Unreal Monster Cookies

When I logged on to write this post today, I was feeling like it had been forever since I published something new. And guess what? It has been forever! Clearly my mind has been elsewhere, and I can’t say that today that sentiment is much different. In addition to planning a wedding (which is fast approaching), Kevin and I have decided to tackle the task of buying our first home… before our lease runs out August 1st. Add in typical spring/summer activities, a smattering of wedding events (mine and others), baby events (including the birth of my maid of honor’s first little girl!), and the regular 9-5, and it’s all I can do to sleep 6 hours every night and not lose my head when I’m awake. I’m happy, and there are a lot of big, exciting, life-altering events coming up, but this blog? It’s taking a backseat again. (more…)

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

I’ve said it before  but I’ll say it again – I love springtime desserts. They’re so bright and zesty, and they usher in a certain hopefulness that we didn’t allow ourselves to feel through those bitterly cold months when it seemed like  the warmth would never return. Lemon is a prominent flavor and ingredient in many of those recipes that I love so much, so it was no wonder that I settled on a lemony recipe for Easter (again) this year. No need to remind me that Easter was a month ago now… I’m playing some serious catch-up around here! As usual, I hope you’ll bear with me. This recipe is worth it! (more…)

Land O’Lakes Grilled Cheese, Two Ways

I bet if you went out and polled 100 people you’d be hard pressed to find more than a handful that don’t love grilled cheese. It’s something many of us fell in love with as children, and still indulge in from time to time as adults. If you’re like me, your grilled cheese tastes have evolved over time – now a basic white bread grilled cheese sandwich isn’t as exciting as a more gourmet creation, featuring specialty cheeses and exciting add-ins. I don’t make grilled cheeses on a regular basis, but from time to time I get a hankering for one, and it can’t be satisfied by anything less. (more…)

Fig Corn Muffins

This past week was a tough one. I haven’t posted since early in the morning on Marathon Monday, I haven’t been able to gather thoughts in an appropriate manner, and it wasn’t the time for fun new recipe posts anyway. For those of you also in the Boston area, I hope you made it through the week safe and sound, and that you are gradually getting back into the swing of things. I can definitely say it’s a relief to be returning to normal, though I wish we’d never had to endure that week and those horrific events in the first place. (more…)

Lamb Meatball Multigrain Flatbread

**UPDATE:  Thanks to all of your votes, I am moving on to round 2 of the Lamb Pro Am competition! I’ll pair up with Chef Dante de Magistris of Restaurant dante , and together we’ll serve my flatbread recipe to Lamb Pro am event attendees on May 19th! If you’re free and in the Boston area, please come and check it out!!! You can get tickets here. **

I think it’s only fair if I get this off my chest up front: I don’t like lamb. That’s probably an awful admission to make when I’m about to tell you all about the 9-pound leg of lamb I battled to create this recipe, or the reason I did it. But it’s the truth – and I always tell you exactly how it is here! (more…)

John Harvard’s Brunch

Brunch is easily my favorite meal. I don’t often indulge in it, but when I do, it’s such a treat! I love being a part of the Boston Brunchers group because new restaurants are often brought before me, and I have a chance to try a place I’ve never been and sometimes never even considered. When I was offered a chance to visit John Harvard’s to try their Brewers brunch, I was psyched! (more…)

For Hire

In addition to being a food blogger, I am also a Social Media Marketing Manager by profession. I am happy to discuss opportunities for partnerships or freelance work in the following areas:

Food writing
Giveaways
Guest blog posts
Product reviews
Restaurant reviews
Social Media (content, strategy, consulting)
Sponsored blog posts

I am also happy to discuss opportunities not listed here. Please take a peek at my About.me profile below, and feel free contact me at sweetlyserendipity {at} gmail {dot} com with inquiries. I look forward to working with you!

Taryn Collins

Freelance Food Writer, Social Media Marketing Manager, Blogger

Rino’s Place, East Boston

A few weekends ago, Kevin and I were craving something delicious for dinner, but we also wanted to stay in and watch a movie… in our PJ’s. We cook almost every night, and we make some great dinners, but sometimes it’s just so much more fun to eat food prepared by someone else – no dishes, and you get to indulge! So we went in search of great take-out. (more…)

Honey Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

While the weather outside certainly doesn’t show it, spring is just 2 days away! And with the arrival of spring comes a whole slew of new recipes. As each season comes and goes, I always get excited for the recipes that I’ll make, but spring recipes just might be my favorite. We’re all coming out of hibernation and looking forward to a warmer, brighter and cheerier season. As such, for this month’s Secret Recipe Club, I opted for a lighter lemon recipe, but one with a twist. (more…)

A Quick Stop at Ball Square Cafe

It feels like it’s been forever since I attended a Boston Brunchers event, so I was excited to get a chance to see the group a couple weekends ago for a brunch at Ball Square Cafe. If you’re from the area, you might have heard of the Ball Square Cafe vs. Sound Bites rivalry, which was really the only thing I knew about Ball Square Cafe before visiting… that and the fact that you can almost NEVER get in without standing in line. That usually means good things for a brunch place, so I was really looking forward to this meal. (more…)

Deconstructed Sweet Potato Turkey Shepard’s Pie

Is it just me, or is time absolutely FLYING right now? I’m really glad it’s spring and all, but seriously?! SLOW DOWN! When I got engaged, we had a whole year until the wedding, and now it’s only 6 months away – and I feel like I just got engaged yesterday. Perhaps I can blame the fact that I am extremely backed up with blog posts on the hyper-speed of time? Let’s just go with it… (more…)

Oatmeal Muffins with Raisins, Dates and Walnuts

Muffins are such a wonderful breakfast treat. If done right, they are so satisfying and delicious, plus they come in individual portions, which means I can have one to myself and I don’t have to share There’s this small bakery/cafe in the South End of Boston, close to the gym Kevin and I go to, and we always stop there on Saturdays after a long week of gym visits. It might seem counter-intuitive to go and indulge right after we’ve busted our butts at the gym, but it’s always such a welcome reward, and since we go just once a week – it’s totally okay, right? (more…)