About Me
Born and raised in the South, Stephanie Davis Smith moved to New York City in her twenties to work at Conde Nast. While there, she was told to “drop the Southern accent” and “stop being so friendly on the phone” to make it in the big city. She knew she was Two-Sided Southern deep down. Stephanie was on staff at SELF and GQ magazines and wrote freelance articles for Gourmet, Domino, Details, Allure and Brides magazines. Five years later, she missed the South and moved home to helm skirt! magazine.
She has been the Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantan and Interiors Atlanta, the Vice President of Editorial for Modern Luxury and the VP of Content and Marketing for Connect Meetings. During that time she moved her family back to New York City for a couple of years. When the South pulled at her heartstrings again, the family moved back to Atlanta and resides in the Lake Claire neighborhood.
Stephanie found that while her career allowed her to have five-course meals at Eleven Madison Park, seats at Jazz at Lincoln Center and drinks at Manhatta overlooking the city, it wasn’t enough to keep her from missing the bluegrass bands, cheese grits and bar stools of her home state. Two-Sided Southern was born.
Why I Started This Site
Any other Southerners out there ever felt an odd mix of high brow AND down home at the same time? Like caviar on a deviled egg?
Then you’re in the right place.
Being Two-Sided Southern means I am equally as comfortable at a Monster Truck rally as I am opening night for the latest exhibition at High Museum of Art, or at a University of Georgia tailgate party with a red Solo cup in my hand as at a $1,000-a-ticket fundraising gala for the Atlanta History Center. I’ve also lived in New York City a couple of times in my life. Does that mean I get conflicted? Yes.
Sometimes I feel like I’m trying to ride two horses with one ass. But instead of hiding one side of me from the other, I decided to embrace it all and start this site for people like me. Those Southerners who feel torn between two worlds, but also feel at home in both as well.
If you ever feel Two-Sided Southern too, then pitch a woo, ‘cause you’ve come to the right place. A place where an affinity for both cheese grits and caviar mean you have great taste.
