February 2019

Galentine’s Brunch This one’s for the girls!

A Happy Accident MAKE A SPLASH! Stunning transformation in the heart of Germantown

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2019

24|HOME FEATURE: Tara Engelberg and Eddie Kircher join forces to bring new life to a Germantown fixer-upper.

84|ENTERTAINING: Spread the love this February with a Valentine’s brunch that warms your heart and your belly.

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2019

84.

F O R YO U

84.

20 healthy you Eat Less/Live Better — Fasting for Living Longer 98 on a good note Day of Warmth

HOME & DESIGN 16 at home with Angela Mazanti 24 home feature A Happy Accident 38 design Working It: Smart Design Tips for Home Offices 44 in the garden Back to Basics

44.

T R AV E L & C U L T U R E 48 getaway Charleston, South Carolina 54 travel Incredible India 64 experience this Youth Villages Soup Sunday 70 social Mid South Happenings 76 wedding Jernigan/Glazer

FOOD & DRINK 84 entertaining Spread the Love 90 dining out 17 Berkshire

90.

92 happy hour Lovers of Today 94 in the kitchen Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breast

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IN EVERY ISSUE 14 | PUBLISHER'S NOTE 97 | SOURCES

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FEBRUARY 2019 • VOL. 17 NO. 11 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

INTERN HILLARY CLAIRE HANCOCK JAMIE PAYNE

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.

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publisher’s note A friend of mine posted something today that made me laugh and it is so true...“today seems like January 74th.” I couldn’t agree more! Just when I thought time was flying by, January came in and it just will not leave. I don’t want snow, I don’t care who is playing in the Super Bowl since the Saints are out and I need some sunshine badly. I was just fine with skipping February and fast forwarding to March until I took the time to really go over our February issue. I think this issue just might be one of my favorites. I am not sure why it is, but just about everything in it makes me smile.

I was lucky enough to see the featured home in person and it is just stunning. Another favorite article of mine is our AT HOME WITH. I have been privileged to call Angela Mazanti a friend for years now but I never knew her story, which is as beautiful, and real, as she is. Having traveled to India in person, the travel article is spot on and the stunning photos took me right back there. The “Galentine’s” brunch was just precious and something I might have to try to replicate, or maybe I’ll just call Ginni! Our wedding featured is that of our copy editor extraordinaire Terri’s son and his beautiful bride and is a perfect display of celebrating romance in this month of love. Thanks to Jim Norton and Brad Pitts, I know what I will be making for our Valentine’s dinner! 17 Berkshire is on my list to try for sure and if the friendly faces of Soup Sunday for Youth Villages don’t warm your heart, the soup and other culinary delights will. This is one of my favorite events in our city!

The cold and lack of sunlight might have me down for now and January does seem to have taken an eternity, but looking over this issue makes me think February might not be so bad—in fact, it’s looking pretty good. Thank you, Anna and Aubrey Ann, for putting out this stunning issue and sharing your creative gifts with our readers.

Stay warm, be kind and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

— Margaret

Publisher

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at home with

At Home With

Angela Mazanti Event Designer Text and photos courtesy of event designer Angela Mazanti

Q&A At Home Memphis & Mid South: Tell us a little about your background, both personally and professionally.

Angela Mazanti: I was born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It’s about three hours southwest of Memphis. Back then the

population was around 50,000. I always knew I wanted to leave and live an adventure with my now husband of almost 30 years. He wanted to move to Memphis to open more doors to his theatrical lighting career. At the time he was doing stage lighting for garage bands in Pine Bluff and several of the band members moved to Memphis. I was just a 19-year-old “baby” with a one-year-old baby girl, stars in my eyes, and nothing but trust in him. We packed up everything we had, which wasn’t much, headed out and never looked back.

If I’m completely honest, and I feel like I should be when asked about my background, I have never been confident enough to be open about where I started from; but seeing how far God has brought me, I am compelled to testify of his faithfulness and grace in my life. I lost my father at the age of 15 due to a random chain of events caused by an illness that stemmed from dental work that infected his blood stream and completely ravaged him. He was 36. I took it hard and lived a very reckless life. I quit school in the 11th grade. While my classmates were going to prom, I was getting ready to deliver my daughter. I did, however, take the initiative to obtain my GED. I always loved entertaining. I loved beautifully designed spaces and I loved the thought of becoming an interior designer but couldn’t quite see how to get there or make it happen. For goodness sakes, I was a young woman with no formal education, a young child and a small rental home that we paid $200 a month for in a small town with hand-me-down furniture and cardboard boxes covered with garage-sale curtains for end tables. I know this may sound crazy, but I believe that God gave me a vision that I saw in my mind of a metropolitan city with high-style settings and interiors that I had never actually been around and certainly didn’t live in. I saw myself creating those environments and held onto that vision before and after we moved to Memphis, dreaming that one day that vision would be my reality. It took 11 years after we moved here for the doors to open for me. I truly believed God incubated my talents and gifts all of those years as I was using them in service in my church. The first weddings I ever did were for members of my church who had seen what I had done decorating and preparing meals for luncheons and banquets.

I started taking classes at the university, correspondence courses, watching videos, working for flower shops, etc., in order to learn as much as I could to sharpen my skills and make myself as marketable as possible. Things started to unfold organically the more that I submerged myself into the field. When people compliment me and my work, I always make sure to give God the honor and glory that he deserves, because without him depositing this dream and passion inside of me, I never would have accomplished any of the things I have experienced. I always say that the more I use it, the more he develops it.

I don’t for a minute believe that I have reached the pinnacle of my career, that I am the most experienced or the best in the industry, or that I have nothing left to learn. I will always consider myself a student of design, a sponge ready to soak up information and technical skill. I still think of myself as that young, starry-eyed girl from Pine Bluff ready to tackle the unknown, ready to forge ahead and take chances, ready to live an adventure hand-in-hand with my best friend and fellow artist husband.

My husband and I have become empty nesters recently, with two of our three children married, and we are excited for this new phase of our lives. We are feeling adventurous again and anticipating what God has in store for us now.

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at home with AHMMS: What inspires you?

AM: I often think about the origins of inspiration for myself and for other people.

What is it about a particular thing, image or person that would inspire someone to create an interpretation of it and to consider it a piece of art? I think anything you see or experience or any person who impacts you has the potential to inspire if it moves something inside you to react. For me, it could be a bare tree in the dead of winter, when the shape and structure of the framework that holds it all together is exposed, showing the intricate map of branches that grow into a wild and free shape and scale.

I’m also inspired by other people, fascinated by what inspires them. Not everything we do as artists is an original thought or manifestation; how we choose to interpret and execute is as unique as our own fingerprint. I am inspired by colors in nature— the clear aqua waters of the Caribbean, the deep indigo waters of the Mediterranean, the cool greens in the first shoots of spring, the warm ambers and oranges of fall leaves. I am inspired by the use of color, blending and texture of an abstract painting and how it relates to colors, shapes and textures in the room in which it lives. I am inspired by the age, texture and structure of a piece of antique furniture, especially French or Italian antiques. I am inspired by flowers and how they can create a symphony of movement, texture and color that has the ability to move someone to emotion.

I am inspired by people who dedicate themselves to their passion, their craft, and never stop building upon it—people who dig deep to find the gift that has been deposited in them (we all have something) and use it to inspire the world around them. I am also inspired by the grit, determination, love and conviction of cultures of people who have been abused, ridiculed, targeted and oppressed to continue and to thrive in the face of opposition, and to do it with peace and preservation of their roots, traditions, skills and origins.

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at home with spotlight AHMMS: What is your favorite thing about your job?

AM: My favorite thing about my job is the reveal, and sometimes the process. At times I feel that whatever I am working on, an

event, a floral arrangement or an interior space, is like a sculpture being chiseled. In the beginning, you have a rough idea of what you want it to look like, but it is just a seed, just a thought. Through the process it can become frustrating and a little intimidating knowing that I’m creating something for someone else. In the end I need to be happy with it, but more importantly, the client needs to be happy with it.

The reveal is the best because it is my gift. Even though I’m being paid to create it, I still feel like I am presenting a gift to my client. From the smallest arrangement to the largest overall experience, I put my heart and soul into everything I create and I consider that my gift.

AHMMS: What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

AM: When I am not working, I love to read, write and study things that are important and interesting to me. I am a huge history

buff and love to dive into documentaries about culture and ancient civilizations. I also enjoy just being a stay-at-home pet mom. I love exposing my grandchildren to new and exciting adventures, concepts and experiences. I love refurbishing antique furniture and painting abstract art.

AHMMS: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

AM: If I were to give advice to someone about starting a business, I would tell them to go into it with a realistic expectations. I

would encourage them to decide the rubric by which they will measure success, so that they will know when they achieve it.

I would say to set goals and work hard to achieve them, but not to beat themselves up if it doesn’t happen as easily as they envisioned, because it probably won’t. That isn’t a sign of failure, though. I would ask them if they are truly are passionate about the business they want to start, because that will be the only thing that will keep them going when success seems impossible to achieve.

A few more tips I’d give: Do everything you can to become an expert in your field.

Don’t be too proud to scrub toilets for free if you have to in order to get an opportunity to learn from an expert.

Align yourself with people who will encourage you, pray for you, believe in you and tell others about you. Then work hard—no one else can do that for you.

Be extravagantly, but authentically generous. Be confident but humble. Be committed. Do everything with excellence. Take chances, but pray through them.

AHMMS: What are your favorite places in the Mid South?

AM: Some of my favorite places in the Mid South are a little off the beaten path and some are right in the middle of it, like

small-town squares, antique shops, historic neighborhoods, churches and buildings and hole-in-the-wall organic and healthy eating restaurants. I love taking my granddaughter for tea at Chez Philippe, followed by a tour of the Peabody and a carriage ride, even though I’ve seen it a million times. (We love to pretend that we stepped back in time!) One of my favorite places, where I’ve done many weddings and most recently my youngest son’s wedding, is Annesdale Mansion. I consider the historic landmarks in the Mid South to be something of a treasure that we should value, love and preserve. These places speak to me deep in my soul and I feel transported in time when I am there. I can sense the love, dedication and artistry that were present in the artisans who created these places, and that inspires me.

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Eat Less/Live Better Fasting for Living Longer

Text by Michelle Johns

“Eat better, move more, live longer.”

This catch phrase is the signature mantra of many wellness programs. But is something missing? Should it instead be “eat less, eat better, move more, live longer?”

Last year I wrote a piece regarding the health benefits of intermittent fasting. Recently, I revisited the issue and dug a bit deeper into the research behind the protocol. Fad dieting is extremely popular—thousands of books are written and theories are followed by millions of people. Most fads lay claims to some sort of supported scientific research. Interestingly, over 40 years of research exists in the Russian medical circles regarding fasting. The Germans have significant documentation about the impact of fasting on negative health risks. Somehow, though, this research is not considered strong or significant enough—possibly because research requires funding, and funding most often goes to studies on medications, which are money makers for big pharmaceutical companies. Natural protocols such as fasting do not produce revenue, thus get a nod of interest but no real support. Additionally, human studies of this nature would be considered unethical.

Fasting is done by restricting the body’s food intake. The fasting I am referring to may be called intermittent fasting, periodic fasting or caloric restriction. All three are the same in meaning but may be implemented uniquely. Regardless of the protocol, responsible fasting is short-term restriction with big benefits. It is an undeniable fact that the body needs food for fuel.

Understanding the amount and frequency is the focus of this article.

During the Great Depression, one of our country’s darkest time periods, life expectancy increased by six years. Intrigued by the finding, 1930s research by a Cornell University nutritionist found that eating less results in living longer. Eighty years later, science is realizing a connection between calorie restriction, longevity and quality of life. Many people are living longer in these modern times; however, their quality of life is poor and they depend on a multitude of medications to get through each day. Leading German and Russian research indicates that intermittent fasting results in reversal of the negative effects of allergies, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, mental illness, asthma, cancers and diabetes. While weight loss generally occurs with fasting, the real benefits are the ones unseen.

Intermittent fasting as a matter of wellness, disease prevention and disease treatment may be a key protocol to living better and longer. However, the process is intense and challenging, both mentally and physically. While I believe the research indicates that fasting may be beneficial for most people, I caution that it should be done with the close supervision of a healthcare provider.

Prolonged fasting can be dangerous. Many people report feeling stressed during a fasting period. Nobody knows how their body is going to respond to food deprivation. Fasting goes against the average person’s daily protocol of eating at least three meals a day.

During a fasting period the body is living off its reserve proteins and lipids. Initially, people with an illness may feel worse and those without an illness may feel bad. The negative feelings usually begin around day three and last 24 to 36 hours. After the body settles in, it will feel stronger; however, the mind may not be quick to follow. Most fasts allow for water consumption only. Some incorporate a broth or tea/coffee. Protocols include sauna time, massages, exercise and salt baths to aid in releasing toxins.

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healthy you Dr. Michael Mosley’s Eat, Fast and Live Longer documentary and book are two resources I highly recommend in order to become familiar with intermittent fasting and its benefits. I also recommend the documentary The Science of Fasting. Both documentaries are available for free on YouTube. As I mentioned earlier, research on humans is limited, but research on animals in the wild and in laboratories shows significant benefits of fasting. Biologist Valter Longo has provided sufficient research for the benefits of fasting in protecting healthy cells and killing cancer cells in the body. After watching these documentaries and reading Longo’s research, I felt this was important information to share.

If, after watching the aforementioned documentaries and reading Mosley’s book, you are convinced that intermittent fasting is right for you and you can afford it, I recommend visiting a fasting clinic such as TrueNorth Health Center in the United States or the Buchinger Clinic in Spain. I recommend having blood work done and noting your numbers prior to and after fasting.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at mjohns@transforming-wellness.com. I have embraced intermittent fasting as part of my way of life and I encourage others to responsibly consider the same, with supervision from a licensed medical professional.

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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A

home feature

Happy

Accident

Memphis designer Tara Engelberg finds her calling at a close friend’s fixer-upper!

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home feature

At the beginning of the 21st century, native New Yorker Tara Engelberg was living in Manhattan, working in finance. When she first met her now-husband in the city, she knew that a move to his hometown, Memphis, was a possibility. She just didn’t know when that day would come.

As it happened, she didn’t wait too long to find out. Engelberg and her husband moved to the Memphis area in 2007. Six years later they began building their dream home, and an idea was born. As Engelberg worked with well-known Chicago decorators, she caught the design bug herself.

When her family moved into their now-complete home in 2015, Engelberg knew that there was nothing left to decorate or fix in her own house. While this gave her a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, she was still “hungry for more” design opportunities, she says.

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home feature

While the seed for her future career might have been planted just then, life had other plans. Only three months after settling into her dream home, Engelberg was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her battle with the disease entailed 12 rounds of chemo over a three-month period and a double mastectomy. Still, she emerged cancer-free on the other side of her journey, and, to a certain extent, she credits her home for her successful recovery. “I truly believe my house helped me heal,” she says. “Everything in it was just perfect for my family. It was beautiful, soothing and calm, which was exactly what I needed.”

While Engelberg was taking solace in the haven of her own home, her close friend was struggling with the exact opposite experience.

Engelberg’s pal had purchased a 4,500-square-foot home in Germantown, and while the five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths provided ample space for her family of five, that was basically the only aspect of the house that worked. As Engelberg relates, “The entire place looked like a grandmother’s house; it was not a place for a young family. Everything was brown and heavy. My friend needed a home that was more fresh, open and contemporary.”

Still acting in “friend” mode, Engelberg offered to help with the redesign process. First, the duo tackled one of the children’s bedrooms.

After discovering a joint passion for bold embellishments—including a green and black striped accent wall—the homeowner enlisted the newly-minted decorator for help reimagining the rest of her home.

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Even as a novice, Engelberg knew better than to go it alone. One of her smartest decisions, she says, was bringing on Eddie Kircher as contractor for the series of renovations that would ensue. “It’s so important to get an A-team together, consisting of your architect, builder and contractor,” Engelberg says, “and Eddie more than fit the bill!”

As the project grew and grew, Engelberg knew that Kircher was a valuable resource—“I would use him again in a heartbeat,” she says. And Kircher expresses equal satisfaction: “The project started out as a kitchen renovation. The client was so amazed not only by the transformation Tara made, but how easy it was. I enjoy working with Tara because of her insight on what the finished product will look like at the end. Her being sure of herself and what she and the client desire made my job much easier.”

And, indeed, in each space she reworked, Engelberg’s goals were clear: “I love having something exciting in every room,” she says.

“I love color and texture. And I love to incorporate a client’s culture and heritage into the overall design scheme.” Nowhere did these principles shine through more clearly than in this, her first design project.

While sifting through her client/friend’s belongings to see what would work in the redesigned space, Engelberg discovered two saris that had been given to her friend as wedding gifts. Since she no longer wore them, Engelberg’s client planned on tossing the pieces. Instead, the designer had them mounted on wooden panels, giving them pride of place in the newly imagined dining room.

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home feature While the bright colors might have seemed daring initially, Engelberg was just beginning. “We started out kind of conservative,” she explains, “but as we got further along, we got bolder.” In the kitchen, for example, Engelberg was able to transform the space with “a facelift instead of a gut job.” She suggested painting the cabinets (which were previously brown) and installing new quartzite countertops. Finally, to incorporate a touch of excitement into the all-white space, she found a handglazed tile for the new backsplash. “It offered more visual interest than shiny, flat subway tile; I liked how it gave some movement to the room,” she recalls.

Once the tile choice was finalized, Engelberg began prepping her pal for the next bold installation: a pair of Jonathan Adler green velvet club chairs, which she placed in opposition to the family room’s chic black and white fireplace. To balance out the bright furniture, Engelberg kept the rest of the room fairly neutral. “Not everything can be over-the-top, or nothing stands out,” she says. For those looking to emulate her brave design scheme, she offers the following tip: “Pick one piece, like a pillow, vase or even flowers. If you end up hating it, you can easily get rid of it. Let that one piece pop, then balance it out in the rest of your space.”

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“I love having something exciting in every room.”

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These are clearly words which Engelberg embodies in her design, especially in her friend’s living room, one of the latter areas to be redone on her initial project. To bring new life to the room’s neutral palette and white fireplace, Engelberg selected an accent wall of bold-patterned green wallpaper. And the result was sublime; not only is the wallpaper the home’s most-remarked upon feature, the room itself quickly became the designer’s favorite. As she explains, “It’s glam, but a comfortable glam. You just feel pretty sitting in there, but you also feel like you could put your feet up.”

Now in Engelberg’s work with Tara Felice Interiors, the design firm she launched after completing her friend’s home, she aims for this balance in every project. “I need a house that people come into and immediately feel welcome,” she says. “Beauty and comfort can and should go hand-in-hand.”

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design

Working It: Smart Design Tips for Home Offices

Text by Jordana White | Photos courtesy of Sarah Rossi-Bell of Sélavie Photography

With flexible schedules and overflowing workloads becoming increasingly common, a functional home office is more important than ever. And given how much time will be spent in the space, it pays to make this room—perhaps more than any other in a home—a haven of beauty and tranquility. We sat down with Germantown designer Tara Engelberg to score some tips that will help make a home office work for you.

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design At Home Memphis & Mid South: What are the must-have

elements of a home office?

Tara Engelberg: I believe there are three crucial elements:

Lighting, work surface and storage. Ideally, there should be a variety of lighting options, such as task lighting, overhead lighting and sconces. That way you’ll have a lighting scheme to fit any given project or assignment. If you do a lot of computer work, I think a dimmable overhead light or table lamp with a shade would be comfortable—you don’t want anything too bright with a computer. Of course, the MOST important lighting is natural light. It helps energize your body, calm your brain and inspire your creativity. If you can have a window in your office, go for it! Second, you should absolutely have a clean, clutter-free and well-sized work surface to accomplish your tasks.

The clutter-free work surface can be accomplished thanks to the third important element: storage. Having adequate storage will help you focus on what is in front of you in that moment; it should help prevent you from getting distracted.

AHMMS: How can you bring personality and fun into

the room?

TE: Your office must reflect who you are and who you want to be! It should speak to your personality and be a place in which you can be most productive. What inspires you? What do you work for? What are your goals? Having photographs of family and friends, art or souvenirs from trips you’ve taken, inspiring quotes, something in your favorite color—these are all things you can incorporate into your work space to make it truly yours. If you have space to add a break-time activity, do that, too! I have a ping pong table right outside my office, and whenever I need to clear my head and re-energize, I’ll go hit some balls!

AHMMS: What’s the ideal spot in your home for an office?

TE: This is a complex question to answer because there are so many variables. If you’re a working mom with young children, you probably want your office to be near the area in your home where the kids spend most of their time, so you can keep an eye on them. If this is not a concern and you have the space, the office ideally should be far away from the main living space of your home. If you feel you are “going to work,” you are more likely to focus on your tasks, plus you won’t have the distractions of laundry, dishes, cooking or family interactions. I know this from personal experience, as my office used to be right next to my kitchen. I found myself running to check emails while waiting for pasta water to boil, and searching for clients’ furniture while stir-frying veggies.

Not ideal for the client or for dinner! Now that I have a designated space away from everything and everyone I can give my work and my family the appropriate attention at the appropriate times.

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design AHMMS: Can you suggest ways to make rooms do double duty if you don’t have an entire room to devote to office space?

TE: There are many ways to incorporate a work space into your home even if you don’t have a designated “office.” You can take a large closet and transform it into a work space by adding a table top, some rolling files or storage cabinets and some simple lighting. In my first home in Germantown, we transformed a closet into a scrapbooking space for me just by using items from Ikea. If you don’t have a closet, you can add a secretary desk to your living room: This allows you to work when you need to work, and to close everything up and not have to look at it when you’re doing something else.

AHMMS: What else is important to keep in mind when setting up a home office?

TE: I like an office to be minimal in decoration, so that

everything serves a purpose or a memory. This is generally my approach to the design of any room. I believe in having furniture that serves dual purposes or that you can move around if necessary—like stools that can move from room to room to provide additional seating in a pinch. Proper seating and temperature controls are other elements to consider.

Finally, everything in the space should have a positive impact on your mindset and overall well-being, and most of all should be comfortable!

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design

Forsyth Fountain 42 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2019

in the garden

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in the garden

Back

basics: to

Text by P. Allen Smith | Photos courtesy of Mark Fonville and Hortus Ltd.

Become a Valentine’s Day Hero with Flowers, Candles & Candy

As a public service, I’d like to remind everyone that Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. I find that the most successful sweetheart celebrations are those that have the benefit of a little planning and forethought. Spouses and partners seem to know when a Valentine’s Day gift, token or dinner has been cobbled together, and believe me, that is not a good day.

You can make this the year you get a gold star for not only remembering the holiday, but also doing something a little different and special. It’s your time to shine.

Buying flowers? Think outside the box (the box that contains red roses). Red roses are readily available for Valentine’s Day; almost too available. Unless your partner has a special affinity for them, why not try something new, but equally glorious? I’m especially fond of Stargazer lilies, with their striking pink and white petals and heady fragrance. Many other varieties of cut flowers are also guaranteed to delight, including miniature or sweetheart roses, tulips in a variety of colors, hydrangeas and mixed bouquets.

A few easy steps you can take will help extend the life and enjoyment of your bouquet. Make sure the flowers are in a vase with fresh water. And you know the little packet of “plant food” that often comes with the bouquet? Don’t throw it away! It’s actually an effective floral preservative that contains sugar, citric acid and bleach to help extend Forsyth the Fountain life of the flowers.

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in getaway the garden If your bouquet didn’t come with the packet, that’s okay, too, because you can make your own. Start by filling your flower vase halfway with fresh water, then fill the remainder of the vase with lemon-lime soda. The soda has citric acid, which will help open the pores in the stems to enable absorption of the sugar, which will feed the blooms. And if you’d like to take a page from my grandmother’s book, add an aspirin to the water to help lower the pH even further. Finally, add half a teaspoon of bleach to help keep bacteria from building up.

It’s pretty easy to give someone a bouquet of flowers, but it takes a real hero to prep the water in the vase so that the floral show is extended for maximum enjoyment.

The next step in your Valentine’s Day playbook might involve setting a romantic mood, and for many of us, that involves candles. But here’s a tip: Not all candles are created equal.

I almost exclusively use “natural” candles made from beeswax or soy, even though they’re slightly more expensive.

They simply burn cleaner, preventing the buildup of soot, and you don’t have to worry about unknown chemicals being released in the air from paraffin candles.

Plan ahead and have some of these natural candles on hand. This is a hero moment where you can get credit for keeping your indoor air cleaner and your sweetheart safe from airborne chemicals. (Bonus idea: Decorative beeswax candles as a Valentine gift!)

Beeswax and soy candles come in all shapes and sizes, including votives. If using votives, put a few drops of water in the glass before adding the candle. This will help prevent the melted candle wax from sticking to the glass, making cleanup headache-free.

And last but not least, you are guaranteed hero status with a gift of homemade candy. I’m sharing a recipe here for Chocolate-Dipped Orange Sections with Sea Salt, an incredibly easy and relatively quick recipe to make. Consider throwing in some strawberries and marshmallows and making a platter.

Whatever you decide to do this year, take a few extra moments to plan ahead and maybe try something a little different. And remember that even though the joy is in the giving, it doesn’t hurt that you will also get to enjoy the beautiful flowers, a romantic candlelit evening and tasty fruit. Does that make you a hero or a genius?

Chocolate-Dipped Orange Sections with Sea Salt

Ingredients 1 lb. baker’s chocolate

Sea salt

1 or 2 oranges (or tangerines) per serving

1 Tbsp. Crisco

Instructions • Peel oranges or tangerines and separate slices.

• Melt chocolate with Crisco. Heat on low, stirring constantly until smooth.

• Once chocolate is melted, dip orange or tangerine slices at least halfway and let them drip before placing on a parchment-lined surface.

• Sprinkle with a pinch of salt before they are completely dried.

• Once chocolate has hardened, remove and arrange on a serving platter.

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getaway design

Charleston, South Carolina

Text by Aubrey Ann Monger | Photos courtesy of the Charleston Convention & Visitor's Bureau

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getaway

My Taste of the Lowcountry

Many things compelled me to visit Charleston, South Carolina, not the least of which were the culinary scene and historic sites. However, my first steps in the city drew my eye to my surroundings. Punctuating the skyline I saw not skyscrapers, but countless church steeples. Every alleyway and street was filled with colorful architecture and rich history.

My initial walk took me through a festival in Marion Square Park, where local vendors hawk everything from jewelry to hot sauce, including my personal favorite, a concoction called “Homicide” from Warrant Man Pepper Company. The park hosts several popular festivals throughout the year such as Spoleto Art Festival, the Charleston Food & Wine Festival, and Fashion Week.

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getaway

I easily settled into The Park Cafe for a peaceful spot to work, and quickly decided it would be one of my regular places if I lived in town. The Veggie Sandwich is loaded with pimento cheese...enough said. The menu features breakfast and lunch classics with modern twists, and a variety of coffee options to perk you up for the rest of the day.

My lodgings were right across the street at the swanky Francis Marion Hotel, now restored to its 1920s elegance with modern amenities and conveniences. Located about midway down King Street, the Francis Marion is a short walk to popular restaurants and shops. Ask any staff member for a recommendation: my inquiries led me to Blue Bicycle Books, with its vast collection of rare, used and local finds. I was also referred to Virginia’s on King, home of the best french fries I’ve ever had.

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Photographer: Persuasion Photography

getaway

I savored the second half of my stay in a Club Level suite at the Belmond Charleston Place. With complimentary continental breakfast, tea and cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, the Club Level is a study in indulgence.

The hotel lobby’s Georgian double open-arm staircase wears a hand-blown Venetian chandelier like a tiara. Two restaurants, three bars, a luxury fitness center and upscale shops and boutiques are located onsite.

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getaway

Just outside the hotel I explored King Street, then ventured over to the Charleston City Market. Over 300 local entrepreneurs fill the historic public market almost every day of the year.

The Ordinary The Darling Oyster Bar

A Shellfish Tower at The Ordinary is a must for dinner—complete with raw oysters, grilled shrimp and a crab Louie salad like no other.

My meal at The Darling Oyster Bar tops my extensive list of amazing culinary experiences in this city known for its great food. Clam chowder fries, oyster spaghetti and the lobster and king crab roll are just a few menu standouts.

If you’re still awake after a day of great sights and even better food, head over to Prohibition for a nightcap and music.

Set Sail!

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Photographer: Persuasion Photography

Photo Courtesy of Amen Street

After exploring Charleston by foot, I found myself on the search for seafood. Fleet Landing has a vast menu of classic seafood dishes, plus a few unconventional finds like steak calamari. Don’t miss Happy Hour at Amen Street, where you can get a dozen fresh house oysters for only $10. Try an oyster shooter while you’re there...house-infused lemon and pepper vodka, bloody Mary mix, hot sauce and a freshshucked oyster.

Waterfront Park looks out onto the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the glassy Cooper River waters, connecting Charleston to the equally charming Mt. Pleasant suburb.

For more information on planning your trip to Charleston, check out visitcharleston.com.

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travel

India

Incredible Text by Leigh Sullivan Photos courtesy of Regency Travel

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travel India is exotic, passionate, alluring and a sensory delight for the mind, body and soul. India is noisy and chaotic, serene and mesmerizing. India is a not-to-be-missed destination for those who crave cultural immersion and rich heritage.

Visitors will meet warm, genuine people and experience superb hospitality throughout their journey. Diversity is boundless, from colorful bazaars to tranquil temples, ancient forts and opulent palace hotels.

The seventh largest country in the world (about one third the size of the United States) India’s population exceeds 1 billion. Its citizens speak 22 major languages, but the official languages are Hindi and English, which is widely spoken. Although the country is vast and climates vary greatly, the best time to visit is October to March when it is mostly dry with moderate temperatures and clear skies.

The most popular itinerary for the first-time traveler is the Golden Triangle in the north of India. It includes the three most visited cities in the northwest; the national capital city of New Delhi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Amber Fort in the “Pink City” of Jaipur. This itinerary usually requires six to seven travel nights, which will also allow for the addition of an exotic tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park, a side trip to Udaipur on the lovely Lake Pichola, or a hop over to visit the sacred city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River.

An Indian journey will most likely begin in Delhi, the capital of India, and home to 16 million people. New Delhi, a district within the larger city of Delhi, is a planned city built to accommodate the British Indian government and was inaugurated in 1931. The city is filled with wide, tree-lined avenues, civic and government buildings, and homes with architecture that reflects the British colonial times of the 1920s and 1930s. Old Delhi, on the other hand, is a walled city built

by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. The Mughal Empire ruled northern India from the early 16th century until the mid 18th century. This area holds monuments which are important both historically and culturally. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways filled with vendors of every type imaginable. The best way to maneuver the chaotic congestion is by cycle-rickshaw: experienced drivers know how to navigate the multitude of cows, blaring automobiles and busy pedestrians. Local merchants lure visitors with their brilliantly colored saris and textiles, handicrafts, sweet treats, sparkling trinkets and rows and rows of traditional bangles. While winding through the labyrinth it is not unusual to see dentists’ offices, cobblers’ shops and rows of elegant wedding vendors that have been around for centuries. Prices here are inexpensive and shoppers are expected to bargain with the merchants. The Spice Market, India’s oldest and busiest, features mounds of red chilis alongside cinnamon, cumin, cardamom and saffron. The aromatic area indulges all the senses, but the smell is pungent and might necessitate covering the nose and mouth to prevent breathing in the spice-dust.

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travel Near the Spice Market is the largest and best-known mosque in India, the Jama Masjid Mosque. Translated from Arabic the name means “Friday Mosque.” Built in the mid 17th century, it is still an active mosque today. The compound was constructed of sandstone and marble with three gates, four towers and two minarets over 130 feet tall. The courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshipers and Muslims traditionally gather here weekly for Friday communal prayers.

Jama Masjid Mosque

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travel Oberoi Amarvilas

Agra is the next stop on the journey. The seat of the mighty Mughal Empire before it shifted to Delhi in 1628, it is home to one of the most inspired architectural creations in the world, the Taj Mahal. The train ride from Delhi to Agra takes less than two hours, making the site a convenient day trip from Delhi. A better option for travelers with more time is to hire a private car; the road is good and the travel time from Delhi will be approximately four hours. An evening arrival in Agra allows for a visit to the Taj Mahal the next morning when it is least crowded. With only one overnight in Agra, the exquisite Oberoi Amarvilas is positively the resort worth a splurge. Ranked the best resort hotel in India by Travel & Leisure in 2018, it boasts unrivaled views of the Taj Mahal from each room and suite. Thanks to its location only 700 feet from the entrance to the Taj, hotel guests can take a private golf buggy from the property directly to the entrance and be among the first in line for the site’s 6 a.m. opening.

The enormous ivory-white mausoleum complex called the Taj Mahal was commissioned in 1632 by Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

The complex took almost 20 years to build; its perfect proportions and exquisite craftsmanship crafted by artisans from India, Persia and Europe. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage On Deck Site and remains the most celebrated symbol of India’s rich history and architectural achievement. It receives approximately 3 million visitors annually.

Taj Mahal

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home trends El Cosmico

Pink City The next destination on a Golden Triangle adventure is Jaipur, approximately a four-hour drive from Agra. The state capital for Rajasthan is laid out in a geometric grid of squares and streets— one of the earliest planned cities in the country. Its nickname, “Pink City,” came about thanks to the Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh. In honor of the visit of Prince Albert in 1876, the Maharaja wanted to build relations with the British aristocracy and impress his royal guests. He started a beautification project which included not only constructing a lavish concert hall in the prince’s name, but also repainting the entire city in terracotta pink, a color that represented hospitality and welcoming.

From 1877 until today the city laws decree that all buildings only be painted in Jaipur Pink.

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travel Jaipur’s City Palace is a sprawling complex built from 1729 to 1732 in the center of the Old City.

It features vast courtyards and several museums including an interesting textile exhibit with a lovely collection of royal costumes from the era. Members of the former royal family still reside in a portion of the palace. The market in the Old City is a feast of activity and excitement. This part of Jaipur is easy to navigate on foot; walking the streets and alleyways gives unparalleled access to the breadth of culture and crafts in this impressive city. Don’t miss the colorful flower market with plentiful mounds of marigolds and roses. The impressive Hawa Majal or “Palace of the Winds” was built in 1799 so ladies of the palace could look out over the street without being noticed.

The structure has 953 windows over five floors and is an iconic site in Jaipur.

Just outside the city of Jaipur is the Amber Fort or Amber Palace. This masterpiece of Hindu and Muslim architecture was built of red sandstone and white marble and is situated atop a mountain. The walls are adorned with paintings along with precious stones and mirrors set into the plaster.

Construction started in 1592 and it was the main residence of the Rajput Maharajas for many years. The fort became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Amber Fort

City Palace by Lake Pichola

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If time permits, a visit to the nearby cities of Udaipur and Varanasi or an exotic tiger reserve would cap off an Indian journey perfectly. Set against a backdrop of picturesque hills, Udaipur is known as the “City of the Lakes.” Fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and luxury hotels and resorts make it one of the most romantic cities in India. Varanasi is considered the oldest living city in the world. Situated on the banks of the Ganges River, it is a mystic place and a pilgrimage site for Hindus from across India and around the world.

The city is one of the most interesting and colorful places on earth.

travel

Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve was once a private game reserve of the royal family of Jaipur. Several properties near the entrance to the park offer lodging, some with luxury tentedstyle options. Morning and afternoon visits into the park promise unequaled opportunities for sightings of the illusive tiger in the wild.

This is a small, but spectacular taste of a land that will always fascinate and surprise its visitors. It is no wonder the country is nicknamed “Incredible India!”

For more information on planning a vacation to India contact the travel advisors at Regency Travel, Inc. at 901.682.9065 or www.regencytravel.net.

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experience this

Youth Villages Soup Sunday

Text by Alice Fugate | Photos courtesy of Youth Villages

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experience this

In February it’s easy to complain about the doldrums and the bitter cold weather, but a mid-month event is sure to provide a much-needed dose of love and warmth in the bleak midwinter.

The 30th edition of Soup Sunday, an annual fundraiser for Memphis nonprofit Youth Villages, will open its doors at 11 a.m. on Feb. 17 at the FedExForum.

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experience this

Youth Villages is a Memphis-based national nonprofit established in 1986. It provides a variety of services and resources to children and adolescents with a range of emotional, mental and behavioral problems. These problems can stem from a variety of factors in a young person’s life: a form of abuse (substance-related, sexual, physical), medical issues, a suicide attempt or a lack of a stable environment. The organization at its core believes that providing children with a strong familial support system will have the biggest positive impact on their development.

With “No Lost Causes” as its mantra, Youth Villages' staff always put the child’s need first. It serves clients as young as newborns and as old as 22 through different programs, including foster care and adoption as well as a program to help transition youth into a successful adulthood. Harvard Business School, U.S. News & World Report and the White House all laud Youth Villages as one of the “most promising results-oriented nonprofits” in the nation.

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Since 1990, Youth Villages has been hosting Soup Sunday every year as a fundraiser. The original organizers of the event, Danny Sumrall and Mike Warr, worked in conjunction with owners of the some of the best restaurants in the Mid South to start a fundraiser to help children with emotional and behavioral problems.

Today, proceeds go specifically toward the Chris Crye Mentoring Program. Amanda Mullen, development coordinator for Youth Villages, describes the importance of mentorship: “Providing our youth with a mentor while they’re in our care is so beneficial to them. It gives them an adult they can rely on to bring about more stability in their lives.”

Soup Sunday allows attendees to taste soup, bread, dessert and more from over 50 of the best restaurants and caterers in the Memphis area. Complete with live music, an Oreo stacking contest and face painting, the event is both family-friendly and foodie-friendly. Entertainers will include Magic Mr. Nick, The Memphis Doctors Dance Band, and Pam & Terry, in addition to appearances from local mascots.

Restaurant participants include The Half Shell, HOG WILD, Cupcake Cutie, Etc., Huey’s and many more. An annual musttry is The Half Shell’s lobster and shrimp bruschetta.

In past years, attendance at Soup Sunday has averaged between 1,500 and 2,000. The team at Youth Villages hopes to break the record to mark the event’s 30th anniversary.

Youth Villages’ second major fundraiser of the year, YV5K & 10 Miler, is scheduled for April 13. This year’s race will feature a brand new 5K course.

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social

Memphis Food & Wine Festival

Celebrity Chefs’ Dinner Text by Katie Mars Photography by Jay Adkins Photography

On Thur., Jan. 24, food and wine connoisseurs gathered at Erling Jensen in East Memphis to welcome the new year at the sold-out Celebrity Chefs’ Dinner. Host chef Jensen welcomed a team of culinary all-stars to his namesake restaurant for the event. The lively atmosphere, paired with the sweet and savory aromas permeating from the kitchen, made a memorable evening—and for a good cause. The dinners are part of the Memphis Food & Wine Festival and benefit FedExFamilyHouse at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.

This third in the series of four Celebrity Chefs’ Dinners featured Jensen working alongside Guest Chef Julien Asseo (Restaurant Guy Savoy, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas), and Local Chefs Ryan Trimm (Across the Board Group), Franck Oysel (Interim), and Keith Clinton (Erling Jensen).

“I was thrilled to be asked to host this unique culinary concept and honored to share my kitchen with acclaimed Chef Julien Asseo,” says Jensen of the event.

Foodies will recall Caesars introduced Memphis to French Chef Guy Savoy at the 2017 Memphis Food & Wine Festival.

Starting with hors d’oeuvres through the fourth course to the main course and dessert, menu items included jumbo lump crab tartlets with Benton bacon emulsion, artichoke and black truffle soup, wild roasted turbot with baby root vegetables and sauce barigoule, and antelope tenderloin with beets and black garlic. Guests finished off the extravagant meal with a beautiful creation of tainori cake, pistachio sable, grand marnier, and blood orange macaroons.

Each course featured a carefully paired wine from Frederick Wildman and Sons with Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV, Champagne starting the evening. Special thanks go to dinner sponsor Ellichman Vein & Vascular Centers for helping make this elegant evening possible.

The Celebrity Chefs’ Dinners and the main Memphis Food & Wine Festival, scheduled for October 12 at Memphis Botanic Garden, are fundraisers for FedExFamilyHouse at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. With the support and generosity of many, MFWF has donated over $225,000 thus far. For more information, visit MFWF online at www.memphisfoodwinefestival.org.

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social

“I was thrilled to be asked to host this unique culinary concept and honored to share my kitchen with acclaimed Chef Julien Asseo” - Erling Jensen

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social

Elvis’ Birthday Celebration at

Graceland Text by Christian Ross Photos courtesy of Elvis Presley’s Graceland

Graceland kicked off 2019 with a celebration of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 84th birthday. Music fans from around the world traveled to Memphis to celebrate Elvis Presley’s life and legacy during the four-day birthday bash, Jan. 5-8. Graceland’s birthday party was highlighted by live music, memories of Elvis shared by friends and a birthday proclamation from the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County.

It was truly an unforgettable weekend for fans of “the king.”

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wedding getaway

Adrianne Jernigan Andrew Glazer October 13, 2018 Memphis, Tennessee Parents of the Bride: Karen and Jon Jernigan Parents of the Groom: Terri and Earl Glazer Forsyth Fountain 76 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2019

getaway wedding

SOURCES

Rehearsal Dinner: Annesdale Mansion Wedding: Dixon Gallery and Gardens Reception: Dixon Gallery and Gardens Event Coordinator: Michael Doyle Photographer: The Warmth Around You Videographer: Deeply Rooted Wedding Films Florist: Lynn Doyle Flowers and Events Wedding Dress: The Barefoot Bride Wedding Rings: Groom's maternal grandmother, wedding bands from Robert Irwin Jewelers Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Hair: Taylor Welch Makeup: Makeup Artistry by Tiffany Vollmer Bishop Entertainment: Big Barton (a Jeremy Shrader band) Cake: Kipp Cakes Caterer: Cindy Krag Catering

Tent and Rentals: Amerispan Tents

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gift guide

1

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE 3

2

1. Glass Enameled onto Mixed Metal Necklace

by Mississippi jeweler Cathy Talbot Caron Gallery; Tupelo, MS

$62 2. Baby Lit Books

Itty Bitty Bella; Collierville, TN $13

4

5

3. Ellen Hays Handmade Earrings

Bella Vita; Collierville, TN

$70+ (Please join Bella Vita in-store for a trunk show

with Ellen Hays Feb. 14th-16th.)

4. Heaton Pecans, Assorted flavors

Heaton Pecan Company; Lyon, MS Available at samsclub.com

Prices vary

5. Fiat Luxe Felted Soap

Southern Muse; Collierville, TN

$18 6. Mullein and Sparrow Rose Bath Salts Caron Gallery; Tupelo, MS Call for Pricing

7. Kendra Scott Tess Gold Pendant

Necklace In Amethyst Drusy

Candle & Gift Shoppe; Batesville, MS $52; Special promotional pricing while supplies last

8. Freshly Picked Moccasins Itty Bitty Bella; Collierville, TN

$55

6

7

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gift guide 10

9. Goodman Spalding Gold & Stone Necklace Two Doors Down; Germantown, TN

$138 10. Northern Lights Fine Fragrance Candles Whiskey & Tobacco and Bourbon & Spice Southern Avenue; Germantown, TN

$20

9

11. Ronaldo Romance Bracelet

Center Stage Fashions; Hernando, MS $117 12. Gift Card to Mona Esthetics Mona Esthetics; Memphis, TN Prices starting at $50

11

13. Matilda Handbag

Southern Avenue; Germantown, TN $498 14. Private Holdings Boxer Briefs Southern Muse; Collierville, TN $29

12

15. 18KT Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace

By Designer Doves By Doron Paloma

James Gattas Jewelers; Memphis, TN

$2,830

13

16. Nikki's Hot Nuts A delicious gift to HEAT up your Valentine's Day!

Available at Cordelia's Market in Harbor Town and Cotton Row Uniques in Laurelwood.

Prices Vary

16 14

15

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SPREAD THE LOVE.

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entertaining

This Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating with the girls. And there’s nothing girls love more than brunch! Read on to find some helpful tips to make your “Galentine’s” celebration the loveliest it can be.

Text & event design by Ginni Jones | Photography by Taylor Byrd Peaster

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entertaining WHAT’S FOR BRUNCH? Two of my favorite things: Valentine’s Day & Brunch.

This menu was quick and easy to assemble, with each element perfectly themed for the party. It included homemade mixed berry pop-tarts, avocado and radish toast, pancakes and fruit, honey granola parfaits, goat cheese grit soufflés and, of course, brown sugar bacon. The talented Caroline Hughes provided the CUTEST cookies that did double duty as dessert and place cards.

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SETTING THE TABLE

The most enjoyable part of entertaining is setting the table for friends.

This design started with two classic Valentine’s shades, pink and red, accented by bright orange.

Plates and platters found at Anthropologie, Ikea and Sur La Table anchored the place settings, paired with unique gold flatware.

Sprinkled throughout the tablescape were vases filled with Icelandic poppies from local florist, The Garden District.

They add an unexpected pop of color to the otherwise traditional holiday color palette.

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entertaining CREATING YOUR OWN...

Hosting this party was such a treat!

The key to hosting a successful Galentine’s Brunch is simply to plan ahead. Preparation allows for enjoyment during the main event and time to focus on the guests. Also, use what you have. Mixing pieces you already own with fun new additions creates a balanced (and budget friendly!) tablescape.

Pressed for time? Have each friend bring a favorite brunch dish to not only lighten your load, but also to make everyone feel a part of the party. And above all, don’t forget to have fun!

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homemade

poptarts

Ingredients: 2 premade pie crusts 1 cup mixed berry jam 1 egg 2 cups powdered sugar 3 Tbsp. heavy cream Sprinkles Instructions: Preheat oven to 400Ëš. On a floured surface, roll out one pie crust (while keeping the other in the fridge) with a rolling pin until it is 11 inches across. Use a sharp knife to cut off 1 inch on each side, creating a 9-inch square.

Cut the square into three 3-inch strips.

Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of jam onto the end of each strip. Brush a rectangle of egg wash around the jam (creating the "glue" for the pop-tart). Fold the clean half over the half with jam. Use a fork to crimp the edges & seal the pop-tart. Repeat with two remaining strips. Then repeat using the cold pie crust.

Place the 6 pop-tarts onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool.

To make icing, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 Tbsp. jam and 2 Tbsp. heavy cream. If the icing is too thick, add more heavy cream. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar. Spoon over pop-tarts once they have cooled. ** adapted from The Pioneer Woman **

Sprinkle & serve.

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dining out getaway

17 Berkshire

Text by Jordan Nettles | Photos courtesy of 17 Berkshire

17 Berkshire, a stylish patisserie and coffee shop in the heart of Midtown Memphis, is quickly becoming a staple of the historic Overton Square area. For native Memphian and owner Nuha Abuduhair, the bustling spot was a dream location for her European-inspired bakery that specializes in macarons, cupcakes, cookies, éclairs and tarts, among other delectable sweet treats.

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dining out The gorgeous pastel macarons are some of the most popular menu El Cosmico items and come in a daily assortment of fun flavors like lavender, chocolate, pistachio and rose. Taking a bite of one of the mouthwatering confections is like taking a quick trip to France. 17 Berkshire also sells stateside favorites like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Abuduhair admits that even she has trouble resisting the delicious classic treats when she takes a batch out of the oven. The bakery’s menu is always expanding and rotating, so a return trip is a must!

The patisserie’s open and bright atmosphere welcomes patrons who are looking for a taste of something treats. Friends can visit at a table and enjoy their sweets with a tasty coffee, espresso or tea, or they can take their desserts to-go. The experience is enhanced by the attractive flower arrangements on each table and calming white walls. The minimalistic interior allows the beautiful desserts inside the display cases to truly shine. Abuduhair’s pastries are almost too pretty to eat, but too tasty to resist.

The menu features special items that rotate seasonally. February’s highprofile holiday is the perfect time to treat a special someone, and 17 Berkshire is fully prepared. “I am such a girly girl, so Valentine’s Day is such a fun excuse to ‘go all out,’” Abuduhair says. “We will have a pretty array of pastries, chocolates and a few other surprise treats!”

17 Berkshire is located at 2094 Trimble Place in Overton Square. To learn more, visit 17berkshire.com, follow the patisserie @17berkshire on Instagram, or call 901.729.7916.

The bakery, named for the address of the owner’s childhood home, offers custom orders for weddings and special events. Abuduhair enjoys working with clients to create the perfect wedding cake, croquembouche, macaron tower or truffle assortment.

“Weddings are great because the cake tasting is such a fun part of wedding planning that the bride and groom can both enjoy,” she says.

The journey that led Abuduhair to open her business has been about following a personal passion. After working as a bedside registered nurse, she decided to stay at home with her children. A long-time affinity and talent for baking led her to start an online page for her creations. After a few years taking custom orders and doing pop-up shows around Memphis, she opened 17 Berkshire’s brick-and-mortar location last June. “I’m indebted to all of the incredibly supportive business owners who hosted me on multiple occasions!” she says, adding that she hopes her success story will “inspire people to invest in themselves with the simple intention of finding joy in the little things.”

“I think 17 Berkshire came to be what it is today because I truly love what I do,” she says. “It’s a lot of hard work and learning through trial and error, but I pinch myself that I get to wake up every day and at least try making this dream an even bigger reality!”

February 2019 • athomemms.com | 91

happy hour

Lovers of Today

Vodka and craft cocktails usually aren’t mentioned in the same sentence. Most vodka drinkers I know stick to the basics, like the ubiquitous V&T or a dry or dirty martini. As a neutral spirit, vodka can sometimes lack the depth of other base spirits, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Paired with the right aperitif and fresh juices or fruit, it can turn a simple drink into a complex cocktail and even act as an introductory beverage for those who usually prefer something more straightforward. For this drink, I infused my own bottle of vodka with• February a large2019 bourbon vanilla bean, but any premium vanilla vodka will suffice.

92 | At Home Memphis & Mid South

Recipe and photos courtesy of Brad Pitts

Lovers of Today Ingredients 2 oz. vanilla vodka 1 oz. fresh-squeezed orange juice 1 oz. real cranberry juice Angry Orchard Hard Apple Cider Rosemary sprig for garnish

Directions • Combine all ingredients except hard apple cider into a cocktail shaker.

• Double strain over ice and top with cider.

• Garnish with rosemary.

Brad Pitts is an awardwinning Memphis mixologist and beverage manager at Germantown Performing Arts Center.

Photo by Yasmine Omari

February 2019 • athomemms.com | 93

in the kitchen Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!

Why not do a little something special for your sweetie and make a romantic dinner? My Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breast is both beautiful and tasty. If you need a side, try my super easy Oven Roasted Asparagus with grated Parmesan. Served with a great glass of sauvignon blanc...this is sure to get you a few bonus points.

Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breast

Text and photography by Jim Norton 94 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2019

with Oven-Roasted Asparagus

in the kitchen Ingredients

Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts Directions

• 4 (approx. ½ lb. each) boneless skinless chicken breasts • 2 cups baby spinach • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienne cut • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced • 4 oz. softened goat cheese • ½ Tbsp. paprika • ½ Tbsp. garlic powder • ½ Tbsp. onion powder • 1 tsp. sugar

• Preheat oven to 400°.

• Add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt and pepper to a small bowl and combine. Set aside.

• Carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast. Sprinkle the inside of the pocket with the combined spices.

• Layer approximately 1 ounce of goat cheese into each pocket.

Continue by stuffing each breast with the desired amount of red onion, baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

• Secure each breast with a toothpick and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

• In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

• Add the breasts to the hot oil and sear until golden brown, approximately three minutes per side.

• 1 tsp. pepper • 1 tsp. salt

• Remove breasts from skillet and place in a baking dish. Pour the juice from the skillet over the breasts and cover with aluminum foil.

• Olive oil • Fresh parsley

• Roast breasts in oven for approximately 17-18 minutes. Remove breasts from the oven and discard the toothpicks.

• Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve.

Easy Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Grated Parmesan.

Ingredients

Directions

• 1 lb. fresh asparagus (ends trimmed)

• Preheat oven to 400°.

• ⅓ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange asparagus in an even layer on the baking sheet.

• Olive oil • Salt • Pepper

• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and grated Parmesan.

• Roast in oven 12 to 15 minutes or until just tender.

Remember, a little crunchy is better than soggy.

• Serve immediately.

To learn more about Jim Norton follow him on his social media: www.thenortonrecipe.com Facebook @thenortonrecipe Instagram @the_norton_recipe February 2019 • athomemms.com | 95

96 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2019

SOURCES 16 | AT HOME WITH

Special thanks - Angela Mazanti am@angelamazantidesign.com

20 | HEALTHY YOU

Special thanks - Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com

24 | HOME FEATURE

Special thanks - Tara Engelberg of Tara Felice Interiors, LLC & Eddie Kircher of Kircher Construction tarafelicellc@gmail.com eddie@kircherllc.com

38 | DESIGN

Special thanks - Tara Engelberg of Tara Felice Interiors, LLC tarafelicellc@gmail.com

84 | ENTERTAINING

Special thanks - Event design by Ginni Jones, Cookies by Caroline Hughes, & Photos by Taylor Byrd Peaster of T. Byrd Photo tbyrdphotography.com, tbyrdphotography@gmail.com Ginni Jones - 901.692.1044

90 | DINING OUT

Special thanks - 17 Berkshire 17berkshire.com, 901.729.7916

92 | HAPPY HOUR

Special thanks - Brad Pitts bradpitts@me.com

94 | IN THE KITCHEN

Special thanks - Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com

98 | ON A GOOD NOTE

Special thanks - Baron’s Man Cave & The Second Line baronsmancave.com secondlinememphis.com

February 2019 • athomemms.com | 97

on a good note

Dayof

Warmth

Text by Claire Hancock Photos courtesy of Baron’s Man Cave and The Second Line

As winter arrives and temperatures drop, everyone begins to look for ways to warm up. Chef Kelly English of The Second Line and Dara Vongphrachanh, owner of Baron’s Man Cave, transformed the Midtown restaurant into a sanctuary of warmth on New Year’s Day. The second annual Day of Warmth focused on reaching out to the Memphis homeless community, providing people with a hot meal and bags of gear to prepare for the plummeting temperatures. English hosted the event and organized a coat drive beforehand.

English held the first Day of Warmth on Jan. 1, 2018, as a way to give back to his community and help his neighbors in need. He recalls, “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision… there’s a lot of times that people in need get things that they need, but they never get anything they want.” His goal was to make members of the local homeless community feel important: “If you went a week without somebody making you feel special, it’s a crappy week. Imagine going months and years that way,” he explains. No matter their circumstances, English wanted attendees to feel they were important and worth caring about.

Day of Warmth 2019 grew by leaps and bounds over the previous event; roughly 200 attended in 2018, and this year about 375 were served. English invited Vongphrachanh to join in on the fun by offering haircuts to the people coming in for food and warm clothing. “We wanted to do what we do for a living, which is make people feel special, and we wanted to do something for people that we thought needed something special to be done.” Vongphrachanh recalls the experience as a meaningful way to give back to the Memphis community as a small business owner. The effect of those haircuts touched Vongphrachanh, and she describes watching people leave Day of Warmth “with their shoulders held a little higher.”

Organizers hope to expand next year’s Day of Warmth even farther, encouraged by calls they’ve already received from people interested in taking part in the 2020 event.

The Second Line 2144 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 | 901.590.2829 Baron’s Man Cave 9289 Poplar Ave., Suite 102, Germantown, TN 38138 50 Peabody Place, Suite 101, Memphis, TN 38103 | 901.505.2242 98 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2019

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100 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2019