Lavish "Arkansas Girls" Giveaway

Hi, girls! I wanted to tell you about an exciting giveaway for the Arkansas readers : ) Sweet Bethany from Lavish (a blog sponsor) has graciously offered to give away one of these fabulous t-shirts to one lucky winner.

The super cute red color and the presh design make this T-shirt a perfect piece for wearing under a blazer this fall or even just to hang out in on the weekends.

And look at all of this other adorable merchandise that Lavish has stocked for fall. Don't forget, no matter where you are, you can get a piece of Lavish. Just shop via their Facebook page!

All you have to do is "like" Lavish on Facebook and leave a comment here telling me you did so.

Easy right? So get to entering for that cute T-shirt, y'all!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Celebrating Southern: {Top Reasons}

Okay, I know it’s one of those “duh” statements, but I seriously love living in the South. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve traveled all over (both in the country and internationally) and loved just about every place. In fact, one of my favorite cities is San Francisco and the people in CA were some of the most welcoming I’ve ever met.

There’s nothing quite like the warmth and vivacious character of the South, though. Here are just a handful of my favorite things about living in the South:

No One is a Stranger

No matter what state you visit in the South, you’re bound to feel an immediacy of friendship. In the South, we know no strangers. We welcome everyone into our homes and hearts. We hug. We laugh. We cry. Together.

People will still stop on the side of the road to change your flat tire. Cute Southern gentlemen will help you lug heavy grocery bags to your car. Little old ladies will still stop you in Walmart and tell you they like your outfit.

It’s one of those regions where people still look out for their fellow man. And that, my friends, is pretty rare these days.

Chivalry Isn’t Dead

By no means would I want to imply that there aren’t chivalrous men everywhere. I firmly believe that there are still guys with manners in every part of the world. And the South is no different. And listen, I’m an independent girl. I don’t need a man to foot the bill for my shopping trips or rescue me from arduous tasks like changing a light bulb. I lived man-free for the better part of my twenties and I can handle those things just fine thankyoukindly.

 But there is something to be said for a man opening your car door on the first date or taking the time to get to know your grandma on the first trip home to see your family.

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One of my most favorite things about Stephen is the type of manners his momma taught him.  He still helps me climb into the truck when I’m wearing heels. He still shakes my dad’s hand each time we see my parents. He still insists on opening the door for me when we go out on date night.

And I appreciate that. Southern or not, manners go a long way with a lady.

History. Everywhere You Turn.

Some of the coolest houses I’ve ever seen were in Charleston, SC. The South is full of rich tradition and colorful history, which is celebrated by publications like Garden and Gun and Southern Living.

From the food to the architecture, everything tells a story here. It’s also one of the most well-preserved parts of the country, as most of the original architecture has been kept in tact and maintained.

The Football

I’m not going to write too much about this, but y’all know how I feel about SEC football. There’s a reason ESPN analysts and Sports Illustrated writers sing the praises of our conference: We’re good. Real good.

Reynolds Stadium, Fayetteville, AR - Home of the Arkansas Razorbacks

Only in the South would a fancy photo frame contain a football schedule : )

And you can’t argue with six straight BCS titles.

That is all I’ll say about that : )

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It’s been a really fun week and I so appreciate y’all supporting this little post series. I hope to do more of these in the future.

Again, I think there are treasures no matter where you’re from. But to me, there’s no where else I’d rather live.

P.S.- Sorry that InLinkz isn't working today. Just leave your link in the comments and I'll be sure to stop by everyone's blogs later : )

Be blessed, lovelies-

Celebrating Southern: {Weddings and Parties}

I could write a four-part novel on the effort that goes into planning a wedding or party in the South. When I sat down to write this post today, all I could think of was how long this post was going to be. But then I decided I'd just let some pretty photos tell the story of what's trendy in the South right now.

Southern weddings are something to behold. Seriously, if you've never attended a wedding below the Mason-Dixon, I'd encourage you to do that if you ever get the chance. You'll never see the amount of immaculate detail go into one day quite like you will a Southern wedding or gala.

It's a sport, y'all.

Mason jars have semi-recently become a really trendy way to showcase and serve bevies around these parts. Whether it's a wedding or a party, these simple, Southern jars make lovely little glasses.

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Burlap has become a really popular material of which to make bows and table runners at Southern parties. I personally LOVE this and will probably use this at our 1 Year Anniversary party we're having in two months!

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Baggo is one of the most fun and relaxing games to play at a Southern party. A lot of outdoor weddings and events may feature a baggo station, which is a great icebreaker for guests.

In lieu of the eleventy hundred "say whaa??"comments regarding Baggo - see here. It's a legit name for the game (ha- rhymed!) and a little less scary sounding than "corn hole", IMO, tee hee hee : )

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A lot of Southern girls like to add mementos to their bouquets, like a sorority hanky or mini photos of family members. I think this makes it extra special, don't y'all?

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The pie table has become a really fun addition to Southern weddings and parties. And really, who doesn't like pie?

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And finally, you can't have a Southern party without petit fours! We had Razorback petit fours on Stephen's groom's table at our wedding and they were certainly a hit. These petite cakes are pretty traditional for this part of the country. 

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Be blessed, lovelies-

Celebrating Southern: {Gameday Attire}

There aren’t many things in life that excite us Southern girls quite as much as our SEC football! (But there are some things.) I mean, our dogs even get into it!

College football is practically a religion below the Mason-Dixon. Saturdays are dedicated in their entirety to Game Day. A typical day starts with tailgating. Tailgates in the South are fancy, to say the least. I remember visiting a friend in Oxford at Ole Miss and there was a chandelier in one of the tailgate tents…no lie. It was the most fabulous thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

But more than a perfect tailgate, a Southern belle loves to craft the perfect game day look. It’s almost a sport of its own!

Now there is nothing in the world that’s wrong with wearing jeans and a T-shirt to a football game – totes okay! To each her own. (And I’m sure there are ladies from other parts of the country that also enjoy dressing up for sporting events.) But in the South, women like to dress to the nines for football games, and I LOVE it. Little shift dresses, cute skinny jeans with fun tops, great heels…you name it, some Southern girl is wearing it to a game.

One of my favorite gameday apparel designers is a local girl, Fan Frocks. She takes regular old T-shirts and turns them into presh tube dresses and rompers. See this one she did last year? Beautimous! (The dress, not the model.)

Fan Frocks dress on moi!

I also really like TruColors Apparel for colorful basics with a twist of elegance.

JudithMarch makes some stellar dresses that are perfection for game day and also a popular choice amongst Arkansas girls.

Lots of Northwest Arkansas boutiques also cater to gameday goers. Savoir-Faire, Maude and Belle Boutique are just a few that have beautiful and stylish items that are perfect for a football tailgate.

Adorable blue number for all you Florida, Kentucky and Ole Miss girlies!

A more casual approach to gameday, this ensemble from Maude is adorable. 

I saw this dress at Red Dress Boutique and nearly died. I think it would be perfect on any girl whose team has black in their color palette.

This one…oh, this one. I need it. I want it. I will probably get it at some point.

How about these pieces from another Arkansas boutique (and new sponsor...eep!), The Rage? Precious, are they not?

I also love this dress, which I could totally see a Kentucky girl wearing to a game this season. Or Florida. Or Ole Miss! (Really anyone with blue in their team colors could pull this off at a game.)

So you see, we like to dress up for gamedays. I guess in the South, life is too short not to dress up. We wear our over-the-top-ness like a badge of honor 'round these parts. So whether you feel like rocking a shift dress or a maxi, channel your inner Southern gal next time you hit the football stadium. 

Be blessed, lovelies-

Celebrating Southern: {Food and Beverages}

Yesterday's inaugural post was fun, so let's keep going. Today is all about food and beverages (or "bevies", if you're feeling sassy.)

Food

The South has some pretty superb culinary offerings, as do all regions. However, ours tend to be a teensy bit high in trans fats and sugar...oops : ) But hey, that's probably what makes it taste so darn good, huh?

Some of my personal favorite Southern foods are:

-Fried chicken
-Fried potatoes
-Slow-cooked or barbecued pork
-Collard greens
-Brown beans with bacon or ham
-Cornbread
-Gumbo (but only if it's authentic Louisiana gumbo!)
-Crawfish or shrimp Étouffée
-Sweet potato pie

Good lord, this list could get really long.

Southern folks also have the peculiar talent of being able to fry darn near everything. It's a gift, really. From catfish to Kit Kat bars, if it's capable of being deep fried, we can do it.

Lastly, I think what makes any food unique and special is the heart that goes into it. Southern food tells a story that often times is as rich as the roux in which it was cooked. Our food is an integral part of our being. It's the epitome of our hearts and souls, served up on a plate. And no Southern cookbook on earth could teach a woman that - it's just born in you.

Drink

As far as bevies go, I love sweet tea! It's probably my favorite of all drinks synonymous with the South, but Coca-Cola  is also a popular choice around these parts (if you're really Southern, you might pronounce it "CokeCola" like one word). Dr. Pepper has a solid fan base, too.

Also, Cheerwine. Made in North Carolina, this bubbly, burgundy bevie is simply delicious.

Adult beverages...well, it's all about the mint julep. I am not personally a huge fan, but lots of Southern folk enjoy these babies from time to time.

I made a video of myself frying potatoes on Sunday evening, just so y'all could get a peek into my kitchen. Please ignore the baseball cap, disheveled hair and rugby tee. I'd been cooking since 10:00 a.m.

...as you can see from these pics. 

Slow cooked pulled pork

Fried potatoes

Recipes:

Fried potatoes- I don't use a recipe, but this is pretty close to how I prepare mine.
Pulled pork- Again, didn't use a recipe but this or this would probably work out just fine.
Corn casserole- Paula Deen got it right with this one! Found here.








Tell me, what foods and beverages are popular in your region?

Be blessed, lovelies-

Celebrating Southern: {Hair and Make-up Trends}

Welcome back from the weekend, chicas! I'm head-over-four-inch-heels excited for this week's blog link-up series. You see, for some time now I've wanted to do a post series dedicated to the South - the place where I call home and where I've grown up. I wanted to give non-Southerners incite into our lives; where we live, what we dress like, what we eat, etc.

To kick off the week, I thought we'd talk about hair and make-up trends.

The South is synonymous with all things beauty; big hair, pageants, make-up...the works! We Southern gals rarely leave the house without at least mascara and a little gloss. We also put a lot of time into our hair, even though the dadgum humidity nearly always rears its ugly head. We fight the good fight, one spritz of hair spray at a time, though.

The Hair

Long, Tousled Locks

Southern girls love to wear their hair on the longer side (myself included.) Blame Daisy Duke or Pricilla Presley, but we love the long n' sassy look.

I like to wear my hair in loose waves for a touchable, tousled look. 

Highlights

Whether a Southern girl is blonde or brunette, chances are that she has some highlights or lowlights. Living below the Mason-Dixon requires a good hairstylist and a great colorist. Southern women guard their hair and their hairstylists like Fort Knox.

Highlights, baby!

Volume Vixens

Updos require at least a teeny hair poof. Side ponytails? Yep, we tease those too. Hair down? Like, duh! A great hair poof and some effortless volume are keys to having good hair 'round these parts.

Voluminous poofy pony. Done and done.

(I was going to also add the "top knot" to this list of hair trends, but I honestly think that's trendy everywhere right now, don't y'all?)

Le' Face

Big Lashes


Living in the South requires investing in a great mascara. Southern women are definitely familiar with the art of batting eyes, which begs for some serious lash goo. Eyelash extensions and false lashes are also super popular on special occasions here, just to add that extra "oomph".

Cheeks that Pop

Coral or peachy pink cheeks are standard in any belle's make-up routine. The South is known for being sunny and bright, which kind of carries over into make-up. A punch of color on the apples of the cheeks not only creates a beautiful glow, but also makes a lady's face appear less wrinkled and more youthful. I LOVE Nars blush in Angelika. It looks a little garish, but when applied, it's tres' magnifique!

Nars blush in Angelika

Pearly Whites

Did y'all read my teeth whitening review yesterday? Keeping a gleaming set of chompers is super important in the South. We smile. A lot. We're a warm and friendly region and we're constantly flashing our smiles, whether it be at the grocery store or in the office. I'm loving Rembrandt's entire whitening line right now, as it works fast and is really effective.

Sun Tan

Southern girls like a healthy glow. Granted sometimes it isn't achieved in the best ways (ahem, calling you tanning bed users out there). Mystic Tan is my personal spray tan of choice during non-summer months, but May through August I'm soaking up the real stuff, of course with my SPF 15. I also use this spray by Victoria's Secret YEAR ROUND to give my skin color a little pep.

Okay girls, tell me about hair and make-up trends in your region? Are they as involved as Southern trends or are y'all more carefree and natural? I'm really interested to learn.

Tune in tomorrow for a post on Southern food and bevies!







Be blessed, lovelies-

Celebrating Southern

I love being from the South, as over-the-top as we can be sometimes. I've seen a few of these little sayings floating around Pinterest lately and I thought it might be entertaining to blog a few of my own. 

Although we southern folks can be a lot tad ridiculous and more than a little overzealous with our SEC football, I love our region of the United States nonetheless.

The List


-Instead of saying a girl is a train wreck, we just say "bless her heart." Works every time.

-The word "coke" simply implies a carbonated beverage, not necessarily the brand Coca-Cola. Be sure to ask what type of "coke" your guest would like, should she request one.

(Side note: I learned on a trip to Michigan as a kid that Northerners call it "pop", which I thought was incredibly fun to say, ha!)

-Making sweet tea is an art form. Most of us southern girls are taught as soon as we're old enough to reach the countertop. And, on the off-chance you aren't a sweet tea connoisseur, just swing by Chick-Fil-A or McAlister's. They make a fabulous sweet tea that'll knock your Jimmy Choos clean off.

-We enjoy dressing up for football games. In fact, a tailgate is the perfect time to show off your presh new peep-toe pumps (yes, we wear heels to games) or a darling little shift dress.

-We're not the damsels in distress the television shows and movies portray us as. In fact, we're pretty darn tough when we need to be.

-It's not ya'll. It's y'all.

-We address everyone as "ma'am" and "sir". It's just how it is down here.

-Biscuits take the place of rolls on the dinner table, most of the time.

-We love to monogram. Everything.

-We have a penchant for personalized stationary. Extra points if it's letterpress.

-We know the lyrics to at least one Johnny Cash song.

-We like voluminous hair. And hair poofage. Duh.

-Leaving the house without (at least) mascara is uncommon. We like our make-up, fo' sho'

-We like our boys with an accent. It's twice as nice if it's a Southern drawl : ) (But hey, just about any cool accent is sexy, no?)

-We know our football. I mean, we KNOW our football. It's true; down here, the SEC reigns supreme and we love it. We may look prissy, but honey we can discuss the art of "play callin'" with the best of 'em.

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So what's the point (other than the entertainment factor) of this Southern-themed post? Well, get ready girls, because next week is dedicated to all things Southern, with "Celebrating Southern". We'll talk food, wine, weddings, hair, make-up, fashions...all of it with a theme of "Southern-ness".

And here's the best part...each day, you can link up with me! 1) Just write a post about the topics below each day; 2) enter your link; and 3) post the button at the head of your post so peeps will know where to go find other regional posts.

You don't have to be Southern to participate, though. Just customize your posts to fit your region of the globe! I always love learning about new places.


Monday, July 16th
Hair and Make-up
{Describe the hair and make-up trends in your area of the country or world.}


Tuesday, July 17th
Food and Drink
{Tell us about what bevies and foods are popular in your neck of the woods.}


Wednesday, July 18th
Fashion and Gameday Attire
{Describe what styles of regular and gameday attire are common in your city or region.}


Thursday, July 19th
Weddings or Parties
{Does your region have certain themes when it comes to parties or weddings? Do tell!}


Friday, July 20th (in place of Confessional Friday)
Top Reasons Why You Love your Region of the Country
{Tell us why you love your area so much!}

Get excited for Monday, y'all!

Be blessed, lovelies-