G A T H E R I N G S | Instagram 2.0

As soon as the ladies left my house on the Thursday evening in late July from the Gatherings | Instagram 101 class, Laurel Donahoo and I started tossing around the idea of another Instagram class where she would take us to the next level, stepping up our Instagram game to greater heights. We thought how cool it would be to have this class at an off-sight location - somewhere besides my house since this would have been the third class Laurel had taught for Gatherings within just months of each other. And just like that, Arco Avenue became Laurel's top pick for housing this Instagram 2.0 class. This was the perfect "girlie" environment. We got to sit and look at shoes for two hours. Of course, all eyes on Laurel during class time {with maybe just a few blank stares into shoe space}, but mostly on that gorgeous baby-belly of hers. Almost 8 months pregnant with baby number three on the way, and Laurel never missed a beat.

ARCO AVENUE | First Off-Site Location

Arco Avenue is a women's footwear boutique that was established in 2011, with the idea that you don't have to sacrifice comfort for fashion. They have a curated selection of well-known and hard-to-find shoe lines all centering around the look and feel of the shoe. Arco Avenue also houses handbag and jewelry collections, accessorizing you in every season. Their talented staff will help you find the perfect fit and give you style tips for every day wear or for any event. So a big, huge, red-lipstick kiss to Katie Miller, owner of Arco Avenue, for allowing us the opportunity to spend the evening in your store listening and learning from the extremely humble and tech-savvy, Laurel Donahoo.

One of this evening's sponsors holds a special place in my heart. Last year at this time, my son, Crockett, was about to marry and wanted to have his rehearsal dinner in our backyard. The only request he made was that he wanted Amerigo's Fettuccine Alfredo and pizza. Well, little did I know that Amerigo was part of a group of restaurants that have their own catering company. 4 Top Catering consists of Amerigo, Char, Sombra, Anjou, and Saltine which allows you to mix items from each restaurant's menu. Basically, you can have five types of cuisine served at your event. All from the same catering company. Brilliant idea! So, the menu for Crockett's rehearsal dinner was a little bit of everything and a whole lot of good!

4 Top Catering helped with every detail, from table set-up to a super-attentive wait staff and then stayed to help clean up.

And Crockett Ford's mama was tickled PINK!

On this evening, Gatherings got to experience a little bit of the magic from 4 Top Catering with margarita and pesto veggie pizzas and praline bread pudding for dessert. Shut the front door! It was fabulous. Thank you, 4 Top Catering, for being such a good friend to Gatherings.

Grammer Beauties

{make sure you like and follow these ladies}

@rtrhansford; @sunny_holliday_design; @thecanoylife

@amywallaceadams; @janamcdonnell

@aliciawilliford1; jillford_gatherings

@elizfulcher; @rtrhansford

@sunny_holliday_design; @pamhargett

@becbroom (aka crazy girl); @kathywarren6047; @kaywattsoilpainter

@jillford_gatherings;@cowboyskitchens (aka Lindsey Davis)

@ele.aesthetician; @willandele

@jillford_gatherings; @villageboutiquems

If you are wondering "what in the world does Jill have on her head" then you won't be the first. Everybody that walked in class last night wanted to know what, where, and why. Well, I bought this cute little head piece while visiting Israel with Kay Arthur Precept Ministries in 2010. And since we are in the middle of the last of the Fall Feast this week, the Feast of Tabernacles, I decided to honor the Lord by having a visual to talk about during my opening introduction and prayer time. Sometimes you can dress me up, but you can't take me out ... just saying!

SPECIAL "LOVE" TO THESE AMAZING FRIENDS OF GATHERINGS

This is my serious face ... not one that you will see often, but the only pic that turned out half-way decent when posing for this "gotta have" gray top from @VillageBoutique. I love the side slits and the feel of the material. Oohlala. This might become my new "uniform" for the fall season. I find myself always adopting one item in my closet and wearing the stew out of it ... like literally wearing it to death. Just ask my friend, Ann Rigney, she will attest to this! But in all seriousness, I cannot thank @VillageBoutique enough for always dressing me in the latest arrivals and the cutest tops. I am honored that you are a friend to Gatherings. Located at 1888 Main Street, Madison, stop by and let them know you would like the Gatherings Discount on your next purchase.

Colony Wine Market never seems to lack for a new selection of bubbly. The ladies seemed to really enjoy this La Vielle Ferme Sparkling Rose made from Grenache, Cinsault and Pinot Noir. In the exceptionally descriptive words of Scott Jackson, "this wine shows a delicate peach core with seductive raspberry hints and fine exquisite bubbles. A nose of fresh red fruit (raspberry, wild strawberry), giving way to a perfect balance between freshness, acidity and roundness. The notes of citrus and white flowers add complexity. Pairs well with a wide range of foods from hors d'oeuvres to barbecue.". A special thanks to Scott @ColonyWineMarket for his constant show of support to Gatherings. Please make sure you tell him you would love the Gatherings Discount.