a weekend at the farm

We spent this past weekend at a friend's farm in rural Missouri. It is one of Jeff's and I favorite places to go and this weekend we had beautiful weather which made it that much more enjoyable. I think both of us are ruralites at our core and so being out in the country makes both of us just so relaxed and at ease. Needless to say, I am having some trouble getting moving this morning so I thought I would share one of my favorite photo blogs - Notes For My Future Farm. I don't know who is behind it but they post beautiful images of farm life. Here are a few favorites. Enjoy!

notes for my future farm via Grow a Farm

notes for my future farm via coffee and wood

notes for my future farm via southern valley man

notes for my future farm via bungalow classic

notes for my future farm via oak apples

notes for my future farm via midwest supply co. 

lilacs

via yeah okay

Yesterday, the lilacs in our neighborhood started blooming. Lilacs are my absolute favorite flower so this was an exciting event. My parents have several bushes along the side of our house and growing up my Mom would fill the house with huge vases of them. In Michigan, the lilacs bloom at the end of May so I always associate them with the start of summer but here in Missouri they are a sign of spring blooming right after the Japanese magnolia's have dropped. I love them for their smell (if you have never smelled lilacs you are really missing out because its about one of the most lovely scents on earth), their organic beauty and their rarity. Generally speaking, lilacs are in bloom for only 2 weeks and are very difficult to find for sale as cut stems. 

A few facts about lilacs according to the Farmer's Almanac ...
- They come in seven color variations (mostly shades of purple)
- They grow between 5 to 15 feet tall depending on variation
- They require full sun
- They attract butterflies 

Unfortunately, we don't have any lilacs in our yard so I am appreciating from afar sniffing at any bushes that are close to the sidewalks. And enjoying these photos of course. Have a great weekend everyone!

source unknown

via everything that sparkles

source unknown

nate berkus for target

While walking through Target a couple weeks ago, I detoured to take a spin by the Nate Berkus home accessory section (pretty much standard operating procedure on any trip). The line always pops off the shelf for me and I can usually spot his pieces from way down the aisle. I can't totally explain it but their is a freshness to all of his items that just make them stand apart from the hundreds of other vases, frames, pillows etc. I am not usually a fan of accessorizing a home from brand name stores (I think it can end up making a space feel generic) but I think the Nate Berkus' line has some really beautiful, well designed pieces (not to mention affordable) that work great in a lot of spaces. Here are a few of my favorites. 

1. Seagrass Flatweave Basket  2. Table Lamp  3. Patterned Ceramic Tray  4. Area Rug  5. Gold Mirrored Decorative Tray  6. Studded Cream Pillow  7. Zig Zag Beach Towel