The recently renovated Capital Club proved to be the perfect venue for the pair's lively celebration. "I fell in love with the Capital Club one Sunday afternoon when I was there for lunch with my father. The space has a modern, spacious feel that perfectly matched my vision, and of course the food was absolutely incredible!" smiles Anna Claire. Free flowing floral arrangements of whites and creams with pops of light blue reflected the bride's laid back style and guests danced the night away against the stunning backdrop of the downtown Jackson skyline.

CHURCH: Fondren Church | EVENT VENUE & CATERING: Capital Club | PHOTOGRAPHY: Karla Pound | FLORALS: Magpie Floral | LIGHTING: Davaine Lighting | SOUND: Bobby Gross | CAKES: Cakes by Iris | SUITS: The Rogue | BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES: Show Me Your Mumu | BAND: DMP of Memphis

Happy Friday, friends! We're here to show you some amazing Mississippi swag and also to brag on our dear friend, Kristen Ley. Kristen owns Thimblepress and is one our favorite entrepreneurs and girl bosses! (You may remember our feature on her here!) She just released her holiday line and we are obsessed to say the least! There is an option for babies, toddlers, adults and coffee/tea lovers! Don't live in Mississippi? No worries; she has sweatshirt options for every single state! You can see and shop them all here! We hope you have the best weekend!

     Mark your calendars, friends! Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 7:00pm, will be this year's gala for Special Olympics Mississippi. It will take place in one our favorite hotels, The Westin Jackson. (If you've never been to the Westin before, you're in for a real treat! It's so beautiful, especially around the holidays!) This year's gala will celebrate over 6,000 athletes across the state who compete in the Special Olympics and recognize their success both on and off the field!
     What to expect? A little of everything! There will be food, beer and wine selections from Estelle Wine Bar & Bistro (located at The Westin). There will be a silent auction complete with incredible items unique to Mississippi. The Love Notez and the Central Mississippi Blues Society will be the entertainment for the night. Oh, and don't forget attire! It's black tie optional. Make sure to grab your tickets here: give.classy.org/2019galatickets and follow the Special Olympics of Mississippi's IG account here.
IMAGE: Special Olympics MS website.

     Teresa Renkenberger's selflessness is something everyone should aspire to. Growing up underprivileged in central Mississippi, Teresa can empathize with those in our community who are in desperate need of help from others who are more fortunate than they are. "I know what it feels like to have people make fun of you and to look at you differently. I have a big thing for doing everything I can to help those who are underprivileged in a massive way," says Teresa. "Whenever I see someone who is homeless I can't help but engage in a conversation with them. I sit with them, pray with them, I'll ask them how they got there and if they want to get out of that situation and what I can do to make that happen," says Teresa. Teresa was inspired by one of those conversations she had with a homeless man named Benny, in downtown Jackson one afternoon. "I asked him the last time he had been able to take a shower and he told me it had been over a year since he had a proper shower. I could not believe it! It was then I knew I had to do something about this problem in our community." That conversation with Benny planted the seed that would eventually grow into Shower Power, an outreach program that aims to bring dignity to the homeless in the Jackson area.
     Teresa knew that she needed to figure out a way to bring showers to those in need, and began working on the Shower Power mobile shower unit after doing a big of research into similar programs in other states. She purchased the first truck she saw on Craigslist from Kevin Poe at Wayne's Body Shop. Kevin Poe graciously offered to help her turn the truck into a shower unit. JH&H Architects also lent a helping hand by creating the blueprints and design for the truck. "The assistance I've received from Kevin and JH&H is really God's blessing. Everyone has been so generous in helping me make this project possible," smiles Teresa.
     Addressing the issue in our local community is very important to Teresa. "There is a need right here in Jackson, one does not have to go far to minister to those who are less fortunate; there are so many who need help right down the road." For many, the ability to take a shower whenever they want to is taken for granted every day. "People do not recognize the power behind a shower. That's what we are trying to change with Shower Power. Having the ability to clean up could give someone the confidence to go and get a job and start changing their situation. My goal is small, through Shower Power I want to help one person a year get back to living the life they deserve to live."

     Due to the level of his talent and success, it's difficult to believe that Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is only twenty years old. The Clarksdale native is a versatile artist whose passion for creating music was evident from the first time he picked up an instrument at the young age of three years old. "I can remember it like it was yesterday. I initially started playing the drums and then moved to bass and then to the guitar. For me, playing music is incredibly empowering. I was obviously not a great drummer immediately, but there was something about how holding an instrument makes me feel.  It made me want to be a great player. It made me want to practice, to play that instrument every day," says Kingfish.
     Practice he did, by the age of thirteen Kingfish was fluent in all three instruments. With the unwavering support of his parents and extended family, Kingfish began training at the Delta Blues Museum under the tutelage of Richard "Daddy Rich" Chrisman and Bill Howl-N-Madd Perry. "I have some really fantastic memories of learning my craft there," smiles Kingfish. He credits his upbringing for fueling his passion for performance. As a child, he spent time taking in the rich sounds of gospel music that flooded his church. Further, both his mother and father were musically inclined, creating an environment at home that nurtured Kingfish's dreams of becoming a musician. "My mother has been right by my side through everything, including his musical journey and my father gave me the seeds of musical influence that I believe my own personal style grew from," says Kingfish.
     The versatility of Kingfish's musical style reflects the depth of his talent as a young artist. Influenced by a whole host of musicians, ranging from the Delta Blues of Muddy Waters to the Electric Blues of B.B. King, and to the Rock of Jimi Hendrix and Prince, Kingfish's personal style is an original sound that is a distinct combination of these great artists. "It is very important to me to create a sound and style of playing that is uniquely, and definitely my own," says Kingfish. His unique style and talent has landed him on stage next to legendary artists like Bob Margolin, Eric Gales, and Buddy Guy, to name a few. Kingfish has traveled across the country delighting audiences at music festivals and performance venues. He has had the opportunity to perform on the international stage, television, and even at the White House for former First Lady, Michelle Obama.
     Having graduated from high school in May 2017, Kingfish was able to focus on producing his first record that released in early 2019. "Vocally I really am coming into my own with this project. I love singing and I truly hope that people enjoy what I've done on my debut record. Right now, I'm really trying to focus on my songwriting; I have a lot to say! I really am excited about putting this project out there. I appreciate every bit of support I've gotten as a musician that has gotten me to here. All I know is that I couldn't have done this alone, there are so many people over the years who have been great to me during this journey. My real hope is that I'll continue to be blessed with the ability to make good music and that throughout this journey I will have the opportunity to say thank you to many, many more people along the way," says Kingfish. "The biggest piece of advice I would give other aspiring artists is to never give up, always work hard, and be good to people. I am only twenty, but I have been playing instruments a very long time; there is no such thing as overnight success. I am a big believer that if someone is willing to put the time and effort into a dream, then it will come true."
     Much like the Mississippi artists that have come before him, Kingfish finds inspiration in the place he is proud to call home. "This is the place I was born and raised, there will always be lots of love in my heart for Mississippi. There is something special about the memories that I have from growing up here that will always be with me, no matter where I go or where I'm performing. I've been blessed to travel the world by way of my music, but there really is nothing better than coming home to the Delta. I would love for people to know that the Mississippi Delta is so much more than just its music. It's a community that is famous for its music, but is rich with some of the best, most down to earth people in the world. I hope that people that visit the Delta take that understanding with them when they go," smiles Kingfish.