Social Graces Sunday

Your posture says so much about you!  The perfect outfit, immaculate makeup, and beautiful hairdo will not camouflage poor posture.  I remember as a little girl walking around inside my home with a book on my head to improve my posture.  Did y'all do this?

The way you stand and they way you sit can make you seem more confident and attractive.  Perfect posture not only keeps you looking youthful, it also helps to alleviate headaches, back pain, and neck pain.  Standing up straight increases your height and is the fastest diet trick ever...you will instantly appear to lose 10 pounds!

Do you have good posture?  Have someone take your full length photo from the front and the side.  Your head and neck should be centered above your torso.  Your chin should be parallel to the floor.  Your back should be straight.  Your shoulders should be pulled back, down, and relaxed with your core muscles pulled in.  Tuck your buttocks under and keep your knees relaxed and your feet forward.

This chart illustrates perfect posture on the top and types of poor posture on the bottom.

The manicurist on the left is displaying poor posture and the right illustration shows her spine aligned correctly.

It's is so easy to slouch, right?  I am constantly correcting my posture and I assure y'all that it is more difficult to maintain proper posture as you age.  I hope y'all won't follow the look of the "Runway Model Slouch" of today or the "Debutante Slouch" which was in fashion years ago!  The rounded shoulders and relaxed stomach is tres chic with some, but over time, poor posture will take a toll on your shoulders, spine, hips, and knees.

So how can you improve your posture?

• Balance a book on your head and practice walking.

• Stand as if a string were pulling you up from the top of your head.

• Sit up straight and don't work humped over at your desk.

• Consult a personal trainer who can assist you with exercises to strengthen your spine and build core strength.

So start practicing to improve your posture.  Sit up straight.  Stand up straight.  Smile and project an image of confidence!

Tybee Island, Georgia Tour of Homes

I'm so excited to be a docent at this year's Tybee Island Tour of Homes.  It will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2014, from 10 am - 4 pm.  This tour will feature nine properties...all decorated with a coastal/island theme.  There are quirky, funky cottages, condos, and stylish homes.  Each property will have docents on hand to tell the history of the property.  These are a few of the homes that will be on the tour:

 You can purchase advance tickets online for $40 or $45 the day of the event and the price includes lunch.  This year's tour will benefit the Tybee Island Maritime Academy, The Rising TYdes Community Food Pantry, and the Fresh Air Home.

Hope to see y'all there!

International Cherry Blossom Festival

I am going to Mama's in a couple of weeks and will just miss the International Cherry Blossom Festival.  It is underway in Macon, Georgia and will continue until March 30th.  There is something for everyone to enjoy...concerts, a parade, a 5k race, the Military Ball, and shopping...think Pink Pink Pink!

Of course, every festival and parade in the South has a Queen and the 2014 Cherry Blossom Queen is the beautiful Miss Chandler Peavy.

There is also Cherry Blossom Royalty...The Queen with her Princesses--Ambassadors for the festival and city of Macon.

One of my favorite Maconites, Mark Ballard will be coordinating The Color Pink Fashion Show and Champagne Brunch, scheduled for March 27th at 11:00am, featuring celebrity guest models, local Macon fashionistas, and Cherry Blossom Royalty.  You can find more information about this event here.

Smallcakes Macon is offering all kinds of cherry cupcakes to celebrate the festival...this one is a cherry bomb cupcake!

The Macon-Bibb County Firefighters host a Pink Pancake Breakfast during the festival and will be serving up pink pancakes again this Saturday, the 29th.

Today, I  am enjoying the Cherry Blossom Tea from Harney Teas.  This is a blend of green teas and the vibrant flavor of plump, fragrant cherries.  The easy-to-use tea sachets are stored in a pretty pink tea tin.

Check out the Cherry Blossom Festival website and also 'like' their Facebook page for all the information you need to know to celebrating Spring in the South and the beautiful cherry blossoms!

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.

Girls Raised in the South LOVE Dumplings

Yesterday, I had to run some errands..."Here's What I Wore"  The capris are by Lilly and the pink gingham blouse is by Izod

My Accessories:  The monogrammed 'Trouble Hibiscus' tumbler is by Lilly.  I used my white iPhone cover monogrammed in pink and wore a bit of 'Wink' Lilly fragrance.  The white mules are by Lilly.  My ponytail bow is pink grosgrain and I wore my pearl necklace and earrings, with my 'Eternity' wedding band by Cartier and 'Oyster Perpetual' Rolex.

I carried this cute little 'All a Flutter' wristlet by Lilly...

Later in the day, it was time to prepare dinner for Miss Pauline and my husband.  I decided to go with Chicken and Dumplings--one of their favorite dishes...none for moi, of course {although I do love them--must stick with my clean eating diet!}  Here I am with a goblet of iced tea...wearing my G.R.I.T.S.--Girls Raised in the South apron...from my "Prissy Apron Collection."

I used Mary Hill Dumplings...of course!!!  So very Southern.

Mama has used Mary Hill Dumplings to prepare her Chicken and Dumplings for years.  No wonder, 'cuz they are very close to homemade and the company is located in Mama's hometown of Hazlehurst, Georgia.  Ms Hill started the company but doesn't actually own the company any longer.

Now y'all know my dinnerware had to coordinate with my outfit...pink gingham!

The Chicken and Dumplings and green beans...

 Cornbread and sliced tomatoes.  Gotta keep it Southern for Miss Pauline!

You can find these delicious dumplings in the frozen section of Walmart.
Miss Pauline's {AKA Mary Hill's} Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe:
Place the chicken in a large pot and add water to cover, cook until tender.  Remove the chicken, and remove any skin and bone.  Bring the chicken broth to a boil and drop the dumplings one at a time.  Stir the dumplings very gently...adding more chicken broth.  Turn the heat to low, cover, and cook 30-35 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally...gently!  You can add the chicken back to the pot or add it to the dumplings, plated.