A Touch of Southern Grace

Monday, November 11, 2019

Guest Post :: It'll Last Longer: Why You Should Print Photos

I have turned into such a huge fan of photography over the years. I always love how pictures have the ability to capture emotions and small details that you may not have noticed in person. It always seems that we take more photos during the holiday season than any other time of the year. In the digital world I can honestly go months without printing off an actual picture. However, once I do, and I have it framed I always wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. Today Shane is guest posting and sharing all the reasons you should print off photos!

Photography nowadays has been more accessible to people thanks to the technological advancements of smartphones, allowing them to take quality photos anytime and anywhere. An estimated 1 trillion photos were taken in the U.S. in 2018 alone. However, despite the huge amounts of photos taken by each person, do some of them actually make it beyond one’s camera roll? Out of the hundreds of pictures on your phone right now, how many of them do you actually consider special? If your answer is ‘not much,’ then you’re not alone. People take photos to preserve memories, but because we take too many photos, they end up lost in the sea of other images we forget or don’t bother looking at a second time.

Compare our time to the time when printing photos was the norm. Photographs back in the day meant more because they are tangible and kept for safekeeping. Other than digital photos have yet to be developed as they are now, people print photos as a way to look back at past experiences and show them to future generations.

These photos are more intimate and appear rawer, something that digital photography cannot replicate. You have apps that let you use filters and replicate the effect of film photography back in the day, but they fall a bit short both in appearance and substance. Nothing beats the tactile feeling of having a photograph in your hands, which is why you should consider printing your photos today.

Why You Need Print Over Pixels

More people are getting into the analog revolution as a reaction to the overwhelming amount of digital devices that are involved in everyday living. People are once again paying attention to the classic gadgets from previous eras like cassette players, vinyl turntables, and film cameras. Nostalgia and technological fatigue have made printing photos cool again.

Create an Actual Photo Album

Most kids these days will never truly appreciate the joys of sifting through photo albums of their younger years and reminiscing about how simple and lovely their lives were back then. Seeing a thick book of old photos of you is a feeling that will never be matched by posting your everyday escapades and uploading your travels on social media.

Decorate Your Wall With Photographs

There was a time when posters from magazines and specialty stores took up a huge space in every adolescent’s room. Photos are no different. Hang or stick your printed digital photographs, film, or Polaroid photos on the walls of your room. Surround your room and yourself with memorable people and intimate moments captured in photos, making you remember them all the time and give you a little something to start and end your day.

Invest in Canvas Photographs

Consider printing an iconic photograph on a canvas and make it appear like a commissioned work of art. Whether it is a portrait of yourself or a group photo of your family, having canvas prints is a worthy investment as they can be displayed in specific areas in your home to give it an affluent yet nostalgic atmosphere.

Try Out Instant & Disposable Cameras

Forget the complications of importing photos to your computer, installing the driver software, and loading specific printer papers on your printer just to get a quality print of your photo. Try using instant and disposable cameras and aim, click, and print away quality photos to your heart’s desire.

Compile a Printed Portfolio of Your Works

If you’re an artist looking to land a job or stepping up your creativity, ditch your digital works and slowly build up your printed portfolio instead. While digital artworks and photographs can be as beautiful, the allure and work behind a printed portfolio compare to nothing. Having a printed portfolio not only gives your interviewer a way to examine your work better, but it also shows that you are diligent enough to put in the extra effort when it comes to your work.

Friday, November 8, 2019

November Favorites

The first week of November is one of my favorite times of the year. Holiday decorations start to go up, a special sense of magic start to floats around in the air, families start preparing for Thanksgiving week, and the weather starts to officially cool down.

One of my most favorite parts about this time of year is fall/winter fashion. Coats, layers, scarves, sweaters – yes please! Just thinking about nights curled up by the fireside in a new pair of pajamas send my heart racing. Over the years fall and the start of winter have definitely turned into my favorite time of the year!

Merry Go Round Sweater {can be found here}

Good Natured Soy Holiday Tin Candle

White Reindeer Medium Crackers – Set of 6

Blackwatch Daphne Dress

Rollneck Sweater in Fair Isle

Salvatore Ferragamo Headband {can be found here!}

Country Estate Winter Frolic

Cozy Sleep Legging

GMG Jolie Coat

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Guest Post :: How To Plan A Perfect Honeymoon To Australia

Once you get engaged {or even before} it’s never too early to start thinking about where you would like to go to on your honeymoon. After getting engaged, getting married the honeymoon is kind of a time to unwind and get to know each other a little better. When my parents got married more than not you would take a trip somewhere close to home or at least stay in the United States, but today people are getting married a little later, and taking a Honeymoon out of the country has definitely become the way to Honeymoon. Today Peter Minkoff is sharing a few tips on how to plan the perfect Honeymoon to Australia!

One of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world is Australia, and it is no wonder - it has a lot to offer. Relaxation, fun activities, sports, sightseeing, and many other things can be on your agenda if you choose to visit this country. So, for all the couples who are thinking about booking their trip there, here are some guidelines.

How to get there

Since you will probably have a lot of costs in the months leading up to your honeymoon, we suggest buying the tickets early on. This way, they will be cheaper, and you won't have to worry about that at the last minute. You can land in Sydney if you travel from any part of the world, which is convenient. From there, our recommendation is to look into private airport travels in Sydney to help you get to your accommodation easier. The benefits are comfortable travel without having to carry your luggage, and worry if you will get the right address, and public transportation.

Where to go

Your honeymoon is a one-time thing, which means that you should make it extra special if nothing else, then by choosing the perfect destination. If you would like to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy the ocean and the sun, we suggest Queensland or Esperance in Western Australia. For a more urban and active honeymoon, big cities like Melbourne and Sydney have a lot to offer, including exciting nightlife and daily sightseeing. And for a true, luxurious romantic, honeymoon experience, Tasmania, Lorne, Whitsunday Islands are the perfect choice.

What to do

Of course, the activities for your honeymoon depend on where you are staying, and whether you are planning on traveling somewhere inside the country. So, we are going to offer something for everyone. The first thing that you think about when you hear the word honeymoon is romantic dinners, and moonlight. For this occasion, a dinner, followed by a date at the Sydney Opera House is something you have to do. It combines art, history, and a romantic night out. For all the nature enthusiasts, you can go surfing, snorkeling, or spend time with animals, and even hold a koala bear. If you want to have fun, we suggest some of the many amusement parks, and a fun night out, in one of the many bars and pubs where you can drink beer, and dance the night away. And of course, one of the reasons you should visit Australia in the first place are the beautiful sandy beaches, with crystal clear water, so make this the biggest part of your honeymoon.

Where to eat

One of the best ways to get to know the culture, and experience a country like a local, is to eat as they do. Some of the amazing dishes and food you don't want to miss are meat pies, Moreton bay bugs, damper (a type of soda bread), emu, and even kangaroo if you are brave enough. Sweets like pavlova, vanilla slice, Anzac biscuits, and many more. If you stay or visit Sydney, you don't want to miss Welcome Hotel where you can try amazing stakes, horseradish, and craft beer, or Coogee Pavilion where you can eat delicious seafood, and pizzas. In Melbourne, you can visit The Lincoln, in Perth Clancy's Fish Pub, and Statler and Waldorf in Brisbane.

What to visit

Australia has a lot to offer, so we are sure you will be busy all day every day. Some of the places you should visit are the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the Great Barrier Reef. Fraser Island, the Gold Coast, and Kangaroo Island are other places worth seeing. As for the cultural part of your visit, Art Gallery in New South Vales, Center for Contemporary Photography, The Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art should be on your list. While in Sydney, make sure you visit The Rocks, a historic neighborhood with many shops that offer handmade items, foods, art, and crafts.

Regardless of what type of honeymoon you want, we are sure Australia will fulfill your expectations as it is a mix of culture, relaxation, and fun sports and activities to complete your days.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

It's That Time of Year...

I am hands down one of those annoying people who gets overly excited about the Christmas season. I started listening to Christmas music in October { I know go ahead and roll your eyes…}, I start talking about decorating for Christmas a good week before Halloween, and come November 1 I am humming Christmas music. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, and I am definitely all about Thanksgiving the week of, but I mean… there is just no holiday that gives you that special feeling quite like Christmas does.

During the week of Thanksgiving {usually thanksgiving or a few days after} it is a tradition in my family to go see whatever new Christmas movie has been released in the theaters. This year there are so many great Christmas movies being released that actually good, and I for one am super excited!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Sunday Night Thought

Friday, October 25, 2019

Guest Post :: 5 Tips That Will Help You Have A Better Morning

Confession: I am probably one of the worst morning people ever… It’s not that I am moody, but I am so disorganized, I press snooze on my phone a ridiculous number of times, I sometimes go to bed way too late, and I am sooo disorganized… Today on the blog Peter Minkoff is sharing five tips that will help you have a better morning, and let me just say, there are a few I will be applying to my own life!

You aren’t really a morning person but you’re giving your best to enjoy mornings? Welcome to the club, you certainly aren’t the only one! Here are five useful tips on how to have a better morning, so check them out, get down to business, and give them a fair shot!

Hit the gym as soon as you wake up

Yes, we know that it probably seems way too overwhelming, but you know what? A large number of ladies actually think that morning workouts are much easier to stick to, and the reasons for that are more than good. First of all, if you complete your sweat session in the morning, you won’t have to stress out about squeezing an evening workout into your already busy schedule. Besides that, you won’t be able to make excuses for not exercising after a long day at the office, which is another amazing benefit you shouldn’t overlook. Did you know that working out on an empty stomach can burn fat much faster and increase blood flow to the abdomen? That’s right, so give it a try and you won’t regret it!

Have a well-balanced breakfast after a workout…

Needless to say, a well-balanced breakfast is an absolute must after a workout simply because your body needs to recover properly after intense physical activity. Apart from that, you should know that many nutritionists claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why you should try not to skip it. A combination of protein (eggs), carbohydrates (whole-grain bread), and healthy fats (avocado) will give you enough energy and keep you full until lunch, which is beyond great. This means that you won’t feel the need to reach for unhealthy snacks in between meals, which is how you’ll manage to either shed a few pounds or maintain a healthy weight!

… As well as a large cup of coffee

Having a large cup of coffee is a legitimate part of millions of ladies’ morning routines, and if you’re one of them, too, you know that coffee is more than just an ordinary hot drink. In fact, it’s a magical liquid packed with caffeine – a powerful substance that will keep you awake and promote alertness throughout the day. Buying quality coffee is a must all across the world – including Australia – which means that you should find the best coffee roasters in Sydney as soon as possible. Just one cup of coffee will make a huge difference by helping you to wake up, focus, and mentally prepare for every task and activity that awaits you later that day. So, don’t wait any longer and enjoy your coffee immediately after a breakfast!

Prep everything the night before

When we say this, we mean both laying out your outfit and coming up with a to-do list for the next day, so have both of them covered and you won’t make a mistake. First of all, thinking of an outfit and picking out jewelry in advance can save you a lot of time and nerves in the morning, so don’t forget to prepare everything the evening before. The same goes for your to-do list, so make sure to prioritize your goals, tasks, and activities and you’ll do a good job. Just remember to write it down – if you fail to do so, everything will float around your mind and create a huge mess. On the contrary, writing everything down will help you visualize your tasks and focus on the most important ones, so grab a piece of paper and a pen (or a to-do list app) and get it done in the blink of an eye!

Stop checking out your phone frantically

Even though grabbing your phone to check your email, messages, and missed calls is probably the first thing you always do as soon as you wake up, you must know that this can be counterproductive. This isn’t a great idea because you won’t be able to kick off your day with a sense of control and inner peace, so try to resist the temptation and stay away from your phone at least an hour after waking up. This is a small step that will allow you to relax, focus, and live in the present moment, so don’t underestimate these benefits and you’ll see what we were talking about!

If you want to have a nice and relaxed morning that will allow you to get ready for the day properly, all you need to do is to stick to our five useful tips and you’ll make it happen. Just give them a try and you’ll see a major improvement, without a shadow of a doubt!

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

10 Dresses To Avoid For Your Prom Night

It seems that every year, there are stories of students being refused entry to their senior prom night because their outfit contravenes the school dress guidelines issued beforehand. If you want to ensure that you can get into your prom in your senior year, there are some style of dresses that are not suitable and should best be avoided, just in case you are refused admission.

Below is some advice that you can follow to ensure that your chosen outfit is in line with the policy of your school, making sure that you can enjoy your senior prom without a hitch.

Image Source: Unsplash

Backless Dresses

Another style of dress that is often frowned upon at prom night is a dress that has no back. Although these often look sleek and elegant, they are considered too formal for a school prom, so many schools will ban these outright. If your heart is set on a gorgeous backless prom dress that you have seen, make sure that it is acceptable for your school first, before you part with your cash.

Too Much Cleavage

One thing that is common for most schools to enforce is showing off too much cleavage, so low cut tops are a no go. No matter how big or small your assets are, if you show off too much cleavage at your senior prom, you will most likely be refused entry, leaving you disappointed. Make sure that you select a dress that the neckline is not too low, and you will be able to get into your prom and have fun with your friends and classmates. For the larger girls, there is plenty of choice of gorgeous plus size prom dresses at Peaches Boutique that will look fabulous without having to show off too much flesh.

High-Split Dresses

If the dress that you choose has a high split in the leg, then this is also something else that may mean you do not gain access to your senior prom. There have been many occasions where students are refused entry as their dress has a split up the leg, which goes as high as the thigh. Some schools have banned split dress altogether, while others allow them depending on the height of the split.

Image Source: Pexels

The Dress Code Of Your School

The school-issued dress code is essential to follow if you want to ensure that you get to enjoy prom night with your classmates. Each school has different rules, but the dress codes themselves are similar. It is best to ask your school directly on the dress code for senior prom and ensure that the outfit that you choose does not break any of the rules, and if it is borderline, it may be best to avoid so that you are not disappointed when you get refused admission.

Familiarise yourself with the dress code of your school before you go shopping, and you can ensure that your outfit poses no problems at all when it comes to getting into your prom.