Bless Your Heart

Southern girls love to sip a coca cola and bless people's hearts.  Down South, you hear this phrase thrown around all the time.  However, I can certainly understand why some people are confused over the meaning of this phrase. Nowadays, Southerners drop the phrase constantly...and not in a kind way--"She shouldn't be wearing that short skirt, bless her heart!"  This is one I hear all the time--"He's wearing cargo shorts, bless his heart!"

  I grew up with a Mama who would always say "Bless your little heart" whenever I was ill, or "Bless Margie's heart, she just lost her husband of 60 years!"  I never once heard her use the phrase as a backhanded insult or to be rude.   "Bless your heart" should be used in a sincere way to express genuine love, pity, or sympathy.

Today, I'm using my "Bless Your Heart" koozie...I love the Southern Girl Collection at the Feathered Nest Boutique.  Kathryn, the owner, is a native of Peach County, Georgia and now resides in Athens, Georgia.  She offers lots of cute loot on her Etsy shop and the items from the Southern Girl Collection are must-haves to show your love for all things Southern! 

These neoprene koozies come in nine designs, fit standard-sized cans and bottles, and fold flat for easy storage.  Talk Southern to me!

Kathryn's mother painted the design for the "Little Miss Southern Charm" tees. Very Southern and very cute!

Now don't y'all need this iPhone case?!  "Southern girls love their sweet tea, mamas, and monograms!"  Yes ma'am we do love all three!

The Cute Mason Jar design also comes in a koozie...monogrammed, of course!

And to coordinate with the rest of the collection, you need the sunglasses straps!

Y'all be kind!  Check out the Feathered Nest Boutique on Facebook and Instagram also!

Savannah Southern Women's Show

 

I've been visiting with my friend Joy in Tybee Island, Georgia this past week.  We love to shop and since Friday was a rainy day, we headed over to Savannah to check out the Southern Women's Show.

"Sweet Tea Sippin', Coupon Clippin', Front Porch Sittin'"...well, I don't coupon, but this tee is absolutely adorable!  Couponing Southern style, I love it!  These are available from My Coupon Keeper.

 We just had to stop and chat with Nancy Brewer who is a true Southern belle and was dressed in a beautiful hoopskirt. She is a best-selling author, poet, and songwriter. You can read more about her here.

 Love these burlap placemats with the colored trim from Mad Maggies...'cause I need more placemats!

Love these adorable monogrammed bracelet cuffs from Sweetbriar Designs.

I hope y'all are having a great weekend.  Up next, I'll be featuring photos from a luncheon Joy hosted for one of her team members who is moving away.

Southern Living and Southern Weddings

Have you read the January issue of Southern Living magazine?  In addition to their must-save Southern recipes, decor photos, and gardening tips, they now are collaborating with Southern Weddings magazine to publish weddings content written by the Southern Weddings team three times a year in 2014...beginning with a 24-page section in the January issue.  Subsequent special sections are scheduled to appear in the May and September issues.

Southern Weddings is designed to bring brides and mothers of brides inspired, uniquely Southern ideas for the big day!

Looking for expert advice for your Southern wedding?  Check it out here.

I love all the fabulous photos on their website, full of ideas for wedding day fashion...

Photos of beautiful real-bride reception tablesettings...

Fashion ideas for the bridal party.  I adore these dresses!!!

This Southern bride looks like a princess on her big day and her flower girl is adorable!

You'll also find fashion ideas for the men/boys of the wedding party.

Of course, the South is all about traditions and you will learn how to add them to your own Southern wedding.

Want a chance to have your own dream Southern destination wedding?  Enter here for a chance to win a wedding package at the Willcox in Aiken, South Carolina.  Southern Weddings is also hosting a workshop at The Willcox this weekend.  For more information, go here.

Mistletoe Market in Perry, Georgia

When I was home in Georgia recently, I went to the Mistletoe Market in Perry.  It was a great way to kick off the Christmas season with 100 vendors showing off their fun and festive products.

Mistletoe Market is hosted by the ladies of the Balvaunuca Club in Perry at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, which can be seen from I-75 traveling south of Macon, Georgia.  I'm not sure what their date is for next year, but I do hope to attend!

Here's some photos of the cute loot they offered...

Custom signs...

Gifts for the youngins...

Gifts for the grown up girls...

I bought these burlap placemats and napkins.  Can't wait to get them monogrammed in black...interlocking script, of course!

This was my absolute favorite booth...look for this to happen next year in my home.  Obsessed!  {my daddy would be proud of this new obsession}

Love these little boots...the inserts are interchangeable and can be monogrammed.

Monogrammed burlap pillows and runners...yes ma'am!

I said yes to the red velvet cookies!

Crafting areas were set up for the youngins...

Cute wreath...burlap and tartan!

Custom ornaments...

Love the stockings...personalized.

 

You can learn more about the Mistletoe Market here and they are also on Facebook here.

After having a fun time shopping, I headed to the square in downtown Perry for lunch at my favorite spot...The Swanson.  Again, if you are traveling I-75, you must stop in for lunch here!  This is the best place around for Southern comfort food and it's within walking distance of the cute shops in downtown Perry.

I'm sure I've blogged about this restaurant before, but it really is a favorite of mine.  They are always packed for lunch...so that says a lot about their food and service!


Of course, I simply must award The Swanson with "FIVE SILVER SPOONS" for their excellent food and service!