Blog - The Southern Source

Back in the Spring, I discovered the best Summer sandals from Vionic and shared them here. Well, this shoe company has wowed me again, but this time with the best house slipper EVER! Vionic does no wrong in my book. Shoes should be comfortable and functional, which is why I now own 3 pairs of Vionic shoes. These house shoes are so incredible they made Oprah's Favorite Things list this year! This inspired me to look on her list to see what else we might have in common! Turns out, Oprah and I ... Read More about A Few of My Favorite Things

Best Photographers in Birmingham

Photographers in Birmingham, AL Since starting The Southern Source blog almost a year ago, I have been lucky enough to work with so many creative people right here in Birmingham. It's inspiring to connect with local business owners, entrepreneurs, and other bloggers to collaborate on special projects. A photographer is such a crucial creative to have on board when telling a story. These photographers in Birmingham, AL are some of the most talented and are at the top of their game. If you are ... Read More about Best Photographers in Birmingham

Best Cocktails and Bars in Birmingham

Birmingham Restaurants and Bars The creativity and resurgence of this city are alive and my favorite places to witness it is through the bars and restaurants. Within the past year, Birmingham, AL has blown up on the foodie map in America. Our city is being visited by big-name chefs like Alton Brown and Andrew Zimmern, and recognized by news outlets as being the next "Hot Foodie Town." Before diving into the actual food portion of my Birmingham Guides, we'll start off with a drink, because ... Read More about Best Cocktails and Bars in Birmingham

How Blogging Can Help Land Your Dream Job

Are you currently loving your job? I kinda just found what that feels like! Are you hating your job? Maybe it’s not the best fit for your personality and talents. That was me, but I really tried to see the silver-lining while I was there and just continued to learn and gain experience, knowing it would help me land my dream job one day... I have moved to an amazing company with exceptional values and I am so excited for what lies ahead. A lot of my creativity will be poured out in managing ... Read More about How Blogging Can Help Land Your Dream Job

Outdoor Patio Makeover

Some items in this post are courtesy of Joss & Main* Dress | Nordstrom When I started this blog almost a year ago, I never had plans to share any rooms or spaces in our home because I've never felt that confident in my decorating skills. This definitely isn't a design blog, but I do love to entertain and that's the main reason I decided that our outdoor patio needed a makeover. We enjoy spending time outside grilling with friends and playing with our pup, Bonnie, so I really wanted to ... Read More about Outdoor Patio Makeover

Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

Frosé is the adult slushee of America. When slushees start making their rounds, you know it's Summertime! I'm excited to share this frozen rosé recipe with you today. Cheers, friends! What you'll need 13x9 baking dish High Powered Blender Ingredients 1 750 ml bottle of rosé (I used Dark Horse) ½ cup sugar 8 ounces strawberries, quartered 2½ ounces fresh lemon juice 2 oz vodka (optional) Pour rosé into a 13x9" pan and freeze until almost solid (it ... Read More about Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

Earl Grey Cocktail

Spring Cocktail Recipes New season, new cocktails! I love all the beautiful flowers that come with spring. The azaleas are so pretty this time of year in Alabama and we have some gorgeous pink ones that surround our house in Birmingham. We’ve been having some issues with Bonnie digging in the backyard, so we’re working to correct this issue.. any suggestions? Ah, yes. I thought you might say a few cocktails would help. This earl grey cocktail is the perfect distraction from recognizing that our ... Read More about Earl Grey Cocktail

Bachelorette Trip in Miami

Travel

Ok, so you've decided to make your way down to Miami for the most epic bachelorette trip of all time! Congrats, it's going to be amazing! We travel to Miami often for family and fun, so I've become quite the little tour guide. Here is my full guide on how to book your trip, best places to stay, where to party, what to eat, and everything in between. Bachelorette Trip in South Beach Booking Flights First thing you'll want to do is book your flights. We like to make a mini vacation out of ... Read More about Bachelorette Trip in Miami

Outdoor Entertaining Tablescape

This post is sponsored by Bella Vita The heat has been upon us here in the South for quite some time now, but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the Summer sunshine and spending time outdoors. Hosting backyard BBQ's and neighborhood potlucks will definitely continue into the Fall, and that's when I started to re-think how the outdoor area was set up. See photos here of how it looked before. We went from a large 7-piece Martha Stewart dining set, to a smaller 50-inch table. Before, the ... Read More about Outdoor Entertaining Tablescape

Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Some go-to salads for me are a kale Caesar and a good Cobb salad. Traditionally, a Cobb salad is full of different meats, like ham, chicken, and bacon plus vegetables such as, avocado, tomato, cucumber and red onion. Bleu cheese and shredded cheddar are also popular toppings. The best thing about making your salads at home is the ability to customize them with what you love and leave off the things you don’t. My ideal cobb salad has: ... Read More about Cobb Salad

New Orleans Travel Guide

Travel

I wish I could say impromptu weekend trips to nearby cities were the norm around here, but they totally aren't. If you are from the South, then your weekends could look similar to mine which are typically filled with engagement parties, weddings, baby showers, community events, backyard BBQs, or dare we miss a sporting event! Definitely not complaining because I love my life here in Birmingham, but sometimes it's nice to have an open weekend where you can have the freedom to say, "YES! Let's ... Read More about New Orleans Travel Guide

Top 5 Small Kitchen Appliances

Small Kitchen Appliance Must-Haves for 2018 1. Blender A blender is an incredibly useful tool to have in the kitchen. I fell in love with this DashTM Digital Blender three years ago, it does everything I need it to do, and more! It blends for smoothies, purees for dips and sauces, heats for soups, and freezes for margaritas! 2. Cuisinart Egg Central If you love making eggs, then you absolutely need this appliance. It’s small, lightweight and efficient. Long are the days where you have to ... Read More about Top 5 Small Kitchen Appliances

Ginger Molasses Cookies

The Perfect Ginger Molasses Cookie There's something about ginger that makes me happy. Doesn't really matter whether you put it with vodka, a salad, or in a cookie, I'M IN! For Christmas eve last year, I gave my first go with Ginger Molasses cookies and I thought they turned out o.k. I can't remember where I found the recipe, but I thought they were a little poufy, cakey and a bit dry. Still ok to serve, but I've been looking for a new recipe to adapt this year and I've finally found the ... Read More about Ginger Molasses Cookies

Raspberry Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule The Moscow Mule has become one of the most favored drinks in America and for a good reason! With just three ingredients you can make this popular cocktail at home. The ginger beer is what makes this cocktail unique, and while there are many different brands out there, they are not all created equal. The fresh ginger taste is what differentiates a Moscow Mule in the cocktail world. Spice yours up by using a bold ginger beer like the one from Buffalo Rock Co. Some may not want ... Read More about Raspberry Moscow Mule

Most Affordable Wines – Best White and Reds Under $20

Best Affordable Wines If there’s one thing I have learned from my parents, it’s always to have a good bottle of wine on hand. Definitely not the most important lesson, but one that sticks with me, especially when the holidays roll around. My parents are seasoned vets when it comes to hosting guests for the holidays. Both were born and raised in the South, so southern hospitality runs through our veins. Growing up, they embraced an open door policy, and I have carried that same principle ... Read More about Most Affordable Wines – Best White and Reds Under $20

Blue Apron vs. Plated

$40 Off Your First Month of Blue Apron! Plated vs. Blue Apron If you're like me, you spent the weekend indulging in BBQ and beer, and probably need to pump the brakes! This Creamy Corn Risotto is light and meat-free, making it a great option for "meatless Monday". We received this recipe in our Plated box a few weeks back and I was a little intimidated when I read "risotto" on the recipe card, mainly because I've seen Scott Conant chop the hell out of chefs for under cooking this ... Read More about Blue Apron vs. Plated

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Right before our wedding last year we received the holy grail of wedding gifts. I finally got my very own Kitchen Aid Mixer! I had been following Gaby Dalkin on social media and her desserts always looked devilish, so I looked up Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes on her blog and stumbled across the Vanilla Bean Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. The first time I made these cookies, I went straight by the recipe (which is so unlike me… I hate measuring which is why you won’t see a ton of baking on this ... Read More about Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

Birmingham Hair Salons

My hair person just opened a brand new salon in Birmingham, AL called Hairfolk. Check out their new digs! HairFolk Salon | Birmingham, AL Founded by highly sought-after hair stylist Eric Goss in September of 2017, Hairfolk is Birmingham’s newest high-end hair salon that specializes in expert cuts, styling and coloring techniques, such as balayage, and most importantly, stylists you can trust. This premier hair salon is NOW OPEN and is located in the heart of Birmingham’s Avondale ... Read More about Birmingham Hair Salons

The Yellow Hammer | Alabama’s Official Cocktail

Football season is right around the corner and there's no way you're cheering on the Tide without a Yellow Hammer in hand. Get the recipe below, and fuel your team up by making some of my favorite game day appetizers like, Guacamole, deviled eggs, and hot spinach artichoke dip. Roll Tide! Skinny Yellow Hammer Recipe If there were ever a drink to define a gameday experience in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it would be the Yellow Hammer. Whether it's your first trip to Gallettes or your 30-year college ... Read More about The Yellow Hammer | Alabama’s Official Cocktail

Delicious Deviled Eggs

Classic Deviled Eggs with a Modern Twist Many southern deviled egg recipes include pickles, and I'm not opposed! My first true love is pickles. But, if there's one category of pickles that I HATE, it's sweet pickles. Bread and Butter pickles should not exist in my opinion. That's just ME! I know plenty of people who like them, and I am not here to be the pickle judge... While I'm listing off the things I don't like, yellow mustard is one of them. So now I've named two classic ingredients ... Read More about Delicious Deviled Eggs

The Ultimate Guacamole Recipe

Copy-Cat Chipotle Guacamole Recipe The hunt for a Guacamole recipe started a few years ago when I became obsessed with how Chipotle made theirs so perfect each and every time. While Chipotle got a bit of a bad rap in 2015-2016 for their E. Coli outbreak, you cannot deny their uncanny ability to serve what it quite possibly some of the best restaurant-grade guacamole we’ve ever seen. Well, sometimes you can’t get to a Chipotle to get your fix and that little “side” that they give you is ... Read More about The Ultimate Guacamole Recipe

Refreshing Grapefruit Margarita

The grapefruit and the orange are definitely cousins, but they couldn't be more different in terms of flavor. Grapefruit is bitter, slightly tart, and sour, with a hint of sweetness thrown in. You'll notice grapefruit isn't always the go-to fruit when it comes to mixing cocktails, but that's only because you haven't mixed it with tequila yet! El Barrio | Grapefruit Margarita I first stumbled upon this simple, yet delicious grapefruit margarita in Birmingham, AL at this fabulous ... Read More about Refreshing Grapefruit Margarita

7 Things to Do with Your Life in May

It's time to start getting in your Summer groove! Make plans to get the gang back together, get sweaty in style, and splurge on your summertime staples. Here are a few things to do in May to get you ready. 1. Splurge on a Swimsuit Amazon fashion is all rage right now. It's definitely a great place to score affordable, trendy swimsuits -- and quick! (thanks to Two-Day Prime Shipping). However, nothing looks and feels quite as good as a high-quality, designer swimsuit. In my experience, ... Read More about 7 Things to Do with Your Life in May

Dunwoody, GA Travel Guide

This post is sponsored by the Dunwoody Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thank you for hosting our weekend! Atlanta Perimeter | Georgia's Hidden Gems Does the thought of Atlanta traffic give you immediate anxiety? Most Southerners know this feeling all too well. Atlanta, GA is a hub for many things in the South so it can get congested at times...Okay, congested all the time. When visiting Atlanta, have you ever considered staying in a city outside the perimeter? Trust me, this is where the ... Read More about Dunwoody, GA Travel Guide

One Week Healthy Meal Plan with Recipes

Food + Cooking· Lifestyle

Do as I say not as I do... Coming off of a travel weekend, I have to admit that I wasn't following "The Faster Way." Boy, did we had a blast discovering Dunwoody! We ate and drank our way through this little town outside of Atlanta (travel guide coming this week), but I was excited to get back home and swing back into my routine. I truly missed my new rituals of fasting, working out and tracking my nutrition! Addicted to this program? Yeah, I am! Here's Why... In January, I ... Read More about One Week Healthy Meal Plan with Recipes

Rent the Runway

Ever get tired of your wardrobe and wish you could just trade it out? Sure you do! If you're anything like me, I tell myself every year to stop impulsively buying clothing. Over the past few years I've been trying really hard to make fewer purchases that equate to quantity in my closet, and instead, go for more quality pieces that I can wear for years to come. Sure, some of these clothing items might be more expensive, but these pieces I'm talking about are wardrobe staples that come in styles ... Read More about Rent the Runway

Low Carb Shrimp and “Grits”