Happy Thanksgiving week, y’all! We don’t have a new episode this week. BUT. We do have something we hope comes in handy now that the holidays are in full swing.
SANTA IS COMING!
This year, "Sweet Tea & TV" is bringing you four gift guides to provide a bit of inspiration – and (hopefully) pressure relief – while you’re in holiday shopping mode.
Keep scrolling for guides that:
Highlight some of the best "Designing Women" merch for the DW fan in your life;
Celebrate fabulous Southern businesses.
If you buy any of these for a loved one in your life, let us know! We'd love to hear about their reaction!
Merry Christmas and happy shopping!
Designing Women Merch Guide
OK, OK, Designing Women – in our opinion – doesn’t get quite the love it should in the merchandising space. BUT. There are some pretty fun and interesting options out there. These are some items we thought our Designing Women fans might enjoy (if you don’t already own all of them!):
The full series on DVD in case you’ve had it with all of the weird cuts on streaming services.
Redbubble has LOTS of Designing Women merch, but since our time with Suzanne and Charlene is finite – we’ve got our eye on this good point and this truth, too.
These VHS phone covers are the absolute truth! They are retro and fun + then you get to carry around the Sugarbaker gang with you all the time.
Check out Wayne Hollowell generally, but specifically, he has the coolest Suzanne Sugarbaker artwork. And they’re available on wrapping paper (?!), greeting cards, throw pillows, t-shirts…you get the idea.
This cross stitch pattern - the one Nikki used for a gift for Salina earlier this year - is perfect for the Designing Women fan/crafter in your life. (And Salina confirmed she looks at it every day and smiles.)
Nikki's Favorites Guide
Here are Nikki's thoughts on her list:
The perfect t-shirt for the Swiftie in your life - It wouldn’t be a Nikki gift guide without something TSwift. (You’re lucky it’s just one item…)
Candle Warmer - If you’ve hit your “Rot Girl Autumn” era, this candle warmer is perfect for setting the aesthetic as you hang around the house.
The unofficial Disney Parks cookbook - We never thought we’d be a Disney family and, yet, here we are. So, when we can’t make it to Orlando, we whip up a magical treat from this fun cookbook!
Julep Eyeshadow Stick - This eyeshadow stick comes in so many great colors and it’s super-easy to apply. Even if you’re not big on makeup for alltheZoomcalls, this is a nice way to wake up your face.
Shark FlexStyle - This was my FAVORITE Christmas present last year. Whether you want a sleek blowout or full-on “Southern hair”, this is such a fun tool to play with!
A collection of Korean beauty face masks - I got this as a Secret Santa gift last year and they lasted me half the year!
Salina's Faves Guide
Here are Salina's thoughts on the list:
TBH, I don’t wear a ton of makeup these days (remote worker here), but when I do, my go-to is Urban Decay's Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette. It’s packed with 12 (usable!) golden neutral eyeshadows that you can use to create all kinds of looks. (Tip: I like to put a little gold in the corner of my eyes just to look a little more awake.)
My favorite earring find this year was at the Fall Festival in Duluth. Wanderlust Designs has SO many one-of-a kind offerings. I fell head over heels for ones made out of vintage tin.
When I finally went to New Orleans this year, I fell head over heels for French Truck coffee. I’ve tried several blends and never found a bad sip. Here are a couple of good options for the coffee lovers in your life:
Their holiday gift box, which comes with their holiday blend, holiday mug, magnet, and sticker.
Or, or, go with their Coffee Lovers Gift Box. This baby comes with four 12-ounce bags of coffee (Le Grand Coq Rouge, Premium New Orleans Dark Roast, and two bags of their roaster's favorite Single Origins).
Beautiful Briny Sea (French picnic salt) — https://shop.beautifulbrinysea.com/pages/faq
Creamalicious Variety Pack: The perfect gift for the ice cream lover in your life.
Southern Businesses Guide
Look y’all, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the South has it going on – and that’s true of our businesses, too.
Here you’ll find an assemblage of some of our favorites – and these are also a great way to participate in Small Business Saturday on November 25.
We ran across Mental Bokeh at the Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade this year, which is how Salina is now a proud owner of this ‘Lemon Pepper Wet’ t-shirt. If you’re buying for someone from the Peach State, or an ATLien, you’ll want to check them out for something unique and fun.
Personify Shop is a beautiful boutique in Duluth, Georgia. Every selection in their store is perfectly curated – from their gorgeous clothing and whimsical jewelry to their eclectic home goods — you’re bound to find something fun and unique here.
Ogle Bros General Store is a recent find after Salina’s trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. And, yep, it’s a general store, so it was super fun to browse around their wide variety of offerings, but we’re shouting them out for two reasons: their yummy pantry options and their killer pottery (all of which is created by an onsite potter).
The Paris Market is an eternal favorite for Salina. Located in Savannah, GA, it was created to feel like a highly curated Parisian flea market. There is also a location in Palmetto Bluff, SC. And, look, your best experience comes from immersing yourself in the actual store (and sipping on a French Press or champagne in their cafe), but what they offer online is pretty awesome, too.
We shouted out The Village Retail back in season 3, but it’s worth repeating, especially when shopping is involved! You’ll find apparel, home goods, clothing, jewelry, art, and wellness and beauty products. The Village brings together local Black business owners and Black brands under one banner. Locals can find their storefront at Atlanta’s very own Ponce City Market.
Not us eying Unexpected Atlanta's Food Tour + Biscuit Class for our next ST&TV field trip...
Nashville, TN natives Christie Cookie Co have beautiful holiday tins! (If you can find 'em, the butter pecan ones are ST&TV faves!)
The real ones know ATL-area Seven Sisters Scones fueled our coronation party earlier this year. Well, they could also offer a delicious treat for the carb-lover in your life.