What's Not to Love?

A few things that have just made my week:

1. Duchess Catherine recycling outfits for a royal wedding last weekend. Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne and first cousin of Prince William, was married in the first large gathering of "senior royals" since that other wedding back in April.

Knowing, undoubtedly, how interested the press would be in her outfit, the Duchess deferred to the bride by rewearing a recent LA acquisition the night before the wedding and pulling out an even older ensemble for the nuptials themselves.

If this doesn't completely win over every last member of the House of Windsor, I don't know what will! (Not that she hasn't won their hearts already, but truly... What a thoughtful gesture!)

Kelly Osborne, daughter of Ozzy, has come out saying she would wear a new dress every day if she were a Queen-to-be. Essentially criticizing the Duchess' recessionista strategy. You can't please everyone, I suppose, and Kelly O is likely at the bottom of Catherine's "must win over" list. Just above those of us in America, I'm guessing!

For a great recap of Kate's great recycles, look here.

2. There has been a lot of blogosphere chatter lately about the implied superiority of Southerners, the rigidity of their evidently unspoken "rules" (no jeans before a first birthday, no going out without makeup, among others) and the flippant use of the term "Yankees" for people who aren't from 'round here.

I adore being from the South. I love raising our Mac here. Our deep sense of history, collectively and as indviduals, means the world to me - and I love that anyone can feel a part of it. That said, I think there are some real misunderstandings about what it means to be Southern.

I'm a passionate fan of Garden & Gun, particularly the latest issue with a special section on the fabulousness of Greenville. (Go buy it!) I loved this piece, about redefining what it means to be a Southern belle in modern times. I consider it a must read! It says a great deal about the women who live here and the attributes we aspire to have.

I don't ever want being Southern to be perceived as a liability, which I have found throughout my life to be the case for many - even people living here. I do, however, think everyone has strong traditions and deeply-felt reasons to love where they live, as they should. No implied superiority here, but I will say don't knock it 'til you come to visit. You may be blown away!

Not to say the South or its crazy band of residents are perfect, but no place is. I have a great book called The Seven Signs of Southerness that quotes Southern artists and writers and politicians on the peculiarities of their stomping grounds. The feeling is unanimous: we're weird, we're different and we like it that way. And why shouldn't we? If you don't like who you are and where you live, it's probably time to make some changes.

As far as what you or your children wear when you leave the house, that's entirely up to you. Don't forget, though, that kids have eyes; one day they'll look back at pictures and laugh. This is true whether they're in smocked jon jons or skinny jeans - it's a rite of passage.

I don't consider myself better than people in other parts of the country because I live here, but I do consider myself very, very blessed to have the privilege. I hope others feel the same.

3. What if your "something old" were really, really old? I loved this story about a St. Louis bride who wore an inherited wedding dress (from 1884!!) on her big day. So much history! I've heard of borrowed veils, passed-down sixpence coins and a few heirloom dresses, but nothing with this many generations under its satin belt. So jealous! Who wouldn't love to have a gorgeous piece of their family's history from so long ago?