Have you seen some of the new color trends?

Purples, grays, and beiges are popping up everywhere. The trend to "warm" gray up a bit has created a blend of gray and beige, that some are calling "greige".

At the Willow House convention I recently attended, this color combo was alive and well. The designers had several vignettes done in those colors and I must admit I like it!!! Though I have never been much of a gray fan, the combination and accessories used in the displays make it seem fun, warm, and inviting. Not really words I would have used in the past to describe gray. I would love to hear your thoughts on the new combination of color. Are you a gray fan? what about purple? Beige too boring for your taste?

How do you work the new trendy colors into your decorating? do you go crazy and change everything or do you find a few key pieces to add in to update the look? Let me know.

Even our new catalog is sporting the newest color trends:

Many of the items pictured are in our new fall line and will be available August 1st.  I love the lanterns!!
 

Decorating at bargain prices!!

You can get this clock through the end of July for only $27.96 (reg. 89.96!)......add two Cottage Garden Wall art pieces and you can get this look for a fraction of the price!! Isn't it beautiful?

I love this cookbook holder and it is so versatile too. Think of using out of the kitchen for a beautiful decorating book or your favorite photo. It is a steal this week at just $13.96

How about this Estate Shelf? Great for a bathroom, but how about in a kitchen and hang cute aprons from the hooks

$24.96

Love, love, love this fireplace screen!! A bargain at $39.96

For more specials and deals click on the link  http://lovethedecor.store.willowhouse.com:80/category.aspx?zcid=289

JULY IS ALMOST OVER

DON'T MISS OUT!! 
Still lots of item left in our Red Hot Summer Sale!!

And don't forget the weekly deals in the outlet too. Good only through tomorrow!!

Meeting blogging buddies

I am so blessed to be able to attend our Annual Willow Convention last week. I learned so much and made many new friends. I will be sharing more about that soon, but I wanted to share with you that I had a chance to meet two delightful blog buddies in person. The first night in Atlanta I met the ever cheerful  Theresa from theycallmeganky.  She has become a treasured friend and one of my very best Willow House customers!! We had never met in person but we have been blogging friends for awhile now. We laughed when we saw each other... look at us. Can you say twins :  ) sorry for the blurry pix my camera and the lighting did not cooperate very well.

She was delightful and funny and the sweetest person. I felt as if we already knew each other and it was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, food. and fun and getting to know even more about each other. 

She even surprised me with some beautiful treasures. A journal, mug, a beautiful angel pin and chocolate yum!!  I was feeling bad that I was so busy getting ready for my trip that I didn't even think about a gift for her.

The next morning I got to meet yet another blog buddy for breakfast. Pam from  Late to the Party

I first "met" Pam through a blog swap and soon came to realize that we had so much in common. She is also sweet, funny and delightful and my Hero. You see Pam has recently lost more than 100 pounds and she looks terrific. I am so proud of her and I was so blessed to finally meet her in person. My only regret with these two special ladies is, that the time went much too quickly.  ( and that I did not think of giving them gifts)  I could have visited both for hours and hours. 

If you get a chance to visit a blog friend in person I highly recommend it. My life is richer with both of them in it!!

Did you Know...

that July is National Blueberry month? I love them!! I eat them fresh or frozen, in cakes and in smoothies too. 
Here is a great recipe using fresh or frozen blueberries

Lemon Blueberry Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

dash salt

1 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt ( I like to use lemon yogurt when I can find it)

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/3 cup canola oil

2 tsp grated lemon zest

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup fresh blueberries + 2 tsp flour 
( I use 1 1/2 C blueberries)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bread loaf pan. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, canola oil, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk until batter is smooth.  Sprinkle 2 tsp flour over blueberries and toss to coat.  This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake.  Carefully fold blueberries into the cake batter.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick tester comes out clean.

Lemon Simple Sugar: 

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, stir together the lemon juice and sugar. Cook until the sugar dissolves completely. Turn off  heat and set aside.

When the cake is done, remove it to a wire rack and run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen.  Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer cake to wire baking rack on top of a sheet pan. Pour the lemon simple sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Let cake cool.

 Vanilla Glaze: 

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

milk, as needed

In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to make a thin pourable consistency.  Pour over the luke warm cake and let it run down the sides. Transfer to a serving platter, slice and enjoy!

Why not purchase our Willow House loaf pan to make this in and give as a gift for a friend or neighbor.

Gail Pittman Alfresco loaf pan $14.96

If you like quality and a bargain...

It's Tuesday and I just realized I did not post the deals for the week!!
This Mario Batali Lasagna pan is a steal at just $24.96

  Click Here for all of the deals and descriptions

So much to share

 Just back from Atlanta where I went for a Willow House convention. It was a blast and my head is spinning with so much to share!! I also got to meet meet a few blogging friends in person. So much to share with you but I need to catch up a bit here on the home front after being away for 6 days. I will post pictures and share lots of fun info with you in the days ahead. Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!! Oh and I will leave you with a another look at the Jewelry line we have debuting int he fall. It is amazing and I see serious shopping trouble in my future :  )

And I'm off....

Off to Atlanta for lots of Willow House fun!! Can't wait to come back and share with you all that I will be learning and to tell you more about our Jewelry line coming this fall!! Be sure and shop those Red Hot Deals for unbelievable savings!!  don't forget the weekly deals in the outlet too! See you all when I get back.
Oh and I am super excited to meeting so me very special blogging friends too while I am there.

Last Day for these deals

Busy working on a wedding this weekend but wanted you to know this the last day for these great deals. Place your order before they go back to regular pricing tomorrow.  Here is the flier but I am high lighting a few of my favs with links below!!

Dishwasher safe and Mario Batali approved! 1 1/4" x 1" x 8 1/2" long. $6.96

Paper Towel Caddy $8.96

Antiqued iron worked in an intricate pattern of curling tendrils. Sconce measures 7" x 15.75". Tall glass cylinder measures 8" x 3.5" diameter and is removeable for cleaning. Holds a pillar candle up to 3" in diameter (candle not included). $11.96

Make A difference today!!

Today I Will Make a Difference

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. 

Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. 

Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. 

Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference!!

WOW MORE UNBELIEVABLE DEALS

THE DEALS JUST KEEP COMING WITH WILLOW HOUSE!! IN ADDITION TO OUR RED HOT SUMMER SALE, THERE ARE 20 THINGS IN THE OUTLET AT DRASTICALLY REDUCED PRICES THINGS ARE SELLING OUT QUICKLY SO HOP OVER TO MY STORE AND ORDER FAST!! ITS A GREAT TIME TO START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING OR BUY BUNCO PRIZES TOO!!

REALLY BIG SALE ( updated)

Edited to add updated pages showing things that have already sold out!! OVER 100 ITEMS AT ROCK BOTTOM PRICES!! I AM STARTING MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY!!  TO ORDER CLICK HERE

SHOP SOON FOR BEST SELECTION AS THESE ITEMS ARE SURE TO SELL OUT!!

More highlights

If you have followed me for any lenght of time you know I have an obsession for aprons. I love them and wear one almost daily.
WillowHouse has a darling one on sale this month while supplies last, for just $8.96. For all you seamstresses out there you know, we can't even buy the fabric to make it for that price. There are some matching towels and potholders on sale also!! Just click on the photos to place an order and to see all of our Red Hot Summer Sale items.

$8.96

$7.96 set 2

Set 2 $6.96

One last bargin to share with you is this wonderful clock!!

18" diameter $27.96

And on last thing thse cute little candlestick are in the outlet through tomorrow for just $8.96  for the pair

Make great gifts so order several

All sale items are while supplies last so order soon. Many items have already sold out!!

To see our list of over 100 items  click here