Saturday, May 24, 2025

Craig Conover’s Sewing Down South Online — Honest Review

Craig Conover
Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Getty Images

If you are an avid reader of my mind, you know I am a sucker for Bravoleb’s merchandise. I’ve made the pilgrimage to Envy and bought my fair share of Loverboy. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised and ordered from Craig Conover’s Sewing Down South. However, there has been a recent order where, as a customer, I was left wanting more.  

Craig Conover has made a niche for himself

Insanely talented Reality Tea writer, Jennifer O'Brien
Photo Credit: Jennifer O’Brien

All right, my first order from Sewing Down South was a success. In April 2024, I took the plunge and decided to order a “What’s wrong with my sewing” t-shirt since my sister and I repeat that sentiment to one another often. I bought two, one in Sandstone and one in Orchid. The process itself was smooth. The delivery took five days to arrive from start to finish. To say I was impressed would be a bit of an understatement. The t-shirts were also a surprise for my sister, who had just had major surgery. We proudly wore the garments all around Los Angeles. And I even got a few compliments. 

On top of the quick delivery, the pricing was on point. For two Sewing Down South cotton t-shirt, I paid $69.95. I also paid for the route protection, which was $1.95. One day after placing my order, I received a “thank you” email from the company. It read “I just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for your business, and recent purchase from Sewing Down South. It’s been a long road to get here, and while we are still growing, it means the absolute world to me to have your support. I can’t wait to get your order to you and hope you love it as much as I loved creating it. Keep Stitchin’, Craig.” Now I know the Southern Charm star didn’t write it himself, but the afterthought was nice.  

My second experience with Craig Conover’s Sewing Down South

Craig Conover
Photo Credit: Sewing Down South

Now, I’ve made it a mission to try to stay neutral in the breakup between Paige DeSorbo and Craig. So when he dropped his newest Siren line of merchandise for Sewing Down South, I was hooked (pun intended). It was as if Craig brainstormed what Millennial girls would buy and landed on mermaids. Honestly, he was a dolphin and rainbow away from channeling Lisa Frank. But I was here for the new drop. I once again ordered two t-shirts, which had two mermaids on the back and looked pretty darn cute. 

I even decided to treat myself to a sky blue long-sleeved version, which would be great for those New Jersey summer days. The pricing was still comparable. And when I went to check out, I saw the cart had added the shipping protection again. I say added in loose terms because it didn’t seem like I had the option. I’ve just recently gone to the site again to check, and it looks like it is automatically added on. Coincidentally, I completed my second order around the same time as the 2024 order. I received my confirmation email and waited. I continued to wait. And then I waited some more.   

I hope Craig Conover reads this Sewing Down South review

As I’ve noted before, my first order took only five days to arrive. By day five on this order, I received an update telling me my shirts had just been shipped. The USPS site showed this to be untrue, as it sat at the post office waiting for the creation of a label. By now, my 2025 order was on day eight. I went on the USPS tracking site to be told it would be delivered on May 12. Finally, an endgame. But May 12 came and went, and still I had not received my order. And that was when I finally reached out to Sewing Down South Customer Service.

I was given a reply that they had reached out to their rep and were waiting for an answer. Then I was told to also do a missing search claim with USPS. I emailed the next day asking for an update, to which I was told it would be 3-5 days before any news, and I could try and submit a claim with the order protection I ordered, but most likely it wouldn’t be accepted since the package was labeled as “still in transit.”

The Sewing Down South package drama conclusion

I was frustrated, to say the least. After emailing again for an update, asking how Sewing Down South could help further, I was met with this reply: “We offer 3rd party insurance (which you purchased) as a way to safeguard your purchase, as we are not responsible for the package once it leaves our warehouse.” The agent added that “Issues do arise from time to time with shipping. This happens far more often than you would think, typically from a lazy work who put the package in the wrong location or bin.”

Luckily, USPS came through and got in touch to say that they had, in fact, found my package. My main gripe here is that I felt Sewing Down South washed their hands of my package as soon as it (slowly) left their warehouse. Craig and his team tried to pass the blame onto the USPS and clearly had no desire to help their worried customer. In my last email to the agent, I wrote, “USPS did find the package. And while I appreciate the correspondence, I hope in the future Sewing Down South will be a bit more helpful and caring toward the customer. In your reply, you noted this happens often, and once it left the warehouse, it wasn’t your problem. This type of response left me feeling disregarded and anxious …

As a fan of Craig and Southern Charm, I enjoyed the idea of ordering from his company, but now I will have second thoughts about returning. Thanks again.” Needless to say, I did not get a response. I never had any issues with Loverboy; I’m just saying.  

Southern Charm is available to stream on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.

TELL US – HAVE YOU ORDERED FROM SEWING DOWN SOUTH?

The post Craig Conover’s Sewing Down South Online — Honest Review appeared first on Reality Tea.



from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2025/05/24/craig-conover-sewing-down-south-online-honest-review/

Below Deck Down Under Season 3 Cast Members That Should Return

BDDU
Photo Credit: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty Images

Below Deck Down Under Season 3 is nearing its end. Captain Jason Chambers had his beautiful hands busy with this crew, although certain yachties gave him more grief than others. Even still, by the end of this season, this cast (mostly) came together.

Fans enjoyed most of the crew members on BDDU Season 3, but only after all of the firings transpired. However, we can admit that a handful of these crew members failed to bring the drama.

While we love seeing skilled professionals do what they do best, this is reality television. Fans need the drama, period. Otherwise, these crew members turn into one-and-done stars. With these aspects in mind, here are the five cast members we would like to see again somewhere within the Below Deck franchise on Bravo.

Nicolas Cattelan

Nicolas Cattelan - BDDU
Photo Credit: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Nicolas Cattelan joined the boat in Episode 11, where he quickly self-identified as a nerd. Right away, Nicolas brought the drama to Below Deck Down Under. However, his antics were unintentional, as Nic is a greener-than-green deckhand.

While enjoying the company of his charter guests, one persuaded him to take a shot. Nic willingly obliged, only to quickly learn that drinking on a charter is a no-no. But Nic is a good egg, so he went on his own accord to the wheelhouse to rat himself out. Thankfully, Captain Jason appreciated his honesty, so Nic was allowed to return to his position relatively unscathed.

We also loved his boatmance scenes with the equally adorable Marina Marcondes de Barros, who is also on this list. So Bravo, bring these two back to Below Deck, preferably on the same yacht.

Nate Salmon

Below Deck Down Under bosun Nate Salmon
Photo Credit: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Like Nic, Nate Salmon also joined BDDU during Episode 11. But if you ask me, he and Nic should have been on this series the entire time. Nate joined the yacht as a replacement bosun for that one guy. Right away, Nate led this downtrodden team in a way that made me finally breathe, knowing teamwork was back on the table.

Did Lara Rigby need help? Yes, and Nate consistently came to her aid without question. In many scenes, we saw Nate happily sitting, folding towels and laundry while bantering lightly with his fellow crew members. Whenever Nate, Nate, HELP sounded on the radios, he would oblige with any requests that followed, and if busy, he would agreeably send his team to help as needed.

This happy-go-lucky, hardworking man could not bring drama if he tried. Therefore, I would love to see Nate back on BD.

Marina Marcondes de Barros

Below Deck Down Under Season 3
Photo Credit: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Marina is a powerhouse of a stew. For over half a season, fans saw Marina trudging through her shifts in the dungeon, otherwise known as housekeeping. Every day, Marina sorted and washed laundry, readied all cabins, and tidied up everywhere the guests and crew went as needed.

When Marina was finally allowed to come out of the dungeon to work on service detail, she shone all the more. Meanwhile, Brianna headed to housekeeping, quickly realizing how efficient Marina had been this season. Thankfully, Lara also learned how talented Marina was, so she rewarded Marina with a coveted second-stew promotion.

Marina was kind, and her work ethic rivaled some of the best we have seen on Bravo. Therefore, I would love to see Marina back on this network someday.

Harry van Vliet

Harry van Vliet BDDU
Photo Credit: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Season 3 was not the first water-based rodeo for Harry van Vliet. This deckhand first appeared on our screens in BDDU Season 2, where his height, goofiness, and willingness to learn endeared him to fans.

Watching Captain Jason treat Harry as a son has made BDDU Season 3 fun. When Harry scored his first date with an actual model, Captain Jason lent his boy a nice fit. These two lads even made a franchise first via shared confessionals.

Harry also stood up for himself with his first bosun, knowing when to argue and when to remain quiet like a pro. Overall, he has a long career ahead of him, and I hope part of it includes further showings on Bravo.

Lara Rigby

Lara Rigby BDDU
Photo Credit: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Unpopular opinion time. I would also like to see Lara back on Bravo. Viewers know she is not starring in BDDU Season 4. However, this franchise is large, so there is room for Lara to spread wings elsewhere.

Did Lara create drama that was sometimes hard to watch? Yes, but I spoke with Lara twice while this season aired, and I believe her when she says she would change her ways if given the chance. On any other yacht, her perfectionist ways might get hailed, as she consistently puts the needs of her guests and the boat first. But on BDDU, Lara is being railed by the fans, who only see a snippet of her day-to-day behaviors.

To give Lara the benefit of the doubt, I would like to see her return to this franchise for a redemption season. Her frenemy Tzarina Mace-Ralph got this opportunity via Season 3, so why can’t Lara?

Below Deck Down Under is streaming on Peacock. BDDU also streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.

TELL US – WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BACK ON BELOW DECK?

The post Below Deck Down Under Season 3 Cast Members That Should Return appeared first on Reality Tea.



from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2025/05/24/below-deck-down-under-season-3-cast-members-should-return/