Ethical & Sustainable Maternity Fashion with Poshmark Stylist Christie Barker!

Today, I am thrilled to feature a post on ethical maternity fashion from my good friend Christie Barker! She is a Poshmark stylist, momma-to-be, and my go-to person for fashion advice. Check out her Poshmark closet and keep in touch with her on Insta!

Ethical & Sustainable Maternity Fashion with Poshmark Stylist Christie Barker | Fairly Southern

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to be extra conscious about choosing ethically made and secondhand fashion. I knew I would only be wearing these clothes for a short time. I wanted to create the least amount of waste possible and make more informed choices for what I was purchasing new.

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Clean Beauty Switch: Mattifying Primer

Clean Beauty Switch: Mattifying Primer. Review of Lancome La Base Pro Primer, 100% Pure Mattifying Primer and Estee Lauder "The Mattifier" Primer! | Fairly Southern

Anyone else out there have oily skin? Let me tell you, dear reader, that I feel your pain. One day we’ll be reaping the benefits (#nowrinkles), but until then, I’m right there in the trenches with you trying to keep my face from looking like I just rubbed Crisco all over it.

I’ve spent a good bit of time trying various makeup and skin care products claiming to help keep facial oil at bay. I had just discovered a life-changing mattifying primer and was pretty pleased with my daily makeup routine when boom, I had to go and discover the clean beauty movement. Don’t worry, friends! I’ve done my research and have successfully found a clean primer that I LOVE! I’m excited to share my journey with you.  Read More

Southern Traditions: Porch Sittin’

Southern Traditions: Porch Sittin' | Fairly Southern

A couple of weeks ago on Instastories, I asked you all to share your favorite Southern traditions, as I’m hoping to highlight many of them here on the blog. When my friend Maile messaged me that her favorite Southern activity is drinking wine in the summer heat, I knew that would be the first tradition I’d write about. We are right in the heart of prime porch sittin’ season as we speak!

Obviously, you don’t have to necessarily be on a porch to fully enjoy a fantastic summer beverage. Sit out on your patio, in your lawn, or by the pool…wherever you’d like to be! But, you get Southern bonus points if you can find a porch with a rocking chair (or better yet, a porch swing!).

Here are my suggestions for everything you need for a magical afternoon or evening of porch sittin’! Read More

Norwex Body Cloth: 6 Week Update

It’s been a solid six weeks since I took the plunge and ditched body soap, face soap, makeup remover, and shaving cream in favor of the Norwex body cloth. Am I still using the cloth? Do I still love it as much as I did when I wrote my original post? Keep on reading to find out!

Norwex Body Cloth Review: 6 Week Update. All the dirt on how the body cloth works long-term! | Fairly Southern

The simple answer to whether or not I’m still using the body cloth is yes…and no. I am still using it for one function, but not for the others. I’ll break down how the body cloth ended up working out long-term for each of its proposed uses: Read More

Kentucky Derby Decor with Recycled Horse Show Ribbons

Anybody else a big fan of the Kentucky Derby? Growing up as a horse-obsessed little girl, I watched it every year. Though I never raced horses myself, being immersed in the equestrian world taught me a lot about racing terminology,  strategy, and culture. Once I met Wes, we quickly realized we had found our joint favorite “holiday.” I love horses and a good party theme (hello, giant hats), and he loves mint juleps and seersucker. A Southern match made in heaven! We try to have a party to celebrate the run for the roses each year.

Kentucky Derby Party Decor Using Recycled Horse Show Ribbons | Fairly Southern

The photos in this post are from last year’s party. The decor was our best yet! And, it was super inexpensive…we found ways to use stuff we already had, including my old horseback riding ribbons.

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Sustainable Home Design: Eco-Friendly Flooring and Countertops

Eco-Friendly, Sustainable ReSAWN flooring | Fairly Southern
@CaraGreen

Many of us know about ways to “go green” on a micro level: taking reusable bags to the grocery store, using a water bottle rather than buying plastic, using good-for-the-earth dishwashing liquid. But I know that many of us, myself included, have rarely thought much about being eco-friendly on a larger level, such as how we design and furnish our homes.

I recently learned about a local-to-NC company called Caragreen, which produces sustainable, eco-friendly flooring and countertops (I actually won a giveaway they were running on Instagram….too fun!). They are headquartered right here in Raleigh, but they work to create amazing home interiors for companies and residences all around the country. I have really enjoyed learning about the way they do sustainable home design and wanted to share!

My initial reaction when I hear “sustainable homes” or “eco-friendly homes” is to think of ultra-modern, minimalistic tiny houses.  What I hope to show you in this blog post is that you can still go for a classic Southern home even while using contemporary, eco-friendly materials!

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How to Navigate Weddings as a Gluten-Free Guest

How to Navigate Weddings as a Gluten-Free Guest | Fairly Southern

Y’all, we are right at the start of peak wedding season! I have always loved weddings–the sweet looks between the couple during the ceremony, the beautiful flowers and decor, the dancing at the reception. I love it all. But since I became gluten intolerant 3.5 years ago, there is one thing about weddings that gives me anxiety: the food at the reception.

I guess I could just eat a meal right before going to the wedding so that I wouldn’t have to worry about eating at all. But honestly, that can be just as stressful as trying to actually eat the food, what with all of the looks, questions, comments, and internal judgments you may receive from other wedding guests when they notice you’re not eating. It is so much less awkward (and much more fun) to be able to blend in and eat with everyone else.

I have learned that there are ways to make wedding meals much less anxiety-provoking. Here are my tips for enjoying wedding food while remaining safely gluten-free!  Read More