Salted Confections Gift Set: The Photo Shoot
Little known fact: we do all our own photography here at Allison’s Gourmet. And I don’t mean we hire some pro photographer to come take pictures for us. Nope, all those gorgeous photos you seen on our website? All us (not to toot our own horns too much, but I do think we’re pretty awesome for amateurs). Recently we had a photo shoot for the new Salted Confections Gift Set. You can see the finished photos along with our other holiday gifts online at our website and in last week’s post.
Here’s a little peek behind the scenes:
Allison and I seem to be ridiculous perfectionists in similar ways, which makes us perfectly matched to work together. Everything we produce is absolutely top quality whether it’s corporate food gifts, heavenly confections or monthly cookie flavors, so we want the photos of these things perfect too. 
This photo shoot of just one image took us several hours. That was partly because we’re breaking in a new camera and had to learn how to use it. But seriously, the process goes something like this. We take a few photos, go look at them on the computer, go back to the studio table, make minute changes, take a few more photos… And the process continues with tiny changes in angle, number and spacing of salt crystals, plumping up and balancing of caramels and carefully melting chocolate with a heat gun.
Luckily, we’re great friends and we love the work. We also have similar tastes in chocolate (which really keeps us going). Between the chocolates on the side, and the peanut brittle and caramels that were lying around everywhere, we were pretty loopy by the end of it all. 
In looking through the final photos, we had a fit of hysterics over this photo, see if you can figure out why…
Friday with Friends: Chloé Jo Davis
Beyond being named one of the “Hottest Jews in the World,” by HEEB Magazine, Chloé Jo Davis is a bona fide green, vegan vixen. The editor-in-chief of The GirlieGirl Army, a green guide to glamazon living that boasts 12 years of archives and a fan base that includes major celebrities and many thousands of readers, you may also have seen Chloé as celebrity dirt’s host on RiverWired and in an Errol Morris-directed national commercial for Silk Soy Milk. An activist, writer, green expert, animal rescue warrior, radio host, online personality and ethical fashion expert, she’s also one of the celebrity judges for our Tee and Tote Design Contest happening right now. Chloé told all about motherhood (her son, Panther Britain, was born April 15th, 2010), glamazon living and her favorite vegan foods in a recent interview with Allison’s Gourmet.
Allison’s Gourmet: What items are always on your grocery shopping list aka the foods you could NEVER live without? And has anything food-wise changed since the birth of your vegan son, Panther?
Chloé Jo Davis: I was mainly raw prior to having Panther. Post birthing (and attachment parenting parents who breastfeed will totally get this) we still haven’t slept, so carbs are how I get through the day. I wish I could say I was exclusively green juice and kale chips… but I’m more like green juice, kale chips, roasted potatoes, corn, fresh coconut waters, kombuchas, 
Israeli pickles, cous cous, vegan jerky, vegan sushi, guac, roasted chestnuts, really well marinated tempeh or tofu, white sweet potatoes, avocados, hummus (homemade, of course! hint: a spice called za’atar changes the game), and obsessed with all fresh fruits and veggies, particularly those on the more exotic side. I live on jicama, and I’m mainly a salty gal. I love crackers and a good pretzel! I just love food. I could (and often do) eat 24 hours a day. Plus I cook a lot and I live in NYC, home to a billion vegan restaurants! I don’t stop with the eating. Goddess bless my appetite (shouldn’t we all applaud women who can EAT more? I’m so done applauding women who are proud to have eaten nothing but a side salad all day!)
AG: Your web site, www.GirlieGirlArmy.com spans the gamut with content, covering everything from travel to shopping. Which veg-friendly city is next on your list? What would you pack for the trip?
CJD: We just missed a family gathering in Israel, which I’m bummed about because the produce in Israel is next level, just the best. Between that and the falafel, do you really need anything else?! But Panther is too wild for long plane rides right now. The kid is a daredevil… he never ever stop! We’re planning on visiting our friends at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and Farm Sanctuary in September… but those aren’t exactly in large cities!
So, next real trip will be in October to the World Peace Yoga Jubilee which I have to say, is one of the most special, wonderful events I’ve ever been to. It’s held outside of Cincinnati and it’s the only all-vegan yoga conference that I’ve ever heard of… but it’s so beyond that. The food is sensational, the people beautiful (in and out) and the energy just quite magical. I highly recommend it! Oh, and me and my gf Alex Jamieson will be speaking again on a panel with some genius ethical icons. Lucky us! What will I pack? Probably a bunch of yoga clothes and a few good outfits that I’ll end up getting from one of my legendary clothing swaps. And I never leave home without a pair of OlsenHaus and Cri de Coeur heels.
AG: What’s your favorite summer recipe to share?
CJD: I don’t think you can beat a massive summer salad with fresh corn, chickpeas, berries, dandelion and spinach greens and tons of good olives and a really fresh crusty ciabatta (clearly, I’m not gluten-free though I find it an interesting next potential step!) and then a homemade sorbet (two minutes to make!) in your blender. 
I also grill tons of vegan sausages and make big stir fries with whatever is fresh and organic. You can’t beat Bragg Liquid Aminos, nutritional yeast, and some cracked pepper with ANY veg.
AG: What other vegan sites do you visit on a regular basis?
CJD: Yours, because it’s beautiful and I heart you. I have too many favorites to list, but the gist is – if I write about them on GGA, I mostly likely regularly visit them!
AG: You’ve been featured as an eco-beauty expert. What are some of your favorite finds?
CJD: Oy vey… too much pressure! It’s my job to discover the green and fabulous, so I’m up to my shnozz in favorites. But here are a few:
- Soy nail polish remover
– non toxic, vegan – and perfect to byor (bring your own remover) when hitting up the mani-pedi spot. - Heart of Darkness Shoes – love that my girls at Cri De Coeur launched a sub line which is more affordable for those of us on a budget, but still kept the amazingly cool and gorgeous design that we go to them for.
- Sugar-based Hairspray – it’s a revolution. It works and it doesn’t stink or give you cancer. Halle-fricking-lullah!
- Dalia Gowns – it’s not easy to find black tie worthy gowns that aren’t made from silk. Dalia MacPhee designs gorgeous and vegan gowns for us silk-free ladies.
- Tata Harper skin care line – the face oils are special. You notice a difference in your skin immediately.
AG: What’s your favorite Allison’s Gourmet product? Any product suggestions?
CJD: I’m not a big chocolate gal, though my husband Jeremy is. I tend to buy him your organic brownies, while your vegan toffee and peanut brittle blow me away. Seriously, how dare you. Generally though, I’m more of a tart tartin kinda gal, what about some more fruity confections – maybe with less white sugars and more dates for sweetness? Dare to dream! 
I’m loving baking with puréed dates lately!
Want to hear more from Chloé Jo? Check her out on Twitter and Facebook and at her blog: GirlieGirlArmy.com.
Fudge Wins!
A few weeks ago, we learned something new from our customers. For Father’s Day, we promoted what we thought were most Dads’ favorite things: peanut brittle, fair-trade coffee, chipotle caramels, and organic brownies. 
But, you all obviously know better than we do, because the majority of you chose vegan fudge for the important Dads in your lives instead. We had no idea how many men love chocolate, specifically fudge! We always thought that the guys in our lives were unusual in their ardent love of chocolate, but I’ve never been so happy to be wrong. As one woman put it:
“I wanted to get him something nice, and I thought about what would make him the most happy. Right now, the thing that makes him most happy is your fudge, so I’d like to order some for him.” —L.C., Piedmont, CA
So, fellas love our fudge; especially the Chipotle Cinnamon, Sour Cherry, and Java Crunch flavors! Hopefully, knowing this fact will make gift-giving a little easier from now on. Do you have any guys’ birthdays coming up this summer? How about special occasions like a new job, a project finished, or a dream fulfilled? If so, and you’re wondering what to get for him, take my advice. Go with vegan fudge.
Dad of the Day Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to Carrie, the winner of our Dad of the Day Giveaway! She has won a $30 gift certificate to give to a special Dad of her choice. Although her answer was chosen randomly, we really liked what she had to say:
My father is no longer with us, so on Father’s Day I like to celebrate all the other awesome Dads in my life! My husband will surely get spoiled with breakfast in bed, lunch, dinner and dessert! He also gets to choose whatever activity we will do as a family for that day!
For those of you just realizing that Father’s Day is this weekend, don’t panic! From my experience, all Dads like a sweet treat and our definitive Father’s Day selection includes delicacies for every taste. From classics like peanut brittle and pecan brownies to more adventurous edibles including salted or chipotle caramels and spiced brittle, we’ve got the perfect sweet something for that special man.
Looking for a larger gift, something he’ll be able to share? A Monthly Club will deliver a bountiful selection of premium cookies, brownies, or fudge each month for as many months as you specify. Every month’s delivery will remind that special father that you’re thinking of him.
Order this week before Wednesday to guarantee on-time delivery. Orders placed later in the week will require faster shipping to arrive on time for Sunday. If you do happen to be a little late ordering, our Gift Certificates are delivered instantly and there’s no shipping fees. Plus, they let him decide exactly what he wants for his dessert.
Dad of the Day Giveaway!
Looked at a calendar lately? It’s almost Fathers Day! We love the Day O’ Dads over here at Allison’s and this year we’re looking for the Dad of the Day. Comment here on our blog telling us how you are going to celebrate your dad and what makes him so fantastic and June 19th might get a little sweeter! We’ll pick a winner next week, Monday the 13th, and if you win, we’ll send you or your pops a $30 gift certificate.
This Giveaway is now closed.
If you don’t win, don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered. Here’s a curated selection of products any dad (vegan or otherwise) is sure to love:
The Spice Lover’s Gift Set
For adventurous dads with a (slightly) daring palate! Spiced Peanut Brittle and Chipotle Caramels.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
Sweet and salty peanut butter hugged by delectable dark chocolate. Chocolate-loving Dad’s dream come true.
Chocolate Caramels
Buttery caramel. Smooth chocolate. Tootsies just rolled over.
Sweet Desires Gift Basket
For the dad who deserves it all! Peanut butter cups, vegan cookies, two flavors of brownies, four flavors of organic coffee, chocolate peanut brittle, vegan toffee and perfect gift packaging!
Salted Chocolate Brittle
If there was an edible Dad metaphor, this would be it. Classic buttery peanut brittle, rich dark chocolate topped with pink Himalayan salt.
Pecan Brownies
Sumptuous organic brownies fit for a king! Crowned with buttery toasted pecans.
Dad doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Here’s a variety of impeccable organic and fair-trade coffee. Excellent black, iced or otherwise.
Feel great about spoiling the ones you love. All Allison’s products are totally organic, use only the highest quality ingredients, and are cruelty free. And if Daddy loves you, he might share!
