BOARDS AND BLOOMS

By Amy Montgomery and Aubree Phillips Parker

If you want to discover your creative side and enjoy a night out with friends, then Boards & Blooms classes are for you. Boards & Blooms is the culmination of two business owners, Aubree Phillips Parker and Amy Montgomery, working together to provide a wonderful place to learn, a private shopping experience, and an evening out all under one roof. At The 808 Walker House in Columbia, where Aubree P. Boutique and Amy Montgomery Home retail stores reside, class participants are warmly welcomed by the hosts, Aubree and Amy, and given an experiential evening, everyone is sure to enjoy.

Aubree P. Boutique joined Amy Montgomery Home at The 808 House in Columbia in May 2022. Aubree P. brought with her a passion for clothing, accessories, and all things fashion, but also has a true talent for making charcuterie boards a work of art. Amy Montgomery on the other hand, has a love for fabulous tablescapes, fresh flowers, and entertaining. This match made in heaven is what birthed the concept of Boards & Blooms giving Aubree and Amy a chance to share their talents with their customers. Class participants are invited in after shop hours to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a glass of wine, and peruse both shops before class begins. The shops are fully staffed those evenings with expert help with selections for the home at Amy Montgomery Home, and wardrobe consulting from Aubree P. Boutique. The best part about shopping after hours, before and after class, is the generous 20% discount offered at both stores (some exclusions may apply).

The class sizes are small and limited to around 15 students, which allows for plenty of demonstration and how-to time during class with the instructors. Amy starts the Boards & Blooms classes by offering her years of experience in flower arranging, and the value of entertaining in your home. She encourages purchasing flowers at your local grocery store and how it can be less expensive than using a florist, plus so much more enjoyable, and it gives entertaining that personal touch. Most classes start with simple wine glass arrangements for beginners and continue with a larger floral arrangement for those wanting to broaden their floral horizons.

Aubree concludes the class with step-by-step instructions on how to shop for, prepare, and serve a charcuterie board. Both Amy and Aubree encourage questions during their demonstrations, which generally leads to sharing of ideas and experiences between class guests. After class, attendees are invited to continue enjoying hors d'oeuvres, dine on Aubree’s freshly prepared charcuterie board, and continue their private shopping experience in both stores. Class attendees also leave with a swag bag filled with goodies.

The classes provide a wonderful opportunity for a girls’ night out or a birthday evening spent with friends and neighbors meeting neighbors. It is the perfect occasion for an evening out in historic Columbia, with attendees coming from Maury and Williamson Counties and beyond. And gentlemen, don't be afraid to sign up. Each class always has a few men in attendance and their motto is the more the merrier! For additional information or to make a reservation for a Boards & Blooms class, call (931) 982-4988. Space is limited and classes do fill up quickly. Upcoming class dates are January 25th and 26th and February 22nd and 23rd. The class fee is $60 per person due and payable upon making a reservation. Refunds are not available. n

AMY MONTGOMERY has 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home located in Columbia, Tennessee. She is a lifestylist focused on home and flowers and delights in working one-on-one with customers. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow on social media at @amymontgomeryhome.

AUBREE PHILLIPS PARKER was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, and has always had a love for fashion. Upon college graduation from Belmont University, she opened her own women’s boutique, Aubree P. Boutique, in downtown Franklin and moved the shop to Columbia in 2022. Follow her on social media at @aubreepboutique or visit aubreep.com for additional information.