Can you Monogram that?

The southern lifestyle is very much slow and casual.That is especially true if you grew up in a coastal town.Therefore, the fashion must be suitable to the environment.

In the town where I grew up in, it wasn't uncommon for the outfit of choice between the months of March and October to be shorts and a tshirt, more specifically a tshirt of the Salt Life or Calutta variety.Oh, and don't forget the rainbow flip flops, or Sperry's are also a personal preference. From late Spring to the beginning of fall the weather is nonstop blazing heat, so wearing jeans is very uncommon unless you're willing to die of heat exhaustion like the heap of earth worms that always seem to gather on the concrete.

During the colder months the only thing that changes in the way people dress, is that they upgrade to jeans and instead of short sleeve shirts, Salt Life and Calcutta just happen to sell long sleeve shirts as well. It usually doesn't get extremely cold, but during the winter North Face coats can be seen on every 9 out of 10 people you pass by in the mall. If you're feeling extra fancy, a monogrammed pullover or winter jacket would also suffice. A ball cap that either says NC State or Duke might be added for extra head warmth.

Now I can't say that 365 days out of the year we live in denim and tshirts.On Sundays many of the people in my town are in their boats at Masonboro Island or Bald Head Island enjoying the sun rays, but for the other half, Sunday means church. Church is where the real southern lady dresses up. This is where the Vera Bradley or Belk dresses are in copious amounts, and pearls are needed to complete every outfit.The only establishment where hats the size of a watermelon are allowed, even though they block the view of the whole congregation. Monogrammed earrings and necklaces might even earn you extra brownie points.My grandmother always has her color coordinated pantsuit or skirt with the matching shoes.And even though we don't go to the same church, I'd have to get my outfit inspected by my grandmother before leaving for Sunday School just to make sure everything matched,because she claims I am colorblind, and to ensure that my skirt was suitable length. And never, ever, walk into church looking like a "bum on the street"(my mother's words, not mine) because people will talk.

We may not be on the list of most fashionable town in Style Magazine but at least we could be voted for having the fashion with the most Southern charm.

Webster's Southern Dictionary

There are some terms that have a totally different meaning in the South...



1.Ya'll
In most places up North, the term ya'll is not a very common occurrence. Down South, it's a word used in almost every sentence."What are ya'll doin tonight" or " Did ya'll see the Panthers game?" "Did ya'll know this milk was expired." In fact, it's used so much where i'm from, you'll get looked at like you have four eyes if you by mistake say "you guys" instead.

2.Football
If I were listing this terms in order of importance, football would be number 1. It doesn't matter whether it's high school football, college football, the NFL, or even peewee, During the fall months, football is life, Every other car on in my town, sport their team flag of choice, on their cars(hopefully it's the Panthers). During church you'll see the guys,and even the ladies, looking down and checking the stats of the game while the Preacher is preaching his sermon. Matter of fact, I know of churches who even go as far as close their doors on football Sundays.High School football is such a huge deal that many of the players I knew growing up, never had to make up missing assignments or were given A's if they had to travel during school for games.Yep, football is pretty much it's own religion.

3.Manners
Down South you better use the words yes ma'am and yes sir or you'll feel a swift hit to the side of your face. Open the door for everyone and smile when someone walks by.No slurping at the dinner table and guests always eat first.When mama or grandma say sit up straight, you sight up straight.It's as if the Queen of England was about to walk in at any minute. It was a common occurrence when I was younger, to be told to act more ladylike at least 3 times a day,

4. BBQ
There's not just one type of BBQ. The most common are Texas barbecue, Kansas city barbecue, Memphis barbecue, South Carolina and North Carolina barbecue, If anyone ever ask you who has the best kind say North Carolina, even if you've never even tasted it before. There hasn't been one cookout or gathering that i've been to that has not served BBQ.

5,Fixin
When using the word fixin, it means two things. You primarily use the term when talking about what you're going to do or about to do.Such as, "i'm fixin to clean the garage." It could also be used to refer to side dishes in meals like vegetables, rice,etc.Those are considered fixins.

6.Humidity/AC
If humidity was what the devil invented to punish  us in the South. A.C. was a device sent by God. Seriously, there is nothing worse then living in 90 percent humidity 7 months out of the year. You battle with yourself internally over whether to go outside and enjoy the sunny weather or if you should stay inside and keep your sanity. It's so bad, that the humidity many times  feels like thick fog on your skin.

7.Country Music
You either love it or you hate it.But if you live down South you better learn how to tolerate it cause you'll hear it everywhere. And I truly mean EVERYWHERE. Grocery stores, malls, car dealerships, and restaurants play the radio station 101.3 on repeat. There's no better place to live at either, if you want to hear some of the biggest names in country music.

8.Bless Your Heart
There has never been a better insult ever invented.Most people would believe it to be a term of sincerity or caring.WRONG. It's just a very nice way of calling someone an idiot.

9.The South
To many individuals, the South is just a southern part of the United States with backwards thinking.But to us who have grown up there, the South is the best place on Earth. No other place will you find some of the sweetest most loving individuals. A place where you can walk down the street,smile, and start up a conversation with a complete stranger. A place where taking it slow and easy is a way of life.A place where manners are held to a standard and where you learn most of your life lessons from the elders in your family.It's not just a word, it's a way of life.

The Most Unpredictable Predictable 365 Days of the Year

There is no real difference between the threat of a snowstorm and an apocalypse,when you are talking to people living in the South.The panic voices of family members. Lines of the local supermarkets Bo's and Food Lion , reaching to the ends of the aisles. Every storm radio checked for efficiency. Outdoor furniture tied down,check.Ample supply of firewood and batteries in lantern,check. And just in case anything happens, let's go down to the car repair shop and get the vehicles checked out.Be prepared to spend the day in a complete frenzy.Then watch as 1/2 inch of frozen ice falls on the ground.At least the school board was smart, and let us have a week off of school.

See, we're used to three types of weather conditions. Extreme humidity, rain, and hurricanes. It's not unusual to see people at the beach minutes before or even during, a hurricane.A category three storm does't faze many, yet anything that has to do with the words ice, snow, and frigid temperatures will leave everyone in a confused state of mind. So much so, that the local meteorologists warn people about leaving their homes during these times,because there is such an increase in car accidents.Good thing weather conditions like this happen once every three to four years.

Every other day of the year, the weather is much more predictable(at least for those who grew up in the South). One day the weather could be a nice 75 degrees. The next, 102 degrees with humidity that will melt even the thickest skin.Nothing is worse then sitting on leather seats in the summer and having to peel your legs off the seats as you exit the vehicle.

Most days are beautiful and sunny without a cloud in the sky.But as they say "when it rains, it pours." 2015 was the second wettest year in record in Wilmington. It rained for 139 days and a total of 83 inches. Yet the intense rain didn't stop many from continuing their daily routine.Just make sure to carry a poncho,raincoat, or umbrella.

Though our spring season only lasts for about two weeks, and the summer days carry the risk of heatstroke and potential tornadoes, I love the Southern weather. There's no better feeling then being able to wear flip flops into November,walking on the beach after a heavy storm, and getting to sit on the outside deck of restaurants 9 months out the year.It's not always the happiest of Christmas seasons when it's 80 degrees in December, but the Holiday shows in Myrtle Beach can't be beat. It might as well be known as the most unpredictable,predictable, 365 days of the year.