Forrest Paper and Bridal Company is home to three of the most talented graphic designers in Mississippi.  Their designs are simply exquisite, from floral envelopes to lovely textured paper.  Owner Cheryl Fletcher says, “We carry invitations and stationary for all occasions!  Some are stocked in the shop, others are ordered from albums, but most are custom designed and produced right here in the shop.”

Opening an invitation from Forrest Paper and Bridal Company is like unwrapping a beautiful gift.  Today, Cheryl shares more about her design team and their incredible creations.

Tell us the history behind Forrest Paper and Bridal Company!
“Forrest Paper actually began in the 1930’s as a janitorial company. It changed ownership several times
and in the late 90’s it branched out into what I call the ‘pretty paper’ division: gift wrap, ribbon, invitations and stationery. I purchased the business shortly after that and it continued to be strictly paper until 2007, when the only bridal shop in Hattiesburg closed. At that point we added a full service bridal salon, and changed our name to Forrest Paper and Bridal Company.”

Your stationary and invitations are simply exquisite. Describe the design process behind each!
“The design process is really fairly simple. We start by talking with our customer in detail about their event. We want to know things like where it is, what time of year, what time of day. We also want to know 
if they are going to be using RSVP cards or if they need a map or direction cards. That information helps us understand what sort of feeling the event is going to have. Many brides bring pictures of things they like and that is always a good starting point.
  Once we have direction, we typically look at samples of things we have done in the past. We try not to have people do exactly the same thing as someone else, so we usually take elements from several designs
 and combine them to give the customer something unique to their event!”

What inspires each designer's beautiful work?
“Inspiration for each design comes from the personality of the customer and the event itself.”

What makes your invitations and stationary so special?
“Our invitations are very distinctive and unique. The invitation is the first glimpse your guests get of your event, so it needs to be representative of the overall vision.”

What is the best way for a potential customer to get in touch with Forrest Paper and Bridal Company?
“If someone wants to contact us, they can actually set up an appointment right here on our website!” 

Cheryl says, “We have recently acquired a 1920’s Candler and Price letterpress machine that will be up and running shortly!  So, we will be adding in house letterpress to our available services.”  We cannot wait to see the breathtaking results.  Visit the Forrest Paper and Bridal Company website here, or click here to like their Facebook page!

A special thank you to Caitlyn Sullivan for the wonderful photographs!

Imagine turning petals from your wedding bouquet into a gorgeous work of art.   Leslie Baskin, the talented artist and owner of Leslie Baskin Designs, is garnering a lot of attention for her fiber art.  Leslie creates homemade paper then incorporates pressed flowers, watercolor and gold foil.  The results are simply stunning.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Leslie, and learning more about the exquisite pieces she loves to create!

 You have always been a creative person.  Tell us about your background in art? 
 “I've always had an interest in the creative side.  I took art growing up, went to summer camps for art, and had lessons after school.  When I was a freshman at Ole Miss, I went in undecided about a major.   But after half of a semester, I realized I wanted a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in graphic design.  After graduating, I began teaching art and graphic design at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and after teaching for two years, I realized I wanted to get my master’s degree.  I am in my 5th year teaching high school students at St. Andrew’s, and I am currently at Mississippi College, slowly but surely working on my MFA in graphic design!”

What inspired you to begin creating fiber art?
“I took a paper-making class at Mississippi College.  With my background in graphic design, I have always loved beautiful paper, and that’s why I was drawn to the class. Fiber art gives me another outlet for working with beautiful paper.”  

Tell us how you create these gorgeous pieces of fiber art?
“You can use any sort of paper you want!  For my base, I use a cotton linter paper.  It is just a dry, ground up cotton with some fibers that hold it together.  I use a lot of recycled paper too.  I blend all of that up with water in a blender, making a pulp.  From there, I pull the paper flat onto a screen.  I then transfer the paper onto a flat surface and let it dry.  During the drying process, I begin incorporating dried flowers, gold foil, or several layers of pulp on top of each other.  I make each piece more of a composition.” 

Tell us about your graphic design business! 
 “I love creating invitations!  And I absolutely love the printing process:  picking the paper and using gold foil in invitations.  I create custom logos as well.       

Does Mississippi have any influence on your work? 
“Definitely!  My husband and I moved into a new house in Fondren two years ago, and our yard is filled with beautiful flowers.  I loved picking a flower, drying it and pressing it.  When I took the paper-making class at Mississippi College, I thought it would be an interesting idea to place the dried flowers onto the homemade paper. They kind of just float off of the page.  It is so pretty to me!  As compositions, they resemble landscapes found in Mississippi:  the Delta, the coast, and even some rolling hills.  Many of my fiber art pieces have transformed into these abstract landscapes.  Depending on the material or the colors I use, I often work back in with watercolors.  I recently created a piece using blue and green watercolor washes for a friend who lives on the coast.  It turned out beautifully.”  

What would you like to do in the future? 
“I love teaching, so I definitely see myself teaching for a while.  One day, I would love to have my own studio where I can create art and paper, but also have a graphic design studio where people can come in for custom invitations and logos.  It would be wonderful to sell cute stationary and my art, along with pieces from other local artists as well!”  

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing your beautiful art with us!  Follow Leslie Baskin Designs on Instagram! @lesliebaskindesigns

Locking eyes with the love of your life on your wedding day should be a perfect, insanely romantic moment.  Every bride ponders the question, “Should we do a first look, or wait to see each other during the ceremony?”  A first look is truly magical, and photographers can capture precious, private moments.  Today, we are thrilled to share some of these photographs, beautifully taken by Adam + Alli Photography.  Brides, grooms and wedding planners also tell us why a first look can be a wonderful start to a wedding.

“Is it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony?  Will the wedding fall apart?  Will it take all of the excitement away from the ceremony?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  Many AMAZING things come from a FIRST LOOK.”  Adam Hudson, Photographer with Adam + Alli Photography

“At first I was skeptical, only because television and movies have created an image of what I thought the first time my groom would see me should be.  I thought if I did a first look I would be breaking ‘tradition.’ 

But then I thought about the advantages of only him seeing me walk down the aisle…I wanted him to have a natural reaction.  I know Taylor; he is so much more himself when it is just the two of us.  Looking back, it was the BEST DECISION I made!  We had an entire hour to ourselves with no interruptions!”  Haley Hawsey Smith, bride

“There’s nothing that can replace that moment, especially when it is just the two of you.”  Bride

“It was an intimate and calming moment that I will always treasure.  Wedding days can often be hectic and stressful, but that alone time with my love reset my focus and soothed my anxieties.  It also allows for some very sweet, candid and private photos without any rush.”  Lindsay Stevenson, bride

“I am a huge fan of the first look!  There is something about taking time to just have a few moments alone.  I promise, the moment of the bride walking down the aisle with the music playing, surrounded by so many friends and family, will be just as special and romantic.”  Kendall Poole Ellis, Wedding Planner / Owner of Kendall Poole Event Planning

“I walked up behind him, put my hands over his eyes, and he turned around.  Immediately, we hugged each other and didn’t want to let go.  We wouldn’t have been able to do that during the ceremony!  One of Nathan’s favorite pictures (he still talks about it) is when he took a step back after hugging me to ‘take it all in’ and then he looked at me from the back, then front again, and kissed me.”  Amanda Newman Cameron, bride

“I have never had a bride or groom regret a first look, because it helps them both relax.  As a wedding planner, it’s always great to see my couples have a few moments to just relax and feel at ease on their wedding day.”  Paige Haven, Wedding Planner / Owner of Compliments of You, LLC

“At first I thought that the first look would be less romantic than waiting to see each other until walking down the aisle, but it actually ended up being one of my favorite moments of the whole day.  When we saw each other in the garden, it was like time stood still.  We shared this sweet, intimate moment between us, and I’ll never forget how much love was in his eyes.”  Joy Abedikichi, bride

“It’s not that it got rid of all the little nerves, but it did put things into perspective – that we were there together to take these vows and celebrate that love.  The first look really slowed time down and allowed us to truly be in the moment.  And now, to have those photos reminds us to slow down and be in the moment.”  Azod, groom

“For us, the first look was an exciting start to our perfect day.  We chose a few places that were sentimental to us.  We were able to spend time together for a few hours before the chaos began!  During these important moments alone, it felt like it was our time to say, ‘It’s our wedding day!’  Those are actually some of the best moments that will forever be etched in our minds.”  Amber Koestler, bride  

Thank you, Adam + Alli Photography, for sharing these pretty, intimate first look photos!

“I grew up in a very artistic family.  My parents were into the symphony and the theater, so I was exposed to all facets of the art world.  When I began to think about making a living, I decided to explore interior design.  It was a practical decision.  I was not the child who rearranged her bedroom every weekend,” laughs Lisa Palmer.  “But, I truly fell in love with interior design.  I had a very inspiring instructor who taught my textiles class, and she was hugely passionate about textiles.  I became passionate about textiles through her class, and she changed my whole perception of design from a practical decision into a passion.”

Lisa Palmer is sharp.  She is gorgeous, gregarious and smart, and her love for design is intoxicating.  As Owner and Principal Designer of SummerHouse, Lisa has created a business that is just as impressive as she is.

Lisa began her career at CraftCrosswell in Jackson, where she honed her design skills and learned how to run a business.  “Bill Croswell was one of my great inspirations in life because he taught me how important client service is.  He also taught me the importance of working with a staff, and that you must keep a positive attitude with your staff.  I try to do that every single day that I am here.  Not only to my customers and clients, but also with my staff.” 

Seeing a great need in the Jackson-area for soft, traditional furnishings, Lisa opened SummerHouse in Fondren in 2003.  “I had to go out of town to find clean-lined, high-end, high-quality furnishings for my clients.  And when a space came available, I decided to take it.” She laughs, “It was never a long term goal of mine to be a business owner.  It kind of just fell in my lap.  I thought, ‘I’m going for it.’  You get nowhere if you don’t take risks.”

Two years later, a fire in the space next door completely destroyed her business.  It was time to rebuild.  Lisa gained two business partners who believed in her, and they decided The Township in Ridgeland was the perfect location for SummerHouse. 

Lisa designed a truly magnificent space.  Natural light streams into the open 6900 square foot showroom, which boasts 17.5-foot ceilings, and a mezzanine with offices and a resource library.  It is light, airy and refreshing.  “When someone walks in, they immediately know who we are and how we design,” says Lisa.  Clients are surrounded by inspiration in the showroom, and love to see and feel the pieces.  “Too many clients have been burned too many times in the past.  Women tend to trust your opinion, but with an important piece like a sofa or lounge chair, men want to be enveloped by comfort.”

SummerHouse is filled with fresh, classic, soft-modern designs.  Lisa says, “The trend at markets right now is to go very modern.  That is not us.  We still love our antiques and great, crusty finishes.  Here at SummerHouse, we just like to incorporate modern pieces with our time-worn finishes and our natural matte sisal rugs with our antique rugs.  We do a beautiful, balanced mix of those things.”  However, if you wish to have a more contemporary home, they can help create a beautiful modern space as well!  Lisa says, "If contemporary is what you want, we will jump right in!"

Designers at SummerHouse are trained to handsomely create your home, holding your hand throughout the entire process.  If you are a client, they will not charge to pick out paint colors, and will ensure pieces will fit your space, so you are not making any mistakes.  Lisa adds, “What we do best is what we are trained to do.  I think in the long run, if you find the right designer who matches your style, it is worry-free.”

Whether you are looking to buy one new piece, or decorate an entire home, SummerHouse is the ultimate destination.  You can visit their beautiful website here. 

Today, Lisa shares her tips for finding your perfect designer at SummerHouse:

~ Visit our website, www.summerhousestyle.com and click on the Interior Design Section.  You can read a bio and see photos of all of the designers on staff and learn more about their style.  We also feature rooms and homes we have designed, and each project links to the designer who created it.

~ Call me!  I know all of the designers and their strengths.  I can tell you which designer will fit you best.  Each has their own personal style, they all have a degree in Interior Design, and each is excellent at what they do.

~ Ask around! Word of mouth is the best!  If you know of anyone who has used designers from SummerHouse before, ask who they worked with, about their experience, etc.

~ Do your homework.  Find your style and what makes you feel the best in your home.  Do you want to go rustic modern, soft traditional, or contemporary?  Look through magazines, Pinterest and get your research done.  That will help your designer help you best.

~  Come up with a realistic budget.  Sometimes clients are scared to talk budget with a designer.  It truly helps US know where to go with a room!

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!