New Finds

While my daughter was here for a visit, her amazing friend Susan Ward told us about J. Crew Distribution Center in Arden, NC (just west of Asheville).  I can hardly believe we hadn't found this place before, so I just have to share it with you.  They had lots of deeply discounted clothing, not items made just for the outlets, things that they have in the catalog, and one sweater had sample written on the underside.  But, in keeping with my wedding-themed blog, they had bridesmaid, flower girl, ring bearer, and even bridal dresses.  You won't find a dress with a two-foot train and Alencon lace, but you might find something perfect for you.  I saw one wedding dress for $60.  I must warn you, though, most of the things are for the "skinnies", size six, eight, ten.  It was so much fun, just getting the possibility of a really great deal.

After a long, and tiring shopping trip, ;-) you must try Tupelo Honey.  The food is definitely southern, but upscale.  The rosemary peach lemonade is the best I've ever had.  What do you  think they have for appetizers?  Giant biscuits, on the house.  The southside cafe is close to the distribution center, and not as crowded as the downtown cafe.  Asheville is such a fun town.

Flowers from My Yard

Sometimes simple can be lovely.  I have this great hydrangea tree, which still has blooms.  Hope you enjoy this.

Congratulations Charity Clark and Nathan Shepherd!

Charity and Nathan were married Saturday, September 24, at New Canton Plantation in Church Hill, Tennessee.   The bride's dress was by Watters and had a very interesting flower at the back waist.  She wore a pair of gardenias in her hair, which lent a subtle scent whenever she passed.  The bridesmaids wore navy dresses with halter tops and ruffles extending around the neck, and dipping low in back.  The groomsmen wore oatmeal-colored suits.  The groom's boutonniere was a red cockscomb, white hydrangea, and peach hypericum berries.

The bride chose wildflowers, and what an assortment of flowers were available!  There were zinnias, dahlias, goldenrod, hydrangea, lilies, lisianthus, cosmos, black-eyed Susans, and red and yellow cockscomb.  The flowers, which I arranged, primarily came from Aunt Willie's Wildflowers.  The bride requested flower spheres, and I made balls completely covered in wildflowers which hung from the top of the tent.  I also made two flower wreaths to adorn the impressive front doors at the mansion.  The flower girl, the couple's daughter Averie, stopped to smell one of the flowers hanging from shepherd's hooks along the aisle.  The photographer, Rachel Hayes, caught that special moment.

This was the first opportunity I had to work with this venue, and the experience was great. They were very helpful in every respect.

I meant to take more pictures, but I was just too busy.  I was also directing the wedding and placing flowers on the cake.  Yikes!  Maybe you can check out Rachel Hayes's site for more a little later.  My photography skills are about as good as my basket weaving skills...