19 Southern FINDS for May Celebrations

Graduations, Mother’s Day, and other spring celebrations pepper our calendars as we flip them to May. From chic accessories to party-ready curios, this list has something special for every occasion this month — all from local Southern makers, brands, and retailers. Here are some of our favorite May FINDS!

JEWELRY

Paper clip earrings

This is the daintiest pair of staple earrings you’ll never want to remove. A trendy chain, a modern shape, and 14k gold? We’re in. Stack them along your earscape, or show them off alone. This pair is $195 at Kate Morgan Designs.

Paper clip earrings, $195, at Kate Morgan Designs | Image: Kate Morgan Designs

Hand-stamped name cuff

Personalized jewelry doesn’t always have to come at a hefty price tag! Kids and grandkids can stay close to Mom on these hand-stamped cuff bracelets in brass or sterling silver. It can include up to six names and comes in brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, or copper. Everything is hand-stamped to order in their Little Rock, AR, studio. These are $35 each at Bella Vita.

A hand holding several engraved golden bracelets with names like "Kelton," "Olivia," "Poppy," "Luna," and "Alice" — Name cuff, $35, at Bella Vita | Image: Bella Vita

Stackable bracelets

We’re always looking for buildable, waterproof jewelry. Dazzle is your one-stop online shop for all the eNewton your heart (or Mom’s) can dream of. Choose from a rainbow of colors or some classic styles to add to Mom’s stack. The gold and pearl elastics are $38 each, and the cuff is $68 at Dazzle.

Close-up of a woman's hands clasped over her lap, adorned with several bracelets, wearing a white blouse and white pants. — eNewton bracelets, $38-$68, at Dazzle | Image: Dazzle

Charm necklace

Token/charm necklaces are all the rage and can add some intrigue to any ensemble. Funkily assembled with found objects and talismans in a Richmonod-based fashion studio, each necklace is one of a kind, just like your mom. The gold-filled chain is adorned with seashells, coral, Italian beads, glass, freshwater pearls, and a baroque pearl. It’s $130 at Rosewood Clothing Co.

Gold chain necklace with assorted charms including a blue bead and a shell — Charm necklace, $130, at Rosewood Clothing Co. |Image: Rosewood Clothing Co.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Linen pants

The design team at this Athens “slow fashion” house has created the perfect pair of vintage-feeling pants. Handmade from sustainable medium-weight linen, these pants are the ultimate companion for work, play, and travel. We love the two playful oversized circle pockets and the warm rust color. Find these for $275 at Community.

A woman with curly hair wearing a beige top, rust-colored culottes, and white heels, holding a brown handbag, stands beside a white cube — Linen pants, $275, at Community | Image: Community

Handwoven tote

A new bag can liven up your outfit and your mood. This everyday (and every-season) tote has a single eye-catching stripe and is made from handwoven leather for sturdy beauty that will last decades. Shop this for $240 at Daughters.

Woven tote bag featuring horizontal stripes in tan and white, displayed against a neutral background — Handwoven tote, $240, at Daughters | Image: Daughters

Spanx mini skort

Skirts are returning to our athleisure rotation, and not just when we’re on the tennis court or the golf course. We’ve gushed over Spanx’s unbelievably soft “AirEssentials” fabric in a recent loungewear roundup, and this skort is going on the wishlist, too. Skirt on the outside. Shorts with a hidden pocket on the inside. Snag this at Bliss for $88.

Woman wearing a white tennis skirt, shown from the waist down, featuring a Southern side pocket detail, against a plain background. — Skort, $88, at Bliss | Image: Bliss

Cover up and baggy shirt

Citrine’s new tile print has us adding one of everything to our cart! The oversized button-down shirt can be worn as a swimsuit cover-up or OUT out with some white slacks and heels. Tie the sarong over any neutral suit, and you’ve got a unique look all summer. The Hampton shirt is $128, and the Mai Pareo sarong is $88.

A woman wearing a playful, patterned shirt dress with a front tie knot, featuring square and sun motifs in white and orange tones — Hampton shirt, $128, and sarong, $88, at Citrine | Image: Citrine

HOME & KITCHEN

Bottle caddy

Load up this woven seagrass caddy with wine, utensils, napkins, or any other essentials for an alfresco dinner. It’s $78 at Rhodes.

Two woven baskets on a wooden surface; one holds pens, the other a wine bottle with a visible label "Challis Lane." — Wine caddy, $78, at Rhodes | Image: Rhodes

Rolling pin

Any baker in your life needs this French rolling pin. The intricate design is made of a mix of black walnut, cherry, and maple and is named “Miss Ethel” after one of the woodworker’s great-great aunts. Shop this at The Riley/Land Collection for $98.

A twisted wooden stick resting on a marble surface, featuring alternating light and dark wood patterns, is one of the Southern FINDS for May. — Rolling pin, $98, at The Riley/Land Collection | Image: The Riley/Land Collection

Placemats

These tasseled jute placemats are a summer staple ready to be styled for gatherings indoors and out. Find these at The Truffle Pig for $12 each.

Top view of a neatly set dining place on a textured mat featuring a ceramic plate, bowl, cup, and silverware, all arranged on a natural, fringed table runner. — Placemat, $12, at The Truffle Pig | Image: The Truffle Pig

Picture perfect

Give the gift of nostalgia and help your grad preserve memories to last a lifetime with the Life is a Journey photo album. In addition to a coffee table-worthy cover, the album features pages of quality black photo paper for attaching pictures, stickers, and personal notes. It’s available for $64 at a’mano.

Teal photo album with gold text "life is a journey" and a tree design, standing upright against a white background. — Photo album, $64, at a’mano | Image: a’mano

Acrylic picture frame

For grads, moms, and everyone in between, a cute new frame with a printed photo is the ultimate personalized gift. This scalloped one has a magnetic border to secure cherished 5-by-7 pictures, tickets, invitations, or even dried flowers. It comes in multiple colors for $64 at Tart by Taylor.

A framed photo of a couple standing in a field is positioned on a book titled "Southern Finds" beside a yellow lamp. — Acrylic frame, $64, at Tart by Taylor | Image: Tart by Taylor

OUTDOOR FUN

Insulated picnic basket

Picnic baskets are handy, but the wooden top of this insulated cutie can become a picnic table, too. It’s lightweight and easy to tote to the beach, pop in the trunk, or set out by the campfire. This basket is on sale for $79.20 (from $99) at Natural Life.

Woman on a beach, wearing a black floral dress and carrying a woven basket — Picnic basket, $79.20, at Natural Life | Image: Natural Life

A picnic basket containing a pineapple, two bottles of Southern beverages, and a package of whole grain products on a wooden floor. — The insulated interior zips. Image: Natural life

Bug off

One craft soapery in Hot Springs, AR, goes beyond bar soaps and candles. One of their summertime best-sellers is this solid Bug-Off lotion infused with chamomile and a hand-blended recipe of essential oils (including citronella) that keep skin soft and bug-free. Rub it on wrists, ankles, and other exposed spots before going outside. It can also alleviate the sting of existing bug bites. Find this for $12 at Bathhouse Soap.

Slackline

Slacklining in an entertaining and challenging way to play outside and improve balance and core strength … for both you and your little ones! This 50-foot slackline comes with a teaching line to help beginners build confidence. All you need are two healthy trees and the perfect spring afternoon. Grab this set for $81.50 at Treehouse Kids & Craft. (It’d make a great grad gift!)

BATH & BEAUTY

Glowy sunscreen

Rose-Marie Swift of RMS Beauty knows. Her. Stuff. This nourishing, mineral-based daily sunscreen serum is slightly tinted to even tone and correct imperfections. Its subtle glow will give your face a radiant illumination while blocking out those harmful rays. Find it for $48 at RMS Beauty.

Five rms skincare products in various shades of pink with their contents artistically spilled on a white surface — Glowy sunscreen, $48, at RMS Beauty | Image: RMS Beauty

Bar soap

Raleigh-based Juju’s Basics makes fabulous soap that’s “clean” in many ways. Their proprietary soap-making method means the soaps are deeply moisturizing and can be used on the body, hair, and to shave. They also donate free bars to cancer patients to help keep their skin healthy through chemo. Pick from many delicious scents. Each bar is $9.80 at Juju’s Basics.

A row of eight colorful soap bars in variously labeled packaging, arranged diagonally on a white background — Bar soap, $9.80, at Juju’s Basics | Image: Juju’s Basics

Antioxidant serum

This antioxidant serum has hundreds of five-star reviews for a reason. The anti-inflammatory “phytonutrients,” nourishing essential fatty acids, and powerful antioxidants combat pesky environmental stressors like blue and UV light, sun rays, and air pollution. Dry skin sufferers, this will hydrate and revive your complexion. Find this at Little Seed Farm for $29.99.

May your month be full of Southern FINDS and delightful celebrations!

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About the Author
Zoe Yarborough

Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.