Back Down South

Chubbies Trunks

ChubbiesTrunks-005(Blog)The Trunkelstilstkins, c/o Chubbies. 

Remember when Chubbies was all like, “what if we made the best swim trunks ever?”

And then they did.

And then they were all like, “let’s give a pair away!”

I totally remember. It’s happening right now.

 

To enter the Chubbies Swim Trunks giveaway, just leave a comment on this post letting us know which pair you’d like to do a cannonball in. That’s it. It’s almost too easy, really.

We’ll pick a winner by random on Tuesday, August 27th around cocktail hour.

 

Extra high fives for liking:

 

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN FISHER FOR WINNING!*

Drink This – Mt. Saint Helen

MtStHelen01

A few weeks ago, Jamie Clayton and I were in Athens to shoot a wedding together. We didn’t have to be there until 4:00, so we decided to grab a late lunch at The National, a place neither of us had been. Naturally, we sat at the bar, ordered two of their cocktails, and started some heavy snacking. About an hour later, we found ourselves in good conversation with the bartender on duty, John Honeycutt. It was time for another drink, so Jamie asked if he’d be up for creating something new together. He was, as we were the only people in the bar. How about juicing that grapefruit? Let’s add bourbon and simple syrup. Definitely shake it. Oh! Chill a coupe.

We thought it was good, but it needed something else. Got any fresh mint? Perfect.

So, the second draft was born, and it was better, but it wasn’t complete. With 1 oz of simple syrup, it was a tad too sweet for all of us, and in need of some bitters.

So John adjusted; less simple syrup, added bitters, and voilà. The third was fantastic.

We were all excited over this one, and declared that it needed a name. Jamie asked John what his favorite name for a girl was. “Helen,” he replied. “It’s my grandmothers name.”

“Then this is going to be the Mt. Saint Helen.”

The Drink:

Lightly muddle simple syrup, 2 dash bitters and 2 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
Add bourbon, grapefruit juice and ice.
Shake and strain into a chilled coupe.
Garnish with 1 large mint leaf.

The Glass: Coupe from The Boston Shaker.

The Attire: Kristen in a J.Crew top and Ralph Lauren jeans.

Shameeka

ShameekaPhotographed in Athens, GA

Raised in:
Covington, Georgia

Lives in:
Atlanta, Georgia

Favorite shop in Atlanta:
Steve McKenzie’s. I do not get by often enough but when I’m there, it feels like home and it’s tough to leave. Can’t say enough about how much I love and admire the shopkeepers, Jill and Steve McKenzie. Such good people!

Now would ya look at that:
Meet Shameeka Ayers, aka, The Broke Socialite. She is the bedrock of Sugar Coma Events, a national tour of roving dessert-centric festivals and Instantly!: How Quickly I Realized I HATE My Job, a snarky novella about transitioning from employee to the pursuit of passions.

  • Earrings are from a random beauty supply store. “There are literally 24 pairs of medium ‘pearl’ earrings on a sheet for $3.99. No shame in my game.”
  • Kayce Hughes necklace.
  • Target top.
  • Bracelet and ring from Arthur’s, a “church lady” outlet on DeFoor in Atlanta. “As I’m not a Baptist deaconess, I pass on the jewel encrusted (and jewel toned) skirt suits but their costume jewelry is sometimes amazing. This was a fall coup.”
  • Custom made skirt by her seamstress, Marian Collier. “One of the signatures of my personal style are full maxi/ball skirts paired with oxfords, t-shirts, etc.”
  • Payless sandals. “My philosophy on shopping conquests at Payless: even a blind hog gets an acorn every now and then.”

Music Monday – Andrew Belle

0x550Photographed by Cody Bess

Three summers ago, when Mark’s brother Michael married an amazing girl named Taylor, they gave out CD’s as wedding favors. I grabbed one, with a bit of arrogance thinking “I’m sure I already know all the songs on here.”

But I was wrong. There was a song on it called “The Ladder” by someone named Andrew Belle. From the minute the song started, I was a fan. The rest of that summer became marked by that song. The CD in my car, “The Ladder” on repeat. I couldn’t get enough of that voice, those lyrics. I dug into The Ladder as an album, and was enamored. But I never loved any of his songs more than “The Ladder.”

Until now.

His new single from his upcoming release Black Bear is perfect. It makes my heart beat really fast, my feet tap, my head bob around, my eyes well with tears. Every. Single. Time. I can’t stop listening to it.

I love you, I love you, and all of your pieces. 

So, of course, I lost it when I heard it for the first time, just like I did when I heard his version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (which I discuss here).

Andrew Belle is one of those musicians whose sound is both gentle and powerful, and that’s a gift.

Stream: “Pieces”

Pieces

No, but seriously, I cannot stop listening to it.

Read this little story about the song and you’ll love it even more.

Black Bear will be released on August 20th (pre order on iTunes). If the remainder is a fraction as good as this song, it’ll be one of the best albums of 2013. Gaurenteed. 

______

Subscribe to Go Back Down South, a Spotify playlist for all the songs featured here.

Spencer

83380031

Photographed in Chattanooga, TN by Jamie Clayton
Mamiya 645, Portra 400

Raised in:
High Point, North Carolina

Lives in:
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Favorite beaches in the South:
Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC and Venice Beach down on the gulf side of FL.

Now would ya look at that:
Meet Spencer Cummings, named the first Miss Cheerwine in 2011.

 

Garron

Photographed in Athens, GA

Raised in:
Manchester, Vermont

Lives in:
Boston, Massachusettes

Favorite Southern city to visit:
Charleston, South Carolina

Now would ya look at that:
Garron stood out as the best dressed of at a wedding I recently shot.
Head to toe in Ralph Lauren, with the exception of his Smathers & Branson American flag belt.

dcoybrand

dcoy

Y’all didn’t think the rebrand meant we aren’t into bow ties anymore, right?

We’re not going to lie to you, it takes a lot for a bow tie company to impress these days. I mean, let’s be honest, there’s about a million of them. When dcoybrand reached out to us, however, we were impressed. Their neckties, bow ties, and pocket squares are made with vintage fabrics sourced from various spots in America. The bows have wooden buttons for size adjustments. Most of all, we loved how each design was part of a small batch. The one they kindly sent us, The Terrence, is only 1 of 8 produced.

And then it arrived, and it became hands down the best packaging of any product we’ve ever seen. The icing on the cake? They’re based in New Orleans. Geaux figure.

Hunter Monsour, founder of dcoybrand, told us that the brand was inspired by his grandfather. “He was so incredibly Americana, a man’s man with an effortless style.” He wanted to create crafted clothing for crafted people, and exceed expectations. “With the entire experience from fabric to packaging, we look to really push the limits of what is expected in apparel. Every piece comes dutifully packaged in hand crafted wooden packaging that really creates a brand experience that is second to none. ” Obviously, we agree.

So, let’s kick off August with another summer giveaway! To enter…

  • Check out dcoybrand’s neckties and bow ties.
  • Leave a comment on this post letting us which dcoybrand tie you want.
  • Get an extra entry for Tweeting:
    I’m cool so I entered to win a @dcoybrand tie on @backdownsouth giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/BDSdcoy
  • We’ll pick a winner by random on Tuesday, August 6th around cocktail hour!

Extra high fives for liking:

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS TO ASHTON GARIBALDI FOR WINNING!*

 

Drink This – Hell or High Watermelon

The Drink: 21st Amendment’s Hell or High Watermelon has been our go to beer this summer. A wheat beer that undergoes a second fermentation process using fresh watermelon, this baby is as they claim it to be: summer in a can. Not too heavy, not too sweet, 100% American and delicious. Their seasonal is out until September, so get yours hands on some now!

The Glass: No glass, obviously, because this is the coolest can ever.

The Attire: Onia Calder 5” swim trunks (c/o). We love how this design both appears to be, and fits, like a pair of tailored shorts, but is ready for the water with a mesh lining. With 5 different inseam choices, and 7 different styles to choose from, not to mention a huge selection of designs and colors, there is a pair of for every kind of guy.

And guess what? Onia has offered Back Down South readers a $25 discount. Go get your shop on and use code BDSSUM25 at checkout (discount good through August 7th).

Blu Kicks

Let the GIF load! 

It’s no surprise that we love fun companies, so when “the official shoe of playing hookie” emailed me about their product, I was into it. That, and I’m a sucker for a slip on.

San Francisco based Blu Kicks line is based on the classic boat shoe silhouette of the 1960’s, but with sleeker lines and fun pops of color. My favorite part? The soles. My second favorite part? How dang comfortable they are!

Will and Victoria Leonard (the son/mother duo behind the company) were kind enough to send me the pair of Delta Greens that I’m steppin’ around in up there. Oh and guess what? They want to send one of you a pair, too!

To enter…

  • Go get your shop on (Men’s + Women’s).
  • Leave a comment on this post letting us know your favorite pair.
  • Get an extra entry for Tweeting:
    My feet want some @blukicks so I entered @backdownsouth’s giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/blukicksBDS
  • We’ll pick a winner by random on Wednesday, July 24th around cocktail hour!

Extra high fives for liking:

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS TO LINNAE HOPPE FOR WINNING!* 

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