working girl | high plains thrifter

I started a new moonlighting gig this week. It’s nothing fancy, just a regular ol’ retail job. But I’m so happy about it, I had to tell ya! I’m working as a part-time stylist at the Free People store in, where else, the MALL of AMERICA. After breaking up with my main freelance client, and a dream of a new kitchen thisclose to reality, I knew I had to pick up some extra cash somehow, and it had to be earned in a way that didn’t involve sitting in front of a screen. It’s pure serendipity I met the woman who hired me the same day I read this article on beating on-the-job burnout. Sometimes life works out nicely that way.

The store itself is full of beautiful clothes and thoughtful details, two things that totally soothe my soul. My first official day was yesterday, and I forgot how exhausting it is to be the new girl with not a clue what’s going on. Fortunately, the staff seems to be comprised of 100-percent sweethearts. If you’re in the area, come pay us a visit and let me hook you up with cute stuff! And be sure to give the store a follow on Instagram. (It’s an extra-pretty account.)

xoxo,

Meghan

Sometimes I forget to share the pretty things I do at work, and that is a cryin’ shame! Take last month, for instance, when the opportunity arose to art direct, prop and style a shoot featuring new spring dessert recipes for BettyCrocker.com.

Dipping into my personal stash of vintage linens and china (in addition to spending the better part of a day in Betty’s a-m-a-z-i-n-g prop room!) resulted in some really lovely textures and contrasts. And I can’t emphasize enough how wonderfully talented the people behind the cameras are in the General Mills photo studio. From the photographers to the food stylists to the photo assistants and support staff, everyone is on top of their game and on top of that, so incredibly NICE.

Below are a handful of the resulting shots from last month. If you want to peek at the recipes, just click the recipe names or images! And get a hanky ready for goodness sakes, as drooling is likely to occur.

Fresh Raspberry Almond Tray Tart: An unbelievably delicious and versatile dessert. I already know this baby will be my go-to potluck/holiday dessert this summer! It is so good.

Lemon Cake with Irish Breakfast Tea Frosting: Infusing the meringue with tea adds a unique, earthy dimension to this shortcut cake.

Carrot Cake: Straightforward and simple, this cake is a classic Betty recipe, packed with carrots, spice and all that good stuff.

Golden Caramel Cake: This classic beauty doesn’t need much in the way of dressing up. Perfect in crumb, color and taste, the ripple of homemade caramel takes this cake over-the-top.

And finally, a re-shoot of one of Betty’s most popular chocolate-chip cookie recipes. I’ve shared this recipe with at least a half-dozen friends in the last few months. They may not look crazy-fancy, but damn do they taste good!

Credits
Photographer: Chuck Nields
 Food stylist: Sharon Harding
 Prop styling + art direction: yours truly!

I’ll be sharing a few more peeks from fun projects I’ve worked on for Betty soon. Just this week we wrapped a two-day shoot that was honestly one of the most fun projects I’ve ever worked on. It was a grueling week, but the resulting shots are straight-up adorable!

xoxo,

Meghan

Disclosure: During the day, I work as Senior Editor on BettyCrocker.com via MSP Communications.