Tom James suffered a heart attack in his early 40’s.  When doctors urged him to eat a heart-healthy diet, his family began cooking with olive oil.  His daughter-in-law, Debbie James, says, “We were using olive oil from the grocery store, and we believed all olive oils were the same.  In 2013, our family first visited an olive oil store.  We realized that we had never been exposed to truly fresh Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Once you taste the richness and flavor of these genuinely fresh oils, there is no going back.” 

The James family realized that consumers could not find fresh, high quality EVOO anywhere in Mississippi.  Debbie says, “We wanted to provide our community with the freshest and healthiest oils and balsamic vinegars, and to educate them about the difference between regular olive oil and Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil.” 

Tom and his wife, Alan, started J. Olive Company with their children and spouses, Lee and Debbie, Tommy and Manda.  We had the pleasure of speaking with Debbie, and learning more about the J. Olive’s delicious oils.

 Why is Olive Oil such a healthy food?  What health benefits does it offer?

“The health benefits of EVOO are directly influenced by the presence of polyphenols.  Polyphenols work as antioxidants to protect the cells in our bodies from damage from free radicals.  A diet high in polyphenols has been shown to…

• Lower the risk of heart disease
• Decrease the risk of cancer by decreasing inflammation and protecting cells from damage

• Increases Calcium absorption to help promote healthy bones
• Act as a natural anti-inflammatory agent
• Strengthen our immune system
• Protects against free radicals and cell oxidation that can lead to premature aging

EVOO is also high in monounsaturated fat and low in saturated fat.  A diet high in monounsaturated fats may...

• Increase insulin sensitivity in the cells
• Prevent cognitive decline that is associated with Alzheimer’s and aging

To receive the most health benefits from EVOO, you should consume at least 4 Tablespoons a day.  Green olives contain the highest polyphenol count.  Polyphenol levels are highest at harvest.  Any exposure to heat, air, or light can reduce the polyphenol count.  As days go by, the polyphenol levels in EVOO begin to wane.  FRESHNESS TRUMPS EVERYTHING.   This is why we provide oils from both hemispheres depending on the harvest season.  It is our goal to provide our customers with the freshest oils year round.” 

Tell us where your Oils come from! 
“Our oils come from all over the world.  We harvest from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, depending upon the harvest season.  March, April and May we are harvesting the southern hemisphere (Peru, Chile, Australia, Argentina).  In November and December it is the Northern hemisphere (Greece, Spain, Italy, California, Portugal, Tunisia).  We do this to ensure that we have the freshest oils possible.”

What is the difference between your product and oils at a grocery store?
“We carry only Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil in our store.  UP EVOO's exceed all other standards of olive oil.  We harvest only green fruit.  By doing this you get a better quality oil.  It will have lower free fatty acid levels, which allows you to cook with EVOO at a higher temperature without it smoking.  It will be higher in antioxidants (polyphenols).  The higher the polyphenol count, the more health benefits you see.  It is milled within 2-4 hours from being picked.  All of our cultivators have mills present on site.  We want to protect the integrity of the oil from the moment the fruit leaves the tree.  All oils are sent to Modern Laboratory in Australia for a chemical analysis.  We display this chemical analysis on each EVOO that we sell.  We also display the crush date.  This is extremely important.  You never want to purchase an olive oil without this.  We receive our oils approximately 3 months from the crush date. 

Sadly, the US has a market that is dominated with inferior and adulterated oils.  Just because a grocery olive oil is labeled as extra virgin that does not mean that it is.  A lot of producers of olive oil hold onto the oil in storage until market conditions improve, and then they sale for a higher price.  Once it is bottled, they give it a best buy date of 2 years.  It is usually bottled in a clear plastic bottle not protected from light.  It goes to the grocery store where it sits under fluorescent lights, causing further damage to the oil.  By the time you buy a bottle at the grocery store, it may be several years old.  Olive oil is perishable, and as it ages you lose the health benefits as well as the flavor.  From the moment the olive leaves the tree, the fruit begins to oxidize and break down.  Bottles that say pure olive oil, light olive oil, or even extra light olive oil are extremely misleading.  What this really means is that they have taken overripe, rotten, even bug infested olives, crushed them, and then refined the oil.  They allow the olives to swell on the tree well past the optimum harvest period, so that the olive produces more oil despite the fact that is of poor quality.  The refining process will deodorize and strip the oil of all flavor, so that you do not notice how rancid it is.  These oils will not contain the health benefits that are so great in UP EVOO.”

Has your family visited Italy and the other places where you get the oils? 
“Tom and Alan have traveled extensively throughout Italy, Spain, and Greece.  The entire family has been to California and seen olive oil production in the US.  We rely only our importer to establish relationship with our growers and make sure that they are adhering to the Ultra Premium standards for production.”

What is your favorite thing about owning a business with your family?
“It is really neat to see everyone's strengths.  You really get to know each other.  We each add something to the business that would be lacking without each other.  I think our family compliments each other very well.  We just always have a lot of fun together!”

For customers new to the olive oil experience, do you recommend an EVOO or balsamic that everyone will love?
“I can give you a few of my favorites…you definitely have to have a great UP EVOO and traditional balsamic vinegar as your staples in the kitchen.  I do everything with these two (sauté vegetables, marinate any meat).  It also makes the best salad dressing.  My favorite (spring mix lettuce, feta cheese, tomatoes, honey roasted almond, and equal parts EVOO and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar) is so yummy!!!

I also use our Garlic Infused Olive Oil and Butter Infused Olive Oil a lot!  I use the butter olive oil in replace of butter in our diet.  The butter-to-butter olive oil conversion chart can be found on our website http://www.joliveco.coom or in our brochure in the store.

I would say our number one seller is Lemon Fused Olive Oil and Cranberry Pear Balsamic Vinegar.  This makes an unbelievable salad dressing (spring mix lettuce, feta or goat cheese, dried cranberries, strawberries, mandarin oranges, sugar coated walnuts).  I also use it as a marinade for fish.

I love to grill steaks with our Butter Infused Olive Oil, Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar, and Steakhouse Seasoning.  It is amazing.  I could not cook a steak any other way. 

All of our Balsamics are from Modena, Italy.  They are all natural, gluten free, with no artificial colors and no added sugars.  They are simply cooked down grapes, aged in oak barrels.  They are absolutely AMAZING!  The flavor that you get is so delicious.  There are only 10 calories per tablespoon.”  

Debbie adds,  “I would encourage any of your readers to come into one of our stores and taste any and all of our wide selection of oils and balsamics.  It will inspire new recipes or add a new twist to your old standby recipes.  As one of our regular customers often says, ‘It just makes what you cook even better.’”

Thank you, Debbie, for enlightening us on the benefits of Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil!  Please visit the J. Olive Company website here, or visit one of their lovely locations in Ridgeland and Oxford!

Today we are thrilled to share photos of a precious baby boy and his adorable nursery, lovingly designed by his mother!  Haley Farris is a talented artist and interior decorator in Greenwood, and she carefully created the perfect space for her son, Sam.   We had the pleasure of speaking with Haley, and today she shares the inspiration behind Sam's sweet space:

What was the inspiration behind Sam's nursery?
"My nursery is a good mix of modern and traditional.  I wanted the nursery to be pretty and more so 'sweet.'  As a decorator and artist, I believe 'less is more' with simple, yet soft colors and a mix of rich solid and textured fabrics.  I wanted the room to a be considered a place of relaxation for my baby, and an easy space to transition to a room of play as he grows older." 

Did you design your nursery?
"I designed the room myself.  I always knew what I wanted in a nursery and would have done the exact same with a baby girl, only changing the artwork to fit the gender."

Are any of your pieces from stores or vendors in Mississippi?
"Some of the pieces are family heirlooms and others are pieces that I found at antique stores in Greenwood and Jackson, and refinished myself. It's amazing what you can do with materials such as fabrics, chalk paint, and gold leaf these days.  The artwork in the room is my own. The Herend pieces were gifts that came from Batte Furniture and the deer and bowls are all McCarty Pottery." 

Do you have a favorite spot in the nursery?"
No particular spot.  We spend most of our time on the floor just playing!" 

What makes this room special to you?
"It belongs to me and is personally my first nursery to decorate.   A lot of thought and energy went into it and I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome.  I hope I can incorporate most of the family pieces into Sam's next room!" 

What advice do you have for other moms-to-be creating a nursery? 
"The best advice I can give to a mother just beginning to create her own special room for her little one is this: shop around!  Make your room unique and add your own personal character to it. It is so much more fun than ordering the exact set up in a magazine.  There are so many neat furniture frames, from seating to armoires, that just need a little TLC, and given the right touch will look better than those mass produced." 

Thank you, Haley, for sharing these photos of your precious nursery.  Here is a complete list of items in Sam's nursery:

Crib - Joy Canopy Crib from www.brattdecor.com
Bedding and Custom Pillows - Country and Cottage Shop on Etsy
Rug - Target
Chandelier - Pottery Barn Kids
Mirror - The Mustard Seed Antique Mall in Oxford, MS
Dresser, Changing Table, Rocking Chair - Family pieces Chair - David Pitt's Antiques in Greenwood, MS
Ottoman - Serena and Lily 
Side Table and Bench - Hwy 51 Antiques in Jackson, MS
Artwork- My Own! Haley Farris Artwork on Facebook
Cornice Boards - Built and covered my local carpenter and seamstress
Accessories - McCarty Pottery and various frames from local gift stores 
Lamps - CasaBella Interiors in Jackson, MS and Hobby Lobby
Drapes and Roman Shades - Custom made by local seamstress

Ron Garber was driving down Highway 61 in Natchez, when the axle on his trailer broke, sparking a fire.  Unknowingly, Ron was near a historic plantation, and the caretaker of the property came to the road when he heard sirens wailing.  The gentleman kindly offered to let Ron park his trailer on the property.   As they pulled into the lush grounds of Brandon Hall Plantation, Ron immediately fell in love.  He went home and told his family he would buy Brandon Hall. 

A month later, Ron’s daughter, Rachel Garber Dale, was attending a friend’s wedding on a plantation in Houston, Texas.   Rachel says, “I knew I wanted to start my own business.  I was sitting there thinking, ‘I could do this.  Brides would be thrilled to get married at Brandon Hall Plantation.’”

Built in 1856, the handsome plantation home was owned by cotton farmer Gerard Brandon, the son of a Mississippi Governor.  But by the late 1980’s, Brandon Hall stood vacant, in complete disrepair.  A New Orleans couple bought the property and completely restored the plantation.  Rachel says with awe, “They hired interior designers from around the world, had custom furniture made for the property, and added copper roofing.  They restored Brandon Hall impeccably, and truly went above and beyond the normal restoration of a property.”    

Ron and his wife, Kathy, purchased Brandon Hall in December of 2009, and Rachel began building a wedding and event business at the Plantation.  One day, Rachel was surprised to receive a call from a frantic bride.  Through tears, the bride explained that her wedding venue had suddenly closed.  Invitations had been mailed, and the wedding was just weeks away.  “The bride heard we were going to open up Brandon Hall as a new wedding venue.  I told her I was willing to work with her, even though we were not planning to have a wedding until the following spring!  But, we worked together and that is how we had our first wedding at Brandon Hall in March 2010.”  The wedding was magnificent.  Brides and grooms have been falling in love with Brandon Hall ever since!   

Rachel says, “I absolutely love Brandon Hall because it is so authentic and all of the plants are native.  It has gorgeous rolling hills and beautiful live oak trees sprinkled throughout the property.  We also have a pecan orchard, and a reflection pond surrounded by yellow Louisiana irises.  During the springtime, azaleas in all shades of pink bloom throughout the property.” 

Brides can choose to wed anywhere on the grounds. Rachel says, “I always tell my brides that Brandon Hall is their blank canvas.  If a bride wants to do something that has never been done before, I want to do it too!”  Many brides wish to marry under a gorgeous oak tree beside the pond.  Others prefer to exchange vows beneath a stunning arbor, draped in lovely wisteria in the garden.  Rachel adds, “When the wisteria is in bloom, it is simply amazing.” 

Brandon Hall Plantation is also a charming Bed & Breakfast, and many couples choose to stay, relax and spend time with their wedding party prior to the big day.  Bridesmaids typically spend time in the main house, while the groomsmen enjoy the cottage.  All guests will surely be entertained with croquet, fishing, and simply roaming the property. 

Rachel and her husband, Hunter, run Brandon Hall Plantation, and Rachel is a responsible, hands-on and wildly creative Event Director.  Aside from weddings, Brandon Hall is a wonderful location for luncheons, rehearsal dinners and other special events.  Rachel’s staff is professional, and their crisp white uniforms are always perfectly pressed.  If you have dreamed of a magical venue for a wedding or event, Brandon Hall is a perfectly enchanting setting. 

Rachel says, “When you drive up to Brandon Hall, it is absolutely breathtaking.  It is truly the definition of Southern Charm.  Brides come to Brandon Hall knowing that they can get whatever they want and whatever they picture for their wedding day.”   

Thank you, Rachel, for sharing the story of Brandon Hall Plantation.  To learn more about Brandon Hall, please visit their lovely website here.

Also, a special thanks to the talented Adam and Alli Hudson of Adam + Alli Photography for capturing these wonderful photographs! You can visit their website here!

“I came up in the age of experiencing the whole desire to get out of Mississippi.  But by the time I became an actual working artist out of college, the Internet became an amazing tool to open up the world.  I was aware of so many amazing Mississippians like Jim Henson, an idol of mine.  All of these great Mississippians have gone on to change the world.”  Ginger Williams-Cook

As a sixth grader, Ginger Williams-Cook made a bold declaration:  “I have made the full decision to become an artist.”  Even at a young age, she never had a doubt.  Many children love dabbling in painting and drawing, but few pursue art past middle school.  Ginger’s passion only grew.  

“I have actually never been without art; I never stopped drawing. I feel like I had more interest than many children because a lot of my family members are artists,” says Ginger.  “So, I knew I could grow up to be an artist one day.”  

Wildly talented and with seemingly endless capabilities, Ginger has been making a splash in the art scene for several years.  Her works are colorful and quirky, with a touch of humor and whimsy.  Much of her talent and inspiration comes from a lifetime of sketching alongside her father.  

As a high school student, Ginger’s father underwent a difficult brain surgery.  Rather than give up on his art, he pursued his passion.  Ginger reflects, “I was fifteen.  He trained himself to draw with his non-dominant side and became a great artist.  He actually drew better after his surgery than before!”  His speech patterns were interrupted following his surgery, so he dedicated his time to art.  Ginger marvels, “I spent a lot of time drawing with my father.  He still draws everyday.  He made a huge impact on me and is one of my biggest inspirations.”  

Ginger’s father is a pointillist, and he uses dots to create magnificent portrait heads and busts; his style heavily influenced Ginger.  She laughs, “It’s funny.  Even if I am painting a dog, I also focus on the bust!”  

A Jackson native, Ginger attended William Carey University in Gulfport, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and drawing.  The year before she graduated, Ginger joined a group of emerging artists in Jackson and landed her first job creating art.  She and two other artists painted a mural on the patio outside of Walker’s Drive-In.  

After graduation, she returned to her Jackson roots, and found a studio space in Fondren.  Ginger spent time painting portraits, teaching art lessons, and working at the Mississippi Museum of Art.  She continued painting to try and get her work into galleries, and submitted pieces to competitions all over the country.  In 2010, Ginger decided she wanted to promote her work through social media.  She had a few sets of nesting dolls and decided to paint them.  People went nuts.  One night her husband, Justin, said, “Ginger, you have to paint the Golden Girls.”  She did and within hours, they went viral. Ginger laughs, “I was not prepared!  I only had one set!”  Ginger’s Golden Girls were featured on countless blogs, and she was featured on MSNBC and New York Daily News.  

Ginger’s dog portraits are also wildly popular.  Ginger says, “When Justin and I started dating, we gave a voice and personality to our dog, Stella.  We talked about what she would wear to a party, and she would carry on inappropriate conversations with people.  When we got our second dog, Banjo, we did the same thing with him.”  Ginger painted a portrait of Banjo and Stella together, with one dressed as a Baptist preacher and the other in a dress and jean jacket.  She laughs, “It was funny.  I enjoyed doing it.”  She shared her paintings on social media, and again, people went crazy.   After all, doesn’t every pet owner imagine their dog’s personality and style? 

Ginger also creates custom pillows, a product she will offer on her new website.  Ginger says, “I wanted some large Euro shams for our bed.  I created one pillow of Justin and one of me.  It was so funny.  We just laughed when I put them on the bed.”  Her pillows caught even more attention on social media, and she was soon creating custom pillows.  She laughs, “They are fun and have so much personality.  They make a room come to life in this really fun way.” 

Today, Ginger says she gets many ideas from her love of antiques and nostalgia.  “Those two things kind of meet when it comes to what I like to paint.  I like to go and wander flea markets and antique malls, and look at objects and think about the power the objects hold.”  Ginger is currently painting porcelain dolls with high contrast patterns and colors.  She says, “I am mixing two things that don’t seem to go together, but they somehow work.”  

Ginger’s talent spans a little bit of everything.  She says, “Being an artist is such an evolution.  There is the career aspect of wanting to be an artist and the need to create.”  When she isn’t painting, she is crafting with her daughter, or making ornaments and clothespin people.  “It’s about being in that process,” she says.  

As her work and style beautifully evolves, her business is equally booming.   Ginger will unveil a brand new studio and beautiful new website this August!    

For now, Ginger, Justin and their two precious children are enjoying life in Jackson.  “There are a lot of ideas here and a lot of thinkers.  My network of friends is a group of dreamers and doers.  Our friends are a huge network of inspiration, and I want my family and children to experience that.”    

Thank you, Ginger, for sharing your incredible talents with us!  You can follow Ginger on Instagram (@gingerwilliamscook)here!

{Name}  Megan West Allen       
{Hometown} Laurel, MS but Jackson for 9 years.
{Event Site} Home of Anna Chappell, Bridgewater, Ridgeland, MS
{Tell us about the occasion for the event?}
This was a baby shower to celebrate what will likely be the July arrival of my baby girl!

{What inspired your event location and theme?}
The credit for that goes to Anna! She and the other 11 hostesses know that I love dresses and dressing up so they decided on a “pretty” Saturday morning brunch.

{What inspired your color scheme/flowers?}
I love the color green and my nursery is blush, coral and white. They used that as inspiration.

{What’s your favorite event detail? Is there a story behind it?}
The invitations. You can see a sketch of the picture used on it in one photo. A friend of Anna’s (who designs invitations professionally) actually looked at pictures of me, and things I like to come up with it. I’ll never look that great pushing a stroller around town…but I can dream.

{What was your favorite part of the event planning process?}
To be honest I didn’t have to do a thing. The incredible hostesses handled it all!

{What was your favorite moment of the event day?}
Seeing so many of my favorite people in one room. Like so many women I feel like I have so many great and wonderful friends who’ve never actually met each other. This day gave me a chance to introduce many of them.

{Your favorite picture from the event day?}
The pictures of my mom sitting next to me as I open gifts. My husband and I waited for years to have a child—enduring infertility and finally IVF. Having a baby- much less a baby shower- was not something I *knew* I’d ever get to do. But my mom always did. It was very special to sit next to her…carrying the next girl in our lineJ

Photographer: Candace Tann