New Day, New Job(ish)

Good morning! I know it’s been forever but I have some news! Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for me… After two amazing years at the magazine I will be making a transition and going to work for one of my favorite spots in Memphis, Local Gastropub. (Do me a favor and ‘Like’ their Facebook page, please) I will handle social media/PR and special events for their two locations… doesn’t that sound fun? We’re still working on an official title – I proposed VP of All The Fun Stuff. Verdict’s still out. AND, to make the deal even sweeter, I will still be contributing some stories/design work to the magazine! So, if you think about it, send some positive vibes, thoughts, prayers, namastes… whatever you’ve got. And I promise to make more time to update you on the hilarity that is sure to ensue. Because, let’s face it, my current life is pretty much a bad Katherine Heigl movie. Which, even at its worst, is still pretty entertaining.

x
S

The Day The Princess Died

I don’t know about you but I remember exactly where I was on this day fifteen years ago.

I was in a hotel room in St. Louis, MO with two of my best childhood friends and our families on a last-hoorah-before-school-starts vacation. I’m sure we went to a Cardinals game and Six Flags and probably shopped in that train station/mall place but I couldn’t tell you one thing about it. We woke up that morning to the news that Princess Diana had been in a car accident and died. Like most 11–year–old girls at the time, I was infatuated with everything Princess-y and especially with Diana. She was just so… regal! Always poised and flawlessly styled, she was the ultimate fairy tale. Needless to say, I was heartbroken.

Fast forward fifteen years…

Last night, The Fabulous Pat Kerr Tigrett featured four of Diana’s gowns which she purchased from the Christie’s benefit auction that took place in June of 1997—two months before Diana’s death. The dresses were displayed in a room at the Dixon Gallery where guests were invited to view Diana’s dresses alongside a few of PKT’s own designs and some incredible pieces of jewelry. It was the perfect way to celebrate a woman who’s style and grace I have idolized for almost twenty years. And while Kate is great and all… Diana still reigns in my mind.

Can you believe it’s been fifteen years since her tragic accident? Do you remember where you were? In a world full of women like Snooki, Lindsay Lohan and the Kardashians it is nice to remember what a real role model looks like.
Even if she was taken from us far too soon.

PKT being interviewed by Joan Rivers after the Christie’s auction and two of the four dresses

Queen Victoria’s Fringe Brooch, made for her in 1856

Models in PKT’s lace tops. You cannot imagine how beautiful this lace is.

In true Diana form, proceeds from this fabulous event were donated to Hope House — a care facility for Tennessee’s precious children affected by HIV.

Princess Diana by Mario Testino, 1997. More images here.

I Love Moving

When I last left you little darlings I told you about my decision to make the move out east. Or “Out Easy” as my iPhone has so wittily corrected it to. So, naturally the next step is to… well… move.

A certain someone recently made it obnoxiously clear to me that he “hates moving.”
Guess what, pal—everybody “hates moving.” But, in true blogger form, I have a different opinion on the subject. I LOVE moving.

For me, moving represents reflection and opportunity. It is the chance to spend countless hours with whatever friend is stupid nice enough to listen to you reminisce over old photos/mementos/crap and it is the perfect time to throw out old photos/mementos/crap to make room for new ones. It’s a fresh start. A new space to make new traditions, friends and memories. Personally, I cannot wait to see what fun being Out Easy brings my way. Yes — it may be a slow, painful process to move all of my things… but most great rewards in life require a slow, sometimes-painful process. For example, shopping for new jeans.

So, to The Ones Who Hate Moving, I do hope you don’t look at everything in your life with such a negative, critical eye. Logistically? Yes, moving is terrible. Horrible, even. But you get over it. And you get on with your newly purged, fabulously-current life.

Home Sweet Home

After much consideration and deliberation I have decided to take my talents out east. I have lived in downtown Memphis forever and while I love the people/places/energy, it’s time for a change. So–what does that mean for you, my avid blog reader and friend? That means you can expect to see more of Memphis, more of my inability to complete Pinteresty DIY projects and maybe… just maybe more of my dog, Moose. If you’re nice to him.

 

New Eats Alert: Hog & Hominy

Last night I tried a new restaurant that opened in Brookhaven Circle called Hog & Hominy. I liked the place so much that it snapped me right out of my bloggers-block coma. The space is so inspired and thoughtfully designed that I just had to tell you about it.

First of all, they don’t take reservations – just write your name on the chalkboard and wait in line. But don’t let the words “wait in line” scare you… this is exactly the kind of place you want to hang out. The interior is full of light and chatter and great-smelling food and the waitstaff bustle around in varied gingham button downs. I won’t spoil the surprise with pics of the interior (because I didn’t take any #bloggerfail) but just trust me. OK?

We split two pizzas (why order one when you can order two?) The Prewitt and the ‘Shrooms (pictured above). I recommend both and can’t wait to try the meatballs and the mussels. H&H is so deliciously designed and so perfectly southern it will definitely be one of my new go-to spots. Attn Downtowners: Change of scenery is good! If you’re a fan of Local’s vibe you’ll love this place. In short, it’s worth the drive.

Hog & Hominy
707 W Brookhaven Circle
Memphis, TN 38117

Pics and more reviews from here and here.

What’s In A Name?

After some consideration, I decided to change the name of this blog. Since this blog‘s name is very similar, I want to nix all confusion between the two. The mission of this blog is to provide a creative outlet for a creative twenty-something, share various style/design things with you and promote Memphis in a positive light. Making the blog easier to find/differentiating it from another already great blog will only help this mission, should you choose to accept, succeed. So—hang in there with me, please!

Oh… And Thank ya’. Thank ya’ very much.

S

Three things I love this week

Whew! How is it Thursday already?? This week has really gotten away from me but I wanted to catch you up on some things I am loving as of late.

1. The fact that college football is over. For now. Don’t get me wrong—I am a BIG football fan. Go Hogs! And Red Wolves! But the fact that football inevitably comes with insane amounts of food means my waistline needs a break… in a BIG kind of way. Between P’s Texas de Brazil-status grill and this spinach & artichoke dip that I made for the disaster National Championship game I can rest assured that my winter lbs will be right there waiting for me come spring. (Note to self: renew gym membership…)

2. My new Dolce Vita slippers! I know, I know… new shoes, how cliché? But really I am loving the exceptional customer service from one of my favorite online shopping sites. I ordered these shoes for almost 60% off the retail price plus the site gave me a $20 credit because of a problem with a previous order, which they took great care of. Here’s a tip when online shopping: if there is a “Chat with a Stylist” option, use it. Everyone I have encountered has been so eager to help and they can offer invaluable insight regarding size and fit, etc.

3. The nice folks at Downtown Memphis Flats! You wanna know why? Good. I’m going to tell you. These people are officially moving to Memphis! And if you know anything about me then you know I love them and I love when they are as close as possible to me… we’re talking share-a-honeymoon close. Is that weird? Anyway… What I’m trying to say is KL and I went apartment shopping with the help of Downtown Memphis Flats and found several great options in the brand spankin’ new Van Vleet Building. Which, lucky for them me, is a whopping 0.7 miles from me! So—congrats to them, congrats to me, congrats to downtown Memphis!

Hungry? Of course you are.

via Central BBQ

OK, I’m upset about something. This morning I was having coffee and checking emails/blogs/Twitter/Facebook. I do this every morning before I can really become a functioning human. Judge me if you want. Sadly, this morning’s “news” told me that Southern Living, a publication known for showcasing the best of our lovely hospitable ways, has lost their freakin’ mind. Well, bless their little hearts. In a contest named The South’s Tastiest Town, you can cast your vote and be entered to win “a $2,500 cash prize for a trip to any Tasty Town of your choice.”

Get ready for this…

Here are the top ten finalists in order of most votes on 1/4/12

1. Lafayette
2. Louisville
3. New Orleans
4. Charleston
5. Charlottesville
6. Birmingham
7. Houston
8. Decatur
9. Raleigh
… and the real kicker…
10. Baltimore

I mean… aside from the obvious WTF options and seemingly total disregard for geographical location… Memphis is totally left off of this list. How can this be? Memphians enjoy some of the best soul food, country cookin’ and… uh, hello… BBQ in the country.

So–in a traditional southern woman’s way–rather than blow up Southern Living’s comment box I will simply smile, pray for them, and start spreading rumors that they’ve been taken over by The Hippies.

For those who haven’t found a favorite spot in this Tasty Town, here’s a short list of places I love. Feel free to add your own in the comment box. And be sure to click here and let Not-So-Southern Living know how we feel about this.

Places

Central BBQ – Look, everybody has their favorite BBQ joint in Memphis and this is one of mine. Isn’t it nice that we have enough options so that everyone may have their favorite? Makes for one Tasty Town, I’d say.

Restaurant Iris – I’ve only been here once but the food was incredible, the space was cozy and I really can’t wait to get back there.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – I mean… if you haven’t been here or don’t like fried chicken then you have no business voting on The South’s Tastiest Town.

Lotus – Lotus is a very small, very good Vietnamese restaurant that my mother and I have been going to for years. It’s kind of a one-man show so I recommend ordering take out well before (give them at least an hour) you want to “take out.” But the food is great. I know it’s not traditional southern food but sometimes you just need some Pho, ya’ know?

Pete & Sam’s – Again, this is not traditional southern food. It’s Italian. But the spirit is the same. Great food, bring-the-whole-family kind of vibe… you can’t go wrong here. And shouldn’t a Tasty Town have a wide variety of culinary adventures to be had??

Really the list goes on and on… including downtown spots like Local, The Majestic Grill and Blues City Cafe and “out-east” staples like Folk’s Folly, Owen Brennan’s, and ol’ trusty–Belmont Grill.

Now, tell me yours!

I Think I’ll Throw a Party…

I love to make plans. And plans love to fall through. While falling plans do make me sad, they also give me a chance to make new, better plans! The Thursday before NYE I found myself planning an impromptu party from my desk. This “planning” period basically consisted of the following: phone calls/texts to my favorites demanding that they abandon all previously made plans and celebrate with me, a quick Google search for “disposable champagne flutes” (followed by a thorough price comparison, of course), and a few minutes spent whipping up an adorable evite from this website. Fortunately, I have the very best friends who took the last-minute directions in stride. Saturday rolled around and let me tell you… It was fabulous.

Right before midnight guests grabbed a balloon and went up to the roof. We yelled the countdown, watched the Hard Rock Cafe guitar drop on Beale Street and released our balloons. It was such a special way to bring in the new year-with old friends, new friends and my favorite view of Memphis.

For the stylish readers: my dress is Tibi, rented from this website…which I highly recommend and HY’s dress is Gap.

twenty-eleven in ten

Here are 10 of my favorite pics/moments from the past year…

The Memphis Grizzlies made the playoffs and ignited the entire city.

The river flooded...

I saw ZZ Top at Live at the Garden, one of the city's coolest summer events...

I got bangs...

I stole a cab... just kidding...

I celebrated my 25th birthday with so many fabulous friends.

My mother took me to see Memphis, the Broadway show, at The Orpheum... in Memphis.

I found a dead hawk on my balcony... (this was more of a low-light of 2011)

I took my first trip to California. And discovered that I am decidedly NOT a West Coast kind of gal.

And lastly, I ran my first Half Marathon for the children of St. Jude.

All in all, 2011 was pretty good to me. There were countless work trips, fashion shows, photo shoots, long nights, funny family moments, dinner parties with new friends, phone calls with old friends and many great memories in between.