Here's to 2009!

"May the best of the past be the worst of the future." - Irish Blessing

I wish each and every one of you the brightest, best possible year in 2009. 2008 has been somewhat of a challenging year for so many of us and I must say, I am ready to put it to bed. Here's hoping that 2009 is a wonderful year!

I'm never very good about resolutions. I always make them, but I hardly keep them. Last year it dawned on me that perhaps, I should take a different approach. I have mentioned on a few occasions that I am obsessive about making to-do lists. I make at least one every day and get so much satisfaction out of checking things off my list as I have accomplished them. So, for 2008, instead of writing resolutions, I created a to-do list for the year. I must say, I was much more successful and accomplished about 90% of it! So, without further ado, I present to you my to do list for 2009.

To-DO List for 2009

1. Find a fulfilling, PAYING job (the crux of 2008)
2. Surround myself with positive people and try not to sweat the small stuff
3. Go back to Spain with my husband
4. Visit New York in the fall
5. Get my side projects up and running and work hard to make them successful (more on this soon!)
6. Work out regularly. Better yet, sign up and complete a boot camp.
7. Try to be a better wife, daughter, sister, friend and show the people I love how much they mean to me.

8. Read more

9. Take a French refresher course

10. Hopefully add to our family

Tales from the Land of the Pyramids - Mt Sinai in Egypt

I've been very lazy about putting the rest of my albums

together from my Egypt and Jordan trip. I thought I would

share some tales from where my mum and I traveled from

Cairo to Mt. Sinai in September.

The snapshot above was taken from the mini van on the way to

Mt. Sinai. Quite a desolate area. During the time, there had been

some Europeans who had been kidnapped in Egypt and the Egyptian

government had decided all Americans and Brits needed tourism

police escorts. Mind you, the Europeans kidnapped were extremely

far from the normal tourist route near the Sudanese border. My mom

and I have never been on a tour where we've been outnumbered by our

escorts...We took a very small tour and it happened to be that we were

the only ones to continue to Jordan and Mt. Sinai was one of the stops

along the way.

I think a lot of people don't realize the lengths that the Egyptian
government tries to protect the tourism industry there as it is
most definitely their main source of revenue. It's tough when your
country is 95% desert and they only have enough oil for themselves -

not enough to export. I thought one of the most fascinating facts

about the Nile River is that it's the only river in the world to run from

the South to the North instead of the other way around. This is why

the South of Egypt is called Upper Egypt and the North of Egypt is called

Lower Egypt - it follows the direction of the Nile River rather than North

or South on a political map.

So there were we were, the two of us with a driver, a guide, and

a tourism police escort...

On the way, I asked the driver to stop when I saw this lovely

camel by the side of the road. We opened the van door and I

was able to catch a shot as he was heading away. Mind you,

this was before I actually got on a camel in Jordan which

scared the living daylights out my mom and I. A story for a

later post... Some things are better admired from afar or

through a lens or ridden in an open area...

When we reached our hotel in the middle of the mountains,

there was a nice bedouin tent set up by it.

Of course, complete with a souvenir shop.

I, for one, would never complain about

shopping.

What really amused me was when I peaked inside the tent.

In the corner was a full computer and fan all wired up. You

would never be able to tell from the outside of the tent that

there was anything electronic, much less a computer with a

connection to the internet inside. This is what I call, modern

Bedouin living.

At night, the place transformed into

a wonderful place for a party.

Isn't the inside cool?

We had tea to boot.

Here's my mom outside with our very

nice guide in front of the fire.

But the party was definitely inside the tent and let me tell

you, if you ever travel - it's the Brazilians who are always

the life of the party.

They even got all dressed up to party.

After the exciting night, we turned in and made it

to a monastery called St. Catherines in the middle

of the mountains.

Of course I couldn't stop taking photos of the camels...

But I did find this man to be very clever. He was building a stone

structure and they obviously don't have stone or tile cutters there.

So he improvised by dribbling water onto the stone

as he was cutting so it wouldn't crack as he drilled.

And this is where the famed burning bush that

Moses spoke to - within St. Catherine's monastery.

You see everyone trying to touch it there.

Anyhow, the New Year is upon us and I hope

this has inspired some of you to travel or have

and adventure this coming year!

Happy New Year and be safe!

I will be returning next monday on January 5, 2009.

Love this sofa

From Paola Lenti

Hello Dolly!

I absolutely love Zac Posen's Pre-Fall 2009 collection. From what I can see, it is going to be a very good year. The vintage, 1940's inspired silhouettes are flirty and feminine, an aesthetic that is quintessentially Zac Posen. The looks are so gorgeous and glamorous, that they remind me of playing dress up!

The designer is seeking to inspire fashion aficionadas during trying times. "Saying that he hoped his show would inspire during challenging times, Zac Posen returned to the flirty, forties-inflected clothes that are his signature—and, as it happens, recall the look that was popular at the end of the Great Depression. For day, there were trumpet-skirted suits in sober wools, though Posen might prefer his customer play it carefree in a groovy eel-skin trench and leopard dress."

Posen's Ultra-Chic 1940's inspired "dolls"

While you wait to get your hands on some of the fabulous pieces from Posen's vintage-inspired collection, try your hand at these awesome "Retro Dress Me Up Dolls". They're the paper dolls of the digital era. I wasted an obscene amount of time dressing these dolls up yesterday. Check out my 1950's, 60's, 70's, and 80's dolls below. I personally think the 80's doll is a dead-ringer for Heidi Montag in her last "music" video.

Counting Blessings

C'est la vie

As the year comes to a close we have the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on our blessings. I count you, my readers, as a huge blessing in my life. Thank you!!! Willow Decor is labor of love and my sincere thanks for reading, and sharing your comments. I never imagined when I started writing this blog it would reach so many readers in so many countries. Your emails, comments and questions inspire me to be better each day. Wishing you all the best for the Holiday Season! I look forward to continuing the journey with you into 2009!

Peace!
Gina

Flikr

The RIN collection '09

The new RIN™ chair designed by Japanese designer, Hiromichi Konno; an elegant and futuristic design. The idea is to create a new type of chair that is in harmony with Japanese and Danish design traditions.

LINK

Mecox Gardens: A Stylish Addition to Houston

Mecox Gardens recently opened its eighth location in Houston. Located in Highland Village, the 8,000 square foot emporium of chic wares is a welcome addition to our city. The store carries many styles of furnishings, art, accessories, lighting, and antiques. There is literally something for everyone's aesthetic. I love Mecox because it is evident that every single piece in the store is thoughtfully selected. Despite the fact that so many styles are present (Swedish, Mid-Century, Hollywood Regency, Industrial, Traditional, Asian), they all work beautifully together. If I had my way, along with unlimited funds I would purchase every last item for my home at Mecox!

A section of the massive store... It is a design enthusiast's dream!


I thought this vignette was beautiful. The desk, chair, and lamps are fantastic!


A serene palette with hints of turquoise

An incredible horse triptych, rustic table, and Eiffel towers

Antique Asian Buffet, Christopher Spitzmiller Lamps, and Zebra Mirrors...need I say more?

There are so many incredible pieces in this photograph. I especially love the framed roman sketches on the wall.

This buffet is one of my favorite pieces in the store. The velvet and nailhead mirrors are so lovely in person.

The store is filled with unique chandeliers, both antique and reedition.

I love the color palette here. The brown from the zebra ottomans and owl painting and the orange from the gorgeous lamps. Such a rich combination!

The "cash wrap" as it's called in retail speak is rather stylish, naturally.

Mecox is home to a variety of great accessories, a plethora of must-have design books, and tables that are custom-made from reclaimed wood or concrete.

More orange and brown, as well as Asian influences

There are so many pieces in this room that I just love! The bed, the convex mirrors, the mirrored bedside tables, the gorgeous turquoise lamps...

One of the many beautifully made tables at Mecox Gardens

A more contemporary look featuring bright red Spitzmiller lamps and printed hyde faux zebra pillows

A series of fabulous mirrors and a pair of very unique lamps

This vignette looks so cozy and inviting to me. It's ultra-stylish without being pretentious.

I thought these busts were so cool! I saw something very similar, but made of leather at the San Francisco Decorator's Showcase House this year.

The mercury glass lamps seen here were among my favorite in the store.

Thank you to Bernadette and everyone else at Mecox for being such gracious hosts!