Southern Lady November/December 2022

Merry Christmas, friends! As I reflect on the blessings of this marvelous season, I have a new appreciation for the small moments that feel the most meaningful. Whether it’s singing a favorite carol at church, stitching in my sewing room, or catching up with my husband by the fire at the end of the day, these simple pleasures bring a deep sense of peace and contentment. There is such joy in being surrounded by the people and mementos I hold dear. One of the loveliest gift ideas I can imagine is to present each of your family members with a special object from your personal collection, accompanied by a handwritten note that tells its story. Some years ago, my mother began an annual tradition of giving us all one of her…

WELCOME ONE & ALL During his childhood in the Mississippi Delta, my husband’s family always hosted an open house on Christmas Eve, a tradition friends and family looked forward to every year. It was a laid-back affair, with a buffet of nibbles and sweets plus a big pot of homemade hot chocolate at the ready. My mother-in-law would have everything set out on the table before they left for church, and after the service, the home would fill to bursting, from the minister and the mayor to little ones bubbling over with excitement about Santa. Guests who had visitors from out of town would bring them along to share in the fun—the more the merrier! Likewise, our open house feature on page 81 draws on that spirit of hospitality. Invite friends and…

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: We love how @lydiamenziescelebrates dresses up cherished blue-and-white china for the holidays with gilded touches and a pomander. Frosted cranberry branches and mercury glass ornaments bedeck @copperpointhome’s showstopping tree. Traditional tartan linens and Spode Christmas Tree dinnerware make the perfect pairing atop @passionate_american’s table. Middle row: For a fun twist on classic holiday décor, @gracefrederickdesign swaps out red-and-greenribbon for jewel-toned velvet swags. A warm cup of tea, nestled in a captivating winter-white vignette, awaits @touchesoftime_bydesign. Bottom row: Miniature trees and white quilted place mats evoke a sense of freshly fallen snow on @housepitalitydesigns’…

When Jennifer Cline thinks of blue-and-white porcelain, she recalls a childhood spent rummaging through estate sales with her mother, grandmother, and aunts. Playfully squabbling over the best pieces for their treasured collections, the women in her family unknowingly instilled a keen interest in heirloom china that inspired her business. “Any time there was a reason for gifts, you always knew what their gifts would be to each other,” says Jennifer, whose online shop The Caroline Chateau features home décor, antiques, and classic chinoiserie. Early on, she started collaborating with European manufacturers to produce custom pieces like the popular blue-and-white delft ornaments she stocks for Christmas. The Hattiesburg native founded her vintage store in 2017 out of both passion and necessity. “I was a single mom in graduate school and between jobs,” says…

When newfound passions for art and natural fabric dye combined with a craving for something new in life, Leslie Nunnelly followed fearlessly. Since launching Cocoon Silk Ribbon, Leslie’s textiles have been used as elegant details on bridal bouquets, displayed delicately with stationery, and nestled in fornewborn portraits. A single strip of gold fabric that kindled her interest sits draped over her computer in her Birminghamstudio as a reminder of where she started. At a crossroads in life with an empty nest, Leslie decided she needed a change of pace and signed up for art lessons to fill her free time. Her fascination with art led her to a social media post describing the process of natural silk dyeing, which in turn, sparked the idea for her own online business. “I am…