The Not-So-Southern Belle

Underwater Engagement Pictures Are Pretty Much the Best Thing Ever, Says Internet

1/13/2015

On Christmas Day, I revealed a sneak peek of our #mermaidlife engagement shoot with Romi Burianova. How did we come up with this crazy idea, you say? I grew up on an island, I'm a little weird, and my fiance graciously agreed to go along with my underwater vision.

After three hours of bobbing up and down, gasping for air, and briefly wearing a weight belt, we got some really great shots. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

A close friend of mine wrote this piece for Refinery29 about us (in a round up of other awesome underwater shots) that lead to lots of other news outlets covering the story. See them all in the link roundup below:

Underwater Engagement Pics Are A Real Thing & They’re Perfection - Refinery29
These Underwater Engagement Photos are Breathtakingly Romantic - Elite Daily
Underwater Engagement Pics Are A Real Thing And They're Perfection - HuffPo Weddings
Underwater Engagements Are a Thing - My Daily UK

I can't wait to share the rest of the stunning images with you guys! What do you think? Please let me know in the comments!

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Get my food gift picks for Refinery29!

12/10/2014

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Make a Personalized Bridesmaid Box in 5 Steps

12/6/2014

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First of all, if this post is relevant to you — CONGRATS!! You've got a long road of wedding planning ahead (cue evil Maleficent cackle), but asking your bridesmaids is definitely one of the more fun items on the to-do list.

As a newly engaged lady, I scoured Pinterest (what else?) for creative ways to ask the fabulous gals in my life if they'd join me at the altar. I saw lots of great stuff— hello cute wine labels — yet none of it felt totally right until I came across the idea of a "bridesmaid box." A bridesmaid box is perfect because you can personalize each one, while also pampering the girls who have been by your side through it all.

With just five items, you're not only conveying how much you love this gal, but you're also including relevant wedding info she'll need for the coming months.

2. Nail Polish for the Big Day
I already had my entire wedding color palette finalized (close your eyes and envision what you want for your wedding; it's easier than you think), so this item was a 2-in-1: it's a great color any girl would love to add to her collection, and it's also the polish I'd like my bridesmaids to wear on my special day. Not sure of your wedding colors yet? Just include one you know she'll like.

4. Something Edible
This last little gift can be a savory or sweet treat of any kind. I have a notorious sweet tooth (plus Chuao chocolate bars were on sale and have the best variety of flavors), so these were a no-brainer. Feel free to include nostalgic snacks or sweets, or even items native to the area of your wedding venue if you're going the destination route.

These cute designs are from Paper Source

1. Fun Card That Fits Your Personality
I'm a firm believer in handwritten cards, so finding ones that were a bit sassy (yet totally true) topped my list of must-haves. Whether you're a fan of simple or flowery design, Patterson Paper, where I found these cards, has witty options for any kind of bride. The outside, however, isn't nearly as important as what's included inside. Your bridesmaids will be extra-touched by whatever you write. Don't forget to include pictures too!

3. Alcohol (duh)
Let's be honest, you kind of don't stop drinking once you finally get to wedding weekend, so why not get the party started early? Include a mini-bottle of whatever you and your crew drink most often.

I put a mini-prosecco in each box, but these Sofia sparkling wine cans are the cutest thing ever (and much easier to ship than glass).

5. "What's to Come" Info
Not everyone's been a bridesmaid and knows what to expect. Prepare the girls for the buttload (yes, that's a scientific term) of upcoming events. Don't forget the below info:

Your wedding date
Dress information (are you okay with them renting, do they need to wear a certain style or color?)
Tentative bachelorette plans (if you have any)
As much hotel info as you have at the time

You've got enough on your plate when it comes to wedding planning, stressing over how to ask your bridesmaids shouldn't add to the burden. Once you decide the five items you'd like to include, these boxes are a cinch to make (and super easy to mail if you don't live nearby).

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8 Must-Eat Dishes in New Orleans

11/17/2014

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The Crescent City is truly home to some of the country's best dishes. Fried, fresh-caught, or covered in powdered sugar, the list of must-haves could go on forever. I hadn't visited since a football road trip in college—where we basically just drank breakfast, lunch, and dinner—so trying as much food as possible was the name of the game this time around.

By the way, these are listed in no particular order.

1. Soft-Shell Crab Pappardelle
My handsome husband-to-be used to live in New Orleans, so he already had a few spots in mind when we started planning this trip. Irene's Cuisine was an old favorite of his that we knew would be on the list. After driving furiously, we miraculously made it to Irene's in time for our 9:45 p.m. reservation. The restaurant graciously provides a rustic bruschetta starter, which I proceeded to devour in seconds. While the Oysters Irene (baked oysters with pancetta, Romano, and shrimp) were scrumptious, the real star is the Soft-Shell Crab Pappardelle. I know people fall on either side of the fence when it comes to soft-shell crab, but trust me when I say you will absolutely love this dish. Deep fried and left intact, the crab sits atop an enormous bowl of buttery, fresh-made pappardelle that I'm sure is still making its way through my arteries right now. Definitely make a reservation, because this place gets packed with locals and tourists alike.

2. Catfish with Pickled Greens + Chili Broth
Absolutely everything at Pêche is fantastic. I promise I'm practicing such restraint by including only two dishes on this list. Full disclosure: If we'd had time to go back again, I definitely would have. Not only is all of the seafood extremely fresh, but it's also treated with the utmost care. You won't see any heavy sauces or flavor-masking ingredients here. My entree was healthy grilled tuna, so obviously our appetizer needed to be fried (it's all about balance, people). Even though the catfish is served sitting in a bowl of broth, the fried coating stays perfectly crisp (is it magic? possibly). And those pickled greens? Good LAWD. Each bite had the exact right amount of vinegar.

3. Salted Caramel Cake
Yup, this one is from Pêche too, #sorrynotsorry. We had every intention of skipping dessert, but what can I say, I'm easily swayed by salted caramel. You would think seven layers of cake would come out dense and thick, however, this slice was the exact opposite. So light, so fluffy, and so damn good, I turned away to order another glass of champagne and Will basically devoured the entire thing. With any dessert, I normally regret not getting something chocolate-y, but not this time around. This cake's mix of salty-sweet did the trick.

4. Cauliflower Paella
As a Cuban, I understand it's semi-sacreligious to eat paella without heaps of shrimp, yellow rice, and chorizo, but hear me out: Cane & Table's vegetarian version packed with maitake mushrooms, crispy brussels sprouts, and capers is the perfect dish to start a night full of drinking. You won't feel overly stuffed and your stomach will thank you for giving it some sustenance before you punish it with alcohol. Not to mention, the texture of the shredded cauliflower will seriously trick your brain into thinking it's rice.

5. Saltimbocca Pizza
I'm pretty sure Reginelli's Pizzeria is a chain, but after a night of poor choices, pizza was the only thing I wanted. This spot was another one on the beau's approved-eats list, yet I was pleasantly surprised when the dough and toppings were actually good. Like really good. It took me a hot minute to decide which pie to stuff my face with, but ultimately the Saltimbocca won out. Slathered with a garlic-herb sauce, then topped with fresh spinach, marinated chicken, and prosciutto with fresh lemon, I may never get another pizza combination again. Let me tell you, lemon on pizza is pure genius. This next-level addition really brightened each bite, and it wasn't overwhelming in the least.

6. Pecan-Crusted Gulf Fish
Commander's Palace is another spot where everything on the menu was absolutely delicious. My Louisiana blue crab appetizer (upper left) was mind-blowingly good, but since it's only a seasonal item, I won't tease you with all the details. The Pecan-Crusted Gulf Fish, however, is a dish you can—and should—get year-round. This top-seller is served over crushed corn with Prosecco poached blue crab. Smooth, buttery, and full of flavor, we both couldn't resist ordering it for our main meal.

7. Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé
This decadent dessert is a true New Orleans classic. Although it is also from Commander's, it deserves its own listing—yes, it's that good. The dessert is so popular, in fact, Commander's has an employee whose sole job is to make these puppies. The light-yet-moist pudding has hints of nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon, but the whiskey sauce is the real gem of this dish. It's poured into the center of the soufflé tableside, and it is life-changing. I dare you not to slurp it up and ask for seconds.

8. Oyster + Shrimp Po' Boy
You absolutely can't leave New Orleans without a po' boy of some sort. Personally, I'm all about oysters, but Mother's Restaurant has po' boys of all kinds. Not a seafood fan? Get the roast beef piled high with debris and gravy aka all of the yummy parts at the bottom of the pan. Either way, dip your choice in any of Mother's homemade sauces for even more zing in every bite. This place doesn't go through 175,000 pounds of roast beef and 1,500 gallons of Creole mustard a year for nothing.

Did I miss one of your favorite spots? Tell me about it in the comments!

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A Day at the Scott Antique Market

10/19/2014

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Redoing our kitchen and decorating the "blank canvas of a house," as my sweetheart likes to call it, has really brought out the DIY-maven in me. I now read Good Housekeeping magazine, I watch endless amounts of Property Brothers and my bookmarks are old paint swatches. That means I'm a domestic goddess now, right? RIGHT!?

Who the hell am I kidding?

I like pretty things, but I don't necessarily create said beautiful things. My one attempt at a DIY project pretty much consisted of me buying stain for our antique vanity and then never doing anything with it. My mom and grandmother, however, now those are two crafty ladies. They came to visit and magically my porch now has Halloween decorations, pumpkins AND beautiful flowers. That sure as hell wouldn't have happened if you'd left me to do it. Lucky for me, their visit also coincided with the one weekend in October the Scott Antique Market was open in Atlanta.

The world's largest indoor antique show is only open the second weekend of every month, but it's well worth scheduling a visit for. Open on a Thursday at 12:45 p.m., the market is full of pretty much anything you could ever want (and quite a few things you didn't even know existed).

We drove over Saturday morning and spent $5 per person to park all day. Getting around is super easy thanks to buses that loop through the North and South building parking lots. Definitely take the time to make a game plan for the day. Not only are the buildings filled to the brim, but there are also outside sidewalk and courtyard vendors the second you get on property. Arriving pretty early on Saturday, these photos are just a fraction of the cool stuff we saw.

Overflowing jewelry bins are a common occurrence. From gaudy costume gems to real diamonds the size of small rocks, each vendor prides itself on uniqueness. And they don't want to have to carry all of this stuff back with them, so pretend you're in Chinatown and negotiate! One of my mom's first purchases was given to her at 30% off, and that only started our day of good savings.

Even the handmade furniture was pretty well priced. And the wide array of vanities, cabinets, side tables and chairs sparked new ideas for future decorating. Who knew I liked worn-wood bathroom vanities with double sinks?

Now obviously some of the market does contain junk. Like that pile of gold stuff on the left. I have no idea what it is, but there were THREE TABLES worth of it. And I'm not exactly comfortable purchasing moth-ridden rugs (of which there were many), but who am I to judge what some other person deems valuable? And I saw so many letters of varying shapes and sizes, I might actually be convinced they are a good addition to our living room.

After hours of walking around, you're most likely going to get hungry. Not a problem. Popcorn, ice cream, BBQ, salads and sandwiches abound. The chicken gyro I ate upon arrival was filling enough to last me until our afternoon popcorn break. And the bowl of butter pecan and chocolate brownie ice cream with three spoons was the perfect way to wait while my grandmother's new vintage ring was sized. What? Shopping works up an appetite.

In the end, we each only left with a few baubles (or a few hundred dollars poorer if you're my grandfather), but it was cool to spend a day perusing through the "old shit." I wasn't quite ready for any big purchases this trip, but I've got my eye on a new headboard for next time.

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Peach, Brie and Ham Sandwich

9/15/2014

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Every Southern gal worth her salt should be able to whip up easy meals in minutes. No time for that nonsense, you say? I call bullshit. This sandwich is super-easy to put together and can be customized any way you like. I love to add both a touch of honey and balsamic vinegar, but you're welcome to leave 'em off if you don't want to get sticky. I always go for Cuban bread at the store, but feel free to mix things up with sourdough or even a whole-wheat baguette. Want to use cheddar and apples instead of peaches and brie? Be my guest.

Peach, Brie and Ham Sandwich
Makes 1 sandwich
Cuban bread
5 slices of Maple Ham
4 slices of Brie (cut from a wedge)
1 Peach, sliced
Panini press
Optional: Honey + Balsamic Vinegar

Cut yourself whatever size piece of Cuban bread you'd like.
Lay two slices of Brie on one side of the sandwich and two slices on the other side.
Pile on the ham!
Place three to four peach slices on top of the ham (depends on how large your sandwich is).
Drizzle with honey and balsamic.
Close it up and place on the panini press for four minutes or until flattened.
Slice in half and serve.

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I-Don't-Want-Summer-to-Go Target + Instagram Giveaway!

9/10/2014

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Just in time for Target's Altuzarra collaboration, I teamed up with some of my favorite fashion bloggers for the ultimate basic bitch giveaway. (I kid, but we all know that basics — myself included — love Target + Instagram.)

You’ll have the chance to win a $100 Target gift card, plus follow some awesome bloggers on Instagram. Be sure to bookmark this page and come back everyday because there are daily entries available. Good luck!

P.S. Check the Rafflecopter for the link to another $100 Target Giveaway for even MORE chances to win!

Prizes: $100 Target Gift Card
Organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 10/7 and is open worldwide.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

Image via Unsplash

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Make Banana Bread, Savor the Last Bit of the Weekend, Yeah.

9/7/2014

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This moist, chocolate-studded banana bread is slowly becoming a staple at my house. My aunt passed along the recipe a few weeks ago, and three loaves have come and gone in my kitchen since then. The key: Ghirardelli chocolate. I'm a sucker for the milk chocolate, but the dark is equally good. Also, take the time to separate the ingredients as the recipe instructs. I've tried it both ways, and it makes all the difference.

Jeanette's Chocolate Chip-Banana Bread
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (3 large ripe bananas)
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick), softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 9" by 5" metal loaf pan. In medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In small bowl, stir together bananas, milk, and vanilla until blended.
In a large bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture, scraping bowl occasionally.
Add chocolate chips. Stir a few times.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 1 hour 10 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of bread comes out clean. Cool loaf in pan on wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Makes 1 loaf, 16 slices.

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Check Out My Q&A with Feather Mag!

9/5/2014

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My friend and fellow UF Journalism School grad Brianti Downing founded Feather in 2011 to help twenty-something women navigate life; share milestones, challenges and triumphs; and find their voice in the media. When she asked me to share advice on working in digital media in her "So You Want To..." column, I jumped at the chance. See what I have to say: So You Want To Be an Online Editor for a Print Media Company

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11 Things to See and Eat in Savannah, Georgia

8/27/2014

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There are many reasons I’m thankful I moved back down South, but getting to travel every weekend absolutely tops the list. Being able to pack up the car and drive to a different state is so refreshing. No train hopping, no stinky people rubbing too close to you on the subway, no cries of “SHOWTIME!” to interrupt sightseeing. (That last one may be a bit of a stretch, but if you’ve ever been on a subway in NYC you know what I’m talking about.)

I’ve been lucky enough to get to see Savannah twice in as many months, and you better believe I’ll be back again. The art scene is fantastic thanks to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the historic district is well-kept, and the food is seriously some of the best I’ve eaten.

1. Forsyth Park (bonus points if you go during the Saturday farmers’ market)
All those fountain photos you always see associated with Savannah? Yeah, that’s here. Stroll the park and take in all the stunning Spanish moss. My mom took a historic tour the day before the gentleman and I arrived, so she played unofficial tour guide. If you’re interested in learning the history behind all the statues in the park, a traditional tour is a must. The Saturday farmers’ market isn’t huge, but the blackberry popsicle vendor saved my life in the afternoon heat.

2. 700 Drayton Restaurant
The boutique hotel (The Mansion on Forsyth Park) located next to this restaurant is awesome, but definitely a splurge (like romantic vacation kind of splurge). You can feel like you’re in on the fun, though, by visiting 700 Drayton. Decorated in the same style as the hotel, the restaurant is bursting with lots of cool artwork and the upstairs bar is cozy. The food itself was good, but I think it’s worth going inside just to check out the funky vibe.

3. Savannah Bee Company
Beyond the obvious bee-related products like honey and lipbalm, stop into the Savannah Bee Co. for a mead tasting. For $5 you try five meads, and can of course revisit any you really like. Make sure to try a piece of honeycomb with apple, and definitely wash it down with a ginger beer.

4. The Historic District
The historic district as a whole is full of interesting architecture and photo opportunities. SCAD took a lot of the old historic buildings and restored them for classrooms/dorms/libraries/etc. Definitely take the time to wander into whatever random shops catch your eye. We stumbled into some really cool antique stores just because we liked the outside architecture of the building (see left).

5. The Salt Table
This place has every kind of salt imaginable. Sriracha salt? Check. Salt specifically for popcorn? Check. Salt that tastes like Spanish moss? Check. As an avid cook, I've always wanted a Himalayan salt plate, and, yup, they have those too. There's also a whole wall of sugar products if your tastes are so inclined. The shop hosts wine tastings downstairs featuring local bottles if you're feeling a bit parched while shopping.

6. Nourish
In need of some pampering? Head over to Nourish. My mother is now BFF with all the ladies who work here. Definitely try one of the company's fizzing bath bombs, along with any and all of the amazing smelling soaps. I also bought loofah seeds so I can grow my own loofah tree! How cool!? The best deal, however, comes from what the store calls "grab bags." For $18, you get $40 worth of products. The catch is that you don't know what's inside until you take them home. I wasn't originally going to get one, but totally got suckered in (and I'm glad).

7. Leopold’s
Best ice cream, ever. The flavors change every month and the shop itself hasn’t been updated in years; you’ll feel like you stepped back in time.

8. City Market
This area has tons of cool little shops, but my favorites finds are below:

Savannah Candy Kitchen

Three words: rice krispie treats. These puppies are your favorite childhood snack on steroids. Get ‘em covered in chocolate, rolled in nuts – you name it! They gladly give out free samples of salt water taffy, and you’ll get a toothache from just looking at all the sweets available.

Peach Sangria

Peach sangria is the greatest thing ever invented. Especially when you’re pouring sweat in the middle of August. The Café at City Market came up with the genius idea of making a to-go line right outside the restaurant, and I bow down to them. The sangria was so refreshing and the perfect thing to sip on when you have to walk nearly a mile back to your hotel.

Byrd’s Cookies

These bite-size pieces of fun are available in tons of different flavors. My favorite, of course, were the key lime coolers, but they do a pretty good job of emulating black and white cookies, too.

9. B Tillman
Before heading to Tybee Island, we went to brunch at B Tillman. The restaurant is actually attached to the Byrd cookie factory, so you get sugar cookies with your coffee. We went before the church crowd had let out, so we basically had the whole place to ourselves. My meal is the one pictured above: a burger topped with a fried green tomato, a fried egg and pimiento cheese. Decadent, yes, but totally worth every single calorie.

10. Tybee Island Lighthouse
We honestly didn't stay at Tybee Island too long, but it was fun to climb the lighthouse and see the nearby beach. If you like "old shit," as my mom fondly calls it, there are lots of little cabins on the property for you to explore. Admission is $9.

11. The Florence + Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar
I'm putting these two restaurants together just because I couldn't tell you which one I liked more. Both just recently opened in Savannah, and both focus on Italian food. The Florence had more adventurous pastas (I got the pepperoni ragu with sardines, squid and calabrian olives), while the coca-cola short ribs at Pacci were fall-off-the-bone good.

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<< Previous

Underwater Engagement Pictures Are Pretty Much the Best Thing Ever, Says Internet

Get my food gift picks for Refinery29!

Make a Personalized Bridesmaid Box in 5 Steps

8 Must-Eat Dishes in New Orleans

A Day at the Scott Antique Market

Peach, Brie and Ham Sandwich

I-Don't-Want-Summer-to-Go Target + Instagram Giveaway!

Make Banana Bread, Savor the Last Bit of the Weekend, Yeah.

Check Out My Q&A with Feather Mag!

11 Things to See and Eat in Savannah, Georgia

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