Essentials for Southern Men

This post falls into a category created long ago on this blog called “Southern Women How To’s.”  In this case, the post is about how a southern woman can recognize a southern gentleman.  Or better yet, it is to provide a glimpse into the life and style of a southern gentleman.  Of course, for all true southern women and men the items in this post are nothing new.  Southerness is not something that can simply be acquired by physical location, the way one dresses, the way one acts, the way one drinks or eats, or even one’s level of enthusiasm for sporting events.  It is, however, a compilation of all of these things and then some.

I was inspired to write this post after reviewing with colleagues (Hi Teresa and Jaime!) a Southern Living online article featuring lists of southern essentials for both men and women.  Click these links for the SL list for men and the SL list for women.  I agreed with most of the items on this list.   Although, I immediately began recalling things that I thought were excluded.  The SL list was a “top 10” list so there was a limit to what could be included.  My list will be much more extensive and will fall in no particular order.  I may even add to it in the future.  You can access the original source for each photograph by clicking on it.  I have linked the photos through my Southern Men Pinterest Board.  Feel free to follow me on Pinterest if you like.

(Note: In no way did I intend to declare that all southern men should have these items to be complete.  :)  This list is simply my own thoughts about one of my favorite things: southern men.  Many of the items I have included were chosen because they remind me of my true southern gent. of a husband.)

I’ll do a follow-up post in the future for southern women essentials.

Ok, here’s my list of essentials for the southern man.

1. Good Manners and Chivalry (ok, maybe that one was listed in a particular order…FIRST)

2. Well-Stocked Bar/Barware

3. A Collegiate House Flag  (of your alma mater or favorite team)

4. Affordable Jeans

5. Short Sleeved Golf Shirts  (I particularly like these from Southern Point)

6. A Baseball Cap  (If it doesn't have a college team's logo then it had better have something southern on it (i.e. favorite hunting dog, state flag, cotton blossom, etc.)

7. Gun  (I’m not sure I know a southern man without one.  Whether it is theirs or their granddaddy’s heirloom, most southern men have a gun for those “just in case” moments of needing to protect or provide for their families.)

8. Preppy Colored Khaki Pants

9. A Pair of Loafers/Driving Mocs

10. Big Dog  (This is a picture of our dog, Cole, taken by my SIL Brenna.)

11. A Classic Sweater

12. Classic Suit (This is essential for so many occasions: church, weddings, funerals, work, etc.)

13. Cufflinks  (I included these for when today’s man is attending a party/wedding/event in a tuxedo.  I think it is nice for a man to have on something with a personal touch when wearing a tux whether it is rented or owned.  Cufflinks are a way to do just that.)

14. Pocket Knife (preferably with a cork screw and bottle opener)

15. Classic Pea Coat

16. Silver Flask

17. Football Game Day Attire in School Colors (In addition, every southern guy needs a tie in his favorite team’s colors. I love this burnt orange/cotton blossom one from Southern Proper.)

 

18. White Cotton Undershirt  (This is a staple.  It is hot down here, y’all.  An undershirt completes a southern man’s outfit).

19. Seersucker Suit

 

20. Leather Boots  (These boots are essential because they can be worn with casual clothes to a football game or they can be used for work.  My husband calls his leather boot s*!t kickers.  Ha.  I think he means it in the literal sense.  His parents own a cattle farm.)

21. White Oxford Button-down Shirt (I like this one from Southern Tide)

22. Navy Blazer

23. Handkerchiefs (Every southern man should carry a handkerchief, especially when he is dressed up.)

24. Boat Shoes

25. Linen Blazer

26. Gingham Button-down Shirt

27. Manly Stationery

 

Do you have any suggestions that could be added to the list?  Or, do you have any comments about what I’ve included?

How To: Make a Live Christmas Garland

As you may have seen in this post, we hosted our family for Christmas this year.   Judd and I really enjoyed decorating our home to celebrate the birth of our savior with the ones we love.  I made several live fir (yes, Charles, “fir” not “fur.”  LOL) garlands, wreaths, and swags in the process.  This post explains how to make a live garland. 

(Note: I was snapping pictures on the iPhone while working.  I apologize in advance for the photo quality).

Here are the things that you will need.

• Wire Cutters
• Floral Wire
• Fresh greenery
• Pruning Shears
• Measuring Tape

I highly recommend making your garland outside or on your porch because the fir tends to shed.

First, measure the length of the area you wish to cover.  I didn’t have a measuring tape handy; so, I measured using an extension cord I already had out for Christmas lights.  Use your pruning shears to cut the tree branches in lots of straight pieces.  Make a pile of straight pieces as you cut.  Keep the wooden stem ends all going the same direction.  This makes it easier for you as you are piecing the garland together.

Next, bundle together approximately three stems of the straight pieces that you cut.  Wire the stems together. Cut the excess wire with your wire cutters.

Take two bundled pieces and join them with wire where the first bundle’s brown stems are underneath the second bundle’s green branches.

Continue this layering process until you reach half of your desired length.  Make a second long strand that is also half of the length you want to cover.  You will then join the two strands together with the exposed brown stem ends facing each other.  Wire in a way that only a minimal amount of the stems are visible.  The two strands will be joined together in the middle so that both outside edges have nice finished end points.

Next, gather a separate bundle that has greenery going in both directions. Wire it together in the middle were there is no stem showing.

Place this smaller bundle over any exposed stems that are showing on the center of the garland where the large half strands were joined.  Wire it in place.

Your garland should now be one long piece with two nice green branch ends.  Wire leftover greenery on top of any other exposed stems.  Add a few extra pieces of wire where needed for support to keep your garland together as you move it to its desired location.

We placed our garland over our mantel.  It took two of us to carry it in the house. 

Once the garland was in place, we added white lights and tucked in white and red nandina berries, holly, and silver ball ornaments.

What do you think?  You could decorate your garland to be in keeping with your own home or Christmas decor.  Greenery looks nice with pretty much anything or any color scheme.

I have no training or real expertise in flower arranging or garland making.  That should show you that anybody is capable of making a garland on his or her own.  You can do it!

How To: Make A Burlap Wreath

Have you all seen these DIY burlap wreaths?  I first caught a glimpse of these kinds of wreaths at a gift shop/antique store near our home a few months ago.  Then I saw the images below on Pinterest.  I decided I liked the look of these for fall.  I thought I could probably make one myself.

Source: The Newly Wares

Source: Etsy

Source: Classy Clutter

Here is what I needed to get started.

Supplies:

• Scissors
• Measuring Tape
• Burlap
• Wire Coat Hanger
• Hot Glue Gun

First, I separated the twisted part of the hanger that connected the end of the wire from the hook. With my hands, I shaped the wire into a circle, leaving the hook in tact and the twisted edge loose.

Second, I cut several 4” wide strips of burlap approximately a yard long.  I folded the burlap accordion style and strung it along the loose wire edge. 

I continued weaving the burlap strips onto the coat hanger until I felt that it look full.  I’ll be honest, this project used a lot more burlap than expected.

When all of the burlap was strung through the coat hanger, I placed small dots of hot glue on the wire sporadically around the wreath.  This kept the strips from sliding.

I left the hook part of the coat hanger in place and I attached the loose end to the hook using a rubber band and hot clue.  I didn’t have any pliers on hand.  If you do, you may be able to twist the loose end back on the hook.  Otherwise, the rubber band and hot glue method seemed to work just fine.

I used the hook to hang the wreath on my door.  I took the pictures at night on an iphone.  The photo quality is not the best, but you get the idea.   I will probably make a bow or add some dried flowers for seasonal color.

After hanging the wreath, I trimmed the strings.  However, if you like the look of the strings feel free to keep them.  I waivered back and forth on this one.  I kind of liked them; however, I decided to cut them off in the end.

Voila. Instant burlap wreath.  Luckily, I already had everything I needed to make this at home.  In my opinion, this is a great look for only a few bucks.

What do you think?