Packing up the holiday STUFF!

I don't think I'm alone when I say I kind of enjoy the after Christmas "cleanse". Suddenly with the tree gone, the garland gone, and the millions of other decorations packed away, I remember that I actually do have quite a bit of room in my house! That is until Christmas break is over and normal chaos sneaks its way back onto the countertops and into the family room. This is why I so enjoy taking the time to really clean after Christmas. Here are a few tips to get the house clean this year and save you time and energy next holiday season!

1) Instead of just shoving everything back in boxes, really decide what holiday decorations you love and which ones have seen a little too much love. Then go buy some durable storage containers (I got mine at Walmart for $5 a piece and they are HUGE!) and pack in groupings that make sense to you. Labels always help as well! This will save you time and hassle for next year's unpacking.

(Zoe packing up the gift wrap for next year)

2) Make a donation pile. I find that when I'm making room in the garage for storage, I usually find at least a few items that are no longer being used. Don't just leave things sitting in the garage - if you haven't used it for over a year, you probably won't ever use it! One person's trash is another person's treasure - so donate it! Donating is a great way to make room in the kid's rooms as well. A great idea before moving all the new presents into the bedroom is to ask your children to bring out a few of their old toys or clothes that they would like to give for a child who may need it more then them. The best time to clear out the old is when your child is distracted by all the new goodies!

3) Clean out that fridge! With all the holiday entertaining, it is easy to end up with more tupperware in the fridge than you know what to do with. Resign to the fact that Aunt Susie's meatloaf is probably not going to be eaten two weeks later and throw it out! This is a great time to just scrub the shelves, check expiration dates, and, heck clean up the pantry while you're at it. You'll feel much better about your New Year's resolution diet with a clean slate to start with!

4) Lastly, enjoy the fruits of your labor and relax in your freshly organized house.

(Zoe takes a nap after a hard day's work!)

We hope 2009 is your best year yet!

Happy Sunday

We hope everyone had a lovely holiday. We'll see you at the store tomorrow!

Sale Tomorrow!

A little Christmas Birdie (she calls herself Bev) told me that we will be having a 20% off sale on EVERYTHING *gasp* tomorrow and Tuesday! This is news people! This might be bigger than Obama. Think of all the Christmas shopping you could get done with discounts like that!!! And for two whole days! This sale includes everything - furniture, bedding, apparel, jewelry - anything that isn't previously marked down.

I'm pretty sure by 9:30am tomorrow I'm going to feel like a bouncer at a club with the line that will be forming around the store. I'm excited, and I want to see you all there! Start forming your wishlist today!

While you're patiently waiting for The Willows to open our doors (please don't camp out guys - it's really cold outside!), I thought I would provide you with Kim's amazingly yummy family recipe for Spinach Dip. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Chopped Jalepenos
2 Large Tomatoes Deseeded and Chopped
8 oz Cream Cheese (soft)
1/3 cup half & half
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

In medium bowl, mix all ingredients. Pour into buttered oven dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or small breads.

Our "Adopted Family"

In true Christmas spirit, we'd like to ask all of you to search your homes and see if you have any baby or adult furniture you might donate for our "adopted family", a darling single mom we all know as "mami" and her adorable son Daniel.

Daniel is without a crib, a high-chair, a car-seat, or any bedding. Please let The Willows know if you have anything you would like to donate to Daniel or his mom (she is in need of many basic amenities as well). We will gather it here at the store and deliver it personally to them. Please call us first at 602-334-1345 and let us know what you will be bringing by so we may make arrangements. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Only one more week until Christmas!

One of our dear friends from the Midwest sent us a picture of her tree in Riverfalls, Wisconsin! We're so jealous of her gorgeous natural background of white snow she has when she opens her windows! However, this is a home you don't want to leave to bear the elements outside - instead, why not just cuddle up in a chair by the tree, dim the lights, and enjoy the view while sipping on hot cocoa or maybe baileys and coffee?



Wherever you are this Christmas, we hope you are in the company of those you love.

Sale Today!

We decided to give our Christmas Present to you early! 50% off all holiday items! Hurry - people have been rushing in since 9:30am to snatch up all the holiday goodies! Want to know about the sales ahead of time? Sign up to be on our email list in-store or go to http://www.willowshomeandgarden.com/ and click on the contact us link. There you will find a place to join our email newsletter!

Don't worry - we won't send you a million emails. We like to send out only a couple every month to let you know about the really big events and sales!

Pomegranate Martini

Ok, here is a fun treat for a girl's night or a holiday party! Jen's Pomegranate Martini - drink slowly!

You will need - 1 pomegranate

1 jar of Simply Cosmopolitan mixer (found by the liquors at Frys)

Any unflavored Vodka (I prefer Grey Goose)

Ice

Fresh Limes

Granulated Sugar

Shaker

Martini Glasses

Salt Rimmer

How to Make:

First-Prepare your pomegranate, take out the seeds and put them in a bowl to freeze them (make sure they're dry first!)

Cut a lime in fourths and set aside. Pour sugar in a salt rimmer.

Then, mix your drink! Pour two shots of vodka and four shots of simply cosmopolitan in the shaker with ice and shake away!

Take your lime and run around the length of your martini glass making sure to wet the entire rim of the glass. Then swish around in your sugar rimmer! This makes the perfect sugar rim for your drink.

Grab your frozen pomegranate seeds and put about 10-15 in each martini glass. These are the perfect little treat when you get to the bottom!

Pour and serve. Delish!

Home for the Holidays

Feel like a white Christmas? Lisa was kind enough to send over some pictures from her beautiful home in true Christmas style. This is the kind of home you want to pluck from the pages of a magazine, and never leave once you have it. I know Lisa has had many wonderful memories of Christmas in her home, what's yours? Send a picture of your Christmas tree and your favorite Christmas memory to willowsdesign@gmail.com and we'll post it here for everyone to see. More Willowettes homes coming soon!

Don't you just want to warm yourself by the fire? Happy Holidays everyone!

Cross bottles are back!

Our beloved cross bottles are back in! I know many of you have been waiting patiently since they were featured in Phoenix Home and Garden, and then we ran out of them the very next day! We now have new crown stoppers! Beautiful to display in any princess boudoir, bathroom, or even on a vanity! Fill them with lace, scented beads, oils or leave them empty - they are beautiful as is.

Please call us at the store for more information on any bottles you see.

Fabulous Find!

Bev decided to enjoy Balboa for the weekend - however, you can take the girl out of The Willows but you can't take The Willows out of the girl. Bev was just doing some window shopping and happened across the most amazing garden chairs we had to have for the store. Not 10 minutes later, Jen was getting an urgent call at the store to order these chairs for The Willows!




These chairs are made of Mango wood and rusted metal in a shape that give the chairs a rustic but elegant flair. We will be taking orders shortly!