The April Edition
Hop to it!
Happy April and Happy Spring!
What a wonderful welcome to the new season we’ve had here in the UK with an abundance of sunshine and with it - new buds, new life, renewed hope and a wave of greenery from the tops of the trees right down to the hedgerows and grass underfoot, transforming the landscape and replacing the rather long stick season.
My flowery tip this month is a spring wreath (you could use it for Easter celebrations too with the addition of some blown speckled quails eggs perhaps) - the latest in my The Magic of Flowers series for YouTube.
My Willow Loves this month have a summer flavour about them (stripes and gingham, raffia and reads etc). We’ve also rounded up an easter edit (because who doesn’t love a little easter egg hunt in style) and a sportswear edit too (perhaps to balance out the chocolate feasting but in any case it feels good to get outside and stretch the winter away).
My Last Supper is back! This time we’ve asked the brilliant Laura Jackson what her dream final feast might be and has us counting down to summer.
April also means asparagus is in season and we’ve got a delicious tart recipe to serve, outside in the sunshine (here’s hoping), on Easter weekend.
Finally, we round up things to do or book ahead for this month including some wellness regimes to kick start a wellbeing habit for Spring…
I hope you enjoy!
This is my monthly free edition, but every Friday (except the Friday before a monthly Sunday edition), I send out an email to my paid subscribers with flowery, fashion, food and wellness content, and other related posts in between.
Wishing you all a wonderfully happy and healthy month ahead wherever you are!
With Love,
Willow
PS. this is a long read so might be best to read in app/web browser (just in case it cuts off in your email).
PPS. A note on our edits - all brands are lovingly chosen by me and my team. For some of them, we may receive an affiliate sale if you purchase an item.
Willow Loves
Gingham, raffia, candy stripes & all things spring in my step...
Top row, left to right
Going gingham with Boden linen in kingfisher blue
This had me with the ‘bounce back’ name and it really does deliver!
Raffia oh raffia! A perfect summer tote from Rae Feather
Candy strawberry striped beauties from Boden, be quick!
Our paper Posie flower trays make every surface prettier (plus they’re on sale!)
Ecru denim from Me&Em over everything please
Willow Loves… (6 more - from bikinis to books!)
(scroll to the end for our paid subscribers)
Flowery Trick - Spring wreath
My new spring series of The Magic of Flowers for YouTube is about to launch and I can’t wait to share. The first episode is How To Create A Spring Wreath. You can watch it here on YouTube. I’ve used mini muscari bulbs (grape hyacinth) and moss with an old recycled wreath and wild honeysuckle tendrils. You could pop some speckled quail eggs to make it an Easter wreath. Either way, I hope you can try it and bring some colour and joy to your Spring doorways…
Easter Spoils
It’s fun to go a little kitch at Easter - with nods to chickens and eggs and bunnies and spring. Get creative with presents and decor, making it a fun celebration for young and old(er), whether you’re hosting an egg hunt, a picnic or a family celebration…
Clockwise, top left
Meri Meri felt bunny garland
Not Another Bill rainbow picnic blanket
Kirstie Le Marque gold plated, diamond and enamel egg pendant necklace
Meri Meri bunny basket
Mrs Alice gingham picnic basket
Byredo La Tulipe eau de parfum
Willow Crossley Brass Bluebells in pot
Daylesford viola chocolate bar
Fortnum & Mason Henrietta chocolate
Rowen & Wren hand painted egg cups
Willow Crossley Oak Leaf Loving Cup (centre)
Willow Crossley pink & white striped jug / vase
The Chocolate Gift Company Half Dozen Eggs
Willow Crossley Sow Vital Seed Collection
Willow Crossley Blue Stripe linen mix tablecloth (background)
My Last Supper - Laura Jackson
My Last Supper is back by popular demand! It’s still one of our favourite family games. We play constantly; by ourselves around the kitchen table, with friends on holiday; in the car on the school run. It never fails to excite.
Our guest this month is the brilliant Laura Jackson - co-founder and creative director of Glassette and fellow substacker at The Margarita Chronicles. So the most perfect guest to inspire a last supper of dreams.
As always we ask:
What would you have for your last meal on earth? A drink, a starter, a main course and pudding? You never get full and you can be wherever you want in the world…
Portscatho in Cornwall on the beach with all my mates. I would be drinking spicy mezcal margaritas, champagne and a cup of tea later.
I would have scallops for starter, that have been done on a BBQ, with a load of bread and butter followed by lobster and chips with homemade mayo. Pudding would be chocolate mousse.
Let’s get outside!
Exercising becomes a lot easier at this time of year when the days are longer and the outside beckons… whatever you’re doing, these 12 sportswear picks might just inspire a witness to fitness…
Clockwise, top left
Mango Pleated skirt with contrasting finish, Ecru
Mango Hooded message print sweatshirt, Brown
COS Ribbed Tank Top White
Beauty Pie Moisturizing Shea Butter Suds Body Wash
Prada Brand-plaque woven visor
Mango Shopper bag with embroidered message, Navy
Not Another Bill Personalised Ocean Bottle
Sporty & Rich Vendome Resort Jersey Tapered Track Pants
Valley Ollie DoubleSoft Jersey shorts, Bright Blue
FSZSAA Striped Retro Crew Socks
Nixon DISK Digital Watch, Oceanic
Not Another Bill Pebble AirPod Case, Cobalt
In Season… Asparagus
The ultimate seasonal treat for April is asparagus. Enjoy it while you can as the season for British crops only lasts about 6 weeks.
Vegetables to harvest or buy this month include asparagus, rhubarb, purple sprouting broccoli, spring cabbage & spring onions
Vegetables to sow or plant outside this month include beetroot, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, leeks, peas, radishes, rocket, spinach, & swiss chard
Recipe - Asparagus Tart
with honey & mustard sauce
Buttery, flaky, slightly creamy, and very seasonal… using store-bought puff pastry to keep this nice and easy. The tart is filled with a layer of creamy mascarpone cheese and fresh asparagus. Baked until golden and drizzled with a sweet honey mustard sauce. This is the perfect spring appetiser or easy throw-together weekend lunch…
Ingredients…
½ lb (about 2 small bunches) asparagus
1 (14 oz) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
8 oz mascarpone cheese
sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp water
garnish: fresh dill leaves
Instructions…
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prep the asparagus by trimming off the tough ends (about 1-2 inches off of each spear). Peel the asparagus.
Place a piece of parchment paper onto a sheet pan. Unfold the puff pastry and lay it flat onto the parchment. Spread the mascarpone cheese in an even layer onto the dough, leaving about a 1” border. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange the asparagus in an even layer over top the mascarpone. Season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Fold the edges of dough up and over the asparagus. Lightly press the creases together so that the pastry is secure.
Drizzle the edges with olive oil. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are golden and the asparagus is tender.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the honey, dijon mustard, and water. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
Cut the tart into pieces and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with fresh dill leaves.
Recipe courtesy of www.theoriginaldish.com
Spring Wellness
It’s the time of year when we throw open the doors and have a spring clean. And that can include a fresh approach to well-being. Here are some supported regimes to kick start a fresh seasonal approach to wellness…
Balance You Spring Cleanse Guide
The wonderful Ayurveda Health & Nutrition Coach Henny from Balance You has just launched a Spring Cleanse Guide - a 34 page downloadable guide with information on why to cleanse now, how to prepare for it, a daily 7 day schedule to follow, plus recipes, rituals & more. It’s only £17 and you can purchase here.
Deliciously Ella’s Feel Better App
I have repeatedly failed to get myself to an actual real life pilates class - I am convinced this is what is going to cure my back - so have taken to doing it at home via this brilliant app which also has yoga, recipes, meditations and lots more. I’m especially loving the classes taught by my wonderful friend Chloe Hodgson
R Health Club with Rose Ferguson - April Retreat
(starts 22 April as part of membership or can purchase separately)A 7-day immersive at-home retreat, designed to help you rebuild, restore, and refocus after the indulgence of Easter. It’s a structured yet flexible programme that blends movement, plant-based nourishment, and deep recovery practices to leave you feeling energised, balanced, and fully in control of your health
Caroline’s Circuits - offer for Spring
If you’ve followed Carolines Circuits on instagram you’ll know how she makes it look easy. But the beauty is that you can do these circuit classes using weights from home live or from a recording several times a week for £35 a month. This Spring, there is a 20% discount (add Spring to checkout) for your first month
April Arts & Culture
What to see, visit & plan this month…
Don’t miss our Easter Flash Sale! Until Tuesday or while stocks last…
Visit the Tulip Festival at Hampton Court Palace - 11th April - 5th May
Watch the Boat Race (Oxford vs Cambridge) along the London Thames on 13th April
Take children to the Daylesford Easter Celebrations in the Market Garden Event on 19 April
Bring the outside in with Susannah Taylor’s newly launched floral fine art prints
Book tickets to Glyndebourne Summer Festival starting 16 May
Book Sarah Raven’s Spring (Tulips) Open Garden at home in East Sussex (dates from 24 April)