What Happens When Blogger's Down

I usually do my Friday posts on Thursday nights, but blasted Blogger was down so I expected to post early this morning... no such luck!  What's a blogger to do when Friday is her day off, usually full of penning posts, and there's no server?

Well, after I cut the grass, pulled out all of my tired and leggy pansies, and blew out the garage, I got my tomato plants rocking in this container.  Disclaimer:  I have never ever grown tomatoes before!  I simply followed the instructions of my friendly Home Depot helper, in terms of soil, fertilizer, and the cage.  I'll let you know how this goes, but I'm so hoping for some delicious tomatoes this summer...

This is the disaster that is currently my dining room table {don't be looking for any pretty tablescapes for a couple of weeks!}.  I trekked to Costo, WalMart, Party City and Old Time Pottery in search of supplies for graduation party decorations.

Look at these awesome plates I scored at Costco! 75 for $7 and they are super sturdy and dinner sized.  Not to mention they are her high school's colors.  :)

Black block letters (her name) for only $1.99 each and the sweet little yellow buckets for 88 cents each-- both at Old Time Pottery.

Lots of crinkle paper on clearance at our WalMart!  I want to do at least one table decoration in UGA colors (black and red)  since that's where she's headed in the fall.

Curious?  I have a vision, so hopefully it will all come to fruition!  I'll be sharing the different decorations I do along the way and then of course, the day of her big celebration set up.

Here's my sweet girl on the day she was recognized as an Elite Senior ... she humbles me every day with her heart, soul, and her mind.



I've got major purging, reorganizing, and room redos planned for my summer break...  wish I could shut off all my ideas until my teaching year is over and our Graduation Weekend is done.  Right now, I've got scraps of paper and lists all over my office and it's driving me crazy!  But I am also trying to stay in each and every moment of this special time for our family.  One day I'll be caught up... maybe. :)

Have a great weekend and hopefully you can catch up on all your Blogger blog reading!

What's New {Willow House Wednesday}

Today is great day to share what's new at Willow House!  You've probably noticed that we've been having some incredible sales lately.  I love that my customers have so many more options for great deals now! 

Let's start with the WEEKLY DEALS in my e-outlet.  These are 10-12 products, both current and discontinued, that are featured at rock bottom prices for one week only.  The prices are good from Monday-Sunday each week!  Here's how you find them:  head to my website and click on "SHOP ONLINE" in the right hand bar.  This takes you into my e-store.  The green bar across the top lists the different categories of products.  Click on "Outlet' on the far right, and then "Weekly Deals" to access the latest steals.  Here are a few goodies on sale this week:


Astoria Creamer only $7.96.



Petite Bud Vases, set of 3 for only $9.96.



Abington Rattan Caddy only $15.96!

This is only a few of what I'm featuring this week... remember the prices are good until Sunday night.  Orders from my e-store are shipped directly to you.

And how about a $49 business opportunity? With summer months upon us, there is no better time to consider a new venture.  I love my business, my customers, and hostesses, and am impressed with the cutting edge thinking that is going on at Willow House.  This year we'll also be adding a jewelry line, in addition to even MORE online business options!  This is the lowest price I have ever seen for a Willow House start-up kit. Here's a peek at what's included in the kit.

Great sampling of products for the money!!  Click HERE for more opportunity information on my website or email me directly at heidimilton@comcast.net and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Are you still with me?  Because I also have an incredible MAY SALE going on right now!  Click HERE to access the complete sale flier, but here's your peek:

You can place your order directly on my website (Click HERE) and have it shipped straight to you.  The May Sale runs through May 31, 2011.

Whew!  You're all caught up now... thanks for looking!

Happy Decorating and Happy Shopping!

Shoppin' on Saturday {HomeGoods}

It was not on my busy agenda on Saturday, but who can drive by a HomeGoods store and NOT stop in?  Quick check of my watch told me I could do a pass through... so I did.  I love that their stock is never the same.  Brilliant when you think about it, because seasoned HomeGoods shoppers know if you love it- buy it- it won't be there next time you're in.

I spied lots of great goodies... didn't buy anything this time around, but it reaffirmed the wisdom of stopping in on a regular basis. Sorry for the not-so-great IPhone photos!  Here's what caught my eye:

Need a pop of blue and/or a nautical touch?

This ship's wheel is about 1/3 the price of a similar one in Ballard's catalog.

This shell is a great size and a great price.

This chair was marked down due to some dings on the right leg... tempting, but I'd have to change out the fabric for something bolder, so not tempting enough for the price.

Lots of storage on this baby and I love the rubbed finish.

Hello, Lover.

Fab lamp.

Close up of the cork shade... yummy!

Need to get organized?  Lots of shelves, hooks, bins available.

Lovin' this mirror with the black cutout frame {yes, those are my legs in running shorts-- sorry for subjecting you to that!}

Little bling with your lighting?  Awesome floor lamp!

Another Ballard's impostor. :)  Chic on the cheap!

Two of my favorite pillows... they had lots to choose from!

Another gorgeous seating option... drooling over the fabric!

So that was my 20 minute {seriously!} pass through at HomeGoods... when was the last time you popped in?

I'm hoping to get back to some projects soon ~ we're still in upheaval here with our home repairs and what I call May Madness with the kids.  I am, however, working on my daughter's graduation party plans that I'll be sharing with you over the next few weeks.  Anyone else have a graduate you're celebrating this month?

Happy Decorating {and Happy HomeGoods Hopping}!



Mother's Day {Preschool Style}

I rarely post on the weekends because that's my family time, but this Mother's Day weekend, I thought I would do a special post giving you a sneak peek into my "other" life. Besides a mom, decor-lover and blogger, and Willow House Design Consultant, I'm also a preschool teacher. I spend every weekday with 14 precious four and five year olds that help me keep my perspective on what's important in life. :)

Every May, we host our moms for a Mom's Tea. It's our chance to honor the moms that gift us their precious little ones and lots of their time throughout the year to make special events special. The kids work hard on portraits of mom, placemats, cards, and manners (!) to make the morning memorable. We pull together scrapbooks of art samples from each month... amazing to see their progress from August to May! The moms enjoy visiting with each other, seeing their child's art and projects, and a little pampering in the form of coffee, juice, and cookies made by the teachers. I try hard to make it beautiful and special for them.

These beauties came from Walmart... can you believe it?

Recognize these little retired Southern Living at HOME hurricanes?  Every year, I arrange flowers in one of my containers (SLAH or Willow House) and then I give them away as door prizes.  Two delighted moms went home with these on Thursday. :)

Their scrapbooks... these go home as Mother's Day gifts.  The ribbon tied on the rings is from Walmart as well.

I like to keep the colors simple.  The letters are the child's first initial, I got them on clearance at Target for $1 per package (entire alphabet in each package).

Their sweet Mom portraits... the white at the bottom of each has Q and A's about mom... you can only imagine the chuckles we've had doing those!

The spread... recognize more Southern Living at HOME products? :)

Homemade cookies for our moms.

Hope you enjoyed this peek at my "day job." May you feel special and pampered on this Mother's Day!

Mexican Crock-Pot Chicken {Cinco de Mayo Fave!}

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!  Remember the carefree days when you would leave work a little early on Cinco de Mayo, meet up with friends at your favorite Mexican haunt and sit outside enjoying margaritas, nachos, and other delectible treats? 

I don't know about you, but when the May Madness schedule hits with school age children, there is little time to sit outside anywhere and indulge in one of my favorite cuisines.  Instead, we're on the run with football banquets, end of year concerts and recitals, PTA meetings, Honors Nights, etc, etc, etc.  Can you believe I have NOT ONE "free" evening between now and May 29th?  Seriously. 

But I digress. :)  I hit upon this delicious Mexican Crock Pot Chicken recipe several years ago and it has become my go-to supper for our Cinco de Mayos (or any other night we want, for that matter!).  Someday, my husband and I will be back to meeting up at our favorite place and sitting outside with a frosty margarita, but in the meantime, this is a festive crowd pleaser that won't gum up your on-the-run May afternoons and evenings... enjoy!!

Mexican Crock-Pot Chicken

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup red salsa (or green, if your family prefers) plus more for serving

1/3 cup flour

1 large onion, chopped

2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

2/3 cup low fat sour cream

4 oz shredded cheese (we like the colby-jack, but cheddar is good too)

1 15 oz can red beans, heated (optional-- served on the side)

shredded iceberg lettuce

soft corn tortillas, warmed prior to serving

Combine broth, salsa, and flour in your slow cooker, whisking to blend.  Stir in the chopped onion and then arrange chicken breasts in the pot, smooth sides up.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Remove chicken to a plate.  Ladle sauce from the pot into a blender and puree. Stir in the sour cream and return the sauce and chicken to the pot.  Keep warm until ready to serve.

Recipe from All You April 2005.

I serve this by topping the chicken with shredded cheese and offering the beans, lettuce, chips and salsa, and tortillas on the side.  Great for left-overs (if you have any left) and letting your older children serve themselves if they're on the run like mine.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!



Nautical Touches I'm Loving {Catalog Finds}

Warmer weather has me thinking "beach"!  I grew up in land-locked West Texas, but once I experienced the sand between my toes on the beach, I was hooked.  I'm now a bona fide beach lover and we trek to the white sands of the Gulf Coast a few times a year to get our fix. :)

Though my personal decor style isn't your typical nautical or beach cottage style, I love to introduce touches into my late spring and summer decorating that reflect our love for the coast.  Imagine my surprise when I found several such pieces in -- of all things -- the PB Teen catalog!  Have you ever shopped for decor from Pottery Barn's Teen lines? 

Take a look at what tickled my fancy...



Sweet little octopus toss pillow-- only $35!  How cute for a porch!



Loving these Driftwood Mini Mirrors-- set of 5 for only $59.



Adorable starfish hooks for $15 each.  Awesome for a mudroom or coastal themed bathroom.



Very cool Know Your Ropes Mirror... great size (25" x 16")!


The Big Wave Rug... love the graphic design!  A little pricey (starting at $129) but the Pottery Barn quality might make it worth the while.  This would be great in a playroom, teen bedroom, or coastal casual family room.

I especially like their price points, since I don't showcase coastal decor year round.  PB Teen makes adding those little nautical touches doable and affordable.  So now that I've got you thinking "beach," can you picture yourself here?

Our favorite slice of coastal heaven: Destin, FL.

Happy Decorating {and Happy Shopping}!

I Can't Resist... This Cork Treatment!

I have to begin this post with the catastrophic storms that ravaged our area last week.  The images of devastation, loss, and courage are seared into our minds here.  Though that night was a sleepless one for us, we were spared any real damage.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to our neighbors here in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi that are suffering and picking up the pieces.  Please consider visiting redcross.org and donating to help these communities with their recovery.  But most importantly, please pray for them.  They will need courage, inspiration, and perseverence in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

--------

On a lighter note, I was thumbing through the pages of the Summer 2011 Cottage Style and came across this breakfast area.

scanned from Cottage Style

Lots to love about this space! I adore the soft blue walls, clean lines of the dark wood furniture, and the sleek light fixture.  But what caught my eye and my imagination is the cork treatment over the built-in desk.

Scanned from Cottage Style magazine.

I love the texture the cork treatment adds to the space!  Plus, can't you imagine the history encapsulated in this project?  Wine shared with friends and family over time, special occasions, vacations... each cork has a story. 

I'm now looking for space in which to do this in my own home... after all, remember these?

This is one of three hurricanes I have filled with wine and champagne corks... each of them has a date or occasion noted on them, even names of partners in crime. 

What do you think of this treatment?  Do you collect corks from special occasion bottles of wine or champagne?

Happy Decorating!