Looking Back : Our Fave Fashion Trends from 2011

Every month, Inviting Arkansas works with local retailers to give our readers the most up-to-date trends appearing in the fashion world. So we thought we’d take a look back at some of our favorite fashion trends from 2011.

1. The Maxi

Whether in skirt or dress form, ankle-skimming lengths were hugely popular in 2011 and aren’t losing steam as we roll into 2012. We all drooled over this maxi dress from Vesta’s that appeared in our June issue.

2. Sequins

Ahhhh, sequins. Little bits of happiness sewn onto shirts, skirts, dresses, purses and just about everything else. In 2011, sequins were so bright, we dedicated an entire fashion spread to shiny things alone. Seen here were two fully sequined looks from RK Collections and Faux Pas.

3. Capes

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s incredibly chic capes, come to save the day from the winter coat doldrums. For those of us who needed a break from parkas and peacoats, capes were in abundance this fall. We were particularly smitten with this option from Companions.

4. Faux Fur

For the second year in a row, fur vests were a huge trend. We DIED for this Rachel Zoe version from Barbara Jean. But this year, that trend branched out to include faux fur anything. So if you’ve been wanting to try a faux fur jacket, go ahead. You have the right to bear arms.

5. Brights

Whether it was neon accessories, colored denim or color blocking, bright hues were present from January till December in 2011. We featured some of our favorite hues back in March.

Those were a few of our favorites. Which trends do you hope to see continue into 2012 and which do you hope will disappear?

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All photos by Rett Peek.

All 2011 issues of Inviting Arkansas are available for viewing online here.

The Fun Happens December 3rd to Benefit Miracle League

The Miracle League is where kids with a variety of disabilities get to play baseball! You can help support this worthwhile program at the Major League Party on Saturday, December 3, at Dickey-Stephens Park.

At the event, you can enjoy live music by Arkansas’s favorite dance band, Tragikly White, and mix and mingle with food and beverages while you bid on silent and live auction items. Auction items include signed memorabilia items. The party starts at 6 p.m. and lasts until midnight. Round poker with minor and major league players starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person.

Major league players expected at the party include Cliff Lee, Dustin Moseley, Travis Wood, Tommy Hunter, Scott Carroll, Slade Heathcott and more!

For more information or to make a donation to Miracle League, visit MiracleLeagueAR.com.

Gobble, Gobble and Go!

Before you gobble down some turkey and dressing, you can start your Thanksgiving day with a family-fun run at the Go!bbler Turkey Trot hosted by Go! Running. Start time is 8 and the course starts and ends at the running store in the Heights in Little Rock.

In many states across the nation, the Turkey Trot has grown into the undisputed way to begin Thanksgiving Day for thousands of runners. The Trot tradition extends through generations and participants who celebrate the holiday with family and friends. Now, Little Rock upholds the tradition with The Go!bbler.

The course, which offers a 3- to 8-mile loops, covers all aspects of running, including road, track, trails and a few other surprises! The only thing you have to bring to enter is a can of food or some other non-perishable food item. All collected foods will be given to food donation programs serving our community on Thanksgiving day.

The Go!bbler also will offer a T-shirt swap and refreshments. Instead of having new T-shirts made for the event, Go! Running will have a T-shirt swap, so bring an old race shirt with you if you want to participate and add to the mix of shirts.

Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without pie. Fittingly, prizes will be rewarded in the form of pies for some surprise categories.

For more information, call the store at 501.663.6800.

Wishful Thinking

Attorney and business man, Bryan Hosto, keeps a busy schedule but always makes time for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year, he’s part of the committee for a brand new event, Farm Fresh Wishes, that hopes to be deliciously successful. Read more about Bryan’s work with Make-A-Wish in our Charity Close-Up here.

Farm Fresh Wishes is the only event in Arkansas that pairs local chefs with local farmers to make local children’s wishes come true. Make-A-Wish has handpicked some of the state’s most talented chefs to prepare a seven course meal featuring Arkansas foods. The tasting menu will be served with wine pairings and beer. Proceeds from this event will go towards granting the wishes of area children with life threatening medical conditions. Thursday, September 22, 6:30 p.m., Clinton Presidential Library, $1,000 per table / $125 per ticket, 501-376-9474 for tickets.

Kaleidoscope Kids Auction Helps Grieving Children

Story and photos by Inviting’s Jillian McGehee

“People die. Relationships don’t.” The astute statement was made by Sarah Cowan, a volunteer with Kaleidoscope Grief Center. She and countless others give their time to the organization, which serves grieving children, teens and their families after the loss of a parent or loved one. Established in 1995 as in independent nonprofit organization, the Kaleidoscope Grief Center merged as a program of the Methodist Family Health Counseling Clinic in January 2009.

April Leslie was only 32 when she became a widow left to raise her 3-year-old daughter. April easily found a support group, but it consisted of mostly older adults. Upon learning of Kaleidoscope Grief Center, she immediately felt relief in knowing that her grieving daughter would get the help she needed.

April’s story is just one of many that come out of the grief center. To help produce more success stories, fundraisers like the Kaleidoscope Kids Auction are held. The event has outgrown the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and this year will take place at the Woman’s City Club (Junior League of Little Rock’s headquarters). Admission is only $75 per person or $125 per couple. The auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. All proceeds benefit the grief center and Methodist Family Health clinics around the state.

Chairing this year’s event is Sally Riggs, a dedicated volunteer.

Sally is married to Keith Riggs, whose grandfather was a Methodist pastor and served the Methodist Orphanage on Fillmore Street long ago. The orphanage was the cornerstone of today’s Methodist Family Health.

“I am a professional volunteer,” Sally says with a smile. “Whether it’s for church, school or the community, it makes me feel good. I like being involved and being hands-on. And everyone here at Methodist Family Health is so nice and easy to work with.”

Sally, a member of St. James United Methodist Church, commends all of the services that Kaleidoscope and Methodist Family provide, but she is especially fond of the Kids Club. “It’s a good source for children and teens to get together and have fun,” she says. “It’s not all about grieving and counseling. They can have fun too.”

Ashley Coldiron, executive director of the Methodist Family Health Foundation, says Sally is a “wonderful” board member for Methodist Family Health. “She’s totally dedicated and works quietly behind the scenes getting things done. Sally is the type of volunteer who will haul pizzas in her vehicle one weekend and chair a gala the next month. She is the type of volunteer every organization would like to clone!” 

The Kids Auction is a “fun time,” notes Sally, who will also be in charge of flower arrangements for the evening. In addition to a wine cork pull, more than 100 auction items will be up for grabs.

Highlights of the live auction include a Dominican Republic weeklong vacation in a villa at Punta Cana’s Campo de Camp Resort; high tea for 30 guests with tables set with English china; guided hunting trip with lodging at CrossHeirs Retreat Lodge; brunch for 14 at an E. Fay Jones-designed home; condominium in Destin, Fla., for a week; Walt Disney World trip complete with airfaire and hotel and four Park Hopper passes; and several pieces of art, including a James Hayes hand-blown glass bowl, Michael Black watercolor and Teresa Cates oil paintings.

Some of the silent auction items include a Michael Kors handbag, NFL tickets, many pieces of hand-made jewelry, and gift certificates to local restaurants and getaways.

For more information, email acoldiron@methodistfamily.org.

We’re wild for Wild Birds!

We are wild for these Eco-Tough recycled bird feeders from Wild Birds Unlimited! Stop in at Wild Birds in the Heights and mention their ad in Inviting Arkansas to receive 20% off one of their recycled feeders!

Wild Birds Unlimited : 1818 N Taylor St., Little Rock : 501.666.4210

Behind the scenes with P. Allen Smith.

On the day of our photo shoot with P. Allen Smith, the entire staff was like a group of excited children on the first day of school. We’d each been to Moss Mountain Farm, Allen’s garden home retreat, once before and were excited to return to the pastoral retreat. 

Though the house looks like an 1840s Greek Revival farmstead, it’s actually very green. You can read about Allen’s green philosophy in this month’s issue!

As we scouted the grounds for possible photo locations, we saw lambs and chickens running around the property.

The staff takes a moment to discuss our options.

Allen’s two acre garden grows a variety of organic fruits and vegetables. A small harvest was picked on the morning of our shoot for the basket Allen holds on the cover. 

The chickens we used for the cover shoot were Black Laced Wyandottes, one of the rare heritage breeds that Allen protects through his Heritage Poultry Conservancy.

The chickens were amazingly calm sitting next to Allen!

On the grounds, rainwater is harvested into a tank that’s hidden under the yard and used to irrigate the flower beds and and gardens.

If you are interested in seeing the garden home for yourself, visit http://www.pallensmith.com/tours/ for more info!

(All images by Kari Gillenwater)

Spread Some Magic

As many girls do, I too dreamed of being a princess while playing dress-up in any high heels I could find. My favorite was Cinderella. One of my first story assignments after coming to work for Inviting Arkansas was the Cinderella Ball. I was intrigued.

The fall event benefits Safe Places, a nonprofit organization that helps children and families throughout Arkansas. It focuses on providing free services to combat child abuse, sexual assault and violence, among other things. Safe Places gets young ladies involved through the Cinderella Leadership Program, and the Cinderella Ball is the culminating event to celebrate the girls’ accomplishments. The nonprofit uses the fairy tale to counsel and teach children who have been hurt how to break the cycle of violence and create their own happy endings. While the event doesn’t take place until October, they need your help now.

Safe Places is seeking sponsorships for the enchanted evening of dining, dancing and a touch of stardust. See how you can help by calling Safe Places at 501.690.1151.

— By IA’s Jillian McGehee

After the Party

By IA’s Jillian McGehee

It’s nice to slow down in the summer, but I’m always keeping a lookout for special events that benefit a good cause. After all, people don’t stop needing assistance when the party’s over. Organized events such as seated dinners and silent auctions take place less in the summer. However, there’s always a way you can lend a hand, even when the party frock takes a breather in the closet.

Make a phone call to an organization like Arkansas Foodbank or Our House Shelter, and you could be on your way down a philanthropic path. Or, as subjects of many of my features stories explain, think about what interests you. Chances are you’ll find a nonprofit organization or business dedicated to your interests. For example, if you love literature, Reach Out and Read might be a good fit.

Need a little inspiration as you consider your philanthropy niche? I suggest you take a look through this month’s issue. I dare you not to become inspired as you discover how people like Georgia and Dominik Mjartan made their American dreams a reality while also giving back.

Philanthropy Talk

We were lounging poolside the other day and couldn’t help overhearing a conversation. As avid observers of people, we often find ourselves listening to others around us. At the neighborhood pool, three men were standing in the water two feet from the top of our lounge chairs. And they were talking loudly, so naturally, it was hard to resist listening to what they were saying.

The men appeared to be in their late 30s-mid 40s. They all had brought their children to the pool for the afternoon, and appeared to be married judging by the left-hand rings. They must have given their wives a break for the afternoon.

While their kids splashed around and took turns doing tricks off the diving board, the men stood waist-deep in the water sipping cold beverages and talking about life. They candidly discussed typical male things. You know, things like beer, baseball, blondes, barbecue and business dealings. Our ears perked up when one man mentioned the Heart Ball, which is the signature fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

This black-tie event is one of the biggest on Little Rock’s social scene. We were impressed that one of these dads had brought the Heart Ball to their discussion circle in the first place.

Hearing these men talk about a charity event reminded us of an inner-office writing assignment at work. We each were asked to define our target market, and someone included men in her answer. A common belief is that only women are interested in reading about people and parties centered on philanthropy.

In our line of work, we see men, young and old, graciously involved in the community. At Inviting Arkansas, we feature men in our pages just as much as
women, and based on feedback we receive, men enjoy seeing themselves and their male counterparts.

Take Ivan Hudson and Will Whiting, for example. We recently wrote a story about them as co-chairs of a new group for young professionals. As if they aren’t busy enough, Ivan and Will have enhanced their leadership roles on the board of directors for Just Communities of Arkansas. The ambitious men agreed to serve as leaders of the Change Agents, which is an auxiliary group of JCA. By day, Ivan works as the diversity business enterprise manager for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, and Will is vice president for public policy at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Their lists of community involvement go on and on, from Big Brothers/Big Sisters to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Whether it be men or women, it’s impressive at how they balance their careers with volunteer work.

Ivan and Will are just two men in this giving community. To be sure, there are many more dedicated to making a difference. We could name more, but then we would feel obligated to name them all, which is a good problem! It means Little Rock and the surrounding areas are filled with men doing extraordinary things. You’ll see them on party pages in social magazines flanked by their wives or friends and read about them in feature stories. It was so refreshing to see these gentlemen in the pool put aside talk of beer and baseball and turn their attention to philanthropy!

Healing Hearts

Happy April! We have lots of events this month, no foolin’! You can check out our calendar of events online to see what grabs you. And check out The List in our printed edition where you’ll find more detail about the Top 10 events. Our April issue will hit newsstands soon, so be watching out for beautiful cover girl Jeanne Johansson!

As you plan your month, we’d like to share an event that you or a loved one might need. Kaleidoscope Grief Center’s Camp Healing Hearts hosted by Methodist Family Health will be held May 20 and 21 at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock.

Camp Healing Hearts is for children ages 5-18 and their families who have lost a loved one to death. Camp will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 20, and will end at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Unlike the traditional camp setting, Camp Healing Hearts unites families in the grief process by encouraging parents and guardians to attend the event alongside their children. 

The event is free, and deadline to register is April 29! For more information, call 501.661.0720 ext.7170 or visit www.methodistfamily.org

Mark your calendar

Cantrell Gallery is nearing the end of the wonderful exhibit by Kitty Harvill, BRAZIL: An Endangered Beauty.
If you haven’t been by to see these pastels and watercolors of the Atlantic Coastal Rainforest with its lovely inhabitants, come by soon, before it’s too late! Last day of exhibit is Saturday, April 9. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.   In conjunction with the end of Kitty’s exhibit, a special event is scheduled. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, Cantrell Gallery will be hosting a trunk show of the new spring line from Regalia Handmade Clothing. It’s comfortable, natural fiber clothing designed and made in Eureka Springs by Mark Hughes. There will be a Preview Party with refreshments from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 8. 

Plant it Pink

This is the first week of spring. Let’s celebrate!

The Argenta Arts Foundation and its partners invite you to celebrate this beautiful season with 25,000 pink tulips in downtown North Little Rock’s Argenta District. Festivities start tomorrow and last through March 31st. In addition to having fun, the festival will honor families affected by breast cancer.

Gardening guru P. Allen Smith is the presenting sponsor of Plant it Pink. The proceeds from sponsorships and events will benefit the Arkansas affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

A kick-off reception, featuring delicious food and live music by Rodney Block Project, will be held tomorrow in the CityGrove Townhomes Art Park on Fifth Street between Main and Maple in Argenta. Tickets are $50 and space is limited to 300.

On Saturday, bring the whole family out for a day of activities. P. Allen will host a spring garden discussion at 9 a.m. on bringing pink into your life. Dr. Suzanne Klimberg of UAMS will also be there. The Park Hill Dixie Land Band will start us up at 8:30 and the North Little Rock Community Band will be the music for the Honors Walk starting at 10. Bongo Willie will be on hand for the kids along with face painting by the NLR Mayor’s Youth Council, a bouncy house and Little Caesars Character with give-aways. Look for the NLR PINK Fire Truck on Main Street.

The city’s favorite food trucks will be on Main at 6th street serving an array of delicious foods!

 At 10, P. Allen Smith will lead the Susan G. Komen Honor’s Walk down Main Street in Argenta. Everyone is welcome to participate, wear your pink to show your support for the Komen Foundation and breast cancer survivors. Hot Pink Mardi Gras beads will be distributed to all participants.

For more information, visit http://plantitpinkforkomen.eventbrite.com