Mary's lifestyle platform, @MrsSouthernSocial, is all about modern entertaining. Her motto is "Southern charm without lifting an arm" and is all about keeping the traditions of hostessing but updating the "rules" for modern life. She's a former event planner and current co-owner/co-founder of Please Be Seated, the leading event rentals company in Nashville. Her debut novel, Without A Hitch, just launched on Dec. 7 and is a hilarious, "Sweet Home Alabama meets Emily in Paris" take on the crazy world of over-the-top, luxury Southern weddings, told from the perspective of lovable protagonist Lottie Jones. Find it here (also available as an audio book)!
Our best-selling Summerill stripe linens packed a playful punch, made even more lively with Mary's favorite Fenwick Field napkins (that double as placemats)!
MARY TELLS ALL
Current color crush: Blue and white is always right, and I love a French blue for the holidays.
Eternal style muse: Aerin Lauder
An under-the-radar Instagram feed that’s a total treasure trove: @TerryWinters9141. English gardens at their finest!
Best part of your work: Seeing my designs come to life. So much of what I do - events, Mrs. Southern Social - is so visual that's is incredibly satisfying to see a final product that once just lived in my imagination (and on spreadsheets!).
Your happy place: Seaside and Palmetto Bluff
Film you’ve seen more times than you care to admit: My Best Friend's Wedding! Who doesn't lose it when they're all singing "Say A Little Prayer For You" at the restaurant?!
Avenue must-have: I’m pretty obsessed with all of the linens from Fenwick Fields.
Favorite Nashville haunt: Park Cafe (cozy, neighborhood vibes) and Pinewood Social.
Something few people know: I randomly love roller skating at Brentwood Skate Center. It's so retro and fun; I even did my birthday party there a few years ago.
Coffee table book of choice: Entertaining At The White House is new and fabulous. It's a look at entertaining at the White House over the past few decades and it’s magical… talk about party perfection.
A quote or mantra to sum up your current style mood: More is more and less is a bore.
My fridge is never without: Topo Chico
Current dream vaca destination: Blackberry Mountain! Easy drive from Nashville, in the mountains which I love, and extremely service-oriented. It's very relaxing which is the season of life I’m in; when I’m not working I want nothing going on.
Wouldn’t it be cool if: You could snap your fingers like Mary Poppins and your house would be immediately clean!
Winter drink of choice: My Pomegranate Cranberry Margaritas - recipe here. A batch cocktail is essential to holiday entertaining because it means guests can make their own drinks and you're not stuck playing bartender all night!
Calling our next Carte Blanche tastemaker: @JamesTFarmer
SHOP THE AFTER CHRISTMAS SALE
