clicks of note: i'm feelin' 32...

get your week off to a colorful start...

How are you all doing this week? Today just so happens to be my 32nd birthday and the first official day of summer break. This weekend we visited a favorite brewery and food truck, visited Roanoke's new Mellow Mushroom, and went to see a Beatles tribute band perform in the park. Today I'll be celebrating my birthday with my Bible study, and tomorrow we're going line dancing! This summer, it's time to stop being jealous of other people's lives on Instagram and really get out there and live my own.

SWOON.

Landon Jacob Photography via Southern Weddings

• From SW, a colorful and fun Magnolia Plantation wedding.
• Found Rentals' perfect midcentury modern wedding shoot.
• This Tuscany wedding from Ruffled is what dreams are made of.
• A sweet San Francisco e-sesh for a dancer and musician.

SMILE.

• The Love Actually short sequel has arrived in the U.S.!
• A blueberry peach chia bowl (How Sweet Eats) looks yummy.
• "Astrology Is Fake, But Brad Pitt Got Owned By A Gemini."
• Little girls are better at designing superheroes than... anyone.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: olive chinos styled two ways.
• 2015: My 80's birthday inspiration board.
• 2014: the #1 hit songs from my birthday every year, spring blog loves, and spring in IG.
• 2013: May entertainment faves.
• 2011: memorial day party inspiration, my "venue twins," and our invitations.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

Happy August, y'all. This week, I'm focusing on reminding myself to be content with what I have and with my current season in life. Can I get real for a minute? All summer, friends and family members keep asking how the house hunt is going. It's painful to have to say... "it's still going" when in truth we have found a one-of-a-kind home but it is out of our price range. Several friends are mamas-to-be, and I have to remind myself that it's not my time yet. Teachers head back to school today, and there's a part of me that feels like I should be further along, more accomplished in my career. More, more, more.  I often forget that comparison is the thief of joy, until I realize that I've spent fifteen minutes or half an hour scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and feel worse instead of better. Two posts that really resonated with me this week were "The Traps" at The Inspired Room and "Of Elder-flowers and Jealousy" at Design for Mankind.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

SWOON.

• From 100 Layer Cake, a boho wedding's cool ceremony arch.
• A gorgeous interfaith wedding in NYC from Snippet and Ink.
• At Style Me Pretty, a graphic designer's beautiful wedding.
• How cute is this sprinkle-covered pink birthday cake?

SMILE.

• August desktops: Organised Housewife, Smashing, Flipsnack.
• Lunchbox love: Lisa Frank zebra cakes from Studio DIY.
• Girl Meets World's season finale will be a big BMW reunion!
• On my wishlist for fall: J. Crew's cute, colorful signet purse.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: The SC Aquarium, a date night LBD outfit, midsummer in IG, fave fictional pets.
• 2014: My August favorites.
• 2013: The things I can't live without and punchy wardrobe picks.
• 2012: Brazilian pork chops, a hearts of palm and avocado salad, an avocado-coconut milkshake, and an Olympics Ring tie-dyed shirt.
• 2011: Orange wardrobe and home inspiration, rustic and modern fall wedding ideas.

my late spring in instagram.

As y'all know, Instagram is my favorite form of social media. Lately, I've been striving for a balance of "styled" shots that help me practice my photography skills and real, un-posed memories of small town life that I know will serve as a diary for years to come. I'm really happy with the result! Here's what I've been up to since spring break.

Spring break photography practice with some blossoms from

the trees around our townhouse and a few of my favorite

antiques - this espresso cup is from my parents' time spent

living in Germany and I can't pass up a blue Ball Mason jar!

My jewelry organization situation was reaching crisis mode, 

so I ordered this cute arrow hook from Urban Outfitters and

I'm in love with it. It's the little things! Spring break = real 

lunch without having to supervise 150 kids or rush to eat!

One of my town's gems - the Grainery, which is home to an

art gallery/store and glass blowing school/studio. I love the

Van Gogh inspired mural outside. | Someone got my yoga

teacher this fantastic gnome as a gift at the end of term.

My mom is from the Kentucky and watches the Derby religiously

every year. This year we celebrated at my house with virgin

mint juleps - the colorful paper straws reminded me of the 

jockeys' racing silks. | This spring I taught three boys I referred

to as my Musketeers on their best days and my Stooges all the

others - all three were on the baseball team and I loved going

to their last middle school game, where they shone like stars.

         

My Bestie and her husband came in from Seattle to visit their 

families and their trip just happened to coincide with our 31st 

birthday (we were both born on May 29th!). We celebrated in 

true Roanoke fashion with a very indulgent brunch at Thelma's 

Chicken & Waffles, visiting a downtown event for a photo op with 

a mini horse, an adult big wheel ride on the Greenway with my tribe, 

homemade ice cream from Hits, and dinner at Beamer's 25 in honor 

of Bestie's love for Virginia Tech (as a Wahoo, this is true friendship).

Bestie and I both bought each other whale gifts for our birthday

in reference to an old inside joke from when we worked at

4-H camp together and our resulting catchphrase, "Whale please!"

Great minds think alike even when living on opposite coasts.

Finally, here's my chubby adorable cat, Scout, responding to being 

called "pretty boy." He is 100% awake in this picture.

Are you on Instagram? Let's be friends - you can follow me here.

{Linking Up with Weekend Snapshots at Her Heartland Soul}

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• Have a great week, everyone!

SWOON.

• An elegant Pippin Hill wedding from S+I.
• A pastel Texas wedding with an airstream!
• At SMP, a spring floral inspiration shoot.
• The most amazing real wedding portrait.

SMILE.

Sugar and Cloth

• Every town needs a bright and colorful wall!
• Anthro's classic-with-a-twist birthstone cuff.
• Just Loki popping in with a weather report.
• Creative money-saving tips from Refinery29.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year: my entertainment faves, Rachel Held Evans' Searching for Sunday,
• Two years ago: classic Spring Break wardrobe, a spring and summer bucket list.
• Three years ago: a Sunday Social all about Twitter, citrus prints inspired by two of my favorite shows, and the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure.
• Four years ago: Titanic dinner party.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
WATCH.

• If I get stressed out while back at work this week, I'm going to watch this video from artist Thomas Blanchard - so colorful and calming (via This Is Colossal).

SWOON.

• A colorful soiree from Charla Storey Photography.
• A Gatsby glam two-bride NYC wedding from S+I.
• This hill country wedding from SMP is gorgeous.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Sarah ❤s, Garlic My Soul, Red Stamp. 
• Domino's tour of Kacey Musgraves' home.
• Mean Girls Funko Pops are coming. SO fetch!

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I reviewed a fairytale romance, shared a spring color palette, and rounded up inspiration for restaurant wedding receptions.
• Two years ago, I rounded up table number ideas and reflected on how my passions affect my goals.
• Three years ago, I rounded up pastel wardrobe ideas and wrote about challenges for the Love and Marriage series.
• Four years ago, I rounded up inspiration for our patio.

this week's clicks: i'm a fool for love...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• Lord Huron's "Fool for Love" is giving me serious Bruce Springsteen meets zen garden vibes... very unique and cool!

SWOON.

Katie Mitchell Photography via Bridal Musings

• A stylish Paris engagement shoot from Bridal Musings.
• At Domino, a DC designer's vintage-meets-modern home.
• Sweet DIY Zodiac pinatas from The House that Lars Built.
• A dreamy, romantic wedding in Bali from Snippet + Ink.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Paper Leaf, Red Stamp, Sarah Hearts, Smashing.
• Better Homes and Gardens' fresh color palette for 2016.
• Looking forward to Melissa's Love Your Home Challenge.
• Lia Griffith designed the perfect card for 2016 birthdays.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up my favorite custard yellow picks for spring, reviewed Christa Parrish's Still Life, featured my spring Instagram faves,
• Two years ago, I shared a blast from my high school past and my March favorites.
• From three years ago, a Sunday Social about the 5's and emerald wardrobe inspiration.
• Four years ago, I rounded up my #FebPhotoADay pics, made chocolate marshmallow cupcakes and shared ideas for soft gray and blue home decor.
• Five years ago, I recapped my wedding planning thrift store adventures, and chose our bridesmaids' dresses.

this week's clicks: i'm never gonna be that far...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• My favorite new-to-me song of the week is British singer Joe Brooks' "Til My Heart Stops Beating." You can see the official video and listen to the whole song here.

SWOON.

Shawn Marie Photography via Intimate Weddings

• A quirky geode-themed Intimate Wedding in Arkansas.
• Classic Virginia romance in a vineyard wedding at SW.
• A sweet Kentucky horse farm wedding at Style Me Pretty.
• This copper and merlot shoot is winter wedding perfection.

SMILE.

• New desktops from Papier Bonbon and Amber Lotus
• The U.S. Postal Service has announced this year's love stamp.
• D*S features a gallery of cute pets (I have puppy fever, BTW).
• Funny article + cartoon about the best birthday greetings.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I dressed up a white tee for the PMT style challenge and shared my to-be-read pile.
• Two years ago, I dished about my beauty routine, rounded up dazzling blue wardrobe updates and my favorite looks from the Grammy Awards, recapped my January in entertainment.  I also attended the sweetest blended family wedding.
• Three years ago, Sunday Social involved some deep thinking, and I listed my classic style staples, rounded up wedding dresses with beautiful full skirts, shared a review of our Blurb wedding album, and went to B's Super Bowl party (with cookie cupcakes).
• Four years ago I shared round-ups featuring inspiration for adding warm neutral coffee and nougat shades to your wardrobe, home decor, and to a wedding (with pops of pastel pink!).

13 Going on 30

Guess what, y'all?

Why yes, I am having a milestone birthday today. 30 seems to freak a lot of women out and if the media is worth believing I should probably be stocking up on wrinkle creams and Metamucil right now. I'm not having any kind of midlife crisis - my life is, absolutely, better than it's ever been. In addition to being the year of my birth, 1985 was the year of "We Are The World," Care Bears, Super Mario Bros., Carmen Sandiego, New Coke, Back to the Future and The Breakfast Club. All I wanted for my birthday this year was an 80's themed party with my tribe, and that is exactly what I'm getting from my own personal John Hughes and Molly Ringwald, Mr. Q and Breeze. I can't wait for tonight - I decided to go full geek on my friends and make gift bags full of 80's nostalgia. I'm calling it 13 Going on 30, because a.) I love Jennifer Garner and b.) That's a pretty good summary of my life considering I spend my days roaming the hallways of a junior high school.

1. Jelly bracelets - Pretty much the first thing I think of when I think of the 80's - I used to love the ones with the water and glitter in them, but they always broke and made a mess. The rubber ones are super cheap in the kid's jewelry section at Wal-Mart.

2. Crown and Ivy top - The Crown and Ivy line at Belk is full of adorable pieces that will appeal to Lilly Pulitzer fans and actually includes petites! I fell in love with this neon tee with a crochet overlay in the front.

3. Pixy Stix - The Breakfast Club is my favorite 80's movie, so this is my little tribute to Allison's weird, weird sandwich.

4. Rubik's Cube - Oriental Trading seems to have run out of the mini puzzle cubes that I am using as party favors, but they are available from a few other sources.

5. H&M striped skirt - Nothing complements neon like graphic black and white!

6. Party City Buttons - It was the "I Wear My ⌐■-■ at Night" button that got me.

7. Razzles - "First it's a candy, then it's a gum. Little round Razzles are so much fun!" I don't think I ever actually ate these as a kid, but they remind me of 13 Going on 30 so they are a must!

8. 80's music - My little side project this week has been building the most amazing 80's station ever on Pandora. For me, that means movie soundtracks and lots of Hall and Oates. It is literally impossible for me to hear "You Make My Dreams" and not smile.

clicks of note: show the world the you inside...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• If you like 20-year-old Meghan Trainor's radio single "All About That Bass," you'll love the super-positive "Close Your Eyes."  This girl has such a powerhouse voice!  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Brett Heidebrecht Photography via Style Me Pretty

• The Bride's Cafe features the perfect black and white palette.
• A simple, stylish backyard wedding from Elizabeth Anne Designs.
• How sweet is this hot air balloon birthday party from HWTM?
• Style Me Pretty features a gorgeous blue desert engagement sesh.

SMILE.

• Cool stuff from NYFW: Luis Antonio, Lela Rose, Alice and Olivia.
• From SheFinds: 8 things brides forget to do after the reception.
• Pretty printable fall gift wrap and tags from designer Lia Griffith.
• I enjoyed reading this essay about Joan Rivers from XOJane.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I put together a rainy game day outfit.
• Two years ago, I shared lilac and rose wardrobe picks for fall, inspiration for a neutral pastel wedding, a roundup of ballerina bun hairstyles, and my personal manifesto.  
• Three years ago, I showed you my bridal portraits taken the morning of the ceremony and recapped our wedding's prelude.

my late summer in instagram

We started the summer with Mr. Q's second relay triathlon.  This one was held in Roanoke at one of the city's parks.  Mr. Q's team had added a new runner and the three of them took second place!  Also, NEW CAR WOO.  We are loving our Crosstrek!

Just messing around with my morning routine.

Chicken and waffles with my BFF Breeze and my other favorite friends for my 29th birthday.  It was also my "golden birthday" because I turned 29 on the 29th.

The country townhouse, ready for D-Day and Independence Day celebrations.

Summer means lots of patio lunches and dinners, and more time to cook!

My container garden has done really well this rainy summer, and the colors make me smile every time I look outside.

Preparing for camp by building a whale with my fellow adult volunteers and getting the campers' medications organized on opening day.

Probably the most "summer camp" picture ever.

Mr. Q and I went to our favorite Brazilian restaurant for our anniversary and I convinced my health-conscious guy that we needed to treat ourselves to tiramisu.

My mom and I spent a day in downtown Roanoke pretending to be tourists.  We visited the art and science museums and had lunch on the market.

Back to school haircut - my fist from my new hairdresser.

A few views of my classroom in action.  Lots of neon to keep me happy and awake!

Beautiful Wisteria Ridge, where Mr. Q's cycling club had their end-of-summer cookout and fundraiser ride for Roll Over Cancer.

Treats!  I made this Oreo cookie poke cake for the Roll Over Cancer cookout.  The cookie butter was a treat from my friend Jess's trip to Trader Joes.  So amazing!  It's probably a good thing we don't have a TJ's around here, actually.

Linking Up: