Does Anyone Care About the Family Silver?
My mom, who lived to be 98, passed away a few months back. As with any respectable Southern lady, she loved silver. Most of her serving pieces were plated, with a few sterling pieces purchased or inherited. These generational, hand-me-down pieces were some of her most treasured belongings, and everyone [...]
A First For Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day, 2026. This year is a first for me. I’ll turn 64 soon, and it’s the first time I can’t see or talk to my mom on her special day. Still, I’m grateful. For more than 23,000 days, Mama was there. Unconditional love is a blessing, even if we [...]
RIP My Friend: Rickey Stanfield
For the Savannah, Tennessee Central High School Class of 1980, losing a classmate near the end of our senior year was hard. For me and our friend group, it seemed excruciating. Even now, in the middle of our “middle-age,” hearing about a classmate’s passing doesn’t come any easier. Rickey [...]
Derby and Steeplechase Fashion for Men
Updated for 2026. Derby and Steeplechase season is here. Horse racing's premier event, the Kentucky Derby, takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, and Nashville's Iroquois Steeplechase happens on Saturday, May 9. Now, all that's left to decide is what to wear. Horse racing events allow men - most notably [...]
How to Create the Perfect Mint Julep
There’s something about spring that makes me crave a refreshing cocktail. With Derby and Steeplechase season upon us, there’s no better time to learn how to create the perfect Mint Julep. Being a self-professed, amateur bourbon enthusiast, sipping on a Mint Julep while listening to the birds chirp on a [...]
Cracker Barrel’s Prophet Dilemma
The recent rebranding debacle at Cracker Barrel has set a new standard for what not to do in marketing. The decision to partner with the San Francisco marketing agency Prophet presents another significant challenge. Having grown up and lived in Tennessee for most of my life, I have witnessed the [...]
Liza Graves, StyleBlueprint CEO
Liza Graves, along with her husband, Jay, own StyleBlueprint, one of the South’s best lifestyle websites. I’ve been a huge fan of the site for many years and appreciate how they feature Southern businesses fueled by the entrepreneurs and creatives throughout the region. I'm constantly searching for interesting people throughout [...]
Best Men’s Shoes for the Beach or Lake
Finding the best men's shoes for the beach or lake is easy. Combining style and functionality is a must, and there are plenty of shoes that you can wear directly from the beach or boat to your favorite beach-side watering hole. RELATED: How to Wear the South's Classic Fabric I [...]
Three Life Lessons From Toby Keith
Toby Keith, an American icon and hit-making Country music singer/songwriter, passed away near Oklahoma City on February 5th after an 18-month battle with stomach cancer. Known for his patriotic, all-American stance on many important issues, here are three life lessons from Toby Keith. Surrounded by his family, Keith died in [...]
7 Ways to Make Valentine’s Day Special
Most guys dread Valentine's Day. It's not that we don't want to make the day memorable or bestow gifts on that special girl. However, finding that special valentine's gift can be overwhelming. Here are 7 ways to make Valentine's Day Special. Men typically follow the same routine on Valentine's Day: [...]