Our Mt. Olive Adventure...

 Do you have a favorite Farmer's Market booth on Thursday nights?  I've made it a point to visit the Mt. Olive booth for a few years now.  The produce is gorgeous, and delicious.  But they also make out-of-this-world jams, jellies, olive oil, fruit leathers, tea, and fresh-pressed juices.  Best of all, it's 100% organic.  I take that back... BEST of the best of all, they are unbelievably kind, incredibly knowledgeable and very very helpful.  While pregnant with Elliott and dealing with horrendous nausea- my friends at the Mt. Olive booth made great recommendations.  They were also kind enough to advise me of what NOT to eat or drink from their booth throughout the pregnancy.  That sort of endeared them to me for life.  

I mean, come on... that's just the coolest.

When I found their website and realized that their farm wasn't actually very far from Jeff's parents', I thought... YES!  Let's GO!  Alas, that was two years ago.  :(   Finally, FINALLY, on this last trip up to Paso, we made it.  So did it resemble the fantasy I had in my head?  No.  It totally surpassed my expectations.  We made it just in time for a late afternoon lunch, and had so much fun strolling around, petting bunnies and goats, peeking our heads into plants, and just generally being all kinds of nosey.  What I found really amazing about Mt. Olive Farm was the feeling of openness and welcome.  We just felt at ease.  It was quiet, but not uncomfortably so... and wow, SO gorgeous.

As soon as we walked in, we were delighted to find freshly baked coconut bread, and mini veggie pizzas for $1.50.  A DOLLAR FIFTY, YOU GUYS!  I'm not ashamed to admit that I bought all of the coconut bread.  Oh my gosh...  Y  U  M  M  M  M !  The food was the freshest food I've had (maybe ever but certainly) in a long time.  The tasting room was clean and well-stocked with dozens of olive oils and tapenades.  James and I went nuts.  We sat outside on the gigantic lanai, and drank ice cold, fresh strawberry juice.  At the risk of getting all verklempt on you, I would say it was heaven.  We didn't want to leave.

Yes, we went kind of photo-crazy.  But LOOK at these Fall colors!

Next time you're in Paso, do yourself a huge favor and visit Mt. Olive Farm.  And if you can't make it to the Farm, be sure to stop by their Farmer's Market booth on Thursdays.  It's the very best one.   :)

Home Inspiration, bright white + full of light...

I'm of the opinion that white (and nearly white) in the home is hit or miss.  

Depending upon the way it's used, the objects surrounding it, and the way it's lit... white can be austere, harsh, or just plain un-welcoming; however, it can also be clean, simplified, and help put your mind at rest.  When my mind is at rest, I feel more open to epiphanies and much more likely to stumble upon creativity.  But I never consciously realized how cozy white could be until tonight.  While randomly sorting through the "Home Inspiration" folder on my desktop, I couldn't help but notice my own predilection for white in the home.  

I've rounded up just a handful of the images for you here, and found several cohesive elements that help tip these room from severe to serene.  Notably: Furs, plants, soft textiles, whimsy, natural light, woodgrain, and warm neutrals.  You'll find nearly all of those elements in each of the images below.

Fur.  

From a shaggy dog, to a cowhide, wolf pelts, and lots of sheepskins...  cozy, natural elements, such as furs, instantly soften edges and warm the rooms they occupy.  

Ahhh, natural light...  

Nothing beats it.  Nothing else even comes close.   It's that gorgeous diffused glow that seems to illuminate inanimate objects from within.  It flatters, feeds, and helps us function.  Even better?  It's free!

Textiles. 

Look at all the textiles at work above and below... a Kilim rug, embroidered woolen wall tapestry, pelt on the floor, throw blanket on the mid-century chair, and fluffy duvet, act as an invitation to sit down, snuggle up, and ahhhhh... relax.  Note, the whimsical animals in the tapestry.

Woodgrain + Plants.

The natural greens of plants instantly sets a mind at ease.  The warmth of woodgrain and straw help soften the hard lines of this very contemporary room.  Note; the whimsy of the sheepskin pillow.

Whimsy.

I love the unexpected duo of bathroom and bedroom sharing a space.

Warm neutrals: Copper, linen, leather, straw, rust, taupe, and even worn-out ballet slippers are the perfect accompaniment to a shocking true white... creating a comfortable balance and toning down the austerity, without losing the wonderful sense of clarity that white creates.  Can you find the whimsical element in this photo?  It's got ears!

So there you have it...  my white moment.  What's inspiring you right now?