Willow House Wednesdays: Spring Shopping

Spring is on the way and my Willow House Outlet is full of spring deals. Here are three of my favorites to add a spring touch to your home on a dime.

1. I could list a thousand reasons why you should own at least one Hurricane and I have a generously sized one listed today for $10.96!

2. Our Gramercy Vase with frog insert is a fabulous deal at $8.96 a piece. For less than $30, pick up three for an easy spring centerpiece!

3. I LOVE our Gail Pittman Veranda Collection Platter - it is HUGE (18" x 10 1/4" x 1" tall) and a steal for $18.96.

Some of these deals end today so head over there now if you want to score the best deals.

Remember when you spend $39.96 in February you can pick up an item under $50 for half off in my main Willow House Store, too! My top picks would our Small Lady Jane bottleneck Vase, Stilleto Pedestals, or Olivia Antiqued Bowl. Deals, deals, deals!!!

~Southern Fried Gal

A Few Favorite Looks

I'm heading out the door for a day at the track with my bestie but wanted to pop in and share a few favorite looks from MyStyleShare.com! My Spring Vignette has been my most popular shared look so far. I love getting sweet comments from fellow design lovers! I can't wait to share more as my spring decor comes to the center stage in my home over the next few weeks.

One of my favorite looks is this gallery wall from Green Door Designs. I think this may be just the inspiration I need for the wall behind my sofa in the family room!

My mailbox usually has a clematis vine embellishment in the spring and summer. Check out this super cute natural mailbox idea from Denise Cosgrove. Adding the flower market door bucket is a nice touch that I may have to borrow!

There are TONS of other cute ideas out there waiting to be explored. Have you visited, yet? What is your favorite? Have you joined the community? What is your profile name?

~Southern Fried Gal

Willow House Wednesday: MyStyleShare Community

Here's an early edition of Willow House Wednesday to announce our new designing and entertaining community website, MyStyleShare. Join the community by creating your own profile and share the best of your personal style. Peruse the video and picture gallery for inspiration.

My profile name is SouthernFriedGal. Be sure to leave me a comment, tweet me @southrnfriedgal, or shoot me a note with your profile name so I can go take a look and leave you a little comment love!

~Southern Fried Gal

Warning: Visiting MyStyleShare can become addicting!

Family Room Inspiration

I was in the doctor's office a few weeks ago getting caught up on my favorite magazines (can I get a witness?). When I turned in the January 2011 Better Homes & Gardens to this page my heart went pitter-patter. I instantly fell in love with the fresh look yet was drawn to all the layering in the room. As I studied more I realized I had several similar pieces and decided to snap a photo with my phone for future inspiration.

Here's my interpretation of this picture with items I had around my home. I did not spend a dime to mimic this look. I simply used what I had.

As I start at the left of the BHG photo the first combo I notice is the big chunky wood table with a large glass lamp. I already had the square wicker trunk in this corner. I converted my large blue vase into a faux lamp. Not a bad start!

My eye was next drawn to the large blue vase with sticks. My blue vase isn't quite as big, but it does mimic the look. I added a few pussy willow branches to complete the look. Notice how I switched up the tables with sofa and chair. These combos just made more sense in the overall layout of my room.

Working our way down to the coffee table, I removed my large ottoman and replace with a glass top table. I stacked a couple of books and a blue-gray platter filled with river rocks and a candle. This is a little bit of a departure from the inspiration but still follows the overall aesthetic.

A glass hurricane filled with bright green reindeer moss and lilac bulbs has a similar feel to the fresh cut flowers in the inspiration table. I also mimicked the layered artwork on one wall. I'm still looking for the perfect piece to balance out the other corner as in the inspiration.

To complete the layering, I added a cozy throw on the end of the sofa with a few textured pillows. For zero dollars spent and an hour or so on a sunny Sunday afternoon I think this is a nice borrowed style. Of course my den will not stay like this long . As DH says, "in our home it's never the same day twice!"

Where are you finding your spring inspiration?

~Southern Fried Gal

Happy Valentine's Day!

Remember all those fancy ideas I had for Valentine's for BBC? Even with the best intentions and several snow days we did not do a single one of those projects. I realized Sunday around 5pm that Monday was V-Day. We didn't have a thing to give to his class. In a panic, I ran to Walmart. After several minutes in the Valentine's aisle, these pencils inspired me.

These are first graders and learning to write is a key part of their daily lessons. I decided to make these little flags for each pencil. They read, "VALENTINE, you have the WRITE stuff!" A little corny but it will work!

It didn't take me too long to get 30 finished but my hand was a little cramped from all the tedious details. It is also our week to bring snacks so I picked up Valentine themed fruit snacks for Monday. I love it when a last-minute plan comes together!

Hope your plans come together today! Have a wonderfully Happy Valentine's Day!

~Southern Fried Gal

Linking up with...

Making the World Cuter Monday &

Snow My Goodness!

This is the view from my front door earlier this week. I cannot believe all the snow we have gotten in Central Arkansas this year. I think BBC has been home on snow days more than he has been in school!

We got about 6-7 inches on Wednesday before it was all said and done.

The sun was out yesterday and everything was super sparkly. The temperature never got above freezing so we are still covered up with snow. It's beautiful but it's time for it to go bye bye, now.

I guess I shouldn't complain because my friends and family in NWA got up to 25 inches and it was 13 below yesterday. A friend shared this picture to her Facebook page from the KNWA fan page. I guess I never really thought about what 2 feet of snow would do to the wildlife. Cute but crazy!


Come heck or high water, I'm getting out of this house today. How about you - what's the weather brought your way this week?

~Southern Fried Gal

Willow House Wednesday: Snow Day

I can't believe it's another snow day in Central Arkansas today. Supposedly this is going to be the BIG ONE. When I'm cooped up in the house with snow on the ground I instantly start baking.

Maybe it's because I have an unhealthy love for that little white powder (you know which one I'm talking about).

Before long our home turns into a junk smorgasbord. Can you relate?

With the help of a few of my favorite Willow House products, I can have a little eye candy to boot.

If you find yourself going stir crazy on yet another snow day why not pop over to my Willow House personal website and check out our new spring catalog (click on the catalog cover to the right). There are lots of gorgeous pictures to take your mind off the snow and start dreaming of spring.

Be sure to pay close attention to the products that are priced $39.96 - $50 because in February when you spend $39.96 in my Willow House online store, you can get an item under $50 for half price!!! Everything ships directly to your home! Rinse and repeat as often as you like through February 28.

~Southern Fried Gal

Life Story Sudoku Quilt

A friend's daughter, Alyssa, came up with a clever quilt idea. Using her mathematical and creative talent, she designed the quilt based on the idea of a Sudoku puzzle. It tells the history of her and her hubby's life through their wedding day.

The basic quilt pattern is a 9 square. Each big block contains 9 small blocks with coordinating fabrics. I believe the puzzle is laid out in the fabric patterns but I'm not totally sure. Within each big block, there is a significant event, a coordinating picture, and the date of the event.

Here are the details of each event (left to right):
Block 1: Groom's Parent's Wedding
Block 2: Bride's Parent's Wedding
Block 3: Bride's Birthday
Block 4: Groom's Birthday
Block 5: First Date
Block 6: First I Love You
Block 7: First Kiss
Block 8: Proposal
Block 9: Wedding

How cool is that? My mom and granny both quilt and have made quilts for each of the kids. Wouldn't this be a cool concept for a kid's quilt? It would also be a fun way to track school achievements and then have a quilt at graduation. I think the possibilities are endless on this one.

Thank you, Kimberly and Alyssa for sending me this photo so I could share this fabulous idea with my readers!

Do you have a quilt with special meaning? Tell me about it!

~Southern Fried Gal

Linking up with...

Making the World Cuter

Southern Fried Sundays

Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:3 NIV

Valentine Projects for Kids

Our school district has declared today a snow day. This is a first for me because there isn't any snow on the ground and it hasn't even started snowing, yet! Um, wow. So I've been busy this morning looking for kid friendly projects to keep us busy today and through the weekend.

Here are a few favorites and a couple of blasts from the past...

Several cute ideas in one post over at My Insanity like these wax paper hearts! Destroying crayons? Hmmm...I think that is right up BBC's alley!

I have adored these Valentine's since I first saw them on Thirty Handmade Days. These WHEELIE hit home because BBC still says wheelie out of habit. I think we may make these for his class party.

Or maybe these cute little Love Juice Valentine's from At Second Street. It's bottled water, a flavored punch packet, a straw and printables - super cute!!!

I am a little biased, but I still think our Little Piece of my Art Valentine's are a fun gift for family, especially grandparents! We made these once when BBC was 3 and again when he was 6 and both times were super special!

Of course BBC and I can't go a snow (or unsnow) day without making a tasty treat. Maybe we will repeat these yummy Rice Crispy with Love treats. Nah, I think we'll make more cream cheese bars. My boys LOVE them.

What are your favorite kid-friendly Valentine projects? Help us out!!!

Have a blessed weekend!

~Southern Fried Gal

I'm linking up with the following...

Willow House Wednesday: Brides

Calling all brides! Did you see the GORGEOUS six-page wedding spread in my new spring 2011 catalog? We feature ideas from the romantic outdoor wedding of our very own Photography Design Coordinator.

If I were planning a wedding, I would have to figure out a way to incorporate our new Amelia Thimble Domes (41439 set of three) into the reception. Aren't they adorable?

TIP: Buying in bulk for your special day doesn't have to break the bank. Remember with our generous host rewards program, the more you buy the more you save - especially this month with DOUBLE HOST rewards!

I also offer a personalized wedding registry through my Willow House website! I love helping new brides set up home. We offer classic pieces like the Hawthorne Trifle (41460), Hawthorne Hurricane (41395), Stiletto Pedestals (41471), Eyelet Ribbon Plate (41394), and Petite Glass Dome (40930) pictured here.

We also offer unique items like our Belle Meade Flatware Caddy (41447) which is the perfect piece for entertaining or organizing.

In your bridal registry, you can also list items to feather your nest! What new bride wouldn't love the gift of home decor? Simple can be magnificent, especially when you start with our classic products. Add a candle, clippings from your garden, or a few apples for an easy, gorgeous look.

Get set for entertaining friends and family. Entertaining doesn't have to be intimidating. The trick to simple parties is owning the right pieces, like a well-sized tray or a beverage server. Keep these pieces as decorative items on a sideboard and you’ll be set to entertain at a moment’s notice.

Start your beautiful, new life together with organization. Many times, your favorite serving item makes a great organizer — a tray doubles as a vanity, a pitcher organizes kitchen utensils, a bowl becomes a key and coin catch-all.

As you can see we have just about everything you need from adding special touches to your wedding day to setting up home! The best part of hosting your registry with me? You earn FREE and discounted products based on purchases from your registry!

Want to learn more about how easy, fun and rewarding a Willow House bridal registry can be? Fill out the Contact Me form and let me know in the message you want to learn more about a bridal registry.

Want a catalog for your very own? Fill out the Contact Me form and let me know in the message that you are a bride-to-be requesting a spring catalog.

~Southern Fried Gal

Filler Up!

Even though there a chance for some winter weather this week, spring will be here before we know it. Now is the time to start gathering fun filler items to use in spring decor. Here are a few of my favorites!

I LOVE my faux mossy rocks. I found half of these at a specialty garden shop in town and the other half at TJ Maxx.

I am all about some river rocks as of late. I found these at Hobby Lobby for 50% off, of course! They are so inexpensive and add color and interest.

In the spring I am totally addicted to moss. Inside, outside or upside down I LOVE moss. My year-round favorite moss to decorate with is this bright green reindeer moss. Hobby Lobby has bags of this but not in this fun color. I usually purchase a fairly big bag of bright green moss for around $6 at my local garden shop. A must-have in my opinion!

Another fun filler for spring are birds eggs. I have found great looking eggs anywhere from TJ Maxx to the grocery store (always check the seasonal section).

Finally, one of my favorite fillers is seasonal candy! This is a darling Easter Hurricane idea from friend and fellow Willow House consultant, Susan Jones. She always has the best hurricane ideas! Thanks for sharing, Susan!

What is your favorite filler for spring decor and where did you find it?

~Southern Fried Gal