This Halloween, treat yourself to something deliciously scary.

La Brioche, an authentic patisserie in Jackson, is indulging Mississippians with desserts and pastries from around the world.  Their delicacies include handmade candies and chocolates, freshly baked croissants and colorful French macarons. 

La Brioche has an impressive international background.  Owners Alejandra Sprouts and Cristina Lazzari both hail from Rasario, Argentina.  Alejandra completed  L’Art de la Patisserie program at the French Pastry School in Chicago, Illinois, and she beautifully blends quality and seasonal ingredients to create delicious confections.

Cristina moved to Sweden to complete studies in Horticulture.  She often traveled to southern Italy, and developed a passion for fine pastries and well-made coffee.  She has worked in pastry shops and coffee shops throughout Europe and Mississippi.

Alejandra says, “For Halloween, our dessert specials include a blood orange macaron, a pumpkin macaron and delicious eyeballs.  The eyeballs consist of Cassis (black currant) Jelly for the pupil, Green Apple Mousse for the iris, White Chocolate Mousse for the sclera, and Raspberry Gelee for the ‘blood’ inside.  The eyeball sits on a chocolate-covered chocolate cookie.” 

She laughs, “I simply wanted to get away from making pretty desserts, and go all out and make something with a freaky and gross factor, hence the eyeballs.  Even though I was going for a scary factor, the dessert still needs to taste delicious and it is made with nothing but good quality and natural ingredients.” 

After the Halloween weekend, La Brioche will be serving Alejandra’s favorite treat this holiday season, Apple Galette, which is served with a scoop of any flavor ice cream.  She adds, “We also offer other tarts this year which include the pumpkin spice and frangipane tart topped off with Chantilly cream and our spiced caramel pecan tart.  We will have all of these beautiful and delicious tarts throughout the holidays!”

Other whimsical sweets this holiday season will include mouth-watering candy cane macarons, meringue Christmas trees, Santa hats (chocolate cake with a strawberry Santa hat), brioche loaves, egg nog and egg nog Chaja cakes!

“What inspires me the most about my job are the endless possibilities and the creative process behind each dessert,” says Alejandra thoughtfully.  “Of course, knowing that people enjoy my pastries is also very gratifying and keeps me motivated.”

Thank you, Alejandra and Cristina, for sharing your tasty treats with us today!  Also, a special thank you to Katie Stafford of Mary Moment Photography for beautifully capturing these spooky desserts!

For more information on La Brioche, please visit their website here!

For more information on Mary Moment Photography, please click here!

We at Inspiration Mississippi wish you all a happy and safe Halloween!

Anna Blumenfeld and Nadav Herman charmed guests with a beautiful Southern wedding in a picturesque camp setting. The Alabama bride was radiant in blue, and the Israeli groom proudly wore cowboy boots.  The result?  A magical wedding in the heart of Utica, Mississippi.

Bride: Anna Blumenfeld
Groom: Nadav Herman
Hometowns: Dothan, AL & Golan Heights, Israel
Wedding Site (name and location): URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Utica, MS             
Reception Site (name and location): URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Utica, MS

Today, the brides shares their love story and beautiful wedding details with us!

  "My story with Nadav began at Jacobs Camp.  I grew up there and was on staff for many summers.  The summer I stopped going, Nadav began his many staff summers at camp.  We both believe it is our camp!  In the summer of 2011 I had to go to Jacobs Camp for work (I work for the NYC umbrella office organization) and Nadav was spending the summer as the Adventure Director.  We both had little birdies whispering in our ears telling us to consider each other, but I wasn’t ready to listen to the little birdies.  At the end of my week at camp my heart turned in to mush when I saw how Nadav interacted with the campers.  On the last night I was at camp, he suggested we do something fun.  I pulled an old line out of my pocket that has been used many a time by campers and staff alike and suggested – let’s go to the tennis courts and look at the stars!  Never mind that it was cloudy, and never mind that I was 33-years-old, the line worked like a charm!

That night led to 10 months of long distance dating, and then Nadav's move to Brooklyn.  Nadav says the best thing to come from a long distance relationship is the airline miles!  Nadav proposed in January 2013.  We knew there was no other place than camp to get married!  I am from Alabama and Nadav is from Israel, but we knew that we wanted to start our lives together at Jacobs Camp in Utica, Mississippi – the site where it all began.  We immediately began checking out the possibility.  We picked a date and started to get organized.  I quickly realized that I would need to work with a wedding planner due to all of the out of town details.  It was pretty hard for my Type A personality to give up control, but I met the perfect partner in Kendall Poole Ellis. 

I knew from the beginning I did not want to wear a white wedding dress.  I, of course, wanted to be the bride, but I was not going to be the bride in a white dress.  I worked with Mark Ingram Atelier to find the perfect navy blue wedding dress. I was able to check off something blue!   Nadav even got excited about his clothing.  He hated wearing a suit, but he considered his shoes (black cowboy boots) to be a major win!  His favorite part of the outfit were his bicycle chain cuff links.  Nadav is an avid (some might say crazy) cross country cyclist.  I gave the cuff links to Nadav the day of the wedding.  He likes them so much he has requested more dress shirts so that he can wear them.  I never thought my outdoorsy husband would request more dress shirts!

Working on the details of the wedding was the most fun.  I wanted our guests to be able to enjoy camp, but I also wanted to have a charming, elegant, Southern wedding.  Pulling off the elegant piece while at camp is magic I still can’t believe.  All of my childhood camp friends could not believe how we transformed camp on Saturday night for the wedding.  We really need before and after photos, you just wouldn’t believe it! 

We had touches of Southern sayings throughout the event.  Cotton was also a huge part of the decor; I am a proud Alabama girl. We had people coming from Israel and the East Coast and it was very important to me to showcase the personality, hospitality, and beauty of the South.  Our menu items all had southern inspirations as well.  

Being part of the Jewish community is a huge part of our lives.  We had multiple Jewish ritual pieces to the wedding.  We knew that the Ketubah signing had to be on the tennis courts, the site where it all began.   Our Ketubah was a custom paper cut Ketubah inspired by the camp gates.  My mother passed away before the wedding and Rainbows were here signature color (and Maiden name!)  The chupah is supposed to symbolize the beginning of the couples home together and we changed the flowers to be Rainbows in honor of my mom.  The Rabbi who married us is a very special friend to both of us. The Hora was a highlight, and our band Almost Famous really rocked it!

The wedding was such joy and love and beauty – I wish I was more eloquent to describe all of it.  I worked with the best team – Kendall Poole Ellis and all of Kendall Poole Event Planning , Meredith Young of Au Courant (florist), Wendy Putt of Fresh Cut Catering & Floral (caterer), Adam + Alli (photographers), and Brock Gomez (cinematographer).  They were so supportive of me, especially after my mom died.  They were there for me, much more than vendors; I truly consider them friends.  I miss emailing and calling them so much!  No one else talks about post wedding withdrawals and missing your vendors!"

Vendors:
Photography: Adam + Alli Photography
Catering: Fresh Cut Catering & Florals
Florals:  Au Courant Floral
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Cake:  Cakes by Iris
Rentals:  Great Southern Events
Bartending: World of Wines & Liquors
Videography: Brock Gomez Productions
Hair & Makeup: Kate McNeely at Trim Salon
Band: Almost Famous

Brookhaven has a brand new sporting goods store!  Vicksburg’s beloved Hobie’s Sports & Outdoors has opened an impressive space in the heart of Brookhaven.  Owner Jason Martin-Nez says, “Hobie’s has given me a great opportunity to not only enjoy my first love, sports, but also share my second love, hunting and the outdoors, with our customers.” 

Hobie’s is known for their outstanding customer service and an extraordinary array of clothing, shoes and equipment.  Jason says, “We offer an enormous selection of products and brand names that cover all the needs of an outdoorsman.”

We spoke with Jason to learn more about Hobie’s exciting new location!

~ Congratulations on your new store!  Where is it located and why did you choose the location?
“Our new location is on Brookway Boulevard in Brookhaven, right next to the Sav-A-Lot.  We have had our eye on Brookhaven as a possible location for a second store for a while now, and when we found this space, we knew it was perfect for us!” 

~ What are your favorite products/items that will be sold in the store?
“Our Brookhaven location will be very similar to our Vicksburg location, in terms of the inventory that we will carry there.  Of course, we’ll have a great selection of outdoor apparel, guns and bows for our hunting enthusiasts, but we’re excited to share our fashionable lines like Dylan and True Grit, North Face, Patagonia and Southern Marsh as well! 

One of my favorite sections of the new store is our awesome sunglass display right near the register!  We carry tons of great brands of sunglasses including Costa, Ray-Ban, Oakley and Under Armour.”

~ What do you think makes Hobie's such a success in Mississippi?
“We are extremely lucky to have some of the best and most loyal customers in the state of Mississippi.  Ultimately they are really what make us successful.  We take a lot of pride in providing outstanding customer service in Vicksburg and look forward to continuing that tradition in our new Brookhaven community.” 

~ What inspired the opening of the first Hobie's?
“When I was growing up, my father owned a sporting goods store in Vicksburg.  He eventually went on to sell it, but I always remembered loving that store and dreamed of having my own someday.  When the opportunity to purchase the store in Vicksburg came up, I knew I had to leave my job in the corporate banking world and fulfill my true passion." 

Jason adds, “We’re incredibly grateful for all of the support that we’ve received from everyone in Brookhaven so far and could not be more excited about getting to know everyone there!”

Congratulations, Jason, on your Brookhaven location!  For more information on Hobie’s Sports and Outdoors, please visit their website here!

Mississippi’s most beloved candy shop is celebrating thirty-five years of business this October!   And as the saying goes, “There is candy. And then there’s Nandy’s Candy.” Whether you grew up loving their American truffles, decadent caramel apples, chocolate dipped strawberries or flavorful snow cones, this Jackson haunt holds a sweet place in many Mississippians’ hearts.

“Thirty-five years ago, women were not going back to school.  The first job I had in high school was at a candy store in Houston, Texas.  It was great quality candy.  I decided to open my own business in Jackson and thought I would buy wholesale from the owner.  Instead he said, 'No, I’ll teach you how to make it,’” reflects Nandy’s Candy owner, Nancy King.  “I went to Houston for a week and learned how to make the candy.  But getting the money for my shop wasn’t easy.  I was told by numerous banks to go home and bake my cookies.  But I finally convinced a bank and got a loan.” 

Nandy’s Candy opened its bright red doors on October 25, 1980, in a charming 250 square foot space in Colonial Mart on Old Canton Road in Jackson.  The previous owner left the space in shambles, and Nancy’s husband helped her scrub, clean and perfectly build out the store. “We purchased equipment: a marble slab, a cooking stove for candy, and copper pots,” says Nancy.  Customers were charmed with excellent customer service and her fresh, high-quality candy.  Nancy says, “I am old fashioned.  The recipes I used in the beginning and still use today have lasted generation to generation.  They are tried and true.”

Nandy’s Candy moved to its current Maywood Mart location in 1997, where it has joyfully resided for over eighteen years.  The warm and friendly atmosphere creates a family-oriented feeling, and employees gladly help guide you, whether you are looking for a gift, something sweet for a diabetic, or simply a treat for a child.  “People come into a candy store to be happy!” laughs Nancy.  “I have always wanted to keep my candy factory with my retail business.  I love when people walk in and say, ‘Oh my goodness, it smells SO good in here!’” 

Nancy’s daughter, Emmie, handles many of the responsibilities at Nandy’s Candy.  With social media flourishing and technology racing faster than anyone can keep up, Nancy hopes that Nandy’s Candy will be here for future generations.  Nancy says, “Success in business is not about profits and money.  It is whether you have succeeded in making a quality product and a friend for life.  So many of my customers are my friends.  Not acquaintances.  Creativity is my strong suit, and I love interacting with the people who come into Nandy’s Candy.”

Nancy nails it when she says, “Nandy’s Candy has been a part of people’s lives.  It is part of Jackson.  Whether it is Lemuria Books, Nandy’s Candy, Brent’s, or Beemon Drugs, we are all part of a community.  We have all contributed and we all care about each other.  We care about the Delta, the coast, Meridian and Vicksburg because our state is the size of one large city in most states.  We have to care about each other.  I care about my product and my customers.  I will never give you something that I am not proud of or do not enjoy.”

Congratulations, Nancy, on 35 years of great success!  Cheers to the next 35 years. 

As long as Nandy’s Candy continues brightening our lives with delicious morsels, we will gladly walk through those famous red doors into a world of sweetness!

For more information on Nandy's Candy, please visit their website here or their Facebook page here!

The most beautiful closet in Mississippi belongs to one of the state’s most impressive physicians.

Dr. Barbara Sullivan serves as the Executive Medical Director for Women’s Services at Baptist Hospital in Jackson.  She has authored numerous publications and has served as a presenter at medical and scientific conferences.   Barbie laughs that she is known as the OB/GYN who performs Cesarean sections in high heels!  Barbie says, “I have always been interested in fashion.  My patients know and they always laugh at me!  If I have to run over and do a case or C-section, the nurses always say, ‘we hear clicking down the hall and we know it is you!’”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and this brilliant, fashionable and kind woman also helped form a charity called Fund for the Girls through the Baptist Foundation.  It provides all breast screenings that a woman might need, for those who do not have insurance or are under insured. “This is near and dear to my heart. It has turned into a bigger impact than what I imagined it would be when we started it.  We have helped over 700 women get ultrasounds and biopsies in Jackson.  If a woman comes in and cannot pay for a biopsy – we want to provide the kind of care that will take them wherever they need to go, whether it is breast cancer screening, treatments, etc.,” says Barbie. 

Last year, Barbie downsized and purchased a home in Madison, and decided to treat herself with a spectacular closet.  Barbie has a busy schedule and often attends functions in the evenings after work.  She wanted to splurge on not only a lovely dressing room, but also a functional space.  Barbie says, “I just really and truly wanted to do something for myself, and wanted it to fit into my lifestyle.”

Barbie began working with Phyllis Doby of Closet Designs, to create a refreshing room, coated in light paint, featuring plenty of storage and an impressive wall for those famous heels. 

Phyllis says, “Barbie was a delight to work with on her closet design.  She is a very busy lady with a hectic career and with that in mind, we set out to design a closet where items were easy to see and locate.”

Phyllis adds, “The first step to designing a closet it to determine the needs of a client.  An inventory count is mandatory for a closet design.  For example, if a client has a fetish for shoes or handbags, we need to know.  In addition, we need to know how many garments and their lengths for hanging.  And, we always make sure the design is good for resale value of the home.”

Barbie’s closet includes these incredible features:
Rolling ladder system
Illuminated garment boxes with glass doors for quick viewing
Shoe and boot cubbies
Handbag and luggage storage
Customized jewelry drawer inserts
Chest of drawers
Cubbies for sweaters and folded items
Full-length mirror
Laundry/Dry cleaning drawer

Barbie’s 10’ by 11’ closet has enhanced her busy life.  “The thing I like most is that now I can see everything,” says Barbie.  “I can see all of my shoes and all of my clothes.  I don’t forget that I have something, and I shop a lot less than what I did before because I know what I have when I walk into my closet.  If I have an event after work, I can run in, put my hands on what I need, and be out the door in thirty minutes.”  A well-edited, cheerful space built for an inspirational woman. 

If you are looking for exceptional gifts for someone on your list this year, Barbie suggests a wonderful idea.  Every December she donates a mammogram to someone ($180) in her work partners’ names.  The recipient of the gift receives a beautiful card, stating that a mammogram has been provided for a woman in your name.  Barbie says, “All of us have been touched by someone.  We ALL know someone who has breast cancer, so it is something nice to give back.” 

Thank you, Barbie, for serving the Jackson community with your talents and incredible heart.  We are thrilled to share your beautiful closet!

If you would like to give a gift to Fund for the Girls, please click here! 

If you are interested in giving your closet a makeover for the New Year, contact Phyllis Doby of Closet Designs at 601.214.0254.

{Blog by Mitchell Walters}