With Valentine’s Day less than a week away, have you purchased something special for your loved ones?  Bliss Gift and Home has incredibly unique options for everyone on your list, from your husband or wife to your child or pet!

Today, Cathy Joyner of Bliss Gift and Home shares her favorite his and her gifts with us! 

Indulgences for Her

Votivo Candle in “Pucker Up Pink”
The scent is heavenly, with soft touches of gardenia, strawberry, mimosa and sandalwood.  The pretty packaging is equally impressive.  

Farmhouse Fresh Products
This incredible line boasts luxurious bath and body products made with farm fresh ingredients.  Any woman will covet these delightful products.  Even Oprah approves!

Ice Vino Wine Cups
The wine connoisseur in your life will simply adore this clever glass.  It keeps your wine cold and is spill-proof!

Luxuries for Him

Henley Brands
Any man will appreciate these heirloom quality products, including tools, bar ware, and gadgets.  Each piece is functional with an attractive vintage look. 

Leather Paper Weights
The perfect desk accessory for your favorite man. 

Whiskey Wedge
This smart gift allows your guy to perfectly chill his favorite toddy without watering it down.  We know this will be a big hit! 

Leather Cigar Case with Cutter
He will certainly impress his friends with this fine leather case!

Thank you, Cathy, for sharing these fabulous gift ideas.  Bliss also carries an adorable pajama line, stemless champagne glasses, love-themed pillow cases, sweet stuffed animals and many more adorable finds! 

For more information on Bliss Gift and Home, visit their website here, or call 601.326.3338.  You can also visit their beautiful new location at Banner Hall in Jackson!

{Name}  M.G. Ferguson
{Hometown}  Madison, Mississippi
{Event Site} The Little Gym; Ridgeland, Mississippi

{Tell us about the occasion for the event?}
It was M.G.’s fourth birthday!

{What inspired your event location and theme?}
In the past we have always done M.G.’s parties at our house.  I vowed last year that I would do it somewhere else.  The Little Gym was the perfect choice.  Not only do they help you set-up and take down - they fully entertain the kids the entire time.  I can’t say enough good things about them! 

As far as the theme – after changing his mind 32 times we finally decided to celebrate ALL of the superheroes and Legos.  This seemed a better option than the monster trucks and tractors driven by superheroes and dragons.  M.G. is very imaginative, so I was thankful when he landed on Lego superheroes.  He was very involved in picking everything out and even helped me paint the city boxes that were used to serve the food.

{What inspired your color scheme/flowers?}
Since we were doing all of the superheroes, we didn’t settle on one specific color.  We had black and blue for batman, blue and red for superman and green for hulk – and because that is M.G.’s favorite color.

{What’s your favorite event detail? Is there a story behind it?}
I personally loved his invite.  I found a girl on etsy who had taken pictures of some Lego superheroes that was perfect.  I had been concerned how I was going to represent both in the invite.  I used that picture and just added the party information to it. 

{What was your favorite part of the event planning process?}
Knowing that I didn’t have to entertain the kids!

{What was your favorite moment of the event day?}
Seeing the smile on M.G.’s face and being able to enjoy the party with him!  Also – coming home to a clean house was wonderful!!

Photographer:   Caitlyn Sullivan
Event Planner:  Emily Ferguson and the Kendall Poole Event Planning team
Venue: The Little Gym; Ridgeland, Mississippi
Cake: The Cake Diva

“I always knew I wanted to live in a big city.  It seemed like a far-fetched idea to move to New York City to become a fashion designer.  I just didn’t know how to make it happen!  Then I got a job working at Maison Weiss.  Mr. Weiss took me under his wing, told me I was talented and said, ‘you should be doing something really special.’”

Hilton Hollis grew up on a farm in Carthage, Mississippi.  Creative, warm and gregarious, Hilton adored his hometown but yearned for something more.  As a child, he confided in a small group of people and told them his big city dreams.  He says, “I had a few people laugh at me and say, ‘Hilton, you can’t do that!’”

After a brief stint at a college in Rhode Island, Hilton returned to Mississippi and flexed his talent and creativity by designing the windows of the lovely, upscale Maison Weiss boutique in Jackson.  He not only caught the eyes of shoppers, but also of the store’s owner, Mr. Bernard Weiss. 

With a glowing letter of recommendation from Mr. Weiss, Hilton was soon enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.  His designs grabbed the attention of others in the industry, and he soon began working at Calvin Klein.  With Tim Gardner as his mentor, he gained expertise in garment design and construction.

THIS Thursday and Friday, February 5-6, you have the opportunity to meet Hilton and shop his stunning Spring Collection at Maison Weiss.  Hilton says, “I have come full circle with my beginnings.  Working at Maison Weiss, coming to school with Mr. Weiss’s blessings and working in the fashion industry.  Being able to be back in the store and sell my line is incredible; I have made the full round!”

Today, Hilton’s collection is filled with gorgeous clothes for every occasion.  Made with Italian fabrics, each garment is spectacular in person.  “It truly is a total lifestyle collection,” said Hilton.  “We have everything from weekend wear to gorgeous cocktail and evening gowns.  We dress many mothers of the bride, and we have perfect pieces for the bride herself: from the engagement party to the reception.”

Refreshingly, Hilton’s muse for his line is a real woman, and he fits sizes 0 through 16. “I use a lot of my clients as inspiration; I am thinking about them as I design. I think it is important to remind yourself of what real women are wearing – not models.  I dress everyone from the sophisticated 30-year-old to the 90-year-old.  I have had situations where a mother, a daughter and a grandmother will all come in and buy something from the collection!”

Inspired by a recent getaway to the picturesque beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Hilton Hollis’s Spring 2015 Collection features beautifully relaxed silhouettes.  With longer skirts, flowing tops, and just the right amount of structure complementing the waist, each piece is a wearable work of art.  Our favorite pieces include a lovely lace jacket (Hilton’s vision of the “new cardigan”), a crisp, long white skirt belted with a colorful scarf, and of course, his infamous basic pant.  Hilton laughs, “they are like Spanx for your entire leg!”

Even with his great success, Hilton remains humble and grateful for his Mississippi roots.  He reflects, “Now that I am away from Mississippi, I love it even more.” 

We hope you will all welcome Hilton home and view his lovely pieces at Maison Weiss this Thursday and Friday!

For more information, please visit the Hilton Hollis website here, or the Maison Weiss website here. 

Mark your calendars!  On Friday, June 20, Hilton will host his annual fashion show fundraiser, supporting the elementary school in his hometown.  For more information on this incredible New York-style runway show, please visit the Local Fashion Advantage Facebook page here.  More details to follow on Inspiration Mississippi over the upcoming months!