Valentine's Day Gifts

7 ways to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day

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They say...

...that puppies and cute children are the most commonly used trick in advertising to get people to buy something you are trying to sell.

I give you Bev's granddaughter Ruby Grace...

...the calls for commercials should start coming in any day now.

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Whisper Linen...

We were shocked to learn today that Bella Notte is changing the design of their whisper linen bedding to have button closures instead of the amazing ties that they have been known for! We called Bella Notte and they said anyone interested in still getting the ties can still order them for a very limited time. If you want a duvet or pillows with the beautiful, reversible ties - let us know and we will place an order for you!

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Jewelry Event February 5!

We have so many talented amazing women artists showcasing their jewelry on February - you cannot miss this event!

First Friday Jewelry Event

10am-2pm

in The Willows parking lot

Jewel Ya

Emily Austin

Jewelry by Jackie B

Honeybee

Come Sundown

Sugarbean

Tiny Baubles

In addition, The Willows will have lots of store items on sale as well as farm-fresh eggs and more for sale! See you next Friday!

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The great thing about puddles...

One of our customers shared with us some of the most darling pictures of her children playing in the rain...in Willows raingear she bought last Christmas! We had to share with all of you!

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The Aesthetic Lifestyle, Beauty Matters...

The definition of Aesthetics: A guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty and taste; artistic sensibility: or an underlying principle, a set of principles, or a view often manifested by outward appearances or style of behavior.
I like to think that I am a citizen of the "Country of Aesthetics". Yes, my belief from a young age has been, "Beauty Matters". Indeed, an aesthetic life is made up of deliberate choices that are made everyday. The designer and guru of the Arts & Crafts movement, William Morris says, "Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." I live and design by these simple, brilliant words. This is such a precise statement that it could be the motto for the "Country of Aesthetics".

The question is how to embrace this philosophy of Aesthetic as a lifestyle. The answer although simple takes discipline.
1. Do not bring anything into your Home or Garden environment that you do not LOVE. Anything!
2. Explore and understand what colors, styles and textures you are attracted to.
3. A great way to ascertain your own personal style is make a list of your favorite colors. Take a trip to to your local bookstore and purchase (yes purchase) a pile of Home and Garden design magazines. Now here is the deal, as you flip through these magazines, tear out (you can do it) the pages that have images that appeal to how you would like your house to look, in general.
4. At this point you should be aware of your likes and dislikes. Now the fun part. Go through your home and remove, remove, remove all of the items that you now know in your newly conscious and aware heart that do not honor the Country of Aesthetic philosophies and principles.
5. Congratulate yourself, you have just finished the absolute hardest step, letting go of stuff that does not matter, is no longer useful or is not beautiful. MMMMMMM feels good.
6. I keep myself on track by not settling for something, but waiting until I can afford or find exactly what it is I see in a room or in my personal space, indoors and in the garden.
7. Repeat, Beauty Matters. Because it truly does.

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Rainy Days...

Rainy days make me want to...

Stay in bed late...

Snuggle up with a good book...

Invite good friends over...

and cook for them.

Today try this fun recipe to try from our new cookbook "The Ramos House Cafe":
Cinnamon Apple Beignets:

3 eggs
3 cups ricotta
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 oz apple sauce
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and cored
Creme Anglaise (homemade recipe also in book)
Caramel Sauce (homemade recipe also in book)

Method:
Sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Whip together eggs, ricotta, brown sugar and apple butter. Dice apples and add to ricotta mixture. In a large mixing bowl, fold together ricotta mixture with dry ingredients until just combined (don't over mix). Heat frying oil to 375. Drop beignets by the heaping tablespoons into hot oil and fry until dark golden brown. Serve hot with Creme Anglaise and Caramel Sauce. Garnish with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Extra batter will keep for a day or two, refrigerated.

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Coming Soon!

Here are a couple teasers for you!

Coming in mid-February: this large elm trunk with an old patina finish. It opens for maximized storage inside!

Dimensions are 87"L x 19"D x 30"H

Cream Mirror 40"H x 34"W

Phillipe Mirror 63"Hx37"W

Call for pricing and availability - these are one-of-a-kind pieces!

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Martin Luther King Day

There is a neat movement that is happening this year that I wanted to share with all of you. January 18 is Martin Luther King Day and instead of recognizing Dr. King's great accomplishments by closing banks and other establishments, people are now pushing for the day to become a day of service. For what better way can we come together as a community than by giving our time and the gift of service to our community?

Come share how you will be volunteering your time this year and get 10% off your purchase on Monday, January 18!

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What the Willowettes are going to...

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Show your Home some Love

You wouldn't even recognize us today. Yesterday the store was chaos - today we are a new store filled with amazing new furniture and finds from Bev's travels! We have a stunning 10 foot elm table set with books and numbered bins for all your home accessories! We also brought in a zinc-top dining table with a matching 7 foot tall zinc framed mirror!

There is so much more but you must come see!

Also available in 7ft and 8ft sizes
Zinc table shown in 7ft size - also available in 6ft, 8ft and 10ft size!

Mirror shown in 4'x7' - also comes in 3x5
This vintage daybed is 50% off! Displayed with one-of-a-kind vintage doors.
special edition Vietri "amore" canape plates with our exclusive bath line from France

napkins shown - dishtowels also available

vintage "indian bells"

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What's New for The Willows!

Happy New Year everyone! We are very excited to start 2010 - and leave 2009 behind! We have lots of great new things in store right now, and we are just busting at the seams to tell you....so we thought we would give you a little preview of all that The Willows is working on for the new year!

A New Website!

That's right - we are launching a new website that will be much more in-tune with what is going on at The Willows every day! Our blog, tweets and new products will be updated right on the homepage daily! It is going to be so exciting!

The Willows Furniture Collection!

After years of dreaming of our own line, The Willows has finally exclusively designed our own line of upholstered and slipcovered furniture with our very own custom fabrics! Keep watching the blog and your emails for updates on when this arrives! We expect the first pieces at the beginning of February!

Bigger and Better Flea Markets!

We are expanding our First Friday Flea Markets to be bigger and better than ever! For February 5 we have invited six of our most talented local jewelry artists to sell their unique items in The Willows parking lot for our February Flea Market Jewelry Extravaganza! We look forward to seeing all of our friends! Again check your emails and the blog for more details!

Most of all we look forward to 2010 being a prosperous, happy and healthy year for all of our customers and friends! We couldn't do what we do without all of you and we look forward to bringing more fun and fabulous finds into your lives this year!

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