paper chase: tropical wedding and party invitations

After yesterday's post, I couldn't get enough tropical inspiration. Here's a round-up from around the web of some beautiful tropical-inspired invitations that would be great for a destination wedding, summer bridal shower, or milestone birthday party.

Tropical Hawaiian Invitation by Sincerely May via Not on the High Street

Obviously I'm loving the pink hibiscus flowers on this invitation by Sincerely May.

Tropical Wedding Invitation by Fluid Ink Letterpress on Etsy  |  Paper Chase Press via Happy Wedd

I love the letterpress details in the Etsy invitation on the left. The collection on the right was designed for a bride who designs beachwear for a living - how perfect is that?

Maya Invitations by Rachel Marvin Creative

Palm Wedding Invitations by Kaydi Bishop for Minted

Tropical Wedding Invitations by FloptyDooDesigns on Etsy

Tropical Garden Party Invitations by The Distillery via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Which of these tropical invitations is your favorite?

pinspiration: let's get away...

The combination of blush pink and palm prints was one of my favorite trends last summer and I'm happy to report that it's back for round 2! Maybe it's all those childhood trips to Myrtle Beach, but I will never tire of kitschy, candy-colored beach décor.

Are you planning any summer getaways?

pinspiration: spicing it up...

This time of year is always busy and exciting. This weekend, for example, I'll be chaperoning a dance, seeing my favorite band in concert, and attending a wedding all in one 48-hour period! As much as I love the wild ride, I can't help but dream of an escape... Morocco, perhaps? The California coast? Just kidding... I'll happily take just a few hours of uninterrupted time with some white wine and friends on our patio.

My current playlist:

this week's clicks.

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

The Everygirl

• Maybe the most millenial apartment ever? From the Everygirl.
• Snippet and Ink rounds up nontraditional wedding dresses.
• From SMP, a stylist's soft and breezy at-home wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Cross Cards, Mollie Makes, Soggy Musings, Red Stamp.
• Non looks based compliments to give the little girls in your life.
• One of my fave Roanoke events, Local Colors, is this weekend!

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: My third Stitch Fix, Memorial Day inspiration, and spring in Instagram.
• 2014: summer memories, nautical fashion, and strawberry wedding inspiration.
• 2013: patriotic home decor ideas for Memorial Day and beyond.
• 2012: bridal portrait inspiration, mint fashion picks and wedding inspiration.  
• 2011: flower girl inspiration.

this week's clicks.

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


SWOON.

Jeremiah and Rachel Photography via Style Me Pretty

• From SMP, a romantic blended-family wedding in Montana.
• Colorful Kentucky Derby party ideas from Oh Happy Day.
• Every detail of this workshop shoot from Ruffled is dreamy.
• At Snippet + Ink, a gorgeous interfaith wedding in England.

FYI.

• Desktops: Live Beautifully, Oh So Beautiful, Soggy Musings
• Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale arrives this week on Hulu...
• and Neil Gaiman's American Gods begins on Starz. 
• A different look at planning weekly date nights, from NYT.

SMILE.

• Mashable rounded up the best March for Science pictures.
• These cactus kiss favors would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
• From Damask Love, an adorable leather flower purse DIY.
• Stealing this Anthro styling idea for 90's style slip dresses.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: remixed closet staples, seating ideas for spring celebrations, April favorites.
• 2014: a Sunday Social about pet peeves and the best [Mean Girls themed] link-up ever.
• 2013: inspiration for my eternal favorite spring trend: mixed prints.
• 2012: backyard wedding inspiration and ideas for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

sunday simplicity.

The Cablook Fotolab via Style Me Pretty

“Oh, earth, you're too wonderful 

for anybody to realize you.”

― Thornton Wilder, Our Town

this week's clicks: ovaries before brovaries.

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

• My typical move for this week would be to put a sweet, sappy love song here - BUT today is February 13th, Galentine's Day, a holiday that as far as I know was created by my fictional idol, Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. Here's the newest bit of sass from Ingrid Michaelson, featuring a cool ASL video.

SWOON.

Kelly Sauer via Elizabeth Anne Designs

• Vintage infused floral bridesmaid inspiration from EAD.
• Dreamy blush and gold moodboard from Mospens Studio.
• From Texas, a romantic Southern-meets-Scottish wedding.
• A modern organic wedding in North Carolina from SMP.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Cross Cards, Red Stamp, Going Home To Roost.
• Perfect for today: a roundup of Galentine's DIYs and crafts...
• and a giant pink-frosted donut cake, such a fun centerpiece!
• Fun Etsy find: succulent jewelry that looks like the real deal.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: favorite looks from the Grammys and Instagram faves,
• 2015: a business casual V-Day look, my second Stitch Fix, and February faves.
• 2014: sporty s-t-d ideas, the Olympics, and Sochi and Team USA wardrobe picks.
• 2013: inspiration for a poppies and lace wedding, the Cupid Swap, Cinderella-inspired wedding ideas, Oscar Party tips, and February blog loves.
• 2012: a couple of V-Day snapshots, and a peek at  my weekend.
• 2011: our wedding inspiration in textures, V-Day as an engaged couple, flower arranging, and contemporary instrumental wedding music.

Style: On Pointe Athleisure

One thing about me that I'm not sure I've ever actually talked about on this blog is that I was a dancer throughout my childhood. By high school, I had multiple classes at my local dance studio every night, and when I wasn't in class I was also one of the office assistants there and taught several classes. Dance was my first hobby and my first job, and I love things that remind me of the ladylike and magical culture of ballet. Blush pink was one of the most popular colors in virtually every aspect of design in 2016, and this past fall, I started to notice that swans had become the latest "critter" to gain popularity in home decor and fashion. Now, Target had unveiled a whole ballet-inspired collection from Mossimo. Here's a winter and spring gym-to-street wardrobe for the inner Sugar Plum Fairy in each of us.

1. Athleta crossback sweatshirt  2. Target ruched leggings  3. J. Crew Factory collector tee  4. Essie Gel Couture nail polish in "Lace Me Up"  5. Target wrap bodysuit 6. Target tulle midi skirt 7. Kate Spade swan stud earrings (set is actually 1 black and 1 white swan) 8. MAC Lipglass in "Signs of Spring"  9. Kate Spade Ridge Street Lance yoga bag

(Ballerina inspiration photo by Taylor and Porter via Wedding Sparrow)

What do you think of the ballet-inspired athleisure trend?

pinspiration: millennial pink new year's eve

Well, darlings, we're wrapping up another year here at Beyond the Aisle, and my thoughts this week are on 2017, and, of course, New Year's Eve. While the experts at Pantone have named Greenery the new Color of the Year, I'm honestly not over 2016's Rose Quartz and it's many permutations - fall's Dusty Cedar with its decadent 70's vibe, and of course the ubiquitous shade journalists have dubbed "millennial pink." My ideal New Year's Eve party would be laid-back with a bohemian vibe, plenty of champagne, a plethora of pink, the potential for a Nerf gun war, and, okay, some actual greenery thrown in as a nod to the New Year to come and all of its possibilities.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

this week's clicks: happy boxing day!

get your week off to a colorful start...

• I hope that you're all having a wonderful holiday week with your families. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to actually rest and relax with a good book (currently, The Queen of the Tearling) - that stack of papers to grade can wait until 2017, right?

LISTEN.

• Hat tip to my hip mom for telling me about this amazing year-end Carpool Karaoke from James Corden and friends! How did he keep this a secret???

SWOON.

Michael and Carina Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Speechless over this elegant Charlottesville wedding.
• I look forward to Lia's NYE printable hats every year.
• Sparkly, fun New Year's inspiration from Swooned.
• The perfect low-effort, high-glam hairstyle for NYE.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Dawn Nicole, Oh So Lovely, Soggy Musings
• Love these unique birthstone necklaces - New Year's gift?
• Interesting: Planned Parenthood donations are up 40%.
• Pinning all the best last-minute New Year's Eve ideas.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: inspiration for a cozy rose gold NYE, Literary Junkies, December in Instagram, most popular posts of 2015 and personal faves.
• 2014: most popular posts of 2014 and personal favorites.
• 2013: most popular posts of 2013, my personal favorites, and a NYE tablescape.
• 2012: avorite posts of 2012, gold and blush NYE inspiration, favorite movies and books of 2012, organization goals for 2013, gray wardrobe picks and home decor ideas. 
• 2011: gold/champagne inspiration for New Year's Eve and organization goals for 2012.

sunday simplicity.

Jose Villa Photography via Wedding Chicks

“You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in 
your own way can illuminate the world.” ― Oprah Winfrey

this week's clicks.

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

Jennifer Daigle Photography via Found Vintage Rentals

• Inspiration to throw more dinner parties outside.
• At SMP, a stunning organic wedding in Portugal.
• I can never resist a glam blush and gold wedding.
• Pretty DIY floral party goods from Tomkat Studio.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Oh So Lovely, Roost, Soggy Musings.
• Emily's family road trip makes a stop in Virginia.
• Kate Spade's new collection is for chic cat ladies.
• Juliette's Olympics questions made me LOL.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Visiting Sullivan's Island.
• 2014: A Sunday Social about my preferences, soft neutral summer wardrobe inspiration, music-inspired save the dates and wedding invitations.
• 2013: A forward-thinking Sunday Social, my favorite work outfit, colorful kitchen pieces, and inspiration for a soft coral and teal wedding.
• 2012: Navy blue wardrobe and home decor ideas, bohemian weddings and brides in forehead bands.

pinspiration: rose quartz + palm leaves

I've noticed two of the biggest trends for this summer coming together in a beautiful way lately, especially on Instagram and Pinterest. Social media seems to be loving the combo of green palm leaves and Rose Quartz, one of Pantone's Colors of the Year for 2016. It's a combination that feels classic and fresh at the same time, perfect for summer!

Pinspiration: Cozy Romantic Style

What I'm loving right now...

Are you on Pinterest? I'd love to follow you- leave your username in the comments! You can follow me here.

this week's clicks: we can be the only ones that know.

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

• Singer-songwriter Inzi has the sweetest voice that is providing the perfect soundtrack to watch snowflakes fall outside my window this morning - I think fans of Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson will like her music.

SWOON.

Julie Paisley Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Prettiness abounds in this organic modern SMP wedding.
• Printable watercolor shower invites from Lia Griffith.
• Wedding Chicks features romantic El Chorro nuptuals.
• This bride chose her Nana to be one of her bridesmaids!

SMILE.

• Desktops: Cardstore, Flipsnack, Mospens, Giants+Pilgrims.
• Made me laugh: the 25 most depressing nail polish names.
• Joie's adorably geeky workout outfit ideas and playlists.
• Kalyn's tips for fighting the winter blues.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I reviewed my second Stitch Fix, and shared my February faves.
• Two years ago, I had Olympic fever and rounded up Sochi and Team USA inspired wardrobe picks.
• Three years ago I shared Cinderella-inspired wedding ideas, rounded up Oscar Party tips, and shared my February blog loves.
• Four years ago I shared pink Sunday Simplicity and snapshots from my weekend.
• Five years ago I shared inspo for our wedding in textures, recapped V-Day as an engaged couple, practiced flower arranging, and shared contemporary instrumental music for weddings.

sunday simplicity.

Melissa Oholendt via Style Me Pretty

“Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.” 

- Robert Frost

inspiration for a blush and pewter winter wedding.

By now, we've had some time to adjust to Pantone's unprecedented decision to name two colors of the year for 2016, and I'm currently obsessed with rose quartz. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'm envisioning soft blush pink wedding details paired with lace and pewter for a perfectly romantic winter wedding.

Jodi Miller Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

Classic letterpress stationery will never go out of style. I love the idea of a bride using a family heirloom cameo or lace from her mother's wedding dress as her "something old."

BHLDN | Elizabeth Fogarty Photography via Style Me Pretty

For "something new," BHLDN's collection of vintage-inspired chandelier 

earrings is full of stunning pieces to complete a bride's look.

 

Elizabeth Fogarty Photography via Style Me Pretty | Gemma Clarke via Style Me Pretty

Lovely floral robes would make the perfect bridesmaids' gift, and if your girls are 

up for it, a centerpiece making party can help ease the pre-wedding jitters.

 

Gemma Clarke via Style Me Pretty | Jodi Miller Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

Abby Grace Photography via Southern Weddings

Buffy Dekmar Fine Art Weddings via Snippet and Ink

Jenny Wohrle via Every Last Detail

Abby Grace Photography via Southern Weddings

The silvery leaves of dusty miller add a perfect wintery touch to a 

blush and ivory garden rose bouquet.

Elizabeth Fogarty via Style Me Pretty | Kayla Barker Photography via Wedding Sparrow

Which of these Pantone-inspired details is your favorite? 

Let me know in the comments!

this week's clicks: wherever is your heart, i call home.

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

• Brandi Carlile has come so far since I saw her perform in a crowded little club in Charlottesville in the early 2000's. Her new stuff is simply amazing.

SWOON.

Lydia Photography via Swooned

• Swooned features a warm, romantic winter bridal shoot.
• An elegantly rustic winery wedding from 100 layer cake.
• At Elizabeth Anne Designs, a sweet garden wedding shoot.
• Charmed by each detail of this colorful Ojai SMP wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops from Front Door, Oana Befort, May Richer Fuller Be
• Fashion week is almost here. What trends will prevail?
• Fashion inspiration for lucky ladies going on cruises.
• Lots of last-minute Valentine's Day inspiration on my Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared a Pin-spired outfit and a business casual V-Day look for the PMT Style Challenge, and wrote a letter to my younger self for the Circle.
• Two years ago I rounded up sporty save-the-date ideas and geeked out about details from the Sochi Olympics.
• Three years ago, I featured inspiration for a poppies and lace wedding and recapped my Cupid Swap experience.
• Four years ago, I shared my first Photo-A-Day Instagram round-up, a couple of snapshots from my V-Day, and my first ever round-up of blog loves.
• Five years ago, table number inspo and some of my favorite poetry in time for V-Day.