Salted and Styled (Chia Chong and Libbie Summers)

Bee Calm and Carry On

If you drive far enough away from civilization you come upon something that feels more authentically like life. It’s not a life with which I’m familiar, and yet the wide-open space, the simplicity of sprawling fields cut into perfect right angles, feels just right.

We descend upon the Lee Family Farm in Bulloch County at sunrise, the sleep still in the corners of our citified eyes as the bright sun cuts across the horizon. It’s eerie and beautiful—in the distance, a few workers dot the fields in meditative labor, looking like solitary statues emerging from a thick blanket of silencing fog.

A Blush Pink and Strawberry Red Love Affair

Growing up, I was surrounded by strawberries, lots of em! They were everywhere, literally, due to my mother quite innocently mentioning how much she liked them. Her simple preference turned out to be the birthplace of an accidental “collection.” EVERYone for seemingly EVERY occasion began to shower strawberry motif gifts on my mother for EVERY single gift giving occasion. It created something of an unexpected, ecclectic strawberry vineyard in our very own home. I, too, was guilty of seeking out and securing every strawberry knick nack imaginable to honor her with, just waiting with anticipation for the next opportune moment to surprise her with another strawberry delight!

Inspired by Mandarin Oranges

This week our inspiration is a Mandarin orange. A slight spray of juice, a peel’s texture, a vibrant color (Libbie’s favorite), a stringy pith and a sweet woman from The Congo who holds them ever so gently against her skin. Welcome into our home for a week of orange clad citrus inspired living and take a peek under the rug.