Author: Lauren

Atlanta residents: have y’all heard of the pastry excellence that is Pie Shop? We were so excited to see their feature in Southern Living this month after Pretty Southern met its fabulous owner Mims Bledsoe this summer. Pie Shop is located in the heart of Buckhead, Pretty Southern has been privileged to watch this business gain well-deserved fame since opening in June. Pie Shop was named “Best Pie of the Big A” by the AJC and we were fortunate enough to help sponsor the shop’s first unofficial happy hour. Complete with 15 different types of pie, BYOB and lots of good folks and Yelpers the Pie Shop’s first happy hour was a great success. Folks young and old from all different walks of life congregated to appreciate the simple art of homemade pie. We came, we ate, then left with happy stuffed faces.

For a brief history on Pie Shop click here! Y’all can read more about how this young woman’s gumption and appreciation of all the sweetness life has to offer inspired her to start Pie Shop. It’s an arduous task for anyone in this economy and Mims is making it work. For so many restaurants and small business have succumb to a tough round of financial wringing, but with great pie and a simple business concept it appears Pie Shop has a can-do-it attitude comparable to the Little Engine That Could. As Southerners, and pie lovers, we’re happy to be along for the ride. The photos speak for themselves. Scroll below for a look at Pretty Southern and Pie Shop’s first happy hour.

So what’d ya think? Were you able to make it out and want to come again? Anyone out there interested in doing another tasting for Thanksgiving? Please let us know in a comment below!

Bow ties are everywhere. Check the logo on the Playboy bunny or an old can of Budweiser, this simple accessory denotes an essence of elevated style. Warren St. John, a writer for the New York Times once wrote “To its devotees the bow tie suggests iconoclasm of an Old World sort, a fusty adherence to a contrarian point of view. The bow tie hints at intellectualism, real or feigned, and sometimes suggests technical acumen, perhaps because it is so hard to tie. Bow ties are worn by magicians, country doctors, lawyers and professors and by people hoping to look like the above. But perhaps most of all, wearing a bow tie is a way of broadcasting an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think.”

In honor of High Cotton Ties 2011 Fall line, Pretty Southern presents to you Bow Tie History 101. The next time someone asks you gentlemen “Why do you wear a bow tie?” y’all can reply with the following historical lesson. Bow Ties were originally worn by French aristocrats and called “cravats”. This fashion flourished in the 1800s around the time France was investing in the newly formed United States of America.

Wealthy gents in Charleston and New Orleans quickly adopted this style to show they were just as intelligent as their French business partners. Plus they looked damn fine. High Cotton Ties has taken this style and colors fit for every collegiate occasion. North Carolina has got shades of blue for Duke, UNC and that other state school. Georgia Dawgs there are multiple bright red ties in different patterns so you won’t have to wear the same bow tie to every game (unless its a good luck charms). High Cotton ties has a bow tie for every school in the South. Check them out here and be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Living in the South is about family, food and fun. We’ve focused a lot of Pretty Southern towards the fun and food aspects so for today’s post we’re focusing on family…one family in particular. The beautiful Bittner family and their amazing photo shoot at Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Comer, Ga.

These lovely images were captured by the Blume Photography husband & wife team of Phillip and Eileen Blume. Perhaps being family, the Blume’s know how to get those amazing shots every mom and dad wants of their kids. These glowing images will remind the Bittner family of the love they shared on this day for years to come.

There’s something so perfect about old trees in the South. It’s almost as if the oaks draped in Spanish moss contain the history of the South herself. Deep roots dive down into Southern soil almost three times longer than the towering limbs. This image taken by Blume Photography of Megan on her wedding day in Winder, Ga., captures the moments leading up to her marriage. This beautiful bride, sitting on a swing beneath these wonderful arbors, is another auspicious milestone in great Southern love stories.

We all know Southern girls have the best sense of style. Ladies love fashion and cute accessories. Now our style can be shared with girls’ best friend: her dog, all thanks to Poetic Paws.

Poetic Paws is a line of novelty dog accessories which includes supplements made of CBD oil for dogs inspired by the colorful and individual spirit of Poetic Licence, the British-influenced whimsical and eclectic footwear brand. These shoes are nothing short of fun, sassy, and the Poetic Paws collars are styled to mirror the key elements of the shoes. You and your fur baby can match! Putting a Poetic Paws collar on your pip is a sure fire way to get those heads turning in a good way.

The line was dreamed up by the women of Poetic Licence who not only share an obvious common love of shoes, but a deep devotion for dogs. Poetic Paws doesn’t just further fashion; its mission is also to make a difference eliminating the amount of abused, neglected and homeless pets while also improving the misunderstanding to bully breeds. That’s why the brand partnered with Best Friends Animal Society, which is striving to end animal euthanasia in the United States and bring about a time where there are no more homeless animals.

Poetic Paws has teamed up with amazing sponsors and retailers in Chicago to host Heels & Tails, a unique charitable fashion event supporting Best Friends Animal Society and Safe Humane Chicago.

Taking place on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7pm at Salvage One in Chicago, the fashion show will provide a glimpse at the upcoming shoe and collar collections for fall. The unforgettable night will be filled with fashion, music, art, dancing, food and drinks. General admission and VIP tickets can be purchased here. For more information, check out Poetic Licence and Poetic Paws. If you’re going to be in Chi-town next week, why not enjoy a night on the town for a good cause? If y’all can’t make it, purchase both shoes and collars by visiting Must Have Shoes.

Jessica & Joseph were married at Alcyone Plantation in Lake Park, G.A. near the Florida border on in this blessed year of our Lord. Their day was truly adorned in Southern elegance. From the lace details on Jessica’s dress right down to the Mason jars on the table…this was a perfect wedding in the Deep South.

Alcyone Plantation is a beautiful Antebellum mansion built in the 1850s and the house still has its original architectural features. Blume Photography did an excellent job capturing the natural Florida sunlight in their wedding day portraits. The Southern setting lent itself to aesthetics thanks to the plantation’s founders.

“Mr. Stapler and his wife, Caroline, had six children. Tradition says that John R. Stapler planted an oak tree in the front yard for each child and the six original oak trees still exist today. More magnificent oaks have been added through the years creating a picturesque canopy welcoming friends and guest to the main house.” Don’t these newlyweds look stunning beneath these same oak trees?

Y’all the truth is that it’s not about the house: it’s the memories made inside. This modern, Southern couple was sure to preserve the aesthetics of elegance and grace on their wedding day which made it albeit an homage to the Stapler family themselves. Great jewellery can make or break an amazing event such as a wedding! Make sure to find the best wedding rings in Australia. Make sure that the place can connect to the ring.