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Ya'll.

This quote literally has always made me cringe a little. So much so that I knew when I began designing I had to put it on a shirt. Maybe it's meant to be sarcastic. I don't know. I've always had a weird sense of humor like that.

But seriously though. It's taken me a very long time to find my own happiness and to figure out what even makes me happy. The other day I watched a little video clip and in the video the Woman was saying how we as Mothers and Wives often lose our way. We forget how to find our own happiness because we are constantly serving others and in that servitude we begin to think that in order to find happiness we need to gain that happiness FROM others when in fact happiness comes from within ourselves. 

When I first looked at this quote or heard it, I immediately thought of the husband. He needs to keep his Wife Happy and in return they will have a Happy Life. I thought that was ridiculous. Absurd. Insert the cringe face. This quote doesn't mean that to me. It's about keeping ourselves happy as Wives and Mothers so that we can have a Happy Life with zero regrets. You see when we are doing what we love and what we enjoy, we are able to spread that to others. We are able to put that energy into positive things and focusing on our blessings. So it's not so much about perhaps keeping someone else Happy but allowing them to find their own Happiness even if it's different from your own. Then embracing it and loving them more because of it. 

I still have so much to learn in life but if I can share one thing I have, it's not to settle for anything that makes you unhappy. Or anyone for that matter. Life shouldn't be about sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of someone else because that only leaves you with a whole lot of resentment and regret. You deserve to find your passion and utilize it for all it's worth. You deserve to be around the people who love you for who you are at your worst and at your best. You deserve to be Happy. 

XOXO,

Barb

Owner, Designer, Workaholic at Southern Mess

Ya'll there are things in our life that are meant to challenge us. Some deep to the core of your soul and some that seem devastating at the time but are really minor in perspective. 

For the past 10 days we were without electricity. Hit by an ice storm that devastated our town, the area, and our farm. Pretty hard when you are caring for a family, a business that is run online and a farm. I went 3 days before I showered, then 3 more after that. I think that's the longest I've gone without one, since I was like 5. That first shower offered to me by someone who owed me nothing. Just a kind gesture and one worth remembering. Inspiring me to pay it forward someday.

We did break down and buy a generator after about day 5 or 6. A painful purchase, but without it we would continue to go without hot water, which not only we need for that said shower, but our bottle calf who I worried would get sick drinking his milk cold. We needed power to cook, so my girls could go back to school, so I could work. 

I've been spending my time cutting out the ugly from my life. Whether it be people, my own thoughts, or the noise from the outside world. Through this, I remained positive, slightly anxious but manageable and I focused on all the things I COULD do without electricity. Yea, hauling buckets of water to animals isn't fun, but hey I could use the exercise. To be honest, without the distraction of my phone or the internet I got to read, A lot. I got to really listen to my kids. I got to explore outside. I even got to watch my girls spend a whole day helping their Dad move tree limbs while I deep cleaned all the places in our home I always say I have no time to do.

If you look closely in the photo of me, you will see some of those branches blurred in the background. I contemplated moving them. I did. And then I decided that even though no one will probably notice, I will. I will see them and remember this storm. A man lost his life getting power back in our area. Working around the clock, like countless others, so our area could stop living in the dark. Makes my hot water catastrophe seem like an absolute joke compared to the nightmare his family is living right now.  

Each day is a gift. There is no promise of a tomorrow.

 Cherish the beauty even in the storm. And keep on smiling. 

XOXO,

Barb

Owner, Creator, and Work A Holic at Southern Mess

As another year creeps in, I'm constantly reminded that I'm not getting any younger. I have 3 little girls and my oldest will be rushing off to Jr. High next year. Unsettling for a Mama who gave birth to her at the young age of 22 for sure. 

Interestingly enough, this day, my birthday, is also the anniversary of Southern Mess. Up until this time last year, we were a small Etsy shop still testing waters. Over Christmas last year, I told my husband I was going to become an online boutique. I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes. 

My first website looked childish really. Setup as best I could. For those who placed their very first orders, thank you. You've watched us grow, succeed, and become well, You. 

I wanted to do something special for our anniversary but wasn't sure what. So I ordered this over the top Southern outfit from another boutique owner not really confident I would actually ever wear it. Oh how I tried it on. For weeks. Back and forth. Do I? Don't I? Is it too flashy? Am I too old? Can I even pull this thing off? I need to lose weight. I need to be 20 again. My boobs are too big. My stomach isn't flat enough. Can my legs get any whiter?

And then I remembered something said to me by two different people last week. Eat the Cake. Buy the Shoes. Take the Trip. I kept thinking "Wear the dress." 

And I did. Because our whole company, my vision, is about celebrating woman. For who they are, what they've become, and what they can be. No strings attached. I designed a shirt with a phonetically spelled cuss word displayed across the chest for goodness sake. I can do this. And I did. 

So Happy Birthday to me, another year older but probably not grown up yet, whatever that is anyway.

Happy Anniversary to Southern Mess because without ya'll, there would be no us. 

So let's celebrate because we can't wait to show you how unstoppable we can be in 2017. 

XOXO,

Barb

Shopping Small is so much more than supporting local communities.

It's supporting actual people, working hard every day to make a dream come true.

It's putting food on the table. Helping makes end meet. And loads and loads of sacrifice.

We want to take some time to celebrate the faces behind our Southern Mess brand. When we started out on this journey, we knew we didn't want to feature professionals. We wanted real woman and we wanted to ensure we celebrate those that are truly who we are both as a brand and as Women/Mothers/Trendsetters. 

Say Hello to Randi! An active Momma of 2 who is an all out natural! Not only is she absolutely gorgeous she's super down to Earth and a lot of fun to be around. She's not afraid to speak up for what she believes is right either. We LOVE that about her! 

She's been married to her husband for 7 years (he's a former model too!) and they have two of the cutest little boys you'll ever meet. They just got a new puppy and he's super fun to watch! 

She's been a teacher for 10 years and she also teaches group fitness classes. This weekend she is participating in her first marathon running 26 miles! Exercising is one of her all time favorites! She's also an R + F consultant and their products totally rock! You can check them out here at : randicunningham.myrandf.com 

She refers to herself as a control freak (ummm can totally relate there!) and is very head strong. If she decides she's going to do something, there's no changing her mind! She adores being a Mother and a Wife and works hard to cherish every moment with her family. She uses her faith to focus on what God has planned for their lives. 

Her style consists of mostly jeans and tshirts so Southern Mess is definitely her jam! 

Her motto is: "Don't let fear decide your future!" 

It's that time of the year and we are ramping up production to bring you the brightest and the best. In order to do so we have made some changes so that we can be as efficient as possible and get your gifts where they need to be. 

Holiday Office Hours: 

Monday-Friday 8am-12pm. We will only be answering calls and emails during these time frames so that we can focus on getting your orders processed. Please know that you are not being ignored and we will get back to you. 

Returns: 

Orders placed between November 1 and December 23rd will have 30 days to return. All other policies in regards to returns are the same. Please review our current return policy for this information. Please indicate at time of ordering if item was a gift so that if it is returned we can send the store credit to the correct person. Personalized and custom orders are not eligible for return. 

Custom Orders: 

All custom and personalized orders must be placed by November 20th to guarantee Christmas delivery. Any orders placed after that date will not be guaranteed in time for Christmas. 

Shipping: 

For all other orders that do not include personalization or custom requests please order by December 20th for holiday delivery. Be sure to choose Priority Mail if you're cutting it close so we can get your packages to you in time! 

***Don't forget we do have Gift Cards available and they never expire!!!***

Happy Holidays from all of us at Southern Mess Boutique! We appreciate you and your business. 

XOXO

Barb

Let's talk trends. Like truly. We follow them. We buy around them. We dress around them. Some last no more than a year and some flow for what seems like forever. 

If you met me on an average day, you would probably not find me trendy. Chances are I look like one hot mess. Maybe I have makeup on, maybe I don't. Lipstick on me? Never. Eyeliner. Nope. I'm a pretty basic chick. I've never even dyed my hair. Say what? It's true. I don't paint my nails either. Okay that's kind of a lie. I actually really like to paint my nails. And get them done. But I have 3 kids, 4 businesses, and a farm to run. So it doesn't happen often. 

But this average jeans and tee girl has gotten crazy excited this season. Why? Because the latest looks are some of my favorite things and they all pair perfectly with our Graphic Tee line, Southern Mess. 

So let's talk Plaid. Not your Grandfather's Plaid but today's plaid. It's back and it's rockin as a layered look with graphic tees,  as longer cardigan styles, and accented with lace and sequins. I could wear it EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. Want to dress it up? Slip on a solid colored dress and some boots. Done.

We are also obsessed with modernized vintage. The latest craze, and one we thought we would hold alone, are distressed button ups and flannels. OMG. It's the bomb. 

Animal print continues to rock the market and CAMO IS BACK. Well, it never really went away for me, but it's back with styles that are insane and it's nice to see I'm not the only one sporting that look anymore! 

So keep checking back this season as our models bring you the latest looks to life in our next big campaign shoot coming up. 

Lots of Love,

Barb

Southern Mess 

We want to take some time to celebrate the faces behind our Southern Mess brand. When we started out on this journey, we knew we didn't want to feature professionals. We wanted real woman and we wanted to ensure we celebrate those that are truly who we are. 

Our first feature is Janette Sandoval. I was crazy thrilled when I asked her to model and she agreed! I loved her edgy look, spunky personality, and she's a rockin Mama too! 

She's been married to her husband for 9 years and together 13. They have 3 children and she loves being a Wife and Mommy. She owns her own Hair Salon called Twisted Sisters in Perryton, TX where she was born and raised and shares the responsibility with her sister and business partner. She's been doing hair for 7 years. She loves her job and plans on doing hair until she's 80! 

She's a tattoo lover and has 7 already with plans for more. She's all about self expression whether it be her client's hair or her own personal tattoos. 

She's always there for her family, kids, and her friends. Shes a Taurus so she can also be quite stubborn but hey, that's a good thing! 

Her motto is "Life is too short for Maybes".