Khang and I fall in love more and more with Charlotte. Interestingly enough with every visit back to the Coast, we have a deeper and deeper appreciation for where we were raised and grew up.
Maybe it comes with age or moving away. Either way, it’s the best of both worlds!
I’ve been trying to think of different ways to incorporate The Coast and that southern charm into our home. More specifically, things that give us the nostalgic feel of our hometowns of Ocean Springs and Biloxi.
With a little inspiration on Instagram and countless Google image searches…this is what I ultimately came up with. Each piece was stiched free-handed. No patterns. I’m pretty proud!
To say I’ve enjoyed working on this embroidery project would be a total understatement. I was happy to finish but a tad bit sad it’s over.
Here are a few short explanations of each piece:
A is for Apple Pie
My favorite type of pie. But I’ll admit, I enjoy the crust more than the apples.
B is for Beignets
Can you also picture the cloud of powdered sugar delight? And of course, the best beignets are made at Cafe Du Monde and enjoyed under their iconic green and white awning.
C is for Crawfish
Best enjoyed by sucking the heads for all the juicy and spicy flavors. I’m salivating just typing this…
I wasn’t happy with the awning and did it over…this would become a trend because I redid almost every piece at least once. 
D is for Donut
By the only real donut shop, Tatonut, in my hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. To me it’s an unofficial historic landmark. Try their blueberry cake donuts if you can ever get one before it sells out!
E is for Egg
To be specific, a deviled egg with a sprinkle of paprika.
F is for Fleur de lis
The official symbol for our Saints Football Team and honestly, all of New Orleans. Khang’s been cheering them on waaay before Brees.
G is for Gumbo
When Khang and I lived in Baton Rouge, there were gumbo tasting contests after 5K races. They take their gumbo seriously. And my Mother-in-law makes the best gumbo!
H is for Hot Sauce
The most famous brand back on the Coast would have to be Tabasco. Notice the tiny “T”? It’s still produced on Avery Island in Louisiana.
I is for Ice Cream
The flavor is Mississippi Mud Pie. Oh, I lie, that’s technically my favorite kind of “pie”.
J is for Jazz
This teeny tiny trumpet is in my top three favorite. I mean I love them all, but this one is at the top. Might be because I redid it around SEVEN times! I imagine hearing the slow blues music in my head.
K is for King Cake
Mmmmhmmm. It MUST be decorated with green, purple, and yellow frosting with a plastic baby secretly tucked inside. If honestly doesn’t taste as good if not.
L is for Lighthouse
This is when I became deeply attached to this project. Not just any lighthouse, but the Gulfport Lighthouse, where Khang asked me to be his wife on the cutest sailboat during sunset in the bay a few days after our 8-year anniversary.
M is for Magnolia Flower
The Mississippi State Flower and Tree! And in my opinion, the most elegant of flowers. When they bloom, I know instantly before actually seeing them due to their distinct scent.
N is for Nuts
(almond, peanut, and walnut)
I am not a fan of nuts. But that does not stop Southerners from using them in so many dishes.
O is for Oyster
Raw, chargrilled, rockefeller…it’s all good! I prefer them raw on a saltine crackers with lemon squeezed on top and a dab of Tabasco.
The oyster underwent many changes…
P is for Pearls
I’ve always had a love for pearls. My promise ring from Khang is actually a pearl. I think every girl should own a nice piece of pearl jewelry.
Q is for Quilt
(Shout-out to Kim for the suggestion)
My super talented sister, Ginni, made me a beautiful crochet quilt about 6 years ago. The colors I used are based on it!
R is for Root Beer Soda
I don’t drink soda now, but when I was younger, Barq’s Root Beer was my favorite and originated in Biloxi! Every now and then, I crave a root beer float!
S is for Sailboating during Sunset
Y’all, basically our proposal story. And it’s Khang’s personal favorite!
T is for Tea
Sweet iced tea of course!
U is for Upside-down Pineapple Cake
As one of my favorite people, Ms. Debbie, advised that it’s best made in an iron skillet. It’s easier to make than stitch!
V is for Vegetable Garden
If you grew up in the South, you either have your own garden or know someone who does. Aren’t they just darling?! The felt turned out better than expected.
W is for Walter Inglis Anderson
This one hits home for me.
Walter Anderson and the Anderson Family had (and still) a significant influence on Ocean Springs. I went back and forth on how to represent him. I remember learning about the 7 motifs he repeatedly used in his paintings and ceramics during my visit to The Walter Anderson Museum(WAMA): straight line, zig-zag line, wavy line, half-circle, 2 half-circle, circle, and spiral. I chose those specific colors to imitate his watercolor paintings.
X is for Xilinous
(Shout-out to my brother, Greg, for this great word)
It’s actually an adjective. The definition is “of, like pertaining to cotton”. The word “cotton” was all I needed. I automatically thought of the cotton flower fields during my drives back and forth from Ole Miss to Starkville to visit Khang.
Y is for Y’all
Um, yeah. Y’all know why!
Z is for Zinnia Flowers
(Shout-out to my fellow Ocean Springsian??, Christine, for this great idea), which are native to the area and come in such colorful varieties.
And that’s it, y’all!
This little project has made its way close to my heart and I get so excited when I think about passing it down to my children and grandchildren.
A Phamily Heirloom for many generations to come.
Thank you thank youuu to all of those who gave suggestions and encouraged me along the way!
Thanks for reading and following along
with me,
Jules.
LOVE LOVE LOVE! You are my inspiration to do something similar! 🥰😘
Awes yayyyy!! Can’t wait to see what you create 🙂