My Christmas Wish for You!

To all my readers, those who celebrate Christmas and those who may not, I want to share with you my personal Christmas wish for all of us. A wish for peace and peacefulness.

Every few weeks I receive a very uplifting story from my friends, Joan, Katie and Meb of The Miracle Chase. I was so inspired reading their story of Rose Mapendo, recipient of the UN Humanitarian of Year Award, that I had to share it with you. Rose’s story brought tears to my eyes and her personal journey for peace filled my heart. Please take a moment and read Rose’s story HERE.

Over the next year my Christmas wish is that we all get better at achieving an inner peace so that we can all become more open, loving and accepting of others. Finding time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and slowing down to appreciate both beauty we bring to others and the beauty they bring to us.

In this humble quest for personal peace may our actions resonate outward – small and slow but begin to radiate and glow stronger throughout the year.

Thank you for continuing to let me into your homes and your lives through Willow Décor. I feel very blessed that we are sharing this journey together.

Much love to you and your families,

xox Gina

Holiday Window Boxes III and Giveaway Winner!!!

Every year one of Willow Décor’s most popular holiday posts is Decorating Holiday Window Boxes. Even if your house does not have outdoor window boxes you can use store bought containers to bring the look inside. Here are some new favorites I have collected over the year.

This first window box is beautiful, simple and inexpensive to create. Different pines and boxwood are easily in found out in your yard. Here the owner added blueberry branches and some glass icicle ornaments to add sparkle – Lovely!

From decorator extraordinaire, Martha Stewart, what caught my eye most were the branch trellises she added to hold up the pine branches. What a creative touch which adds so much interest and texture, as well as a wonderful place to thread the bow!

Another simple, beautiful collection of pines and pinecones. This would look as pretty on sideboard in your dining room or mantel as it does outside. Again very low cost to recreate.

Something a bit easier to find for my southern readers; here moss, magnolia leaves and ornaments make a pretty holiday window box.

On of my favorite ideas comes from the Bachman Holiday house in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here an old shutter creates an indoor window box filled with potted poinsettias and highlighted by a row of birch branches. Simply gorgeous! This is a spectacular mantle piece and would look fabulous in any home!

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Another example of a more southern style here filled with pines, pineapples and citrus fruits. I adore these window boxes! To see more examples of great holiday window boxes read Willow Décor’s previous posts HERE and HERE

Finally, congratulations to 3 Peanuts for winning the German Grainsack Tree Skirt!!! Please send your mailing address to willowdecormail@gmail.com and we will send out the tree skirt in time for Christmas!! A special thanks again to Kym of A Beautiful Mess! If you are not a winner you can still order wonderful items from Kym by contacting her at (805) 630-3727. Enjoy!!!

(Photo Credit: P. Wexford, Bellewood Gardens, 65 Avenue, Container Gardening, Martha Stewart, Bachman's, Home Ideas, Lu Tapp -A Beautiful Mess)

Meeting Celeste and Our Best EVER 3 Fine Grains Giveaway!

What a busy few weeks I have had traveling around the US!! I just returned back from a wonderful visit to Palo Alto, California to visit my sister! I was also able to stop by and finally meet designer, Celeste Randolph of Ambiance Interiors. Here we are enjoying the spectacular California sunshine on her back patio!

I am sure you all remember Celeste’s gorgeous kitchen that was featured on WD last year! You can read more about it HERE! And if you missed it make sure you do take a peek – It is just awesome!! Celeste was such a wonderful host and we had a great time getting better acquainted! Thanks Celeste it was such a treat!!

I wish I could have traveled down to Southern California and had a visit with my dear friend, Kymberley Fraser, creator of the 3 Fine Grains textile line and the owner of the fabulous store, A Beautiful Mess.

Once again Kym has “wowed” us with her phenomenal designs made from authentic, original antique German grainsacks. Each year, like an angel from above, Kym gives WD readers a chance to own one of her gorgeous creations!

You might remember the wonderful Grainsack Christmas Tree we gave away last year; above is one of the trees available this year. Let’s have a look at the rest of Kym’s new Holiday Line:

She creates the most amazing ornaments, like these antique linen hearts with crowns. Perfect for the queen of the house!!!

And these fabulous monogram ornaments made from grainsack remnants!

Another new item are the grainsack covered photo albums - Love these!!

Kym has such incredible talent – here are her signature grainsack stockings! Aren’t they beautiful?!

And above is the GIVEWAY – I am so giddy just announcing it! Kym has given us a gorgeous Christmas Tree Skirt. It is handmade from authentic, original, antique German grainsacks. It is lined on the back side with burlap and has a burlap rope trim going all around it. It measures 60" and it retails for $725!!! Awesome, right?!!

To enter to win just leave a comment below. For an extra chance to win begin following A Beautiful Mess on Facebook click HERE. For a third chance to win begin following Willow Décor on my Facebook page HERE. Finally re-tweet this post on Twitter and have another chance!

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, you can contact Kym at (805) 630-3727 and she will ship them out right away! A huge “Thank You” to Kym and best of luck to everyone! I will announce a winner next Saturday! Good Luck!!

(Photo credits: Lu Tapp Photography, French Kissed)