ashley tatum designs

'Tis the Season … How did it get here so QUICKLY?!?!

11.24.2012

It has been a while ... a long while! Wonderful things have happened, and here we are again at the most wonderful time of the year! What better way to start this post than with this master bedroom? If you don't know Atlanta Home & LifeStyles, you should! These are some of the most exquisite homes I have ever seen, starting with this dark navy master bedroom, accented with a canopy bed and gold chandelier that is shaped very much like branches and antlers. I am in love with the whole room! Imagine coming home from a long day and escaping to these soft sheets and a fire, good book/tablet, with no other connections to the world …

This looks like a great place to have a cocktail party on a mid-saturday afternoon … Any of you Mommies GAME? I'm thinking a "Mrs. Tatum", lemon-cello with a sugar rim …

How can you not love this bathroom below? It is the home of one of my dearest friends and where I spent several very special hours on my wedding day. The home of Dr. Mark and Dana Gray has been intricately designed by his expertly, talented wife Dana with her passion for blues, checks, and french antiques, and last but not least surrounding the house with english gardens. Dana Gray Designs can been seen in the upcoming Shelby County Living where they debut their home in the December 2012 issue as they prepare for the holiday season! Please pick up a copy of the magazine to see the extreme talent that Dana brings to Shelby County, Shoal Creek and our community. But ... just for a sneak peak, and a glimpse into the best day of my life, here are a few shots! And to know me is to know I love robins egg blue and a MARBLE bathroom!!!!!! Let's not overlook the custom linen blue drapes that keep the sun just from peaking in. This is any woman's heaven!!!

We have to slap ourselves out of it and remember that men need a nice oasis, too … um … "To themselves" …. Here they are … in my opinion looking like KINGS!!! The colors and the marble are beautiful! I love how the bold brown and caramel marble is complimented by the green tones and incorporated with the geometric print, as well. The windows let in plenty of light to start the day, just the right space to sip a cup of coffee and prepare yourself to take over the world!

I love any rich colored paint with gold accents, especially when the are paired with honeycomb white tile in the bathroom that gives the impression of modern, class with a superior sophistication!

How creative! Upgrading a small corner with a linen ruched drape cloth and an extremely hip wallpaper pattern that will do work wonders on any bathroom such as this! Love!

This is the exact room I would want to be in in the early Fall, with the doors open allowing the cool fall air to creep in as I snuggle up with a cup of joe and an old classic like "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles. If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it, especially after high school and even college! The story is very compelling, relatable, and at the same time witty boyish fun. Add it to your Santa's Wish List! A Santa List just as adorable as this …

As life unfolds we are individually writing our own stories, each and every day. As you go throughout your day I encourage you to help others as they write the stories of their own lives. A smile, a hug, a helping hand can work miracles … especially in the life of a child.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

- Proverbs 22:6

In closing, I will leave you with a few pictures of our favorite day! Just a hint … golf is ingrained in the family! I hope you enjoy …

Our first time seeing each other that day …

We both love to play golf, and the day wouldn't have been complete without a Titleist involved!

What a celebration! Back soon with my "IT LIST" this holiday season!!

Enjoy time with family and friends!

Thankfully,

* All wedding pictures provided by Gresham Photography at www.simple-color.com
* Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails created by Satterfields Restaurant

* Cake by Sweet Spot Confections in Birmingham, Alabama

* Monogrammed Pastry Bites made by Pastry Art - Birmingham, Alabama

* Cake Topper from Wedding Etc - Melissa Hill in Homewood, Alabama

* Brides Gown from Bella Couture in Mount Laurel, Alabama

* Flowers designed by Jean Brown

* Confetti Poppers from Anthropologie's BHLDN

I'm Back ... with Sweet Treats!

12.22.2011

It has been WAY too long, and I have certainly missed reading about all the creative ideas being shared this Christmas season! Fortunately, the project that has kept me tied up since Thanksgiving is complete and I am enjoying the holidays in a major way!! This is by far my favorite time of the year and I absolutely love any opportunity to throw a party. Over the past few days I have been baking my little heart out and have loved every minute of it! Thought I would share a few sweet treats that are not only E-A-S-Y, but a huge hit! I will warn you ... I am not one to follow the directions exactly, so feel free to ask questions :)

Caramel-Chocolate Tartlets from Southern Living at Home

1 (13.4 oz) can of dulce de leche (Nestle)

2 (2.1 oz) packages of frozen mini phyllo pastry shells, thawed (Athens)

1 cup double chocolate morsels or semisweet morsels

1/3 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped, or coarsely chopped pecans, or both

Spoon 1 heaping tsp of dulce de leche into each pastry shell.
Microwave chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice.
Spoon 1 tsp chocolate over dulce de leche.
Sprinkle tartlets with peanuts or pecans.
Freeze one minute to set chocolate.
Makes 30 tartlets.

I began by toasting my pastries for about 4 to 5 minutes on 350. This step isn't necessary since they are already cooked, although I prefer my pastries little more crisp. Once out of the oven I used the 1 heaping tsp of dulce de leche, as recommended. What they don't tell you is how STICKY this "sweet milk" is! Try spraying a little bit of Pam on your index finger to scoop the dulce de leche into the shell. Makes the process so much easier, I promise! After scooping into the shell, smooth out to create a full bottom layer. The recipe calls for 1 cup of morsels, where instead I ended up using around 1 1/2 cups to create the top layer (as if more chocolate is EVER a problem!!). The recipe calls for peanuts or pecans, but I decided to spice mine up a little! Since pecans are a staple item during the holidays, I used what I had available. After being chopped, I placed the pecans on aluminum foil and lightly dusted them with Pam and topped with cinnamon. I also had coconut leftover from pumpkin bread I made during the Thanksgiving holidays and toasted it, as well. The directions say to put the tartlets in the freezer for a minute. Because my freezer is FULL and also on the bottom, I placed mine on a baking sheet and left them in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes. Works just as well! These sweets are hands down one of the prettiest I have ever made and will be perfect for my cocktail party! See what you think ...

Another big hit were the Holiday Pretzel Treats from Disney's Family Fun Magazine. I needed something quick to make and easy to package, and this definitely fit the bill. A friend recommended this recipe after seeing it on Pinterest where she used them for school Christmas favors. Note, the Hugs don't take quite as long to melt so you may get the "double bump". (Insert jokes here ... I did!! Hilarious!!) They didn't stay around long for anyone to notice the difference between the regular Kisses and the Hugs, especially since the Hugs were my favorite! Take a look ...

Until next time, have a Merry Christmas!

Night Owl

11.20.2011

I am NOT a morning person! I have tried and tried to convert from my natural, night owl ways but it just won't work! I truly need to wear a sign that says "No Talk 'til 9am". But there are days like today when I wake up early, ideas start to move and there's no stopping that train! So at 4:50AM I was up!! I started a pot of coffee, began straightening up around the house and decided I would start decorating for the holidays ... Thanksgiving that is. I bring out my chic Turkey Day dinnerware and it hits me ... I have only 4 DAYS to use these little pretties and then it's Christmas!! WHERE HAVE I BEEN!?!?! It seems like yesterday sweet, little ghosts and goblins where showing up at my door asking for sugar and now I have missed an entire month of using these Thanksgiving accessories until next year?? Certainly I am not the only one who has felt this time fly??

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I need to regroup and Get in the Expresso Lane ... which is code for figuring out what I am going to wear!!

One of my all time favorite nail colors this season is Get in the Expresso Lane by OPI. This color looks great with just about anything and can bring the simplest of dresses to life! To change it up, top with a sheer metallic like Ulta's GODDESS for a twist on a classic look. Other colors by OPI that will be on my tips and toes this season are:

With parties for both work and friends it is easy to be double-booked! Convert any staple dress, like these from Ann Taylor below, from office attire to an after 5 cocktail party by adding large bangles and earrings that sparkle. Change each look with mod patterned tights such as lace or polka dots. Throw on a colorful pea coat and viola! Each outfit will be perfect for either occasion without compromising style or comfort. If you hurry you can save 40% on everything Ann Taylor by using the code THANKS ...