Pretty Southern

  • Southern Soles Keeps Ladies in Style

    This unique boutique offers something for everyone. Even the chic furniture in this precious store is for sale.

    Y’all can find it all: walking shoes Singapore, purses, jewelry, and eclectic accessories displayed across refurbished antique shelves. Spend an afternoon relaxing in a plush chair shopping for the perfect new pair.

    “This is a place where you can come and feel like you’re at home,” said owner Michelle Philabaum. “I wish my house was this cute!”

    Southern Soles location at The Avenue East Cobb is ideal for enticing traffic. “We waited for the right time and right spot,” Michelle explained. Her husband, Rick Philabaum, masters all photography for Southern Soles, with Michelle’s mama Andrea and sister-in-law Summer Lindvig also working in the store. Plus her brother Marc Ragin’s PR guru wife Carol to handle the marketing, the whole family is in business together!

    Although, this isn’t the Ragin family’s first enterprise. Their original boutique, Magnolia’s, was on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and became the social hub of the town. “It was Southern charm in the North,” Michelle laughed. “Magnolia’s was very fashion focused. We wanted to bring the same trendiness here.”

    Another fun heel at this unique Atlanta boutique

    When it comes to defining Southern style, Michelle believes Southern hospitality is huge. “It’s all about kindness. It’s not necessarily about sitting in a swing on the porch, sipping sweet tea and eating watermelon. It’s a sense of comfort, like you’re at home wherever you are.”

    Southern Soles is a one-stop-shop with almost all of their shoes offered at department store prices or better! However, it’d do you good to make a pit stop at shoe hero before going to the store. In here you’ll find Cole Haan, Me Too, Seychelles, Poetic License, and Gentle Soles by Kenneth Cole.

    “Everybody’s said their excited to have a local shoe store, and not having to go to the mall. But we didn’t want to be a ‘shoe’ store. We’re a boutique with a unique sense of style offering girly items. We’re just a group of women having fun!”

    Southern Soles first anniversary is coming up in August. For more information, visit Southern Soles website or their Facebook page to check out what’s happening at their sweet shop.

  • Defining A True Southerner

    The voice of the South has been long hushed by oppression. We at PrettySouthern.com have risen to tell tales of chivalry, elegance and refinement. Most importantly, this is a website about love.

    We’ve had some tough times lately: war, recession, and all sorts of nasty things. There’s still a lot we have to be thankful for. We’ll learn how some folks are born into grace, fall from it, then learn to accept love back into their lives. We will not talk of religion. We will not read of material happiness. This is about the intangible things that truly make a Southerner in our modern era.

    Today being a Southerner means being a lover. Beautiful, courteous, artistic, passionate, hardworking; most importantly, a soul touched by grace. As we get started there are a few things y’all need to understand about Southerners. Every one of us is charged with a missing: be iconic. What makes someone a symbol? It truly comes boils down to being a paradigm, an example of all the goodness the world has to offer.

    Southerners are a people blessed with sugary graces. Because of this y’all see us smiling more than the rest of the United States. We learned early on the world will take care of itself. Carrying a carefree mind allows one to engender positivity…and we’re a smiley bunch.

    Y’all might know a couple of ways to make a Southerner happy. It’s about Family, Food and Fun. You’ll find these loves in any region of America. The three F’s are especially important in the South and the reason we founded PrettySouthern.com.

    You can see love exemplified in the weddings we write about, in the adorable photos we post of newborn babies and cute puppies. It’s about your neighbor bringing you mint from his garden so you can concoct a fresh julep. Or your lady friend who just opened her first boutique and is looking to grow her business. That’s the funny thing about the inherent grace each of us possesses (even Yankees) it’s about being thankful for the little things and trying to help each other out.

    Thanks for stopping by and hope y’all have a blessed day.

  • Southern Roots Influence Modern Design

    Southern Roots Influence Modern Design

    Noelle O’Reilly founded her etsy shop, Priss Designs after graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Design. Afterwards, she needed to find an outlet for her creative side. 

    Her work is modern, digital art but has a strong influence from her Southern roots, having grown up in rural southwestern Albany, Ga. You can see the influence of nature throughout her designs, whether in bird silhouettes, repeating birch trees, or vintage leaves; and she describes her work as “rustic modern.”

    Chrysanthemum on Blue 8×10 Print

    Noelle grew up in a family that worked with their hands, made the things that they needed, and were a part of the handmade community long before it was trendy. Her grandparents grew, canned, and sold vegetables out of a wooden store her grandfather built, plus her dad is a mechanic who has always known the importance of making something by hand. 

    She says that, “growing up in an environment where everyone makes what they need with their hands, it really influenced me to want to make things myself, and also influences me to support the handmade movement in general.” It was not until college, originally pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering, that Noelle decided she needed to find a degree that would better fit her desire to create and work with her hands the way her family always had. That is when she made the switch to Industrial Design.

    Custom Couple Tree Print

    Fast forward to today and Noelle is keeping busy with her etsy shop, selling designs that are a fresh, clean-lined take on the nature of southern Georgia that inspired her while growing up.  She has combined these natural references with her experiences at an engineering school and a design degree to create truly unique work with a special Southern flair.  She knows her roots are in the South and has let that help shape the creative person that she always had in her!

    Bird on Yellow 8×10 Print

    Be sure to check out Noelle’s shop, Priss Designs, where she is offering Pretty Southern readers free shipping for all of 2011.  Just use the code “FREESHIP11” at checkout!  You can also read more about her background and her creative process on her blog, Priss This.


  • Southern Girl Song #5

    Southern girls are one of a kind! Anywhere a gal goes in the world, when she names her home state inevitably she’ll hear a flattering response.

    “You’re a Georgia Peach!” the new friend might cry, or “Oooh, we’ve got a Southern Belle!” he’ll declare as his eyes glisten at the sight of this sweet thing before him.

    As a race, Southern girls have become accustomed to this type of flattery. All we can do is smile, nod, and sweetly say “Thank you, sir” before continuing on our merry way. The man privileged to witness this encounter will be ever-changed by his interaction with a Southern girl.

    How many songs have been dedicated to the fairest ladies in the land? There are too many to count. This week we’ll be sharing PrettySouthern’s Top Five songs about Southern girls.

    To start the week off on the right note, here’s Southern Girl Song #5 by Incubus, “Southern Girl”

    “You’re an exception to the rule. You’re a bonafide rarity. You’re all I ever wanted, Southern Girl. Could you want me?”

    Yes, Brandon Boyd, a Southern Girl would want your handsome self, especially if you keep serenading her! Even these rockers from California recognize the amazing qualities possessed by a Southern lady.

    A few notes about these gentlemen. Incubus formed in 1991 and is set to release their latest album “If Not Now, When?” on July 12. Their new single (available on iTunes) “Adolescents” is a rather ironic title track after 20 years of jamming together. The album itself showcases a level of maturity a band can only reach after being together so long.

    Want to see Incubus in concert? They’re heading South of the Mason Dixon line later in September.

    Tuesday, Sept. 13 in Virginia Beach, Va., @ Farm Bureau Live

    Friday, Sept. 16 in Charlotte, N.C. @ Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre

    Saturday, Sept. 17, in Atlanta @ Verizon Wireless, Encore Park

    Here’s hoping this Southern girl can see Incubus in action! If y’all have a suggestion for a Pretty Southern Song, please comment below!

  • Bates House of Turkey

    Alabama: it’s a great state celebrating its own quirky goodness. Nothing exemplifies the good ole Bama nation like Bates House of Turkey.

    This haven of turkey treats is always a true delight. They offer everything including BBQ Turkey, Roasted Sliced Turkey, and the Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich. The taste is just like the food from Grammy’s kitchen.

    Our feature photo of the Turkey Salad Plate consisting of a generous scoop of homemade turkey salad, hard-boiled egg, wedge of cheddar cheese, carrot, pickle and two servings of fruit. This meal will hold you over from ten in the morning until a late supper!

    If your tummy still has room, spring for a piece of pecan pie to end your meal. Should you need the restroom, look for the sign “Roost Area”…so cute!

    Ultimately this place beats the pants off most fast food you’ll find while road tripping. If you’re looking for a good home-cooked meal while cruising through Alabama, y’all have got to stop at Bates House of Turkey.

  • Cute Thank You Notes

    Thank you notes are essential to gentility. One cannot claim to have fine manners if he or she is not willing to pen a grateful response. Both ladies and gentlemen will love these adorable cards of appreciation.

    These adorable items are designed by our very own Kat Kraszeski Jackson and available at her Etsy store. If you don’t happen to see a thank you note fit for your taste, email Kat and she can design your own custom letter press. Her store also offers your essentials for decorating in Southern style.

    PrettySouthern.com readers get 20% off their purchase. Simply enter the coupon code “prettysouthern” at checkout. It’s Kat’s way of saying thank you!