Belle Meade, TN May 2023

May 2023 - Ladies Issue

I don’t know about you, but I love any opportunity to recognize the women in my life who just make life more rich and beautiful. Our wives, mothers and daughters are some of the most influential women in our lives.

And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on moms… But it’s not just the biological mothers, but the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives - making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to support businesses owned by women in our communities. That’s one of our favorite parts of this role - connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to women in Belle Meade and beyond.

They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them.

Keep shining!

JENNIFER DOWNS & JENNIFER KAUFMAN, PUBLISHERS @BELLEMEADE_LIFESTYLE

May 2023

PUBLISHERS

Jennifer Downs | bellemeade@citylifestyle.com

Jennifer Kaufman | jennifer.kaufman@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Delia Jo Ramsey | Delia.Ramsey@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Susan Falls | susan.falls@citylifestyle.com

Stephanie Krejci | Stephanie.Krejci@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Delia Jo Ramsey, Cortney Wilbanks, Sue Baldani, Julie Brown Patton

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Christy Hunter, James Williams

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Sonic Automotive Announces Grand Opening of Audi Downtown Nashville

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company and one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, announced the grand opening of Audi Downtown Nashville, a unique experience center designed to provide an innovative way for Audi owners and enthusiasts to shop for and service Audi vehicles. Audi Downtown Nashville is the second Audi location in Nashville operated by Sonic Automotive.

Nashville Essential Restaurant Etch Announces Expansion To Franklin

etch, a globally-inspired restaurant by award-winning Chef Deb Paquette located in Downtown Nashville, is adding a second location in Williamson County. With an anticipated opening this winter, etch will occupy the former Viking Store and Cooking School in Franklin, Tennessee. Paquette, chef/owner of etch and sister restaurant etc., will serve as executive chef to help establish the menu and kitchen operations. CDC Jess Lambert and Executive Pastry Chef Megan Williams will oversee culinary operations.

Correction: April 2023 Edition Of Belle Meade Lifestyle

Regrettably, Anna Sloan Smith was misidentified on the cover image for the April 2023 edition of Belle Meade Lifestyle taken at Winner's Circle Farm. Here, Anna Sloan Smith (left) and Hannah Dudney (right) are correctly identified. Lifestyle regrets this error.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/BelleMeade

Photography James Williams

CAPTURING MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN TIME

A TALENTED ARTIST BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND SHARING WHAT SHE LOVES

“I’ve always loved beautiful photographs,” says Christy Hunter, Co-owner and CEO of Photowalk Your Travel. “When I was a teenager, before the internet was around, I would go to bookstores and look at books of photos. I was also always the one with the film camera snapping pictures of friends and family.” It wasn’t until she was in her 30s, though, that she bought herself a professional DSLR camera, but once she did, she never looked back.

Today, her photographs have been published in many wedding, fashion and lifestyle magazines. She especially loves being at fashion shows and capturing all the amazing designs on the runways, including those at Nashville Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

A talented musician (she plays the piano), actress (she’s performed and directed plays at her previous church), and vocalist (she has traveled all over the state taking part in singing competitions), Christy followed in her mother’s and grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a choir director.

“I've always loved music, and of course photography, and when I realized I could put those two things together, it was life changing,” she says. She was able to obtain backstage press passes to major music concerts and has now met and captured many famous singers on film, including Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Little Big Town and Jason Aldean.

In addition to Photowalk and being an Airbnb host community leader, she’s now launching Christy the Connector, a site dedicated to bringing people together with travel, fashion, music and the other things she loves, like Nashville.

“I really enjoy bringing people together,” she says. “That's what fuels me and gives me life.”

Christy and her husband, Joe, live in Pleasant View and have four children. Her two daughters, 20 and 17 years old, are proficient in photography, videography and editing and help her with her businesses.

ChristyTheConnector.com

PhotoWalkYourTravel.com

Heart in wreath diamond pendant: center 0.9ct E/SI1 diamond with GIA cert, rest of diamond weight 1.53. 18K white gold (available on request with ruby heart center in place of diamond)

615-498-3812 | www.prettylovelyteas.com

"What's Your Favorite Thing About Being A Woman In Business In Nashville?"

ARTICLE BY DELIA JO RAMSEY

NEELY COTTEN Founder & Owner of Compass Health Resources

"I started Compass Health Resources because I care about people, but I would not be where I am if not for the women in Nashville who have cared about me. The most successful business women I've met believe there is room at this table for everyone, and I strive to emulate their generosity and wisdom. I am indebted to and grateful for those who have led by example, challenged my thinking, cheered for my successes, and patiently walked alongside me to where I stand today. My journey as an entrepreneur is enriched daily by the driven, intelligent women who have paved the way. Southern business women are a force to be reckoned with, and I am proud to be counted among them."

MEAGAN BENSON Owner & Creator of Pretty Lovely Teas

"Building a Business from scratch is a frightening thing for any person let alone a woman. However, Nashville has a surprisingly large and supportive community of other fellow female entrepreneurs; that's the crème de le crème of this city."

MARIE-JOE BOUFFARD Owner & Principal Designer at JFY Designs

"One of my favorite things about being a business in Nashville is that you never meet a stranger. When I first moved to the city, over 20 years ago now, all my neighbors and all the women I met were so eager to network on my behalf. At the root, that is how my business grew. Whether they are my clients, friends or other creatives assisting me in bringing some of my 'crazy' ideas to life, I get to work every day with some of the most generous, supportive people."

LAURI NEWELL Owner, Victory Over Chaos Organizing

“I’ve been delighted by the sense of camaraderie among Nashville women in business. These amazing women support, encourage and cheer for each other, and I love being part of it.”

DR. MIRIAM HALL Orthodontist, Hall Orthodontics

"My favorite thing about being a business woman in Nashville is sweeping up the pieces of the mold I have broken that represents what women are supposed to be. We are truly super women. Being a mother of four children, a soccer coach, wife and an active member in the community, it is an honor to serve the Nashville area by assisting patients on their journey to living their best smile. From designing the interior of my office to building relationships with patients, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”

MINDY BLEDSOE CEO & Principal Designer, The Tailored Closet of Nashville & PremierGarage of Nashville

“Owning my own business has been a lifelong dream, and doing somethingI love so much is just the icing on the cake. After 18 years, designing beautiful spaces still brings me joy, but even better is the opportunity to help people turn their chaos into calm. One of our objectives in starting this business was to create an organization that puts people before profits. We are confident that if we continue to treat our employees and clients with the respect they deserve, our company will continue to grow right along with this awesome city”.

SARAH KMITA Owner of Green Hills Seamstress

"My favorite thing about being a woman in business in Nashville is the supportive community. Nashville has a powerful network of female entrepreneurs who champion one another and build each other up. It’s amazing to feel like I’m in good company."

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI

Classic and Elegant Couture

BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS AND COMFORTABLE PIECES FOR SPRING AND ALL YEAR ROUND

Michelle Garcia loves creating beautiful things. She’s been designing jewelry for almost 15 years and has recently expanded into fashion with Michelle Garcia Couture Clothing. “I was always interested in art and fashion and as soon as I could draw, I was drawing clothing,” she says. “I just never had the opportunity to pursue it until last year.”

Michelle and her life partner, Vincent Peach, travel to India often for Vincent Peach Fine Jewelry, which they operate together. “I was spending a lot of time in India and visiting all the fabric and textile houses, and the fabrics are just so unique, beautiful, and colorful,” she says. “And, the people there are amazing craftsmen so it was easy to get inspired.”

She is really proud of the quality of the fabrics in her pieces. “They are top quality that any big design house would use.”

Michelle’s designs are classic, pretty and comfortable. “This is not a trendy line,” she says. “These are elegant and timeless wardrobe staple items. I’ve taken some of my favorite classic elements of clothing, like a button up shirt, and turned it into a really flowy, long, beautiful dress. The jackets I design are classic cuts in silk blends. You can wear these pieces on a trip to Italy, Texas, or India.” She limits her production to small batches, so they’re quite unique.

“I recently designed this really gorgeous lightweight canary silk blend fabric which I’m using in jackets, vests and dresses. It has a pink interior and everybody's loving it. These silks blends are what I foresee people wearing and wanting especially in the spring and summer. I do a linen line for the spring, but all of my silks are going to be for year round. They're really versatile.”

Michelle and Vincent live on a farm in Kingston Springs with a menagerie of pets and other animals, including dogs, mini and full sized horses, and chickens. “We’re real animal lovers and love the lifestyle out here. We’re easily able to get into Nashville for work, but still have this wonderful sanctuary to come home to. We have a studio in the house as well, so we can work from home, spread out and just be creative.”

Michelle Garcia Couture Clothing can be found in both Vincent Peach Fine Jewelry stores in Nashville. She’s also currently scheduling trunk shows in other stores this year.

Take A Girls' Trip To This Jungle Retreat

Costa Rica's Boutique Wellness Destination Nalu Nosara Awaits With Luxury

ARTICLE BY DELIA JO RAMSEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY NALU NOSARA

Demanding jobs and long hours, working for the weekend and saving for vacations a couple times a year — it’s a grind many know all too well. That’s the same story for Domel and Mariya Libid, a couple from NYC who at one time only dreamt of calling Costa Rica home. After having their first child in New York, the couple didn’t have the quality time they wanted to spend as new parents, due to grueling work schedules. So the couple decided to take the big leap once their second child was born. After years of repeat visits to Nosara to escape to warm water surf and yoga classes in the jungle, the visits were getting longer and longer, and they eventually decided they were never moving back to New York. They returned to their home state only to sell all of their belongings, stateside.

Five years, later, the Libids today own Nalu Nosara — a boutique hotel/villas and an oasis amid the beautiful beaches, lush forests, ample wildlife, and vibrant culture of Costa Rica. Nosara is a stunning area, located on the Northern coast of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. Located in the heart of Guiones, Nalu is walkable to surfing, shopping and dining options, and an excellent spot for a fun-filled girls' trip, relaxing couples' retreat, or refreshing solo wellness escape.

Open since the end of 2016, Nalu is the perfect destination for a solo wellness escape, romantic couples getaway, or a luxurious ladies retreat. The owners worked with world-renowned architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe to design gorgeous suites, villas and fitness studio from the

ground up. The fitness studio offers yoga and kickboxing classes to the public. There’s a spa on-site offering relaxation in the form of therapeutic bodywork, physical therapy and chiropractic. The latest additions to Nalu are the exclusive luxury villas, which each come with their own private saltwater pool and stellar surf break ocean views. The beach is also just a short walk away.

The word "nalu" translates to "wave" or "to go with the flow" in Hawaiian, and in Costa Rica, the phrase "pura vida" is a common one, meaning to have "eternal optimism" or "just go with the flow" — and that’s the motto for the Libid family. "It’s exactly how we strive to live our lives."

NaluNosara.com

JOIN THE RACE4EVERYKID

MAY 1-31, 2023

You Can be a Champion for Children Experiencing Homelessness

Race4EveryKid is a virtual movement challenge to raise funds to provide shoes to kids experiencing homelessness. Whether you decide to walk, run, cycle, swim or hop, skip and jump, every dollar you raise will provide joy and dignity to kids across the US.

Honest Friends For Life

Relationships With Fairy Godmother Hairstylists Are Among Most Magical, Pure Bonds

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES WILLIAMS

Trust that develops between hairstylists and clients covers many different raw elements of life, including aspirations and secrets. Sometimes, that initial kernel of trust blossoms into lifelong friendships, as is the case of these three Nashville women.

Ali Ryan is known throughout Nashville as the chic 'blowout guru and hair hero,' but there's several other interesting layers to her life, such as serving on the board of directors for Mother to Mother, a nonprofit that provides essential health, safety and wellness items for infants and children in need. She also enjoys

cooking for her own family of five, as well as hosting meals for guests.

Lauren Akins is a Nashville-based author, podcaster and philanthropist. She is the author of  Live in Love: Growing Together Through Life's Changes, which was a  New York Times best seller. Oh, and, she's the wife of country musician Thomas Rhett Akins.

Kailey Dickerson is the podcast host of 'Coffee With Kailey.' She's also a touring wife and artistic muse for her spouse, country pop singer-songwriter Russell Dickerson.

These three females may have met due to hair-related services — and often style their hair during the same session — however, they spontaneously bonded over seeking happiness, balancing life, handling motherhood/stepmotherhood, rejecting fear and embracing change and the unknown. In other words, they became best blowout buddies.

As creator and owner of The Dry House Nashville at a new location off 8th Ave., Ali is a stylist with 22 years of experience in Nashville, New Jersey and New York City. "The Dry House fulfilled a lifelong dream to move to Nashville and open a blowout salon with a look and feel completely unique to this one-of-a-kind city," she explains.

Since opening, Ali has developed an in-demand salon for locals, a favorite spot for Nashville’s A-listers, and a tourist destination for those visiting the city. "We're the destination for all things beauty," she quips.

Ali parlayed those salon beginnings into full services that include cut, coloring, braids, Balayage, hair repair treatments, extensions and industry-leading products for in-between appointments. Her salon house rules speak loudly about her lease on life:

1. Don’t judge women. Especially yourself.

2. Keep the gossip friendly and flowing.

3. Profanity is permitted and encouraged.

4. You will walk out feeling fierce.

Ali has worked with Lauren for the past eight years, traveling with her globally to assist with hair, makeup and assembling red carpet looks. They say they've also shared the ups and downs of everyday developments. Lauren confides that Ali is the magician behind her sun-kissed organic-but-insane glam look when a dash of drama is required, especially for award shows.

"Ali helped me understand the importance of self-love and turn it into

self-esteem," Lauren says, admitting that she was a tomboy growing up so she doesn't typically struggle with her everyday appearance and is comfortable opting for a messy, fun bun.

"Every public look that I've had for the past eight years has been Ali-inspired," Lauren adds. "We look through pictures and such, then she has dreams that she brings to life with me. I'm her ongoing project."

As a nurse and humanitarian, Lauren says she believes it's essential to live with purpose and to stay grounded with faith along the way. "Friends, married couples and families can drift apart, due to political views, medical issues or differences of opinions. But there are so many rapid changes these days, what constitutes 'change' anymore?" she poses. "Change is the constant pace, so it's best to learn how to together handle the good and the bad."

Lauren writes and speaks about given that everyone is human, and that humans are not perfect, it helps to apply grace to one's own life, as well as others. "As moms or couples, it's okay to fail, that's how we learn. We can be our own hardest critics, but it's important to get scary or ugly challenges out in the open, out in the light."

Kailey says her working relationship with Ali really turned into best friendship and then into family. "Ali really gets her people, and is so passionate about making them feel and look their best. She has done that for me countless times over the eight years we've been in each others lives.

"We've been there for each other in so many different seasons, and I’m just so thankful for the way she loves and takes care of my family.”

Ali agrees that the families of all three of them are integrated, with all of their parents also knowing one another as an extended family. "And Russell married my husband and me," she adds.

"Friends first, hair second," says Ali Ryan, creator/owner of The Dry House Nashville, regarding her bond with  Lauren Akins and Kailey Dickerson.

Kailey and Russell have one boy, Remington, but experienced a heartbreaking miscarriage in 2022. When speaking publicly about it, she posted: "May we all give each other some more grace this next year, more kindness because we don’t know what someone is truly going through, more love because we all need it. And may Jesus be near to the broken-hearted. He sure has been for us."

Currently, though, Kailey, Russell and these extended family members have something completely wonderful to look forward to, something to help heal their souls:  Kailey and Russell are expecting another baby.

"We're so excited to share our little world is getting another boy! Remington is going to be the sweetest big brother, and we can't wait to see it," Kailey beams.

615.678.7064

TheDryHouseNashville.com

To have someone who can remember with you?

To have someone who remembers how far you’ve come?”

“We are friends for life. When we’re together the years fall away. Isn’t that what matters?

~Judy Blume

Green Hills Seamstress can take care of all of your alterations needs from minor repairs to the perfect fittings.

Green Hills Seamstress not only specializes in clothing alterations but also carries home decor items, gifts, + more! Fittings by appointment only. Tues-Fri

10-3.

ARTICLE BY CORTNEY WILBANKS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTY HUNTER/PHOTOWALK NASHVILLE & TKTK @PAPERHOUSETN

Overcoming Adversity

How Nikki Burdine Found Her Way Into Television

As soon as Nikki Burdine enters a room, people take notice. To Nashville residents, Nikki is known as the charismatic anchor for "Good Morning Nashville." Still, her personal and professional journey exceeds what meets the eye.A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, with roots in Nashville by way of her mom, Nikki considers herself part Nashvillian. Upon graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2005, she says she planned to move to Los Angeles to become an entertainment correspondent. However, her father, a USMC Colonel, served in Iraq then, and her mom couldn't bear the thought of her moving so far away from home. So she switched gears and landed in Washington, D.C., with no plan other than to network her way into a career she loved.

While working with the now-Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins), Nikki met CBS legend Bob Schieffer, who became a fast friend and respected mentor. She says she sought his advice for breaking into the business. Thanks to his guidance and encouragement, she landed her first on-air job as a reporter in Hagerstown, Maryland. "I wouldn't be in this career had it not been for Bob," she adds.

Hagerstown was anything but a glamorous stepping stone for her. Still, she credits this time with forming her into the journalist she is today.

Nikki says she could barely make ends meet; she worked holidays, weekends and overnights, holding every role at the television station as a 'one-man band.' Her job included shooting videos, writing, editing and anchoring. From Hagerstown, she moved to Lexington, Kentucky, to work for the local NBC affiliate to anchor weekends. She left her

now-husband in the Washington, DC, area while she chased her dream, adamant to one day return to work in the nation's capital. After three years in Lexington, she accomplished that goal. Then, she moved to Washington to work as a reporter and anchor for the CBS affiliate. "But I always knew I would end up back home in Tennessee," she says.

So when a job opened in Nashville, she and her husband knew Nashville would be the perfect place to grow their family.The long road to her dream job in Nashville was anything but smooth, and overcoming adversity is something with which Nikki is very familiar. At 12, she was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome, a fact few people know about her. Nikki recalls being bullied and excluded, and feelings of anxiety and depression, and often experiencing debilitating and embarrassing tics. Through family support, therapy and medication, she says she's now comfortable in her skin and able to manage her tics.

Nikki can hold a job many doctors said would never be possible for someone with Tourette's. Although not specific to TV news, she remembers doctors telling her parents she would probably have difficulty holding a 'regular job' into adulthood.

She still does 'tic' on television, but most people don't spot them. Speaking publicly about her tics has sometimes been challenging for her. So it wasn't until her time in Washington, DC, as a reporter that she was assigned a story about Tourette's syndrome. With the encouragement of colleagues, she shared her story. The report sparked the interest of a mother whose son had Tourette's.

"I had one viewer reach out to me personally and tell me that my story gave her hope for her son, who was also living with Tourette's," she says.

Nikki has overcome barrier after barrier, with a significant hurdle being the birth of her daughter, Andi. Andi was born

at just 28 weeks and weighed only 1.4 pounds, which gives her the unique distinction of being a 'micro-preemie.' She spent nearly three months in the NICU. Finally, after beating a blood infection and putting on some serious pounds, she was ready to go home with her family. She's tiny but mighty. When Nikki is asked to describe Andi, she will smile graciously and state her daughter is feisty and fearless. Never wanting her daughter to feel too small in the room that she steps in, Nikki encourages her daughter's fire, calling little Andi a true inspiration.

Today, Nikki is grateful for her supportive team members and loving husband, Justin, who understand her tics, allowing her to have moments of release without judgment and overcoming hardships, creating a life worth noting, and displaying grace and self-compassion along the way. Nikki's story challenges everyone that hears it to look beneath the surface when meeting someone new, because one never truly knows what they may have overcome.

"It's something that I am a huge advocate for now. I want people living with Tourette's to see me and know that a normal, healthy and fulfilled life is possible," shares Nikki Burdine, anchor for Good Morning Nashville.

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class

Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Play a Family Board Game

If Mom likes strategizing, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don’t have to let her win just because it’s Mother’s Day.)

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Get Theater Tickets

Go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events.

Invite Her To High Tea

Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.

DAVID LUSK GALLERY

Contemporary Art in Wedgewood-Houston

516 Hagan . Nashville

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT a show that’s gone to the dogs

Herb Williams: Homage to Wegman in Silver, (weimaraner after Man Ray) 27.5” x 18.5” x 14.5”, crayons and mixed media, 2021

THE X3

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