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True Southerners: Top Ten {Tuesday}

{can you see all the pictures below? something is going on with my blog…}

I was born and raised in Atlanta. My mom is from Minnesota, but my dad is from Macon. (That’s halfway down the state of Georgia, for any of you that don’t know.) I have always been proud of my Southern roots. It was one of those, “American by birth, Southern by the grace of God” kinda things.

Then, I moved to Birmingham, Alabama. And I realized, I wasn’t Southern. I was an Atlantan. People in Birmingham were a little different–they had matching umbrellas and shoes, lots of monograms, big bows, coordinating outfits for all their kids and double first names.

It wasn’t wholly different from Atlanta, just about 2 degrees off. But I liked it!

If you’ve lived in the South, or every met a truly true Southerner, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The south is genteel, slightly sassy and very color coordinated!

My friend, Hilary from The Other Mama is a true Southern girl. So southern in fact that she started her own monogram business called, Mint Julep Monograms. (Otherwise known as Mint Julep Monahgrahms, y’all!) She asked me if I’d like to do a little giveaway for Mint Julep on my blog! And of course, I said yes. Or maybe “sho’nuff”. I can’t remember which.

As I was trying to decide how to go about a monogram giveaway on my blog, it got me thinking about the South. And the misconceptions, the myths and well, the truth about our great corner of the United States. So, here they are:

The Top Ten Things I’ve Learned from Living in Alabama and Georgia {and Florida, too}:

1. Southerners like monograms.



You know I had to say that one first, right? But honestly, who else would wear a baseball cap with their initials embroidered in a fancy font?

2. Real southerners know that Florida, Missouri and Oklahoma are not really part of the South. Bless their hearts.

3. Sweet tea is a staple. The only drinks available at potlucks and catered meals is sweet tea. Restaurants that ask “You want sweet or unsweet?” are avoided. {And despite my southern-ness that is my one downfall. My husband calls me a half-breed because I cannot bear to drink sweet tea. Please don’t revoke my Southern card!}

monogram travel cup

Travel Coffee Sweet Tea Cup

4. Southern Hospitality is real. When I lived in Alabama men opened doors for me, walked me to my car and tipped their hats. The women made food, hugged your neck, opened their homes and threw real parties. In fact, I had Lydia’s baby shower in Birmingham and it was called a “Tea”. Y’all. That is fancy!

baby blanket

Possible baby gift at a “Tea”

5. Southerners recognize the superiority of our food. As in biscuits, gravy, grits and cornbread.

6. A real southerner understands and uses the term “fixin’ to”. {For those Yankees out there, that would be akin to “about to” as in “I’m fixin’ to fix up some biscuits and gravy.”}

7. When snow flurries hit, you run to the store for milk. And we do not think it’s weird to close school because our kids can see their breath outside.

8. Soda is something you bake with. Pop is related to Snap and Crackle. Coke is what you drink with your meal. {And for the long-time southerner, you might even say Co-Cola.}

9. The more syllables, the more better.

10. We like monograms.


Did I say that already? But seriously, how cute is that?! And a few more for ya…

Picnik collage

So, would you like to win $30 to the adorable Mint Julep Monograms? There are so many fun things to choose from–bags, Christmas stockings, baby clothes and more! This is the perfect Christmas gift, y’all!

To enter, just visit Mint Julep Monograms and tell me which item you like best–and if you can tell me in your best Southern accent–well, you might get bonus points.

That’s all–no second entries for tweeting and stumbling and all that stuff. Let’s just click to Mint Julep, LIKE them on facebook, ooh and ahh, then come back to tell me what you like. Of course, a good tweet never hurt anybody. Ahem.

:: :: ::

Link up your Top Ten list and join in the Top Ten {Tuesday} fun! All you have to do is WRITE a top ten list, PASTE it  below, LINK back to me in your post & then start LOVIN’ on the rest of the participants with facebook likes, stumbles, comments and tweets! For better and more succinct guidelines see my Top Ten {Tuesday} page!

Category: me

Comments

  1. Chandra says

    I am a Birmingham native who once moved north to Memphis, TN for a few years. I had to move back to the South to get back to my roots 🙂

    I have to say my favorite is the large market tote (although the placemats are adorable, too).

  2. Arrows Sent Forth says

    I could really use a good weekend bag, so I’m really interested in the duffel bag. But my husband and I also just realized that our son doesn’t have his own stocking yet, so that’s probably where I’d start. Cute stuff!

  4. Leigh says

    GIRL! This is hilarious! My parents are from NY, and even though I was raised in ATL, I’m still not “officially” Southern – although I love monogrammed things and my sweet tea (SHAME on you!). I love the market tote – how awesome is that?

  6. Tara @ Feels Like Home says

    I’m not Southern by any stretch, but I LOVE monograms! If I could monogram every single item of mine and my kids’, I would. Total excess, and total cuteness.

    My favorite items in the shop are the nap rolls and the market bags. They are great!

  7. Amy @ RenderMeMama says

    Totally know what you mean about being an Atlantan not a southerner. I was raised all over but my roots are deep in Tennessee and Alabama so I am quite familiar with the difference. I am the “big city folk” now that they all talk about. With my fancy self all living in a town with more than 10,000 people. Crazyness.

    Anyway, the Mint Julep website is “down for maintenance” at the moment but I like the market baskets on her Facebook page.

  11. Jocelyn says

    …I learned a whole bunch – enough to make me want to move south. …I’d love to check out just how real Southern hospitality is – thought that was just a part of the hallmark movies/ romcoms =). Love monograms! =)

    Hope you have a great week! =)

  13. Kathy @ House of Hills says

    Well now sweetie pie. I shu nuff would Loove that there market tote. I’ve been juuust dieingggg to git one.

    How was that. I can hear it in my head in Southernese, but it’s hard to type it!

    Love the stuff! Thanks for sharing it with us!

  14. Tiffany @ No Ordinary Homestead says

    Your post actually made me start missing Texas again. Dang it. I surely do miss random politeness on the street, never meeting a stranger and a true southern breakfast 🙂

    Those market totes are the cat’s meow but I would just kill for one of those quilted duffle bags! How cute is that??

    Thanks for the Linky & and the fabulous contest, darlin’! 🙂

  15. Stacey @ Tree, Root, and Twig says

    OK, so…we moved to Texas from Oregon three years ago. Everyone in Oregon things we live in the sticks now, and everyone in Texas thinks we must be tree huggers. One of my daughter’s first teachers here actually used air quotes to talk about Oregon “education” and how she heard it was very “child-centered” and how she worried my daughter might not “understand” the way Texas education worked. In another daughter’s Texas history class, the kids were shocked my daughter didn’t know her Alamo history. “What did you learn in Oregon?!?!?!” she asked my daughter, full of shock. “OREGON history,” my daughter replied. The first week in their new school, all four school kids came running home, “MOM! They say the pledge of allegiance to the TEXAS FLAG!” (which they do, right after the US flag) My kids promised I’d never make them say it, which I don’t.

    So then my husband and I take a trip to Type A Mom in North Carolina, and begin telling people we meet that we are amazed by how beautiful and hospitable it is throughout the South. We explain that the only part of the South we had been in was moving to Houston (which – sorry, but it’s true – we absolutely hate). WITHOUT fail, everyone single person told us “Oh, honey, TEXAS IS NOT THE SOUTH.” So, so funny. But I’m they explained that, because honestly, our impression of “the South” hadn’t been so great. Now we know better. 🙂

    Sorry to hijack the comments – this post just really hits me where I live, being a West Coaster in Texas! 🙂

    PS: the Sassy Scroll Large Shoulder Tote is darling! Would love that for Sundays with my scriptures and assorted toys for the preschooler. 🙂

  16. tiffany says

    all so true. i vouch for all the items on your top ten. p.s. i told you wrong about old navy sale. the 50% off coat sale ends on wednesday. then the 30% off coupon starts on thurs. guess i’ll be going to old navy early.

    • oh amanda says

      I ended up going yesterday anyway. I couldn’t find the 30% off thing so I got worried! 😉

      They didn’t have anything that fit Asa anyway! Lydia got the puffy silver one!

  17. Erin says

    Sugar, that market tote is just too cute! And the aprons! Lord knows, I can always use an apron in the kitchen when I’m making a red velvet cake!
    (Do I count as a Southerner? I’m from Virginia. And I went to UR with Vanderbilt Wife!)

    • oh amanda says

      Normally, I would say no to Virginia. But I must have seen a movie about the “commonwealth of Virginia” and honestly, Virginia is one of the best words to say with an old genteel Southern accent. So, Southern you are! 🙂

  18. Starz says

    Love your blog! Makes me miss the south, Specially the guys opening doors part. :).
    My boyfriend is from North Carolina, and now we live in Maine, (cause of my family) big difference. lolz

    Thankfully McDonald’s has that sweat tea he likes 🙂

    ya’ll come back now ya hear!

  21. Maria says

    So cute! I can’t decide between that cute marker tote, those aprons, the placemats…and all those polka dots!

    I was. Southern transplant…from the southwest most of my life, until the deep south for the last 15 yrs just outside NOLA. Sweet tea is a must!

  22. Gayle Rogers says

    Born and raised in Atlanta. My parents are and were Yankees, but I’m a true southerner. I can top that though. My husband was born in Alpharetta. For those of you who don’t know our area, it is north of Atlanta and he has lived here all his life. We did move one county away, but that is less than 10 miles. His mom is still in the house he grew up in from elementary school.
    I love the market totes, any size.
    The most southern phrase I know is “It’s comin’ up a cloud”, which means its going to rain soon.

  23. Lindsay @ Just My Blog says

    I am a transplant to Atlanta from Central Illinois….Talk about CULTURE SHOCK! The people down here are seriously different than what I’m used to and I am still confused when someone asks me what kind of “Coke” I want. So bizarre. As for the Mint Julep Monograms? The Double Seat Panty Baby Bloomers would be perfect for a new little one my friend will be having in March. Perfect!

  24. LIsa says

    Love EVERYTHING in her online store! Love the “Travel Sweet Tea Cup” i may have to get a few of them to “carry” everywhere.

  25. Brie says

    What would I not get? Since we are having a baby boy after two girls I’m going with boyish Minky blanket or burp clothes!

  27. Staci Brown says

    Well dahling, I do declare that I would just be tickled pink to walk away with that there Mah-ket Tote. It’s just plum fancy and I’d carry my moon pies and RC cola to the church picnic.

    😉

  28. Emily says

    I love the large market tote in green damask with a big, sassy, brown monogram right on the front! It is perfect for totin’ meals to friends who have just had a baby.

  30. Kelly Henderson says

    I love a good southern blog! I suppose if your Atlantian, then I am a Memphian and therefore not a true Southern because my accent is not sing-songy as say the fine folks in Mississippi.

    As for Hillary and MJM — LOVE THEM! And I am dying for a Jute Tote bag. Please pick me!

    Now let me figure out a top 10 list to put on my blog in case you know someone actually reads it anytime soon. 🙂 Cheers!

  31. Anna says

    I love your list. I live in Missouri and don’t consider it part of the south at all, so I’m always shocked to hear people talk with a southern accent when they’ve lived here there whole life. Despite all that, I do like the monograms. I think the sippy cups are too cute. If I HAD to choose a favorite, that would be it. Having a name on your sippy cups is useful for those people who happen to leave baby things at church all the time (wait, who would ever do that? lol).

  32. Wendy says

    Wha?!? Not even Fickle Pickle’s peach tea? Or do flavored ones not count? Good gracious, chile, you shore yer Daddy’s from Macon? 😉

    I needta git me wonna dem darlin’ little bags for ma’ knittin.

    Pick me! Pick me! Oops…that wasn’t very lady-like, was it?

  33. kelly @ miskellany says

    I would get a t-shirt or maybe a bag for my little boy with one of the animal appliques, probably the owl or the hedgehog. So cute!

    I’m from Virginia, but when I moved to Mississippi with my husband, I realized that I really wasn’t from the south after all! 🙂

  34. Tami says

    Love the website, so many fun things! I’ve been looking for monogrammed Christmas stocking for, like, EVER! I’d have to go for those. 🙂

    • Tami says

      By the way, I am a yankee through and through, so it would be a HUGE disservice to all Southerners if I even *attempt* a southern accent.

  35. Barb S. says

    Amanda, I’ve been in FL for 35 years, moved from MS when I was 12 (but originally from MD!). I still say y’all and love sweet tea and Paula Deen’s restaurant (The Lady and Sons)!

    I like the Weekender Duffel Bag in Wacky Dot pattern!!! Awesome site! I liked them on facebook and left a comment there!

  36. Janet says

    Bless your heart, a giveaway from Mint Julep is better than sweet tea on my back porch. I was born in VA, but I grew up in SC and I’ve lived lots of my life in SC, NC, Alabama and Mississippi. I’d love a pretty monogrammed apron. I’d hang it on my apron hook and make people think I actually cook. Heck I might even wear it to the Cracker Barrel.

  37. Carrie says

    HAHAHAHA! I’m a native Georgian too and Atlanta is NOT southern! I have to agree…neither is Oklahoma, Missouri or Florida! Its just full of yankees! I gotta go ahead and say it…Texas isn’t southern either. It’s southwest and it’s in its own category! “God love her.” The south is the bottom right of the map folks…minus Florida.

    LOVE monograms…have very few. 🙁 Contemplating one for my car though??? I keep seeing them and I love it. I have only boys though (we’ll find out in March if #3 and last is a girl or boy!). I’d use this for me!

    I love the jute totes and also the large market totes! I’ve just been dying for one of those!

    I could give you all KINDS of crazy sayings to prove I’m southern and just a li’l bit country but this could get really, really long. 🙂

  43. Tracy Newby says

    Girl… I just love me a jute carry all tote. I am originaly from Texas, and we all know that Texas ain’t no real southern state. But my Heart’s in Alabama where we moved when I was just knee high to a grasshopper. I have moved away, but just can’t git me nough of that southern hospitality, so I just come runnin’ back as fast as I can. Thanks Girl! Hope to git me a jute carry all tote soon so I can put all my greens n cornbread in there to carry to church!

  45. Erica E says

    Ok, I am so in love with this site! How to pick, I would have to say the Medium Market tote is one of my favorite items and I have to admit I am surprised you didn’t put that cute Minnie appliqué down as one of your favorites! 🙂

  47. Mary-Carolyn says

    Oh I love this! I’m a Virginia transplant, and the people here *think* they live in the south. If you don’t eat grits, you don’t live in the south. Hence, VA isn’t the south. And the food! Nobody cooks like a southern grandma, unless we’re talking about my grandma, who doesn’t cook at all.

    If I had to pick one thing from Mint Julep Designs, I couldn’t. I love it all! But, I would have to get something monogrammed for Colton. He as so very little that’s monogrammed and it makes my southern heart sad. Maybe the baby boxers? They were adorable!

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