By Corby Carlin Winters, Public Relations and Marketing

Each month, this Trends & Trendsetters column covers some of the hot trends from health and wellness, fashion and style, business or even tapping into your creative side. There are so many new trends happening in social media, politics, business and fashion. Look for 2020 to be filled with many new ones while still holding on to those timeless trends.

The love of small town books 
A local bookstore returns to downtown Newnan.  And who doesn’t love a  hometown bookstore?  We all saw You’ve Got Mail right? Mrs. Earlene Scott retired and closed Scott’s Bookstore a few years ago, leaving a huge gap in our community and especially downtown Newnan. But we are delighted to have Southern Fried Books and it is as fabulous as its name.  It’s right downtown on Jackson Street in a cool old beautiful home. Southern Fried Books carries new and old books, as well as those by local authors. It is a  place that feels like home and transcends you back to your childhood no matter how old you are.

On the Design Scene

Studio 34 on Highway 34 right near Thomas Crossroads is a furniture store with a family flair. It is run by Marilyn Petry along with her son Christopher and daughter-in-law Kate. Marilyn was lead buyer for 25 years at Julianna’s Fine Furniture Galleria, while Christopher handled marketing, sales and yes, even deliveries while Kate joined the team last November. After Julianna’s closed, the family decided to continue combining their great talent for home design – thus Studio 34. It brings a refreshing bright open and airy furniture showroom to Thomas Crossroads full of American-made furniture. They also have designers, such as Cynthia Hunt, who brings years of design experience to the store.

Expressing Art
Newnan is so lucky to have so many amazing artists. I recently got to visit with Mary Mcvie Williamson at her home in Palmetto to see so many fabulous creations. She is very gifted and her work is in homes all over Georgia and across the country. Each piece is often one of a kind. She faux finishes furniture, walls, mirrors and even floors. She offers custom services for clients all the time. They just drop off their items and she does her magic. Throughout the year she offers classes to those who want to learn her techniques or just hang out with other artists. You can connect with her on her Facebook Page.

The Fashion Scene
Pale pink, copper, leopard, yellow/mustard are seen everywhere.  And if anyone says, scarves are out, well they are so very wrong.  Whether the scarf is tied to your purse or around your neck they are a timeless trend. As far a leopard goes, it is just always hot no matter your age or time of year.  I adore  putting outfits together not only for myself but others too. I met this darling lady (A) from Newnan in a local store and helped her choose fabulous leopard shoes and a perfect leopard coat. I think I will add personal shopper to my list of fun titles.

HIP AND HAPPENING

Small samples
Rather than spend lots of cold hard cash on cosmetics, hair care and perfume, try purchasing a small sample to make sure you love it. I do this often and I am thrilled I do. It saves me lots of money and helps me make sure I don’t buy something I really do not need. Most stores offer these wonderful little buys.

Binge watching  
Well, well, well … we now have a new term for TV addictions. Binge watching on Netflix has opened up a whole other world for me. My good friend introduced me to Handmaid’s Tale. And that was that!  I had already been watching  “Big Little Lies,” I just did not know I was officially “binge watching.”  I then went to “Schitt’s Creek,” “Godless” and lord, Winters makes me binge way too many cooking series. Then I happened upon The Good Wife with Julianna Margulies. It is lots of fun binge watch nine seasons in less than a month but lordy it can drive those around you wacky.

Yoga is as Hip as ever
So here are some pre and post healthy holiday living tips for mind, body and spirit that will keep you feeling fit and fabulous and healthy through the holiday season and less stressed out.

Elizabeth Dorsey, owner and instructor at Barefoot Lizard Yoga Studio in Sharpsburg says: Getting up and moving around while at work is great for you, take the stairs and even add in stretches.  Move all different parts of your body especially where you store stress. This can include rolling your shoulders forward and back open and close your hands, make small circles with your wrists and flutter your fingers. Wiggle your hips even if you are sitting down, rotate your ankles and scrunch your toes. Another idea that Elizabeth recommends is focusing on something as simple as your breathing to help you relax. Simply exhale longer than your inhale.

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Corby Winters is known to many as a Power Shopper, the Little Black Dress and a life stylist. She’s crazy about shoes, clothes, accessories, and of course leopard prints. She loves writing, speaking, ministering, life coaching and being with friends, Winters and the SONS of Thunder.