Today we're excited to kick off a new feature that we've affectionately named "Great Dates." Each round we will share two places or activities that make fun pairings for a date, like dinner and a movie!
This past year we noticed that our favorite date activities changed so much depending on the season, and we started to think it would be fun to document them. We also started to get curious about what other people do for their dates. "Are we missing out?" It's fun to get inspired by others, so sometimes we'll feature our friends' favorite date ideas too. Variety is the spice of life!
Great Dates isn't just for couples. We'll also feature dates for friends or family, double dates, group dates, etc! If it's a date—we're into it. We hope you are too.
Okay—so our first date is brunch and the farmers market! Let's go.
We're weekend brunchers. Almost every Saturday morning you can find us at one of our favorite brunch spots. One of our newest favorites is Metropolitan Farmer (in our hometown Springfield, Missouri). They serve delicious local food, and they're only open for brunch on the weekends.
We've tried just about every item on the menu, and I'm not exaggerating, they're all amazing. On this particular Saturday I got the trout, and it was so good.
They have a Bloody Mary bar that is pretty out of this world! Check out that hot sauce collection. It's a beautiful thing.
I garnished mine with bacon because how could I not when it was an option? 🙂
We highly recommend this spot. They have a patio that's perfect for brunch. Order the donuts if you're in the mood for a treat!
Our favorite farmers market is Farmers Market of the Ozarks. Last year we started going nearly every Saturday, and it's become one of our favorite rituals. Jeremy cooks and grills at home often, so he likes to pick up fresh veggies and meat for his weekly dinners. I'm mostly in it for salad ingredients and fresh juice. Oh—and puppy watching! This week we saw a baby pug, and Jeremy had a momentary lapse in judgement and told me we could get another puppy (he took it back later—haha).
Near the farmers market there are a whole bunch of really great local stores opening. The new Five Pound Apparel location is gorgeous. I love their homemade light fixture. Pretty rad, huh?
They sell my FAVORITE T-shirts. I have a whole bunch of them. :)
Ha! Jeremy intensely smelling a candle. He's been collecting them for his new studio.
I had fun documenting this part of our lives with Sarah. I hope you enjoy our new feature! We can't wait to share more local places we love in Springfield and other cities we visit often. We have a growing list!
Are you in the mood for brunch and the farmers market now? xo. Elsie
Credits// Author: Elsie Larson, Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Phoenix from the Fresh Collection.
Great new feature! We are living in middle Georgia temporarily and there really is NOTHING to do here (or at least it feels that way compared to where we used to live 🙂 Hope this gives us some ideas!
This is such a great idea for a series! And what a perfect date to kick off the series! I’m obsessed with brunch.
went to that same farmers market last weekend and bought a cactus! that I will probably kill! had a mother’s day brunch at metro farmer and you are right–so good 🙂
Absolutely adore this! The farmers market is my favorite. The pictures look amazing, as always!
This looks like so much fun! Such a great idea for a feature– my man and I tend to forget to go on dates since we’re so swamped with life at the moment, but this is such a great way to get out of the house without spending a ton of money. Love it!
What an awesome idea for a blog feature! It’s a great addition to the lifestyle aspect of your blog. I’m always thinking of different date ideas rather than going out for food and/or drinks, movies, etc. A farmer’s market date sounds fun! Now I’m curious to see what’s next! Thanks
Abby
abbsterocity.tumblr.com
Those are some cool shirts! Have to check out the store!
The picture of Jeremy smelling the candle is super familiar. My husband and I live in Nashville and he also works in a studio. If he sees a candle, ESPECIALLY in a local store.. HE’S ON IT
Ah, I’ve been needing good ideas for date nights! I love this new feature, and I’m so inspired to find my own version of your dates, it’ll be fun!
xo
Kristina
www.eccentricowl.com
Looks like fun! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with. xx
Emily
faitboum.blogspot.com
Great pics and great feature!!
www.modaonlinegelolasvintage.com
Bacon bloody Marys?? So many jars of pickled things!!?? Those light fixtures!!!! I want to go to all of these spots post haste — but until I can get those plane tickets I’ll be inspired by your cute date ideas and try to find something similar around my town =)
Jessica
www.threadandbones.com
I love the idea!! I need a boyfriend now XD naaa, brunches are the best friends.
those bloody marys look perfect!! sounds like the perfect date combo!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea for a blog series! I’ve been married for 3 years and my husband and I can definitely get in date ruts. We’ll end up going to the same places over and over, which isn’t always bad but can get boring. Also, even though I’m a southern girl through and through, you’re favorite shirt might be my new favorite shirt. 🙂
Allison
www.alliray.com
Elsie your sunglasses are gorgeous!
Where did you get them from? xx
A great idea for a feature! For us the local farmer’s market in Delden, Netherlands (sadly just once a month) is a great family date. I love how the kids have grown up to be really interested in the produce and the stories behind it.
As far as the dates for us as a couple go, most often we end up on our allotment 🙂 Which may not sound like a lot of fun, but we love the quite time together, working side by side, tending the garden, talking or in companionable silence. It always fills me with contentment.
What a fabulous idea for a segment on your blog…and I thought A Beautiful Mess couldn’t get any better! I love the diversity of this blog. It is alternative and funky, and unlike other blogs which portray an idyllic, unattainable level of perfection in life, ABM makes everything seem doable! Great work!
I did that this weekend too! Love the farmers markets!
There is a man in Grand Rapids at the Fulton Farmers market that grows the BEST organic herbs. He grows at least 30 different varieties!
Lovely idea!!!