Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Natural Handmade Soaps

Don't you just love handmade soaps?  There's just something about the look and feel of them, that makes you feel special.  At the shop we now carry our own soap line.  House and Garden Boutique soaps are made with olive oil, coconut oil and soybean oil.  They are so easy on the skin and smell just wonderful!


The soaps are $4.95 each or 3 for $14.00.  And they come in the following scents: Plumeria, Lilac, Lavender, Wild Flowers, Vanilla Oatmeal, Sweet Pea, & Pearberry.

What a great gift they will make for a friend or neighbor.  They are also available to purchase on our website at http://www.houseandgardenboutique/

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Hooked on Books! And Signings!

Well I had to admit, that I am truly a bookaholic......just can't get enough of them.....all kinds.... mysteries, fiction, love stories, science fiction, ghost stories, you name it!  And you can always find me hanging out at my favorite spot in Woodstock too.....Foxtale's Book Shoppe.  With the three ladies in the fedoras.....Jackie, Ellen and Karen....the delightful owners and wonderful hostess's of all the booksignings. 

This past Saturday they were welcoming back one of my favorite authors, Susan Gregg Gilmore.  This author was one of the first book signings that I had ever attended.  I was hooked after reading her first book, "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen".  And Ms. Gilmore was there this month to launch the release of her second book, "The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove". 


With a delightful introduction by owner Ellen, we listened to a very enticing and engaging reading by our author.  


And we learned some interesting details on how she came up with the name for her main character Bezellia.  Ms. Gilmore was invited to a dinner party when she was living in Chattanooga, TN and one of the guests sitting across the table from her was named Bezellia.  It was a family name and it just suited the character in the book perfectly.  The last name was a little easier to come up with, because Susan was living in an apartment complex at the time that was named "The Grove".  It was just a good fit with Bezellia.


Afterwards we had the most tasteful pound cake and ice tea as refreshments.  I hear that pound cake plays a major part in the book, so I can't wait to read it!  I can tell you now that I'm going to have to learn how to make it.....I can taste  it already.  Anyone have an easy pound cake recipe they can loan to me?????


  To read more about the book you can go to Susan Gregg Gilmore's blog at http://www.susangregggilmore.com/book-excerpts/a-girl-called-sister/

Friday, August 20, 2010

Decorating Classes

If you live in the Atlanta area, and love to decorate, then you'll want to stop by our shop for some of our upcoming classes.  The sessions start the end of September, and we have several different classes scheduled through the first week in December.  From decorating your mantel to planning your holiday party, we'll have something for everyone.


Here's our schedule:

"Mantels Smackdown"
Tues Sept 28, 12:30pm and Wed Oct 13, 6:30pm

"The Fall Situation" Decorating Class
Sat Oct 2, 12:30pm and Sat Oct 9, 12:30pm

How to Entertain Like Emily Post w/o a Donald Trump Budget
Thurs Nov 4, 6:30pm and Thurs Dec 2, 6:30pm

"Decorating Boss" Holiday Workshop
Tues Nov 9, 12:30pm and Wed Nov 17, 6:30pm

All classes are FREE!!! Special discounts for attendees on the day of the class!
 
Seating is limited, so please call 678-494-5800 to reserve your seat ASAP.

Our shop is located off Highway 5 (or Main Street) in Woodstock.  Look for the BIG Chair on Main Street! 

Store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5:30pm, Closed on Sunday. 

Visit our website: http://www.houseandgardenboutique.com/

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winner!


A big thank-you to everyone who entered our Blog Anniversary Giveaway!
Congratulations to our Giveaway winner........drumroll please................
and the lucky winner is......................

Ms. Sue at the "I Need Mom" Blog.

Sue has won one of our garden thermometers. 


Congratulations Sue! 

Friday, August 13, 2010

Season and Style

A couple of weekends ago, we were out strolling thru an antique mall here in Atlanta and I saw these beautiful hors d'oeuvre forks sitting in a booth.  Wasn't sure why I even needed these little guys, but they were so unique and 24K white gold, they just had to go home with me.  I can't wait to use them during the holidays this year.  What a nice addition they will make to our holiday table.


And one of my favorite things in my home are these cute little spice decanters.  My Mom bought them for me about 12 years ago, when she was in town visiting us.  They are ceramic and just adorable.  I have them sitting in my kitchen on some shelves where I keep all my cookbooks.  What a nice reminder of my Mom.....I think of her every time I look at them......



This week we are participating in My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday"!  Stop on by and see all the fun things!

And we are also joining Lemoncoly's Flight of Fancy's, Flea Market Friday!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

"Fireworks over Toccoa" Booksigning


Last night after work I moseyed over to my favorite little bookstore, Foxtale's Book Shoppe in Woodstock and had the most enjoyable evening.  They were having a book signing for Jeffrey Stepakoff, who is the author of "Fireworks Over Toccoa". 


However, it wasn't until I read his bio on their website that I realized why I recognized him.  He is very accomplished and has been writing professionally since receiving his MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie Mellon in 1988. His credits include the Emmy-winning The Wonder Years, Sisters, Major Dad, Disney's Tarzan, and Dawson's Creek (as co-executive producer). And this is his debut fiction novel.


He currently lives with his family north of Atlanta and teaches screenwriting at Kennesaw State University.  Jeffrey and his wife relocated to this area, from Hollywood, after they started their family.   He also mentioned that his wife's grandfather was once Mayor of Toccoa years ago. 


Here I am with some Hollywood royalty!  Can't wait to read the book......Jackie, one of the owners of the book store said she read it in one night.....that's how good it's supposed to be!!!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Blog GIVEAWAY!

Anniversary Celebration!

We are celebrating our 7th year in business this week!  So I thought I would have a blog giveaway for all my readers.  Being we are still in peak gardening season, the giveaway will be one of our garden thermometers. (US only)

Here's how you can have a chance to win our Anniversary Giveaway:

1 Point - Sign up to be a Follower of Blog
2 Points -  Post our Giveaway on Your Blog
5 Points - Put our Blog Button on your Blog

Leave a comment w/ blog address to let me know how you are participating....thx!

Winner will be chosen Saturday, August 14, 2010.
                                              
Good Luck!