A Touch of Southern Grace

Friday, August 30, 2013

Twas The Night Before College Football

Twas the night before college football season, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even the pup.

The game day attire were hung by the mirror with care,

In hopes that college game day soon would be there.

The tailgates were planned the setup was ready,

The season is upon us, an offseason that must close.

12-0 and a bowl game win,

Is the hope all carry at the start of the season.

A beautiful day it was predicted to be.

Now it was football season a crisp in the air,

For throwing a ball and grilling out.

SEC College game day is finally here.

The Southern Belles in Lilly and pearls

The Southern Gentlemen in seersucker and bow ties.

A toast is given to a great season and fun,

The clink of the glasses signaling that the first tailgate of the season,

Has officially begun.

Happy Football Season To All, And To All A Great Season

As a kick off to the start of the football season here are some fabulous tailgate recipes, curtsey of Food Network.
{Click here for the Recipes}

Happy Hour Time

Happy Labor Day Weekend, which we all know means a three-day weekend! Light up the grill, cook some delicious hamburgers or BBQ, have a cold drink, and enjoy the last official weekend of summer!

“You have a unique gift to offer this world. Be true to yourself, be kind to yourself, read and learn about everything that interests you, and keep away from people who bring you down. When you treat yourself kindly and respect the uniqueness of those around you, you will be giving this world an amazing gift…YOU!

~Dr. Steve Maraboli

Drink Special!

Astor Cocktail

3 ounces Gin

1 ounce French Vermouth

1 ounce Italian Vermouth

1 ounce Cognac

1 dash orange bitters

Ice cubes

1 lemon peel twist for garnish

Sugar for sprinkling

Shake well with ice cubes, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with the lemon peel twist and a sprinkling of sugar.

Around Town!

Nashville, TN: In The Round with Rachel Williams and friends at The Bluebird Café, Saturday, August 31, 6:30pm

Cookeville, TN: 2013 Habitat Mud Run at Cane Creek Park, Saturday, August 31, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Seaside, FL: Holiday Happiness at Fired Up, Sunday, September 1, 10:00am

Charlotte, NC: The Allman Brothers Band at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Saturday, August 31

Fort Monroe, VA: Fort Monroe Music By the Bay Summer Concert Series, Friday, August 29

Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Blues

One thing I love about summer is the beautiful shades of blue associated with the season: blue water, blue sky, blue sea, and of course the beautiful blue summer clothes. As fall fashion has been making its way into stores I’ve noticed that different shades of blue seems to be the dominant color in the fashion world for this years fall fashion. So of course I am ecstatic that blue seems to be the color of the season; after all, I have blond hair and fair skin so I feel like blue is my color! Avoid the summer blues by hopping into some beautiful fall blues! Clink on the name of the article of clothing for the link.

Lilly Pulitzer Kiri Dress

C. Wonder Crewneck Sweater

Anthropologie Ponte Bell Skirt

Kate Spade Rissa Dress

Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt

C. Wonder Stretch Sateen Dot Pants

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

I Have A Dream

Confession: I am a bit of a history nerd. In college I was an elementary education major, but I took so many history courses some people started to mistake me for a history major. The thing I love about history is we are living it this very second and every moment of every day. One day when I have children some of the things I’ve lived through will be in their history books; for me that’s a really neat realization.

Fifty years ago today, August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke some of the most unforgettable words in American History, “I have a dream”. This speech was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement; it was a turning point in American History.

The power of words has never been lost on me, but never ceases to amaze me. Think of all the memorable phrases that are embedded in American history:

“I have a dream”

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

~John F. Kennedy

“The Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Not one of these memorable phrases is long and drawn out, but short and powerful. Big or small, good or bad, every single person during the course of their lifetime makes an impact in some way, whether they realize it or not.

On twitter today people were hashtagging I Have A Dream {#ihaveadream}, which is very appropriate for today. Here are some of my favorite #ihaveadream tweets that I came across.

What are some of your dreams, hopes, and aspirations?

Happy National Bow Tie Day

Not only is today the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington but it is also National Bow Tie Day! I know what you are thinking and the answer is yes, there is such a thing as National Bow Tie Day and yes, it is pretty awesome. In the South, as y’all know, bow ties are pretty easy to spot. A Southern Gentleman tends to sport a bow tie to the horse races, church, formal dinners, parties, weddings, black tie affairs, and sometime just because; so basically anytime one can wear a bow tie you will spot a Southern Gentleman wearing one. Speaking as a Southern Belle, bow ties are a definite plus in my book, they are just so timeless and attractive. In honor of National Bow Tie Day here are a few of my favorite bow ties by Southern brands and designers. Click on the name of the bow tie located below the image for the link. To learn how to tie a bow tie check out How To Tie One On!

{Billy Reid Bow Tie/Southern Tide Mosaic Skipjack Bow Tie/Southern Proper Lab Bow Tie/Volunteer Traditions Printed Tristar Bow Tie}

Tie On A Bow Tie!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Favorite Pajamas

Lately I have been so busy with this and that and have just been going non-stop; I am craving sleep! Since I have been craving sleep I thought I would do a post on my favorite pajamas. Nothing feels better after a long day then taking a relaxing shower, putting on a pair of sinfully comfortable pajamas, and climbing into a cozy bed, your pillow fluffed just the way you like as you nod off to dream land. I am also guilty of being that person on the weekends who will occasionally lounge around in their pajamas till ten or eleven if I don’t have any obligations that particular day. Then again everyone deserves a chance to sleep-in every now and then and eat a wonderful breakfast on the weekends! Here are a few of my favorite pajama picks! Click on the name of the pajamas located below the image for the link.

Ditsy Floral Long John Set

J.Crew Nightshirt

Victoria's Secret Dreamer Flannel Pajama

J.Crew Vintage Pajama Set

Victoria's Secret Fireside Long Jane Pajama

Sleepy Jones Tauba Short

Monday, August 26, 2013

Anatomy Of A Desk

I have been meaning to spruce up my desk for the longest time. As you can tell from the above picture it could use a few basic desk items and maybe a little update and a little less books on it. Call me nerdy, but I have always gotten a little excited over pens and pencils and just the sight of beautiful paper goods may make my heart skip a beat. Here are a few things I consider essential to a desk that should be included in the anatomy of a desk. Click on the name of the item, located below the image, for the link to the website.

{Paper Source Foil Desk Calendar/Banderole Pencil Set/Le Pen/Lucite Desk Note Cards}

{Industrial Task Table Lamp/Rifle Paper Co. The World Is Your Oyster Print/Linen Pinboard/Handpainted Tray}

So you are probably thinking all the things I included are pretty typical except the tray. The reason for the tray is because I love the idea of setting pens, paper, pictures, and note cards on it. I just feel that adding a tray to a desk adds an element of design and sophistication.

What are some items you have or would like to have on your desk?