good things come in eat boutique packages: a giveaway!
Last week was a pretty good week. Monday, the July 4th holiday, was filled with fun and family and key lime pie. I was very productive at work, and a new opportunity for career development presented itself. The challenge is somewhat scary, but I like a good challenge, so I may just take it on. I had an article published in the Jacksonville newspaper on Thursday. And on Friday, I was able to share the news that I’ll be speaking at the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC) in New Orleans in August. I went to that conference last year, and I came away from it inspired and even more in love with the food blogging community.
Also last week, a simple, brown box from Eat Boutique arrived, filled with products handmade on a small scale by artisans who clearly love what they do. Opening that box and digging through the treasures inside was icing on the cake of a lovely week.
I first encountered Maggie, the founder of Eat Boutique, on Twitter, what seems like ages ago. We made a connection that somehow seemed to transcend the limits of 140 characters. I’m not sure how it happens – or why – but sometimes it just does. I’ve made some great friends in this unusual way, and I constantly feel grateful to Twitter for that.
Maggie started curating these seasonal gift boxes of handmade food, like this Holiday gift box or this one for Valentine’s Day, back in December of 2009. As each new gift box was announced, I felt a twinge of envy when I thought about those lucky people who were going to be on the receiving end of one of Eat Boutique’s gift boxes.
I remedied the envy problem this month. I bought myself a present – the summer gift box.
The gift box came very quickly, and the items were nestled inside with obvious care. Strips of crinkly brown paper protected the glass jars and the delicate marshmallows inside this summer version of the gift box. As a bonus, our kitten (also named Maggie) fell in love with the paper and I’m still finding shreds of it under my living room furniture. Yay.
I haven’t sampled everything in the box yet. The one product I opened and devoured within minutes, though, is the Square One brownie – soft and fudgy on the inside, crisp chocolate layer on the outside. Oh, my.
Maggie tells me that the marshmallows are really good roasted over a fire, but I’m not sure I can wait until a fire happens to eat them. The hibiscus syrup will likely end up mixed into an adult beverage, or maybe into some lemonade or tea for the kids, if I’m feeling generous. I’m still developing plans for the other goodies.
Maggie has a real talent for putting together these boxes. After buying this one, I sort of regret not buying any of the previous ones. I’m considering a subscription, but I haven’t made the commitment yet.
In the meantime, Maggie has been incredibly generous and has offered to give away one summer Eat Boutique gift box to one of my readers. If you’re interested in winning one of these boxes filled with amazing treats, leave me one comment at the bottom of this post – just one, please – and let me know which of the items in the box you’re most looking forward to trying. Or, tell me about one of your favorite handmade foods that you can find in your local area. Or, just introduce yourself and say hello.
I’m not going to make you jump through hoops to get a taste of Maggie’s genius. Obviously, if you followed me on Twitter and joined the conversation on my Facebook page, I’d be grateful. You can find Maggie and Eat Boutique on Twitter, too. None of these are necessary to win the gift box, though. Just one comment, and you’re entered for the giveaway. Period. I’ll close entries at midnight EST on Friday, July 15th, and I’ll draw the lucky name randomly on Saturday.
Good luck!
UPDATE: Forgot to add that this is only open to people who live in the continental US only. Also, if you don’t have patience and just want to order a gift box of your own, use the code BEMERRY for free shipping.
(all photos above courtesy of Maggie and Eat Boutique)
Giveaway Now Closed!
And the winner is….
And, the lucky person who’ll be receiving Eat Boutique’s Summer Gift Box is:
Oh, I have to pick ONE item? I’d love to say the syrup, but that brownie looks amazing. As does the mallow!
Ooooooh yum! You had me at s’mores marshmallows but sealed the deal with hibiscus syrup. Hibiscus tea is my absolute favorite way to cool off during the summer!
Wow this whole set looks amazing. I think for the versatility alone, I’m most excited about the sugars!
What a fun giveaway! Those sugars look awesome! Actually, it all looks awesome! And congrats on all the exciting things happening in your life! What are you speaking about at IFBC?
I am a sucker for a brownie and that is what I love looking at
Two years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. While recovering I was diagnosed with kidney disease. It was because of these circumstances that I’ve turned to a vegetatian lifestyle. I’m far from perfect at it but my health opened up a culinary adventure I wouldn’t have ordinarily tried. 🙂
What a great concept….I would be thrilled to try any of these items! I will make a visit to her website! Thanks for sharing!
Hello Brownie! Thank you for the giveaway…love your site!
The sugars look interesting. A girlfriend gave me some vanilla sugar from mosswood store in micanopy. It’s been fantastic in my coffee!
oh dear, that marshmallow looks mighty tempting! i’m in love with the beautiful packaging of everything in that beautiful box! who wouldn’t love to receive on of those beauties?
I’d most like to try the hybiscus syrup, but, I love the beauty of each item. It’s lovely, really. My thanks to Maggie and to you. How very generous!
oh my goodness I’d love to try them all, but I think I’d have to dig into that s’more straight away ; )
Yum! Everything in this basket looks amazing! I would love to experiment with the sugars.
I gotta hand to the ‘mojito sugar’….sounds quite interesting, though something with the ‘lemon’ word is tough to beat.
What a great idea for a way to try new items! & that brownie would definitely be the first to go 🙂
Definitely the brownie!
As a child I helped my Grandmother can pickles every summer and as a result I have an addiction. I love trying new batches, so I would have to say the SweetHeat pickles!
All of it looks soooo yummy, but I have to say that the sugars sound intriguing!
Wow! Everything looks so delish! Hope I am the winner!
Oh my. The marshmallow. And the sugars. And the brownie. Wait, was it supposed to be only one? 😉
Hi! Found your website through a mutual friend (Martina). I pinned your blueberry cobbler to pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/46922829/ it looks SO good! Those sugars look good, but I would also instantly devour that brownie 🙂
I follow on twitter and like on Facebook. This product sounds and looks yummy. I would love to win.
dkhegler@yahoo.com
Just came across your site while looking for a recipe for Steel Cut Oats. Found a fabulous one for a slow cooker! The ingredients in the summer box would be yummy to include in the slow-cooked oatmeal, especially topped off with the Hibiscus syrup!
Everything looks and sounds AMAZING. I hope that I win 🙂
We have a great cracker company in Madison, WI. Great for picnics and parties!
It all sounds great, but the brownie sounds fantabulous!
You have inspired me to try new things and be creative. Thanks to you I ate my first fig this year. It would be hard to pick choose one item. But I guess I would have to choose the sugars.
that orange ginger sugar looks amazing!
The brownie sounds fantabulous!
Loved the flavored sugars and thought the packaging was wonderful!
What a great giveaway!
Those look amazing! What a fabulous treat 🙂
These boxes are especially thoughtful. Even the inside wrapping is unique. It all looks delicious!
How will I ever remember these at Christmas? Perfect gifts for family spread across the country.
I love the look of what you received…it shows extra care that you know must carry over to the actual products. I also love the sound of lemon sugar; I’m in a very lemony mood lately!
How absolutely beautiful! I would love to have a party and feature these lovely treats!! (though my grandson would probably pre-empt a lot of them!)
It all looks good! That s’more looks tasty!!!
If I could pick one thing, I would want the hibiscus syrup. Some of my best friends in college are from Hawaii, and it would be great fun to do something that reminds them of home. :]
OMG that box looks AMAZING. I’m really intrigued by the hibiscus syrup. Even if I don’t win, I think I may need some. For adult beverages. Of course. 😉
That Mojito Sugar looks delicious!!
I want everything in this box! 🙂
My favorite local product has got to be the honey from the sunflower fields across the street. They park bee boxes out front of melon, cucumber and alfalfa fields regularly to help with pollination. (Sorry, can’t resist a good ag lesson here) 🙂
that brownie looks divine!
The brownie looks delish!
That Square One Brownie looks amazing!!!!
The brownie! I must try that brownie.
I’m a sucker for chocolate, so I would eat the brownie first! Thanks for this great giveaway.
Fun sugars. Not entering, just stopping by to say yeah to the great week you had! I hope i can go to the conference to here your session. 🙂
Hi! I’m Christy~love your blog!
That brownie looks amazing! Fantastic giveaway!
Wow, it looks all so delish….
This is my first visit to the Merry Gourmet site, thanks to a recommendation from my god-daughter Sara. She is my gift, but good luck to everyone looking to win the summer eat boutique gift box. Great site. I am sure I will return.
How lovely! Just think of all the wonderfully creative and yummy things you can make!
Wow, just one? Ok, hibiscus syrup because I can think of so many great things to do with it in the summer!
Wow….that looks like a great box!! Love boxes filled with goodies like this!
How fun that you will be speaking at the conference. I love the friends I have made on Twitter as well. Just love this salute to handmade goods. Who wouldn’t love a gift box? I have to admit that I have never had hibiscus syrup. The smore marshmellow is something my son would inhale out of the box. Very fun!
I’d be most excited to try the citrus sugars!
What a beautiful giveaway! I’m intrigued by the hisbuscus syrup! 🙂
I would love to try the hibiscus syrup … and just to see and feel that beautiful box in person. It looks gorgeous!
The S’mores marshmallow jumped out at me immediately! Man does that ever sound good 🙂
I love, love, love tasting boxes, and having been looking forward to experiencing Eat Boutique’s. If I had to choose one item, it would be 240Sweet’s marshmallows. I make my own, but am not nearly as creative as those ladies. Bet they’re delish!
I’m DYING to try those s’mores marshmallows! MMM!
How fun, to get a box of unexpected goodies in the mail?! Thanks for sponsoring the contest. I came from Boston Food Finds and liked you on facebook. 🙂
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