Birmingham, AL September 2024

Fashion & Style Issue

Dear Reader,

I hope this letter finds you in high spirits and full of creative energy.

Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of style. Style is not limited to the clothes we wear or the way we adorn ourselves; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. From the way we decorate our homes to the music we listen to, from the books we read to the way we carry ourselves in conversations, style permeates every facet of our existence. It is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives.

Style is deeply personal. And it evolves as we celebrate our quirks, our passions, and our desires. Style is a form of self-expression that communicates who we are, how we perceive the world and what we value. In this way, style becomes a powerful tool for connection, as it enables us to find common ground with others who share our aesthetic sensibilities.

As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. We hope this issue inspires you to forge new paths or perhaps explore familiar ones. There is so much here in Birmingham, Alabama to uplift our spirits, boost your productivity and ignite your creativity.

What I’ve found is that the best style is an authentic expression of who you really are. And that’s something no one on earth can duplicate.

Here’s to being uniquely you!

September 2024

PUBLISHER

Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Mary Fehr

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Javacia Harris Bowser, Denise K. James

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ambre Amari, Stacy K. Allen, Yoon Kim

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen Learn

Birmingham-based

business monthly

Acre Group Wins Awards

The maintenance team at Acre Group recently received four beautification awards for work done throughout Alabama. In Hoover, Acre Group won a  "Commercial Property Beautification Award," and in Madison, Alabama, Acre Group won three beautification awards.

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Crittenden Partners Celebrates 10 Years

Crittenden Partners, PC is proud to celebrate its 10th anniversary, marking a decade in the practice of divorce and family law. Founded in 2014 by Judith Crittenden and four partners, Crittenden Partners now counts three partners, two of counsel attorneys, two associate attorneys and numerous staff with offices in Jefferson County and Shelby County. At Crittenden Partners, family law is our passion. Integrity is our foundation. We are partners united by our uncompromising dedication to our clients.

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The Business of Life

CORPORATE CONSULTANT TURNED UPSCALE

CONCIERGE, SARAH ROBINSON HELPS BUSY

PROFESSIONALS MAKE TIME FOR THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST

Sarah Robinson understands that anxious feeling you may get when you return from vacation. You’re thinking about everything that didn’t get done while you were gone. Plus, everyone is hungry, and there’s no food in the fridge.

This is just one of the many problems Sarah’s company, HUM Concierge, can solve for its clients. HUM Concierge is a lifestyle management company that offers a wide range of personal services for individual and corporate clients.

“We create time for busy families and professionals to focus on what matters most to them,” Sarah explains. “They hand us the things that have to be done but don't have to be done by them.”

HUM can meet with the cable guy while you go to your kid’s softball game or get your rugs cleaned while you focus on a big project at work. While you’re on vacation, HUM can handle trash and recycling pickup, collect your mail, return library books, feed the fish, and stock your refrigerator and pantry when you return.

HUM also has a roster of corporate clients. Last year, a company hired HUM to wrap gifts for its employees during the holidays. HUM has also coordinated office holiday parties and helped companies with client gifting.

Holiday decorating, polishing silver, addressing holiday cards and party invitations, and picking up pies for a holiday potluck are all within HUM’s wheelhouse.

ARTICLE BY JAVACIA HARRIS BOWSER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR

“We won't do anything illegal, and we won't do Walmart returns,” Sarah says. “Other than that, everything's figure-out-able.”

Hiring HUM Concierge differs from getting your nanny or niece to run errands.

“Everybody on my team has experience,” Sarah says.  “I love college kids, but that's not who we hire.”

If you need a baby shower gift, you won’t get a deluge of texts from the HUM team asking you to choose between various options.

“We have been to enough baby showers that we know what to pick out,” Sarah says.

Sarah and her team are currently supervising a construction project for a client. They’ve met with subcontractors to get bids and put together a timeline for the work. They helped another client find a decorator.

“We do everything at the same professional level that our clients would…if they were free to do so,” Sarah says. “We show up professionally dressed and know how to handle ourselves in professional situations.”

Sarah’s life and professional experiences have helped her build HUM Concierge, which she launched in April of 2023.

“I spent 20 years as a corporate consultant in the C suite,” says the Evergreen, Alabama native. “So I was in those conversations with executives, listening particularly to the female executives because when we would be talking through a project, they had an extra layer of stress because they had to figure out how their kids were going to get picked up or how they were going to make it to the baseball game or the soccer game.”

As a consultant, Sarah helped corporations across the country with internal communications, strategic plans, talent retention, and more. Now, she uses her knack for problem-solving to help with the business of life.

Ashley Gootee, owner of Something You Couture, which offers custom designs and high-end alterations, hired HUM to oversee a lake house renovation project that she and her husband had been putting off for years because they were too busy with work and their toddler.

“We create time for busy families and professionals to focus on what matters most to them.”

“When a friend recommended she start a concierge service, Sarah scoffed at the idea. But soon, she realized she could create an upscale, life-changing service for busy people who felt they were missing out on what matters most.”

Sarah Robinson

“Sarah has people for every single aspect of life,” Ashley says. “You need a plumber? She has a guy for that. You need a calligrapher? Here’s the best in town. You need a party planner? She’s like Mary Poppins for adults, just picking it out of her bag.”

Sarah pulls off this magic with a small team that ranges from two to six people, depending on the time of year. As the agency’s client list grows, the team will grow, too. But Sarah’s mission for the company and her wish for her clients will remain the same. She says, “I just want their lives to hum along.”

Learn more at HumConcierge.com .

Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 595 transactions totaling over $236 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. “I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding “city suburbs” from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge”. Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, “Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing my contributions positively impact my clients, my company and my city and that I have produced the highest quality of work ”

Functional and Fashionable

EILEEN BARRY DESIGNS WITH REAL LIFE IN MIND

ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES

Eileen Barry believes that great style is more than self-expression; it can serve a practical purpose. While growing up in Birmingham, she noticed what others wore on a regular basis: her friends’ moms, older kids at school, and the models on the pages of fashion magazines. While it didn’t take long for Eileen to understand how clothing displayed people’s personalities, a new epiphany struck her at Indian Springs High School when she enrolled in art classes. “I learned about sculpture, and I realized how fashion and sculpture are related,” she says. “You’re creating shapes in space.”

After graduation, Eileen chose to pursue the sartorial arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design. From the beginning, her gut told her that SCAD was the place for her skills to flourish, and a tour of the campus solidified the decision to relocate to beautiful Savannah, Georgia.  Eileen’s family encouraged her to pursue her talents, and their support, paired with Eileen’s vision, has paid off.

In May, Eileen’s Senior collection debuted at the SCAD Fashion 2024 runway show, and photos of the collection were featured in Vogue. The garments depict Eileen’s philosophy as a designer– that clothing should be protective and well-suited to the day’s tasks but should also look stylish. According to the designer, many familiar aspects of fashion— think pockets, zippers, and materials to wick away moisture–align with specific human roles in history.

“Where we are now is based on the history of clothing,” Eileen points out. “I think fashion is cyclical because we’re inspired by the past, as we always have been. However, we always have a reinterpretation of the past, so it’s not exactly the same. Whatever we take from the previous culture, we interpret it differently for our lives today.”

In the recent runway show hosted by SCAD, Eileen’s garments contain waterproof and antimicrobial materials to protect from the rising waters of urban floods, a common part of climate change. With a nod to her

love of a menswear look, Eileen has crafted pieces meant to serve as a protective layer from unexpected events in nature.

“I see the future of fashion having a lot of outerwear: garments that work for rain, storms, and UV rays,” she says. “Fashion will reflect the weather changes we go through as a people.”

As a designer and consumer, Eileen firmly believes in investing in pieces that last, eschewing the “fast fashion” movement. Not only is this practice better for the environment since it produces less waste, she explains, it’s actually better for your wallet if you look at your long-term budget. Eileen points out that many high-end labels in Europe are taking strides in the direction of sustainability, such as using natural dyes and recycling certain items. “With my work, I’m focused on protecting people with long-lasting pieces,” she says. “You can buy fewer pieces and use the clothing for multiple purposes.”

Now back home in Birmingham following graduation from SCAD and looking forward to embarking on her career, Eileen’s wardrobe is based on daily activities, whether hiking Red Mountain, running errands, or relaxing with friends. She points out that Birmingham, like most cities, does not have a singular style but more of a variety of fashion subcultures. “We have an urban style that is classy and sporty because people here are involved in hiking or tennis or something similar – we’re outdoorsy,” she says. “But then you also have punk people! There’s a range of people and personalities here.”

Even between her collegiate years and the launch of her professional years, Eileen is gathering inspiration for her next collection. Rather than typical celebrity style icons, however, she looks to the everyday residents of the Magic City (or of Savannah or Tybee Island or wherever she happens to be) to see how real people dress for real life.

“I’m inspired by my friends,” she says. “Also explorers, skateboarders, and musicians in the punk community. I’m inspired by the freedom of expression.”

“I see the future of fashion having a lot of outerwear: garments that work for rain, storms, and UV rays.”

INSPIRING THE CREATIVES OF B’HAM AND BEYOND

New Art at The Old Bailey Gallery

ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES

“And while the artists had heard from their host how great Birmingham is, the city still exceeded their expectations.”

It’s been a busy first year for The Old Bailey Gallery. Though it opened only last October, curator Dan Bailey says the gallery feels more established after three artistic residencies and an ever-growing presence in the local arts scene. The former New Yorker had never visited Birmingham before he relocated to the Magic City six years ago. Still, he’s wasted no time meeting the movers and shakers of the local artscape.

One of his first contacts was Studio by the Tracks, which focuses on children and adults on the autism spectrum. The studio’s annual summer fundraising event, Art from the Heart, is its largest effort, and Dan did not hesitate to get involved. When the COVID pandemic hit, and the fundraiser pivoted to online, an idea struck him: Why not contact a few artists he’d worked with in New York, London, and other cities? If everything was virtual, their art could be part of the auction and help raise funds for Studio by the Tracks.

“I started reaching out to these artists in bigger cities, telling them about Art from the Heart, and asking them to send one of their artworks,” he said. “They were happy to help.”

Fast-forward to 2023, when Dan decided to open The Old Bailey Gallery; that’s when he reached back out to the artists who were kind enough to contribute to the fundraiser. In his words, “everything came together once [he] secured the gallery space,” and his friends in New York and London were at “the top of the list” of those he wanted to invite. “I wanted to repay them for their kindness – and I've been fans of their art for years.”

Now, those artists are also fans of Birmingham. While Dan candidly says he considers Birmingham “the center of the universe,” he couldn’t have predicted how well-received the city would be by

residents of global metros. The Magic City’s thriving culture, friendly locals, affordable cost of living, and natural beauty won them over.  And while the artists had heard from their host how great Birmingham is, the city still exceeded their expectations.

“There’s a sense of opportunity here,” Dan muses. “The art world is affordable, off the radar, and a bit of a blank slate. Unlike the bigger cities where these artists come from, they can afford a studio, pay the rent, and make art. It's refreshing.”

During a residency, each artist stays at Dan’s home—a one-minute walk from the gallery—and Dan is as hands-on or hands-off as needed in hosting. All stay for about a month and spend about a week installing their show at the gallery. After an opening party and an artist talk, the artists can utilize their free time exploring independently, with as much or as little feedback from Dan as they want. Recommendations have included the Birmingham Museum of Art, Room 412, Scott Miller Projects, and Ground Floor Contemporary, among “other galleries doing amazing things.”

“And everyone has wanted to come back,” Dan adds, “so we’ll have some returning artists eventually.”

Though Dan spent years creating art himself—painting, sculpture, mixed media, and music—these days, he’s happy to maintain his role as a curator. Now that year one for The Old Bailey Gallery is almost over, Dan looks forward to more successful residencies and exhibitions, some curated by studios that lack their own space, such as Vinegar Projects and Studio by the Tracks.

“The best way I can express myself at this moment is to provide a platform for other people,” he says. “The gallery space is always utilized, and good energy is always present. Magic continues to happen.”

SMAL L T OWN ,

BIG STYLE

BIRMINGHAM-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER

AMBRE AMARI CAPTURES EVERYDAY ITALIAN STREET STYLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBRE AMARI | AMARI EDITORIAL

Meet Cosimo.

“There is nothing better than waking up and wearing whatever makes me feel the most like myself: free, lively, sporty, and elegant,” he says.

Cosimo was born in Andria, Italy, to a large, “typical” Italian family with more cousins than he can count. He currently studies biomedical engineering and resides in Figline Valdarno, a picturesque small town in the Italian countryside, and the location of hu Norcenni Girasole village.

CONTINUED >

This page and opposite: Cosimo

The Story.

Ambre Amari discovered hu Norcenni Girasole twenty years ago while backpacking across Europe. On that same trip, she met her now-husband, Birmingham native Johnny Amari. The couple visited the village years later while Ambre was on a wedding photography assignment. This summer, the Amari family returned with their four children in tow. Cosimo and Amin, animation artists working at the village’s family resort, became Ambre’s Italian muses.

Meet Amin.

“Amin’s effortless style exudes passion, confidence, and mystery. I wanted to know more about the person behind those magnetic eyes,” Ambre says.

Amin is well on his way to realizing his dream of becoming an actor. His singing, dancing, and acting have taken him from his hometown in Tunisia to Egypt, Spain, Mauritius, and now, Italy’s hu Norcenni Girasole village.

CL O SET CONFESSIONS

The contents of a closet reveal so much about the wearer–lifestyle, aspirations, travel experiences, affinities, and beliefs around sustainability, to name a few. More interesting than any one garment is the person wearing it–someone with a singular point of view who can’t be easily labeled. We went into the homes of locals who pack a style punch worthy of a double take. Here is what we found.

AT HOME WITH BIRMINGHAM’S STYLE SET

ARTICLE BY KALI MCNUTT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARY FEHR

Valerie and Steven Thomas

Enduring. Comfortable. Sustainable. All words to describe the style ethos of Valerie and Steve Thomas, a married couple of nearly 35 years. For her part, Valerie is “very much a shop local person,” evidenced in her pieces from basic. and Billy Reid down to her Zkano socks. Unafraid to repeat outfits as well as mix and match, Valerie’s style has gotten more casual since moving to Birmingham from San Antonio and starting her own company. And while she still loves the confidence boost of a tailored suit jacket, life now allows for a relaxed version of her previously more buttoned-up style perfected during her long IBM career. Glasses from iiis. as well as clothing from ISHI? and Bearden Design round out Valerie’s local favorites.

As for Steve, “People assumed I was dressing him, but he is the fashionista,” Val laughs. “He is much more couture than I am.”

The Japanese wool suit Steve wore on the couple’s first date in 1987 still looks brand new and current, which speaks to the value he places on quality and “things that last.”

Preferring a loose and comfortable yet bespoke aesthetic, Steve gravitates toward the handmade pieces of John Alexander Skelton, who makes his own fabric, as well as vintage-inspired pieces by BODE, including a striking shirt with colorful circle appliques.

Follow along @thevalgroup

Kristen Saban

You’d be forgiven for assuming Kristen Saban’s closet is overflowing with crimson, houndstooth, and a plethora of gameday accoutrements. In reality, the 33-year-old mom’s neatly organized wardrobe is comprised mostly of neutral pieces. Favorite articles include a femme dress by Zimmerman, a ladylike Chanel bag, and whimsical floral embroidered boots by Texas brand Petite Paloma–all rendered in soothing, creamy shades.

And while Kristen’s day-to-day wardrobe is often “a good pair of jeans and a simple top,” an aqua-hued sequined dress and sky-high red satin platforms remind that Kristen isn’t afraid to sparkle.

Favorite local shops include Etc... and Lé Weekend. Favorite travel destinations? “Lately, Jupiter (Florida)! And Lake Burton.”

Follow along @kristennsaban

Danielle Yancey

“I am a pink person–hot pink, bubble gum pink, all shades of pink,” says Danielle Yancey, who wears a pink and white striped gown by Rebecca Vallance with her bedazzled Paris Texas ruby pink cowgirl boots.

A buyer at Parisian for ten years, Danielle has always loved color. “I never get sick of color,” she says, a statement backed up by rows upon rows of dresses in every shade of the rainbow and home interiors featuring bold jewel tones.

Favorite designers include Hermès, “It’s a game to get things from Hermès!” Chanel, Bottega Veneta, and Gucci. “But, if I like something, I don’t care what label is on it,” she says upon spotting an Old Navy jacket.

Another name to know? “Zang Toi, a friend of mine, is a New York-based Malaysian designer with one-of-a-kind designs,” she divulges.

Asked what she is drawn to lately, she pulls out a petite Kelly green Bottega Veneta bag, “I love anything miniature lately,” she says.

The home Danielle shares with her husband Bart and dog Trooper is a midcentury gem by famed architect Fritz Woehle. Symmetrical arches span the home’s exterior and flank a picture-perfect courtyard.

Has the design of her unique home–with its Alabama white marble floors, abundant natural light, and Hollywood glam meets Palm Springs vibe–influenced Danielle’s style since moving into the home? Absolutely.

Follow along @danielleyancey

LIFE’S RICH TAPESTRY

Birmingham’s hottest new hangout is a yarn shop. Located in Forest Park, Knit B’ham, open one year this month, is crafting a community tapestry using sustainable materials. It all started when founder Isabel Rubio was saddened at the loss of In the Making, “a fabulous yarn shop,” during the pandemic. “I said, ‘I want to open a yarn store; I love yarn,’” she says. “I found a place in Forest Park and was fortunate to find it. We’ve now made it the perfect home.”

Making a place feel like home is familiar to Isabel.

A second-generation Mexican-American from Mississippi, her grandfather immigrated to New Orleans during the Mexican Revolution. Isabel’s parents met and fell in love in the Big Easy before relocating to the Magnolia state. Isabel notes that “a lot of racism and oppression” took place in the environs of her youth – but the silver lining is that she grew up valuing inclusivity.

Following a move to Birmingham in 1991 to attend UAB for social work, Isabel founded the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA), stepping back after many successful years to open her yarn emporium. “I have always been creative – I love to paint, garden, and do things with my hands. My dad’s mother taught me to knit,” she adds.

Isabel says Knit B’ham has “exceeded her wildest expectations.” With the help of staff members

Katherine Berdy, whose title is “Thought Partner and Yarn Slinger,” and Jamie Skripnik (a former manager of In the Making), whose title is “Yarn Slinger and Pattern Designer,” Isabel has created not only a shop but a gathering space, complete with workshops on textile arts. Knitting 101 has been a hit, as has Crochet 101, and the shop offers

more specialized classes in techniques and skills “such as socks, colorwork, or making your first sweater,” Isabel says.

Eager knitters can choose from a variety of all-natural yarns in the shop, including silk, mohair, wool, and more, at numerous price points, ensuring every customer can afford to enjoy Knit B’ham. Yarn is sourced from all over the world, with women-owned companies preferred, and Isabel is always on the hunt for new sources: “I was just in Ireland, and I met the coolest owners of a yarn shop,” she beams.

For frequent patrons of Knit B’ham, knitting is a stress reliever and a way to practice meditation and mindfulness in an often chaotic world.

“People have shared stories with me about things they are struggling with, and I’ve seen people be transformed,” Isabel says. “Knitting provides a great opportunity to let go of perfectionism. It teaches grace, forgiveness, and patience, and it accepts where we are at the moment.”

Most of all, Isabel and her staff want visitors to feel more lighthearted when they visit Knit B’ham. While she admits there’s no “typical day,” the space's philosophy is always about meeting friends and learning or making something new.

“We try to make sure everyone feels welcome,” she says. “We had some ladies here for five and a half hours, just shopping and knitting! There’s good vibes, cheerfulness, and happiness — and there’s likely a group of people, sitting and knitting together.”

knitbham.com

ARTICLE BY BETH DEL

Curated coffee table books for every interior and interest

OBJETS D’ART

01.

for the one with wanderlust

CAPRI DOLCE VITA

Tour the ancient island of Capri in this bright and gorgeously oversized book. It features more than 270 glittering pages with glamorous photos of life on the sun-soaked island. Written by Cesare Cunaccia, a writer, lecturer, curator and journalist who served as editor at large for Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue, as well as the antiques consultant for Architectural Digest Italy.

for the car connoisseur

THE LAMBORGHINI BOOK

02.

Author Michael Köckritz pays homage to the influence and beauty of the iconic Italian luxury sports car brand in this opulent book. Filled with striking images and interesting background information, this is sure to be on the top of any true car connoisseur’s stack.

03.

for the foodie

CHÂTEAU LIFE

A veritable feast for the eyes, Australian Jane Webster’s Château Life, photographed by Robyn Lea, features sixty scrumptious recipes categorized around ten themes, along with images of the Webster family’s life at Château Bosgouet in Normandy. Joie de vivre, indeed!

04. TOM FORD for the fashionista

This stunning book showcases the complete catalog of the venerable American designer’s era as creative director for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004. It features more than 200 photographs by Mario Testino, Herb Ritts, Todd Eberle and others. It explores Ford’s grand vision for the complete design of a brand, including architecture, store design and advertising.

WONDERLAND BY ANNIE LEIBOVITZ for the photography enthusiast

The anthology of the famed photographer’s work includes 350 images – many of which are previously unpublished. Inside, readers are treated to a trove of photographs starring the likes of Nicole Kidman, Nancy Pelosi, Karl Largerfeld, Lady Gaga, Serena Williams and many more, with a foreword by Anna Wintour.

PACIFIC NATURAL AT HOME for the interior design devotee

Jenni Kayne, tastemaker and authority on style, shares her beautifully designed interiors as well as homes of other creative women whose style align with her own. From homes by the ocean and in the mountains, to desert and city dwellers, the book showcases gorgeous photography, inspiration, and practical tips and resources.

At Savant, financial planning is more than just numbers—it's about helping you spread your wings. Whether it's buying a second home, saving for retirement, or planning for the unexpected, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s build your ideal future together.

Because Gwen came to Children’s for the diagnosis and treatment of her blood disorder, she received the best care available thanks to ground-breaking research made possible by clinical trials for cancers and blood disorders. The research happening today will lead to future cures, and it is happening here at Children’s of Alabama.

SEPTEMBER 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 8TH

Stone Hollow Farm’s Dahlia Day

Stone Hollow Farmstead | 3:00 PM

This exciting event offers a perfect day of fun activities and stunning flowers. Highlights include farm tours, activities with local artists, a beneficial insect class & release, as well as dahlia education with Stone Hollow founder Deborah Stone. Food, live music, and farm goodies for purchase. From 3 until 7:30 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 12TH

Sam Collins Opening Reception at Canary Gallery

Canary Gallery | 5:00 PM

Sam Collins creates digital images and mixed-media artwork reminiscent of childhood. Everyday objects, signs, buildings, cars, music, advertising imagery, and daily events influence his work. He combines photos (both old and new), digital images, drawing, color, and texture to tell a story, printing his colorful works on aluminum or canvas. Canary Gallery will celebrate Sam’s new works on September 12 from 5 until 7 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 19TH-22ND

Birmingham FOOD+Culture Festival 2024

Pepper Place, Sloss Furnaces, and around Birmingham

FOOD+Culture Festival celebrates the Magic City’s dynamic culinary industry with events highlighting epicurean Birmingham. This annual food event provides a platform for people to come together to learn about our region’s rich culture, experience all our city has to offer and discuss issues of deeper cultural significance. FOOD+ will feature 100 chefs and mixologists, 10+ collaborative dinners, and five signature events over four days.

SEPTEMBER 27TH AND 28TH

Alabama Symphony Orchestra at Alys Stephens Center

Alys Stephens Center | 7:00 PM

ASO's first concert in the concert hall for the season will be held over two nights, September 27 and 28. Shows begin at 7 p.m., and every ticket holder benefits from a pre-concert talk from ASO's Conductor and Music Director, Carlos Izcaray, beginning at 6:15 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 29TH

Alabama Symphony Orchestra at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens | 4:00 PM

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra kicks off its season with a free concert at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on September 29. Picnics may be ordered via the ASO’s website prior to the event, and proceeds benefit the ASO.

OCTOBER 3RD-6TH

Antiques at the Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Save the date for the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ 18th annual Antiques at the Gardens show. Birmingham’s premier antiques show includes talks by nationally acclaimed interior designers, floral designers, architects, landscape architects, and furniture designers. The show also welcomes celebrated antique dealers from across the nation, offering furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, home decor, and garden accessories.

OCTOBER 29TH

Friends of CASA Fundraiser

Birmingham Botanical Gardens | 11:30 AM

Support CASA of Jefferson County on October 29 at their fundraising luncheon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

“Home Instead currently cares for my husband, and we have been very impressed and pleased with how they handle everything. I have been so happy with our CAREGiver. She is attentive and kind and has truly been a

Having her help in our

has taken a load off of our entire

We could not be more grateful for the care she provides. Home Instead made a perfect match when they sent her to our home.”

Tusks and Tigers

A mix of gameday style—old, new, local, and blue

There’s no right or wrong way to dress for gameday–occasionally, even a jersey can be made stylish. I’m partial to my collection of not-so-subtle vintage elephant necklaces, and I love a throwback logo. (Tip: Alabama Vintage on University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa is a treasure trove for serious fans.) For a chic piece that can be worn beyond the tailgate, Avani Rupa’s lapis lazuli and coral necklaces are perfect alone or stacked. We’ve included the necklaces here, but don’t miss the matching bracelets and earrings.

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