Sunflower Photobook

Sunflowers Captured By My iPhone 8

By Laurie Bower Epps

I knew I was in need of headshots since my last photoshoot was in either 2012 or 2013. Impulsively, I clicked on a link embedded on Facebook to have professional sunflower pictures done. I chose sunflowers because they're one of my favorite flowers. But again, things didn't go as planned. My youngest is so cute, she sort of shanghai'd the appointment. But I'm sorta glad she did, because these are the type of photos that you blow up and hang on the wall. So buckle up, fashion just got cuter.

1826 Bistro

By Laurie Bower Epps

Something about the town of Pendleton, SC just speaks to me. One can really feel the history all around them, and it fosters a sense of solidarity. Prominently situated on Pendleton Square is building that's been through many transformations. Currently serving as a restaurant, dressing up for a meal there seemed to be the best way to get a glimpse inside and into its varied past.

The Tanglewood Mansion

By Laurie Bower Epps
On a stifling hot summer day, I opted for a local adventure. Adjacent to the Pendleton Public Library are the ruins of the Tanglewood Mansion. A few years ago, you could balance yourself on the foundation walls. But the former mansion has been enclosed by a fence for visitor safety. 

The Ballenger House in Seneca

By Laurie Bower Epps

When I saw the forecast, I did see a break in the typical thundershower pattern we have in summer last Friday, so I decided to get out there for a blog while the weather was good. The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Since I've lived in the Upstate of South Carolina, that usually means fireworks shows are postponed due to the rain. But down here we just roll with it. Lately, I've mainly been straightening my hair, but with all the humidity, I went with a more Bohemian look. It was much easier to achieve with my naturally curly hair. 

Mother & Daughter Date Lavender Picking

By Laurie Bower Epps

As a young woman, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad in France. The beginning of my stay, I was in a study-tour group. My group of 30 American students toured the majority of France in the summer of 1985. One of the stops that stuck with me was touring Provence and Grasse. Grasse is where most of the world's perfume is made. The images and aromas of the lavender fields will be with me forever. Nostalgia got the better of me when I saw a local farm sponsoring a U-Pick on Facebook. Since my daughter is studying environmental science, and the farm is located roughly ten minutes from her house, I couldn't go without her. So my story got to make a full circle, and I got to share my memories with her.

Liberty Hall Bed & Breakfast

By Laurie Bower Epps

Since so many of my blogs occur outside historic residences, it will be of no surprise that I found this little gem where you can be part of the magic. Something about this home just called to me. The owner, Susan, has done a wonderful job with the grounds, and with the house itself. I literally would rubber neck it just to see it as I'd drive by coming back from work or the mall or wherever. Being in the South, I've learned it's a good idea to let folks know you're coming, otherwise, you're libel to get shot. Today, you're in for a treat, this bed and breakfast is a real beauty.

The South Carolina Agricultural Museum

By Laurie Bower Epps

I've lived in the Upstate for 13 years, but frankly, all I thought Clemson was known for is football. It wasn't until a couple of years ago, that I found out Clemson University also boasts due to having one of the best agricultural programs in the country. Being a girl from the suburbs of Atlanta myself, I do have a little country in my soul as well. (But a very little...) As a young girl, I did wear braids and got my 4H in livestock. Now that I'm rekindling my own little herb garden, I just had to check the agricultural museum out.

Rose Hill Plantation

By Laurie Bower Epps

My middle daughter is getting married next spring, so naturally we did start shopping for wedding venues right away. Since Rose Hill Plantation is voted the fifth most beautiful spot in South Carolina, we had to check it out for ourselves. With her fiance in tow, the four of us headed to the midlands to check out this stunning location.

Peter Rabbit Festival

By Laurie Bower Epps

Since nearby Clemson University has a large agricultural department, their free botanical gardens are simply stunning. I've used them for blogs before, but I'd never attended one of their events. Somehow, this Peter Rabbit Festival just spoke to me. Not just for the books, movie, and old school melamine sets, but because the entire series just speaks of Spring. We've been dodging rain storms for months down south, and this event was no exception. Thankfully, just like the Spring Jubilee, the rain held off for a day longer.

Agent of Change Journey in a Day

By Laurie Bower Epps

Many of you know that my Chloe is really into Girl Scouts. I was so surprised when we moved that she took the changing of her troop year so well. Since it was more than a 35 minute move away, we were simply getting home too late from our Tuesday meetings, as well as, since she's a rising middle schooler we're now tied up with the new school very often on the same night.

I learned after the transfer to the new troop, that she didn't have any of her journeys and she's always gotten her summit pin for each level of Girl Scouts. In about a week and a half, we managed to get all three journeys completed. Mostly, we used her Spring Break, and we reached out to our community to get them done.

Spring Jubilee, Part II

By Laurie Bower Epps

Now that I've joined ranks with the historic society, as well as, I'm a regular to their events. The event I'm going to share with you today, is definitely a favorite. I loved the casual elegance vibe of this first ever, Jazz Brunch at Woodburn Plantation. Woodburn is a much bigger location than Astabula. This partly played into why I chose to serve at Astabula Historic Home instead. Woodburn has a total of 4 floors, and that doesn't include the basement! Plus, it has much more extensive outlying areas. However, this paired with the photogenic quality of Woodburn is why it's the most used venue for weddings.

South Carolina State Museum

By Laurie Bower Epps

To continue the fun of our Girls Weekend, we decided to find an activity to do on the way out of town. Originally, I'd wanted to go to Congaree National Park, but all ranger led activities are on Saturday's. To add to this last minute change of venue, the tremendous amount of rainfall has left Congaree a bit flooded. As mom, I decided to wait on going to Congaree until later in the season. The only major museum in Columbia that I hadn't been to was the State Museum (SCSM). Plus, they had presentation on the National Parks in the Planetarium. The rain did come back this day, but we missed it by being safely inside the museum.

Spring Jubilee in Pendleton, Part 1

By Laurie Bower Epps

My fascination for the history of this region is in many way the genesis of this blog. I get to combine two things I love in one coherent piece. History has always been an important part of life. Growing up, my beloved grandmother E taught history in the local middle school, as well as, acted as the school librarian. In fourth grade, my elementary school had a history competition, and I was the first to call in almost every week. Although I didn't major in it, I'm sure it contributed to my love of history and historical fiction. To nurture this natural curiosity, I've volunteered to be a docent for this beauty with the local historical society.

High Tea, Ballet, & Cowboys

Sleeping Beauty Boutique

By Laurie Bower Epps

Every summer, I get out the ballet schedules and have my youngest pick one for us to attend the next school year. Generally, Chloe has an aversion to exercise, so imagine my surprise when she asked to take classes herself over the holidays. Most studios do offer a free trial class, so if you're thinking of letting your son or daughter try it, keep that in mind. For this season, Chloe wanted to go to either Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. Since Sleeping Beauty was closer to my birthday, it seemed to be the better choice. Also, Sleeping Beauty also had an accompanying tea, and that was my favorite event of the year when my middle child danced for the Santa Clarita Ballet Company out in California.

Pickens County Museum of Art & History

By Laurie Bower Epps

Being a professor has given me the unique privilege of having a few days a week where I don't actually report to the office, so to speak. That doesn't mean there isn't work to be done, it just means I can work at my own pace, or in my pajamas, if necessary. A little known fact is that we do most of our work out of the classroom. But preparing for the classroom is what we thrive on.... However, after all the rain we've had, I couldn't resist the temptation of a beautiful spring-like day.

DuPont State Forest

Pictured at High Falls in DuPont State Forest

By Laurie Bower Epps

My girls and I have an annual tradition of taking a Valentines Day hike. This year was especially appealing because we had a false spring like day. You see, it rained for many months straight with no break until late March for more than a day. If there was a sunny day, you were grabbing your stuff and figuring a way to be outside. My dear friend Edie has been taking fabulous pictures of DuPont State Forest, and I decided on this sunny, February day that this would be the year to make the trip up to North Carolina. Let's just say, mistakes were made. So from a parenting perspective, here's a list of what not to do.

Pickens Old Courthouse

By Laurie Bower Epps

My youngest and I moved just before Christmas, and in doing so, we changed the county that we live in. For this blog, it's opened up a whole wealth of new places to discover. My first fashion blog was on the Hagood-Mauldin House in Pickens which is now my county seat. The owner was a court judge, and being a time well before the automobile, travel in town would've been on foot or by horse. Therefore, I concluded that the courthouse and his home wouldn't be located all that far apart. Well, today they are roughly 20 minutes apart by car. I saw the courthouse accidentally when cross referencing something else on the Pickens County website, and hence, this entry was born.

Adventures With Chloe

By Laurie Bower Epps

Meet Chloe. She's 10. She's precocious. But she's my sidekick, and my favorite photographer. Traveling with a 10 year old as a single mom can be different. Yet, she's my muse. I love to travel, and write. Our story has a realness to it. Traveling with a kid is quite different than go to a beach town with your friends. We're going to be hitting the road with my little traveler. Everything from day trips to every day outings, to taking a weeklong (or more) vacation, we'll give you the inside scoop.

Taco Tuesday Just Got Cuter

By Laurie Bower Epps

Welcome back!!! I know it's been a year, but the southeast has been pummeled with rain for many months. As well as, this time last year I was working a high stress sales job. You'll be pleased to know, that I'm back with new content, and a new vision. Now I'm a professor of English, and that does free up some time to devote to my writing, and other creative pursuits.