Southern Lady October 2019

Welcome back, October! Not a day this month goes by that I don’t take a few moments to appreciate the blessings of autumn all around me. Turning leaves, cozy sippers like hot cider, goodies fresh from the oven—what could be better? “WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN? FOR HER PRICE IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES.” PROVERBS 31:10 One of the most splendid gifts the season gives us is the wealth of natural treasures just waiting to be harvested and used to bedeck tables, porches, mantels, and more. In addition to our annual Pumpkins and Porches feature (page 71), you will find all sorts of fruits, flowers, and foliage sprinkled through our pages, like the mums and gerbera daisies mixed with leafy branches and persimmons on page 29 or the beautiful arrangement crowned with…

I have always had a fondness for ginkgo trees, both for the delicate fan shape of the leaves and the way they seem to explode into brilliant gold overnight as fall reaches its zenith. When late afternoon sunlight beams through the branches, the glow is pure magic—as you'll see in our outdoor table setting on page 33. We loved working with the gracious folks at the Mitchell House, a white-columned belle near Alabama’s Lake Martin, to create a tableau that so beautifully captures the spirit of autumn in the South. As luck would have it, our timing was spot-on: the day after we wrapped the shoot, almost all of those leaves fell to the ground. Throughout this issue, we offer lots of ideas to enhance classic fall colors with unexpected hues…

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: From @simplysoutherncottage’s porch to @fostermomfarmhouse’s table, pumpkins look impeccable in seasonal décor! Leaves are the jewels of fall along @my_marialva’s stunning pathway. Middle row: Harvest time is sweeter with cinnamon apple biscuits baked by @goingforgrace and topped with a delectable glaze. Copper-colored chargers and pretty china are a pleasant pairing on @followtheyellowbrickhome’s autumn table. Bottom row: Decorative and inviting, variegated gourds create a warm welcome to @welivedhappilyeverafter’s home. Cinnamon and spice mingle in @laralyncarter’s seasonal beverage. The flicker of candlelight and scent of citrus enhance an elegant centerpiece by @touchesoftime_bydesign.…

Jeweler Jannie Bean always wears her heart on her sleeve—quite literally. Smaller than a dime, the stipple-textured pin is one of Jannie’s signature designs, and she’s customized it for countless clients since its debut almost three decades ago. “I have a heart that I made—it could be a pendant or a pin—and women just love these,” says Jannie, the owner of Jannie Bean Fine Custom Jewelry in Highlands, North Carolina. “I wear one every day on the cuff of my sleeve.” It’s a small, shiny symbol of her life’s work, which ultimately is about more than handcrafting fine accessories. “The real purpose for my being here is to love the person who comes in that door,” says Jannie, who fell into the jewelry manufacturing business as a college student. While studying…

In the cooling air of October, relish a refined escape along the Gulf where you can enjoy breathtaking rooftop views while sipping a beverage in the atmosphere of one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite Cuban hangouts. As you take in the blue-green backdrop of the private beach draped in sparkling white sand below, you’ll feel worlds away from any worries at The Pearl Hotel. “Inspired by and named after a pearl concealed within an oyster, The Pearl Hotel was built to be the ultimate hidden gem, where visitors from all regions and walks of life can gather for their ideal coastal vacation,” says David Merryman, manager of the scenic resort on the eastern end of Highway 30A in Rosemary Beach, Florida. The Pearl is sure to catch your eye as the sun soaks…

October’s brisk air beckons us to embrace the comforts of home, so welcome guests to your fall table with a simple yet festive seasonal flourish: a distinctive runner made from ribbon and pine cones. Start with a roll of thick ribbon in an earthy hue and cut pieces long enough to hang over the table’s edge. Using a hot glue gun, secure the tops of the pine cones to the ends of the ribbons, then fashion bows from excess ribbon and attach for the finishing touch. Create as many runners as you like—from several at the table’s center to a few under each place setting. Accent the autumnal presentation with richly colored florals, mini pumpkins, and translucent votives that cast a warm glow across the scene.…