Southern Glam Meagan

Animal Coalition of Tampa’s Stride for Strays

November 5, 2015

A couple weekends ago, the morning after I celebrated my glamorous ‘Roaring 29’ birthday, I traded my glitter heels for my pink athletic shoes (Tennis shoes? Sneakers? Running shoes even though I don’t run?) Anyways! In true southern glam style, I bartered style for comfort for a great cause because it was time for Southern Glam Weddings & Events to give back.

The Animal Coalition of Tampa‘s (ACT) annual Stride for Strays fundraiser is both an organization and event that I hold very near and dear to my heart. Somehow I’ve become a magnet for stray animals and they just seem to find me. When a sweet little fluffy face needs help, it’s off to ACT for low cost spay/neuter and vaccines.

The craziest (and probably the dumbest, yet best!) thing I have ever done was serve over lanes of Interstate 75 in South Georgia when I spotted a dog running along the highway. I jumped out of the car with poor Sean dazed in the passenger seat, and ran towards the dog. It was a massive Mastiff and he had two friends with him, a full grown German Shepherd and a Pit Bull puppy. Not once did it occur to me these stray, and possibly vicious, animals could tear me to pieces. I lured them into my SUV with the only food we had from our trip, peanut butter crackers, and drove back the three hours to Tampa. I was clueless as to what was going to happen next but these poor guys needed a good meal, a bath, a foster home, and the Animal Coalition of Tampa.

Aren’t they just the cutest? I’m proud to say all my rescue animals have found homes and I could not have done it without the wonderful health care ACT provides.

In 2008 I began fundraising for ACT in their annual Stride for Strays event and have proudly continued each year. In addition to securing a sponsorship from Brown & Brown Insurance and raising funds, I decided to give back and volunteer the check-in table this year. Tails were wagging on Halloween costumed dogs at Ferg’s Live who were eagerly awaiting the ribbon cutting to begin the Stride. After the walk, striders enjoyed vendors, games, food, music, and contests with their beloved four legged friends.

I celebrated another successful year with ACT and took a little pride in knowing I assisted a tiny bit in raising over $50,000. Cheers to another year of benefiting and saving animal lives in Tampa Bay …and also in South Georgia!

The Southern Glam Gatsby ‘Roaring 29’ Birthday

November 4, 2015

It’s time to drink champagne and dance on the table because a little party never killed nobody!

In high school, my favorite book was the Great Gatsby and I fell in love with the allure of the Roaring 20’s decade. I decided to celebrate like Gatsby for the last year in my 20’s and have a Great Gatsby birthday party.

Southern Glam Gatsby’s Roaring 29 Birthday

I had been eyeing the sprinkle birthday cake from Dough and my sweet husband took note and surprised me with one for my party! The fabulous invitations are from SoCalCrafty, fun printables/Instagram print from InkMeBeautiful, and the amazing photo props from LetsGetCreative. Isn’t Etsy amazing? Each business was amazing to work with and provided artwork to compliment my event design.

We started the party a bit early with photos at home so the few who couldn’t make dinner could celebrate a bit and sip champagne.Afterwards we headed to Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club to meet the rest of the group and spoke easy in the private lounge behind the bookcase. The handcrafted cocktails were absolutely amazing as was the food!It was a fabulous night celebrating with wonderful friends! Everyone looked amazing dressed up and I couldn’t ask for a lovelier group of fun people. There were sparkle, pearls, lace, and feathers everywhere – it was definitely a Southern Glam Weddings & Events production! That gorgeous dress I wore … rented from Rent the Runway! I hated to part ways with it when my time was up!

Of course I had to get a photo with my dapper Chipper Jones! He’s always ready for a glamorous party with his tuxedo!PS: That giant bottle of champagne from the first photo is from Crumb&Cork. The night before I celebrated with family (I actually celebrated ALL week!) and ended up with a lovely souvenir that perfectly complimented the Southern Glam Gatsby party the following evening. I proudly pranced around downtown Tampa with it in tow all night! Thank you, Crumb&Cork!Pop fizz clink to 29! If the year is anything like my birthday week, it’s going to be a wonderful year! Cheers!

Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Baby Shower

October 3, 2015

Mama-to-be, Katie and Dad-to-be, Jon are HUGE Tampa Bay Rays baseball fans. As soon as I knew the gender of their baby from the Gender Reveal Party, it didn’t take me long to think of a baseball baby shower for their little boy. Introducing a Tampa Bay Rays baseball baby shower.

Bases are loaded! Let’s bring home Baby Minch!

The invitations are from Etsy and turned out ADORABLE! I really like the idea of guests bringing their favorite baby book instead of a greeting card. That way, Baby Minch would already have a good start to his book collection.

When planning the details, the color scheme would be based on the Tampa Bay Rays team colors: navy blue, light blue, white, and yellow. I wanted to showcase the different parts of a ball field of which being: game day gear, the locker room, the concession stand, and the team store.

One of the funniest questions I received that day was, ‘what is the deal regarding that wrapped boxed?’ … My answer, “That’s the trash can for when Katie opens gifts.”

I’ve never been a fan of the black-garbage-bag-that-sits-next-to-the-honoree-opening-gifts thing. Many photos are taken during this fun moment and a big ol’ unsightly trash bag doesn’t happen at my events. I simply purchased a moving box and wrapped the outside. Ta-daa!

Jon’s sister Alicia and their mom also assisted with shower planning and hosted the baseball stadium inspired menu of sliders, nachos, stuffed pretzels, and fruit salad. Alicia planned Katie’s bridal shower and had amazing games so she graciously took charge of the fun we had for the baby shower.

What’s a Southern Glam event with an abundance of details?

Congratulations on your little boy, Katie and Jon! Auntie Meagan is SO excited for the next chapter in your lives!