SOUTHERN LADY CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY!

I am thrilled. Yes ma'am I am! I was recently contacted by Wendy Blaszyk, PR Director for Hoffman Media, publisher of Southern Lady, Cooking with Paula Deen, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade, Victoria, Taste of the South, and Teatime Magazines. Ms. Blaszyk stated that Phyliss Hoffman chose moi to host a giveaway to promote the upcoming Southern Lady Celebration! Being a fan of all the Hoffman Media publications...and I just love 'em all, I am simply honored to host this giveaway!


The Southern Lady Celebration is a girlfriend "getaway" weekend that brings the pages of Southern Lady magazine to life and celebrates all things Southern. The dates are October 9-11th and will be held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, Savannah, Georgia. The registration fee is $429.00 and includes four meals, all speaking programs, presentations, how-to demonstrations, tips from the editors of Southern Lady, on-site boutique shopping, a special 10th birthday dinner gala, and three days of relaxation and inspiration. To register for this exciting event, go here.

Y'all, I have been fortunate to be able to attend one of these celebrations and I can say that it is truly a great weekend for fans of the magazine and ladies who love to celebrate our favorite part of the country--the South!

WHAT'S THE GIVEAWAY????
The prize is a gift bag full of Southern Lady goodies...including the following books...all signed and personalized to the lucky winner.



Sister Schubert’s Cast Your Breads Upon the Waters-Recipes for Cooking, Living and Success--
A 160 page glossy hardcover book of coveted recipes on baking breads for everyday and special occasions! Read how Sister, with humble beginnings and as a single mother of two, began in her kitchen to build the thriving business which she was able to sell less than ten years later. Also included are inspiring stories about starting her family foundation to help those in need.


Discovering Home with Laurie Smith: Find Your Personal Style--Laurie uses her own home, personal design journal, and classical training to teach design techniques. Inspirational, full-color photos capture Laurie’s before-and-after design process. The book gives homeowners confidence to work with any home’s architectural "bones." Included are strategies to arrange furniture, choose colors, and play with patterns to create rooms that reflect personal interests and tastes.


Phyllis Hoffman’s Gracious Spaces--Creating the Perfect Sanctuary in Every Room
In the book, Phyllis takes readers on a tour of gorgeous Southern homes—her own as well as those of a few close friends—to feature areas that have become sanctuaries, treasured spots for retreating from the world, and finding solace. In her warm, encouraging voice, Phyllis explains how to employ a personal touch to craft and embellish a space that's both inspirational and functional.

Phyliss Hoffman's Honey, It's All in the Shoes--Phyliss takes you on a journey examining these defining moments, sharing what she learned when she was required to wear different shoes--from a mother to entrepeneur and businesswoman to publishing powerhouse to doting grandmother--and provides advice for women putting their best foot forward, no matter their role, circumstance, or stage of life. Hoffman's fun, nostalgic, and intriguing exploration of the phases of her own life and the virtues that she's lived by gives you hope, confidence, and pride in the life you are already living and the life you are planning ahead. Everything you need is all in the shoes!

Here are the speakers for the Celebration....
Laurie Hickson-Smith was one of the first designers to hit the airwaves on The Learning Channel's (TLC) hit show Trading Spaces. Now, in the show's ninth season, fans see Laurie's stylish designs each week as they remake a space in just 48 hours. Laurie's self-described "modern classic" design style blends tradition and modern with her signature uses of color for vitality. Staying true to her Southern roots, Laurie resides in Jackson, Mississippi, with her husband, Brad, 6-year-old son Gibson Witherspoon, and 2-year-old daughter India Dawson.

Horticulturist and author Erica Glasener has hosted A Gardener's Diary on Home and Garden Television (HGTV) for 14 years. As a Southern Lady contributor, Erica offers helpful advice for gardens large and small in her column "Garden Inspiration." In her own garden, Erica grows vegetables, fruits, heirloom roses, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Her creative ideas prove that, with a little thought and planning, any garden space can be both beautiful and functional.

Sister Schubert has become a Southern household name synonymous with her Parkerhouse Roll. Sister began making her delicious rolls in 1989, and now Sister Schubert's Homemade Rolls includes three bakeries, which together produce more than 5 million rolls daily. She credits her family, employees, and faith for the phenomenal growth. But Sister's story shows that her tireless enthusiasm for excellence is at the heart of her success.

Phyllis Hoffman, Editor-in-Chief of Southern Lady will reflect on the 10 years of the publication and highlight some of her favorite features and photos. She will also share an exclusive look into her two latest books, Gracious Spaces and Honey, It's All in the Shoes.

Diana Hansen was featured in the premiere issue of Southern Lady and is sure to inspire with her eye for beauty. As an artist and owner of White Flowers, Diana has created an ethereal world in her all-white shop located in Birmingham, Alabama. Her story will show that inspiration can come from the most unexpected and simplest of places.



Back again from the 2007 Celebration, Dr. Lael Melville is a gifted speaker who will encourage and motivate. She will offer her insights, humor, and practical applications on how to approach life's challenges. Lael is a Psychologist, wife, and mother of three teenage sons, and she lives and serves in Plano, Texas.




A North Carolina native, Bobbie Staten is a nationally recognized Southern motivational humorist, who's healthy and irreverent sense of humor focuses on people and the lives they lead. Her message reflects a universal theme as old as time, yet fresh and relevant to today's hectic lifestyle. When you have your health, family, and priorities balanced, life just seems to fall into place. For the few times when it doesn't--laugh!


HOW TO ENTER THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY:
It's simple...You just need to post about the "Southern Lady Celebration" above on your blog and also describe to your readers your definition of Celebrating the South....Is it the friendliness and hospitality of Southerners that makes you love the South?...Is it the delicious Southern food? What makes you love the South?

I will draw the name of one lucky blogger on Saturday, September 19th. Good luck to y'all!