Pretty Southern

Author: Lauren

  • April Wedding in Athens

    Kristi & Brad were wed in Athens, Ga., on April 30 in this year of our gracious Lord. Before he wedding, the bride touted it up with her bridesmaids in downtown Athens then headed to the Seney-Stovall Chapel on the historic North Campus of the University of Georgia. Pretty Southern had the opportunity to catch up with Kristi about her amazing dress photographed by Blume Photography.

    What was the inspiration for your gown? Did you have a theme for your big day?
    “I love all things vintage, and especially adore the vintage elements of the South, with its timeless beauty, romance, and simplicity. I have two amazing grandmothers to thank for that. I knew I wanted something with lace, and I wanted to find something that embraced all the best aspects of being a southern bride from eras past, but that also had a contemporary spin. When I found my veil and dress, it sort of set the tone for the other details. We didn’t have a specific theme, per se, but the wedding definitely took on a ‘Southern vintage’ feel.” ‘So if you’re yearning to tie the knot soon as well, Designed Dream, wedding planning company in Toronto city, offers high-end, luxury wedding planning services at affordable prices. Designed Dream is #1 choice when you are looking for Toronto wedding planners near me, since they offer an all-inclusive package that includes day-of coordination so you can relax!

    Brad, Kristi and their wedding party grace the steps of this historic building.

    Who is the designer of your gorgeous gown? What fabrics were used?
    “The lovely dress similar to the size 24 prom dresses is from the WTOO line of Watters. It was made of soft satin and lace, with flower embellishments all over the bodice, skirt, and train. The flowers were made of satin, lace, and chiffon, with small rhinestones in the center of some of the flowers to add a little sparkle.”

    How did you select the veil to go with this unique gown?
    “I actually had my veil picked out before I had my gown. I have always wanted a birdcage veil, and really chose a gown around that.”

    Do you have any advice for other Southern brides-to-be out there?
    “Well, I think the biggest thing I took away from my wedding planning process and wedding day is that details are important, sure, but no matter what happens – at the end of the day, you are still going to be married to the man that you love.”

    The back of Kristi’s beautiful bridal down

    “Some of the best memories and stories that I have from my wedding day are centered around things that weren’t planned, or even went wrong. Being able to find the humor and joy in the unexpected provided some of my most beautiful and cherished moments.”

  • Southern Amish Market

    The best part about any road trip is those amazing foodie finds in the middle of nowhere. We discovered this one on the way back from a wedding in the middle-o’-nowhere Kentucky. Nestled just off exit 76 on I-75 is the town of Berea. When we were scouting those blue signs looking at food options for lunch we were thrilled at the prospect of an Amish market. This one did not disappoint.

    Old Town Amish Market is the perfect lunch spot. One of their giant sandwiches is only $4 each and stacked with Boarshead freshly sliced deli meats. My roast beef with cheddar reminded me of the sandwich my grandmother would prepare when we visited her during the summer.

    The sandwich counter is also where you place your dessert order for homemade ice cream.

    While we were waiting on our order we scoured the market taking in the insane amount of homemade jams, preserves, jellies, pies, candies, pasta, popcorn, honey…all sourced by local vendors in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They even offer homemade ice cream.

    Along with our sandwiches, we picked up homemade tomato-basil pasta, a jar of honey that included the honeycomb, plus organic iced tea and local soda pop to wash all the goodness down. If you’re headed to Kentucky to check out the famous bourbon, y’all have got to stop here to get your base for drinking. Next time you’re on I-75 going through Kentucky, be sure to check out this place (Berea Exit 76). It’s right off the interstate with ample parking, clean bathrooms and great staff. Now this is my type of rest stop.

    A gondola pyramid of homemade jams, jellies and preserves.
    The perfect mint julep elixir will only set you back $1.48 (plus a lil tax)
    The first thing that caught our eye were the fresh pumpkins. And only $5 each! A great start to the fall season..

  • Matthew Mayfield Rocks the South

    We’ve got a sweet singer touring across the South this season. You may have heard his voice before on Grey’s Anatomy and now y’all can see him in the flesh: Matthew Mayfield himself.

    Esquire magazine and Renaissance Hotels are bringing this amazing artist to Atlanta for a special acoustic performance at Briza as part of the RLife LIVE global entertainment program on Friday, Oct. 14 at 9 p.m. If you’re a “Grey’s Anatomy” follower, you’ve probably heard some of Mayfield’s songs. His hits have topped the iTunes singer/songwriter charts — claiming #1 status several times — and the versatile artist also has an online series covering hits by Britney Spears, U2, Radiohead and others.

    In 2010, Mayfield independently released his first full-length studio album, “Now You’re Free.” The album broke the Top 20 charts in the itunes rock category in the first week. Since that time, he began a heavy touring schedule with a full band, and a newer – more polished rock sound. Since the release of the album, Mayfield has toured with such artists as Needtobreathe and Will Hoge. Several of the tracks of “Now You’re Free” have been featured on MTV’s Teen Mom. With song names like “Open Road”, “By Your Side”, and “Grow Old With You”, perhaps Matthew is writing songs fit for an soundtrack to all of our lives.

    From Matthew’s blog, he wrote “At 19, I quit school, started a new band, played every dive in the Southeast for 50 bucks and beer, and eventually signed a giant record deal with Epic Records in 2005. We spent lots of their money making a big record, opening big tours, and believing big promises. The wheels eventually fell off, and we realized this isn’t about overnight success. You have to grind it out for a LONG time. You have to work your ass off just to get by. You have to keep paying your dues and keep paying your dues and keep paying your dues.”

    We totally feel you, Matthew. If you’re in Atlanta this weekend, go check him out at Briza! During the show, nationally acclaimed bartender Chris McMillan will craft one of his classic cocktails featuring Belvedere Vodka to complement full bar offerings. Be sure to RSVP on Facebook for this event! Briza: 866 West Peachtree Street, NW, adjacent to the Atlanta Renaissance Midtown Hotel; 678.412.2400.

  • Atlanta Bucket List: Part 2

    MODA a.k.a. the Museum of Design Atlanta is an up-and-coming placeholder in Atlanta’s cultural scene. This place is an institution in a city founded upon the principles of good design.
    Shooting at a Gun Club There’s something about being a lady in the South that inspires me to carry a gun. Maybe it has something to do with “it’s the law in Kennesaw” but maybe every American civilian should be properly trained in how to use a gun. It’s part of our inherent rights as citizens of the United States.

    The Four Seasons is one of the swankiest spots in the city. Nestled in the heart of Midtown it bathes itself in refinement offering five-star accommodations, fine dining, a terrific spa plus a bar that’s supposedly great for star sighting. Speaking of stars…. Drive-In movies maybe a thing of the past but here in Atlanta we still have one of the most famous spots. The Starlight Six Drive-In Theatre is such a cool spot it was even featured in the upcoming remake of “Footloose”. One day, we’ll host a Pretty Southern party at the drive-in that’s followed by a trip to the Clairmont Lounge to get up-close-and-personal with some of the most…interesting…exotic dancers in Atlanta. Even Lady Gaga has seen Blondie crush a beer can with her huge assets. And while we’re on the subject, anyone ever been to Southern Comfort? The bar is a true honky tonk just south of Atlanta in Conley. They’ve got karaoke on Sundays and Mondays, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, and they know how to throw down with their own house band. Y’all we have go to go!

    Now, Atlanta’s bucket list has to include a little political and socioeconomic consideration. The Carter Center, an institution formed by Georgia’s native son President Jimmy Carter, is a mecca for fostering civil discourse, human rights, and engendering democracy across the world…right from here in Atlanta. We look forward to walking down the fine halls, plus reading in the incredible library, that have hosted a bevy of brilliant minds

    Plus, living in the South, we must remember to be philanthropic. At some point we’d like to write about the process for adopting a dog from the Atlanta Humane Society. One of y’all must have been thinking about adopting a puppy recently. If you are heading down to the x, please call us and we’ll come write about the adoption process

    That’s Part 2 of Pretty Southern’s Atlanta Bucket List. Check back next week for Part 3!

  • Girls of Petit Le Mans

    We are Pretty Southern. Our site aspires to promote all the beauty the South has to offer. With the 2011 Petit Le Mans we had to feature all of the gorgeous girls present at the race in Georgia on Oct. 1, 2011. On this auspicious day, Road Atlanta was privileged to host some of the prettiest girls the North Georgia mountains have ever seen. It was a blast partying down in the paddock. The race itself was cool and we’ll have photos of all the great cars soon. For now, enjoy the Girls of Petit Le Mans 2011.

    Cheerleaders at the Oreca FLM09 by Genoa Racing
    Creative Director of Exomotive, Matt Boetger, scouting promotional models
    Ok, so these aren't girls, they're balloons. But aren't they pretty?!
    Team Falken girls by the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

    Were you at Petit Le Mans this year? If so, what’d you like most about the race? Please comment below!

  • Atlanta Bucket List

    Atlanta and Pretty Southern have a tight relationship. Most of our writers and photographers are based out of ATL therefore most of our stories are centered around this fine city. So we decided to create the Atlanta Bucket List of things we’re yet to do together. There’s a lot of ground we have to cover from fine homes to helicopter pads. Pretty Southern readers will explore with us as we scope out key Atlanta historical sites, wonderful restaurants, and crazy culture. Here’s what we’ve got for Part 1 of our Atlanta Bucket List. Check back tomorrow for Part 2!

    Margaret Mitchell’s House. This is a big year for Atlanta’s most famous female author. We’re celebrating the 75th anniversary of “Gone With the Wind” and all its greatness. Paying homage to Miss Mitchell is a must.
    Zoo Atlanta. The city’s menagerie is home to thousands of different types of flora and fauna. We’re going to see it soon just to get a glimpse of this cute baby giraffe.
    Oakland Cemetery more than 70,000 souls have been laid to rest in this Southern soil, including our heroine Margaret Mitchell herself. But this place is so much more than a graveyard. Atlantans can enjoy the beautiful landscape filled with majestic oaks, dogwoods and flowers. Here where the dead lie exists a strange juxtaposition of life teeming with picnics, bike rides, kids playing and evening walks.
    Wren’s Nest home to Joel Chandler Harris who authored the tales of Uncle Remus, Brer Rabbit, the Tar Baby and other classic Southern fables. Mr. Harris worked at the Atlanta Constitution as an associate editor and he was a good friend of Mark Twain. The home just south of Atlanta’s bustling downtown is now a museum where Lain Shakespeare (great grandson of the writer) serves as executive director.

    The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change is located on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta

    The King Center is the memorial site dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Founded by his widow Coretta Scott King, this center is all about fostering social change without the use of violence. In our modern times of government upheaval it is essential to remember the amazing testimony of Dr. King.

    Wrecking Bar Brewpub recently opened in Little Five Points and is quickly making a name for itself in Atlanta’s foodie scene. Housed in a 100-year-old stylish Victorian home which has served as a residence, church, dance hall and now a brewery/restaurant. Wrecking bar offers tours every Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and will be participating in Atlanta Beer Week from Oct. 8 – 16.

    Is there something missing on Pretty Southern’s Atlanta Bucket List? Please post your comments below. We’ll have Part 2 posted tomorrow!