Foodie Friday: Featuring "The Diva Chef", Madison Shannon Kelly #ImAFoodie

Today marks the launch of Foodie Friday, a recurring feature chronicling my #ImAFoodie tales. I like to eat good. I love to dine out. I adore discovering new cuisine and/or hidden gems. And I'm often extended invitations for new restaurant openings, product launches, festivals and "foodie" events. So why not dish write about it. I hope to turn you onto something new in the process or at least make you drool.

This week's Foodie Friday features "The Diva Chef" herself, Madison Shannon Kelly. An Atlanta, GA based up and coming chef, Madison is a self-made pastry chef and owner of Diva Delights.

I've known Madison for a couple of years but only recently upon a trip to Atlanta did I have the absolute pleasure of sampling one of her signature treats, Banana Pudding Cheesecake. Not just a pudding but more than a cheesecake, each Banana Pudding Cheesecake is handmade and made from scratch. Per Madison, "it became a top-seller overnight." I now know why. It's the perfect combo. It's light like pudding but less the "richness" of a cheesecake which can sometimes overwhelm the palette resulting in one taking two bites and being done. Whereas Madison's Banana Pudding Cheesecake can easily be polished in one sitting.

I devoured that which Madison hand-delivered to my hotel with a note as an added personal touch, for breakfast while preparing to depart Atlanta. Each "delight" is clearly both made and packaged with love. The graham cracker crust was a pleasant surprise and so moist and sweet. I literally made sure every bite had a bit of crust. As I continued to indulge, I felt like I was treating myself. Of course I deserved it! As I was eating devouring I mean, I noticed a hint of something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Per Madison, "Cinnamon is my secret weapon!" And safe to say it totally breaks the mold of traditional banana pudding. Madison also offers strawberry and oreo cheesecake, red velvet cupcakes with the most adorable packaging I've ever seen, cheese balls and individual salad varieties but it's easy to see how upon ordering the Banana Pudding Cheesecake, customers instantly become regulars. I've been craving more ever since. You can catch a glimpse of Madison's swoon-worthy offerings via her Instagram account @mskenterprises.

Madison is working on her website and expanding her brands. In addition to other endeavors which include a reality show, Stiletto Bosses and new food business, Madison is currently working to open a bakery in Lithonia, GA and authoring her first cookbook, "I can cook, DAMMIT, MARRY ME!", which goes on pre-order November 1st 2013. To inquire about ordering and shipping outside of GA which I'm excited to say Madison now offers (be prepared to get in line behind me), contact Madison at Diva Delights via email at mydivadelight@yahoo.com.

Follow Foodie Friday via hashtag #ImAFoodie and on Pinterest.

-- Erin

All new fall lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.

#HeelsToTheWheels: Kia Ride & Drive at #Blogalicious5

Did you know? I'm a bit of an automotive enthusiast. And you better not be thinking, "but you're just a girl." I had a monthly automotive column in the print edition of Sister2Sister for 3 + years. I loved and still love putting my "heels to the wheels" of new cars. I'm not a grease monkey by any stretch but I do love keeping in the know about what automotive brands are doing. How brands are incorporating technology and making vehicles more functional and amongst Bag Ladies Radio listeners, the style of a vehicle is big topic of dish. You know, the aesthetics. The same as I want my heels to make me look good, I want my vehicle to do so also. 

One of the most popular events held during #Blogalicious5 was Kia's Ride and Drive. Kia was this year's Blogalicious 2013 Title Sponsor. And for the entirety of the 3-day Blogalicious weekend, Kia made three of their models available. Attendees could literally take their pick and cruise the streets of downtown ATL accompanied by a Kia Motors rep who offered tidbits about the functionality and pointed out key features.

I put #HeelsToTheWheels of the 2014 Kia Sorento. I literally had to ditch my responsibilities as this year's Blogalicious 2013 Social Media Partner for just a bit ...Shhhh. A 2013 Top Safety Pick, the Kia Sorento is extremely spacious with third row seating yet from the exterior, amazingly compact. It definitely has a distinct look and feel that dispels the notion you might otherwise have of Kia. As I navigated the streets of downtown Atlanta with my assigned Kia rep and my backseat driver and friend Dorothy Redmond (an auto enthusiast also), the ride was smooth. The features, fuel economy and size make the 2014 Kia Sorento a world-class crossover.

I particularly loved the Panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade which allowed me to open and close with the push of a button. It was a gorgeous day (see the blue sky and the view was gorgeous. The audio system had me at the first jazz tune. I hadn't gotten my fix while at Blogalicious so to relax to the sounds of some good jazz was heaven for me and come to find out, the accompanying Kia rep was a jazz fiend also and we had good dish regarding some of our fave artists. The Bluetooth, Back-Up Warning System and Push-button start were just a few of the other features which caught my eye. I am always on the go and never not busy so a vehicle which allows me to stay mobile yet not miss a beat and look good too, always lends appeal. And even better at a preferable price point. The 2014 Kia Sorento starts at $24,100.00

I won't name names. But I wasn't the only attendee swooning over Kia

Kia got much love as you can see upon closing out the 2013 Blogalicious weekend with a cocktail reception. I wasn't the only one swooning over their 2014 lineup.

What do you think of Kia? Which Kia vehicle do you like most? Could you see yourself putting #HeelsToTheWheels in the Sorento?

P.S. - Thanks to Kia for the goodie bags. Upon Social Media Manager, Marissa Lorenzo's insistence, I grabbed three bags for my kids. They most love the stuffed animal and the pen/stylus.

All new fall lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.

1st Day Down: #Blogalicious5 VIP Breakfast and Registration Activities

One day down. We've barely begun. But the party has already started. The 5 year anniversary kicked off with a bang and we still have two days left. We're going strong! Check out some of the footage captured. See anyone you know?

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. And follow the dish at #BagLadiesLIVE & #Blogalicious5. I've got some great give-a-ways on behalf of my sponsors. Don't miss out!

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For #BagLadiesLIVE segments, showtimes and more, visit www.bagladiesradio.com. Click to follow me on IG and Twitter @ bagladies.

We're On Our Way! #BagLadiesLIVE at #Blogalicious5

3rd times a charm! Yup, this is my third Blogalicious conference. This year is extra special because my Co-Hosts, Danielle Gray and Trina Small are in tow. Yup, I'm dragging them along with me. Did you know? Trina and I first met at Blogalicious when the conference was held in DC. And we would've never thought upon meeting that she would end up holding it down with me on Bag Ladies Radio. A testament to the power of connections facilitated by Blogalicious. This year is also special because I am participating as opposed to just attending. Bag Ladies Radio is this year's media partner!!!! Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I will be chronicling this years Blogalicious and tweeting and posting my you know what off in addition to airing on-site shows. Follow the play-by-play at #BagLadiesLIVE & #Blogalicious5.

And thank you to our sponsors, EDEN Body Works, FabKids, Lulu*s and Flat Out of Heels,  for making this experience that much more amazing and for supporting our efforts. I'm looking forward to sharing some goodies with you on their behalf. You can still get your tix. See you in the ATL!!!

Bag Ladies Radio is the "official media partner" to this year's #Blogalicious5. For an exclusive Blogalicious 2013 ticket offer for Bag Ladies Radio followers, fans and listeners, click here and enter BLRfriend (case sensitive), for a 20% discount.

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For #BagLadiesLIVE segments, showtimes and more, visit www.bagladiesradio.com. Click to follow me on IG and Twitter @ bagladies.

WE'RE GETTING CLOSER BLOGALICIOUS!

We are now just 10 days away from one of the largest annual social media events. And with Blogalicious fastly approaching, we could not have said it better ourselves (press play):

We are in full prep mode as we choreograph our participation as this year's media partner. We are getting our "i spy" on, rolling out the purple carpet, bringing you a complete play by play and so much more! Oh, and my cast and I which includes @StyleNBeautyDoc and @BabyShopa (well not really; she don't have to go anywhere), are trying not to pack everything but the kitchen sink in the process. We got lots to do still but at the same time we can't wait!! How are you coming along with preparations? If you say you still have lots to do also, I will feel ALOT better. See you in October!

Bag Ladies Radio is the "official media partner" to this year's #Blogalicious5. For an exclusive Blogalicious 2013 ticket offer for Bag Ladies Radio followers, fans and listeners, click here and enter BLRfriend (case sensitive), for a 20% discount.

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For #BagLadiesLIVE segments, showtimes and more, visit www.bagladiesradio.com. Click to follow me on IG and Twitter @ bagladies.