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It's Time to Get Your Holiday "Spirits" On!

Now that it's starting to get pretty chilly down here at the beach all of us at Willow are starting to get excited about the holidays and all of those little traditions that we love to do each year. One of my favorite things to do around this time of the year is drink Starbuck's Caramel Apple Spice. Whether it's on the go or while I cozy up with a new book and take it easy, I always look forward to this delicous drink around this time! I decided to ask everyone else at Willow what their favorite holiday drinks are and wanted to share the recipes with all of you!! 

Celia's (Owner) - Cranberry Mojito

Click here for recipe!

Cindy's (Owner) - Champagne

Aren't these flutes amazing?! Click here to purchase. 

Rebekah's (Seaside Manager) - White Chocolate Egg Nog

Doesn't this look delicious?? Click here for recipe!

Abbie's (WearWillow Manager) - Caramel Apple Spice

This recipe is from Our Little Coop. Check it out here!

Tiffany's (Rosemary Manager) - Pumpkin Pie Martini

A perfect way to start the holiday's off! Recipe. 

Now that we've shared our favorite drinks with you, we would LOVE to know what yours are!! - Abbie XOXO

 

 

Something a lil Spicy...

because of this tiny 6" precious lil blessing, I am craving all things spicy 

So if you are too or if you are having me over to your casa, maybe have these on hand. 

or

You will thank me. OMG, delish. Morgan, I could kill you for introducing me to the jalapeno pretzel chips. One, because I finish off the whole bag in one day, and two, because you can only get them at Walmart (goes against my ban of ever having to visit Walmart). 

Anybody have any other yummy things to share ?????

Free Give-away time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I have bragged about my uber-talented friend, Dawn Curtis, before. She is the one who created our blog header stationary, invitations, bags, announcements, business cards and even lots of my wedding goods.  I mean how amazing is our new blog header????

It's really nice to find someone who is so talented and "get's you". Cindy and I are creative girls who are always craving high-design images that will compliment our clothing and jewels, but have NO clue how to do anything on the computer....so steps in Dawn. 

Here I am with Dawn last fall at my wedding...isn't she gorgeous!!!

Well Dawn and her partner, Lauren, are teaming up with Willow fans and giving y'all a precious give-away from their company Pinwheel Press. Have you been to their Pinwheel Press FB  page or Pinwheel Press Etsy link? IT"S ADORABLE!!! You will want one of everything!!

 

Can you tell how obsessed I am with this design??? All of their designs are so new and chic...

Ok so let me get to the good part THE FREEBIE!!!! Pinwheel Press is giving away a FREE set of 24 calling cards to our blog contest winner. We will select winner using random.org on April 18.

TO WIN: All you have to do is go to Pinwheel Press FB page, "LIKE" their page and leave a comment saying one of your favorite designs. It's so easy!!!

A few designs to help:

1. RAINDROP 

2. AZTEC :)

3. IKAT

4. DIAMOND

5. CHEVY LOVE

I am already so jealous of the winner!!!!

Good Luck and have a ball checking out their fun fun etsy page!!  

Marni hits H&M

Marni for H&M: 

Ladies...mark your calanders for March 8th!!!!!!!!

Marni‘s limited-edition collection for H&M is almost here, and we have a first look at what you can expect! “The collaboration with H&M has been an exciting challenge,” says Marni’s founder and creative director Consuelo Castiglioni. “I’m very proud of the result. Everything has the same level of quality, craft, and attention to detail Marni is known for.” The print-centric lineup features silk separates, vibrant summer dresses, chunky resin jewelry, and wooden platform sandals ranging from $10 to $149. 

Think I'd wear my running shoes....judging by these pics...it's gonna be a freezy!

(info & pics provided by InStyle)

 

 

 

Not Just another dinner party......

Last night Kav and I went to a dinner party at some of his old college golf friends. We had a great time, beautiful house, amazing food and wine and fun new friends. Everything you hope a good Christmas dinner party holds for you. After dinner we had a big surprise: A Big Toy

Oh yea that is the OG (original) National Lampon's Christmas Vacation RV. Yep Cousin Eddie's sweet ride!!

Do you know of a better Christmas comedy?? We had a little fun with it.

 

Scary resemblance huh?

 

Kav and I decided this is the perfect first Christmas card for The Tucker's!

~thanks Ashley and Michael

 

Turkey Day menu block???...here ya go!!!!

 

Only a few days left until that one day of the year when we (maybe) don't count calories and allow ourselves to have a nap in the middle of the day and not keep it a secret!!!  Kav and I traveled south (yep south of our beach), to another beach, Naples, to spend an early Thanksgiving with his family. I love Thanksgiving and have always been a HUGE volunteer in the kitchen.....to clean only!! Never have I been much of a fixture at the ole stove for cooking. So Kav thought I had a fever when I volunteered to cook Thanksgiving ALL BY MYSELF for his family. 

Well if you know me, once I've said I'm going to do something...I'm gonna do it. So I was in deep trouble. I turned to the trusty Southern Living in the airport on the way down and picked out the menu below. Not to give myself a pat on the back, but OH MY GOSH, it was delicious. My favorite was the Creole Dressing and Crannberry Salsa and Kav's fav was the Collard Greens, Squash Casserole and turkey (he said it was a 3-way tie). 

Everyone had a fav, but I "think" they loved it all. We had a tiny bit of dressing left over and that was it. And no one got food posioning today. The Tucker's have decided to keep me around. 

So IF I CAN COOK AN ENTIRE THANKSGIVING DINNER ALL BY MYSELF....ANYONE CAN!!!!!!!! (print out these recipes...promise you won't regret it) 

Good Luck and Happy Eating. xoxox -celia

APPLE-BOURBON TURKEY & GRAVY

• 4 cups apple juice
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 (12- to 15-lb.) whole fresh turkey*
• Cheesecloth
• Kitchen string
• 4 celery ribs
• 4 large carrots
• 3 small apples, quartered or halved
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Stir together apple juice and next 2 ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• 2. Remove giblets and neck from turkey, and rinse turkey with cold water. Drain cavity well; pat dry. Place turkey in a large roasting pan. Dip cheesecloth in apple juice mixture. Wring dry. Cover turkey with cheesecloth; pour apple juice mixture over cheesecloth, coating completely. Cover and chill 12 to 24 hours, basting occasionally with marinade.
• 3. Preheat oven to 325°. Remove turkey from pan, discarding cheesecloth and reserving 3 cups marinade. Sprinkle cavity with desired amount of salt; rub into cavity. Sprinkle desired amount of salt and freshly ground pepper on skin; rub into skin. Tie ends of legs together with string; tuck wingtips under.
• 4. Arrange celery and next 3 ingredients in a single layer in bottom of roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, on celery mixture; pour reserved marinade over turkey in pan.
• 5. Bake at 325° for 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165°, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices and shielding with aluminum foil after 2 hours and 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Remove from oven, and let stand 30 minutes.
• 6. Transfer turkey to a serving platter, reserving 2 1/2 cups pan drippings. Pour reserved drippings through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large measuring cup, discarding solids.
• 7. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Gradually add drippings, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring mixture occasionally, 5 minutes or until gravy thickens. Add up to 1/2 cup chicken broth for desired consistency, if desired. Stir in salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve turkey with warm gravy.
• *Frozen whole turkey, thawed, may be substituted. 

CREOLE CORNBREAD DRESSING

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package andouille sausage, chopped
• 8 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 large celery ribs, diced
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 1 medium-size green bell pepper, diced
• Cornbread Crumbles
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (8-oz.) package fresh mushrooms, diced
• 1 cup dry sherry
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cups chopped toasted pecans
• 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
• 2 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 large eggs

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Sauté andouille sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add green onions and next 3 ingredients, and sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in Cornbread Crumbles.
• 2. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms, and sauté 3 minutes. Add sherry, and cook, stirring often, 5 to 6 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half; stir in parsley. Stir mushroom mixture, toasted pecans, and Creole seasoning into cornbread mixture.
• 3. Whisk together chicken broth and eggs; add to cornbread mixture, stirring gently just until moistened. Divide mixture between 1 lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish and 1 lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish.
• 4. Bake dressing at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.

GREEN BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS

Ingredients

• 2 pounds haricots verts (tiny green beans), trimmed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound shallots, halved lengthwise and peeled
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Preparation

• 1. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.
• 2. Melt butter and brown sugar with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add shallots, and sauté 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add vinegar, and sauté 10 minutes or until shallots are golden brown and tender.
• 3. Increase heat to medium-high; add green beans, and sauté 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

WILD RICE WITH MUSHROOMS

Ingredients

• 2 (6-oz.) packages long-grain and wild rice mix
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 12 ounces assorted fresh mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Marsala
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

• 1. Prepare rice mix according to package directions.
• 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion, and sauté 7 minutes or until golden. Add mushrooms and salt; sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add Marsala, and sauté 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir mushroom mixture and parsley into prepared rice.

CRANBERRY SALSA

Ingredients

• 1 (12-oz.) package fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 navel orange, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

• 1. Pulse cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
• 2. Pulse orange zest and next 5 ingredients in food processor 3 to 5 times or until orange, ginger, and pepper are finely chopped. Stir into cranberries; cover and chill 2 to 24 hours.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

COLLARD GREENS

For the squash casserole and collard greens, I used  secret family recipes, so you're on you own here!

And wash it all down with this yummy twist on a regular-ole mimosa:

CLEMENTINE SPARKLER

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups cava or other sparkling wine, chilled
• 3/4 cup fresh clementine juice, chilled
• Clementine slices (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Combine cava and juice. Garnish with clementine slices, if desired.

and even Annabelle made a new bestie...

(thanks SL...my first Turkey Day menu...for brand new family..off without a hitch)

 

new store crush/ C. Wonder

Everyone from the North Pole to Tibucktu knows who Tory Burch is, right? But did you know that the co-founder of Tory Burch Ltd is her ex, Chris Burch? Yep! Chris has been in the industry for years..his father owned Eagle Eye Clothing (remember that from way back when) and he is also one of those very successful peope because everything he touches turns to gold.

(Burch pictured with Kelly Rutherford at C.Wonder opening)

Well Mr. Burch has a new venture, and I can't wait to check it out in person!! It's called C. Wonder and it is located in one of the coolest spots in SOHO.

First of all...the logo. Mr. Burch used the same graphic designer who came up with the inconic Tory Burch Logo. 

Don't they both just oooze success, class, and that "wow" factor? My next fav thing, that niether of the Burchs's seem afraid to use is COLOR! I have always loved her use of colors, paving her way with the perfect orange (and lots of gold accents). Getting back to C. Wonder...who seems no different here. I just adore the bright kelly green and white (and lots of gold accents).

Walk right in...to these amazing green doors..dont' mind if I do!

I could just move right in! C. Wonder just makes me happy looking at the pics. 

C. Wonder seems to carry just about a lil something for everyone. Some things a little bit cooky and some things cozy, but I bet you can find at least one or two things for yourself.

I'll take these in a 7!

and one of these...either color. So much to chose from for all! 

If you are planning a trip up to NY before Chirstmas, check out C. Wonder. Like them on facebook for some really fun updates and just love their creativity.

Fav Fact: On Grand Opening day, the first 400 women were given a FREE bouquet of flowers to take home. How freaking genius is that??? Cant' wait to check it out!

C. Wonder . 72 Spring Street @Crosby . NYC, NY

oh pinterest

How many of you are on Pinterest???

It is my most recent waste of time/ inspiration site. Well, it has been for a few months now, but I haven't let up yet. It is like reading my fav kind of book...ALL PICTURES.. haha. I haven't really figured out how to add friends or follow people. I am afraid if I do, my obsession will grow even more. Here are just a few of my fav pics of the day today:

Even my "brand spankin new" husband knows all about Pinterest. He actually got on my Boards (somehow)  and found a present for me. (ahhhh newlywed-ism)  See what I mean....very useful this Pinterest. Maybe we should all create Christmas wishlist boards!!!

So if you are on Pin., tell me some good people to follow and if you are not, get on it!!! But please respect it's seriousness....it's like my USA Today...no joking matter. 

 

Nice dress, nice diggs

So I have recently been in the market for a white dress. While I love her's, I went the vintage vintage route...BUT the girl has got mad style and some serious new diggs.

Yes I am talking about the queen of wedding dress designers, Vera Wang

a

While most all girls dream of wearing a Wang on their wedding day, I am just dying over her new LA mid-century digs:

What can I say, the girl loves some white!! Can you believe this carry's a $10 Mil price tag? That is a lot of dresses. 

Olivia and her man candy

 

We have blogged about Miss Olivia before. And even thought you don't get to watch her acting like the president of mean girls ..and then some..on The City, you still see her fabulous style in every fashion mag and blog out there. I got to hand it to her...the girl has still got style.

10 tidbits about miss O:

1. She’s on MTV’s The City where she earns $12,000 USD per episode.

2. She Attended the New School.

3. Her Dad, Douglas Palermo is a Connecticut real estate developer.
4. She has a publicist.

5. Her childhood friend is fellow socialite Byrdie Bell.

 

 

Byrdie, Olivia and Zac Posen

6. She works in the PR Department at Diane Von Furstenburg.

7. She lives in a 1 bedroom apartment in Tribeca.

8. She’s 23 years old, born February 28, 1986.

9. She is currently dating German model, Johannes Huebl.

10. She refers to her self as a “social”.

If you are like me, after reading this, or looking at this post...all you are really going to walk away with is who is Johannes Huebl??? Google him for some smiles in your life. My Lord!! Like I said, the girl has got style and amazing taste!