The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"W" is for Whole spices! Fill a hurricane or vase half full with your favorite whole spices like cloves, cinnamon sticks, or star anise. Then, just pop in a candle to fill your home with the rich scents of fall baking!

TIP: Buy whole spices in bulk from your local ethnic food store.

The ABCs of Fall Style

"V" is for Villa! The beaded detailing and classic cream color of the Villa Collection make it the perfect base for building a fabulous fall table. Just add splashes of rich color and natural accents and you're all set!

New Fun Wreaths in our Outlet!

Angel Wreath: Hot Pink and Lime (50% off this week)!http://darlenesdesigns.store.willowhouse.com/product.aspx?zpid=6415

Tastiest Witch's Brew Ever!

Are you in the mood to make something fun and festive for Halloween while at the same time serving it in something fabulous? Then try one of our favorite recipes, "Scarecrow Crunch." It's cheap, easy, and everyone will love it! Plus, it looks so amazing when served in our Hawthorne Trifle because the clear glass shows off all of the cool munchies in the mix.

  

Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or just want something good to munch on at the office "Scarecrow Crunch" is the perfect snack. And when served in our Hawthorne Trifle it showcases all of the beautiful fall colors in the snack mix. It also looks so cute when filled in small baggies and given out to trick-or-treaters instead of candy.

 So dust off your trifle and try using it for something else for a change! Here's what you need to do to make the mix. Combine all of the ingredients, mix together and voilå! You have a great snack or a perfect item to bring to a Halloween bash. WARNING: Scarecrow Crunch can be extremely addictive!

Scarecrow Crunch

4 cups crunchy oatmeal cereal squares or Chex cereal
4 cups tiny twist pretzels
1 can salted peanuts
1 bag of autumn mix honey candy
1 bag of candy corn
2 cups peanut butter M&M's
2 (6-ounce) boxes caramel popcorn with nuts
1 (6.6) bag chocolate Teddy Grahams

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"U" is for Urns! Whether they're flanking a mantel or anchoring a buffet, decorative urns are a style shortcut for fall!  Fill with mini gourds (like we did with our Framework Urn) for an easy harvest look.

Darlene Williamson's Page

Darlene Williamson's Page

Please visit my St. Jude donation page and help the kids!  Thanks so much.

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"T" is for Treats! For a fun fall centerpiece, forgo flowers and build a tower of treats! We added candied apples, trail mix and everyone's favorite — candy corn — to our French Wire Tiered Stand. And for a really fun touch, use holiday scrapbook paper to line each tier.  It's too pretty to eat...almost!

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"S" is for Sunflowers! There's simply nothing happier than a bright bunch of sunflowers, and you can find them just about anywhere! Tuck them in a door bucket or Demibottle for instant fall wow-factor!  Seen here with our new Riverstone Collection dinnerware.

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"R" is for Rust!  If you style your nest with orange this season, look your best in rich, spicy rust tones.  The Maya Collection's rust-etched mother of pearl medallions add instant warmth and style to your look!  Contact me soon to schedule your jewelry party or private showing with my new Sara Blaine Designer Jewelry!

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"Q" is for Quilts! We love the heirloom style of quilts for getting cozy on fall nights and for making hayrides more comfy.  For a fun fireside caddy, tuck a quilt and some birch logs into our Nola Party Bucket!

The ABCs of Fall Style

‎"P" is for Pumpkins, of course!  To create this 3-step centerpiece, fill the Cyprus Footed Bowl with reindeer moss, pop in a Cinderella Pumpkin, then tuck in dried berries. So easy!

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"O" is for Orange!   No color captures the feel of fall quite like orange!  Brighten up neutral pieces like our Villa Stoneware with pumpkins or use a fun orange print for an eye-catching backdrop.  What's your favorite way to use orange?

·        ‎"N" is for Nuts!   Acorns, pecans, and buckeyes make fantastic fall fillers.  Add them to our Galveston Hurricanes and top with candles for a nice natural centerpiece!  (Seen here with our Villa Stoneware.)

How can I tell if an egg is fresh?

I recently came across this helpful bit of kitchen trivia and wanted to share it with you.  Did you know that you can easily gauge eggs' freshness by gently placing them in a bowl of cold water?  Really fresh eggs will drop to the bottom of the bowl and lie on their sides (how cool is this)!  Somewhat fresh eggs will stand on end and bob about in the water.  Old eggs will float--and should be discarded.

If you are like me, you are trying to eat healthier and avoid food that has been recalled.  This info on eggs will just add to our arsenal as moms in the fight against yukky food!  It also provides you a neat science experiment for your children.

If you would like further info on "yukky food," check out Food, Inc.'s movie at www.FoodIncMovie.Com about what we are really eating.   I first came upon the movie while subbing at the high school.  I'll warn you, you may stop eating altogether after watching it! 

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"M" is for Mums!  Nothing says fall like a colorful pot of mums by your front door.  Just plop and drop into our Lincoln Village Planter or Red Mountain Iron Entertaining Bucket and Stand for a fabulous fall entryway!

The ABCs of Fall Style

·        ‎"L" is for Lanterns! Whether it's Bradshaw, Drake, or Firefly, Willow House has a lantern for every space in your home. Use large lanterns to flank an entryway or mantel, or scatter smaller ones down a table for a luminous fall centerpiece or to give eacy person at your table a special treat with their name attached.

The ABCs of Fall Style

  

       "K" is for Kumquats! We love the orange cuties for just about everything — filling a hurricane, adding a pop of color to a cornucopia, or even garnishing a drink! Shown here in our Simone Glasses on the Graymont Tray.