• Vintage Inspiration for a Southern Artist

    Vintage Inspiration for a Southern Artist

    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]

  • In-Depth with Rosebud

    Morningside restaurant Rosebud has been known for its upscale comfort food and locally sourced produce since it opened in its current form in the summer of 2007. But ask Chef Ron Eyester what he would call Rosebud’s most important asset, and he’ll let you know it’s more than just the food. “I think we’re a great neighborhood oasis. I think we’re a true taste of Atlanta.”

    To Eyester, Rosebud is where people come to enjoy great food in a great atmosphere. “I’ve been here for a long time now… and I feel that Rosebud is definitely not just my vision, but that my vision has become a collective vision of this neighborhood. I mean, when you listen to what people want, and you see what sells, inevitably that’s how your business is going to take shape. I think it’s a true reflection of this neighborhood and a very unique place. I think it’s a place where we’re very serious about the food, but we’re more serious about having a good time and enjoying each other’s company.”

    Rosebud chef and owner Ron Eyester

    Mixing good food with good company is just the way Eyester wants it, but he says that not everyone sees dining that way. “I think some people—like some foodies—think that you can’t have a good time while you eat good food, that it’s not the point. [I say], why do there have to be these certain parameters guiding my dining experience? Why can’t I just rejoice in the fact I’m eating very fresh food that’s cleverly and fundamentally soundly prepared, in an environment that’s inviting and comfortable?”

    To visit this true Southern dining experience yourself, take Eyester’s advice and bring a gang of friends to 1397 North Highland Avenue in Atlanta. And try the buttermilk fried chicken—it’s delicious.

    For more information, call 404.347.9747 or visit Rosebud’s website

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Parrish.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Elisabeth Parrish is a journalist and publications editor living in Atlanta. In addition to her posts on Pretty Southern, she runs the blog Love, Love, Love It! focused on awesome movies, books, music and more.[/author_info] [/author]

  • Coastal Inspiration

    Coastal Inspiration

    Drawing from my week spent here on the beautiful North Carolina coast (Duck, NC to be exact- on the Outer Banks) I have been inspired by the sights, sounds, and textures of the beach.  These are some of my favorite beach-inspired finds, all from everyone’s favorite handmade market place, Etsy.  First imagine yourself down on the coast- and the south has plenty of them from North Carolina’s Outer Banks stretching around Florida’s crystal coast, all the way into the Gulf of Mexico.  Take in the sounds of waves crashing, breathe in the salty air, and feel the warm sun and wind on your skin.  Now you’re ready to bring that beach inspiration into your home and wardrobe with these lovely handmade goods.

    First, slip on this gorgeous peacock ore ring from A Lovely Little Shop. It is one of a kind and it’s swirls of blue, teals, and gold will remind you of the ocean and all of its various hues.

    Next throw your essentials into this adorable pastel makeup bag by Scout and Catalogue.  The fabrics for these come from thrift store finds that are then upcycled into these gorgeous pieces that will remind you of sun-kissed beach days.

    Hang the quirky beach umbrella print by Alice B. Gardens photography seen above for a instant summery face lift in any room of your home.  Or if you lean more towards the abstract, display this beautiful beach-hued original abstract painting by Tracy Kafka.

    Lastly, before running out the door, throw on this truly unique triple starfish headband by Dreams By the Sea for a summer look that screams beach babe.  Pair it with a simple sundress or distressed denim shirt for a look that is laid-back cool, just like your last coastal getaway.

    Check out etsy for more unique handmade and vintage finds that will surely make your summer home and wardrobe the most original around.

    [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]

  • Our Southern Girl in South America

    Chi-chi-chi-le-le-le- Universidad de Chile! It was my first South American fútbol match, nay my first professional soccer match ever, and I was trying my best to keep up with the chanting. I read up on the top Premier League goalscorers of all time. For an authentic experience like a true fan I studied football news at https://footballaustralia.info to keep up with the game. At first I was a little homesick as I thought about my constantly cleat-clad stepbrothers the whole time.

    But this game was one of the wildest, cultural experiences I’ve had so far in Chile. The fans of each team sing different songs throughout the entirety of the game. Although I tried so hard to learn the words of the jumbled Chilean screaming and singing, I could only join in for the more simple songs. To be completely honest, I was nervous about entering the stadium. I had heard a few horror stories of gringos getting harassed by rowdy fans, and my blonde hair isn’t exactly inconspicuous. Although it was a bit of a hectic, crowded squeeze, it was nothing compared to my daily 8 a.m. metro commute.

    Once we found some seats in the galeria (a.k.a. the cheap seats) the fans sitting around us were very warm and jovial. There were several children seated on their parents’ laps and shoulders, wearing a flag as a cape or singing the chants along with their siblings.

    Even Universidad de Chile’s younger fans know the words to the several different songs and chants during the game.

    This sounds really campy, but this is really the only reason I like sporting events: there exists this familial camaraderie between strangers that doesn’t exist in the streets and in the subways. I’ve experienced this multiple times at my 90,000-seat SEC alma mater football (not fútbol) stadium, but there was something about the singing that made this experience… meaningful. Here was a five-year-old bundled up in a Cinderella overcoat, a 13-year-old with braces, a 35-year-old man with long hair and back tattoos, and an elderly man with tan, leather skin and white hair, all singing the same song and whistling. It was as if that old man was once the five-year-old, and they have grown up in this culture that worships this sport all their lives.

    The sun sets over the Universidad de Chile vs. Bernard O’Higgins fútbol match at Estadio Naciona.

    Lying below the surface of this camaraderie, it’s important to mention Estadio Nacional’s tragic past. In 1973, the arena was used as a torture center for the military dictatorship under the infamous Augusto Pinochet. The transformation of the structure into a fútbol arena is a tangible testament to how Chile has been able to recover from this horrible chapter in her life.

    1973 was not that long ago, so many people in this city still speak about family members who were murdered or went missing. Many still don’t know what happened to them. Evidence and inscriptions by these family members are carved and written on parts of the stadium: a reminder that although victory after victory has been celebrated in this space, loss hasn’t been completely healed and forgotten. That Saturday may live to be one of my favorite days of our journey. I am actively accomplishing my primary goals and purposes of this trip: I am seeing new things, speaking a new language and even learning a few new songs to sing.

    [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]

  • Happy 2nd Anniversary Rosebud!

    Rosebud restaurant in Atlanta’s marvelous Morningside neighborhood has reached a milestone: their second anniversary! After opening in a recession which took down many food enterprises, we’re thrilled to see one of our favorite spots for Southern food has made it this far. Not only that, owner and chef Ron Eyester has opened another venture right across the street: The Family Dog.

    Here’s a list of all the fun happenings y’all can find at Rosebud and The Family Dog this summer.

    Wednesday, July 13 is Dine Out for the American Red Cross. Thousands of families in Georgia and the Southeast have been left homeless & suffering in the wake of this Spring’s natural disasters. Helping them is as easy as eating dinner. Rosebud will be donating 15% of their sales to help these folks. Reservations are recommended.

    Thursday, July 14 is dinner with Allan Benton and a 7-course menu of dishes featuring his Smoky Mountain Country Hams pork products. Dinner starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and the cost is $48 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 404.347.9747.

    Every Sunday
    night, in addition to their regular dinner menu Rosebud offers a Local Pasta with Sunday Gravy & Housemade Ricotta for only $15. Sunday Gravy is a traditional Italian tomato based sauce with numerous cuts of meat that Ron grew up eating in New York. Pair it with a bottomless glass of Chianti for $12!

    Every Monday
    night, join Rosebud for brunch because sometimes pancakes are even better for dinner than they are for breakfast. Their housemade Bloody Marys will appease anyone after even the roughest Monday.

    Every Wednesday is Weiners & Widespread
    featuring a live Widespread Panic show played on Rosebud’s DVDs and all menus can also be found on their website.

    Every Thursday Rosebud’s resident “wine dude” Jeff will be doing interactive beverage tastings at The Family Dog. Drink with Jeff themes will be different each week, ranging from beer features to highlights from their extensive menu of craft spirits.

    Thursday, July 14th – BBQ Wines
    Thursday, July 21st – Terrapin Beers
    Thursday, July 28th – Tequila

    Cost is $15 to $20 per person, plus tax and gratuity, depending on the week’s theme. Join anytime from 6 to 8 p.m. Then, there’s live music at the restaurant starting at 8:30 p.m. Not too loud to limit conversation; just right for a fun night out! They also have live music in the bar every Saturday afternoon from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Not only does Rosebud have live music at their bar but so does The Family Dog every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a meal at Rosebud, then move across the street to enjoy some live tunes and a cold drink!

    Rosebud is offering a complimentary appetizer of fried green tomatoes or their perfect pimento cheese. Please comment below if you would like to receive the voucher from PrettySouthern.com to receive your free treat.

    For more information, call 404.347.9747 or visit Rosebud’s website

  • Boozy Pops

    There’s something so sweet about a popsicle in the summer. Like all things in life, the only way to make this treat better is to add alcohol. Booze brings the best out in everything and the newly opened Rooftop 866 at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel is serving up their Boozy Pops this Sunday!

    Rooftop 866 bar and lounge offers Boozy Pops in a wide selection of flavors for only $3 apiece, making it easy for guests to chill out and unwind.  Boozy Pop flavors include basil peach margarita, mojito, pineapple mango rum, Bloody Mary and blueberry limoncello. These push pops will be offered throughout the summer months.

    To celebrate the launch, Rooftop 866 will be throwing a Boozy Pop Tweet-up tomorrow, Sunday, July 10 from 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by one of Midtown’s most fabulous tweeps @MidtownMile as well as Melissa Libby & Associates’ @AtlantaDish!  Join the fun to test-taste a Boozy Pop for yourself, plus enjoy complimentary treats like chips & dip from Rooftop 866’s delicious menu.

    Rooftop 866 is located at 866 West Peachtree Street NW and is open daily from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. weather permitting.  For more info, call 678-412-2402 or visit http://www.rooftop866atlanta.com.

    –Mandy Betts contributed to this article