Willow House Wednesday: Save up to 75%

Today is the last day for my Willow House November Gift Giving Sale. There are over 50 items on sale for up to 75% off!

I've gathered a few gift ideas into categories. You can click the picture of the product to be taken to the product details in my ONLINE STORE.








Thank you for taking a look!


~Southern Fried Gal

Christmas Doors 2011 + Linky Party

Let the Christmas Door stalking of 2011 begin! This is a creative approach to double doors - an extra large wreath cut in half and placed on each door. Brilliant! This one is super cute to boot. I love Santa on one side and HO HO HO on the other.

If you want to start with mesh and over sized ornaments this year but aren't sure if it's your style, this is the way to dip your toe into the water. Simple and beautiful!

This whimsical and colorful door topper is a non-traditional spin for Christmas and is perfectly executed.

These guys are always adorned for the holidays. Is it just me or does the one on the right look annoyed?

I'm going to post doors from around town all week long and then NEXT Friday, 12/09/11, I'm hosting my first annual Christmas Doors 2011 Linky Party with Southern Fried Gal! So be sure to check back for inspiration throughout the week. Then be ready to link up your Christmas door post next Friday (can be your own door (new or old) and/or doors you've stalked in your town). 

Excited!

~Southern Fried Gal

Turkey Day Highlights

This year's Turkey Day celebration will probably go down in the books (for me, at least) as one of the best ever. Besides the obvious reasons for a wonderful day of thanks (time with family, good food and lots of laughs), I want to highlight two of my favorite moments.

The first may seem a little shallow to some but this is the year I found THE dressing recipe for me. I have cooked the dressing the past few years and have not been satisfied with the results. I even tried a recipe from Martha last year and it was too dry for our taste. This year due to a last minute change of plans, I decided to go with a Slow-Cooker Cornbread Dressing from Southern Living. It was super easy to assemble, didn't require an oven and got rave reviews. Yum!

Another highlight of the day was the last minute dance party for the kiddos. It started out as a way to burn energy before the long drives home. It turned into an hour of entertainment for all. Here's a small excerpt with two of my nephews...let me know if you giggle out loud. I do every time I watch it - especially when the second nephew enters the dance. These boy got moves!

Well, that's a little look at our corner of the world on Thanksgiving. What were some of the highlights in yours?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. I'm joining Amanda's party. Don't forget to shop small businesses tomorrow!

Willow House Wednesday: Shop Small

This Saturday, November 26, has been declared Small Business Saturday. It's a day to celebrate small businesses across the country. If you’re interested in shopping small, I want you to know that I am offering over 50 items at nearly 75% off  in my personal Willow House online store.

Here's a great gift idea for under $30 that promotes two small businesses! Our Hawthorne Hurricane is on sale in my store for $18.96 this month. Take it to a local engraver to have a monogram etched into the glass for a beautiful and personalized gift. My good friend, Shea, got hers etched for $10.75! 

HERE’S THE SCOOP ON SUPER-VALUE SHOPPING: When you order $40 or more off the sale, you can qualify for anything at regular price under $40 in my store for 50% off! So if you don’t see your favorite item on sale, you STILL can get it for a discount. 

I want to help YOU while you help me and other small business owners this Christmas season! 

Please help me spread the word to shop small this year.

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. My new Online Jewelry Store just opened on Monday. You can shop small there, too!

Christmas Tree Inspiration At Park Hill Home

As promised, here's more from the Park Hill Home open house. Let's take a closer look at the tree inspiration. You'll find a little bit of everything in this post from elegant to rustic. Let's start at the front and work our way around. As you walk in the door to the right is a tree that has...

Positively gone to the birds! Cute bird seed wreaths adorn this feathered friend lover's tree along with bird's nests and pops of red. After the season is over, hang the birdseed wreaths on tree branches outside. The bird's in your neighborhood will love you back. Here's a DIY birdseed ornament tutorial from Kimba if you are feeling crafty!

Following the natural theme, here's a tree for all the gardeners. Dried hydrangeas, red and green berries and sticks can be gathered from your yard (or your neighbor's yard, shhhh). Then add touches of glam with glass and bead acorns and pretty ribbon.

If you just aren't into the reds and greens of the seasons, this earth colored tree may be the inspiration you need. Look closely and you may see a partridge or two in this elegant tree.

Time to head up stairs. We have two lovely trees left to see. I love the lanterns lined up the stairs with magnolia garland and bows draped ever so carefully along the way. See the beauty at the top? I think it's my absolute favorite of all.

I love the juxtaposition of nature and bling/shiny and old. Oh my! I bought the star topper (made from old barn wood) for our tree. Only $7.50, how could I pass it up?

As you take a closer look you can see the tiny boxwood wreaths (similar to Garnet Hill but much cheaper) tucked here and there with pine cones and red berries.

Old postcards depicting the 12 Days of Christmas are framed out in distressed red frames and hung with twine. I see another inspiration for a thrifty craft project somewhere in here.

Did you notice the burlap and bird's nests? Be still my heart! Did I mention I love this tree? LOVE. I don't think I can get away with a tree just like this. I have a 7yo to please for now. This will be filed for future years for sure.

I'm also in love with this tree. This picture does it no justice. It is inspiring in more ways than one. It is stunning with metallic grays and browns, pretty ribbons and...

Beautiful words of inspiration including my two favorites, BELIEVE and DREAM.

The varying metal crosses are a sweet way to remember the reason for the season. Divine! I'm just a one Christmas tree kind of gal or I'd be the queen of copy of this beauty as well.

I hope you enjoyed the Christmas tree inspiration from my favorite local boutique. Which theme inspired you the most?

~Southern Fried Gal

Park Hill Home Open House

Last night my favorite boutique opened its doors after hours for a Holiday Open House. I couldn't wait to stop in to see what brilliance owners Todd Smith and Charlie Groppetti had on display. I was not disappointed! I snapped a few (OK, a few hundred) photos to drool over and inspire.

You know I'm also a sucker for whimsy - like being greeted by a pair of rusted horse heads dressed for the season as you walk into the store. Did I mention this store is actually in a historic home on the main drag in North Little Rock? That adds to the charm of the store and helps you visualize the wares in your own home.

This is the view as you turn to the right. I'm going to do a follow-up post to showcase the trees and wreaths throughout the store. I could stand in one spot, look for an hour and still not see all the fun ideas in one area. For example, how cute is that ladder hanging in the window in the far back?

And this is the view to the left. There are lot of things going on in this store, but the vignettes still give the feeling of simple, rustic charm. Your eye never rests but there is an ease to being in the store.

You have to be vigilant because you never know what treasure you may miss. If you are in the market for a one-of-a-kind gift, this is the place to shop. Be sure to inspect every nook and cranny or you might miss the sweet journals, wood disks...

Soaps, candles, a large spool of jute twine, a sweet little iron bird and so much more! I almost forgot why I snapped this picture - isn't that hanging light shade divine? It's perfect to bring a touch of old country whimsy to any breakfast nook.

I'll hush now and let you browse around a bit more on the bottom floor...

Mantel Area

Gorgeous Chandi

Isn't it all so lovely? I'll be back on Monday with part deux featuring all the trees and wreaths throughout the store. I hope this post has inspired you as you begin to decorate for Christmas. 

If you are in Central Arkansas, be sure to stop into Park Hill Home to experience the magic for yourself. Please let them know Southern Fried Gal sent you so I can continue to snap pictures and share on this blog!

What is your favorite piece of eye candy in these photos?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. Joining the fun at...

Willow House Wednesday: Christmas Mantel Tutorial

Recreate this simply beautiful mantel on the cheap with special purchases from my Willow House Online Store, greenery, candles, cranberries and ornaments.To recreate this look...

Today's mystery deal in my outlet is the Small Madeline Hurricane for only $7.96 each. Pick up three for a subtotal of $23.88.

Then add two Cordova Candle Sconces to your cart (on sale for $9.96 each or a subtotal of $19.92).  

BONUS: The subtotal of these purchases is just over $39.96, which qualifies you to pick any product under $40 (regular price) for half off! My store prompts you through the details to get this special.

While you wait for your items to ship, you can gather up the other items from around your home or at your local craft store. 

You will need:

2 red long taper candles

3 white small pillar candles

2 inch wide red ribbon
fresh cranberries

Ornaments (optional)

You will also need a greenery wreath and garland. Using clippings from your tree and/or from trees and bushes around your yard you can craft your own following Martha's Fresh Wreath Tutorials. These are also items that can be purchased fairly inexpensively at places like Lowe's and Home Depot.

This is also a lovely inspiration for a gorgeous Christmas centerpiece. using the hurricanes, greenery, cranberries and candles. 

HURRY - the Hurricanes are on special for $7.96 TODAY ONLY or while supplies last. As an added BONUS, spend over $50 TODAY and I'll refund your shipping costs via Paypal.

Weekend Organization

This post is going to get ugly fast, so let's start with a pretty picture.

Doesn't this make your heart want to sing?



And...the not so pretty.

Remember how I said I was going to work on Christmas decorations this weekend? Well I got side tracked. This pantry and my kitchen cabinets were driving me crazy. Thankfully messes like these are behind closed doors.



Another pretty picture. Now my heart is really singing - LAAAAAAA!

Sadly this area had become a pit stop for things that had no place. Several items were purged and several others were identified for resale. These were the surviving pieces and I now have room for some of the products from my Willow House warehouse (aka - the dining room).

It's beginning to look a lot like...a well-organized home around here again.

How about you - do you have a catch-all area that needs a bit of attention in your home?

~Southern Fried Gal

More Harvest Decor

I scored a few new goodies on sale this year to add to my harvest decor. These giant fiberstone pumpkins are by far my favorite! I got these at half off and they were still a pretty penny but aren't they gorgeous tucked in our landscaping to greet friends?

There are few singles tucked here and there as well. Those mums are from the burlap mini bags project last year. I can't believe they came back out this year. This was a fun surprise as I obviously didn't get them planted properly.

I LOVE the breakfast nook this year. That scarf (a steal at A to Z for $6) brings a bright pop of color to the area. The actual centerpiece is sort of an accidental design...

I found this rusty wire basket tucked in the sale closet at my favorite store (only $12 - a steal in my opinion). Anyway, I carried it out and put it in the back of my bestie's car. When we got home we were gathering my stuff from her car to take in and she threw that burlap bag in the basket. I love how it folded in there and it inspired me to leave as is and tuck a few fall goodies in to complete the look. Accidental design happens a lot around here!

Finally, I scored a pretty fall garland for 75% off (or $12 - woo hoo) at my favorite store as well. I love that the colors still represent fall but are more muted. It was the perfect addition to my mantel.

Well that's about all I have for my harvest decor this year. The funny thing is I'm taking it all down this weekend and starting my Christmas decorating. I haven't been able to enjoy the holidays as much the past two years so I'm breaking a long-standing family tradition and decorating before Thanksgiving. I can't wait to hear what my mom says when I host the family for Thanksgiving - ha!

How about you? When are you going to start decorating for Christmas?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. Joining the fun at Serenity Now...

Willow House Wednesday: Harvest

I had a few Willow House gals over for a meeting earlier this week. This is the first time I've opened my home since the surgery. We had a few snacks, shared tips and had plenty of laughs. I wish I had taken pictures while they were here, but I was too busy running my mouth. I told you it's been a while. I was super happy to have folks in my home again.

I decided to add a few touches of harvest to my decor. Today I'll share a few of my favorite looks using Willow House products. Tomorrow I'll share a few more. Then I'm moving on to Christmas. Pictured above - smallest Parisian Luminary to hold plastic utensils. Fancy, eh?

To dress up the paper plates, I used the middle tier from the French Wire Tiered Stand. This continue to be one of my best selling products because it is so versatile and easy to store when not in use.

I thought I knew what napkin holder love was with my estate piece but I've found a new love and her name is Annabelle. She's simple, pretty and does her job with style. These napkins from the Dollar Tree are the perfect harvest touch.

Because our cabinets in the kitchen are half-painted and we removed the lights in the den while we wait on a special order to replace them, DH insisted I hold the meeting in the living room. This is definitely the most action this room has seen since we moved in. I threw a few "found" items into our Charles Street Planter to create this centerpiece. The scale in this picture cracks me up. While this planter is a substantial size, it is not as big as my sofa.

Here's a closer look. I layered a perfectly frayed burlap bag section into the bottom of the planter. Next I added pumpkins and gourds that I have collected over the years. I tucked in a faux antler from Pottery Barn and a few branches adorned with acorns from Park Hill Home. Finally I sprinkled a few leaves here and there to complete the look. I can't wait to dress this dude up for Christmas.

These items and many more are available 24 hours a day in my Online Store. Don't forget to check out my huge gift giving sale going on right now as well. Save up to 75%!

Happy Harvest!

~Southern Fried Gal