Author Archives: Stephanie

Spring is Almost Here!

Birds, Gardening, Gifts, Store

Most of us are extremely sick of this winter, but don’t worry, winter can’t last forever! The cold is just grasping on and sticking around longer than normal, but fear not, Spring is almost here… you can already tell since daylight seems to stick around a little longer each night!

Everyone here at Willard & May is really excited about spring coming up! Here are our top reasons why we enjoy Spring:

1. The weather is warming up, finally! Be sure to watch the temperatures rise with these cute & stylish thermometers.

1066

Herb Pattern Thermometer – $10.00

1067

Blue Blossom Ceramic Thermometer – $24.24

1172Froggy Thermometer – $11.00

2. The birds are returning to the yard, so get out your bird feeders and bird houses! Use this modern bird feeder; a great addition to your yard. Bring back the song of the birds!

1174

Modern Bird Feeder – Only $20.00

3. You can scratch that garden itch by starting your seeds indoors or by planting herbs or annuals. Check out these small leaf-patterned pots on a tray, there is nothing quite like the vibrancy of new spring leaves. A great way to cheer you up after this long harsh winter we have had!

1099

3 Elm Pots on Tray – $13.00

There are so many great reasons to love Spring! Tell us what you love about spring – we’d love to hear.

team-signature

It’s Not Too Late!

Gifts, Store

So it is officially last minute shopping for Valentine’s Day! Don’t worry we’ve got you covered! Check out our Willard & May gift cards that are sent directly to your email (or your sweeties email) for that perfect surprise! You don’t even have to wait for shipping or anything! How great is that? You can thank us later when you won’t be sent to the dog house this year! giftcard

WHOOO Loves you? (whooo doesn’t love a great pun?) 1161

Don’t worry we won’t tell your Valentine you shopped last minute!

team-signature

Perfect Entryway

Curb Appeal, Outdoor Decor, Pin Inspiration, Store

Looking for some change in your home, but don’t know where to start? Well how about your entryway – inside and outside! This is the perfect way to impress your guests and family as it is the first thing they see when first stepping foot into your home. It doesn’t take much to turn your front door and entryway from a stark and dull space to an inviting place for everyone who comes to your home!

Here are some great ideas and items you can use to spruce up your entryway, making that great and lasting impression on your guests!

lights Light the way – As people walk up to your entrance you want to be sure that they can visibly get to it so make sure to light up your walkway as well as your entryway! You have several options: chandeliers, sconces, lanterns, etc. Willard and May has a great selection of different lanterns and lighting options to help brighten up your entryway!

knock Knock Away – When people arrive at your front door give them something fun to knock on your door with! Willard and May have some great door knockers! Go check them out!

doormats Stomp the Ground – To keep all the dirt from tracking into your house, make sure to have a doormat to catch all the debris keeping your house tiding and clean! Check out some of the Willard & May Doormats!

bootrack Keep it Clean _ It’s a great idea to have storage for shoes so be sure to have a shoe rack to keep everything organized! Check out Willard & May’s Boot Rack and Scraper!

star-hook Hook it Up – It’s a great idea to have hooks for your guests coats so be sure to have plenty! Check out Willard & May’s Star Iron Hooks! (Source: Pinterest)

stool-chair Set it Down – Make sure you have a stool, table, bench, or chair to have nearby making the space look cozier and lets taking off those boots so much easier! Check out Willard & May’s Stool/Table! (Source: Kapstok)

chalkboard To Do List – Use Willard & May’s Organization Chalkboard to write down whatever you may need to remember! This great chalkboard is great indoors and outdoors!

key-hider Locked Out, Keep it Hidden – Hide your house key in a fun way with these great Animal Key Holders from Willard & May!

By creating a functional entryway, you will make your life less chaotic and become organized with style! Check out the rest of our great items to create the perfect entryway at Willard & May! We’d love to hear what you think or what you’ve done to spruce up your entryway or let us know your ideas in the comments below!

team-signature1

The Sweetheart’s Guide

Gifts, Pin Inspiration, Store, Weekend DIY

sweetheart-blog

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. That slightly annoying, yet awesome holiday! It lets you eat as much chocolate as you want, bake up something sweet and celebrate LOVE! That means it’s time to start thinking about what to get your sweetie (or you can always treat yourself)!

Thinking of what to get that special someone can be tough because of course it has to top last years gift! So to help you out, we’ve got some great ideas for that special someone in your life! If you’re single that doesn’t mean you and your friends can’t exchange gifts :)

Here are a few quick and easy gifts to treat your sweetie:

Breakfast in bed, is always a good start to Valentine’s Day! Who doesn’t love breakfast in bed? It’s a no brainer, that is simple, sweet, and tasty! Our serving trays are perfect for this!
0198920921d9052b193cd860bca38c8d

(Source: La Vie En Mode)

Bake up something sweet and cook their favorite meal! One way to a man’s heart is with food, so why not bake up some goodies to go along with his favorite meal! Or even better make the meal together! martha

(Source:Martha Stewart)

6766657607_12da2cc262_o

(Source: Las Recetas de la Felicidad)

One of the most common gifts for Valentine’s Day are flowers. Why not change it up? Instead of getting a bouquet of flowers for your sweetie, treat them to one of our Amaryllis Flower Kits that can last a lot longer than a normal bouquet of flowers!

valentines-dayYou can find these styles of flower kits and many others at willardandmay.com [1. Amaryllis Red Lion in Red Polka Dot Pot, 2. Amaryllis Red Lion in White Polka Dot Pot, 3. Red Sparkle Chilled Hyacinth Grow Kit, 4. White Sparkle Chilled Hyacinth Grow Kit, 5. Chilled Hyacinth Grow Kit, 6. Amaryllis in Woven Sea Grass Gift Kit, 7. Raspberry Amaryllis in Dark Sea Grass Planter.]

We hope you find our sweetheart’s guide full of Valentine’s Day ideas helpful! You can check out more great Valentine’s Day gifts at Willard & May. We’d love to hear what you think or what you’ve done to treat your sweetie or let us know your ideas to pamper your loved ones in the comments below!

team-signature1

Beat those Winter Blues

Outdoor Decor, Store

It’s nearing the end of January and it seems to keep dragging on with the blustery weather. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring and to plunge into summer (just like this cute little turtle)! turtle Use these great cobalt blue items to liven things up a bit in your outdoor garden or check out our last post about winter rejuvenation inside your home! It’s a great feeling after this long winter we have been through! wm-winter-blues With these vibrant colored items from Willard & May, you’ll be sure to beat those winter blues. Help get yourself out of that winter funk and ready for the spring! We’d love to hear what you think, let us know your ideas to help with beat the winter blues in the comments below!

team-signature1

Winter Rejuvenation

Gardening, Gifts, Store, Weekend DIY

Every year around this time is the time to start putting away all of those Christmas decorations you put up. So since it’s January and the month of new beginnings, we thought it would be fitting to share some tips to rejuvenate your house this winter:

  • CLEAN & ORGANIZE! After you take down your Christmas tree and pack away all of your Christmas decor, clean and let those windows sparkle! With a clean house it makes rejuvenating your home a breeze. Cleaning gives you a fresh slate to work with. While cleaning, get rid of anything you haven’t used in a year. If you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s very likely that you still won’t use it this year –  make some more space for things you actually use!
  • Consider a new layout! Changing a room’s layout can make a huge difference + it’s free and simple. The new layout can also create a better traffic flow than before. Is everything that’s organized in the most beneficial location? If not, it’s time to make the move!
  • Instead of putting your usual decor back in its original spot, find a new place for it. Change it up — that’s what January is all about!
  • Make some updates! Now is the time to update an old piece of furniture whether it’s painting or reupholstering a chair. These little things can make a huge difference!
  • Mix it up. Take things from your bedroom and swap them with decor in the living room! Make things interesting and see your decor in a whole new light!
  • Tray Chic: Use trays to corral smaller items together. They are perfect in the living room, for instance,  to group candles with a floral accent. Or perhaps you could place one in the bedroom to display your perfume. You can find trays at Willard & May that are perfect for any of these examples and more!
  • With winter reaching most states, it’s gloomy, snowy, and nothing really grows. Which makes Willard & May’s Faux Forever Terrariums great for rejuvenating your house and bringing in some greenery. Willard & May has a variety of different terrariums to choose from and you can even customize them yourself!

wm-refresh-colorYou can find these refreshing items and many others at willardandmay.com [Clockwise from top to left: Forever Terrarium-Grass | Forever Terrarium-Square | Forever Terrarium-Cylinder | Forever Terrarium-Bubble | Forever Terrarium-Large Bubble | 3 Elm Pots on Tray | Colorful Sleek Lanterns ]

With these tips, your house is sure to have a fresh and rejuvenated feel. Help get yourself out of that winter funk and ready for the spring! We’d love to hear what you think or what you’ve done to rejuvenate your living space — let us know your ideas to help with winter home rejuvenation in the comments below!

team-signature1

Gift Wrapping 101

Gifts, Outdoor Decor, Outdoor Party, Pin Inspiration

With Thanksgiving over and whether you did your Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping or not you need to start wrapping all those gifts you bought for all the special people in your life. Whether you are an early bird and already finished your holiday shopping or just getting started and are cutting it close to the big day, use these great tips for wrapping the perfect present!

  • Use fun wrapping paper
  • Use bows, string, ribbon, cinnamon sticks & any other fun type of embellishment
  • Add Fun gift tags – make your own (like we did), find some print outs online or buy some
  • Be creative & don’t be afraid to try something new
  • Pretty wrapping doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, so don’t let it be
  • To make things easier, buy a box for those hard to wrap gifts
  • Wrap gift cards in a unique way – music gift card with ear buds, coffee card in travel mug, Willard & May gift cards in any of our planters or other gifts
  • Drink hot cocoa and crank up the Christmas tunes while wrapping gifts

DSC_0084-2 DSC_0201-2 DSC_0118-2 (Source: Willard & May, Photo Credit: Stephanie Osiecki)

Haven’t found that gift yet for that hard to buy person, well you’re just in luck as we have gift cards that are sure be the perfect gift they’ll love! With an added bonus that it’s easy and wrap free!

We’d love to hear what you think, let us know your creative gift wrapping ideas this season!

team-signature1

Winter’s Latest Holiday Trends!

Before & After, Gifts, Pin Inspiration, Store, Weekend DIY

This Holiday season make sure you’re up to date on the latest trends! You won’t want to miss these great ideas for your Holiday parties and celebrations! Spoiler Alert: You will definitely be seeing a lot of winter terrariums this season!

wm-holiday_trends2013{Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 }

So if you want to be trendy during this Holiday season, follow our tips, decide which ones you like the most and incorporate them into your home! You’ll be sure to have the trendiest decor, that people will be talking about! Find some of these items at Willard & May!

We’d love to hear what you think, let us know your favorite trend this season and how you’re incorporating them into your Holiday festivities this season!

team-signature1

Fall to Winter Birding

Beautiful Outdoors, Birds, Store, Weekend DIY

Fall is a great time to start getting into birding and is very easy to attract autumn birds with our simple tips! A lot of people don’t realize how early fall migration actually starts. August through October are the peak months, although migration does continue into December for some species, especially the shorter-distance birds. There is a common misconception that feeding or attracting birds during the migratory season will interrupt their migration, which in fact will not. So don’t be concerned!

Use these great tips for the perfect fall birding season:

  • Offer nutritious fall foods such as: sunflower seeds, nuts, peanut butter and suet
  • Start winterizing your bird houses (see winter tips below)
  • Ignore your leaves and build a brush pile for an instant shelter

IMG_5568 (Source: Willard & May, Photo Credit: Stephanie Osiecki)

Winter is just right around the corner and while you’re doing your fall clean up outside, keep those bird houses out there! Birds suffer when the temperatures turn colder, but with the help of your bird houses, they can survive even the coldest nights and storms!

Check out our tips for winter birding:

  • Position the bird houses and shelters towards the most sunlight to take in more heat
  • Provide insulating materials in houses and shelters, add more perches to accommodate more birds
  • Prune in the spring rather than the fall so that the birds can take advantage of extra insulating spaces that cover throughout the winter

By providing shelter for backyard birds you will attract a wide range of species that will visit year-round. We have some great options at Willard & May to choose from, to protect the birds in your neighborhood!

bird_houses You can find these styles of bird houses and many others at willardandmay.com [1.Bird Villas, 2. Nesting Box A Frame, 3. Copper Roof Bird House, 4. Sea Grass Nesting Pocket, 5. Sparrow Apartment Building]

Also, be sure to check out this great weekend DIY project for the birds! tree+5 (Source: Robin Beck)

We would love to hear from you, let us know what you use to help protect the birds in your neighborhood!

team-signature1

Amaryllis Autumn Decor

Gardening, Gifts, Pin Inspiration, Store, Weekend DIY

wm_fall_amaryllis

Amaryllis are truly a one of a kind flower. They are one of the easiest bulbs to bring bloom and can be grown indoors or outdoors for an extended period of time. Its botanical name is Hippeastrum, so don’t be fooled if you come across that name. Amaryllis come in a variety of shades of red, pink, salmon, orange and white. Some can be striped or multicolored. Amaryllis are the perfect way to brighten up any cold day.

Here at Willard & May we treat each pot as if it were a small garden or tiny yard. One amaryllis in a single pot can look a bit lonely, but when staged in groupings or massed in one pot, they are dramatic. To ensure flowering we like to stagger the plantings.

Here are a few quick tips on amaryllis:

  • Planting Period: October – end of April
  • Flowering Period: Late November – end of June
  • Flowering Time: 6-10 weeks
  • Larger bulbs produce more flowers
  • Always store un-planted bulbs in a cool place between 40-50 degrees F and out of sunlight to prevent them from pre-mature growth
  • Plant bulb up to its neck
  • Use a nutritious compost when planting

During the holidays amaryllis are a great accent in your home decor. Use some of our ideas for showcasing your amaryllis. Take a look at how we like to showcase the beautiful amaryllis in the fall!

  • Set a potted amaryllis inside a holiday wreath with accents of berries, beads, pumpkins or pine cones for an instant and easy centerpiece
  • Showcase your amaryllis in an entryway to create a warm holiday welcome to your guests as they enter your home
  • Add cut amaryllis blooms to a tall, clear vase filled with cranberries, pine cones, acorns, etc., in the base for a colorful bouquet, perfect for a centerpiece or a great accent to a mantle
  • Add greenery and candles around your vase or pot of amaryllis for a simple and easy centerpiece

IMG_5073-1 IMG_5017-2 (Source: Willard & May, Photo Credit: Stephanie Osiecki)

a7ad4346de3bbe4c9fcd921f91e59310 (Source: Hannas Sjarmerende Jul)

9HOLIDAY04-amaryllis-centerpieces (Source: Party Resources)

The possibilities are endless, this colorful flower is sure to be a great part of your celebration. You can find these amaryllis bulbs at Willard & May + receive FREE shipping on amaryllis!

wm_freeshipamaryllis

team-signature1