Southern FINDS: April 2016

Welcome to April and the bounty of fresh, new inventory in boutiques around the South. We’ve scoped out some great seasonal FINDS you can find either in stores or online, all of which will get you into the spirit of the season! Enjoy!

The skort … yes, we said skort.

Is it a skirt or is it shorts? Well, believe it or not, it is both! We must admit that when we heard “skort,” we were a tad bit hesitant. But after seeing how stylin’ this one from J.McLaughlin is, we had a change of heart. You can dress it down with a simple T-shirt or give it a bit of added style with a classic black top. Either way, you will be comfortable enough to golf, play tennis, dine, socialize or relax in it all day! Find it for $168 at J.McLaughlin.

Chambray sandals

My feet are so excited to break out of winter’s constrictive footwear and be free in some super-sweet sandals and open-toed shoes. Enter these cool TOMS chambray and brown suede clog sandals, $97.95, from Abbadabba’s in Atlanta, GA. Not only are these chic clogs giving us ’70s fabulousness, they are also surprisingly comfortable. These would make a great gift for any gal in need of a hit of nostalgia (hint, hint, I wear a size 8.5).

Monogrammed sandals

Make sure you don’t lose sight of your sandals by having them monogrammed. Choose from black or brown leather sandals and select your font style and color. It doesn’t get much more Southern than that, right? Find these at Jaded Layne Boutique in Paducah, KY, or order them on the Jaded Layne website for $46 per pair.

FOR THE HOME

Corkcicle canteens

Picnic in style with these triple-insulated, 60-ounce stainless steel canteens. In an array of colors and three beautiful finishes, they keep beverages icy cold for 25 hours and piping hot for 12 hours. Ranging in size from 9 ounces to 60 ounces, Corkcicle canteens will bring panache to your picnic. Find the 60-ounce canteen for $54 at Table Matters in Birmingham, AL, or wherever Corkcicle products are sold.

Horse painting

We loved these narrow, modern and impactful horse paintings by Kentucky artist Melissa Crase, who captures the personality of each horse within these frames. Sold at Revelry Boutique Gallery in Louisville, KY, and ranging in price from $95 to $110, we think you should fill your whole wall up, like they have it here.

Oversize citronella candle

With the advent of warmer weather, the bugs are soon to emerge. So be ready in style with this fabulous, oversize, multiwick, citronella candle. Once the candle has been used, the large pot can be repurposed as a beverage tub for parties or as a planter for your favorite flowers and herbs! Find it for $58 at Patina in Birmingham, AL.

Tea towels

Perhaps the most perfect hostess gift, these tea towels are beautiful and bright. The silk-screened linen towels are available in a variety of cheerful colors and are hand silk-screened by English artist Jonna Saarinen. Find them at Chifferobe Home & Garden in Asheville, NC, for $19 each.

Emo eagle’s nest hammock

Rig up one of these light and colorful eagle’s nest hammocks by Emo, and get ready for major relaxation as you gently sway in the breeze beneath the shade of the trees. Heavy-duty stitching makes the hammock super durable, while the breathable, quick-drying nylon is oh-so-lightweight and easily packs up in its carrying sack. Find them in your favorite color for $69.95 at Birmingham, AL’s Alabama Outdoors.

ACCESSORIES

Earrings

Be the contemporary queen you are with these crown earrings, inspired by the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, part of Atlanta, GA’s High Museum’s new exhibition, “Basquiat: The Unknown Notebooks.” The crown was his signature motif, and Basquiat used the image to top the heads of the heroes he painted. The earrings cost $30 ($27 for museum members) from the High Shop and will definitely get your friends and art enthusiasts talking.

Alys Beach cuff 

New to Alys Beach, FL, Ann Hartley offers beachgoers a selection of women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories, home décor and one-of-a-kind finds. Each item is handpicked from spots around the world by Ann herself. While it was challenging to pick just one item from her store that we loved, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show you this stunning, handcrafted cuff, which features Alys Beach, for $640.

Minimalist earrings

Each month, jewelry designer Judith Bright selects an item to be the “Bauble,” meaning that customers receive 25 percent off of the selected item. For April, the item is a stunning, yet simple, pair of earrings. The minimalistic earrings are sold in three metals: 14K gold-filled, sterling silver and rose gold-filled. Choose the metal that is perfect for you, and pair these with any outfit — from jeans and a T-shirt to a warm-weather cocktail dress. Find them for $68 (plus 25 percent off during the month of April) at Judith Bright, in Nashville, TN, Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, or online.

FOOD

Fried Green Tomatoes

The secret is apparently in the sauce with these Fried Green Tomatoes, and we’ll let you in on the secret of where to find them: Harrison Brothers Hardware in downtown Huntsville, AL. Fried pickle batter and fried green tomato batter mix are both available in a handy cloth bag. Find them for $8.95 each.

Enjoy your month and all the great things you FIND!

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