Heather Bullard

Farmers Market Morning

Do you frequent your local farmers market? In our city, population approximately 275,000 we have only one very small market on Friday mornings in the Sears parking lot. Glamorous, I know. But I have been trying to get in the habit of buying my produce on Fridays and supporting our local growers. Would you like to come along and see the market through my eyes (lens)?

Did you notice what I noticed? The earth, the soil, the pristine freshness of the vegetables? When I loaded these images on my computer they moved me even more than seeing them in person. Real food. From real farmers. Who planted, grew and harvested them by themselves. Not a single supermarket can replicate this no matter how hard they try. My produce came from a few miles away not an ocean and a continent away.

This is what I brought home and if you click on the photo to enlarge it you can see what I made or am planning on making with my bounty.

If you'd like to find a market in your area I suggest visiting Local Harvest, FarmersMarket or The Huffington Posts list of the Top Ten Farmers Markets. Maybe you can pile the kids in the car next weekend and show them where vegetables come from. Who knows...they may even want to eat them!

Vitamin C

 

While I was at the gym getting healthy I got sick. Ironic isn't it? I came down with an aggravating chest cold that won't go away even with days of rest and Vitamin C. I tried to be careful, even using the pumps of Purell they have mounted to the walls. And I tried not to touch anything. But when an old asian man sneezed water all over my treadmill panel I knew that's where I caught this nasty bug. Don't worry...I still like old people and asian men. Just not that one. Hope to be back to my normal self soon. All this rest has given me lots of ideas. That's the best part I suppose. Gotta keep looking on the bright side of life!

View From My Window

Nourishment for the earth. I can't wait to see how green everything becomes! 

I'm heading out of town to visit with my friend Nancy Soriano. Looking forward to coffee, chatting and shopping. Hopefully the sun will poke it's way through the clouds and smile upon southern California once again. Have a fantastic weekend everyone. Stay warm!

Oh, I almost forgot....I took a picture of the back of the bird plates for you. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the makers stamp. Maybe you can find some too!

Favorite Find of the Week

I have a small confession to make....I've been shopping...a LOT. In my defense I shop for many reasons would you care for me to list them? 1. For myself, family & home. 2. For the online site. 3. For events & shows. 4 For clients. 5 For photoshoots. So really, when you look at it this way it doesn't sound so bad right?

This week my absolute FAVORITE find was this set of 6 bird transferware dinner plates from France. I have a few friends who import containers full of French goods and these were destined for my house.

Two of them are in nearly perfect condition and the other four are somewhat tattered. Which of course I don't mind a bit. I'm completely mad for the muted teal color of the birds and insects. Usually I buy only white ironstone but these were worth it!

Here's a closeup of their shabby deliciousness. I'm planning on using them for an upcoming photoshoot which is inspired by all things aviary. Hmmmm, does that make them tax deductible? Must consult my accountant. But for now I'm going to enjoy just looking at them. I think I'll even set them on my desk for a while. I'm smitten.

PS. I've added a shot of the back of the plates with the makers information. And I know doing this will probably make it harder for me to find any more of these. Good luck in your scouting! I'm sure there's plenty for everyone. ; )

 

Grateful for Beauty

 

In the wake of the utter devastation in Haiti last week, I found myself silent. I didn't want to get on the computer, check emails, read blogs, edit photos...silent. It all seemed so frivolous to me, especially blogging about a fantastic vacation. And for some reason I also couldn't stop thinking about the Hurricane Katrina tragedy in Louisiana and how many families are still without homes four years later. In our own country. It's heartbreaking to say the least.

When I finally did feel up to checking my overflowing inbox I was surprised by how many emails I received from readers telling me how they enjoy seeing beauty on my blog. Beautiful green gardens, lush scenery, vibrant blue skies and I realized that it can be comforting in times of woe. Readers from Norway, Australia, Singapore even Nigeria and Afghanistan who took the time to send me a note. Wow. Humbling.

  

The spirit of human kindness abounds even among global tragedy. Perhaps we are all looking for a bit of comfort and beauty to soothe our aches. And if it can be something as simple as a photograph from a vacation, a shot of an afternoon spent with friends, a picture of a birthday cake then it should be embraced.

And this week as support and donations are being sent to our favorite charities to help those affected, my heart is filled with gratitude for all that I've been given. And today I choose to be thankful for even the smallest glimpse of beauty.

If you would like more information regarding the Haitian people please follow my friend Rebecca Sower's blog. She just returned from a mission trip there and has started a new blog celebrating the women who make beautiful handcrafted items. It's called Haiti By Hand.

Santa Barbara Weekend

The Man and I decided to sneak away to Santa Barbara for a weekend getaway together. As you can see I've embraced my 2010 Word whole heartedly. One of our favorite stops along the Pacific Coast Hwy is a darling little town called Summerland. It's very small and I believe has only one main street which is dotted with several antique stores, cafes and coffee shops. An absolute must see is Botanik. You can see what I mean from the following photos I took...

It seems slightly unfair that southern California has been getting the cream of the crop weather wise. But I hope for those of you who are still under inches of snow and rain that these vibrant fresh green images will turn your thoughts towards your spring planting plans and inspire some new garden designs of your own!

Next post...more gorgeous weather photos from our weekend away. Just thought I should let you know now. ; )

Editorial Contributions & Magazine Sneak Peek

Working in the magazine business can make my life seem that I live in a strange time warp bubble. This is mainly because I've been working on summer articles during Christmas and shooting spring tablescapes when it's not really spring at all. I always feel as though I'm way ahead or way behind. Can't figure out which.

Some of my recent work has been featured in the Create It column of Where Women Create and another holiday project in the Somerset Holidays & Celebrations. My little blog was mentioned in the Valentine's issue of Romantic Homes, which was very sweet of them. : )

And right around the corner is the big one for me...the premiere issue of Flea Market Style which was a complete blast to work on. Here's a little sneak peek at one of my stories for the magazine.

My dear friend and colleague Ki gave our readers of the FMS Magazine blog a few more sneak peeks here. It'll be hitting newsstands in a matter of weeks. I think I may need to throw a little West Coast party to celebrate. Any suggestions? I should probably get to work on this....

January Clearance Sale

Who doesn't love a SALE in January? We're clearing out our inventory of Cavallini & Co to make way for fresh new inventory. We've carried their products since the beginning and feel it's time to bring in some new lines and provide you the opportunity to save on their incredible goods.

Discounts up to 40% Off! Click Here to shop the SALE!

2010 Word of Action: Celebrate!

Today marks a new year and along with that a brand new decade. Can't you feel the opportunity ripe for the picking? I know many of you have shared your goals and aspirations for the coming twelve months and I'm so excited for you. This will be your year. Are you ready?

Each year I choose a word to carry me along throughout the days and months ahead. In the past they have been perserverance, opportunity, progress, etc. All wonderful words in themselves and appropriate for the time I choose them but this year I feel different. I don't want a pile of lofty goals that resemble work, work, work. So this year I chose something completely different...

Celebrate! This year I want to:

Celebrate My Marriage...and how blessed I am to have an amazing husband whose daily love fills my heart. My journey would be incomplete without him. This year we will celebrate together!

Celebrate My Family...and the fact that we enjoy one another's company. This year I will celebrate more with them, including the little things like picnics and squirt gun fights and trips to the frozen yogurt shop.

Celebrate My Health...by hiking my favorite canyons, taking neighborhood walks, and the occasional bike ride. I will be planting more vegetables and herbs and spending quite a few mornings at the farmers market celebrating the fact that I have been given a gift of good health and must nurture it. 

Celebrate My Home...by appreciating what I have and making the most of it. I will celebrate this by picking fresh bouquets, making comfy beds, using the good china, inviting friends for dinner and being grateful for our wonderful little nest.

Celebrate You...this year I hope to meet many more of you in person, in real life. Hopefully this will come by way of events and shows whether they be mine or yours, or through my travel schedule throughout 2010. Blogging friendships, aren't they the best? Let's celebrate together!

So Hello 2010, nice to meet you. I've been waiting for you. I'm ready to turn over a new leaf and start celebrating my everyday life.