Cheri Leavy visits with fellow UGA grads to talk beauty, style, gameday, and more!
Name: Laura Deems
Family: Mom and Dad – Missy and Al, younger sister – Mae and the best squirrel dog around – Sheba
Hometown: Rome, Ga.
Current Town: Charleston, S.C.
What Years at UGA: 2014-2017
School/Degree: Lamar Dodd School Of Art BFA in Fabric Design
Profession: Artist
Accolades: I started my own small business my junior year of college that was initially built upon custom home illustrations and later evolved into my current abstract work. Over a three year timespan, I established a clientele base of over 7,000, with works being featured in various publications before completing my undergrad at UGA. Through this journey I have been deemed “One to Watch” in the design and art industry by designers and collectors alike. This season my work will be featured in the Southern Style Now Showhouse in Savannah and Atlanta Home For The Holidays Showhouse. I recently showcased my work through the Spotlight On Art event at Neiman Marcus, collaboration with Atlanta based artist Charlie Hanavich, and a solo show with MA Allen Interiors.
Describe Athens in three words: Happening, creative, cozy
Fave bars and restaurant in Athens: Georgia Theatre, The National, Royal Peasant, and Donna Changs
Fave shops in Athens: Heerys and BMA At Home
Fave Athens landmark: Theatre Rooftop
Describe your typical Bulldog game day: Tailgate. Game. Halftime hotdog and blue Powerade. Postgame – rooftop, followed by late night Canes.
Fave lipstick: Bite – Agave Lip Mask in Champagne
Fave mascara: Benefit – They’re Real
Fave skin care line: Drunk Elephant
Fave hair product: Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil
Product you can’t live without: Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne
Best budget buy product: Vaseline Rosy Lip Therapy
Biggest product splurge: Drunk Elephant C-Frima Day Serum
Fave fashion designer: Céline
Fave interior designer: Can’t choose just one! Cloth & Kind and Helen Davis. Both are really wonderful and have a great eye.
Fave jeans: McGuire
Fave tee: Madewell
Fashion idol: Mix of Lucinda Chambers and Jane Birkin
Fave flower: Gardenia
Fave accessory: The watch my parents gave me for graduation. I think about them every time I wear it.
Fave stationery: I love making my own. There is something special about a personalized note. But if I had to buy Happy Menocal.
Who inspires you? People who are “peculiar” (as Leslie Barron would say). Those who pause and see others. Who go against the norm. They are true game changers.
Fave blog: The Lifestyle Edit & Lots Of Scotts
Fave instagram: The Defined Dish. Alex’s Insta stories are soooo entertaining.
Fave magazine:Garden & Gun
Fave book: Hannah Coulter
Fave song: Right now – Alaska by Maggie Rogers
Fave artist: Basquiat & John Singer Sargent
SHARE A TAILGATE RECIPE:
Feta Black Bean Corn Dip
Ingredients
• 4 cups corn kernels
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 can reduced sodium black beans — rinsed and drained
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled cojita cheese or feta
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 limes, juiced
• small bunch cilantro, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
1. Heat coconut oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add your kernels to the pan, season with salt and pepper and quickly sauté, just for about 1-2 minutes. Place corn into a large bowl and set aside to cool.
2. Once corn is completely cooled, add black beans, red onion, jalapeño and avocado. Add juice of two limes to salad and gently toss to combine. Add cheese, chopped cilantro, salt and pepper and gently toss again. So yummy
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