The change of seasons means there’s fresh, new inventory in shops all over the South. Here are some of our favorite Southern FINDS from the region that you can either pick up when you’re in town or order online. Happy Spring!
(It must be said … if you live in a Super Tuesday state, remember to VOTE! The best FIND today is that “I Voted” sticker!)
HOME & ENTERTAINING
Flower planter
Add a touch of spring to your home with this bright planter. Bundle tulips of all colors and arrange them in this piece for a seasonally appropriate centerpiece or to perk up your patio. You can even fill the planter with ice and a few beers if you are having a low-key backyard get-together. In case you haven’t noticed, the options for this lovely planter are endless. Grab yours at The Registry in Franklin, TN — or order online — for $194.
Liz Legg agate slices
Liz Legg’s jewelry and art feature the beauty of the earth’s natural stones and fossils. These gorgeous slices of agate stones, with their impressive ombre hues, are works of art in their own right. Framed, the swirling layers of blue stone are mesmerizing. Find them for $115 per frame at Table Matters in Birmingham, AL.
Great Bear Wax Co.
“A lit candle means somethin’s happening,” is the motto of the Great Bear Wax Co. In scents like campfire, tobacco bay, lavender, forest and eucalyptus clove essential oil, these 100 percent soy wax candles add a warm, homey feel to any abode. Started in Auburn, AL, and currently based in Birmingham, AL, the company also offers beard oil, mustache wax, wick trimmers and T-shirts with their fabulous logo. Find them for $30 at Alabama Outdoors, with multiple locations throughout Alabama.
Placemats
Now that spring is here, it’s time to celebrate the cheery season with these floral placemats, $34 each, from Gramercy in Atlanta, GA. The patchwork daisy design and happy blue hue will only enhance the wonderful salads and grilled foods you’ll be serving as the weather continues to warm up. Want to really impress your guests? Make sure to tell them that these placemats are made of abaca, the natural fibers that come from the inner bark of the banana leaf!
Marbled table runner
Hester & Cook’s table runners never cease to impress, and this marbled option is no exception. The design offers a sophisticated look with a modern vibe. Place it atop a table in your home or on your patio, and throw a bash to welcome spring. What’s more, you can also shop their selection of placemats and place cards to really make your table come alive. Find it at Hester & Cook in Nashville, TN, or online at hesterandcook.com for $22.
FASHION
Fringed scarf
This Highlands blanket scarf by United by Blue is tagged as a scarf, but we think it’s more like a wrap, due to its ample size. With subtle fringe detailing and a deep navy color, it’s the perfect accessory to throw in your bag for an instant pop of color or to ward off a chill on a cool spring night. Find it for $64 at City & State in Memphis, TN.
Halter dress
Pink is another one of those bright colors you’ll be seeing a lot of this season, so stay on-trend with a great dress that shows off your irreverent style and the body you’ve been burying under layers and layers of warm clothing. Welcome spring with this super cute fuchsia dress, $55, from Sole Shoes & Accessories in Atlanta, GA.
Men’s linen
It’s time. Time to break out the linen and lighter-weight clothes. This linen shirt at J.McLaughlin is many shades of blue and would pair well with a quarter-zip sweater in another bright color. Find it for $155 in J.McLaughlin stores (find a list of locations here).
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Beach botanicals
All-natural products make going to the beach an even more beautiful experience. For beach-y curls, spray on Sea Mist, $20, with coconut and sea salt, for natural waves. And if you bake a little too long on the beach, After Sun Aloe Mist, $18, will soothe parched skin. From Herbivore Botanicals at Falling Into Place in Memphis, TN
Hemp mitt
Getting clean feels a whole lot cleaner when using a Baudelaire hemp wash mitt. The natural fiber mitt slips on your hand; add a little shower gel and relish the suds. Find it at Bedside Manor in Charlotte, NC, for $10.
Bar soap
Whole Foods has so many great items to cleanse your body, inside and out. Their bar soap display, at the Buckhead location in Atlanta, GA, totally floored us with the customizable size ($1.50 per ounce) and the one-of-a-kind scents. Not sure how many people want to smell like Dirty Hippie or Pipe Tobacco & Coffee, but you never know. In case you were wondering, our favorite scents were Tangerine Eucalyptus and Fennel Lavender.
Duke Cannon soap
Although Merridian’s selection widely applies to women (and decor-loving men), there really is something in there for everyone. One unique item we found is the Duke Cannon soap, a brand that also makes grooming products, hand balm, lip protectant and shave supplies. Whether your man is looking for a soap that smells like victory, supremacy or productivity, they can find it at Merridian Home Furnishings (with locations in Nashville, TN, or Louisville, KY) for $19 each.
FOOD & BEVERAGES
The Republic of Tea iced tea
Nothing quite captures the essence of a Southern springtime like iced tea, and The Republic of Tea’s iced tea flavors kick the classic beverage up a notch. Find a wide selection of options, like watermelon mint (shown here), for a $9.59 eight-pouch container at Reid’s Fine Foods in Charlotte, NC.
Naked Pasta
If the hankering for some fresh, natural pasta strikes you, hit up Greenville, SC-based Naked Pasta. Find Naked Pasta’s line of artisan pastas, including lasagna, ravioli, gourmet sauces and spreads, and more, at their store (1286 Pendleton St., Greenville, SC 29611) or at local Greenville farmers markets, like Hub City Farmers Market, Travelers Rest Market or TD Saturday Market. Prices vary. Learn more on the Naked Pasta Facebook page.
#TWOROAST coffee + cacao
Lately, we’ve been sipping on #TWOROAST each morning, as we read our latest StyleBlueprint article (note the format below, which is through our SB App feed, making it super easy to see many articles at once and flip SB markets with just a swipe). It’s a blend of premium organic coffee and organic cacao, ground up to brew together. The result is a rich coffee flavor with chocolate accents, but not “mocha coffee”-sweet. In fact, this product is all natural, and free of sugar, dairy and gluten. We just add the same amount of cream and sugar that we would to our regular coffee, but the result is so.much.more! Try it by ordering this Nashville-made product online. Surely it’s perfect for your adult Easter baskets, as well! It’s available in 12-ounce bags of decaf, original and dark roast for $20 apiece.
Instagram = more local food and finds!
Looking for more FINDS? Follow us on Instagram! It’s like window shopping from our region each day, right from your phone (with some pretty Southern landscapes, interiors and food, as well!)
Enjoy the South’s best, and enjoy your month!
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