Spring Edition
Charlotte, You Really Showed Up!
We celebrated Alison’s latest book, Gorgeous Gatherings, in Charlotte, NC, at an absolutely incredible event hosted by our wildly talented friends, Ashton and Paris of Ashton Paris Events.
It was one of those nights filled with all the good things—community, creativity, and celebration—that remind us just how special this industry really is.
Every detail was magical, made possible by the following:
Dreamy florals by Silk and Vine
Buttery leather bookmarks and paper perfection from Fordan (yes, we’re still obsessed).
Swoon-worthy setting thanks to Ro House.
Clement had the coffee crowd covered.
Dart Collective kept the energy high with killer music.
QC Catering brought the bites.
Old Fashioned Mobile Bar shook up a tequila cocktail in the perfect shade of green (to match the book, of course!)
Linens from Party Reflections had us clutching our pearls.
Gorgeous rentals from CS Special Events
Kelsey Mard, for capturing every stunning detail and heartfelt moment with such beauty and intention in stills.
Our Westward Hearts captured it all gracefully on video.
We’re oh so grateful to be part of a community that lifts one another and creates this kind of magic. Thank you, thank you!
Postcard from the South: Our Stay at The Dunlin
Just 20 miles from Charleston, we found ourselves transported to a different rhythm—slow, sunny, and soaked in Southern charm.
The Dunlin, tucked along the Kiawah River on Johns Island, makes you want to ditch your inbox, grab a sunhat, and pretend you were born saying “y’all.”
Our days were dreamy: sipping low-country lemonade poolside, cruising on bikes beneath moss-draped oaks, and attempting to read a book between long bouts of laughter and perfecting our Southern drawl (yes, “Piper, NO!” did become our anthem).
Evenings brought tomato martinis deserving of blue ribbons and a cocktail guide named Daryl, who made sure our glasses—and hearts—stayed full. Buttermilk fried oysters with Regiis Ova caviar and tartare sauce started our dinner at Linnette’s. Just imagine the rest!
The interiors? Chef’s kiss to Amanda Lindroth. We became instantly obsessed with the signature Dunlin green—elegant, earthy, and definitely creeping into our design mood boards.
If you’re in Charleston and craving a little escape with just the right balance of barefoot luxury and playful hospitality, this is your spot!
Trust us, the South looks good on you.
Meet Aisha Whitney
The newest member of the AE Team is Aisha Whitney. Born in Marin, raised with a passport in hand, and fluent in Spanish and Thai. (White Lotus wedding in Thailand, anyone?)
Aisha is our Studio Manager and resident globetrotter. From sipping coconuts in Sayulita to scuba diving in Fiji, she’s lived in Mexico, studied in Hawaii, and gathered stories from over 15 countries.
She has a creative soul, a sustainability degree, and a camera full of dreamy design inspo. When she’s not helping us bring events to life, she’s dancing, cooking, or chasing the sun at the same time.
We’re so excited to have her adventurous spirit and international flair on the team. She’s already bringing the vibes.
Welcome, Aisha!
The AE Five
In the meantime, the latest and greatest, streaming through our AirPods….
Alison has two obsessions: Jon Hamm bringing the charm in “Your Friends & Neighbors” and listening to this playlist with daughter, Vivi. When she needs a pep talk (or a gentle shove), she pops on The Mel Robbins Podcast and gets back to business.
Lauren is loving Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark for a smart, soulful listen (like your fave deep talk over wine). For something lighter, Giggly Squad is a hilarious escape that feels like chatting with your besties. It delivers every time.
Brooke lives for The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her Podcast. It’s like your favorite spicy group chat—unfiltered, unapologetic, and serving the team with a side of wellness and wit. She digs all things Goldford on the music front—soulful, raw, and goosebump-inducing.
Danielle’s go-to is On We Go—a weekly dose of motherhood real-talk: equal parts relatable chaos, heartfelt honesty, and a wink at the absurdity of it all.
Aisha’s fave is Las Culturistas: a hilarious, high-speed rollercoaster through pop culture with heart. And Zane Lowe delivers deep, artful conversations with music’s biggest names.
As always, thank you for reading!
Peace, Love + Parties from the AE Team
Lauren, Paris, Alison, Brooke and Ashton in Charlotte at the book event.