Jane Austen’s final completed novel, Persuasion, is often ranked by fans near the top of their list. But on my most recent re-read to prepare for the upcoming Netflix adaptation (July 15), I realized upon completing it that my dissatisfaction could not be shaken. My recent read left me with three reasons Persuasion no longer ranks at the top of my Austen list.
Read MoreThe wedding dress expresses her personality, works for her body type, compliments the aesthetic of her other wedding choices, is stylish but not too trendy, unique but not ostentatious, perhaps sensuous while maintaining a level of classiness, maybe flirty and foxy without crossing into provocative, bridal but not matronly, practical but as extravagant as she wishes because it is, after all, her wedding day. All this and more goes into choosing this once-in-a-lifetime gown.
Read MoreI happen to vibe with my grandma fairly easily, but I can see how the generational gap may create some disconnect when trying to find shared interests. So, in honor of my grandmother’s birthday, I am sharing five activities my grandmother and I do together along with some gift versions of each activity. She and I both hope that one of these will click for you and yours!
Read MoreMost books are ones we read in solitude and select with little regard to others’ opinions. The coffee table book, however, is of quite a different nature. These selections are inviting, intending to be perused (or at least skimmed) by guests and residents alike. Perhaps they are chosen as a way to say something about yourself. Or maybe their presence can help you discern something about others. Either way, the coffee table read is a statement.
This week, we will take a peek inside the homes of some amazing southern women who share their selections with us.
Read MoreDespite spending a year or so combing through each factor contributing to a wedding, when a bride is planning it herself, odds are some choices will be a hit and some will be a miss. It can be difficult to predict how one will feel on the wedding day, what others may do (or not do), or which direction storms may come from. To help you navigate the unpredictable waters, several recent brides share the top choices they regret and those they recommend.
Read MoreReading a book can be a magical experience. They can take you across the world, through time, even into the eyes of another creature. A collection of books seems to whisper of adventures and begs to be housed somewhere equally as promising. In honor of Independent Bookstore Day, I am sharing a short collection of Georgia bookstores that are worth the visit.
Read MoreWeddings, like ballet performances, are supposed to look effortless. However, any bride who has planned her own wedding knows that in reality the journey to the alter is anything but. For me, the twelvemonth road was packed with decisions of all shapes and sizes, most of which were obligatory. Luckily, designing, developing, and creating the wedding details were not only the most self-expressive part for me and my husband, they were what gave our wedding that magical, personal touch.
Read MoreI vividly recall the first slip dress I fell in love with. I was about 19 years old and found it on the sale rack at an Anthropologie. I do not know for sure if it was the lovely cinnamon color, soft fabric, or asymmetrical hem that stole my heart, but something possessed me to buy it despite the slight tightness around my hips. I was significantly smaller then than I am today, but have always had an hourglass shape. Love certainly blinded me that day in the store, but every time I tried to wear it afterwards I could not ignore the obviously bad fit for my body type. Though that slip dress perpetually found itself returned to the closet unworn, I could not bear to part with it for years. Eventually I let it go and resolved that a slip dress was just not for me.
Read MoreHigh school reading lists are the subject of debate, outrage, and, frequently, chagrin. Everyone from teachers to preachers to parents to politicians have strong opinions on what teenagers should or should not be required to read in school. Rather than haggling about titles and content, students want to know two things:
How long is the book?
Is it remotely interesting?
