SOUTH SPEAK

News from Of the South

Spring 2008

 

Southern barbeque is the closet thing we have in the U.S. to Europe’s wines and cheeses; drive a hundred miles and the barbeque changes.—John Shelton Reed

 

Don’t forget to thank teachers!

With the end of the school year drawing nigh, don’t forget to say thanks to the men and women who have tolerated your precious babies for the last 10 months. Of the South candles and soaps make great teacher gifts. Be sure to order in time before the last bell rings!

 

Sweet as pea

Try the newest fragrance in the Of the South line: Two Sweet Peas in a Pod. It’s a fresh, warm-weather fragrance with a hint of sweetness.

 

And watch for more new additions coming soon!

 

We have a winner!!!

Ashley Holsomback, of Edgefield, S.C., won $50 in merchandise just by creating an account at www.ofthesouth.net. She had her choice of two large candles, two small candles and two bars of soap.

 

Ashley has been a fan of Scents of the South candles ever since her sister, Michelle, gave one to her as a gift.

 

“The scents are unlike anything I’ve ever smelled in stores,” said Ashley.

 

Pink Palmetto Lemonade and Heart of Dixie Honeysuckle evoke feelings of nostalgia in Ashley, who grew up in the South.

 

“The prices are so reasonable for such great smelling, long lasting candles,” she said. “When I burn them, the fragrance fills the whole house.”

 

“As long as you keep making them, I’ll keep buying them.”

 

That’s what we like to hear, Ashley. And congrats!

 

Don’t miss an edition of South Speak, and be first to know about special offers and contests. Create an account now by clicking here (http://www.ofthesouth.net/login.php).

 

Of the South now on the shelves of two boutiques

Shoppers in Cartersville, Ga., and Edgefield, S.C., now can sniff Of the South products in person at two local stores.

 

Epiphany Designs, owned and operated by Diana Shull, began carrying the line last holiday season. Also a floral designer for weddings and other special occasions, Diana opened a storefront, which holds a host of classy and fun gifts. In the area? Call 770-382-9955 for directions.

 

Paperwhites made its home in a restored old mercantile store on the historic Edgefield town square. It peddles the wares of local artists and craftspeople, including paintings, hand-carved spoons and pottery. They brought Of the South into their fold earlier this year. It’s a great place to showcase our products to the folks in our hometown. Stop by for a visit. Call 803-637-0600.

 

Speak out: Of the South Web blog—a window into the Southern mind

Stay up-to-date on Of the South news, specials, and what’s flittering through our minds, jump on our blog wagon. It’s a separate registration than for OftheSouth.net, but it’s well worth the extra minute. Participate in discussions on topics, such as the perfect Southern Soundtrack. Click  http://www.ofthesouth.net/blog/wp-login.php?redirect_to=http://www.ofthesouth.net/blog/?p=3 and then on the Register button (right beneath the pretty blue box).

 

 

 

Even if they’ve moved away, most people who grew up in the South still consider themselves Southern. - Lillian Hellman, playwright from New Orleans

 

Pie sale ends November 30

Take advantage of 15% off Mama’s Sweet Potato Pie and Plantation Pecan Pie candles. They’re calorie free!

 

For the locals

Of the South will have a booth at the 37^th Annual Christmas Craft Show at the O’Dell Weeks Center in Aiken, S.C. The show is Friday, Nov. 30 (from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and Saturday, Dec. 1 (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Come pay us a visit!

 

New Christmas fragrance debuts December 1

Tee-Totalin’ Egg Nog makes its sweet, creamy holiday appearance, in time for all the parties, potlucks and social scenes of the season. At $7 and $13, Scents of the South are great for host gifts and Dirty Santa exchanges.

 

Tee-Totalin’ Egg Nog is only available during December and while supplies last.

 

Register at OftheSouth.net, win $50 in product!

Don’t miss an edition of South Speak; create an account at www.ofthesouth.net. The first 50 folks to sign up will go in a drawing for $50 in Of the South product—their choice of two large candles, two small candles and two bars of soap. Click here (http://www.ofthesouth.net/login.php) to get started.

 

The drawing will include those of you who have already created an account. Stay tuned for the winner…to be announced in the spring edition.

 

NOTE: This is the last SOUTH SPEAK that will be sent to our e-mail contacts. If you’d like to continue to receive our newsletter, please create an account at www.ofthesouth.net.

 

Of the South in time for Christmas—deadline is December 14

Don’t forget to place your orders by Friday, December 14, to ensure delivery in time for Christmas.

 

Speak out: Of the South Web blog

Stay up-to-date on Of the South news, specials, and what’s flittering through our minds, jump on our blog wagon. It’s a separate registration than for OftheSouth.net, but it’s well worth the extra minute. Participate in discussions on topics, such as the perfect Southern Soundtrack. Click  http://www.ofthesouth.net/blog/wp-login.php?redirect_to=http://www.ofthesouth.net/blog/?p=3 and then on the Register button (right beneath the pretty blue box).

 

 

 

We were bopping along, singing to our favorite songs, having a good ol’ time. Then it hit me—Of the South needs a soundtrack.

Since there aren’t many songs about soaps and candles, I browsed my iTunes for songs about the South. Here they are…straight from my playlist:

Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor: Love this song even more, now that I live in South Carolina. Reminds me of lazy summer days on the coast.

Dixie Lullaby by Pat Green: The lyrics capture the quiet strength of a Southern gentleman…and the silent bond between father and son.

Down in Mississippi (Up to No Good) by Sugarland: A shout out to my husband who is in love with Jennifer Nettles. Also a good “girls night out” kind of song

Black Velvet by Alannah Miles: Um, hello. It’s about Elvis. No explanation necessary.

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynard Skynard: Born and bred in Bama. Makes me miss home a little.

Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham by Blue Cheer: Kind of a stretch, since it’s by a psychedelic band from San Francisco. But I can just picture a longhaired hippie from Alabama hopping on a bus, traveling cross-country to California in the ‘60s.

House of the Rising Sun by the Animals: Captures the mystery of New Orleans and its sinful reputation that intrigues even the most staunch Southern Baptist.

I’m Just a Girl by Deana Carter: This would be my theme song, if I had one.

John Deere Green by Joe Diffie: Who doesn’t love a redneck love story?

My, Oh My by the Wreckers: Like when you go back to your hometown after being away for a while. What was once familiar has faded.

Oh, Atlanta by Alison Krause and Union Station: I dedicate this song to my sister, Melinda.

Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival: The essence of gritty Old South

Dixieland Delight by Alabama: Such a cheesy song, but it makes me smile. I admit it. I thought Randy Owen was so good looking when I watched him on “Hee-Haw.”

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia by Vickie Lawrence: Every small Southern town has skeletons in its closet.

Ramblin’ Man by the Allman Brothers: Just a good song to sing along to.

What’s your favorite Southern song? Share it with us, so we can all expand our Southern music libraries.

I’d dabbled in candle and soap making as a hobby, but wanted to take it a bit further. So what would be my angle? What would make my products stand out? Grab everyone’s attention? What did I know best? The South!

I was raised in Alabama, but now live in South Carolina with my husband and cat. My family is spread across the Southeast, from Nashville to Jacksonville and everywhere in between. My entire life has played out in the South. Its sights, smells, tastes and sounds are woven tightly into my DNA.

I want to share with you my South. It’s part traditional, part 21st Century, part rural, part chic. I’ve smooshed all of it together into products that reflect the modern Southern way of life.

Right now, Of the South is soaps and candles, but I have a bazillion ideas swimming in my brain, just waiting to surface. So stay tuned for more “Southern stuff.”

Make sure to visit this blog every so often to hear about new products, specials and what’s going on in Of the South land. I’d love to hear your ideas, too. Send me an e-mail at karen@ofthesouth.net

Y’all take care. And thanks for stopping by.

Karen Lee Davis