INSPIREMS

Joy + Chad

5/31/2022

One long weekend led to forever for Joy and John. The two met Labor Day Weekend one year and never looked back! Family was the key to their planning process. They held their ceremony at Pleasant Grove Baptist church where Joy’s parents and grandparents were both married. Then they took the celebration to the bride’s parent's home where the backyard was completely transformed. “I have always seen my reception being at my parents home,” shared Joy. “I always wanted a Father of the Bride moment of my own.”

That moment was set to fall colors, a lighted canopy, and that perfect golden hour glow. “It was everything I had dreamed of and more!” The couple, surrounded by loved ones, danced the night away laughing and crafting memories they would carry with them forever.

Vendors:
Photographer: Sully Clemmer
Event Planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning
Dress: Elle James Bridal
Hair: Tracy Branch Agency
Make-up: Tracy Branch Agency
Tuxes: The Well Dressed Man
Videographer: The Film Poets
Ceremony Venue: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Lighting:
Rentals:
Florist: Bertha’s Flowers
Catering: Mitchell’s Catering
Band: DMP Band
Bride’s Cake: Rose Atwater
Groom’s Cake: Rose Atwater

Cathead Distillery

5/26/2022

J A C K S O N , M I S S I S S I P P I

The term “Cathead” is a compliment in Mississippi, first coined back in the day by blues musicians as a nod to artists they respect. To pay respect and share legacies, Mississippi artists and musicians went on to use “Catheads” in many forms of folk art.
Mississippi repealed prohibition in 1966, the last state to do so. Forty-four years later, lifelong friends and blues fans founded Cathead Distillery. Cathead is proud to be the first and oldest distillery in the state of Mississippi. Founded in 2010 by Austin Evans and Richard Patrick, they were originally located in Gluckstadt. The duo moved the distillery to the heart of downtown Jackson in 2015. Not only are the two passionate about spirits, these two crave live music, and the distillery is home to the renowned Cathead Jam that plans to make a return in 2022.
Today, Cathead Distillery currently produces five award-winning brands in small batches: Cathead Vodka, Bristow Gin, Hoodoo Chicory Liquor, Old Soul Bourbon Whiskey, and Cathead Sparkling. On their website, they share different recipes utilizing their different spirits and we wanted to share a few of our favorites.

Satsuma Martini
Type: Vodka

Ingredients
2oz Cathead Bitter Orange
1oz Cocchi Americano Vermouth

Directions
Build in shaker with ice. Stir and strain into martini glass. Garnish with orange peel.

Classic Manhattan
Type: Bourbon

Ingredients
2oz Old Soul Bourbon
1oz Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Directions
Stir. Serve over rocks. Garnish with orange peel.

Bees Knees
Type: Gin

Ingredients
2oz Bristow Gin
1oz Lemon Juice
1oz Honey Syrup (3 parts hot water to 1 part honey. Stir. Let cool.)

Directions
Combine gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup (3 parts hot water to 1 part honey. Stir. Let cool.) in a shaker over ice. Shake, strain, and serve up.

Cucumber Mint Cooler
Type: Vodka

Ingredients
1.5oz Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka
1oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1tbsp Agave Nectar
¼ Cucumber, Peeled
3 Fresh Mint Leaves

Directions
Puree cucumber and mint leaves. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to separate solids from liquids. Discard solids. In a cocktail shaker, combine 1oz of cucumber and mint juice, lemon juice, agave nectar, and vodka with ice. Shake. Serve over ice and garnish with sliced cucumber and mint sprigs.

BOP TO THE TOP

5/24/2022

J A C K S O N , M I S S I S S I P P I

Nothing says summer in Mississippi quite like long days, high temperatures, and a trip through the Bop’s drive-thru, home of the infamous Snappy Turtle. Frozen treats and delicious eats are not the only things you will find when visiting Bop’s Frozen Custard shop. There you are bound to encounter a family legacy filled with smiles, faithfulness, and Jesus. Bop’s was founded by Starkville native Jimmy Eckford in 2001, but before he opened those neon-lighted lanes, he had an encounter with God that changed his life. That encounter led to him accepting Jesus as his Savior, a decision that shifted his heart toward ministry and mission work.

Eckford went all in. He and his high school sweetheart sold their home, land, and business to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attend Rhema Bible Training Center. While pursuing their studies, Eckford found a local ice cream shop that was whipping up what he believed to be the best ice cream. It was cool, sweet, and rich and unlike the soft serve or scoops he was used to. After several taste tests, a little research, and a few dozen more cones, Eckford discovered that what he was eating was actually frozen custard or “old-fashioned ice cream.” Little did he know, his sweet tooth was guiding him toward his next venture.

Two years in Tulsa led to eight years touring and serving with traveling minister Kieth Moore, but in 2000 Jimmy’s mission changed. The idea of launching a confectionary shop serving up the best frozen custard became top of mind. Bop’s was conceptualized and then, with family support and inspiration, its doors opened on County Line Road in 2001.

The Jackson shop became a little missions hub in a way. Every scoop, malt, and shake was served with a smile and to the tune of Christian music. Every teen employed there learned strong work ethics and customer kindness all while remaining in a Christian environment. Eckford was able to impact lives, share the Gospel, and build a family legacy with whipped cream and cherries on top. In fact, several of the menu items were named after Mr. Jimmy’s grandchildren. There is the Anna Banna (Anna Kate), Katie’s Crunch (Katie), Margaritaville (Margaret), Amazin’ Grace (Grace), and Big Bubba (Joshua). Talk about a family business!

Ask any local, and they will tell you that there is nothing quite like Bop’s Frozen Custard. It is a one-of-a-kind shop for a one-of-a-kind family of a one-of-a-kind man. Jimmy Eckford’s shop is headed into its 21st year of business and its lanes remain open for ice cream connoisseurs from all over. Steeped in tradition and Christian values, it serves up sweet treats all year long. Now, who is ready for a Snappy Turtle?!

Castle Party

5/19/2022

J A C K S O N , M I S S I S S I S P P I

Birthdays around the holidays tend to lean toward red and green, but for Castle’s birthday her parents added a little twist. They went for a winter wonderland complete with gingerbread houses, nutcrackers, and even a visit from Santa. Castle and her crew took to a ballroom in the Westin where the walls were lined with pink, lavender, and confetti balloons. In the middle of the room, there was a long table with themed individual stations for each guest to design their very own gingerbread home. The girls frosted and sprinkled to their hearts' desire.

The party continued with a visit to the custom candy bar where the little ladies scooped out their favorites from jelly beans to gummy bears to swirly, twirly gumdrops. The dessert table was complete with a nutcracker cake and a variety of cupcakes. With sweet treats in hand, Castle and her friends made their way to the 360 photo booth where they danced, laughed, and embraced the dazzling day. Castle’s birthday party was one for the books and a day she and her friends are sure to remember.

VENDORS:

Venue: The Westin
Decor: Gifts by KPEP
Event Planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning
Photographer: Allison Muirhead Photography
Cake: Turquoise Chandelier
Santa
Crumb Gourmet
360 Photobooth

Aaron Michael

5/17/2022

J A C K S O N , M I S S I S S I P P I

Growing up in a small town in West Virginia, Aaron Michael always knew he was different. He was never interested in the same things as other kids his age- he had a passion for fashion.
“I loved everything that society told me not to love, but that was just who I was.” Said Aaron Michael, Fashion Designer and contestant on Project Runway’s latest season.
Five years ago, Aaron moved to Mississippi with no clue what he was going to do here. What he did know, was that he wanted to be closer to his sister that lives in Madison, and to be able to watch his nephews grow up.
“I was working as Director of Sales at hotel, when I had this urge to breakout my old sewing machine. I just started making one or two costumes for fun, and then it turned into working 40 plus hours making costumes on top of working full time at the hotel.”
Little did he know that picking back up on his old hobby would open the door for so much more. Aaron had the opportunity to debut some of his pieces at New Orleans Fashion Week, where he was able to get his foot in the door of the fashion world. A week and a half after fashion week went by and Aaron quit his job at the hotel to pursue fashion designing full time.
“You can take the boy out of the dress, but you can’t take the dress out of the boy,” Aaron said this quote truly applies to him and how he has always felt about his love for fashion.
Aaron describes his brand as timeless, easy, and effortless. He is passionate about designing and creating pieces that are seasonless, this way they can be worn no matter the time of year and fit a variety of shapes and sizes. He is also devoted to creating custom designs for his different clients. He can design anything from a bridal gown to pageant dresses, and anything in between. Aaron sells his pieces on his website, where you can also reach out to him about a collaboration.
Being on Project Runway taught him so much about who he is as a designer. Competing in many different challenges with limited time for each, Aaron created gorgeous looks this season. There was an unconventional materials challenge, where he designed and created a dress out of straws and plastic mats from a cocktail lounge. Another iconic moment on the show was when he was paired with one of the Real Housewives of Potomac and created a custom look for the Housewives Reunion. He nailed that look and stole Gizelle Bryant’s heart, where she publicly told Aaron he would be creating more looks for her in the future.
Aaron has spent years watching the show, so it was truly a dream to have the opportunity to be on the show. Part of the audition process was for him to design and submit three original looks. On his walk around Fondren to go buy fabric for his submission, he found himself inspired by the signage for Walkers Drive- In, Campbell’s Bakery, and the outside of the Fondren Corner building. This was all in the middle of the pandemic, so Aaron was really feeling the effects of this. He craved the liveliness of the typically busy streets of Fondren, so he channeled all of that into his designs for the audition.
Aaron got the call on April 28th and left for filming on May 9th. He said one of his favorite memories from the season was the very first day of the competition. The contestants stood on the greenery at the Lincoln Center in New York City, and people bustled about while they were filming. Aaron said people would walk by and stop to take photos of them, not even knowing who they were but they snapped a shot anyway because cameras were filming. He said it made him feel like he was somebody.
“I got to live out my dream and become the person I have always wanted to be,” said Aaron.
Fun fact about Aaron’s wardrobe from the season, on every episode Aaron was wearing pieces from Swell-O-Phonic. One of the more recognizable pieces was his “Jackson, Jackson, Jackson” t-shirt from Chane’s Studio.
Aaron said Mississippi has been so good to him over the years. It’s so important to support small business, especially after the crazy few years we have all been living in.
“Shop local and support local people,” said Aaron, “if we don’t then we will all be living in a land full of Walmart’s.”
Aaron has truly made Mississippi proud, finishing sixth out of sixteen contestants, and he said that life has not been the same since his return from the show. He’s overwhelmed with the love and support he has received on social media from his fellow Mississippians.

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Joy + Chad

Cathead Distillery

BOP TO THE TOP

Castle Party

Aaron Michael

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