24 HOURS IN BIRMINGHAM
For as much as I talk about supporting local wherever you are and wherever you go, I prefer to stay exactly where I am. I love home. I love being where my boys (human boy, Christian; dog boys, Wilson and Gus) are. And yet, every so often, I’m struck by an overwhelming desire to break out of my zip code. This time, the whim coincided with The Scout Guide Birmingham’s Volume 8 launch party (recap coming soon, courtesy of moi).
A longtime editorial client of mine, TSG Birmingham’s launch party was the perfect excuse to indulge both that rare whim to travel and my longtime desire to visit Birmingham. After writing for Editor + Owner Rebecca Todd for years and, by extension, researching the many creative wonders of Magic City, I was eager to see if the reality matched, well, Instagram.
And it was one of those rare experience where reality was more inspiring than the well-curated snippets of a social feed. Birmingham — or rather the enclaves of Mountain Brook, Forest Park, and Crestline — was everything I’d imagined. The city boasts a wealth of creative talent which we thoroughly enjoyed through my favorite medium: shopping.
It was a whirlwind 24-ish hours in which my mom and I tried to pack in as much as we could. Here are the highlights (hint: everything was a highlight).
Photography courtesy of McKenzie Dove.
where to STAY
STAY 42ND // Birmingham-based artist and interior designer, McKenzie Dove, has the most impeccable taste and her Forest Park Airbnb is a visual feast. From the hand-painted chinoiserie panels to the carefully curated vignettes, no detail is spared her creative touch. It was a treat to explore her creativity in real life and I left feeling inspired. I will absolutely stay there again!
Looking for more places to stay? Here are some highlights.
where to SHOP FOR CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES
LÉ WEEKEND // We spent at least forty minutes in this tiny-yet-mighty shop. From the styling to the selection and service, it’s impeccable. Whoever did their branding is fab! I picked up an Ann Mashburn dress I plan to wear all summer and my mom a pair of kitten heels that paired perfectly with the outfit she was going to wear for The Scout Guide Birmingham Volume 8 launch party!
THE ATELIER // Right next door to Lé Weekend, The Atelier is a darling shop with high-end finds and luxe clean beauty.
TULIPANO // Such a darling spot across from A’mano! You’ll find fun, on-trend styles and a laid back atmosphere. Expect to be greeted with a drink and lots of great pieces from fan-favorite brands like Ulla Johnson, SEA, Farm Rio, and the like.
BOSSI LEISURE //The store is darling and their selection is right up my alley. Think: low-key pieces like athleisure and striped sweaters you’ll wear everyday for the whole season. I purchased a Perfect White Tee (that’s the brand name) and my mom got the cutest little shibori blouse. ETC… // Enter at your own risk. The store is gorgeous and we had so much fun trying on all the special sparkles. My mom left with a necklace, but was eyeing several other fun pieces, which is unusual for her since she’s incredibly discerning (read: picky!).
where to SHOP FOR HOME
DESIGN SUPPLY // Named one of Veranda’s Most Beautiful Shops, Design Supply was the perfect venue for The Scout Guide Birmingham’s Volume 8 launch party. The shop’s selection of art is simply incredible and I spent most of my time snapping pictures of inspiring pieces.
DETAILS // Designer Liz Hand Woods boutique, Details was perhaps my favorite stop. It’s brimming with interesting, often one-of-a-kind finds, textiles, art, gifts, and home goods. The darling shop-keeper, Dawn, treated my mom and I to a peek of their storeroom, where they had the most overwhelmingly fabulous selection of coffee table books and Montes Doggett pieces. I picked up Catchall Bowl No. 257, a little ramekin (Bowl No. 5), and a marble ring dish. Obviously I wanted more, but I’d given myself a budget. My mother found the most special beaded table, which I’ll attempt to steal.
SHOPPE // For the botanically-inclined, Shoppe is a must-visit. Their greenhouse is to die for. I picked up cane-wrapped hurricanes (shockingly well-priced, I should’ve purchased more) and as many topiaries as I could justify. P.S. Shoppe and General (see below) are sister-stores, so plan to visit both!
MAISON // The pinnacle of patina. They’d received a new shipment the day we visited, so the store was full of fabulous finds. I wanted everything.
Photography courtesy of ALKMY.
where to SHOP FOR GIFTS
GENERAL // Doubling as a café and gift shop, General is a fun place to refuel. Sip on a coffee while you browse their selection of Maison Louis Marie, matches, and gourmand
A’MANO // A’mano has a wealth of gift-able items from glassware (think: Estelle to Zafferano) to coffee table books and games, plus the best selection of greeting cards I’ve seen in a long time. I regularly pull items for my Edits from here, so it was a delight to finally visit the storefront.
ALKMY // Full-disclosure, we didn’t make it to ALKMY, which was a disappointment. But I regularly pull fabulous finds from ALKMY and will absolutely prioritize a visit when I return.
There were so many places we wanted to visit, but simply didn’t have the time to. Here’s a full shopping guide.
Photography courtesy of Slim’s.
Photography courtesy of TSG Birmingham.
where to EAT
SLIMS // The most chic neighborhood pizzeria. You must order the Hot Honey Pizza.
OUSLER’S SANDWICHES // In search of a quick bite before leaving town, we popped into Ousler’s, a family-owned sandwich shop. It’s a celebration of nostalgia, serving up simple sandwiches — the kind your grandmother would make on summer day. Except, it’s not nostalgic, it’s just Ousler’s tradition, the way they’ve been doing it for over a century. The prices feel a century old, too. It’s unpretentious and easy to love.
While we didn’t have a lot of time to eat, we will be back to try more of Birmingham’s culinary offerings. View more here.
Photography by Makenzi Hogan unless otherwise stated!
