Recently, I sat down with an incredibly creative, talented and sytlish Smarty Mama, Blair Farris. Blair spends half her time running a popular and glorious digital magazine, Peachy the Magazine. The other half is spent in her Hunter boots while she’s whipping up the most elegant landscapes and gardens all across the city at Blair Farris Designs. As if she isn’t busy enough, she’s mom to three amazing teenagers.
I know what you’re thinking, she’s such an overachiever and is making the rest of us look bad! How she gets it all done is beyond me, but she does it with such grace and style and with a beautiful smile on her face. Once you meet Blair, you can’t help but want to hang out with her more. I plan on doing just that.
Here’s a little more on Blair’s biz projects:
Peachy the Magazine is a monthly digital magazine that takes you inside gorgeous homes, walks you through verdant gardens, entices you with delicious food and drinks, inspires you with the latest style trends, introduces you to beautiful art and architecture, and so much more. You can find Peachy’s October/November Issue here.
Blair Farris Designs – “I am interested in the way that form, site lines and textures come together to create beauty.” Blair recognizes the necessity of collaborating with the client in the wonderful process of designing a master plan that will then become the art of garden making. “I love working with the client to create a vision that will blossom into a unique outdoor space for their family and friends to enjoy.”
Smarties, let’s get cozy with the oh-so-talented Blair Farris!
Blair’s Smarty Mom Stats
Mom of: Sydney(16), Duwe(14), Oliver(12)
Years married: 21
Years in Charlotte: 21
Hood: Myers Park
Hometown: Austin, TX
Occupation: Landscape Architect, www.blairfarrisdesigns.com and Publisher of Peachy the Magazine
Tell us how Peachy the Magazine was born.
I have a passion for gardens and when I was visiting family in Dallas Texas I saw some of the most amazing gardens. I thought I was going to write a book series on gardens around the country but it evolved into something completely different – a national digital lifestyle magazine. It is named after my grandmother Peachy who was eclectic, stylish and whom I absolutely adored.
Who are the contributors to your fab online magazine?
My contributors are Rockstars and I couldn’t do it without them!
Lesley Downey – Beauty
Kitty Garner – Art and Architecture
Cathy Austin – Interiors
Nancy Palermo Lietz – Health and Wellness
Tammy Dalton – Hair
Tamberlyn Dobrowski – Entertaining
Holly Hollingsworth Phillips – Finds
Sydney Farris (her darling daughter:-) – On the Cusp
Tell us how CSP readers can get their Peachy delivered right to their inbox.
You can subscribe for free here. We send out the magazine every two months, but in between we send style edits two times a week and blog about six times a week. Our style editors curate a look of the week on Tuesdays and a Splurge or Steal look on Saturdays (Jen here, this is my FAVORITE!). Check us out at www.peachythemagazine.com.
You are a huge gardening aficionado. Tell us about your other biz, Blair Farris Designs.
I have been working as a Landscape Architect for twenty years now. I started Blair Farris Designs when I had Sydney and wanted to work from the house. I mainly design residential gardens, hardscapes and pools, but will occasionally do commercial work. You can view some of my projects at www.blairfarrisdesigns.com. I thought that I might do less BFD work when I launched the magazine, but I realized it is hard for me to turn down clients and I love the design work. It is like figuring out all the pieces to the puzzle.
Show us your favorite before and after project with BFD.
This turned out to be a great project, but the friend who recommended me for the project said “you are going to have to put lipstick on that pig.” I think the builder ran out of money at the end so for a gorgeous home he spent almost nothing on the landscape. It is right on Carmel Road so I designed a courtyard in the front that was enclosed by a Arborvitae hedge. It gave the visitors a feeling of passing from public space to private. The fountain drowns out the sound of the road and the roses soften the edge of the existing large brick wall. These pictures were from the installation and the hedge has completely grown together and the courtyard is lush and green.
How has running not one, but TWO businesses rubbed off on your children?
They respect what I do and it has actually helped us all become more organized and efficient. My husband is also very creative and I think we have passed that gene on to our daughter Sydney who loves to paint and be creative.
Moving on to the mom stuff…
What is your favorite thing to do with your family in the fall?
We all love the outdoors. Our favorite thing to do in the fall is to go to the mountains for hikes. We are blessed that my in-laws have a house in the mountains and it is so easy to scoot up there for the weekend. The air is crisp and the leaves beautiful.
Favorite restaurant?
I love to eat so I don’t just have one. My favorite for Italian is Fiamma. Their homemade ravioli melts in your mouth. Being a Texas girl, I live on Mexican food. Chuy’s Chicka Chicka Boom enchiladas are the bomb – a little spicy. Also spicy is the Pad Prik King at Thai Orchid. We all love it. And for burgers, Bad Daddy’s and Pinky’s are the best.
You are a high school and middle school mom. What tips do you have for moms coming up through the ranks?
Stay connected. Get an instagram account and follow your kids. Get to know your kids’ friends and their parents. Go to coffee with other moms and talk about what is going on;) Don’t be naïve and think your kids aren’t doing the same things everyone else is.
Behavioral trait you hope your kids don’t inherit from you.
Disorganization – my office is an absolute wreck, but somehow I know where everything is.
Funniest thing your kids have ever said to you?
I can’t repeat it…..totally inappropriate, but hilarious.
Last meal you cooked?
Mediterranean Chicken
6 Chicken Breast
1 Red Onion Cut Up
1 Red Bell Pepper Cut Up
10 New Potatoes – Cut into fourths – microwaved for five minutes first
10 cloves garlic – peeled and smashed
Green Olives
Capers
Box Cherry Tomatoes
1 Packet Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing Mix – I substitute Balsamic Vinegar when making it.
Place chicken and all ingredients except tomatoes in a large glass baking dish. Pour Zesty Italian dressing over the top. Cover tightly with foil and bake on 425 for at least an hour – can be an hour and a half. Half way through toss tomatoes in and cover again.
The chicken will be very tender. Serve with crusty bread and a salad.
Book club recos?
Glitter and Glue
The Goldfinch
Poser
Guilty pleasure?
Haribou Gummy Bears and Dark Chocolate with Sea salt
Thanks, Blair, for sharing your family and your Saturday with us. Smarties, you’ll be hearing lots more from Blair on gardening tips, style tips and more. We {heart} Blair Farris!
Peachy the Magazine turns 1
We ALSO wanted to send a big pink ‘n green congrats to Peachy the Magazine on its 1st birthday! They have tons of fun stuff in store to celebrate, too. The first is an Instagram giveaway. Check out details here.
And they have a big birthday party bash planned. Here’s the full scoop – hope to see you there! Look at those incredible giveaways!!
