Southern Living September 2022

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”—F. SCOTT FITZGERALD “WHAT DOES IT MEAN to you to be Southern?” That’s a question I’ve been asking at the end of interviews on our Biscuits & Jam podcast, which I’ve been hosting since we launched it in June 2020. We started it as a new way to talk to musicians, chefs, and other prominent people about food, family, and traditions—and to hear the stories that they don’t often share. Willie Nelson told me about the first time he met Patsy Cline—thanks to an encounter with her husband at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville. Gladys Knight talked about how her aunts and uncles always sang while they cooked. Jon Batiste went on about his mother’s famous red beans and rice,…

The Categories Bakeries • Barbecue Joints • Bookstores • Cities • Gardens Historic Hotels • Seafood Spots • Small Towns • State Parks • and More! Vote now, and enter our giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 grand prize or one of three second prizes of $500. Visit southernliving.com/southsbestvote to vote now! Polls close September 15, 2022. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Southern Living South’s Best Survey 2023 Giveaway is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia age 18 or older at time of entry. To enter and view Sweepstakes Facts and complete Official Rules, which govern this Giveaway, visit marketingresearchresources.com/images/mrd01022/mrr.asp. Giveaway begins at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on 8/10/22 and ends at 11:59…

Mike Jordan WRITER Mike Jordan is an Atlanta-based multimedia journalist covering food, travel, business, entertainment, technology, politics, and more—often focusing on the culture of the Southeast. In “Experience the Magic of Buford Highway” (page 134), he explores the famed stretch of road in Atlanta that’s home to over 100 international restaurants. Tara Massouleh McCay TRAVEL AND CULTURE EDITOR Tara Massouleh McCay joined the Southern Living team in 2021 after several years editing a city magazine in her hometown of Birmingham. As a travel editor, her goal is to highlight the people and places that make the region special. This month, she showcases Jackson, Mississippi, for its bicentennial (“City with Soul,” page 83).…

WHAT WE’RE LOVING, SHARING, AND CELEBRATING GLORIOUS GREENS Although spring may be the season most associated with this lively hue, it hardly has a monopoly. Celebrate fall’s wide range of greens with an assortment of pears, artichokes, variegated gourds, leafy kales, feathery moss, and a coneflower. Anchor the produce with sturdy wooden picks to avoid runaways. A vintage silver container elevates the centerpiece, and there’s no need to polish it first, says floral designer and stylist Kathleen Varner. A little tarnish keeps it from feeling too fussy or precious. Place this smaller arrangement on a bookshelf, or set it on the coffee table for a burst of color. GOOD AS GOLD This year, skip the mums in seasonal displays, and instead rely on timely produce, such as pumpkins and squash. “It’s a good way…

THE SUPPER CLUB SOIREE THE OCCASION: It’s your turn to host, and you’re ready to impress—in a “no makeup (okay, some makeup)” kind of way. The key is finding the right balance. “It’s about dressing things up without being too formal and stuffy,” says Allen. THE PALETTE: Teal? For fall? Summer may stake a claim to the ocean hue, but strategic styling can make it an all-season star. “Complementing it with the right flowers and with darker shades makes it work anytime,” she explains. THE SOUTHERN TOUCH: Every table needs a conversation starter, whether it’s a set of plates with artisanal flair or your mama’s butter dish. “Even if it’s not something you pulled out of your grandmother’s closet, having a handmade quality makes it more special,” says Allen. THE STYLING TRICK: “Always layer,…

“Our lives as Americans are impacted by so many diverse cultural elements, from the food we eat to the music we listen to.”—OSA ATOE WATCHING OSA ATOE at the potter’s wheel in her breezy coastal studio, throwing clay to make delicate forms into stunning works of art, it’s hard to imagine her former life as a musician in punk bands. But Atoe credits her edgier brand of artistry for her success. “My philosophy as a punk performer was that it’s okay to make things that aren’t perfect,” she says. “It was less about technique, and I think having that background helped me live in the moment with pottery, rather than focusing on creating objects that were pretty.” Ask any of Atoe’s admirers today, and they’ll tell you pretty—or, rather, stunning—must be the…