breaking my no alcohol rule to taste 100 wines

I’ve been on such a high ever since I turned 27, like high-off-life kinda high. But negative energy tried to sneak its way in.

For a while, I didn’t know what to say in my next newsletter. I’d been discouraged by seeing some folks on social platforms complaining about the algorithm, exposing shadow banning, criticizing oversaturated niches, and deeming now to be the absolute worst time to try to become a content creator. Of course, hearing these opinions brought some doubt to what I’m doing. This was coupled with me feeling guilty about letting life get in the way and prioritizing the things that pay me instead of my foodie passion these past few weeks.

These days, most people want an overnight success and nothing less. But I’m patient and open to all the unexpected twists and turns this journey inevitably has before me. I also know I have have a faith that is more powerful than any algorithm and it just takes discipline to get to where I’m going. I’m so excited for the path ahead! Moving forward, I’m mapping out how to maximize my time on weekends and trying to wake up a bit earlier on weekdays to give myself extra time to do some tasks relative to my foodie pursuits. I have a lot of choice in whether or not I allow the rest of my responsibilities to get in the way or allow other people’s negativity to deplete my energy!

LOTTERY TICKET TYPE OF LUCK 🎉

Just as I was in this rut, I saw a fellow foodie (@chloelynneats) post a giveaway for a wine tasting in DC on a Thursday. Initially, I was like UGH driving to DC from Baltimore during rush hour traffic after a long day of work does NOT sound fun…buuuut it would be kinda cool to go to this event for free, possibly meet this foodie in real life, and do the thing I love to do - eat/drink with other people who are as excited about food as I am lol thats literally the whole point of me pursuing this in the first place. Even if opportunities don’t come in the form I expect - like an inbox flooded with partnership requests from restaurants and food organizations - this was just a different journey to the same end: a sponsored experience. And all it took was for me to comment on the post? Why not?? I had nothing to lose and I regularly engage with @chloelynneats’ posts anyway so I figured I’d like and comment as I would on any of her other videos.

I almost forgot about it and a couple days later, I received a notification that I won the giveaway!!! I was SOOOO excited! I actually thought she rigged the whole thing and picked me because we’re tiktok foodie friends 😂 but she confirmed she had nothing to do with who won lol. Although it was just a giveaway, I felt it was God giving me the sprinkle of encouragement I needed and the taste of enjoying a sponsored experience. Again, I was not personally selected for this because of my food content or expertise, but it still felt connected to my food journey because if I didn’t decide to pursue this, I wouldn’t have made the tiktok account and connected with so many foodies and therefore wouldn’t have seen the post or felt inclined to enter the giveaway which ended with me getting picked out of 100 other people who entered.

So, I went to the event and had the time of my life. I kept saying the whole night how much of a ball I was having. The event was held at a mansion and there were literally over 100+ wines from all over the world to try! Check out my brief video recap on tiktok or instagram!

an introvert building a network is craaaazy

It was great meeting @chloelynneats in person. She was super cool and friendly! I usually feel awkward talking to strangers but it’s much easier when you can lead with some common ground, which for us was food. And maaaybe the wine gave me a lil liquid courage 😅 Either way, I’m excited to build my community of fellow foodies outside of the internet, in real life. Just yesterday, she actually posted a video reviewing a restaurant she learned about from one of my reviews, and she shouted me out! So cool to build a network with other people who share your passions and genuinely want you to see you shine! <33

by no surprise, 2 hrs of wine tasting leads to my favorite dinner in DC

Now y’all know I didn’t leave the event and go home on an empty, alcohol-ridden stomach. My man and I thought about trying a new spot but we agreed to revisit one of our favorite spots in DC - dLeña. Check out my written review with photos of the pure deliciousness here and my video recap on tiktok or instagram.

The night was everything I could’ve imagined and a life I could get used to - exploring and connecting through food. It was great and I’m excited for the next opportunity!