{feelin' lucky preview}

Tomorrow kicks off MARCH MADNESS!!! To start things off right, I thought I would give ya'll a preview of what's to come! Above are 20 of the items that will given away by the WONDERFUL and TALENTED Etsy sellers that will be featured daily during MARCH MADNESS! Check back tomorrow for our first feature shop!

{i'm featured!}

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=44602

My DIY project of recovering a vintage chair that I am selling on Etsy is being featured! Check it out!!

{drumroll please...}

March 1st will kick off Feelin' Lucky here at Southern Flair!

Each day, I will feature a giveaway sponsored by one of the wonderful artists that can be found on Etsy.com! I'm hoping this will not only be a great way to give a little back to all of my WONDERFUL readers, but also showcase some really talented, cool people and encourage more people to buy handmade! So... MAKE SURE to check back everyday in March to register for all of the seriously amazing things that will be given away and learn a little bit about the creators behind all of the awesome garb!

{laissez les bons temps rouler}

Happy Mardi Gras from Southern Flair!

{king cake}

Happy Lundi Gras!

Today, I thought I would share with all of you wonderful Southern Flair readers, the history of King Cake!

The King Cake is named after the biblical 3 kings (aka the 3 wise men), the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake is the most simple and most traditional of all king cake styles and is essentially a ring of twisted bread that is topped with icing colored purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power).

King Cakes are available in plain cinnamon or with filling inside (praline and cream cheese are the most popular filling flavors - and are delicious!). The tradition of the baby that is hidden in each King Cake began with hiding a gilded bean inside the King Cake. The plastic babies used in modern King Cakes are often said to represent the baby Jesus. However, many people attach no particular religious significance to the cake or trinket.

The "baby in the king cake" was said to have become common after a New Orleans area bakery chain got a large shipment of such plastic baby dolls from Hong Kong very cheaply in the 1950s, some people say there is little further significance to the baby, but earlier ceramic baby dolls as trinkets are documented in New Orleans back to the 1930s. Other New Orleans traditions claim the baby represents the re-birth of Father time for the new year. Apart from the tiny plastic baby, a trinket representing a king wearing a crown is the 2nd most common design of trinket. Trinkets in the form of other figures have also been seen historically, and starting in the 1990s again became more common in the more expensive "gourmet" varieties of king cake. The common plastic baby of today is usually colored pink, brown, white or gold. Due to the choking hazard posed by small trinkets, some bakeries opt to include the "plastic baby" separately from the pastry. The plastic babies are most often left out of cakes from stores not native to New Orleans, such as Wal-Mart, etc. Usually when King Cakes are ordered to be shipped out of New Orleans the cake and trinket are packaged separately so that the plastic baby will not pose as a choking hazard to King Cake novices. The person who "gets the baby" has to buy the next King Cake!

Popular bakeries in Louisiana such as Gambino's, Ambrosia, Haydel, and Randazzo, feature original recipes and other types of king cakes - but you can find King Cake at just about ANY grocery store in Louisiana during Mardi Gras season!

{winner - incognito joe giveaway}

Congratulations Taylor! You are the winner for the Incognito Joe drink bracelet giveaway! Please send me a e-mail at allison@classicsouthernflair.com with your full name and mailing address to claim your retro-inspired drinkware! Don't forget to put GIVEAWAY WINNER in the subject line!

To everyone else who has yet to win one of the goodies featured on Southern Flair - don't fret! There are going to be PLENTY of other opportunities to win very soon!

{daily pin-up}

I've recently added a new daily inspiration blog to my repertoire... Daily Pin-up will feature a pin-up a day, providing retro glamour in a modern world! Check it out HERE -or- click on the Pin-up of the Week on the sidebar!

{ziploc twist 'n loc containers = godsend}

Seriously - throw out all of your P.O.S "snap & seal" containers and go to Wal-Mart/Target/any store that sells groceries and pick up a few of these bad boys in all 3 sizes! These Tupperware replacements are AWESOME!

1. They don't warp in the dishwasher

2. The locking lids ACTUALLY stay on

3. They come in 3 perfectly practical sizes

4. They're stackable

5. They have marks for measuring
6. They have a textured, indented bottom for easy handling and no slipping around your fridge/freezer/countertop

7. They are DISHWASHER, MICROWAVE & FREEZER SAFE!

I have never loved a kitchen product this much! And I'm pretty disappointed in Ziploc and like companies for taking so stinking long to come out with something that completely ROCKS and is super cheap! For how long these babies will last - I'd say they are worth their weight in gold!

{all ruffled up at JCrew}

Tissue rolling-ruffles tank - Beachcloth ruffle skirt - Tissue ruffle cardigan - Jersey Lomellina® ruffled tank - Merino whisper ruffle cardigan - Solid silk garland cami

JCrew has paired a muted watercolor palette with adorably pretty ruffles on just about everything this season! From sweet cardigans to sexy one-pieces, JCrew's take on the ultra-feminine ruffle is ultra-cool! I'm in love!

{hard at work - hint #2}

I'm still hard at work planning an AMAZING surprise for all of YOU!!

Here's another hint!

{still a chance to WIN}

You still have a chance to win the super cool, retro name badge drink bracelets!! The winner will be announced Friday!

{kiehl's shave cream contest}

Kiehl's has recently come out with a shave cream for women! This rich & creamy formula makes for a smooth, close shave while providing unbeatable protection against nicks, cuts and discomfort! The Ladies’ Shave Cream contains moisturizing oils and soothing herbal extracts for a silky-smooth look and feel!

Go to Kiehls.com for a chance to WIN A YEAR'S SUPPLY of Ladies' Shave Cream - it's FREE to enter! All you have to do is guess how long it takes the woman with the world's longest legs to shave!

{new from kiehl's}

I have a complete obsession with Kiehl's - all of their products are AWESOME! They've recently come out with a new "Essence Oil" with roller ball applicator and it is packaged in a pretty little amber glass cylinder, so it's perfect to just throw in your purse or makeup bag! I can't wait to get my hands on a few of them... there are 4 elegant fragrances: vanilla, musk, coriander and grapefruit... I'm fond of vanilla myself... ohh Kiehl's... you are so perfect!

{did you just google: what is finance?}

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!

{I'm completely aware of my extremely girly movie taste...}

{upsie daisie etsy shop}

I've posted about this sweet little book before... It's a cute story, written by my mother and it tells the story of a little bug, Doodle Bug, as he goes through his day. The book is now available on Etsy and is perfect for any little one! Check it out!!

{working girl}

As some of you may know, I will be graduating LSU this May, which means I am currently in the process of getting a big girl job... I'm pretty excited about the whole thing! Making real money, having a "career", "working" - ha! I know I definitely want to move back to Atlanta, so I'm applying with just about every cool, fashion-forward company available! If any of you lovelies have any hot job tips please share! Until next time, check out my portfolio blog...

{happy valentine's day}

Hoping your Valentine's Day is filled with love and tiny chocolates...

Love,

Southern Flair

{giveaway - incognito joe}

Incognito Joe is a cool little retro-inspired company taking vintage uniform namestags and transforming them into far-out drink bracelets! Incognito Joe™ Drink Bracelets have an adjustable elastic band to fit can, bottles, glasses and mugs. They came about when Karen, the designer behind the throw-back brand, discovered a few large boxes of uniform name patches at a local flea market and couldn't resist!

Today is your lucky day because Incognito Joe is giving away a set (4) of these sweet drink bracelets to a Southern Flair reader!! To win, leave a comment with your real name AND what your uniform patch name would be!

The winner will be chosen next Friday, February 20th... in the mean time - you can check out more about Incognito Joe™ on their website or by visiting their Etsy shop!

{absinthe}

There is something so intriguing about Absinthe. The Green Fairy, The Green Muse, The Green Goddess, and la Fee Verte... all nicknames by which the green elixir is called. POSH Chicago now carries all of the necessary absinthe accoutrement: spoon, glass and guide book. I myself have never sipped the sinful drink and have heard it tastes awful - like burning licorice. For now, I will just admire the history and world of Absinthe from afar... so beautifully dark and dangerously mystifying.

"Absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the self. The green fairy who lives in the Absinthe wants your soul."

Dracula by Bram Stoker, 1897

{balloons}

{my hatred for the "snuggie"}

I think you would all agree that Southern Flair is usually a happy place, filled with cupcakes and cute puppies... but today I must share with you my hatred for The Snuggie. The Snuggie is quite possibly the most asinine invention EVER... and the worst part about The Snuggie - 4 MILLION HAVE BEEN SOLD!!! This video pretty much sums up my feelings for - The Snuggie.

{cupcakes}

Images from Flickr & Present Past Collection

{sailing ships and fedoras}

OHH!! I am obsessed with Patch NYC! I am in desperate need of a tote! Totally cool - totally fun! Too bad they're a little out of my price range... sistas on a budget! Looking doesn't hurt... Check 'em out!

{hard at work}

Image from flickr

I'm currently hard at work planning an AMAZING surprise for all of YOU!! Here's a hint!

{get skinny through soap}

SkinnySkinny is a brand of organic and eco-savvy products and gifts that includes soaps, pillows, pet products, amazing gift sets, body oils, and more. They use all certified organic ingredients and make everything in small batches! They are also totally eco-friendly, operating with 100% carbon-neutral wind-power! They use recycled, sustainable or biodegradable materials for all of our packaging and even won the award for Best Green Packaging from the HBA-IPDA! I personally love their cute giftboxes - books! How fun!! Get the skinny on skinnyskinny!

{he's just not that into you}

Seeing it!!

That is all.

{magic crystals}

Feeling mystical? Let the powers that be release all of your negative energy... with these really cool soaps! Mollycoddle has a whole collection of gemstone inspired soaps with yummy smells like lemon and pumpkin spice. Add a little magic to your bathtime routine!

Alexandrite Gemstone Soap - Amethyst Gemstone Soap - Citrine Gemstone Soap - Aquamarine Gemstone Soap - - Topaz Gemstone Soap

{unique business card holders}

I've been in search of a cool case for my business/calling cards and was having a hard finding not-boring models until I did a little search on my favorite website {aka Etsy} and found 100s of kicka** card cases! The best part is - these little mamas are all around $10! Check out a few of my faves:

All designs from Simplyneckties Etsy Shop

{love is all you need}

All you need is love.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

But if love isn't enough... here are some fun Valentine's Day gifts:

Jumbo Champagne Flute - Blooming Heart "I Love You" plant - I HEART YOU toast stamp - Heart Warmer Hot Water Bottles - Shaggy Heart pillow - Kiss Me Lip soap - Love Pillowcase Set - Love Paperweight

{little love birds}

Valentine's Day isn't just for grown-ups afterall... Kids love it too! From Valentine's Day "mailboxes" made from empty shoeboxes to red heart shaped lollipops, Valentine's Day is as much for kids as it is for adults!

1. Valentine's Day owl wash mitt - 2. Luvee duck - 3. Squishy Lip pillows - 4. Pottery Barn Kids Valentine plates - 5. Heart yo-yo - 6. Pottery Barn Kids Valentine chairback - 7. Iridecent heart beaded necklace

{conversation hearts}

The classic valentine sweet - reinvented!

1. Make it Better band-aids - 2. Love Party Shot Glass - 3. Conversation Heart candles - 4. Message Cookies - 5. Conversation Heart soap - 6. Sweet Hearts dessert plates

{winner}

Congratulations, Erin! You won the All Dolled Up calling card giveaway! Please e-mail me at allison@classicsouthernflair.com with your full name and phone number {as you would like them to appear on your calling cards} as well as the address you would like them mailed to!

{domino folds}

Thank goodness for cute puppies... Domino magazine, a CondeNast publication, is folding! CondeNast decided the magazine wasn't making it in the current state of our economy and announced Wednesday that the magazine is to stop production. I am an avid magazine reader and have select favorites: Lucky, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Southern Accents, InStyle and DOMINO! I'm very upset about this... I wish there were a way to keep Domino... Please feel free to share your favorite thing about Domino.

{cutest puppy ever}

Have a lovely's sweeet little puppy playing in the snow

I'm in love...

{sweet valentine}

Bake up something sweet this Valentine's Day with these red hot baking essentials!

1. Heart topped cupcakes - 2. Heart-shaped spatula - 3. Red KitchenAid mixer - 4. Heart-shaped measuring cups - 5. Heart-shaped pancake molds - 6. Sprinkles Red Velvet cupcake mix - 7. Valentine cupcake stencils - 8. LOVE cake pan - 9. Red Thistle cake stand