Head over to the NEW HoneeBee Gifts site!

Hey HoneeBee'ers! I am sorry it's been quiet over here:( It's been for a GREAT reason though. I have been working on a new site and it's finally up and ready to go!

Please visit me there: www.honeebeegifts.com. I'd love to show you around & please let me know what you think and how I might be of service to you!

Get GIFT TIPS from HoneeBee Gifts at the Southern Women's Show TOMORROW

So excited to share my gift tips at the Southern Women's Show TOMORROW  at the Charlotte Convention Center.  The presentation entitled Elevating the Gift Experience will begin at 3:30pm at the Spotlight Stage. You will find out how you can go beyond the gift card, learn ways to create the whole gift package...down to the wrapping, the importance of a gift closet and much more! And of course, I will highlight a few great gifts that you can pick up right at the Southern Women's Show. 

Here's a bit about the Southern Women's Show and me....

About The Southern Women's Show
The Southern Women's Show has some wonderful things planned from September 19-22 The Charlotte Convention Center. Everyone is invited to join the FUN! Jam-packed with cool jewelry and handbags, make-up tips and tricks, delicious gourmet treats and more. Besides incredible shopping, you can enjoy runway fashion shows, cooking classes and informed speakers. Grab your mom, sister or best friend and spend the day--or weekend--doing everything you love! Tickets are $10 at the door and children under 6 are free. 

About Simone McDowell

Simone is a public relations and marketing pro who knows how to find the perfect gift, for the perfect budget. Find her insights and ideas on her blog, honeebeegifts.blogspot.com. Based in Charlotte, she is a regular contributor for SouthPark Magazine and Charlotte Style Magazine and Sheckys, a lifestyle company based in New York. A native of Baltimore, Simone earned her Bachelor of Arts from Bowie State University and her Master’s Degree from College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She has also taught the art of public speaking at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. When she isn’t blogging or finding the perfect gift, you can find her enjoying the arts, good food, and working with several community nonprofits including the Young Affiliates of the Mint Museum where she serves on their board of directors.

source: http://www.southernshows.com/wch/

Experience: Isabella Santos Foundation's 5K for Kid's Cancer

Listen up, HoneeBee’ers! I am getting a little serious on the blog today. If you are local resident of Charlotte I encourage you to step up and step out for cancer awareness this Saturday by participating in the Isabella Santos Foundation's 5K for Kid's Cancer.  The race is named after Isabella Santos, a young girl who was diagnosed with a rare childhood  cancer called neuroblastoma. Shortly after her diagnosis, the Santos family started the race to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. In its’ sixth year, the race celebrates Isabella (who passed away in 2012) and continues to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.  Last year’s event was very successful bringing in 1600 attendees and raising over $200K. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 21 at Ballantyne Corporate Park, beginning at 8am.

Here are the details of the event:

·         A 1-mile kids' fun run where kids will have a chance to wear a race chip and capture their time just like the adults

·         A Kids Zone sponsored by Levine Children's Hospital and United Support Services with food, music, and lots of activities for kids and families

·         There are many great raffle and silent auction items being donated by businesses and individuals throughout Charlotte.  Some of the prizes include:  Xbox 360, tickets to sporting events , Girls Night Out Packages, Golf Packages, Concert Tickets and more! (great way to pick up some great gifts while supporting a good cause!)

 Bzzzz: To learn more or to participate in this Saturday’s race (including how you can virtually participate, auction item details, etc) please go to Isabella Santos Foundation or visit their Facebook page here. 

source: isabellasantosfoundation.com

Hollywood's Charming & Spectacular Push Presents

People Magazine compiled 10 push presents that celebrities received for bringing their bundles of joy into the world. Here are some great gifts from the significant others of Jessica Simpson to Beyonce....

From sweet teddy bears to luxe Birkin handbags, see the gifts star moms received after welcoming their bundles of joy.

A month after welcoming son Ace Knute on June 30, fiancé Eric Johnson gave the mom-of-two a pair of stunning Elahn Jewels Moonstone Earrings. Adorned with micro pave diamonds and with a price tag of $4,500, the gems have a sentimental meaning for the couple: moonstone is young Ace's birthstone.

What do you give the woman who just gave birth to the future King of England? For Prince William  he surprised his wife with an adorable teddy bear from London department store Harrods. The new dad is said to have purchased the Charles Stephens stuffed animal – the retailer's annual bear, fully decked out in a smart white shirt, dapper red tie and pinstripe vest – before Prince George's July 22 birth.

To read more about these extravagant and thoughtful celebrity push presents go here. 

source: people.com

Experience: Romare Bearden Park Grand Opening Celebration

There's something about a city park, no? Charlotte has a few green spaces but nothing quite like the new Romare Bearden Park. Maybe, I'm taking it too far but with the opening of the park could it be that Charlotte now has its own, albeit small, version of Central Park in its midst? {OK--did I take it too far? You know, I don't think so!}
Named after the famed 20th century artist who grew up in Charlotte, the 5.4 park will feature two gardens, event lawn, tables and chairs, children's area, formal lawn, as well as areas for events including weddings.

                              
                              

Romare Bearden Park will have its' grand opening celebration this weekend with performances, activities and of course the opportunity to view the park. Here's just one thing you can do each day of the grand opening celebration:

*Ribbon cutting (Friday at 4pm)*

*Art Show (Saturday at 10am)*

*Storytelling (Sunday at 1:30pm)*

Throughout the day there will be live music, fitness demonstrations, jugglers, face painters, caricature artists, stilt puppets and much more! Please go here for the entire schedule of events and best locations to park. This park brings about many gifts--the gift of music, art, fitness and community. In addition, this would make for a not-so-run-of-the-mill date--did someone say gift of a great date?

Bzzz: Throughout the year the park will host fitness and cultural arts programs. For more on these specific activities including bootcamp classes, music box lunch series and art and photography classes go here. 

source: charmeck.com, architects newspaper, arts and science council 

HoneeBee Gifts featured on Sleeveshirt Consulting & Banglewood Crafts

So excited to be featured by Sleeveshirt Consulting and Banglewood Crafts! It was great to share a bit about me and my baby, HoneeBee Gifts. Both Sleeveshirt and Banglewood help entrepreneurs in their own special way. Sleeveshirt Consulting works with inventors launching products, businesses looking to develop new product lines, and established brands needing targeted marketing and publicity. Banglewood Crafts is an online craft store, blog and how-to-information source that serves as a platform for artists of all kinds to display their work and tell their story. I really appreciate them sharing a bit of my story with their loyal readers & followers.

 

See below for each article and be sure to check out their products and services!

 

To see the entire Sleeveshirt Consulting article go here.

To see the entire Banglewood Crafts interview go here.

sources: sleeveshirt consulting, banglewood crafts

Sneak Peek: The Cheeky Bean Boutique-SouthPark

On Saturday I had the chance to check out The Cheeky Bean Fashion Boutique in SouthPark. This is their second location in less than a year! Their first location is located in Ballantyne and before opening a brick & mortar store they were exclusively online. The SouthPark location has special touches throughout the store including ready made outfits including jewelry on high level racks (pic below), an accent wall infused with glitter and beautifully draped dressing rooms. All items in the boutique are hand selected from various designers including Free People, I.Madeline, Swell Caroline and many others. Here are a few shots I took of the boutique's new digs:

Thanks Justine and Allison for showing me your new space!