Local Gems
“You can’t buy love, but you can buy from a small business, and that is the same things as love”
Beautiful Photos by Erin Bowman Photography
Charlotte, North Carolina, a southern gem, a place where everyone knows someone who knows someone, who knows someone. Amongst this state of constant familiarity is the essence that birth the beauty of being a local-someone who loves and knows the neighboring restaurants, the famous and historic landmarks, the happenings the ins and outs of a city, and the unique details that make a location special.
This Holiday season, I thoroughly enjoyed a collaboration with two powerhouse entities to share my shopping secrets. #Bossbabe Joy Davis, CEO of The Firm Wins, a full-service management firm partnered with the beautiful Natalie Stewart, Owner & Director of the coveted Charlotte Lately, a community platform sharing the city ventures and stories of locals, the thriving local businesses while establishing a culture of creativity, compassion, and growth throughout the Queen City.
I had the pleasure of visiting one of Charlotte's coolest historic sites, Camp North End, the heart of the North End Smart District, comprised of mixed-use community hub spaces for restaurants, retail, and arts & culture.
Minutes from the bustling downtown atmosphere, nothing resonates with a creative spirit like walking through the open terrace of Camp North End, surrounded by shops of local entrepreneurs, being flooded with the history and modern flair.
Beautiful Photos by Erin Bowman Photography
As we prepared for our ultimate girl tribe vibe photoshoot, I felt immeasurable excitement as a stellar group of creative geniuses opened up to formulate content magic. While Joy corroborated with Natalie, to perfectly capture the essence of what it means to shop local in the #QC, epic stylist Brittany Noble Newcomb, of #bnoblestyled selected my fabulous threads, and uber-talented photographer, Erin Bowman, effortlessly adjusted her lens to capture me in my best light.
Our first stop was the electric and vibrant art studio of #femprenuer Windy O’Connor. As a fearless artist, Windy marries her skillset as an abstract artist with her background in design. Her work is as equally inspired by the latest Gucci photoshoot as by her walks on Bald Head Island, and her "Chica" series is how Windy communicates the beauty she sees in every person around her through color and abstraction.
Windy's home collection is all about bringing life and color into the home through artwork by taking it off the walls and onto the curtains, sofa, or bed (or, in the case of wallpaper, making it the entire wall). Windy carefully selects sections of her original artwork that can be grounded in neutrals, so even the most color-shy client can bring some brilliance to their living space.
Beautiful Photos by Erin Bowman Photography
As we enter the studio, Windy greets us with zeal, and her positive energy radiates through the concrete walls and bright windows of her artistic haven. If you ask about her goals as an artist, Windy feels as if her "life is a pursuit of creating something that can bring another person joy." I felt her joy when she picked up a paintbrush and created magic, all while looking fabulous in her avant guard sleeve blazer. Her artwork is a reflection of her beautiful spirit.
My #Clocal shopping experience with Charlotte Lately was perfection.
Special thanks Kristin Hayes Jewelry for adorning me with her beautiful collection of timeless sentimental pieces with a mix of vintage and modern day edge. Extremely grateful to #bossbabe in the flesh, Joy Davis for curating this partnership and Beautiful Queen, Natalie Stewart of Charlotte Lately for sharing my #shoplocal love story. I pray that you take time to share your love for the #QC and support local businesses.
Enjoy these phenomenal photos by @ErinBowman & Discover more amazing #local business leaders by following @Charlotte_Lately today!
