BLACKBERRY FARM STATE OF MIND — Beauty by Sarah E

Blackberry Farm, Tennessee

I love planning a good surprise for Hernando, I don’t mean to shoot myself in the foot, but it’s starting to become a tradition, it’s the third consecutive year I plan a really special trip for his birthday. This year I planned a weekend at Blackberry Farm. Tucked at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, the property sprawls across 4,200 acres of beautiful nature. I came to think of it as a luxury summer camp for grown-ups even though it’s also really kids friendly.

This luxurious resort has breathtaking scenery and a truly decadent cuisine best known as Foothills Cuisine (there’s a whole book on this culinary phenomenon, in case you were wondering). Everything is inspired by the seasonal produce grown just a few feet away, meals are either served in The Barn, or at The Dogwood. I must say, the Barn was my personal favorite. These were some of my favorite dishes we tried.

The team at Blackberry was so kind to share their recipe for Overnight Oats. See below so you can try at home.

3.5 cups rolled oats

1 qt almond milk

1 cup dried bluberries

1 cup diced strawberries

1/4 cup chia

1 Tbsp vanilla paste

3 Tbsp maple syrup

pinch of salt

Mix all together the night before serving.

THINGS to DO:

Going back to the activities, which we did a lot… we went hiking, biking, kayaking, skeet shooting, and of course we also enjoyed much needed relaxation at the Wellhouse -Blackberry Farm’s Spa. It follows Blackberry's philosophy that wellness is rooted in natural balance. Just as each season on the farm affects the next, and just as one natural cycle impacts another, health and wellbeing is focused on optimal living — on actively seeking out and savoring all facets of the good life. And we did!

Hair:

So you get the picture, this wasn’t the type of vacation that requires a picture-perfect blowout, at least not during the day. Here is my daytime hair routine for this activity-packed getaway: I’m obsessed with Davines’ Love Shampoo, it’s become my new go-to and I love that the bottles are travel friendly and sustainable made. It’s a very clean shampoo formula yet very hydrating. My hair was surprisingly very dry, well, I shouldn’t say surprisingly, considering I was overdue for a haircut. But since my ends were dry I made sure to pack Davines hair mask, which is super travel friendly, it comes in this convenient pouch.

Hair Mask:

I packed the Renaissance Circle mask, but I also like Restless Circle, it’s even more hydrating, but I have fine hair and too much can weigh my hair down a little. I used the Renaissance Circle mask every day instead of using a conditioner. It’s a repairing mask, it gives new life to very damaged hair. It restores a healthy look to the hair giving it shine, nourishment and softness.

I also used Olaplex no. 6, which is an essential leave-in treatment also very reparative. I used it in the Bahamas for my wedding as well, actually, I’m not sure I travel anywhere without it?!

You can apply it generously to your ends, then braid your hair, and you are ready to hike —all, while your hair is enjoying a little spa moment. Once it’s time to get ready for dinner, your hair will be extra smooth and shiny. I do like extra volume for “dinner hair” - here I recommend adding a texture spray to your packing list. I use Beach Club by IGK but I also recommend Oribe’s texture spray.

Since my hair was so dry, I also used Olaplex no. 7 bonding oil at night. Just a few drops is enough. I really should have gotten a haircut prior to going but I managed. I usually recommend getting a haircut every 8 weeks. If you want to let your hair grow, you need a haircut. I know it seems counterintuitive but in order for your hair to grow you need to cut it, especially if you get your hair color treated, it’s super important to maintain the health of your hair and that requires trimming the ends every so often. Really - it’s a must. I always prioritize the health of my clients hair, sometimes my clients want to do a lot of color changes and we have to do it in sessions, otherwise it’s just too much for the hair. So keep that in mind. A good hair stylist knows how to cut your hair without necessarily altering the length. And if you need to “survive” until your next haircut, use the products I listed here.