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Imagine an early 19th century London with a female writer so influential that even the Queen of England hangs on her every pointed word. A society steered from afar by an anonymous, all-seeing critic with the power to alter destinies. Though Bridgerton’s Lady Whistledown might seem like a fantasy, it turns out the show’s narrator is actually based on fact. A recent article published in Town & Country, outlined the historical precedence for the fictional “Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers....

Southerners can’t get enough of the wholesome sweet potato. It stands at the forefront of most of our seasonal dishes like Classic Sweet Potato Casserole and Southern Sweet Potato Cake. And these delicious, hearty, and classic recipes all require one ingredient: cooked sweet potatoes. For homemade recipes like these, it would be a sin to opt for the canned varieties. Ivy Odom, Southern Living Test Kitchen guru, gives us advice and tips to properly peel a sweet potato without a peeler....

The hardy succulent beloved by 70s grandmas is making its triumphant return to American homes. Hoya, a wax plant or waxflower, is a genus of vining succulents with shiny or fuzzy leaves. With hundreds of species to choose from, these tropical beauties produce long, thin stems and, if we say so ourselves, look particularly good in hanging planters. After a long hiatus, Better Homes & Gardens reports that hoyas are becoming more available at specialty garden centers and houseplant shops....

Cleaning the oven is one of those chores that can quickly fall to the bottom of the to-do list—repeatedly. In fact, 41 percent of Americans list cleaning the oven as their least favorite household chore. Even the self-cleaning mode on ovens doesn’t really cut it, as it requires a lot of energy, heat, and elbow grease. Luckily, there are a few ways to make cleaning the oven just a little bit easier....

Together, Texas’ parks are reflective of the vastly distinct terrains that make up the Lone Star State, from the Hill Country rivers to the West Texas deserts to the East Texas bayous. Now, the system is welcoming a unique new addition. This year, North Texas is getting its first new state park in 25 years. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is opening its gates to visitors later in 2023, with nearly 5,000 acres to roam....

More than four decades after it opened to the public for the first time, Elvis Presley’s Graceland remains one of the most significant homes of the 20th century. Each year, 600,000 visitors make the pilgrimage to the property on the outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee. The 17,552-square-foot home is the second-most visited in the country, behind only the White House. Compared to other famous homes like Biltmore Estate, The Breakers, and even Monticello, the 23-room Colonial Revival style residence is decidedly modest....

It’s safe to say we’ve already got Ree Drummond’s floral “blousy tops” and leggings look down pat now it’s time to emulate The Pioneer Woman’s jewelry collection. Specifically, the silver bangle she always wears, which we recently learned holds special meaning. As an article on The Pioneer Woman Magazine’s website recently shared, this silver bracelet isn’t just any bracelet. “I never take this off, and it’s a bangle that says, ‘Lord make me an instrument of thy peace....

It’s important to begin with a note of context: We take cornbread very seriously in our house. As long as I can remember, my mother has had a regular rotation of no less than at least four different cornbread recipes that she will make according to what we’re having to eat and which fleeting mood she’s in. A warm, comforting soup? She’s going jalapeno cornbread with sausage and cheese. No question....

When we see the word “cooling,” pertaining to any bevy of items that can range from a mattress topper to a seamless bra—yes, really—we can’t help but stop in our tracks. Anything that promises to save us from the basically year-round heat wave that is the South catches our intrigue; and if the reviews and stats check out, our wallet, too. Enter the freezer dress. At the moment we happened upon Columbia’s top-selling dress, there was probably a bead of sweat threatening to roll down the back of our neck or into the crook of the elbow....

When you’ve been doing something one way for your entire life, it’s disorienting to learn a more efficient way years later. I remember learning how to properly hold and use a chef’s knife when I was 23 years old, and once I saw how it was done, I felt like a fool for doing it any other way for two decades. Often these kitchen tricks make an easier and safer job of your work, but they are not intuitive—they have to be learned....

Down South a good hair stylist is essential. Who else is there to ensure your color stays fresh, your cut is on-trend, and your blowout keeps its volume all day long? Not to mention, a trusted hairdresser can be your sounding board when you need advice or simply want to talk after a particularly stressful week (and let’s be serious, is there any better way to unwind than getting your scalp massaged during a salon shampoo?...

About 100 miles south of Lexington in rural southeastern Kentucky, you’ll find one of the most unique experiences the natural world has to offer. At approximately 68-feet-tall and 125-feet-wide, Cumberland Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Known as “the Niagara of the South,” roughly 3,600 cubic feet of water spill over its sandstone edge every second. And, when the timing is right, it creates a rare, atmospheric phenomenon called a moonbow....

When you look good, you feel good. When you look good in brand-new clothes, you feel really good. While many wash undergarments before wearing, few bother to throw new store-bought clothing in the wash. Some dermatologists think that’s a massive no-no. “I have seen cases of lice that were possibly transmitted from trying on in the store, and there are certain infectious diseases that can be passed on through clothing,” Dr....

This week actor, songwriter, and proud dad to Maribeth, Wes Brown is giving us not one but two holiday gifts. This Saturday, Brown’s latest Hallmark movie, A Nashville Christmas Carol will premiere and in the same week, he has released a special four-song EP of Christmas music. Fans of the Louisiana native will not be surprised that he sings as well as acts, as his musical talents have appeared in a few of his acting gigs as well....

Two bottles diverged on a shelf in a liquor store: one bourbon, one whiskey. You stood there trying to tell the difference between both. You stood there staring at the labels, but the answer was still elusive. Here’s a simple explanation of why all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. In the end, we hope it will make all the difference for connoisseurs of bourbon and whiskey alike....

Cutting watermelon in a matter of minutes is totally possible with the Yueshico watermelon slicer. It has a stainless steel construction and a windmill-style wheel blade that cuts fruit into cubes with just a single push. BUY IT: $12.37; amazon.com The device slices up to 2 centimeters of fruit at a time that gets stored in a hollowed-out center, so your watermelon cubes won’t make a mess on countertops. Then, just dump the fruit into a large bowl as you cut row by row....

We all know that there’s nothing more Southern than a front porch. Front porches come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, from a 660-square-foot cottage to a historic Mississippi farmhouse. A porch can make a big (we’re talking huge) difference in a home’s look and feel. Optimize your sitting potential with the right design if you’re lucky enough to spend your mornings, afternoons, or evenings on a porch. Your porches’ style should work with the architecture of your home just as it does with your personality and lifestyle....

Chalkboards never go out of style in a Southern home. Not only are they versatile and practical, but you can also use them as a fun, creative outlet for the entire family. They offer the perfect vehicle for seasonal decor because you can change them whenever you’d like—all without buying anything new. Discover your next great fall chalkboard idea with this list of sayings and quotes about the autumn season. You get bonus points for drawing something beautiful to complement your words of choice!...

No one celebrates the holidays quite like Southerners. There are many ways to celebrate the spirit of the season and sharing greetings is one of our favorite ways to show love during the holiday season. Whether you’re hoping to wish someone a wonderful holiday season or want to wish someone a happy Hanukkah, there are plenty of ways to tell someone you care about them during the most wonderful time of year....

2022 was a hard year for Wynonna Judd. Her mother, Naomi Judd, died from suicide in April, and then in the last hours of the year, the country star was forced to cancel her appearance at the 2022 New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash due to a health issue. Nashville’s Big Bash is country music’s giant New Year’s Eve party filled with live performances and plenty of merry making to ring in the new year....