Farm Fresh: Mullica Hill Edition

One of my favorite things to do, when visiting our family in Jersey, is to check out the latest and greatest at the local farm stands and markets. Near my parent's house, there are numerous flower stands, nurseries, honor wagons, and farm markets where you can select from freshly picked fruits, veggies, potted plants and/or homemade jams, cider donuts, etc. What a delight! New Jersey goes by the "Garden State" for a reason ;) Here are a few of my favorites spots in Mullica Hill, NJ. xo RCN

 

Mood's Farm Market: located at 901 Bridgeton Pike Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

In Fall time, it's the perfect place to take the kids on a hayride for apple or pumpkin picking. There's a corn maze, too! This charming farm market has a stocked pantry of jams, pickles, ciders, etc. The interesting selection of gourds, including Apple Gourds, is one of my favorite offerings. Almost any day of the week, make sure to get there early to score some fresh apple cider donuts - delish! Bring those home, and then order the peach slushy for there.

 

Bast Brother's Garden Center: located at 1214 Ellis Mill Rd Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

This garden center may have only opened in Spring 2015, but this dreamy floral haven is already a favorite of mine. The family run business is on a precious plot of land with a hand built barn gift shop and separate succulent/cacti house - where the pumpkin painting station is located in Fall (only $2, the price of your pumpkin). And, worth mentioning, the Bast Brothers have the most beautiful pumpkin offering I have seen in all of South Jersey. The ornamental pepper plants are pretty rad, too. 

 

Rosie's Farm Market: located at 317 Swedesboro Rd Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

I go here for the fruits and vegetables, and I usually walk away with sunflowers, mums, and pumpkins, too. There's nothing better than buying farm fresh food from a hard working family run farm. Rosie's has been around since the 70's officially, but Rosie herself has been selling under an umbrella, roadside, since the 60's. If I am ever unsure of what veggies will be available when I pull up to the red barn, surrounded by colorfully painted signs by the grandchildren, I can always check the availability chart online before I hop in the car. Thanks Rosie!

Always Visit Terrain

 

Every time I am in the South Jersey area visiting family, I make a point to stop at Terrain. Located only about thirty minutes from my parent's home in NJ, across the bridge, in Pennsylvania, lives my favorite store experience. Founded in 2008 as a garden nursery in Glen Mills, PA, Terrain has now grown to be a lifestyle joy, inclusive of home goods, fashion accessories, and more. From the cutest floral gardening boots to the warmest wool socks and greatest cookbook, everything is merchandised throughout a greenhouse style space surrounded by flowers and plants of the season. I fell in love with Terrain the moment I stepped foot, back in 2011. So much so, that I had a few custom made terrariums designed for table decor at my wedding. Zach and I, and our parents, still house the terrariums in each of our homes, today. 

I continued my tradition to visit Terrain while I was home this Thanksgiving. Zach and I met up with a friend for lunch at the Styer's Garden Cafe. The farm to table restaurant on site is yet another reason why Terrain is an entire lifestyle experience. The food and coffee tastes as delicious as the plants and decor look. After galavanting around the winter wonderland, I sat at the cafe with Danny and Zach sipping on a warm apple pie latte and catching up on everything Z and I have missed in Jersey over the last few months. 

This November and December the tree farm and outside nurseries, dawn beautiful handcrafted evergreen wreaths and magnolia leaf garlands. The warm and magical atmosphere screams holiday cheer and captures you in a world you will always want to take home with you, including the adorable wooden sleigh (perfect for holiday family pics!). If you live, frequent, or stumble through the Glen Mills, PA area or Westport, CT. make an effort to visit. I promise you will not regret it. And, if you are lucky enough to be near the newly opened Anthro & Co. in Walnut Creek, CA. or Palo Alto, CA., also enjoy exploring Terrain there. xo RCN

Isaac Farms Nursery Is A Dream

 

One of my latest discoveries in the Miami area is the wonderful dream world Isaac Farms Nursery in Homestead, FL.  I am well aware that the state of Florida is known for farming and agriculture, but my first visit to Homestead and Isaac's was my first venture into farmland that does not mainly consist of tomatoes or cranberries; what Jersey is well known for.  My search to find a Florida placeholder for one of my favorite places to shop, Terrain (now part of the new Anthro & Co.) deemed sufficient.  Very sufficient!

Cacti and succulents are some of my favorite things in the world.   I couldn't be happier to have found this glory of acreage that holds thousands of succulents, pottery, desert roses, air orchids, the list goes on.  Let's just say I had to apologize to Zach for the two hour roaming and gawking I did here last Sunday.  Not only did Zach join on my venture, but if it were not for Z, I would not have been able to carry the super tall cactus up to our apartment upon our arrival home. 

It is almost embarrassing to admit that in my first two visits my take aways included cacti and succulents for a large table centerpiece on the balcony, a few overbearingly sized pots, my first almost seven foot cactus, and multiple straggler pieces for my continued collection.  I will be smiling all week.  Click here to link over to my cacti centerpiece DIY!  xo RCN