When Ruby decided probably three months ago that she wanted a “white swan” birthday party
I was shocked because it was so random and rather sophisticated.  My head started reeling at the
idea but I knew not to get too excited as it would probably change at least a dozen times before we got
even close to her birthday.  Well, she never deviated, at times she would add a theme to it mostly for the
boys knowing her brother was not going dress swan like.  So we ended up with white swan/storm trooper theme.
She had as much fun filling the jars of candy and helping make the feather fans as she did with all her fellow swans.

Ruby has always liked a big table at her parties where they can have tea and cucumber tea sandwiches.
We had not quite finished the new playroom before we through the party down there.  We had a self serve
candy bar which I envisioned to be all beautiful with white candies.  But besides marshmallows and lifesavers
there isn’t much to choose from, we had to supplement with some pinks.

Jannie did her usual masterpiece with the cake.  She has really perfected the barbie cake.
And believe it or not it tasted better than it looked.

The girls all really rose to the occassion and dawned beautiful feathery whites.  I set up a
white backdrop in our sunroom and went a little camera crazy.  They were all so stunning
it was hard not to get carried away.

Ruby and Tulips costumes consisted of  a $9.99 assortment of feathers from Michaels
and some jewels.  Ruby has been obsessed with owning a fan for months so her only
request for the party were fans.  I was too cheap to buy them online so we bought the bridal
fans from Michaels another couple of bags of feathers and my mother-in-law and I glue gunned away.

The grammie always come dressed for the occassion!

Then the facepainting began!  We found a wonderful woman named Ginny from Crozet
who totally got it when I said I wanted beautiful pastel masks.

Henry had to get in on the fun with a storm trooper face!

The fallen swan!!!  She told us after “it was everything she had wanted but more
funner than she thought”…success!

(Sorry for  the longest  blog ever but they were all so cute it was hard to exclude any!!!)

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

Our dear Erika Jack was featured this month in Southern Living’s Wedding issue.
Her distinct style is layed out beautifully!  Nice to see her immense talent recognized.
Congrats E!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

It was cold and snowy here today, seemed like the perfect day for braised short ribs.
We tried a new recipe with pureed vegetables…it was yummy!  We used locally raised,
dry aged, well marbled beef from Sherwood Farm.  Sourced from a heard of black angus steers
that have been raised by a family for generations.   You will not believe the distinct taste, by
far some of the best beef we have ever had (and we have had our fair share).  You can buy
Sherwood beef from the Organic Butcher of Charlottesville .

RECIPE:

  • 6 bone-in short ribs (about 5 3/4 pounds)
  • Kosher salt
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large Spanish onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 carrots, peeled, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 1/2 cups tomato paste
  • 2 to 3 cups hearty red wine
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 bunch fresh thyme, tied with kitchen string
  • 2 bay leaves

Season each short rib generously with salt. Coat a pot large enough to accommodate all the meat and vegetables with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Add the short ribs to the pan and brown very well, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd pan. Cook in batches, if necessary.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
While the short ribs are browning, puree all the vegetables and garlic in the food processor until it forms a coarse paste. When the short ribs are very brown on all sides, remove them from the pan.Drain the fat, coat the bottom of same pan with fresh oil and add the pureed vegetables. Season the vegetables generously with salt and brown until they are very dark and a crud has formed on the bottom of the pan, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Scrape the crud and let it reform. Scrape the crud again and add the tomato paste. Brown the tomato paste for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan. Lower the heat if things start to burn. Reduce the mixture by half.

Return the short ribs to the pan and add 2 cups water or until the water has just about covered the meat. Add the thyme bundle and bay leaves. Cover the pan and place in the preheated oven for 3 hours. Check periodically during the cooking process and add more water, if needed. Turn the ribs over halfway through the cooking time. Remove the lid during the last 20 minutes of cooking to let things get nice and brown and to let the sauce reduce. When done the meat should be very tender but not falling apart. Serve with the braising liquid.

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

Annette and Oscar de la Rente’s house.

This has always been one of my very favorite rooms, it is actually Anette’s bedroom.
Can you imagine?  I love everything about it.

The whole house is just so flawless in a casual but elegant way.  Jannie often takes a magnifing glass
to rooms to see every little detail, this is one house I feel I want to know every inch.
Totally timeless!

Love it!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


Parsons Slipcovered chair

23″ x 27″ x 45″h

COM 3 yards needed

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


Leather armless chair

32″x 36″ x 36″

Matching ottoman

28 x 23 x 15

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


Duncan Chair

35″w x 38″ x 35″ h

COM: 9 yards needed

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


Sofa

89″w x 40″ x 35″h

COM: 17 yards needed

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

Look at these gorgeous colors…love the suculents!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

All Ruby wanted for Christmas was a vanity table and an American Girl doll.
Tulip wants whatever her older sister wants.  Santa did not disappoint.

Ruby’s is quite sophisticated with  beautiful blue and white stripe silk with pink trim (a must).

They  get dressed up, sit and brush their hair and sing…such a crack up.

Tulip’s is a more colorful and playful purple floral and perfect for her.

And then there is mine and believe it or not their inspiration.
Guess my 3 and 5 year old  have shown me up!

Next on the list, matching stools!!!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


The Seren

Overall : 26″ W x 30″D x 32″H

Inside: 22″W x 20″ D x 15″H

Seat Height 17″

Arm Height 22″

Com: 6 yds

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

Get some $3.99 potted hyacinth at the grocery store and put the bulb in a salt celler or votive holder.
Gorgeous and they smell so yummy!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


fluted painted stand with storage

fluted painted stand with door and shelves

39.5 x 21w x 16d

$770.

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


large reproduction vellum book

101/2 x 51/2 x 3

blank pages inside

$32.

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


medium reproduction vellum book

83/4 x 51/2 x 2

blank pages inside

$24.

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.


small reproduction vellum book

81/4 x 51/2 x 2

blank pages

$22.  out of stock

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

Children’s birthday invitations can be really fun to do yourself.  Here is Ruby’s for her 5th birthday.
I know I have an advantage of  being a photographer and having an in house graphic designer extraordinaire like ERIKA JACK but with digital cameras and programs like iphoto and picassa I encourage you to give it a go.

Here are some years past for extra inspiration…

More at a later date….when I can find them!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

All images via Jan Roden’s site, for more go here.

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

We were in Florida this week and I picked up some Moroccan Oil.   I have been  reading about how awesome this product is for your hair for months… so I could not resist when I saw it.   I have been using it for about a week now and I am about to buy a jar for all the ladies in my family.
It is awesome!  My hair is softer and shinier than it has been in years.

Moroccan Oil hair products  get their claim to fame from argan oil, the signature ingredient in each of these beautifying blends.

Argan oil is made from the nuts of the argan tree, which grows only in Morocco. Berber women work in government-funded women’s co-operatives to harvest the nuts and press the oil. The nuts are smashed to reveal kernels, which are then ground into a paste and hand kneaded to release the oil in a time-intensive process that demands several days work for a single liter of the oil.

Argan oil is native to Morocco and has long been treasured for its restorative properties. In its homeland of Morocco, argan oil has long been treasured for its beautifying, restorative and age-defying properties. The oil is extremely rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, nutrients that are key to healthy hair. Argan oil softens and strengthens hair and helps repair stressed tresses. For centuries, the people of Morocco have coated their hair, skin and nails in the oil. In addition to the benefits of argan oil, Moroccan Oil hair care products feature silicones that help fight frizz and add shine to the hair.

I tried to order it so we could sell it at And George but they only sell to hair salons.  Does anyone know if any salons carry it in Charlottesville?  If not, they should!  Go get yourself some!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.

We have always been crazy for antique vellum books,  Jannie has quite a collection. They are hard to find  and never cheap so when we spotted these reproduction vellum books we were all over them.  The best part is they are affordable  $22.-$32.!!!

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To purchase email us at info@andgeorge.com or call 434.244.2800.