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Hey there guys and dolls! Southern Bells is announcing a give-away and y'all are gonna love what we've got!

Meagan Duran, designer at Savage Pearl Girl is giving away a pack of six personalized cards embellished with her one-of-a-kind designs! Whether you need 'Will You Be My Bridesmaid' cards, 'Thank-You' notes or Shower Invites, Meagan will personalize the lettering and color of the card to your specific needs!

So all you gots'ta do is follow Southern Bells Wedding on Twitter and retweet our latest tweet about this giveaway! Click below...

Winner will be announced next Saturday, October 22! 

Coming up this weekend...Pics from the coolest photographer south of the Mason-Dixon line and an engagement tell-all from Ms. Kayla Gauthreaux!

Sleep tight sugar-bears!

Throw A Flag!

With a shower 'round the corner, I spent today doing a little crafting for centerpieces! So I thought I'd share my DIY spirit flags! The best part is, these can be made for any event...football get-togethers, baby showers, or high school graduations. Just pick out your colors in scrapbook paper and pull out the craft supplies!

The invite was my first inspiration...

Step One: 

3 inch triangle base cut with a straightedge using a ruler as my guide.

Step Two:

Glue stick about 3/4s the way up beginning at the point to the base. You can turn and mold the paper to give it a little wave once the glue is applied. Leave the base without glue. 

Step Three: 
Hot glue a kabob skewer between the unglued craft paper.

I thought the final product was a little plain so I pulled out some jute to ad one more touch...

Step four:
Punch holes at the top and bottom of the flags and tie jute knots.

So cute right? Put two or three flags in a mason jar with flowers and you've got the perfect centerpiece!

With the extra flags I spruced up a gift bag!

Y'all have a wonderful week and get excited...Southern Bells and Savage Pearl Girl are pairing up for a hand crafted card giveaway very soon!

5 Things...

Well'p y'all...It's time for this Tennessee native's first hurricane. Yep, Isaac has forced me indoors for the past two days and I'm getting antsy from utter boredom.

I know a lot of my readers are in the path of this grumpy guy so I thought I'd tell you the 5 things that's making my time worthwhile.

(one.)

Looks like I got the new Southern Living magazine just in time! This issue features the best college football tailgating spots and yummy food to go along with it. So good.

(two.)

My new favorite chap-stick is this Maybelline Baby Lips. They come in about 5 different colors but these are the two I picked at Target... hot pink and cherry red. They look awesome on my smackers! 

(three.) 

I've been practicing my 'mod-calligraphy' during extended time on the couch. I'm using a fine point sharpie and bolding all the down strokes. The swirls and flags are extra touches to add a little pizzazz! 

(four.)

I couldn't resist grabbing The Hunger Games before the storm began Tuesday. Consequently, I've been rocking the side braid since. Team Katniss. 

(five.)

Nothing gets you through a gloomy day like good ole' mac-n-cheese. I'll be nursing on this batch until it's all gone. Nom. Nom.

(one to grow on.)

I've been doing some online shopping for some Scentsy gifts. If you're totally behind the times...these are the best smelling things next to Yankee Candles! They even have a 'Bride that is Beautiful' scent. Check out my sweet aunt's page by clickin' on the pic!  

What are y'all doing to stay dry? Any good reads or recipes? Online shopping? Holler at us with your 5 things! 

Five Things : Southern Hospitality

Invitations: Check

Dress: Check

Photographer, Band, Food: Check

Looks like you've got all your ducks in a row, miss-priss! But you forgot one little detail that will make your out-of-town guests remember why they love ya so much. In the south we pride ourselves on being great hostess. We throw great parties, give adorable favors, and make sure you have lots of wine with a ball'a cheese. Why should this be any different for our wedding? 

Your out-of-town guests came over the river and through the woods to celebrate your big day so how's about you show them some appreciation with an affordable gift basket! And don't fret, I found some great options for even better prices! 

(one.)

Pull out your colored pencils or grab a crafty friend to make maps of your town and it's hot-spots. Your guests may come a day early or leave a day late and might want to do some sightseeing. Take your sketches and favorite simple craft paper to a printer and boom...make-shift map!

(two.)

If your wedding is in a warmer season, consider straw hand fans. I found these online for $3 each! 

(three.) 

Your wedding city is bound to have some sort of local beverage. Whether it's wine or beer, throwing some of this in the basket is sure to please. If it's beer, put 2 in a basket or get sampler bottles of the local wine. This should only total to $2-$4 per basket. 

(four.)

Along with your drink of choice, throw in some local cuisine. Whether it's Hubigs Pies from New Orleans or Loveless Cafe jam from Nashville, your guest will appreciate a treat just for them! This pack of 3 is $8.95 so divvy 'em up for more to go 'round!

(five.)

And to help them rest in a foreign bed, add a lavender sachet to go under their pillow. Here shows you an easy DIY way to make them! So precious, right? 

Pile 'em all in a cute tin basket ($4 at this wholesale site) and you've got a goodie-bag-to-boot! 

xo,

Belle of the Blog

Click, Flash!

I recently sat down with Amanda Hill, a Memphis photographer to discuss her thoughts on bridal sessions. It seems that more brides are taking time, a few weeks before the 'I Do's' to get some hawt shots in their dress. My thoughts are, you spend lots'o moolah on a dress you wear one day, right? So how's about you play dress up once before the wedding?

Now what do ya say we get a photographer's opinion on this? Amanda, let us in on what you're thinkin'! 


Every bride spends a lot of time and money on their wedding day, and one major expense is the dress. Once you've worn it on your big day, you preserve it or hang it in the closet to collect dust until it's time to sell it or pass it down. I'm a firm believer that your dress is worth more than a one-day-deal.

     

At AM Photography we love to capture you in your wedding dress outside of your wedding day. One awesome reason is because, during your session, you are not limited to your venue. You can go anywhere! A romantic shot at the beach or a night-time photo downtown makes for beautiful memories that we can capture for a lifetime. AM Photography includes 2-3 different locations in our sessions. We also offer professional makeup services by Brickology and hair-styling by Sonya Miller. 


It is never too late to have a bridal session. Whether you've been married 2, 10, or 30 years, this is something you can choose to do for yourself! What better way to celebrate a long and fruitful marriage? 


What are you thinking, belle? Is this something your planning for? It's time to consider getting your model on, y'all! 

Busy Belle

Holy guacamole...It's been way too long y'all! In the past month ya' girl got a new job, new wedding gigs, and will be shipping more wedding dress canvases to brides-to-be! (These are great gifts for brides and/or bridesmaids) 

If you need hair or make-up services or a cutesy personalized canvas feel free to message me at emily.southernbells@gmail.com for pricing and details! Last week I had the pleasure of working with Stacy Hale's bridal party and they were fantastic! Check out some pictures of their do's and the view from her suite. Needless to say, the afternoon was the bomb.com.

Coming up soon: Wise words from a Memphis photographer and what grooms need to know about the mind of a lady before tying the knot! It's gonna be good! 

Call Me, Carly!

Any Maid of Honor ladies in the hizzz-ouse? Ok, I got my ghetto out. Now back to being a belle...

A'while back while pondering what to do for my best friend's bachelorette, I wrote down ideas before pickin' up the phone to call my girl. But you know me and when it comes to this subject, I want to go all out! So I set up a camera and put on my favorite jam. Call Me, Maybe. (Duh.) I recorded my ideas, gave her something to chew on, and then she could call me...maybe! 

So go on and get creative dolls. If anything it will give 'er a giggle! 

Have an awesome week belles and beaus! You deserve it! 

xo

I Wanna Marry You

80 degree weather, poolside, and a little Kendall Jackson is all I thought I needed to make this Memorial Day weekend the bestest. But an engagement video just made it a dash better and I can't contain my excitement any longer.

Thoughtful engagements make me giggle, cry and exclaim 'oh-my-lanta' and I'm takin' a bet that you're doomed for the same result! Read no further and watch. Amazeballs. 

Thank you, Chelsea for sharing! This is definitely going in my favorites folder. 

XOXO 

Nola Belles & Bachelorettes

Since becoming a Louisiana native, I've picked up on a few things 'round these parts. Po' boy is pronounced as it's written, it's not just hot - it's humid, and everything's better with a little Tony Chachere's. I've posed as the typical tourist, prancing around the River Walk and indulging in one too many beignets [Fr. ben-yey]. And other than Vegas, I've become aware that New Orleans is the prime destination for bachelorette parties!

There's got'ta be a reason the belles keep coming back so I've done my research! Below are a few places to begin your party planning. Now get out your Lilly planner and get'ta writting!

Shopping

French Market

Existing for over 200 years, beginning as a trading post off the Mississippi River, the French Market has evolved into the perfect place for open-air shopping.

Magazine Street

Belles, brace yourselves. This is a 6 mile long shopping oasis. Magazine is filled with awesome boutiques, galleries, and restaurants ta'boot. This is 'uptown' shopping at it's finest. You will d.i.e.

Breakfast and Lunch

Cafe Du Monde 

Established in 1862, this open-air coffee and beignet (an amazing powered sugar, donut-esque pastry) stand is open 24 hours! So you know what this means...shall your night turn into morning and you're needing a little grub, there is literally no better place to stumble upon. Seriously. I could eat my weight in these things! 

Cooter Browns 

If you want to let your hair down and kick off your pumps, head over to Cooter Browns! Not only does this place cater to all your local cravings like po' boys, burgers, and seafood but they have a beer menu with over 400 selections! All southern girls love a beer-n-burger kind'a meal! 

Court of Two Sisters

The first time I met Jeff's family they took me here. Wow y'all. This place is stunning. The outside courtyard is something from a fairytale. The food is authentic Louisiana creole and they usually have a jazz band playing. I melt.  

Dinner 

Superior Grill

Y'all...this is the best Mexican food in town. The atmosphere is amaze and the margaritas are even better! It's located in uptown, it's hip and swanky with great outside seating. 

Superior Seafood 

I'm pretty sure this place is owned by the same peeps that run Superior Grill. Either way, it is nom-nom good. Jeff and I went here before the Lady A concert and I'm still swoonin' over the oysters and stuffed chicken! This is a little more expensive but oh-so-worth-it. 

Port of Call

Famous for their steak and burgers, Port of Call is located in the French Quarter and is casual and cute! 

Bourbon House

If you want to be close to all the action, hit up Bourbon House. Located on Bourbon St. (no surprise there) this is a nice place to stop before your night's extravaganzas.  

Late Night 

Pat O'Brien's 

Ah, Pat O's. Known for an incredible piano bar and famous Hurricane drink. Go here to start off your night with a bang! They have napkins all over the tables - all you have to do is right down a song request and send it up to the piano players. Yep, they'll play just about anything and you can sing along all night!

Gold Mine Saloon

This place is said to have the best dance scene! The combination of cheap drinks and 80's and 90's music will keep the belles dancing for hours!

Cat's Meow

The favored of all karaoke bars and the best time you'll have in a hot minute! Even if you're not into showcasing your A.I. skills, this place is fun, clean, and energetic. It's a must-go for any bachelorette party! 

Now go have some fun ladies and let the good times roll! XO!