Willow House Wednesdays: Mad Platter

I'm so excited to share a Mad Platter deal in my outlet this week. Our Gallery Collection Serving Platter is on sale this week only for only $17.95! I have had lots of comments on this platter an the many ways I use it in my home. It is awesome quality and generously sized (17" x 12 3/4").

It provides a lovely tray for creating beautiful centerpieces.

My absolute favorite use for the platter is as a dry erase board in my home. It has provided a fun way to engage BBC in study and homework.

Sometimes he draws pictures and I display them proudly.

Right now it greets visitors with a scripture or fun quote like this one from twitter a while back (wish I could remember the source). I thought it was hilarious and a perfect touch for March with a nod to the ol' leprechaun. My bestie came down for a visit and I knew as an Edward lover she would get a kick out of it, too.

Of course this platter is perfect for serving as well. It would be a lovely addition to a wall of platters and plates - the perfect center. It's gorgeous and will fit any style. Go grab one for yourself and a couple for gifts! Hurry - this deal lasts through Sunday, April 3rd or while supplies last.

~Southern Fried Gal

New Gig Update

Last week I took my first business trip with the new gig to Hartford, CT. I've never been there so I was excited to add a new city and state to my travel list. Because of The Hartford commercials I expected lots of trees (and a giant stag or two). The trees didn't disappoint - and the charm of the town didn't either. This was the view out one side of my corner room.

I didn't see any stags but I was surprised by the number of barns in the area. This was the view out the other window in my room. I have a thing for barns. I think it is the weathered wood. I didn't get a photo but the sides of the freeways are lined with walls of weathered wood. Quite charming.

You may recall from my last travel story that I tend to experience the most random things while traveling. This trip was no different. I scored an exit seat on the way home. The door closed and we backed out. Yay - no one was in the seat next to me!

A few minutes later the captain came on to tell us he couldn't steer the plane. We would be towed back to the gate to figure out next steps from there. I instantly started praying, "Lord, please let it be something stupid. I don't want to give up my exit row or no neighbor status." I'm ashamed to say I'm not kidding.

A few seconds later the captain came back on to tell us the person that pushed us back from the gate forgot to pull the pin out of the wheel. He had since removed it, we had steering capability and we were heading out. This is one time that I thanked God for stupidity! AND we got to the our destination 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. Needless to say it was a wonderful trip home. I should have bought a lottery ticket.

Do you have any fun travel stories?

~Southern Fried Gal

Decorating with Lady Jane

Do you think about your decor outside the four walls of your rooms? When we first moved into our home almost 10 years ago we ripped out all the landscaping closest to the home and planned out a new layout. My favorite placement of trees and shrubs is our Lady Jane Magnolia. She is right outside the window in our den. I love the interest she brings to this room throughout the year.

A few weeks back she was covered in large buds. Last week she was bursting with tulip-like flowers on her beautifully structured branches. I love the pop of color it brings into the den for an early spring look. Simply gorgeous!

This week she has put on her layer of spring green still holding onto her tulip accessories. In a few weeks she will be a beautiful green structure that will carry me through to winter.

In the dead of winter she has no leaves but her beautiful structure is just as pleasing to the eye. She is also a favorite gathering place for my feathered friends like the poppa cardinal in this shot.

What's your favorite outside focal point in your home?


~Southern Fried Gal

Willow House Wednesdays: Garden Inspiration

My design style is eclectic - there's no denying that. A common theme to help relate it together is inspiration from the garden. You may have noticed iron pieces over my mantel, on the wall, and on my shelves. I could almost cover a wall in iron (and don't think I haven't given this a lot of thought). Here are a few of my favorite iron pieces from the Willow House Spring 2011 catalog to bring a little garden inspiration into your home.

My most favorite item is the Cottage Gate Wall Art (41475). It looks great hanging on the wall as is. I get several comments on the mirror over my mantel. This would be a great piece for that project. For a larger wall area, buy two and and hang them on the wall to create one large iron piece.

For the best bang for your buck, you can't beat the Charles Street Medallions (41453). I love this trio of iron circles. It makes me think of a garden path. There are so many interesting ways to hang these to accent a wall. My favorite is to hang one over the top of each other on a narrow wall or corner nook. These also make interesting chargers for your spring entertaining!

Can I ever do a Willow House post without mentioning a hurricane? Our new Parkside Hurricane (41468) is a gorgeous way to bring a touch of glass and iron into your home decor. Fill it with fresh flowers, your favorite candle or whatever suits your fancy!

Has anything from the garden inspired your design style?

~Southern Fried Gal

Friday Hodge Podge

TGIF!!! I'm so thankful it is Friday. Spring is springing around here and it's gorgeous! This is a quick hodge podge of what's going on around here. It. Has. Been. Crazy! I'm linking to Amanda's Weekend Bloggy Reading party so I can have accountability for visiting my friends.

I've been MIA a bit on the blogosphere because I'm spending quite a bit more time here at my new consulting gig. I'm busy preparing for my first trip to Connecticut early next week. BBC is on spring break next week and heading to the grandparent's for the week. DH has a new video game to keep him busy while we are gone.

I finally remembered to take pictures as I was creating another diaper tricycle and made a tutorial. Wow your friends and family with this gorgeous-made-with-love gift!

And finally I hosted my first ever guest blogger. Dianne from The Inspired Wife inspired us to create a wreath with fresh flowers and clippings. Love it!

Do you have something crafty, yummy, or otherwise cool to share with my readers? I would love to host you as a guest blogger, too. It's super easy! Give me a shout for details.
Have a blessed weekend!
~Southern Fried Gal

Guest Post: Fresh Flower Wreath

I am excited to feature my first ever guest blogger. Please help me welcome Dianne at The Inspired Housewife. I am so thankful Dianne reached out to me with this fabulous Fresh Flower Wreath idea. You know I LOVE door decor and I'm OBSESSED with moss, so this project really hits the spot! Without further ado, here's Dianne...

Artificial flowers are a growing trend at weddings, but I am still a big fan of the real thing. I made a wreath several years ago for my niece’s wedding shower and everyone loved it. When my best friend's son and fiancee asked me to help decorate their reception hall, I thought a wreath just might be the perfect thing.

I simply bought a wire wreath, some florist foam and a few sheets of moss from the craft store. I cut the foam into thin pieces and soaked them in water. I then wired them onto the wreath and covered it all with the moss.

Caution!!!!! Moss plus foam equals a big mess...I always put large trash bags down before I start.

Once you have the base for the wreath done, the fun begins. I go out in my yard and start trimming my bushes. I love the way that azalea leaves look in the wreath so I tend to use a lot of those leaves, but I find using three different kinds of leaves gives the richest look.

In case you're wondering what we are using to stab the foam, that would be a potato nail. Sometimes it is necessary to make small holes in the foam if your leaf stems are too wimpy...just be careful not to make the holes too big or your leaves will be falling out!

I then just added some fresh flowers from WalMart (since none happened to be in bloom in my yard at the time!) and we had a beautiful entrance to the Reception Hall.

We got so much bang for our buck that we later made some for my daughter's wedding reception. (Southern Fried Gal Edit: This is my favorite - simply gorgeous!)

Now that spring is coming once again, I think it is time to bring out the supplies and make a spring wreath for my front door. I have found that as long as you mist the flowers daily, you can get almost a week out of the flowers and a couple of weeks out of the greens.

Do you ever put fresh flowers on your door?

~The Inspired Housewife

Don't you love this idea? Thank you again, Dianne! I have been known to have fresh flowers on my door and it's a fabulous twist on the traditional wreath. Please learn from me - don't let birds nest in the fresh flowers.

Please drop over to The Inspired Housewife to say hello and check out some of her other ideas!

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. Wanna be a guest blogger? Give me a shout out!

Diaper Tricycle Tutorial

I finally took the time to make a diaper tricycle and take pictures of the steps along the way.

To begin, I use 15 (size one or two) diapers for each back wheel and 25 diapers for the front wheel. Roll one diaper up into a fairly tight roll. Then start layering the other diapers around the spacing the ends out to make the tread for the wheels. Secure with rubber bands to hold in place.

I have done this enough to have the top of the last diaper meet the bottom of a previous one. As a type A gal, I like that the orderliness of this. Use as many rubber bands as you need to keep the circle going. I think I use about three. In the end you will cover them up with pretty ribbon.

There may be a better way to secure the ribbon around each wheel but I prefer to do so with a safety pin. I personally can never find one when I need one around here so I like the usability of the pins in the final product. The wheels will be strategically placed to hide all our secrets. Rinse and repeat with the 25 diapers to create the front wheel. Once the wheels are assembled, poke your fingers through to create an opening.

I think the most fun part of this project is mixing and matching the accessories to create the trike. You will need two cotton receiving blankets (the stiffer the better), two bibs, one bottle, and a pair of coordinating socks. Individually roll up the blankets as tightly as you can. These will become what holds the trike together. Then insert one blanket through the front wheel.

Place the back wheels on either side of the front wheel. I like for the treads of my back wheel to face backwards and the front to run forward. Thread the blanket from the front wheel into the outside back wheels. Pull together tightly and secure (again I use a safety pin). Then I slide the blanket around so the pinned part is hidden inside one of the back wheels.

Next thread the other rolled blanket evenly through the front wheel. Place a bib over the front wheel to create the fender. I like to tuck my bib around to the back for added interest. Place the other bib over the back of the trike to create the seat.

If the bib is large enough I like to fasten the seat bib through the front wheel . If not I just tuck so that it is secure and orderly. Place a bottle on top of the front bib, pull up the second blanket to create bunny ears and secure with a rubber band. Work with the blanket to get the handles just right. It may take a bit for gravity to help the handle bars lay down the way you want them.

Finally add the finishing touches! Conceal the rubber band at the handle bars with a ribbon tied into a pretty bow. Use the socks on each end of the handle bars to create grippers (aren't they adorable?).

Then fluff and adjust until you get it just the way you want it.

 For a beautiful presentation, wrap with tulle and tie with a coordinating ribbon. You'll have everyone oohing and ahhing over your skills at the shower!

I hope this helps you create gifts for your friends and family. If you decide to craft one (or twelve) please shoot me a picture of how it turns out! If you are crafty challenged or just don't have the time for a project like this you can order one from me and I'll ship to you or the gift recipient!

Happy crafting!

~Southern Fried Gal

Joining the fun at these linky parties...

Keeping It Real with SFG

Where did half the month of March go already? Have I really only posted twice? Almost daily someone writes on my Facebook wall asking me where I am. And let's not even discuss Twitter, the plethora of email awaiting my response and the pile of laundry that is taller than BBC.

I have a few reasons (or excuses, if you prefer) for my lack of activity. I already shared the flu plague that hit our home in February. I am still recovering from said plague further reminding myself of how close I am getting to the next decade of life and the changes my body is undergoing.

Another reason is a big change in my life. I'm excited to announce that I have rejoined the corporate world as a consultant for a local company. Lots of soul-searching, heart-felt conversations, and prayers went into my decision to rejoin this side of employment.

I mentioned that 2010 was a tough year and I did a lot of reconnecting with myself. In November I started getting this itch. In late December I started checking into opportunities and by January 21, I had an offer I couldn't refuse. I consider myself to be extremely blessed to not only find employment but doing exactly what I had set out to do and in such a short time frame.

I started my new gig on February 7 and it has been a whirlwind of fun and excitement (minus the part about the flu). I get daily confirmation that this is the right choice for me in this moment.

Our silly selves after my first day of work.

Of course changes for me means changes for BBC and DH as well. BBC is going to an after school program from 3 - 6 pm. He LOVES it. They do snack and homework when they first get there. It's at an athletic facility so the rest of the time is spent moving and playing. He has made several new friends and comes home red-faced every day. I couldn't be more thrilled.

So that brings me to lack of activity on my blog, Facebook, twitter, etc. As a Jill of All Trades the one thing I struggle most with is balance. I'm an all or nothing type of gal. I know this about myself. This has prompted me to sit down and remap out goals.

My blog brings great joy to my life and provides a creative outlet. I also love (and have desperately missed) your friendship. And you know I LOVE the home decor and entertaining aspect as well. SO look for me to get back on track with a few fun posts this week.

Another area where I struggle is in not asking for help and trying to do everything in my own might. To help fix this I am looking for guest bloggers. Do you have something you would love to share with my readers? Home decor projects, DIY ideas, door decor, recipes, kids projects, entertaining tips and the like are what I'm looking for. I have an opening this week if you have something handy. Drop me a line with your idea and we'll go from there!

~Southern Fried Gal

Willow House Wednesday: My First eBoutique!

When we first announced the vision of eBoutiques at convention last July, it seemed like an unimaginable, futuristic dream. I can't believe this vision is starting to take shape already. I am happy to announce the launch of my first eBoutique, Kitchen Moderne!

As a Jill of All Trades, I like to pretend I'm an award-winning chef in my own kitchen. I watch WAY too many foodie shows to mention and not be embarrassed. I am most amazed at the cutting skills of a chef and try my best to emulate those skills. I could spend all day in the cutlery section of my eBoutique. Fortunately with the deeply discounted prices I don't have to spend a fortune as well!

My first purchase is going to be this NEO Herb Cutter. Spring is just around the corner and the Argenta Farmer's Market will be in full swing. I plan to eat fresh and this herb cutter will be the perfect tool to help me do so. I am excited to be able to offer this to you for only $8.83 - it's retail value is over $25! This is an example of the fabulous deals you can find in the eBoutique.

Check out this and more gadgets and cookware in my first eBoutique! What item do you think will help you most with your fine culinary skills?

~Southern Fried Gal

While I Was Sleeping

The Southern Fried household has been down and out with the flu. DH and BBC got it early last week and I went down fighting on Wednesday. Yesterday was my first day out of the house. I was surprised at all that had transpired while I was sleeping...

My favorite color is popping up all over the landscape. There's just something magical about spring green.

Good ol' Jane Magnolia got all decked out in time for the Oscars...doesn't this remind you or Natalie Portman's dress?

These surprise lilies perplex me every year. Their leaves pop up thick and green in early spring. As we get closer to summer, they turn brown and wither away. Then in late summer beautiful, tall lilies pop up out of the ground. Crazy, eh?

Speaking of crazy. Can you believe there was a 4.7 earthquake about 40 miles from my home on Sunday evening? We have had an abundance of small earthquakes in the Natural State since the beginning of the year. I believe this was the largest one felt since 1969. Crazy!

I hope you have escaped the flu bug this year. It hit us particularly hard - BBC missed an entire week of school. We are on the mend and getting back into our routine. I hope to get into a rhythm with spring decorating and blogging this week.

Anything fun or crazy happen while you were sleeping?

~Southern Fried Gal