4 Sisters Brunch with a Pig

I've got a little story to tell you . . . the names may have been changed to protect the innocent . . . the facts may be embellished (literary license) for entertainment . . . but the rest of it, well, you can bet the farm on it.

There once were 4 sisters who gathered together for a special Mother's Day brunch . . .

They dined on the 'balcony' (fancy way of saying upper deck) on a table sprinkled with sunflowers, and one giant sunflower that was the center of attention.

Sunflowers were their mother's favorite flower.

soften the faux grass edge with reindeer moss and the tray with a extra long burlap scarf (actually just a fabric remant I fringed and use randomly throughout the year ;)

The 'Magic' Sunflower standing in the faux grass was super easy -- after I learned this fun trick from Jonathan Fong of Style with a Smile TV. All it takes is a metal surface (in this case, a gorgeous Covington Tray) and a magnet hot glued to the base of the flower stem (for fresh flowers you'll need to glue the magnet to a flat head nail and insert the nail into the flower stem). I've used Gerbera Daisies with great success, but since this sunflower was top heavy I used a larger magnet and even placed a few rocks around the base of the stem in case a breeze came through (I didn't want it to fall into my sister's fruit salad . . . or did I ;). Anyhoo -- the bigger the flower head, the bigger the magnet base I always say.

The youngest sister doesn't cook . . . but she sets a cute table.

And included a little gift at each place setting.

A pretty little fabric bag filled with jewelry.

Some of the sisters are bossy, so their stemware charms make them feel in charge.

Many trips to the 'beverage station' were taken . . .

. . . where they were greeted by . . .

. . . another proud sunflower (this one in a vase) and an old soda crate filled with succulents,

mimosas are a brunch staple

a Pig (planter) holding a bottle of champange next to a pitcher of orange juice.  Pigs always make an appearance when the sisters gather (long-standing 'who's the biggest pig humor). 

And of course . . .

MoM!  The lady who made their lives possible.

The sisters exchanged funny cards (tucked behind mom's frame) . . . kudoos to the one who brought the most hilarious and original card to the party!

The sisters will likely stay on 'the balcony' most of the day.  Brunching with a PiG and . . .

. . . thinking of the lady who loved sunflowers that brought them all together.

Resources for the wonderful pieces that dedicated their time and patience to this brunch ►
•  PiG -- a gift from a sister (of course) made in Mexico, she picked up at a locally owned West Texas import shop.
•  Tuscan (turquoise) Pitcher, and Tuscan Tidbit & Saucer, retired Southern Living at Home products
•  Gramercy Beverage Server, Willow House
•  Emerson Wine Glasses, Willow House
•  Frame of my gorgeous mom, a gift from my (oldest & wisest) sister
•  Sunflowers, Large Stemmed from Hobby Lobby; Small Paper (sprinkled on table) Pottery Barn
•  Juniper (green) Vase (with iron frame), retired Southern Living at Home product
•  Soda Crate filled with Succlents, garage sale find repurposed over here
•  White Tablecloth, efavormart
•  Burlap Table Runners, made from fabric yardage bought at Hobby Lobby
•  Covington Serving Tray, Willow House
•  Faux Grass & Reindeer Moss, Hobby Lobby
•  Black Rocks, Pottery Barn
•  Cabbage Leaf Placemats, Grandin Road (only seemed to be carried at Easter, every year)
•  Emerson Iced Beverage Glasses, Willow House
•  Gallery Flatware, retired Southern Living at Home product
•  Villa Stoneware Dinnerplate, retired Willow House product (ask me :)
•  Tuscan Accent Plate, retired Southern Living at Home product (ask me :)
•  Drake Firefly Lantern, Willow House
•  Sara Blaine Jewelry Bag & Willow House Jewelry by Sara Blaine, available here
•  Sunflower Garden Seat, Pier 1 Imports (many moons ago)
•  Pillows on Bench, Embroidered Scroll from Willow House

Thanks so much for stopping in :) this post is being linked up with ►
•  Between Naps on the Porch, Tablescapes Thursday
•  504 Main Tickled Pink Friday
•  Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday
•  Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading
•  Stuff and Nonsense: Friday's Unfolded
•  At the Picket Fench: Inspiration Friday
•  The Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday
•  French Country Cottage, Feathered Nest Friday
•  Thrifty Decorating, Thrifty Thursday's
•  Saved by Love, Thrifty Thursday
•  The Shabby Creek Cottage's Transformation Thursday
•  Brandy Craft's Get Your Brag On
•  Embracing Change Creative Inspirations Party
•  DiY by Design Swing into Spring Party
•  Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
•  Salt Tree Open Call Tuesdays
•  Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesdays Treasures
•  Addicted 2 Decorating's Addicts (not so) Anonymous Party
•  Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper
•  Six Sisters Strut Your Stuff Saturday
•  Petite Hermine Sunday Linky Party
•  Organised Housewife Linky Party
•  My 1929 Charmer Sunday's Best
•  Under the Table & Dreaming's Sunday Showcase
•  Funky Junk Saturday Night Special Patios
•  Simply Klassic Home - Simply Klassic Sunday
•  Tator Tots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

Celebrate her day with gift ideas for every kind of mom

From gardeners and fashionistas, to cooks and crafters.  Are you are looking for something special as a gift for others or for yourself (in any price range)?  If so, let me assist you with one of kind service that my personal online store can provide . . .

For the Antiquer | Chloe Necklace, Earrings, Ring, Julia Necklace or Zara Twist Collection
Charming  labradorite and immaculate 18-karat gold vermeil bows tease with flirtatious sophistication. Julie and Zar include smokey agate beads for an instant classic.  $90 - $150

 OR -- our Aldrige Wire Cloche will add some organic style to her home, tuck in a vase with a single bloom for an enchanting botanical look. $60

For the Writer | Olivia Antiqued Bowl
Mom can keep up with her correspondences the old-fashioned way and have a place to store her stationary and favorite reads with our looping ironwork bowl.  Perfect catchall on a console table or nightstand. $50

OR -- our Estate Tiered Rack . . . I double dog dare you to write 'Get Your Priorities Straight' on the card ;) $28

For the Spa-Goer | Belle Meade Entertaining Stand will hold all her lotions and potions, and her collection of perfume bottles, beautifully $100

 OR -- our French Wire Tiered Stand, she can corral all her toiletries in this feminine catch-all. $60

For the Beach Bum | Moroccan Pierced Luminaries
She'll mentally sail away to the shore with these enchanting pierced luminaries. The champagne color gives them a warm glow, and their fun size makes them easy to place in any space -- she wants to dream of her vacation.

For the Lounger | Scrollwork Oversized Throw
Swap her old tired smock for this chenille blanket -- incredibly soft and cozy, and the chocolate color accented in spice, warms up any decor.

For the Techie | Galveston Memo Board & Must Have Holder
Let her know that you like her old-fashion form of texting. $40-$60

For the Pet Lover | Braided Wrap Bracelet
We're chomping at the bit for this braided wrapped bracelet, handmade with suede leather and and brass medallions. Choose either black brown as shown with peridot resin beads.

For the Artisan | Gail Pittman Alfresco Collection
Our bold medallion design in a neutral color palette is perfect for large group entertaining or inimate gatherings with family.  Dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe up to 350°. $24-$70

For the Crafter | French Wire Carousel Caddy
For a sewing kit, it's a perfect fit.  But try it again for pencils and pens, or use it on a buffet and serve away!  The caddy's removable glasses are fantastic for decorating, serving or corralling odds and ends.  $55

For the Fashionista | Bali Scroll Lemon Quartz Collection
Our elegant Bali Scroll Jewelry Collection by Sara Blaine gets a refreshing makeover with big, bold chunks of sun-drenched Lemon Quartz. $90 - $350

For the Baker | Adair Upside Down Cake Stand (with or without the dome)Her delicious confections will look even tastier atop our sturdy ruffled glass pedestal.  She can even flip it over to use as a tray, chip & dip or vase. $50-$80

 OR -- our Belle Meade Canister Set (large enough to hold a 5 pound bag of flour) or any other of our wonderful canisters for all her pantry staples. $50-$163

For the Wine Lover | Gramercy Wine Butler, Carrigan Wine Stoppers or any of our many wine gifts or even a subscription to Food & Wine Magazine.
Slip a couple of bottles of her favorite varietal inside, and voila! The perfect gift. $10-$33

For the Gardener | Coronado Stone Planter
Her garden will grow in abundance thanks to this Vintage inspired yet modernly refined planter.  Made of real stone with a whitewashed finish. Its intricate scalloped sides and beading on the bottom complement its simple yet sophisticated design. $30

For the Traveler | Covington Serving Tray
She can stash photos & her travel mementos in style tucked safely under the removeable glass top.  She'll not only travel in style, but now she can serve in style too! $73

For the Porch Sitter | Floral Embossed Oil Lamp For less than $25 she won't be easily bugged.

For the Hipster | Layla or Emma Agate Stone Necklaces
All the cool kids are wearing them. Now, Mom can, too. $30-$120

For the Entertainer | Riverstone Stacking Platters or Tapas Set
Four petaled bowls nestled together create a rose in full bloom; separately, Mom can use them to set out snacks. $55-$63

For the Cook | Annabelle Cookbook Stand and our many cookbooks and / or magazines
Hold a cookbook open, or use this iron piece to showcase a family photo album or scrapbook. This lovely iron stand includes a deep tray to hold even large books, plus weights that keep pages in place while she makes your favorite dinner :) $43

All Photos shown are courtesy of Willow House can be found on my website, as well as in our current catalogs (psst. . . I am happy to mail you one).  Additional items used within the photos are of product that is also available for purchase -- so don't hesitate to ask if you are seeking something in particular.  ☼  I may be able to find it for you -- wrap it for you and ship it for you -- even if it isn't currently available on my website due to outages at our Alabama distribution center.

☼ Pick Your Own Special ☼

 Create your own special -- ANYTIME in ANY MONTH!

•  As a customer, when you spend $39.96 (or more) you qualify to pick ANY catalog item you want that is $39.96 or less for 50% off!

•  As a customer, when you spend $125 directly with me on a purchase [not already associated with a party] I will enter your order as a single party order. This will allow you to choose ANY catalog item you want for 50% off!

•  As a customer, when you spend $250 directly with me on a purchase [not already associated with a party] I will enter your order as a single party order. This will allow you to choose ANY catalog item you want for 50% off, ANY catalog item you want for 70% off AND receive a % of the sales in product of your choice!

If you are new to my blog (which in itself is rather New :) Please Know that I have no plans to talk about Willow House with each post.  But with a special holiday at hand I cannot resist but to share some fabulous finds with you that also happen to be perfect Mother's Day Gifts.

If our photos inspire you, you will want to check out our My Style Share website -- where we take our wonderful products and bring them to life everyday!   Here is my direct account if you are interested :)

Let me know if I can answer any questions and Thank You for Stopping By!   

Linking up with Homemaker on a Dime's:

Chalk Paint Planter & Flower Tower Topiary!

At my local grocers this morning I saw them unpacking their shipment of fresh cut flowers -- so I snagged a few (sad) Alstroemeria Bunches to give my home a little Monday Happy ☼!

UPDATE ::: Flowers opening up nicely -- even Happier Tuesday :)

I decided to add them to a terracotta planter that got a makeover this past weekend . . .

Corner of Mantel with Fresh Flowers = Monday Happy ☼

Here is the Santorini Planter (it's official name) playing happily in our Den at Christmas . . .

I add small Santa hats randomly to prints, pictures and characters in our house (I use Simply Tacky to tack them on). 
Our Maribel Tabletop Clock counts down the time to Santa's arrival. Here the Santorini Planter with Innsbrook ornaments, berries & juniper sprigs.)

I love the profile of this planter -- just not so jazzed about the burnt red color for spring or summer.  Luckily the planter was an incredible steal of $12.96 earlier this month -- so I thought I would snag one and paint it.

 

I started by giving it 2 quick coats of chalk paint (Annie Sloan's Old White -- giving it rather an eggshell appearance), letting it dry . . .

. . . then adding a coat of clear wax . . . waiting a wee bit . . . then I distressed slightly, letting some of the red show through.

I then added a touch of dark wax . . . waited a bit and then buffed it with a soft cloth.  So Easy!  I really, really like the smooth finish and touch of shine, yet it still was a bit roughed up . . . Rustic Elegance if you will . . . perfect (for me anyway :).

The alstroemeria flowers -- which were flat as a pancake this morning -- are starting to fluff up thanks to trimming their stems and giving them a good long drink while the wet floral foam soaked in the sink.

I inserted a foil plant wrapper  (left over from Christmas poinsettias -- I guess I am a bit frugal :)inside the newly painted planter . . .

. . . trimmed the floral foam to fit snuggly inside, and then start adding the flowers to their new home.

I already had a place in mind for the floral arrangement to go, so I knew I needed to go big.  This one corner of the mantel in our den is within my line of sight anytime I am in our kitchen -- and it needed a little happy ☼. 

I decided to make a tall fresh flower topiary with the alstroemerias (which are now less sad thanks to fresh air and water).  I striped the leaves off the bottom 3/4 of the stems to make the topiary.

After I inserted 1 bunch of the trimmed flowers into the wet foam, I tied them together with a bit of green raffia, and added wet moss to the top (to hold moisture in -- and to hid the foam).

I snipped a few groupings of flowers and poked each into the wet foam -- until I had a nice covering.

It gives the corner of the mantel a bit of happy and it will easily last a week if I water it regularly.

I always seem to need something tall for this spot -- the ceiling is high and it is such a narrow space it is awkward to accessorize.

I am uber pleased with this mini-makeover.  I really like the change a little dab of paint, wax and sandpaper were able to achieve.  I can't wait to tackle some of the bigger chalkpaint projects I have lined up . . .

indoor shot . . . looks a bit dark . . .

. . . outdoor shot . . . more true to the color of the finish color of the planter.

. . . but for now, I am tickled with my Monday Happy!

I even had a few stems of flowers left to include in an Italian Ruffle Container on the books in the den . . . :)  Hmmm . . . I should change this spot up more often, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by!  I apologize in advance for the poor quality of these photos.  Someone keeps eyeing me whenever I walk outside . . .

. . . and my lighting isn't the best indoors on overcast days.    Psst . . . our mourning dove couple are the proud parents of two babies (that are growing fast!).

See what I mean!

I am linking up with :::

• Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday

• Craft-O-Maniac Monday Link Party

• Sumo's Sweet Stuff's Market Yourself Monday

• Sweet Anne's Sweet Sharing Monday

• C.R.A.F.T's Making Monday Marvelous

• Nifty Thrifty Things Sunday

• I Heart Naptime's Sundae Scoop

• Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

• Skip to my Lou's Made by You Monday

• DIY Showoff Project Parade

• Tip Junkie's Homemade Projects

• Romance on a Dime's Tuesday Blog Hop

• Jillify It - Party

• A Bowl Full of Lemons - One Project at a Time

• Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On Tuesdays

• Vintage Wanne Bee - Talent Tuesday

• Topsy Turvy Tuesdays

• Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya Got

• Uncommon - Uncommonly Yours Link Party

• Oopsey Daisy's Wednesday Wowsers

• Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

• Fine Art Guild - Party!

• Its Overflowing with Creativity Party

• No Minimalist Here - Open House Party

• Domestically Speaking Power of Paint Party

• Common Ground Vintage Inspiration

• Simple Home Life Simple Creations Party

• Fridays at Redoux Interiors

• Creative Things Thursday at Vintage Farmhouse

• My RePurposed Life Catch as Catch Can

• Classy Clutter Spotlight Saturday

• Funky Junk's Saturaday Night Special Junk to Jewels

• Too Much Time's Get Schooled Saturday

 

AND . . . I can't believe I ALMost Forgot!  We Have a Winner of the French Wire Carousel Caddy Giveaway!  Congratulations to Theresa J!  Woo Hoo!  So tickled for her :)  Thank you to all of you who entered and shared how you would use the caddy!