Blog — The Southern Siren

The Father of Science Fiction is a Woman

Despite finding the movie Young Frankenstein hilarious, I suspect it, along with the many other parodies and adaptations of the monster I had seen in pop culture, contributed to my aversion. The story seemed to be totally outside of what would compel me. I assumed it had no character development, thin plot, and an oversized dose of horror. By the time I learned the author was a woman, my ignorant opinion on the matter was fully formed and unassailable; that the monster’s father was actually a woman meant nothing.

14 Wedding Decisions Ranked

Wedding planning, as I’ve mentioned, is a beast of a thing to tame. There are likely hundreds of decisions, big and small, that must be made along the way. Some are difficult decisions by the themselves, others are difficult processes that require research and time to find the outcome everyone is comfortable with.

These fourteen decisions are key elements in most weddings. And while the ranking will be different for everyone, this is my ranking from easiest to most difficult.

WeddingRachelle WilsonFebruary 13, 2022wedding, wedding planning, bride, covid-19, bridalComment

Style Inspiration Through the Generations

Yes we all know about the come back of flares, high waists, and tie dye… this is not about that.

This is about style. Unlike trends that come and go, style has everything to do with comfortability, body type, self-expression, and yes, fashion. And while many of the fashion choices of our mothers and grandmothers may stay frozen in time along with whatever used to be cute about Baby It’s Cold Outside, there are certainly tips and tricks that have proven tried and true over the years. And I, for one, have begun to pay closer attention to their stylistic leanings that have stood the test of time.

Here are three style inspirations I learned from my matriarchs.

StyleRachelle WilsonJanuary 30, 2022style, trends, fashion, vintage fashion, monochrome, accessories, bling, jewelry, mom, grandmother, layers, jackets, generational, inspirationComment

Five Things I Learned Planning a Covid Era Wedding

Weddings are a beast of thing to plan at any time. Throw in the uncertainty of a global pandemic and you’ve got yourself a monster. There may be some who opt to wait for normal times, but as far as I can tell that horizon may be years to come. And so we charged forward, with love as our standard, into the fray against foes known and unknown. Here are five takeaways that may aid the next bride wild enough to charge.

WeddingRachelle WilsonJanuary 21, 2022wedding, covid, lessons, covid-19, wedding planningComment

Siren Sounds of 2021

Music can be the thing that pulls people through tough times. These releases from 2021 have likely done just that, for those creating and those listening. Ranging from fun to feeling, this look back at select songs from the year by women across all genres is a playlist that will not disappoint.

A Year In Books

Though I have always held devoted reader as a defining part of my identity, truth be told, in recent years I have allowed the demands of life to steal away this part of me. In October 2019 I cast a line to see if I could find anyone willing to read a book along with me and just like that a book club took root. The next year brought me up to 12 books and this time last year I resolved to read 24 books in 2021, partly wondering (with a house rehab and later a wedding to plan) if I had it in me. The ebb and flow of life still knocked me about a bit, but I still fought to find time for this thing I love. Some months I read 2 or 3 and others I read none. In the end I fell short of my goal, but I am so grateful that I made it as close as I did!

Economy of Choice

In my very first Econ class in undergrad, the professor asked us what economics was about. “Money,” we answered. We were wrong. “Everyone thinks economics is about money,” he said, “but it’s not. Economics is about choices. Choices are what drive economies, not prices.”

That lesson marked the foundation of my economics major. And he was right. The price is often the last piece in the puzzle, not the first.

Rachelle WilsonMay 5, 2021amazon, Tim bray, covid-19, economics, choices, local, shop local, shop small, local love boxComment

Southern Siren Sounds of 2020

2020 was another great year for women in music. These songs continue to make their way into my queue. From folk and county to rap and pop, women are creating top tunes for every occasion.

Rachelle WilsonDecember 28, 2020Comment

Five Books for the Modern Woman

With these modern-day perils of click-bate, sensationalized reports, and screen overload, I find the commitment to reading, and reading quality, more important than ever. Reading is a way to expand understanding, develop professionally, and grow spiritually. Of course classics have their place and there is certainly value to revisiting the books of our youth. But as I push myself to step beyond my comfort zone in the work place, I should push my reading list as well.

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