Southern Lady July/August 2018

In these most sweltering of months, one of the only ways to enjoy time outdoors is to get in the shade and stay there. Enter the delightful Southern tradition of “porching”: a comfortable rocking chair or two, a pitcher of icy cold tea or lemonade, perhaps a dear friend to chat with as you while away a lazy afternoon. We have featured countless lovely porches in Southern Lady over the years, and on page 69, we take a look back at some of our favorites. From a mountaintop perch with breathtaking views to a classic cottage-style veranda, this collection of beautiful spaces beckons us to slow down, sit a spell, and bask in the sweet summer air. If your plans this season include outdoor parties, turn right to our Southern Hostess column…

All of us on the Southern Lady staff share a passion for travel, from local weekend getaways to global escapes. In homage to our annual travel-themed issue and in celebration of our 20th year, we thought it would be fun to present the stylish yet practical essentials we’ve come to rely on as we wander near and far. Read on for inspiration, and then check out page 25 for a peek at our picks! Our editor in chief, Phyllis Hoffman DePiano, adores her mirrored compact with makeup brushes tucked right inside; they slide in and out of their own small compartments, and fan out for easy access and touch-ups on the go. For assistant editor Elizabeth Czapski, pretty sunglasses are a sightseeing essential, providing needed shade plus a bit of panache.…

Get a glimpse of the beautiful images our social media friends have shared with us, capturing their own inspiration from the pages of Southern Lady. Top row: Pretty and patriotic, a festive table set by @elevengables is ready for July Fourth fun. Shared by @rainbowplantlife, these colorful citrus fruits have @momlovesbaking (and us!) craving a cool, refreshing treat. Blossoming garden surrounds make a lovely backdrop for @everydaylivingblog’s red, white, and blue tableau. Middle row: Birmingham-based painter @kimkreisart gleans some inspiration from nature’s splendor. With flags and coordinating pillows, @txmbirdie transforms her porch to honor our homeland. Bottom row: Bright sunflowers make a cheery addition to @stacywlewis’s star-spangled setting. As @hostedwithlove reminds us, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are a timeless delight. A playful mix of textures and patterns has us…

A quick glance through a spotting scope reveals the adorable, fuzzy round heads of two recently hatched great horned owls, eliciting a thrill of wonder that makes you feel like a child again. Almost immediately, a naturalist informs you that these owls sometimes use deserted nests of other species, perhaps adding a few sticks to freshen the lining. Lessons like this, given beneath a majestic canopy of towering moss-laden oaks on Georgia’s Little St. Simons Island, are what make this preserve magical—that and fabulous food, luxuriously soft sheets, and a feeling of being pampered that rivals any five-star resort. “It’s the best of both worlds,” says Scott Greene, general manager of the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island and the 11,000-plus acres that surround it. The resort is accessible only by…

With the launch of her clothing line in 1969, New Orleans native Mignon Faget sought to pair her ready-to-wear offerings with the perfect accessories. Describing them as “wearable pieces of art,” Mignon poured her creative spirit into each and every handmade accoutrement, starting with a sand dollar-style belt buckle made from melted silver bonbon dishes that she’d received as wedding gifts. “I didn’t care for bonbon dishes themselves, but I suppose they ended up being very important!” says Mignon, who has been a celebrated jewelry designer for nearly 50 years. The popularity of her handcrafted finishing touches led Mignon to refocus all her creative energy from clothing to jewelry. By the early 1970s, she’d released her complete Sea collection, including a minimalist Garden Snail ring and gleaming oyster shell-shaped earrings. As the…

Living in a South Carolina beach town, Jennifer Horton and her family of five spent their summers bouncing from one sunny activity to the next. On a particularly memorable afternoon almost 10 years ago, the Hortons were returning from a boating trip to a favorite barrier island when Jennifer noticed the sunburns coloring her children’s skin. She realized how valuable a protective blanket would be to thwart the harmful effects of a light-filled lifestyle, and the idea for ZAGS SunWraps was born: chic coverings made from UPF 50+ material that come in a variety of vibrant designs and versatile sizes. Jennifer took to the web in search of the type of pretty yet functional covering she was looking for, but her pursuit proved futile. “There was no such product to be…