cabin: before and after

we would love to share with you a recent design project we had a blast

working on, in a northern arizona cabin.

we love a good challenge and seeing beyond what is in front of us. 

we hope you enjoy!

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and a few more 'after' shots:

so what do you think? 

we are still working on some odds and ends but for now we find it rather charming!

Changing Spaces

This is another post from shop girl Meg… She recently started the adventures of wedding-planning and we are going to take a peek inside her head (and home)!

I adore being at home. I feel instantly relieved when I walk through the door, observe the collections of cheerful objects, kick off my shoes and (quite literally) hop on the couch. Even with this affection for my space, I find myself itching for change. Sometimes it's the "scoot" of a bookshelf, moving a piece of art from one room to the next, or scouring design blogs for the latest and greatest in indoor succulent displays… There is nothing more fun! When girlfriends come over to visit, they have that unsettled look of disorientation after scanning the room for some semblance of familiarity!

Late one night this holiday weekend, I decided to transform my living room into a wedding planning space. I replaced a bookshelf - housing a collection of old books and my two typewriters - with my funky dining room table. I adorned the top with fresh flowers, all the necessary research and two, special photographs - one of my mother and one of my grandmother on their respective wedding days. I pushed my favorite chair up to the table and made a desk. And, I am loving it.

Look at that skirt! 

Any advice for Miss Meg? She has the date and the church, but that's about it! 

I have always preferred white or lavender roses to red… So much more romantic.

happy labor day weekend!

we are incredibly thankful for our freedom to work in this beautiful country 

we live in. here at the willows we have been blessed with a wonderful 

group of hardworking women passionate about what they do. 

so many thanks to all of our hard workers out there!

in honor of the labor day weekend come see us tomorrow and mention this

post for 20% off any apparel item!!

Don't forget we will be closed monday for the holiday. 

Have a lovely weekend...sleep in...relax and then make these super easy

donuts that take no time at all!

around the shop

 our yummy new elizabethW line. a must try. 

doesnt that sound perfect after a long hot day?

fun new apparel...come check it out! 

hope youre having a great week. 

any fun weekend plans for labor day? 

weekend adventures

spent the weekend up north in flagstaff working 

on a cabin install. 

so nice to breath that fresh mountain air and 

feel those cool temps after a long hot summer!

look out for  some fun before and afters 

this week of all we've been working on!

and of course we stopped for pie on the way home. 

an old arizona classic...rock springs cafe.

we always make room for dessert. 

did you do anything fun this weekend?  

honey and jam

looking for a simple little breakfast cake to toast off the end of summer? 

this blueberry corn cake, from one of the shops cookbooks honey and jam, 

makes for a lovely morning or great accompaniment to an 

afternoon cup of coffee. 

the book is such a treasure, drawing its focus on seasonal baking. i'm 

looking forward to trying her sweet potato cupcakes with marshmallow 

frosting, earl grey doughnuts with a blood orange glaze, 

and the cranberry gingerbread cake.

I think her whiskey, pear and maple cheesecake would be 

such a fun treat for thanksgiving...coming up sooner than you think.

pop by the shop, say hi and pick up a book for yourself or a friend!

you can also check out the authors blog 

honey and jam here.

blueberry corn skillet cake:

cake:

3/4 c. fine-ground yellow cornmeal

3/4 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 c. buttermilk

5 tablespoons butter, melted

1 large egg

1/2 c. fresh corn kernels

1/2 c. fresh blueberries

compote: 

2 c. fresh blueberries

1/3 c. granulated sugar

to make cake: 

preheat oven to 350. butter a 9 in. cast iron skillet.

in medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

in small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, butter, and egg. pour mixture into dry and stir until combined. stir in corn and blueberries.

pour into prepared skillet; bake for 30-35 minutes. allow to cool slightly.

to make compote: 

in small saucepan, combine half of the blueberries with the sugar and 1/3 c. water. simmer over medium heat until the berries burst, about 10 minutes. add remaining blueberries and cook for 8 minutes more, until the compote coats the back of a spoon. remove from the heat. 

serve cake with compote. 

ace and jig

roaming around on instagam we came across this whimsical clothing

company, ace and jig.

we love their craftsmanship and awe inspiring process, weaving on 

ancient wooden looms from their own hand dyed fibers. 

they also have a gorgeous bazzar section full of quilts

and pillows: 

{all photos credited to ace and jig instagram or website}