Thursday, October 13, 2011

market time

It's that time again- Market Week! Today kicks off our Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market together with the Atlanta Gourmet Market + The October Atlanta Apparel. 
Now that's a mouth full! Basically, we are hosting two markets at once. And yes, the event load is also twice as big. 


Some of what I will be up to this weekend:


Chef Hugh Acheson from Bravo's Top Chef and Top Chef Masters will be in our demo kitchen whipping up some southern favorites! Can't wait to sample! His restaurant, Empire State South, is where I hosted Josh's 30th Birthday party and the little bit of food that I did have was FANTASTIC! 

 Plus Chef Hugh will be promoting, selling and signing his brand new cookbook, A New Turn in the South! We are launching it first, so our attendees have the opportunity to get it before you can buy it! Excited! 

To cater to our Apparel customers and Bridal buyers- we have brought in Ms Harmony Walton, CEO of The Bridal Bar

The Bridal Bar is based in LA and San Diego and is basically a concierge service for brides when they are planning their weddings. 
You know I'll be at this event listening intently!!! 


Our largest event, and the one we are most excited for, is our keynote luncheon, Southern Charmed. The panelists are just fantastic and represent some of the best of the best in the gourmet, apparel and interior design business and bonus- they all love the South! Since we do too, we have brought them together to talk about what makes the South the place to be to grow your business. 

Sponsored by the wonderful:

Panelists Include:
First they are a PRECIOUS married couple! (Hopes & Dreams) Second, they have killer style and run lovely shops in Midtown (White Provisions area)


Totally way too cute! I die for her hot pink lipstick that she says she "never leaves home without!" She is the epitome of chic. 


Hubby isn't too shabby either! I am yet to meet him, but I hear you can't get much more hospitable than Mr. Mashburn. His shop is the men's fashion mecca of Atlanta and his personal style is spot-on! 


Chef Linton Hopkins joins us on the panel as well

Delish! Dying to eat at Restaurant Eugene and I do believe that Josh owes me a date there since we had to cancel our Valentine's dinner that was to be held there. (car wreck...blah)

 To represent my favorite industry, interior design, we have Mr. Robert (Bob) Brown

Check out some of his work:
You know I love those colors and curtains!
 {Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles}

 {Traditional Home}
Great architecture and the furniture does such a perfect job of complimenting it! 
{House Beautiful}

We have two {really 3...} facilitators to host this event:


The BEARINGS boys! Actually their names are Jeremy Blume and Rob Forrester and they are the founders and masterminds behind the site which is "A Southern Lifestyle Guide for Men." But I gotta tell you, I have a feeling their female readership is pretty high- this is THE way to learn about the South- what's new, what's hot, what to do, how to dress and way more. 

The beautiful Amy Flurry is our other facilitator. Now this little lady {who is actually tall enough to be a supermodel!} is super talented and smart. Not only does she come from the gorgeous world of fashion magazines {BEYOND jealous!} where she was a style editor and contributing editor for Lucky, InStyle, House Beautiful- I would go on but my skin is literally turning green; but! She also creates these....


Are you serious?!?!? Crazy amazing! This is Paper-Cut Project. Wigs made of hand-cut paper. I don't tell lies people, I only share what is awesome in this world. And this. Is. Awesome. 



The Paper-Cut Project got its start at Jeffrey's in Phipps Plaza and then dominated the fashion world by being featured in top window fronts in NYC and on mannequins and live models for Hermes, Cartier, Kate Spade (!!!!) and more. So fun! 

That is Southern Charmed! 

Oh- we will also get our fill of: 
fashion shows...

 cocktail parties...

 gift basket university {true story...}....

 coffee, cappuccino, lattes, ciders...

pepper jelly tastings....

and more fashion shows


Wish me and the NEW events team luck! 

game on :) amc 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

feeding

I came across this little quote the other day {on pinterest of course} and it really got me thinking...
The days in my weeks {gotta keep the time frame small for my memory} that I have been truly linked in with God have been the days when I have stood a little straighter, smiled a bit bigger and when I have felt like I was going somewhere and all is good in the world. 


It is truly incredible how instantly our Father rewards us when lean on him, trust him and "feed our faith" rather than focus on earthly things and fear the unknown. 


"Feed Your Faith"
I love that. 


Need to feed my tummy too....


Cincinnati Chili! 
Fall's very own version of spaghetti. Making this asap. 
Like...now! 

it's feeding time!
:) amc

P.S. what do you think of the blogs new look? 

do's & don'ts

I have a shopping problem. Always have. An intense desire to shop comes up from deep inside of me and I honestly can't fight it. My jaw hits the ground when women tell me that they hate to shop. It hurts my feelings. See? I have a problem. I take shopping much too seriously. 


Now I know that I have done many posts on my fall-fashion-picks, but more and more products just keep hitting the shelves and I can't help but swoon! 


However, this collection is a tad bit different than ones that I have previously featured. 
These are all pieces that are a bit on the daring side for me...styles and fabrics that I have never tried before. 
So, Do? Or, Don't? 






The One-for-One concept has merged from shoes to sunglasses! Thanks TOMS! It is such a wonderful idea and you should really read more about it here and then buy a pair! {True story- I have never owned a pair of aviators}

Capes... I have a Karen Walker state of mind about this one..."Honey, whats this, whats happening, whats going on here?" But after seeing so many of the fashion bloggers rock it right, I am inspired to give it a whirl. 

The bootie. So cute & strange. While I like to claim to be creative, I also have a lot of my dad in me which causes me to look at things from a purely functional point of view. And from that point of view...the bootie just doesn't make the cut. The right side of my brain wants to get some bootie though. {sorry, that was weird} Stay tuned...
{Banana Republic}


The J Crew Matchstick cord. Way too precious. Way too comfortable. Way too stylish. I simply need some of these!!! {please go on sale, please go on sale}


Faux Fur... Girly collar, a-line shape, 3/4 sleeve, fabulous and functional. Not sure if the south is ready for this one...but oh it is so chic! Especially with that red lip! 
{Piperlime}

Should I take these fashion risks? Are they "do's"? 
:) amc 

Monday, October 10, 2011

the sky is falling

Yup, its true. The sky is falling in the form of lovely colored fall leaves, refreshing rain at night and of course a whole mess of "augh" mixed in there. 
Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year- I think it is gorgeous from head to toe. So why is it that I find myself so stress focused? I honestly need help counting from 10 to 0, enjoying the outdoors and just being happy. How is it that I keep finding myself in this annoying mental state? Am I the only one that can go from happy to blah in 2.5? 


Well just because today fell into the "blah" stage, doesn't mean it has been there long. This is what I have been up to lately and what I would like to have on tap for the Fabulous Fall Season!


First off, this is what I am doing right this second. Heck yeah! Bonus- I have been on pinterest for like an hour, Josh is making me some yummy pasta, TRZ Project re-runs are on and I talked to some great friends on the phone earlier today. 

Last weekend we were at Cottage Cheek and I made my first-ever apple pie!!! The entire thing was made in the Lodge Cast Iron Pan! Yahhoooo!

All ready for the oven!

Finished delicious product! So incredibly yummy! Especially because we enjoyed with with cool vanilla ice cream, on the porch while looking out at the lake. Stress free satisfaction. 
{Southern Living recipe}

Fun lake time! 

This past weekend was a dream come true. One of my very best friends got married!!! We had the time of lives preparing and celebrating with her. I love you Jennifer, Carrie and Lydia so very much, you have no idea! Plus I got to make two new fabulous (bridal roadkill...jk) friends Kat and Michelle. Love it!

So like I said, Fall makes me happy and so I stay out of the Stress 911 zone, I have found some yummy and cute projects that plan on occupying my free time. I probably wont pull off these cookies...but wow they are works of art! The colors and textures dont get any better!

Too cute and cozy! Can I please have?

This looks like such a great party app! Caramel cheesecake dip for freshly sliced crispy apples

Love this fall wreath! Looks so super precious against that pretty blue door. I think one day I will take up wreath-making. It seems fun and there are so many ideas out there!!!

Oh yum. I think a main reason that I love fall so much is that I die for Pumpkin beers. This recipe {found on my yumminess pinterest board} includes such beers plus some other festive ingredients. Must have for next fall get together. 

Pumpkin little dounut holes? Must. Make. Love the presentation too!!! 
{Yumminess pinterest board}

I am currently germy and sick, so this is spot on. Soap & Jesus are this weeks must-haves! :)  

See Amanda? You can calm down and relax and enjoy your favorite season. {sometimes I talk to myself...}
:) amc


Friday, October 7, 2011

chic to chic

I have been a long time fan of white washed walls and furniture, taupe home accents, crisp white bedding, blankets and throws and rustic, simple and natural furniture. My future home (Hopes & Dreams) promises to be a white wonderland. 


Of course, I can't live without some pops of color

Rustic Elegance

Clean and Beautiful- but lived in and useful

Great pieces, so many different styles. But works! 

Our newest event team member, Jennifer, and I thought that we shared this design aesthetic. However, I should have listed more closely when she said "shabby chic everywhere!!! I love pink!!! I love chandeliers!!!"


Her precious pink Shabby Chic home:







Her home is the epitome of a pretty, pink,  girly, pink, vintage, pink, floral, pink palace! So Jennifer and so beautiful! 

Some of the girls! 

Enjoy your weekend! I am off to a wedding for one of my very best friends from High School! 

:) amc