Hey friends!! Happy Tuesday! This week happens to mark one of our favorite weeks of the year, the Mississippi Food and Wine Festival! If you're not familiar with the festival, it's put on by BankPlus, the Fondren Renaissance Foundation (FRF) and Visit Jackson to celebrate and promote the culinary community found in Fondren. It's a three day event that starts on Thursday. It's a huge fundraiser for FRF and a portion of the funds will be given to food-centered charities nominated by the leadership committee (read more on that here). Keep reading for the schedule below :)

JUNE 13TH:

1. Private Chef Dinner: Lou's Full Serv, Featuring Chefs Louis LaRose, Mike Greenhill, Hunter Evans, Jason Goodenough and Robert St. John with Randy Ford of Cristom Vineyards.
2. Private Chef Dinner : The Cedars, Featuring Chefs Derek Emerson, Mitch McCamey, Austin Sumrall, Ty Thames and Alex Harrell with Eric Swindle of Crimson Wine Group.

JUNE 14TH:

1. Private Chef Dinner: Albert’s at Parlor Market, Featuring Chefs Alex Eaton, Robert Rushton, Vishwesh Bhatt, Gray Townsend and Alejandra Mamud with wine pairings from International Wine.
2. Private Chef Dinner: Brent's, Featuring Chefs Jesse Houston, David Bancroft, Misti Norris, Paul Adair, Hunter Evans and Bennett Lewis with wine pairings from Magnolia Barrelhouse.
3. CRAFT BEER FEST: Duling Ave in Fondren, Featuring over 100 craft beers from three-dozen breweries available for sampling. Special emphasis is placed on breweries within Mississippi and regional breweries with brewery representatives on hand to discuss their products and brewing methods.​​

           ** Tickets: All Inclusive, $35 in advance and $45 at the door
           ** Designated driver tickets will be available at the gate for $15. This is a 21 and up event. ID is required.
JUNE 15TH:

1. GRAND TASTING: Duling Ave in Fondren, Featuring highlighted chefs from the previous nights' private dinners as well as added chefs, wineries and mixologists throughout the Southern restaurant community. Special themed and decorated areas will feature all the wonderful food resources Mississippi offers from the Coast to the Delta and everything in between.

           ** Tickets: All Inclusive: $80 in advance and $95 the day-of
           ** This event will also be held in the tented area on Duling Ave with entertaining live music in the center cocktail                      bistro. We love babies and pets but ask that you leave them at home. No strollers, pets or smoking are legally                       allowed under the tent. No alcohol will be served at any event to anyone under 21 years of age.

Hey y'all! Happy Thursday! Hope you're having the best week! Today, we're diving into an incredible program called The Source, created by BankPlus. The Source is a network for women in business. More than a network, The Source is a resource for women at any given stage of their careers. BankPlus created this program to support all Mississippi women in business at all levels, across varied industries, business sizes and professions. The Source uniquely empowers each woman to meet her goals through opportunities to learn, network, and connect with industry experts. 

     Mississippians often find our state dead last in lists on which we want to be first and first in lists on which we want to be last. The numbers don't lie, but those of us who live and work here know we have a great deal to be proud of.
     Mississippi is the home of Pulitzer Prize-winners, a fertile breeding ground for that indigenous music called The Blues, and a sought-after location for global industry. Our state hasn't often been associated with "progressive," but the landscape of our business climate is steadily moving in that direction, especially for women.
     Mississippi has seen some of the greatest growth in women-owned businesses in the U.S. every year since 2002. The average growth for women-owned business in 2016 was 45% nationally, and Mississippi ranks number five for the fastest-growing states for women-owned firms with a 56% increase. Mississippi women are working hard. When women succeed, our homes and communities are stronger; the connection between that is undeniable.
     Despite the number of women in our local workforce and the rapid growth of female-owned businesses, women continue to face challenges attaining access to capital and utilizing business networks. In a time when many hands are being shaken and deals are still made on the golf course, women often lack opportunities to connect with other business women.
     Enter The Source. Created by BankPlus in 2017, The Source is a network for women in business at any given stage of their careers. The mission of the program is to ensure female professionals have all the tools and connections they need to maximize their potential in the workforce. All Mississippi's professional women are welcome, regardless of age, industry, or business size. Whether starting a business, growing a business, seeking professional development, considering return to the workforce or already succeeding in business, The Source provides our members with opportunities to learn, network, and connect with industry experts.
     Members are able to leverage the network's experience, resources, and relationships to go to work every day with the information and guidance they need to succeed. The Source reaches women where they are, through an effective social media and digital presence and targeted business development efforts, as well as educational events in Metro Jackson, Tupelo, and DeSoto County, covering relevant topics such as management, human resources, growth, marketing, technology, business planning, personal finance, sales and social media. Not located in these areas? Any member, anywhere, can benefit from our newsletter, blog, videos and our podcast: Inside Source.
     For Mississippi's professional women, the time is now. Shake the hands, make the calls, and take the leap. The path may be uncertain, but women are clearing the way for you every day. If you've got a professional dream or a goal, The Source and BankPlus are behind you.

For more information on The Source and to sign up today, go to thesource.net. And you can follow them on Instagram here.

Happy Tuesday, friends! We are so excited for our friends at The Station and want to celebrate them this week as they have their grand opening! The Station is an event venue and classic automobile rental service. The venue has 10,000 square feet of modernly designed industrial space, complete with a catering kitchen and contemporary bar. They're located off of I-55 in Gluckstadt, MS. They also have the coolest and most unique collection of classic automobiles available for rent. We are obsessed with the venue, the cars, and their story and we know that you'll love it too...

     Renee and Jim Bowman have found a way to share their passion for collecting beautiful antique cars with the entire community. Available for special events, especially weddings and anniversary celebrations, any car from the Bowman's collection will be sure to add a touch of magic and elegance to any big day. The pair have always worked side by side in the auto industry and their business has always been grounded in a deep appreciation for family. All three of the Bowman children assisted their parents in the daily operations of their small print and auto party store in Virginia. "I think the reason we are so close as a family is because we all had to contribute to and compromise for the sake of the business. Working together became something we wanted to do, not something we had to do. It makes my heart full," smiles Renee.
     After selling their business and spending time traveling, the couple decided that it was time for their next venture. Both Jim and Renee have a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into the production of a classic vehicle. "When you're around cars all the time you begin to appreciate them. I like the outside, the rich colors of paint and the beauty of a wonderful, rich interior. Jim loves the sound of the engine, the concentrated power," says Renee. The Bowman's current collection began after they completed restoration work on a 1968 Ford Mustang Jim's brother, Rick had purchased shortly before his death in 2007. The entire project took a total of seven years and was every bit a labor of love. "Jim absolutely loves that car, it is his, he will never sell it. It truly makes him smile," says Renee.
     In addition to providing people with an unforgettable addition to any celebration, the Bowmans thoroughly enjoy the personal connections they make with people who are also passionate about collecting and showing cars. "When you drive an old car people love to tell you stories about one they had, or their dad or uncle drove when they were younger. It makes them smile to revisit those memories. We really do enjoy being able to spark that moment of recollection with our vehicles," smiles Jim. The entire collection is housed in The Station, a 10,000 square foot industrial space elevated by modern design and the backdrop of beautiful cars. Conveniently locate off I-55 North in Gluckstadt, The Station is a unique venue that will assure your next event is unforgettable.
     To inquire about renting a car from the Bowman collection or hosting your next event at The Station, please reach out to Renee at 601.613.6538 or visit their website thestationms.com and follow them on Instagram here.

Photography: Kyle Hancock Photography

Happy Thursday! Y'all, this week coming off of Memorial Day weekend has got us all a little crazy and thrown off. However, tomorrow is Friday so we are pumped. Today, we're sharing every girl's favorite eye candy... jewelry! Take a look at some of the most beautiful gold rings for Spring (really, any time of the year)! Gold is such a classic touch that remains timeless. We are in love with these and know that they'll inspire you guys, too! All of these rings and SO MUCH MORE can be found at Albriton's in Jackson; make sure you stop by to see for yourself! 

For Elizabeth and Preston, celebrating their big day at Castle Hill in Oxford was a no brainer. "We both went to Ole Miss and absolutely adore Oxford so celebrating there made the most sense to us," says Elizabeth. Their wedding reflected the bride's affinity for clean lines, crisp colors, and classic style. To keep guests cool, the couple treated guests to a cocktail hour on the lawn of the property complete with frose and a margarita bar. The fun did not stop there: a photo wall, late night sliders, and an amazing band ensured that Elizabeth and Preston's wedding would be one their guests would never forget!

I N S P I R I N G details // Inspired by the stunning simplicity of a crisp green and white color palette, Elizabeth's bridesmaids also wore white, floor length dresses that complimented her own strapless Rivini gown wonderfully. This nontraditional detail added a distinctly chic flair and resulted in beautiful photographs.

EVENT VENUE: Castle Hill // PHOTOGRAPHY: Clark Brewer // EVENT PLANNER: One Fine Day - Claire Kiamie // CATERING & BAR: Castle Hill // RENTALS: Magnolia Rental // CAKES: The Cakery // FLORALS: Oxford Floral // VIDEOGRAPHER: Dear Little Films // HAIR: Dallas Nutt from La Rouse // MAKEUP: Rivers Countiss // DRESS: Bridals by Lori // BAND: Memphis Soul Review // TUXES: The Black Tux // BRANDING/INVITATIONS: Kara Giles with Nest Paper Studio // BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Bella Bridesmaids Memphis