Color Palette No. 10 - Navy Blue and Crisp White

There is nothing more classic then the navy blue and crisp white color palette. It never loses its refreshing welcome.

Do you spy the leopard carpet? Told ya animal print is classic!



I usually give you a few of my paint picks for a color palette but this is one you just don't mess with.  This is the perfect navy blue paint color of choice:

Sherwin Williams SW6244 Naval

That is until they can duplicate the shade of this guy's eyes...

Image Sources: Barclay Butera, Decor Pad, House Beautiful, Veranda, Sherwin Williams



Be Inspired No. 24 - Design Bust

It started out of envy, this head bust love of mine. A dear friend invited me over to his new place and as it goes when you move to a new environment, there were some accessories on display he had packed (hidden) away at his old place.

I feel in love with this Phrenology Head gazing at me from his living room console. It was love at first sight. And since this dear friend didn't think we belonged together, this bust and I, I was on the hunt for one of my own. I now have 2. This first one I stumbled upon was a darling little six inch high one. And the second one is twice the size.

Some of the most stunning pieces of art are in bust form.

Bringing a bust home to your space is one of the most fun finds you will experience! And you don't need a pedestal to display it.

Image Sources: House Beautiful, Veranda, Running Into Myself, Captmondo, Elle Decor

RSVP Collection No. 27 - Serving Trays

I love research, for I have to share that when working on this blog post I searched for an image of a butler and had to smile when images of Gerard Butler came up. (heehee). Okay so back to the subject! I love serving trays for their versatility.

Hors d'oeurves taste better, a cup of tea is sweeter, after dinner drinks smoother on the palette, a beautifully written message holds the importance it deserves, and a display of little trinkets becomes the center of attention all when served up on a platter.

Love this Christian Dior monogrammed platter!

Trays of copper seem to go hand and hand with fresh baked breads.

Trays are art forms of their own. And I love this painted "Bernardo" tray.

Oh hello there my vintage Chanel serving tray. Won't you look just perfect in my bedroom?

I have a set of two of these faux python trays. Love them!

And don't forget to raid Grandma's vintage silver!

And just so you can appreciate all my hard work doing research for the blog.....

Image Sources: Wordpress, Powerstone, Global Views, Ibride, Patisserie Beatrix Ball, Replacements.com



Merry Christmas from Willow Bee Inspired!

Make this Christmas the most meaningful one yet!

RSVP Collection No. 29 - Tequila Bars

Tequila Bars

1-12 oz. box vanilla wafers

3/4 c. unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted

1/2 c. fresh lime juice

1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

honey for drizzling (optional)

1/2 c. pine nuts

1/3 c. tequila

5 large egg yolks, plus 2 egg whites

1 T. sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse the wafers and pine nuts in a food processor until ground up well. Add the butter and blend until evenly mixed. Set aside 1/4 c. crumbs; press the rest evenly into a 9" x 13" baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 15-18 minutes. Cool. 

In medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the tequila, lime juice, egg yolks, and condensed milk. In another medium bowl, beat the egg whites and sugar with an electric mixer until they hold soft peaks.

Gently fold the egg whites into the tequila mixture. Spread the filling evenly over the crust and bake for 25 minutes; cool. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight before cutting. Drizzle with honey, if desired.

Welcome Home No. 1 - Artwork

I'm back! Thank you for your patience during my move to a new home. I am still getting settled in. Having fun finding new homes for many of my favorites.

 And I have to tell you that I knew the importance of artwork prior to this transition, but it has moved up on my must-haves when your place in life changes.  Artwork offers something familiar and comforting, yet creates a quiet newness to a unfamiliar home.  So choose your artwork with care - let it move you, make you smile, draw you in, and remind you of those moments when happiness is at its highest point.  Because when you surround yourself with artwork selected this way - it will never stop giving you that emotion.

I'm excited to be back to the blog!

Be Inspired No. 23 - To Be...

I am in the process of packing to move to my new home. Please be patient while I get settled. I will be back with new blog entries Monday!  See you soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. 

It turns what we have into enough, and more. 

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. 

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. 

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. 

Melody Beattie

Gotta Love No. 13 - Chaos into Cool

How awesome is it that sometimes capturing an image by photography can turn chaos into cool?

Seriously, cool.

Knock, knock!

Oh, the treasures to be had!

The paper obsessed in me says yum!

Who says peeling paint isn't cool?

Image Sources:  Dirt Floor, Superstock UK, Jayson Home and Garden

Garden Design No. 5 - Holiday Terrariums

With the Christmas holiday quickly approaching I've been receiving numerous e-mails from retailers showing off their holiday offerings. A recent one from Terrain at Styers (my all-time favorite garden shop) caught me gawking. The subject was holiday terrariums.

What a lovely winter scene. It reminds me of an enlarged snow globe (with much more class then those obscene lawn ornaments!)

With a quick trip to your local garden center and one to the craft store, you'll have all you need to create your own enchanting scene.

Use your creativity to come up with the perfect glass container for your holiday terrarium. And while you are at it - this would make a great hostess gift so make multiples.

How adorable would these ornament terrariums be on a woodland-themed Christmas tree?

Image Sources:  Terrain at Styers, Design Sponge, House to Home UK

RSVP Collection No. 28 - Serving Cheeses

It's that time of year to stock up the pantry with a few holiday entertaining staples for those planned and impromptu gatherings of friends. 

A well-presented platter is of my favorite ways to entertain. With a cheese platter at the top of the list. With very little preparation, it is a feast at which relaxed great conversation can flow.

Staples for the pantry include great cheeseboard accompaniments like olives, dried fruit such as figs and mirabelles, almonds and walnuts, and some good crusty bread and water crackers. And don't forget the wine!

For optimal flavor, serve cheeses at room temperature. Remove them from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes prior to serving. Don't overwhelm your guests with too many choices. Always serve crusty bread or water crackers to cleanse the palate between cheeses. Remember to avoid placing delicately flavored cheeses alongside strong, pungent cheeses as the stronger aroma will overpower the lighter.

Hard cheeses take longer to come to room temperature than soft ones. When you take it out, leave the cheese wrapped so that the exposed surfaces don't dry out.  To cut any cheese properly—hard or soft —use a good chef's knife (a good all-purpose utility knife). 

Happy celebrations!


Image and Content Sources: Olive Bar, London; Wegmans; Little Brown Pen; Wisteria; The Art of Serving Cheese

Rooms I Love No. 2

Rooms I love just because they have that "something" that catches you staring.

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Pinterest, Eric Cohler, Windsor Smith

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 18 - Chevron

I love twists on historic designs. The modern bold take on the chevron makes a statement as an accent in home decor that completes a room with a bit of sassy attitude. This inverted v-shaped pattern can historically be found in reference to a wood floor design as well as on badges, insignia, heraldry and flags.

The chevron pattern drapery is simply stunning!

Tiled chevron pattern...exquisite!

This stair runner in chevron pattern is so architectural.

Image Sources: Stephen Gambre, Because I'm Addicted, Decor Pad, Elle Decor