For me, it’s living in Mississippi. Living in the South.

It’s tailgating on SEC campuses in the fall, where you start the morning with a Bloody Mary and “How are y’all?”, followed by the roar of a packed stadium, and then meeting up again with family and friends to celebrate the win or critique the loss – but either way, there’s never a shortage of cold beverages, good buddies or laughter close by.

It’s an attitude that says this is the coolest place on earth. From the Mississippi Delta juke joints to the beautiful Gulf beaches, there’s a feeling you get that only comes from being in the South.

It’s the wonderful mix of Cajun, country and soul cuisine that we enjoy – from Charleston to New Orleans, and all the beautiful, eccentric Southern towns in between.

The best culinary talent in the world will serve you fried green tomatoes or shrimp & grits. And no matter which Southern town you’re in, you can bet you’ll hear a “Yes ma’am”, “No ma’am” or “Bartender, another round please” while you’re there.

At the end of the day, it’s an Adirondack chair around a fire pit and enjoying a glass of goodness with family and friends.

It’s who we are, it’s what we are, it’s how we live. It’s the Y’all Lifestyle.                                                                                                                                                      

Cheers,
Bo Bounds
Founder & Owner, Y’all Lifestyle
Twitter: @YallLifestyle

It’s the Summer of Riesling

Drink Up

Sommeliers love riesling. The white grape is grown mostly in Germany and Austria as well as Australia and Oregon and might be one of the most misunderstood. Yes, riesling can be sweet, but it can also be complex, dry, and racy, a perfect wine for a hot summer, one that goes well with spicy, fatty foods.

Clint Sloan, sommelier at McCrady’s and Husk, remembers his conversion from skeptic to believer. “The best pairing I ever had was at Carolina’s. I was eating a cheeseburger with a Riesling Spatlese ’06, and it was remarkable. The fat of the burger and the sweet of the wine played off each other perfectly.”

He also remembers feasting on spicy Thai food at the legendary Lotus of Siam in Vegas and being amazed at how great the riesling went with it.

“There are three reasons riesling goes well with food,” says Sloan. “One, it has a high acidity. Two, it has low alcohol. And three, it has high aromatics.”

charlestoncitypaper.com

July 1, 2011

Savannah extends her southern hospitality all year long

The Old South is still very much alive in Savannah, Georgia.This area celebrates low country living and the town is full of classic architectural gems. In fact you can stay in one. Savannah is home to one of the largest Historic National Landmark Districts in the US. There are numerous city parks, restaurants for every taste and budget. This is definitely a place where Southern hospitality reigns.

Remember the best-selling book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? That book was set in Savannah and you can still tour the famous sites mentioned, although they have had to move the statue from the cemetery a museum after too many people wanted it for their own gardens.

Savannah makes a great destination by itself or you could drive east and visit both Charleston and Savannah and still have a couple of days left to visit an Atlantic beach or two.

If you want to travel soon then you might time it to enjoy Savannah’s 4th of July on the Waterfront. This event features artists, live music, gourmet edibles and a fabulous fireworks display on the Savannah River.

al.com

June 29, 2011

Grapevine: Firefly partners purchase resort in Bahamas

Fireflies first lit the way to a new brand of locally inspired vodka.

Now, the Firefly name has landed in the Bahamas — through a resort.

Ann and Jim Irvin, owners of Irvin-House Vineyards (Jim also is a partner of Firefly Vodka made at the vineyards on Wadmalaw Island.) recently opened Firefly Sunset Resort in the Abacos. The Irvins happened upon the 5-acre seaside retreat while looking for a place to rent so all of their extended family — seven children and 12 grandchildren — could vacation together with them. A Scottish couple owned the Elbow Cay property, and after the husband died, the aging widow decided to sell the site on the Sea of Abaco.

It first became available immediately after the financial markets tumbled in the fall of 2008, but the Irvins were having a hard time prying a loan out of the banks. The next year, they closed the deal.

postandcourier.com

May 16, 2011

Flush Time with Grace Potter on Wadmalaw

The fifth annual First Flush Festival — scheduled for Sun. May 15 — celebrates of the commencement of the 2011 harvest at the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island for its popular product line, American Classic Tea.

Presented by the Plantation and local radio station the Bridge at 105.5, the event at the 120-acre tea farm includes live music, games for children, dance troupes, comedy events, and iced tea.

The First Flush Festival Concert will feature Vermont-based rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals as the headlining act. The group’s recent self-titled album (produced by T Bone Burnett) achieved critical and commercial success last year. Support includes sets from Leslie, Gaslight Street, and Long Miles, with more acts to be announced.

charlestoncitypaper.com

April 28, 2011

Bikinis and Tunes on the IOP

Isle of Palms hotspot the Windjammer kicks off their annual Bud Light Lime Bikini Bash series on Sun. May 15 with music and grooves from host DJ Shay early in the afternoon and local party band Stoneking after the contest at 6:30 p.m.

For more than 25 years, the Windjammer has showcased some of “Charleston’s finest bikini-clad ladies” — all of whom model various customized and classic pieces. If contestants are at least 18 years of age, they can participate. No nudity is allowed. The winners are determined by the volume of the crowd’s response.

Each week, a roster of hot chicks show their stuff on the breezy beachfront deck. The Sunday afternoon series continues through mid August.

charlestoncitypaper.com

May 7, 2011