Mom’s Gentle Christmas, Holiday Sales & REST

Back from Arizona after a visit with family, and of course my parents had their halls decked weeks prior to Thanksgiving. Hahaha. My mom collects all sorts of things and always has so seeing her decorations is like time traveling. I also loved singing with my sister and nieces, all of them blessed with beautiful voices. To harmonize together at a time in our culture when division is everywhere? Priceless. Mom’s Gentle Christmas, Holiday Sales & Rest is comin’ at ya. Hitting sales this week as I am? Start with links here to support small business Saturday too in one fell swoop!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Mom’s Gentle Christmas, Holiday Inspiration & SALES

If you have a moment, please watch this. The music is me recently singing and playing the piano you see in all my photos (it is my childhood piano). It is my version of “Oh Little Town.” Of course I have to add extra elevation at the end. The white piano in my mom’s living room in Arizona is also mine – it’s the one I bought for our Arizona home before we sold it, and my parents were kind enough to keep it for me. 🙂

OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, HOW STILL WE SEE THEE LIE/ABOVE THY DEEP AND DREAMLESS SLEEP, THE SILENT STARS GO BY/YET IN THY DARK STREET SHINETH THE EVERLASTING LIGHT/THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS ARE MET…ARE MET…ARE MET IN THEE TONIGHT

I captured images in secret and didn’t want to disturb their dining room table which was covered with their personalized Christmas cards. Addressing them takes time since they have so many friends and family members. I think they send 400-500 cards. No, not kidding. Their introverted daughter needs a nap just thinking about that many friends.

And that brings me to the topic of rest. Every year I say I’ll prioritize it more, won’t feel guilty when I’m not productive, and plan to travel to dreamland more and more. Yet I still struggle. So conditioned by capitalism and churching to not even desire rest, I’m a work in progress.

Escaping the Hustle & Bustle

Immersing myself in beautiful interiors and design is one way I rest my mind and spirit.

I hope I can help you to rest in a small way with this pocket of inspiration.

Above: The Pink Clutch shared her entry on Jenny Williamson’s Holiday Home Tour (I was a participant right here.) Pink is utterly cheerful with bright blue and Chinoiserie!

On that holiday home tour, we were treated to festive bedrooms, and if Pink Christmas were a competition, Jennifer’s pink check beribboned wreath wins!

In my own home, I am famous for bringing out my pointe shoe collection for the softer side of pink…European peachy pink to be precise.

Ballet slippers feel nostalgic as I was once the daydreaming sugar plum fairy.

I checked out ballet books from the library and used the towel bar in our bathroom to practice. No lessons until college (we were too poor!) when I was shocked by the painful intensity of dance.

I discovered I was not nearly as flexible or strong as I imagined!

Not being great at something shouldn’t keep you from it.

Again, I am not a good slower downer and rest girl, but I’m working at it.

Confessions of a Blogger Tired of Social Media

Blogging and content creation seem like clever ways to earn a living, but I say DON’T DO IT! I need rest because my health is wobbly. But also because of the competition, perseverance, changing landscape of Google, headaches, and hours of creative work. And inspiration blogging? No one imagines you need any help at all and may assume you’re rich with resources magazines have.

Everyone wants you promoting their work, product and cause for free but rarely return the favor. Am I ungrateful? Nah. But every once in awhile, a reality check here seems in order. Folks wonder why all the ugly disruptive ads on every site? But the content here is still free. Is anyone ready to do their job without receiving an income?

Am I retiring? Heavens, no. I’m looking for the next creative side hustle. Are you hiring? Will write in exchange for macarons. Hahaha.

With a lonely job, I need home to consistently offer a soft landing. Little pops of pink never hurt. These pink roses from Grace Rose Farm on our former coffee table are favorites, and I sometimes order them during the holidays.

Pink Christmas Romance

Speaking of pink roses…ever decorated a Christmas with a pink theme?

There is certainly not just one way to execute a pink holiday theme. And fine, a little Christmas red will do:

If you love Old World and French inspired style, you’ll love this:

Isn’t it grand and timeless!?!

My tree is up, but the best tree decorating is truly for maximalists.

Pink macarons or frosted cookies are a delicious way to introduce pink, and they always cheer me right up!

Old World Style Meets Pink

There’s nothing like an amazing vase, urn, or planter full of these beauties!

There’s something so pretty about pink candles, and with this scheme with sage green…

Youthful & Pretty Pinks

If you love the design of Bria Hammel, you will enjoy her beautiful shop named for her children, BROOKE AND LOU, which offers gorgeous holiday items. This moment from a couple years back inspires with its soft pink!

Brighter, hotter pinks can be festive at Christmas too:

How about lipstick pinks and magenta on a tree?

Also in Atlanta’s Holiday House treasury of pretty holiday moments, a framed pink scarf!

Pink Beauties from Black Friday Sales

Pink Gingham Ribbon Wrapped Christmas Gifts

Inspiring Pink Plaster Walls

Bright Pink Stripes With Dreamy Whites

Crafty Holiday Pink Things

I’m gonna see if my sisters want to make felt tree toppers like this gal:

And I’ve always wanted to make one of these:

Pretty in Pink Glassware

If you have a moment, do check out my PINTEREST BOARDS and be sure to re-PIN pretty inspiration for Christmas decorating ideas!

Pink Around My House

Also, SEE pink paint color ideas HERE!

Get Inspired a Holiday Showhouse!

Thanks so much for shopping here!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.