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We can’t mention terracotta without calling to mind China’s Terracotta Army, Spain’s terracotta roofs, or even the brick courtyards found throughout the South’s most historical cities. Terracotta has a long and rich history, but its popularity seems to be heating up once again. When we first started spotting terracotta floors in newly overhauled homes, we couldn’t quite commit to jumping aboard. But as the trend has continued to take shape, so too has our love of the stunning range of rusty, earthy colored tiles that result from a millennias-old technique....

Bring on the sweet potato casserole! Thanksgiving in the South is truly something to behold. The joyous holiday dedicated to bringing friends and family together, embellishing our homes with stunning fall decor, and enjoying indulgent homemade food, is also a time to reflect on our many blessings. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. And because the special occasion is rooted in sharing gratitude, we believe it can be a perfect opportunity to revisit some meaningful Thanksgiving Bible verses....

Before we’ve even tucked away our last sweaters from the winter, we’re thinking about getting a fresh pre-spring cut. And, since we’re already Marie Kondo-ing our closet, why not apply her easy logic to our hair, too? She says, “The best way to find out what we really need is to get rid of what we don’t.” See, she’s on our side. Short haircut it is! This spring, we’re seeing a long-forgotten, once-beloved short cut coming back onto the scene....

As my dad’s 60th birthday and an accompanying beach trip to celebrate it approached, I knew I wanted to surprise him with a homemade dessert he’d love. Though he thoroughly enjoyed the mini Key lime pies I made on Mother’s Day, he deserved his own special treat for this occasion, and only chocolate would do. That’s when I came across this Classic Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe. The description reads: “The first word that came to our Test Kitchen Professionals’ minds when they tried it was ‘decadent....

Flash back to peak pandemic, circa 2020 and 2021. With a large percentage of restaurants closed or pivoting only to service via takeout, countless pounds of milk, fruits and vegetables had to be dumped, plowed over or tossed due to disruptions in the supply chain. At the same time, millions of Americans were struggling to afford enough food to feed their families. That excess supply was specifically earmarked and optimized to be delivered and used for food service and since it’s not as simple as flipping a switch to redirect the crops and dairy to a new market to serve home cooks, a wasteful and unfortunate reality set in....

Although there are so many other important ways women are trying to have it all in this world, one area that still presents an issue is that of hair. Do you want volume and predictability? Pull out that blow dryer. Do you want to reclaim your time? Then go ahead and air dry, but the result will be left to the fates. I too was stuck in this dichotomy, mostly opting to blow dry my hair every morning to exercise some sort of control over my strands....

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact communities across the country, it’s important we support the men and women in the health care system who are working around the clock to help people. One such group of generous-hearted people in Albany, Georgia is doing just that by sewing masks that medical professionals can put over N95 respirator masks. As Good Morning America originally reported, volunteers for the staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital recently banded together to make such masks given the dire shortage the hospital is facing in light of the coronavirus crisis....

Amid the coronavirus crisis, all of our concert plans have been put on hold as we remain safely at home to help slow the spread of the devastating virus. But if you’re getting a little stir crazy this weekend and ready to virtually attend a concert, boy do we have plans for you. When you can carve out some downtime, head into ye olde time travel machine back to 1976, and watch Willie Nelson perform in the very first season of Austin City Limits, the famed television series showcasing live concert performances across many genres....

If you are researching how to roast pumpkin seeds, chances are you already know what a crunchy, tasty, and healthy snack they can be. Eaten shelled or unshelled, pumpkin seeds are as versatile as nuts when it comes to the many ways they can be used in recipes. Make use of the entire pumpkin this year when carving the family jack-o’-lantern and save the seeds for snacking or garnishing salads. Here is the simplest method for cleaning and roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven and on the stovetop....

Shells, sea creatures, and assorted treasures wash up on the sandy shores of the Texas Coastal Bend every day. About 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, researchers at the Mission-Aransas Reserve find all those things. But they also find dolls. Lots and lots of dolls. Missing hair and limbs and encrusted in barnacles, the dolls have been appearing on Texas’ barrier islands for years. Jace Tunnell, the Director of the Mission Aransas Reserve at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, told Southern Living that the dolls seem particularly drawn to the area between Padre Island and Matagorda Island....

All pets have quirky habits. That’s part of why we love them. Your dog may be known for circling around a spot 11 times before finally sitting down. She may regularly let out a loud groan when it’s almost dinnertime, just so you don’t forget to pour her daily bowl of kibble. Perhaps your pet has a favorite toy that he drags everywhere with him. These mannerisms show off our pets’ unique personalities and help us bond with them....

Mascara can range from as little as $5 to upwards of $50 depending on where you buy it and what name brand is slapped on the side of the tube. We’ve all heard ‘you get what you pay for’ and have all even likely experienced the idiom’s truth after a misguided effort at frugality. So when it comes to mascara, what important attributes are you cheating your lashes out of when you purchase the wallet-friendly versions, and what luxurious extras are you treating yourself to when you hand over a crisp Grant?...

If you’re using cast-iron cookware more than ever, you’re not alone. Searches around cast-iron recipes and cookware are surging, according to Google Trends. We see you, bread bakers! Whether you’re already a cast-iron owner or hoping to finally get your first piece, there’s so much more cast-iron goodness out there beyond the popular skillet, which is why we rounded up some of the best heavy-duty pre-seasoned cookware that will transform the way you prepare meals and won’t cost you more than $50....

As the holidays fly by and we welcome guests into our homes, it’s inevitable that the bathroom will be an often-used part of the house. If you’re thinking that your bathrooms might need a little refresh before the wave of relatives and friends next year, here are the 2022 bathroom trends to consider—all according to the experts. The latest bathroom trends welcome features like open concept showers and bold tubs—kiss those all-white sinks goodbye....

If your friend or family member recently welcomed a new addition, they may invite you to a sip and see to celebrate. Here’s everything you should know before you attend. What is a Sip and See? A sip and see is a small, informal gathering to introduce friends and family to a new baby. At the open-house-style celebration, guests can expect light refreshments (that accounts for the “sip”) and to “see” the parents’ little bundle of joy....

“Lord help the mister that comes between me and my sister, and Lord help the sister that comes between me and my man!” The classic White Christmas tune proves that there’s nothing quite like the friendship between sisters. Yes, you may drive each other crazy sometimes, and yes, you know how to push every last one of each other’s buttons, but at the end of the day, you wouldn’t trade each other for anything....

Dolly Parton marked Queen Elizabeth’s passing by revisiting the time when she got to meet and perform for the late monarch during her Silver Jubilee celebration 45 years ago. “I had the honor of meeting and performing for Queen Elizabeth II on my trip to London in 1977,” Parton shared on Instagram Friday. “She carried herself with grace and strength her entire life. May she Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time....

Who says giving back can’t be fun? Charlotte resident Garrett James and his friend Charlie Wilson are all about finding creative ways to spread kindness. They’ve paid bar tabs, Venmo-ed strangers, and even sent 72 rolls of toilet paper to a random address in South Dakota. Their passion for paying it forward eventually evolved into an initiative called Drop Parties. Through it, they’ve spent the past couple years hiding more $4,000 while on vacations across the country, inviting strangers to the hunt for cash....

If your philosophy on holiday decorations is “the more, the merrier,” then you’ll likely run into a bit of a storage problem when it’s time to take it all down. Luckily, there are some clever holiday storage solutions available at two of our favorite retailers that make un-decking the halls nearly as fun as embellishing them. We found 10 holiday storage solutions to help you feel more festive than frazzled when it’s time to take down your decorations....

Ever end up with more eggs than you know what to do with? Maybe you accidentally over-purchased for a recipe or group of visitors, or maybe you have your own chickens that are happily laying eggs faster than you can eat them. While eggs will last in the refrigerator for a few weeks, there are certain times when you need to keep them fresh for longer. The best way to preserve eggs is to freeze them, which might seem like a strange idea if you’ve never done it, but when done correctly, can keep your farm- (or just grocery store-) fresh eggs usable for months....