Moonshine & Wanderlust

... a cosmopolitan view from a southern perspective

“After all tomorrow is another day…”

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Gone With the Wind – perhaps one of the greatest sagas ever to grace the silver screen. If you ever read Margaret Mitchell’s novel you know it differs quite a bit from the movie, but in this case the movie version wins hands down for me. Many of us Southern girls have a Scarlett O’Hara inside and we’d be lying if we didn’t want our very own Rhett Butler. They just don’t make men like that anymore!

So, why am I writing this? Because this is your chance to see it in movie theaters! I’ve been lucky enough to see it before in grand style but this week is another glorious opportunity. If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram, you’ve seen my blurbs about today’s showing, however you have another chance on October 1st. Turner Classic Movies and Fathom Events have teamed up to celebrate the movie’s 75 anniversary by bringing this epic story to our local cinemas. Check out Fathom’s website to see a showing near you – make sure you take a friend, especially one who has never seen the movie and revel in this special afternoon to celebrate a true classic.

xoxo,

patty lauren

Tennessee Valley Fair 2014

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If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you may have witnessed my uber excitement over seeing Air Supply at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville.

It. Was. So. GREAT! Air Supply truly gave a great performance. They got out into the crowd, took pictures with people, beckoned us to sing and sway along. The music was flawless – they sounded just as good as they did in their prime. They sang all of their big hits along with a few lesser known tunes and some surprises. Although they didn’t sing “Rocky Top” as one fan screamed out (thank God) they put on a wonderful show that lasted almost two hours. The amphitheater was the perfect size and was even pet friendly! Grace Kelly was really bummed she wasn’t invited… 😀 It was truly a show to remember!

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The fair lasts 10 great days – September 5th through September 14th. They have an exciting lineup this year including artists like Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Ginuwine, Big Daddy Weave, and many more. You should definitely check out their website and other social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for continual updates throughout the week.

Not only do they have great music at awesome admission prices, but the fair is HUGE. This was my first time visiting the grounds and it was much more expansive than I had imagined. There are plenty of rides for everyone – including multiple ferris wheels (they’re my favorite!) – agriculture shows, beauty pageants (because nothing screams the South like a girl dressed up like a Barbie doll waiting in line for a corn dog), rodeos, and even a demolition derby.

You still have a whole week to go visit the fair – go check out their information and plan a fun night in Knoxville to commemorate the end of summer.

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Autumn Bucket List

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Oh, fall! Drifting, dried leaves floating through the air, the crisp bite of morning air, cozy get togethers, football, pumpkin patches… I mean, what is there not to love about autumn?

It’s always been my favorite season and this year I am more ready than ever to start it! Yes, I love summer and will miss our warm days but if you live in the South, you know when the heat has outworn it’s welcome.

In an effort to relish every drop of fall, I’ve decided to create an “Autumn Bucket List” – I’ll be adding to it over the next few weeks, but below is my start. I would love input for ideas or see your own fall bucket lists!

1. Visit an authentic pumpkin patch

2. Host an “Autumn Toast & Roast” party

3. Go to at least one TN football game, but I’m shooting for more

4. Have a scary movie marathon complete with popcorn and candy

5. Make Butterbeer

6. Go to an apple orchard and pick apples

7. Go camping (I cringe.)

8. Make gourmet style caramel apples

9. Plant flowers and decorate front porch

10. Have an outdoor movie night with blankets

… I’ll be working on doing some of these things soon, but in the meantime give me some of YOUR favorite fall activities!

Morris Vineyard and Winery

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What screams a summer evening more than meandering through rows of vineyard vines, plucking ripe juicy berries from the bud and dropping them down into a plastic bucket? I think berry picking is one of the quintessential summer activities, especially in the south and I’m so excited to share my adventure with you!

I came on the berry picking scene a little late this year, so as my friends and I headed to Morris Vineyard and Winery in Charleston, Tennessee, we knew our picking options would be a little limited. The drive to the vineyard is quiet and winding, but not short of breathtaking scenery.

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 The view, which overlooks the Appalachian Mountains, is breathtaking in only the way raw country scenes can be.

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When you get to the vineyard, you check in at a little lodge to get your bucket. Or, if you are there for wine tasting, you can go inside and check out the rustic accommodations and test their variety of wines – they even carry supplies to make your own wine! Pretty cool, huh?

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During this time of year, Muscadines are the only fruit we thought we would be able to pick, but the gentleman working that day told us they had had a late bloom of raspberries (yippee!), so we decided to pick a little of both.

If you’ve never had a muscadine they are… unusual. They are a part of the grape family but a little more, as my friend said, “wild” tasting. Oh, and they are HUGE.

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We were really eager to pick raspberries, so we headed down the trail to the raspberry vines.

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Since it was a late bloom, the raspberries were a little harder to find but we found some!
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{that picture on the right might be me saying the hill was too steep, but I’ll never confirm}
The evening cooled off as we got ready to check out and head home. It was a great way to spend a couple hours of a summer evening. If you get a chance to ever stop at Morris Vineyard, you won’t be disappointed! Picking season starts in April and continues through throughout the fall. The vineyard has blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and muscadine vines.
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Easy Like Sunday Morning

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“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock

Weekends are for exploration and excitement, but sometimes they are for rest and rejuvenation. I’m fortunate enough to live not far some of Tennessee’s most tranquil sites, which I decided to take advantage of this weekend.

Of course even if you are going off the grid you have to have the right outfit…

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{an oversized, white button down is always appropriate :: my turquoise Ralph Lauren cropped cabana pants have been in my wardrobe for awhile – they always come in handy on those low key relaxing days when you still need some style :: i’m currently obsessed with all things fedora (who isn’t, I know, but I’ve been on the hat trend for a good 15 years so I feel no shame) :: a perfect beach tote with sunscreen, towels and reading essentials (remember, when it comes to your beach tote less is more. No one wants five tubes of lip balm, a hairbrush, gum, etc. falling out all over the place. It’s not cute.) :: and while I am known for my shoes, I like the barefoot look whenever possible}

There is something about driving away from everything and everyone and enjoying a few hours without cell service. I like to call it ‘off the grid living’ – and sometimes it’s not just necessary, it’s mandatory.

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I drove with a couple of friends to a place two of my closest girlfriends and I dubbed “Walrus Beach” a couple summers ago. A lot of has changed in our lives since then, but it’s one of my favorite places… not necessarily because of the sand or the scenery, but because of the lasting memories I have made there. It’s not always about the location, but the love you have found in the strangest of places.

There is something raw about lying under the sky and seeing open space… of having the ability to let your mind wander, or remain quiet… of being in the company of unfettered friendship… of simply being.

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{the end}