Willow - Shop at WearWillow.com!

lots of pots

I had to go to the big city "DESTIN" this weekend to run some errands that I just couldn't wrap up on 30a. This usually involves things such as Home Depot, full-service car wash and this time, returning one of my unused Khloe Kardasian Halloween outfits. Thanks to Forever 21, Ashley, Morgan and I left with way too many options; it is perfect if you are needing to look like one the K sistas. Anyway, my friend Erika came into Willow for a visit and told me about this place off the beaten path in Destin that sells pots???

So I found myself behind Walmart on Airport Road in Destin in unfamiliar territory, when all of the sudden there it was, "Pottery World". It's not like you slam on the breaks because it is the most inviting garden store you've seen, but trust me it is worth the stop.

I walk in and am immediately greeted by Allan the friendly owner. Sadly, he tells me he is closing shop to move to Atlanta to run one of his other locations and therefore, everything is 40% off. There are gorgeous pots everywhere ranging in sizes from kinda-small to huge. The prices are unbelievable!!

I was in somewhat of a trance so I only snapped a couple of pics of my purchases. If you live nearby it is worth the trip.

 

Pottery World. 908 Airport Road. Destin, FL

click here for map

Will you be seeing Red this weekend too?

 
While you're in town this weekend for Seaside's Annual

Seeing Red Wine Festival,

 stop by Willow + Woods for a Trunk Show featuring...

Santa Bella Jewelry

&

Kelly Wearstler designer  pillows

 
Santa Bella Jewelry is beautiful precious and semi-precious stones delicately wrapped with 14kt wire. Each piece is unique on its own, but fabulous layered with any of  her other designs in her jewelry line. 

 
 
 
 
 

Didn't know we had these amazing pillows?? Well we have for a couple years and they are gorgeous. Come check out these down pillows at Willow + Woods this weekend. $98 each

 We will be open late for all you winos!! :)

Gotta get some Green

This past weekend I took a trip to Savannah and Charleston. It was great, but I felt like I was on sensory overload. There are so many amazing things to see. The Sister Cities have some of my favorite architecture in the world. I tried to take tons and tons of pics, but as usual managed to only get a few. (to be posted soon)

Yesterday I was fumbling my way down King Street and saw the cutest design store, South of Market. Then it hit me, I know this place. Kay, the owner and designer, shops in our Rosemary store. Not only is she incredibly kind, but unbelievably talented and savvy.

 

I have always wanted to go into one of her stores and it was worth the wait. Gorgeous upholstered pieces, unique light fixtures, great coffee table books (my newest obsession) and lots of to die for pops of color. So here is what I can't stop thinking about:

 
Aren't they fabulous????? I want to take everything out of my house and start over with these. I have this old pea-coat from Banana Republic, back when I used to shop for clothes (YEARS) and it is this color. People attack me when I wear it, so I think I need these chairs to match. 

 
Kinda like this?? Lauren Moffatt Fall 2010

Check out Kay's site and cute blog here.

 

Just a swingin..

Sometimes I bring Annabelle, my most precious pup, to the store...sometimes. Well, all of you want to know why she isn't there everyday??? Because she takes away too much from our goods. Seriously! People/shoppers come in...hopefully looking for clothes, shoes and jewels and once they see Annabelle that is all they have on the brain.  So she doesn't get to come every day to Willow :(

She brings me to our next diversion...
 

I know we STILL have not posted many pics of Willow +Woods, so here one little glimpse.

These are our fabulous swing chairs that are apparently on the quick rise to becoming famous. These chairs are like a trip to Disney for kids and I guess one of those $30,000 mattresses for adults. People absolutely FREAK out over these things. "Oh my  gosh, those are the coolest chairs ever", "honey I have to have one of those", "my friends were down here on vacation and told me to come in here to sit in the chairs".

You get my point?? Probably not. It got to the point of me having to put a note on them explaining that they are not toys and that yes, they have a weight limit. At first I felt bad about my "rules for the chairs", but now I don't think it is mean enough.

I know they are cool, but come on people!! Us Willow + Woods girls have decided that these two chairs are gonna be the death of us!! At least they look good....just pray for our patience while 6 kids are swinging in them by kicking the wall, and swinging as high as they can go!!

Can you tell I have been working a lil too much retail??? 

Beauty Sleep

Whenever I don't get a great night sleep, happens way too much, I dream of the perfect bed to sleep in. Usually it's at The St. Regis!!!
Today it's this one. What glamour!!! I think I would feel like a princess...I mean more of one. Haha!
Anyone know what famous celeb sleeps in this pink princess bed?
Hint: she loves to strike a pose and stare at herself in those mirrors!!

We want a face lift

Since we are cleaning out our closets and all...it got us to thinking; What else can we do to spruce things up here at Willow for our upcoming season??? Well here is my vote:

I have been eying these beauties forEVER!

She is by Jonathon Adler's Meurice Collection and would be just the most perfect accessory for our little Willow. Can't you just see them shinning bright right above our counter. What girl doesn't want something gold and shinny????

These are number 1 on my wish list....more to come ...

My New Stallion

Isn't he a beauty???

I was in Birmingham this past weekend for a visit and ended up decorating, or attempting, to decorate a house. (will post pics one day) I think I flew into every store opened on Sunday. This means I was limited to stores where you have to really dig....ya know, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Pier One, blah blah. Since I am a retailer myself, this is not my idea of fun. Tons of Sunday lurkers, as we refer to them, and NO customer service at all.

So, it's the end of the day and I am running out of steam and the patience is long gone, when I spot this perfect pair:

I immediately think ..... these are so perfect for Willow. They just screamed Kelly Wearstler/Trina Turk Palm Beach. If we would have had a million dollars, and I really mean $1,000,000.00, that is exactly how Willow would have looked....perfection.

Back to my point: ok, so lamp in hand, impatient and starving..I tell these beauties I will be back for them in the a.m;  I mean, who in the world is going to see how uber-cool these are in Birmingham Alabama...no offe nse to my home state.

Monday, first thing, I bust through the doors and to my dismay....only 1 horsey is there. Who buys ONLY ONE of these....AND WHO BOUGHT MY HORSE HEAD????? Panic mode...have to find him,  must have him.

I have searched high and low, literally calling 35 Home Goods stores and they have all just been sold!!!!!

 

He is so happy already at Willow...just like one of us:

 

But he is sooooo lonely. Please help us. If you have a Home Goods store in your town...find his friend and email me. We will send for him or her. I am on a mad crazy mission. (OCDing...)

Mallory's Pad

A couple of weekends ago I went to my friend Mallory's house for a visit.

She lives in Fairhope/Daphne, Alabama. She had a little GNO (girl's nite out) party with Willow ensembles for all her gals to try out. Mallory's family builds houses, so she is always in a new one. This was my first trip to her place on Emmanuel Street and Oh My it is sooo cool. Best part is she designed it ALL top to bottom. I mean floor plan, finishes, paint, molding, floors, cabinets,  furniture, fabrics.....ALL by herself. No actually the best part is that she did it all on a young couple's (with 2 kids in school) budget.

Check these out:

Mal, I am so so proud of you!!! She had about 30 girls in and out of her house on the Friday I was there, and I promise you they all left feeling as inspired as I did. She is so brave, putting all different types of fabrics and textures together indoor and out.

Mallory has, for as long as I've know her, always been one of those girls who is so "put together" within her fashion wardrobe; so I am not surprised to see it in her home as well. (sorry about the amateur pics on my lil digital camera)

 

Ode to the Eames...

I know this doesn't have anything to do with fashion you wear on your body, but this chair just exudes style. If you have any interest in design, then you know it well...The iconic Eames Lounge Chair.

  How I learned about this uber-cool piece:

I came home from my freshman year at Alabama {or as my father would refer to it, "The By-God University of Alabama"} in search of any worthless second hand furniture in my parent's house to use in my first college dump. I found this chair covered in dust in the basement, not having a clue of how cool it really was, and loaded it up!

I didn't really know for years the history of the Eames Lounge Chair or the history of "my" Eames. My very cool father, Huxley, lived in NYC's upper-east side in the late 60's-early 70's. He allegedly was given this chair by his girlfriend of the time who was either this girl or this girl . So it's one of the first ones! Oh and if this ole gal (the Eames) could talk I bet I would hear some crazy tales! Think his pad was quite the party place.

I am so lucky to have this treasure of my father's. Not only is it such a beautiful design, but very comfy. I have been able to place it in every house I've lived in with ease. It s eems to get along with everyone; just like my dear ole dad did!

You can go right here to see all the colors available for the Eames Lounger. I like the plain old black one like the original. It is an investment piece that is so worth it. Just think you may be able to pass it on to one of your daughter's one day! (Lil-but-taller Sis Jenny,I will leave it to you in my will. xoxo) -celia