garden party dinner celebration majolica pitcher flowers tablesetting
Garden Party Dinner Celebration Honoring Sallie Holder

An outdoor garden party and dinner is a beautiful way to celebrate a special occasion! Cheri Leavy, co-founder of The Southern C, took this candlelight garden party to the next level with all of the details and delicious food! I was honored to be a part of it!

garden party dinner celebration sallie holder flowers in vase on table

This dinner party was in honor of Sallie Holder, who is a dynamic lady that I have been fortunate to get to know through The Southern C. Sallie is a special person with a way of connecting the dots between your innate skills and your goals. As Cheri says, she helps you take flight like a butterfly.

garden party table setting with chavari chairs

Images of butterflies were used throughout the party details and added a perfect and thoughtful touch. Thankfully, Danielle Hulsey was there to photograph the party to share all of the fun of the night. She captured the night beautifully…

garden party celebrating sallie holder long table

Cheri was thoughtful to include fellow TSC members in every aspect of setting the table- from the plates by R. Wood to the napkins by Lisa Ellis. Flowers were sourced locally from Three Porch Farms.

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Butterflies were placed in discreet places around the party table- from the occasional butterfly on a chair to each glass having an edible butterfly perched on the rim.

garden party dinner celebrating sallie holder with butterfly decorations and flowers

And, the place settings were topped off with butterfly place cards handwritten with each guest’s name~ you can see them below on top of the napkins…

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Butterflies in all colors were scattered down the center of the table to continue the vibe. What a gorgeous way to incorporate a thread of a detail- it feels both subtle and straightforward at the same time.

garden party dinner celebration majolica pitcher with flowers

Cheri even decorated her bike with flowers and butterflies. It adds a sense of whimsy and light-hearted fun and makes for a great conversation piece and photo opportunity!

garden party dinner celebration with bicycle and flower basket

The guests arrived before sunset and we were able to enjoy the lovely weather and gorgeous view of the table that had been so perfectly prepared.

garden party butterfly dinner celebration wine

Cheri has wonderful helpers that were there to help keep the party running smoothly. Maggie Jordan and Becca Gemes were so attentive and helpful. Don’t you love their matching lavender aprons? Another TSC member, Libbie Summers, designed these classic and stylish aprons. The aprons offer a polished and cohesive look which I love!

garden party dinner hosts cheri becca maggie
garden party dinner celebration long table being set by helper
garden party dinner celebration becca the wouthern c

Below is the hostess and the guest of honor! Cheri and Sallie had a second to take it all in before everyone was seated around the fabulous table.

garden party dinner party honoring sallie with cheri hosting

While Becca and Maggie (and Cheri’s husband, Vance) were taking care of all of the finishing touches, we were all invited inside for cocktails and appetizers.

garden party dinner celebration appetizer charcuterie grazing board

It was such a nice way to have a chance to chat with everyone and to catch up with those that we don’t get to see often enough.

garden party dinner celebration amanda eldridge lydia menzies sallie holder
garden party dinner celebration guests lisa kitty jenny
garden party dinner charcuterie board gather
garden party dinner celebration guests lacy apryl
garden party guests with cheri leavy
garden party dinner celebration appetizers

As the sun set and the candles were lit, Cheri and Vance were ready to serve a fabulous dinner catered by Peter Dale of The National.

garden party dinner celebration cheri leavy

I can honestly tell you, it doesn’t get much better than being served dinner prepared by Peter Dale! 🙂 The meal was served family style and added to the warmth and family-feel of the group gathered around the table.

garden party dinner celebration candlelight

There was lots of chatter and lots of laughter around the table. Cheri is an impeccable hostess who knows how to create a community of sharing and interacting.

garden party night dinner celebration candlelight

Cheri so kindly honored Sallie Holder for her talents and time (Sallie spent the day offering classes on business building) and then took the time to have each of us connect around the table.

garden party dinner celebration sallie holder table dog

It was such a beautiful party filled with meaning and motivation- so reflective of the host and the guest of honor!

garden party dinner celebration guests at table with candlelight

The delicious meal was capped off with a stunning cake created by a local Athenian, Emilee Hain of Keelime Culinary. Cheri entrusted me with this part of the night, and I was honored to be in charge of dessert! 🙂

garden party dinner celebration cake with flowers and butterflies

Emilee is an incredible chef and baker and has made many cakes for me. I ordered caramel cake with a lavender buttercream frosting, and I am pretty sure we all would have happily had seconds and thirds!

garden party flower and butterfly cake

It was delicious! Emilee covered the cake in food-safe flowers, and I added butterflies flitting around it.

garden party dinner celebration dessert lavender cake with flowers

The photo below sums up the feel of the entire night. Cheers to a beautiful gathering full of thoughtfulness, creativity, delight, and warmth. It was a perfect way to celebrate a special moment!

garden party dinner celebration toast with wine

I am grateful to be a part of The Southern C and a friend of Sallie Holder. I highly recommend both and I am always happy to chat further if you have questions for me about either!

Cheers xo,

Lydia

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sallie holder author hitting rock middle podcast pink
Sallie Holder~ Inspiring Women and Inspiring Growth

Sallie Holder is one of those inspiring women who energizes me daily through her podcasts and blogs. I appreciate positive attitudes with straight-forward suggestions, and Sallie combines both to help us grow! I want to share Sallie and the positive influence she has on me…with hopes that you will benefit from Sallie’s teachings, too!

sallie holder author hitting rock middle podcast pink

I met Sallie through The Southern C when we attended the Summit last year in Sea Island. Sallie is the business coach I never knew I needed until I spent time with her! I love listening to her podcast, “Hitting Rock Middle”– it is a great dose of advice, encouragement, and toughness all mixed in to one!

sallie holder hitting rock middle author quote divine trust

Sallie has also written a book that was recently released- also titled Hitting Rock Middle. It immediately became a best-seller because of Sallie’s winning combination of guidance and fortitude. Her advice and suggestions resonate with me, and I thought you may be encouraged and inspired by them too. I am sharing some of my favorite quotes and words to remember from Sallie…

sallie holder hitting rock middle author follow dream

The quote below is one that I have tried to express to others for years- I am so happy to see Sallie reminding the world that our uniqueness is what makes us be able to thrive together in businesses and life. I am often asked my thoughts on having my ideas copied by other creative businesses. I truly believe that we can all be given the same task and that we will reach different final products based on our creativity. That’s what creativity is, essentially! Our unique set of skills makes makes us produce outcomes unlike any other.

sallie holder hitting rock middle author unique skills favorite quote

I also praise Sallie’s ability to help others believe in themselves- she has a magical way of helping women find their self-worth and intention. I attended one of Sallie’s classes hosted by The Southern C, and I was astounded at the progress that was made in the room in such a short amount of time.

sallie holder author hitting rock middle believe in yourself

Sallie Holder believes in you and her goal is to help you believe in yourself, too. Through physical acts of understanding your paths and progress, she hones in on the direction you will find most appropriate for your goals and happiness.

sallie holder hitting rock middle author quote believe in self

The business world feels so much bigger now with the advancements in technology- Sallie encourages us to not be afraid of something that may be new or new-to-us.

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The quote from Sallie below is such a great reminder. It isn’t either/or throughout life. We are capable of building a lifestyle that incorporates a variety of choices at the right time.

sallie holder author hitting rock middle business coach quotes

Impatience often gets the best of so many ideas, hopes, wishes, dreams… if we stop trying to force everything and take a minute to look at the pathway (in both directions), we are more likely to succeed. Respect for your dreams and the time and effort they take can be a game-changer.

sallie holder hitting rock middle author podcast quotes

Courage…Sallie builds courage in each of her clients, students, and peers. Just being around Sallie is enlightening!

sallie holder author hitting rock middle quote on courage

Bottom line, we have to show up and be ready to work…

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Focusing on what we can control rather than what we cannot is pivotal to achieving your goals. Sallie inspires us all to keep our attention where it should be and continue forward.

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The never-ending pull of wanting to always say yes can be summed up in Sallie’s quote below…

What are we missing when we say an obligatory yes rather than choosing what truly helps you bloom and grow?

sallie holder author hitting rock middle quote saying no

I really love this truth from Sallie…we do have threads that run through our entire lives. When we start paying attention to them, our purposes and intentions become clearer.

sallie holder hitting rock middle author career dreams
sallie holder author hitting rock middle book in hallway

After listening to Sallie’s Hitting Rock Middle Podcast, I couldn’t be more excited that she has put so much of her wisdom into a book for us all to read and reference. Sallie drives us all to be a better person who focuses on a grateful heart and recognizing our value. She and her book are a valuable part of my inspiration! I love being a part of Sallie’s circle of wisdom and hope you find her helpful for yourself, too!!

sallie holder hitting rock middle photo with her best selling book

You can find Sallie Holder and Hitting Rock Middle here.

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Go, Sallie! I am so proud of you- and so thankful to know you!

Cheers xo,

Lydia

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handmade jewlery by mae wearable art
Handmade Jewelry by Mae Wearable Art

Handmade jewelry is always so interesting to me. Knowing the person behind the hard work and each beautiful piece makes it even more meaningful! Margaret (Mae) Mewborn is one of those hard-working ladies that creates earrings and bracelets that have become my go-to pieces for everyday wear.

handmade jewlery by mae wearable art
Mae Wearable Art Earrings displayed on Ashley Longshore Painting

Mae Wearable Art is exactly as the name states- art that you can enjoy wearing each day. Handmade jewelry pieces that are carefully created to be stylish and unique. Perfect for a casual look or for a dressy look- just pick your pair and instantly amp up your wardrobe!

handmade jewelry by mae wearable art the lydia earrings
Mae Wearable Art “Lydia” earrings displayed on painting by Ashley Longshore

I met Margaret at The Southern C Summit and we instantly bonded over tacos. I was drawn to her charisma and enthusiasm and couldn’t wait to see what she created. Margaret kindly sent me a box full of gorgeous earrings- some for casual wear and others for a dressier look. I loved each one and started wearing them right away. Now, I literally reach for one of the pairs of earrings each day as I head out for the day. The earrings that Mae sent are highlighted in these photos that I took. I tried to photograph the jewelry as I wore it, but realized they would show up a little better in photos on a still painting! Below you can see why… 🙂

handmade jewelry by mae wearable art lydia menzies the party wagon

What is so sweet and special is that Mae saw that I enjoyed wearing these earrings so much and she named this particular design after me. I must say that has never happened before! I am really honored to say that these are the “Lydia Earrings“.

handmade jewelry by mae wearable art lydia menzies the party wagon

I love how pulled together they make an outfit feel while also being casual enough to wear everyday. The Lydia Earrings are ivory and champagne with a tiny bit of metallic. They feel like a combination of pearls and champagne.

handmade jewelry by mae wearable art lydia earring

The idea for creating Mae Wearable Art came to Mae when she wanted to have the look and feel of vintage costume jewelry without the pain of a clip-on earring. I think she nailed that as you look through all of her designs. Hollywood has taken notice, too! Mae Wearable Art has graced the actors of Dynasty with a bit of old-world glamour and on-trend style! You can find this exact pair of earrings here (and the price point is on point!).

handmade jewelry mae wearable art as seen on dynasty

One of my favorite collections of Mae Wearable Art is the Anna Collection. Anna is the name of Mae’s dear friend who passed away from kidney cancer. Mae was inspired to create this line in an array of colors to honor the memory of her friend. 100% of the proceeds from this line is donated to cancer research. Mae not only has an artistic talent, but she also has a giving heart. I am fortunate to have a pair of these earrings in green, and I love the symbol of the cross and the lives represented. With three different shapes and sizes, there is a wide range from which to choose- and they make the best gifts for friends and family.

handmade jewelry mae wearable art anna collection
handmade jewelry mae wearable art anna collection on ashley longshore
Mae Wearable Art “Anna” earrings displayed on art by Ashley Longshore
handmade jewelry by mae wearable art ashley longshore painting
Mae Wearable Handmade Jewelry Earrings displayed on artwork by Ashley Longshore

I think each pair is stunning, and Mae’s selection suits a wide variety of tastes and styles. I love the price point, the creativity, the beauty, and the generous and giving spirit behind each piece. I hope you will check out Mae Wearable Art and let me know what you think! I hope you love the jewelry as much as I do!

Cheers xo,

Lydia

P.S. And, if the earrings weren’t enough, Mae has expanded into creating bangles and bracelets, too! Be sure to see her latest endeavor!

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the southern c summit sea island the cloister beach club
The Southern Coterie ~ The Southern C Summit
the southern-c-summit
FEBRUARY 5 – 7, 2020
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!

Have you ever been invited to something and you think to yourself, “…wow, how did I get so lucky?”? That is exactly how I feel about being invited to be a part of The Southern Coterie and their phenomenal event, The Southern C Summit. I was fortunate enough to become part of the “C-Team” in 2013, and I am honored to say that I continue to be part of the team in 2020. My first Summit was in 2013 in Athens, GA. It was a day full of learning and sharing, connecting with others, gawking over swag bag goodies, eating excellent food, and feeling the endless potential and possibilities that surrounded you. It was eye-opening.

the southern c summit sea island the cloister beach club

Fast forward to the most recent Summit at Sea Island, GA and I am still enamored with the speakers we heard, the connections we made, the friends we met, and the opportunities that have been presented. I am often asked to explain what The Southern C is, and so I thought I would do just that. I would love for you to know more about this group that has been so valuable to me.

the southern c summit candy bar

The Southern C stands for The Southern Coterie. A coterie is described as a small group of people with shared interests or tastes. Two of the strongest shared interests at The Southern C are entrepreneurship and creativity. You will find a host of creative business owners engaged in learning from each other and from the wealth of knowledge provided by a community of experts in different industries. It feels like swimming in a sea of knowledge with life rafts and cocktails by your side as you make your way in your business. While you do the hard work of creating a business, The Southern C provides guidance and direction- and celebrates achievements and goals with you. And, the connections that are created are as valuable as the knowledge that is gained.

the southern c summit the party wagon sea island

Connections are the foundation of The Southern C’s motto…you will see and hear these three words repeatedly. Connect, collaborate, create. The motto is catchy, but it really has substance to it that you learn to appreciate right away. It is representative of the organization itself. Just like The Southern C, the motto is carefully considered, organized, genuine, and encouraging.

sea island chapel the southern c summit party wagon

I have seen TSC grow and develop over the past years in an impressive way. Their growth is indicative of what our own growth can be and how they truly have a direction in mind for their business as well as yours. At the Summit, you are immersed in learning from the minute the first event begins. From financial aspects of business to hands-on workshops for photography skills and everything in between, you are inspired to grow and develop.

the southern c summit party wagon photography class

Who started The Southern C? The Southern C is the brainchild of Whitney Long and Cheri Leavy. These two ladies are a perfect complement to each other and create a great team with their combined strengths. Whitney’s experience in media and creative styling coupled with Cheri’s ability to write, connect and inspire set the foundation for growth in all directions.

the southern c summit whitney long cheri leavy

I know that we are in great hands when we attend TSC and that Cheri and Whitney pride themselves on offering quality presenters and mentors. I am amazed at the people I have met at TSC. I have followed Darcy Miller’s career for at least 15 years and have admired her work from the pages of magazines. I could not have been more excited to hear her speak and to get to chat with her at the Summit. She is one of many dynamic speakers that we learned from during the event.

the southern c summit darcy miller the party wagon

Where is The Southern C Summit held? The Summit has been held at The Cloister in Sea Island, GA, Charleston, SC, Athens, GA, Watercolor, FL, Nashville, TN, and Jekyll Island, GA. These photos were taken at beautiful Sea Island. A coastal getaway in the month of February is another perk of attending TSC! 🙂

the southern c cummit sea island cloister
the southern c summit sea island cloister inlaid chest

The atmosphere that is created by Whitney, Cheri, and their team is festive, professional, inviting, friendly, and beautiful. The details give the event a touch of personalization that resonates with each attendee. Vendors offer so many “perks”- from coffee to jewelry- and you end up with a bag full of party favors! The celebratory feel to the Summit is inspiring and motivating, to say the least.

the southern c summit wake up coffee

During a mix and mingle break, we were all greeted with Cokes in bottles with each person’s name. That was such a nice surprise! That was one of many thoughtful gestures that was included.

the southern c summit personalized coke bottles

Being surrounded by others that are eager to connect, teach, learn, and grow makes this business event unlike others. I made innumerable connections with some of the most wonderful people/businesses. I wish I could list them all, but here are some that will give you an idea of how worthwhile TSC has been to me.

Hannah Betzel painted live at The Party Wagon Re-Launch Party

Maizie Clarke and I collaborated on a Nantucket Sunset Cruise Charcuterie Party and on a Best Buds Spring Supper Club for my daughter.

Mae Wearable Art and I collaborated on an Instagram giveaway.

Draper James sent clothing to enjoy and blog about.

Hoffman Media featured my photos in 3 of their print magazines. See the photos for Christmas Wreaths with Parker Kennedy Living here.

Oconee Printing, Bulldawg Illustrated, and I collaborated on Tailgate Party Ideas (which also led to a collab with BodyArmor Sports Drink!).

I also collaborated and connected with Helmsie Baby, Southern Baked Pie Company, and Willow Park Boutique to name a few!

I hope that gives you a small glimpse into the possibilities that you encounter when you arrive at The Southern C Summit. It is a warm and welcoming group! The connections have been so beneficial and the friendships mean so much to me! I will leave you with these gorgeous images that I took while I was at Sea Island. What a wonderful 3 days! I would LOVE to see you there! Please let me know if you are going, and let’s connect! You can purchase tickets to The Southern C Summit here!

the southern c summit straw tote bag with navy blue bows
the southern c summit grapefruit cocktails
the southern c summit cloister sea island flowers
the southern c summit cloister sea island daffodils

Cheers xo,

Lydia

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