Brown Bottling Group is excited to share its newest offering, LIFEWTR. A purified water that is pH balanced with electrolytes added for taste, LIFEWTR combines creativity and design to serve as source of inspiration and hydration. The bottles provide a beautiful canvas for art and design, featuring rotating label motifs created by emerging and developing artists, whose work will serve as a spark of creativity and dose of inspiration.

“One of the coolest things about this premium water is that the artwork on the labels will change every three months or so. There are currently 3 bottle designs, and there will be 3 brand new designs to replace the current ones at the end of May,” says Emily Helm, Marketing Manager at Brown Bottling Grown. Series 1 artists include MOMO, Craig and Karl, and Jason Woodside. All 3 artists create vibrant art for public spaces.

Be inspired and unleash your creative potential with LIFEWTR. To learn more about Brown Bottling Group, click here. You can find more information about LIFEWTR and read about the Series 1 artists at www.lifewtr.com

I know that my redeemer lives,and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19:25-27

Florist:  Willow Blu
Photographer:  Katelyn Anne Photography

Easter blessings from the team at Inspiration Mississippi.

Rarely does an event complement a bride so beautifully.  Beneath a chandelier wrapped in greenery and florals, Alexa Stone and her dearest friends gathered in her fiancé’s family garden for a dreamy bridal shower.

“Alexa has a very vintage, bohemian and chic style and personality.  We wanted the party to be the perfect mix of elegance meets flower child,” says her best friend and future sister-in-law, Kaci Morrison. 

“I couldn't believe how every single detail of the shower was a complete reflection of me,” smiles Stone.  “I was overwhelmed.  It was total perfection, from the flowers and food to the décor, everything was perfect.”

On the morning of the party, the hostesses secretly gathered to create exquisite floral crowns with Greenleaf Florals.  Braided with a mix of peonies, daises and greenery, the crowns topped each place setting, astonishing each and every guest.  Stone was floored.  “Not only did the girls take the time to hand make one for me, they made these magnificent flower crowns for every single guest.”

Before toasting the bride with champagne, her friends pinned a handwritten note to an antique birdcage.  It was the perfect sendoff after an afternoon beautifully blended with elegant and bohemian details.  Stone reflects, “I will always remember the incredible toast.  It was very humbling to be sitting there, showered by such thoughtfulness and beauty, knowing it is all for you.  To realize you truly have people in your life who know the real you and celebrate your individuality is the most special feeling. I wish that for everyone!”

Venue:  The Morrison Home                                                                                                                                                Florist:  Greenleaf Florist
Cake:  Nothing Bundt Cakes
Cookies:  Campbell’s Bakery
Macarons:  La Brioche Bakery

“I have always connected with nature and the history of my family in the outdoors.  But I had grown increasingly frustrated that classic hunting gear had not changed.  It didn’t have modern functionality; there was no place for your cell phone.  So, Wren & Ivy was born,” smiles B.C. Rogers.  “I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I designed and made it myself.  We took classic looking gear and added modern functionality to it.”

Wren & Ivy is a family business based in Madison, creating impressive hunting and outdoor gear.  Each handsome piece is handmade and comes with a lifetime guarantee.  Most of the Wren & Ivy rugged leather bags are crafted in Leon, Mexico.  Rogers says, “Leon is the leather capital of the world and provides the best consistent quality; all of our bags have a great weathered look.  Our motto is ‘Leave a Legacy.’  The day your bag looks the worst is the day you receive it.  We used ours this past hunting season and after over fifty days in the field, they looked incredible.”

Wren & Ivy also has an impressive array of outdoor accessories. “We have everything from a sleep bag to a Gentleman’s Grooming Kit.  All of our products were designed by a man and made with masculine materials – wax canvas and bridle leather.  If you want to personalize your gift, embossing is included in all of our products!  It’s nice to personalize a gift for your husband or father.  It really makes it special for them,” says Rogers.

The intricate Wren & Ivy logo has a wonderful family story.  Rogers smiles, “I designed the logo with an artist friend from Vermont.  My three-year-old daughter is Wren and my one-year-old son is named Ivy.  In the middle of the logo sits the Wren, representing my beautiful daughter, and she is surrounded and protected by her brother, Ivy.  She is resting on three petals, symbolizing the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

Rogers adds, “I would never presume my children will take over the company one day.  But I want them to know that everything my wife, Kim, and I do is certainly for them and with them in mind.”  He smiles, “Wren loves to walk in, point to the logo and say, ‘That’s me!’”

Handsome gear guaranteed to last a lifetime.  What a legacy Wren & Ivy will leave on generations to come.  Wren & Ivy products are available in Persnickety, a gorgeous shop in Madison.  For more information on this extraordinary Mississippi company and to purchase products online, please visit www.wrenandivy.com.

{Blog post by Mitchell Walters}

Saturday, April 8th is National Zoo Lovers Day! Celebrated nationwide, this is a great excuse to get your family and friends together and visit one or all of the zoos located here in our great state!

The Hattiesburg Zoo

The Hattiesburg Zoo is located on over 14 acres amidst oak and pine trees surrounding Hattiesburg’s Kamper Park. The zoo includes over 55 different species of animals from 5 different continents! Experience the animals up close as you learn about them at the zoo, a living classroom. The EdZOOcation Center helps kids of all ages discover animals with direct access to a "petting zoo" and live talks provided by a zookeepeer. You can also picnic at the zoo, ride the carousel or take a ride on the train. For more information visit http://www.zoohattiesburg.com/

Jackson Zoological Park

The Jackson Zoological Park is located on 110 acres of land, with 54 of those acres developed, in Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson. The zoo is an interactive family friendly facility that offers various animal displays including chimpanzees, Sumatran tigers, Grevy's zebras, giraffes, red wolves and more. While at the zoo, be sure to catch a ride on the Replica Steam Train at Livingston Park. For more information visit http://jacksonzoo.org/

Although Zoo Lovers Day is celebrated tomorrow, April 8th, you can visit the Jackson Zoo tonight, April 7th from 6:00pm – 9:00pm for the 10th annual Zoo Brew. This 21-and-up event has grown from 80 guests and a limited selection of beers when it started in 2007, to 24 home brewers and 80 craft tastings! There will also be a dozen restaurants coming with delicious samples, specialty cocktails, the Jackson Zoo Brew "Get TRex'd" IPA from Lucky Town, the annual Tyson Wing Eating Competition, an awesome raffle, and great live music, all in the shadow of 12 animatronic dinos visiting on the African Forest Boardwalk.

Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo

Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is home to over 260 animals. Explore the heart of where the buffalo roam on the monster bison bus or hop aboard the open air trolley to experience all the sights, sounds, and smells of the park. Some of the species you will see include water buffalo, giraffes, kangaroos, wallabies, zebras, lions, tigers and bears, along with many others. You will even have the opportunity to feed some of the animals and see them face to face including Joe the Camel, Patches the Giraffe and Zeke and Zelda the Zebras. Visit the petting zoo where kids can get up-close with rabbits, turkeys, pigmy goats, pot belly pigs and deer. Younger kids can also enjoy pony rides, while guided horse trail rides are available for the entire family. For more information visit http://www.tupelobuffalopark.com/

Get outside and visit a zoo this weekend and be sure to use #NationalZooLoversDay when you post on social media.