From the Editor

31

arts & culture

11 Blossoming Relationships: Main Street Florist’s Years of Service 20 Arts Council Corner: Ringing in the New Art

school & sports

21 Young and Published: Ali Mims’s Road to Authorship

weddings

31 Picking Florals: Best Blooms for the Big Day 39 The Bride Guide: What to Wear for Wedding Festivities 48 Dream Getaway: The Right Ride to End the Night 51 A Simple Thank You: Gifts for the Gals

PHOTO BY AL WEDDINGS

in every issue

4 Contributors 5 From the Editor 7 The Guide 10 Instagram 86 Chamber Connections 91 Out & About 99 Marketplace 100 My Shelby County

ShelbyLiving.com 5SL

EDITORIAL Lizzie Bowen Meg Herndon Anna Grace Moore Lauren Sexton Noah Wortham

CONTRIBUTORS AL Weddings Carmen Brown Frank Carnaggio Photography Melanie McCraney Patrick McGough Maddie Moore Photo Blair Ramsey Christiana Roussel Eleanor Stenner Photography Maddie Sullivan Photo

DESIGN Jamie Dawkins Kate Green Connor Martin-Lively Briana Sansom

MARKETING Sydney Allen Octavia Campbell Evann Campbell Jessica Caudill Kari George Michaela Hancock Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Tori Montjoy Madison King Viridiana Romero

ADMINISTRATION

Mary Jo Eskridge Alec Etheredge Stacey Meadows Lauren Morris Tim Prince Brittany Schofield Savana Tarwater Anna Willis Carmen Brown, Writer

Carmen earned her master’s degree in communication and information sciences from the University of Alabama. She has worked as a magazine feature writer for the last 15 years and also works as a writing coach and copy editor. Her work has been published in HomeCare, Tuscaloosa Magazine, The Executive and more. She enjoys writing articles on a variety of topics but especially health and wellness and inspirational articles on human resilience. Check out her website at carmensheabrown.com.

Patrick McGough, Photographer

Born and raised in Mountain Brook, Patrick has had a passion for photography from when he bought his first cardboard box camera in a flea market at the age of 12. That passion has taken him all over the South and abroad on many assignments and projects. Every shoot creates an opportunity to meet new people and to explore ideas and locations. Whether shooting businesses, families or individuals, he strives to capture the most fun, genuine and unique images for his clients.

Blair Ramsey, Photographer

Blair is a Vestavia Hills-based photographer whose company, Southern Intrigue Photography, specializes in sports action, portrait and commercial images. Blair and her husband, John, have two sons, Cooper and Cameron, who have both had the privilege of being Auburn cheerleaders. Blair’s work can be found at southernintriguephotography.com, on Instagram @southernintriguephotography and Facebook @southernintrigue.

Christiana Roussel, Writer

Where should we have dinner? Where should we go on our next family vacation or couple’s getaway? What kind of shotgun should I buy? These are all queries writer Christiana Roussel has answered in recent months. While food writing is her original passion, she has really enjoyed expanding her repertoire to include travel and sporting activities that might involve an upland adventure. And no, it is not just because there might be a need for new clothes for the expedition.

Shelby Living Magazine is published bi-monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby Living Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Shelby Living Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Shelby County, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit ShelbyLiving.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $14.95 plus tax for one year by visiting ShelbyLiving.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532.