As I finish my second year writing Two-Sided Southern, I am still having such an incredible time. I adore telling stories about the South and its people. The kind of people who embrace being both high-brow and down home as shown in these top 10 blogs of 2022. I never could have imagined how many of you “get it” and feel exactly like me. You are unafraid to express your affinity for a range of experiences and tastes.
Firstly, I began Two-Sided Southern because in the fabulous words of Christy Plott, whose story made No. 1 on this list in 2021, I felt five-star AND dive bar and I wanted to express that through stories.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 blogs of 2022, with No. 1 being the most viewed 2022 blog across the whole site. And also if you like this content, SUBSCRIBE here. It takes two secs.
Top 10 Blogs of 2022 on Two-Sided Southern:
1. THE MOST STYLISH FASHION EVENT IN ATLANTA OUTDID ITSELF THIS YEAR
The 24th Corps de Ballet Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon at The St. Regis Atlanta was one of the most fashion forward events of the season. Chiefly because there was beaucoup of orange, a return to glamour with some statement-making ballgowns and a whole #coastalgrandma trend with sweaters over formalwear. Get all the behind-the-scenes details in the most highly read new blog of the year.
2. MEET THE SUCCESSFUL SISTERS MAKING CLASSIC SILK SCARVES MORE MODERN
Last year, the Rucker sisters took the #2 spot. This year, it’s another set of fabulous siblings: the sisters (Grey and Page Hall) behind Grey Hall Designs. Grey has painted for as long as she can remember and Page has always been in product design. Together they launched this beautiful company and product line.
3. THE BEST FACIAL IN ATLANTA INVOLVES A MACHINE, A FEW ZAPS AND SURPRISE! IT’S IN SUMMERHILL
The Biologique Recherche Triple Lift Facial is no joke. Just ask J. Lo. You can also only find it at the most elegant, adorable spa in up-and-coming Summerhill—Aviary Beauty + Wellness. It has to be the best facial in Atlanta. It lifts your jowls and cheekbones at the same time as rejuvenating your skin. I’ve had so many people text and DM me that they booked an appointment. No wonder it was one of the most popular posts of the year.
4. 4 OF THE BEST NEW HIGH-END RESTAURANTS IN ATLANTA & 4 HOT CASUAL DATE SPOTS
It’s kind of funny that No. 4 on this list is about 4 high-end and 4 casual restaurants. As I’ve said before, you can’t make this stuff up! I promise this is how it landed with no help from me. But from high-end Lebanese to Southern with a Napa twist to North Italy, a range of cuisines all came to town this year. See some of the newbies.
5. ONE OF THE BEST ATLANTA FASHION STYLISTS COMES TO THE JOB WITH CHARM
Shaye Strager is one of the best stylists in Atlanta and beyond. As a result, she has an A-list client roster. This woman is legit. She is also the epitome of Two-Sided Southern. Strager has a Manhattan sensibility (she lived there for almost two decades) combined with a Southern hospitality (she’s currently an Atlantan). In her words, she’s “city on the outside and Southern on the inside.”
6. BEST CANNED COCKTAIL IN THE BIZ JUST WON THE GRAMMYS OF ALCOHOL AND WE ARE HERE FOR IT
Andrew Rodbell is a fifth generation Atlantan who is making this booze-loving city beyond proud. The buttons on our vests are bursting as one of our own has made an adorable cocktail in a can that’s so good it won the San Francisco World Spirits Competition this year.(Which is kinda a huge deal.) His Post Meridiem cocktails are a hit and as any entrepreneur wants to know. How did he do it?
7. AN INSPIRING HOLIDAY STORY ABOUT A GRATEFUL HEART
It’s not every day you meet someone truly selfless. Someone who gives of themselves week in and out and not only during the holidays. I don’t know about you, but I need a reminder that there are still a lot of good people left in the world. Enter this heartwarming holiday story about longtime Atlantan Mary Jane Stafford.
8. BEST NEW JEWELRY STORE IN ATLANTA OWNED BY LUXURY VETERAN
Don Purcell worked for Jeffrey Atlanta and Jeffrey New York through the 1996 Olympics, 9/11, the NYC Blackout, four presidents and countless other happenings over a quarter century. When COVID-19 shut down the luxury retailer, Purcell was in shock nd had to reinvent himself. Consequently, he opened Don Purcell Jeweler right next to Le Bilboquet in Buckhead Village District. Hence, his well-heeled clientele followed him here where his store has the most exquisite jewelry collections, eclectic art and uxury gift items in Atlanta.
9. WHY MEMPHIS IS ONE OF THE BEST FAMILY GETAWAYS IN THE SOUTH
Occasionally, I had heard rumors Memphis was booming with renewed energy, vitality and construction. Turns out, they weren’t fibbing. The whole city has a hint of Two-Sided Southern high-brow but low-down style We show you where to stay, play and take the kids out in Memphis.
10. FIERCELY STYLISH ATLANTAN OPENS NEW LUXURY BOUTIQUE IN WEST MIDTOWN
Stylish Atlantan Teresa Caldwell is co-owner of the chic luxury The Taste Boutique in West Midtown. She is a multi-hyphenate and is also an interior designers with a celeb clientele, the author of I Once Was Her and the mother of a famous rapper. Caldwell is a true Two-Sided Southerner who loves her roots but has traveled the world. Her life has been a fascinating study in contradictions and it’s no wonder she rounded out the top 10 blogs of 2022.
For those stories that just missed the top 10 blogs of 2022, thank you for being amazing tales. Most importantly, I’m so grateful to those who let me write about you.
In conclusion, thank you for another amazing trip around the sun. It has been a fantastic second year at Two-Sided Southern. In other words, I can’t wait to see what 2023 brings. If you like this content, I hope you’ll SUBSCRIBE here.
