Issuu

THE

Style ISSUE S E P TE M B E R 2 02 6

Jared Alder, Founder

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Two Years and Counting This issue marks the 2nd anniversary of Bentonville City Lifestyle. That’s two years of highlighting community leaders, friends, and neighbors. Two years telling small business and nonprofit stories. Two years of connecting the community to the advertising partners who support us. In the September, 2024 issue you would have seen a “Founding Partners” page that had the names of the 23 businesses who helped bring these pages to life. I’ll always be grateful for the individuals who said “yes” to the idea of this publication before they could see it. Since then, many more have joined them which allowed us to add editorial pages to the magazine to tell more stories. I’m immensely grateful for their support as well. If you enjoy this magazine each month, I hope you’re grateful to them as well. Our partnerships with each of these businesses transcend traditional advertising. They’ve chosen to be a part of these pages because they believe in the same things we do—the importance of community, the need for local story-telling, the value of buying local goods and services, and the opportunity to spotlight nonprofits to name a few. Equally important are the folks who keep saying “yes.” We’ve been fortunate to have contributing articles and interviews with community champions who believe so much in Bentonville and have extended that to us at Bentonville City Lifestyle. Finally, thank you to all of you who have read the magazine over the last two years. I hope you enjoy it and continue to do so. September is our Style issue so before I wrap up, a quick note on that. I like to think we put together a pretty stylish magazine and I’m lucky to have a team who rightfully takes the lion’s share of the credit for that. But here’s the thing; we’re not a stylish magazine about Bentonville. We’re a stylish magazine because it’s about Bentonville. All the best,

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Wyatt Layman | wyatt.layman@citylifestyle.com M AN AG I N G E D I TO R

Michelle Bazis | michelle.bazis@citylifestyle.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

Claire McFarland | claire.mcfarland@citylifestyle.com P U B L I S H E R AS S I STAN T

Jennifer Purifoy | jennifer.purifoy@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Emily Petrick, Wyatt Layman, Tara Yarbrough C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

Garret Layman

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

W YAT T L AY M A N , P U B L I S H E R @BENTONVILLECITYLIFESTYLE Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Bentonville City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Bentonville area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

Visit our Instagram CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/BENTONVILLEAR

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Bentonville City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

16 Featured

20 34

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

More Than A LABEL

Lifestyle Letter

The Beloved Women's Boutique That Has Become So Much More Than A Place To Shop.

City Scene

Business Monthly

Local’s Choice STYLE + BEAUTY

Six Tips: Selecting Vintage Fashion

Must See STYLE + BEAUTY

Local Limelight SPORTS + RECREATION

Field Supply's Emily Petrick Shares Her Go-To Rules For Sourcing Quality Vintage Fashion

Outdoor Adventure TRAVEL

Artist’s Palette HOME + DESIGN

Expert Help EVENT PLANNING + SERVICES

Premium Outdoor Gear Without The Ego

Events

Sturdy Used Gear Opens Consignment Solution In Bentonville To Help Keep The Outoors Affordable

On the Cover An elevated fall fit, perfect for creekside eats and live music in Bentonville. Photography: Justin Palmer

With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.

SEPTEMBER 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-7: Walton Arts Center hosts Art of Wine Goes West. NWA guests showed up in their best boots for the summer’s most stylish event. Photography by Michelle Bazis

CONTINUED >

C I T Y SC E N E

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city scene CONTINUED

14 13

8-14: Chuck Ramirez ‘Ordinary Wonders’ Media Preview at The Momentary. Photography by Michelle Bazis

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C I T Y SC E N E

SEPTEMBER 2026

business monthly A ROUNDUP OF NEWS F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Renaissance Philanthropy Launches NWA Innovation Fund to Grow Talent With support from the Walton Family Foundation, Renaissance Philanthropy announced a new Northwest Arkansas Innovation Fund to promote opportunity and economic diversity in the region. The nonprofit investment fund will catalyze new businesses and develop local talent by investing in two inaugural programs inspired by NWA.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Crystal Bridges Unveils New Art Everywhere Program As part of Crystal Bridges’ expansion, the museum has launched a new public art initiative aimed at expanding the role of contemporary art on its campus. Art Everywhere transforms unexpected areas into immersive art experiences, blurring the boundaries between collection galleries. Through site-responsive commissions by ten artists, Art Everywhere activates high-traffic areas, inviting visitors to encounter art in new, memorable ways. Photography by CBMO Creative

OZ Trails Launches OZ LIFE POD The OZ Life podcast dives into everything OZ Trails, from trail announcements and behind-the-scenes updates to the history and people that make NWA's trails world-class. Hosted by Andy Chasteen and Victor Gurel.

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MOR E TH A N A L A BEL

The beloved women's boutique that has become so much more than a place to shop. ARTICLE BY MICHELLE BAZIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN PALMER

LOCA L’S C H OICE | STYL E + BE AU T Y

More than half of the locals reading this are transplants, a statistic that perfectly captures the unique personality of Northwest Arkansas. Whether you’ve arrived for a career milestone or to plant roots with family, there’s both a vulnerability

Staff: Nina Gunnell, Nicole Turner, Ty Robinson, Sarah Barton, Taylor Baird, Kelsey Montoya, Maddy McDermott, Caroline Bridgers

“Even if you don’t buy anything, I want you to feel special enough to want to come back and hang out.” and excitement that come with moving somewhere new. The change can feel both lonely and like a fresh start—a search for both community and purpose. For Sarah Barton, that search culminated in the launch of her premium women’s boutique, LABEL. Originally from South Arkansas, Barton followed her husband to Bentonville in her mid-twenties. “I knew no one; it was a hard season,” she said. “I was around 25 years old, and it’s hard to make friends when you’re not even sure who you are yet.” What she did know was retail. Barton noticed a need for women’s shopping in Bentonville. Armed with a sharp eye for quality and a deep understanding of what makes a wardrobe work, she searched

through her closet, noting the brands she collected most, and thought, “Surely I can figure this out.” From the get-go, the LABEL philosophy has been precise: source high-end apparel in limited quantities, focusing on brands that are ethically made in the US. By limiting inventory to just five or six of each item, and creating diversity of merchandise across each location, she ensures your wardrobe remains as unique as your personal story. “Retail has been struggling because of the conveniences that are out there, but we want it to make a comeback,” says Barton. “Whether it’s loungewear, swimwear, quality basics, or special occasion dresses, we curate everything you need CONTINUED >

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to live your life, but you won’t see a bunch of people at the farmer’s market or at work wearing the same outfit.” Barton understands that luxury isn’t just about the label—it’s about the feeling you get when you wear it, and the community you find when you shop; it’s the way you feel when you ask a friend to help you with your zipper or what to wear on a first date. “Even if you don’t buy anything, I want you to feel special enough to want to come back and hang out.” LABEL has grown significantly since its inception a decade ago. With the opening of its third location in Fayetteville and a stunning, larger flagship space at The Ledger, the boutique has truly come into its own. Developed in collaboration with local designer Olivia Herring and Luna Marketing Studio, the boutique’s refresh is bright and contemporary, designed to be a gathering point as much as a retail store. “After ten years, we were ready for a glow-up,” Barton said. “It’s fun, soft, and feminine. It’s modern but not harsh. It’s the store we all wanted to exist.” Today, LABEL functions as a modern-day third space: hosting pop-ups and trunk shows, partnering with local tailors for on-site alterations, hosting Saturday Sculpt Club with Jo Mills, and organizing community-focused events like the Earth Day Denim Drive. “I’ve gotten so lucky with such amazing people who want to come to work and are excited to be there,” she gushed. “There are still some days when I’m like, I can’t believe this is what I’m doing. All of my circle is here, and a lot of it has stemmed from LABEL.” Coming into fall, Barton says we can continue to expect fun experiences at all three of her LABEL locations. As for fall fashions to look forward to at LABEL, she says we can expect to see lace, stripes, polka dots, scarves, and western themes. And the barrel jean? “It’s here to stay!”

LOCA L’S CH OICE | STYL E + BE AU T Y

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Six Tips: Selecting Vintage Fashion Field Supply's Emily Petrick Shares Her Go-To Rules From 20+ Years Of Sourcing Quality Vintage Fashion

ARTICLE BY EMILY PETRICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE BAZIS

M UST SE E | STYL E + BEAU T Y

I was buying vintage long before opening up our shop, Field Supply, in Bentonville. Starting in middle school, every party dress, piece of jewelry, favorite pair of jeans, and winter coat was vintage. My first apartment was furnished almost entirely with things I’d cobbled together from the local vintage shops and flea markets. Several of those pieces are still in my home nearly twenty years later, now woven together with contemporary pieces and vintage finds we’ve collected more intentionally over time. I approach my wardrobe the same way; it’s been built piece by piece into a thoughtful, deeply personal, layered collection. When my mom, Lizzie, and I started Field Supply, we talked a lot about what makes a piece special. What makes something worth keeping through every move, every purge, every new phase of life? As we have been sourcing over the past year, we have developed a framework that has helped shape the Field Supply collection, and it has changed the way we approach buying vintage. Whether I am shopping for myself or the shop, here are the things that I am looking for:

CONNECTION

I don’t collect vintage pieces because they are trending or super valuable–I collect the pieces that I connect with. If something makes me smile, brings up a memory, feels good in my hands, or simply draws me to it, I bring it home. If not, I pass. From experience, whenever I break this rule, those pieces eventually end up donated or resold.

personal. If you absolutely love a piece, but the fit is off or it has a sleeve that you don’t prefer, bring it to a tailor!

CONDITION

Ideally, every piece you find would be in perfect condition, but more often than not, vintage pieces show wear or damage. Most clothing can be saved with a good soak and some minor repairs. If the repairs are major, I am generally going to pass. Vintage items have already lived a full life, and I don’t really feel the need to erase that (beyond a good cleaning) as long as their structure is solid. Weigh the cost of repair with the value of the piece and how much you love it.

CURATION

Generally, if you’re following the first rule (connection) then over time you will build a cohesive, intentional and layered collection. It’s important not to rush it. Gathering the ingredients for a wardrobe that feels both designed and lived-in takes time, patience and openness. At the end of the day, these are just guidelines. Buying vintage is a great way to make your wardrobe feel totally unique and personal. As long as you’re having fun with it and taking the time to find the things that feel special to you, you can’t go wrong!

MATERIALS

I almost exclusively buy pieces that are made from natural materials. This means clothing from natural fibers like cotton, silk, linen, and wool. There are always exceptions (I love a good 70’s polyester jumpsuit) but it’s a good rule of thumb when looking for high-quality pieces.

FIT

When it comes to clothing, the sizes mean practically nothing. Not only has sizing drastically changed over time, but depending on the way a piece was worn or used, it may have stretched or changed shape over the years. This is especially true with vintage denim.

ALTERATIONS

Customizing vintage pieces is a fantastic way to get something that has soul, but also feels fresh and

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ARTICLE BY TARA YARBROUGH | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The Psycholog y of

CLUTTER “ORGANIZATION ISN’T ABOUT PUTTING THINGS AWAY; IT’S ABOUT KNOWING WHERE THEY BELONG.”

Bee Organized has made a business out of creating customized systems for Northwest Arkansas homes because the task of organization can be overwhelming and ineffective if not executed well. By identifying the cause of your clutter and adapting to your daily routines, we design processes to help you clear through the mess and activate systems for a more streamlined household.

BEE ORGANIZED HACKS THE WHY BEHIND OUR MESSES TO DESIGN STYLISH SYSTEMS FOR SUCCESS 24

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | S P ORTS + RE CRE AT ION

LETTING GO

It’s not organization that most people struggle with; it’s the emotion of letting things go. Every item in our home tells a story. Sometimes we keep things because they remind us of someone we love. Other times it’s guilt over the expense or the belief we might need it someday. One of the biggest mindset shifts we teach clients is that our homes should support the life we’re living today. Instead of asking, “Could I ever use this?” ask, “Does this support my current lifestyle?” Would I buy this again today? Is this item earning the space it occupies? When we release the guilt attached to possessions, organization becomes much easier.

HABITS HINDERING ORGANIZATION

Organization isn’t a one-day project; it’s built through daily habits. The greatest culprits contributing to your clutter likely include: delayed decisions, shopping before taking inventory, lack of place, and over-organization. Delayed Decisions: This is the “I’ll deal with it later” mentality. One delayed task after another turns into months and piles. Every unopened package or random countertop item is simply a postponed decision. Shopping Before Taking Inventory: Organization saves far more than space. Research suggests people spend a surprising amount of time each year looking for misplaced belongings. Many families own multiples simply because they can’t find what they already have. We’ve had clients with sunscreen, tape measure, and shampoo collections. A well-designed system gives that time back. No Dedicated Place: If something doesn’t have a permanent place, it naturally migrates. Keys, backpacks, shoes, charging cords. When everything has a home, mornings become smoother, grocery shopping becomes easier, and families spend less time searching for lost items. Over-Organizing: Many people buy containers before they’ve decluttered. We recommend you purge first, then organize. Containers organize what you choose to keep, not what you should have already let go. CONTINUED >

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SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR THE SPACE

Children’s Closet: Keeping up with kids can be chaotic, especially when it comes to growth spurts, hobbies and sports, and seasonal wardrobes. We recommend creating simple systems using bins labeled for: current size, next size up, keepsakes, hand-medowns, and seasonal clothing. By doing this, we’re maximizing space and simplifying life by rotating bins instead of entire closets. The same principle applies to holiday décor, sporting equipment, and outdoor gear. Bathroom: Bathrooms become chaotic because, without a system, these small products can multiply quickly. We like to create dedicated zones to help our clients achieve clutter-free cabinets. This includes: hair products, makeup, skin care, medicine, and nail supplies. When daily-routine products

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | S P ORTS + RE CRE AT ION

have their place, within reach, duplicates become obvious, expired products get removed, and countertops stay clean. Laundry Room: The laundry room is one of the hardest-working spaces in a home. Simple upgrades to streamline this space include labeled baskets for each family member, a lost sock container, folding space, and vertical storage for supplies. Laundry should be a process, not a pile. Beautiful systems encourage lasting habits. At Bee Organized, we believe organization is about creating homes that support the people who live in them. Whether we’re guiding someone through decades of cherished belongings or helping a growing family simplify busy mornings, our goal is always the same: To create customized systems that are beautiful, functional, and simple enough to maintain for years to come.

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ARTICLE BY WYATT LAYMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARRET LAYMAN

Family, Legacy, and Waterfowl How one family's heritage impacts another

“Some of these trips could be once in a lifetime for me.” That’s what my dad told me when we were about to head out for a guided waterfowl trip to the legendary Stuart Ranch in Southern Oklahoma. My dad is only in his mid-sixties—a relatively young age in the modern world to make such definitive claims, but he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) several years ago. Though my dad is fortunately still in the early stages of the disease and maintains a very active lifestyle, that’s the reality of those living with PD. With effective medical management, someone’s experience with PD could be a long and gradual while they live a somewhat normal life. For others, things can suddenly take a sharp downward turn. From my understanding, determining which experience someone could have is a moving target. A diagnosis of any incurable disease affects everyone’s family differently, but I would be willing to bet that there is one common trait shared by all of those families—time becomes more precious than you’ve ever thought it before. Our response has been to pack as many memorable opportunities in as possible over the indeterminate amount of time we may have together.

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | T RAVE L

Many of my childhood memories with my dad and brothers surrounded hunting and fishing and those are things we still bond over. Waterfowl and upland hunting also happen to be among the very few activities when my dad’s PD doesn’t bother him. So it’s not uncommon for our trip-planning sessions to start with chasing birds. When we connected with the family at Stuart Ranch with ducks in mind, it was a natural fit. For them, ranching and outfitting are a family affair. The ranch bears the brand 7S, representing the seven generations of the family that have lived and worked the land since 1868. Clay Forst, representing the 6th generation to make a life and home on the ranch, relayed to me the incredible history. Though the land was occupied and improved upon by the family since 1868, because it was owned by Choctaw citizens, it made its way through the infamous Dawes commission and became a tract of Choctaw Allotment land. It’s this specific parcel of land that still holds the original home-place and current headquarters to Stuart Ranch. “A big part of our heritage is the Choctaws. That’s where we established, that’s how we more or less started,

“ I hope that any thing that I ’m doing today is something that one or all three of my boys could grab ahold of and make it their own.”

and we’ve carried that all the way through until now. It’s very prevalent in my family’s lineage and history.” Forst, who holds a degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University and completed the Ranch Management program at Texas Christian University, heads up the hunting operations of the 32,000 acre section of ranch near Waurika, Oklahoma.

It’s on that section near Waurika that my family and I spent our time. Atop a hill set against a scrub landscape of mesquite and sage grass sits a lodge bearing the 7S logo. Ornate wooden doors hung on a face of picture windows and stone give way to leather furniture, a beautiful fireplace, a kitchen staffed by a private chef, and a window backed bar to round things out. CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B E N TO N V I L L E A R

Guest rooms and lockers on the right, billiards and the pro shop to the left. In short, it’s exactly what you want out of a “once in a lifetime” hunting lodge. In fact, when I sent pictures of the lodge and my guest room—specifically the oversize, clawfoot soaking tub—to my wife (who does not hunt), she promptly said she’d be coming along with a book next time. Which, Forst tells me, is actually a pretty common occurrence. Over the next few days we hunted, played games, ate incredible meals, and met some genuinely wonderful people. Most importantly, we just spent time together. Forst described the ranch to me as a “generational legacy.” He said, “I hope that anything that I’m doing today

O UT D OOR A DV E N T U R E | T RAVE L

is something that one or all three of my boys could grab ahold of and make it their own.” The ranch is indeed a very tangible generational legacy, but we all have the more intangible legacy of the feelings handed down to us and that we in turn hand down to our children. As it happens, the very tangible stewardship of a family ranch started in 1868 has now had a very real, albeit intangible, impact in building memories for my own generational legacy. For some, experiences like what my brothers, dad, and I had at Stuart Ranch could, in fact, be “once in a lifetime.” For others, it will become a staple trip every year. As for my family, I know we’ll be planning on the latter for as long as time allows.

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P rem iu m Outdoor G e ar W ithout The Ego Sturdy Used Gear Opens Fresh Consignment Solution In Bentonville To Help Keep The Outoors Affordable

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | HO ME + D E SIGN

“I’ll go through it first to do a quick yes or no. I comb through everything to make sure things like the zippers work, or all the poles for the tent are accounted for. For the items we keep to sell, you get a percentage of what it sold for.” For clothes and gear under $300, Sturdy offers a 50-50 split. For items over $600, the seller keeps 70 percent. Every 30 days the item is marked down, but after 120 days, the seller can pick it up or donate the item to the store. “A lot of the point of the store is the general expertise. Facebook Marketplace is really the only other option, and there’s no situation where I personally would meet up to try on someone’s cycling jersey they were selling for $20.” Sturdy’s storefront opened June 20th, and word spread quickly. Miller says equipment like paddle boards sell quickly, but she aims to fill Sturdy’s “Garage” room with more kayaks, bikes, camping equipment, and parts. On the opposite side of the store, men’s and women’s casual and active apparel, gear bags, and shoes are neatly organized by style and size, with a space for children’s inventory to grow. Sturdy Used Gear is open Wednesday through Sunday. Visit sturdyusedgear.com for hours and follow @sturdyusedgear on Instagram for updates.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE BAZIS

“I don’t really buy into the idea that gear makes you faster or stronger, but good gear can make you more comfortable and confident.” Last year, Bentonville-native Kelsey Miller set out to bring quality consignment to local outdoor enthusiasts. Her idea, Sturdy Used Gear, began as a monthly pop-up, but her proof-of-concept year boosted next steps for taking her small business up a notch. “One of the weirdest things about learning small business is that no one’s telling you what to do. There’s nothing unless I make it.” After gleaning some support and mentorship through the GORP program, Miller invested in a brick-and-mortar location near J Street and Walton Boulevard. “Part of my desire to have this store in Bentonville is to keep outdoors affordable for everybody,” she explains. “But also, many of us have a closet of gear that we used once and could sell.” With a “counter-culture” mentality, Miller opened Sturdy as a one-woman show, applying her personal and professional experiences with outdoor gear to evaluate, price, and present premium brands–like Rapha, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Marmot–without the ego. According to Miller, the Sturdy consignment process should be as easy as dropping your things off and getting paid.

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Outdoor rec is part of w h a t m a ke s B e n t o nv i l l e s o co o l , b u t t h a t desirability has made i t ex p e n s i ve .

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PIGMINT KNOWS

PREMIUM FLORALS

Game days and temperate weather have arrived for festive gatherings, bonfires, and dinner parties under the stars. As we look forward to celebrations like Halloween and Thanksgiving, we wanted to find new ways to help you add style to your next house party. Bentonville’s luxury floral boutique, PIGMINT is the best local resource for premium arrangements, so we’ve asked their designers to share a few pro tips for elevating your next event. 1. Don’t Overlook Greenery 2. Height Matters 3. Natural, Always 4. Whimsy Over Traditional 5. Clear & Clean = Longevity CONTINUED >

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For intimate gatherings, PIGMINT loves mixing small bud vases with mid-sized arrangements and candles to create a romantic ambiance. To get started, they recommend focusing on three things: greenery, structure, and seasonal variety. “Greenery is often overlooked,” says Katlynn Matthews, PIGMINT Bentonville’s Lead Designer. “It does a lot for an arrangement by creating texture and structure.” PIGMINT’s go-to greens are Italian ruscus and eucalyptus. With your vase and greenery selected, structure is next. According to the pros, asymmetry is really popular. A surefire sign of a premium arrangement is matching the height of your vase to the height of your arrangement. “No more cutting everything at the same height,” Matthews adds. “In the fall, we love to use natural foliage to add height.” While PIGMINT’s designers claim traditional arrangements are out and whimsy is in, some stems are undeniably lux: orchids, hydrangeas, and peonies. “Roses are definitely traditional and used the most, but for seasonality, we’ve been having a lot of fun arranging wildflowers,” says PIGMINT Fayetteville Lead Designer, Hannah Abshure. “For luxury stems, hydrangeas and peonies are gorgeous options but also very high maintenance.” As a premium floral boutique, PIGMINT says to avoid unnatural colors and carnations if you want to maintain an elevated look. “Blue is not a natural color for flowers; the closest we get is a blue hydrangea.”

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Lastly, if you hope to use your florals as gifts for visitors, it’s helpful to know best practices for cut flower longevity. PIGMINT’s advice is clear and clean: glass vases are best, change your water regularly, and keep leaves out of your water. Flower food will also help your guests enjoy their luxury arrangement a little longer.

PIGMINT–BENTONVILLE 502 SW 14th St, Bentonville (479) 444-0404 @pigmintdotcom

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