Jenna Bratcher

2 days ago | styleblueprint.com | Jenna Bratcher

Just because Auburn University students have packed up their books for summer break doesn’t mean things have cooled off at 1856 — Culinary Residence. In fact, the heat is definitely on. This fine-dining gem, housed within the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, is keeping the burners hot with the launch of its third annual summer chef series, showcasing the talents of three renowned female chefs from around the South.

3 days ago | a-z-animals.com | Jenna Bratcher

It’s no secret that the 130-acre Dolly Parton-founded Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN, is a big draw to the region. But perhaps much lesser known is that tucked inside the theme park — among roller coasters, thrill rides and live shows — is one of the most influential raptor conservation organizations in the country. The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has been quietly making waves in conservation, education, and rehabilitation for nearly four decades, and it all started humbly.

4 days ago | styleblueprint.com | Kate Feinberg |Jenna Bratcher

Charleston’s new fine-dining destination, Marbled & Fin, is quickly becoming a standout — not just for its elevated coastal cuisine but also for its inventive cocktails. One highlight is the Catamaran Tan. Inspired by “gin and tonics in seersucker suits,” this southern-leaning sipper is playful and polished, with a seersucker-shaped ice cube that nods to its Lowcountry roots.

1 week ago | styleblueprint.com | Jenna Bratcher

About 20 minutes outside Asheville, in the rolling hills of Leicester, Durrant Farms offers one of the most delightful (and downright heartwarming) experiences in North Carolina … brunch with alpacas. Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, it’s as enchanting as it sounds. Owned by the warm and welcoming husband-and-wife duo Whitney and Tom Durrant, this charming farm is part working alpaca haven, part bed-and-breakfast, part “did I just fall into a storybook?” wonder.

1 week ago | styleblueprint.com | Jenna Bratcher

If you’re a culinary enthusiast, a Nashvillian, or both, the name Vivek Surti likely rings a bell. As the acclaimed chef and founder of Tailor, Vivek is a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast, with The New York Times naming Tailor among Nashville’s 25 best restaurants. But beyond accolades in the kitchen, Vivek recently stepped into an entirely new role: newlywed!Vivek tied the knot with podiatric surgery specialist Sheela Chockalingam in the fall of 2024.