Where we live now in northern Florida, it is definitely “The South”, and I’m sharing what I love about the South today. Also, featured here is my friend Lauren Leonard (a local designer), our calm Summer mantel, and more.
It’s Five Faves time with Cindy and Annie.
1. What I Love About The South (From A Native Californian)
If you have followed me for 12+ years on the blog, you know I try to focus on the positive. So let’s not discuss humidity, politics, or hurricanes.
On the positive side, in Jacksonville you will find:
- Friendly people: After a year here, I have finally learned to reflexively say hello to people I pass on the street (as opposed to not making eye contact elsewhere). Everyone smiles and says “hi” or “nice weather for a walk” or some acknowledgment if even just a smile or wave.
- Polite children and adults: If someone doesn’t call me ma’am or open the door for me if they are there first, they probably aren’t from around here. It’s refreshing.
- Delicious food: Ok not to dwell on all the fried stuff (it’s great in moderation…the chicken, green tomatoes, grouper). Here we also have excellent fresh seafood, citrus, strawberries, and of course, sweet Georgia peaches (when in season).
- Weather: Right now the climate is amazing. The summer months won’t be great but we have ocean breezes year-round, air conditioning, and now our new plunge pool for a quick cooldown.
- Joyful Interior Design: The tropical feel here encourages color, pattern, and rattan. As you will see with my next favorite thing/person.
2. Lauren Leonard Interiors
Jacksonville/Atlantic Beach designer, Lauren Leonard and I have been following each other for years. Now that I’m local, we are finally going to meet in person (we have a lunch date next week).
Lauren has a colorful, fresh aesthetic that feels fun to embrace.
You can follow Lauren Leonard on Instagram.
3. Our Summer Mantel
I decided to switch up our mantel for summer (what else is new 🙂 by gathering all the shells and coral I had elsewhere, with white books and the Serena & Lily candlesticks with premium flicker candles.
Free television screensavers are on the YouTube channels that I talked about here. This is a video called “Ultra Relaxing Music To Calm The Mind.”
4. Landon’s Funny Southern Observations On Instagram
Check out Landon’s takes on manners (very important), hair in the South “the higher the hair, the closer to God”, and what to call Southern grandparents.
For Landon to recognize these clever observations, he has to have spent some time out of the South.
5. What To Wear In The South: Linen And Sandals In Spring And Summer
This is my second linen Faherty dress. The Gemma basketweave linen dress is cool and well-made. It has pockets.
I take it out of the washer and hang it to dry. It’s a size small (I’m 5’1″). The shoes are comfortable…my first pair of Jack Rogers sandals.
My friend, Kim from Northern California Style has the same dress in a different pattern (similar) and she looks so cute.
Kim should pack this if/when she comes to visit me!
That’s what I love about the South!
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If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Love everything on this blog, Mary Ann, and thanks for the dress recommendation. I ordered the blue and it is wonderful! I had been eyeing it for some time and am very glad I finally made the purchase. I came back here to see how you accessorized yours. I just wish they had other colors that work for me, but sadly, I look terrible in their other options. Thanks again! 🙂
I feel like I could wear that dress everyday!
Hi Mary Ann,
I thoroughly enjoyed this Sunday Favs. First and foremost, I subscribe to your thinking on focusing on the positive. There are negatives everywhere in today’s world, but focusing on the positive is always a better choice. I was born and raised in CA but when our oldest son was about to turn 2 years my husband was transferred to Texas. We lived in Arlington, smack in between Fort Worth and Dallas. I missed family and friends so much, but like you I enjoyed our two years living there and felt the positives got me through. Good manners and warm, friendly neighbors made things good and by the time we moved back I was kind of sorry to leave.
Karen B.
Enjoyed the blog – I’ve never lived in the south, but there’s so much to love about it! So funny that you place humidity before politics and hurricanes! Here in the midwest we seem to go from a couple days of spring right into humidity season (ugh…not a fan! maybe if I had great hair). Lauren’s designs are beautiful, and I love that darling dress.
I remember the humidity when we lived in Chicago…still a fun change of weather.
I had the same thought about the placement of humidity. LOL I live in a high humidity place and agree!
I’m cracking up reading your post. All my friends in Texas give me grief for saying hello to everybody I pass by and I tell them its how we were raised in the deep South. You’ve proven my theory! I also ma’am and sir everybody over the age of 25 or so…its another Southerism I can’t let go of. Also, thanks for the reconnection to Lauren Leonard! Without the rollcall on my old blog I lost touch with so many fantastic bloggers and designers. I hope this favorite things about the south becomes a new series. Just saying 🙂
You are the nicest person, Nancy!!
Mary Ann,
Having lived in Atlantic Beach for 6 years I agree with everything thing you said. The people are wonderful and Atlantic/Jacksonville beach are small town special places. My favorite place is Mezza Luna! If you like yoga take a class or two from my friends Dennis and Kathy Lang.
Love your mantle, sophisticated beachy! And your linen dress.
Have a wonderful week.
We love Mezza Luna, Elizabeth!
I’d love 3 months of air as opposed to the 8 to 9 months of heating here in the PNW. Curious as to how the green tomatoes are prepared. I make a green tomato curry but would love some other suggestions.
They are breaded and fried!
I do not believe Florida is the south other then latitude and longitude. Every other person is from some place else. Not making eye contact is a big city thing.I have lived everywhere , including Asia and
Canada, north, south, east and mid – west USA.That is my perspective based upon well – traveled experience. Anyone else agree ?
Well, Georgia is about 25 miles away from us. You might be confusing where we live with Miami. I know lots of people who were born in Florida, including our son, who lives in Orlando.
I’ve lived in a lot of places too…in Southern California (several towns), NY, Winnetka, IL, Orlando, Paris, and San Francisco…and you are probably right about people not making eye contact in big cities. It’s a safety issue.
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m so happy for you that the transition to SF CA to Florida has added so many good things to your lives. To have family and friends is a huge bonus.
The fireplace mantel that you created looks so pretty, love what you did.
Blue dress looks nice on you, be happy you can still
look so cute in a short dress and be able to wear sandals as well.
My legs don’t look that great, Katherine…I like longer dresses too…but this one is so cool.
Love all the blue and white–decor and dress. The sandals are very cute.
Thanks for commenting, Linda!
Mary Ann! I love reading about what you love about the south! Last weekend we were in Winston-Salem and we could not get over the friendly people…everywhere. I’m so used to not making eye contact…with anyone….it was so lovely that people would just greet you with a friendly hello.
You always see the positive! I love that about you!
And that blue dress! Wear it often!!💙
Xx
I want to go to Winston-Salem after your trip!
You definitely captured all the good we have going on here in the south! And Lauren now has a new follower!
Happy Sunday! 🌻
Happy Sunday to you, Mary!!
Mary Ann
Love the byline let’s not talk hurricanes, politics, or humidity, and your attitude! Every place has its negatives and positives. Why not embrace the positive? You and Kim both look darling in that dress. You ladies are lucky you can still wear short dresses and look adorable! So fun to meet Lauren!
You know I like to embrace the positives, Cindy and I’d like to give you a hug!!
Mary Ann—The blue dress looks great and a lovely color on you. The website states it’s indigo but yours looks more cobalt? Is it a brighter blue than what shows on the website? Do you find it’s sheer and you need something underneath? The length looks perfect for petites—not too short.
I would say it’s a dark blue with some cobalt! Not much of an answer but the photo of me is pretty accurate. I didn’t wear a slip with it.
It’s pretty much the color in my photo, Rose. I would say like a blue jean wash.