August Issue of Southern Living

Safe and sound in my Travel and Livings department cubicle, I'm flipping through an unbound copy of the August edition of Southern Living. Your copy will soon by at your doorstep, but here are my top 10 reasons to start salivating now. Nothing like a new mag, huh?

1. Pat Conroy tells all and makes me crave Charleston (doesn't take much) in this gorgeous, glossy spread.
   
2. I'll also add that there is an awesomely thorough South of Broad Guide to Charleston.
   
3. THE 2009 IDEA HOUSES! Need I say more? Okay, I will--inspiring design on every page.
   
4. Eco-friendly dog products from around the South. Harper Stallings, you can now be more like your big sister.
   
5. A story on Blue Dog painter, George Rodrigue! New Orleans isn't the only town with a crush on this artist's work.
   
6. A how-to on creating a Southern garden icon: The French oil jar fountain. No courtyard is compete without one.
   
7. A recipe-chocked and photo driven story called "A Taste of Old Florida." Three cheers for seafood.
   
8. Spotlight on four one-room schoolhouses across the south reminds me of the region's heritage.
   
9. There's a fab guide to bargain deals in the South. Info on a Tibi outlet and where to get last-season Neiman Marcus.
   
10. One of my favorite editors around here, Les Thomas, hits gold with this month's Southern Journal.
    

If you are a reader in one of these states, look forward to some homegrown stories:

Alabama People & Places Volunteers with the CASA Community Garden yields vegetables for the elderly of Huntsville in this heartwarming story.

Georgia Living Photography from the rural slice of paradise Gin Creek is Southern wedding-style exemplified.

Tennessee Living An arts district of Memphis is home to the fashion mecca MUSE. Look for Betsey Johnson and Hale Bob collections!

Texas Living Get pumped for Longhorn football and read our story about Coach Brown's Women's Football Clinic. Hook 'em. I also flipped over the story about troubadour Ryan Bingham--if you haven't started listening, head over to iTunes.