"The sky had cleared, and now the sun was overhead, already baking the wet ground so that you could see the humidity drifting lazily about the cotton stalks."  John Grisham, A Painted House

Today, we are thrilled to unveil the beautiful Summer cover of Inspiration Mississippi Magazine!  We are also pleased to share our summer photo shoot with you, set along the scenic Mississippi coast. 

Our models donned gorgeous Vintage-inspired dresses, delicately draped in lace and intricate beading.  Any of these romantic gowns would command the spotlight on your wedding day.  We hope you adore these lovely images as much as we do!

A special thank you to the following vendors:
Photography by Adam + Alli Photography
Dresses by Mimi's Bridal   
Hair & Makeup by Mod by Kristina Myers
Rentals by Modern Revival Rentals 
Floral Design by Au Courant Floral

Hoping to freshen up your home this season?  Look no further than SummerHouse in Ridgeland.   The stunning showroom and interior design firm specializes in clean, fresh, light, classic and soft modern designs. 

TOMORROW kicks off SummerHouse’s annual BACKDOOR SALE, featuring an endless assortment of amazing pieces at extraordinary prices.  Owner and Principal Designer, Lisa Palmer, says, “We have sofas, chairs, coffee tables, rugs, accessories, lamps, beds, framed prints, bedding, throws, pillows and lighting.  These are great things that we are ready to sell at fantastic prices - to make room for new!” 

We hope to see all of you tomorrow and Saturday at the incredible Backdoor Sale!  This year’s sale will take place at 853 Wilson Drive in Ridgeland.  For more information on the sale, please visit the SummerHouse website here! 

{Bride}  Alexandria Lee Sumrall (Alex)
{Groom}  Allen Scott Massingill
{Hometowns} Bay Springs and Meridian
{Wedding Site} Bay Springs United Methodist Church. Bay Springs, MS
{Reception Site} Bride’s family home (Bill and Suzanne Sumrall), Bay Springs
{Bride’s Bouquet} Dusty miller, eucalyptus, calla lilies, billy buttons, variegated pittosporum, and hypericum berries
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Dusty miller, eucalyptus, calla lilies, billy buttons, variegated pittosporum, hypericum berries, and protea 

{How did the two of you meet?} We were introduced by a mutual friend in the fall of our freshmen year at Mississippi State University.

{What is your proposal story?} Ever since we began dating, I always wanted Allen to ask me something in food: to a date party, dinner, etc., but he never did.  The night before my 22nd birthday, Allen took me to dinner at Restaurant Tyler, our favorite Starkville restaurant, where we had celebrated every birthday and anniversary for the past 3 years.  After dinner, Allen drove us back to his apartment for birthday cake.  Allen made me sit in the living room while he “got the cake ready.” I just assumed he was putting candles on the cake or something.  When I walked into the kitchen the cake read, “Will you marry me?”  When I turned around Allen was on one knee with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. 

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} My childhood church has always been extremely special to me; it never occurred to us to get married anywhere else. It was important to me to begin my new life where I grew up, so my childhood home was always our only option.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} We wanted a seasonal color, and with both families being lifelong MSU fans, maroon seemed like the perfect choice. The reception was a reflection of how Allen and I live life: relaxed, with abundant elements of nature.  As far as flowers, my mom and florist Connie Ware made most of the decisions; they are both extremely talented.  The main goal was for everything to be seasonal, with the exception of sunflowers and mums.

{How did you pick “the dress?”} I knew I wanted a lace dress with straps. When my mom and I went dress shopping we both instantly knew it was “the one” the second we added a veil.  

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} My bouquet.  Both my mom and father-in-law are avid gardeners, and I wanted to make sure our wedding flowers incorporated their shared enthusiasm.  My mom grew the succulents and Allen’s dad grew the dusty miller in my bouquet. There were even cuttings from my parents’ yard in every boutonniere and bouquet.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} I absolutely loved all of the time I was able to spend with my family. Almost every evening before the wedding when I was in Bay Springs, my parents and I would sit in the rocking chairs on the porch and look out at the area where the reception would be held.  The three of us would discuss all the details and get excited thinking about how much fun we were going to have.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Allen and I choose to have a “first look” before the ceremony.  Initially we made this decision to help make the day more efficient. However, it wasn’t until the morning of the wedding that I realized how important it was that we see each other.  We were both a little nervous, but that seemed to go away as soon as we saw each other.

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} I will cherish the memories of our flower girls, ring bearers, and program attendants dancing to the band for the rest of my life.  We worked for months to make sure all our guests would enjoy themselves. To actually see people that you care for so deeply, genuinely thrilled is a wonderful feeling.  Luckily, Barrett Photography was able to capture the children’s fun beautifully.

{Your favorite picture from the big day?} This picture was taken in the doorway of the church, right after we saw each other for the first time. I feel like it perfectly captures our excitement and joy.   


{The picture that represents the two of you best?} 
The picture of us attempting to dance to one of our favorite songs from college.  We are both terrible dancers and every time we try to dance it always ends up with us historically laughing.

Photographer: Barrett Photography 
Event Planner: N/A Diana Montgomery directed the ceremony and my parents planned the wedding and reception.
Dress: The Bridal Path, Jackson, MS
Bride’s Jewelry: I borrowed my mom’s necklace and earrings.  The necklace was actually the same one she wore when she and my dad married.
Hair: Madison Burrell
Make-up: Madison Burrell
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids, Jackson, MS
Tuxes: Tuxes Too
Videographer: 4M productions
Venue: Bay Springs United Methodist Church and the home of the bride’s parents.
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Rentals: Great Southern Events, Alexander’s Hardware, and McGraw Gotta Go
Florist: Taylorsville Florist and Gift
Catering: Fresh Cut Catering and Floral 
Bar: Local friends
Band: Chris Gill and the Sole Shakers
Bride’s Cake: Family friend
Groom’s Cake: family friend
Print Material: Forrest Paper Company  

Bliss Gift and Home is one of Jackson’s most impressive and gorgeous gift stores.  Nestled inside of Banner Hall, Bliss is filled with beautiful treasures, and customers are flocking to Bliss to fill their registries with unique gifts.  Bliss offers registry for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, babies, graduation, and retirement.  Owner Cathy Joyner says, “Everyone LOVES reviewing their loved ones’ wish lists, so they know they are buying a gift the recipient will absolutely adore!”

We had a wonderful chat with Cathy about Bliss Baby and Bliss Bridal Registries.  Today, she fills us in on all of the lovely gifts in her store:

Tell us about your Bliss baby gifts!
“Bliss offers registry for expectant parents to ensure they receive just what baby wants and needs.   We are pleased to offer the very popular Chewbeads necklaces, bracelets, teething rings and infant toys.  We offer a nice selection of basic everyday needs such as blankets, bibs and burp pads, adorable onesies with precious sayings such as ‘Worth the Wait’ and ‘New to Town.’

We have a beautiful line of affordable, but exquisite linen rompers and day gowns, as well as Christening Gowns and sheets. The traditional silver piggy bank and rattle are always a treasure to receive.   We particularly love our mobiles and bedding from just across the border in Canada.  The swaddle blankets are the perfect weight for the Mississippi heat, but ensure baby feels cuddled and swaddled but with fabric that is cool and airy.  And, one of our most popular gifts is the pink, blue or ecru canvases complete with stamp pad and instructions for capturing baby’s footprint.” 

Can Brides and Grooms register with Bliss? 
“Bliss is one of couples’ favorite places to register. The grooms particularly love our zapper guns so they can go through the store zapping away.  AND, so that zapper gun envy is not the cause of their first fight, we have TWO zapper guns ready to go at all times.  

With everything from Arte Italica tableware to baskets, mirrors, lamps and artwork, to serving pieces to cookware to linens (shall we keep going), brides frequently say that Bliss is their preferred shopping place for their very kind and generous wedding guests.   And the Groom LOVES the man cave at Bliss.  The copper moscow mule cups are a big hit with the guys along with many other ‘macho man’ offerings.”   

What is the easiest way for their friends and family to purchase items on their registry? 
“Coming into the store is certainly the most blissful experience. There’s nothing like seeing, touching and feeling the many gift options.  However, we are HAPPY to take your phone call, text or email pictures and pricing of products and work with you in any way to make your gift giving EASY.  Very soon we hope to have our e-commerce website up and going with each couple’s registry listed.   Stay tuned for that exciting development.  Regardless, our goal is to make it very easy on the shopper.”

What special items does Bliss carry that brides and grooms cannot find elsewhere?
“We are so pleased to offer beautiful glassware made in Italy called Egizia.  We are still receiving the pieces of this beautiful line and are so anxious to offer an assortment, but for now we offer highballs, double old-fashions, vodka glasses, various sizes of bowls and stunning decanters.  Coming soon are cake plates, platters and other gorgeous but very useful pieces.  The current stock is adorned with silver or white but gold is being handmade as we ‘speak.’     

We also have access to designers in Atlanta and Dallas who will custom make jewelry for mother of the bride or groom and bridesmaid gifts.  We carry some of their original pieces in the store now, but can also work with the bride to have unique, one of a kind items made for her entourage.

Another original and exclusive to Bliss is a talented handbag designer from North Carolina. We just had one bride receive one as her ‘something blue’…the bag is named Camille.  It is another match meant to be, as the bride’s name is also Camille! We love our Mississippi artists who have original pieces in Bliss.  Prices on the art range from $28 - $2400.  Any would be a beautiful addition to the young couple’s new home.”

Anything else you want to add?
“While we have quickly become known for our beautiful gift wrap, one of the things brides appreciate most is certainly what is inside the gift!  In addition to a fabulous selection from their friends and family, we include an enclosure card that specifies the purchaser, the name of the item(s), any special care that is required for the gift, suggestions for various uses AND the address for easy thank you note writing. We want to do anything we can to offer a more blissful experience for our special couples.  

Registered couples have many other perks as well.   Bliss brides enjoy a ten percent discount on all hostess gifts along with our beautiful complimentary gift wrap and, if desired, a message of thanks from the bride and groom.  Couples also receive ten percent off of bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts AND one month after the wedding date, we tally a total of all purchases made on their behalf and give the couple a store credit of ten percent of total purchases.  That’s our blissful gift as thanks for letting us be a part of their engagement and wedding.  

We so look forward to our brides and their family dropping in the store to collect their gifts, but are happy to deliver gifts within a ten-mile radius.  We are happy to deliver hostess gifts to the home of the soiree on the day of the event as well.  Again, we want to help make this even more of a blissful time for the happy couple and their loved ones.    

One of our offerings that is the most fun for our team is working with young couples on merging households.  We have a blast taking the ‘his and hers’ and helping orchestrate what to keep, what to ‘reinvent’ and gently suggesting what to donate (it’s usually the guy stuff that needs to move on to another life)!!   We discuss their registry items and prioritize what to keep, exchange, and/or incorporate into the new household.  Then we help map out a plan of priorities (and budget) of what to add to the household over time.  This is a wonderful way to maintain a ‘blissful’ household with a third party helping to mesh the male and female perspective of what’s needed to make a happy home (warning guys:  serving pieces and trays usually beat out rifles and hunting knives; BUT, we do offer custom made knives at Bliss that are the envy of every hunter)”

Thank you, Cathy, for telling us more about Bliss’s incredible gifts and how to register!  You can visit the Bliss website here!

Also, a special thank you to Christina Foto for the perfectly precious photographs!

Runway Shows are intense, exciting and overflowing with creativity.  With lovely lighting, a carefully curated playlist, and stunning models floating down the runway in incredible designs, fashion shows can truly be a magical experience. 

If you have ever dreamed of attending a New York designer’s runway show, you are in luck!  Tomorrow at 5:00pm, the Old Carthage Elementary School will open its doors and unveil an extraordinary evening of style at The Local Fashion Advantage event. 

In 2013, fashion designer Hilton Hollis felt the urge to give back to his hometown.  “I wanted to save my old elementary school.  It was in complete disrepair, and was basically boarded up and empty.  This gorgeous, 1920’s red brick school building with beautiful architecture and amazing white columns was abandoned,” says Hilton.  “It was unbelievable to me that they would let this stunning building go to waste.”

A native Mississippian, Hilton Hollis developed a passion for sewing and design at a young age.  In 1997, Hilton moved to New York City, studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and trained under some of the world’s most renowned designers.  Hilton now designs under his own label, Hilton Hollis, and creates beautiful, wearable pieces for the modern woman.

Hilton partnered with several people from his Carthage class, and The Local Fashion Advantage was born.  This year, the evening will begin with a silent auction, and one lucky bidder will win a luxurious package filled with shopping in Atlanta, clothing from Hilton Hollis, and high-end jewelry.  Following the silent auction, Hilton will be showing his beautiful Fall 2015 collection, and many local designers and boutiques will be featured as well.  During the incredible Runway Show, guests will be dazzled by musical performances, dancing and singing.

Over a few short years, thousands of dollars have been raised, and the handsome building has come to life once again.  The old elementary school now serves as a Community Center for special events, and thanks to Hilton and The Local Fashion Advantage, the auditorium finally has an air conditioner.  Hilton laughs, “It took 80-plus years to get it air conditioned!  It is pretty remarkable.”  Little by little, the auditorium has been completely renovated, from the 600 seats to the magnificent velvet curtain.  It has rightfully returned to its original splendor.

Beyond the financial aspects of the event, The Local Fashion Advantage has given creative Mississippians an outlet to express themselves.  Local designers, hair and makeup stylists, and even aspiring models are welcome to participate.  “Last year we had people from Vicksburg all the way to Memphis.  We even had a few from Birmingham.  It is pretty awesome that a small town like Carthage can pull in that sort of crowd.” 

A few young women have even acquired major modeling contracts after walking in the event!  Hilton says, “Two years ago we were doing our first local model casting.  I was flipping through the head shots and noticed a girl named ‘Hollis.’ I immediately wondered if we were kin!  She came in to walk for me and was a complete natural.  She was unbelievable and looked like she had been walking in Paris shows for years.  Today she has signed with a major model management company in New York City and models full-time!”

The Local Fashion Advantage has encouraged the Carthage community and people throughout the state. “I guess what we have been able to do has inspired people.  It is huge that we can make that sort of impact.  It goes way beyond the financial impact; it is really about promoting self-worth and being able to do something above and beyond what you think you are capable of,” says Hilton.

We hope you all attend this incredible event, and feel inspired by the creations presented throughout the evening!  For more information on The Local Fashion Advantage, please click here.  You can also view Hilton’s beautiful collection on his website here.