Mother's Day Playlist
I was going through my mother's closet looking for old pictures, and I found a small dusty shoebox pushed way in the back. Curious to see what my mother stashed back there for so long (come on, kids can do that right?), I reached back and pulled the box from its seemingly eternal resting spot. I opened the lid to find it filled with all the Mother's Day cards and homemade gifts I had made for her until I was about 10 years old.
Grad Gifts
After all that hard work of studying and passing tests, your grad deserves something great. So why not get them something they could use?
A Gift with Meaning
Artisan Jennifer Taylor, 36, has been designing jewelry since 2008. The "i am ME!" necklace was inspired by a scripture found in Song of Solomon 4:7: "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." Taylor says the necklace symbolizes self-love and self-acceptance. Each component has a special meaning.
The Student-Loan Maze
I distinctly remember when the first wave of payments for my student loans arrived. I cringed at the amount, immediately wishing I hadn't been so shortsighted as a student. Did I really need to borrow that much money?
Commencement Ceremonies 2011 in Jackson
Don't know when commencement starts? Or which school goes first? Check our list to support your graduate(s) (but please, cheer after everyone's name is called).
Project Graduation Runway
It's that time of year once again: graduation! After four years of going to class every day—or at least diligently pretending—you seniors are ready take the next step. Before you start the next chapter of your life, we suggest you celebrate this special day in style.
Easter Shopping Guide
Springtime is the time for new beginnings, and fashion is one of them. But not only that, this is a time for gift-giving (be it for yourself or someone else). Take a look around Jackson and find your inspiration for style.
An Earth Day Toast
Gone are the days when eco-friendly meant hemp necklaces, rope sandals and patchouli oil. These days, an eco-chick is sexy and cool, flirty and fun all while being conscientious of the environment. From cosmetics to clothing, handbags to housewares, more and more of today's fashions go beyond fads and acknowledge labor practices and carbon footprints.
Hands-On Action
It's a rather poorly kept secret that one reason I'm out and about so much is that I don't cook and, well, a girl's gotta eat. While I am an avid fan of culinary arts, the extent of my fandom is appreciation. As a practitioner, I fail miserably. Case in point: I met a neighbor who needed to borrow some flour with a perplexed look and this response: "Why on earth would I have flour?"
Papaw's Crafts
Mention "farmer's market," and thoughts of fresh fruits and vegetables mingled with farm-raised eggs and honey spring to mind. These days, however, markets welcome other local vendors who want to sell their wares, from handmade jewelry to photographs to pine needle baskets.
Work at Home Clinic
One of the greatest advantages to working from home is the opportunity to fully customize your home office to reflect your style. Gone are the days of corporate-office gray cubicles or cinder-block white walls.
Old School vs. The New Kids
When we're young, we learn important life lessons through play and fun: A big yellow bird on TV shows us friendship; the story of a rabbit and a turtle helps us understand the importance of persistence; a singing frog teaches us about compassion because, well, it's not easy being green. This week, I noticed that even as an adult, having fun can still teach us things.
Spring Flower Power
Spruce up for springtime with all the spiffiness the season has to offer. Spring cleaning isn't just about airing out your space and your life. It's also all about cleaning out your closets to make room for all the wonderful pieces that will take the place of your wooly winter wardrobe. After you've done a little cleaning with your couture apron from Orange Peel (they're so cute), bring in the newness of spring with pops of color throughout your house and closet, from vintage to handmade by local artisans. Then balance it all with a gauzy, charcoal gray maxi dress. Maxi dresses make everything about the spring (and especially summer) better.
2011 Spring Flings
One of the best things about dressing for spring is that we have the chance to carry over a few of our favorite fall pieces to a new season. Even better is that in the spring, we have the opportunity to indulge in trends galore. And this year, styles are especially fun and delicious, because there's hardly a look that isn't on-trend.
Sal & Mookie's Street Carnival 2011
Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint has been a local favorite since opening its doors in 2007. For the past three years, the restaurant has brought fun to the streets of Jackson with the annual Sal & Mookie's Street Carnival.