I love Christmas and was so excited when my friend Amy suggested we attend the Holiday Tea at Life’s Patina on Willowbrook Farm in Malvern. The tea was today and it was an amazing event! (In all fairness, EVERY Life’s Patina event is amazing!)
Mind you, my day did not have an auspicious start as I locked myself out of the house accidentally this morning dealing with pets. Not only did I lock myself out, but I was in my nightgown with wet hair. I had to march myself across the road to my neighbor’s to call my husband to get back into the house. (Have I mentioned I have awesome neighbors? I do! I am sure the sight of me in my nightgown has scarred them for life, but anyway.)
So after the trauma of locking myself out of our house in my nightgown, I managed to be ready in time to go to the tea.
I love the Life’s Patina events! The proprietress, Meg Veno, is an amazing woman. She has the biggest heart, is just so darn nice, and has an eye that gets me into trouble every time I attend a barn sale. Seriously, the woman has an amazing design aesthetic and is super creative and finds the perfect things. Her holiday events are among my favorites because, well, it’s no secret I love Christmas!
This morning when we walked into the holiday preview tea, it was sensory overload. The holidays were beautifully spilling out of every nook and cranny of the barn. This was a lovely and exclusive event complete with a delicious luncheon for all of us who subscribed. I especially liked the Quiche and the little smoked salmon sandwiches and the peach tea.
It was like a little bit of holiday magic in that barn today. People were happy. Holidays are festive times for friends and family, and this was a very nice reminder of times to come.
Another component to today was the charity Meg chose to receive a portion of the sales. She pays it forward in that way with her events.
Today’s charity recipient was the Women’s Resource Center of Wayne, PA. This non-profit has the mission to help women and girls successfully navigate life’s transitions and to inspire others to do the same. By providing resources, tools and support for today, we create hope for tomorrow. The Women’s Resource Center serves Southeastern, PA including Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, and Delaware counties.
Founded in 1975, the Women’s Resource Center began when five women placed an ad in The Suburban and Wayne Times calling for a meeting on women’s issues. Forty-five women attended the initial meeting, indicating a strong demand for an organization that was dedicated to the special needs of women. The original group established three goals that remain in place to this day:
1) To provide information and referral services to women & families;
2) To offer supportive programming and workshops; and
3) To maintain a physical location from which to serve the greater Philadelphia community.
This is a very worthy non-profit and I was happy to do my part and purchase some really fun things for the holidays. I will admit I bought some Christmas ornaments and the world’s funniest holiday cocktail napkins.
Also today was the unexpected surprise of running into old, familiar faces at the tea and shopping preview. I saw someone I basically had not seen in over five years. We were friends in another lifetime. It was nice to catch-up and meet her new friends.
I was truthfully amused by all of the Main Liners and city dwellers who made it out “to the country” to attend this preview. I hope they all saw and appreciated the fall splendor of Chester County today.
Willowbrook Farm is an absolutely magical property with majestic trees donned at present in fiery reds, oranges, and spectacular yellow. They have a huge Ginko tree which is captivating this time of year. You just do not see many Ginkos anymore and the only other ones of similar height and majesty are on the path leading to the Haverford College Nature Trail that runs behind the one side of Haverford Friends School.
You too can see the magic in store this season at Life’s Patina. There are holiday events coming up! Christmas magic doesn’t even begin to describe what is coming up.
Holiday Barn Sale – New Dates (postponed because of flooded fields)
November 16 – November 18 FREE ADMISSION! 10 AM – 4 PM
German Christmas Market at Life’s Patina
December 8 – December 9 FREE ADMISSION but asking for donations to MainLineFreunde and T&E Care 3 PM – 6 PM (Follow German Christmas Market on The Main Line HERE on Facebook.)
Willowbrook Farm and Life’s Patina are located at 1750 N. Valley Rd
Malvern, 19355 BUT this is a private residence, NOT a store so you can’t just show up. The fabulous dairy barn full of magic is only opened to the public for special events. Feel free to follow them on Facebook .
Here is a sampling of the Christmas magic I found today at Life’s Patina which also included discovering Stony Hill Farm out of Pottstown:
