Shortly after purchasing it, we took a trip back to experience some of the things this little area of South Central Arkansas had to offer. You can read all about our favorite attractions in Downtown Hot Springs in this blog post.

Construction began in the winter of 2022 and is currently expected to be complete in Winter of 2024. We will begin hosting friends and family as we work to create the best luxury cabin experience. We will open booking to the public shortly after and hope to have stays available in Summer 2025.

Cabine Noir means “black cabin” in French and is a direct nod to our Cajun roots in South Louisiana as well as the modern exterior we intend to incorporate into the cabin’s design. We are hoping to offer a luxurious, intimate cabin stay with modern conveniences, and hilltop privacy. I’ve included some inspiration photos below.

The cabin is built 14 feet into the Ouachita Mountain treetops and will be the epitome of nature and solitude. Join the Cabine Noir Email list for important updates and booking information as it’s available. Follow along the building progress on Instagram @cabine_noir. We’ll update again soon!

March 2023

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Jamie

We decided to turn one of our unused offices into the escape room, and since it was under construction at the time, we incorporated that into the theme, “CLOWNSTRUCTION ZONE”. The “clown” component came in because it’s one of the only things I know of that genuinely freaks Clark out. He always jokes about how creepy clowns are, so I took the idea and ran with it! My parents also happened to have clown costumes left over from Halloween in the 90s, so it was a no-brainer. Below I’ll break the party prep into two categories: decor/setup and game play. If you’re planning your own party, you can come up with any theme you like, and still use the kit I purchased as it has no specific theme attached to it.

Decor/Setup

Because we own a construction company, and the party was at our offices, construction-themed decor was easy to come by. We used traffic cones, construction tape, tools, and other random items to enhance the experience and create a realistic “construction office” look. Adding in party items and clown paraphernalia made for the most interesting and intriguing look. It turned out even better than I expected!

I started by building the escape room from empty. I first added ONLY the items required to complete the puzzles and clues laid out by the kit. I did it this way to ensure none of the “extras” interfered with game.

Game Play

After the game was completely built, my mom and I tried it out so that it made sense. It was during this process that we realized most of the clues were going to be a little too difficult for the boys (age 11) to figure out in the one-hour time frame we were planning to give them. Luckily, included in my kit purchase was a “modified” set of clues for ages 7-9 (although I would say these are perfect for ages 9-11). We easily swapped out the standard clues with the modified ones because the game itself stayed the same.

Once we knew it would be perfect for them, I added random board games, puzzle pieces, dominoes, playing cards, confetti, lots of clown things including wigs, costumes and accessories. I intentionally focused on using things that seem chaotic to me so that the room felt fun and exciting, but also gave them tons to look at and throw them off of the clues. I also included a large countdown clock for them to keep track of their time and to add to the intensity of it all.

As I mentioned before, the Escape Room Kit includes everything you need to play, but suggests you use a storyline to get the kids engaged and excited. You also need to provide your own locked box as the end goal. Inside you can hide the actual key to unlock the door, or some sort of prize or treasure. I created this silly story to hang on the door to start the game off, as well as the “key” for the locked box at the end. I’m linking them here if you want to use them for your own escape room.

When the boys arrived and it was time to play, they were so excited and did so well working together through the clues. The girls and I were able to watch over the wall and I only had to offer them a few prompts along the way (prompts/hints included in the kit too!) to keep them on track. I definitely recommend being able to see and communicate with the players. You could use a baby monitor with mic or open a window if you’re room is fully enclosed. They ended up finishing in 37 minutes and were so proud of themselves!

Overall, I am so happy with the party as a whole and can’t currently think of anything I would do differently. If you would like to see some behind the scenes of our diy escape room, check out the Instagram highlight here and to see the boys in action here’s an Instagram reel of the party. If you have any questions, feel free to message me on social media or email me at mybloomcreative@gmail.com. Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xoxoxoxoxox

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Jamie Gremillion, Bloom Co.

While we were there, we explored downtown and tried to experience as much as we could in our three short days. I’ll highlight the places we ate, a few tourist attractions and also the incredible loft where we stayed.

Our stay.

We knew we wanted to be in the middle of downtown this trip, so we chose a beautiful loft, and it ended up being the ideal location! The Ohio Club Loft is located directly above the Ohio Club Bar on Central Avenue. It was built in 1905 and is the oldest bar in all of Arkansas. The loft was used as a secret casino during prohibition and still has much of its original charm. It was beautifully decorated, clean, and private. We could hear the music from the bar downstairs each night, which didn’t bother us at all, but is worth considering if you’re booking a stay.

Overall, I highly recommend the Ohio Club Loft for its location and convenience, cleanliness and overall charm. We will definitely stay there again!

Meals.

Downtown Hot Springs is full of restaurants of any kind. We tried a few that we absolutely loved and recommend!

Rolando’s Ecuadorian Restaurant is one of the most delicious places I’ve eaten, ever! The fajitas are everything! I recommend you sit outside (live music on weekend nights) and get the full experience. Its vibrant and romantic, cozy, but open and airy. Obviously get the fajitas. It’s enough to share, but you won’t want to! The spicy margarita was just ok, (Adam’s are better) but the atmosphere is hard to beat.

The Kollective Coffee + Tea House is a must for your morning beverage. The atmosphere is adorable, and the coffee is great! Adam and I didn’t see many, if any, other coffee houses on Central Ave. so it’s definitely the most convenient option.

Diablo’s Tacos & Mezcal is a great spot for nachos! There is indoor and outdoor seating. Their “trashcan” nachos are served steaming hot in a big bean can and poured over your plate by the waitstaff. It was a fun experience, and the chicken nachos were incredible and enough to share!

Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcake Shoppe is a really popular bakery in downtown Hot Springs. A lot of people recommended we check it out, so we tried! Unfortunately the line was to the door, which is a good sign, but we didn’t stay. They’ve been featured by “Cupcake Wars” on Food Network and have a very loyal following, so we’re keeping it on our list for next time!

Rocky’s Corner was the number one recommended restaurant by our Instagram friends, so it made the top of the list to try! It’s outside of the “downtown scene” and wasn’t walking distance from the loft, so we saved it for the last day. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It is family owned and operated and located across the street from the famous Oaklawn Racetrack. We tried the white pizza and lasagna. Both were excellent!

Vault is a beautiful high-end restaurant on a corner of Central Ave. near Al Capone’s loft. The cocktails are beautifully delicious, the service was top-notch, and the food was next level, truly. We will be sure to eat there every time we’re in town. It was a lovely experience all around.

The Pancake Shop is the top breakfast spot in downtown Hot Springs. You should get there early, before they open, because it’s not a big place. Go hungry and be prepared to skip lunch that day! So delicious!

What we did.

Besides eating and shopping around a bit, we did enjoy a few specifics that I’ll share with you. There’s so much to do, this list doesn’t even scratch the surface, but it may give you some ideas for your own trip.

Quapaw Baths & Spa was our first experience at a full-service bath house. We loved how so much of the traditional baths were preserved, but the amenities were modern. We enjoyed a couples Swedish Massage and then spent a while in the baths. It was very clean and well-run and will be a place we visit again.

Hot Springs Haunted Tours was a very interesting experience! It’s a one-hour walking tour in the heart of downtown Hot Springs. The history of this great city is remarkable! It runs every night at 8 pm, with no reservations needed. You literally just show up, pay your $15 and go! We learned a ton and stepped out of our comfort zone for sure!

Lavish Boutique is a great women’s shop I wanted to mention! We happened upon it walking one day and went back the next for some permanent jewelry. I met the owner (she’s fabulous!) and looked around a bit. They had some beautiful clothing as well as gifts and accessories. I can’t wait to go back when I have more time to shop!

Experiences we want to try.

When Adam and I vacation together, just the two of us, we like to have plenty of down time. There are so many attractions we’re saving for the next time we’re there. I’ll list them below to help you plan and as a reminder to myself what’s on the list to do!

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Garvin Woodland Gardens & Anthony Chapel

Big Axe Battleground (axe throwing)

Machine Gun Grotto (indoor gun range)

Oaklawn Racing Casino & Resort

I really hope this post gives you a look into all that downtown Hot Springs, AR has to offer. It is a beautiful and romantic place to visit for a long weekend, as well as super fun for families too! I’ll make another post after we spend a little more time there with the kids, so stay tuned for that! Also, be on the lookout for the availability of our new cabin being built there Spring 2023! Can’t wait! xo, Jamie

Growing up, I didn’t know much about the season of Advent and what it meant. I heard the word, but it wasn’t something my family observed, nor did my church talk much about it. I certainly couldn’t have known how important the observation of Advent would become when I had my own family.

advent – ad·vent/ˈadˌvent : noun – 1. the arrival of a notable person, thing or event; 2. the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

Webster

When Clark was two, a friend of mine shared something with me that our family has grown to love and look forward to every Christmas. We were in a “mom group” together when she told me about a family-friendly Advent curriculum that her mom had written. Over the last ten years, we’ve made it our own and do what works for our family. The time we’ve spent together on Advent nights has created some of my favorite holiday memories with my children, plus I feel like this tradition has helped keep us stay grounded and focused on Jesus during this incredibly busy season.

Of course we keep it simple and doable, but also super meaningful for families of all ages and religions. I put together a video with all the details and FREE download. Check it out here!

If you and your family use our Advent plan this year, I’d love to know how much you love it. Comment below or send me a message/email. Merry Christmas and I hope you enjoy spending this time with your family as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

In this post I’m sharing my favorite ways to make different rooms of my home smell their best. I love to burn non-toxic candles when we’re home, essential oil diffusers when we sleep, stovetop simmers when we entertain, and reeds in areas we don’t use as often. It was hard to narrow it down, but I’ve linked the absolute must-haves for the season!

Like any small business, Bloom Co. earns money when you shop here. Using my affiliate links adds no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Jamie Gremillion, Bloom Co.

Favorite Non-Toxic Candle for Fall

Wellness by Ari is a company I discovered after getting the “Sweet Orange” candle as a gift from a friend. I just burned the last bit and reordered it again… it’s that good! The candles are priced well, but they gave me a code for you to get 10% off! Use code “JAMIEGREMILLION” at checkout!

Yummiest Essential Oil Diffuser Blend

These three together make the most delicious, fall-inspired blend. It’s a bit unexpected, but subtle enough to make your home smell cozy and warm. It’s been my go-to fall diffuser blend for three years now, and I’ve been using Revive oils for almost 4! The quality and purity standards are top notch, plus they offer free shipping and returns. (not an MLM company) Shop this blend and hundreds of others here and get a $10 gift card to use another time.

The Best Reed Diffuser for Fall – hands down!

Sweet Water Decor carries tons of beautiful gifts and home essentials, but one of my favorite items they offer are their reed diffusers. They literally last forever and fill a room with fragrance! “Hello Fall” is my top pick for this season and will last you until it’s time for a Christmas scent! You won’t be disappointed!

Subtle Fall Stovetop Simmer

Simmering spices on the stove can get really strong, really fast. My husband doesn’t care for it unless it’s subtle, so I created a recipe that’s fragrance is mild, fresh and cozy. I always have the ingredients on hand because I try to save squeezed lemons from my water every day, and any of the kid’s orange peels. They easily store in a bag in the fridge. For this subtle simmer blend, add citrus peels (orange, lemon, grapefruit) to a couple cups of water, sprinkle in a few cloves and a stick or two of cinnamon. That’s it! It’ll create fragrance after about 15 minutes of boiling and will last for hours. Add water as needed and simmer as long as you like! If you enjoy stovetop simmers, you may also like my Christmas simmer and gift idea!

I hope this post is helpful and you find some ideas to help bring fall fragrance into your home this season! Let me know in the comments which is your favorite way to add holiday scents to your house, and leave a review if you try any of the products I recommended. Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

Anyway, we’re headed on a road trip this weekend and I put together a playlist full of songs that feel like fall to me. I hope you hear a few that you connect with and enjoy this playlist as much as I do! We can listen together!

Let me know what you think in the comments and tag me on Instagram @bloomco.interiors while you’re listening! Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

To incorporate fall art in your home, purchasing original, one-of-a-kind pieces from a local artist is ideal, but often a seasonal budget may not allow for that. In that case, I recommend getting a print. Prints still capture the original beauty of a piece while supporting an individual artist. Some artists even embellish their prints to make them feel more original. This option is much more affordable than investing in a unique piece. You can order them printed and/or framed, but some prints can even be ordered as a digital download. Hello convenience! If you go the downloadable route, I recommend you have it printed with a high-quality printer through a print shop to get the best finished look. If you’re looking for a few ways to make your dreams of fall art into a reality, I rounded up some of my favorite fall prints here!

Remember, displaying things that set the tone for fall doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as swapping out family photos to display pumpkin patch memories or moments you captured last year trick-or-treating with friends. Simply displaying past fall memories is fun and will warm your heart just as much as, (if not more), than a cozy fall painting or print. Earlier this week I posted an easy diy to display art and memories in my own home. Check it out here if you need inspo or an easy project idea!

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and let me know if you have any questions or anything to add, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

Like any small business, Bloom Co. earns money when you shop here. Using my affiliate links adds no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Jamie Gremillion, Bloom Co.

The idea for a pin board was literally born in my head, and I talked it out with Adam. He thought a piece of foam board from the hardware store would work, and he was right! We wanted it to be dramatic and eye-catching, so we went with a 2″ thick sheet. (Step 1) We cut a 4’x8′ foamboard down to 32″x6′ with an adjustable razor knife. It was the perfect scale for our space. I loved the idea of it being sort of “larger than life” and not just another “something” on the wall.

Once we got started, the process was super easy and took less than an hour, start to finish! After the foam was cut, (I recommend doing it outside, foam gets messy!) I started to cover it with the duck canvas I chose as the fabric. Pinking shears work great to keep the raw edges from fraying. I used white canvas to give a monochromatic look with my walls, but you can choose any color you like.

There will likely be deep creases in your fabric, (Step 2) so I recommend steaming it first, before wrapping your foam. I didn’t do that and was stuck trying to gently steam the wrinkles out without melting the foamboard, it would’ve been easier to do it ahead. Also, don’t skip this step! Promise? You’ll be tempted to, thinking your fabric will pull tight enough, but you’ll still see the wrinkles and it will look less chic, and more diy, which we don’t want. Trust me.

(Step 3) Once the duck canvas is smooth, I wrapped the foam with it and secured it using my glue gun and hot glue on the back edge. The hot glue does compromise the foam and melts it a little, but still holds the fabric really well. You can add some regular thumb tacks along the back if you want to be sure the fabric is secure. (Step 4) Neatly fold the corners like a package and hot glue them down.

(Step 5) Mark off where you’ll put each decorative thumbtack on the edges using a light pencil mark. I placed mine 6″ apart which worked well with a 6-foot board. Gently insert tacks keeping them centered in the middle of the 2″ end.

(Step 6) Now comes the fun part! Dig out all those beautiful keepsakes and artwork pieces you’ve been holding onto and start pinning. I used simple wood tacks to keep them secure. The warmth this project has added to our kitchen is amazing! We plan to use it mostly to display current treasures, but I also have a few other ideas too!

• Christmas Cards from Friends
• Old Family Recipes
• Instant Family Photos
• Meaningful Scriptures
• Famous Quotes
• Gratitude at Thanksgiving
• “I Love You Because” Notes at Valentine’s Day
• Specialty Items for a Party of Celebration
• Memories of a Loved One

Whatever you decide to display on your pin board, I know it will be meaningful to you and yours. Building a home is so much more than decor. I hope you feel inspired to create this easy conversation piece in your own home. Shop the full post here and let me know in the comments if you have any questions. Be sure to share with me once yours is done! Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo

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Jamie

Ok… let’s talk about this casserole. I know, I know, you’re either a casserole person or you’re not. Growing up in the south, casseroles were way overdone. Way! This delicious Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice just so happens to be cooked in a casserole dish! Trust me, don’t skip it. It’s put together by the fabulous Half Baked Harvest and is a modern take on a classic. I suppose there’s not much about it that makes it “fall”, it just feels cozy to me, so I included it.

If you’re needing a fall-inspired side dish, these Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese by Inspired by Charm are so bomb! My husband does not care for cooked carrots ever, but I’ve taken them to friend’s homes several times and they’re always a hit! They not only look beautiful (especially if you can find rainbow carrots), but they’re super flavorful.

Lastly, I’m including a new recipe I pinned to try this fall. This Autumn Wild Rice Soup by Gimme Some Oven looks absolutely divine. Let me know how you like it if you get a chance to try it before I do!

If you’re looking for a great dessert or cocktail to pair with one of these delicious meal ideas, checkout our favorite fall drinks and desserts too! Let me know if you try any of these this fall. Leave a comment so I can see how you like them. Thanks for stopping by, Jamie xo