INSPIREMS

Hands in Clay {Insider Inspiration}

7/19/2017

Janice Fulton of Hands in Clay is already thinking about Christmas. "Every summer we offer our summer sale which is 20% off on all pottery, silhouettes, and impressions," says Fulton. The sale run until July 27th. “Now is a great time to take advantage of the 20% discount to get ahead on those one of a kind Christmas gifts for that special someone," smiles Fulton. “You can come into our store in Canton Mart Square this week or next week and place your order. We are excited to be at Nursery Rhymes in Highland Village, this Saturday, July 22nd,” continues Fulton. To sign up for a time slot for Saturday, click here. You can also call Nursery Rhymes to make an appointment.

The pottery and impressions have always been a favorite gift for mothers, fathers, grandparents, and others for special occasions. Another fun thing Hands in Clay offers that is included in the sale are silhouettes. “The silhouettes are a modern twist on a timeless classic,” says Fulton. “They are darling, hand drawn and precision cut with small details in the face,” continues Fulton. “The creamy, white clay is beautifully set on a dark background and they have quickly become an in-house favorite item.” You can find instructions on taking a photograph at home for the silhouette on the Hands in Clay website here.

To view pricing, to make an appt, or for more information on Hands in Clay, please visit their website here.

Just in case you miss this weekend at Nursery Rhymes, Hands in Clay will be at various retail locations throughout the summer and fall. Please click here for a complete list of dates and locations.

{Blog post by Jill Dale}

Neon Night at the Mississippi Children’s Museum! {Event}

7/12/2017

The Mississippi Children’s Museum comes to life Saturday night, July 15th, from 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at the 4th annual Neon Night summer fundraiser. With glowing lights, electrifying music, specialty drinks, and savory snacks, Young Professionals have the opportunity to connect with each other while supporting MCM’s educational initiatives and exploring award winning exhibits.

“Neon Night provides an exciting and unique opportunity for young professionals from around the state to experience the Mississippi Children’s Museum under the glow of neon lights,” said committee co-chairman Ross Weems. “We have been so fortunate to see this fundraiser grow each year thanks to our amazing community sponsors, supporters and guests. It has truly become one of the ‘can’t miss’ events of the year.”

Neon Night was established by a dedicated group of young adults who value and support MCM’s mission to promote literacy, health, and education for children. As MCM’s “youngest” signature event, it has quickly become a must-attend party for the young and young-at-heart crowd. “The outpour of support we see each year from this event never ceases to amaze me,” said Amye Bell, committee co-chair. “I feel honored to be part of a cause that contributes so much to children across the entire state of Mississippi. This event is a fun way to celebrate all the positive things MCM is doing for the future of our great state!”

Guests of the event are encouraged to “dress up” with glowing necklaces, rings, and bracelets, and dance the night away. A variety of food trucks including Hog Heaven BBQ, LurnyD’s Grille, and Small Time Hot Dogs will be on hand for guests to enjoy. A specialty cocktail contest will also be held, where Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, The Iron Horse Grill, and Fondren Public will present their signature drink for the evening. To top off the fun night, Mustache the Band will be there to entertain guests with everyone’s favorite 90’s country party hits!

Get your tickets today for this glowing event. Registration is required and limited to big kids only (attendees must be 21 or over).

To purchase tickets to Neon Night or to learn more about the event, please visit http://mschildrensmuseum.org/events/event/neon-night/.

To learn more about the Mississippi Children’s Museum, please visit www.mschildrensmuseum.org.

{Blog post by Jill Dale and a special thank you to Mississippi Children's Museum for providing pictures from the 2016 event.}

The Choctaw Spirit Lives On: Choctaw Indian Fair {Event}

7/10/2017

Celebrate the Choctaw heritage at the 68th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair! The fair begins Wednesday, July 12th and will run through Saturday, July 15th. Held in beautiful Choctaw, Mississippi, enjoy the journey of the Choctaw people through historical and cultural displays, social dancing, tribal arts & crafts, Choctaw stickball, the Choctaw Indian Princess Pageant, and traditional Choctaw food. This year’s theme, “The Choctaw Spirit Lives On,” is a nod to the beautiful and vibrant culture of the Choctaw people. The fair offers carnival rides and games for the young and old alike, Shawi’s Discovery Zone, and musical performances by Dan + Shay, Hunter Hayes, and The Band Perry. Read more about the Choctaw Indian Fair in Inspiration Mississippi.

For more information about the Choctaw Indian Fair, please visit www.choctawindianfair.com

Camp Rainbow: Where Every Child Has A Childhood {Life}

7/7/2017

Each summer, a special group of kids come together to have fun and celebrate life. For many of them, it is a week where they get to feel normal if only for a few days. They laugh, play, and do the things their peers do all the while cared and watched over by the doctors and nurses that have become their friends, some consider like family. This special place is called Camp Rainbow and for many it is a chance to be a normal kid and do the things many of the peers get to experience each summer and at the same time connect with others who have experienced the same circumstances. Camp Rainbow is a week-long summer camp for pediatric cancer patients and survivors between the ages of 6-17 in Mississippi. Each year, between 80-100 campers attend the camp that is currently held at Twin Lakes Campground near Florence, MS.

The impact that camp has upon the kids is everlasting. Children who will never be able to walk can fly among the trees on a zip line or swing through the sky on the ropes course. Children who will never be able to play sports due to removal of organs or aggressive treatment are able to kick a soccer ball or play basketball with other kids. Past campers often come back to volunteer as counselors and to strengthen the friendships they’ve made in the past. Camp may only be a few days, but the memories made and the confidence the kids will experience lasts forever.

Paige Scruggs, the Director of Camp Rainbow, is a childhood cancer survivor. She knows firsthand the importance of this camp and what it means to each child that attends year in and year out. She shares more about the camp and what it’s all about with us today.

{Tell me about yourself and how you got involved with Camp Rainbow.}

My name is Paige Scruggs. I was diagnosed with ALL (Leukemia) at the age of 2. I first attended Camp Rainbow as a camper at age 8 and 19 years later, I’m still going. I became a counselor right after graduating from High School and then in February of 2017 became the Director. I am married to Justin Scruggs - a former camper and current counselor. We were diagnosed with ALL at the same time (I was 2 - he was 6). He’s been attending Camp Rainbow for 24 years. He relapsed at age of 18 and has been in remission for about 10 years now.

{What do the kids do at Camp Rainbow?}

We have a lot of different activities available for the campers - archery (provided by Bowhunters of Mississippi), Ropes/Rock wall, swimming, lake activities, arts and crafts, disc hockey, hammock land. We host a dance, have movie/game night, s’mores night, talent show, awards ceremony. It’s your typical summer camp activities, however we tailor it to our campers!

{How is Camp Rainbow funded?}

We provide the funding for the campers by fundraisers. We also have donors who donate money and supplies for camp, and we are thankful for their help in providing this camp opportunity. We do not have the campers/family pay anything. It’s approximately $500.00 per camper so each year we have to raise around $30,000 to be able to host camp.

{Camp Rainbow is such a special and unique place. What makes it so special to you?}

I love being a part of Camp Rainbow because it’s like I’m able to give back to these children what my counselors gave to me when I was a camper. It’s crazy to think that some of my best friends now are some of my former counselors. If you ask around, a lot of the counselors have been coming for years and they keep coming back because Camp Rainbow is special. We have the best kids and the best time at camp.

{Is there a moment/memory that sticks out to you that reminds you why you are a part of it?}

It’s so hard to pick out one moment or memory that reminds me as to why I’m still a part of it. Camp has been in my life for 19 years now, I can’t imagine a year when it’s no longer in my life. I hope that one day when we have kids, our children are able to be counselors - that’s how much love we all have for this camp. It’s a family. I can’t pick and choose a particular memory/moment. It was, however, pretty special for me to get engaged to Justin at camp - so that’s pretty high on my list of favorite moments at camp.

“We don’t want to hoard all these wonderful memories to ourselves! We encourage others to get involved! Funding is important, and we are grateful for everyone who joins alongside us in the pursuit of not just a few days of camp, but the opportunity to help change lives,” smiles Paige.

For more information on this amazing camp and how you can help, please visit Camp Rainbow’s website at www.camprainbowms.com

{Blog post by Jill Dale. A special thank you to Camp Rainbow for the pictures.}

Adeline's Birthday Celebration: A Peppa the Pig Party {Event}

7/5/2017

{Name} Becca Stewart
{Hometown} Madison, MS
{Event Site} The Stewart Home

{Tell us about the occasion for the event?}
Adeline’s 2nd birthday party

{What inspired your event location and theme?}
Peppa Pig was the first show that ever got her attention. We had a DVD of Peppa in the car that my son watched, and I had it on when she was a little over a year old. I noticed she was being quiet and saw her actually focusing on it. She has been obsessed with it ever since.

{What inspired your color scheme/flowers?}
I went with the colors of Peppa…light pink, white, a little yellow, and a little green.

{What’s your favorite event detail? Is there a story behind it?}
I loved all the Peppa Pig “themed” foods. It’s so fun to me to prepare them and set them out with their little food cards.

{What was your favorite part of the event planning process?}
I love to organize and plan! So I love it all - from picking out the cake to thinking of what decorations I want to include from the T.V. show. Also, I loved picking out her outfit (dress, knee socks, bows, shoes…it’s so fun having a girl!)

{What was your favorite moment of the event day?}
Just watching her play with her cousins and our friends and family that came to celebrate our girl. It was 80 degrees in the middle of February, so we had a jump castle and they all played in the backyard and had a ball.

Photographer: Becca Stewart
Venue: Home of Becca and John Michael Stewart
Florist: Flowers were from Kroger!
Cake: The Turquoise Chandelier
Petit Fours: Lulu’s Sweet Shop
Cookies: Dayton Gamble
Birthday Crown: Glamhatter - Etsy
Birthday Banner: Prop Shop Boutique - Etsy
Birthday gift from Mom and Dad: Painted rocking chair from Olde Tyme Commissary
Invitation, Food Cards, Paper Products : Ruff Draft Papers