CHRISTMAS FOR TWO

At long last, a little time off for the Christmas holiday. My sweetie and I are headed to the mountains today where we'll be spending the holiday, just the two of us. We'll be skiing by day, sipping wine by night, and taking in the romance and relaxation of a white Christmas together!

Wishing you and your family all the joys of the season. I count your friendship and support amongst my greatest blessings!

Now, I'll be signing off for a bit...see you back here in the New Year!

With Love,

Crystal

*image from Neiman Marcus Holiday Book 2011 via Dustjacket

DECK THE HALLS WITH SCOT MEACHAM WOOD!

Just in case you're not already familiar with him, let me introduce you to the design work of one of my favorite people in the whole wide world, the talented Scot Meacham Wood, aka Tartanscot.

Last holiday season we featured Scot in Issue 2 of Rue magazine, which was wildly popular with our readers, especially with the men! And you can see why. It's masculine and warm, full of amazing textures and objects, and exudes an irresistible British charm.

So when I spotted these photos from this holiday season on Scot's facebook page yesterday, I fell in love with the space all over again.

I'm endlessly fascinated by designers who can layer like this! It's wonderfully full but doesn't feel overdone. I imagine walking into Scot's home is like being enveloped in the most cozy of feelings, and during the holidays, a true festive delight!

*photography by Nicolas Smith

CHEER UP!

With the chilly winter days, holiday shopping fatique, and a to-do list that only grows, I'm needing a little boost this morning, and these colorful interiors by the fabulous Sharon Taylor are doing the trick. You can't help but feel cheerful when looking at these!

And on that note, here's a nice reminder on doing what we have to do with a smile on our face...

DRAMA QUEEN

Isn't she a beauty? This image stopped me dead in my tracks with its dramatic lines and curves and theatrical colors and pieces.

The tulip chair sitting under that fierce wall scones is just too perfect for words. It's all about the white silhouettes popping against that dark backdrop, which is Farrow & Balls "Hague Blue." And don't you like the play on scale? We've got a tiny little flush mount ceiling fixture masterfully holding its own against all that drama below. I love.

*image via Traditional Home

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

Loving the nostalgia evoked with a photo collage just like these. They're the type of thing I bet you'd find yourself standing in front of for moments on end just looking and smiling. What a perfect way to keep loved ones and favorite memories close by always.

Have a beautiful weekend! I hope it's spent in exactly the way you hope it'll be!

xx

Crystal

P.S. Have you entered the Rugs USA giveaway yet? Today is the last day to enter!

*images via Domino, Rue Magazine, and Coco+Kelley

A MASSIVE GIVEAWAY: RUE PLAYS SANTA!

You didn't think we could publish a holiday issue without leaving you with a few presents, did you? It is the holiday season after all and nothing makes us happier than gift giving! Plus, we've got a lot to be grateful for over at Rue and this is our way of thanking you! the. best. readers. ever.

So, we've rounded up a grand prize package with over $2,000 (!!!) in amazing products just for you! One lucky reader will win all 15 of these fabulous gifts from our sponsors! And in true Rue fashion, we've got you covered in every department!

*DwellStudio Tubular Burst Object ($373); Crate & Barrel Nord Vase ($149); CB2 Ernest White Bar Cart ($149)

*QSW Left Bank Puffy Coat ($164) ; Glamorously Gray & Golden necklace by Elva Fields ($198 one of a kind, not sold online)

*DwellStudio Draper Stripe Ash Duvet Set ($280); Perricone MD hypoallergenic line ($277 total value); Molton Brown hand wash and lotion ($50); GHD scarlet collection limited edition flat iron ($225)

* Chronicle Books Lifestyle Roundup: Decorate ($35); The Liberty Book of Home Sewing ($28); Lotta Jansdotter Open Studios ($25); It's Lonely in the Modern World ($20); Nomad ($40)

Entering is easy, here's the scoop: Head to the holiday issue right here, turn to page 76, and tell me in the comments section below what room in the Captain Fairfield Inn you would most like to spend an afternoon. Easy, huh?

And guess what, you can enter up to four times, once on each of the four Rue editors' blogs to up your chances.

So head over and visit Cassandra, Bri, and Anne and enter again and again! Oh and if you're on twitter, tweet for ONE extra entry this phrase: "I wanna win the $2k @RueMagazine holiday giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/76u2dd9"

Easy as pie, right? Our winner will be chosen Wednesday, December 21st at 10am PST (US only).

Good luck and happy holidays!

xx

Crystal

NOTE TO SELF

Do you ever feel this way? You've got your to-do list staring you don't, but you just can't find the energy to do something about it? Well, let's not be hard on ourselves those days. It happens to the best of us, dontcha think?

Plus, tomorrow's a new day.

*image via Note to Self

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?

There's a cute new girl in town and she wants a little guidance and inspiration, she is The Everygirl. Big congrats to my good friends Danielle and Alaina on the announcement about their new online resource site. They'll be asking the questions nobody else does from young women who live inspiring lives and helping us live our best lives. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the official launch in February!

LATELY I'VE BEEN . . .

Waking up to the smell of our first Christmas tree. Sunday night we decorated, using gold and red as our theme, and sipped on wine in a living room lit with candlelight. It was perfect.

Finding the time to pick up books once again. Currently on my bedside: The Help (because I must read the book before I can watch the film) and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (because this classic teaches me something new every time).

Trying to collect as many memories as I can..like waking up early just to watch the sunrise.

Falling deeper in love each day with an extraordinary (and extraordinarily handsome) man.

Capturing life with my new Canon PowerShot SX230HS. A picture is forever.

*images via flickr, pinterst, etsy

GOLDEN DAYS

I don't know about you, but these gold-brushed bowls are going on my kitchen wishlist. They're wonderful for serving dry foods -- like nuts and chips -- from for your next party. And lets not forget the pretty little gold-finished coffee spoon, the perfect accompaniment to my morning cup of joe!

SWEDISH WINTER

Forget the furniture snobs, these shots are gorgeous and Ikea, once again, shows us that stylish can be affordable. Of course I love high end design as much as the next, but thank goodness for places like this when searching for the "low" in high-low style.

Plus, I think I'll be borrowing the last image for my holiday tabletop inspiration!

RUE'S HOLIDAY ISSUE IS HERE!!!

May we present, our most festive and sparkly issue yet...

In case you didn't hear, Rue's holiday issue dropped yesterday on virtual newsstands and the response makes our hearts melt with excitement and gratitude!

My favorites this issue? Our Dolly Parton inspired cover story is definitely at the top of the list. The talented Ms. Sage must have been feeling a bit nostalgic so she reached into the past to produce this one...and she kicked it out of the park, as usual (click here for outtakes and inspiration).

And then, there's our very own Bri Emery's downtown LA loft. Our Art Director is pretty much the coolest person I know and I think you'll agree, her home is just as stylish, fun, and colorful as she is!

And what would a holiday issue be without the gift guides. Our market editor, Cassandra killed it this issue. We've got something for every style, budget, and loved one in your life so hurry over and happy reading!

*images: Dolly via Lara Rossignol; Bri's Loft via Bonnie Tasang

ASHLEY STARK'S MANHATTAN PAD

How fabulous is Ashley Stark's Upper East Side apartment? I'm in love with her paint choices for the walls and all that fun, colorful art. It's the perfect balance of paying reverence to its prewar heritage (hello beautiful architecture!) and modernizing it with contemporary pieces. I'm pretty sure it'll make it into my favorite home tours folder asap!

P.S. Rue's Holiday issue goes live tomorrow morning, but until then, a sneak peek here and here!

CASED GOODS

Remember the casement windows in my Chicago apartment? I still dream about those and miss them like crazy...

So for now (until I can buy my dream house and deck it out with windows just like these ;) I'm living vicarously through images like these!

*images via here and here