Bee Farm

Always looking for something new to do and somewhere new to explore when I have nothing planned, I found an event listing on Facebook for a garden walk tour in Trumbull County. Intrigued, I hopped in the car and headed out to FarmGirl's Honey in North Bloomfield. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived that it was actually someone's home.... I don't know what I had expected but I perhaps thought it would be more of a "farm". I was not disappointed though. The owner raises bees at the back of the property and creates her own honey which was for sale in the front shed turned into a gift shop. The rest of her property was a whimsically decorated scattering of small gardens, all planted with flowers to attract the bees. 

There were areas with ladders made into displays.... areas of useless objects planted into the ground such as the typewriter with succulents popping out of the keys... areas of an old sink as a planter... areas where broken plates created a garden edger even. While it may seem like old junk, it actually was giving these discarded items new life and purpose. Somehow it all just worked and each arbor passed into an area of new surprises. I highly recommend if you see this event posted again that you attend to see the whimsy. You will not be disappointed and the honey is delicious!

Office Revamp

Like everyone else these days, I find myself spending a lot more time in my home office. I use the smallest of my bedrooms as my home office and it was beginning to feel a little drab and uninspiring. Just as with other areas of my home, sometimes it is the smallest of changes that can actually make the biggest difference. I began simply by reorganizing my storage in my desk drawers.... not something you really see but definitely something that made a huge difference in the clutter that was on top of the desk. 

The largest impact I made though was on the small wall area between the entry door and closet door. The only thing that was hanging here before was a bulletin board, nothing very pleasing as my zoom meetings backdrop.... I did not take a before picture but honestly there was nothing to see. 

Some of the items I used, I already had but had not found a home for yet. The two hooks with dog phrases to the right were a gift I got last Christmas. The plaid framed dog photo was found at Hobby Lobby after last Christmas in their sale items. The small friendship quote box also had been a gift. Some items also were antiques I had tucked away as well such as the brass horns and the horse bits and harness pieces. 

A visit to Hobby Lobby for more pieces added in the shelves, the clock, the 3 hook plaque, and the table. I then also added in the personal touches with photos from the KY Derby as well as frame tickets. I definitely am happy with the outcome and have a much more personalized video call backdrop. 

Mario's International Spa Retreat

Much like for everyone else in the world right now, life has been completely turned upside down for more than a year now and it is time to attempt to get back to normal. During my quarantine I not only had concerns about COVID but also of being a caregiver. Grandma fell and broke her hip which led to surgery and a rehab stay as well. So, I do apologize for the lack of posts during this period but life was insane!

Once life started to calm back down to some semblance of normalcy, I could not wait to kick of my return to the world with a girls' trip weekend.... and where better to go than a spa retreat?!?! We decided to head to Mario's International Spa for some much-needed pampering and R&R with the Spa Retreat Package. I had never been here before but was certainly not disappointed in the decor and friendliness of the staff. Once I changed into my robe, I didn't look back for 2 days!

Excuse the no makeup look but when in Spa....

Even the waiting rooms were a tranquil retreat....

The grotto gave a feel of being in Ancient Greece or Rome and felt so luxurious....

At every turn, there were grand displays of columns and Romanesque statues.... I definitely would return here. Where do you retreat for a relaxing weekend? 

"And a Merry Christmas to All!"

 There are a few customs in NEO that the holiday season just could not be complete without...  and one of those is a visit to White House Fruit Farm at the holidays. Granted there are many others to visit this farmer's market as they have many events throughout the year, but there is nothing more magical than browsing the gift barn for the perfect gift, having a warm cider or cocoa in the crisp air, and visiting Santa on a wagon. 

What are some must visit areas where you live? What place is it that if you don't visit, it just won't feel like Christmas? Comment below and hit subscribe to get updates. 

The Leaves are Falling

 What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons than to bring those elements inside? 

I like to make little groupings just to add some fall looks into my living spaces. This crate area is inside my front door and I just added some fall leaves, flowers and pumpkins to the decor already there and changed the artwork on the wall.

The only new finds added this year here were the fall sign from Hobby Lobby and the wooden rosary beads from a local home boutique shop called Spruce. 

To the other side of the door, I simply sat up a Hot Toddy bar and added some small real pumpkins from the farmer's market. 

For my dining room table centerpiece this year, I also kept it simple filling a silver punch bowl with picks from Hobby Lobby and a white real pumpkin. I also added some beaded coasters on the lazy Susan that I received as a gift last year. 

On the fireplace I simply added some cotton picks to the florals already there and the leopard fall blocks (from Hobby Lobby a few years ago) along with some wooden blocks painted to be pumpkins from a local craft fair. 

I did the same on the buffet. Simply adding some leaves and picks as well as some decorative pumpkins that were already in my stash. I filled the chicken fruit bowl using picks and smaller white pumpkins into the greenery that was already there. 

On the couch, I simply changed out the throw and added a new pillow in center found this year at Hobby Lobby as well as the burlap pillow wraps also from Hobby Lobby. 

Small touches here and there can make a difference on their own and definitely make you feel the season. What touches have you added in your home to bring fall inside? Comment below and subscribe for future posts. 

When I Grow UP I Wanna Be Beth Dutton!

OK come on now be honest....who else has fallen in love with the new drama Yellowstone? Don't we all secretly want to have those "rish people problems", have Rip whisk us away, and be as baaaaad as Beth Dutton? I know I do... I secretly long to love on a thousands acre ranch my family as owned for generations.... that would be a good fight to wage to keep that heritage.

Well that may be a couple hundred years too late to be in my cards but I can still channel my inner Beth Dutton in one of her iconic looks, even if she did wear it better....

Dress similar here, cardigan similar here, boots Amazon

My Fall Stitch Fix

My absolute favorite time of year is fall! I love the colors of the mums and the leaves turning and the cooler evenings... one thing I do NOT love is that it means winter is next! I love an outfit of a cute sweater jeans and boots but cannot stand when a bulky coat needs put over that! I decided instead of dwelling on what's to come that I would instead enjoy what is currently here and play in the leaves with my new StitchFix (use link for a $25 credit) outfit! 

All clothing from StitchFix (use link for a $25 credit), Boots by Ariat Fatbaby Barn Boots