sunday simplicity.

Dancing with the Daffodils

“In the winter she curls up around a good book 

and dreams away the cold.” ― Ben Aaronovitch

this week's clicks.

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

Christina Bernales Fine Art Wedding Photography via Style Me Pretty

• From SMP, a classic summer wedding in Maine.
• A pretty winery wedding from Alicia Lacey.
• At Found, a bohemian glamping inspiration shoot.
• A wedding at a place called Villa Amor? Good stuff.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Smashing, Mospens Studio, Red Stamp,
• Pride merch that actually gives back, via Brit + Co.
• From Bored Panda: Photography vs. reality.
• Wanderlust: illustrated literary locations in the U.K.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: my 6th Stitch Fix, blush and palm Pinspiration, 5 Broadway roles I love
• 2015: June favorites, tropical black and white, early summer entertainment faves.
• 2014: mint and gray picks and inspiration for a summer camp wedding.
• 2013: my blogging history with the Sunday Social girls.
• 2012: being intentionally considerate and what Father's Day means for me now.

sunday simplicity.

O'Malley Photographers via Style Me Pretty

“It had long since come to my attention that people of 
accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to
them. They went out and happened to things.”

― Leonardo da Vinci

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:

sunday simplicity.

Courtney Beck Photography

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we 
should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 
-Thomas Wentworth Higginson

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?

Style: My December Stitch Fix (#9)

Is it just me, or did the holidays go by really fast this year? I decided to give myself a little treat this holiday season and order a winter Stitch Fix box. My stylist, Heather, picked cozy items based on the sweaters and tops I had added to my Pinterest board. If you're looking for some comfy, warm items to pin for your stylist, read on!

This is not a sponsored post. I signed up for Stitch Fix and purchase each of my Fixes myself. My opinions on this blog are always 100% honest. This post does contain affiliate links - for each new sign-up I will receive a commission towards my next Stitch Fix.

As usual, I was psyched when I saw the colors and textures in my box - stylist Heather does a great job of basically creating little capsule wardrobes for me each season. This box included a pullover sweater with elbow patches, a cozy funnel-neck sweatshirt, a plaid button-down, a crossover top, and and a warm blanket scarf.

The first item I tried on was the Skies are Blue Forest Two Pocket Top, which I paired with the Kut From The Kloth Dayna Skinny Jeans from my November Fix and my Franco Sarto booties. I'm pretty sure my stylist Heather has some crazy plan to get me into a maroon and navy plaid, because this top reminded me a lot of the plaid sweatshirt I returned last month. I don't wear shirts that button all the way down because they gap at the bust on me, so this top didn't have much of a chance. Plaid collared shirts aren't really my style anymore. Status: Returned.

I was so excited to unbox the Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt - I've seen this top in other bloggers' Fixes and thought it looked so comfortable. Not only did stylist Heather send me one of the coziest pieces StitchFix has to offer, she sent it in my absolute favorite color - royal purple! I love the marled texture of the top - it's more like a thick knit sweater than a typical jersey sweatshirt. Status: Kept! I wore this on numerous holiday outings!

Okay, let's talk about the RetroD Morrison Elbow Patch Pullover. The marled brown knit and elbow patches are beautiful, and scoop neck is really flattering. Unfortunately, there's a contrast-knit triangle under each arm that creates a really frumpy look on my already petite frame. Mr. Q did not like the way this looked on me at all, and looking at the pictures, I wasn't a fan either. Status: Returned. Goodbye, my beautiful elbow patches.

Up next was the Market & Spruce Henri Ruche Sides Knit Top. I'd pinned a lot of tops and sweaters with crossover details, but this piece was not flattering on my body at all - the  v-neck was nice, but the thin fabric and ruching clung to my tummy in a really unattractive way. Status: Returned. I also received the Accessory Collective Calla Striped Oblong Scarf. I love the idea of blanket scarves, but I very rarely wear the one I already have. Status: Returned - for kind of a strange reason. I'm a science nerd, and the pattern on this scarf reminds me of a Scarlet King Snake's markings. I couldn't unsee it once the idea popped into my head. 

Check out this cute Christmas card I received from the Stitch Fix Influencer team! They've been great to work with this past year and I look forward to learning more about fashion and continuing to refine my personal style in 2017.

Stitch Fix is doing something really cool this January and February - they're partnering with Goodwill® to deliver a simple way to make a difference via the Give Back Box®. Here's how it works - just package up clothing or household goods you wish to donate in your Stitch Fix box (or any box!) and print a free shipping label. Then, drop it at any post office or UPS drop-off location, or simply leave it at your doorstep for USPS pickup. If you're anything like me and your pile of items to donate tends to sit in a corner forgotten, you know this is an awesome idea. Give Back Box® will email you a receipt for tax deduction purposes after your donation is received.

Have you tried Stitch Fix yet? It's one of my favorite ways to treat myself while still staying within a budget! My stylist, Heather, has really helped me to helped me define my personal style (I call it "preppy bohemian") and invest quality pieces I will actually wear (no more items hanging in the closet with tags still attached!) When you sign up for Stitch Fix, you pay a $20 personal styling fee and fill out a profile with your detailed size, style, and price preferences. Your stylist will choose five items just for you, and the $20 styling fee is applied toward the cost of any items you decide to keep from your shipment (This is my ninth Fix, and I've always fallen in love with at least one item per box!). If you haven't let Stitch Fix style you, what are you waiting for?

Linking Up With:

Share Your Fix at Crazy Together                      Style Sessions at Style Elixir 

Mix it Mondays at By Lauren M                      Let It Shine at Still Being Molly
Get Your Pretty On                 Beauty by Miss L            Thursday Fashion Files
Sincerely Jenna Marie  I Do DeClaire  Shopping My Closet Posh Classy Mom

clicks of note: like tide to the shore...

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

• I've been a fan of duo Johnnyswim for a while, and I love this epic love song.

SWOON.

Gaby J. Photography

• A romantic winery elopement from Gaby J Photography.
• Love this copper watercolor moodboard from One Fab Day.
• The loveliest rustic brunch wedding from Snippet + Ink.
• From SMP, a sweet red bohemian wedding in Kentucky.

SMILE.

• From Domino, Halloween movie and cocktail pairings.
• Hoodies for bad hombres and nasty women (Swiss Miss).
• Clever couples costume ideas from HerCampus and S+I.
• It's fall so I'm going crazy for squash recipes on Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Movie-themed Literary Junkies, favorite TV Halloween episodes.
• 2014: My fall in Instagram.
• 2013: Gray wardrobe picks, an HP fan link-up, and my Effie Trinket costume.
• 2012: Cobalt and black fall wardrobe inspiration.

sunday simplicity.

Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography via Style Me Pretty

“August has passed, and yet summer continues by 

force to grow days. They sprout secretly between the 

chapters of the year, covertly included between its pages.”

― Jonathan Safran Foer, Tree of Codes

Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography via Style Me Pretty

sunday simplicity.

Timwill Photography via Southern Weddings

“We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.” ― Tim McGraw

summer color: inspiration for a driftwood and coral wedding

Today, I wanted to share one of my all time favorite summer wedding inspiration post! This one first appeared on the blog back in 2012. I still love the muted colors and gentle seaside theme.

Most of the time, I try not to be too literal with the themes in my wedding inspiration posts.  But "driftwood" gray was just begging for some beachy details, and some actual driftwood... and my foray into the wedding blogosphere became a lesson in giving in to distraction.  From driftwood I wandered to beach grass, lanterns, and shades of coral, slate, and succulent green.  While this post was inspired by gray, it's hard for me to brainstorm for an event that isn't filled with color!  For what it's worth, I still tried to keep it more evocative of a beach destination rather than in-your-face beach themey.

Wedding Paper Divas

Ruffled

Destination brides are blessed when it comes to bridal 

portraiture.  How about a shoot on a boat in the harbor?

Style Me Pretty 1 | 2

A beach wedding calls for candlelight.

Green Wedding Shoes

Another example of the mismatched bridesmaids' dress

trend done right; I love the muted colors in this photo.

Style Me Pretty

The succulents and eucalyptus make this bouquet so interesting.

A Low Country Wedding

Don't these paper lanterns look like sea anemones from below?

Rehearsal Dinner Guide | Pinterest

For a beach destination wedding, I think it's important 

that centerpieces fit the setting without making it look

 like Captain Jack Sparrow is on the guest list.

This Modern Romance

The Knot

Flavored sea salt would be a nice favor for guests to take home

 from a beach wedding - here's how to make your own.

Have you been lucky enough to attend any beach weddings?  How did the bride and groom incorporate the beach setting into their attire, flowers, and decor?

If you would like to add any of the images from this post to Pinterest, please use the link below the picture to visit the original source and pin from there.  Thank you!

sunday simplicity.

Britt Croft Photography via Southern Weddings

"I believe everyone is free to make choices, bad and good; I 

believe everyone is noble and full of potential; I believe in 

hope and the possibilities for happy endings." - Shannon Hale

style: olive chinos two ways

Now for something I haven't done in a while - a style post! Toward the end of the school year, my work look gets a little comfier; after all, my students already *know* I'm a professional, and the crunch of finals and standardized testing is stressful. I recently picked up my third pair of Old Navy pixie pants - this time in the chino style - and immediately thought of two ways to style them with some other new wardrobe favorites. Luckily, Mr. Q was on hand to offer his photography services while I was brainstorming.

I've been coveting a chambray shirt for what feels like years now, but a well-fitting button-down is very hard to find for a petite hourglass shape - shirts that are short enough in the torso tend to be too tight across the chest. I spotted this perfect light chambray blouse at Wal-Mart, of all places, and knew it would be the perfect match for my Pixies, Bare Traps sandals (similar), and homemade tassel necklace and charm bracelet.

Want to hear a slightly funny story about my charm bracelet? Of course you do! I got the bracelet at A.C. Moore and the tiny charms from Michael's, and chose the Om symbol to remind me to keep my yoga-time peace and calmness with me wherever I go. This is especially important in a middle school classroom. One of my darling boys saw my bracelet and said, "Mrs. Quinn, do you like Stephen Curry?" He'd definitely mistaken the Om for a 30 and thought I was a die-hard Golden State Warriors fan. I think trying to explain the significance of Om left him even more confused...

The second way I knew I'd style these Pixies is with my new favorite J. Crew Factory tee (similar - I waited forever for this one to go on clearance!) and all-time favorite boyfriend cardigan from GAP. These two comfortable outfits were the basis of my go-to uniform during a hectic spring!

Linking Up With:
Let It Shine at Still Being Molly
Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting

Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet
Friday Faves at Style Elixir

sunday simplicity.

Audrey Rose Photography via Heart Love Always

“You don't love someone for their looks, or their 

clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they 

sing a song only you can hear.” ― Oscar Wilde

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.

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!