Paint Me a Pretty Picture

Ok, I know. It's been a while since this girl has hit the blogging world but I am back! Between, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, weddings, and a new job I have let myself go when it comes to my Southern Bells baby. Time to nurture this thing back to health!

While contemplating original gift ideas for weddings and showers I thought of something genius. Go with me on this one. A painting of the wedding day outfits! Oh, yes indeed.

I'm also thinking a long canvas painting with all the bridesmaid dresses would look awesome! Lucky for you I am now selling these customized to your colors and designs! Click here to see my Etsy site! 

 

Hope to have a new post about Kate Bryant's wedding up soon! Until then, have a great week and save the ta-tas!

XOXO

Mississippi Queen

Hello belles! This post has been a long time coming and I'm so excited to share some hair-tricks with you! Today's 'How-To' is all about those effortless curls that make the gent's head turn.

It takes about 30 minutes and is a perfect way to do your own hair on the big day (or just about every day if you're me).

Ready. Set. Start Your Irons!

I use a 1.5 inch curling iron. The curls seem to stay longer than with a larger barrel.

Let towel dry for about 10 minutes. (I usually do my make-up while I wait)

Blow-dry upside down until completely dry. (My hair holds curl better when it's clean but if yours is different skip the first two steps)

Pull half of your hair up. Spritz hair with medium hold hair spray before curling.

Begin at the root, slowing feeding hair through by slightly unclamping the iron. Check out the video below if it's not making sense. 

 

 If you can't view this video, click here.

Hold iron for about 5-10 seconds. Always curl away from your face.

Flip head and shake hair out at the root. (so you don't have those perfect 'prom curls')

Run fingers through to loosen curls. (If your hair doesn't hold curl well, you may want to skip this step)

Final product!

Pin a few pieces under layers to keep out of face. (Advised for the wedding day so you aren't constantly pushing hair back or behind your ears)

For extra volume and stay hold bottom of curls and use a comb to tease upward.

Now all that's left to do is get'cha model on! So whip that iron out, slap on some Pink & Proper lipstick and hit the town (or isle)!

Love,

Your Mississippi Queen

Blog of the Weekend: Carolina Love written by my sweet friend, Dania Alshafei. She gives you all the deets on life, style, travels, and cooking (ah...her cooking). If there is anything I miss about South Carolina it's Dania's cupcakes and late night dance choreography. Enjoy bellas!

One thing that absolutely makes my day is when sweet belles send me videos that they know would be perfect for this blog! Well, this one is definitely a treat.

As you all know...I'm a weeper. And, to make me not feel so lame I like to post videos that make you weep with me. My favorite part is in the first minute and 30 seconds. Take a look...

Ryan Sutton

What an incredible man of God, right? Shout out to Sarah Freese for the recommendation! Hair tutorial coming with next post! Stay tuned!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Tis' the season...It's about every day that I am getting cutesy little invites that make my heart a'flutter. Since I eat this stuff up, I leaped at the chance to help Lauren Poche assemble her invitations! Had I known that I would rub my fingertips raw, I may have reconsidered (yea, right).



Here is the awesome thing about this chick's invitations. They were printed from a circa 1900 printing press by Blue Note Press. I know, I know...fresh faces like us don't know what I'm talking about so let me use a little technology to show you.

It's pretty incredible right? Every invitation is hand-feed. Total lost art in our high-paced society! But, I'm telling you, check out this place. Great prices and even better products! So let's get to the final product...

Do you love or do you love? Now on to Princess Lauren's shower invitations. These just have me tickled!

(Tea Luncheon, Lingerie Party, and Bridal Shower)

Last but certainly not least is my beautiful friendy, Kate's wedding invitations. Simple, lovely, and all together perfect. Loving the text and lone heart!

I hope these beautiful prints pressed your heart as they have mine! And don't forget to send an invite my way when it's your day! I'm ready to parrr-tayyy!

Now We're Engaged! Wooo!

Belles...go grab the Puffs Plus before hittin' play. As promised in an earlier post, this is the video of Carly and Jackson's engagement!

I always like to know the 'inside deets' before stuff like this so allow me to fill you in on some background information.

Carly and Jackson went with Carly's mom, Lori and Brooke (she recorded everything!) to see her two brothers play baseball in Jersey.

Before the game they planned to go to the Empire State Building but Carly wasn't feeling well (you will notice her "excitement" in the beginning of the vid). After her whining, the others managed to get her out of the hotel and on to a pretty stinkin' perfect day!

As they get to the top of the Empire State Building you will notice Jackson talking to Carly, kneel, and then they hug...Now here's the best part...minute 2:06 when my girl (after my own heart) pulls away to check out her ring! Perfection!

Now, at minute 3:34 she is getting off the phone saying "I'll have to call her downstairs." That 'her' she was talking about was me! Yep, there wasn't much service at the top (go figure) so all I heard on the phone was, "Emily! Guess what?" Indeed, she left me hanging for a solid 5 minutes while I was sweatin' it out in Louisiana!

As they got downstairs, Jackson surprised her with a limo and soon tells you the story of the engagement. All you southern girls prepare for Jackson's accent. It will make.you.melt.

So without further adieu...Let's roll the tears...

Just perfect, right? Now we can all go to bed with a little more love in our hearts...or possibly a little jealousy in our veins. Ahh...the romance.

You Red My Sole...

Grant Isaac Studio, blue Christian Louboutins

Hello my budgeting belles! I've got a money saving tip that will amp up your wedding digs and make you look like a million bucks (or at least $875). I know we've all adored a pair of Christian Louboutin's from afar so now it is time to get'cha some!

I have pair of patent leather shoes that I was just...over. Lately I have been bypassing the boring and grabbing my nude pumps and strappy wedges. It was only fair that I gave my little black shoes a makeover! So here's how it all went down...

I started by sanding the bottom for ultimate adhesion, sectioned off the soles with painter's tape, and began with acrylic, primer paint.

I needed about 3 coats of True Red acrylic paint before applying 2 layers of Mod Podge (for super shine and protection)! This was the final product...

This belle spent $25 on this project, including the shoes! Here is the real thing-Yep, all $875 worth...

So go out...get an awesome pair of pumps and pump them up! Now that you know my little secret, it's time to make your own!

Remember belles...

 Keep your head, heels, and standards high!

Now I will be the first to admit that this song is o.v.e.r. p.l.a.y.e.d. but you've got to check out this video! I sure do wish I was a guest at this wedding! So fun!

Here's Her Happy!

Hello belles and beaus! I'm sure many of you are in my boat...You know, the boat that sails to your best friend's engagement? And you always ponder...What to give her to say congratulations! Well, I hope to hit you up with some ideas tonight so let's get this par-tay started!

Lucky for y'all, I not only have an answer but I've got pics and directions to boot! Before I continue, keep in mind that the gift box below was made for my newly engaged, best friend (and yes, I got a little carried away). These are a few ideas that can be broken up into single gifts! Here we go...

I started at Hobby Lobby (craft stores are my worldly heaven), picked up a cardboard hat box, craft paper, canvas, burlap, and buttons. I also hit up Home Depot for white floor tiles (.16 a piece! Whoop Whoop!) This is what became of my purchases...

A box that Carly could hold all her wedding deets in 

How to: (1) Tear pieces of craft paper (2) Dip paper in water for two seconds and place aside (3) Coat a small area on the box with Elmer's glue (4) Place craft paper on glue, bunch to create uneven surface (5) once entire box is complete cover with two layers of Mod Podge for a protective gloss finish

Time: Only took me about 20 minutes (excluding Mod Podge finish) - 40 minutes total

Since my girl's monogram will soon change I wanted to give her little crafty coasters to celebrate!

How: (1) Coat plain tile with thin layer of Elmer's glue (2) Cut craft paper to size and place on top. (3) I used an X-Acto knife to cut out the letters, placed glue on backs and smoothed on top of paper (4) Three coats of Mod Podge (5) Hot glue thin cork board on bottom

Time: Entire project about 1 hour

A simple canvas to showcase her new last name with glittered buttons! (Picture doesn't do it justice)

How: (1) Canvas covered in burlap using hot glue gun (2) Spray adhesive the buttons and instantly sprinkle glitter (3) Place buttons where you like and hot glue them to canvas. (4) Simple tied ribbon attached to back with hot glue

Time: 1.5 hours (buttons took a while to dry completely)

Definitely hook her up with some new wedding mags! I also included some honeymoon and cooking magazines! (30 Minute Meals rocks!)

I had to hook the groom-to-be with a little somethin'-somethin' so I went to a local pastry shop and grabbed some wedding cake cupcakes. Yum to my Tum!

Lastly, top off your gift with some cutesy stationary! I got this card from a local shop downtown. How perfect?

I hope this helps you kids out in the future! Have a fantastic weekend and get'ta craftin'!

Love,

Belle of the Blog

My Best Friend's Wedding

Attention belles and beaus...this one's important. My best friend is engaged! Now, forgive me if this post is only partially coherent, for I am still crying (and yes, it's been 3 days since I've heard the news) (and no, I'm not being dramatic.) tears. are. falling.

Carly & Jackson

Before I tell you how it all went down, let me hit you up with a few fun facts about my girl Carly and me...

We met in high school, cheerleading of course, and became instant sister-soul mates-blonde-besties.  I have always been my most ridiculous, loudest, and obnoxious self with her (and I think she would "ditto" to the same)! Let's recap a few of our adventures...

OK, I know you're ready for the good stuff so let me indulge you. This chick got engaged on the freakin' Empire State Building. I mean, right out of stinkin' Gossip Girl. And if that wasn't good enough the rock was nuts-o. I'm talking wa-wa-we-wa worthy. Check out how it all went down...

Carly and Jackson, I could not be more happy for the both of you! I am confident that you will always be a part of my life and I am lucky to know such wonderful people! I can't wait to start planning for this shin-dig because, that's right people...I'm the

Maid of Honor!

So raise your sweet tea friends, this one's gonna be good!

(engagement video coming soon!)

Pin My Interest...

Today is your lucky day...you are about to fall in love with a new website other than facebook (and Southern Bells, of course). It's called...

Forgive me if you've already been there-done that but I have come out from under my rock and experienced this awesome site that has me hooked! How many times have you found a picture you love online (wedding dress, party favors, or perfect Tory Burch boots)? You save the pic to a folder on your desktop then the day you want to see it again, you can't remember the website. Then you exclaim...Son Of A Tori Burch!

Some things I've pinned:

Well, at Pinterest you can 'pin' any photo to a personalized style board and it will automatically save the site where it was found!

My boards:

Products I love

DIY

Wedding

My Style

For the Home

Recipes

And don't fret, when you join you will be paired with people who have similar interests so you can get'ta pinin' right away. So go ahead, give it a try. Check out some of my style boards to see what all the fuss is about!

Happy Monday Belles & Beaus! 

Wake Up & Smell the Coffee

Top o' the mornin' to ya lassies! I've got something you're going to pour over so ch-ch-check it out! I know y'all love some DIY tricks and this one's cheap, fun, easy, and...thebomb.com.

It's what we'll call dyed coffee filter pom-poms! Let's talk moolah...for 10 bucks you can get 1,000 coffee filters! With some string and fabric dye you've got yourself a to-dye-for decoration!

Take a look at just what I mean...

pamgarrison.typepad.com

Just a Girl

Gia Canali & Sarah Remington

Now let's talk How To! Mix a large bowl of warm water and powdered dye. Dip individual filters in the dye for varying amounts of time to make lighter and darker tones, hang on a line and let dry. As flirty side-effect the die gathers around the edges, giving it a vintage, floral effect (so awesome!). Punch a hole in each, gather 5 to 10 filters, tie in place and fluff!

Molly Bermea

You could complete an entire room for less than $100! Go ahead and say it...Holy Moly! So going along with the theme of today check out similar creations with cupcake liners. Oh so retro.

Wedding 101

  

Too Stinkin' Cute

Now for my last hoorah...check out this bouquet of roses surrounded in...yep...coffee filters. Tell me it's awful, and I'll tell ya we are not on speaking terms.

The Coffee Filter Bride

So tomorrow morning, rather than grabbing your tall, non-fat, double, extra-hot, wet cappuccino head to Target, grab some coffee liners and get ta' craftin'! Love you lots ladies (and hopeful some gents)!

 I would totally appreciate a re-post if your loving this site! Thank-ya, thank-ya!

On one more note...for an awesome summer read, please check out Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo. Truly life changing!

Ring My Bell...

Hello my polling princesses! I need your help! It's time to revamp Southern Bells blog a bit and we're going to start with a new logo! Before I go any further, let me share with you a some of my inspiration through a little style board...

To bring in the 'Southern-ness' I was thinking earth tones (antique pinks, smokey grey, & accents of green). I feel in love with the pinks in the models outfit above! And as far as text, I wanted to go with the hand-written 'girly' font on the same lines as Southern Weddings and Audra Bender.

Then I let my girl, Katherine Rainey (photo on left) take over! I tell y'all what...this girl is good! I first noticed her talent while she served as t-shirt chair for the Phi Mu chapter at University of South Carolina and knew she would get into my head and produce somethin' great!

Now it's your turn! Please vote on what logo you're lovin' and check in soon to see which one takes the cake!

 

Thank you my magnolia mommas! 

Websites/Photographs used in style board:

Audra Bender Photography

Adam Hudson Photography

Model: Chictopia

Southern Weddings

With the Pixie Grin