Tips to Conquer the Farmer’s Market

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There are very few things I love more than the farmer’s market. There’s this magical mix of supporting local businesses, eating the tastiest foods and finding the prettiest flowers that when mixed together, creates the most beautiful medley of feelings.

While shopping at the farmer’s market is one of the loveliest experiences known to man…I’ll admit, going in without a game plan can be a bad idea. It’s overwhelming - sometimes in the best way possible…other times not so much. Like that one time I bought like 20 tomatoes, 6 different cheeses, multiple gallons of syrup and 10 plants at once. My hubby was not happy when I got home.

Here are  a few tips to keep in mind next time you attend a farmer’s market:

Do a lap BEFORE buying anything
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but I know it’s SO much easier said than done, friends. It’s like, the first stand I see I start to hyperventilate with excitement. Before grabbing all the things, walk around the market once, or even twice, before deciding on what you want.

Decide on a budget
Phew, this is a hard one. If I had unlimited supplies of money, I’d probably just buy the farmer’s market all for myself. Then find a way to make all the food and have everyone I know over for the fanciest, yummiest dinner ever. But alas, such is not the case. I try to go into the market with a set amount in cash (for me, it’s usually about $40) so I don’t overspend.

Get inspired with recipes
Sometimes it’s best to hit the farmer’s market when you have a particular recipe in mind. Let’s say you have your heart set on some bruschetta later. You’ll be on the hunt for mozzarella, the ripest heirloom tomatoes and maybe a basil plant. It makes the process a whole lot less overwhelming rather than if you go with a “need some cheese and bread” mindset.

Ask questions
Friends, there is nothing worse than buying the freshest loaf of French bread for a weekend dinner party or picnic then finding out you really need to eat it that same day. I’m always the crazy person asking all the questions (so, like, I can’t actually eat the blackberries during the first year?!) but it’s saved me a lot of heartbreak. It can save you too.

Share on social!
Small businesses thrive on word-of-mouth. If you find something you love, snap an aesthetically pleasing pic, slap a VSCO filter on it and tag them on social media! This is how I actually became friends with the super babes who run Greenheart Organic!

That’s it from me - do you have any fun tips on how you conquer the Farmer’s Market? Share them below!

Wearing Marissa Webb dress and Loeffler Randall backpack from Rent the Runway, Sunnies via Ditto (get a free month with code ITSJULIEN.) Sophie Blake bracelet.

Weekend Snaps - Memorial Day Weekend

There’s nothing, and I do mean nothing, like a 3-day weekend. (Well, except maybe a 7 day weekend! HA!)

On Friday, I flew down to Orlando to visit some of our best friends who moved there last year. It’s funny - we’ve visited them twice in the last 6 months but didn’t manage to visit once during the 4 years they lived in Nebraska lololol!

Airport style // wearing Lucky Brand jeans and ADIDAS sneakers

After a three hour delay (not getting me into Orlando until about 9 PM), I was more than ready for a few drinks. We headed downtown to Artisans Table for dinner then over to Tap and Grind (also best name ever) for some beers and people watching. LET ME TELL YOU - the people watching on Friday night in Orlando is like no other, friends.

Saturday we quickly got ready and headed to Daytona beach. I’ve been waiting to wear my new favorite Triangl bikini since it arrived in March and the bright color seemed like the perfect fit for the Daytona atmosphere.

I don’t always go into the ocean, but the temperature was too good to miss out on. So we played monkey in the middle (as a an upper twenty-something does) in the water until our arms got sore. Then we  ate all the guacamole and chips and soaked up every last bit of sun. But not before the tastiest ice cream from a local shop. 

I joked on Instagram that before a trip, I’m all green smoothies, brown rice and cooked veggies. But once I’m on vacation, all my willpower disappears and I end up eating everything in sight. Except I wasn’t joking and I actually did eat ALL THE THINGS.

Genuine Glow collection, exclusively at Blue Mercury // Ditto sunglasses (use code ITSJULIEN for a free month!) // Angela Roi bag

Before going out that evening, I tried out the new Estee Lauder “Genuine Glow” collection that just launched at Blue Mercury. YOU GUYS - these pieces just took me summer makeup routine to a new level. My favorite of them all is a blush and lip creme in “Peachy Keen” which you’ll be seeing my wearing non-stop until Fall arrives.

Sunday we went to Waikiva Island, the most fun little “island” that had corn hole, kayaking and live music. We rented a few canoes (and even spotted an alligator in the water!) and raced down the stream to a natural spring…luckily, it was netted off to keep all the crocs away. We swam and relaxed there (with about a trillion other people) until we got hungry and canoed back. 

Wearing Cocosand Swimwear bikini

We took it easy that evening and started planning our trip to Yosemite coming up at the end of this month! I can’t wait to share all the fun things we have planned for it!

Wearing Cuyana slip dress and saddle bag

Monday we enjoyed a pool day and we made a new puppy friend. We went out to a nicer lunch so I got to wear my new Cuyana slip dress! It’s absolutely stunning. You’ll definitely be seeing more of it around these parts.

Tell me - how was your MDW?!

Week in Review - Vol. 5

I hope you all have had an amazing week! With the long weekend ahead, it’s coming at a much-needed time. Ya feel?

The week started off on a yummy note with a trip to Ceremony Coffee Roasters in Baltimore. I’ve drank their coffee before, but going to their shop was the greatest experience. They had avocado toast. Need I say more?

With our trip to Orlando coming up this weekend, I’ve been trying to eat extra healthy and get back into my workout routine. I’ve been drinking this yummy smoothie recipe every other night for dinner and I’m feeling more energetic already! 

Tuesday I shared all about my obsession with the sunglass rental company, Ditto. (Read more about it here!) If you want to try it out, you can use this code for a free month: ITSJULIEN

I also shared one of my favorite and easy breakfast recipes on Snapchat (username: @juliengarman!) These overnight oats are a staple in our house - perfect for the busy girl wanting a yummy breakfast that’s quick and easy (I use blackberries instead!)

Photo by Lauren Louise

If you’re tired of trying to keep up with the Joneses, then you’ll definitely want to check out my post from yesterday where I’m sharing all about my desire to live simpler.

I tried out a new yoga instructor the other night (I’m SUPER resistant to change, friends) and had the most wonderful time. My old instructor had moved and I was nervous about trying someone new. But you never know what you’re missing until you TRY NEW THINGS! 

Photo by Carl Maynard

One of my favorite parts of blogging is meeting people. I met up with two photographers this week, Carl Maynard and Leah Beilhart. I ran around Capitol Hill earlier in the week with Carl, finding a ton of inspiration among the colorful walls and vibrant streetscape. I finished off the week hanging with Leah at the cutest coffee shop and she helped me overcome my fear of looking into the camera. Can’t wait to show you the photos!

This weekend I’m heading to Orlando for a some R&R with some of our best friends! The beach will definitely be on our itinerary. This Cuyana weekender bag is sold out, but they just came out with an updated version and I'm in love. ALSO this beauty arrived in the mail yesterday and I never want to take it off.

Speaking of Cuyana, they are extending their pop-up in DC until July 31! I'm so excited I could cry. Lately, I've been drawn to more in-store shopping experiences (I hate the process of returning something) and this is one you won't want to miss.

Don’t forget to check out the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale! Now that winter is over and summer is here (we completely skipped spring) I know I’ll be needing a few wardrobe adjustments! 

Simpler

I’m always running. Whether it’s running to catch the bus or running out of time to complete a project, it’s seems we’re always in this constant state of GO.

Society always tells us that faster is better…and the quicker you get to your destination, the better. That more is always more. So we spend our lives rushing around, trying to be everything to everyone…never truly finding rest.

I read an article this week, In Search of a Simpler Life (through a quote spotted on Be Bangles Instagram!) I was so inspired by what the author talked about. The more she focused on the things that really mattered to her, the more she realized she had little room for everything else. She started saying no to things that didn’t align with her life goals or even things that took her away from what mattered. I’m terrible at saying no.

In this area, the capital of our country, it’s so easy to loose sight of what matters. It’s so easy to never want to miss an opportunity that we wear ourselves into the ground trying to do it all. It’s so easy to want it all…

I want to take this moment to challenge you today - what really matters to you? Are there things that are draining your energy? What are things that give you energy?

One thing that’s helped me slow down lately? Making time to meet with familiar faces and new friends. Last week, I met Lauren (who shot these incredible photos!) over coffee and I left feeling more inspired than ever. Hearing her talk about her goals and ambitions got me so pumped up for my own dreams. Still, we both found this common theme of finding balance. How do we make time for all the things we love within the limited time we’re given? 

I’ll explore these thoughts more and more over the coming months. I want to be intentional (my theme for this year) about talking about these things…what really matters to me…what really matters to you. 

Are you finding this constant struggle to live with less like I am? I’d love to hear if you are in the comments below.

Wearing Intermix top (similar), Free People flared denim (similar), Sophie Blake bracelet, Cuyana bag, Lack of Colour hat (in pink and grey), Haven Ave loafers from iStyleup c/o, Kylie Lip Kit in Candy K, Ray-bans via Potomac Mills c/o

On Sunglasses...

A couple weeks ago, I answered some blog questions from a middle schooler (here in case you missed it!) One thing he asked (and a question a get quite a bit) is how I afford the clothing I have. After all, I am still (relatively) young, living in the DC area, no trust fund money over here, friends.  

While I’m currently putting together a more intensive ‘budgeting’ post, I wanted to share with you another way I save money…renting. 

About 6 months ago, I started to see a common theme in my posts…I was always wearing the same pair of sunglasses. EVERY. SINGLE. POST. You know why? Because I only owned two pair of sunglasses to my name. I broke the rest. Honesty.

But lately, I’ve learned that these pink Kate Spade sunnies (that I snagged on sale at the outlet for $30) don’t go with everything. Thus started my search - for the perfect collection of sunglasses.

Shopping for sunnies was, and still is, so new to me. Do you buy the nicer pairs? Or do you focus on the style and opt for more affordable ones? I’m still figuring it all out! It can be overwhelming.

But after recently discovering DITTO, I realize I can actually have the best of both worlds. I can try out really nice sunglasses, wear them as often or as little as I want, then return when I’m ready to try a new style. 

I had spotted this particular pair on the streets of Arlington - this super stylish girl with a Chanel backpack was crossing the street and I thought, ‘what odd sunglasses…I must have them…” And so I contemplated purchasing them time after time…so when I spotted them on Ditto, I couldn’t order them fast enough. Turns out, they were a little big on my face, so after wearing them a few times (and being in denial about them not fitting me well), I returned them. I’m SO glad I tried them out before buying them!

If you want to give DITTO a try, they’re offering my readers their first month of rentals free with code: ITSJULIEN. 

Wearing Prada sunglasses via Ditto (try your first month free with code: ITSJULIEN), Denada shawl, Everlane tee, South Moon Under skirt, Chinese Laundry boots via South Moon Under, Sophie Blake necklace and ring, Loeffler Randall bag.

Photos by Alicia