Things of Comfort...

The weather is teasing us with touches of spring. Everytime I step outside in the middle of the day and the warm sun hits my face, I am instantly renewed. Now The Willows is feeling renewed as well, with new pillows in fun bright prints and colors. After all, what is more eye-catching than birds and flower prints in shades of lime, chocolate and bright red?


The economy getting you down? Then come get your lucky number on our new number pillows!


If all else fails, snatch up one of our beautiful wicker wine-carriers (holds 6) and have a party! Wine is best enjoyed with good company.

Olive Annie is HERE!!!

Charming, inspiring, and oh-so-creative, the girls at Olive Annie have turned their square-footage in The Willows into an amazing space for clothing, accessory and unique finds shopping! I'm floored at the "prizes" (as Lani calls them) they are selling in jewelry, soft organic tops, and even artwork!

You must come see - it truly is amazing!

Love is in the air!

February is all about love, and at The Willows we LOVE new dishware! Check out the large monogramed tankard mugs we just got in! Come get you and your honeys' initials for morning coffee!

Also, do you love the 4 calling birds? They are beautifully done in gold and each plate is unique! Come take a set home for a Valentine's Day get-together!

We also just received the most amazing scented candle line EVER! These candles can be found at ABC home in New York, and the scents are truly some of the best we've carried at The Willows. This white birch rosemary fills the entire store off of one candle!

Don't forget - tomorrow starts Valentine's Day festivities at The Willows! Come in for goodie bags with every purchase and Valentine's Day gift wrap. Only The Willows wraps presents with fresh flowers! Also champagne will be served starting at 3pm! We'd love to see you!

Where will you be on Valentine's Day?

What's more charming than dinner for two at a renovated historic home with expansive outdoor seating on french-inspired garden furniture from The Willows? Nothing! Which is why you should take your significant other to Palatte for Valentine's Day and enjoy being in love.

Check out their website for hours and contact information.

I heart Saturday

Has anyone made any amazing plans for Valentine's Day yet? I thought I would post some pictures to inspire some romance and love today.

I hope you decide to spend your Valentines' week with us at The Willows! We will have lots of fun with Olive Annie opening and delicious treats and goodies the 12th-14th. We'd love to see you!

Under Construction

It is amazing what things can happen when creative minds get together. We have all been working hard here at The Willows - and what a transformation the store has undertaken in the past few days with the arrival of Olive Annie! Lisa, our extremely talented designer and merchandiser, has been rushing around the store for hours non-stop transforming and reworking the store. Here are some updated pictures of the store.

And Olive Annie!

Come take a peek around!

Olive Annie and NY Trip!

Let it be known throughout the land...Olive Annie has almost arrived and she is already leaving her beautiful and creative mark on The Willows.

In preparation for all the wonderful things to come, Lani and I headed off to NY to find new "frocks" and luxuries for all of you! New York weather sure makes us appreciate Arizona!

However, we stumbled upon some of the most amazing eateries ever! Somehow I think we ate more dessert than anything! Check out the amazing icecream treats at Serendipity!

Also, the Spotted Pig was amazing! Their Orange & Bourbon chocolate cake recipe even made it in the most recent issue of Domino magazine! We thought we'd share it with you!

Cake:

1/2 lb bittersweet baking chocolate at least 70% cocoa content

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, cut up)

3 tbsp bourbon (preferably Maker's Mark)

1 Orange, zested

4 eggs

2/3 cup granulated sugar

Spiced Cream:

3/4 cup chilled heavy cream
2 tbsp confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cardmom

1/8 tsp ground cloves

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter and flour sides of a round 9-in baking pan and line bottom with parchment paper.

Melt chopped chocolate and butter in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Mix in bourbon and orange zest; set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat eggs and granulated sugar in a bowl until mixture is thick and pale yellow ribbons form, about 6 minutes. Fold mixture into chocolate little by little. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 35 min or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

With mixer, beat cold heavy cream until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar and spices; continue beating until soft peaks form. Chill in refrigerator. Tranfer cake to a serving platter; garnish with spiced cream and chocolate shavings.

Enjoy!

There was another teeny tiny reason we went to market besides the food....the buying!!! We saw some amazing showrooms and purchased some amazing new items for both Olive Annie and The Willows. We are so excited to show you! Here is a preview.

Keep checking with us for updates! Olive Annie here soon! Amazing sales still going on at The Willows!