happy halloween weekend!

busy getting ready for a nice chilly halloween weekend? any fun plans or old traditions? we love spending time with family; seeing all the kids dressed up in silly costumes and munching on some good eats and treats! here are some fun links for your weekend inspiration. cheers to the holiday season!


this texas chili sounds like a fun one to try...beer and bison? why not.

a tasty punch for the adults looking for a treat

this gingersnap pumpkin pie with maple cinnamon whipped cream sounds divine

a gorgeous autumn flower arrangement how to

this and so many other amazing costume ideas if you're on the last minute search

bringing the outdoors in

 one of my most favorite things about this time of year is being able to be outdoors and using my garden to liven up my home. i recently planted some pomegranate trees for home decor. i love their look laying casually on a silver platter or arranged for the mantle or table top.

another favorite for both scent and look is eucalyptus. i bring bunches inside often to add to an arrangement or lay down the table as a centerpiece. it is simply lovely with roses as well! soon I will tackle some for a whimsical wreath as the holidays approach.

the possibilities are endless here with winter citrus, fresh herbs, and fall foliage. we'll be sharing some wreath making soon, so look forward to some good decorating tips, and get outside and enjoy this great weather!!

holiday thoughts

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with the upcoming holidays we have a few things on our mind. 

travel + visitors.

we love to give the home a fresh look for the holidays and sometimes that includes 

a clean new look for the guest room that will welcome family from afar. let us help you with 

some new winter bedding, elegant dishware, or perhaps the perfect hostess gift 

you'll be needing at the next get together!

we know many of you find yourself traveling and hopefully vacationing soon as well. 

don't forget to check out our gorgeous apparel for a snazzy new look to go with your travels!

one of our best gals in the shop recently went to Hawaii and is sharing her travel experience

with us below. do enjoy and come see us soon!

on her recent visit to Kau'i Kim had a amazing visit and some breathtaking adventures. 

here are her bits of advice. 

Hawaii essentials: 

-bedroom fans

-lavande mosquito spray (sold at the willows)

-sunscreen

-benadryl anti-itch cream

-a fancy cocktail in hand

She highly recommends snorkeling on Tunnels Beach, hiking for some unreal views and rainbow 

sightings, staying close to the beach, and riding in a helicopter for even more stunning views of the 

landscape. 

Thanks for sharing Kim!!

Do share any exciting upcoming holiday travels with us. We'd love to hear about it! 

dishes to inspire

with the season of entertaining upon us we cant help but gush a bit about some of our favorite serving pieces. gorgeous white ceramics in perfectly imperfect shapes are at the top of our list. 

we personally love the montes doggett line {see above images} for the whimsical

shapes and the story they hold. the artist, monica porter, bases her art on her 

passion for making a table lovely...set with grace and style just as her mother did.

the italian vietri line {see below image} is another of our faves to fill with all of your 

holiday dishes. if you are in need of something new to set that wow factor

come in and let us help you set your table!!

pre-order some holiday dishes and you will be entered to win a gift! 

fall to do's

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so we've been reading about these fall bucket lists. fun idea, no pressure, but kind of nice to lay out the           busy season ahead and plan a bit. you know we love a good list.

here is our little list to start: 

-prayers for actual cool weather so it can feel like fall

-a visit to an apple orchard

-make applesauce, apple butter, or can something 

-buy a pumpkin candle from the willows; get that fall scent going at home

-make chili and cornbread and enjoy dinner on the porch

-plant! sow wildflowers, winter grass and get a veg garden going

-decorate your home....of course!!

this  list from country living had some good fun ideas.
what is on your fall to do list?
any great family traditions you might share with us? 

chefy emily

so my littlest set off to culinary school for pastry in northern california this past month. we are so proud of her and can not wait to visit and taste some of the lovely treats she has been making! my mouth waters every time she sends us photos. keep up the hard work emily!! love you and miss you here in phoenix!

outdoor markets

tis the season for venturing outdoors to do some of your weekly grocery shopping. the somewhat new uptown market has some gorgeous produce, bread and many other goodies to fill your basket. they are not only open saturday mornings but offer a nice wednesday morning option to break up your week. they even have a great selection of coffee vendors to sip on while perusing your produce.

we gave noble's country bread a try for a fabulous chicken salad, used sweet baby pears for snacks, and turned the gorgeous basil in a pesto for pasta. looking forward to going back for some squash and pumpkins!

local eats + drinks

looking for a fabulous craft cocktail at a hip local esablishment? 

if you have never been or only have been for coffee, definitely give lux on central a try

for a a fun date night pre dinner drink. they are all one of a kind

and might i say amazing!

they also have a fabulous dinner menu with daily changes to suit your fancy. 

hope your week is off to a great start!

Care Card Time!

The Care Card dates are October 16th-25th! Are you all familiar with this unique fundraiser?

Purchase a Care Card for $60, and save 20% on purchases made October 16-25 at participating businesses. Net proceeds from the 2015 Care Card events will benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The program raised more than $261,000 for Phoenix Children's Hospital in 2014!

Cards may be purchased online, from a BOV member, or at participating retailers (that includes us, you know). These cards may be used at 600 participating retailers. Participants are listed in the Care Card booklet (which you receive upon purchase of the Care Card) and online. Save 20% on your purchases at The Willows!

We are already scouting the digs at our favorite local boutiques. Take a look at our wish list below!

Relics Architectural Home & Garden
We love our friends at Relics. This shop is more like a gallery, boasting a curated collection of antique and vintage European architectural home and garden items. We are eyeing these opulent twin mirrors. Catch them if you can...

 

Nove

This clothing and lifestyle shop in Scottsdale is edgy and beautiful. Think Andy Warhol meets Marie Antoinette... Or, really, any Sofia Coppola film. They have an incredible candle selection from Capri Blue and Voluspa (pictured below).

Poor Little Rich Girl

If you haven't been, you need to go. Forget My Sister's Closet. We are PLRG converts through and through! The Arcadia location is great for work-to-weekend looks, and we love the 16th Street & Bethany Home Road location for geometric and bohemian jewelry.  Follow them on Instagram for adorable, real-time updates on items they are taking in (like these cuties below).

wedding wishes

We recently had the pleasure of hosting a lovely wedding shower for Susan's daughter and bride to be. 

A beach house setting, wrapped sandwiches, chilled gazpacho, champagne and lots of laughs.

Now we are sending our Susan off to Spain for the wedding!

In the meantime all design questions will have to be on hold while she is away. 

Enjoy some sangria for us!! 

We wish Adam and Brie (the couple to be) many happy years and blessings on their marriage!!

new apparel

our CP shades velvet has arrived...just in time for this chilly weather. 

come check it out! so much goodness!

feeling inspired by

this lovely italian look; take me to milan!

{found via the sartorialist}

dressing in whites...even tennies

{found via charlottpetterson}

playing like you mean it

{found via that playhouse}

this dairy free "healthy" ice cream treat

{found via dolly and oatmeal}

lemon coconut cookies

so i know, a day late, but apparently yesterday was national homemade cookie day. every day its something right? well i fell in love with these shortbread like soft cookies topped with buttery lemony frosting and had to share. find the recipe on a bountiful kitchen. she has a fabulous collection of other yummy recipes if these are not you're thing.

and to top it off, please come by today and mention this post to get 20% off any pair of jeans. that's right! we want to celebrate the double digits heading our way! have a beautiful weekend folks!