Sunshine Lavender Farm

I recently had the pleasure to attend an event at the Sunshine Lavender Farm in Orange County, North Carolina. The sights were uplifting and the smells were beyond wonderful. My friends and I learned about planting lavender, created lavender wands and cooled off with delicious lavender ice cream and lavender lemonade (see recipe below!).

Lavender has many natural health benefits like easing headaches, aiding in sleep and providing overall stress relief. With all these uses you may want to invest in a small lavender farm (or plant) of your own. Sunshine Lavender Farm's website contains planting information like using oyster shells to prevent weeds, reflect the sun and make a beautiful accent to your garden. They also feature great recipes and an online shop.

Lavender Lemonade Recipe:

Fill a tea ball with loose lavender florets, fresh or dried. Place tea ball in a quart pot of water to boil. Turn off heat and let steep 20 minutes. Use the "lavender tea" instead of water as you make your favorite lemonade recipe, either homemade or from a mix.

If you have any lavender tips or recipes please feel free to share in the comments. Here's to a lavender infused week ahead...

Link - Sunshine Lavender Farm

Lisa Sherry Interieurs

A post from Coco+Kelley led me to Lisa Sherry Interieurs, a North Carolina based interior design studio creating new visions for residential and commercial interiors. The owner, Lisa Sherry, spent years in the fashion photography industry as a set designer and photo stylist. Lisa's style has been aptly named Casual Luxe because of her beautiful interiors and unexpected touches.

Be inspired and try these key features in your home like:

1. A collage wall of collections. Add sculptural elements like classic candle holders or antlers to give the wall more dimension and interest.

2. Create calmness with a simple, neutral palette and edited accessories. Add your wow factor with antique and new objects, organic textures and a touch of glamour (hello pink satin headboard!).

3. Go dramatic in the bathroom with a fun and creative mural. Using monochromatic colors (example above - gray, cream, black and silver) will make the mural pop and keep it sophisticated.

I'm feeling very inspired by Lisa Sherry's work and I hope you do too...what will you try first?

Link - Lisa Sherry Interieurs

Spleth Cups

Artist Tom Spleth creates an array of unique cups made of porcelain and beautiful animal drawings. Each month he adds an animal to the list in order to complete an alphabet of animals sometime in the future. You can also personalize a cup by selecting one of ten different cup bottoms including a triangle, hexagon or fluted pentagon. Spleth's cups are non-toxic, dishwasher-microwave safe and provide happiness and intimacy to the daily act of drinking. I can't say enough about these charming cups...oh did I mention they are made in North Carolina?!

I'm partial to the alligator, but which animal would you start your collection with?

Link - Tom Spleth

Cluster Balloon Launch + Diana Camera

The cluster balloon launch with North Carolina pilot Jonathan Trappe was a perfect setting for the Diana Mini camera. The colors and shadowy vignettes in the photographs truly capture the inspiring and magical moment. To find out more about the cluster balloon launch click here.

Speaking of Diana cameras...I recently did an interview with Rose Eckford on R's Adventures discussing the joys of the Diana camera (along with some great tips!). If you're interested, please check out the interview and play along with Rose's Diana Camera Scavenger Hunt for the month of April!

Links - Cluster Balloon Launch & R's Adventures

Cluster Balloon Launch

On Saturday I had the pleasure to watch North Carolina pilot Jonathan Trappe fly to the sky in his specialized cluster-balloon chair consisting of 40 giant helium-filled balloons. The scene was amazing as colorful, over-sized balloons were filled and preparations were made for take off. Trappe silently floated away from Sanford Regional Airport mid-afternoon and landed safely Sunday morning after traveling 70 miles and reaching a high altitude of 7,000 feet. Luckily Trappe knows his way around cluster balloons after several flights including a promotional tour for the Pixar movie Up. He also has plans for a cluster-balloon crossing of the English Channel in May or June.

Isn't it magical?!

**UPDATE** Jonathan Trappe e-mailed me and said The Spirit Cluster actually "went up to about 7,500 feet on the flight, and covered a track-over-the-ground of 109 miles." He also went on to say, "It was my first flight to cross from day into night, and then survive the night and return into the daylight again. The dawn was so welcome; it had dipped into the 30's aloft, and the return of the warmth was very welcome." Such an amazing feat!

Link - Cluster Balloon

FUNKIJUNK

While browsing through the Raleigh, NC Fairground Fleamarket over the weekend I happened upon one of the most exciting vendors called FUNKIJUNK. I also had to the pleasure to meet Mike and Christianne Moyers, the adorable and sweet couple behind FUNKIJUNK. Throughout the year they sell their amazing selection of vintage finds at various antique shows and online through Etsy and Ebay. When they aren't set-up at shows you can find them in a little condo inside an 1840's cotton mill in Concord, North Carolina. How cute, right?

I love their selection of goods like colorful books, a teal pie holder, a retro clock, old coin purses and an assortment of vintage jewelry. They also had a variety of old lithographs that I can't get enough of. Cow lithograph - yes! Gemstone lithograph - even better! Mineral lithograph - already bought it (sitting pretty on my bedside table)! If you are interested in any of these items or to find out more please visit them online.

Link - FUNKIJUNK on Ebay, Etsy and Derby House

Vintage Kitchen Accessories

We saw lots of vintage goodness at The Depot at Gibson Mill yesterday, but we can't forget about all the kitchen accessories. Discover tons of color with vintage thermoses, dishes, car hop trays, pepper shakers and a cake pie carrier. My favorite ideas included a vintage toothpick holder and a wine rack filled with old rolling pins. The toothpick holder would be an adorable detail for a kitchen wall or table. And what to do with empty wine racks (besides don't tell where the wine went)? Fill them with vintage rolling pins! Love, love, love.

Link - The Depot at Gibson Mill

The Depot at Gibson Mill

This weekend I had the pleasure to visit The Depot at Gibson Mill in Concord, NC. Originally a textile mill, the space was recently converted into an amazing 88,000 square foot indoor antique mall. Above is a glimpse into this vintage playground filled with shabby chic accessories, vintage clocks, adorable vanity tables, post office shelving, small and big chalkboards, funky lawn furniture and a neat book stand. These are just a few of my favorite items...stay turned for a peek into their selection of vintage kitchen accessories. And if you're in the area I highly recommend you plan a visit!

Link - The Depot at Gibson Mill