Lavender & Cotton is a watercolor business run by two sisters. The business is based right here in Birmingham, but the two love to travel, especially where there's a beach. Heather and Haley create some of the most beautiful watercolor pieces we've ever laid our eyes on. Each piece is so original and has its own personality. Their work would be the perfect addition to any home or office!
Holler and Dash: A Biscuit House
Holler and Dash is the new Homewood restaurant hotspot. Their biscuit-inspired menu pays tribute to the South while adding a delicious twist. They have everything from hot chicken biscuits that will want to "make you Holler" to biscuits with a Dash of raspberry jam and nutella. While biscuits are their main attraction, they also offer salad, grits, parfaits, tater tots, and New Orleans inspired beignets.
Their chefs Jason McConnell and Brandon Frohne were both born and raised in the South and southern food and hospitality runs in their DNA. They love mixing different flavors to create a delicious unconventional twist on the famous southern comfort food.
They stated that their mission "is to provide a respite from modern life and to deliver Southern traditions with sizzle." They've definitely accomplished that-even pictures of their biscuits makes mouths water!
April Bagley Photography
April Bagley is an incredible Birmingham-based photographer. She loves to capture life's greatest moments such as weddings, newborn babies, and everything in between. April has such a talent for waiting for the perfect moment to capture and turn into a tangible memory.
We love her work and couldn't wait to share it!!
Whisk Cookie Company
Our sweet friend Sami Deshazo has such an incredible talent in all things cookies. Not too long ago she realized her love for baking custom-made cookies, so she started her company, Whisk Cookie Company. She makes cookies for anything from birthday parties and bible study groups to wedding showers and bachelorette parties. She has such a creative mind and makes the most adorable cookies. Her cookies are definitely a work of art!
Reflect Visual Arts: Abby Little
Abby Little is an incredibly talented local artist and teacher, who has experimented with various types of art since she was 4 years old. She's had over 14 years of classical art training in oil, acrylic, watercolor, master drawing, calligraphy, and art history. Now, Abby creates artwork for churches, studios, homes, and businesses nationally, and she also enjoys sharing her love of art by teaching students of all ages. She was the 2010 National Beta Club Convention's first-place award winner for Acrylic On-site art, as well as their first-place State Watercolorist. Abby strives to encourage art education and appreciation for students of all ages. She instills the love of God's beauty through the mastery of art.
"I believe in a Master Artist and His greatness as the Author of beauty. All that we create is a mimic of original inspiration from the Master Creator--a majesty that surpasses all the we can imagine." -Abby Little
Abby Little is such a talented chick and we're in love with all of her work!
Feast & Forest
Feast & Forest opened its doors on November 12th, and it's been buzzing with hungry customers from the start. Owners Kristen Farmer Hall and Victor King are quite familiar with the culinary life in Birmingham. Separately, they've done various dinners and pop-up shops over the years; however, now they've joined their culinary skills to create a fabulous café and bakery.
We were told so many great things about the café, so we decided to try it out for ourselves. Feast & Forest is located on 24th Street North which was previously a photography and film studio. The duo stated that they wanted their café to have a "modern nostalgia" vibe, and they definitely achieved that feel with their space.
Saying the food was "delicious" just doesn't do it justice. The "ham sammich," which sounds simple, was a mouth-watering delight. The vast dessert options at the bakery made it difficult to choose. They offer anything from cookies to homemade nutella poptarts (which were to die for.)
Overall, we had such a great experience. The café provided such a fun atmosphere, and delicious eats and treats. Congrats to Kristen Farmer Hall and Victor King on the smashing success!
Rachel and Noah Ray Photography
Rachel and Noah Ray are a husband and wife photography duo based in Birmingham, Alabama. They have such a unique eye for photography, and capture the most beautiful moments perfectly by using both film and digital cameras to get the most variety of photographs. Their mission is to create a finished product that will still be relevant 50 years from now.
Southern Bridal Faire
The Southern Bridal Faire is absolutely the greatest bridal event of the South. Aubrie Moates of Hello Baby Photography and Evan Cooper of Evan & Co. put on an outstanding event. This was our 3rd year to be a part of the Faire and with the help of our beautiful models, were able to put on another fab fashion show and display some of our favorite gowns.
The Renaissance convention center in Montgomery was filled with vendors from wedding cakes to photography and table settings to tuxes. If you're engaged when it comes around next year, don't miss it!
Images courtesy of Jessie Barksdale Photography
Olexa's Cafe
Diane Olexa is the brilliant chef behind Olexa's Cafe, Cakes, and Catering, and from a young age she was introduced into the world of wedding cakes. She watched her mother create beautiful wedding cakes for brides on their big day. Diane, herself, created her first wedding cake in her early 20s as a gift for a college friend, and from that point on she fell in love with the creative art. That love blossomed into starting her own business in the kitchen of her alma mater, Southeastern Bible College right here in Birmingham, Alabama.
A few years later, she and her mother joined forces and expanded her business to include corporate and social event catering. Diane explains that she remembers one reception where a wedding guest approached her and complimented, "Everything is so delicious, where can we go to eat your food?" Thus, in 2004 Olexa's Cafe, Cakes, and Catering opened its doors.
Today, guests can enjoy everything from homemade quiche to panini sandwiches to their well-known buttercreme cakes all while dining in a european-style cafe setting.
Kate Morris Jewelry
Our good friend Kate Morris is an amazing jewelry artist. She creates stunning pieces that go with virtually any outfit, and the story behind her company is rather interesting. When Kate was 16, she traveled to Bolivia on a mission trip. While she was there, she discovered all kinds of people using a vast variety of materials and colors to create art. She also discovered different types of gemstones, metals, and the jewelry making process.
From then on she was sold. She was inspired to experiment and make jewelry of her on. It began as just making some pieces for herself, which led to making pieces as gifts for friends and selling to friends, which in turn led to online sales, local stores, and artisan shows.
Today, because of her love for missions, at least 10% of every order goes to the International Mission Board. We, at Bustle, are big fans of Kate Morris, and her jewelry is absolutely exquisite!