June 2019

MAKE A SPLASH!

The 2019 St. Jude Dream Home

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CONTENTS JUNE 2019

30|HOME FEATURE: Nestled away in a Lakeland subdivision, the 2019 St. Jude Dream Home is ready to make its new owner a winner.

38|DESIGN: A fresh take on children’s bedrooms by Alexandra Lauren Interior Design in Jackson, TN, and Kate’s & Company in Corinth, MS.

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CONTENTS JUNE 2019

26 98

16 30 38 48

30 80

For You healthy you Wedding Wellness on a good note Dream Big Cafe

Home & Design at home with Greg Bridgers home feature A Win/Win design Kids' Bedrooms in the garden Chicory Market

Travel & Culture 54 62 72 74 80

82 92 94

getaway Taylor, Mississippi travel Exceptional Easter Island experience this Castle Redeux social Mid South Happenings wedding Donovan/Dean

Food & Drink entertaining Rosé & Croquet dining out Downtown Nutrition in the kitchen Super Silky Key Lime Pie

In Every Issue 14 97

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62

84.

Publisher's Note Sources

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JUNE 2019 • VOL. 18 NO. 3 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

ART DIRECTOR ANNA HALEY | aleppert@athomemms.com

MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com

COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES MEGAN EIDT | meidt@gmail.com BRITTANY SANDERS | brmcdonald45@gmail.com GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com

HOW TO REACH US 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11 | Cordova, TN 38018 901.684.4155

WEBSITE: athomemms.com

At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

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publisher’s note Al Bernstein once said, “Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.” I couldn’t agree more.

June is my favorite month. It’s the start of summer and all the fun that summer brings.

Growing up it was spent at our lake house with family or at the pool with friends. A quick sniff of Coppertone lotion can take me right back there in a second. When were weren’t at the lake or pool we were riding our bikes all over the town, ending up at the lunch counter at Kress’s department store; to this day I have never had a better BLT. Which reminds me of another of my favorite things that June brings—real tomatoes. I don’t eat them any other time of the year because to me they are fake, but give me salt, pepper, mayo and home-grown tomatoes and I can eat all summer long!

As I got older and had children of my own, I loved having them home for summer break. We always left the last day of school for Destin for a week to celebrate. Speaking of my children, both celebrate their wedding anniversaries in June and I celebrate my birthday! Unlike some people my age, I actually love birthdays. So what if I am a bit older; it’s still better than the alternative!

June also bring us the St. Jude Dream Home, which we are so happy to support and share with you in this issue; it is another of my favorite things. Not only is the home beautiful, but it also helps St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continue to find cures and save children.

Wishing all of you a safe and happy summer filled with great memory making with family and friends, and all things that make you happy, like a fresh slice of a “real” tomato or the aroma of Coppertone lotion. The 1970s band War summed it up best, “’Cause it’s summer, summertime is here. Yes it’s summer, my time of year."

— Margaret

Publisher

Photo by Steve Roberts 14 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • June 2019

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at home with

AT HOME WITH.. .

GREG BRIDGERS of Southern Serenity Homes Story and photos courtesy: Greg Bridgers

I have been building homes for almost 30 years now and in that time I have built over 4,000 homes. These days my company, Southern Serenity Homes, is known more as a custom home builder than a subdivision, tract-type builder. Working with people with all different types of personalities, combined with the fact that every house we build is different, certainly adds to the challenge of building a highcaliber home.

I started my career in the banking industry as an originator and was quickly promoted to construction and development loan officer. That is what ultimately gave me the ability to mold myself into the builder that I am today. As part of my job, I had to inspect other builders’ homes and see what they did right or, in some cases, wrong. Fortunately, I worked with an awesome group of builders.

All of the subcontractors swear that I have levels in my boots because I have the Godgiven gift of being able to tell if something is off by only an eighth of an inch. I realize that I am a bit of a perfectionist, but that’s what makes me good at what I do.

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at home with

"

I can drive down most any road on the outskirts of Memphis and be able to say that I built all of the rooftops I can see. I have built in developments that include hundreds of houses and I’ve also built homes on remote lots. I get joy knowing that I built something that people dream about; that I was a small part of making their dream come true. ­— Greg Bridgers

"

To own a successful small business you have to be willing and able to do anything that you would ask someone else to do. A business is only as good as you make it, and if you aren’t willing to put your heart and soul into it then don’t do it. I came from nothing so no one can say that I had anything given to me. My parents had to file bankruptcy my freshman year in college, but I managed to work my way through school. I believe to this day that is what gave my brothers and me the drive that we all have. With no risk there are no rewards!

People who know me know that I don’t stop—I am always working on something. That is what keeps me young feeling. I just don’t understand being trapped inside when God created so much beauty for us to enjoy outside. I enjoy the outdoors and people who know me know that I love to hunt and fish. These days when I do stop to do something relaxing it is usually fishing and

duck hunting with my buddies. We have horses and my wife loves to trail ride. We always joke that if there is such a thing as reincarnation and you die and come back as one of my wife’s horses, then you are definitely in heaven.

I love a good challenge! When someone says it can’t be done, I am bound and determined to do it. I love having met all of the wonderful people that are now part of the Southern Serenity family. I’m just an old Mississippi boy who wound up here in the big city of Memphis; to me it was a big city because the little town I grew up in had 4,500 people total.

I love going back home to Belzoni, Mississippi, where I grew up. I still have a lot of good friends there, as well as my adopted brother. Everything there seems to move in slow motion compared to Memphis.

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spotlight

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home feature

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healthy you

Wedding Wellness

Story: Michelle Johns

Late spring, summer and early fall weekends are known for being prime wedding season.

As we highlight weddings each month in At Home, we thought it might be nice to write a bit about the ways to keep the wedding journey happy and healthy! Following are a few ways to make the time of planning a happy experience and the big day one of merriment.

There is traditional wedding etiquette done by the book and then there is common courtesy. This article will focus on a bit of both. Having been through my one and only daughter’s wedding, I’ll share a bit of personal insight, as well.

When two people decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together, it should be an occasion celebrated by family and friends. The wedding is about the couple, their new journey in life together, and rejoicing over their vow of commitment to one another.

Traditionally, the bride’s family gives the bride away and hosts a reception for the bride, groom and guests following the exchange of vows. The groom’s family traditionally hosts the rehearsal dinner on the eve of the wedding festivities. Being an invited guest is quite an honor. Following are some takeaways from our traditional experience.

If the bride’s family is hosting the wedding and reception, the groom’s family’s role is as supporting characters. Imagine, the bride has dreamed of her special day for a very long time. When the bride and her family are planning, they must make many personal decisions with regard to budgets and expenses. The matter of how much things cost and how much is spent dismays and shocks many people.

It’s best for the groom’s family to allow the hosts the honor and accept the gifts with grace. As a courtesy, the bride’s family should ask the groom if there is anything special he would like as part of the wedding. My son-in-law wanted one of his groomsmen to play a special song and as it happened, he was very talented, so we were happy to accommodate the request. Additionally, he asked for a coffee bar at the reception and we were delighted to provide that for him.

If the groom’s family is hosting the rehearsal dinner, allow them the honor of doing it their way. As a courtesy to the bride, the groom’s family might consider keeping the color scheme of flowers, napkins, etc., in line with those to be used for the wedding.

The rehearsal dinner typically includes the bride and groom’s beloved family and friends. Toasts are generally made at this oncein-a-lifetime event. It is thoughtful and courteous to offer as much time for the bride’s family and friends to speak as the groom’s.

Perhaps, ask the bride if there is anything special she might like included on the menu.

Never ask how much something costs. It’s an uncomfortable question to answer or not answer. I remember someone asking my daughter how much her wedding dress cost. Caught off guard, she told them. The questioner responded with great surprise and my daughter was extremely embarrassed. Costs and budgets are personal.

While planning a wedding, it is beneficial to have the help of a trusted friend who has already been through the process. Such a confidant can help a “first-timer” understand approximately how much things will cost. It’s difficult to know what is reasonable if you have no prior experience with weddings. We also found online resources such as theknot.com to be helpful.

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healthy you It is an honor to be invited to a wedding, but guests must remember that the day belongs to the bride and groom. While children are a precious gift, if the couple decide they don’t want young children at the wedding, guests mustn’t be offended. It’s not a knock against your child, it’s simply a request to hold a sacred time and space special for the honored couple.

If you were not hired to be the photographer, assume you should not take pictures. We asked that no one take pictures during our daughter’s wedding. We hired a professional photographer and videographer to capture every moment.

We didn’t want guests snapping pictures and taking away from the moment or preventing other guests from enjoying the event. If you are holding your phone or camera up to take pictures, the person behind you or beside you may not be able to see the bride and groom. Additionally, posting pictures of the special event is an honor that belongs to the hosting family.

If you arrive late, wait outside the venue until after the ceremony and join the reception. As a guest, it is your duty to minimize distractions, allowing the focus to remain on the bride and groom.

In its most basic sense, a wedding marks the occasion of two families uniting their children. Friends and relatives can support the couple by making them feel their wedding is perfect in every way. Allow them to make it an event that reflects their style, their character, and most importantly, their love.

Michelle Johns is a corporate onsite health promotion specialist, integrative health and wellness educator, yoga teacher, food literacy educator and a green smoothie connoisseur. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.S. in psychology, is a certified health coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition and an RYT 200 yoga teacher. Her approach to well being and living your best life every day focuses on the foundations of self-awareness, self-care and self-discovery through whole mind, body and spirit nutrition. Johns educates clients through a journey focused on the way the whole self is nourished through food, career, relationships, exercise and spirituality. Her ultimate goal is to help clients discover not only how to live longer, but to live better by honoring the unique individual with compassion and self-love as they were created.

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home feature

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A Win/Win

The 2019 St. Jude Dream Home

N Story: Terri Glazer Photography: Steve Roberts

Nestled in the Winstead Farms subdivision in Lakeland is a freshly built home just waiting to make its new owner a winner. The wait won’t be long—it’s the 2019 St. Jude Dream Home, and it will be given away to a lucky ticket holder on June 23. The house will affect lives beyond those of its future residents, though. Proceeds from ticket sales will help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continue to lead the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other lifethreatening diseases.

Built by Southern Serenity Homes, the 2019 Dream Home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and roughly 3,400 square feet of functional living space. Its handsome two-story design features brick construction for easy maintenance.

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home feature

Family Room

The focal point of the openplan main floor is the spacious family room. The vaulted ceiling gives the space an airy feel, while the eye-catching stacked stone fireplace anchors it beautifully. Built-in cabinets flank the fireplace, topped by a pair of windows to assure there’s no shortage of natural light. A graceful chandelier from Progress Lighting provides additional lumens as well as a feminine touch. Wide-plank hickory flooring from Shaw Floors creates a casual, homey feel.

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home feature

"

Someday God willing, we're going to beat the odds and make childhood cancer a thing of the past.

"

­­—Danny Thomas

Kitchen

Open to the family room, a generous kitchen and breakfast area will make the perfect gathering spot for the home’s future residents. Weathered alabaster cabinets topped with Taj Mahal Quartzite countertops in a leathered finish pair perfectly with the brick backsplash and Bosch black stainless steel appliances. An oversized island of knotty alder has plenty of room for counter seating.

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home feature

Dining Room

The Dream Home’s dining room, which also opens to the kitchen, is sure to be the scene of memorable meals for the family.

With 10-foot ceilings, two-tone painted walls embellished with millwork and light fixtures that combine seeded glass with the romantic, vintage feel of Edison bulbs, the room lends itself to relaxed dining and extended conversation.

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home feature

Master Suite

A coffered ceiling with dark stained wood insets that pair perfectly with the hardwood floor highlights the spacious master bedroom. Lighting comes from recessed cans as well as a brushed bronze chandelier and a pair of built-in lanterns over the bedside tables.

dramatic punch. The large skirted soaking tub will be an oasis where the new owner can unwind by candlelight with a glass of wine after a long day. Past the master bath lies a walk-in closet outfitted with built-in fixtures to make organization a breeze.

The master bath is a unique combination of old Hollywood glamour and modern aesthetics. Elegant black and white Calcutta marble graces the floor and shower walls; Shaw Corinth Mosaic, with its stylish blend of glass tiles in shades of gray, taupe and white, adds a

Rounding out the main floor are another comfortable bedroom with attached bath, a convenient laundry room and a three-car garage. A roomy covered porch off the family room is sure to become the owners’ favorite spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

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home feature Upstairs

Up the stairs lie two more nicely sized bedrooms, each with its own bath, and a media room, painted “St. Jude red” as a tribute to the world-renowned children’s research facility.

At press time, over 10,000 of the total 14,500 tickets to win the Dream Home, valued at $475,000, had already been sold. According to Dr. Susan Aguillard, member of the Board of Governors and Directors of ALSAC/St. Jude, the $100 tickets were expected to sell out faster than ever. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the St. Jude Dream Home giveaway in Memphis. Over the past 28 years, St. Jude has given away over 500 houses in more than 40 communities across the country.

Dream Homes have raised $420 million for the hospital, helping to ensure that no family ever receives a bill for treatment of their child.

The house is open for tours on weekends through June 16. For more information or to purchase a ticket call 800.224.6681 or visit dreamhome.org.

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home feature

Home Feature Sources

Bosch Southern Serenity Homes Timberland Cabinetry LM Cleaning Services Ebox Inspired Closets Counter Connections Davis Painting & Drywall Otto Electric Wells Building Supply West Tennessee Concrete Wolf River Construction Shaw Floors Aguila Construction Thrifty Building Supply US Lumber 84 Lumber Interstate Plywood Hood Distribution Huttig Building Products Jeld-Wen Windows Plygem Windows Metrie LJ Smith Stairs Prime Source Building Products Simpson Strongtie James Hardie Building Products Blue Linx ECMD, INC. Boise-Cascade D-Vents DEAS, Inc. Natural Stone Distributors Kwikset Brown Refrigeration Woodson & Bozeman, Inc. Jackson Supply Company Conklin Metal Industries Trane Heating and Air East Coast Quality Insulation/TruTeam Pickel Iron Inc Maclin Security Doors Site One Southern Landscape Services, LLC Seth's Lighting Progress Lighting Home Solutions Leviton Security & Automation J & B Construction

General Shale Brick LDM Whistle Clean Sherwin Williams Classic Home Design All About Plumbing, LLC Brizo Safety Quip Angel Tores Roofing Tennison Brothers Travis Roofing Supply GAF Crown Construction Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Ollar Surveying Allied Pest Control Flooring Solutions Tim Hogan's Carpet & Floors Builders Choice Flooring Bryan Cockran Budget Blinds of Memphis Inspiration Marketing & Design Fowler Paving Memphis Stone & Stucco Madden Phillips Construction Co. West Tennessee Transport Renaissance Developments, LLC Designer Cabinets June 2019 • athomemms.com | 37

Oh, Baby!

Story and room design: Lexi Powell, Alexandra Lauren Interior Design Photography: Kristen Elizabeth Photography

Text Text by

by Terri Terri Glazer Glazer || Photography Photography by

by Sélavie Sélavie Photography Photography 38 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • June 2019

design home feature

"It was important for this family to have a space for the children to do what children do best…

PLAY!" says Powell.

Lexi Powell of Alexandra Lauren Interior Design brings new life to her Jackson, TN client's playroom and three children's bedrooms.

Playrooms are all about FUN! When we started this was a family theatre room.

With Benjamin on the way and twins already on board, it was important for this family to have a space for the children to do what children do best…PLAY! Children prefer bright colors from an early age because their eyes are not fully developed yet. They perceive these colors better than fainter shades. Brighter colors and highly contrasting colors stand out more in their field of vision; this is why we see so many brightly colored children’s toys. I wanted to set a stage where the homeowners didn’t feel like they constantly needed to clean up, a room that would allow them to live a realistic life over the design layer.

I love how the children’s toys don’t clash with the playful rug. Large customized built-ins under the window seats provide ample storage for large toys, as well as a space to sit and read. We framed out an existing bookcase and wired two adjustable one-arm wall lamps above it. Shiplap added to the back provided texture, dimension and interest to an ordinary bookcase. The lamps are available at AlexandraLauren.com and the Sputnik ceiling fixture is from Wayfair.com. We framed the window with two natural woven sideboards in black for additional toy storage.

The root coffee table is one of my favorite features of this room. I loved bringing in a natural element through woven doors on cabinets, a natural root coffee table, shiplap and floating natural wood shelving. I chose to paint the shiplap Benjamin Moore Simply White. It's a modern, bright yet warm white that absorbs and reflects beautifully on both wood and walls.

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design Soft, Neutral Nursery

The nursery project involved converting a guest room into a nursery. Luckily, the client’s older children are twins, so they have two of everything. I decided to use one of their existing white cribs for the room’s focal point, adding a grasscloth paper to the walls for warmth and texture, and watercolor baby animal prints that pull brown tones from the wallpaper. The hamper basket from Serena and Lily added shape and texture to the otherwise neutral palette. These lovable watercolor baby animal prints are available at AlexandraLauren.com.

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design Not your grandmother's wallpaper The clients were right when they told me that the large space in their daughter Anna Kate's bedroom was a little overwhelming. The key to managing a large space is to divide it into zones. We decided to start by creating a beautiful focal point on the back wall with large floral wallpaper. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve peeled wallpaper out of homes, but Ellie Cashman’s wallpaper is NOT your grandmother’s old wallpaper. It is the most fresh and exciting update on a traditional floral wallpaper. I was so excited to have a project that lent itself to Cashman’s artwork.

I chose to use the black, white and blush found in the wallpaper as the palette for the bedroom and bathroom. The client had recently acquired the bed from Pottery Barn Kids. The only new items purchased for this room were the two bedside tables and the rug.

The bedside tables help to take up the size of the large back wall and balance the space while providing visual symmetry. I chose them because I loved their Swedishinspired wood construction and how the porcelain white finish popped off of the black background in the wallpaper. They offer great storage, but my favorite feature is the hidden drawer beneath the tabletop. It can be opened by two notches in the sides and has an opening in the back for charging accessories at night.

The tables are available at Alexandra’s showroom at Carriage House Antiques in Jackson, TN, or shop the look at AlexandraLauren.com.

The addition of a rug helped anchor the room while adding softness and texture underfoot. This fluffy shag rug has the perfect hue of gray found in the wallpaper and just the right amount of sparkle for a three-year-old (or any girl who loves sparkle).

I always try to add at least one vintage or antique piece to a new space; it really adds character. I loved the fact that my client had held onto a few unique pieces of furniture from her childhood for her little girl’s room.

We repurposed the mother’s own desk from her childhood and a family heirloom chest by painting them and adding decorative hardware from Anthropologie to help them fit our new look.

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design

Room to Grow

In Curt’s room we added a durable (child friendly) wall-to-wall, low-profile Berber carpet. To anchor the room I layered a denim and gray rug from Alexandra Lauren Design under the bed. This added color, style and some serious comfort to the room; not to mention a soft place for Curt to sit and play cars! This rug is so soft underfoot in both texture and pile. I loved giving Curt’s little feet a fluffy landing pad when he climbs in and out of bed. In bedrooms I think it's important to incorporate design elements that delight and engage our senses. The bedroom is a place to rest and rejuvenate the spirit, for adults and children alike. Ultrasoft sheets and bedding add to the comfort of coming home.

The rug married beautifully with a leather chair we repurposed from another room, offering the perfect corner to snuggle up and read a bedtime story. I picked up the two side tables at the Antiques & Garden Show in February in Nashville. We designed a bedroom that Curt can grow into through the years. We plan to add a more mature leather headboard when he grows out of his twin bed.

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The glass lamps are funky, fun and playful, and won’t have to be changed as Curt grows older. I love the way the dots are reminiscent of the penny dot tile in his bathroom. The rug, artwork, lamps, bedding and flax drapery panels are all available at my showroom in Jackson, TN, inside Carriage House Antiques, and on our website at www.AlexandraLauren. com.

Powell is the owner and head designer of Alexandra Lauren Interior Design in Jackson, TN. For more information visit alexandralauren.com.

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design

Hugh's Bedroom

A bright and colorful room designed to grow with designer’s son

Story and photos: Stennett Smith Room design and owner: Mary Katherine Jones

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A

rtist, interior designer and mother Mary Katherine Jones looked to the primary colors of red, blue and yellow for inspiration when decorating her son Hugh’s nursery.

The room jumped into a navy theme, including a Thibaut wallpaper chosen with the intent to grow with Hugh as he gets older.

The second wave of inspiration came from Jones’s mother Kate, who created the four frog paintings that cover one wall. In each painting, the frogs are doing a different activity. From playing badminton to canoeing to catching butterflies and bugs, these busy amphibians add something special to the room.

Jones had a primarily red antique rug that she really wanted to use, and then incorporated the buffalo check on the headboard to circle back to the yellow. The tent and camper set was a present from Santa Claus that made a perfect fit after Hugh’s crib made way for his “big boy” bed. The painting over his bed is an updated approach to copperdipped baby shoes. Jones was taking an art class at the time, and she used Hugh’s first pair of Keds tennis shoes as inspiration.

Jones is the owner of Kate’s & Company, 1007 Taylor St., Corinth, MS. For more information visit the shop or call 662.287.9998.

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in the garden

Chicory Market Story: Kathryn Winter | Photos courtesy: Chicory Market

What started as a farm stand has grown into a grocery store offering local and fresh produce. Chicory Market in Oxford, MS, has become a hot spot for locals looking to support farmers in the region. Chicory Market owners John Martin and Kate Bishop have always had an interest in food, local produce and sustainable farming. The store is a full-service grocery; produce not raised in the Mid South, like mangos and avocados, is sourced from other organic growers. Martin says the store’s concept is very similar to that of Whole Foods.

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in the garden “We found out that the farmer’s market was closing and so my wife and I decided to move back to Oxford to take it over,” Martin says. “We re-branded and re-opened it as Chicory Market and now we work with over 75 local farmers and food makers from Oxford and Memphis, including Native Son, Bluff City Fungi, Clear Creek Produce, Marmilu Farms and Rose Creek Farms outside of Jackson, TN.” Bishop is originally from Oxford and the couple lived in the Delta for a while. While in New York, they volunteered at farmer’s markets and were involved with the impact of fresh produce within their community. “This is a place to find local produce, a community space; people of all segments and backgrounds come to mingle and get fresh food at reasonable prices,” Martin says.

All the summer fruits and vegetables are starting to arrive, like Clear Creek strawberries and pickles, slicers, squash, zucchini, tomatoes and herbs from Homestead Farms. Chicory Market stocks produce seven days a week.

Our mission is to support our local food system and offer a community grocery for local farmers and people who like to eat the good, fresh food they grow.

The market also stocks fresh herbs and supplies milk from Brown’s Dairy Farm, as well as beef from Home Place Pastures and fresh beans from Heartbreak Coffee. Other goodies include Sweetgrass Dairy brie-style cheese, Rosecreek Farms field greens, heirloom Cherokee purple tomatoes from St. Bethany Farm in Pontotoc, MS, and cherry tomatoes from Salad Days Produce in Flora, MS. Shoppers find a wide selection of fresh seafood, as well as cold shrimp by the pound from the Shrimpman. Other local favorites include fresh eggs, lamb chops, ground pork, 7-D Farm bread and Mississippi-grown rice from Two Brooks Farm, which is gluten free, non-GMO and vegan. Those on restricted diets will find a number of vegan condiments, snacks and other prepared foods available in the market. Chicory also features a counter where shoppers can treat themselves to fresh juice, coffee and sandwiches.

The market’s kitchen, opened in April, offers catering for football games, graduations and other local events. Martin says they hope to open an outdoor seating area and offer beer along with other craft beverages this summer.

Chicory Market is open seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

It is located at 274 Co Rd 101 in Oxford. Check the market’s Facebook or Instagram page (@chickorymarket) for updates and produce offerings, which change daily.

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getaway

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Photographer: Persuasion Photography

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gift guide

Father's Day Gift Guide

1.

Locally owned businesses make it easy to find the perfect gift for Dad!

1. Hey 19, that's 'retha Franklin, Ron Olson Art, ronolsonmemphis.com, $995 2. Theodore Duffle, Southern Avenue, Germantown, 901.207.6407, $575 3. Yeti LoadOut GoBox 30, Dixie Pickers, Memphis, 901.746.8067, $249.99 4. Pappy & Company Ball Cap, Cotton Row Uniques, Memphis, 901.590.3647, $29.50 5. Theodore Wash Bag, Southern Avenue, Germantown, 901.207.6407, $137

5.

4.

2.

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3.

Walmart Museum

Oven & Tap

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getaway

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Taylor,

Mississippi Story: Davis Audubon

Lafayette County, Mississippi, is one of the fastest-growing counties in America, and while most of the attention focuses on the city of Oxford, there’s a pretty interesting story brewing just a few miles to the south.

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getaway Taylor is a fully incorporated town of about 450 people less than ten minutes from Ole Miss and the Oxford Square.

It was built as a railroad town, but when the Illinois Central Railroad pulled out in the 1960s, Taylor found itself isolated and starting to shrink. Today’s Taylor is undergoing quite a renaissance, in part because of (or in spite of, depending on whom you ask) the welldocumented explosion of Oxford, which is creeping closer each year. For the past three or four decades artists have flocked to Taylor to find cheaper real estate and a more laid-back environment.

Musicians, sculptors, writers, painters, photographers and potters now give the small town an undeniably unique personality.

Watercolor Class & The Band

Jimbo Mathus has performed on The Tonight Show, Letterman, and all over America. The co-founder of the swing-revival band Squirrel Nut Zippers and his wife Jennifer have called Taylor home for almost a decade. “Taylor tolerates its eccentrics.

It’s a place where good folks, white and black, congregate and we love the quiet sense of history and community. This is Deep South, Mississippi living at its finest,” says Mathus.

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1.

Music producer Clay Jones has lived in Oxford, Portland and Brooklyn and worked with artists including Counting Crows, Elvis Costello and Modest Mouse. He now calls Taylor home. “To a certain extent, the gentrification of Oxford has pushed some people out,” says Jones.

“Taylor’s still got a funky vibe.” The renowned sculptor Bill Beckwith has been a resident of Taylor for over 30 years. He keeps a studio on Main Street next door to the world-famous Taylor Grocery catfish restaurant, where patrons wait for hours to get inside. Potter Obie Clark and his wife, painter Alice Hammell, have lived in Taylor since the late 80s.

Keith Stewart throws his pottery on the other side of Main Street from Clark. “Taylor was a perfect place to set up shop because it has a large natural gas line running right through the middle of town, which I needed for my kiln. Plus, folks just kind of let me do my thing,” Stewart says.

2.

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getaway Development in Taylor kicked up a notch when developer Campbell McCool launched the traditional neighborhood called Plein Air in 2007. The ambitious project right on Main Street in downtown Taylor covers 64 acres; when finished it will have a few dozen commercial buildings and narrow streets filled with front-porch-focused homes.

Plein Air is already home to the award-winning restaurant Grit, run by City Grocery alumni Angie Sicurezza and her husband, Chef Nicholas Reppond. Grit features a menu that would challenge any restaurant in New York or Miami.

Right next door is the uber-cool Lost Dog Coffee, which serves a mean cappuccino and blueberry scone. Ole Miss students will drive past a half-dozen coffee shops to come hang out at the Dog. A quaint chapel at Plein Air hosted over 30 weddings in 2018 and a large brick building called The Mill is the perfect reception venue.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1. Lost Dog Coffee 2. Reception at Plein Air 3. Wonderbird Gin Distillery 4.Wonderbird Gin Distillery 5. Taylor Inn

The Wonderbird Gin Distillery is the newest addition to the Taylor scene. Located on the outskirts of the tiny town, Wonderbird is the brainchild of three former corporate executives who had enough of coats, ties and lengthy meetings.

The distillery sits a few hundred yards off Old Taylor Road in a formerly empty field. After working for 18 months perfecting their recipe, the owners shipped their first batch of gin in May. “Taylor just has this creative vibe. We’re basically out in the middle of this field that has lain fallow for 80 years. It’s pastoral; we have wild animals out in our field, yet we’re right down the street from all this cool stuff,” says partner and co-owner Rob Forster.

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home trends getaway “A vibe.” That seems to be the common refrain when describing Taylor. And with big brother Oxford exploding only a few miles away, Taylor is hardly under the radar anymore. If you go, book a room at Paige Evans’ chic bed and breakfast, the Taylor Inn, and plan to spend plenty of time there. The inn connects to the eclectic Big Truck Theatre, a combination barn-meets-Ryman-Auditorium type structure, which, like many other things in Taylor, may leave you scratching your head and saying, “This may be the coolest little town on the planet.”

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travel

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travel

Exceptional

Easter Island Text by Leigh Sullivan Photos courtesy of Regency Travel, Inc.

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Delphi

Delphi

E

aster Island, or Rapa Nui as it is

called, is a very remote island

located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean at the southernmost point of the Polynesian Triangle. Geographically, the Polynesian Triangle is drawn by connecting the points of three different island groups: Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand.

A Chilean territory, Easter Island is the farthest island from any populated land on the planet. The location is 2,236 miles due west of Santiago, the capital of Chile. With a flying time of approximately five hours, there are four to six flights weekly from Santiago. A visit can be combined easily with other destinations in Chile, including the Atacama Desert in the northern part of the country or with majestic Patagonia to the south. Easter Island can also be reached from Tahiti; flights depart twice weekly and flying time is also about five hours.

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travel

Rapa Nui is a great volcanic cone that was pushed up from the ocean floor to 1,640 feet above sea level. Only 15 miles long and 7.5 miles wide, it is an almost perfect triangle. The surface area of the tiny island is less than 64 square miles. Due to its mid-Pacific location, Easter Island is a yearround destination with pleasant temperatures, moderate humidity and lovely island breezes. The warmest month to visit is February, when the average temperature reaches 80Ëš.

The island was named by a Dutch sailor who discovered it on Easter Sunday in 1722. No one knows for certain the exact date the very first visitors came to the island, but it is believed to have been 800-1,200 years ago. Evidence from archaeologists indicates they probably sailed from a Polynesian island, perhaps the Marquesas, on the daunting and quite dangerous sea journey. This sailing would have lasted more than two weeks from any direction, and could have taken the voyagers more than 1,000 miles over a seemingly endless open ocean.

These original explorers must have come from a culture adept at constructing vessels capable of long journeys on open seas. When they finally reached land, they arrived at Anakena, one of Rapa Nui’s two sandy beaches. Anakena is a lovely area with a coved beach surrounded by a grove of coconut trees, a stunning contrast to the rugged, black-rock coastline on the rest of the island.

Rapa Nui is the birthplace of a fascinating civilization and famous monumental statues called moai. Dating back many centuries, there are nearly 1,000 giant moai scattered across the island. Created by inhabitants during the

Palace of Knossos

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13th-16th centuries, the moai are carved human figures with oversized heads, often resting on ceremonial stone pedestals called ahus. The ahu measure approximately four feet high. There are approximately 272 ahu on the entire island, but only ten of these altars scattered around Rapa Nui held statues. Most of them were built close to the sea, but there are also 25 relatively large ahu located near the inner part of the island. The design and size of the moai statues evolved dramatically over time. They average 13 feet high and weigh up to 13 tons! These enormous stone busts were carved out of tuff, a light, porous rock formed by consolidated volcanic ash. It is still unknown precisely why the statues were constructed in such numbers and on such a scale, or how they were strategically moved around the island. Archaeologists suggest that the statues were a representation of ancestors of the Polynesians, perhaps high-ranking males or chiefs who held important positions throughout history.

Each statue was unique from the others and had distinctive features that made it possible to identify the ancestor it symbolized. Some of the figures were painted and each had a name of its own.

El Cosmico

Ahu Tongariki The largest group of upright moai, and certainly the most famous, are at the Ahu Tongariki platform. Fifteen grand gentlemen, the tallest of which stands 30 feet high, face away from the sea and toward the villages, silently watching over the island and its people.

At the Anakena beach area, there is an ahu with six moai. Accented with red top-knots, or pukao, on their heads that resemble hats, they are very distinct. The pukao were placed on the tops of the statues on the most important ceremonial platforms. It is difficult to say how many of these pukao were created. Only 70 of them have been located in the vicinity of the ahu and 30 pieces still remain in the Puna Pao quarry, the small extinct volcano where they were made.

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travel Mykonos Windmill

Rano Kau Crater

Paro is the name of the largest transported moai.

It is difficult to imagine how the islanders moved such a massive statue from the quarry located four miles away. Lying face down and toppled from its ahu, Paro weighs 82 tons and is 32.45 feet long.

Incredibly, some estimate it could have taken 400 to 500 people to move the massive sculpture. Paro’s pukao alone is almost six feet across and weighs 11.5 tons!

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UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site in 1995 and 40 percent of the island is protected by Rapa Nui National Park. A major highlight located in the park is Rano Raraku, an ancient quarry in a dormant volcano where nearly all the moai were made.

Over 400 moai remain here, more figures than in any other location on the island. Most remarkably, at the base of the quarry, moai stand buried in the slope up to their chins and noses from years of erosion. The biggest statue, which has never been raised upright, is 70 feet long and weighs at least 250 tons.

Visitors to Rapa Nui find many ways to explore the island. Due to its intimate size, it’s easy to discover the majestic moai via a leisurely coastal hike, a bicycle adventure or a tour by horseback. Other activities include scuba diving and snorkeling in the pristine, pollution-free waters. Several operators offer half- and multi-day treks to the craters and the interior of volcanoes.

Hanga Roa is the capital and the only town on the island. Most of the 3,300 Rapanui people that live on Easter Island reside in Hanga Roa. This is also the location of the airport and the port, a few restaurants, guest houses and hotels, a church, a supermarket, a school and a pharmacy. Residents are friendly and happy to share stories of the local history, their families and the mysteries of their island home. A four- to five-day stay on Rapa Nui would afford an in-depth understanding of its culture and geography, its ancestral, megalithic figures, and the special idiosyncrasies of its people.

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travel

Rapa Nui has been an attractive destination full of mystery ever since its discovery and continues to beckon curious travelers seeking an experience like no other. Those who find their way will definitely not leave disappointed.

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Stay

Accommodations range from luxury resorts to boutique offerings. Many feature packages that include daily excursions with local guides. This option is highly recommended as it ensures that guests cover the highlights while still enjoying leisure time to explore on their own.

For more information on a journey to Easter Island, call the travel advisors at Regency Travel, Inc., at 901.682.9065 or visit www.regencytravel.net.

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experience this

Castle

Redeux...

Story: Jordan Nettles Photos: courtesy of Memphis Botanic Garden

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experience this

My Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Garden has a brand new playhouse just in time for the summer: Castle Redeux...The Recycled Ruins.

The new medieval playhouse, which was created from recycled and repurposed materials, highlights conservation and imagination.

L

ocated on Playhouse Lane, Castle Redeux joins four other beloved playhouses. Playhouse Lane is one of the most popular areas of the Memphis Botanic Garden and is located near the north edge of My Big Backyard, a family garden that promotes discovery and outdoor fun. The creation of the new playhouse was made possible by a donation from the Children's Foundation of Memphis.

Throughout the 96-acre garden, items that seemed destined for disposal are given a new purpose. Gina Harris, the facility’s director of education and events, explains that at My Big Backyard they try to “practice what [they] preach when it comes to resource conservation.” When an old playhouse needed to be replaced, the idea for Castle Redeux was born.

To bring the castle to life, MBG staff enlisted Bernhard Meck and Tim Pace, two talented regional artists who have both worked with recycled materials before. Meck built the outside structure of the castle, while Pace created a nine-foot-long dragon, a knight’s shield and other unique pieces that illustrate the vast potential of recycling.

“When you put these two artists together you have the perfect recipe for a magical product,” says Harris.

This brand new playhouse fits into the larger theme of recycling and conservation in a distinct and fun way. The walls of the castle were constructed using old, broken pieces of sidewalk. Creeping up the sides of the castle

are snakes with long bodies made from repurposed chain and heads fashioned from old shovels. A looming dragon stands guard over the castle, its body composed of unexpected objects like propane tanks, hedge trimmers, trowels and horseshoes. Mounted outside the castle is a whimsical poem that outlines the other pieces of “trash and refuse” that were recycled into new treasures.

Castle Redeux promotes creativity while advocating conservation. Each young ruler who visits gets to decide whether the dragon is a protective friend or an enemy attacking the fortress. Inside the walls, two thrones are ready for young monarchs to pass royal decrees and attend to the interests of their subjects. A fun selection of props and costumes makes it easy for children to transform themselves into kings and queens. Outside the castle are interactive features and games like a play catapult, a royal tic-tac-toe station and an oversized chess table.

Although children may reap the most enjoyment from Castle Redeux, adults can also learn from a visit. “We want kids and parents to see this amazing space and be inspired to look at things a different way,” Harris says.

The mission of the Memphis Botanic Garden is to connect people with nature and promote an appreciation for the environment. Visitors of all ages can find something to enjoy at the garden, from guided tours to educational programs.

During most days this summer, the hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Every Thursday from May through September, the Memphis Botanic Garden will be open extended hours.

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social

GPAC Gala, Cravings Text: Nevada Presley | Photography: Louis Tucker

A resounding success, GPAC’s annual gala, held Apr. 6, celebrated the culinary arts with an exquisitely delectable meal, warm, inspiring company and seductive sights and sounds, and featured Master Chef Jose Gutierrez of River Oaks. Next year’s event, scheduled for Apr. 4, 2020, will coincide with GPAC’s 25th anniversary season. Save the date!

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social

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social

Roar & Pour

Text: Whitney Steinfeld | Photography: Brandall Atkinson

The Memphis Zoo recently hosted its third Roar and Pour event, an exclusive evening of food tastings, wine and cocktail pairings. Music set the scene as guests arrived and were greeted with smiles and drinks. The city’s most talented chefs showcased their skills to the delight of attendees’ taste buds. Organizers were pleased to have this event sell out and look forward to planning the 2020 edition. For more on upcoming events and information on next year’s Roar and Pour, follow the zoo on social media, @memphiszoo.

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social

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social

2019

Double Decker Arts Festival Text: courtesy of Double Decker Arts Festival | Photography: Joey Brent

The 2019 Double Decker Arts Festival took place Apr. 26-27 in Oxford, MS. The two-day celebration of food, music and the arts was originally inspired by the double decker bus that Oxford imported from England in 1994. The festival showcases Oxford as a town that supports the arts and has grown to be one of the foremost events in the region. The event kicked off on Friday evening with Thacker Mountain Radio hosting a live broadcast, complete with music. Saturday was an all-day affair featuring nearly 200 art and food vendors while talented local and touring musicians took to the stage.

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social

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wedding getaway

Katherine Donovan Luke Dean October 27, 2018 Memphis, Tennessee Parents of the Bride: Mrs. Sharon & Timothy B. Donovan, Sr. Forsyth Fountain Parents of the Groom: Mrs. Anne & Mr. John H. Dean 80 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • June 2019

getaway wedding

SOURCES

Rehearsal Dinner: Memphis Botanic Garden Wedding: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Reception: Spring Creek Ranch Event Coordinator: Ellen Thomas Event Design Photographer: Snap Happy Photography Videographer: Malik Sharp Photography & Film Florist: Deedra Stone Designs Wedding Dress: Maggie Louise Wedding Rings: Diamonds Direct Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Hair: Melissa Harper - A La Mode Salon Makeup: Kori Chirico Makeup Entertainment: Party Planet Cake: Cakes by Mom and Me Caterer: Spring Creek Ranch Invitations: Menage Stationery & Gifts

Tent and Rentals: White Door Events

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entertaining

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rosé& croquet EVENT DESIGN & TEXT BY GINNI JONES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADELINE VINER June 2019 • athomemms.com | 83

entertaining this summer we are bringing montauk to memphis. put on your best white outfit and grab your mallet, it’s time to rosé & croquet!

yes way, rosé.

rosé: this summer’s water. It’s easy to plan a party when the theme is as fun as “rosé and croquet.” I wanted to host a backyard bash with plenty of food, activities and, of course, rosé. My friends were all excited and wanted to know how they could help, so I decided to have a rosé tasting a few weeks before the event. Each friend brought a bottle to test and the winner would be the beverage of choice for the shindig. To add to the ambiance, I suggested everyone wear their best white attire so we could channel a true Hamptons summer soirée. Everyone dressed for the occasion and it was truly a blast!

setting the table.

Since the party was planned to be held outdoors, I placed loads of fun pillows and blankets around the backyard and stacked pallets and plywood to create a long table for dining. Mother Nature had a different plan, though, and when rain came, we had to move the rosé and croquet indoors. I spread the outdoor furniture around under the carport, creating small seating vignettes. A white parsons desk from inside held trays of custom cups and koozies, a delicious cheese board for snacking and the desserts. I scattered “how-to” sheets that included the details on how to play croquet around the party. The plants that were originally set to go down the long dining table now graced shelves along with rustic wooden lanterns. To bring it all together, a cool antique bathtub borrowed from a friend held the iced-down wine.

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entertaining

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entertaining entertaining

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grill’s on.

Just in time for dinner and croquet, the rain stopped and the grill fired up. Since we had lots of guests, I decided to keep it simple with burgers, hot dogs and veggie skewers. The side dishes included all our summer favorites: cucumber & tomato salad, watermelon, arugula & mozzarella salad, and pasta salad. Loads of buns, sauces and toppings were spread down the table. For dessert, I called my go-to baker, my mom. No one can beat a Lili Jones treat! For the party she made lemon buttermilk cupcakes, sweet yet light and perfect for a summer backyard feast. The party happened to fall on my birthday weekend so a blueberry cake from Muddy’s Bake Shop was a total surprise from the greatest friend.

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entertaining entertaining

creating your own...

Hosting a backyard dinner party is always fun, especially in the summer. Whether the weather cooperates or not, gathering your friends together for a simple meal is a real treat. My tip for hosting your own backyard bash, as always, is to keep it simple. Choose menu options that you can make ahead of time or that can be cooked quickly during the party.

To take it to the next level, have custom cups and koozies made—they are useful and a great favor guests can take home to remember the party.

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dining out

cheers & see y’all next year!

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dining out getaway

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El Cosmico

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Downtown Nutrition

Text by Claire Hancock | Photography by Anna Haley

Located on bustling South Main Street, Downtown Nutrition is bringing new flavors to downtown Memphis.

The menu focuses on quick, healthy options served up in a fun, infectious atmosphere where healthy is happy.

Owner Jackie Butts says she and her husband Preston opened Downtown Nutrition because they saw a need for healthy dining options in their neighborhood. The couple wants their restaurant to give everyone from downtown residents to business professionals to tourists a different taste of what Memphis has to offer. “It has been a very instrumental tool for helping [customers] maintain a regimen, lose healthy weight, or just providing a sweet treat,” Butts says.

Opened in January, Downtown Nutrition offers healthy protein shakes, energizing teas, aloe shots, iced coffee and other healthy boosters, according to Butts. Many of these shakes and teas also pack a caffeine punch, which makes them a healthy choice for those on their morning commute.

The protein shakes come in enticing flavors including lemon cake batter, strawberry cheesecake, and peanut butter brownie batter. Some flavors include a collagen beauty booster, which helps grow and strengthen hair, skin and nails, and all varieties have limited amounts of sugar. Downtown Nutrition’s 70+ meal replacement shakes offer great health benefits, with only 200 to 250 calories and 24 grams of protein. Vegan options are available and some shakes come in a to-go version 92 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • June 2019

Tea choices also go beyond ordinary, with flavors like peach pomegranate, peach tropical and lemon orange. The energizing teas not only taste great, they can also help boost metabolism and jumpstart thermogenic activity, and they have electrolytes to help hydrate the body. All these benefits, and only about 15 calories per serving!

Aloe shots provide numerous health benefits, such as supporting digestion and nutrient absorption, soothing the stomach and relieving indigestion.

”

It has been a very instrumental tool for helping [customers] maintain a regimen, lose healthy weight, or just providing a sweet treat.

- Jackie Butts

”

The store also carries Herbalife supplements for athletes and fitness fans.

These supplements can help both before and after a workout, building muscle, increasing energy and hydrating.

Downtown Nutrition’s owners work hard to build community with their customers. The shop offers several programs that customers can join to work together to achieve goals, including a Weight Loss Challenge, held last month. The program was designed to encourage participants to eat healthy and exercise in order to meet their weight loss goals, and provided discounts on shakes and teas to help them along the way.

The store is located at 95 South Main Street, next door to Local. Current special offers include $1 off a combo for customers who check in on social media, and corporate discounts for downtown workers. The Butts recently added a location in Oxford, Mississippi.

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in the kitchen

Super Silky

Key Lime Pie

Recipe and photo courtesy: Jim Norton 94 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • June 2019

in the kitchen

There isn’t much better on a hot summer day than a delicious piece of key lime pie!

This recipe is easy, delicious and sure to become one of your go-to desserts.

Ingredients

Instructions

For the crust:

Preheat oven to 350˚.

10 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter 3 cups graham cracker crumbs ½ cup sliced almonds For the filling: 4 egg yolks 2 14-oz. cans sweetened condensed milk 1 Tbsp. grated lime zest 1 cup key lime juice (regular lime juice is also fine) For the topping: 1 cup heavy cream ¼ cup sugar

To make crust add butter, graham cracker crumbs and almonds to a mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Firmly pat mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9.5-inch glass pie plate. Bake for 8 minutes to set. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat egg yolks for about 90 seconds. Add sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and lime zest. Beat mixture until well blended and smooth. Pour mixture into the prepared pie crust and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

To make topping combine heavy cream and sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat on high until the cream is nice and fluffy. Top pie with sweetened whipped cream before serving and enjoy!

Check out Jim Norton on social media! www.thenortonrecipe.com Facebook @thenortonrecipe Instagram @the_norton_recipe

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SOURCES 16 | AT HOME WITH

Special thanks - Greg Bridgers of Southern Serenity Homes customhometn.com

26 | HEALTHY YOU

Special thanks - Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com

30 | HOME FEATURE

See Sources on Page 37

38 | DESIGN

Special thanks - Mary Katherine Jones of Kate’s & Company and Lexi Powell of Alexandra Lauren Interior Design 662.287.9998; alexandralauren.com

48| IN THE GARDEN

Special thanks - Chicory Market 662.380.5201

82 | ENTERTAINING

Special thanks - Ginni Jones & Madeline Viner of Lajeune Fashion + Lifestyle ginnijones1@gmail.com, madelinelajeune.com Custom cups and koozies by Emily McCarthy Shoppe emilymccarthy.com

92 | DINING OUT

Special thanks - Downtown Nutrition 901.907.0502

94 | IN THE KITCHEN

Special thanks - Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com

98 | ON A GOOD NOTE

Special thanks - Diane Grover of Dream Big Cafe 901.849.7002

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on a good note

Dream Big Cafe

Story: Alice Fugate Photography: Caroline Johnson

As the current social climate encourages increasing awareness and acceptance of difference, one Memphian is doing her part to not only bring awareness, but also opportunity to people with disabilities. Diane Grover is deaf and has a daughter, MaryEllen, with Down syndrome. A few years ago Diane became acutely aware of the high unemployment rate for people with disabilities. Because she wanted her daughter to have opportunities, she started an online coffee company, Dreamers Merchants Coffee. The business now has its first brick-and-mortar store, Dream Big Cafe, in Cordova. It serves coffee and paninis and is committed to employing people with any kind of disability.

The online venture allows Dreamers across the US to run their own business by selling coffee blends in their communities.

The company’s reach also benefits workers beyond national borders; the 1,500 Honduran farmers who grow the Dreamers Blend Coffee all are paid fair-trade pricing.

Grover has advocated for people with special needs for years in a variety of ways. In 2008, she was one of the founders of the International Down Syndrome Coalition (now called The International Down Syndrome Community), which offers a safe community and provides advice and support for parents whose children have Down syndrome.

After she had taken a break from TIDSC in 2014, Grover made a switch to the coffee business. Why coffee? She says, “The coffee [idea] started from a simple conversation with my coffee roaster, in his roastery. He was asking me why I wanted to give away two baskets to the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis. I shared that I was highlighting the low rate of employment of individuals with disabilities. He said I should create my own blend and sell it.” And that’s just what she did.

Grover says it’s “pure joy” to be able to bring her daughter MaryEllen, 14, to work with her at the cafe. MaryEllen is growing and learning more every day, Grover says, helping her mother sort products, refill napkins, clean up and interact with the customers.

Dream Big Cafe had its grand opening on World Down Syndrome Day in March of this year, and Grover says it was an encouraging start. “World Down Syndrome Day was absolutely amazing! We were absolutely shocked by the response. We sold 233 panini sandwiches that day, which was so amazing! The support absolutely warmed our hearts.”

Grover and her husband have also started a program called Side Kick that offers support and advice for businesses who choose to employ individuals with disabilities.

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