Saddle Up! for the 25th Anniversary of the Music Country Grand Prix

Saturday, June 1st at Brownland Farm in Franklin

The Music Country Grand Prix is Middle Tennessee’s premier equestrian show jumping competition featuring top riders and horses from across the nation competing for a $40,000 purse. This year the Grand Prix is celebrating its 25th anniversary. All proceeds from the event will benefit Saddle Up!, the largest and oldest therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities.

For general event information, contact Knox Brewer (Saddle Up!, 615-794-1150 ext. 32 orkbrewer@saddleupnashville.org) 

For table reservations and information, contact Peggy Plunkett (Saddle Up!, 615-794-1150 ext. 22 or pplunkett@saddleupnashville.org)

I am not a beer drinker, although I wish I were. And ginger beer, just like root beer, is simply a soda. I adore summer cocktails but I don’t like all the calories that come from some of my favorites. This Ginger Beer Mojito hits the spot for just 125 calories!

This is all you need to be on your way to a simple and tasty, low calorie summer cocktail!

Happy summer!

For 3 Ginger Beer Mojitos:

Ingredients:

• 30 mint leaves (or more, or less … you decide, but I find 10-15 per drink is perfect)
• 4.5 ounces silver rum
• 12 ounces ginger beer (photo shows Reed’s Extra Ginger, but I prefer The Ginger People Ginger Beer. For store locations, click here.)
  
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (approx the juice of 3 juicy limes, hand squeezed)
• Ice cubes
• Extra ginger if you prefer

Directions

• Muddle together mint with the lime juice (for non-purists, you can use a quick tap on the blender if you don’t have have a mortar and pestle or muddler. But, it’s not quite as good.)
  
• Once fully muddled, divide the mint-lime mixture between three glasses.
• Add ice cubes and then pour 1.5 ounces of rum into each glass.
• Add 4 ounces of ginger beer into each glass (that’s one full bottle of a 12 oz. ginger beer, divided into 3 parts)
  
• If you would like to add more ginger, like I do, my short cut is a squeeze of Gourmet Gardens pureed ginger; stir to blend.
• Garnish with an extra slice of lime and some more mint.
• Cheers to summer!

Dr. Mohr: 

Gluten is certainly all the rage. From the ever-popular Paleo Diet popularized by Crossfit Gyms, to celebrities claiming that going gluten-free is the secret to weight loss success, to diet docs, to even soccer moms, people everywhere seem to have something to say about gluten. (We even saw a gluten-free stand at the Derby amidst the horses, mint juleps and sea of hats, believe it or not!) And considering that May is Celiac Awareness Month, this is the perfect time to talk a bit about this hot topic.  

Image credit: glennys.com

So what is gluten anyway? Why does it get such a bad rap? And is it deserved, or a hyped up “diet secret” of the stars?

Gluten is a protein found in many carbohydrates, such as wheat, barley and rye, among others. Basically, most cereals, pastas, breads and the like contain gluten. Of course there are gluten-free alternatives to these products, as well.

Image Credit: www.noglutennaturalgirlproducts.com

Let’s take a step back for a minute. There is a specific autoimmune disorder where people don’t digest gluten. This is called celiac disease and it affects 5 – 10% of the population. Again, May is Celiac Awareness Month.

Outside of those with celiac, gluten still gets a bad rap. Here are some of the reasons cited for eliminating gluten:

1. It’s not digested properly.
2. It causes bloating.
3. It causes weight gain.
4. It hurts recovery from training.
5. It causes joint pain.
6. Our ancestors didn’t eat grains, so why should we?

Outside of the last one, 1 – 5 are all symptoms of a person who may have celiac disease. So the first thing a person should do is to get tested to see if they truly have gluten sensitivity. Even if the test does come back negative, however, there is still a possibility of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. 

Having worked with people who have celiac disease in the past, true gluten insensitivity can be challenging. There are cases where you have to use different cooking tools in the kitchen, as the tiny bit of cross contamination from one pot or toaster to another, for example, could cause a reaction. But those who try to eliminate gluten–without a true diagnosis or sensitivity–surely wouldn’t have that same concern.

What we often tell people when it comes to gluten is that foods with gluten are not inherently “bad.” On the flip side, the foods that often do contain gluten may not be the best either. Eating loads of refined carbohydrates, like bread, cereal, pasta, muffins, pastries, etc., certainly isn’t great. 

This isn’t a knock on gluten itself, but, rather, the sugar, food colorings, and other junky ingredients that are added to gluten-containing foods. (Froot Loops, anyone?). Also, what people often don’t think about is just how many foods may actually have some form of gluten in them … from soy sauce to hot dogs, ketchup, beer and deli meats.

And beer … who wants to give up beer? While the debunked argument of “eating like our ancestors” continues to resurface, we can assure you if the cavemen had access to beer, they would have drunk it, regularly! (Heck, what else was there to do?)

At the end of the day, here’s our take: Gluten itself is not bad, nor do you need to give it up, unless you have a true gluten sensitivity (like celiac), but it is a good idea to drastically reduce the amount of processed, overly sugared “junky” foods in your diet.

If you think you are sensitive, focus on naturally occurring gluten-free grains. These are high in fiber and loaded with great nutrients. Here’s a short list of some solid choices:

Amaranth

Image credit: Purcell Mountain Farms

Buckwheat

Image credit: grathio.com

Nut flours (like almond flour)

Image credit: sheknows.com

Coconut Flour

Image credit: lovely-little-things.blogspot.com

Chickpea Flour

Image credit: theperfectpantry.com

Quinoa

Image credit: healthaliciousness.com

Bottom line? It’s not necessary to throw gluten under the bus. It’s currently “trendy” to do so, but if you simply make smarter choices and focus on eating high fiber grains versus refined, junky carbs, you’ll be doing a great job in terms of making strides to reach your physical goals.

Dr. Christopher Mohr, PhD RD, is a nutrition spokesperson and consultant to a number of media outlets and corporations including the The Dairy Council, Clif Bar, Subway, Cardioviva and Nordic Naturals. He is a consulting Sports Nutritionist for the Cincinnati Bengals and is also the Sports Nutritionist for Under Armour’s Training Council. Through his company Mohr Results, Inc., he works with all types of individuals from soccer moms to collegiate and professional athletes. He often appears on TV as a nutritional guest expert, including an appearance with Chef Emeril Lagasse and another on the Montel Williams Show. He was the nutrition expert for the NY Times Bestseller, LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout, and worked closely with Fitness Celebrity Denise Austin to create the entire nutrition component of her latest book. He is on the Advisory Board for Men’s Fitness Magazine and has written over 500 articles for consumer publications, such as Men’s Fitness, Weight Watchers and Men’s Health and Fitness, to name a few. Dr. Mohr has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University and University of Massachusetts, respectively. He earned his PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Registered Dietitian. Visit his website here: www.mohrresults.com. To contact Chris, email him at Chris@MohrResults.com

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From Nashville:

Julie Couch Interiors (Photo by Caroline Allison)

Julie Couch, of Julie Couch Interiors, is the designer of this fabulous screened porch that was just added on to a friend’s home. It’s absolutely perfect for a lazy afternoon.

Here’s a Top 12 list Julie shared on how to make your porch PERFECT!

1. Beautiful and comfy seating, pillows, and throws made of durable Sunbrella to weather the elements while looking great.
2. A little shade may be a covered porch or simply an umbrella. Either way, you’re covered.
3. A place to set up yummy food and drinks to serve your guests
4. A place to put your feet up. We all need this one!
5. Music. Whether it’s built-in speakers or just an iPhone dock, choose your favorite playlist and sing along.
6. Candlelight. Spread the glow around the space using votives or hurricanes for evenings spent outdoors. Candles have a way of making even the most simple environment seem magical.
7. Add lots of green plants and blooming flowers to add color! Select simple planters in neutral colors and various sizes so your blooms are the center of attention.
8. An indoor/outdoor rug underfoot makes things cozy. We like Dash and Albert’s clean colors and classic designs especially in the larger sizes.
9. A swing. This one is custom made and pretty incredible with room for two. But even a basic porch swing would be a wonderful way to waste the day away.
10. Something to read. Grab a stack of magazines or your favorite book, and flip through the pages as leisurely as you’d like.
11. A little sunshine or a great sunset.
12. People you love to share it with.

Julie Couch Interiors (Photo by Caroline Allison)

Julie Couch Interiors (Photo by Caroline Allison)

Julie Couch Interiors (Photo by Caroline Allison)

From Louisville:

Elaine Crockett, a designer at Bittner’s, has a rarity in Louisville: a screened porch on the front of the house, original to the Stratton Hammon-designed house from the 1930′s. Rather than open up the porch, she kept the structure intact and redecorated the space, blending old pieces from her childhood home in central Kentucky and new pieces from Bittner’s.  

 

Elaine Crockett of Bittner’s

 

Elaine Crockett

Designer Dana Wolters says that every square inch of a home should be functional for you and your family, and an outdoor area is by no means excluded. A large space is not necessary to create an inviting spot to enjoy.

“By designing a sofa that can withstand the elements but looks like it could be found inside the home as well,  I have created a welcoming space to comfortably  lounge and/or entertain that is different than the outdoor furniture you normally find. It makes the space a little more special and unique, and transitions seamlessly from the inside to the outside of the home.” 

Dana Wolters Interiors

 

From Memphis:

This Southern porch was created by Grant Ray of Ray & Baudoin Interior Design. This in-and-out living space is an ideal example of the streamlined, rustic yet sophisticated comfort that Grant Ray is known for in Memphis.

Grant Ray of Ray & Baudoin Interior Design

Grant Ray of Ray & Baudoin Interior Design

 

Grant Ray of Ray & Baudoin Interior Design

 

Near Greenville:

We found this gorgeous home online a while back and have been waiting to share it with you! The entire house is gorgeous, and you can find the photos pictured below and more here: www.homebunch.com.  So pretty!

www.homebunch.com

 

www.homebunch.com

 

www.homebunch.com

 

Another South Carolina lovely:

Designed by Historical Concepts and found near Bluffton, South Carolina, this porch is fabulous! The cottage was decorated by Ruthie Edwards out of Hilton Head, SC. The aqua and browns are compliment each other so nicely. We found this porch through a favorite blog: House of Turquoise. The photographs are from Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives!

 

Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives

 

Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives

 

And, since we are talking Southern porches, we MUST include some Bobby McAlpine ones, right? These are all found on Bobby McAlpine’s blog: http://mcalpinetankersleyblog.com. (Seriously, you will lose a lot of time on this blog…it’s just so pretty.)

McAlpine Tankersley blog

 

McAlpine Tankersley blog

 

McAlpine Tankersley blog

 

Are you ready for summer now?!

 

 

It has been a little over a year since BB creams entered our makeup bags and drawers. Some of us have sworn the creams changed their makeup routine forever. Others are still trying to figure out what the buzz is about. Now, one year later, it is time for BB’s little sister to take over the buzzword and advertisements. Ladies, let me introduce you to CC creams.

CC creams. Just hitting the market and sure to create a big buzz!

Though the acronym is a little annoying, the explanation of the benefits of the cream is in it’s name, CC creams. CC stands for Color Correct or Color Care (BB stands for Beauty Balm, Blemish Balm, or Blemish Base). The main job of CC creams is to correct any discoloration issues in your skin. CC creams were originally developed in Korea to address skin discoloration. But, like BB creams, CC creams offer more bang for your buck. They also hydrate and prime your skin for makeup and offer protection from the sun if an spf is added (most do). 

Good for covering up dark spots, sun spots and acne spots. Smashbox Camera Ready CC cream. Available at The Cosmetic Market. $42

Some differences between CC and BB: CC creams are lighter in texture than BB creams. This makes for a more natural application. It also makes them perfect to use during the summer months. 

A great option for dry skin. It is also oil free. Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream. $35 at Sephora

Great for firming skin. This version of CC creams has an added dose of vitamin C. Peter Thomas Roth CC cream. $48 at Sephora

Because CC creams are all-in-one products, you can cut out a few steps of your beauty routine. CC creams can take the place of your tinted primer, moisturizer or foundation. 

A natural option that is paraben, sulfate, and phthalates free. Amore Pacific CC Cream $60 at Sephora

But, you can also add to your CC cream. If your skin is on the drier side you can add a dollop of your daily moisturizer to the CC cream of your choice. Or, if you want to provide more coverage you can add a bit of liquid foundation.

Lorac’s CC cream is oil, silicone, paraben and fragrance free and good for most any skin type. Available at The Cosmetic Market for $28.

A good drugstore brand. Olay Total Effects CC Cream. $17 at drugstore.com

And, before you think that this alphabet trend can’t go on any longer, there is already a DD cream on it’s way. The makeup company, Julep, is releasing a DD cream this summer that targets signs of aging. I guess it’s only a matter of time before we work our way through the whole alphabet! 

Join St. Thomas Health for a fun event all aimed at YOUR health! Cost is $20 and all proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. To register, click here.

It’s no secret why Tweed Baby Outfitters, a charming children’s boutique in EdgeHill Village, was one of the first boutiques we profiled in the early days of StyleBlueprint. Maggie Kleinheksel, Tweed’s youthful owner, created an inspiring and thoughtfully curated boutique filled to the brim with wonderful, whimsical things. Her children’s clothing and accessories are truly one-of-a-kind finds, and her boutique rivals any on the West Coast.

Welcome, Maggie!

Tell us about yourself:
My husband moved this northern girl to the friendly, sunny south in 2009 all in the name of music (of course). With experience from a job at Neiman Marcus during my time in Chicago, I started working at Anthropologie in hopes of gaining access to the visual team. But after nine months and no such luck, I ended up learning enough good-to-know’s and a few what-not-to-do’s to start out on my own. I had been scheming up a shop for 5 years and counting, and Nashville had the energy and an empty niche to fill, so I took a leap of faith! In April 2010, I opened up shop and we just celebrated tweed baby outfitters’ 3rd birthday last month! Whew–made it! Now to hammer out year four …

Since it’s not an answer to any following questions, let me quickly say I wouldn’t have any further answers or anything to say about Tweed Baby Outfitters without all the help from my family and local support of our customers. Thank you!

Where were you born?
Dayton, Ohio … Look out! I’m a Yankee!

Tell us how you came up with the idea of owning a children’s store?

First of all, I needed a local place in Nashville to shop for my nephews and I wasn’t finding it. Baby and children’s design–both clothing and living spaces–are my creative inspiration and outlet. I combined my shopping needs, my creative strengths, and imagined Tweed Baby Outfitters. The design of the shop is never-ending work, but it is fun to play on nostalgia and imagination. My girls who help at the shop, Katherine and Georgia (Come meet them! They’re so sweet!), have each taken on the task of keeping Tweed freshly creative. And they’ve helped me get my personal life back! (How is this part of ”coming up with the idea”? Well, in my business plan I wrote back in 2010, I listed hiring an employee or two after the first year. Try after the third year. And you’ll pay them, not yourself.

What is something every new mom needs that you sell at Tweed and some fun trends in the business?

Running strong for 3 years have been our aden+anais products: swaddles, burpy bibs, and sleep sacks are all great gifts for a new mom that will be well received and used everyday. As for trends, we try to stay somewhere between trending and what our customers are actually requesting and buying. Nashville is a city, but not a pulse-shopper city; we have to be careful not to go overboard with what I see to be the ‘next thing’ and stick with the gentle wave of customers’ interests. Lately, a lot of new moms aren’t looking for prints or gender-specific items, so we try to offer simple and gender-neutral choices in all categories. I love neutral, more sophisticated design with baby items and I’m excited to be able to carry more as the trend hits the majority of our customer base over the next year.

Do you have a mentor or adviser?

My dad and mom. I am very lucky to have the best of both! My dad ethically and successfully runs a business in Ohio, so we talk shop in areas where our two businesses overlap. I like the non-shop advise the best. He’s what I call wise. When I first opened the shop, I gave my mom the title “Head of R&D” of Tweed Baby Outfitters. She’s great at it! My mom has an eye for design and trends before they hit. Good thing she’s mine!

Is there a piece of advice you’ve received that stuck with you?

• Always my mom’s response when I whine: “Maybe it’s something you did.” 
• And Always my dad’s response to my complaints: “Life isn’t fair, is it, Margaret? You can’t blame other people for your problems.”
• An easier one to swallow: “It’s all about moderation.” … Works for anything.
• And one of the hardest but a goodie: “Quit glorifying busy.” (That last one I credit to Lauren, owner of Rock Paper Scissors.)

When you update your wardrobe, where do you go?

There’s no question I need to update my wardrobe–but it’s more of when will I go than where. Where? I’ll hit it local, then a stop at J.Crew. However, I do know I will consult the best stylist: Katherine Mez. I don’t do fussy, unnecessary pieces. I dress like a mom. A comfy mom. And like my mom, actually. I want great fabrics and simple and easy pieces that work well together to make me feel like me. So before buying anything, I won’t be heading anywhere without Katherine holding my purse strings and filling my shopping bags. She listens and I love her!

Describe a perfect evening out in Nashville.

Anywhere with Cort (my darling husband): a hole-in-the-wall, fancy or not, just as long as the food is tasty and followed-up with a sweet treat!  We usually end up in one of Nashville’s perfect little neighborhoods. Our favorites:

• The Perch. The best end or start to the week.
• BrickTop’s. When you just want (really) good food.
• Taco Mamacita. Basically, every day of the week. No joke.
• Marché. Instant vacation feel.
• Rolf & Daughters. I love a kitchen that doesn’t spare the salt.
• The Southern. For a hits-the-spot brunch.
• And a little spot called Sonobana, one of Nashville’s best kept secrets.

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

• Up North: Harbor Springs, Michigan.
• The beach: Rosemary.
• The West Coast: Santa Barbara.
• The East: Newport, Rhode Island.
• My go-to: home (Greenville, Ohio)
• The way: road trip!

Do you have any irrational fears?

I wouldn’t say ‘fears’ but I do have an ache for this world, but thankfully it’s balanced out by trust. That was a party pooper answer–sorry!

What books are on your bedside table?

Pre-Tweed: 3-5 at a time. Post-Tweed: 0. Oh, no. Now I am book-sick. New goal: read one book this month–just not one that is too heavy/depressing/trying to change my life.

Do you have a favorite musical artist?

The Civil Wars, Birdy, and Erin McCarley.
And then COUNTRY: my hometown high school had Drive Your Tractor to School Day, so yes, I love me a good ole country song.

Name 3 things you can’t live without (excluding God, family and friends)

Oooh! This is my favorite of the Q&A session!

• Without a doubt, SUNSHINE!
• One of my most coveted: quietness.
• After those two, then it’s a toss up between fruit or moisturizer … Yep, definitely fruit!

Thank you StyleBlueprint!

Thank YOU, Maggie! For more information about Tweed Baby Outfitters, visit the website: www.tweedbaby outfitters.com.

And thanks also to Ashley Hylbert for the beautiful photos. See more of Ashley’s photography at her website: www.ashleyhylbert.com.