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.

The Power Pant

The power pant. It's the base of the best looking work outfits and your go-to for client meetings. They demand attention and command respect. Bonus points if they give you 'legs for days.'

But the pants are just the start. It's what you do in the pants that matters most. It's how you use your powers that really counts.

To me, this blog has always been about more than just fashion. Yes, I love clothes. Yes, I'm unapologetically addicted to shopping. But I hope you've felt that it goes deeper than what I've wore and instead, given you a deeper look into who I am.

A big part of who I am involves giving back to the community. Whether it's shopping local, giving out ice cream sandwiches at the park with my church group, donating to my favorite causes or doing my part to be a responsible member of the environment...I think it's an absolutely crucial part of making our world a better place.

And if you decide to come to the Alice + Olivia in Georgetown tomorrow from 5-8, you can give back to the community as well! I'll be hosting the shopping event where 10% of proceeds will be going to the Tigerlily Foundation. Ever since my mom got breast cancer last year, I've grown a passion for organizations that help women affected by cancer. 

So if you want to give back to an incredible organization (and also get your fall shopping ON), come join me tomorrow night! Can't wait to see you there!

Alice + Olivia pants, blouse, clutch, and shoes. Makeup Meltdown X Claire Ashley lipstick in Siren c/o. 

Black and Green

On Julien: Leather jacket, Halogen. Green blouse, Phillip Lim for Target (similar.) Pants, Club Monaco (similar.) Pumps, Michael Kors. Cuff, Hanuel c/o. Earrings, She's Unique. 

Now that's it's finally leather jacket season (thank the LORD winter is over), I've been basically wearing this leather jacket everywhere. It's so buttery and soft, and the best part is, the sleeves have a bit of cotton around the arms for fat arm days (totes a thing.) I bought a sweet faux leather one you'll be seeing on the blog later this week, and it makes me really want to invest in a lighter-colored leather jacket too. 

I wore this outfit to work a couple weeks ago and can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am that our fire-drill cupcakes day and my loose-pants day coincided. Pure luck. Maybe I need to wear green more often. ;)

Photos by Meaghan