Pretty Southern

Category: Art

Art

  • Bob Ross the Southerner

    Depending on who y’all ask, Bob Ross was arguably one of America’s most talented artists. Critics may snub their nose at his wet-on-wet technique yet Mr. Ross and his legacy of television shows, classes and paintings cannot be challenged as great work. Even better: Bob Ross was born South of the Mason Dixon Line. He came into the world in Daytona Beach, Fla., grew up in Orlando, and it wasn’t until the Air Force shipped him to Alaska when he was 18 did Bob Ross see snow. The amazing landscapes impacted this Southern young man. Snow covered peaks challenged the power of his imagination shaping him into a great painter.

    Ross once said, “I got a letter from somebody here a while back, and they said, ‘Bob, everything in your world seems to be happy.’ That’s for sure. That’s why I paint. It’s because I can create the kind of world that I want, and I can make this world as happy as I want it. Shoot, if you want bad stuff, watch the news.”

    We feel the same way at PrettySouthern.com. Did anyone out there watch Bob Ross on public television growing up? Did you ever try to paint along with him?

  • Redneck Wine Glass

    Looking for a holiday gift for that wine brat in your family? Look no further because these “Redneck” Wine Glasses are made from a classic Mason jar. They’re full of utility (and alcohol!) as they can be used for any beverage on any occasion. Purchase your Mason jar wine glasses here.

    These make great wedding gifts for the Southern couple, Just throw in a bottle of their favorite bubbly and write a pretty gift tag for a great personal touch! Now these wine glasses make a pretty Southern present.

  • 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.”

  • Jumping for Joy

    Growing up in the 80s I remember dancing to “Jump” by The Pointer Sisters. My little sister and I would prance across our family room belting out the lyrics, sing in the back of the minivan, and I’m pretty sure there’s an old VCR tape out there of this action. This photo by Blume Photography of Wenting & Lin during their downtown Athens bridal session totally reminds me of that awesome song. If anyone out there is getting married in the near future, I’d high recommend a) taking an awesome jump shot and b) adding “Jump” to your wedding playlist.

  • Decorating With Vintage Letters

    Decorating With Vintage Letters

    Hello lovelies!  Today I would love to introduce to you a new series I am working on for Pretty Southern called Decorating With.  It will be a guide to decorating with a certain item, trend, color, or idea each week.  This week I want to introduce the idea of decorating with Vintage Letters.

    This is something that has been somewhat trendy and often featured at online sites like Archute but has not gotten to the point of being overdone or too much.  My husband and I are constantly on the lookout for unique, old, wood or metal letters; but you certainly don’t have to be a designer or type junkie to love this idea.  It is a great, one-of-a-kind way to personalize a space, whether it be a child’s room or a modern kitchen.  Use a random collection to spell out a name or add a moniker or personal mantra to your favorite room.  While this might not be an original decorating idea, it will most definitely be personal to you and your combination of letters will be completely unique to your space and arrangement.

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    So where do you find your very own vintage letters?  While some big chain home design stores may have jumped on this idea and began producing their own “vintage” style letters- they are sure to be overpriced and less special than that one of a kind treasure you will be seeking out.  My top choices for searching for authentic vintage letters are online sources, flea markets, and architectural salvage stores.  Online sites like etsy.com, ebay, or amazon have great, already curated finds that would make it easy for you to seek out specific letters when trying to spell out a name, quote, or initials.  If you are not hunting for a specific set of letters then you may have more fun trying your luck at a flea market or an architectural salvage store.  These may take more hunting, but that’s half the fun of decorating, and a bit of elbow grease to get your letters into display-worthy shape- but you can finds tons of treasures for cheap at places like this! 

    So take a look around your house and see if there is a room that could use a little sprucing up or personalization.  How sweet would it be to spell out your baby’s name in a found collection of classic letters?  Or to put together as a lovely gift for a friend moving into their first home?  So the next time you are out thrifting or flea market hunting be on the lookout for your next decorating treasure!

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    image sources: image 1, image 2, image 3, featured image.

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Pretty Up Your Office Space

    Pretty Up Your Office Space

    As the summer is coming to an end and children are packing their book bags with new notebooks, fresh pencils, and colorful accessories it may be a good time to reevaluate your own work space.  Have you had the same office accessories, photographs, and stack of papers to be filed sitting their for months?  August is a perfect time to spruce up your work space, add some color to a drab office, and get your organization on!

    I love these colorful office supplies from Design Public for adding some life to your desk, cubicle, or corner office.  Whether you work from home or in a busy corporate setting, we all spend many, many hours at work and deserve to have a comfortable place to pass the work day in.  Take just a few minutes this upcoming work week to see what works and what isn’t working for you!  Clear out old papers, commit to getting through that stack of files that has been looming over you, print out some new family photos, and grab some colorful accessories to add some cheer to your space.  You will not only feel refreshed, organized, and ready to start your work week, but you might also motivate some of your coworkers to spruce up their work space as well.

    I head back to work this week, starting my fifth year of teaching, and I know that a few fun, modern accessories will lift my spirits and get me in gear for the upcoming school year.

    All photos from Design Public.

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/KatHeadShot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kat Kraszeski-Jackson is an art teacher, artist, and diy crafter living in Greensboro, NC. She loves sharing her favorite artists, projects, and creative inspiration here on Pretty Southern.[/author_info] [/author]