Here’s to…well…365 days of anything goes. Perhaps all of America can agree: 2012 was a year of uncertainty. What would happen if the Republicans win the Presidency? How bad will the economy plummet if President Obama is re-elected? Why did Miley do that to her hair? And who is this Skrillex and how does his so-called music win awards?

Thank you, Jesus, the world did not end! We as a nation have a renewed sense of hope for the coming year. The country isn’t going to plummet off some fiscal cliff (at least not tonight) so we can all go out and party. Although 2012 was filled with its trials, we were privileged to attend a lot of neat events celebrating the simple art of having fun. For those who are ready to say “buh-bye” to this crazy year, these are our Top 12 moments of 2012.

1. This spring, Zoo Atlanta opened its own behind-the-scenes tour appropriately named Wild Encounters where guests have the rare opportunity to pet an elephant, outstretch lettuce leaves to giraffes, and even feed a Komodo dragon

2. Taste of Atlanta rocked the palettes of thousands of foodies from near-and-far for its 11th year in a row. For three days full of culinary delights, chefs from the city’s premier restaurants brought their A-game to citizens of the A-town. Our favorite part of the long-food-coma-of-a weekend was The Big Grill kick off on Friday night. Which brings us into more foodie fun with…

3. Ecco – a lovely establishment – got the gumption to build its own rooftop garden in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. They recently installed eight new cedar beds with “cold frame” structures on the roof allowing a larger variety of produce to be grown…even in the winter time. All year-round, this restaurant celebrates the art of Italian cuisine while adding in its own unique Southern flavor. Whether it was locally grown squash blossoms (picked fresh then fried to perfection), homemade pastas prepared daily, or using herbs grown on their own roof, Ecco was truly a Garden of Eatin’.

4. Czar Ice Bar opened its doors to quickly become the coolest hot spot in the Buckhead Bar Triangle. With more than 300 different house-infused vodkas (even Krispy Kreme donuts and Skittle flavors) and the tastiest sushi this side of the Mason Dixon line from renowned Master Sushi Chef Saito Saito. His newest seafood creation is the Mango Roll with shrimp tempura and crab, flash fried then topped with fresh mango and drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce…yum!

5. Bantam + Biddy opened its doors for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Midtown. Chef Shaun Doty (of Shaun’s and Yeah Burger) and his partner Lance Gummere (formerly of The Shed @ Glenwood) presented Atlantans with a new fast-casual concept featuring locally pastured and all-natural poultry plus tons of other fresh Southern flavors. And they’re open tomorrow for New Year’s Day. A Bee’s Knees cocktail (featured left) is sure to kill that post NYE hangover along with a generous helping of pimento cheese and savory chicken livers on toasted French baguette.

Special thanks also goes to Melissa Libby PR (especially Miss Mandy Betts!), The Rosen Group, and Eskimo Advertising for the opportunity to feature these incredible restaurants. We look forward to future collaboration in 2013.

6.. While we’re fat and happy after eating our way through 2012, we also discovered even more amazing local businesses along the way. A few of our favorites were the 20-something Carolina gents handcrafting their own pens, the Mississippi Gift Company shipping Southern sweet treats ’round the nation, Cathead Vodka’s amazing honeysuckle libation, and of course The Rowdy Gentleman was there to provide “polite” party gear.

7. Pretty Southern gained a bevvy of new contributors including Jennifer Eubanks – who covered the Southeastern Soup Challenge with Souper Jenny herself plus enjoyed the delicious flavors of Alpine Bakery & Trattoria – and rising journalism star Adam Carlson who sat down with Linda Gray and Josh Henderson to discuss their remake of DALLAS. We also enjoyed the work of Karen Hatchett who braved the masses of DragonCon, watched the Margaret Mitchell Square gain a new monument, and helped promote the Atlanta Jazz Festival then shared her lovely stories with Pretty Southern.

8. For those who don’t know, Google has an office in Midtown Atlanta, and the folks there set up some cool Hangouts this year. Because of their innovation, Pretty Southern was privileged to interview Stephen Chbosky, the writer and director of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”. We connected with the New York Public Library (who hosted the event with Google) and were reminded of the fantastic line “We accept the love we think we deserve.” Remember that for 2013, folks.

9. Also in literary news, Pretty Southern was attend our first book party! A reception in honor of Atlanta-based author Emily Giffin was hosted at The W Atlanta – Buckhead to celebrate her new book Where We Belong. The party featured cocktails from new local-favorite Vixen vodka and special thanks to Allied Public Relations for including Pretty Southern on the guest list for all their fabulous events in 2012.

10. In sad news, we can’t move on from 2012 without saying goodbye one last time. Journalists around the world lost a mentor in Professor Conrad Fink. For those students who were privileged to sit at his long conference table in the hallowed halls of The Grady College at UGA, we lost out favorite teacher. Fink’s legacy spans more than 60 years as a writer, and three decades of teaching the “rascals” of the world how to piece together a decent story.

11. We also have to mention The Red & Black walkout. As Polina Marinova (Editor of UGA’s newspaper) contributed to Pretty Southern this summer, we were shocked the evening of Aug. 15 when we read on our collective Facebook news feed that the editorial staff walked out. That’s the simple power of social media folks. Marinova had the gumption to call foul when she was informed she would no longer maintain the final editorial control of her student newspaper. She and her team of student staff writers took to the Web to let their voices be heard and they set off a media firestorm. Less than a week later, Marinova was back in her well-deserved office. Plus The Red & Black took home several Pacemaker awards (the top prizes for collegiate journalism).

12. And finally, to round out our expression of First Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech, Sh%t Southern Women Say went viral on the Web with 3 MILLION hits! Julia Fowler and her posse of pretty Southern ladies on the West Coast recorded the best one-liners ever uttered with such a sweet drawl. They even posted Round 2 for your enjoyment. We hope to see more from the Southern Women Channel in 2013.

There’s something folks out there love about our unique vocabulary in the South. Words Only Southerners say has garnered more than 50 comments since we posted it last year. We feel another batch is coming up soon, especially if Lord-willing the Falcons make it to the Super Bowl. Speaking of which, pick up your “I AM ATL” shirts here.

Thank you to all of y’all for reading Pretty Southern this year. We promise even more fun to come in 2013.

P.S. Photo credit to The St. Regis Atlanta for the featured cocktail photo. Cheers y’all!

The South has turned into a modern entertainment mecca. Television shows such as Hart of Dixie, Nashville, True Blood, and yes, even Honey Boo Boo herself have drawn the eyes of the world to focus on Southern women in a new light. As it’s the mission of Pretty Southern to question what it means to be Southerner in the 21st century, we’re always on the lookout for the next emerging trend in our culture South of the Mason Dixon line. Now, there’s an even bigger movement (started by a Southern lady) rocking on the West Coast. Pretty Southern was privileged to interview Julia Fowler – writer, actor and director of the viral video sensation Sh%t Southern Women Say. Since Fowler posted her video on Oct. 31, 2012, it’s garnered 2.7 MILLION hits! That’s an average of more than 500,000 hits each week since the Southern Women Channel launched on YouTube. Here are our questions Miss Julia was kind enough to answer:

Where are you originally from? Gaffney, South Carolina

Why did you pick U. of South Carolina for school? Why’d you choose to rush and pledge Chi Omega?

I received an academic scholarship from USC  and really enjoyed my time at the University. Columbia is a lovely city. I wanted to rush because I was an only child from a very small town and was overwhelmed by the size of USC and the city of Columbia. I thought it would be a good way to meet people and do community service. I pledged Chi-O because of the amazing women I met in that sorority. I am still in touch with many of those gals and will forever be grateful for their friendships.

How long have you been out in Los Angeles?

I have lived in LA for 12 years. Prior to LA, I lived in NYC for seven years. I would have never left the South if I had not been pursuing show business. In NYC, I was a Broadway performer. In LA, I work mostly in film and TV.

What’s it like to be living so far from home? What do you miss most about the South?

There are so many things I miss about the South but mostly I miss the spirit of the people. Folks in the South are just plain special. I admire their humor, kindness, passion and thoughtfulness. The women are strong yet feminine and the men are strong yet sweet. I miss my Mama and Daddy, my best girlfriends, sweet tea, good fried chicken, the sounds of all the bugs at night…all those beautiful trees. And Cracker Barrel. I love Cracker Barrel.

Are there any “Southern Comforts” you’ve found on the West Coast?

My West Coast “Southern Comforts” include making my Granny Fowler’s  famous pecan pie, although it never tastes as good as hers. And my best friends who are in the video, Sheila Hawkins, Delaine Yates, and Katherine Bailess…all fabulous Southern belles living in LA.

How’d you come up with the concept for the video? I have been writing for the last few years and always from a Southern perspective. After watching a video that was sent to me, “Shit People in LA Say” I was inspired to write one for Southern women. I did it simply for fun.

How long did it take you to write the script? I wrote it in two days but I had no idea if anyone would think it was funny. My husband was out of town so I asked my friend, Sheila Hawkins, to come over. I read it to her and she cried she laughed so hard. I knew then I had to actually shoot it. I then called my other girlfriends and told them I had written something with each of them in mind. I was very particular about which gal said which line because they all have distinct personalities and Southern backgrounds.

Where was the video filmed? I filmed it all in LA.  We had ZERO budget so I begged friends to let me shoot at their houses or apartments. The restaurant is Hostaria Piccolo, the owner is a friend of mine. He was very generous and kind to let me shoot there.

Who was responsible for the camera? What equipment did you use? We used an HD digital camera. My husband and I took turns shooting. We also used four local film school students to help us with all areas of the production.

How do you know Katherine Bailess, Sheila Hawkins and Delaine Yates?
Katherine is an actress, singer and dancer from Mississippi. I met her at Bodyline Pilates studio in Beverly Hills. I have been teaching Pilates for 6 years. Kat came through our teacher training program and I fell in love with her immediately. She is sort of like my little sister. Kat has a show coming out on VH1 next year called “Bounce.”  She is going to be terrific in the show.

Delaine Yates is from New Orleans. I met her in acting class several years ago in LA and she is one of my very best friends. We bonded of course because we are both Southern.

Sheila Hawkins is from Spartanburg, S.C.  I have known her since I was 12 years old.  She was a hair stylist who did me and my Mama’s hair forever. Sheila came to LA to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. She fell in love with California and decided she needed a life change so she moved out here. Sheila now works as a coordinating producer in television. She has never acted before or had any acting classes. I made her do the video because she is so authentic and proud of her accent. Sheila is like a big sister to me. I love all these gals and sometimes when we’re all together I forget I’m not in the South!

The line, “She didn’t use Duke’s mayonnaise.” is perfection. What’s your favorite Duke’s recipe? Glad you like that line. Everyone told me it was not that funny but I insisted on using it. So glad I went with my gut because the response has been great. I like Duke’s mayo on my tomato sandwiches and you simply cannot make potato salad without it!

How many takes did y’all need for each line? What were some of the trickiest ones? I did several takes of each line because I was exploring the tone. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would need in the edit so I overshot to be safe. Truthfully they were all tricky because it is extremely hard to truthfully deliver one liners. It’s one of the toughest things you can ask of an actor.

What are your favorite moments from your video? “Dern, Damn, Shiiit”. “He’s a goober.” The church segment and “you don’t need another boat.”

How long did it take to film? What was your favorite part of the process? I shot everything in four very long days. The gals were about to kill me. My favorite part of the process was the actual process itself. This is the first time I have written, directed and acted in the same project.

What’s the reaction been like from your friends & family back home? What have your L.A. pals had to say? I was stunned by the reaction. I never dreamed this little video would go viral. People have loved it from all over the country as well as internationally. I am most proud that Southern folks overall seem to understand that I am laughing with them and not at them. I did it as a love letter to the South. Every script I have ever written has been a love letter to the South. I am very proud to be Southern and make no effort to cover or change my accent unless it is required for an acting job.  People in NY and LA give me a hard time about my accent…but they all got a real kick out of watching me work in my native tongue.

Are there plans for more videos? Episode 2 is now live (scroll down below to see it) although, I lay awake at night worried folks won’t like it as much as the first one. Sequels are always tough. I am also beginning to formulate new ideas for the Southern Women’s channel.  In addition, I have a Southern screenplay I am trying to get made. It was originally optioned by New Line Cinema but they decided not to make it so we are now looking for indie financing.

Editor’s Note, check out Episode 1 of Sh%t Southern Women Say here. Play Episode 2 below and let us know what your favorite moments in the Comments section!

If y’all loved our post Words Only Southerners Say then you’ll love Sh%t Southern Women Say. As it’s Pretty Southern’s mission to ask the question “What does it mean to be a Southerner in the 21st century?” we were tickled to discover this video by Julia Fowler. This /Writer/Producer/Dancer/Choreographer/Pilates Instructor/Actor/Chi Omega from the University of South Carolina cast three of her pals from Mississippi, South Carolina and Louisiana for their first collaborative You Tube Video.

Of course, like real Southern ladies, these gals can “funnel a beer” and drink Jack Daniels like gentlemen do. There’s also some curse words in here, but they sound so much sweeter with a Southern accent. Now this is why we love the South! Some of our favorite quotes from this video are “my mama is drivin’ me crazy” and “my daddy is gonna kill you” plus enough “durn”, “damn,” “sweetie pie,” and “bless your heart” to keep you smilin’ all week. Let us know your favorite quote in the comment section below.

Editor’s Note: the above image of Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly Holbrook is a stock photo we accessed during our interview with “The Help” and not to be reproduced.

Pretty Southern was privileged to attend a cocktail party for Emily Giffin at the W Hotel in Buckhead honoring this beautiful lady’s latest novel Where We Belong. The party took place in Atlanta’s most posh neighborhood hotel, where pretty Southern ladies toasted champagne and vodka cocktails while noshing on cupcakes. Together they watched the sun go down while Giffin attended a Google Play hangout in her suite inside the hotel. Later on she graced party-goers with her presence to sign autographs and pose for photos. Where We Belong is the sixth book from the critically acclaimed offer yet it deviates from her popular Something Borrowed Series.

“Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian’s perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.

For the precocious and determined Kirby, the encounter will spur a process of discovery that ushers her across the threshold of adulthood, forcing her to re-evaluate her family and future in a wise and bittersweet light. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves—a place that we may have willed ourselves to forget, but that the heart remembers forever.”

To purchase “Where We Belong” click here or download it now from Google Play. For more information, check out Emily Giffin’s website, like her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter. While y’all are at it, check out our pals at Southern Color and Follow Southern Color on Twitter, plus like Pretty Southern and Follow us on Twitter too.