Category: ARWB Events

Bloggers in the Rice Field {repost}

#CelebratingNationalRiceMonth

(This is a repost from 2014 highlighting our relationship with Arkansas’s finest rice producer, Riceland Foods.)

 

Arkansas Women Bloggers are the social media megaphones of Arkansas. So naturally, when Riceland wanted to get the word out, they hired Arkansas Women Bloggers to bring in some great influencers to Stuttgart for the WingsOver the Prairie/World Championship Duck Calling Contest. The eight bloggers were able to interact with Georgia Pellegrini, TV Chef, Author, Outdoor Adventure Expert, Modern Pioneer, #GirlHunter on stage, learn more about Riceland, and even get a duck calling lesson.

Riceland provides marketing services for rice, soybeans and wheat grown by its 5,500 farmer-members in Arkansas and Missouri. Each year, its 1,500 employees receive, store, transport process and market more than 125 million bushels (2.5 million metric tons) of grain.

They are the WORLD’s largest miller and marketer of rice , yes, right here in Arkansas people.

Each Riceland product is backed by generations of rice farmers whose goal has always been to produce the finest quality rice in the world. 

Riceland makes me proud to be an Arkansan and we are happy that they have seen the value in Arkansas Women Bloggers and our influence.

Enjoy some of the photo collages from a few of the bloggers that spent the day listening to duck calls and cooking with Riceland. 

Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com}
   Mel at Mamabuzz

Duck Heather

 Heather at Heather’s Dish

 

Duck Debbie

Debbie at DiningWithDebbie

parkwifeRiceland

Stephanie The Park Wife

A special thanks to our dear, sweet, encourager Debbie Arnold for making all the bloggers and Georgia camo and embroidered aprons. Yes, that is how she rolls. 

 

Tasty Tuesday: Sharing Our Arkansas Soy Stories

#ARSoyStory . 
#ARSoySupper

#ARWB is proud to support our #client the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and to showcase a few of the many soy-based recipes from our members. There are many kinds of soy foods: tofu, edamame, soy flour, soybean oil, soy beverages just to mention a few. When taking a look at the ingredient list on prepared foods will give you an indication of how much soy is used today.

Soybeans and soybean products are Arkansas’s largest agricultural exports.  Arkansas currently ranks 10th in the nation in soybean production, producing more than 150 million bushels annually valued at more than $1.5 billion. (http://www.arfb.com/pages/arkansas-agriculture/commodity-corner/soybean/

We’d love to know how you use soy and what some of your favorite soy recipes are. Share in the comments. Meanwhile, go check out some of these terrific dishes.

Orange Sauce Tofu via ami lee  

Ami Lee: Orange Sauce Tofu with Broccoli and Potatoes

 I searched the interwebs to try and find some delicious vegan lunch options. Oh man, did I have some trouble. I am allergic to so many things that are vegan. But, I think the biggest offender that ordinary vegans love to use are nightshades or nightshade based spices. I can handle a little, tiny, blip of fresh tomato and I’ve noticed I can handle gochugaru which is Korean Hot Pepper Flakes. But that’s about it. So no chili, no curry, no tomato based sauces….NO! Stop with all the tomato! I literally watched a meal prep video and it had tomato in every. Single. Recipe! Flash forward to finding Brian Turner. He is a vegan fitness body builder and speaks often about how a vegan diet helped improve his issues with severe acne. In one of his videos he did orange tofu, broccoli, and potatoes. Best of all, it all went on the same pan in the oven. READ MORE

DEBBIE ARNOLD: WOK-FIRED SPICY EDAMAME

Wok-Fired Spicy Garlic Edamame are probably my most favorite snack or appetizer. I first fell in love with them at Sushi Cafe in Little Rock. I had previously had boiled and salted edamame but had not experienced  the garlicky spicy version. 

It just may have been a life changer, y’all.  READ MORE

 

Mexican Chicken and Roasted Tomato Soup via Keisha McKinney

KEISHA McKINNEY: MEXICAN CHICKEN and ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

A couple months ago, I made Green Chile Chicken Chili and I’ve been begging my mom to use this as a left over turkey recipe. I guess I’ll find out Friday if my pleading worked (it doesn’t usually because she has her own agenda…but its worth the try!)  Apparently my dad doesn’t like white beans and since its just the two of them at home now, he gets his way!  WHATEVER!!!
 
But, as I was gathering the ingredients to make up that recipe, I noticed that Swanson had some new flavored chicken broths. I was super curious and had been wanting to try one of them. So, last weekend as I gathered ingredients for this soup of mine, I decided to make this the day to try the new broth. Which, turned out to be a great idea since I forgot to get any seasoning packet. READ MORE

 

EDAMAME SUCCOTASH VIA DININGWITHDEBBIE.NET

 

DEBBIE ARNOLD: EDAMAME SUCCOTASH

I have tons of stories to share with you about my day at #Bean2Blog with P. Allen Smith and The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board at Smith’s amazing Moss Mountain Farm, but I just had to first share this oh-so-tasty edamame succotash that we were served at lunch during the event.  It is beyond easy and makes an attractive side dish (or main if you prefer) on your dinner plate.  I can’t wait for you to try it .  Be sure to let me know what you think.  I just know you will love it like I do. from A Taste of Soy.  READ MORE

 

Arkansas Trail Mix #ARSoySupper via diningwithdebbie.net

DEBBIE ARNOLD: ARKANSAS TRAIL MIX

This is such an interesting snack. People don’t really know what to make of it. Beans? Are you kidding me? Yep. And it’s made in no time, y’all. Plus, it’s definitely tasty…and addictive! READ MORE

 

Megaphone Summit – Foodie Friday 2016

I’m so excited to bring you this outstanding program for Megaphone Summit – Foodie Friday 2016, and I look forward to seeing each one of you very soon. After reading about our phenomenal speakers, head on over to Megaphone and register if you’ve not already done so. Hurry! Registration ends soon.

foodie friday banner

September 9, 2016
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pratt Place Inn
Fayetteville, AR

Photo with Sister holding rolls

Patricia Barnes
Sister Schubert

“I have always believed that each of us has dreams and desires and talents waiting to be uncovered. They start with a tiny see: a seed that we “cast” or plant, so that it can take root and grow. A seed must be cultivated with patience and love,and through faith it will take root and prosper. We cannot see what is taking place underground, yet we anticipate the arrival of that first bud, the spirit of the flower. For each of us, every seed we sow has great potential, but it is up to us to feed our dreams, nurture our ideas, an have faith that our talent will blossom. A seed, however, is just a seed, without hard work and care.

I did not wake up one day and decide that I wanted to be the head of a very successful company, but each step along the path from my kitchen table to the boardroom at Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls helped to prepare me for the next step. I tended each idea, each seed, with careful attention and with faith, and eventually they grew into a company that I am proud of, and I am grateful that it carries my name. I am still learning and growing, and I believe every day brings another opportunity to use the gifts God gave us: faith, hope and love.”
          from Cast You Bread Upon the Waters

Patricia (Sister Schubert) Barnes is a highly successful businesswoman and philanthropist whose generosity literally reaches across the globe. She’ll be sharing the story of her success, of her cooking and of her life. “Never believe that where you are right now is where you will stay. Pray, have faith and try to be of service to others.” These are the words on which Sister has stood for most of her life and are demonstrated daily through her own personal experiences.

matt mcclure

Chef Matthew R. McClure
The Hive, 21 C Museum Hotel Bentonville

Named  a semifinalist for “Best Chef, South” for 2014, 2015. and 2016 Beard Foundation Awards, Chef Matt McClure was born and raised in Little Rock, where he realized his passion for food.  After studying at Vermont’s New England Culinary Institute, McClure honed his skills in Boston and worked at a number of restaurants including No. 9 Park under the direction of Barbara Lynch, a 1996 Food and Wine Magazine Best New Chef and a 2003 Beard Award winner for Best Chef of the Northeast.  His next posts were at  Troque, a boutique restaurant and wine bar and  at Harvest located  in the heart of Harvard Square, where everything was based on the region’s freshest seasonal products.  After years in Boston, the lure of his home was strong and McClure returned to Little Rock, where he worked under Chef Lee Richardson at Ashley’s at the Capital Hotel.

During his tenure, McClure developed a deep appreciation for local ingredients, reinforcing his passion for Arkansas’ food culture. Showcasing the region’s farmers and culinary landscape, McClure’s menus are true to the High South, highlighting ingredients such as black walnuts, freshly milled corn meal, hickory smoked hams, peaches, melons and sweet onions.  He describes his food as having Arkansas terroir which means he relies on common locally grown ingredients with their own nuances of flavor determined by the climate and soil in which they were raised. 

Chef McClure will be preparing dishes with ingredients found locally.  “Great local ingredients give me the ability to offer a unique culinary experience, and I am proud to be from this region as well.”

Helen and Ashley 500

Helen Lampkin and Ashley Pointer
My Brother’s Salsa and Helen’s Table

What started as Helen’s approach to making the ordinary things in life extraordinary became a family owned and operated business focused on sharing gifts of food around the table. 

Helen Lampkin, learned to love cooking as a child while helping her Dad in the kitchen. When her oldest brother gave her a recipe for salsa she put her own spin on it and continued to share her brother’s salsa with family and friends for several years until she finally launched her company in 2003.

The first jar of My Brother’s Salsa hit the store shelves in 2004. Today, this family-owned and operated business has expanded from just her brother’s original recipe to nine different flavors of salsa; including black bean and corn, fire roasted, house, and tomatillo, along with seasonal small batch salsas in cucumber tomato (Mediterranean), Hatch green chile, peach tomatilla, and cranberry orange flavors. The company also recently began making their own line of whole grain organic tortilla chips.

Lampkin said she is also working to rebrand her small-batch salsas under a new sub-brand called Helen’s Table.  She’s developing a whole line of new products, from functional art, to decor, tables, and chile roasters. In her spare time, she makes and sells handmade brooms.

Writers Panel 2016

Writers’ Panel
L to R: Madison Hofmeyer, Laurie Marshall, Heather Disarro, Mel Lockcuff, Talya Boerner, Lyndi Fultz, Sarah White

These incredible, proven writers are ready to answer your questions about your writing issues and concerns. Need style advice? How about writing for publication? Want to know how to make your writing attract more clients? How’s your grammar? Can you become a better storyteller, recipe writer, restaurant reviewer or travel writer? Get your questions ready and be prepared to participate in the discussion.

Debbie Arnold headshot from THV11

Debbie Arnold, Foodie Friday Planner

FFriday hostesses etc
Keisha McKinney and Talya Boerner- Registrars
Lyndi Fultz, Kellee Mayfield and Jodi Coffee – Hostesses

10:00               Registration

10:30               Welcome & Introduction of Keynote Sister Schubert

11:45                Helen Lampkin and Ashley Pointer — Entrepreneurship

12:30 – 1:15   Break for Lunch (on the grounds of Pratt Place Inn) 

1:15-2:30         Chef Matt McClure, The Hive, 21C Hotel

2:30                  Snack Break on the Porch

2:45 – 3:45     Writer’s Workshop/Panel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcing MEGAPHONE 2016

megaphone-for-blog

Five years later…Spreading the Amazing of #AWBU with Our Neighbors

For five years, we have gathered women from every walk of life in a unique place that was warm and welcoming, a place to grow and stretch bloggers as they explored or even discovered their voices, and cultivated deep connections in an atmosphere that felt like sneaking off for an amazing weekend with your best girlfriends. Ladies from our surrounding states noticed, they wanted to be a part of this unique thing we had built. So, they came from Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. They experienced and understood the #AWBU magic. So, this year, we invite them all to this place we have created.

September 9 – 11 in Fayetteville, we open our hearts and Arkansas for MEGAPHONE 2016, an influencers conference.

Save the dates friends, more info coming!

#AWBU 2015 Schedule

Some of you are planners. You want to know exactly which sessions to attend at the upcoming #AWBU conference. So, here’s a sneak peek into what is happening next weekend. It’s going to be a wonderful time full of learning, community building, and fun. 

 

Arkansas Women Bloggers University 2015
#AWBU

AWBU b&w

 

#FoodieFriday, August 28, 2015

 

Presented By:

TasteArkansasLogo 

 11:30      Registration and Gathering, The Arlington Conference Center

12:00       Foodie Friday: Welcome

12:15        Keynote Speaker: Georgia Pellegrini 
                  Chef, Author, Adventure Expert, TV Personality ~ @gpellegrini
                  Topic: Branding Yourself

1:15           Jana Hunter ~ 10 Ways to Ruin Your Party

2:00         Women in Agriculture Panel

2:30         Chef Matthew Bell ~ @chefmabellz ~ South on Main, Little Rock
                 From Our Field. To The Kitchen. For Your Table.

3:15          Break

3:30         Creative Food Photography
                  Branding Yourself with Gorgeously Designed Food Photos (Interactive)

5:00        Announcements and Dismissal


#AWBU 2015 FULL CONFERENCE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.     Registration – The Arlington Hotel Mezzanine
6:00 p.m.                 Full Conference Kick-off and Evening of Fun-
                                   Crystal Ballroom – Derby Hat Night
                                   Lela Davidson, Work/Life Balance and Fun

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
7:30 a.m.                  Breakfast – Conference Room C

8:30 a.m.                 Conference Welcome & Kick-Off, Y’all – Conference Room C
                                   Stephanie Buckley, The Women Bloggers/ARWB Founder

8:45 a.m.                 Keynote Speaker Presentation – Rhea Lana Riner

10:00 -10:45            Workshop Session 1:

  • Conference B: How to Handle Your Legal Issues in Blogging – Meredith Lowry
  • Conference A: Your Facebook Fans Don’t Matter- Ramona Collins
  • Hickory Room: How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Hired – Suzy Taylor Oakley

11:00 -11:45             Workshop Session 2

  • Conference B: Blogging as a Launching Pad to Social Media Work – Fawn Rechkemmer
  • Conference A: Blogs and Photography – Nick Smith
  • Hickory Room: Creating a Writing Sanctuary – Julie Kohl

Riceland

Noon – 1:15           Lunch, sponsored by Riceland. Um, yum. Plus, a huge fun thing! Please be in your seats by 12:00 

1:30 – 2:15            Workshop Session 3
Conference C:  Get Hired by ARWB – Panel with Farm Bureau’s Taste Arkansas, First Security Bank’s OnlyinArk, Riceland, Ghidotti Communications, Petit Jean Meats and Stephanie Buckley 

2:30 – 3:15            Workshop Session 4

  • Conference B: Podcasting – Taylor Bradford
  • Conference A: WordPress Visual Design and You – Nick Smith
  • Hickory Room: Professional Writing – Angie Albright 

3:15 – 3:30            Afternoon break 

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.  Workshop Session 5

  • Conference B: Email Marketing – Laurie Marshall
  • Conference A: Evernote – Beth Stephens
  • Hickory Room: Yes, You are a Writer – Mari Farthing

Letterhead header image large

 

4:30– 5:30 p.m. Feed the Funnel—The Pack Shack- Magnolia Room
We will host a one hour Feed the Funnel party. Meals packed at Feed the Funnel parties are donated free of charge to local organizations, such as food banks and food pantries, for distribution to people and organizations in their area. Our blog/social media community giving back to the community that gives so much to us.  

6:30 p.m. Dine around Hot Springs
Rest up, freshen up. We’re heading out on the town! Walkable dinner options all around the hotel. Grab some friends, old and new, and grab some food in historic Hot Springs.

 

PJMeats

 

Join us in the Hospitality Room (Al Capone Suite) for snacks, games, and a lot of laughs. Thank you Petit Jean Meats, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Central Arkansas McDonalds

  

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 

6:00 a.m. Rise, Shine, and Run! Morning run with Ashley Ederington, Maniac Mom
Zumba with Brittney Lee of RazorbackBritt.com Conference Center 

Breakfast on your own. There will be plenty of snacks in the Hospitality Room, Pancake House across street, buffet in lobby.

Alliance Logo 

8:30 – 9:45       Alliance Rubber Company –
                            Creativity and Fun. Made in the USA.

10:00 – 10:45 Workshop Session 7

  • Conference B: 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes – Allyson Twiggs Dyer & Rhonda Franz
  • Conference A: Advanced Photography – Heather Disarro
  • Hickory Room: Letting Go of Blog Envy – Stephanie Clinton 

11:00 – 11:45 Workshop Session 8

  • Conference B: SEO/Google Analytics – Elizabeth Michael
  • Conference A: Periscope – Jeanetta Darley & Kellee Mayfield
  • Hickory Room: Writing for the Web – Karen Jordan 

11:45 – 12:00 Conference Wrap-up 

12:00 – 12:30 Check out/conference ends. Happy Trails, and Happy Blogging. Tweeting, Instagramming… you get my point!

 

#AWBU 2015 Foodie Friday Presenters Announced

#AWBU Foodie Friday 2015

Presented By

TasteARLogo

@TasteArkansas
The Arlington Hotel ~ Hot Springs, Arkansas
August 28, 2015
Registration and Gathering begin at 11:30

 #AWBU #FoodieFriday15

by Foodie Friday gal Debbie Arnold of DiningWithDebbie

The awesomeness of #AWBU Foodie Friday just keeps getting better and better, and after scanning this year’s distinguished list of presenters and their topics, I just know you are going to agree. These presenters are strong voices for Arkansas, its farmers, its producers and its programs. We are fortunate that our presenting sponsor, Taste Arkansas, has again shown its support of Arkansas Women Bloggers and our efforts to further the story of Arkansas

Registration for Foodie Friday attendees begins at 11:30 at The Arlington and also includes your registration for AWBU so you’re one and done! Our program begins sharply at noon so you’ll want to be sure to be on time.  You won’t want to miss a single minute of the afternoon’s program.

While there will be light snacks available, note that lunch will not be served. Feel free to bring your lunch with you, however. And if you’re so inspired, you can share with me! 

I’m excited to see you and just know you are going to enjoy the best #AWBU Foodie Friday ever!  Feel free to email Debbie with your questions.

georgiacropped

 

Keynote Speaker: Georgia Pellegrini
Chef, Author, Adventure Expert, TV Personality ~ @gpellegrini
Topic: Branding Yourself

 

Jana Spencer Hunter 

Jana Hunter
@janahunterint

Topic: 10 Ways to Ruin Your Party

professional picture (2)

Arkansas Farm Bureau Women in Agriculture Panel

Janeal Yancey, Moderator ~ @meatcountermon ~ ARWB member
Panelists: Beth Moss, farmer and seed salesman for Progeny Ag Products; 
Susan Anglindairy & beef cattle farmer in Benton County @anglindairy  ~ ARWB member
Cassie Davis is a dairy farmer and blogger in Washington County

Matt-Bell-3 headshot courtesy of rockcityeats greg henderson

 Chef Matthew Bell ~ @chefmabellz

South on Main, Little Rock
From Our Field. To The Kitchen. For Your Table.

Chef Bell comes to us through the courtesy
of 
The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board 

Heather Disarro_1_Lowres

Heather Disarro ~ Heather’s Dish

Creative Food Photography: Branding Yourself with Gorgeously Designed Food Photos (Interactive) 

BRING YOUR CAMERAS, IPHONES, IPADS, ETC.

Assisting Heather:

Jenny MarrsJenny Marrs ~ Blessings and Raindrops

sarah shotts 400  Sarah Shotts ~ Love Letter to Adventure

Whitney BinzelWhitney Binzel ~ Whit Bits Indian Kitchen 

Hostesses and Social Media Facilitators  

awbu hostesses collage

 Keisha Pittman Big Pitt Stop ~@bigpittstop
Talya Boerner Grace Grits and Gardening @gracegrits
Jodi Coffee The Coffee House Life ~ @thecoffeehousel
Kellee Mayfield Delta Moxie ~ @deltamoxie 

 #AWBU Foodie Friday Details

 

 

#AWBU 2014 Recap: Creative Food Photography

By Heather Disarro

(Nate from Debbie: For those of you who missed last year’s AWBU Foodie Friday, here’s a little hint of one of the sessions coming up for 2015.  We’re so excited to have Heather expanding her Food Photography and Food Styling session; she will be assisted by Sarah Shotts, Jenny Marrs and Whitney Binzel, skilled photographers themselves.  Now, isn’t it about time you turned in your registration for AWBU 2015 including Foodie Friday?)

Session Title: Creative Food Photography: Branding Yourself with Gorgeously Designed Food Photos

Hey y’all! My name is Heather and I’m the proud owner of the blog Heather’s Dish, a place where I create recipes and talk to y’all like we’ve been friends forever. It’s simple: I’m a wife, mother, and full-time food blogger. I do all of it imperfectly, but since I believe it’s our imperfections that attract other people to us I’m OK with sharing that. And here’s the thing about food photography: it can be SUPER intimidating (has anyone SEEN Pinterest lately?!) but the thing is that we all have a story to tell. We all have a unique perspective to share, so there’s room at the proverbial table for all of us!

Because we are such a visually-driven society it’s important to take the time to set up our photos to tell our story so that we can set ourselves apart. The first thing to do is find a camera you love and learn how to use it! This means look up videos and tutorials, be an A+ student, and practice. Realize that you’ll likely never get that one photo that you consider absolutely perfect, but then again it’s that search for that one photo that keeps us going. Practice and be willing to make mistakes!

Something to consider when you’re shooting is consistency. If someone ran across your photo on Facebook or Pinterest, would they know it was yours based on the quality and consistency of the photo? Or even just looking for consistent lighting – try shooting at the same time of day with the same kind of light (Northern light is always the most consistent!). And create a consistent editing routine – it will make the whole post-processing thing much simpler!

My husband is super smart and knows all of the things about lighting setups and products to usebut I am a purist at heart and only ever shoot using natural light. It’s the most beautiful to me and always highlights the food best, plus the evenness of the light is perfect for casting the light across the food in a beautiful way. And yes it can be fickle (time changes, weather, etc) but I believe it’s worth it to wait for the good light than to shoot using anything else.

Because I’m a list person I‘m going to give y’all a bullet point list of the highlights of this presentation (and lucky you – no nervous laughter from me!):

  • Styling food requires utilizing texture. That means fresh food might look great with a quick mist of water, cooked food usually works best without too much steam (so let it cool slightly), and a final plating looks great with a few fresh ingredients in the shot as well. Don’t be afraid to change it up!
  • Styling props and accessories are SUPER important! Find things that really portray the kind of food you cook (homestyle? restaurant-quality? simple? colorful?) Keep in mind that you don’t want to overwhelm the actual food with bright colors and too-bold patterns. And just an FYI – red can be very hard to photograph.
  • Play with lighting angles! Shoot the food with the light directly at the subject, from the side, or with the light coming from behind. All of those options can create really great texture.
  • Play with other angles! Shoot the food from the ground level, a 45-degree angle or overhead to create different stories with your shots.
  • Basic editing can be done with Lightroom (highly recommend), Photoshop, or various online resources. I use Lightroom almost exclusively, but will resize things as necessary in Photoshop. All of these options have really great online tutorials and you can Google anything you want to know.
  • A note on sizing: vertical (portrait) photos are usually work best for Pinterest, Google+, StumbleUpon and are easily cropped if you’re reposting to Instagram. Horizontal (landscape) photos are usually best for Facebook and Twitter, but are also responsible for increased viewability if you work with an ad network who has those requirements.

In short, be prepared to make mistakes. Be prepared to get frustrated. But in the end be prepared to fall in love with photography and eventually develop a really keen eye for great photos!

Heather Disarro_1_Lowres2

 

Heather Disarro is a food-centric lifestyle blogger who is passionate about embracing the beauty that surrounds us with in our everyday lives. She is a Texan living the expat life in central Arkansas with her husband, son and two massive dogs. Heather writes her blog, Heather’s Dish, from an office filled with dust, dog fur, toys and plenty of love, grace and music. She specializes in creating delicious and creatively nourishing recipes. Cooking seasonally and with as many local ingredients as possible is an important component to Heather’s style of food, and she revels in the opportunity to bring the love of cooking to the world as a way to love others well! You can find her on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.

ARWB Feminine Products Drive {Service Project}

One of the most needed and most over looked item in shelters and food banks across the country are feminine products.  As this Huffington Post article explains, getting their period is one of the most difficult challenges faced by homeless women.  But it’s not just the homeless that struggle.  Low income families have a hard time affording feminine products.  I teach in a low income school and I know of girls that miss school every month because they can’t afford feminine products and their only alternative is to stay home until their time of the month passes.

Tampons and pads are needed in shelters and food banks all over Arkansas.  This month we are hoping that all of our AWBU members will try to give back to their community in some way and we will be hosting a feminine products drive.  Here is how it will work:

  1. Collect Feminine Products
    Collect on your own or as a small group of bloggers.  Encourage your friends, neighbors, coworkers and blog readers to get involved.
  2. Photograph Your Donation
    Since we are spread out across the state the best way to show all we’ve collected is to snap a quick photo.
  3. Upload Your Photo to Instagram
    Share the photo of your donation on Instagram.  Be sure to use #ARWBGives and tag @ARWomenBloggers in your photo.
  4. Drop Off Your Donation 
    Drop of your donation at a local shelter or food bank.  We are providing a list of a few possible places below.
  5. Leave a Comment Below
    Leave a comment on this blog post to let us know that you participated along with a count of how many items you donated.

Our goal is for our members to collectively donate 200 packages of feminine supplies by May 31!

Here is a brief list of women’s shelters around the state.  This is not a comprehensive list and you can find more shelters here.  Additionally you may feel compelled to make  your donation to a local food bank, church shelter or other organization.  The goal is to make feminine products available to women in Arkansas so feel free to select where you make your donation at your own discretion.

Northwest Arkansas

Peace at Home Family Shelter
PO Box 10946
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Open Arms Food Pantry & Pregnancy Center
400 West st. (skating rink)
Huntsville, AR

Flint Street Food Bank
Eureka Springs, AR

Saving Grace Inc. 
1229 W. Poplar St.
Rogers, AR 72756 
Phone: (479) 636-1133
Fax: (479) 636-1865
http://www.savinggracenwa.org

Samaritan Center in Springdale
1300 N. Thompson
Springdale, 72764

Samaritan Center in Rogers
1211 W. Hudson Road
Rogers, 72756

Central Arkansas

The One, Inc. (Homeless women’s house) 
One warehouse
8016 Faulkner Lake Rd
North Little Rock, AR 72117

The Dorcas House
823 South Park
Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone: 501-374-4022

Northeast Arkansas

The Haven of Northeast Arkansa
P. O. Box 1062
Blytheville, AR 72316
Phone: 870-532-6669

Family Crisis Center, Inc.
P. O. Box 721
Jonesboro, AR 72403

Southeast Arkansas

Anna’s Place (Forrest City) 
406 Pecan Street
Helena, AR 72342
Phone: 870-338-8447 

Restoration of Hope
P. O. Box 812
Stuttgart, AR 72160

CASA Women’s Shelter
1113 State St
Pine Bluff, AR 71611
870-535-295

Southwest Arkansas

Abused Women and Children INC
PO Box 924
Arkadelphia, AR – 71923
(870) 246-3122

#AWBU 2015 Registration Opens

Five years of #AWBU amazing, wow, what a journey.

Five years ago, we decided to gather women from every walk of life in a unique place that would be warm and welcominga place to grow and stretch bloggers as they 

explored or even discovered their voices, and we knew we wanted to cultivate deep connections and create an atmosphere that felt like sneaking off for an amazing weekend with your best girlfriends.  

We did just that.

We would like to invite you to our FIFTH Annual Conference, #AWBU 2015, to be held at The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, August 28-30. This years conference will focus on elevating your main brand component…YOU!

The conference will continue to feature great sessions, opportunities to network 
with bloggers and sponsors, and some of the brightest speakers in social media and business. Our opening keynote on Saturday will be Rhea Lana Riner, founder and CEO of Rhea Lana, Inc. and Rhea Lana’s Franchise Systems, Inc.  She started her children’s consignment event business 17 years ago in her living room while she was a stay-at-home mom raising three young children.   

Franchising six years ago, the company now has 80 locations in 24 states. Rhea Lana’s  has been awarded a place on Inc. Magazine’s  500/5000 list of the fastest growing privately held companies as well as first place recognition  with The Franchise Business Review which reflects franchisee satisfaction.  Rhea Lana was recognized by Enterprising Women, a national publication and foundation that honors entrepreneurial women with rapidly growing companies who seek to mentor other women in business. 

Saturday Afternoon Speaker:
LelaDavidsonCROPPED

Lela Davidson is the award-winning author of Blacklisted from the PTA and Who Peed on My Yoga Mat? Her latest book, Faking Balance: Adventures in Work and Life, explores the middle ground between leaning and maxing out. From fast track to mommy track to yoga-panted freelancer and back again, Lela has been all kinds of working mother. Described as an astute observer of modern life, she has a talent for uncovering the humor in everyday family life.

 
Lela’s work has appeared in on NBC News/TODAY Moms, iVillage, The Huffington Post, and NPR. She is currently the Vice President of Media & Entertainment for leading country lifestyle brand, Country Outfitter. She speaks nationally about motherhood, marriage, and faking work-life balance. 

 

 

The Foodie Friday add-on event, sponsored by Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Taste Arkansas,  will knock your foodie socks off. Renowned Chef, Author, Outdoor Adventure Expert and TV Personality Georgia Pellegrini will be our Foodie Friday Keynote. Due to space, we will only have 70 Foodie Friday tickets available.

 

  • Early-bird Registration: $199 per person (must register no later than May 31, 2015)
  • Early Bird Registration plus Foodie Friday: $239 (must register no later than May 31, 2015
  • Regular  Registration: $250 per person (by August 15, 2015)
  • Regular Registration plus Foodie Friday (by August 15, 2015)

Make your plans now to attend #AWBU 2015 and experience our warm and welcoming atmosphere where we gather bloggers from all walks of life for some fun and camaraderie, and help you to grow your blog and connect. 

  • A special room rate of $92/night has been arranged with The Arlington Hotel. Please call the hotel (1.800.643.1502) or go online to make your registration. You must use the group code BLOGGERS to get that rate. We HIGHLY recommend booking early as we only have a certain number of rooms booked and you will not want to miss out! 

Early Bird Registration ends May 31!  Do not put it off, you will not want to miss out on another AMAZING #AWBU conference.