Bloggers’ Luncheon Benefitting Dwell with Dignity

While antiquers and junkers were negotiating prices with vendors and sorting through vintage finds – thirty-five bloggers came together at The Prairie to meet shabby chic icon Rachel Ashwell and to support Dwell With Dignity.

The Ranger Lounge, located on the grounds of The Prairie, is where the luncheon took place.

This exclusive event was coordinated by blogger Kelley Copeland of The Hidden List.  Bloggers came from all over the state and one from as far as Nashville, Tennessee.  These bloggers had a common thread – and that was following their passions and sharing them with the world through their blogs.

Kelley Copeland (middle) visits with other bloggers at the luncheon.

Dwell With Dignity is a non-profit group of designers based in the Dallas area that create comfortable and inspiring design to those less fortunate and help them to maintain a standard of living they can thrive in. Just last month, Dwell With Dignity was featured on the Nate Berkus show, and they have been flooded with phone calls and emails about volunteer opportunities and donations. If you would like more information on this organization, please visit www.dwellwithdignity.org

Kim Turner and Lisa Robinson explain the mission of Dwell with Dignity.

The luncheon would not have been complete without the mouth-watering meal provided by the famous Royer’s Café in Round Top.  Bloggers dined on the signature Grilled Shrimp BLT and topped it off with a heavenly slice of Bud’s Chocolate Chip Pie.

(L-R) Bud Royer with Rachel Ashwell

After lunch, Rachel Ashwell spoke with bloggers about her new venture with The Prairie Bed and Breakfast and explained how she became the owner of the Texas property. During last year’s antique show, the previous owner of the property expressed to Rachel that she would have to sell the bed and breakfast. “I could not imagine coming to the antique show and not being able to stay here, so I had to buy it.”

After purchasing the property, Rachel began making renovations to each of the houses.  She wanted to create an environment where one could clearly see that shabby chic is much more than white linens and florals.  She wanted to use elements that reflected the shabby chic look, but also wanted to embrace the rustic Texas feel.  For instance, instead of removing the animal heads and antlers that hung in some of the rooms, she embellished them with hats of flowers.

Rachel lead the bloggers through the Liliput Lodge where she and staff stay during their time in Round Top.

When asked, “Why Round Top?” she simply says that she loves Texans.  She loves the welcoming nature of the people here and plans to spend at least three months out of the year in Round Top.  She is very excited to be able to offer her Shabby Chic Couture Store on the grounds of The Prairie.

These darling name tags were handmade for all in attendance by Dana Pugh from www.tatteredstyle.com