Charleston Home + Design Article Reprint (PDF)

XO Mary

A bit of fun and lore about Southern women.  Although I am not originally from the South, I do so enjoy being a pseudo-belle and living in my beloved Charleston.

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:
Clean skin.
A winning smile.
That unforgettable Southern drawl.

 Southern women know their manners:
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why, no, Billy!”

 Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
“Y’all come back!”
“Well, bless your heart.”
“Drop by when you can.”
“How’s your Momma?”

Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick

Southern women know the joys of June, July, and  August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint
Straw hats and big sunglasses

Southernwomen know everybody’s first name:
Honey
Darlin’
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried GreenTomatoes
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind

Southern  women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma’s homemade jelly

Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl’stn
S’vanah
Foat Wuth
N’awlins
Addlanna

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food

As I told my best friend, Lisa, I definitely felt like Cinderella coming home from the ball after my week at the Oscars! It has been a crash back into the real world, but I sure did have a blast while in LA.

Here are some of the highlights of my week:

Stayed in my new favorite hotel in LA – The London LA

Did a segment for Extra with my wonderful pal Taraji P. Henson!

Filmed for WOWOW Japanese TV as red carpet bag and shoe expert

Attended the Costume Designers Guild Awards Dinner with Taraji and the producer, director, and costume designer for “Benjamin Button” with my georgous Teri Jon dress on lend from Saks and jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Did a segment with international SKY TV for their Oscars countdown show.

Got to be on E! Countdown to the Oscars Pre-Show.

And spent a crazy week getting my favorite gals ready for their big night at the Oscars and the results were:

Taraji P. Henson on the Red Carpet with the Crimson Roseanna at the Oscars

Queen Latifiah Greets Meryl Streep holding the Jordan clutch at the Oscars

Miley Cyrus at the Oscars carrying the Roseanna clutch in tan

Alicia Keys at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party carrying a gold Sasha clutch

Carrie Underwood at the Elton John Oscars Party carrying a white Mermaid clutch

Funny story on Taraji…this was actually MY bag that I brought to LA for the CDGA:

When Taraji and her amazing stylist Sheri Hoke saw me wearing it, they asked to borrow it, and BAM it was the perfect one to make the statement for her dress! The previous choices were nudes and creams, which would have made her blend into the background. This bag brought out Taraji’s inner rock-star!

The actual bag is now up for auction on www.clothesoffourback.com, which is a wonderful charity, so go grab my/Taraji’s bag.

So, my glass slipper is gone, my gown is put away and I am back to sweeping the cinders off the hearth…poor little Cinderella! But I had a hell of a time while it lasted!

More adventures to come soon. Mary

The Mary Norton Runway Show at Charleston Fashion Week 2008

Since we all know Charleston is fast on it’s way to becoming a fourth major destination on the NY/PARIS/MILAN fashion week circuit (well, maybe not yet, but a Southern girl can dream!), we’ve been working hard to up the ante on fashion shows and Charleston Fashion Week parties.

This year, in addition to the fabulous Mary Norton/Saks Fifth Avenue runway show, Mary Norton will be hosting a special benefit luncheon for her favorite charity, the MUSC Children’s Hospital  with special guest, (Mr. Las Vegas Himself!) Wayne Newton.

The luncheon will take place under the tents in Marion Square, Charleston, SC on Friday, March 27th.  Doors open at 10:30 and Saks Fifth Avenue experts will be on hand to discuss the latest Spring Fashion trends.  An exquisite lunch will be provided by Chef Brett McKee of Oak Steakhouse and you will be entertained by a live auction of  handbags made by Wayne, Mary and the kids from the MUSC Children’s hospital.  Great cause, great food, great music and great clothes… buy your ticket today!

Thanks to our friends at Blue Ion for putting together a wonderful montage at www.catwalkforkids.com. Visit us there to learn more and for details on sponsorship opportunities!

A volunteer helps a patient make handmade bags with feathers in the Atrium at the MUSC Children's hospital. Mary and Wayne will be making bags with the children to be auctioned off during the luncheon!