Details from Swan House

Enamored with the Jazz Age and the New South? Visit Atlanta's Swan House for a taste of 1920's culture, design, and luxury!

Enamored with the Jazz Age and the New South? Visit Atlanta’s Swan House for a taste of 1920’s culture, design, and luxury! Down in Atlanta behind the eye popping electric blue doors of a classical style mansion the swinging lilt of jazz and the faint tinkle of a flapper’s jet beads can be heard amid…

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Currently Reading…My Southern Journey

Rick Bragg's book My Southern Journey will make you laugh out loud and cry until your eyes are bleary. Every Southerner should own this incredible work. I recommend reading this with a glass of bourbon on your favorite porch.

Let Rick Bragg take you home with My Southern Journey… This book takes me to places familiar: It takes me to lazy evenings rockin’ on my grandmother’s porch. It takes me on truck rides down back country roads on misty mornings. It takes me to oyster bars in Charleston and a barstool in my favorite…

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Our Adventure to Grandfather Mountain

Experience the wonder and adventure of Grandfather Mountain with breath-taking vistas, alpine hiking trails, and rugged mountain scenery.

Experience the wonder and adventure of Grandfather Mountain with breath-taking vistas, alpine hiking trails, and rugged mountain scenery. If you haven’t been to Grandfather Mountain, then you need to go. Go! Go now! Not only is it a unique natural landmark of North Carolina, but its mile high bridge, mountain scenery, and thrilling hiking make…

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Life is Better at the Lake

Did you know that you can rent a cabin in a lot of state parks? This is a totally new discovery for me, but two weekends ago S. and I did just that to celebrate our four year wedding anniversary. We rented a little cabin on the lake at Big Ridge State Park, and it…

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Styling Your Home with Sentimental Decor

Display your keepsakes, layer your travel mementos, and give family heirlooms pride of place: learn how to style your home with sentimental decor. As Southerners we are undeniably partial to sentimental decor whether it’s childhood keepsakes, travel mementos, or antique heirlooms passed down for generations. These treasures tell our stories. They make up the fabric…

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Southernisms: Mama Always Said…

Southern mamas' advice - The best words of wisdom from our Southern mamas - take them to heart!

Southern mamas’ advice – the best words of wisdom from our Southern mamas – take them to heart! As y’all know, Southern mamas are brimming over with important pearls of wisdom, and in honor of Mother’s Day this weekend I’m sharing some of my favorite Southern mamas’ advice from my own family. After all, “Mama…

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When a Southerner Gives Directions

How to give directions like a Southerner

Ever been on one of those back country roads in the South rambling through cornfields and pecan groves, passing by roadside stands, and circuitously winding your way through unfamiliar territory? On these roads, signs seem few and far between. Cell phone service is iffy, and your GPS hasn’t a clue. It keeps telling you turn…

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Do You Know these Southernisms?

I just love a good Southern sayin’! There is no denying that we know how to turn a phrase. Even though I was born and raised in the South, there are still Southernisms that catch me by surprise every now and again. Sometimes our colloquialisms are down right poetic. Every so often they are next…

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Etiquette Guide — The Art of Receiving a Call

The Art of Receiving a Call: Rule No. 4 Always Offer Refreshments. Get more etiquette tips on penderandpeony.com

I was inspired to write The Art of Paying a Call after accompanying my mother on her round of social visits. Not only did I observe her behavior as the caller, but also how we were greeted and welcomed by our hostess/host. But while writing this etiquette guide, The Art of Receiving a Call, I…

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Etiquette Guide – The Art of Paying a Call

The Art of Paying a Call Print. Master these rules at penderandpeony.com

So…I couldn’t resist creating a cute little print to go with my earlier post about the rules of paying a call in the South. Just think of this as a quick etiquette guide! Want to read the full rules? I would love to hear your opinion! Did I cover everything? Is there a ritual you…

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