Lilias & Olive

06/09/2025

Rubber Ducky, You’re the one. You make baby showers tons of fun. It is such a joy and privilege when former wedding clients ask me to be part of their live’s next milestone - the baby shower. It just so happens Norwood Day Floral Co. had the most enchanting YELLOW peonies available. Bites were catered by Trio's Restaurant. Wallpaper from the nursery walls was inspiratom for sugar cookies and liner for invitation envelopes. It was a bright happy day.
During wedding planning, I jokingly became known as the bride’s bossy Little Rock mom. Now when Miss Margot arrives, I can’t wait to be her fabulous fun Little Rock “aunt”.
💛🎀💛

06/01/2025

The Future is now. It feels like the last few weeks I have been on a rocket ship traveling warp speed from spring to summer, from event to event. Add in ALL the end of school madness and I wouldn’t mind a quiet little place on the moon to regroup right now.

This corporate party launched the annual vendor convention in Hot Springs for Douglas Companies. While the company is 52 years old, it’s our second year and a privilege to partner with them. Their team set the futurist theme for the convention we added the soarkle and shine to opening night.

Guests dined on delicious bites by
Heritagecateringar washed doen with Moon Shine Cocktails by Crystal Ridge Distillery. The whole evening was a blast!

Other vendors include
Rentals by Eventology and balloons by JustPeachy, Entertainment: DJ Cad

04/19/2025

Mystique After Dark benefitting Camp Aldersgate.

From the beach villas to the island bar to dinner under the waves, our team of party partners and volunteers made this magical night happen. The event made $215k which provides children with a diverse set of medical and developmental needs the opportunity to spend a week of aummer camp on their accessible campus.

The beach villas (huts) we use as sponsor huts for the party are wheelchair accessible and used through the summer for each cabin to have a place to huddle, regroup and hang between activities.

This is my sixth year of partnering with this special org. Being able to let my imagination run wild on their themes truly brings out the kid in me. Like so many Campers - it’s one of my happy places.

Venue: Camp Aldersgate
Planning/ Design: Lilias & Olive / JoBeth Ross McElhanon
Catering: Heritagecateringar
Lighting/ Bar/ Stage: Central Arkansas Entertainment
Band: Brae Leni & Friends
Entertainment: Arkansas Circus Arts
Rentals: Eventology
Tents: INTENTS Party Rental
Bar service: The Southern Sippery Mobile Bar

04/06/2025

A beautiful fortieth birthday celebration. ‘Tinis and Tacos followed by Mahjong for the ladies and March Madness for the Gents. The weather threw us some curveballs - as in, we had zero electricity for this event. Thank goodness for candles and rechargeable lamps and gas cooktops. Hints of Mahjong appeared at the bar with the Bam, Dot, Crack martini flavors. Each table setting had a mahjong tile place card that featured 2 truths and a lie about the birthday girl to encourage convo. Spring flowers bloomed across the room. Friends and family gathered to celebrate dear Catherine. Although the rains poured, the winds blew, and the power was out, everyone had a blast and the only thing shaken at this party were the martinis.

Planning / Design: Lilias & Olive / JoBeth Ross McElhanon
Floral: Nitzia Designs
Lighting: Central Arkansas Entertainment
Linens: Nuage, Eventology with Custom toppers
Paper Suite : MV Design Co.
Venue: CCLR

03/26/2025

Loved being part of this Feature in At Home in Arkansas Magazine. This recipe is one of my long time favorites and on frequent rotation during the summer months. For quicker prep, I will pick up a Costco rotisserie chicken and a box of croissants from their bakery to make a delicious quick lunch or dinner at home.Perfect for warmer and sunnier days ahead!

Event designer JoBeth McElhanon of Lilias & Olive shared a sunny Sunday brunch tablescape, along with her Almond Strata recipe, in our March issue. Now on the blog, she's graciously sharing her easy-to-make Curried Chicken Salad. Find it here: https://www.athomearkansas.com/blog/recipes/curried-chicken-salad/ Enjoy!

03/24/2025

The Countdown is on to Camp Aldersgate’s fundraiser Mystique After Dark on April 11. This year, we are transforming camp into an elegant island oasis inspired by Mustique - Princess Margaret’s private getaway. It’s no secret that this event is one of my favorites. I’m grateful this organization includes me each year to transform the campus. Together with their team and amazing event partners, we’ve transported guests around the world, from Africa to Asia to Amalfi. We’ve time-traveled, and we’ve had fun under the big top. It’s a night like no other for an organization like no other. A few tickets remain - come join us on our next adventure. Paradise awaits!

03/04/2025

To shed a little light on the design inspiration and recipes, visit the link below

02/26/2025

Had a great time joining my long time friend Blake Rutherford on his successful podcast Flyover Country. We talked about my journey to small business ownership, taking risks, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

Link below in comments ( bear with the volume, it gets better 😄

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FxReAosmBnI9obhwGwFr6?si=AZ-Fa_wUSrmIintLWXSXiA

02/24/2025

Thrilled to announce that I will be teaming up with the brilliant and beautiful / Tammis S. Davis to present at Women’s Leadership symposium on May 8. Together, we will be leading a breakout session on “Finding Your Career Niche” and discussing Good to Great principles to enhance your journey on creating a career you love. Early Bird registration is open until March 3.

https://www.soireewomensleadership.com/schedule

02/13/2025

Setting our Valentine’s Day table at home with the things I LOVE- monogrammed linens, pink flowers, cabbage ware, my grandmother’a Franciscan rose, vintage silver and a buffalo check. And he’s, there’s a pink swath of paint on the walls … hoping my Valentine present is having this room painted soon. File under the “real lives of event designers”.

02/03/2025

FAQ: Do you do weddings?

YES! But not every weekend -or every month. I take five weddings per year to ensure each bride and I can curate a day that is uniquely her own. My goal is designing a classically styled wedding with meaningful details that the bride will look back at her pics in 20 years and say, “I wouldn’t change a thing” I have a few spots left for 2026. What does your uniquely beautiful wedding look like? Let’s make it happen.