When my dear friend Rhian got married a few years ago, she didn’t want any wedding gifts. Her wedding was an intimate affair on Cape Cod, where we gathered for a simple ceremony and a laid-back reception. But I’ve known her for nearly 20 years, and I couldn’t let her wedding pass without honoring it with something special — despite her request. Before we headed north to the Cape, I went in search of a unique wedding present that she and her soon-to-be-husband would love. My one goal: to get something for the kitchen that was both functional and beautiful. Although she had no registry, I was sure that I would find just the right gift at a favorite store in a neighboring town.

Arriving at the small local store, I expected to take awhile looking all around to find just the right present. I’ve been there dozens of times, and always found things I love. But I wasn’t expecting to spot the perfect present almost as soon as I walked in. It was just meant to be, I guess, so without a moment’s hesitation I bought the gift.

When selecting a unique wedding gift, you want it to speak to you as something that the newlyweds will love. When I saw this gift, I could see them using it together in their kitchen and knew it was perfect. But you don’t need a favorite local store to find something perfect like that. In fact, the internet gives us access to shops like UncommonGoods, an online marketplace that stocks many handmade and recycled items perfect for gifting to those who love to cook and entertain. The New York City-based company has been making creative, high-quality merchandise accessible to the public everywhere for nearly 14 years.

UncommonGoods recently asked if I might share a little about their wedding gifts and in poking around the site, I fell in love with so many awesome and unique gifts. They have an amazing selection.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Gifts for Cheese Lovers

1. Agate Cheese Sets, $78 | 2. Reclaimed Slate Cheeseboard, $48 | 3. Recycled Wine Bottle Platters, $18

Gifts for Entertaining

1. Recycled Windowpane Bowl, $220 | 2. Multi-Color Erosion Bowl, $98 | 3. License Plate Platter, $64

Gifts for Sipping

1. Coffee House, $75 | 2. Tabula Glasses (set of 6), $50 | 3. Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses (set of 4), $30

Do you like to give unique wedding gifts? What’s your best tip for selecting one?

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Disclosure: I am being compensated by UncommonGoods for this post. All opinions are my own.

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When I reflect on my early days of blogging, I remember struggling with the role of self in blog posts. I was a journalist testing the waters in this completely unfamiliar territory, and I wanted to do it right. Coming from a journalism perspective, it felt unnatural to use “I” in my posts but at the same time, I knew blogging was different. So while I’d lived and breathed a style of writing that required the absence of self, I had to find a way to let me into my writing. It took awhile to feel comfortable talking about myself, and opening up about my infant son and life in Connecticut.

These days, I can’t help but talk about all of this and more. If you’ve read my e-book Better Blog Writing, you know that I now believe it’s absolutely essential to share a little of yourself in every blog post. You are what make your blog special — because no one is like you.

More than seven and a half years later, I have become an integral part of my writing. I’ve largely left behind my journalism career in favor of recipe developing, blog writing and magazine writing — and I couldn’t  be happier. Still, I often wonder if I am sharing enough of myself with readers. Do my posts touch you? Do they leave you wanting to get into the kitchen? Do they make you yearn for a moment at the mixer with a giggling child? Those are my goals — to awaken something inside you that makes you want to cook more and to encourage that feeling of “me too.”

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Food Blog Forum in Orlando, Florida, at Walt Disney World. Our conference was held in the lovely Grand Floridian Resort. The weekend was filled with networking and learning that is so essential to growth as a creator.

As I listened to Jeff Houck, David Leite,  Julie Deily and Lindsay Landis talk community building during the conference it struck me that sharing bits of myself through my writing isn’t just about delivering powerful content. It’s also about building a community of food lovers right here on Sarah’s Cucina Bella. My blog stats tell me that there are a number of you who come back and read often — even if you aren’t the one commenting on posts. And knowing that people are dropping by and keeping up with my family and our kitchen endeavors means so much. Whether you comment or not, you are part of this community.

“We make community wherever we are online,” Houck said. And he’s right.

What I learned at Food Blog Forum this year wasn’t as concrete and actionable as last year. But that doesn’t negate the value of it. It was about the nuances — encouraging the little things that make each blog special, being open to change and pursuing those things that lead to happiness now.

One of my favorite takeaways came from Senior Project Manager for Walt Disney Imagineering, Tim Warzecha. Warzecha shared with us the intense process and thought that goes into everything new at Disney. The attention to detail as they strive to be authentic and adhere to themes is amazing — and it’s something that can really be applied to blogging. He said, “Don’t be afraid to be inspired by something that might inspire you.”

In other words, inspiration can come from anywhere — if you have the courage to accept it. I love that.

Also, after listening to Diane Cu and Todd Porter from White on Rice Couple speak about the visuals of blogging, I was inspired to create a short video sharing what I loved about Food Blog Forum this year. I hope you like it. As Cu said, “Food isn’t always about a recipe. It’s about moments.”

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Thank you to Walt Disney World for hosting this incredible conference. And thank you to all the sponsors, speakers and organizers for bringing together such an inspiring and wonderful group of men and women. Some of my favorite moments from the weekend were those that happened on the fly — the hugs from a favorite blogger, meeting some wonderful writers and photographers who inspire me daily and catching up with a dear friend.

The post A Look Back on Food Blog Forum at Walt Disney World, 2013 Edition appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

I am doing something a little outside the usual stuff here on Sarah’s Cucina Bella and co-hosting a fun blog hop this weekend on Google+. If you are a blogger and want to join in the fun, I hope you will pop by some Google+ pages to say hello and follow. See all the details below. Have a fabulous weekend!

The post Join the Google+ Blog Hop for April! appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

Easter is this Sunday.

Like, whoa.

It seems so early to have Easter arrive, but here it is. And it’s time to start thinking Easter menus. Mine is typically pretty similar year to year — Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast, spiral ham, an egg dish … But the first two are the ones that everyone waits for. The rest is … the rest.

But not this year. This year, the eggs will be fabulous. Perhaps a quiche will appear on the table. And we’re definitely going crazy with deviled eggs. I’ve been playing with new deviled egg recipes and shared a few over on allParenting.com (head over there to check out three fabulous new recipes for deviled eggs!). One of them will even be making an appearance on our Easter table.

What do you have planned for your Easter menu?

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Have you tried Instagram yet? It’s so fun to see the little moments that people capture everyday with the cameras on their iPhones and other smartphones. I was definitely a late adopter — but absolutely love it now. Follow me? I am @SarahWCaron.

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What will you be digging into this weekend while watching the Grammy’s? Not sure? How about some creamy, sweet, savory Strawberry, Basil and Brie Bruschetta? It’s super fast, super easy and absolutely delicious. It’s one of the recipes in my latest article on allParenting.com — and I would love if you’d check it out.

You can find the recipe for this Strawberry Bruscetta and more 5-minute appetizers perfect for your Grammy Awards Show viewing on allParenting.com.

The post Grammy Snacks: Strawberry, Basil and Brie Bruschetta appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

It’s no secret that I really to dig into a plate of good wings while watching football. They just go together. These crispy baked wings are tossed with a sweet-spicy Thai chili sauce that is just heavenly. The flavors and textures come together in a wing-tastic symphony.

And on Sunday, you can bet that we’ll be digging into these wings while watching the Super Bowl.

Check out the recipe for Crispy Sweet Chili Wings on allParenting.com.

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Soo … Whatcha making for dessert on Super Bowl Sunday? This rich, chocolatey cupcake is the perfect dessert for game day — and your beer and chocolate loving guests will be delighted. These babies go fast.

Get the recipe for Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Buttermilk Vanilla Frosting on allParenting.com.

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As my husband was leaving for work this morning, he said, “I can’t wait for Sunday.”

Cause, as any football fan would attest, Sunday is kind of a big day. It’s the day that the two teams who’ll face each other in the Super Bowl will be decided. And this year? One team from each division is a favorite of his — being from New England, he likes the Patriots. But he’s also a 49ers fan.

My teams? Well, there’s always next year.

This Sunday, or any game day, snacks like these Cheddar-Stuffed Pretzel Bites are perfect for munching on. And they are pretty easy — you can whip up a batch in about 30 minutes.

Get the recipe for Cheddar-Stuffed Pretzel Bites on allParenting.com.

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