Sunday Breeze — Your Weekly White Lilac Farmhouse Recap
Grab your favorite ceramic mug and fill it with something warm and comforting — welcome to Sunday Breeze, your weekly White Lilac Farmhouse recap of all the happenings here at White Lilac Farmhouse. I’m so glad you’re here. Wow, it’s May, and although the temperatures are warming up, there have still been some chilly days.
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This week has been a struggle to get enough sleep. I go through periods of insomnia from time to time, and I’m never quite sure if it’s hormonal changes from menopause, stress, or a combination of both.
My job as a Senior Principal Consultant — managing federal government contracts and compliance — is incredibly demanding, with constant deadlines and pressure. At night, my mind simply refuses to shut off, cycling through everything on my to-do list.
Can anyone relate? Exercise is usually my go-to remedy, but I recently had in/out patient surgerical procedure, and I’m on a four-week restriction from any physical activity — so that’s off the table for now!
Reading up on insomnia, I heard taking magnesium daily can help. What I read was that magnesium enhances sleep quality and relaxation, reduces anxiety, helps manage blood pressure, and boosts bone health. Check, check, & double check! The recommended daily intake is 10-420 mg from food or supplements. I thought it was very interesting and will be giving it a try.
Not all Magnesium is the Same
Apparently, there are three types of magnesium. Who knew? Right? My supplements had magnesium, but not the kind that’s right for sleep. Here is what I found out:
1. Magnesium Glycinate
- Best for: Stress, anxiety, sleep, muscle relaxation
- Why: It’s bound to glycine (a calming amino acid), so it’s very gentle on the stomach and highly absorbable
- Good choice if: You want something daily that won’t upset your gut and may help with sleep
It seems that magnesium glycinate is the best choice for me, and it checks all four boxes.
2. Magnesium Citrate
- Best for: Constipation and digestion
- Why: It pulls water into the intestines, which helps with bowel movements
- Downside: Can cause loose stools if you take too much
- Good choice if: You’re specifically trying to relieve constipation
This is the magnesium supplement that was in my vitamins-and-minerals cabinet. Apparently, it is the wrong one for my current sleep issue.
3. Magnesium Threonate
- Best for: Brain health, memory, cognitive function
- Why: It can cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively than other forms
- Good choice if: You’re focused on mental clarity or long-term brain support
There’s no universal “best” magnesium. I believe that marketing sometimes oversells that idea. The right one depends on your goal, your gut tolerance, and whether you actually have a deficiency. And remember to ALWAYS consult your doctor! You want to make sure that supplements will not interfere with any medications that you are currently on.
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are” —Chinese Proverb
What’s New at White Lilac Farmhouse?
In between work, I spent time cleaning the front porch and filling the containers. Here is a sneak peek of the porch.
If you’ve been following along, you might remember these pillows from last year’s back patio. This season, I moved them over to the rockers, and honestly, I couldn’t believe how beautifully they’ve held up after a full year outdoors. I must say, this brand is a winner in terms of fade-resistant and durability!
This year, the planters have lots of purple, pink, yellow, and white, with various pops of greens. Love this color combination with the sage green (seagrass) sliding. A broken vintage white ironstone soup tureen is perfect with the handle glued back on and filled with a beautiful succulent.
Working on a New Project
I ordered this beautiful wallpaper from Lemon Park for our powder room and happily took advantage of their 20%-off sale! The beautiful botanical design in creams, whites, soft blues, and greens is exactly what I envisioned for this space. It truly captures that blend of coastal colors that I love so much throughout our home.
Below the chair rail, I plan to add a soft sage green called ‘Recycled Glass,’ a Sherwin-Williams color mixed in Valspar, which is one of my favorite paint brands alongside Benjamin Moore. Stay tuned to see how it all comes together!
What I Am Watching
My bestie called me recently to tell me about a series she had been watching called The Madison. As she described a particular scene that reminded her of our friendship, she started to cry — and within seconds, she had me in tears too. That is the kind of friendship every woman deserves — someone who, if you pick up the phone and say ‘I need you,’ would be there without a second thought. She is my person, and I am hers.
The Madison is currently streaming on Paramount, and I started watching it this week. I will say this — you will laugh, you will cry, and you will find yourself thinking deeply about your own life. Michelle Pfeiffer is absolutely outstanding in it. I have not finished it yet, but I already know it is something special. Check out the trailer here and see for yourself!
“Friendship between women is different. It is tender and fierce. It is understanding and challenging. It is showing up with wine and tissues, and knowing exactly when each one is needed.” — Unknown
What Blew In This Week — On the Blog
Beautiful Ways to Use Vintage White Ironstone in Your Home
If you love vintage white ironstone as much as I do, this week’s post was written just for you! I shared over ten beautiful and creative ways to use ironstone throughout your home year-round, including using pitchers for seasonal blooms, turning creamers into homemade candles, and styling tureens as stunning planters. The best part? You don’t need a large collection to start — even one perfectly placed piece can transform a space!
DIY Potting Table Makeover: A Beautiful Garden Workspace
If you’ve been dreaming of a dedicated gardening workspace, this week’s DIY potting table makeover post is just for you! I walked through every step of transforming a basic, unfinished wooden potting table into a farmhouse-inspired beauty using chalk mineral paint and gel stain, topped with a protective clear satin coat. Head over to the blog to get the full tutorial and some fun ideas for styling your finished table into a space you’ll actually look forward to spending time in!
What the Tide Brought In
Each week, I love shining a spotlight on the things that have made my everyday life a little brighter — whether that’s something beautiful, something practical, or just something that made me smile. These are personal picks I’m actively using and genuinely loving. No fluff, just real favorites — straight from my hands to yours.
- My husband and I absolutely love this towel warmer in our bathroom. It makes getting out of the shower on a chilly morning perfect. In the evening, I add my pajamas and a towel to the warmer, and they are ready by the time I soak in the tub. Love having them nice and warm for me.
- These jeans are lightweight and extremely comfortable. They are available in various colors and lengths.
- This black-and-white dress is so flattering. I needed a couple of dresses for events (non-casual). I also got this black dress.
- It’s my go-to sunscreen for my face.
- The best brand for outdoor pillow covers. I have these beautiful white-and-green pillow covers from last season, and these blue-and-white outdoor pillow covers.
- This beautiful green vintage-inspired planter is on my front porch.
Carried In on the Breeze
This week, I came across some incredibly helpful posts that could save you both time and money this season — from tips on selecting the right plants for your yard to knowing exactly what to look for when ordering cushions for your outdoor furniture. Trust me, you will want to read these before you spend a single dollar!
My dear friend, Kim of Cottage In The Mitten, talks about three pillar plants every non-expert gardener should have in their yard.
Leslie from My 100-Year-Old Home shares her tips and tricks for ordering custom outdoor cushions.
Love this helpful post by Stacy Ling, Bricks ‘N Blooms, on 10 Backyard Design Mistakes That Ruin Outdoor Living Spaces.
Next week at White Lilac Farmhouse is shaping up to be a good one. I can’t wait to share it with you! If you’re just finding us, welcome — you belong here. Subscribe below so Sunday Breeze finds you every week without fail. Until then, may your week be filled with good light, fresh flowers, and all the little things that make you smile. See you soon, friend!
XOXO,
