Pretty Southern

  • High Cotton Ties Suited for Southerners

    Who would have thought Bird Flu and bow ties would share a common thread.

    Back when folks freaked about H1N1, Cameron Hill was discouraged from wearing silk neck ties. Most ties can’t be cleaned and therefore can carry the dangerous virus. Leave it to Cameron’s mama, Judy Hill, to come up with a solution.

    She made her son a couple of cotton bow ties he could wear to the hospital then come home and wash. The other doctors agreed this was fine…as long as Miss Judy made some for them too!

    As she was aware of Business Energy UK , in a hot minute she was making dozens of ties a week and her business was booming. Another one of her boys, James, an SAE from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, took his mama’s awesome accessories back to his campus. From there High Cotton Ties took off! Their products can now be found in every state south of the Mason Dixon Line.

    A true Southern lady, Miss Judy will sweetly tell you her definition of a Southerner. “Part of being Southern is being serious about your faith and beliefs whether it’s religion, politics or football.” In this case for the Hill family, this also means being seriously suited in the finest cotton ties and cummerbunds.

    After graduating from UNC, James focused his attention to growing the family business. “It took six months to master the process and pattern then refine the bow tie to where it is: a high quality product up there with Vineyard Vines, if not surpassing.” Sites like Wimgo would be able to help those who want to start their own family business.

    The Hill family also believes it’s important to keep these products truly Southern. In our modern times when businesses continue to send manufacturing overseas, the Hill’s home state of North Carolina has felt a deep impact losing their textile industry. High Cotton Ties is working to revive their local economy.

    “We found a manufacturing plant with 13 seamstresses that was in China,” Judy explained. “They had come back to North Carolina after seeing the poor conditions over there. We’re really excited to have a partner whom we share the same mission and calling.”

    High Cotton Ties runs a basic business model: cotton bow ties made in the South by Southerners for Southerners. For James, being a Southern entrepreneur means holding himself accountable to the highest standards. He believes being a gentleman, as well as a Southerner, are deeply intertwined.

    “Undoubtedly other people are going to notice it, women or men, there’s an aura about to people respond to and respect. A 23-year old should be proud if he could get called a gentleman.” He laughs.

    “Being a Southerner doesn’t mean you’re hunting every weekend or at the country club on Saturday nights. Does having a Ducks Unlimited sticker make me Southern? No. It’s the way I talk. It’s the way I represent myself. It’s about Southern hospitality and my mother instilled those values in all of us. She’s a classy woman and Southern hospitality is brought to life with our company. It speaks to everything that represents her.”

    For more information on High Cotton Ties, check out their website High Cotton Ties. Your gentleman’s attire is just a click away.

     

  • Celebrate July 4th with Southern Style

    Celebrate July 4th with Southern Style

    Let’s be honest, Southerners know how to host a party, barbecue, or a holiday event…and Independence Day soirees are no exception! But a true Southerner also knows how to throw a party with style, class, and true hospitality.  If you are hosting a Fourth of July party this year, I have pulled together some inspiration for throwing the quintessential southern summer get together.  (Clockwise from top left)

     

     

     

    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.

    7.    Serve this watermelon cooler with a red-striped straw to keep guests cool.

    8.   End the day and keep the kids satisfied with these playful, bright blue candy apples, a fun take on a classic American dessert.

    No matter where you are hosting your summer party this Fourth of July make sure you show some true Southern hospitality by throwing a get together full of American style, tasty treats, and strong drinks!

  • Pretty Southern Song #1: Robert Johnson “Crossroads”

    Every Thursday from now until (well who knows when!) we will be featuring a Pretty Southern Song. These lyrics and tunes will epitomize the ideals of the South. It will showcase our heritage, our musical culture as a race born and raised below the Mason Dixon line.

    To start off our exploration of Southern heritage through song, none would be more appropriate than Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” Though Johnson only lived to be 27, his impact on music set the stage for generations. Eric Clapton, whose cover of “Crossroads” could be credited for Johnson’s infamy, said the artist was “the most important blues singer that ever lived”.

    Of course, in the South, we love a good ghost story. Johnson was born, raised and supposedly killed by poison all in the great state of Mississippi. Legend has that Johnson sold his soul to Satan in exchange for fame. Other Johnson songs including “Cross Road Blues” and “Me And The Devil” reference the pact he made with the Dark One to become a legendary artist. Reading the lyrics of “Crossroads” he hear Johnson crooning for redemption.

    I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
    I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
    Asked the Lord above, have mercy now,
    Save poor Bob if you please

    Standin’ at the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
    Whee-hee, I tried to flag a ride
    Didn’t nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by

    Standin’ at the crossroads, risin’ sun goin’ down
    Standin’ at the crossroads baby, the risin’ sun goin’ down
    I believe to my soul now, po’ Bob is sinkin’ down

    You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
    You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
    That I got the crossroad blues this mornin’,
    Lord, baby I’m sinkin’ down

    I went to the crossroad, mama, I looked east and west
    I went to the crossroad, babe, I looked east and west
    Lord, I didn’t have no sweet woman, ooh well,
    Babe, in my distress

    Whether he was in cohorts with the Devil, or just a damn fine artist, we can all agree the Robert Johnson was one of the greatest Southern musicians…ever.

  • Honeysuckle Gelato Savors Sweet Summertime

    Honeysuckle in the sunshine is ever so sweet. Now an Atlanta company has decided to take that decadent smell to the next level.

    There are two tastes Southern kids can always remember. One is the first time you picked honeysuckle then sipped the nectar from the flower. The second sensation is your favorite of ice cream in the summer time. Honeysuckle Gelato has combined both those loves into one outstanding product.

    Owner and founder Jackson Smith wrote “as a true southern boy, I could not resist the temptation to play around with the flavors and dessert concepts unique to the South. We now offer the South exactly what we envisioned…an ice cream worthy of its decadent culinary roots.”

    Flavors fit for ladies and gentleman (or even a Yankee palette) are available from Honeysuckle Gelato. Their Mint Julep is made with fresh herbs and the House selection of bourbon. It’s damn good as the real thing without the hangover from drinking straight liquor!

    An homage to The King, Elvis Presley, is uniquely awesome Kang. “We just wouldn’t be Southern (or inspired) without an ode to Mr. Presley’s indulgent creation,” wrote the gentlemen from Honeysuckle Gelato. “Ours features toasted banana ice cream with ribbons of peanut butter caramel. We’d add bacon, but the Feds would shut us down.”

    For a more classic taste, sample the savory refreshing Watermelon made with the real stuff as Honeysuckle Gelato doesn’t use any imitation flavors! The luscious Lavender would be ideal for a wedding or baby shower to serve alongside a piece of cake.

    Of course, Honeysuckle Gelato had to create a signature Honey flavor. The maestros whip up gelato using all kinds of local, seasonal honeys including Sourwood, Tupelo, Purple Starthistle, etc

    A full list of flavors and more information is available at www.honeysucklegelato.com. Don’t see a flavor you like? Then email the gentlemen behind the scenes to concoct your own custom creation. The boys will even be hitting the streets of Atlanta soon in their new food truck to serve up treats around the city.

    Brace yourself for some sweetness!

     

  • Jesus the Gentleman

    Jesus the Gentleman

    Jesus Christ has several names including Son of God, Emmanuel, Lord & Savior yet as Southerners we sometimes fail to notice the most ubiquitous aspect of His character.

    He was a gentleman. Look up the definition of chivalry and see how well He fits a gentleman’s suit. Jesus represented the ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and unending love which is what ever true gentleman should also epitomize.

    When it comes to defining a gentleman, one of the greatest Southerners to ever live , General Robert E. Lee wrote it best:

    “The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.

    “The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly–the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light.”

    “The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past.”

    “A true man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.”

    There you have it. We can all agree that based on these qualifications Jesus was a gentleman.

  • Theatre for Southern Stars

    Paul Newman has his own seat at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. The art space was originally opened in 1935 as a movie theatre and survived through the 60s.

    It fell into disarray until the Marietta, Ga., community rallied to reopen The Strand in 2008. Newman has a gold placard with his famous name as his beautiful wife Joanne Woodward, grew up in going to The Strand! Of course her seat also has a placard next to her late husband’s.

    Sadly there aren’t any pictures of The Strand’s original art deco glory but the renovation team made every effort to restore the theatre. The space is truly fabulous. It’s deep burgundy curtains and gold accents resonate classic elegance. Many local businesses donated either time, funds or products to restoring The Strand.

    The Strand also offers a full bar along with the usual concessions. Walk through the gorgeous theatre, up through the mezzanine to the roof top patio overlooking Marietta Square. The roof is open on Fridays and Saturdays (when the space isn’t rented for an event) so if you’re on The Square for one of the summer concerts try popping up there for a drink.

    Southern residents are excited to see their community invest so much time, effort and money into the arts. Here’s hoping The Strand will continue to be a landmark for Marietta and a treasure trove for great musical theatre.

    This summer The Strand is offering week-long day camp for rising 4th-7th and 8th-12th grades culminating in final show. Sessions are from July 11-15 & July 25-29.

    For more information visit

    – Strand Theatre | Marietta –