Hey y’all! My name’s Amanda, welcome to my little corner of the internet!

I’m a vintage-loving, sweet-baking, parenthetical phrase-using, born and raised Wisconsinite who just moved back to the Midwest after three years in the South.

After graduating from Northwestern University (Go ‘Cats!) in the spring of 2014 I followed my heart to Greenville, South Carolina. I promptly got to work trying to build a home, attempting to put down roots and create a life for myself – making friends and finding family (and also adopting a rescue pup named Edgar) along the way.

In that time, I was fortunate enough to eat my way around the South – from Asheville to Savannah to Nashville – and everything in between. I also worked with some of the best and brightest food minds I’ve ever encountered, getting lessons and opportunities that I’ll be hard pressed to find again. I am eternally grateful.

That work and those experiences added to the lessons my grandma bestowed upon me as a small girl and the knowledge base I got from my years living and writing in Chicago. To say I’ve been irrevocably shaped by food is an understatement – you don’t get a childhood nickname like “Garbage Disposal” by being indifferent to food. My tastes have changed and expanded as my worldview has, but time and again, I’ve been brought back to my roots, to what I know and love and am comforted by. Especially now, after quite literally returning to my roots. Being in the South strengthened and changed my relationship with the food I grew up with, and the food I’m growing into.

You’ll find that here – classic Midwestern comfort, twists on Southern staples, flavors inspired by my favorite Chicago restaurants. You’ll also find emotions, memories, life lessons, and…me – because you are what you eat.

Some Fast Facts:

Favorite Season: Fall. Though I’m awfully excited about my first winter back home after being gone so long!

Usual Coffee Order: Americano, hot, but with ice on top (I’m so needy).

Astrological Sign: Aries. So is Edgar – his birthday being only a week before mine!

Favorite Chocolate: White. Anything. Special mention goes to SKOR bars.

Favorite Color: When it comes to clothes – black, white, or gray. Anything else, pink. But a light, sophisticated pink. I’m not Elle Woods, even if I want to be.

Go-to Meal: Pasta. Usually made with anything and everything I can find in my cupboards.

Mild, Medium, or Hot? Mild. I am from the Midwest, afterall. Though I’m beginning to venture into medium territory, ever-so-slowly.

Irreplaceable Kitchen Gadget: KitchenAid Stand Mixer (in pink, obvi). I use mine on a weekly, if not daily, basis.

Best Time of Day: MORNING! Always and forever. There’s nothing like the possibilities in the start of a new day.

Smart Phone or Sticky Notes? Sticky notes all day! You can’t beat writing with paper and pen.

Cocktail of Choice: G&T when I’m in a panic, whiskey cider when it’s a bit chilly, and an Old Fashioned during any family get together.

Preferred Social Media Platform: Instagram.

Kitchen Playlist Includes: Run River North, Michael Bublé, The Andrews Sisters, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Hozier, Jason Isbell, Dean Martin, Taylor Swift, and Hanson. Yes, Hanson. I unabashedly and unashamedly l-uh-huh-uv them!

I Collect: Vintage and gifted aprons. I just can’t get enough! Golden Butterfly Pyrex and Fire King Peach Lustre Bakeware. Swoon!