Author: journo

A flower picture.

Thrift Store Transformation: Giving old art a fresh new look

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One of my favorite things to do is browse through thrift shops and weekend yard sales in search of overlooked treasures — items that might not catch everyone’s eye but have the potential to become something beautiful with a little creativity and effort. There’s something deeply satisfying about giving old things a second chance at life, especially when you can personalize them to fit your space and style.

That’s exactly what happened with this latest find: a pair of framed floral prints. At first glance, they weren’t anything special — classic flowers with a soft purple background that just didn’t match my current décor. But I saw their potential. I knew with a small investment of time and paint, I could turn them into something that would perfectly complement my bedroom.

Rob Robinson donated a kidney to Gillian Alexander.

Entertaining angels: Mississippi man donates kidney to man he met while hunting

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The hunter spent his spare time chasing deer in Mississippi when he wasn’t chasing fires. Starkville firefighter Rob Robinson, 44, had been stalking bucks in his home state for years, but when he learned that Kansas, the state where his sister resided, was one of the best places to turkey hunt, Robinson made several trips there throughout the years until he scored a record-breaking kill in 2007 that ranked seventh in the world.

Motivated by success, Robinson decided to go for the “Grand Slam of Turkeys” in 2008, and wandered upon 1,600 acres of farmland owned by Gillan Alexander in Nicodemus, Kansas. He had no idea that when he knocked on Alexander’s door, he would eventually save his life. The chance meeting later led Robinson to donate a kidney to Alexander.

The Southern Living cookbook Second Helpings.

From Gulfport to Greenwood, new Southern Living cookbook features Mississippi restaurants

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A new cookbook featuring Mississippi restaurants is now on the shelves. “Southern Living Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings” is a travel guide/cookbook that takes you on a journey to eateries in 16 Southern states.

Written by former Southern Living travel editor Morgan Murphy, the 272-page book published by Oxmoor House and sold for $22.95 features 150 of Morgan’s favorite recipes.

A poster from "The Bling Ring" featuring the cast and actor Israel Broussard.

‘The Bling Ring’ review: If you’re ‘Pretty Wild,’ karma often comes with cuffs

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There were two reasons I couldn’t wait to see “The Bling Ring” this weekend. First, it stars Mississippi native Israel Broussard, who plays one of the infamous teen burglars who broke into celebrity homes and stole high-end designer clothes, jewelry and accessories.

I had the chance to interview Israel by phone last week, and he struck me as a polite, thoughtful young man with a bright future. After all, landing your first major role in a Sofia Coppola film? That’s no small feat.

Kit Williamson, who was featured in Mad Men.

Mad Men Meets Mississippi: Kit Williamson’s unexpected connection

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With the “Mad Men season finale airing tonight, I was surprised to discover a Mississippi connection: Kit Williamson, a Jackson native and former St. Andrew’s student, landed a role this season as ad exec Ed Gifford.

I caught up with Williamson by phone last week. While our story ran in Saturday’s paper, much of it had to be trimmed — so here’s the full scoop.

Actor Israel Broussard, who starred in The Bling Ring.

From Saucier to Sofia Coppola: Mississippi teen shines in ‘The Bling Ring’

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If you’re headed to the movies this weekend, check out “The Bling Ring” — not just for the buzz, but for Mississippi’s own Israel Broussard, who stars as Marc in his first major film role.

Directed by Sofia Coppola and inspired by a “Vanity Fair” article, “The Bling Ring” tells the true story of a group of L.A. teens who stole millions in designer goods from celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Broussard plays a shy, insecure teen lured into the group’s glamorized crimes.

A T-shirt at Taylor Grocery.

Mississippi Style On the Road: A visit to Taylor Grocery

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Last week, I stumbled upon a one-of-a-kind Mississippi dining experience, and it inspired me to start something new: a video blog series called “Mississippi Style On the Road.” Whenever I’m out exploring the state and come across something special — whether it’s food, culture, or just good old-fashioned charm — I’ll try to capture it and share it with you. (Check out the first video above!)

Now, let me confess something. At least once a week, I find myself at Cracker Barrel. Like most Southerners, I’ve grown fond of the familiar old-country-store aesthetic, complete with rocking chairs, checkerboards, and shelves of candy sticks and vintage signs.

A poster featuring William Faulkner and some of his most popular books.

Want to hear William Faulkner’s Mississippi drawl? Check out this rare 1952 film.

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‘Early in his life, William Faulkner experienced a moment of clarity that would shape his legacy as one of America’s greatest writers. “I discovered that my own little postage stamp of native soil was worth writing about,” he said, “and that I would never live long enough to exhaust it.”

This quote, shared on the website Open Culture, beautifully captures Faulkner’s lifelong devotion to his Mississippi roots — a devotion that fueled the creation of Yoknapatawpha County and a literary universe unlike any other.

A cross-stitched picture of the state of Mississippi.

How I saved Mississippi

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As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

As I was browsing the aisles, something caught my eye — a hand-stitched piece of art in the shape of Mississippi. Since I collect all things Mississippi-shaped, I knew I had to rescue it from thrift store obscurity. Even better? It was only $1.

Actress Sela Ward leads a charity called Hope Village.

From Meridian to Hollywood and Back: Sela Ward’s mission to help Mississippi’s kids

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Before she was a crime-solving DNA expert on “CSI: NY” or winning Emmys for “Sisters,” Sela Ward was just a barefoot kid growing up in a quiet Meridian, Mississippi neighborhood — riding bikes, swimming in lakes, and sneaking into caves with friends for pretend séances.

These days, she still returns home — not just for family, but for a cause close to her heart: Hope Village for Children, the residential care facility she founded in 2002 for Mississippi kids in the foster system who need a safe place to land.

The movie poster for "Rites of Spring."

Check your Netflix cue for ‘Rites of Spring,’ a horror film shot in Jackson

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If you’re scrolling through Netflix and stumble across a gritty horror movie called “Rites of Spring,” don’t skip it just yet — especially if you’re from Mississippi. Behind the eerie farmhouse, creepy kidnap plot, and the tagline “Fear Has a Season,” is a film with deep Magnolia State roots.

That’s right — “Rites of Spring” was filmed entirely in the Jackson metro area back in 2010. You’ll catch glimpses of Canton and Jackson locations (some hauntingly beautiful Mississippi farmland), and even a few familiar names if you stick around for the credits.

Kim Kardashian visits Northpark Mall in Jackson, Mississippi.

Kim Kardashian visits Jackson — and yes, she brought the khaos with her

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So, what happens when one of the world’s most polarizing reality stars drops into Mississippi for a perfume signing? Answer: You get flashing lights, flashing phones, and a whole lot of sparkly outfits.

Northpark Mall in Ridgeland rolled out the red carpet — plus an ambulance, fire truck, and multiple police cruisers — for Kim Kardashian’s appearance at Belk to promote her perfume, True Reflection. Fans who shelled out $95 for the fragrance got the chance to meet the star between 6 and 8 p.m., and let’s just say the turnout didn’t disappoint.

Analyzing Billboard's Hot 100 songs.

Analyzing the lyrics of nation’s current Top 10 songs

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Maybe it’s the lit major in me — or just years of overanalyzing everything from Shakespeare to Springsteen — but I can’t help myself. Every now and then, I take a peek at the Billboard Hot 100 to see what the kids are singing (or screaming) along to these days. Are the lyrics secretly profound? Or are they just catchy chaos wrapped in glitter and Auto-Tune?

A group of vintage birds.

From Purse to Paint: How a 1960s Enid Collins handbag inspired my cabinet makeover

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I’ve always had a soft spot for quirky vintage treasures — especially if they sparkle. And one of my absolute favorite retro obsessions? The whimsical, jewel-studded box purses of the late, great Texas designer Enid Collins.

If you’ve never fallen down the Enid Collins rabbit hole, be warned: it’s a delightful trip. Her iconic 1960s wooden handbags — playful, hand-painted, and bedazzled with rhinestones — are tiny, portable works of art. Each design has this charming, cheerful energy that just makes you smile.

The poster for the movie "We Need to Talk About Kevin."

Is We Need to Talk About Kevin another prophetic work of fiction?

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I’ve long believed that science fiction writers are prophets — tapping into some strange current of the universe and channeling visions of what’s to come. But maybe it’s not just sci-fi authors. Maybe any writer of fiction, when fully immersed in the act of creation, opens a door to something deeper — something unknowable. Something eerily accurate.

Take “The China Syndrome,” for example.

An illustration about Gameday Boots.

These boots were made for cheering

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Let’s be honest — every Southerner needs at least one great pair of cowboy boots. It’s practically a requirement for living below the Mason-Dixon line, ranking just below knowing how to make sweet tea and calling everyone “y’all.”

So imagine my delight when I wandered through Belk in Oxford the other day and spotted something that made my heart skip a beat — Game Day Boots. Yes, boots designed just for college football fans. Think classic Western styling meets tailgate couture.

A photo of a computer screen with a love letter email.

An afterlife e-mail – Brandon woman receives message from late husband

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To most people, Missy and Ross Parker had the kind of love story that sounded too good to be true. They met at church, served together in ministry, and built a joyful blended family of six. Every morning, they’d read the Bible, speak affirmations, and spoil each other like lifelong honeymooners.

Ross, a Mississippi College graduate and longtime Boy Scout leader, lived to serve — fixing things for friends in secret, helping with Habitat for Humanity, and leading divorce recovery sessions at church with Missy.

Charlie Mars

Charlie Mars Comes Home with ‘Blackberry Light’

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In his latest album “Blackberry Light,” Mississippi native Charlie Mars captures the feeling of being torn between adventure and home. In the title track, he sings about wanting to move on one minute — and move back the next.

For Mars, “home” is Oxford, where he’s lived (aside from a few years in NYC) since 2000. “I’ve got my go-to coffee shop, the Square, and it just feels like where I belong,” he said while on tour. “Oxford’s been a kind of sanctuary — a good place to land after being on the road.”