Sunshine Lavender Farm

Over the summer, a few friends and I drove out to Hillsborough, NC to visit the Sunshine Lavender Farm for their Harvest Day, which is one of the two days each year that the farm is open to the public. If there is one scent that I absolutely love, it would be lavender. It has such a way of allowing me to relax and unwind, especially after a long day. I can't imagine what it would be like to live on a farm with rows upon rows of lavender. 

Assorted Lavender Products. 

Gorgeous lavender wreaths made before our eyes. 

Incidentally, I planted a provence lavender last year and didn't realize that it was a perennial. So, I ripped my lavender plant out of the ground before the winter hit. Then the following spring, I spoke with Anne from Sunshine Lavender Farm and she informed me that lavender plants come back every year. Oops. 

This is my first harvest from this year's newly planted Provence Lavender purchased directly from Anne at Sunshine Lavender Farm. So beautiful and so fragrant. You can also cook with Provence Lavender, which I have yet to try, but will certainly share about the attempt. 

If you have time, you should attend the farm's next Harvest Day, which is typically in June. You can find information about them on their website. Lavender is a versatile plant that is equally beautiful, fragrant, and good for your health. Wouldn't hurt to have one around the house. :) 

Have a relaxing Monday! 

Weekend in Nashville

Our girls trip to Nashville was filled with food, food, and you guessed it more food. It was fabulous until we got delayed 5 hours in the Nashville airport on the way back. Naturally, I was too tired to post anything until today. 

Here are some of my favorite (non-food) shots from the trip.

1. Parthenon Replica

2. Beautiful tree next to Parthenon

3. Our sweet ride

4. Necklaces that I totally thought about buying, but decided against... (now regretting it). I love the cleaver! 

5. Do you know who this is at the Grand Ole Opry? 

6. Buy 1, get 2 free boot shop on Broadway

7. Hello Vince Young! 

8. Beautiful magnolias everywhere

Nashville food post coming soon! 

Weekend in Asheville

Some of my favorite things from our trip to Asheville this weekend. You'll notice there are no pictures about food since that deserves its own post! 

Hope you find some beautiful things to look at this Tuesday.

How to: Floral Pin

A few months ago I made two floral clips and had some extra materials so I decided to create a step-by-step guide for people who would like to make their own silk floral pins.

First you need to purchase silk flowers from your local craft store and cut off all of the petals. You'll also need felt that is similar in color to your flower petals (or not based on your preference). You can use an alligator clip so that the floral can be pinned in hair or use a safety pin that allows you to pin the floral on clothing. I only had a safety pin so this is what I used.

Materials:
Silk flower
Felt
Charm (optional)
Thread
Safety pin
Alligator clip

Equipment:
Needle
Hot glue gun





Begin by gathering the petals in a circular shape and sewing each petal on top of each other. As you add more petals continue to sew them to the inside of the cluster working from outside in. To get some more dynamic shapes you can fold or shape the petals before you sew them to create more volume or depth.






Once you have the flower shape that you like, you can insert the charm and also secure it with needle and thread to the middle of the flower.



The backing is created by cutting felt into a circle that approximately covers the middle portion of the flower. You can adjust the size based on how much of the back of the flower you want covered by felt (or how much of the back of the flower you need to hid because your sewing is messy).



Then cut two little slits into the middle of the felt circle so you can insert the non-needle end of the safety pin through the felt.



To secure the felt and safety pin to the back of the flower use hot glue and focus on the middle of the flower first.





Then work your way around the edges of the felt securing it to the petals all around the flower.



Once this has been secured and the hot glue is dry, you will have a new accent piece for boring tank tops or t-shirts that are made instantly more glamorous with your floral pin.




a la SJP: