A Little Flower

We hope to see you this weekend. It's lovely outside, and we planted you a garden!

Happy Spring! We look forward to seeing you next weekend at our First Weekend Flea Market!

New York in Arizona!

We *heart* NYC. Even though we went during the coldest possible time of year, we loved the fashion, the food, the nightlife, and even *gasp* the subway!

I know, i know - it's a little scary. There are rats, a few people that talk to themselves, and a warm stale air down there that makes you want to hold your breath until you are above ground again - but, truly, it is the heartbeat of NYC and the fastest way to travel! We have pictures we are holding over Bev's head of her actually asleep on the subway train!

With all this subway mania, we thought, how can we bring back a little bit of this underground joy for all of our friends in Arizona? We contemplated making a break for it with a couple of the original signs hanging from the subway stations, but unfortunately, our morals got the best of us and we didn't happen to have any tools on us to pull off such a job.

So, just for you, we had custom NYC subway signage shadowboxed into large-scale artwork for sale now at The Willows. We think they are more fabulous (and much cleaner!) than the real thing!

These pieces are one of a kind - so unless you want to go steal a real subway sign yourself, you better head over to The Willows quickly!

Mother's Day Already?

Capture your Child’s Silhouette for Mother’s Day!

Bev's amazingly talented daughter-in-law, Emily, came up with this idea for her children. She also happens to be the owner of Happy Jack Photography so her pictures are amazing!

When we saw how her silhouettes turned out, we begged her to do them for The Willows and Olive Annie. She has graciously agreed to make these silhouettes for only $10! (Framing not included)

Come by the first Friday and Saturday in March from 10am - 2pm for our "First Weekend Flea Market" (more details to come soon in our email!) to have your child's picture taken!

We will be doing these up until Mother's Day - May 10.

Wedding Registries!

Awwww.....

One of our own Willowettes just got engaged (she's the one floating around the store) and we're all a little bit in wedding mode right now! For those of us that have been happily married for many years, it got us to thinking back on all the planning and work that goes along with the big "W" word! We decided that it was about time The Willows did something fun for new brides and grooms-to-be. Hence our new "Willows Wedding Registry Events" by appointment only!
We will be scheduling one-hour appointments Monday-Thursday during normal business hours where one of our Willowettes will pop a bottle of champagne for you and your guest of choice (bring your mom, sister, a friend or even the groom!) and walk you through everything The Willows has to offer for your wedding registry. Your wish is our command! We will even put special orders on your list for items not found in the store. Let us know and we'll even get our information over to where your printing company so you can have The Willows information on your announcements!
Also, during your special appointment time, enjoy 20% off anything you purchase in the store that day! After all this is your big day, why shouldn't you have all the fun?

Have Fun with Furniture

Feeling afraid of reupholstering the couch white? Scared to put color on the wall? A little leery of going for that large crystal chandelier you secretly kind of covet? Relax and go for it! Decorating is meant to be fun - not a headache! Remember that time you bought those stilettos that were way too high for you but they made you feel so fierce? That's pretty much what the chandelier will do for you - but every single day.

Nate Berkus (http://www.nateberkus.com/) goes for it in his home featured in Elle Decor - check out the message written in chalk displayed as artwork! Genius! Also, I love his bravery in a picking a wild rug - and it works! Like what you see in the picture?

We may not show it in the store a lot but we do love leather when appropriate. Check out this Swedish Club Chair available for order.

We also love Nate's chest and oversized mirror idea between his large windows. Our versions are even more amazing if we do say so ourselves! Even our chest is mirrored! And check out our floor-length mirror in unfinished pine!

Something as fabulous as the tortoise shell on Nate's wall can only be ordered at The Willows. Seriously! Check out our version - available for order.

Afraid of white? Yes, I know - children, chocolate, and pets do not agree with the color - but just LOOK at it! This furniture line at Positive Space in Dallas makes you wonder what room in the house you can quarantine from stains to enjoy these fabulous pieces.

So, this weekend while the weather is nice - start those home projects! And remember, The Willows has people! Let us know if you need anything slipcovered, reupholstered or if you need curtains, pillows or furniture made! We can do it for you!

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!