Steel Magnolias: urban southern cuisine in Valdosta's downtown district

*****I wrote this piece for this month's issue of our neighborhood's magazine Between The Stones. 

I didn't want to post it until the magazine came out, but now it has, so I can finally post this restaurant review. So for those of you that do not live in the Stone Creek community, enjoy! I did add in a few things that were cut from the original, due to limited space. I had a great time writing it {Steel Magnolias is, after all, named after one of my favorite films!} and I'm so hopeful that I will have an opportunity to do more things like this in the future.*****

If you're looking for a freelance writer, please contact me christiantbishop@gmail.com

Valdosta is full of restaurants. For a town of its size, there are plenty of eats to fill your tummy and empty your wallet.  Perhaps the most unique, in fare and feel, is Steel Magnolias, which is likely best described as urban southern cuisine. As you approach the restaurant, nestled in Valdosta’s downtown district, you can immediately recognize the atmosphere that the restaurant aims to project, through the painted metal chairs and tables out front, subtly decorated with mason jars wrapped in twine and filled with understated flowers. The sidewalk display beckons to passersby, seducing and enticing them to look inside the giant window to see what is going on in their kitchen. There is no canned, chain feeling to this place. It is original, just as fresh as the food it serves.

For three years, Steel Magnolias has provided a comfortable, yet sophisticated atmosphere and a deliciously inviting menu, from its location in a renovated historic building, originally constructed in 1891.  One Stone Creek resident in attendance describes the restaurant as an “amazing addition to Valdosta”. Owned and operated by Georgia native Keira Moritz, her heritage and love for her state is evident in the details of Steel Magnolias. All menu items are made fresh and the kitchen buys everything that they can from local farms. You can “expect something different” here, says another local from Stone Creek. And the critics agree! The Valdosta Daily Times nominated Steel Magnolias for best new restaurant, best special occasion restaurant, and best live music venue-all in its first year of business! Steel Magnolias has also been featured in numerous magazines, such as Valdosta CEO, Southwest Georgia Living Magazine, The Tifton Scene, The Tifton Gazette, The Valdosta Scene, and Georgia Trend Magazine. Keira also received praise as the Young Professional of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.

For a few Stone Creek residents on August 26^th, this menu was tried and tested, and all who attended, myself included, seemed to approve as we waddled out after rounds of drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. One Stone Creek resident proclaimed the night a “culinary extravaganza”. We met on the second level but there are two additional floors to provide ample room for the crowds. A fantastic feature is the roof top terrace, which gives an open-air feel to the sophistication of the restaurant’s atmosphere, and an unmatched view of downtown to boot.

Keira introduced each dish to us proudly, with a passion in her eyes for the creations from her kitchen. The food seemed to taste even better, because someone created it with a love for what they are doing.

The first bites to grace the table were Deviled Eggs, an improvement on your family recipe, topped with crispy bacon, goat cheese, and chives. One attendee described them as “unreal”. Even for those who wince at the thought of eating a deviled egg {I'll admit I'm one of those}, one bite might convert you.

Yeast rolls were then delivered to the table, with the Steel Magnolias’ twist made in house and topped with bacon, hot and fresh. The rolls were divine, reminiscent of a “Rat Cheese” {what some may know as a Krystal burger} that had been deconstructed into a hand made, yeast roll re-do.

I was taken by surprise when I tasted the Pulled Pork & Pimento Cheese Wontons with sriracha aioli, and cabbage confetti. They had a delicious tangy kick, leaving you wanting another, and needing a refill on your glass of water.

Our last appetizer was the Fried Green Tomatoes, topped with feta cheese, grilled corn, and peach chutney aioli. This is the classic southern hors d'oeuvre with toppings that take this time-honored Southern tradition to the next level. 

Following the appetizers were two salads that were far from boring. 

First was the Grilled Yellow Squash Salad with goat cheese, bacon, and wild arugula, topped with basil pesto vinaigrette. This salad was earthy, like you plucked the arugula from your own garden. Though these flavors are not quite and obvious pairing, they blended perfectly.

The second salad was a favorite of the night-Quinoa salad, with blueberries, wild arugula, and silver queen corn, topped with balsamic vinaigrette. This salad was FRESH, to say the least. Another example of ingredients that one may not normally think to pair with one another but it was a beautiful marriage of fruit & veggies. It dressed up quinoa with a sweet blueberry surprise in each bite and the corn tricked your palate into thinking it was munching on an exciting salsa. Zesty and fresh was the name of the game for this delightful dish.

I sampled two of Steel Magnolias signature spirits. The first was the No. 132. This delicious drink mixes Ketel One vodka, muddled strawberries, ginger ale, and a splash of pineapple. It was deliciously fresh without being to fruity. The second drink I tasted was the Spring Fever, which features Square One cucumber vodka, muddled cucumbers, mint, lime and a touch of ginger. This was my favorite of the night, with a crisp, green taste to it. It reminded me of the detox water that has been so popular lately, but with a fun adult drink twist. 

{I was fortunate to have my dad, momma, and sister with me. Please don't drink & drive!}

The crowd was split on their favorite entrée. Many enjoyed the Shrimp & grits, with andouille sausage and roasted red pepper gravy. The rich flavor mixed with the shrimp to take the lead as a crowd favorite. Never boring, Steel Magnolias took a classic and made it better with this entrée. For the rest of the attendees, the Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin was the evening’s biggest hit. Tender and seasoned to perfection, this dish was never to heavy but always pleasing. How could anyone go wrong when wrapping meat in more meat, especially the ever-popular bacon?

For myself, the highlight of the evening was the Banana Pudding Crème Brulee. For anyone with a sweet tooth, this is better than the ‘nana pudding served at all of your family reunions and church covered dish luncheons. This adds a regal element in taste and presentation. When you crack the classic crème brulee shell, and dive your spoon into the silky banana pudding underneath, your taste buds with thank you and your sweet tooth will beg for an encore.

Coconut Rum Cake was smashing and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie was sublime. Steel Magnolias does not disappoint with any portion of the menu, but if you’re a dessert person, you’ll find that exceedingly true.

Many Stone Creek residents who attended the Restaurant Review had nothing but affirmative words for Steel Magnolias. My sister, Abi, described the menu as a “unique spin on your grandmother’s southern food”. There is an “unbelievably relaxed and comfortable atmosphere”, says another attendee, “from the yummy homemade rolls to the decadent desserts”.

Steel Magnolias would be a great place for your next date, or to gather together for a special occasion, or even just a “great place to eat and socialize after work” says one Stone Creek resident. So next time you’re looking for a deliciously unique and well made meal, dress up for downtown, drop into Steel Magnolias. 

Come with an open mind and leave with a full belly. 

Last Day of Freedom

Today was my last day of freedom. 

I say that a bit tongue in cheek. I do adore my job, my lead teacher, and I know I will love the 22 new babies in my class this year, but there's no denying that 

summer=freedom. 

Goodbye, freedom!

But I do think that most of us, myself definitely included, work best on a schedule. 

Here's a great example. Today, I had the day off of my part-time job at the bra and panty store, the name of which shall remain a "secret". I don't start back at the school until tomorrow. I spent most of the day eating and watching Sex & the City. 

See what I mean? Bored tv eating just will not do. 

So tomorrow, I'll be waking up early, making myself look presentable, and heading to work. I'm excited to start a new year and meet my new precious faces. Though it is hard knowing I will be leaving them in October, I'm also quite excited to get to know them for the short time I will have them. I have shared before how much I love working with children. 180 days with them did not change that. I'm anxiously looking for jobs in Kansas that will further fuel this love for sculpting and molding the life of a child. 

Apart from school, the next 85 days will be a flurry of wedding planning and preparations. Today, I accomplished quite a bit. I made a schedule for B and I to finish up our premarital counseling book. I ordered a few wedding party gifts and our precious cake topper. I made a payment to the makeup artist, scheduled my makeup and hair trial, and gathered some inspiration for upcoming DIY projects and decorations. I'm very excited. As the days pass, I realize how close it is getting, how close I am to marrying the love of my life, and how close we are to being able to leave the title of long distance relationship in Georgia. 

There is certainly much more to be done-dress fittings, bridal showers, invitation stuffing, the list could go on and on. But I'm happy to be busy and happy to be getting back to the classroom, back to the schedule, and back to the happiness of knowing what to expect from my days...well I teach Pre-K so that's not going to happen weekdays from 7:30-3:30 :)

Are you sad to wave goodbye to summer or excited to get back on track? Or both? 

Let me know in the comments below! 

{Next week: August Faves!}

My Experience with Isotretnoin

I have taken a very long time to write this post...eight months to be exact. 

That's not to say I've used this as a draft for that long, but the research has taken me that long. We are back from a nice family vacation and I'm ready to spill the beans of my "new life" that has me bursting at the seams with confidence. 

First of all...what is isotretnoin? Isotretnoin is the drug name for what some of you probably know as Accutane. Actually, accutane was a brand name that was used many years ago and, due to it's bad repuation, they no longer make that brand. 

I have had acne for a long, long, LONG time. 

I dealt with it mildly in high school and brushed it off because I thought every high schooler went through it. 

I dealt with it in college, writing it off as my "late blooming". 

But now, two years after my college graduation, I was sick of it. I was sick of having to buy heavy, thick makeup to cover up redness and giant bumps on my face. I was sick of having to wait until the very last minute to was my face before bed because I didn't want anyone to see what was under that cakey makeup. I was sick of letting something so out of my own control have control over how I felt about myself. 

I wanted to deal with it before engagement pictures and wedding pictures. Many a dermatologist had recommended this treatment to me, some after looking at all of my skin care products and routines and trying lots of other options, and some with just one look at my face.  I had heard the risks of this drug. I knew the side effects and the possibilities of this treatment. I heard it could make you infertile, that the long term effects outweigh the clear skin. I heard that it doesn't always clear up your face, and worst of all, I knew you had to have monthly blood tests-something that terrified me to my core. 

In November of 2013, I finally gave up and gave in. I was sick of it. I was ready to kick my acne to the curb. 

I saw the dermatologist in November, went back for my pre-test in December, and started the drug on January 1st. 

During my seven months on isotretnoin, I was on two different brands of the drug: Claravis and Absorica. Claravis required that I take it twice a day, each time with a high fat meal. This was troublesome for a gal trying to lose a bit of weight for her wedding. So in the last two or three months, my dermatologist switched my to a newer brand called Absorica. With Claravis, if I didn't take it with a high fat meal, I would only absorb 1/3 of the drug. But with Absorica, I got all of the medication, even if I took it on a empty stomach. It worked well and it worked fast. 

Let's talk side effects. First of all...they emphasize over and over that you cannot get pregnant on this drug or your children will have cone heads, and other more serious birth issues. This is one of the reasons for the blood tests each month. 

Then there is the main side effect: dryness. Your lips, arms, legs, eyeballs, pretty much everything will be dry. I never had issues with my scalp, but I've heard it from other patients. The dryness is definitely significant, sometimes almost unbearable. I lived with a tub of aquaphor and a bottle of lotion nearby. Other minor issues were mood swings and lots of muscle soreness, none of which were nearly as bad as I expected them to be.

There was also the issue of sensitivity to the sun. I had to wear sunglasses while doing anything outside. If I was outside for more than about ten minutes, I would get red and my skin would physically hurt. Luckily, I always wear an SPF so I never actually got burned from that but I did experience heavy sensitivity to the sun. 

super chapped lips! Yuck! but worth it! 

So where am I now? 

I took my very last pill on July 13th. There is still a bit of redness, but that will fade as time passes. The dermatologist says it should be gone by October at the latest. I also have a few dry patches that are healing, just from the sheer dryness left from the medicine. Symptoms like dry lips, mood swings, etc. are slowly fading as well. I haven't had an actual pimple in MONTHS. 

NO makeup! What is this life?!

How do I feel? 

I feel...amazing. My confidence is through the roof. I love the option to wear makeup...or not! I love how soft my face is, because there aren't bumps. I love that I feel confident taking pictures. My skin is no longer oily or painful. It's calm, clean, and I feel pretty. 

Maybe this picture doesn't show a lot of change to you, but it's a world of difference for me. I plan to do another update when the redness is completely gone. I'm thrilled. The rough journey was worth the final destination. 

Top: Before
Bottom: After

July Faves!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Well...I'm a few days early on that but it's coming up quickly. I'm spending my July 4th in Wichita with my fiance. He will have a few days off of work and we are excited to spend some time together! 
Summer is one of the most beautiful times of the year in my opinion-but it can wreak havoc on your beauty routine. But I think I can help! 

There are a few products that I am loving for the summer and wanted to share with you! These are all products you can find at your local drug store, Ulta, or Target. 
**I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster in their #VowVoxBox**

July Faves!

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
{$30.99}

This is my new favorite beauty staple. I deal with quite a bit of redness on my face, due to acne issues in the past. This cream has really done a great job of reducing the redness and perfecting my skin tone, and I've only been using it for about two weeks! It is super moisturizing and it smells really great too. Think of it like your grandmomma's cold cream, with a fresh new update. I use this twice a day when feeling really dry. Otherwise, I just apply to clean skin liberally before bed. I'm really please with the results and I can't wait to see how great it works as I continue to use it for the recommended 8 weeks. Also, I realize that $30 is a little pricey for the size of the pot, but I have found it on Amazon and at Ulta for several dollars cheaper. 

Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream 
{$1.49 for 5 oz., $2.19 for 8 oz.}

Remember last week when I recommended the shave cream from Lush? Pure Silk is a great alternative if you're not near a Lush and/or don't want to spend as much on shaving cream. This shave cream has extra aloe and moisturizers to keep your legs silky smooth and to moisture and protect them from razor burn. There are lots of different varieties and scents too! If you choose to shave, then this is a great summer staple for you. And the raspberry mist is a great smell!  

EcoTools Pure Complexion Sponge for Sensitive Skin 
{5.99}

THIS is the BEST if you love starting each day fresh! Combined with the Olay Regenerist Tone Perfecting Cream and of course a great SPF, I have the best skin I've ever had. 
It is smooth, clean, and hydrated-exactly how I want my skin to be for my big day
 in a few short months! 
I love the way this product cleans my face. When you buy it, it will look like the package on the right, above. You can also buy a black one, made from charcoal, for skin that can handle a bit more than mine. I need the sensitive sponge. When you unwrap it, it will be hard like a rock but as soon as you wet it, it will soften. It is handmade with 100% natural ingredients, like Konjac, which is a vegetable fiber. The teardrop shape allows for you to get the places on your face where you need to be a bit careful, like around your eyes and hairline. I use this with a gentle cleanser, and I really use it for about a minute straight of scrubbing and it doesn't aggravate my skin. I really love this product. It's one of those things that I don't think I'll ever go without. It is recommended that you replace the sponge every one to three months. But at such a great price, I can handle that. 

~Honorable Mention~

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure 

{$7.99}

The idea behind this polish is that you have all of the benefits of a manicure at the salon in one bottle you use at home:

-Base Coat-
-Strengthener-
-Growth Treatment-
-Color-
-Top Coat-
-Chip Resistant-
-Gel Shine- 

Now, I am always skeptical when something claims to "do it all"...and unfortunately I have to report that this is a product that didn't blow me away. I did not hate this product. In fact, I have received the most compliments on the color-Barracuda blue {shown above} but it comes in 56 shades and all of them are fabulous. I like the brush a lot. Its one of those thicker brushes, which makes it a lot easier to cover your nail. It is also easy to remove, doesn't cling to or stain your nails like some other polish. I don't feel that my nails sustain any damage while I'm wearing the color. 

Now for the negatives...The bottle claims 10 day wear. I experienced about three days before the polish chipped or just started to look crummy. If you do a lot of swimming in a chlorine pool, I would not recommend this product. The minute I got into the pool, it went from a shiny, gorgeous gel-like color, to dull and chalky. I am also very impatient so I didn't care for how long I had to wait for my nails to completely dry. 

All in all, I will continue to use this product, definitely in the winter when I'm not swimming at all, but I won't be buying another bottle of it. I would also recommend it to people, but tell them exactly what I've just told y'all.

So there are my must-haves for this summer weather. 

How are you celebrating July 4th? What will you be wearing? Who are you spending it with? Tell me in the comments! 

**I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster in their #VowVoxBox**

I'm a Lush {Lush Cosmetics Review}

Hello beauties!

I have shared before my love for the natural and handmade Lush Cosmetics. All of their products are so fresh and I think they smell really great. I am in no way sponsored by this company, just sharing with readers what I love! Lush uses natural ingredients, like fruit, veggies, essential oils, etc. They don't test on animals and don't use animal fats in the making of their products, so most of their products are vegan friendly. 

Their stores have a great vibe to them. Their workers seem to genuinely love their job and they will let you test or sample any of the products. Also, they are all very helpful and honest. They will tell you what they like and are not so crazy about, and they will tell you how best to use a product or what to use according to your skin. I've never had a negative experience in one or their stores. 

I have a few products that I like from this company. I will tell you ...they are not priced like your run-of-the-mill drug store products. I am cheap when it comes to beauty products because I'm such a beauty product junkie. Lush is always a splurge for me because I only get the chance to go about twice a year, and I won't allow myself to buy online because I would NEVER have any money! :) And unfortunately, they are few and far between, especially in the U.S. of A. 

But if you're rich {unlike me} and you find a product on the site that you love but don't have a store close by, you can sign up for auto reFresh, where they will send you the product every three months, or five months, or whatever duration of time you think it will take for you to use up the product. 

Bath Bombs - These are a one time use "bomb" that you throw in the tub once you fill it up. They all have a different fragrance. I love to drop these in the bath and watch them fizz up. The thing I dislike about this product is...it's a one time use product, so there'e no stretching the dollars here. They're about $5 a piece, on average. 

This is the Twilight bath bomb, great for a relaxing bath before bed. {$6.25}

Bubble Bars - This is my absolute favorite lush product. They are more expensive than the bath bombs, BUT I can get several uses from these bad boys. You can break off little {or big!} pieces and hold them in your hand as you run the bath water over it. This will make a bubbly bath with a heavenly smell! My favorites are The Comforter {$10.95}, Rose Jam {$6.25}, and Yuzu & Cocoa {$6.25}. Yuzu & Cocoa is a really cool scent, it's like an orange-chocolate scent which is kind of fun and different. 

The Comforter Bar. I can REALLY make this last a while. {$10.95}

Happy Hippy Shower Gel - This is a great shower gel. It smells AMAZING! The citrus smell in a morning shower is invigorating and is a great way to wake up. This is a Lush product that I keep buying over and over again. 

{$9.95-$28.95}

These next two products are ones that I have already reviewed in previous blogs, so I'm just adding the link to that article. 

Godiva Solid Shampoo - Now that I'm no longer using this product on a day-to-day basis, I can be a bit more objective. I would use this for a trip or camping, or something of the like. I much prefer a liquid shampoo to a solid for every day use. This is still a fab product, smells great, I hold onto my previous review, but just something for you to know now that it has been a while since I've used it as my one and only shampoo. 

No Drought Dry Shampoo

Caca Rouge Mama Hair Henna - This one is a tricky one. This is a henna hair dye bar. It literally comes to you like a bar of soap. It's a great alternative if you're sick and tired of all the crazy chemicals going into your hair when you color it. Brian got this for me once and I really loved the color it gave my hair...BUT...it is really difficult to use. You have to grate it, then mix it with water to make it like a muddy paste. My mom and I worked for hours and could never get the consistency right. The color came out fine, but I don't think it worked as well as it could have. My advice for this product is find someone who has done it before OR talk to one of the workers in the store who has used it and get some tips before you try it. 

{$25.95}

Fresh Farmacy Cleanser - This is a face wash that comes in a bar. It's got a fresh scent to it and it is infused with calamine, to calm troubled skin like mine. It also doesn't dry out my skin. Its cleanses without stripping my skin of it's hydration. 

{$9.95}

Eau Roma Water Toner - I'll be honest, I haven't used this product in a while. The acne medication i'm on doesn't really require that I need or use toner. But I love the rose scent and when I was using it, it worked really well. Light, airy, and a great scent. 

{$9.95-$21.95}

Honey Trap Lip Balm - This lip balm is fantastic. It smells great because it has honey in it {which is obvious from the title} and makes your lips super smooth. Personal preference, I dislike chap sticks and lip balms where I have to use my finger. DIVA ALERT! :)

 {$7.25}

Ambrosia Shaving Cream - In case you've never read any of my blogs, ever, I have really sensitive skin. For the past five years or so, when I shave my underarms in the summer, I break out into insane, red, itchy, painful bumps. It's awful. So when I find a product that works, and doesn't make that happen, even on the hottest, stickiest South Georgia summer day, I will sing it's praises wherever I can. Enter Ambrosia. It is light and creamy, so you'll be a little jarred if you normally use a shave gel. But this is lovely. As with all Lush products, it smells wonderful and it works. The bottle also suggests that you can use it as a Nair-type product but I have yet to try that. I just use this on my underarms. I have used it on my legs before and it worked, but my legs are not as sensitive as my underarms. 

{$9.95 - $19.95}

Tender is the Night Massage Bar - I prefer to call this a lotion bar because it's less creepy. But this is a bar version of lotion. This bar smells great to me and is gentle on my troubled skin. I also recommend you splurge for the tin. If it melts, and it will, the tin keeps it contained. Melting is the one thing I dislike about this product. But it's SO pretty! :)

{$11.95}

So there you have it. I'm a lush. I'm willing to admit that. It's my little splurge, whenever I visit a town that has a store. I hope that if you try any of these products, you will love them as much as I do. Lush has recently opened spas in Philly and NYC so you can bet your bum that if I ever visit either of those cities, I'll be saving my pennies for a Lush Spa splurge. 

Have a quaint and quiet little weekend everyone!