West Elm Summer Entertaining + Book Signing Event #WestElmTampa

Fresh Mommy Blog Tampa West Elm with guest Krayl Funch Summer Entertaining and Book signing event

Join me at a very special Summer Entertaining + Book Signing Event at the Hyde Park Village West Elm in Tampa on July 23rd 6-8pm.

During this MEET + MAKE event, hosted by Tabitha Blue of the Fresh Mommy Blog, Tabitha and Krayl will discuss fun ways to make the most of the season in the kitchen and around the table! Every guest will walk away with a handmade reminder to celebrate everyday. Food, Drink, Crafts, Gifts, and More….

Early bird pricing is just $10. PLUS get  a signed copy of my book An Appealing Plan for just $25 with the advanced purchase of an event ticket.

Learn more and order your tickets here! {please note – you must register in advance for this special event}

 

Books On My Bedside Table

Books on My Bedside Table - Martha Stewart Hors d'oeuvres - Simon majumdar fed white and blue -art nurture by court mccracken- life after christmas by dave conrey - w overlay

This month the books on my bedside table are a motley group for sure. A fresh-faced lifestyle icon, an american culinary journey, a creative journey and solutions from a creative badass. An unusual mix yes, but all with a message all their own – which one will you pick up first?

Martha Stewart’s Hors D’oeuvres: The Creation and Presentation of Fabulous Finger Food by Martha Stewart. Martha Stewart comes to us from the land of the puffy sleeve and feathered hair, circa 1984 to be exact, to show us all how to present the fabulous finger food known as hors d’oeuvres. Truth time – this book has been on my radar for years and has only just this month made it to my nightstand thanks to a friend finding it and gifting it to me! I love turning the pages and wondering what the Martha in this sunny yellow dress might say to the modern Martha we now know. I will treasure this book as I continue on my own publishing journey.
Buy It Now On Amazon!

Fed, White, and Blue: Finding America with My Fork by Simon Majumdar Just last week I had the pleasure of being at a charity event for the Florida Hospital with Simon Majumdar and he seems nothing less than a true gentleman. I can’t wait to dive into this journey of his across the food history of America.
“Simon stops in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to learn about what the pilgrims ate (and that playing Wampanoag football with large men is to be avoided); a Shabbat dinner in Kansas; Wisconsin to make cheese (and get sprayed with hot whey); and LA to cook at a Filipino restaurant in the hope of making his in-laws proud. Simon attacks with gusto the food cultures that make up America—brewing beer, farming, working at a food bank, and even finding himself at a tailgate. Full of heart, humor, history, and of course, food, Fed, White, and Blue is a warm, funny, and inspiring portrait of becoming American.”
Buy It Now On Amazon!

Art Nurture: The Simple Guide to Cultivating your Creativity by Court McCracken One conversation with Court MacCracken and I was hooked! She has an amazing way of putting life in a new perspective and allowing you to see another side of the situation – frequently from the point of view of her mustang, but that is a story for another day. In her first book she tells us about a time when her creative energy had hit bottom, how she pulled herself up and the importance of cultivating your own creativity.
Buy It Now On Amazon!

Life After Christmas: Build a Business That Thrives Beyond Your Post-Seasonal Slump by Dave Conrey  Dave is a total Badass. Period. In Life After Christmas, his second book, he dives deep into the importance of creating a brand and business that can withstand the ebbs and flows of a seasonal selling space that often effects creative makers. 

“This is not about the hot new sites or the best tactics of the year. Instead, it’s about sticking to tried and true methods that work no matter what platform you are working on. Yes, there are unspoken rules to each, which should be heeded, but as long as you know those rules out, you will never miss the capability to share and promote your work with style, grace, consistency, and ultimate sales success.”
Buy It Now On Amazon!

The Mother’s Day Gift to Inspire Mom to CelebrateEveryday

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th, 2015, give the Mother’s Day gift sure to inspire mom to celebrate everyday, give her An Appealing Plan the book.

Your mom is your inspiration, doesn’t she deserve a Mother’s Day gift to inspire her to live everyday to the fullest and in the most beautiful way? Every day is a gift, so let’s celebrate it!

Buy the book banner 250x150 png

Each section of An Appealing Plan features season-specific menus and design ideas. Apart from being inspired by the seasons themselves, I also find inspiration for my recipes from my childhood, travels, and favorite restaurants. Some featured recipes are: Baked Brie with Almonds and Rosemary Syrup, Spinach and Gruyere Quiche, Savory Herb Waffles with Smoked Salmon, Cheese Fondue with Assorted Crudite, The Perfect Roast Turkey, Winter Squash Soup, Citrus-Marinated Olives, and Seared Scallops with Sage Brown Butter, as well as some of my favorite cocktails and desserts, including Fresh White Peach Bellini, Fall Fig Harvest Cocktail, Summer Fresh Berries, and Wine-Poached Pears.

Mothers Day gift idea. Give her the gift to inspire her to celebrate everyday #AnAppealingPlan  the book. Cookbook, Entertaining at Home and Seasonal Decorating ideas.

 

An Appealing Plan is about “feeling so inspired by the beauty of the season that we are compelled to redesign our entranceways with containers overflowing with greens or other elements of the season or rushing home from the market to create a meal using fresh herbs and set a beautiful table with the season’s most bountiful flowers.”

Buy the An Appealing Plan the book banner

The Crazy Marketing Ladies Guest Interview Feature

Ever have a crazy marketing idea? Well then you are going to love this feature because I have the honor of introducing you to a new podcast called The Crazy Marketing Ladies Show, and it is all about business, website, social media and ways business various owners are using marketing to grow and expand their businesses.

For my interview I sat with Lynn Van Meter to discuss my process of creating, launching, marketing, fully funding and executing my Kickstarter to publish my first book An Appealing Plan – A Year Of Everyday Celebrations.

Listen into The Crazy Marketing Ladies Show podcast here.

crazy marketing ladies show podcast interview with krayl funch discussing kickstarter to self publish An Appealing Plan the book

In this interview we talked about fears that can hold you back, knowing your message is important, how the Kickstarter crowd funding program worked for me and my obsession passion for dishes. I hope you enjoy the show!

Listen into the Crazy Marketing Ladies Podcast here.

Links mentioned in the interview ::

The Book :: An Appealing Plan – A Year of Everyday Celebrations
My Kickstarter Campaign Page

Buy the book banner 250x150 png

What is your favorite podcast to listen to? Or do you host a podcast? Let me know in the comments below so we can all listen in.

Merry Christmas 2014

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

I plan on relaxing after completing this post and taking a few days to shut down and fully relax to appreciate this magical season and I hope you can do the same!

Merry Everything & Happy Always! via #CelebrateEveryday @AnAppealingPlan

It has been a busy season at the An Appealing Plan studio and we are pleased to announce that ALL books have shipped {well in all honesty I do one outstanding person I am trying very hard to reach…. } or have been hand delivered to all supporters and we have also fulfilled all pre-orders!!

In order to accomplish this task I made the decision to put a hold on direct orders and forward all orders to either Amazon or to Barnes & Noble for the remainder of 2014; if you are interested in purchasing additional books please use this link to do so :: http://bit.ly/AAPbookAmazon

Sales, responses AND reviews have been amazing. Truly. I am so grateful for all your support during this process – I literally could not have done it with out you! I can’t tell you how much I love seeing all your posts on Facebook announcing the books arrival at your door.

Out delivery @AnAppealingPLan books to my #kickstarter supporters

Please keep them coming and keep sharing – feel free to post them direct to the An Appealing Plan Facebook Page or to tag me on Krayl Funch Instagram.

20141225-093351.jpg

If you have not yet received your books please message me directly so I can track the shipment {pr@KraylFunch(.)com}

I wish you all the most wonderful holiday season. I hope it is filled with friends, family, food, flowers, joyous celebrations and peaceful gatherings. Know this year that you were part of making this girl’s dream come true.

20141225-093507.jpg

Much love and gratitude from me & everyone on the An Appealing Plan team.

South Tampa Book Launch Event at Datz

Tampa Bay you are in luck!! Two chance to party this weekend! Come out and join me at the official South Tampa launch party at DATZ new warehouse location on December 6th! All the details are below — just click the invite to RSVP on Facebook.

Keeping with DATZ’s already fabulous atmosphere, the event will be open house style, fun and casual. We will be in the retail area, perfect for picking up a few gifts for your foodie favs! Light refreshments will be served but I encourage you to get there early for lunch or stay for dinner – and of course visit the bar to try their amazing craft beer selection.

{If you are a Kickstarter supporter – this is your chance to pick up your book and have it personalized }

South Tampa Book Launch Party Invite #AnAppealingPlan via @KraylFunch

Not currently in the area? Head on over to the events page to see the rest of the list of live and virtual events. We’ll be sharing invitations and details on the other parties in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. And if you don’t see your city listed, not to worry, I will be adding new cities and dates in the new year. Thanks for all of your support, can’t wait to see you in person, and of course don’t forget to order your copy today for holiday gift giving!!

Clearwater Book Launch at Fresh Threads Warehouse

If you are in Tampa Bay, please come out and join me at the official Clearwater launch party at Fresh Threads new warehouse location on December 5th! All the details are below — just click the invite to RSVP on Facebook. It’s a party you won’t want to miss, complete with demonstrations of holiday cocktails & flower arrangements inspired by the book, fabulous finds for your wordrobe and home!  and of course…hanging out with me and getting your book signed!

{If you are a Kickstarter supporter – this is your chance to pick up your book and have it personalized }

 

Clearwater Book Launch Party Invite #AnAppealingPlan via @KraylFunch

 

Not currently in the area? Head on over to the events page to see the rest of the list of live and virtual events. We’ll be sharing invitations and details on the other parties in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. And if you don’t see your city listed, not to worry, I will be adding new cities and dates in the new year. Thanks for all of your support, can’t wait to see you in person, and of course don’t forget to order your copy today for holiday gift giving!!

Books Begin To Ship + Signing Events Announced

Hello Eager Supporters!

Thank you so much for your support and patience on this project, it has meant the world to me!

After 3 color and cover revisions {much support, several unexpected delays and few tough days} the final book is ready!! I receive a small promotional run to send to publisher, book stores, etc… last week AND even signed a few at an event where I was speaking on Holiday Entertaining of course!! I received great feedback and support from the entire group, they truly reminded me how far this journey have brought me.

The print order to fulfill the Kickstarter orders has been placed and we expect to receive all the boxes early next week then begin shipping asap straight out to your homes!

{If you are a Kickstarter supporter, please be sure you have completed the address information requested and if you have had a change to your shipping address please updated it or send me a message requesting a change.}

The official book page is live on the website here: http://anappealingplan.com/books/an-appealing-plan-the-book/ and the books are now live and available to order on Amazon, Barnes + Noble as well as through your local book store {please ask them to order it in for you and for others to purchase}. So if you need to order additional copies now is the time to do it before the holiday rush is on!!

EVENTS:

I will also be adding book signing and launch events over the next two months in various cities and you are welcome to pick up your book at one of those location, please send me a note or leave one on the event page to let me know you prefer to pick yours up in person.

This week I will be in Las Vegas speaking at Food Fight Write, and will be a part of the Friday night book signing party with 14 other authors. If you are on the West Coast please check it out and be sure to stop by to say hello and pick up a signed copy! http://foodfightwrite.com/

I am also happy have the first Florida Launch event on the calendar for Friday December 5th, you are welcome to pick up your book there if you are in the area please come say hello and have your book personalized! More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/739587636106293/

Not to worry my Northeast community, I have a few things in the works and hope to announce them in the next week or so.

There is so much more coming up but I wanted to post a quick update so you know you are on my mind, and your books are on their way to you to enjoy or to order and give as hostess or holiday gifts.

Thank you again for your continued support.

The BooK has Arrived! An Appealing Plan Book Launch Video.

COVER-Krayl-An Appealing-Plan- FINAL-page1

I am super excited to share the news with you…. the book arrived. It is real and in person!! We are in the process of updating the official book page with information like event dates, local purchase locations, shopping and planning lists to download for each occasion, An Appealing Plan book clubs and much more to come so be sure to check back often but in the meantime…

I was doing a little fall decorating around the house and my monogrammed white pumpkins inspired me to create a launch video! It is quick and to the point check it out and let me know what you think!

Signed copies can be ordered by visiting the

An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations book page here.

Today’s Tweet: “Celebrations are meant to happen everyday, not just at the holiday’s. Be sure to #CelebrateEveryday with Krayl Funch and An Appealing Plan

Spread the good word by commenting below, pinning to your boards or tweeting to the twitterverse.  Cheers and Thank You for all your support. I can’t wait to hear what your favorite section of the book is and how it has inspired you!

Passion to Print: The Final Day

book planning meeting 1.10.14 500x

It is has been almost a year since I sat down for a casual lunch simply to catch up with Heather Stalker, of Crave Creative Group, when during our conversation the spark of an idea of partnering to write a book came about. We scheduled another coffee date and we where off! Little did either of us know what the next 10 months would hold.

Today the final edits are taking place to the book, thanks to Nicole Wayland, of Ford Editing in Washington D. C. who has recently become part of the dream team, and tomorrow if all goes as planned the giant file will be uploaded to the printer. I have a black and white copy sitting on my desk with blue, red and black ink edits on most pages, but we are saving the color version for the real deal. It is hard to believe this part of the journey is almost over.

Over the last 10 months we have met almost weekly to either talk through the schedule, set up and shoot content or work on the layout, it has been an incredible journey requiring much time and patience for all parties {including our families}. But now today, the day before all those hours of work will be sent to the printer feels strange. Perhaps because there is still the unknown. Will the image colors look the same in print as they do on the screens? Will the layout translate the same in print? Will the paper and print quality we hope for be accurate in the final printing? Still so many unknowns. Still so much to learn about the next stages of this book’s life.

And yet even with all these unknowns looming out there, there are things that I know for certain on this day. I know with out a doubt that all of this has been worth it. I know more than ever that I love what I do and even more importantly – I have a much clearer vision of why I do it. I also know I could not have made it to this point with out a wonderful partner with me to set deadlines and pull back the reigns when the book needed it.

“Writing a book takes your message from the wide area of a funnel to the narrow. There it is concentrated, packaged + shared with the world.”

{click above to tweet this quote}

In the next week I will have the first copy of the book in my hands and begin shipping out the pre-orders to all of the amazing supporters, and kickstarter supporters who believed in this vision and then open the sales up to the retail market. I think that is when it will set in, the reality of this dream coming true.

There is much to plan in the coming weeks; a video launch series, live launch parties, and hands-on book workshops, I will still be a busy girl but I couldn’t be happier. Stay tuned!

 

Interested in learning more about the launch, video series or the workshops? or just want to stay in touch? Sign up for updates and connect with me on social media: Facebook + Instagram + Twitter using #CelebrateEveryday

Recipe Testers Needed For An Appealing Plan The Book

People who love to eat are always the best people #juliachild @AnAppealingPlan

I am thrilled to be making a dream come true and to be working on my first book which includes tablescapes, floral arrangements, seasonal decorating ideas as well as many recipes. It will feature some of An Appealing Plan’s most popular cocktail and food recipes inspired by my family and mentors as well as my personal creations.

Before we publish these recipes, we need to test them to ensure that what works on my table will work in your kitchen too! That’s where you come in. An Appealing Plan is seeking recipe testers. If you are interested, please read the requirements below and then submit an application.

Recipe Tester Information & Requirements:

  • When you receive a recipe, you will be able to make the recipe and provide feedback within 10 days.
  • The recipe must be followed EXACTLY as written. (There will be room for you to provide your suggestions later.)
  • Be able to take a photo of the finished product and upload the photo to our post-recipe survey.
  • Take detailed notes and provide very detailed feedback via our survey.
  • This is a volunteer position. There will be no monetary compensation or reimbursement for ingredients and supplies. But, it will be exciting to be a part of bringing this book to life!
  • Besides basic kitchen equipment, we do require that our testers have a blender OR a food processor.
  • No sharing or publishing of the recipes or finished images. Remember: you will be part of a team testing top-secret recipes prior to publication! {there will be time for sharing after launch! I promise.}
  • Applying does not guarantee that you will be selected as a tester. We need a variety of skill sets to test the recipes, and only have a limited number of spaces available.

If you are interested please leave a comment below about why you think you should be a recipe tester AND apply through this link: