By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

My daughter is engaged, making me the mother of the bride, abbreviated lately as the MOB. Recent MOB activity included taking my daughter to the Southern Bridal Show.

We enjoyed gorgeous displays featuring wedding attire, reception ideas, photography and other finery that enables brides to make their weddings unique. The majority of the vendors were there to help brides spend their money; however, one booth was working to keep brides within their budgets-the Thirty-One booth.

Thirty-One Gifts is a company that Pelham resident Lori LaBoone represents. Her two daughters, Elaina, a Pelham High School student, and Kristina, a Riverchase Middle School student, carry the bags that Thirty-One is famous for.

Approaching the Thirty-One booth, I discovered the reps knew LaBoone, and they were happy to explain what a company selling mostly purses and totes was offering brides.

“When brides book parties with Thirty-One reps, they are able to choose great gift items as their hostess gifts,” The representative said. “These can become monogrammed bridesmaids’ gifts.”

LaBoone left a large electronics distributor last March and went to work for Thirty-One.

“I love the bags and totes, but I love what the company represents even more,” LaBoone said.

The company is called Thirty-One in reference to Proverbs Chapter 31 from the Bible, celebrating the Godly, industrious woman.

Thirty-One offers LaBoone more flexibility with her family, along with the opportunity to represent a top-quality line. The company works to empower women and girls through organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Girl Scouts, and also through their own innovative initiatives.

“Thirty-One participates in many worthy causes, and comes up with its own unique projects to celebrate, encourage and reward. In November, for every $5 medium tote sold, Thirty-One donated a thermal tote to Operation Homefront for our soldiers,” LaBoone said. “Final numbers are not yet released, but we sold tens of thousands nationwide.”

In addition to bags, Thirty-One also has wall-hanging organizers to help get 2013 off to a stress-free start. To find out more about Thirty-One, visit Lori LaBoone online at Mythirtyone.com/lorla or email her at lorilaboone@gmail.com.