Farm Life : My Visit To The Farm At Rabon Creek in Simpsonville, SC

Whoa, I know. Three blog posts in a month. This is huge. I'll give you a moment.

So, today is cloudy. I thought it would be nice to think back to a beautiful day a couple weeks ago when me and Pappy went to meet Lisa of The Farm at Rabon Creek in Simpsonville, SC.

Such a beautiful location, tucked away right off Fairview Road. We were driving down the road and then boom, picturesque farm country and a feast for the eyes.

First thing I saw, was true love. Lot's of rustic junk, collected right here on the property from centuries gone by.

Then we step into wide open spaces and a rustic setting for great events!

And of course, animals!

So by now you're wondering, how can I get some farm time? I know! Who doesn't want to get out in this beautiful, peaceful setting? 

Lucky for you, The Farm at Rabon Creek hosts all kinds of great events. They have partnered with Tupelo Honey and Mill Village Farms to host The Tupelo Honey Farm Dinner. Eat great, fresh, local food and support a great cause!

They also host Farm Fresh Fair every year, hosting local, handmade, upcycled, and vintage treasures and farm fresh produce along with entertainment and food trucks for a wonderful day on the farm. Benefiting a great cause, you're not going to want to miss it!

If that's not enough, book them for your own event! You could not find a better setting for your next party or wedding. Great covered areas, lots of green space, easy to get to, and it has a fantastic fire pit. What more do you need? Keep up with them on their Facebook page!

So, I'm sure you can see why my mind is on such a place on a day like today. A place where the sun shines, time stands still, and good things are being done for the community. Amazing place. You're going to want to visit!

As always, follow Maliasmark on Instagram to get pics, tips, and sneak peeks immediately. That way you don't have to wait until I finally blog. ;)

Whoa...Greenville, It's Festival Season! : A Guide To Movin and Shakin The First Weekend in May

Greenville isn't just "up and coming". Greenville has arrived. One thing you can't call it is boring! The problem is not having something to do, it's deciding which something to do. 

It keeps teasing us but Spring is upon us. We have decided. Never mind that frost warning later this week. Sheer will power is going to keep things in the 70s. And if that doesn't work, there's May. May is kicking off with a festival and event bang! A veritable buffet of local, handmade, farm grown, arts, crafts, live music, and produce. Let's be honest, after a winter of locking yourself away in your PJs with your hot chocolate and cookies watching a Honey Boo Boo marathon and the Weather Channel (during commercials of course), it's time for some culture. There are so many things going on, I'm going to help you out so you don't miss a thing in this first welcome weekend to Spring.

First Weekend in May :

Savvy Restyle Market

May 2nd & 3rd, 10 am - 6pm  

325 S Buncombe Rd in Greer

Savvy ReStyle Market Facebook Page

First Friday Taylors Mill

May 2nd, 6pm - 9pm

200 Mill Street in Taylors

First Friday Taylors Mill Facebook

First Friday Greenville

May 2nd, 6pm - 9pm

Various artist studios

First Friday Greenville Website

TD Saturday Market

May 3rd, 8:30am - 12:30am

Main Street in Downtown Greenville

TD Saturday Market Website

Strawberry Festival 

May 3rd, 10am - 4pm

HWY 276 in Slater, SC

Strawberry Festival Info

Sunday Art Market

May 4th, 1pm - 5pm

200 East St John Street in Spartanburg, SC

Chapman Cultural Arts Center Website

Ok, so here's the plan for this weekend. Are you ready? Here we go. 

Friday : Come see us at the Savvy Restyle Market on your lunch break or after work Friday. Read this blog about our very first one by Annapolis & Co. Then head a couple miles down Wade Hampton for First Friday at Taylors Mill. Make sure you stop by Bryan Hiott's Studio. The camera will be set up and you know you want yourself immortalized on glass. Seriously? Who else can say that? Then head downtown and hit some artist studios for First Friday in Greenville. Hydrate, eat, go to bed early. 

Saturday : Get up and be at TD Saturday Market at 8:30am. You don't need breakfast, they have it all; coffee, pastries, produce, pasta. You don't even need to take a shower. You can buy some soap and put it in your pocket. If you didn't see ME at Savvy Restyle Market, you better get out there next. I want to see ya! We will have vintage decor, re purposed and upcycled decor and furniture, and vintage supplies for you to work your magic on. Then head out to the Strawberry Festival in Slater for some strawberries, food, music, arts and crafts, and shaggin. Go home, hydrate, eat, sleep. 

Sunday : Get up, go to church or sleep off your hangover, head out to Sparkle City for the Sunday Art Market where you may see the likes of the fabulous McRose Designs for some art that you can wear!

It sounds exhausting but it's going to be refreshing, I swear. After the winter we've had of fake outs, being "snowed in", crazy 80s weather followed by plant killing frosts...you need this. So get out and celebrate, do it all, leave no stone unturned! Enjoy everything Greenville has to offer and it's a lot.

Keep up with Greenville Events all year round at VisitGreenvilleSC.com and be sure to tag your posts #yeahthatgreenville to showcase the amazing events we have to offer!

Rust and Ruin...Refueled : A Visit To Taylors Mill

When you're trying to put out creativity all day every day, you need a little recharge. Luckily, I had the honor of visiting two very different locations this week that were both refreshing and inspiring!

The first one was Taylors Mill, in Taylors, SC. Greenville is becoming quite an artistic place. Tons of artist communities popping up here and there. If you haven't heard about the latest space in Taylors Mill, you're missing out. Find out more at the Taylors Mill website. The location is simply inspiring, especially if you like industrial space with wood, metal, and rust, like me. Luckily, my guide, Jeff of Memento Antique and Estate Liquidators, does so we hit the good stuff.

Raw, wide open spaces, room to breath, hallways and nooks that beckon, so wonderful.

Naturally, in such an amazing space, there are amazing artists. I got to meet Joseph Everson of Joe's Studio and see his work. Beautiful paintings ranging from classic black and white architectural, to unique portraits bursting with color, and tons of cool guy pieces featuring movie and comic book characters. Just a heads up, he did a Darryl Dixon painting that is signed by Norman Reedus. If you're a Walking Dead fan, you're gonna want to get that. Check out Joe's work at www.joeeverson.com!

Large spaces lend room for large installation pieces. These sculptures were awe inspiring in size and subject matter. 

Here are a couple of my favorites.

First this piece by Allison Anne Brown. Find more about her at http://www.allisonannebrown.com/.

And this piece by Carey Morton. Find his work at www.careymorton.com.

All this creativity needs some liquid fuel and Due South Coffee Roasters have answered the call! Amazing space, friendly staff, and lots of space to sit and conspire. Check out their Facebook page as they work on their website. Enjoy coffee there or grab some fresh roasted beans to go!

I'm sure you can see why my brain was in full on manic mode and almost exploded later that evening and it wasn't just the coffee. Such a cool place with so many amazing things to see! If you are in the Upstate, be sure to keep up with the goings on at Taylors Mill and definitely hit them up on First Friday's.

Just a warning, that feeling you may get is not a heart attack. It's just your creativity being thrown into overdrive.