A Very Birmingham Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to put together a list of our favorite delicious treats, beautiful gifts, and delightful locally made goodies to serve at your Holiday celebration or gift to your loved ones! Covid-19 has made the holidays unusual, but there are lots of safe ways to support local businesses, celebrate with your loved ones, and enjoy these beautiful and delicious goods together!

K and J’s Elegant Pastries

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These scrumptious cupcakes are the perfect dessert after a Thanksgiving meal. Can’t wait ‘til the Holidays? Stop by their shop in Alabaster to try one of their famous milkshakes! Visit their website to learn all about the delicious treats they have to offer!

Seeds Coffee Co.

Nothing beats a warm cup of coffee, and the creators behind Seeds Coffee Co. promise honorably sourced coffee that they roast in house! Grab a few bags for friends or family - it won’t disappoint! You can order online and pickup at their store in Homewood or have their beans shipped to your family out of town!

Savor Style

Savor at Home Grazing Box

Savor at Home Grazing Box

Savor Style’s Courtney creates the most beautiful grazing boards full of locally sourced ingredients. You can order a board for your holiday gathering or purchase her new Savor at Home Grazing Boxes! These beautifully packaged boxes can be shipped right to your door and come with everything you need to create a perfect grazing board. These boxes also include handmade goods from local businesses like Susan Gordon Pottery and Magic City Woodworks.

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn

This artisanal kettle corn is crunchy and delicious! They have both sweet and savory options for purchase and they also make a great snack for game day! You can purchase these crunchy treats at their website or can pick up a bag at one of their local events.

Lillie’s Cup

Lillie’s cup is more than tea, it’s an experience. These beautiful loose leaf teas would be perfect served with Thanksgiving dessert! Their menu of teas has something for everyone and pairs so well with their hand made cookies. You can order from the Lillie’s Cup website or pick up directly from the local markets they attend regularly! Keep an eye out on Instagram for updates on where Lillie’s Cup will be.


Honey Creeper Chocolate

Honey Creeper Chocolate

Honey Creeper Chocolate

Honey Creeper’s craft bars and bonbons would be so fun to pass around a Thanksgiving table. Don’t miss their unique selection from around the globe! You can purchase directly from their website or visit their beautiful shop on Morris Avenue. Check out their gift guide for the perfect gift options for your friends and family!

Wild Things Florals

No need to fret over a Thanksgiving centerpiece when you can have a gorgeous arrangement sent right to your door! Wild Things Flowers and Curiosities have great online ordering options and you can also visit their shop in Homewood!

The Birmingham Candy Company

This family business hand makes some of the most delicious and unique candy creations. From fudge to caramel apples, you won’t want to miss out on a single treat! Visit Birmingham Candy Company in the Pizitz to pick out something to take home to your family.

Piper and Leaf Tea Co.

Piper and Leaf offers artisan tea straight from the source. Use their mulling spice blend to create apple cider or mulled wine that will warm your hands and your heart! You can shop all their delicious teas and spice blends here or visit them at the Pizitz or the many local markets they attend!

Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary

Real and Rosemary always provides exceptional flavors in their restaurant, but did you know they’re offering a full, take-home Thanksgiving spread? This is a great way to spend more precious time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen. You can order from their Thanksgiving menu here.

Ashley Mac’s

Ashley Mac’s is a one-stop shop for Holiday meals, and they even have Breakfast covered, too! They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options. They have locations all over Birmingham for convenient pickup options and you can also order online! Click here to see their full Holiday menu.

Hero Doughnuts

You will definitely be the HERO of the holidays if you show up with a box of these marvelous and seasonal doughnuts! You can order their doughnuts online or pick up a dozen at one of their locations! Check out their unbelievable menu here.

Bandit Patisserie

Bandit Patisserie

Bandit Patisserie

Bandit has some of the loveliest pastries in Birmingham and they taste even better than they look. Treats from Bandit are a great way to seriously impress your holiday guests! You can order quiches, pies, and pastries from their online shop or visit them in person at one of their popups! Keep up with their Instagram for latest popup times and locations.


Ashley’s Famous Cookies

Cookies are a must during the holidays and Ashley’s are some of the best in town. Order one of her famous cookie packages and enjoy every crumb! These cookie packages can be shipped all over the U.S. so this would be a great gift to send to loved one’s who you can’t be with this year.

Stone Hollow Farmstead

Stone Hollow Farmstead Advent Calendar

Stone Hollow Farmstead Advent Calendar

Stone Hollow has created the most marvelous advent calendar full of jams, pickles, and vinegars! They have many other gift boxes and goods to choose from, so don’t miss out on these local goodies. Shopping from Stone Hollow is super easy through their online store!

Belle Chevre

This cheese company crafts the most delicious assortment of REAL cheeses and will soon be a pantry staple if they aren’t already. Check out their website to shop- they have great gift boxes too! They also have some wonderful recipes listed on their site to inspire your family meals.

Alabama Peanut Co.

This Birmingham classic is offering Thanksgiving peanut platters and delicious brittle for your holiday gatherings. You can pre-order these platters here or visit their historic shop on Morris Avenue.

Woven by Claire

I’m Claire Jackson and I’ve worked on the social media team at Bustle for three years! I am so thrilled to be teaming up with Bustle this week to share about my new business Woven by Claire which features fiber art hoops and wall hangings.

What is a fiber art hoop? A fiber art hoop is basically a wooden or metal hoop embroidered with a variety of fabric, yarn, ribbon, etc. The hoop acts as the frame for a design that emphasizes color, texture, and mood.

How did it start? I’ve always had a passion for creativity whether it’s painting, drawing, sewing, or photography. My mom taught me the basics of sewing when I was young, and I’ve loved developing those skills over the years. I bought my first wall hanging last year to put in my baby’s nursery and decided I wanted to make some of my own wall hangings and fiber hoops. Fiber art is such an interesting medium and it’s so much fun experimenting with different styles, colors, and textures to create unique pieces. I’m always finding bits of inspiration everywhere and I’m learning new techniques as I go. I’m hoping to gradually discover my signature style. I especially love using velvet, fluffy wool yarn, and frayed fabric in my pieces.

How are the pieces displayed? Fiber art hoops and wall hangings are such a neat way to add texture and interest to a room. They can give life to a lonely wall or be added to a collection of framed art and photos. You can also display the hoops on a bookshelf or fireplace mantel. The smaller hoops can even be ornaments on your Christmas tree — there are so many options!

*Custom fiber hoops. I will be taking a limited number of custom fiber art hoop orders locally (Birmingham, AL for now) — giving customers the option to provide me with personal fabric. This means if you’re a bride and you want to save fabric from your dress alterations (or other special fabric from your wedding season), I can incorporate that fabric into your custom fiber hoop. This would also make such a special and memorable gift! I bought some beautiful velvet ribbon from a cute little shop on our honeymoon, and it sat in our wedding keepsake box until I decided to use some of it for a fiber hoop. I’m so glad I did because now I get to see it every day, and it reminds me of our honeymoon.

Follow along. You will find more photos, progress videos and finished products on my Instagram account @woven.byclaire. I am adding new things to the shop all the time so be sure to follow along!

*Since custom orders are local to Birmingham, AL, please message me on my Etsy shop account or Instagram if you are interested.

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Halloween in Birmingham!

Spooky Cocktails at Habitat Feed and Social

Spooky Cocktails at Habitat Feed and Social

We’ve put together a list of our favorite activities to keep you busy this Halloween weekend in Birmingham. Whether you are trick-or-treating at the zoo with your little ones or having a totally unique Halloween cocktail at the Pilcrow, Birmingham has so many fun and exciting things to do this weekend!


Nightmare at Pilcrow

Head to the Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar Friday and Saturday for unusual Halloween themed cocktails and a spooky beer selection that will chill you to your bones! Haven’t heard of the Pilcrow before? This clandestine bar is hidden in an alley on 1st avenue north and is just as much fun to discover as the drinks they have carefully curated for your Halloween delight. We can’t wait to try “The Raven” which the Pilcrow explains is “A Daiquiri as Dark as my Soul”. Check out their full menu here!


Spooky Science Week

The Mcwane Science Center is full of educational fun year round, and this year their Halloween themed science experiments and scavenger hunts will be fun for the whole family! Make a spooky slime, mix a mysterious potion, and meet some of the creepy crawly friends that live at the Mcwane. This “not-too-scary” fun will have something for kids (and adults) of all ages Friday and Saturday!


Spooky Cocktails and Bites at the Bar

Habitat Feed + Social is hosting a spooky night of fun with cocktails and bites at the bar from 4-9 on Halloween evening. This beautiful space at the Grand Bohemian Hotel would be the perfect Halloween date night. Their menu is thoughtfully curated with the best local ingredients. Don’t miss their signature dessert!


Halloween at the Movies

The Sidewalk Cinema is the perfect place to catch a spooky flick with friends or family this Halloween weekend and they have incredible precautions put in place to keep you and your party safe! Located in the Pizitz building, Sidewalk Cinema is showing two horror themed flicks this weekend: The Witch and The Lost Boys. Make sure to leave time before the showing to stop by their bar and concession stand to grab some popcorn, treats from Big Spoon Creamery, and a drink from Harvest Roots Kombucha or Cahaba Brewing Company. You can purchase your tickets here.


Henna Popup Salon

Blue Lotus Mehndi and Ritual + Shelter have come together to create a unique Halloween day body art experience from 11-4 Halloween day. For those of you new to henna, these beautiful temporary and hand drawn designs are a fun and creative way to express yourself. Allison Harley will be doing Tarot card readings and Amy Miller will be doing traditonal henna and Amazonian blue jagua. Enjoy beverages and trick-or-treating while you are there!


Hoots and Howls

The Birmingham Zoo is hosting an incredibly fun day time Halloween event with their new Hoots and Howls experience! In addition to the regular zoo offerings, you can trick-or-treat at the Candy Cave, Ride the Haunted Express Train, and even go for a ride on the Cobweb Carousel! Be sure to wear your favorite Halloween costume this Friday and Saturday and take part in the wicked fun!


A Nightmare on 22nd Street

This 18+ event at Iron City is sure to be the most happening haunt in town Halloween night! DJ Mark AD will be keeping the party alive and playing all the best music while you enjoy costume contests and a wicked good time. Be sure to grab your friends and your best costumes and head to 22nd street from 8 PM to 2 AM!



Expert Tips on How to Plan a Honeymoon During COVID-19

We’ve teamed up with Abbay from Abbay’s Escapes to bring you all the expert tips and tricks for planning your honeymoon. Abbay has so much great advice, and even included a free COVID-19 specific downloadable packing list for you! Read on to learn how to plan your dream romantic honeymoon.

Expert tips on how to plan a honeymoon during COVID-19

Are you trying to find the perfect honeymoon destination during COVID-19? Or are you just trying to stay sane while you’re navigating the ever-moving parts of planning a wedding right now? As a recently engaged gal myself, I feel your pain. It’s challenging.

While it may feel like finding the perfect honeymoon destination during COVID-19 is more complicated than finding true love, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be.

I recently helped a Birmingham couple navigate changing their honeymoon from France to the Napa Valley, and then ultimately closer to home in South Carolina. Sounds like 2020 right? The moral of this story is that with a bit of flexibility and creativity – couples have options.

So, what are your honeymoon options?

1. Take a road trip. 2020 has been the year of the road trip, and there is no shortage of romantic destinations and hotels nearby no matter where you live.

2. See the USA. Did you know that the US is geographically the fourth largest in the world? Distinct regions and states may as well be their own countries. From the snow-capped peaks of Colorado, the placid beaches of Miami, sweeping deserts of Arizona, and lush forest in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, there are so many amazing options in our own country.

3. Grab your passport. Intrepid travelers have international options, such as Mexico, French Polynesia, and certain islands in the Caribbean.

4. Enjoy a mini-moon & go international later. This is my favorite and best of both worlds. Why not plan a domestic mini-moon now and plan an international trip later for 2021 or 2022?

8 Steps for planning your honeymoon during COVID-19

1. Define your comfort zone for traveling. While some couples are eager to grab their passports and jet set abroad, others may want opt for something drivable and closer to home. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here.

2. Decide if you want to drive or fly. Driving will allow you to limit your interactions based on your own terms. Did someone say road trip? Airlines have stepped up their safety and hygiene and are enforcing wearing a mask. So if you’re flying, be sure you’re OK wearing a mask for the duration of your flight. Check destination restrictions. Even if you’re staying domestic, certain states require negative COVID tests or a mandatory quarantine period. Also, check restrictions in your own state; whereas, you may be required to quarantine upon return.

3. Check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport is set to expire in 1-2 years, I recommend preparing and submitting the paperwork now. Most countries require at least 6 months’ validity on your passport, and due to recent limitations in passport services, it could take longer than 6 months to renew your current one.

4. Do your homework on your hotel and destination. When I recommend hotels and/or destinations for my clients, I consider and present all of the factors below, so they can carefully weigh their options. I recommend going through a similar process to determine which hotel property and destination is best for you. Carefully review the hotel’s, deposit, refund and cancellation policies. If it’s unclear, ask more questions. Check the hotel’s COVID-19 protocols, i.e., social distance in hotel areas, masks, and cleaning. Most hotels have this posted on their website. Due to restricted capacity, you may need to make reservations in advance whether that’s for dining or time at the pool. Consider what your destination is like right now. For example, certain museums and other popular tourist areas may not be open to the public, or you may need to reserve your activities, e.g., dinner, wine tastings, or tours, well in advance due to limited capacities. 

5. Buy travel insurance. I always recommend that my clients purchase travel insurance, but I recommend it now more than ever. Also, some destinations require that you show proof of travel insurance that covers medical costs. A travel advisor can help you navigate the different types of travel insurance so that you can choose the option that is best for you.

6. Stay up-to-date on the latest travel restrictions. Travel restrictions are fluid, so you’ll want to revisit these up until the time of your trip. There is no shortage of news articles and coverage on Coronavirus, however I recommend the following reputable resources: World Health Organization, CDC, and the U.S. State Department’s Covid-19 Country specific information.

7. Get a COVID test 72 hours prior to traveling. Some destinations, even domestic ones, may require a negative COVID test for entry. The rules for each spot are fluid and can change at a moment’s notice, so avoid the risk of getting caught without one and go ahead and get that negative confirmation

8. Enjoy your honeymoon! It’s time to relax – you and your sweetheart deserve it!

“2020 has been the year of the road trip, and there is no shortage of romantic destinations and hotels nearby no matter where you live. — Abbay”

Remember:

Be patient. Things are going to be different, and we are all working through the changes. If the airplane boarding process or dining experience takes longer or isn’t what you’re used to, be patient and understand everyone is trying to keep you, your fellow travelers, and the employees safe.

Be flexible. If you’re used to eating dinner at 7PM but you want to avoid peak times, be prepared to make concessions. Consider dining earlier or later or getting room service instead, working out at a different time, and adjusting “normal” schedules to avoid more crowded areas.

Use a Travel Advisor. There are more logistics than ever to consider with your travels, so using a travel advisor is even more beneficial. A knowledgeable, well-connected travel advisor can help you navigate the nuances of traveling during COVID-19, design an itinerary that is custom for you, be your advocate before, during, and after your trip, and add extra perks and upgrades along the way.

Embrace the Now and Enjoy! While honeymoon travel may look slightly different than pre-2020, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on fun or romance. Some of my favorite hotels are focusing more than ever on privacy and seclusion - making it super luxurious and easy to turn up the romance factor. Can you picture yourself enjoying bubbles in your private hot tub or snuggling up by your in-room fireplace? Embrace the privacy and enjoy this amazing milestone!

Below you’ll find my Honeymoon Packing List complete with COVID-19 essentials. You can also visit my blog for additional resources and information. Happy traveling!

Honeymoon Packing Checklist

Honeymoon Packing List!

With COVID-19 Essentials.

Bustle is so grateful to have learned so many incredible tips and tricks from Abbay. We are lucky to have her as a friend and Bustle Bride!

If you are overwhelmed with your own honey moon planning process and want some extra help, we really can’t say enough wonderful things about Abbay! She is such a joy to work with and will help you have the honeymoon of your dreams. You’ll get exceptional travel Intel, seamless planning, and special perks, so you can have confidence in every aspect of your honeymoon (while avoiding all those painful hours scouring the internet).

You can email Abbay at abbay@abbays-escapes.com or call her at 205.578.6832. Don’t miss her  Instagram where she posts her latest travels!

Abbay we can’t wait to see in your Bustle gown at your wedding and are looking forward to seeing where your own honey moon travels take you! Thanks for sharing your expert tips with us!

Bustle Bride: Elizabeth Cobb Owenby

Betsy Cobb was living in Birmingham, AL when she started dating Stephen Owenby, who was living in Memphis, TN. Betsy and Stephen were set up by a mutual friend when they were in Memphis, TN for a wedding. They ended up going on a long bike ride and grabbing snow cones together and fell for each other that weekend! “Afterwards, I kept calling, and she kept answering,” Stephen said.

For over a year, they drove between Memphis and Birmingham to see each other. Their favorite adventures include hiking to a waterfall in Chatanooga, visiting New Orleans, going on a mission trip to Ecuador, Betsy’s first half ironman, Stephen’s first Auburn football game, and attending many weddings and concerts together.

Betsy Cobb and Stephen Owenby were married September 21, 2019 at Belle Farm in the presence of many friends and family members. “Everyone says your wedding day is the best day ever, and it truly is! We casted a vision of both glorifying God and honoring our friends for helping us get this far,” said Betsy. Their community helped bring about their vision by lending their support and using their talents. We are thrilled to share Mr. and Mrs. Owenby’s beautiful wedding day with you!

All photos by Love Be Photography

All photos by Love Be Photography

“We desire to live a life together that gives
away love, time, and Jesus abundantly, and we saw our wedding was the best way to start. —Betsy Cobb”
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Wedding Vendors:

Dress — Bustle

Photography — Love Be Photography

Caterer — Happy Catering

Band — The Fuego Band

Florist — Forever Wild Floral Co.

Make up/Hair — Darcy Wilks

Cake — JoAnna Feldewerth

Ceremony Music — Musicians at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church: Shaun Pezant, Evan Pezant, Lenora Panion

Wedding Planner — La Belle Vie

Ruth Oneya Illustrations

Ruth Oneya is a talented artist in the Birmingham area. We immediately fell in love with her beautiful work and wanted to share it with our brides. Ruth does live paintings for weddings, watercolor portraits (of people, pets and homes!) and hand-painted champagne bottles. She uses her talents to create lovely keepsakes that people can enjoy for years and years!

We conducted a Q&A with Ruth to find out all about her small business and her journey as an artist.

What made you decide to start your business?

I started Ruth Oneya Illustrations the summer before my junior year of college (2016) after I had an awesome summer internship with a Birmingham wedding photographer, Alisha Crossley. She introduced me to the wedding world and I completely fell in love with it. I couldn't help but want to be a part of it somehow. Since then I have been working toward building my brand and putting my work out there as a wedding artist.

What is your favorite medium to work with?

My favorite medium to work with is a tie between watercolor and acrylic. I don't like working with the same medium for too long because I get a little bored. So, bouncing back and forth between these is a great way to keep me motivated and excited. 

What is your favorite product/service you offer?

My favorite service is definitely my live paintings. I get to put my best dress on and attend a party... to paint! But honestly, I just love the celebration of love and truly enjoy weddings. Also, because I have a sweet tooth I enjoy getting to try (and judge) wedding cakes.

What is your most popular product/service?

My most popular product definitely depends on the season, this summer it has been my Champagne bottle and live paintings. This is actually really exciting for me because these are mostly local and I love being able to cater to my Birmingham clients and vendors. 

What do you love most about being an artist?

I love being able to use my art to make people happy and also contributing to special moments in their life such as weddings. Knowing I am creating work that will be enjoyed in a home for years to come is a very fulfilling feeling for me. I also enjoy being a small business owner and doing what I love daily. Personally, I don't know if I would still be an artist today if I didn't follow this direction.

Do you have recommendations or tips for someone wanting to book a live painting session?

When deciding the moment, you would like painted, be open to what you ultimately want the final piece to be. This allows an artist to choose a moment more candid by choose where they see the best connection between you two. Also, it's always best to book as soon as you know your wedding date (especially if its a popular date) calendars fill out quickly.

Ruth has so many helpful resources on her website to help her clients. If you are interested in booking a live painting or ordering one of Ruth’s many other beautiful creations please visit Ruth Oneya Illustrations for more details.

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Hooray, Bustle is 7!

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For this year’s celebration, we gathered the Bustle girls together for a girls night in. We got cozy in our favorite loungewear and fuzzy slippers and had our hair braided by Ashley Brannon from Morgan Ashley Salon. We snacked on a delicious (and beautiful) charcuterie board by Savor Style and dove into the most delicious peach bourbon cake from Daughter’s Baking. When we were full of treats, we snuggled up in our blankets and masks and watched Emma projected on a big screen! It was really nice to be relaxing together and spending a little QT. Special thanks to Maddie Harper and Kindred Events for planning and executing this intimate little afternoon.

It’s been such a pleasure to serve so many brides these past 7 years. We’ve enjoyed getting to be a part of each beautiful love story, and are grateful to be able to do what we love. Here’s to many more years of Bustle!

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How to Prepare for Your Dress Appointment

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After you get engaged, searching for the perfect wedding dress is probably pretty high on your to-do list. You might be wondering what your dress appointment will be like and how to prepare. We’ve compiled some helpful tips here so you’ll know what to expect as you get ready for your dress appointment.

Keep an open mind. Be prepared to fall in love with a style you didn’t expect. Some brides come to their appointment knowing exactly what they want in a wedding dress while others need a lot more guidance. Whichever category you fall into, be sure to keep an open mind. You may be surprised by what you end up liking the most!

Capture your style. Since picking your dress is one of the things you do early on in the wedding planning process, no one expects you to have every detail of your wedding figured out. However, it’s a good idea to have some idea of how you want to look and feel on your wedding day. If you’re having trouble, think of 2-3 adjectives such as glamorous, comfortable, romantic, graceful, vintage, classic, etc. You can think back on these adjectives during your appointment to help guide you. You can also save pictures of your favorite styles and share them with your consultant. And if you already know a few details like your venue, colors or a theme, it’s a good idea to mention them to your consultant before you start trying on dresses. Your consultant can help you pick out a dress that fits in with the look you’re going for. Any information you can give her will be helpful in your search.

Know your budget. You’ll want to have a good idea of how much you want to spend on your wedding dress, including your alterations. Most brides need some amount of alterations for their wedding gown, even if it’s just getting the dress hemmed. There’s no way to know exactly how much alterations will cost, but we have several businesses we recommend with varying prices ranges depending on your needs. During your appointment we will stick to the dress budget you tell us, so you don’t need to worry about overspending

Narrow down the group. Instead of bringing your mom, sister, in-laws and all of your bridesmaids to your dress appointment, try to keep the group smaller. It can of course be nice to have support and advice during your appointment, but it can get loud and crowded in the fitting room. Plus, you might run into having to field lots of questions and opinions about your choices which can be distracting. There will be plenty of other exciting events that everyone can be a part of, but we recommend making your dress shopping a more intimate experience.

Bring the right undergarments. Since you’ll be trying on an array of dresses during your appointment, be sure to wear suitable undergarments. Avoid brightly colored or printed undergarments that may show through the wedding dresses. We recommend nude, fitted underwear and a strapless bra if you have them. You can also bring Spanx if you are interested in trying on more fitted gowns and want a smooth look.

Bring your accessories. Along with wedding dresses we also sell an array of accessories such as jewelry, veils and garters, but if you already have some of these items, you are welcome to bring them along. It may be helpful to try on your veil or shoes with your favorite dresses to get the full picture.

When it comes to wedding planning and finding your perfect dress, it helps to be prepared. We hope these tips have helped you get ready for your dress appointment and we wish you the best of luck!

Susan Gordon Pottery

Recently we met with talented pottery maker, Susan Gordon, to talk about her shop’s reopening. When we met with Susan in her shop, she and her team were preparing for this weekend’s relaunch, working on a beautiful window display, setting up the shop, pricing items, and making more gorgeous pottery. Her store is home to all of the beautiful Susan Gordon brand pieces which include her signature pottery bowls, dinnerware, jewelry, ring dishes and more.

Susan originally started Susan Gordon Pottery selling on Etsy, at Pepperplace, and other local shops and markets. She spent a few years working at the studios at MAKEbhm until she made the jump to her own studio and retail space. She’s been in business for 7 years and opened her storefront last November only to have to close it again because of COVID-19. Fortunately, she had such a well established online business that they were able to make it through this tough time. During that time, employees were able to work from home making pottery to sell through the Susan Gordon Pottery website. “God is so good,” Susan said in retrospect to how their business fared in spite of the coronavirus.

Susan Gordon Pottery

All of Susan Gordon's work is handmade and created by her and her skilled team of makers. The potters she has hired are immensely talented and usually receive 3-6 months of training to learn Susan's signature style. Susan is still the only one who can monogram her pieces due to the complexity and talent required for the writing, and she typically spends an hour each day monogramming. She and her team are currently working on new designs featuring flowers including beautifully painted floral bowls and hand-carved floral ceramic pieces that are mounted and framed.

Susan is so intentional about each design, and she spends months developing new products to perfection. Her jewelry bowls and her signature wavy bowls are her most popular items. Any of her pieces would make the most perfect wedding gift! If you’re shopping for the bride and groom, you might choose a wavy bowl, a vase, a cake stand or platter or something from the dinnerware collection (be sure to check out the wedding section on the SGP). Brides, a stunning pair of handmade earrings would make a beautiful gift for your bridesmaids. Whatever you choose, you can be sure your gift will be special and unforgettable.

We are so happy Susan Gordon Pottery will be reopening their store this weekend. After completely selling out for Mother’s Day, they are restocked and ready to go. This weekend, they are offering 20% off everything in store and online in honor of Susan’s birthday, so don’t miss it!

Charming Keepsakes

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Like most brides, you probably kept your wedding invitation set, your save-the-dates, a guestbook, and many other special things from your wedding, engagement, and bridal showers. Where are they now? I know mine are sitting in a box and several other places in my house at the moment. Melissa Abele’s business, Charming Scribe, is entirely devoted to the task of capturing and honoring your most precious wedding memories by placing them together in a personalized and beautifully designed keepsake called a Beloved Book.

We conducted a little Q&A with Melissa, so you can learn more about her Beloved Books and why they make the the perfect wedding keepsake.

“Take your guest book from an afterthought to an heirloom that you will cherish for years to come. ”

What made you decide to start Charming Scribe and what do you love most about it?

Charming Scribe began as Weddings Etc, a stationery and gift store that was located "on the curve” of Downtown Homewood for 25 years. After owning it for 10 years, I moved the business online and narrowed the focus to the best selling products, our cake charms and the wedding books we call the Beloved Book. My most favorite aspect of the current business is the design work. I love designing monograms, guiding brides in selecting fabrics and thread colors, as well as photostyling all of the products.

What is a Beloved Book? 

What is a Beloved Book? Here in the South, a wedding essential that every mother has insisted her engaged daughter get is a book that has been known by several titles - a bride’s book, wedding book, or a memory book. I love a little romance, so I gave our books the romantic title of a Beloved Book. A Beloved Book is your family heirloom that tells the story of how your family first began. It is a shower guest book, rehearsal dinner guest book, wedding guest book, and a photo album. It has a place for your engagement photos, baby and current photos, save the date, shower invitations, rehearsal dinner invitation, wedding invitation, and wedding program. The Beloved Book chronicles your engagement memories from proposal to the honeymoon.

How many designs are there for the Beloved Book? Do you have a favorite design?

There are 19 different designs for the Beloved Book, with an additional option for custom art. My favorite design is Genevieve because of her beautiful details, 3 thread colors, dot details inside the middle letter and accent dots that flank the side letters. The Genevieve monogram is very dimensional when embroidered. I also love embroidering customer’s unique custom art. It is always a little creative adventure that brings a thrill when I see it completed.

What are the top things you recommend including in a Beloved Book?

The top things I recommend including in a Beloved Book are: 

1. YOUR handwriting. I think brides feel the pressure to have the pages be penned perfectly, and while I understand that I would invite brides to dive in to the project anyway. Here’s why - perfection is the enemy of completion, you’ll never complete your book if you are afraid of "getting it wrong". The other reason is that this is a family heirloom. Your future children and grandchildren want to see your handwriting in your book telling your story, not someone you have hired to do it perfectly. They’ll even appreciate your mistakes as it gives them permission to make mistakes too. 

2. Photographs - In today’s digital world we have gotten out of the practice of printing precious memories BUT we have loads of apps and technology to make it SUPER DUPER easy. Commit a little time to adding your shower, engagement, and rehearsal dinner photos to a photo printing app, order them, and they will arrive at your doorstep. Easy Peasy! Also, if your parents aren't ready to part with your printed baby pictures, you can just take a photo of the photo and it will look like it has a cool filter on it.

3. Invitations and sweet notes - It is such fun to stroll down Memory Lane as you flip through your book and see all of the invitations from the parties your generous friends and family threw in celebration of YOU! When you see the invitation alongside the guest sign in page, you’ll be filled with appreciation for everyone that was there. (Tip - if you missed a party and the guests weren’t able to sign in themselves, just write in who was there in your own handwriting. 10 years down the road when you can’t recall everyone that was there, you will be so happy that you wrote them in.)  And all those sweet notes and greeting cards you received during your engagement? Add those to the Love Notes pages to keep them safe forever.

What are the books made out of? 

Beloved Books are handmade with beautiful linen or silk dupioni, the finest embroidery threads, and a lot of TLC. Each book’s foundation is a sturdy, custom made 3 ring binder that allows for easy removal and addition of pages. The pages are heavyweight, acid-free card stock printed in charcoal ink.

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Can you customize the books?

Beloved Books are customizable in a couple of ways. You may send us your custom monogram, crest, or any other special wedding art to be embroidered on the cover of your book. We will take your art, have it digitized for embroidery, and then share the file with you afterwards for future embroidery projects. Another beautiful customization is the title page. We can print the title page with your names and wedding date in a graceful script.

Take your guest book from an afterthought to an heirloom that you will cherish for years to come.