Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Leonardo DiCaprio & Clint Eastwood
to Film J. Edgar Hoover Bi-Opic
in Warrenton, VA

Leo DiCaprio on set of J. Edgar Hoover movie
I am a true film fan, and when I heard that some major celebrities would be filming nearby our neck of the woods I had to blog about it.

According to Kyle Osborne of  Entertainment or Die website, an upcoming film about J. Edgar Hoover starring Leoardo DiCaprio and directed by Clint Eastwood, is set to film in Arlington, VA, on March 27, 2011, and in Warrenton, VA, on March 28, 29, 30.

This is wonderful news to the local economy and I am thrilled for the Town of Warrenton. They will reap the economic benefits from the several days of a major movie studio filming in their own backyard.  Thank you, Clint!

Links:
website: http://www.entertainmentordie.com
article: http://bit.ly/gTw7DG 

New PBS Series "In Season" Hosted by
Foster Harris House B&B's John MacPherson

by Joanie Ballard

I really love it when someone achieves success doing what they love.

John MacPherson, of the Foster Harris House B&B in Little Washington, Virginia, announced yesterday that PBS will be distributing the premier 13 episodes of his new show "In Season".  John will be the host of this food/lifestyle/cooking show, where he will travel the country "in search of regional, seasonal ingredients and prepare exciting new dishes with them."

John and his talented wife Diane, created a successful and fun business model in beautiful Rappahannock County, VA:  B&B + Cycling Adventures = Happiness.  They have combined their love of B&Bs, food/wine, cycling into a flourishing business. They can now add a new PBS television series to their growing brand.

Last year I had fun working as a set stylist with John  at WUSA, Channel 9, on a segment about holiday entertaining.

Setting the stage on WUSA set with John
We also hosted a fabulous book launching party for John's first cookbook at our shop. This cookbook has been a favorite with many of my customers and also my two teenage nephews who are budding gourmet chefs and love John's delectable and easy to follow recipes.

Click here to purchase: http://fosterharris.com/cookbookandgifts.php

Other links of interest: 
Website: http://fosterharris.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/eHq8R4
Tour de'Epicure: http://www.tourdepicure.com/

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Gourmet Gifts to Love

SAL de IBIZA 100% Premium Sea Salt, harvested in the saline fields on the Mediterranean Island of Ibiza. Exceptionally rich in vital minerals and trace-elements. Comes with spoon.
by Joanie Ballard

Are you a foodie? Do you TiVo every cooking show on cable? Are you incapable of passing a Dean & Deluca without emptying your bank account? Well, lucky you, we've just added our best-selling gourmet items to our website!

We feature select items from French Farm, B.R. Cohn, A L'Olivier, and our local friends here in Little Washington, VA, the Virginia Chutney Company.

We often create fun food baskets here in the shop using these beautifully packaged items. They also make fabulous hostess gifts or a special something for that gourmet-lover in your life. Be sure to check out all of our delicious gourmet goodies here on the blog and then click on any description to go directly to www.rhballard.com to purchase:

Le Grand Miel by Bernard Michaud: Large Gourmet Honey Pail
Olivewood Honey Dipper by Berard of France: pair with the Honey Pail for a great gift!
Sel du Boucher (Butcher Salt): Sea salt, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Marjoram
Collection 1822: Herbs de Provence by A L'Olivier, Olive Oil, Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Tarragon
From B.R. Cohn: Pear Chardonnay Vinegar
Virginia Chutney Co. Gift Set
Virginia Chutney Mini Gift Set

Monday, March 14, 2011

Le Jacquard Francais Tablecloths
Are Ready for Spring Entertaining!

Perfect outdoor pizazz! Provence Placemat and Napkin in Lemon-Green.
by Joanie Ballard

Okay, the clocks have sprung forward, the sun is brightly shining, and I do believe spring has finally arrived here in Virginia.

In addition to warmer weather, color is what I always look forward to. The trees begin their transformation with flashes of red buds, tiny yellow daffodils start to peek upward from previously frost-covered ground, and I start to think of the next shipment of colorful textiles from Le Jacquard Francais (yep, I really do!)

Want to add some pizazz to your spring soiree? Le Jacquard Francais has always been spot-on in choosing colors for each season and staying on trend, and this spring they are offering some luscious designs in hot and cool hues, perfect for outdoor entertaining or an elegant candle-lit evening. Pair them with our r.h. ballard French Beeware glasses, and Flametail flatware and mais oui, you have the perfect table setting!
La Rochere Beeware Wine Glasses from r.h. ballard
Flametail flatware from r.h. ballard, setting for 12 with hanging rack.
To start your springtime entertaining and tabletop plans, I have posted some beautiful images below from the Le Jacquard Francais Spring Collection 2011.  Some may say Le Jacquard Francais is straying a bit from their traditional roots and going into more contemporary territory with these new pieces, but I think LJF is just slowly adding a more modern punch to their brand and changing with the times. They have kept a few amazing traditional designs in their line, adding new colorways as seasons dictate. But I believe right now they are trying to stay au courant without losing their audience or their particular je ne sais quoi.

Here are my top three favorites, the best-of-the-best of Le Jacquard Francais designs from their new 2011 spring collection of tablecloths, towels, runners, placemats. They of course can be found for sale on our website, www.rhballard.com.

Do you have a favorite?

No. 1:  Provence, in three colorways: Lemon-Green, Strawberry, Beige, comes in either 100% Cotton  or Acrylic-Coated. 
Matisse inspiration rules this gorgeous design.
Provence Table Runners in Lemon-Green
Provence Tablecloth in Lemon-Green
Provence Tablecloth in a hot Strawberry colorway
Provence, closeup in Strawberry
Provence, in beautiful neutral hues, in Beige
Provence, closeup of the Acrylic version in Beige. No stains!
Provence Tea Towel in Beige
Provence Table Runners in Beige
 No. 2:  Bamako in Turquoise and Eucalyptus. Striking bright design 
perfect for parties and special occasions.
Bamako, Tablecloth and Table Runners in Turquoise

Bamako Table Runners in Turquoise
Bamako Tablecloth and Napkin in Eucalyptus
Bamako, 47 x 47 Square Tablecloth in Eucalyptus
No. 3:  Nature Tea Towels in Blue Cascade, Vervain, Azalea

Saturday, March 12, 2011

How You Can Help in Japan Relief Efforts

AP Huffington Post Mar 12 2011

As of today, many countries around the world are offering immediate assistance to the people of Japan as they deal with the recent devastating 8.9 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

I have quoted below an article in it's entirety published today from the Huffington Post which lists several links to relief efforts. There are probably many other organizations that will be assisting, but this is the first list of relief agencies. 

If you are so moved, please consider giving in any way you can and continue to pray for all the people of Japan as they deal with the aftermath of this tragic event:

HUFFINGTON POST, March 12, 2011, http://huff.to/eH6CAi

".....many organizations and funds have mobilized to provide relief to those affected by the disaster. In response to the quake, The Red Cross has already launched efforts in Japan. Visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.

Save the Children has also responded. Eiichi Sadamatsu of the organization released a statement, saying:
"We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children and their families who have been affected by the disaster. We stand ready to meet the needs of children who are always the most vulnerable in a disaster."
The organization is currently organizing efforts and donations to its Children's Emergency Fund will support outreach.

International Medical Corps is responding to the health needs of the disaster's victims. Nancy Aossey, President & CEO, International Medical Corps said in a statement:
"We are putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities."
To donate or learn about other ways you can contribute to its medical response, visit Internationalmedicalcorps.org. Also, text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10.00.

The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund was launched at GlobalGiving.org to garner funds that will be given to a variety of relief organizations helping victims of the earthquake. It has already raised over $100,000, particularly from concerned Twitter users around the world. The project page explains:
We are working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations on the ground to provide support. Our partners on the ground are working hard to provide immediate relief.
Salvation Army personnel are organizing efforts in Tokyo and will soon send a team to help the severely damaged city of Sendai, Japan. To contribute to earthquake relief, text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 to make a $10 donation or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sending two three-person teams to the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in Japan. To learn more about the organization's efforts or make a donation, visit Doctorswithoutborders.org.

Other relief organizations are also sending representatives to disaster sites, including AmeriCare and Shelterbox.

MercyCorps is gathering donations for its overseas partner, Peace Winds Japan, which currently has personnel on the ground distributing emergency relief in Japan.

Along with an appeal for monetary donations, Operation USA has also announced efforts to collect bulk corporate donations of health care supplies. If you are interested in donating bulk medical items, visit OpUSA.org.

For any who have loved ones abroad, Google has stepped up to help. Along with a tsunami alert posted on its front page, Google has launched the Person Finder: 2011 Japan Earthquake to help connect people that may have been displaced due to the disaster. Google has also launched a crisis response page filled with local resources and emergency information.

Judy Chang, head of PayPal's nonprofit group, announced that transactional fees incurred by money transfers to US 501(c)(3) organizations (or charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency) between March 11 and April 10 will aid relief efforts in Japan.

World Vision has announced global mobilization in response to tsunami warnings. Geoff Shepherd, the organization's humanitarian and emergency affairs director for the Asia-Pacific region, released a statement on World Vision's website, saying:
“We’ve also alerted our Global Rapid Response Team and have put team members on standby for possible deployment to affected areas. This could be a very serious disaster in multiple countries and our staff are prepared to respond.”

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Antica Farmacista: Art of the Fragrance
at R.H. Ballard

Our shop display of Antica Home Ambiance Diffusers, photo: http://www.lydiajane.com/
by Joanie Ballard

Santorini
I try to bring beautiful and useful products into my shop that I think my customers will love and continue to enjoy for years to come. I've written about Le Jacquard Francais and Garnier Thiebaut table linens, Eco-Opulence Pearls, LAFCO soaps, among many other products we carry. What can I say about the amazing Antica Farmacista line?

We have carried Antica Farmacista products since 2005 and this company never fails to surprise us each year with new and enticing fragrances. We carry their Body Moisturizers, Perfumes, Room Sprays, and Home Ambiance Diffusers in the Apothecary section of our shop.

But by far, our customer choice over the years has been the aromatic diffusers which can be used in bathrooms, living rooms, basements, dens, and anywhere you want a divine scent.

Product Design:  The Antica bottle alone is beautiful to look at, the design being inspired by antique apothecary bottles complete with a re-usable cork stopper (love that feature!). Each fragrance is formulated with only the world’s finest essential oils and natural ingredients. I really believe that this company has developed a luxury product which is meticulously produced and presented. I love their thoughtful and beautiful product design and branding, and the product packaging is superb. This is the perfect hostess gift or wedding party gift, but I personally like it for a "me-gift".

Company History: Antica Farmacista first brought the reed diffuser concept to the United States in 2003.  Their collection is truly unique and they draw inspiration from "the mystery of the Mediterranean Sea and the serenity of the gardens of Tuscany". For Antica, fragrance is truly and art form. One whiff of Santorini and your mind really does begin to fantasize about the alluring air of the romantic Greek island.

How Diffusers Work:  We get asked this question a lot. The way these diffusers work is that the Antica scent permeates the air through the bottle's open neck and through white birch reeds. The natural flow of the air creates a "diffused" scent which is not over-powering. I always recommend to customers that they try just 2 or 3 reeds at a time, especially for small areas, and slowly add more until you have the preferred strength.  Their scents have a long lasting quality.  Our customers report 6 months and more of use for an 8.5 ounce bottle which can be "corked" when not in use. Using the cork stopper (especially when you go on vacations) will prolong the use of the diffuser.

Here are a few bottle images of our shop favorites, and my personal fragrance choice (one that I use in my own home) is "Pompelmo" Grapefruit for it's clean, crisp citrus scent.

For fun, you can also follow Antica on Facebook to keep up to date with all of their new products: https://www.facebook.com/AnticaFarmacistaFragrance?ref=ts

Pompelmo, Grapefruit
Peony
Casablanca
Vanilla, Bourbon and Mandarin