Luck Be A Ladybug

In many cultures, the sight of a ladybug (the good luck bug) is either a call to make a wish or a sign that a wish will soon be granted; and so to fully understand the ladybug and all of its adornment, one should take the journey to a small village nestled among the oak trees and discover the little yellow house.  

Pam Howard, owner of The Village Ladybug - Gifts & Design, welcomes patrons to her home away from home in her store on Corinthian Avenue in Ortega.  Once a small modest residence was later transformed into a gift shop more than twenty years ago.  In 2007, Pam being entranced by the delightful charm of the house turned shop, burrowed in the heart of the business district of Old Ortega, began the pursuit of carrying on the retail store as the new proprietor and giving it its new name.

As the only gift shop in the Ortega Village, the Ladybug is a stop-and-shop hidden gem in the heart of an historic area in one of Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhoods.  Offering specialty wedding registry items, Trapp candles, handmade jewelry, pacific wood plates, and hostess/party gifts; customers utilize the shop’s array of goods while chit-chatting, catching up and filling Pam in with the going-on’s in their lives.

With experience in interior decorating and a passion for beautiful things, Pam has grown the business into a store offering special occasion gifts, but also added a design service component, as well as, a room dedicated to antiques and rare finds from estate sales brought in from all over the Southeast.

Just as a chrysalis must grow and morph into a butterfly, the Ladybug has gone through a metamorphosis of change throughout the past few years since opening.  While adding custom orders and services for residential interiors and a design studio with fabrics, lighting, wallcovering and home decor; Pam’s vision for her store brand evolved.  

“I’m surprised when I hear that people do not think that we are still a gift shop. I want people to know that the Ladybug is still a gift store and will always be a gift store; that is what I love about the Ladybug and what my customers love about this place.”  The Ladybug offers a plethora of new arrival items with free gift wrapping and special home deliveries as a service to her patrons.  

Pam’s concept of her store is simply defined as “living graciously”.  Each customer is welcomed with Southern hospitality, greeted with a warm benevolence as refreshing as a glass of cold iced tea on a hot Florida day.  The Sugarbakers of Designing Women have nothing on Pam Howard, for this Ladybug leaves you walking off of her front porch with your wishes granted of kind pleasantries wanting you to come back for more!

The Village Ladybug - Gifts & Designs is located in the Historic Ortega Village at 2930 Corinthian Avenue.  904.387.2900.  Visit the website at www.villageladybug.com and Facebook.

(This article can also be read in the April 2012 Issue of The Resident Community and News)

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The Real Lowdown: Real Estate and Small Talk with Fred Miller

"It is not too soon to provide by every possible means that as few as possible shall be without a little portion of land.  The small landholders are the most precious part of a state."  A letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison; October 28, 1785.


In such a time as this, when not only local markets but also the overall conglomerate real estate industry is at an unforeseen and questionable state, shouldn't we as current or potential local landholders turn to both our forefathers words of advice as well as our residing real estate visionaries for its understanding in the simplest of terms?  How does ownership of property and land shape our communities in America?  As a quest to find select individuals who help define our little pocket environments in the South, an opportunity presented itself to pick the brain of a local gentleman and his notions of land ownership and taking a stake in a small piece of America.

In January, South of MaDi sat down with real estate broker, Mr. Fred Miller, CEO and founder of Fred Miller Group.  In order to understand a man such as Mr. Miller, one must take a look back and catch a glimpse of his history and journey to where he achieved his place in life as it is today.  Take into account the Miller family history and their ties to Northeast Florida.  The Miller's arrived in Jacksonville in 1910, with Fred's grandfather relocating to Florida where he began a commercial printing company appropriately named, "Miller Press".  As a continuation of the company, Fred's father began working for Miller Press in 1937.  As a teenager, Fred left Jacksonville to attend college in Tennessee at Sewanee, The University of the South, to soon return by joining Miller Press in 1964.   But Fred eventually had other ideas in mind as the years carried on.

Fred resigned from Miller Press in 1978 and started his own marketing and advertising firm, Alfred Miller & Associates.  Since sales and marketing seemed to drive his passion in the work industry, Fred took his experience to get his real estate license and then to establish Fred Miller Group with his wife, Carol, in 1990.  He decided to open his new business in the westside of Jacksonville where he grew up and knew the community well.  After searching for recognizable locations along the the US-17 corridor and thoroughfare from Timuquana Road to Riverside, he couldn't quite find what he was looking for.  As a real estate firm, Fred knew if he did a good job at running an agency, he could risk being off the beaten path and succeed.  So Fred returned to the heart of his roots in Old Ortega, nestled in the village area of the neighborhood on Corinthian Avenue.

"Ortega is like Mayberry, with a bank, a pharmacy and a number of services to make it a pleasant place to live.  This is one of the areas oldest neighborhoods, pretty well built out with large oaks and lots of moss. It is never going to be the vanguard of growth. The saying goes that Ortega rolls up about 7 o'clock at night.  I grew up here, it is lovely." states Miller.

As the legacy continues, Fred's son, Ted Miller joined the firm in 1997 and is now President of Fred Miller Group.  Fred has two other sons who are in the real estate industry as well.  From 2000 through 2006, FMG became the fastest growing realtor firm in town, growing to 60 associates at its peak. Fred Miller Group started out in one small office in the building and grew into occupying the entire first floor.  In 2002, Fred and son Ted bought the building where he leases the second floor to other businesses that compliment his agency.  FMG serves Northeast Florida with listing and sales in 5 neighboring counties.   Fred reports that, "Our mission is to emphasize service and professionalism with the highest ethics and the deepest research.  We have comprehensive marketing plans for each home and employ a high caliber of sales executives."

FMG markets itself with several advertisements within the area, and has received numerous awards, but most importantly, assists sellers and buyers with the largest financial transaction of their lives.  When the economy took a major hit in 2008, FMG along with every realty agency suffered.  "The industry got hot and needed to cool off, we just didn't need the deep freeze," Fred replies.

South of MaDi happened to sit down with Miller on Florida's primary election day.  Being that it is an election year, one wonders how the real estate market sees the future in our leaders in this economic tumultuous state, so we asked Mr. Miller to give his insight.  "Purchasing a home is vital to America and all Americans.  It is important to get control of our federal government, to reduce the deficit and spending.  We need to bring order to Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.  These things are happening slowly but very important to election day."

What is it about real estate that Fred Miller continues to find an inspiration, even now with the trials and challenges of a tough economy and flippant market? "I find it very rewarding to assist a seller and buyer accomplish each of their respective goals."  Miller believes that buying real estate, a home, a piece of land is one of the most important decisions in one's life.  "We have assisted one family in 14 transactions on three generations levels. With some family's, they earn "frequent buyer miles" and get a small discount with each transaction."

Nevertheless, Fred Miller Group, remains to stay for the long haul.  Fred believes that Northeast Florida and Jacksonville is the most vibrant city in America to live, work and play.  Because Jacksonville and Duval County consolidated and became one unit in 1971, given it great size in square miles, there is room for tremendous growth.  With a large professional marketplace; including manufacturing, insurance, banking and professional organizations, and a vast infrastructure of interstate and highway systems, it is a great place in which to prosper. The addition of our professional football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, in 1995, was perhaps "Jacksonville's single largest stimulus package," as Miller puts it.  Fred believes that the beautiful waterways between the Atlantic Ocean and the St. John's River and the mild climate being, "not so hot, and not so cold", presents a great quality of life here.

In this city with such a fine quality of life,  Fred enjoys his spare time by reading and spending time outdoors while walking, riding his bike in the neighborhood and he loves to fly fish the salt flats along the intracoastal waterway.  Time spent with children and grandchildren and friends add to his enjoyment as well as "modest travel". "I've made some of my best friends in the real estate industry," he adds.  "My family has lived in Jacksonville for 100 years after leaving central Tennessee in 1910, while living there for 100 years."  In fact, Northeast Florida's Association of Realtors approaches its 100 anniversary in 2012, coincidentally.

Perhaps it is time for the Miller family to move on to another region in the South to stake their claim in shaping a different community, one might wonder?  South of MaDi doesn't believe it to be true for a minute.  One of Jacksonville's best assets is the new blood that comes to town and blending in with the old blood that laid the foundation of its history.

Just as a family grows through nomadic changes, our lands and communities grow.  What is new becomes old, and the evolution is inevitable and continuous.  As the land morphs and ebbs, just as the tide continues to redesign the shoreline, one thing should remain the same; the right and freedom for land ownership, to buy and to sell our stake in the most precious part of our state is owning a little piece of its treasure.

Please visit Fred Miller Group at www.fredmillergroup.com

The Beautiful Realities : C. Lyons Art

Plato once famously said that, "beholding beauty with the eye of the mind, he will be enabled to bring forth, not images of beauty, but realities...."

For an artsist, an interpretation of an object, place or thing which inspires them to bring forth a piece of art is to pause, observe,  to analyze and take in an image of reality. For an observer, one has a brief, momentary relationship with not only the artist, but an exchange of dialogue with their perception of reality.  South of MaDi would like to introduce Christine Lyons of C Lyons Art, a native Floridian and self-taught artist who graciously gave up some time recently to talk with us about her artistic style of oil and acrylic painting.

C. Lyons has been showing her art for few years now, selling her bold and colorful artwork in the northeast Florida area at local art markets and private home shows.  South of MaDi was first introduced to her artwork in 2010 at a trunk show in Ortega and has been a fan ever since.  Using an combination of  both light and dark colors, her work portrays natural and aquatic wildlife, floral arrangements, landscapes and coastal palms with bright and vivid imagery.

After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in interior design, Christine moved back to Florida where she began to hone in on her painting skills in her indoor studio at her home in Palm Coast.    Although her art professors may not have necessarily found the student's work befitting for a future in professional art, Christine followed her passion and her love of color and knew she had a talent to paint objects that appealed to her and somehow she would find an audience.  As a young mother of two, she continues to paint often even with two toddlers in the house, she merely hands the children their own paint brushes to join in on working on a canvas.  Do not be surprised if you see Christine at the grocery store with her and her children covered in paint for, "that is just our life," she comments.

South of MaDi asked C Lyons what inspires her artistry?  "Color!  Also seeing something that I like to look at that I know instantly I can paint.  Flowers, fish, trees and lately I've started to push myself out of the box in landscapes."  Her work caters to those who aren't afraid to use color within their own interior environments.  Her work is on the edge of eccentric with statement pieces and a pulling draw of attention that is contagious and has the potential to add "pop" to a room or office.  Her use of various textures and layering of highlights and shadow keep your eye focusing, adjusting and shifting with each piece.

Her goals for the future is to perhaps someday display her work in a gallery where they can be viewed by a broader audience; but she also loves the personal relationships that transpire out of small private shows.  Her reputation has grown, nevertheless, with one corporate law firm requesting 7 paintings for their offices overlooking the St. John's River in downtown Jacksonville; resulting in their office displaying a form of gallery with her art.   C. Lyon's Art is continuing to grow as her craft evolves and she explores the study of natural light and various landscapes that challenge her to draw  attention through her mediums.

Just as Plato encouraged us to view images of reality as being beautiful in the eye of the mind, South of MaDi encourages you to not only appreciate the artist for who they are, but what they are offering to you in their exploration of work.  May we to stop, observe and reflect on these realities that are presented for us to enjoy.

South of MaDi invites you to stop by one of the local NE Florida art shows for a closer viewing of C Lyons Art and to visit her website at clyonsart.weebly.com.  Custom work is available upon request.

Belts for the Beau's; Fine Needlework by Tucker Blair

South of MaDi believes in showcasing the finer things in Southern culture, why yes, of course!  But, while continuingly highlighting the appropriateness of Southern gentlemanly dress, introductions must be made to New England's, Tucker Blair, as a resource and inspiration for such casual attire.  Owner, Taylor Llewellyn, of Tucker Blair took a leap of faith in business as he left his corporate desk job for a more passionate career in needlework, no less!  Not many young men today have the courage to embark upon such risky adventures;  as to fly to Asia on a one-way ticket with a hope and a prayer of finding a production site for his fashionable ideas.  If things go his way, Taylor would establish a company that would hopefully sell quality and reasonably priced needlework belts to other men who share his passion for whimsical style.

Jump forward to 4 years later and Tucker Blair (named after old family names, and Southerner's share the love of carrying on a good family name) is in business.  With a website that has launched online, Tucker Blair can offer men needlework belts in many conversational designs from patriotic American flags to Atlantic Billfish, Bourbon/Scotch/Beer or your perhaps your favorite college/NFL team.  Wear your Nautical Flag belt to the yacht club,  support the GOP or Democratic Party in your Reaganomics or Obamanos belts, or simply sip on mint juleps while you keep up your khaki's at The Derby in the belt appropriately named Horse Racing.  There is a belt for every man out there who has a hobby or favorite outdoor sport (especially those requiring tailgating).  Can't find what you are looking for?  No worries, Tucker Blair will custom design a needlework belt for you and your personal style.

Quality is not disregarded with Tucker's attention to detail and needlework with designs hand-stitched in 100% cotton, finished off with full grained leather backing and handsome brass buckles.

So, for you men out there who are sitting at your corporate desks, crunching deadlines and sifting through endless documentations of spreadsheets and data analysis; take heed in the notion of giving it all up to voyage out into the great adventurous unkown of your passionate calling.  Alternatively, play it safe, bear and grunt it for what it is worth and buy yourself a Tucker Blair belt for those special moments of leisure.

Check out more Tucker Blair at www.tuckerblair.com

Buki Designs: Bedazzling Playthings

Jewelry in its form of artistic display has and always will be a form of personal adornment by women young and old.  Perhaps the oldest known jewelry, is said to be arguably 100,000 year old beads created from Nassarius shells. Precious stones and treasures  are tucked away in locked boxes, or hidden among undergarments or meticulously balled up in hosiery stockings in grandmother's chest of drawers.  Derived from the ancient Latin word, which interprets as playthings,  jewelry has played quite a role in society, the marketplace and status throughout history.

Through various metamorphosis in ancient eras; fast forward to the modern jewelry movement, which began in the late 1940's at the end of World War II with a renewed interest in artistic and leisurely pursuits. Whether it's a 3 year old who finds her plastic beads just as precious as an heirloom pearl necklace handed down from generations, women take their prize jewelry possessions very serious early on in their lives.  Women can define their own personalities and interests through the jewelry they now buy for themselves; for jewelry can transform a woman's mood throughout her daily activities and create an instant conversation at a moment's glace.   

Luckily, Buki Designs, has emerged into the fold of the modern woman's jewelry of choice; offering unique hand-crafted pieces for gift giving, wedding parties or simply for personal indulgence.  Founded by designer, Carrie Inman, who unveiled her line in 2002 in her self-promoting business venture, has reigned in success in the North Florida and South Georgia markets.  Drawing inspiration from the global fashion industry and nature, Buki Designs are fresh and bold in arrangement with an interwoven juxtaposition of colors, shape and layering textures in her products.  

Buki Designs is for the fashion conscious woman, regardless of age.  The pieces are affordable for the every day girl ranging from $40 - $150.  "There is something for everyone in the Buki Design collections, from very conservative, small earrings and necklaces to the large statement pieces," states Inman.  Named after the jeweler's dog mascot, Buki, it is no wonder why the she chose her Pug for the brand, whose Chinese origin has been described as multum in parvo ("much in little").  There is indeed much in little with necklaces, earrings and bracelets that capture the intriguing and show-stopping accessories women gravitate towards.  

One can find Buki jewelry in a few special retail stores throughout the Jacksonville, Florida area including Petal of Avondale, St. Mark's Episcopal Bookstore of Ortega, Charisma of San Marco and Pineapple Post of Jacksonville Beach.  Otherwise, fortunate participants of local trunk shows at various homes are offered for a private viewing and shopping experience of a vast amount of Buki pieces; and the special privilege of meeting the designer herself.  Buki has recently launched a website page with vivid photography of some elected designs as well as a Facebook page for fans and onlookers of the "who's who" of Buki adorners.  

Refreshing and uncommon jewelry created by local artisans such as Buki separates itself from the throw-away mass production of department store items and the unattainable high-end jewelry store that women wait for their rare special occasions to earn.  Helping women further develop and express their own fabulous, largely "one of a kind" pieces is what Buki offers her friends, brides, sisters, daughters and mothers.  Buki invites her patrons to walk away and experience the feeling of knowing that they are supporting a brand where each piece was hand-made with love!  

Thank you, Buki, for our beautiful playthings!

Visit Buki Design's Website at www.bukidesigns.com and Facebook page!

  

A Southern Man's Haberdashery : Karl's Clothiers

English Novelist, Anthony Trollope once said, "I hold that gentleman to be the best-dressed whose dress no one observes."  If only Mr. Trollope was born and raised or lived in the Old South, perhaps he may have been better understood; for the pride involved in the process and presentation of dressing a Southern man is much obliged indeed.


For it has been said, behind a well dressed Southern man is a Southern woman; teaching her sons how do dress appropriately with style and when the occasion often calls, panache.  In appreciation to the several privately-owned haberdasheries scattered throughout the Southern region, clothiers of the Deep South including Mississippi, Virginia and the Carolina's have been customizing men's clothing and sportswear since the early part of the 20th century.  Borrowed from the old peddlers and mercers of Continental Europe; today's men's outfitters continue to retail wares and goods inspired by their brothers of French, Belgium and English descents.  


Fast forward to the 1940's in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where Karl and Delores Jabour founded their first shop, Vicksburg Tailoring Company.  As years progressed and the sons of the Jabour's segmented into the family business, The Jabour Brother's surfaced in 1950.  After graduating from The University of Southern Mississippi, son Karl became actively involved in the propriety.  Eventually, Karl moved to his mother's hometown in Jacksonville, Florida in 1987 and took the business with him, renaming it Karl's Clothiers.  With locations in various neighborhoods throughout the Jacksonville area, Karl's has called many places home; but today with the increasingly popularity of the ever-growing St. John's Town Center located in the Southside, the store has claimed its most recent home.  



Occupying approximately 2000 square feet of retail floor, Karl's newest location is a generous interior space but cozy enough to shop intimately with the staff.  Tim Shurling, Store Manager and employee for 5 years, invited South of MaDi, to take a close look at the shop and elaborate on what it offers today's Southern gentleman.  The merchandise is distinctively divided between the Sportswear attire and the high fashion Clothing area.  Centrally located within the store is the living room area inviting patrons to stay for a bit with a leather sofa, two upholstered wing-back chairs and a coffee table displaying the latest issues of fashionable men's magazines.  


Karl's father originally only featured the high fashion European-based style in his store.  The shop continues the tradition of elegant, cutting edge fashions with lines such as Jack Victor and Peter Millar.  Men can walk into Karl's and custom design their entire suit in full made-to-measure services, custom shirt design programs and in-house tailoring.  Tim Schurling assures that, "We are a men's haberdasher, and as all Southern men would have it, we are a provider of all men's furnishings."  Items are stocked to sell, including Italian neckwear with seven-fold silk ties, cuff links and men's footwear.  European influenced designs from Italio Farreti and Dolce Punta compliment such fine apparel.


One thing is for sure in the 21st century, and that is men in the workforce and off-the-clock have become more and more relaxed over the years.  Corporate firms now offer its employees more casual dress code with a collared shirt and khaki slacks as appropriate business apparel.  Karl's provides in its Sportswear an array of articles for both a casual work atmosphere and the casual sport lifestyle.  The coastal South is a tremendous influence on men's fashion.  Pawley's Island, South Carolina has introduced the line, Coast, with their motto as, "Where Taking it Easy is Serious Business."  Charleston-born, Southern Tides' iconic fish logo replaces the mass recognition of the Polo.  Southern Point features a pointer dog in its apparel which was established in 2006.  And don't forget the comeback of the bow tie!  Men both young and old are grabbing the reinvented professor-like neckwear from company's such as High Cotton, Southern Proper and Collard Greens.  The new traditional look is now fresher and bolder than ever with vibrant colors and conversational prints.  Buying featured accessories such as koozies, boxer shorts, belts and hats can accent this easy breezy attitude in menswear on the beach, poolside or on the links at the club.  


What the Southern man will wear 50, 100 or 200 years from now, one can never predict.   Bob Dylan sang about it in the 1960's, "Times They Are a-Changin' ", as the lyrical words continue to resonate in a timeless effort in all aspects of society.  However, one thing can be rest assured and that is that as long as the legacy continues in men's haberdasheries and women of the South continue to raise the young men right; Southerners can look back on the family businesses such as the Jabour's with gratitude and pride.  For the Southern man deserves to be halted and observed.....every once in a while.  


Please visit Karl's website and facebook page!  http://www.karlsclothiers.com

The Sweet Taste of Hospitality: A Pineapple Post

According to old legends, a Sea Captain would spear a pineapple on a fence post outside his home to let his friends know of his safe return from sea. The pineapple was an invitation for them to visit, share his food and drink, and listen to tales of his voyage.

Proprietor, Susan Hamilton, may not be a voyaging Sea Captain; but she sure has staked a symbol of welcome with her retail and gift store, Pineapple Post. Since hospitality is the relationship between guest and host; customers of this business can take lessons in perfecting the art of etiquette and entertainment to friends and strangers alike.  

Pineapple Post claims its home on A1A in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, just a few blocks in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Inter-coastal Waterway. The strip-mall store does not draw much attention to itself from the streetscape, but once inside, the interior space offers not only the quaintness of a casual beach cottage, but also a complexity of rooms displaying gifts for man, woman and child.  Just as one peels an onion revealing its layers, the Pineapple Post unfolds itself through series of retail vendors throughout the store. Whether someone is looking for the perfect birthday surprise, stationary, baby shower item, graduation or anniversary gift, holiday present or a hostess thank-you, this store has something to offer just about everyone.  

The original owners of the store were dear family friends of Susan's husband, Craig Hamilton.  Nancy and Ralph Hoyt were college pals with Craig's mother at University of North Carolina. "Since Pineapple Post is such a beaches institution, (the Hoyt's) were so happy to hand over the torch to such close family friends," implies Susan.  A beaches institution indeed, the store has remained in the same location for 38 years.  Adding charm to the well-established beach store; Store Manager, Gail Tetreault, who has worked at the Post since 1993 is known to greet familiar faces and newcomers with a warm and cheerful welcome.  

As Jacksonville Beach has changed drastically in the last four decades, Pineapple Post remains steadfast in serving the local Jacksonville and beaches area. And thanks to modern internet technology, the store has added customers from all over the country.  Brides and grooms can register for specialty items for their new home with popular lines such as Mariposa, Claude Dozorme, Juliska, Michael Aram and Arthur Court.  Those who have a love for Italian inspired tabletops, visit the Vietri section for irresistable dinner and serveware, flatware and home decor.  Since ladies are most likely the customer to frequent the store, many accessory lines such as Vera Bradley, Natural Life, and Peace Love Mom offer women both travel, jewelry and clothing articles.   Toiletries from the lines of Crabtree & Evelyn, Seda France, Lollia, and Botanicals, just to name a few, are available in the bath and body area.  Stop by the sensational pale blue stationary room to find invitations, announcements and special order books from Crane & Co., Sharp & Sally, Whitney English and so much more.  Accent your pocketbook or home with Lilly Pulitzer accessories.  Shop gourmet edibles from Nam's Bits cookies, J&M cheese straws, Savannah's Byrd Cookies' Key Lime Coolers and personal favorite: packaged Shrimp and Grits or She Crab Soup from Charleston's Gullah Gourmet. Before you check out at the front desk, be sure to ooh and ahh local jewelry line, Buki Designs, featuring semi-precious necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

South of MaDi wanted to know what inspires Susan to maintain ownership of her store and what she likes best about it all.  She summed it up best in her own words:

"

The best part of Pineapple Post is the opportunity to help people.  We are not just selling stuff!  We help people with the most important occasions in their lives - brides with their wedding invitations and the dishes they'll use to feed and entertain their families and friends, new mothers with their birth announcements, grandmothers with baby gifts, parents with graduation presents and parties, mothers of the groom with rehearsal dinner invitations, widows or widowers with sympathy acknowledgements, spouses with anniversary gifts, etc etc - we have the honor of helping people through the most memorable occasions of their lives, some joyful and some sad. And one of the really cool things about Pineapple Post having been around so long is that we serve generations of customers!  It's so fun to have customers we met as a brides coming in to get wedding invitations and gifts for their children!"

So whether you are coming off the beach, driving out from town or browsing on the website; relax and stay awhile, for it is an invitation to visit, share and listen to Pineapple Post's tales of her voyage!

www.pineapplepostgifts.com