Southern Life Living

Part of being Southern-raised means some givens in daily life. You say "yes, ma'am" and "yes, sir" to anyone who could be even remotely your age or older. Monograms are present in your home, in some form or fashion. Wearing white is really hard to do outside of the Memorial Day/Labor Day realm, no matter what Fashion Week says.

Southern men and women also turn to certain things as go-to guides for everyday life. Southern Living recipes are passed down from generation to generation. When all else fails, turn to Emily Post. In Atlanta, stores such as Festivity or The Chandlery can be counted on for the perfect hostess gift, even if you, gasp, run past there right before the party [guilty on multiple counts over here!].

Along those lines, Garden & Gun's magazine has been a Southern store shelf staple since 2007. I haven't been a reader of the magazine, but couldn't help but snatch up the latest issue after seeing the navy and kelly green cover (my fav combo) with a gorg mint julep. Fabulous!

Right around the holidays, I read about Garden & Gun's new book, The Southern's Handbook. As you know, I am proud of my Northern heritage, but am proud of my Atlanta "hometown," too. I ordered the book right away, and have been (truly) pouring through the pages ever since. It's a book that touches on everything I have grown up with all these years, from my early years in Richmond to current life here. Included within, secrets to things like making the perfect fried chicken (never tried it, but now definitely want to) and the "finger salute," familiar to anyone who has raised a hand to others as you drive by in a smaller town.

All in all, the writing is solid, with some Southern snark wrapped in alongside what could be mistaken for a friendly chat with a neighbor.Whether you are a multi-generational Southerner, or someone new to the area, just looking for a little perspective, I say this book is a quick, light read and a worthy add to your night table. As a bonus, it's also a perfect addition to the Southern coffee table in between and after reads :)

Disclosure: The editors at Garden & Gun didn't ask or tell me to write a review of this book. I just am a fan and wanted to pass the word along! 

Hungry For More

A few months ago, my book club started reading The Hunger Games. And boy oh boy, was I HOOKED.

What is the Hunger Games, you might ask? Here is a quick overview ...

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in The Hunger Games.  A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.

There were nights where I literally stayed up until 3AM, curled up on the couch with a single light on, reading through to the end of each chapter of these books ... only to find out that the next BIG THING was happening and oh my goodness, I had to keep reading to find out what happened next!

Katherine's tip: If you are new to The Hunger Games books, stop reading at night mid-chapter. Trust me. The ends of each chapter bring some new, crazy thing, so you will never feel like it's a good stopping point. And you won't stop. You will keep reading and then be crazy tired the next day. And then you will still want to read more that next night, too.

These books are 100% addicting, and I couldn't recommend them more. They made a great book club selection, too, because they bring up all sorts of political views of the world and what the future of our planet looks like. They may be Young Adult lit, but they certainly bring up some real-world Adult topics.

As you'd guess, I have been anxiously awaiting the movie version of these great books. The movie opens everywhere on March 23. I am on vacation starting that day, so you better believe part of my five-day vacay is going to include some escape into Panem :)

If you are already a fan, you are going to be so excited to hear that the cast of The Hunger Games movie is coming to town tomorrow! Below are the details. Should be fun!
 

THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR…

THE HUNGER GAMES MALL TOUR COMES TO ATLANTA!

WHAT:           The fervor is growing for one of 2012’s most anticipated films, THE HUNGER GAMES.  Fan frenzy is sure to be on display as THE HUNGER GAMES Mall Tour makes a stop in Atlanta on March 6.  Cast members in attendance include Liam Hemsworth (Gale), Leven Rambin (Glimmer), Dayo Okeniyi (Thresh), Amandla Stenberg (Rue) and Jack Quaid (Marvel).

The event gives fans the opportunity to ask cast members questions and participate in fun giveaways such as a chance to win a limited-edition

Hunger Games HP Folio PC from the Microsoft Store.

WHEN:           Tuesday, March 6, 2012

2:30pm – Gates open to the public

4:00pm – Press check-in

5:00pm – Event begins 

* Event is free and open to the public.

WHERE:        Lenox Square Mall                

Front parking lot outside the mall’s main entrance

3933 Peachtree Road NE