Halloween Giveaway!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!    

It's a rainy day in Georgia and I'm in the mood for a giveaway.  We just got in the cutest Halloween wine stoppers.  And they are just too much fun to keep a secret.  (should you ever stop wine????)

So I am going to give one away this month.  If you would like to enter the giveaway here is what you need to do:

1.) Sign up to follow the Store blog
2.) Like our Store Facebook page
3.) Leave a comment on the store blog telling me you signed up for both with your name and a way to contact you.

Here is the very, very, spooky Halloween giveaway item.......!

The winner will be chosen on October 15th.  The giveaway is only to those located in the US only.

Participants need to sign up to "Follow" both the blog and to "Like" our store Facebook page in order to qualify.

Thanks for entering and good luck to you all!

Article in the Examiner

The very talented writer and author, Denise Fawcett Facey has written an informative and delightful article on the upcoming classes at House and Garden Boutique.  The article appears on the Atlanta Examiner website. 

http://www.examiner.com/home-and-garden-ideas-in-atlanta/fall-wreath-design-class-at-house-and-garden-boutique

For those of you who live in the Atlanta area, there are still a couple of seats left in the wreath class on Saturday, September 25th at 11am.

All attendees get additional discounts on purchases made at the store on the day of the event.  What a great way to kick-off your holiday shopping!

For additional information and a schedule for upcoming classes at the store, please go to our website at:  http://www.houseandgardenboutique.com/
 

Learn How to Make a Fall Wreath

Stop by the shop this Saturday, 9/25 and we'll show you how to make your own Fall wreath for your home.  The class is at 11:00 am and the price is $39.95 per person.  At the completion of the class, you will walk out the door with a beautiful Fall wreath. 

Come by and join the fun if you live in the Atlanta area.  Call us at 678-494-5800 to reserve your seat.

The store is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5:30pm and closed on Sunday.  We're located off Main Street in Woodstock, GA.....just look for the Big Chair on Main Street!  Store website is http://www.houseandgardenboutique.com/

Gift Giving Ideas

Arts Festival

Over the Labor Day weekend my husband and I ventured out on Sunday to check out the Marietta Arts Festival here in Georgia.  What a beautiful day it was.......it was so much cooler this weekend and just perfect for an outdoor show!  The festival was packed with all sorts of fun items, fountains, wine coolers, paintings, jewelry and more.  But I just have to share the most unusual thing that I saw at the event........the port-a-pottys.......the pictures just speak for themselves....... 

These are just the ultimate in artwork.....don't you think?  This is the first time I've ever seen one look so nice!

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/

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/

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/

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! 

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!

"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!!!

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!

Sugar and Spice Treasures

Don't you just love to roam around at the local antique malls?  You never know what kind of treasure you will find hidden in someone's booth.  A couple of weekends ago, I found the cutest little silver plated cream and sugar set on a tray.  It was missing the sugar bowl, but I managed to find it sitting in another booth a couple of aisles away.  What a treasure it is.....so glad I found the missing bowl!

Here's a view of the inside of the creamer and sugar bowls......I really like the white porcelan.

And I just could not resist these 2 tiny birdies either.......they are salt and pepper shakers.....

Aren't they adorable?

I'm participating in My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday".  

Be sure and check out this fun blog party!

Also check out the Dipity Road blog party "Welcome to Friday- Finding Beauty", where we have a link as well.

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

There's one more party! Gypsy Fish Journal's Silver Sunday!

Garden Residents and Delights

An evening stroll thru the yard is a relaxing treat at the end of the day!  Peaceful sounds of our pond water trickling, the birds chirping, the sounds of children's laughter in the neighborhood is the best!

And there are even the locals the hang out at night!

And hanging baskets.....

Flowering perennials......

And fruit trees on the deck....

How about these lemons????  Waiting for them to turn yellow so I can put them in my ice tea!

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm participating in the following blog parties....

Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

and

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/07/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-july-2010.html

Farmer's Market In Woodstock

Saturday's are a good day to go out roaming about for Flea Markets and Farmer's Markets.  We are fortunate in the Atlanta area that we don't have to venture out too far before we'll find something wonderful to do on a weekend morning.  Right here is our own backyard there is a really good Farmer's Market that started last year in Woodstock, GA.  This year it is located in the Woodstock Community Church parking lot, right at the corner of Towne Lake Parkway and Main Street. 

Here are some photos that I snapped while walking around at the market on Saturday morning.  They had a little bit of everything!

Nothing like fresh baked bread.

This young lady helped her Mom bake all these goodies (the cupcakes and cookies above and below) for the Farmer's Market.

Beautiful flowers brightened things up a bit.

Nothing like fresh basil.

And juicy Georgia peaches.

Some handmade jewelry too.

Delicious jellies and jams....picked up some Apple Carmel Jelly for my hubby.

What a fun morning it was this past weekend.  So don't miss out on some great fresh produce or baked items!

The Main Street Woodstock Farmer's Market, presented by Cherokee Bank, is held in Downtown Woodstock, every Saturday, June 19th-September 18th, 9 am to Noon.