“I always knew I wanted to live in a big city.  It seemed like a far-fetched idea to move to New York City to become a fashion designer.  I just didn’t know how to make it happen!  Then I got a job working at Maison Weiss.  Mr. Weiss took me under his wing, told me I was talented and said, ‘you should be doing something really special.’”

Hilton Hollis grew up on a farm in Carthage, Mississippi.  Creative, warm and gregarious, Hilton adored his hometown but yearned for something more.  As a child, he confided in a small group of people and told them his big city dreams.  He says, “I had a few people laugh at me and say, ‘Hilton, you can’t do that!’”

After a brief stint at a college in Rhode Island, Hilton returned to Mississippi and flexed his talent and creativity by designing the windows of the lovely, upscale Maison Weiss boutique in Jackson.  He not only caught the eyes of shoppers, but also of the store’s owner, Mr. Bernard Weiss. 

With a glowing letter of recommendation from Mr. Weiss, Hilton was soon enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.  His designs grabbed the attention of others in the industry, and he soon began working at Calvin Klein.  With Tim Gardner as his mentor, he gained expertise in garment design and construction.

THIS Thursday and Friday, February 5-6, you have the opportunity to meet Hilton and shop his stunning Spring Collection at Maison Weiss.  Hilton says, “I have come full circle with my beginnings.  Working at Maison Weiss, coming to school with Mr. Weiss’s blessings and working in the fashion industry.  Being able to be back in the store and sell my line is incredible; I have made the full round!”

Today, Hilton’s collection is filled with gorgeous clothes for every occasion.  Made with Italian fabrics, each garment is spectacular in person.  “It truly is a total lifestyle collection,” said Hilton.  “We have everything from weekend wear to gorgeous cocktail and evening gowns.  We dress many mothers of the bride, and we have perfect pieces for the bride herself: from the engagement party to the reception.”

Refreshingly, Hilton’s muse for his line is a real woman, and he fits sizes 0 through 16. “I use a lot of my clients as inspiration; I am thinking about them as I design. I think it is important to remind yourself of what real women are wearing – not models.  I dress everyone from the sophisticated 30-year-old to the 90-year-old.  I have had situations where a mother, a daughter and a grandmother will all come in and buy something from the collection!”

Inspired by a recent getaway to the picturesque beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Hilton Hollis’s Spring 2015 Collection features beautifully relaxed silhouettes.  With longer skirts, flowing tops, and just the right amount of structure complementing the waist, each piece is a wearable work of art.  Our favorite pieces include a lovely lace jacket (Hilton’s vision of the “new cardigan”), a crisp, long white skirt belted with a colorful scarf, and of course, his infamous basic pant.  Hilton laughs, “they are like Spanx for your entire leg!”

Even with his great success, Hilton remains humble and grateful for his Mississippi roots.  He reflects, “Now that I am away from Mississippi, I love it even more.” 

We hope you will all welcome Hilton home and view his lovely pieces at Maison Weiss this Thursday and Friday!

For more information, please visit the Hilton Hollis website here, or the Maison Weiss website here. 

Mark your calendars!  On Friday, June 20, Hilton will host his annual fashion show fundraiser, supporting the elementary school in his hometown.  For more information on this incredible New York-style runway show, please visit the Local Fashion Advantage Facebook page here.  More details to follow on Inspiration Mississippi over the upcoming months! 

The most sought after sweet during January and February is a sugary, braided dough smothered in colored glaze and festive sprinkles.  This sinfully delicious dessert is the king cake, of course, and Broad Street Bakery has become the place to order this treasured Mardi Gras treat. 

While the cake is impressive, the pastry chef behind the perfect recipe is even more extraordinary!  Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Jen Adelsheimer was determined to become an occupational therapist.  Little did she know, her passion would change and twenty years later she would be the Pastry Chef at Broad Street Bakery in Jackson.  “My only exposure to baking was a couple of family recipes (chocolate chess pie and strawberry cake) that my Aunt Diane sent me from Mississippi.  She is the only reason I had any interest in it growing up,” says Jen. 

After graduating as Valedictorian of her high school and receiving a scholarship to Brenau University, her desire to become an occupational therapist soon faded.  “By my sophomore year, I called my parents and told them college was not for me.  I knew I needed to get out and explore the world a little.  My parents were always great at supporting my decisions,” she reflects.  After a year aboard a cruise ship in Germany and Hawaii, Jen saw a commercial and felt Le Cordon Bleu calling.  “I was sold!” she laughs.  She earned a degree in Patisserie and Baking and completed an internship at Disney World before settling in Jackson. 

One of Jen’s greatest accomplishments at Broad Street has to be her incredibly delicious king cakes.  “When I started as Pastry Chef, we sold 125 king cakes.  I was told how hard this time a year was and I had a big challenge ahead of me.  I decided to challenge myself and change the recipe.  We have since doubled or tripled the sales!  Most mornings start around 2 or 3 am and we work through 4 or 5pm.  It sounds crazy, but we just love to bake!”

Thanks to Jen and her talented team, their delicious king cakes have taken Mississippi by storm.  What makes them so delicious?  Jen says, “Oh that is simple.  The heart and energy that go into each and every cake!  My team is 120% dedicated to each other and what we make for our customers.  We love to see our customers smile!”

The infamous Broad Street cake boasts an almond cream filling that is made from real almonds.  Most bakeries add an imitation almond flavoring to cream cheese, but Jen and her team create a mouthwatering almond paste. Fans of Broad Street's cakes can taste the difference.  

Though their recipe is top secret, Jen reveals the 7-step process takes two days.  The cakes are made from scratch with a buttery brioche dough, then filled with homemade cream cheese filling and almond cream.  The dough is then folded into a simple braid and tied into an oval shape.  Fresh from the oven, the cakes are coated in an apricot glaze, topped with a sugar icing then decorated with sprinkles.  Then Jen laughs, "Oh and now the fun part - it is ready to eat!"

Thank you, Jen, for sharing your delectable king cakes with us! 

Broad Street also offers their made from scratch Savory Jalapeno Cheddar Crawfish King Cake, consisting of a jalapeno cheddar brioche dough filled with creamy crawfish dip and topped with more jalapenos and cheddar cheese.  This is a fantastic dish to take home and finish baking for friends and family! 

Also, THIS weekend, Broad Street will be offering a special king cake available for the Super Bowl on Sunday!  You can choose between green and blue or white and blue, and they are decorated with a football sugar cookie emblazoned with XLIX.  Call to order this delicious treat for the game!

To order your king cake this Mardi Gras season, call Broad Street Bakery at 601.362.2900 or visit their website here.
 A special thanks to Christina Foto for the lovely photos of Jen, her team and those beautiful cakes!

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}

{Bride} Hayley Elizabeth Gilreath
{Groom} Keith Randall Stevens
{Hometowns} Hayley - Ridgeland, MS
Keith - San Diego, CA
{Wedding Site} Northminster Baptist Church, Jackson, MS
{Reception Site} Eudora Welty Commons, Downtown Jackson, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} Meredith Young, Au Courant
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Meredith Young, Au Courant

{How did the two of you meet?} We were introduced by college friends at CU (University of Colorado) in Boulder, where we attended, and are now Alumni.

{What is your proposal story?} Keith and I dated for about 2 years while students at CU, and just knew all along it was meant to be. Keith surprised me with a weekend trip to Vail on February 1, 2014. We stayed at Four Seasons in Vail Village, and he took me to dinner at Game Creek Club on the top of the mountain that night. We rode the gondola up in the dark, then a snowcat took us the remainder of the way up to the restaurant. I had no idea what was happening, but he had it planned with the restaurant employees, and knelt and proposed to me after dinner. It was a fairytale evening, and a dream come true.

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} Northminster was my home church growing up, and I knew I wanted my wedding to be there, with Chuck Poole, our wonderful pastor, as officiant.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} I always dreamed of a classic, traditional wedding, one in which the pictures could be seen many years afterward, and you wouldn't be able to tell the year of the wedding by seeing "trendy" ideas.

{How did you pick “the dress?”} My mom, my sister and I went to The Bridal Path, and Louanne Mashburn helped us. She's wonderful! I tried on about 20 dresses before I tried on "THE DRESS", and we all 4 knew it was the one when I put it on.

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} I wore my mother's first diamond my dad gave her. It was a ring that she had converted into a beautiful necklace after he got her a 30th anniversary ring 10 years ago. It was so special to me to wear her necklace, because she never takes it off, and offered it to me for my wedding.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} I loved shopping for my gown and shoes, and it was so much fun flying home from Colorado to meet with Kendall and all the vendors.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Keith and I washed one another's feet right before the ceremony, symbolic of a total commitment to one another. Dr. Poole blessed our marriage and we had prayer for our future together.

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} I think the biggest surprise was just seeing one another for our "first look", and realizing how seeing one another before the ceremony put us both more at ease.

{Your favorite picture from the big day?} One of the pictures taken beside the church in a wooded area with light filtering thru the trees. We both loved those.

{The picture that represents the two of you best?} probable one of the above-mentioned ones, or one in which he "dipped" me at the ceremony.

Photographer: Adam and Alli Photography
Event Planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning
Dress: The Bridal Path
Bride’s Jewelry: Maison-Weiss and borrowed diamond necklace from my mother
Hair: Katie Rouse of Barnette's Salon
Make-up: Katie Rouse of Barnette's Salon
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Bridal Path
Tuxes: Tuxes, Too
Videographer: Matt and Pacey Harris with The Film Poets Venue:Eudora Welty Commons
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Rentals: MS Tent and Party Rental
Florist: Meredith Young of Au Courant
Catering: Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Catering and Floral
Bar: World of Wines
Band: Hunter Gibson and the Gators
Bride’s Cake: Cakes by Iris
Groom’s Cake: Cakes by Iris
Print Material: Emily Ferguson of KPEP
Car Service: Packard for bride and Groom - Way Back in Time
Trolley for wedding party: Fondren Express Trolley
Transportation for family: Phoenix Limousine & Luxury Coach, LLC Cigar Bar - Jon David, Tobacconist, of The Country Squire

Super Bowl Sunday is quickly approaching.  The Patriots and Seahawks will be battling for the NFL Championship Game title this Sunday, February 1!  Whether you are a Patriots or Seahawks fan, or simply prefer the brilliant commercials, the NFL Championship Game is always a great time to host a casual bash with friends. 

THE INVITE

We asked Emily Ferguson for Designs by Kendall Poole Event Planning to create the perfect invitation for a laid-back evening with great friends and good football.

THE MENU

We envision a "bring a dish to share" gathering, and you will not disappoint friends and family with Catering from Georgia Blue!  Their mouthwatering Blues Burger and Georgia Blue Chicken Sandwiches are incredible. They also offer savory family style sides and tasty desserts.  For more information on Georgia Blue, please click here!

FOR THE GIRLS

Some girls love football, and some girls don't.  At the end of the night, celebrate the winning team and surprise your guests with a shower of confetti!  Thimblepress makes incredibly fun glitter push-pop confetti to continue the party long after the game is over.  Visit the Thimblepress website here!

With six days left to plan your Super Bowl soiree, we hope you find these ideas easy, fun and inspiring!

At the age of thirteen, a beautiful redheaded girl met a sweet dark-headed boy at space camp in Jackson.  During the last week of camp, Allison Nobles and Adam Hudson were locked into a dark simulator with no windows, no clock, a handful of friends, and a tight schedule regulated by their cohorts in mission control. Naturally, they bonded. 

With Alli living in Hattiesburg and Adam in Canton, the teens became pen pals and wrote endearing letters back and forth. Over the years, their correspondence dwindled as distance got in the way.  Adam founded a software development company at seventeen but admits, “I have always been interested in photography!”  He began shooting films and photographing friends.  Alli also had a knack for taking pictures.  Adam says sweetly, “Back at space camp, I remember Alli running around with a disposable camera.  She was the designated photographer for her family even though she didn’t have a nice camera.”

The adoring childhood friends reconnected in college and soon became husband and wife.  Alli says with awe, “With a genius brain like Steve Jobs, an adventurous heart like Johnny Depp, and a loving spirit like Elf, Adam inspires me to be a better me – and is always striving to be a better him.” She laughs, “Of course, this is just my opinion of how I view my husband!”  She also adores his extensive collection of colorful, quirky socks.  Alli says, “He becomes his sock character!”  Equally enamored, Adam admires his wife’s delightful, warm spirit.  He says, “Alli has an incredible heart for people.  The best decision I ever made was marrying my best friend.” 

With Adam’s ten years of shooting experience, the two began attending workshops to perfect their wedding photography skills.  During their first year of marriage, Adam and Alli prayerfully opened their own business, Adam + Alli Photography.

Alli says, “Our faith plays a large part in our business.  The tree in our logo actually has to do with being grounded and rooted in our faith.  We would never push our beliefs on clients, but we do love when we can pray with or for our brides and grooms. We want our couples to be just as prepared for their marriage as they are for their wedding day!”  Bride Laura Leone admits, “Adam and Alli are the calm in the midst of the wedding storm!  They are the stability that you look for on your wedding day.   They adapt to the slightest change in schedule without compromising amazing quality.“

Today, Adam and Alli specialize in creating magnificent memories for a bride and groom.   Adam raves, “Alli approaches photography at an emotional level and connects beautifully with people.  There is something magical about the moments she captures.  I have the technical strength and we help each other.” 

The stunning redhead and the charming boy she met at space camp are truly a flawless team, and it shows in their lovely photographs.  Adam and Alli’s talent, faith and incredible hearts are beautifully displayed in every moment they capture. 

 For more information on Adam + Alli Photography and to view samples of their gorgeous photos, please click here!

{All photos courtesy of Followell Fotography and Blog by Mitchell Walters}