Good ole fashion bakery and deli in downtown Homewood, Alabama. This made by hand, family owned establishment has been a community staple since 1939. I grew up going to Savages as a child and ate many a smiley face sugar cookie.
Bakery, chocolate shop, ice cream parlor….Sucre has it all. If you are shopping on Magazine Street, it is the perfect pit stop for a caffeine and sugar buzz!
Not your traditional bakery but a lunch spot that makes their own bread and desserts so I figured it counts. They have the most insane lemon “mile-high” meringue pie! They also have homemade blueberry lemonade- it is so yum.
Just looking at this photo makes me giddy. This place is my all time favorite- A little slice of France in Alabama. This bakery is a great place to stop in for a quick breakfast or lunch with friends or solo. If you’re wanting a more substantial meal- head next door to their cafe Chez Lou Lou!
May 1-3 Southern creatives, businesses, brands, and blogs gathered in Jekyll Island for the first ever Southern C Summit. It felt a lot like summer camp but with excellent food and cocktails.
tscsummit team beach house
As part of the #tscsummit team, the week for us started Tuesday night with a delicious low country boil spread from Latitude 31 Raw Bar courtesy of our cabana boy Vance, aka Cheri’s husband, and a late night swag bag stuffing party.
Caroline and Natalie of Low Country Luxe
Finally!
With our bellies and swag bags stuffed we called it a night.
TSC Summit Day 1
The next day we started the day off right with some burgers, fries, and mimosas! We do it right in the South- work hard and play harder!
That afternoon was check in at the beautiful Morgan Center on Jekyll Island.
The Morgan Center was originally built in 1929 by the financier JP Morgan as JP Morgan Tennis Center where members of the elite Jekyll Island Club dressed in their whites and enjoy playing tennis indoors shielded from bad weather.
In recent years, the deteriorated tennis courts were rebuilt to serve as a conference/meeting facility. They did an incredible job! Time lapse video is courtesy of Ben Galland, a local St. Simons Island photographer.
At #tscsummit check in, our attendees were greeted by the lovely ladies of Maison de Macrons from Savannah, Georgia and given a sweet treat. They were absolutely delicious- chocolate were my fav.
Next up was Cocktails and Conversations with Southern Living editors. This was a great way to kick off the summit. Southern Living created three cocktails from their trusty test kitchen and the Jekyll Island Club provided some delicious appetizers and we all got a chance to sample and mingle for a while.
I love all things grapefruit so The Dogwood was my fav.
Loved seeing fellow C-Team member Miss Amber Ryder of For the Love of the South!
old college buds
Ran into some old friends too- Caroline of Caroline Ceramics and I attended Birmingham Southern College back in the day!
It’s always fun hangin’ with the ladies from Viola’s Market!
appetizer sampler
After some mingling I had to get my hands on some food! All of the appetizers provided by the Jekyll Island Club hit the spot.
Day 2
Day 2 of #tscsummit was full of learning sessions and networking. As a blogger, I tried to soak up as much info from the pros as possible. I found all the sessions helpful and encouraging; I look forward to implementing a lot of the strategies I learned about.
Our studious crowd
As a social media manager for The Southern C, Day 2 was nuts. Live tweeting, instagramming, note taking, phone charging, checking in attendees, errand running, luncheon set up- my feet are getting sore just thinkin’ about it. I did take breaks to indulge in all the fabulous food. It was a fantastic day- full of positive energy, fun personalities, and inspiring stories.
Lulie Wallace and Chassity Evans
Beachview Tent Rentals saved us from the monsoon rains that afternoon…we are eternally grateful!
small sampling from our delicious oceanside luncheon
Lunch was phenomenal! A huge thank you to Big T’s Coastal Provisions, Sociale Mocktails, Cathead Vodka, Halyards, Southern Soul BBQ, and High Road Craft Ice Cream!
Goo Goo Cluster Pie and coffee break!
We were thoroughly entertained by the night’s keynote speakers- Aiden Hornaday of Aiden Cares and K. Cooper Ray of Social Primer.
Southern Supper
Viola’s Market created the gorgeous arrangements for the Southern Supper that night. I’m a sucker for succulents.
I enjoyed relaxing in 24e Design’s luxe lounge.
My social media partner in crime for the event- Emily Taylor.
Day 3
After an info filled morning with biz guru Ryan Dohrn, the #tscsummit team headed for a wrap up lunch and a big ole nap!
tscsummit team
I’m so thankful to be a part of this unique group of people and for this crazy experience! Can’t wait ’til #tscsummit Athens on August 1 and #tscsummit Nashville on October 17! Hope to see y’all there!
For more about The Southern C- check out the social network and get in on the convo! To learn more about The Southern C Summit click here.
Well I’m 29… last year in my 20s. It’s not so bad- weird – but I’m ok with it.
Friday Five today is a list of 5 things to do to finish out my 20s. It’s not that I can’t do them later, but because I want to do them as soon as possible!
Southerners love their burgers…People rave about this one so much I have to get my hands on one! Prep for these exclusive patties starts at 9pm and by 9:50 the house is even more packed out because 10pm is Burger Time!
Thanks to my grandparents, I was a young disciple of Patsy Cline and grew up listening to old school country. I’ve always wanted to visit and see a show in the original Grand Ole Opry.
I immersed myself in Mississippi Blues for about a year during my thesis writing and during google searches discovered this unique hotel in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This converted plantation allows a glimpse into plantation life and a place of pilgrimage for blues enthusiasts.
1. Drive cross country with my hubby- starting in the South and work our way West.
May is National Historic Preservation month and this year’s theme is See, Save, and Celebrate! Having completed my masters in August and not currently working in a traditional historic preservation job- I’ve been feeling a little out of the historic preservation loop lately. It seems fitting that today I realized that it is National Preservation Month.
Reading the National Trust Organization’s press release about #presmonth reminded me that it doesn’t really matter if you are a “Preservationist” (proper), to make an impact. Usually the people that cause the most change or have the biggest impact are citizens with a genuine interest or passion for a historic building or landscape. One of the reasons I started this blog was to share interesting historic buildings and sites I discover on the road and to remind myself and others of how much there is to see in our own “backyards.” If one person sees something they like on the blog and shares it with someone else then I am accomplishing my goal (slowly but surely).
Needwood Baptist Church- Brunswick, GA
Needwood Baptist Church is one of my favorite buildings near my hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia.
This site is intriguing to me because so few of the vernacular structures of this era are still standing in Glynn County. It’s amazing to me that this church and the neighboring school house are mostly unharmed except for damage due to age and neglect. I love double tower church types too- the asymmetry is so unique. I’m not sure what the solution is to “save” this site but I’m sharing it with y’all in hopes that you can see it.
There are so many beautiful and unique historic places in the South and beyond; if people don’t know about them, then they can’t celebrate them, and ultimately they can’t save them. So this month- get out there and see, save, and celebrate!
Here are some #presmonth ideas proposed by the National Trust to get you goin’
Community Service Opportunities: Possible projects might include a clean-up day at a local house museum or along a historic Main Street. Consider partnering with other local nonprofit organizations in your area to sponsor the event. This will allow you to forge new relationships to build on in the future and will also provide an opportunity to attract new volunteers that may not be familiar with your organization or site.
Demonstration Projects: Many people who own a historic property enjoy learning more about restoration techniques and new products. Consider hosting lectures, workshops, or demonstrations for historic home owners. Topics might include how to select appropriate paint colors, proper methods to repair older windows, plant choices for historic garden styles, or ideas for improving energy efficiency in older homes.
Special Events: Host building tours, open houses, living history events, and special exhibits for your members and potential new members or supporters. Sponsor a photography contest and post the photos on your website or ask folks to send in letters about their favorite local landmark. Don’t forget to take advantage of social media. Encourage attendees to use Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to share photos or spread the word. The official hashtag for Preservation Month 2013 is #presmonth.
Southern mothers are one of a kind- sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy, but always full of love for their little ones. I recently discovered this quote from Lyle Lovett about the Wisdom of a Southern Mother from Garden and Gun. It reminds me of the sweet, strong, Southern mothers in my life.
Lyle Lovett, musician: When I was growing up, my mom often told me, “There are many correct ways to do something.” I still think about that as I figure out how to move forward each day. My mom always encouraged independent thought, not simply falling in line for the sake of it. That’s only one of many, many, many qualities that I love about her.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there…especially mine She’s awesome.
After countless hours of research on the Delta Blues for my thesis last year, I am dying to visit this area of Mississippi and hear its famous sound. Supposed to be one of the best!
I saw Larry Keel recently in Athens and it reminded me how much I love seeing live bluegrass music. This one if happening this weekend so I definitely won’t make it but I will in the future!
4. The Hangout Music Festival- Gulf Shores, AL
Music fest on the beach…yes please! The lineup is pretty awesome too. Check it out!
Hard not to love a music and arts fest happening down the street from where you live! And all the proceeds go towards a worthy cause… The AthFest Music Festival is a fundraiser produced by local nonprofit AthFest Educates. The money we earn is used to fulfill our mission statement: AthFest Educates inspires, engages, and educates the youth and adults of Athens in music and arts by providing sustained funding for programs and initiatives through events that showcase the community’s talent.
I know this isn’t a new festival but new to me… With names like these on their lineup it is no surprise that it was named as on of the top festivals of 2012 by Rolling Stone Magazine. The Black Keys and the Alabama Shakes on the same night in the same city- SOLD!
Tourism is one of the largest industries and employers in the United States.
The first week in May is nationally recognized as National Travel and Tourism week; a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Events take place in cities, states, and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. For more info- click here!
You don’t have to go far- just get out there and explore!
I love to travel because I love the sense of adventure and discovery it provides. Whether you are going abroad or checking out the town down the road…you never know what you may find.
What are some of your favorite destinations? Why do you love to travel?
