unpacking

We have finally started moving back into our kitchen. I am so anxious to have our lives back to normal (relatively speaking, of course). To get into unpacking mode, I decided I needed an appropriate "unpacking outfit." Do you ever do this? Like when you are gardening how you almost seem to feel more like gardening if you put on some breezy clothes and your big straw hat. So, I put on my ripped jean shorts and my vintage gas station shirt that I picked up at the flea market. Oh, and my pearls. Its always good to feel a little lovely when you're sweating through dusty boxes...

We hit a few bumps along the way, but the finish is in sight. And I have to say a huge thank you to Jody of Sunstate Remodeling and Painting (480-510-4833), who swooped in and saved the day for us. If you need someone, he is your man. Lots of unpacking ahead, but indeed a happy day...

Isn't it funny how if you take pictures from just the right angles things can look put together and nice? When this is really what my kitchen looks like right now...

and the shelves are bare...

and the furniture is sparse and there is not a comfy couch to sit on in sight...

But it is all coming together and we are so happy with every bit of it. What do you think of the new doors? Don't they give the room a whole new feel?

Hopefully, I will have everything together and tons of pictures taken to post by next week. I am going to count on all of you to hold me to that. In the meantime, what do you think of everything so far?

simple fold-over pillows

In June when I was packing up to head to the beach, I continued to go back and forth as to whether or not I should actually haul my sewing machine (and serger - never one without the other!) all the way to California with me. Yes, definitely, I am sure I will have all sorts of time for sewing projects... No, I shouldn't go to the trouble of taking them, because I probably won't get around to actually making anything... Yes, I will. What am I going to be so busy with... Back and forth, until I finally convinced myself I absolutely needed to have them with me.

Well, with one week left before leaving the beach and no sewing projects to show for, I needed to make sure my decision was not in vain. So, I decided to throw together some cute, easy pillows (I promise, any of you could make these!). I had bought a big roll of turquoise fabric and decided turquoise pillows were just what the beach house needed. My camera was handy, so I snapped a few pictures as I went, so as to be able to give a little step-by-step of how to make your own cute pillows in your own favorite color of the moment. Its all about a little (nearly) instant gratification. Here we go...

Step 1: Decide on the size pillow you want and add 2 inches. Cut three same size squares in that size. I wanted 20 inch pillows, so I cut three 22 inch squares.

Step 2: Lay all three pieces on top of one another. Fold back the top two layers about 8 inches (play with this, depending on the size pillow you are making). You want them to overlap enough so that they won't be pulled apart by the pillow, but you also want to be able to fit your pillow inside. I serged the edges of the part that is folded back. If you don't have a serger, you can always just zigzag the edge with your sewing machine.

Step 3: If you start to get hungry and a little distracted, make yourself some eggs. A little protein and you can focus again... hopefully.

Step 4: (Is everybody with me on the fold-over portion of this? Good.) Ok, so now, instead of pinning just use some giant paper clips to attach all three pieces. A definite time-saver.

Step 5: Serge (or sew, or zigzag) all three pieces together. Since I was using my serger, I angled all the corners as I went.

Step 6: Flip your pillowcase inside out, put a pillow in, fluff and put on your patio (or couch, or bed...) to enjoy.

You can sit and relax with that pillow or, if you are like me, you get that itch to keep getting more things done once you see how rewarding that first project was. So, play around with how to make more pillows and how to embellish them a little differently each time...

And there you have it. Easy pillows and (nearly) instant gratification. Is it just me, or do you get that thrill when you make something with your own hands?

Let me know if anyone tries the pillows! I would love to see how yours turn out or which ways you choose to make them a little more your own!

another week gone by...

Have I really been home for a week already? My, time is flying. I have been spending the last week getting Emily ready for school (my youngest starts high school tomorrow!), finally (!) getting our kitchen back in working order (I am so excited to show you the latest updates on our kitchen... I hope you all like it!) and arranging and rearranging the store. I have so much to share with you all from my road trip in Georgia to the kitchen remodel to a few (easy) craft projects I threw together this summer. I promise to get it all organized as soon as I catch my breadth... Anyway, for now I thought I would share with you how we rearranged the store (again!) and see what you all thought.

How much do you love our new bedding? It makes me want to switch out all my bedding for fall... It also makes me want to dive into that bed every time I walk in to the store. You really have to come see it for yourself...

How's it all look? Come visit us to see even more!

a few things...

This photo of ours has received some love in a blog post over at Ciao, Chessa!: I want to ride my bicycle. Go take a peek.

We also had a lovely write-up over at the Phoenix New Times culture blog, Jackalope Ranch. We are so excited about the nice things they had to say about this little old blog. Go see what you think.

And, finally, we have had so many people asking about the FEED bags and FEED bracelets we just posted about that we decided to make them available in our Willows' online store, so that all our lovely readers, near and far, can have a chance to order one for themselves.

They are already going fast, so hurry and get yours!

Have a lovely weekend! Do you have anything fun planned? I think I am going to go out for a belated birthday dinner and am trying to fit in somewhere seeing the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love.' How about you?

Hope to see you all back here next week!

friday madness!

20% off all apparel today only!

Now you can come pick up a couple of those Michael Stars tees you have been wanting!

And that dress you've had your eye on? Today is your day to come get it!

Even our newest arrivals are 20% off today only!

Hurry in before the one you want is gone!

Hope to see some of you today trying on all our lovely goodies from apparel!