In lieu of a quick lunch at your desk or a last-minute dinner at home this week, we encourage you to treat yourself with a meal from a local restaurant!  From September 28th through October 11th, the Jackson area’s finest eateries will be serving tasty and creative dishes for Jackson Restaurant Weeks!  Presented by EatJxn, this wonderful event not only supports 62 restaurants across the metro area, but it also awards an impressive $10,000 to a local charity. 

Each restaurant participating in Restaurant Weeks has a ballot listing 10 charities, as well as a ballot box.  With each order off of a Jackson Restaurant Weeks menu, you have the chance to vote for your favorite charity.  On October 22nd, the charity with the most votes will be awarded the $10,000 Charity Check!

Andy Chapman, owner and publisher of EatJxn, says this is the best time of year to dine out.  Fall is typically a slow time of year for restaurant owners.  Football fans travel on weekends to cheer on their favorite teams, hunting season begins, and the excitement of the State Fair takes over downtown Jackson.  As a result, local restaurants suffer. 

Andy says, “We started Restaurant Weeks four years ago, and it made a huge difference for local businesses!  Just visit your favorite spot and get whatever you want – and vote!  Go to Cups and grab an awesome $4 drink and vote, or buy a delicious mean at Ely’s and vote.  Wherever you dine, it supports our local restaurants AND a local charity.”

And just where does the $10,000 come from?  This year, EatJxn has an amazing raffle, and all of the proceeds benefit the Charity Check winner.  Andy laughs, “It is the coolest raffle in the area!  We are giving away a Kamado Joe Classic Grill, Kamado Joe Blow Lighter, charcoal, grilling tools, and more.  Then a chef will show up, teach a grilling class, and throw a party in your backyard for you and your friends!”  Raffle tickets are only $20, and can be purchased here! 

Thank you, EatJxn, for championing local restaurants and charities!  We hope you all purchase a raffle ticket, vote for your favorite charity, and enjoy delicious meals with friends and family during Jackson Restaurant Weeks!

{Bride}  Johnna Elizabeth McDougal
{Groom} Reid Burke Strange
{Hometowns} Booneville, MS (Johnna), Hernando, MS (Reid)
{Wedding Site} Oxford University United Methodist Church- Oxford, MS
{Reception Site} The Lyric- Oxford, MS

{How did the two of you meet?} We have a lot of mutual friends. In fact 4 of his groomsmen were my high school friends and 2 of my bridesmaids were his high school friends. We were bound to meet sooner or later, but we met when I came to visit Ole Miss the spring of my senior year of high school. We hit it off right from the start!

{What is your proposal story?} On Valentines Day our first year doing long distance, Reid left an apple on my doorstep. He said it was a hint to my present which ended up being a trip to New York (the Big Apple) the following May. He said we were going to visit his best friend and he was going to go on a prime turkey hunting trip an hour outside of the city. So the weekend of the trip came and we headed to NYC. Everything went off without a hitch; Reid got up and went “hunting” the Saturday morning as planned. He got back to the hotel just in time to take me to dinner with his best friend who conveniently canceled as just as we were leaving the hotel. We arrived at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to make our reservations at the Asiate where we were sat at the best table in the house with the most amazing view of Central Park. We had the most delicious dinner and right before dessert our conversation turned serious and before I knew it he was on one knee and tears were flowing while the whole restaurant cheered as I promised to be his for the rest of my life. 

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} Reid and I both went to school at Ole Miss and we visit Oxford often. It was an easy choice for the location and the fact that it was about equal distance from both of our hometowns was just icing on the cake. Oxford just has a charm about it that we couldn’t resist. We knew we wanted to have everything located on the square and the Methodist Church is so beautiful. The lyric was our venue of choice for reception because it allowed for everything to be held in the same room and I just love the style of it.

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} I had many people tell me that my wedding and reception were so “me” and I loved that. I went with a champagne color and light pink. The reception décor featured sequins and chandeliers.

{How did you pick “the dress?”} My mom, Reid’s mom, and Reid’s sister Allie visited Lows Bridal. I always knew I wanted to go there to get my dress. When we walked in we were blown away with all of the wedding dresses. I tried on dresses for 4 hours but fell in love with the very last one I tried on, right before the salon was closing. We face-timed my sister-in-law Elizabeth to get the final approval and we were set!!

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} My favorite accessory was the birthstone ring attached to my wedding bouquet. When my mom and step-dad got married 15 years ago he gave me the ring so it was so special to have it with me on my wedding day.

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} I loved it all! If I had to guess my favorite part it would be all the day trips to Oxford to visit with my fabulous venders.

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} Oh, this is a tough one! I think it would have to be the minutes after our “first look” where we got to spend a few minutes just us two. It was our only few minutes to really soak it in.

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} Since I did all the planning myself I didn’t expect have any surprises. However Reid had other plans. While getting ready on our wedding day a tiny white package was delivered with a very sweet note. Inside were a beautiful pair of diamond earrings.. the best surprise!

Thank you Johnna & Reid for sharing your wonderful story with us!

After a few years in the bustling borough of Brooklyn, NY, Molly Gee returned to her roots in Madison, MS.  With her degree in Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising from Mississippi State University, Molly Gee fulfilled a dream and started Molly Gee Designs. “Sewing and designing has always been a passion of mine,” she says.  “A number of engaged friends requested unique accessories they couldn’t seem to find, which encouraged me to launch our bridal line.  Accessories can change a gown in so many ways; I love getting to know a bride and helping her style a look that brings out her personality.” 

Molly Gee crafts gorgeous brooches, bridal veils, dress sashes, headbands and fascinators with glass pearls, fine silks, whimsical feathers, delicate lace and sparkling rhinestones.   She admits, “I have so many favorites in my collection, but I absolutely love making hairpieces with a mix of beadwork and flower petals.  I hand cut the fabric and form the three dimensional flowers.”  The result is simply breathtaking.

Fans of Molly Gee’s accessories are quite creative themselves.  Jennifer Chappell gave her daughter, Mattie, a stunning brooch for her first birthday.  Jennifer says, “I knew I wanted to do a vintage/shabby chic theme for my daughter’s party, and as I began collecting pieces that once belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother, it reminded me of my own wedding day, and how I wanted my daughter to have something special from her father and me.  I wanted it to have a story and meaning behind it.”  Jennifer came across a photo of a wreath with brooches adorning the fabric, and immediately knew she wanted to give her daughter a pretty pin.

Molly Gee was designing a wedding dress sash and hairpiece for one of Jennifer’s dear friends, so she began looking at her pieces online.  “I wanted [Mattie’s piece] to be something she would one day treasure and maybe pass down to her children…I contacted [Molly Gee] and she was more than happy to make this special gift for our little girl.  I felt Molly Gee fulfilled my wants for it to be unique, handmade and affordable.”  Molly Gee adds, “Jennifer was the mastermind behind her keepsake gift and I’m so glad she asked me to be a part of it!  I love designing a piece knowing it will become a special memory.”

Kendall Poole Ellis also gave her daughter an unforgettable gift.  “Molly Gee designed an elegant headpiece for my wedding day.  When I found out I was having a little girl, I asked Molly Gee to make it into a beautiful headband for my daughter, Emma.”  Kendall’s gorgeous headpiece was turned into a beloved heirloom for Emma, and she proudly wore it in her newborn photos.  Perhaps one day Emma will march down the aisle in her sparkling accessory, then pass it down to her children as a treasured gift. 

Molly Gee’s designs are one-of-a-kind and truly inspirational!  If you are dreaming of a perfect adornment for your wedding, special event, or child, please visit www.mollygeedesigns.com

Tomorrow marks the opening day of two extraordinary exhibits at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson.  Spanish Sojourns: Robert Henri and the Spirit of Spain and Robert Henri and Spain, Face to Face, will be presented in separate galleries.

Robert Henri, an influential early 20th century American painter, had a great passion for traveling, especially to his beloved Spain.  Throughout his exceptional career, Henri enjoyed portraying the realities of contemporary life.  Julian Rankin, Director of Media and Public Relations at the Mississippi Museum of Art, tells us, “Spain transformed the way Henri saw art, painted, and later taught.  Spain is such a powerful place with unique characters.”  Henri was truly inspired by the dancers, musicians, singers, peasants, bullfighters, and gypsies he studied in Spain.  As Henri once observed, “It is harder to see than it is to express.  The whole value of art rests in the artist’s ability to see well into what is before him.”

Organized by the Telfair Museums in Savannah, Georgia, Spanish Sojourns: Robert Henri and the Spirit of Spain is a nationally touring exhibition.  Roger Ward, Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the Museum notes, “Numerous of Henri’s paintings from his extended sojourns in Spain, as well as those which were profoundly influenced by his experience of Spain – but painted in his New York studio – are true masterpieces…But they are less well-known…because the greatest works remain in private hands or were acquired relatively early by museums all over the United States.”

Roger Ward and his staff at the Mississippi Museum of Art have organized the accompanying exhibition, Robert Henri and Spain, Face to Face.  Betsy Bradley, Director of the Museum, says, “The Face to Face exhibition which we have organized will provide the Jackson visitor with a perfect introduction to a larger exhibition, Spanish Sojourns.  How exciting it is to be able to display exquisite works by great artists such as El Greco, Ribera, Manet, and Cassatt alongside the beautiful works of John Singer Sargent and Henri himself.”

Julian Rankin also reveals that many of Henri’s paintings on display are 90 inches tall and tremendously life-like.  Along with these beautiful paintings, the museum will be hosting a series of events celebrating Spanish life and culture:
  
Saturday, September 27th – Opening Day of Spanish Sojourns: Robert Henri and the Spirit of Spain and Robert Henri and Spain, Face to Face
   
Thursday, October 16th – A Celebration with Spanish Music and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, beginning at 6PM in The Art Garden

Thursday, November 6th – A Night of Passion with A’lante Flamenco, at 6PM in the Trustmark Grand Hall

Tuesday, November 18th – Unburied Treasures: Cover to Cover, starting at 5:30PM in the Trustmark Grand Hall

For more information on these wonderful opportunities, please visit www.msmuseumart.org

Jasmine Murray dazzled us with her incredible voice and elegant evening gown during the Miss America pageant on September 14th.  Jasmine's vocals definitely stole the show.  As Good Morning America perfectly tweeted, "So I guess we'll be seeing Miss Mississippi at the Grammy's next year right?"  Miss Mississippi made our state incredibly proud as she captured a coveted spot in the top 10.  With the glow of the pageant now behind, Jasmine is looking forward to her year as Miss Mississippi.  Jasmine says, "It is so important to believe in yourself.  To see my sister on the Miss Mississippi stage growing up was so inspiring.  I never thought I would be up there!  To be on both the Miss Mississippi and Miss America stage has been such an incredible blessing for me."  We caught up with Jasmine to hear a little more about her upcoming year serving our state: 

How was your experience at the Miss America pageant?
"It was incredible, it really was.  It was one of those opportunities you never know what to expect until you get there!  We were able to go to so many places during the week, and everyday was something new and exciting.

What was a highlight from your week in Atlantic City?
"Getting to know the other contestants was a highlight.  Each young woman is so special in their own way - so talented, beautiful and friendly.  We all truly bonded; I am taking those wonderful friendships away with me."

What are you looking forward to doing in your year as Miss MS?
"I am so exited about this year and I have so much planned.  While I don't know exactly what the year will hold, I cannot wait to see what opportunities come from this experience.  I think the possibilities are endless!"

Do you have any words of wisdom for girls dreaming of one day becoming Miss Mississippi? Or for any child pursuing a dream?
"I would tell any little girl she can do anything she puts her mind to.  I grew up with three older sisters.  Looking up to them and seeing what they have become is so inspiring for me.  If I can inspire a little boy or girl and become their role model, I would love that.  I would also tell them they can do anything.  It takes hard work, time and patience - so don't rush anything, but work really hard and believe in yourself.   

Will you continue pursuing your music career?
"Music is my passion.  I will never stop singing, ever!  I want to continue with my music career and see what doors open.  I will keep pushing that door!  God gave me this passion for music, so i want to pursue it.  It is also my ministry, and I adore leading worship at Pine Lake Church; it is such an amazing feeling".  

How can we follow your schedule and appearances throughout the upcoming year? 
"My schedule changes daily!  I post frequently on social media - I love Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  Also you can visit missMississippipageant.com for more information on my schedule!"

Anyone can follow Jasmine on Social Media!  Here is how:
    Click here to visit her Facebook Page 
    Visit Instagram and follow JasmineSMurray
    Visit Twitter and follow JasmineSMurray

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}