There are some food bloggers in the webisphere who seem to have it all pulled together, with so many good things going right, making what they cook, photograph and share all seem so effortless.
Kristen with Dine and Dish is exactly one of those bloggers. She has a loyal following, creates family friendly recipes and shoots the most amazing Instagram photos—yep, that’s me, just one more of her Instagram stalkers.
Kristen is shares dutifully her #shotoftheday images on Instagram. Her coffee is never far from reach.
Kristen and her food blogging buddies at the CIA with Cooking Channel’s Jeffrey Saad
But Kristen’s blogging success isn’t due to the type of camera she shoots with, or the blogging buddies she pals around with. Kristen’s success is because she does it all from the heart. Her photos, her posts and her recipes are all a result of her authentic voice and passion for food and family.
My favorite Instagram photo of Kristen’s. See a selection here.
I’m so inspired after having had the chance to spend a Saturday morning coffee clutch with Kristen via the www.
Full disclosure: this was my first web chat and I didn’t have the HD setting revved to the max, so the quality is a little jiggity jaggity and while Kristen looks and sounds great, I seem to have been Tammy Faye Bakerized and developed a heavy eyelid (oh why didn’t I at least wear some fake eyelashes to blame it on?) so don’t let my non-stop blinking distract you from Kristen’s far more interesting words.
Kristen’s interview Part 1: Kristen dishes on how she got started in food blogging, cooking for her family—that includes 4 kids—her career as a successful writer despite a teacher’s discouragement and her favorite apps for taking great Instagram photos.
Kristen’s interview Part 2: Kristen talks about her Project 365, tells us where she finds her cooking inspiration, and shares her favorite photo editing software and the best way to back up your digital photos—yes, she lost over 2,000 photos last year.
I asked Kristen what her favorite dishes on her blog were so I could try one out. She gave me quite the list including Vanilla Butter Cookies, Bread Machine Challah, and Grasshopper Cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day.
But I was drawn to her recipe for Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs because I needed an easy dinner to get on the table that night and I’m pretty much always happy to swap out a few extra calories for some tender, juicy chicken.
It’s a must-try. And believe me, if you’re a white-breast-only chicken eater, step out of your comfort zone and don’t be afeared! Chicken thighs are NOT SCARY!
Get Kristen’s recipe for Baked Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Thighs here.
And now for a few words—in type—from Kristen about a few of her favorite things. Thanks again Kristen for being our foodie crush!
1. Describe your blog in 3 words:
Food, Family, Photography
2. If you could be one food blogger other than yourself, who would you be?
Oh that is so hard… I think Penny De Los Santos has some pretty incredible experiences. I wouldn’t mind being in her shoes for a day!
3. Which 3 blogs do you follow/are obsessed with/can’t live a day without?
I change up my blog reading habits so often (and am really bad about keeping up with anyone!) I have always loved the Shutter Sisters, I am currently obsessed with VK Rees and recently discovered Happy Yolks.
4. What is the one kitchen tool you could never give up?
I really love my bread machine. I can make bread without it, but having it do all the heavy work up front really makes it so much easier to make bread often.
5. What dish are you obsessed with mastering that you just can’t get quite right?
Pie crust! Ugh… I don’t know what my problem is but I can’t make a good pie crust to save my life. In fact, one day I was determined as heck to get pie crust right and made 6 in one day, with none turning out. I have followed every twitter suggestion, every tutorial, my mom’s advice, etc. and it just never turns out right.
6. What did you have for dinner last night?
Chocolate, margaritas, guacamole and pizza :) We had a girls night in with two of my best friends / neighbors. We ate what we were craving :)
7. What’s one secret talent outside of the kitchen nobody knows about you:
A secret talent…hmmmm. I really like getting to know people better. I can talk to anyone and often find that people are more than willing to open up to me in conversation (even about some things I’d rather not know about!)
8. You’re happiest when cooking/eating…
really good homemade bread and butter! I’m a carbs girl and bread is my weakness.
9. As a magazine writer, editor and successful blogger, you seem to have the whole work/family balance flow figured out. Can you share your tips with us on how we might be able to achieve that same level of even keel?
I wish I could say I have it figured out. I don’t… there are times when I feel like a horrible mom, blogger, wife, daughter, sister, friend, freelancer. I think the thing that helps me is a supportive husband who does all the laundry (which is a lot when you have 4 kids!). I also have learned since having my 4th kiddo to say no a lot more. I can’t be at every class party, every sporting event, etc. and can’t do every assignment pitched to me. Learning to say no and allowing myself to prioritize my life based on what brings me the most joy has become my central way of living lately. Does it sound bad to say I put myself first more often now? Obviously I have my families best interest in mind, but putting myself as a priority makes everything in my life run a lot more smoothly.
10. The one secret ingredient to your success is:
Staying true to who I am. I think when you aren’t true to who you are, people see right through that and know. I have tried on my blog and in my life to live authentically. I may not be the biggest or best blogger or photographer, but I have really tried to stick to who I am and to do things my way… even if it isn’t the most popular way. I will also say I don’t get caught up in the numbers and don’t consider blogging to be competitive. Paying too close of attention to “stats” can be crippling to your blog and your soul.
Thank you so much Kristen for sharing so much with us. There’s a reason you have such an ardent following, and if we didn’t know why before, I think we certainly do now.
XO!
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Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Kristin, I didn’t know you were a magazine writer & editor in edition to raising 4 kids!! I knew you had 3 or 4 kids, I didn’t know you also work outside the home, too. AMAZING! And that you even have time to blog, at all!
Penny…I went to Mexico City with her last summer and it was SUCH an eye-opener of a trip.
Great post, ladies!
Kristen says
Heidi – Thank you so much for having me. You are so much fun… I loved our Saturday morning coffee clutch and can’t wait to do it again sometime in person :)
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray (Soon to be Rachel Cooks) says
LOVE Kristen and her blog! Great post and interview :)
Amanda says
Great vlog and post! Kristen is an inspiration to us all!
nest of posies says
i adore kristen from Dine & Dish! she was the very first foodie blog i started to follow – a couple of years back. i thought her recipes were always amazing, but i loved (and still do) how she mixes her family life in with her blog.
she lets her “real-ness” shine through! i love that.
great interview!
kellie
Deborah says
Kristen’s blog is one that I’ve been reading the longest, and I’ve always been in love with her writing style and photography. She has always been such an inspiration to me!
Cassie says
This is so wonderful. You both are such an inspiration every day!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says
I loved this interview. I have known Kristen in real life for almost 5 years, and I can say, without hesitation, that she is as real and true as she comes across in her blog. She is truly an amazing person.
Maria says
I just love Kristen! She seriously is one of the sweetest bloggers I have met. I love her blog, photos, stories, family, etc. She has the entire package! Loved the interview! Thanks for sharing~!
Jen from How To: Simplify says
What a great post and video chat! Kristen is such an inspiration and one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Thanks for sharing this!
Jen from How To: Simplify says
What a great post and video chat! Kristen is such an inspiration and is such a sweet person. Thanks for sharing this!
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
What a great post Heidi. Kristen’s amazing and you totally captured the essene of that. Love love love this!
heidi says
Thanks for your comment Heather! I’m planning on doing more video so more bloggers to see and hear from.
TidyMom says
I seriously love Kristen…….and this interview is SO her! she’s exactly like she appears on her blog – she’s the girl everyone wishes lived next door!!
Great interview guys!!
Flavia says
Heidi, this was a great post and such a fun interview with Kristen. It was such a pleasure for me to meet both of you in person last year at EVO. I’ll be at EVO again this year, so I hope to see you both again. Kristen was my very first blogging friend that I got to know when I first started blogging. She has a special place in my heart. Thanks for featuring such a wonderful person!
heidi says
Flavia, what a sincere comment! Yes, we’ll both be seeing you at Evo, and I’m looking forward to it!
Anita Menon says
I follow her blog from a distance. I enjoy her photography. Great interview
heidi says
Glad that you got to ‘meet’ Kristen up close :) thanks for the comment!
Bev Weidner says
This is sooo badass! I just love Kristen!
Hi, Kristen!
heidi says
Kristen is a badass. A nice one, but still…
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
I enjoyed your video interview. I just recently signed up for Carbonite and have been considering buying Lightroom, but have Photoshop so well I’ve hesitated to buy it, so it’s great to have Kristen’s take on it. I’ll look forward to seeing you both at EVO.
Kristen says
Barbara – try the Rad Lab before you buy Lightroom. It is pretty awesome. They have a free 30 day trial!
heidi says
Lightroom 4 just went on sale today. I’ll let you know how it is after I upgrade. I love it!!
Kara says
Loved this! Such an inspiration to the rest of us. Thanks for the great advice, as a mom of two little ones I need to remember to put myself first.
Mimi Avocado says
Kristen! It was so much fun to see you in the video and hear your voice!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
I adore Kristen. So much to admire about her :) And hey Kristen– I can’t make pie crust either!!!!
Brooke says
Brilliant Kristen! So glad to see her here!
El says
This is so nice to see. I love Kristen’s work. Thank you so much for sharing her insight with us.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I love Kristen! Her genuineness shines through in everything she does, she’s a very special person and a real inspiration.
Laura Janelli/ Chef Laura at Home says
Great post Heidi! I really enjoyed your video interview with Kristen from Dine and Dish!
Laura of {Chef Laura at Home}
http://www.facebook.com/cheflauraathome
Cookin' Canuck says
You captured Kristen so beautifully in this post and in the web chat. She truly has a heart of gold and wears her heart on her sleeve. As for the chicken thighs, I am fully on board – no fear of chicken thighs here!
Sheila says
Love this interview. Kristen is such a dear, and very authentic. You did a great job capturing her! I’m with you girl on the bread and butter thang…I’m all over it!
Kalyn says
Very fun seeing Kristen’s family after hearing so much about them.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Ohhhhh…so fun to hear your voice, Kristen! Your work is always so fabulous and I love watching your life through Instagram. Great interview!
Amanda Padgett says
Kristen, what a great interview!!! Nice to get to know more about you! And, loved hearing your voice! ♥
Nancy Wyatt says
I have been stalking uhm, I mean following Kristen for some time now and love her! So glad for this interview! Hugs from Conroe, TX
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
What a great interview! So nice to know more about Kristen and her beautiful family :)
Nicole03 says
You always a very interesting topic.. Your family really look so happy.. :)
Diane {Created by Diane} says
What a great post, loved seeing Kristen live :) it’s nice to get to know her better through the interviews.
Cookie + Kate says
Great post, Heidi! I was not familiar with Kristen but after watching those videos, I feel like I know her. Thanks for sharing your interview with her, I love hearing other bloggers’ perspectives and learning about their workflow.
Amanda says
Loved the interview! Kristen so glad we were able to meet at Sam’s a couple years ago, but wow, spent two days with you there and learned more about you in these two videos Ha ha! :)
Radhika @ Just Home Made says
Nice interview Heidi.
Kristen comes across as such a fabulous person, even though I’ve never met her in person. I’ve admired her for her honesty and sincerity, ever since my initial days of blogging..
Her “Adopt a blogger” is example enough of her beautiful heart and her generosity and giving nature.
So good to know a little more about her and her cute family and how she keeps things incredibly balanced with so many things going on…
Kristen says
You are so kind Radhika. Thank you for your sweet words.
Argie says
You are our inspiration and a blessing Heidi. I had so much fun in watching your pictures shown above and I love the interview. May you always thanks God for all the blessing you received.
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