Happy Weekend!

This morning my mom, sister and nephew are piling into the car and heading up north. We'll spend the long weekend with my grandma, aunt, uncle, cousins and their children. It should be a full few days of babies, food, laughter and walks in the snowy woods. I can't wait.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo from here. 

Let there be Light

I understand today is the darkest day of the year. It's comforting to know the days ahead of this one will be more light-filled, that the rest of winter will not be any darker than today. And I love how we seek illumination this time of year, how our candles, lanterns and strings of twinkly lights cut into the darkness. It makes me think of this T.S. Eliot quote: "So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing."

Photos from here, here, here, here, here, here and here.  

Mountain High

I'm afraid we will not have a white Christmas this year. We've had a few flurries but the snow has melted quickly. No matter -- I'm going to daydream about this Montana ski lodge, featured in Elle Decor. I love the clean lines, soothing colors and hints of lodge style in the stone fireplace and wood beams. Maybe thinking of this place will calm me down as I do some last-minute Christmas shopping and prep the house for our holiday party tomorrow. Here's hoping!

Photos from here. 

Wintry Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend filled with lots of Christmasy activities. I baked cookies with my mom, went to "The Nutcracker" with a friend, and my husband and I listened to Christmas music as we repainted the kitchen. It's not necessarily the best timing to do the latter, but we need to finish this task before our Christmas party Thursday night -- yikes! We went to our friends' holiday party on Friday night, which was so much fun, and left as snow had just begun to fall. The following morning I woke up to sunshine and a snow-covered view. I so love this time of year!

Photo by me. 

Chalet Style

I'm not typically one for rustic style, but I must admit the headline on House to Home promising a "romantic Alpine chalet" drew me in. The home -- nestled in the French Alps, no less -- is a nice mix of woods, clean lines and cozy touches like faux fur throws and a roaring fireplace. I wouldn't mind tucking away here for Christmas, or maybe the rest of winter!

Photos from here. 

Just Enough

Apparently my yearning for spring was a bit premature. We just got smacked with another snowstorm. But it's actually very pretty and we're happily holed up at home, taking a bit more time than usual to ease into a Tuesday.

I'm not usually one for touches of rustic in design, but this home by m. elle design is pretty spectacular. I wouldn't mind spending a few snow days here.

Photos from here.

Gentle Reminder

This weekend was wonderful. My husband and I had a great time on our little getaway. We snowboarded, read by a fireplace, slept in and ate good food. A great mix! And while I'm doing better this year (so far anyway, but it's only January) about embracing winter, all the white snow and bare trees can get overwhelmingly bleak. That's why I'm grateful for artwork like these breathtaking watercolors by Susan Lynn. They remind me that, yes, the snow will eventually melt and the sky will be bright again and the earth will be filled with color.

Photos from here.

Ski Style

This weekend my husband and I are going away for a little ski getaway. I can't wait to hit the slopes! I love skiing but I'm also looking forward to taking walks through the snow and throwing on cozy sweaters and sipping drinks by a roaring fireplace. Here's what I'd like to pack for these pursuits:

* Gloves with a graphic print

* A beanie that looks a little bit rough

* Faux-fur mittens

* A knit hat with a cute pom-pom

* A button-down with soft lining

* A luxe wrap sweater

* Boots with attitude

* Rugged leather shoes

* A stylish duffel to throw everything in

* A soft blanket for cuddling

Happy weekend to all!

Chill Out

Up through Christmas and New Year's, I'm all for cold and snow. It sets the scene for the holidays, I think. But come mid-January, I start to resent the ice and slush and frigid temps. I'm going to do my best this year to not let that happen -- to embrace the chilliness that is so much a part of where I live. And perhaps this will be more fun if I focus on how to look chic in arctic conditions. These looks, highlighted on Refinery 29, are a great place to start. I'll try to keep visions of camel scarves, cape coats, faux-fur collars, colorful gloves and killer boots dancing through my head!

Photos from here.

White Out

After a very full and hectic week, it's quite nice to be forced to stay in this weekend. A big storm rolled through, canceling plans and keeping everyone in their homes. Outside, a thick blanket of snow is making everything brilliantly bright, and inside we're staying warm and not doing much at all.

The bright outdoor light brought to mind this fantastic Victorian, featured in Living Etc. White materials and simple-lined furniture seem the perfect counterparts to all the natural light this home gets. It's just lovely.

Photos from here.

Short and Sweet

There are a lot of cute booties out there, lovely little things with embellishments and peep-toes. And they're great if you live in a place where winter doesn't involve snow, ice and slush. But these short, neutral-hued boots, found on Piperlime, might hold up to the realities of my life -- and look pretty darn chic in the process.

I'm digging boots ...

with a little bow.

that have a sassy fold-over.

with a smart buckle.

that are slightly boyish.

with cozy knit detail.

Photos from here.

Now's the Time

Happy December! We got the first teensiest snow of the season today, and the temperature didn't pass thirty degrees. But it feels like time for this. I like winter weather in the days leading up to Christmas. I like how frigid air and snow set the tone for twinkling lights outside and warm get-togethers inside. It's a special time of year and I want to feel it all.

I find this photograph by Raceytay completely magical. Wouldn't Montreal be a lovely place to spend the holidays?

Photo from here.

Time to Hibernate

I'm looking forward to a little getaway with my honey this weekend. A cozy resort, lots of relaxing and maybe some snowshoeing. 

Happy weekend! 

Photo from here.

Cold-Weather Cool

It's my new goal to look this chic for the remainder of winter. 

Photo from here.

Beautiful Reminder

Winter challenges me. You see, I really don't like the cold. It gets to me, it wears me down. It turns me into a person who braces agains the cold and limits time spent outdoors to scurrying from door to door.

It shouldn't be this way. Even though it's cold and dark, there are moments of intense beauty, instances of incredible gentleness. I need to be more open to these elements of wintertime.

This breathtaking photo by SouleMama was a perfect reminder. I'm grateful!

Photo from here.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

But just like the song goes, it's truly delightful inside tonight. A blizzard is raging outside, but we're safe and warm and happy. I'm not sure what the storm will do to our holiday plans tomorrow and Friday, but I really can't ask for anything more than I have right now.

Photo from here.

Bare and Beautiful

One of my favorite wintertime sights is the silhouette of a tree. The fact that the leaves are gone reveals the lovely shape of the branches.

Artist Paul Farrell captures this brilliantly in his colorful series of prints, found on Rockett St George. Aren't they cool?

Photos from here.

Winter Wonderland

The other day, I ran across these stunning photos of a snowy New York City. They're by Jamie, the photographer and blogger behind From Me To You., for a special project for Simple Blueprint. I keep returning to these images because the stillness and quietness of them is so magical -- especially when you consider they were taken in one of the most dynamic places on earth. I don't know how she did it ... but I'm so glad she did!

Photos from here.

White Out

Speaking of winter whites, I should point out I'm not just digging it in home decor. I also want to wrap myself up in soft, silky or just plain pretty white clothes. Clothes like these three tops from Spool No. 72.

Can't you just imagine a great winter outfit built around each of these?

Photos from here.

Winter Whites

You'd think that with Mother Nature turning the outdoors white that I'd crave major color indoors. Hmmm ... but not really. Actually, I've been craving the simplicity and warmth of creamy, cozy winter whites.

And dress, design decor recently showcased some gorgeous photos from My Scandinavian Retreat that got this way with white down pat. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy this pure beauty!

Photos from here via here.