Aly's Newsletter: Back In Brooklyn!

Hi, everyone!

I’m back home in Brooklyn!

Here’s the honest truth: As much as I LOVE traveling, there’s nothing quite like starting a work day by making coffee in your own apartment, with your own beans, and being back to your daily routine.

So, I’m caffeinated and ready for a busy day.

Here's what's happening today:

I am attending a cooking Zoom this afternoon and the ingredients just arrived that the brand sent to use in making the recipe. Can we just behold how huge this butternut squash is? It's bigger than my face!

Also, it's so exciting that all the flavors of Fall are abundant in events and classes we're doing right now. Over the weekend I took a biscuit making class while in Greenville and I made these biscuits with carrots and sage. (To me, they feel like Thanksgiving in a biscuit.)

In other food happenings, one of my stories for Today.com today is about the news that Chipotle is adding a new protein to their menu (a rare treat for Chipotle fans since that menu is so seldom changed).

The new addition? Smoked brisket! They actually sent me a burrito bowl for lunch today so I can try it out and spoiler alert - it's a winner. (But, I love smoked brisket, so I went into the experience pretty excited.) Look at those gorgeous big chunks of brisket in there!

OK, now onto the biz stuff.

Here’s what I’m working on:

FYI: The AllRecipes toaster accessories story and the Spy.com men’s fragrance roundup I posted about yesterday are both all wrapped up. Do not need any more pitches for those, please!

However, still pending are the following stories below:

For RetailMeNot, I'm working on a gift guide - Best Gifts For Coffee Lovers - gifts for the coffee lover in your life, from a variety of price ranges. Can be as simple as a mug, to as spendy as an espresso machine, to something fun like a coffee bean subscription.

For RetailMeNot, I'm working on a roundup of gifts for people who love to read. This can include books, but I will not limit this to books, and I'm also open to anything from coffee mugs, to cozy blankets, to bookmarks, to collectible books, to a new tablet. basically anything someone who loves to read may appreciate

For RetailMeNot, I'm rounding up fruit cakes we're nutty for (teehee, get it?!), which must be sold online at major retailers.

For Spy.com, I’m rounding up the best drugstore shampoos. For this roundup, I’m going to skew men, obviously, but include some more women-focused brands too. Open to being pitched these options: shampoo and conditioner (can be a 2-1 ), dry shampoo, purple shampoo, color-safe, clarifying, curly, oily, fine, sulfate free, dry.

As always, to pitch for any of these (or anything else) please do NOT just click reply, to this newsletter. Start a fresh email and header and send it to alywalansky@gmail.com. Thanks!

PHEWWWW….

Here's some stories of mine that published since yesterday:

Forbes.com

A Moment Of Appreciation For The Espresso Martini

Merriam-Webster's The Usage

5 Best Digital Cameras of 2021

Today.com

Chipotle launches new meaty menu item for a limited time

It's National Pepperoni Pizza Day! Celebrate with these 7 deals and discounts

That’s it for right now, follow along on my Instagram stories tonight - I’m back home and that means I will be doing cooking videos. Tonight I will be making a spicy shrimp and veggie stir fry! I’ll post recipe and ingredients on my Instagram stories later this afternoon. If you aren’t already following me over there, please do - I promise my recipes are not in any way chefy or hard-to-follow…they are actually pretty simple.

And I love being able to cook together (virtually!).

Have a great day!

<3

aly