Southern Lady October 2020

With all that we and the world have been going through lately, I find myself more intent than ever on appreciating the small blessings and moments of escape that nature can bring. October is the prettiest time of year in our part of Alabama—the days are mild, the skies are brilliant blue, and the leaves don their autumn colors as the month winds down. Best of all, pumpkin season is here! It does my heart good to see these beauties piled high in crates at the market and in churchyard pumpkin patches. They are sweet reminders of all that is constant in the midst of change and challenge. Porch sitting is always a beloved pastime, but it’s even better in the company of a seasonal display. Our annual Porches & Pumpkins…

CREATIVE FLAIR When I travel, I always try to make time to stop by at least one gallery or art museum in the area. It’s a nice way to connect with the local culture, and fun to discover gems in unexpected places. (Did you know that Renoir’s famous Luncheon of the Boating Party resides at The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.?) During a weekend jaunt to New Orleans a few years ago, I wandered into the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and became smitten within minutes. In addition to their fabulous exhibits, I love the idea of a spot dedicated to celebrating the creative works of our region and their distinctive appeal. Whether you have a chance to see the Ogden in person, or an online visit makes more sense right…

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? WE’D LOVE TO SEE—TAG US IN YOUR PHOTOS! 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: An assortment of pumpkins adds a lovely October esprit to @erikaconleay’s timeless blue-and-white chinoiserie vignette. Chrysanthemums in radiant yellow bring a cheery touch to @ladylouloveshome’s front porch. Using a variety of pumpkins and acorn squash, @goingforgrace crafts a natural table runner. Middle row: A pastel palette gives @cutertudor’s living room a refreshing and cozy feel. Accents of orange mingle with a collage of energetic china patterns in this elegant tablescape by @positivelypollyanna. Bottom row: A golden gourd atop subtle blues and neutral tones allows the delicate details of @charmeronthehill’s dinnerware to stand out.…

With an MBA and years of sales experience under her belt, lifelong fashionista Bettina Benson wanted to help fellow professional females dress for success. “I’m thinking about that woman who understands the power of presenting her best self, and the power of a well-constructed, functional garment that helps her put her best foot forward,” says Bettina, the founder and creative director of Atlanta-based clothing company Chloe Kristyn. Bettina was well-established in her medical sales career when her daughter, the business’s namesake, was born in 2013. Her new role inspired her to reevaluate both her career goals and personal path. “I didn’t know that I was really making the impact that I needed to make to feel fulfilled,” Bettina says. “I wanted to live and write my own chapters and design a…

Amid the lively ambience of New Orleans’ Warehouse District, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art stands out in its own right, infusing unique character into the vibrant sights and sounds all around. Its striking edifice is cloaked in an eclectic mural that blends a kaleidoscopic assortment of shapes painted by local artist MOMO. Inside lies the largest, most comprehensive collection of art tied to the American South, boasting works from 1733 to today that include classic rural landscapes by Will Henry Stevens, colorful folk depictions of plantation life by Louisiana native Clementine Hunter, and mixed-media illustrations of social injustice by Benny Andrews. Ogden’s curator of the collection, Bradley Sumrall, explains that Southern art through the years has hewed to expected themes—craft traditions, narrative and vernacular art, portrait and landscape painting—but has…

Elicit the lively tang of autumn as regal rust and golden blooms dance upon a dessert plate placed atop an earthy yet elegant backdrop. The deep walnut tone of Lenox’s Marchesa Couture charger plate is the foundation of this glamorous show as a gilded edge coalesces with matte flatware, a crystal goblet rim, and an interlacing vine on the dinner plate. Burnt orange linens recall the changing outdoor display, enhanced by fiery coral roses to bolster the vitality and create a scene reminiscent of a grand October sunset. (Page 25) Blush overtones in the way of a fringed linen and floral notes blend with the charger in this softer, more informal vignette. A tortoiseshell goblet and daintily curved silverware play upon the lushly colored patchwork patterns encircling the dinner and dessert…