Three leading designers put a new spin on holiday packaging
Andrea Brooks, Andrea Brooks Interiors
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All is Bright
A Little Rock collector who is passionate about Christmas items shares the history of the popular American-made Shiny Brite ornaments
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End Notes: Happy Holidays from the At Home in Arkansas Team
Discover: El Dorado
Filled with charm, including a bustling downtown area, this small, south Arkansas town is big on hospitality, style, and culture
AREA ATTRACTIONS
If you’re headed to El Dorado, you’re in luck when it comes to seasonal attractions. Not only is this month the perfect time to take in the town’s holiday décor and cheer, it’s also the culmination of the 50th anniversary festivities for The South Arkansas Arts Center (870-862-5474, saac-arts.com). Marking the end of this yearlong celebration is a special exhibit of internationally known Arkansas artist Carroll Cloar’s work in the museum’s Merkle and Price Galleries. Cloar’s paintings, which depict life in the South and his Arkansas roots, can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Library of Congress, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and now at the South Arkansas Arts Center. Carroll Cloar’s Arkansas will be on display now through December 19. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
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Holiday Hostess Gifts
Bring a bit of cheer to your host or hostess with gifts of style and substance
1. Holiday-themed, flour-sack towels. The Boutique, Searcy, (501) 268-3434, searcyboutique.com
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Holiday Charm
A palette of red, gold, and green mixed with meaningful seasonal accents enliven a Little Rock family home at Christmas
Spend a few minutes with designer Krista Lewis and you’ll know just why the West Little Rock home she shares with her husband Dan and their three young children overflows with life and holiday spirit. Whether she’s working on a client’s renovation or freshening her own home for guests, Lewis is relaxed, welcoming, and ready for a challenge. Much like Lewis herself, her two-story home appears to bustle with its own sense of merriment; from the traditional red-and-green Christmas décor to the flurry of family-centered holiday activities, every wall is alive with the spirit of the season.
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Blue Christmas
Storied family heirlooms, a dynamic mix of fresh flowers and greenery, and a unifying timeless color palette make for easy holiday elegance
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Stuff their Stockings: Finds Under $25
Santa doesn’t have to spend a lot to make them smile on Christmas morning. Browse a few of our favorite finds–ALL LESS THAN $25
1. Get the kids cooking with pint-size kitchen utensils—a great fit for small hands. Eggshells Kitchen Co., Little Rock, (501) 664-6900, eggshellskitchencompany.com
2. Fashionistas will love waking up on Christmas morning to find a gold-studded scarf. Tulips, Little Rock, (501) 614-7343, tulipsarkansas.com
3. Even Santa loves personalization. Ceramic trays bearing colorful letters make great jewelry dishes or organizers for office supplies. Box Turtle, Little Rock, (501) 661-1167, shopboxturtle.com
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Out & About: Eureka Springs
Escape to this Northwest Arkansas gem for a winter retreat
Charming inns, top-notch restaurants and eclectic shops with one-of-a-kind wares are just a few of the amenities called to mind when one thinks of Eureka Springs. Its ever-expanding arts scene along with plenty of festivals and events make it a perfect in-state getaway for couples, families and groups. Just looking to relax? A host of bed-and-breakfasts as well as historic flats and hotels are ready to pamper you. As cooler days beckon, take to the mountains to experience all Eureka Springs has to offer—including a few of our favorites featured here.
{Eureka Springs Christmas Parade}
(479) 253-7333, eurekasprings.org
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Pretty Pointe
As the executive director of Ballet Arkansas, Lauren Strother looks forward to the holiday season all year
When it comes to holiday traditions, perhaps none are more special in the eyes of little girls than the beauty and magic of The Nutcracker ballet. For Lauren Strother, dance has been a way of life since her days at Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio in North Little Rock. “I have literally danced my entire life,” says Strother, who went on to join the dance team at the University of Arkansas where she earned a marketing degree.
Today, as the executive director of Ballet Arkansas, she uses her marketing know-how and her passion for dance to promote and progress the company. “In the past three years we have grown from having five professional dancers to now having 11,” she says. While the ballet holds performances throughout the year, Strother admits The Nutcracker is “the staple of any ballet company.” Not only is this true for the dancers, who begin to prepare with student auditions in August and rehearsals following in early September, but also for audiences. “We have people who might not attend any other shows, but look forward to this all year,” she adds.
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