I started this fun little blog project in the first week of February of 2021. It hasn’t been quite a full year, but let’s look back on the top 10 blogs of 2021 anyway, shall we?
Firstly, I began Two-Sided Southern because in the fabulous words of Christy Plott, whose story made No. 1 on this list, I felt five-star AND dive bar and I wanted to express that. Secondly, it seemed like it was time to find other like-minded people around the South (and beyond!) who felt like they were both upscale and down home—and weren’t afraid to embrace it.
Thirdly, who could have imagined how well-received the idea has been and how many people were simpatico? Not me. I also wouldn’t have imagined what blogs would have been the highest trafficked and what you guys would be interested in. For instance, the top 10 blogs were a fabulous mix of profiles on awesome Southerners, recipe stories, restaurant rounds ups, reviews and more.
Above all, I have had a lot of fun with this site. I hope you have too.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 blogs of 2021, with No. 1 being the most viewed across the whole site. After that, below I’ll share who just missed the cut. And also if you like this content, SUBSCRIBE here. It takes two secs.
Top 10 Blogs of 2021 on Two-Sided Southern:
1. CHRISTY PLOTT INVENTED BEING BOTH FIVE-STAR AND DIVE BAR
Christy Plott is a Southern girl. She is the creative director, head of global sales, and co-owner of American Tanning and Leather. I’ll let her tell you what that’s all about below. Let’s just say she’s a red-headed spitfire who knows her way around a gator farm in Louisiana, as well as the corporate offices of Oscar de La Renta, Ralph Lauren and other hoity-toity fashion designers who buy up her alligator skins like hot cakes. READ MORE…
2. THE RUCKERS ARE SOUTHERN SUCCESSFUL SISTERS BEHIND A TOP HAIR CARE BUSINESS
The Kardashians have nothing on the Ruckers. They’re just as gorgeous, stylish, trendsetting, and successful sisters as that famous West Coast clan. Like the Kardashians, this East Coast brood has also had their own reality TV show (“Love Thy Sister” on WeTV), were once married to NBA players, have stayed tight-knit and have incredible influence on social media. READ MORE…
3. THE STORY OF GRANDMA’S POUND CAKE RECIPE VERSUS A MODERN MACARON RECIPE
Above all, this is the tale of two treats. What does a pound cake recipe and a macaron recipe have in common with Two-Sided Southern? One is down home and one is more upscale. My love for baking comes from a line of born-and-raised North Carolina Southern women armed with delicious recipes. That, and I married into the right last name, says Suzanne Baker. Moreover, they are both sweet, delicious desserts that require a touch of finesse to get them executed right. READ MORE…
4. PHOTOGRAPHER DEREK BLANKS BRINGS A LITTLE MISSISSIPPI INTO EVERYTHING
When the proficient and ingenious photographer Derek Blanks isn’t photographing Usher, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj or Regina Hall, he’s the creative director for Missy Elliott. I first worked with him on photoshoots for luxury magazines in Atlanta photographing the who’s who of the city’s socialites. In addition, his work was impeccable and… ooh lord, this man has style. READ MORE…
5. SUMMER FOODS WITH ALL THE FEELS, PLUS A SOUTHERN TOMATO PIE RECIPE TO LOVE
I love summer. Mostly for the food. And for one Southern tomato pie recipe in particular. READ MORE…
6. HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A ONE-OF-A-KIND SOUTHERN LADY? MEET LIZ MOORE MCDERMOTT
Liz Moore Mcdermott owns any room. Whether she’s in Atlanta, Tuscaloosa, New York City, Austin, Palm Beach or Nantucket. She holds court. She is joy personified. In addition, Liz is a talented interior designer and entertainer, and she frankly (my dear), doesn’t care if you like her or not. She’s going to have a good time no matter what. And isn’t that part of her incredible Southern charm? READ MORE…
7. BEST GAME DAY DIP RECIPE: VIDALIA ONION SWISS CHEESE
I first had this Vidalia onion dip recipe at Carrie Brady Faletti’s house on Lake Rabun when I was in college at UGA. She had invited a bunch of us sorority sisters up for the weekend. All these years later, I have no idea what we talked about, but I do remember I was so enamored with the Vidalia onion dip and couldn’t stop spooning it onto Triscuits all night. I finally asked her mom for the recipe. It was easy to memorize. She didn’t even have to write it down. READ MORE…
8. THINGS YOU LEARN WHEN YOU EAT AT THE BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT IN ATLANTA
When I wrote my mantra for Two-Sided Southern it was “for people who love Waffle House as much as Umi.” That’s because to me, Waffle House is quintessentially Southern, down home dining. While Umi is at the pinnacle of the other end of the spectrum. Umi is arguably the best fine dining restaurant, and definitely the best sushi restaurant, in Atlanta. Here, a few things I learned while eating there that prove my point. READ MORE…
9. LISA RAYNER ON BEING A SOUTHERN WOMAN AND TROPHY WIFE
Growing up in Jonesboro, Ga., Lisa Rayner’s dad worked for Delta Airlines. She and her two sisters were being groomed to be the perfect Southern women. Their mother would dress them up in their Sunday best and fly all over the country. “My mother was a stewardess, but you couldn’t be a stewardess and be married.” So her mom had to quit her job. In other words, “it was a different time,” says Lisa. READ MORE…
10. 10 OF THE BEST HIGH-END AND LOW-BROW RESTAURANTS IN ATLANTA
It’s like Jake said in Sweet Home Alabama, “You can have roots and wings.” Here is a short list of what I deem the best restaurants in Atlanta. Both my favorite expensive (high-brow) and casual (low-brow) restaurants to boot. READ MORE…
For those stories that just missed the top 10 blogs of 2021, thank you for being amazing tales. Most importantly, I’m so grateful to those who let me write about you. I’m looking at you Jada Loveless (No. 11) and Yonah Mountain Vineyards (No. 12)!
In conclusion, thank you. It has been a fantastic first year at Two-Sided Southern. In other words, I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings. If you like this content, I hope you’ll SUBSCRIBE here.
