Whoops I did it again...
August 2024
August slipped away as did July and for that I am so grateful. As a Fall girlie, summer truly is the hardest time of year for me. I feel overwhelmed with all the activities and hangouts, I feel pressure to be active and social when all my winter heart wants to do is to curl up with a book and feel the crisp breeze on my cheek. But alas, fall friends, rejoice that we are almost there! In this newsletter we're catching up, I’m sharing my top 5 date nights in Denver and I’m keeping you up to date on all the latest foodie drama. 🫢
Catching Up
IT’S BEEN ONE YEAR OF THE RAYNA REVIEW! 🎊 Today we’re celebrating one year of this newsletter. Thank you so much for being here, this newsletter truly has been an amazing outlet to create and further connect people with Denver and my life. It’s been a joy to pull back the veil and share my life with you. 😘
At this point, just call me Mountain Rayna. This month, we went on two mountain getaways and one even involved glamping. For those of you who don’t know, I’m not a camping girl, at all. But I can do glamping, especially if it includes a nice plush bed and an attached bathroom with running water. However, there was the biggest grasshopper I’ve ever seen in my life in the bathroom sink so I forwent washing my hands. I've seen A Bugs Life, they can’t fool me! We also went to the A Frame Club for a two-night stay, and I’m here to report that the hype is real. The property is stunning, the interiors are modern and inviting, and they give you a s’mores pack to roast over the fire at night. A win-win. It’s been wonderful to spend some late summer evenings in the mountains. As a city girl I often forget the magic of the mountains, but it’s great to be reminded of it from time to time.
In Denver, there’s been a plethora of new business openings and events. The most notable going to the opening of Mecha in RiNo, their mushroom Bao Buns are good enough to write home about. This month, I was asked to be the host for the Hampton Water Denver event which had about 150 attendees and the organizers said it was one of their best attended events in the country! *pats myself on the back* 💁🏻♀️ Denver continues to impress me with all the creative new businesses opening. I attended my first warehouse party in the soon to be hottest pickleball spot Moodswing. They even let me tag my name on the wall which ~might~ be kept post-construction. There was also the opening of Mockingbird Denver, a new artistic bar in RiNo. Their hanging lamp installation gave me major inspiration for decorating our new home.
Highlights in Photos:
Videos People are Loving
New York Style Cookies in Denver
Denver Date Night Roundup
As the nights get longer and it gets harder to get outside, it’s good to have some date nights lined up
Chocolate Making class at The Thompson Denver 🍫
Unique and tasty, the classes are held once a week and you get to walk away with your own chocolate bars and truffles. Book here.
Chef’s Tasting Menu Dinner at Hey Kiddo 🥘
While Hey Kiddo is a hidden restaurant, it is one of Denver’s best restaurants and has received a Michelin nod. Try their chef’s tasting menu for a romantic and delicious evening
Embrace your inner kid at the American Ninja Warrior Theme Park 🥷
A new adventure park that opened just outside of Denver. A perfect place for a playful date night and to try your hand at the crazy Ninja Warrior obstacle courses
$1 Late Night Tacos at El Camino Community Tavern 🌮
Yes you read that right, every Tuesday El Camino does $1 late night tacos. Perfect for date night on a budget
Grab an exceptional Banana Split Sundae at Sweet Cooie’s 🍨
Indulge your sweet tooth and order a Banana Split from this cute 50’s inspired Ice Cream Shop
Influencer Tea
There have been big rumblings in the Denver foodie community about some bad business practices by one foodie in particular. Long story short, a big Denver influencer (we’re talking over 200k) has been called out by small businesses many times for collecting payment for a video and not posting the video. Some businesses have even turned to social media to call them out. While it is absolutely horrible that an influencer accepts payment and then doesn’t post the video, I’m not here to comment on that situation - they know they are in the wrong. I’m here to shed some light on the responses it invoked from my fellow influencers.
A common theme in the responses was that what he did was horrible (which it is) but also that this situation gives all influencers a bad reputation. As a job, influencing has a lot of preconceived notions about it. Those outside of the industry tend to think we get every meal paid for, that we are often untruthful and lie about reviews to “get the bag”, and that we demand businesses give us free food for a feature. For those of us who are in the industry, we know that we got our start by paying for all of our meals and experiences, that most reviews are unpaid and free, and that we would rather die than be rude and demanding to a small business. Influencing is nuanced, and you have to work for years to hit your stride and build a reputation for yourself.
Can one rogue big influencer ruin opportunities for other influencers? Possibly. But can that influencer's actions give you a bad reputation? No. While influencers are often grouped together, we are all unique individuals. We all own our own business and conduct our businesses in different ways. That’s why some businesses are drawn to specific influencers and why some influencers are drawn to specific businesses. For me and the businesses I work with, they know my character and how I conduct myself, which is why they work with me. I encourage my fellow influencers to stand in who they are, and let the rest fall away. No one can give you a bad representation in this business beside yourself.
Your thoughts on Influencer Tea were so well said. You are passionate in what you do and it shows. Keep on leading, it looks good on you!
This was a great newsletter, Rayna. Excellent content and so well written. And, you bought a new house??