Y’all hopefully have read the book by now. If not, go find a copy of “The Help” a.s.a.p This story by Atlanta’s very own literary goddess Kathryn Stockett is right up there with the great Southern stories of all time: Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolia’s, and Gone With the Wind. This is a story about gumption, courage, and of course love below the Mason Dixon Line.
As Southerner’s, we’re proud of Stockett’s strength. “The Help” manuscript was rejected 45 times before landing a publisher! Now, it’s been on the best-seller list since 2009 and is a major motion picture produced by Disney!
“The Help” is coming to a theatre near y’all beginning Aug. 10. Keep your eye on PrettySouthern.com for an interview with the film’s stars, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer (an Auburn grad!), and the film’s director Tate Taylor plus Kathryn Stockett herself!
PrettySouthern was privileged to attend a sneak-peak screening of “The Help”…and it’s the best. The words stated by Aibileen “You’s kind…you’s smart…and you’s important” are even more powerful on-screen. “The Help” is a loving reminder to all of us, Southerner or not, that it doesn’t matter where you came from. Your strength of spirit can carry y’all anywhere!
A true Southern affair: The NotWedding on Thursday, July 21, is the event of the summer season! Complete with a sit-down dinner, an emotional ceremony and a dance-party reception, The NotWedding has become a killer alternative to a bridal show.
Hand-picked vendors perform their services as they would at a real wedding, and the “wedding guests” get to hear the music, taste the cakes, and touch the linens… while enjoying a night of great food, dancing and surprises. The NotWedding will most definitely have an incredibly, very fun Southern wedding event, and y’all can attend for just $40.
“The NotWedding combines some of the South’s best and newest wedding vendors to produce the ultimate fake wedding.” says NotWedding founder Callie Murray. “This year we are featuring a full Southern dinner from Sun In My Belly along with a dance-party reception led by the best new wedding band, A-Town A-List. We aim to inspire brides with new ideas, to promote local businesses and to encourage solid marriages, and we do it all while having a great time.”
Hopefully y’all can make it, but if not, take advantage of The NotWedding Snag the Swag bonus offers! It’s a little way of connecting even more brides with awesome businesses. Unique wedding deals are offered at incredible prices, allowing brides-to-be (and everyone else who loves pretty things and good deals) an opportunity to experience new and unique options for their big day. Photography, Crafts, Stationary, Wedding Coordination, even Vintage Furniture Rentals to create your event truly one of a kind are waiting for y’all in Snag the Swag!
The fabulous NotWedding event is at Ambient + Studio on Thursday, July 21 and tickets are available by clicking on The Not Wedding’s website!
I grew up in the South, but I think this may be the closest I’ve ever gotten to a dairy cow!
Atlanta is a special place. When I describe it to my English students, I often say that it is a big city made of many quaint neighborhoods (hence the sprawl). Growing up, I never realized how lucky I was to grow up in a big city, yet still fall asleep to the sound of crickets. I could ride my bike without the fear of speeding cars. There were a lot of trees and green space, open fields and lakes nearby.
Santiago, like most big cities, has anything but quaint neighborhoods. I think it’s good practice for me to learn what it’s like to live in a REALLY big city. Pedestrians don’t have the right-of-way and buses have no problem scaring you out of the crosswalk. I’ve mastered the art of sprinting down slippery stairs to make an incoming metro train. At night, the crickets are replaced by car alarms whirring 15 stories below my window.
But one thing these two homes of mine do have in common is their proximity to the countryside, or in Spanish, “el campo”. In Atlanta, it was easy for my family to hop in the car and drive between only an hour or two to the nearest mountain, lake, river, or canyon, I always drive safely knowing of https://towingless.com/ towing services. And I’m grateful that my parents recognized the importance of escaping to nature. To my delight, I’ve discovered Chileans are just as appreciative of the notion. So last weekend, we went.
A quaint little vegetable market in Olmué, Chile.
Our location was Olmué, about two hours by bus from Santiago. I really had no idea what my friends and I were doing. We stepped off the bus when the driver said so and started walking. We had reserved a “cabaña” a few days before, but there were no security guards or Google Maps to help us find where we were going. Mama, I can feel you cringing as your read this, but we did what we had to do: we hitchhiked.
All eight of us climbed in to the bed of a beat up white pick-up truck and gave the driver the address of the cabin. He knew where to go. We were really lucky to find him, because the road was about three miles away. We offered him compensation for his generosity, but he would only accept a single can of beer. That kind of hospitality felt like home. The next day we went on a hike in Parque Nacional La Campana, a section of the Andes foothills where Darwin once researched. I tried to get as much fresh air in my lungs as possible, saving up for our return back to smoggy Santiago.
The hike was steep the whole way up, but as these things usually go, the view was worth it. The whole trip was a reminder I think anyone can appreciate. Escaping from the everyday is important: be it the city, work, stress or responsibility. We all need to take a break and breathe.
Olmué was a reminder that escape is always there waiting…but it’s up to us to go get it.
Chelsea Cook is a journalist from Atlanta, who taught English in Santiago, Chile, and authored the series “Our Southern Girl in South America”.
The Not Wedding is almost here! If you haven’t bought your tickets yet for this fabulous event on Thursday, July 21, then get on it by clicking on The Not Wedding’s website! The Not Wedding is proud to showcase the talents of Claudia Mejerle. She’s a true artist, posh stylist, and beautification extraordinaire who will be handling the bridal makeup at The Not Wedding.
PrettySouthern was pleased to catch up with Claudia about her business as a wedding vendor…and her definition of Southern beauty is oh-so-sweet.
When did you start your business?
Hmmm…it’s kind of hard to say. I have been doing makeup for as long as I can remember, so I am not really sure when to say it actually became a business. I suppose my first real paying customers came in 2007 for bridal makeup. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2011 that I took the leap to do makeup full time. Best decision of my life.
What was your inspiration for creating this wedding venture?
Well, there wasn’t ever a specific moment when I said, “I am starting a business.” It has just kind of evolved. I have always enjoyed doing makeup for friends and over time I started getting referrals to do makeup for weddings. My hobby just turned into a business and I figured if I could make a living doing something I love, I just had to go for it. I just love weddings and the excitement and beauty around them and I love getting to be a part of that. Even though I now do makeup for a variety of clients and projects, weddings are very special to me because that is what really launched my business.
Frances Bohn on her wedding day (photo by Jette Fagela)
How long have you provided your wedding service?
For the past four years, I have done makeup for weddings as somewhat of a “side job”. I just loved it too much to not give it my whole heart, so in early 2011, I decided to follow my dream of being a makeup artist full time, and have continued to focus on bridal makeup since.
Why are you excited about working with The Not Wedding?
I am beyond thrilled to be a part of The NotWedding because, well, weddings are one of my very favorite things, and there is no doubt that this one is going to be faaabulous. I’m so looking forward to the chance to work with other talented, creative folks who love what they do and who also offer a service that enhances weddings in a unique way. I am particularly looking forward to doing makeup for The NotWedding bridal party as an opportunity to show how makeup can be used to enhance a woman’s natural beauty for a tremendously special occasion.
What’s your favorite part about Southern weddings?
The food, of course! But really, one thing that I love most about the Southern weddings I have been a part of or attended is how the bride and groom’s personality is reflected in many of the details of the wedding. A lot of people have started to steer away from tradition and have taken creative liberty to make their wedding their own. Weddings are beautiful anyways, but when the couple’s story and personality is seen in everything from the invitations to the getaway car, the experience is much more special for everyone. And in regards to the bride specifically, I love that you see her personality in not only her dress, but also her makeup. This detail is subtle but so important. Through makeup, I am able to enhance a woman’s natural beauty, so that she still looks like herself—her most beautiful self. It’s not about making her look like someone else. It’s about focusing on her natural beauty and focusing on what makes her unique.
Claudia Mejerle creates a beautiful bridal look for Christin Rhodes (photo by Kyle Hale)
What are some of the prettiest, craziest or funniest and most touching moments you’ve witnessed at a Southern wedding?
One of the funniest moments I have witnessed at a wedding was actually recently at one of my best friend’s wedding. I love how this particular couple really plays off each other and brings out each other’s personality. And they did just that during an impromptu “dance off” to “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.“ They acted out the song lyrics, lip-synced and did a little do-si-do dancing throughout the entire song. Everyone circled around them and clapped to the beat of the song. It was hysterical how their dancing appeared to be completely choreographed even though it wasn’t in the slightest.
How would you define a Southerner in the 21st century?
I would define the quintessential Southerner in the 21st century with a list of positive adjectives: kind, warm, welcoming, polite, humble and generous. Even though the term “southern hospitality” may be a cliché and the label “southern gentleman” may be a common stereotype, I would say these words are pretty accurate in illustrating a true Southerner.
How would you describe a lady? How would you describe a gentleman? Are their inherent qualities similar?
To me, a lady is delicate, feminine and kind. A gentleman is chivalrous, masculine and a leader. While I feel that ladies and gentleman have separate roles, particularly in relationships, I do feel that there is overlap in that they both offer strength, but also have a softer, gentle side.
Christin Rhodes is ready to walk down the aisle glowing in her Southern bridal bliss! (Photo by Kyle Hale)
Where is the best location you’ve seen a Southern wedding and/or reception?
The beauty of some friends’ wedding and reception location recently blew me away. The event was held at the home of the bride’s parents, on a mountaintop in northeast Georgia. The setting was phenomenal—surrounded by woods and a view of the mountains. The bride’s landscape architect father cleared a section of their property that overlooks the mountains and created a tiered lawn for the wedding ceremony. It was absolutely breathtaking—not only because it was obviously beautiful, but also because location has meaning to their family. I love when a wedding/reception takes place at a location that has some sort of significance to the couple, especially when it is one of the family’s homes.
For more information on Claudia’s beautiful style, please visit her website and her blog.
Hi my name is Charlotte! I am a very active and sweet puppy who needs a forever home. I came to the Atlanta Humane Society from another shelter with some of my friends in hopes of finding that perfect family who will show me how to be a dog and spoil me rotten!
At only 2 months old, life has been hard for me already. I’m looking for a home where I can cuddle up with my family at night and play with them during the day. I am a hound and therefore a active breed, so make sure you do a little research before adding me to your family. I was spayed on in July so I’ll be sweetly resting for a few weeks.
Y’all, there are so many puppies available right now at the AHS. If you’ve been thinking about getting a dog but are on the fence, please just check out their website to see if your perfect pup is waiting for you. They have dozens of puppies less than six months old and even more older dogs looking for good homes.
The adoption fee is only $150 and most of the pups have already been spayed or neutered. For more information, please call (404) 875-5331 or visit the Atlanta Humane Society’s website.
North Carolina artist and illustrator Jordan Grace Owens has a knack for making things. Pretty, wonderful, quirky, vintage-inspired things that will make you smile. From her tiny, moveable paper dolls to her large scale original paintings; Jordan’s style is all her own.
Jordan often pulls inspiration from the well-worn and well-loved; like early to mid-century movies, records and books, vintage design, and old snapshots. She explains this fascination with the past by saying “I especially love vintage photographs and I often look to them to inspire new portraits, characters or illustrations. Some of my photos come from flea markets and vintage shops (so the people are anonymous) but I also love to mine my grandmother’s collection of snapshots from the 1930s – 1970s. Her family comes from Virginia and my grandfather’s hails from Alabama, so there’s absolutely a lot of 20th century southern culture influencing my work.” She has painted several portraits of her grandmother and great-grandmother when they were twenty-somethings. She also likes to paint the anonymous girls from found photographs, trying to invent their personalities and stories as she works.
Her desire to create and freedom to be expressive came at an early age. The daughter of a Winston-Salem, NC-based elementary school art teacher, Jordan says “I had access to messy art supplies and was drawing on my bedroom walls from as young as I can remember.” She was always encouraged in her artistic pursuits as a kid. This early work proved beneficial about five years ago when the handmade site, Etsy, was first taking off and Jordan decided she wanted to be a part of the independent craft movement that was emerging. “I did a stint in graphic design school where I learned about packaging and marketing and then I really found my niche within the crafty/maker community and began to shape a career out of it.”
Jordan has work in shops and galleries internationally, but still finds a lot of her time and energy is focused right here in the South. She explains this long-standing work connection by saying, “I do a lot of art and craft shows around the Southeast — in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, so I’m constantly exposed to and inspired by other Southern artists and makers and the Southern independent craft scene.” She also works closely with area organizations and events, lending her recognizable style of illustration to things like promotional t-shirts and posters.
Around our hometown of Greensboro, NC Jordan’s work is instantly recognizable to most artist, designers,and creative types. As her art and popularity continues to grow around the world, selling work in her Etsy shop and in various galleries and shops, her roots remain grounded in the South. “Living in the south in the 21st century is great because through the internet, you can make connections anywhere from wherever you call home. I love living in the south amongst the tobacco heritage and good manners and southern drawls, while sending the pretty little things I make with my own two hands to people all around the world.” Here in the South we are proud to call you one of our own, Jordan!
Read even more about Jordan Grace Owens on her site jordangrace.com and shop her whimsical designs on her Etsy shop, Hollandsworth.
[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]
