Rainbow Brights

If Santa would only bring me a J. Crew party dress in every color of the rainbow, I'd definitely be good all year long! Can you imagine all these beauties wrapped up under the tree?

Photos from here. 

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. 

Twelve Days

Is Christmas really twelve days away? While I can't quite believe that, here are some Etsy finds -- paintings, prints, jewelry and more -- inspired by the twelve days of Christmas!

First day: A partridge in a pear tree.

Second day: Turtle doves.

Third day: French hens.

Fourth day: Calling birds.

Fifth day: Golden rings.

Sixth day: Geese a laying.

Seventh day: Swans a swimming.

Eighth day: Maids a milking. 

Ninth day: Ladies dancing.

Tenth day: Lords a leaping. 

Eleventh day: Pipers piping. 

Twelfth day: Drummers drumming. 

Tradition

This weekend brought a holiday tradition: choosing a photo for our family Christmas card. My parents started sending out an annual card when I was a baby, and the convention has continued ever since. Today, it includes husbands, sometimes our dogs and now my little nephew.

There's always a bit of drama involved. As kids, my sister and I dreaded the day we'd have to go out and take the photo. Our once-hippie parents almost always wanted to shoot outdoors. So there was the year we had to sit up in a tree and the time we crouched amid snowy bushes in our front yard. More recently, the challenge is us six adults agreeing on one photo. It's no easy task! But it's always fun, and I cherish that we have these annual pictures of our family.

This photo is one of my favorites. If this shot is the best one of the bunch that year -- with me clutching a cracker, my sister laughing between bouts of crying and our hair flying in the wind -- I'd love to see the outtakes!

Photo by my parents. 

True Colors

I find the artwork of Claire Desjardins so encouraging. Her paintings are bright and exuberant but also feel contemplative and personal. She writes in her artist statement, "My work is about me and my existence in this world. It reflects my journey on this planet, and the context in which I fit: sometimes melding with the flow of my environment, sometimes feeling quite separate ..."

I hope you have a beautiful, colorful weekend!

Photos from here. 

Swank Digs

Hillary Swank strikes me as an actress with maturity who really has it together. And seeing her Manhattan apartment makes me believe it even more. It's so calm and sophisticated, no?

Photos from here via here. 

Midweek Motivation

Sometimes we can all use a little pick-me-up. Here are some lovely words and pictures, via Pinterest, to keep us inspired on this winter Wednesday.

Photos from here.