Southern Protocol

The Emmys are on Sunday – woo! That just sounds like such a great way to end my upcoming weekend… hanging out on the couch with some popcorn and wine, cheering when shows I love win, but most of the time scratching my head when shows I’ve never heard of win. Top night.

I was going to do a fun “who I think will win” post… but then I realized I’m so completely biased towards Modern Family and Glee, that it just wouldn’t even be fair. So I’ll leave the guesses to y’all, and we’ll be back on Monday to discuss red carpet hits and misses.

Just so there is SOME small point to this post, then: have y’all heard about what they’re doing to be super tech savvy and interactive with all of us at home? On Wednesday NBC posted a list of celebrities on their site who will be making appearances at the awards show on Sunday evening, encouraging twitter fanatics across the country to submit a line or two introducing each of said celebrities. 15 winners will be chosen, and their tweets will be read live on air as the awards are handed out. Two of the celebrities on the list? Jon Hamm from Mad Men and Matthew Morrison from Glee. HOW COOL!

I haven’t really gotten into the grocery store couponing. It takes SO much effort to learn and master, and I just don’t have the attention span, as much as my bank account wishes I did.

What I HAVE been loving lately are easy-to-use coupons, like Groupon.com and Restaurant.com. The ones that come directly to me. I personally love Groupon, as it includes not only great restaurant deals, but other activities and salons around town; I’ve heard people saying it’s not as good as it will be yet, as it just got to Charleston, but I’ve gotten some amazing deals just in the past week!

Lizz is a huge fan of Restaurant.com to feed her growing family, which is why she was super excited this morning when we heard that Restaurant.com is having a clearance on their coupons today – we’re talking 80-90% off already hugely discounted “gift certificates” from some of your favorite Charleston restaurants. The deal has been going on since this morning (enter in “clearance” at checkout), so I don’t know how many are left – but it’s definitely worth checking out!

Another trick I’ve learned is to always check online for coupons and discounts when I’m shopping online. I’ve gotten free shipping, 10% off… all by just searching on google! These are the kinds of discounts I’m willing to do…minimal effort, maximum savings

This pretty entertaining 10 minute bloopers reel comes to you courtesy of NYPost.com! It made me so excited for the next season of Gossip Girl, and I don’t even know when it starts.

Really, all I have to say is that the head honchos over at the CW should strongly consider finding a way for Chuck Bass to become British… because Ed Westwick’s accent makes my heart melt.

Gossip Girl Season Three Bloopers

Drop everything you’re doing and head over to Daniel Island – there’s a HUGE sidewalk sale scheduled for today with some of the best, best, best boutiques in Charleston. These kind of outdoor sales with upscale boutiques are super popular at the end of the summer, as stores are trying to get rid of the last of their summer inventory, and you absolutely need to take advantage of it.

Starting in T-Minus 30 minutes and lasting until 6:00 this evening, the sale will give you up to 75% off at Monkee’s, Thera M., II Brunettes, iHeart, and House of Sage. Helloooo get me there immediately! And I’d get there early, as the best merchandise usually goes first.

The sale will be held at 186 Seven Farms Drive, on the brick path in front of Monkee’s (Across from the Family Circle Cup stadium). See you soon!

I stumbled across a very lovely ad in this week’s City Paper for an upcoming fashion show, “Music Loves Fashion” sponsored by 26 Industries, StyleXchange and Ciroc vodka! Scheduled for next week – August 27th – I wasn’t exactly sure what the show was, as all the ad says is “fashion show and after party”, but I did know that I was jonesin’ for a fashion show and mingling with the uber stylish! So I looked it up – it’s apparently a show featuring the season’s “hottest designs from 30 designers,” as well as a photo presentation by Josh Norris Photography. Swanky!

What makes it even better, is that the event will be held at Patrick Properties’ vintage American Theater on King Street; what a GREAT location for a show! If that’s still not enough for you, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. Fashion, fabulousness, and charity!? Fine – you twisted my arm!

Again, the show is next Friday, August 27th; doors open at 8:00 pm and the show starts at 10:00 sharp. An after party will immediately follow! To get your tickets head to www.brownpapertickets/com, or call 1.800.838.3006. Receive a $25 gift certificate to StyleXchange with every ticket purchase!

To say we were supremely shocked and a touch put off by Carrie Underwood’s wedding is an understatement. That was a lotta crystal, pink and over the top. I’ve actually been to a wedding at that Ritz in Reynolds Plantation, and I sadly think that Carrie and her hockey beau did that place a disservice. It’s so gorgeous and natural by itself! I still totes love Carrie Underwood, and I think my love of her set me up with high expectations. Oh well.

In a complete 180 from Carrie, I absolutely ooh’ed and aah’ed at the ONE picture I’ve seen of Hilary Duff’s wedding this past weekend. It’s chic, garden party feel and amazing angular lanterns are just how a wedding should be: romantic and modern all at the same time. I heard she also wore Vera Wang… I can’t wait to see more pictures!

InStyle featured this website as part of their “7 Websites You Need to Know About” feature this week, and it is absolutely the cutest, chicest thing ever! I’m always on the hunt for great home decor and homeware sites, and CB2.com definitely fits the bill.

They have everything from furniture to by-the-pool necessities to bedroom decor and everything in between! There’s also a great little “gift” section that has a little something for everyone. Probably the initial reason I decided this website was a necessity for our blog was the “Tipsy Toes Ice Cube Set”… amazing ice cubes in the shape of red pumps! HELLO can you say perfect for a girls night in, or a bachelorette party?!

Next time you’re in the mood to browse for unique accents in your home, definitely check out CB2.com!

We’ve referenced our love of the snarky GoFugYourself blog before… the girls over there are so incredibly talented, and I wish I could write with their hilarity! The laugh-out-loud factor was DEFINITELY there yesterday when I read their synopsis/summary of the Lifetime original movie “The Client List.” Perhaps it’s not appropriate for work, but you need to take the 10 minutes to read it. Love it.

Fug the Fromage: The Client List

Don’t forget it’s Tax Free Weekend in South Carolina this weekend! HUGE SAVINGS TO BE HAD! WOOOO! And they all start today!

Outside of the normal back-to-school supplies savings (Target was already bustling yesterday getting ready), I’ve received numerous emails from many local boutiques about additional sales on top of no tax benefits – iHeart and Bashful in West Ashley being two of the best ones!

In general, if you’re confused as to what is generally included in the tax free phenomenon, here’s a good roundup:
-Clothing
-Accessories
-Footwear
-School supplies
-Computers
-Computer equipment

And, again, a lot of other stores are offering discounts on top of the tax free benefits. I sadly miss back-to-school supply shopping, so perhaps I will have to take advantage of the clothing sales. Happy shopping!

It’s time to show off that mouthwatering recipe, Charleston chefs! Charleston Magazine is hosting the second annual Recipe Contest and Cook-Off, presented by Piggly Wiggly and the Culinary Institute of Charleston. I know we have some avid cooks that follow us, so now is your chance to win some recognition – and money of course!

Scour your recipe boxes for that ultimate Lowcountry recipe that always wins you praise, be it an appetizer, entree, side dish or dessert. But choose carefully! That winning recipe must use the required ingredient (see below) from its category in order to be considered. Send it off, then cross your fingers while you wait to see if you are one of two finalists in each category that heads to the main competition.

Appetizer: Locally harvested shellfish
Entree: Sustainable, South Carolina-harvested or -raised fish, meat, game or poultry
Side Dish: South Carolina-grown vegetable or grain (that’s available in October)
Dessert: Locally or historically significant product (such as benne, Madeira, or oranges)

On October 23, 2010 all the finalists will meet for a showdown in the Culinary Institute of Charleston’s Palmer Campus ampitheater and show their stuff in front of judges – and of course a live audience! So even if you’re not a star chef, you can still watch the drama unfold.

The winners from each of the four categories will be featured in the December 2010 Food and Wine issue of Charleston Magazine, and in a Charleston Mag TV clip. The finalist with the highest overall score will also win a $500 check! WOOHOO! Who knew cooking had such financial benefits?

Start searching your cookbooks and enter here by September 13!

I’ve really been into aprons lately. I actually have garnered quite a few, and 90% of the time forget to wear one while I’m cooking, but I still love getting them out every now and then. Whether it’s a waist-apron or a full-apron, they can be sassy, sweet AND functional!

All of our followers know that we love a good, homemade company with lots of family history, and it makes our day when they let us in on their favorite sites and steals. That’s exactly what happened today when we were tipped off about IceMilk Aprons, an apron making company that started as a way for a family to spend more time together and pay a tribute to their late grandmother.

The aprons are definitely a higher quality than the throw away varieties you find at places like Target; they’re meant to last, and meant to see a lot of cookies and casseroles come out of the oven! They’re beautiful colors, can come with girly monograms and big bows, and all have names that reflect a time in the kitchen. Not to mention that they’re PERFECT for all you entertainers, who are doing last minute seasonings and chopping before your guests arrive for your dinner party – tie on one of these and it’ll seem like that’s your chic hostess outfit!

You can also buy an “heirloom kit” so you can make your own memories making an apron with loved ones. They come with a heritage tag (a small piece of fabric that you handstitch initials on and sew to the inside of your apron), an apron, and vintage recipe cards to record all of your secret family recipes. And it all comes packed in a sweet as tea jam jar!

Visit their website, read more about their story, scope out the blog, and place an order for yourself or your favorite entertaining hero.

I like to think I get lots (lots=morsels) of Chick-fil-a fun facts, as a sorority sister of mine does their PR in Atlanta. She passed along an article from a North Carolina newspaper that is partly hilarious, partly disconcerting, and partly inspiring. How does that combo work you ask?

While giving a tour of her family’s third generation farm, Michelle Patterson asked her group of touring children, “What do cows say?” A four-year-old, in complete seriousness, responded confidently with, “Eat more chikin.”

I just giggled again for a few minutes. As big of a Chick-fil-a eater as I am – it’s essentially the only fast food I ever want to eat – you can see how the “partly disconcerting” factor kicks in. Seriously? A four-year-old doesn’t know what a real cow says, she knows what the illiterate Chick-fil-a cows chant?

The article goes on to detail Patterson’s horror at the girl’s answer, and her subsequent creation of a summer program that teaches children the “farm to table” concept – letting today’s kids know where their food comes from. Which I think is fantastic, and incredibly inspiring. Everyone should have to participate in a workshop like this… not just children, but everyone!

Check out the full article here…

We spent most of the weekend blushing over here at Southern Protocol – we loved all the lovin’ from fabulous wedding sites The Wedding Row and Wedding Chicks! Hanna and Heyns’ big day, with its bright colors and sweet, simple touches, has proven to be a big hit.

Personally I think it’s because of Cupcake Boy, seen above again just to perk up your Monday

I’m still chugging along with my New Year’s resolution to read more. It’s been a bit touch and go for the past month or two, because we’ve been so busy (and I’m ashamed to say, that means watching TV is often a better way to wind down than reading! Shame on me!), but I’ve hopped back on the wagon with a book entitled, The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry, by Kathleen Flinn. For all of you chefs out there – be you culinary, pastry, or homegrown – it’s an absolute must-read.

What makes the story fabulous is that it’s autobiographical: an American woman in her mid-thirties has a job in London she hates, and is finally fired. A bit unsure of what her next step should be, a new love interest encourages her to pack her bags for Paris, and fulfill her lifelong dream of attaining a diploma from the original Le Cordon Bleu cooking school.

What follows in her amazing journey through the three-level cirriculum is fascinating. Not only is an inside peek at one of the most talked about cooking schools given, but Flinn beautifully intertwines cooking lessons with her personal life, and how it changed and developed during her stay at the school. She speaks from the heart, and has had some truly hilarious, mortifying, heartbreaking and wonderful moments. Not to mention that at the end of every chapter she includes a real recipe, with annotations on where she got it, how she created it, or who inspired her by sharing it with her.

Simply marvelous!

Thanks to the wonderfully fabulous photographer Leigh Webber, I stumbled across this precious blog the other day. Leigh had it posted on her twitter – and whenever a photographer tweets about some kind of photography, naturally one is pretty much much required to check it out.

Called Mila’s Daydreams, the blog is a compilation of perfectly styled photos centering around the photographer’s baby during her nap time; the scenes she puts her daughter in are reflections of what she’s possibly dreaming about in her newborn snooze. She uses such creativity for these – I love the denim shirt that has been shaped into an elephant, upon which Mila is riding. They’re all so heartwarming and clever!

In the “Behind the Blog” tab, the photographer states that this is merely a fun little hobby while she’s on maternity leave… what a talent she has.