“A writer is congenitally unable to tell the truth

and that is why we call what he writes fiction.”

- William Faulkner

Photo courtesy of The University of Michigan Library

Ladies Who Lunch Work

Some mornings I have the most productive prework schedule. Yoga, a healthy breakfast, quiet time, and a leisurely primpfest. This is far from the majority of my work week morning rituals. Thanks to Tuesday nights out at Jackson's in Homewood or Otey's in Mountain Brook, midnight summer blockbuster premiers, and nights catching up on TiVo'd shows, a few extra minutes in bed are divine. An easy go-to outfit, accessory stash, and summerized primp routine are all I need to look my best for work during the dog days of summer.

Continue reading my article on MyScoop.us.

Fit To Be Tied

Photo courtesy of Southern Proper

AmericanBoom, a blog encouraging creating jobs in the states, posted this interesting read about the much-loved Southern Proper company:

"Assuming your area of the south has discovered the internet, climb in your fratmobile, go home, and go to southernproper.com and check out these preppy, preppy ties," declares writer Paul Joseph.

Why, thank you darling. But many of us are hot on the Proper trail already. Just like a bird dog.

I'll Speak My Southern English

Sometimes, we venture beyond the Mason-Dixon and discover our new-found status as a conversation piece. But hey, it turns heads--and that's not always a bad thing.

For anyone who's ever answered the "Oh my Gawd, where are yous guys from" question. Read this charming article, hot off the press from MyScoop.us.

Photo courtesy of Harper's Weekly, 1861

His or Hers

Photo courtesy of WhoWhatWear

Freshman year of college, with a high school uniform nary in sight, I had to adjust to the world of real life. I could no longer pull out my standard issue button downs, polos, and crest emblazoned crewneck sweaters.

What's a girl to do when her (closet) world is rocked? Simple, shop in the little boys section. No annoying women's cut polos here, just basic straight cuts.

My WhoWhatWear email today reminded me of all the times I've said "pardon me" while brushing into a 10-year-old--as we grab the same shirt.

Guess I Have To Keep 'Em...

Once again, I was honestly worried about the welfare of my feet, but Katie was there to the rescue. Thanks to Southern Living editor Richard Banks for capturing one of my shining moments.

Boot Scootin'

For an upcoming Southern Living story, I have been hot on the trail of fabulous Texas boot designer Stephanie Ferguson. As a girl has yet to grow out of that inevitable I-just-love-horses-stage, I have been entranced with her boots: the gorgeous inlay, handcut designs, and crafting process.

And then I met them in person. Today, a shipment of six pairs of Stephanie Ferguson creations landed on my Southern Living desk. You should smell these puppies--the leather alone is an southern aphrodisiac.

So Katie (my fellow intern) and I decided to have an impromptu fashion show on the third floor. Which was great and wonderful, until my foot got stuck in one of the boots and it took 12 minutes for Katie to yank it off. Disclaimer: I wear a size 7 and the boot was approximately a 4.

Katie, if it weren't for you, my foot would still be located inside the Southwestern Style boot. And my abs would be significantly less toned from laughing so hard.

Southern Bucket List

If there is one thing (and trust me, there's more than one thing) I've discovered in my two months interning in Southern Living travel headquarters, it's that these people know the south. Seriously--any one of the editors can rattle off where locals dine on the freshest seafood, the personality of City A compared to City B, and how on earth to pronounce that little island of the coast of Carolina.

These erudite scholars of the South were prime suspects for assistance in compiling a Southern Bucket List. Here's their Top 40 Things to Do in the South Before You Die.

What have you done? What would you include on a Southern Bucket List?

Continue reading my article on SouthernLiving.com

Buzz: 30Threads

South by Southwest Virginia

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

Sample Sales

Say the word: sale. It slithers off my tongue in one quick syllable. Stack the word "sample" in front of that, and you can count me in. A sample sale is a retailers way of offering beautiful excess merchandise at a mere fraction of the cost (just in case you've taken a siesta from the chick lit and/or flick genre). Cue the flurry of caffeinated fashionistas, sharp-for-a-reason stilettos, and anxious tossing of expertly crafted garments: sample sales are quick and dirty, and lucrative to come by.

As we know, things take a little while to drift down here to the sultry south. But thanks to the internet, southerners are finally tapped into this big-city based phenomenon.

Continue reading my article on MyScoop.us.

Photo courtesy of RueLaLa

Northbound to Nashtown

Friday 6/12/2009 at 4:02 p.m. - I get an email from my best friend, an intern at Birmingham's stunning Museum of Art. What on earth were we going to do over the weekend? The following is our conversation:

Ashlyn: Cabin fever. BAD. i'm about to say lets jet off to ATL or nashville

Sloan: really?? can we please? i just said those exact same words to my mother i am DYING to get outta this town. (I should add at this point that, despite a Braves game, we have been kicking it in the fabulous 'Ham for approximately 5 consecutive months.)

Ashlyn: you think we could swing it? you know i'm in if you are.

Sloan: well. we'd have to decide where first.

Ashlyn: ha. okay, hm. can we go to n'ville?

Bingo. 1.5 hours later, with Vera Bradley bags packed and Dave's new album blaring, my counterpart and I hit the road

I-65: Northbound to Nashville.

Continue reading my article on SouthernLiving.com

If I came back as a magazine...

Garden & Gun mag:

thick cultural chronicler

of my sweet Southern world.

G&G, you read my mind--just last week I despairingly cursed Facebook's finicky search engine. Little did I know, you did not have a fan page. Become a fan of G&G on Facebook.

p.s. My apologies, Facebook.

And you know G&G has weekly email newsletters, right?

Photo courtesy of Garden & Gun

As Long as I Get Patterson

Photo courtesy of Sweets by Zoe

You know it's true when you and your darling sister have uttered something like the following:

K: Okay, well you can have Elliott as long as I get Patterson.

A: Fine, but who gets Stallings?

K: I guess whoever has babies first. That means you have to actually get a boyfriend, Ashlyn.

Ah, family keeps us grounded. Here's to being Southern and using family names as first names. Read this article published on Like the Dew by Noel Holston. And then call your sister and stake your claim. If you haven't already done so, of course.

I Love My Internship Reason #986

For no reason at all, today I acquired two beautiful bottles of D&G perfume. (Okay so I lied, one of the editors is on some glorious mailing list and as a motorcycle-driving man, wasn't really feeling the Gabanna love.) The Anthology Collection by D&G will launch in September 2009. The five bottles bear monickers from tarot cards.

Though I love L'Imperatrice 3, I'm absolutely sold on L'Amoureux 6--I have a penchant for musky scents. It's just enough to make me set down my Tom Ford Black Orchid.

What's the most fabulous thing you've inherited from an internship or job?

Photo courtesy of Dolce and Gabanna

Husband hunting 101

You know you want it. Precious Muffy is calling us all to enter her fabulous give away.

Dearest Muffy,
Though I gracefully toss my grosgrain-trimmed hat into the ring, I shall also include my reasoning for doing so. I am in dire need of summer reading--the nerd in me craves the days of my Trinity School summer book list. Colleges apparently don't do this. Further, I get some of my best reading done on planes and poolside--two places I find myself lately. Thirdly, quintessential independent girls enjoy this type literature.

xoxo,
eSa

Tales from the Road (or my cubicle, take your pick)

I miss my "spolatian" days, but thanks to blogging for Southern Living's Tales from the Road travel blog, I can relive the days when the little jewel box of a city was mine to explore. I didn't know a soul, and so leaning on God as my only friend was awesome (don't worry I made friends as the jasmine-scented days tolled along).

And I'm not sure I can express how thrilled I am to be posted on one of my favorite magazine's websites, so ask me about in person. Squealing will be involved.

"You know those little triggers that cue the voice in your head to say, “This time last year?” Lately for me, memories ensue with the thick scent of confederate jasmine or the lowcountry cookbooks lying around my apartment—it’s safe to say I miss Charleston these days. This time last year, I was interning at the fabulous Spoleto Festival USA in the Holy City..."

Jump to read more.