We here at Southern Flourish love a good blog written by a Southern gal. So, we’ve started a new blog of the week feature! This week we’re showcasing Lara of Piewacket.

Lara is an insanely talented commercial and editorial photographer based in Atlanta, GA. As one might expect, her blog is oozing with great photography and styling, and an endless supply of inspiration. I went bananas for a recent photo post highlighting the gorgeous clothing line of Lesley Evers.

Her photos from a shoot with the daughter of a friend also left me mesmerized. Stunning.

I love that Lara writes so fondly about her life in Atlanta. The photos of her dinner at Yeah! Burger made me want to hop on a plane and try one for myself!

Finally, we both have a love for Showtime’s Dexter.

5 Questions for Lara

Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
I joke that everything has become a potential blog post but it is true. Daily life is my main inspiration, I’m just looking at my world in a new way since I started my blog.

How does Southern culture influence your blog?
Not being a native southerner, I am charmed by what many might take for granted. Be it the blooming of magnolias and dogwood to a good biscuit or BBQ joint. It is all new and exciting to me.

What is your favorite place in the South to visit?
I have been to Savannah twice and love it. Though not since I started Pie, so I would love to go down and devote a week exploring it with my camera.

Favorite Southern tradition?
Courtesy. People just have better manners here.

3 blogs you can’t live without?
A Filed Journal: http://afieldjournal.blogspot.com/
sfgirlbybay: http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/
A Photo Editor: http://www.aphotoeditor.com/

We here at Southern Flourish love a good blog written by a Southern gal. So, we’ve started a new blog of the week feature! This week we’re showcasing Megan of Pink to Green.

Megan is a budding foodie and my stomach routinely growls when reading her blog. I love, love, love bloggers that style and photograph their own meals!

Megan and I were also both OBSESSED with the Vogue photo shoot featuring Gweneth Paltrow.

For the sake of brevity I won’t gush on Pink to Green too much longer, but suffice to say that the photos from her Michigan vacation made me super jealous!

5 Questions for Megan

1) Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
My inspiration for Pink to Green comes from wanting to celebrate the good things in life– a gorgeous wedding, a tasty recipe, beautiful decor or a family photo are all inspirational. I vividly remember buying my first Vogue magazine 15 years ago and being smitten with the written word paired with stunning images– and still am! Much to the chagrin of my husband I have a collection of magazines that I keep for inspiration and binders with pages pulled from the years gone by. I also find endless inspiration from other bloggers and feel lucky to be part of such a great community!

2) How does Southern culture influence your blog?
No offense to my Midwest roots, but I have a love affair with southern living that has undoubtedly influenced my blog. (I’m equally enamored with antebellum architecture, mason jars, a friendly drawl and a ubiquitous biscuits) Living in and discovering Charlotte has given me a lot to blog about and I love uncovering the best this southern charmer has to offer!

3) What is your favorite place in the South to visit?
Charleston is my favorite place to visit in the south. Upon visiting for the first time, I realized I missed my calling—how did I not go to College of Charleston?! I would have been right at home pedaling a cruiser to class and then hitting the beach afterward! Charleston has endless charm, incredible history and an ideal waterfront local. Moreover, I would go back just for the food. One of my all-time favorite dining experiences was at McCrady’s in Charleston; the farm-to-fork menu is the best way to enjoy some of the best the south has to offer.

4) Favorite Southern tradition?
Mother nature provides my most treasured southern tradition. My favorite time of year is when the magnolia trees bloom in the south; I’m in heaven in the springtime. There are few things more enjoyable than taking a walk when the air is heavy with the scent of jasmine and magnolia.

5) 3 blogs you can’t live without?

• My friend Meg writes a blog, LeSueur Interiors, and I love to read her adventures staring her own business and amazing travels. Her southern charm is paired with international flair so I enviously take notes on her style!
• The Neo-Traditionalist is another of my favorite blogs not only because of the wealth of eye candy but because Katie so endears herself to her readers.
• I’m constantly looking forward to posts from Camilla’s blog, Style Notes, where she shares the inspiration behind being an event planner and passionate foodie

We here at Southern Flourish love a good blog written by a Southern gal. So, we’ve started a new blog of the week feature! This week we’re showcasing Beth Dotolo of the wonderful Hello, Splendor blog.

Stumbling upon Hello, Splendor is like a true breath of fresh air. The design is simple and chic, the photos are to die for, and the commentary from Beth (and her fabulous group of contributors) keeps us coming back for more!

From gorgeous photos of tasty treats…

{photo found at  martha stewart via hello, splendor}

…to photos of Beth’s adorable family…

{photo from hello, splendor}

…to her smart, clever and inspiring Thirty Before 30 quest, we simply love hello, splendor.

5 Questions for Beth…

Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
In everyday life! As I go about my day I come up against a dilemma or a thought and think of ways I can apply it to a post. I always try to share things that apply to my life so that it’s accessible to other people, as well!

How does Southern culture influence your blog?
I am very influenced by modern Southern culture! There are so many emerging artists and entrepreneurs in the South, especially Dallas. I try include local independent artists, eateries, and shops whenever possible.

What is your favorite place in the South to visit?
Hands down, Austin, Texas. It’s laid back and has a creative vibe. It’s a comfortable place to be that’s full of inspiration, plus Austin has an amazing music scene.

Favorite Southern tradition?
The State Fair of Texas! I must go every year. Great food, fun rides, and insane people watching.

3 blogs you can’t live without?
Fabulous K, Aspiring Kennedy, and style/SWOON… all Southern Bloggers!

This week we’re showing our love for Pennyweight, a gorgeous blog full of eye-candy and written by the talented Elise. Elise is a stylist, wardrobe consultant and online vintage store owner.

I love browsing Elise’s blog and finding gorgeous photos…

{Aritzia lookbook found via Art-pixie}

…stunning fashion finds…

{cardigan from anthropologie}

…and videos that make you super jealous…

Florence, Alabama from Pennyweight on Vimeo.

5 Questions for Elise

Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
My inspiration comes from so many different things… whether that be music (currently: First Aid Kit, The Middle East), magazines or other blogs. I also think it’s so important to get out of the house to find inspiration. Taking a day to escape my ‘to do’ list, soak up the sunshine and snap some pretty photos always leaves me feeling inspired and refreshed.

How does Southern culture influence your blog?
Having been born and raised in the South, I’m intrigued by the unique history that we have here. I’m big into vintage clothes (and as a result, started Troubadour Vintage on the side) and love to imagine who may have worn them in a previous life.

What is your favorite place in the South to visit?
There are so many fantastic spots (from Birmingham to Savannah), but I recently took my first road trip down to Florence, Alabama and was incredibly inspired. The fashion (hello Billy Reid!), the music and the art scene there are so lovely and unexpected. It was such a charming little southern town.

Favorite Southern tradition?
Besides sweet tea? I absolutely love going to see shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium. There is always an abundance of good live music in a variety of genres available here. So many legendary stars have graced that Ryman stage – and you can really feel the history when you are there!

3 blogs you can’t live without?
- I love Oh Joy! She is always on top of the latest and greatest in the design world.
- Another Day To Dress Up always provides whimsical fashion inspiration.
- And when I just want to feast my eyes on all things pretty, I head to All The Mountains.

We here at Southern Flourish love a good blog written by a Southern gal. So, we’ve started a new blog of the week feature! This week we’re highlighting Christina from Down and Out Chic, one of my personal faves!

Down and Out Chic (D&OC) is a spunky, fun and chic blog written by the lovely Christina. I love the mix of art, interior design and lifestyle posts that keep me smiling and constantly clicking to learn more about the people and products that she features!

D&OC has featured the art of Melissa Chaib…

…as well as serene shots of unnamed landscapes…

In addition to running her fabulous blog, Christina is also the proprietor of a vintage-chic Etsy store (also called Down and Out Chic). Just a few of the thing we love from her store…

5 Questions for Christina…

Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
Inspiration for my blog comes from everywhere and anywhere I spot beauty and good design: magazines, internet, art, photography, other blogs, the crafting community, etc. I started blogging in order to be able to offer a different perspective on affordable design because I was getting increasingly discouraged clicking on items on style blogs that I could never feasibly afford (or would want to pay for if I could). My inspiration comes from knowing there are quality handmade, indie, eco-friendly, and ethically conscious products that are accessible to all economic levels and that you don’t have to be rich to be a conscientious and stylish consumer! Inspiration abounds when you realize that beauty and good design really have very little to do with money.

How does Southern culture influence your blog?
I don’t know that there are any overt Southern themes on D&OC but I do live in the small, culturally rich Southern town of Athens, Georgia and I blog about my own experiences selling my work at local craft fairs and I do end up featuring many Southern artists and local designers. I received an art degree from a Southern university so even my formal art “training” is steeped in Southern themes and culture which I’m sure shines through on the blog now and again.

What is your favorite place in the South to visit?
Any beach, any beach at all will do for me! Unfortunately, due to the recent oil spill, how Southerners vacation will be greatly changed (although this is the least of our worries surrounding this tragedy, it’s still a reality). I love visiting the historic town of Savannah, GA as well as other culturally rich cities like Nashville, TN and Asheville, NC. I really should take more advantage of weekend trips to these great local cities.

Favorite Southern tradition?
To give some perspective here, I was raised by Puerto Rican, native New Yorkers in the South so my cultural experience is a mixed bag. My family isn’t your typical Southern family by any stretch of the imagination so many of my experiences surrounding Southern tradition have come from friends and my fiance’s family. I think my favorite Southern “tradition” are afternoon pot lucks involving a variety of local foods, Kentucky Whiskey and plenty of mojitos and lemonade for all!

3 blogs you can’t live without?
Ooooh, now this is a difficult question as I read a lot of blogs! If you must make choose though…
Design is Mine – I like a blogger who seems down to earth and posts about accessible design. Summer’s blog is just that- lots of inspirational posts and eye candy delivered consistently and without pretense.
Art at Heart – This UK blog is my daily art and conceptual design blog. Max finds some of the neatest products that walk the line between functionality and non-functional art object.
desire to inspire – This Canadian/Australian dream team are (in my humble book) the interior inspiration mavens of the blog world. If you like interiors that run the gamete of styles, this blog will keep you busy searching through the impressive archives of interiors stylists, photographers and designers.