Pretty Southern

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  • Details of a Southern Wedding

    Details of a Southern Wedding

    Happy Wednesday!  I had so much fun sharing some of the fashion from our April wedding with you yesterday that I wanted to share some more of the details today.  These are some of the things that we made, searched for, or put together to create the vision for our wedding.  First of all, no color was left out.  I decided early on that it would just be foolish to try to limit myself (an art teacher) to a small color palette.  We anchored everything with a cool gray undertone and then just let the rest of the colors shine in all of their glory!

    The first decoration I knew we would have in our wedding were tons of garlands and flags because these are some of the items that I sell in my shop and absolutely love creating.  I sewed tons of paper circle garlands to hang behind dessert table and various other places around the venue.  My next garland venture was hand-cutting, dying, and sewing the square fabric garlands that would hang behind us at the ceremony.  I wanted these to be light and airy and I love how the sunlight made them almost glow that afternoon.

    A dear friend of ours made all of our desserts, cupcakes and various cheesecakes, and I made tons of mini flags for both.  Our guests loved the desserts so much that we didn’t even have time for an official cake cutting!

    We carried the woodland theme through our tables with wooden birdhouses that we painted in various blues and yellows.  These rested on top of tree trunks that my dad and husband cut out on his family’s farm land.  We topped these with white ceramic birds, tiny bud vases, and made confetti to scatter around the tables.

    A lot of work went into all of these details but I hope the overall feeling was simple and playful, like us and the loved ones who helped us pull it all off!

    [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]

  • Fashion of a Southern Wedding

    Fashion of a Southern Wedding

    My husband and I got married in April on a day that started out with gray skies and tornado warnings.  We had spent so many months planning, creating, and pulling together all of the details for our wedding and were terrified that the day might literally be a wash.  But half an hour before the ceremony was to start, after a morning of me running around like a crazy person, the skies cleared and we got married on the rooftop of a historical downtown building in our hometown of Greensboro, NC.  Surrounded by friends and loved ones, our hearts were so full of joy and excitement and our amazing photographers, Joey and Jessica Seawell, did an incredible job capturing all of details and moments of our big day.

    We are diy, craft, and design lovers to the fullest extent and knew that we wanted our personal touch on as much of the wedding as possible and this week I want to share some of the details and work that went into our “woodland modern” themed wedding that truly was a labor of love.  I am going to start with the fashion because it was one of the most fun things to work on.  I had an idea in my head for a long time of the dress I wanted to wear on my wedding day.  Though I did not have any specific style or designer in mind, I knew that they finished product had to reflect my enormous love of color.  I ended up finding a simple silhouette at Davids Bridal and with the help of my mom and my friend Allison, of NosillaV Vintage, we created exactly what I had in mind. My jewelry was from Macy’s and my mom altered it to have a grey ribbon that matched my feather hair clip from Aldo.

    If you are looking to incorporate some color into your jewelry collection, consider having blue diamond ring in Australia to create natural blue diamond rings for you. Blue diamonds are extremely rare and get their color due to the presence of the mineral boron when they are formed. This means there are a very limited number of places where you can source blue diamonds, with most coming from Australia or South Africa, so check them out!

    We have really wonderful friends and siblings that made up our wedding party and they are just as unique and creative as us so we wanted their personalities to shine through as well.  With this in mind we simply chose a grey color palette for the party and asked them to pick what they would feel their best in.  The girls got their dresses from various stores including J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Macys, and Calvin Klein. We got our shoes from the Lela Rose line for Payless and had them all custom dyed in different shades- this was probably my favorite detail of all!  My mom and I created the jewelry and hair accessories for all of the bridesmaids.

    The boys all wore Kenneth Cole pants and shirts and added their own accessories.  The groom also wore a Perry Ellis vest and his grandfathers pocket watch.  I really loved how everyone’s looks came together in a way that was especially their own but had a cohesive feel.  I think it is great for couples to think out of the box on wedding attire, make their own changes to store bought items, and let the personalities of their wedding party really shine.  We think they looked great!!

    Tomorrow I will be sharing some of the handmade elements we designed and crafted for our wedding!

     

    [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]

  • Sweet Southern Love

    Amelia Clifford & James Ostenson are the sweetest Southern couple. These newlyweds are some of the finest folks in Georgia and PrettySouthern is delighted to share a few of their wedding pictures, courtesy of Kate Danielle Photography.

    The bride’s Something Blue for her big day were these gorgeous shoes by Caparros. The shoe name is Caparros Ethel Pump if you’d like to recommend these heels to another bride-to-be.

     

    The wedding was at Perimeter Church ( 9500 Medlock Bridge Rd, Johns Creek, Ga 30097) and their reception was held just down the road at County Club of the South (4100 Alabama rd, Johns creek, GA 30097).

    For their wedding, Amelia and James relied on the help of their family and friends, plus eight bridesmaids and groomsmen and two adorable flower girls. In true Southern fashion, it was essential to have their loved ones close on their wedding day.

     

    If you’re a fan of the photos, then please check out one of our favorite Southern girls, Miss Kate Danielle, and her work on her fabulous new website. Kate is available to photograph your special Southern event. In the meantime, congratulations to Amelia & James!

  • Our Southern Girl in South America

    This Fourth of July weekend, I had a lot of cheese. OK, not real cheese, because if you’ve ever been to South America, you’d know they haven’t mastered the art of cheese yet. I’m talking about sentimental cheese; standing in the middle of a crowded house party discussing how great America is kind-of-cheese.

    As an English teacher, it’s been pretty easy to make other American, English-teacher friends. Isn’t it funny? I came here to submerge myself in a foreign culture, yet I yearn to speak my own language with other natives. This was one of those occasions. A friend of mine from Houston decided that since Chile wouldn’t be recognizing July 4, and we would all surely be homesick this weekend, he would throw a party at his tiny 15th floor apartment. Our job was to bring a “very American” dish to share.

    As you can imagine, there was a lot of meat: homemade corn dogs, chicken wings, ribs and Carolina barbecue. I brought a cake in the shape of an American flag, with blueberries as the stars and strawberries as the stripes. When it was time for the cake, everyone hushed their chatter and wiped their meaty mouths. My Texan host made quite a scene of this cake. I was blushing.

    Hundreds of thousands of Chileans and tourists flocked to Santiago for Lollapalooza Chile to see such American acts as Kanye West, The Flaming Lips and The Killers. Also note the Coca-Cola sign in Spanish at the concert.

    Next thing I know, I was standing in the middle of an apartment in Santiago, Chile, belting out the lyrics and high notes to the star-spangled banner with 40 other English teachers. It was loud, it was off-pitch, it was probably a little obnoxious for his neighbors, but it was the most American I’ve felt in awhile.

    In all seriousness, one of the most important things I’ve gathered from this journey is a greater appreciation of home. Not just because it’s what I’m used to.

    Yes, I miss the convenience of Target and Jewish bagel delis, but more than anything, I am so grateful that I get to call myself a citizen of a country that most other countries are striving to be. Although Chile stays true to its Latin American roots, the fashion, music, pop culture, and even architecture are all trying to be chameleons of American style.

    A stark contrast between old Italian and new American-style architecture in historical Plaza de Armas.

    Amidst the incredible amount of change Chile has experienced in the last 40 years, there are still many aspects of Chilean society that remind me how lucky I am to be a “gringo”. One of the issues that students are protesting now is their right to free education. Upward mobility is nearly impossible in Chile, because students who go to public schools and universities typically don’t get hired into high-paying positions. It’s a relentless cycle that, in the United States, would never be tolerated.

    I saw no fireworks this weekend. They are illegal here. I wasn’t on a boat in a lake in North Georgia, and I didn’t get to eat a slice of watermelon. This is my first Fourth of July that I’ve spent away from home. But to my surprise, it was also my most meaningful.

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ChelseaCook.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Chelsea Cook is a journalist from Atlanta teaching English in Santiago, Chile. Check back each week to PrettySouthern for more of Chelsea’s adventures South of the Equator.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Fourth of July Fun

    Fourth of July weekend is here! If you’re looking for some fun ideas to celebrate America’s Independence, we’ve got you covered. Atlanta’s got a bunch of fun cooking especially over at Rosebud. Come in for “Red, White & Blue” Brunch on Sunday , July 3 decked out in Red, White and Blue attire, and get yourself a free glass of Ellen’s July 4th Sangria. On Monday, July 4, their new enterprise The Family Dog will be hosting its first annual Whiffle Ball & Flip Cup Tournament. Please check out their website for details.

    PrettySouthern has got y’all covered on ideas for the ultimate Fourth of July picnic courtesy of our contributor Kat. Her inspiration board shows the sweetest finds for hosting a perfect party.

    1. A striped sailor top gets added flair an oversized red poppy pin by EmersonMade. This brand puts a fresh, modern spin on classic American style.

    2. Whether in your backyard, at the pool, or at a local restaurant, any event you are hosting gets an instant face-lift with a printed menu. Create and print yours at home or use a local print shop and then place one at each seat for an elegant touch.

    3. Paper lanterns and tons of outdoor string lights are a must for any outdoor summer party.

    4. Simple and festive tomato-mozzarella mini sandwiches are easy to make and serve. Add a patriotic ribbon to dress up these simple bites.

    5. Another breezy outfit by EmersonMade, the pinstripe jumper will take you from pool to party in no time.

    6. Setting the table will be quick and elegant with this red striped cotton tablecloth from Anthropologie.

    What are y’all up to this Fourth of July? Feel free to comment below or join our Facebook group .

  • Southern City Weekend Getaway Guide: Charleston, SC

    Southern City Weekend Getaway Guide: Charleston, SC

    Today I am excited to introduce a new Pretty Southern Series, The Weekend Getaway Guide! In this guide we will introduce you to some of the South’s most charming cities and teach you how to get the most out of a weekend visit. We’ll include our favorite spots to eat, hang out, stay and shop.

    Back in May my husband and I had the pleasure of going to Charleston, SC for our honeymoon. We wanted a place that we would be able to drive to and stay in affordably but still feel like we had gotten away from home. Here are my tips for getting the most out of the city:

    coffee at hope+union

    1. Rent! There are plenty of fancy (ie expensive!) hotels around Charleston. My advise is to rent a cute house or apartment right in the heart of downtown. Using a site like homeaway.com or vrbo.com you can find plenty of cheaper alternatives to a hotel that offer more space and character. We rented a carriage house that was original to the city architecture and was located right behind an awesome bakery.
    2. Bike! Charleston is super easy to get around, most of downtown and it’s hot spots are in a few flat, easy-biking square miles so you MUST either bring your bike or rent a vintage cruiser when you get there.

    enjoying a beer at A.C.'s

    3. Eat! There are SO many delicious restaurants of all types around this city. Some of our favorites included Thai at Basils, amazing modern cuisine at critically-acclaimed FIG, beers and nachos on the patio of gas-station turned cantina, Fuel, and burgers at AC’s. Start each day with pastries, muffins, or croissants from WildFlour Pastry and coffee in the soothing atmosphere of Hope&Union.

    folly beach

    4. Visit! There are so many things to do around the city including visiting the world-famous open markets, taking in the colors on Rainbow Row, or walking by the river at the Battery. In addition to these I recommend taking a drive out to laid-back Folly Beach where you can lay out, walk the pier, and then get a beer and the most delicious guacamole at Taco Boy.

    5. Explore! After hitting the tourist sites you should talk to the locals to find the lesser-known attractions that will really make your trip. Drive out to James Island to visit and photograph the glorious Angel Oak Tree. It is over 1500 years old and is massive! Stop and explore some side roads as well. On a tip from a local barista we discovered a locally-loved seafood restaurant and an abandoned bar, the Sophisticate, all down a dirt road on the way to Folly Beach. Charleston is also home to the famous Fort Sumter but we went to explore the tunnels and cannons of the lesser-known (and tour-guide free) Fort Moultrie.

    an abandoned bar

    6. Drink! After a long day of biking and exploring you will be ready for an evening libation and Charleston has lots of great bars. We really enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the Gin Joint, a pre-prohibition style speak-easy; and the mod-60s atmosphere of the hip Belmont. Make sure you try their homemade tonic water! If you are looking for a relaxing glass of wine, visit Bin 152. The French owner of this tiny café will put together a wine and cheese pairing that is sure to please your palette.

    The Angel Oak

    The Southern charm and old-world style of Charleston, paired with it’s great eateries, shops, and beaches; make it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway in our beautiful south.

    **All photographs taken by my husband and I on my Fujifilm Instax 210.

     

     

     

    [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]