the blog to become a chore I had to do every week. So, taking some time to rest and recharge, the creative juices really makes a world of difference.

• Do it for the right reasons. I never started this blog to generate revenue. The overall goal was to have a platform for me to share my advice and experiences. Through this blog I have been able to partner with amazing companies and vendors. I’ve been able to connect with so many people, and share some recipes that my family enjoys. My initial goal for the blog was to connect with people, that was my reason for creating this little space on the World Wide Web. Whatever your reason is, make sure it makes sense for your overall mission.

Again, thank you for your continued support, this blog wouldn’t be what it is without all of you.

XO, Analise

Dining Out: Eating Local, Part 2

"Food, to me, is always about cooking and eating with those you love and care for." - David Chang

You guys know I am always on the hunt for a delicious meal and an amazing dining experience. I’m sharing a few of my favorite meals at some really cool restaurants in my home state of Virginia. I’ve featured a couple of these places before, but introducing some new spots that are totally amazing and worth visiting in the near future!

Lobster Hushpuppies - Charles City, VA (outside of Richmond, VA) at Upper Shirley Vineyards

Fried oysters and french fries - Downtown Norfolk, VA at The Saltine

The prettiest and most delicious charcuterie board - Virginia Beach, VA at Tinto Wine and Cheese Hilltop

Charcoal Limeade - Downtown Norfolk at Fruitive

Pepperoni and Bacon Pizza - Newport News, VA at Mellow Mushroom

BLT Sandwich with a side of parmesan tater tots - Virginia Beach, VA at Bay Local - Laskin

What are some of the yummiest dishes you have had in your home state lately? Share below!

XO, Analise

Kitchen Confidential

“Cooking is about passion, so it may look slightly temperamental in a way that it's too assertive to the naked eye.” - Gordon Ramsay

Cooking is one of my passions, and I love sharing my recipes and experiences in the kitchen. Learning new recipes and making some of our traditional family meals are so much fun. I enjoy making dishes that my friends and family will love. Today I’m finally answering a question I get quite often, “What are the essential food items you keep in your kitchen?”

I’m sharing a few of my favorite items that I always keep on hand to make a lot of my home cooked meals.

• Olive Oil: I use olive oil almost daily. It’s great to pair as a dressing with lemon for a light arugula salad. Also, I use it in my marinades for cooking meats, like chicken or steak. I always stock up on this item, and keep it near by when I’m cooking.

• Fresh Produce: I prefer eating and using fresh produce in dishes. We stock up on apples, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tomatoes, and avocados each week. It’s great because a lot of the fruit we purchase are great for snacks or when we’re on-the-go in the morning.

• Spices & Herbs: I cook with a lot of spices and having an amazing collection of this item will be a lifesaver. Lemon Pepper, Black Peppercorn, Sea Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Cinnamon, Seasoned Salt, and Paprika, are just of the few spices that I use on a daily basis. Also, having fresh herbs like cilantro and basil is super important too!

• Flour: I love to bake, and during the holiday season, I’m making a lot of desserts for our families. Also, whenever we are in the mood for some amazing comfort food, like my Mom’s delicious Fried Chicken recipe, flour is an absolute must.

• Rice: This is always great to have! You can pair it was a protein like steak, chicken, or shrimp. A favorite of mine is adding a variety of veggies to it as well. Also, if you have soy sauce on hand, you can make a yummy fried rice dish too!

• Eggs: They are perfect when baking or even preparing for brunch on the weekends! Also, I love hard boiling them for a quick snack, especially during the weekdays. This item is packed with a lot of protein, and always great to keep in the fridge.

• Fresh Vegetables: Cucumbers, carrots, arugula, onion, cabbage, mushrooms, jalapenos, and baby broccoli are among the many items we like to keep in the kitchen. They are perfect to add in salads, or a garnish to any dish. I always feel like veggies add a great balance to any meal.

• Bread: We love a great loaf of fresh ciabatta bread! This is something I don’t always have in the kitchen, but when we do, it doesn’t last long. It’s perfect for BLT sandwiches or dipping in balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

• Cheese: Good cheese is hard to come by, and this is definitely a treat we keep on hand. It is great to add into many dishes, or just by itself, with some amazing bread and wine …

• Wine: Speaking of wine! Well, of course I would add this item to the list! I love pairing a glass of wine with a delicious meal, and we are always stocked with some great bottles from our fave wineries or local wine shop!

What are some of the items you keep stocked in your kitchen? Share below!

XO, Analise