Pretty Southern

  • Welcome to the SEC: Where Football Meets Fashion

    Granted it’s summer but that only means it’s time to start shopping for fall fashion pieces like Spell Dress! Every SEC girl knows that football is a lot more than what happens on the field. Tailgating, camaraderie and corn-hole are just the tip of the ice berg because, believe it or not, football also has a lot to do with fashion.

    While some sport game day T’s and athletic shorts, we’ve all seen the girls who dress up for the game. I was one of them. Yes, I wore black semi-formal dresses and four-inch heels to stand on bleachers for 3+ hours at Auburn games. Ah, the good old days. And if you have any kids, you can neatly place there clothes on options like a kids dressing up rail.

    Post-college, this attire didn’t make sense. Did it ever? Maybe not. However, I couldn’t simply jump from dressy to casual. Instead I’ve found a happy medium – cute, semi-dressy outfits in muted game-day colors. War Eagle instead of WAR EAGLE, if you will. Does it make me less of a fan? No. If anything, I’ve decided that it makes me more of a fan (and savvy shopper) because I don’t have ‘game-day’ clothes; instead, I have funny t shirts from Australia I can wear year round.

    One way I create my game-day looks is at Polyvore. Basically, it’s a site that hosts tons of shoes, tops, coats, and even mens lingerie. You can add to your favorites and/or use to create ‘sets’ of products, or outfits. Here are a few War Eagle looks I made for this upcoming fall.

     

    Q: Ever used Polyvore?
    Q: What’s your game-day look?

     

    [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://prettysouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Kelly.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Kelly Shaw Martin is an organized pre-cooker, monthly goal-setter, and avid reader. Her blog Fitting Back In is devoted to healthy and happy living where she shares workouts, book reviews, meal plans, and ‘healthified’ recipes: traditionally-bad-for-you dishes transformed into lower-calorie fare. She loves life in Atlanta with her husband Austin, shihpoo Reuben, and maltipoo Remy.[/author_info] [/author]

  • First Looks of a Southern Wedding

    First Looks of a Southern Wedding

    I know that “first looks” are more of a trend than a tradition and today I want to know what your thoughts are.  The idea of the first look is that some time right before the ceremony the bride and groom get to share a quite moment together (usually only the photographer is present) before they take the big walk down the aisle.  I know some people are completely opposed to having any contact or seeing each other at all before the actual events begin, but for us it seemed like the right choice to have that little moment together.

    My husband and I, and our families for that matter, never even thought about trying to avoid each other before the ceremony.  It wouldn’t have made any sense, after all of the months of hard work we had put in together planning and creating for our wedding, all those hours sifting through those wedding veils and dresses, only to leave one person stuck doing all of the work and set up that day while the other stayed hidden somewhere.  So that morning we got up early, packed our car and headed to the venue.  We worked all morning until it was time for me to run across the street for my hair and makeup appointments.  I guess that is when the “hiding” began.  He left to get ready with his groomsmen and I returned to the venue to get ready with my girls.  Between the weather and the hectic morning schedule I was all nerves that hour before the ceremony began and the only possible thing that could have calmed me down at that moment was him.

    So about 10 minutes before the ceremony began our best wedding photographers in melbourne brought him upstairs to where I was getting ready, hid him around the corner, and had me head around for a first look.  It gave us a chance to see each other before the BIG moment and it was incredibly reassuring to see that we were both calm, excited, and ready to take that walk.  You are surrounded by so many people while getting ready that day, people that are excited, stressed, anxious, helpful, and hyper, but the one person you are thinking about is hidden away from you all day. Taking that moment together RIGHT before you have to stand in front of a huge crowd brings you back to the moment and reminds you of what this day is all about- you and them.

    This moment for us was brief but I remember feeling giddy and surprisingly calm. Even peaceful. I knew no matter how crazy that morning was, he would be the one thing that would bring me back down to earth.  This trend may become a tradition, maybe not.  Either way, I’d love to know what you’re thoughts on a first look moment between the bride and groom. I hope more weddings try out new trends like this! And if you are looking for the perfect wedding ballrooms, you might want to click on the link to learn more!

    Thank you so much for letting me share some of our special day with you!

    All photos by Joey and Jessica Seawell of Veil and Bow. Need photographers for your special events? Look online for experts who provide photography Cary, NC.

    [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 Southern Puppy

    Every Friday, we feature a puppy available for adoption at the Atlanta Humane Society. We’re so excited to be working with our first philanthropic organization to help promote their adorable pets looking for owners.

    Meet Belle, a beautiful terrier/retriever is pretty puppy at only two months old. She came in with her pack of princess sisters: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Ariel who are all available for adoption! The Atlanta Humane Society also offers basic obedience classes when Belle and the liter are old enough to understand her training. If y’all know anyone looking for a great puppy, please send over this link. Belle’s adoption fee is only $150 and (for reference) her animal ID #13361651. For more information, please call the AHS at (404) 875-5331 or visit http://www.atlantahumane.org/

  • Southern Song for the Redneck in Us All

    Watching Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee” is like reading a Highlights magazine. Remember when we were kids, and would look for the hidden objects in the puzzle? Nine weasels, a feather, piece of rope, etc.? We’re going to play a similar game with “Chattahoochee”.

    This song is the quintessential song for rednecks everywhere. No matter where you’re from, but especially if you’re from Georgia, the lyrics relish in honky-tonk pride. It’s artistic direction is taken to the next level by including a bunch of rednecks doing their usual things: partying down by the river, sporting mullets, jean shorts and rocking some awesome mustaches. So here we go, Pretty Southern’s first Redneck Hidden Pictures Fun Puzzle!

    Please view the video then answer the questions below in our comments section. The first person to get them all right wins a free coozie from Southern Nice!

    What age is the golden retriever: puppy, young or old?
    Which flag is flying behind the tiki torches?
    What’s the number on Alan’s Cowboys jersey?
    How many men are rocking both a mullet AND a mustache? (Editor’s note: Alan doesn’t count )
    Alan is sitting in something while singing his tune, what is it?
    What critter is crossing the road that the gentleman break for? If you’re a Delta Zeta, you’ll know!
    How many Classic Cars are featured?
    What color and shape is printed on the cowboy boots Alan’s wearing on water skiis?
    An old man is fishing on the river at the end of the song: what does he catch?

    Key in your answers in the comments section below. If you’ve won, you’ll receive an email from us and a post to Facebook and Twitter!

  • Smashburger Atlanta

    Smashburger is coming South! This better-burger sensation has everything y’all ever wanted for the ultimate fast food experience…and they even serve adult beverages! Forget Five Guys, Wendy’s, Mickey D’s and the like: Smashburger has got beer and wine, plus your food is ready in six minutes or less!

    Burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, fries in multiple kinds — regular, shoestring, sweet potato and even veggie frites — plus fried pickles, fried onions and yummy chili. For lighter fare, there are fresh salads including slices of avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes, guacamole, and other crisp vegetables. Want to spice up your meal? Add the fresh grilled jalapenos which leave your mouth with a happy heat for the duration of your meal.

    To cool off your palette, sample a Smashburger shake. These milkshakes are some of the best in Atlanta, made with Haagen-Dazs and available in floats and malts served in frosted mugs. Classic American flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry compliment crazier concoctions such as the Nutter Butter. A sweet Peach Pie shake was created just for Smashburger’s Georgia locations.

    The first Smashburger spot in Georgia is in Buckhead with two more stores opening in Johns Creek and Alpharetta later this summer with plans to open a Kennesaw location sometime in the fall. Management plans to open 20 Atlanta-area locations over the next seven years. Smashburger also opened shops in both Charlotte and New Orleans and are planning to spread more shops across the South.

    Savory, sweet and so-freakin'-good! The Atlanta Burger includes peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw. You'll feel a pleasant heat from start to finish.

    Atlanta’s Smashburgers will feature a regional menu inspired by Southern flavors. The Atlanta Burger is topped peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw plus the same toppings can be found on the Atlanta Dog.

    PrettySouthern got to go back in the kitchen to learn how to smash a burger. The science of Smashburger was perfected by Tom Ryan: the same gentleman responsible for Pizza Hut’s stuffed crust pizza and McDonald’s McGriddle. He showed us how the burgers start as a “fluff ball” of 100% Angus Beef, which are laid across a grill that’s been slathered in butter. Yes, at Smashburger, they sear their burgers in butter! This forms a delicious, caramelized layer on the burger. After grilling, the Smashburger is placed between two buttered buns (more butter keeps the bun from falling apart around the burger) and topped with your choice of ingredients.

    Just like their motto “Smash. Sizzle. Savor.” we smashed our burger, sizzled it on the piping hot grill, and savored the smashed goodness. Come hungry to Smashburger. Your tummy will need the extra space for this meal. Also, definitely register for their mobile messages. You’ll get info on discounts just by texting “Smashburger Atl” to 90210. Yes, it works. We tried it an are excited to see what other offers Smashburger has for Southerners.

    Smashburger opens its first Atlanta location tomorrow (Thursday, July 7) in the old location where Fat Burger used to reside between Piedmont and Sydney Marcus in Buckhead (across from the Home Depot in the Marshall’s shopping center). For more information, check out their website or follow follow PrettySouthern to see what finds we have for you next below the Mason Dixon line.

    Get your fine self over to Smashburger soon. That meaty magic is waiting for you.

  • 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]