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Hello friends!  Update your feeds by clicking here and win an ipad!  See y'all on the NEW BLOG!

The NEW Southern Weddings Blog Has LAUNCHED!

It's finally here!!!  We're thrilled to invite you over to our new home on the internet!  We have so much to show you, so trot on over and stay a while...

For those of you who follow us through RSS, make sure to change your feed so you don't miss any of the goodness!  Click here to subscribe to our new feed.  Google Reader friends, make sure to change your feeds, too!  This blog will no longer be updated and will disappear soon.

What are you waiting for?!

We're Moving! Are You?

If you've noticed things have been quieter than usual over in our Southern neck of the woods, you're right! Let me rephrase: while it may seem like things have been hush-hush here at SW, we've been working feverishly on the behind-the-scenes of our new site.  Yes, in case you missed the memo, we're moving - and we hope you are, too. 

It won't be too much longer until we unveil Southern Weddings' all-new facelift (let me tell you: she's a beauty!), but we thought we'd share a cute sneak peek before we go. So, what do you think?  Is this enough to entice you to make the big move with us? Stay posted to Twitter for the big reveal coming soon!  YEEHAW!!!

Until tomorrow,

Katharine

SW Ornament Swap :: Partners Sent!

Hey, ladies!  Just a quick note to say that I sent out the emails with your swap partner information a few minutes ago.  If you don't receive an email by the end of the day, please let me know!  As a reminder, you can read all of the details on the intro post here.  Don't forget to ship before December 15, and remember, earlier is always better!

P.S. I may have made a mistake on a few of the emails. :)  Katie B, Libby B, and Paloma N, you are the only ones with a swap partner in Italy.  Everyone else, please disregard that line in the email!

Winner : MM Ink Calligraphy

Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, the girls of Southern Weddings have been thinking about all of the people we are so grateful for. We are so lucky to have an extensive list of amazing people that deserve a billion thank yous. One of these people is calligrapher extraordinaire Moya. Her contributions to V2 AND V3 were to-die-for gorgeous and we are so happy to announce today's MM Ink winner!

We asked readers to go to the recently revamped MM Ink website and pick out their favorite calligraphy style for the chance to win 75 hand-lettered escort or place cards! We randomly selected Katy as our winner. Her favorite calligraphy style was the Belle and we couldn't agree more with her choice (though you really can't go wrong with any of MM Ink's calligraphy styles). Katy, please email whitney {at} iloveswmag {dot} com to claim your prize!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Moya and to all of our fabulous readers! Come back soon for another fantastic giveaway.

Giveaway :: Black Friday Grab Bag!

Or, I suppose, Black Friday grab boxes would be more appropriate!  We hope y'all had a fabulous turkey day and are enjoying time with family and friends! (Or just enjoying some good old fashioned retail therapy... that's okay, too!)  In the name of cleaning out our office, we've unearthed a pile of exceedingly random items.  Some are awesome (think freebie products from events, ever-so-slightly damaged items from photoshoots), and some are, well, random :)  To wit:

Told you!  Anyway, in honor of Black Friday, we have 10 awesomely random Southern Weddings grab boxes to give away.  In addition to assorted remnants from our infamous office closet, you might even find a copy of V3 in your box!  After that, we really have no idea what you'll find.

Interested?  Just leave a comment below telling us your your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner.  Have a great weekend, y'all!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

We hope y'all are with your families and enjoying turkey today!  (Or tofurkey, if that's more your style!)  We wanted to take a moment to each list a few of the things we're thankful for on this most wonderful holiday.

From Emily, whose favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is stuffing: I am thankful for my family.  I really think I lucked out with the most loving, most brilliant, and most fun family that a girl could ever ask for.  I'm thankful for a warm home, a snuggly bed, and best friends, even if they're flung far and wide.  I'm thankful for God and the innumerable blessings He has entrusted to me.  And today, I will probably be thankful for the Butterball hotline, seeing as I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

From Katharine, whose favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese (which is what she's contributing to her family's spread): After five years, I am thankful to be spending my first Thanksgiving with Kyle.  My father will be hosting the celebration this year, and I couldn't think of a better place to share our first official holiday as husband and wife than at my family's home in Virginia.  (Macaroni + Cheese will be included.)  I'm grateful for the year of changes we have enjoyed, for my father and three younger siblings and for my new family in Cincinnati.  (Our first home in North Carolina, my best friend Molly and the Duke trail are just a few of the blessings that make make life so sweet.)  Speaking of sweet, I'm especially grateful for candy - of all shapes and sizes.

From Lara, whose favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is: my mom's turnip puree.  OK, maybe it doesn't sound exciting at first glance, but it's like mashed potatoes with a hint of spicy heat and nutmeg.  Pretty much Southern heaven on earth.  I am so grateful for Jesus, my family, and the way God has worked in my life this year.  I'm so grateful for Katharine, Emily, Marissa, Whitney, Nicole and Sierra and how they make me want to be my best every day.  They put up with my crazy ideas and my insatiable drive that keeps us busy.  I love you all so much.  I am so grateful for Gina and Emily L. and for the adventure of a lifetime we just went on.  I've never had close girlfriends and I have found two soulmates.  I'm so grateful for the people who opened their hearts to us on that journey.  All 100+ new friends - I'm thanking God for each one of you at my Thanksgiving table today.  So much love and thanks for all that you are.  As they say, my cup overfloweth.  I could write volumes.  I'm thankful for YOU, dear readers.  Thank you for supporting us.  I'm grateful for my eternal roomie Harmony, who is like a sister to me, and for my half-sister Kathy.  I'm thankful that these two women - my favorite women in LA - just happened to meet by chance the other night.  God is good.  I'm grateful for all of these people who have made this year so powerful for me.  Last but not least, I'm thankful for my husband.  My grandma loves him too... maybe a little too much.  Filmed just ten days ago when Gina, Ari, Emily and I went to Irvine.  Wait for it... wait for it....

Grandma Bunny from lara casey on Vimeo. Created by Gina Zeidler

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely readers!  What are you thankful for?

Photo by Erin Hearts Court

Thanksgiving Inspiration + Plans

Credits, clockwise from top left: first two via All Things Lovely, from Marston House, photo by Victoria Pearson, via Classic Bride, from Martha Stewart Weddings, from Martha Stewart Weddings, via Jupiter Images, from Martha Stewart Weddings, by Melissa Schollaert

Y'all liked our Halloween inspiration board so much we figured we'd give you one for Thanksgiving, as well!  In the meantime, our office is scattering today to spend some quality time with our families and good food.  The plans:

Emily: I'm actually staying in North Carolina for Thanksgiving this year!  It's going to be a strange Thursday in many ways, most importantly because there will be FAR fewer people around the table than is custom for my family: just 4.  Usually, if we're with my Mom's side of the family, there are 13 of us, and if we're with my Dad's, upwards of 25.  Also of note: I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Stay tuned to see how THAT turns out :)

Katharine: Rest easy, folks: I certainly will not be cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, so all are safe from that inevitable disaster!  In a few short hours, Kyle and I will be making the drive up to Virginia to celebrate our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife.  Little sister Bissy already has big plans for us: repeat showings of the new Harry Potter movie, Black Friday shopping, our annual closet swap (where she inevitably makes out like a bandit) and a sleepover.  If it sounds like a sixteen-year-old's dream vacation, you're right.  If only I could convince my family to serve a Thanksgiving steak instead of Tom Turkey, it would be my dream vacation!

Lara: Ari is on 24 hour call Thanksgiving day and Saturday, so he's literally in the hospital all week.  I'm sad that I won't be with him on Thanksgiving, but there are a lot of people who will be very thankful to be in his care that day.  I'm headed to Pensacola, Florida, to spend the holiday with my parents.  It's just the three of us this year... and some cats... and a chicken... and a duck.  Life on the Casey farm.  My mom always cooks a big feast and this year I'm particularly excited to focus on getting to know more about each of their lives.  You get to a certain age (30 for me, I suppose) where you just want to be better friends with your parents and know more about who they are and where they came from.  I'm excited for us all to grow closer and to give thanks for our many blessings.  It's also traditionally a big weekend for everyone from my high school to get together, so I'm excited to see some old friends, too!  Bring on the turkey y'all!

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Winner : IceMilk Aprons

It's almost here, it's almost here! Thanksgiving is only two short days away! Soon, kitchens across America will be filled with the aroma of turkey roasting and pie cooling. Two of our readers will also be awaiting packages from IceMilk Aprons for their future cooking endeavors!

We asked readers to tell us their favorite recipes for their chance to win an apron from IceMilk Aprons. Congratulations to Jennifer H and Laura!

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I am a newlywed (March 2010) and my mother-in-law is the most AMAZING Southern cook there ever was. I am no expert, but I am trying! Although I'll never cook with the charm, ease, and secret ingredient arsenal as her, I have learned from my MIL that cooking is so much more than putting together ingredients and throwing something in the oven or a pot. It is fun to play around and make what those you love, love to eat!

After we made it together once, I was so honored when she shared one of her special recipes with me and it has quickly become a favorite for my husband and me. I've only recently convinced him to love tomatoes, which is a good thing, because if he were comparing my pie to his mom's, he may be disappointed! Here is her version of Southern Tomato Pie::

1 baked pie crust
sliced tomatoes...enough to fill the crust
2 or 3 green onions chopped on top of the tomatoes
salt and pepper
mixed herbs...yes there is a bottle of these!

topping:
grated sharp cheddar cheese - around 1-1 1/2 cups
mix the cheese with enough mayonnaise to hold the cheese together...then "place" the mixture on top of the pie with your hands
Bake @ 350 until the cheese bubbles

YUM!

~Jennifer H

Oh how cute! I totally need one of these, since the apron I currently use is from when I was a kid (the pocket is a barn). Not to mention that the flour tends to fly when I bake, since I happily learned not to worry about the portions too much.

My favorite thing to bake is a cake that I only make at Christmas, just to keep it special. Plus, I'm telling you, this cake tastes like Christmas.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cake

6 squares white chocolate for baking
2 sticks of butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
3 T orange zest (CONFESSION: I skip this and add just a dash more orange juice with pulp, since zesting has never really worked for me)
3 T orange juice
2 c flour
2 t baking powder
1-1/2 c fresh or frozen cranberries

Chop the chocolate. Beat together butter, brown sugar, and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, orange juice and zest, and mix well. Add the flour and baking powder, then stir in the chocolate and cranberries. Bake in a bundt pan at 350 for 1 hour.

Glaze:
Melt together 3 squares of white chocolate and 2T of orange juice over low heat. stir, drizzle over cake, and enjoy. It's best if you wait until the cake is COMPLETELY cool.

~Laura

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Make sure to leave a comment below if you decide to try one of these scrumptious recipes for Turkey Day!

Hope you all enjoyed the one day Southern Weddings discount on the IceMilk Aprons website! Have a happy Thanksgiving, y'all!