Meet Stella & Dot

I began my adventure as an Independent Sylist for Stella & Dot (www.stelladot.com/lauried) December 11, 2009. Susan Meeks and I had just hosted our first trunk show for the line and had an absolute blast with our friends trying on the various pieces, mingling, and poking around for gifts. A couple days later I was in Atlanta and decided to join up. I ordered my samples a few days later and VOILA, have started booking trunk shows for 2010!

The line is sassy and versatile which is what drew me to it. Most pieces look equally great with a Little Black Dress as well as a tank and jeans. The line is out of San Francisco and features guest designers and a fantastic network of stylists across the U.S. and now Canada.  Plus, the hours are flexible with my "day job" and most folks you work with are in a pretty darn good mood!

I've put a few pictures of my first trunk show up and will add more of friends and family modeling the line.

Cottage Consultant

Things are nutty around 10 E. these days. My mind is a whirlwind of activity that is leaving me listless at 2 to 6 each morning. My friend, Erin Melick, has encouraged me to pursue my idea of being a "cottage consultant," and I am following my heart (and gut) in this direction. What does this officially mean for me? Honestly I can't say for sure but I believe that I will be able to serve clients interested in sensitively renovating their home or buildng in the context of the older home styles. That is enough for right now.

Who I really want to be is Jane Coslick though: http://www.janecoslick.com/ .

In celebration of my new "enlightenment," I just signed up for my first class at Savannah Tech --I'm planning on taking a course on Architectural Blueprints this fall and encouraging another friend, Beth Ann Jackson, to keep me company (purty please?).

Facing the reality of a job that I just couldn't get excited about pushed me to refocus on what gets me fired up. I am passionate about building solid neighborhoods through good design, preserving the charm of historic homes while making them functional, and creating opportunities where some may see none.

I had questioned my direction for some time but now am on board to move forward and feel so much more confident. Thank you to Drew Kane, Meredith Rominger, and Erin Kane for reminding me of that.

Anne and Glenn's 4th of July Wedding Extravaganza

Our family was very pleased and excited to attend Anne Bone and Glenn Hagin's wedding July 4, 2009 at the home of Jan and Michael Curran on Isle of Hope, GA. The setting could not have been more beautiful with a breezy incoming tide and full moon on the rise.

Anne was escorted down the aisle by her son, Michael Bone. Her attendants were Laura Smith and Carolyn Bone. Christopher Bone was the ringbearer. Alanna deVegter was the wedding co-ordinator (and was dressed to co-ordinate with the bride, naturally). The ceremony took place underneath the live oak trees on the bluff and was performed by Reverend Rush of Isle of Hope Methodist Church. The ceremony was capped off with a kiss between the bride and groom and a simultaneous firing of Michael Curran's cannon, which caught many of the guests by surprise.

The reception was next door at my parents' home. The lanterns in the tree, low country fare, and music on the porch set the tone for a laid back night. Anne and Glenn danced to Paige Johnson singing "At Last" and Anne's brother, Steve, graced us all with "Mack the Knife."
As anticipated, fireworks appeared across the river on Skidaway Island as well as furthur south near Richmond Hill.

The night was capped off with Austin singing for a smaller group on the porch and night swimming. Check out Wesley's bruise from the antics--proof that he can still do a flip!

Ode to CrabBone

Anne Bone, Anne Bone

Let the truth be known

Would crab each day o'the year

even with a roach in her ear!

Has schemed and tricked

many "Fools of April."

She gives it her all--

Nothing ever piecemeal.

Anne Bone, Anne Bone

Belongs on the throne.

Her immaculate taste

will always be known.

She'll cook you popcorn for dinner

and make you one of her own

That wonderful, magical

Anne Bone, dear Anne Bone.

Anne Bone, Anne Bone

Who could have known

How life could turn up

THE love of of your own

How lucky we are

to count you close as our kin

To be here tonight

as you begin once again...

Davidson Reunion 2009

Has it really been 10 years? Apparently so! There have been so many changes in our own lives including jobs, spouses & babies (for some of us!). One thing that doesn't change is the comraderie and feeling that you get when you walk onto campus at Davidson. Another is the fact that Rusk girls still drink Beast Light! Showing Austin around the arboretum that is the Davidson campus, running the cross country trails again, and seeing everyone again made me feel like I was home again.







Dana Sterling organized for Amy Hamilton, Sarah Risen, and me to stay at a lake house near twon and we had a great time catching up, playing with babies Drew and James, and making notes of who had "changed the most." Speaking of change, the town of Davidson has morphed into something I could not have predicted. There is now a Harris Teeter, a weekend farmer's market, real restaurants downtown, and two, count 'em two, ROUNDABOUTS to handle the traffic. Talk about UPGRADE.

Alanna's Bday Photos

The weather was perfect for Miss Alanna Marie's 9th Birthday at Mom and Dad's atIsle of Hope. Slip-n-slidin', a cake that Alanna made herself, a cake-eating contest won by Mason Stoever, and an abundance of food and family made for a vivacious time. However, it was Miss Lola Curran
from next door that really stole the show...err, cupcake!
Happy Birthday, Bug!

Courtney Denney and Doug Mulford's Wedding

Just back from one of the most personal and charming weddings I've been to in a long time. Courtney Denney, Austin's sister, and Douglas Mulford wed last night in Douglasville, GA. The vows, cocktail hour, and dinner were all at Le Jardin Blanc, a late 1800's home on 12 acres near downtown Douglasville. The rain held off long enough for the service and celebration to occur and the weather was unseasonably cool, which was great for some of the northern relatives who kept commenting on how humid it was. The service was made memorable for several reasons but noteably the train that interrupted the vows --later it was explained by Mr. Mclure that this was sign that Courtney would have to "train" Doug...bah-dam-dam.

Le Jardin Blanc's grounds were magnificent -- cottage chic and classically elegant at the same time. Behind the main house was a dance floor made of black and white weathered pavers to resemble a checker board pattern. Cafe tables resembling those found outside a Paris cafe hugged the outside of the dance floor and were bordered by lines of boxwood, tea roses, and whimsical touches. It was ideal and something I think my friend Erin Melick would appreciate a great deal because of its hints of France here and there. Erin Kane and I could probably run a joint like this someday. Check out Le Jardin Blanc's website: http://www.lejardinblancga.com/

Austin's family stormed the dance floor after the father-daughter dance and brought to life the the highly anticipated moves of W.W. Austin's grandmother, Ruth Austin Denney, got up to shake a tail feather, too! They are a jovial crowd and made sure that I felt like one of the family. I got to meet his Aunt Anne, Uncle Marty, see his "cousin" Bill and his little girl, Beatrice, as well as his "uncle" Bill and his wife Jane. Sounds like we might be making a trip up to New York to visit them in September when they make their signature wine called "Ten to Go." Needless to say, we are excited about the invitation!