Once Upon a Dream......and I don't want to wake up!

This was a dream come true....traveling to Asheville, North Carolina in the fall for an art event hosted by Jennifer Hayslip. 

Here are my travel/plane buddies, Cynthia, Kim and Andrea. We arrived into Charlotte, NC, piled into our rented Suburban with our loads of luggage and headed down the highway toward Asheville.  We were surrounded by millions of trees, all ablaze in different shades of greens, rusts, reds, golds, etc.  Fall had arrived!  It was simply breathtaking.

 

After checking into our hotel and meeting up with friends, we headed off to dinner.  I think we stepped back into the psychedelic 60's when we arrived at The Mellow Mushroom.  What fun...yummy pizza and it was trivia night...I won't even go into the enebriated man who decided we would  have ALL of his answers needed to the trivia contest.

Meleen, Danielle, myself and Cynthia

Kim, Andrea, Jessi and Maija

It was then off the bed for dreams of the magical weekend that was to come.......

The next morning, we headed off to downtown Asheville for a little retail therapy.  Adorable little stores and oh my...a shoe store called Tops that was to die for!  I think we ALL left there with at least one pair of new shoes!  Then, a little more shopping at some local antique stores and a gorgeous linen store!

Molly, Maija, Earleen and Jessi

 

That evening we headed off to Crest Event Center.  We were greeted by the lovely Jennifer Hayslip and a sea of twinking lights, gorgeous flowy decor and many vendors for shopping.  Karla Nathan and Lori Oles each taught mini workshoppettes, of a flower garland and a rosette Ribbon.

The lovelies...Jen & Kim

Cynthia and me

Maija & Jessi

Molly & Me

 

Kim & Me

Jessi & Me

Tiffany & Me

Karla's Project

The adorable Sherry Williams & Me 

Can't go to the South and NOT get Krispy kreme donuts! They even have a drive thru!

The next morning, we were off to Claxton Farms for a day of art, friendship and fun!  We were greeted by mini horses, goats, and the most breathtaking farm set amoung trees and fields of fall colors.  We started with a jewelry class with Andrea Signarelli, then a chandelier class with Natasha Burns (who came all the way from Australie) and completed the classes with Dee Faust.  I will let the pictures tell the story.

 

Our lovely teachers...Lori, Andrea

Tiffany, Karla, Jen and Natasha

Kim and Karla

Me and my roommate, Earleen.

Annette & Me

Our last full day in Asheville was a trip to the incredible Biltmore Estate. All I can say is WOW!!!  I can't wait to go back another time and take the extended tour because it would take days to see everything!  We then had a private luncheon with the Biltmore Chef, Chris Anderson, and then headed off to Biltmore Village and Winery for a little more retail therapy.  We also got to visit the Tiffany exhibit that was in house.

 

Sorry...no pictures  :(

Jessi with Chef, Chris Anderson

In the winery....yay!

A little Biltmore Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert!

 This journey was a dream come true.....thank you Jennifer for such a lovely art event...every last detail was attended to and it is a trip I will always remember.  Stay tuned for another blog post soon, where I will share my swaps, which included a vintage apron, a wreath/crown and an album.

Comments

[sherry]

Looks like a perfect lovely weekend. Beautiful photos of all of you and the gorgeous fall colors

[Erin Barraza]

Wow Cheryl! your pictures are beautiful. Must have been amazing
To experience a true Fall. Can't wait to see the rest of your pictures.
Hugs
Erin

[Kathie]

Dear Miss Cheryl, please tell me where you purchased ALL of your outfits and accessories for the trip! Love them all :)

[Alicia @ La Famille]

hi cheryl! ok, this is so weird. i just happened upon your blog from christy tomlinson's blog...trying to see who the lucky girl was that won jeanne's bag :) and here is your fun post about a dreamy weekend in asheville. i JUST moved to asheville in october and i would LOVE to know what fun shops you went to and that retreat...it looks fabulous!! i have to admit, i'm from south dakota and lived very close to minneapolis where there were all kinds of creative weekends, shops, and STUFF...here, i haven't found it yet...maybe you could help me out! :)