Southern Belles

I'm one lucky mom...you see I had both of my daughters interview for the chance to serve on the Azalea Trail court here in Mobile..and both of them made it! Azalea Trail is a group of 50 high school seniors who serve as ambassadors for the city of Mobile. There are about 350-400 girls that tryout for this opportunity and it's a huge honor to be selected by the panel of judges. This is not a beauty pageant, the girls are interviewed with questions about the history of the city and state, current affairs and they choose 50 to serve for one year.

You hire a dressmaker and the two of you design the dress (all the dresses are different). The cost of the dress is around $2,500.00-$4,000.00 (my husband still can't believe that he was so lucky to have both of his daughters chosen). I can say that after all was said, we both are happy that they had this opportunity...even if we are broke!

Haley our oldest daughter was very honored that her court was chosen to participate
in President George W. Bush's Inauguration Day Parade in 2005...she said this was her favorite trip out of the four that she participated in. The Azalea Trail Maids also participate in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Disney World's Easter Parade and the 4th of July parade in Atlanta. Since it's almost time for our beautiful AZALEAS to bloom here on the coast, so I thought you might like to see a little bit of our true SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY!
Hope ya'll enjoy the pics!
Linda

Mary Claire and Haley(this pic was three years after Haley was an Azalea Trail Maid..and she could still fit into her dress...we don't think she has gained a pound since 7th grade....must be nice)

The girls with their matching "pantaloons".Easter at Disney World!Easter Parade at Disney World...the girls loved it!

This is all 50 girls for the 2007-2008 court

Mary Claire at the Bragg Mitchell Mansion in Mobile

Mary Claire designed the flowers for her attire and her dressmaker Susan did a wonderful job making them for her

Cottage Charm Antiques

Hello...my name is Linda...for six years I had an antiques business here on the Alabama gulf coast...I named my business COTTAGE CHARM. Cottage Charm was located in several shops, with locations in Fairhope, Foley and Mobile. I truly loved my business and met a lot of wonderful people along the way. Cottage Charm had a "Shabby Chic" feel to it with all the "chippy paint" and distressed furniture, vintage linens, hats, handbags and clothing. To some people at the shops I was referred to as "The Linen Lady"...I guess that was a good name for me since I sold a boatlaod of vintage linens...I think the 50's and 60's kitchen tablecloths were my favorites. My husband was a great help to me with my business, he was always there to load my merchandise when at market and local estate sales (husbands do come in handy)...Thank you Mr.CC for all your help and encouragement...I could not have done this without you! Maybe one day I will get a wild hair and open my own shop. Here are some pics from the past...hope you enjoy looking!!!