Welcome to Eloise + Ivy: A Legacy of Southern Hospitality

Welcome to Eloise & Ivy: A Legacy of Southern Hospitality

Some would say I never had a choice when it came to my love of entertaining, cooking, gardening, designing, and flowers—it’s simply in my blood. Spending the first few years of my childhood in the little town of Hampton, AR, I spent almost every day with my Nene, Maxine Ivy. If she wasn’t cooking up something amazing, she was doing hair in the beauty shop, and I was right there watching and learning.

For years, I tried to replicate her legendary chocolate pie. I’ve come close, but it’s still not quite there—some things just can’t be duplicated.

My Pepaw, John Ivy, always had a massive vegetable garden, and many summer days were spent picking fresh produce with him and my Mom. I don’t remember a summer when my Mom and I weren’t in the kitchen canning rotel, pickles, jams, and more, preserving what my grandfather had grown—a skill he learned from his mother, Georgia Ivy.

My early childhood holidays were spent with the Ivy Family, and the kitchen was always full of the bossiest, know-it-all women you’ve ever met. But goodness, they really were the best! My Mom made sure to pass down some of the most treasured family recipes, including Thanksgiving Chicken & Dressing and Chicken & Dumplings—meals that define comfort and tradition in our family.

Then there’s the Parker side of my family—yes, if you haven’t noticed, all of my children are named after these incredible people! When we moved to Camden, AR, I spent my days with my Nan, Carolyn Powell, my Mamaw, Eloise Parker, who lived right next door to my great-aunt Marie (Aunt Ree). Those days were filled with making mud pies, baking in the kitchen, sewing, and embroidering—simple joys that shaped my love of creating.

From the time I was six years old until Covid hit every single holiday was spent at our family's farm in a little speck of a town called Dalark. The amount of history on that land is something I can't explain. To this day, if I'm having a hard time I will go and sit under one of the massive Oaks, pick wild blackberries, or just wander. It has a way of bringing peace in a world full of chaos. One day I know we will make our way back to making more memories in this beautiful place. 

Back to baking, My Mamaw’s Tea Cake Cookies were nothing short of life-changing. I’ll always believe that the simplest recipes require the most skill—no shortcuts, no mistakes. They are not forgiving, and I hate to admit it, but almost no one makes them like she did. As a teenager, I didn’t realize just how precious those moments were. Time is a gift, and you don’t fully understand how short life is until those moments are gone.

I would give anything to go back and bake a pie with my Nene, make tea cakes with my Mamaw, or learn how to grow the perfect tomato from my Pepaw. But since I can’t, Eloise & Ivy was born—a way to keep their memory alive and share the traditions that made my childhood so special.

Here, you’ll find a space filled with heirloom recipes, gardening tips, floral design, and party planning inspiration—a true celebration of Southern living. I hope this little corner of the world brings you joy and reminds you of the importance of sharing traditions with the ones you love.

So, welcome to Eloise & Ivy—where Southern charm meets sweet perfection.