Chinese Lantern Festival at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

A few weeks ago I took at exciting visit to see the new Chinese Lantern Festival exhibit at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.  If you've ever visited the gardens you know what a magical, beautiful place it is.  Located just outside of Charlotte in the quaint town of Belmont, with ongoing events and changing exhibits throughout the year, Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens brings a unique element of beauty and art to our community. The Chinese Lantern exhibit is nothing short of phenomenal.  

For my visit, I did my best to dress in theme with a traditional Chinese pant suit handed down from a client.  If you saw my recent Chinoiserie Chic post, you'll know this is one current trend of which I cannot get enough. Dragons, gardens, butterflies, bamboo... magical maximalism at it's finest!

The Chinese Lantern Festival runs now through October 29.  I highly recommend you do NOT miss this one.  Families, take your children!  Adults and children alike, you will be amazed by the magic.  This is the perfect date night outing.  A few fun facts about the lanterns...

• The lanterns were shipped from Zigong and traveled nearly 9,000 miles via trains, trucks, and ships (ultimately to the port of Charleston!) to the Garden.
• The lanterns are built by hand with metal frames and colorful rayon material stretched around the them.  The lanterns start as a 2D rendering and ends up as a 3D work of art you will see at the exhibit.
• The tallest lantern in the exhibit includes the jellfish standing up to Michael Jordan feet tall (23)!

My friend interior design pal Cathy's pictures turned out better than mine, so I'll share some of those with you here. Visit her wonderful design blog to see more pictures of the exhibit.  There was also a fantastic Dragon Dance performance by The Peaceful Dragon.

There are also amazing vendors selling Asian art, jewelry, bags and more, as well as a puppet show and a plethora of classes like Calligraphy, The Art of Kokedama and more to let you explore further the Asian Culture. Read about it all HERE.  If I didn't already say this, and I know I did... This exhibit is AMAZING!  Don't miss it!

SouthPark Magazine Garden Graces

Earlier this summer I worked with two blonde bombshells + Scott Clinton on photography + Jami Svay on hair and makeup to capture some fun summer looks on location at the always beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.  It was so fun to pair one of the season's hottest trends, All Over Floral, with such a harmoniously coordinated background.  Minus the oppressive thick summer in the south heat, the pictures make me want summer to go on forever... I think they are so romantic and dreamy!  See more at SouthPark Magazine, as well as a full run of talent and wardrobe credits. 

Get gorgeous all over floral in your closet before it's gone.  Many of these items are on SALE!

This Temperley London dress seemed to bring the most oohs and aahs from readers.

I'd like to have this dress, or my dining room wallpapered in the print, or a couch covered in it!

Do you dare don this groovy floral power pant suit?  Yes, please!

I love this short and top pair, affordable luxe at J.Crew.

Shop all my last minute summer finds.  Click HERE if you are unable to see the below images. 

Dress To Room Pairings That Will WOW + This And That

If you love interior design, great fashion and style, hopefully you are already following Holly Phillips' blog named after her interior design business, The English Room.  I'll never forget when Holly asked little ole me to lunch when she was thinking about starting a blog.  I still chuckle at the notion... Holly is a FORCE and at about 54K Instagram followers, it appears the social media world agrees!  But seriously, sign up for her blog HERE.  The English Room is one of my favorite reads and of her posts, I particularly enjoy her Dress To Room Pairings that follow any major fashion/awards event.  Here's a glimpse...

• The Fanny Pack is BACK... Say What?!  But seriously, it's totally functional people.  Especially as a mom... at the park, or Disney World, or whatever.  I've knocked it Buuuuuut..... Check It.
   
• Does anyone listen to Pastor Rick Warren?  He was the one that wrote The Purpose Driven Life back in 2002.  Whenever I'm in the car for any length of time, albeit not often, I am listening to Rick Warren's radio broadcast.  God's Mercy and My Failures, Part 3 was especially impacting for me.  He speaks about the noteworthiness of having small groups in your life, especially during difficult times and the importance of networks of loyal supportive friends.  I am so grateful for those friends in my life!
   
• ast week I worked with a great team on a photo shoot at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. The wardrobe maintained the floral theme... It was so hard narrowing down this rack of beautiful threads!  I cannot wait to see the pictures!

• I am happily sending off in style one sweet beautiful client to next weekend's Kentucky Derby thanks to some amazing custom design help for my client's hat for Saturday's race, as well as for her fascinator for Friday. If you are ever in need of a great headpiece, I highly recommend both The Hat Girls and Jill Courtemanche Millinery!  Both of these designers did an amazing job custom designing headpieces for me to pair with my client's dresses.