By Corby Carlin Winters, Marketing & Public Relations
Each month we cover some of the hot trends from health and wellness, fashion and style, business or even tapping into your creative side.
Outdoor parties are upon us
Warmer weather means more lawn parties, pool parties and barbecues. Among the tips I want to share are taking a shawl since weather in the South can be unpredictable. A great pair of sunglasses are always a hit too.
I also seriously recommend wearing wedges and not high heels to outdoor lawn parties. That is unless you want to walk around on your tiptoes the entire time. Trust me, that is exhausting.  “Rules” can be broken. You can wear white before Memorial Day, I just suggest holding off on the white shoes and white linen. And yes, you can wear suede in the summer.  I know that makes some squeamish, but I have the most beautiful summer suede sandals and can’t wait to wear them.

Full flowing tops are still popular as ever and are very forgiving if you have not shed those few extra Winter pounds. Loose and effortless tops paired with slender pants and heels can make woman feel and look fantastic.
Hats are a perfect accessory for women and gentlemen alike whether you are at the pool or at a party.  Hats are perfect protect for your face from the sun and good for you gentlemen with a little less hair on top (sorry). On May 5th is the Community in School’s Hats and Hooves party. You can find the greatest hats being shown off at this wonderful fundraising event.
More fashion scoop
Whether you call it teal, turquoise or peacock, this color is all the rage in clothing and home decor. I have always loved these colors.  And they are popping up everywhere from chairs, sofas, pillows to clothing to purses. The actual peacock prints, and the peacock feather designs on clothing are fabulous right now.  So if you are looking to add a pop of color to your home or your wardrobe you can certainly find it right now.
Maxie is a fancy name for long dresses
In the Sixties, long fun flowing dresses were so popular. They seem to come and go but they are popular again this season.  Maxi Dresses can actually be cool to wear to those summer lawn parties.
Dressy shorts for fancy occasions or special events are popular and it takes women of confidence to wear them. You can find some at Second Glance Consignments.  They are snappy, fun and sexy.
Scarves are a timeless trend and if anyone tries to tell you the are out well they are simply out of the loop.  Scarves can be tied to your purse, draped around your neck or wrapped over your hair like Jackie O. This  is an elegant look but around this side of the perimeter it may require some moxie to pull it off. Scarves can change up an outfit in seconds. (If you can handle all the drama which goes on Bravo’s Southern Charm you can see Kathryn Calhoun Dennis wearing scarves.)
Inspirational, Christian and faith-based gifts
If you are looking for a gift to celebrate your faith or inspirational gifts for others we have you covered. These are timeless trends. We are fortunate to have some wonderful shops and artists that offer a variety of impirational merchandise right in our area. So if you are looking for gifts for Mother’s Day, a christening or graduation, these are great ideas.
Lee-King and Lee-Goodrum Pharmacies have beautiful crosses, books and jewelry. And at Dogwood Galleries in Tyrone and Fine Lines Art and Framing in Newnan, you can find artist Sherry Cook’s unique angels.  And do not forget about The Poplar Shop,  which in located inside The Piedmont Newnan Hospital. They have inspirational books, angel statues and the coolest rocks as well.
Catherine Sass Boutique and Christian Gifts is located on Bullsboro Dr. and has everything from inspirational decor, jewelry, clothing, to books and bibles. And artist Cyndi Harkin shares her art and her one-of-kind creations at Rockin B Antiques. I own several of her pieces and I love them. She also does commissioned work.
Coweta County launches a Opioid Coalition  
When I finished my Masters Degree in Counseling back in 1994,  I began working in Washington, D.C. The drugs people most struggled with were crack and marijuana., as well as alcohol. There was no mention of meth and other popular drugs of today.
Back then we certainly were not discussing prescription drug abuse. But now, tragically, all over the country opioid addiction is on the rise. Coweta County is taking this issue very seriously and is facing it head on.  An opioid coalition was created to make a positive impact on Coweta County, The Coweta Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, or (C- SAP), is a grassroots and community-driven group with a broad spectrum of community leaders to address prescription substance abuse, prevention and protection in our community.
The opioid coalition is using data-based strategies to work together to reduce access and the  misuse of opioids to protect individuals. The coalition and many in the community know we need intervention and prevention strategies in place. So the various subcommittees are focused to help bring about the best level of communication to our community, addressing the dangers associated with opioids and provide educational awareness.
There is so much shame, guilt, denial and embarrassment associated with addiction and I am honored to be a part of the Opioid Coalition to help address the stigma of addiction and to help those in crisis to get the aid and support they need and to fight this dangerous issue.
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(Corby 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 and being with friends, Winters and the SONs of Thunder.)