Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Years Eve


“Years end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us”








~Happy New Year’s Eve and Best Wishes,
Lauren

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Southern Vaca


In the South we love nothing more then being able to get away from everyday life and enjoy a little down time. Come kickback, have a Mint Julep, and enjoy yourself! Here are a few fabulous places to vacation at in the South!
Blackberry Farm - located at the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee

The Biltmore - Asheville, North Carolina 
Seaside - Walton, Florida 
The Greenbrier - White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Sea Island - Sea Island, Georgia 
Williamsburg Inn - Williamsburg, Virginia 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

A Gentleman's Attire


It’s easy to spot a good Southern gentleman by what they have on! A Southern gentleman has a distinct look that is unforgettable and different from the Yankee and West Coast gentlemen. If you so desire to look like a gentleman of the South there are a few things that you must have! 

Every Southern gentleman needs a dependable tuxedo ready to go at a moments notice 

A Southern gentleman can always use another pair of seersucker pants to wear in the spring and summer. They always come in handy for the horse races, football games or just because

Down in the South hunting is a way of life. No gentlemen’s closet would be complete without a few hunting shirts
Southern gentlemen are not afraid to wear pink or a bow tie

Southern gentlemen are never without a pocket square

A flask comes in handy for football games and other events

Loafers are every Southern gentleman’s go-to shoes

A pair of bucks for when you’re feeling dapper






“Being a Southern gentleman is a state of being. It is a lifestyle based on the ancient code of chivalry. It is a mindset of putting others first and having a truly humble spirit. It is a respect for others – and for oneself. It is respecting the dignity of all men, no matter what their station in life may be. It is a deep and abiding reverence and respect for women, coupled with the manners and etiquette that outwardly demonstrate that reverence.”

Friday, December 28, 2012

Top Ten Movies


From past to present here’s my list of top ten movies that take place in the South. You’ll fall in love with these movies and will want to watch them over and over again.  

An American classic; about the dramatic romance between Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Takes place during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Set in Georgia.

Seen from the perspective of a six-year-old girl, Scout, TO Kill A Mockingbird, takes on a journey of injustice and prejudice during 1932. Set in Alabama. 

Revolving around Truvy's Beauty Parlor, this movie is about a close-knit group of women and the everyday trials, tribulations, and joy they encounter. Set in Louisiana. 

Forrest Gump is a man with low intelligence, who accomplishes great things and far exceeds everyone's expectation of him. Set in Alabama. 

Mark Sway witnesses the suicide of a prominent lawyer, Jerome Clifford. Before Jerome dies he tells Mark where the body of Senator Boyd Boyette is buried. Mark finds himself in a situation of knowing more then he should and hires a lawyer, Reggie Love. Set in Memphis, TN. 

John Kelso, a magazine reporter, is sent to Savannah to cover a Christmas party, which leads him to stay on and cover a murder trial. 

The lifelong romance of Allie and Noah and the life events that separate and bring them back together. A story of how with true love two people can accomplish anything. Set in Seabrook Island, South Carolina. 

The story of Johnny and June Cash. Takes place in Tennessee.

A well-to-do family, the Tuohy family, takes in Michael Oher off the streets and invites him in to be one of their family members. Michael has a talent for football and goes on to play at the University of Mississippi. Take place in Memphis, TN. 
Skeeter is a southern society girl determined to become a writer. She comes together with Aibileen and Minny, two housekeepers in the 1960s, to start a movement that will forever change a town and the way people view one another. Set in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Southern Comfort Food


One of a Southerners’ favorite things is comfort food! All of us Southern Belles like to keep in shape and look nice, but deep down there’s a little Paula Deen in all of us craving some grits or some good ole’ mac n’ cheese. Here are some of my favorite recopies that are indicative to the South:

BAKED CHEESE GRITS (Southern Living)
Prep time: 15 min           Cook: 15 min      Bake time: 45 min
4 cups chicken broth                                               
1 ¼ cups uncooked quick-cooking grits                                                                       
½ (8 oz.) block extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
½ (8 oz.) block Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
¼ cup whipping cream                                   
1 teaspoon hot sauce
¼ tsp. ground black pepper                                   
1/8 – ¼ tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)           
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in grits; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir in Cheddar cheese, next, 5 ingredients, and if desired, Worcestershire sauce, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat and stir in eggs. Pour grits into a lightly greased 2-quarter or 11x8 inch-baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden and set.

SAUSAGE SWIRLS (Paula Deen)
Two 8-ounce cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1-pound ground sausage, mild sausage
1)      Separate 1 can of dough and form into 4 rectangles. Firmly press the perforations to seal. Take the uncooked sausage and cut into 8 chunks. Using 4 chunks of the sausage, spread each of the rectangles with a thin layer (about 1/8 inch thick). Starting at the short end, roll each rectangle tightly into a cylinder. Repeat with the other can of dough and remaining sausage. Place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 30 minutes, then cut each roll into 4 slices.
2)     When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 F. Place the sausage swirls ½ inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown, and the sausage is thoroughly cooked.

MAC N’ CHEESE (Paula Deen)

Prep Time: 5 min            Cook Time: 3 hr
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
2 ½ cups (about 10 oz.) grated sharp cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten                                               
½ cup sour cream
1 (10 ¾ oz.) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
½ teaspoon salt                                                
1 cup whole milk
½ teaspoon dry mustard                                   
½ teaspoon black pepper
Boil the macaroni in a 2-quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

STRAWBERRY-LEMON CONGEALED SALAD
(Miss Daisy) 
1 3 oz. pkg. strawberry                           
 1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 cup boiling water                                  
 1 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 can strawberry pie filling                      
1 8 ¾ oz. can crushed pineapple drained 
1 3 oz. pkg. lemon gelatin                        
 ½ cup heavy cram whipped
1 cup boiling water
Dissolve strawberry gelatin in 1-cup boiling water; stir in pie filling. Pour into 9X9 dish; chill until partially set. Dissolve lemon gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Beat mayonnaise and cream cheese with mixer. Beat in lemon gelatin. Fold in pineapple and whipped cream. Spread on strawberry layer. Chill. Cut in squares to serve.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Five Wardrobe Essentials


Above Photo Found On Pinterest
If you live in the South, or just a southern belle at heart, there are five wardrobe essentials that every southern girl simply must have!


1) Pearls – Here in the South we wear our pearls everywhere! To workout, shop, bake, the Symphony Ball, weddings, black tie events, and more. If you live in the South and don’t have pearls, then honey…Lord help ya!









2) The Little Black Dress – No matter where you are from, every woman needs a little black dress. This is a must have! You can dress it up or down according to where you need to go.


3) Ray-Ban Sunglasses – Ray-Bans are the most dependable sunglasses a girl can have, they never go out of style and you can wear them anywhere!



4) Classic Lilly Pulitzer Dress – Every Southern Belle has that one classic Lilly dress in their wardrobe that they can pull out and wear to any event. Here in the South we always need a dependable Lilly dress to wear to weddings, horse races, football games, etc.





5) Jack Rogers Sandals – In the spring and summer time Jack Rogers Sandals are a girl’s best friend! Wear with shorts, dresses, and skirts . They look great on anyone!







A southern girl is a girl who knows full well that she can open a door for herself but prefers for the gentleman to do it because it demonstrates a sense of respect. After all, every girl wants to be treated like a princess. We know how to make sweet tea and grits while telling you anything about any football team in the SEC. We pick our battles and fight with the heart of a pitbull while still maintaining grace and elegance. Our mystique is that of the soft-spoken, mild- mannered southern belle who could direct an army, loves her momma and will always be a daddy's girl”

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas



With the Christmas Season drawing to a close it is a time to be reminded of all the wonderful holiday festivities, our family, friends, and everything that we have been blessed with. This year I am reminded of the fabulous lights at the Opryland Hotel, going to see Irving Berlin's White Christmas, and Celebrating the Holiday with family and friends. And of course no holiday in the South would be complete without a little southern comfort provided by Jack Daniel's and some terrific wine. Wishing Y’all A Very Merry Christmas!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the  City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and  on Earth peace, good will toward men'".
~Luke 2:10


Monday, December 24, 2012

The Perfect Touch



White roses and hydrangeas are my absolute favorite flowers! It’s the simple but elegant touch guaranteed to dress up any table. White flowers are the way to go for any traditional gatherings, last minute events, or just to accent your home. They will always look classy and never overdone. 



hydrangeas, roses, green berries, and pine

hydrangeas, roses, green berries, and pine

baby roses

white tulips and pine