this week's clicks [love is enough when you don't look back]

get your week off to a colorful start...

Happy almost-summer, darlings! Can't you feel it in the air? I've got some great stuff for you this week, so grab your coffee cup and get clicking! I'm spending the work week at my favorite place on Earth - my childhood summer camp - so be sure to follow along on Instagram!

LISTEN.

• The Barr Brothers were a Spotify discovery for me; I love live videos like this one where you can see how much creativity goes into actually creating music (rewind if you want to hear the entire intro).

SWOON.

Alisa Bobzen Wedding

• Alisa Bobzien's bright + funky ombre styled shoot in Detroit.
• Design*Sponge rounds up rooms decorated in lilac shades.
• Jenn's hand-lettered Bible verse printables are so lovely!
• A Southern mansion wedding filled with paper flowers.

SMILE.

• Desktops: The Everygirl, Brit + Co, Oh So Beautiful Paper.
• GMA got a tour of our queen Carrie Fisher's quirky LA home.
• You, too, can use Wonder Woman's confidence pose - it works!
• Dream destination: Julia Child's French cottage is an AirBnB.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: late spring in Instagram and my "comfort food" movies.
• 2015: berry and olive picks, coral wedding inspiration, and Instagrammers to follow.
• 2014: summer favorites, Literary Junkies, a summer camp packing list, Instagram faves, and early summer in entertainment.
• 2012: an Instagram round-up and library-themed wedding inspiration.
• 2011: our plans for a sparkler send-off and reception sweetheart table.

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.

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

sunday simplicity.

The Farmer's Florist via Design Sponge

"What will survive of us is love." 

-Phillip Larkin

My September Favorites

Happy Friday, everyone! I know posting has been light this month (mentoring new teachers is taking more of my time this school year), but I wanted to pop in and share a few things I'm loving right now.

1. It's football season - I'm not a huge sports fan by any means, but there's something special about football season. I'm happy to cheer on my favorite teams, UVa (despite the terrible season we're having so far) and Green Bay. I love tailgating and have found myself tuning into Game Day on ESPN even when Mr. Q's not home.

2. Sephora mud mask - My skin went through a crazy phase toward the end of this summer, and this mask helped my face get back on track. I use it every week to help clarify my skin and dry up breakouts. It's affordable and effective.

3. Starbucks PSL VIA - Since I live pretty far from an actual Starbucks, this is the next best thing.

4. Target candleholders - Have y'all noticed that the Dollar Spot is now called Bullseye's Playground? Those shelves now include items at a range of prices up to $5. The autumn items are adorable, and I picked up several mercury glass votive candles in shades of gold and copper - my favorite scents are Fall Day and Harvest Sangria.

5. OPI's Washington, DC collection - I haven't picked up any of these colors yet, but I love the unique fall shades with clever names like "Never a Dulles Moment," inspired by my nearest major metropolitan area!

sunday simplicity

To Wander and Seek via Floridian Social

"O’er many a heath, through many a woodland dun, 
Through buried paths, where sleepy twilight dreams

The summer time away.” ― John Keats, Endymion

pinspiration: fiesta forever

Since school starts next week for us, I have to remind myself that it is still actually summer. I'm going to be intentional about this - that means sitting on the patio after school, going to local festivals on the weekends, and crashing my sister-in-law's pool as much as possible. Another thing that's definitely going to remind me that summer is still in full force? The heat! It's still in the 90's here in Virginia and very, very humid. Finally, the Rio Olympics begin tomorrow with the Opening Ceremonies, and I'll get to feed my Olympics obsession. Four years ago, as the London Olympics drew to a close, I celebrated the Closing Ceremonies by experimenting with some Brazilian recipes - my favorites were the pan fried herbed pork chops, hearts of palm and avocado salad, and avocado-coconut milkshake. I also did one of my one and only fashion DIYs - my Olympics Ring tie-dyed shirt. This year, I'm thinking I'll be a little less literal with my Olympics-inspired fashion: instead of a shoutout to Baron de Coubertin, I'll be incorporating some Rio-inspired colors into my wardrobe, like this summer's Pantone pick, fiesta red. For this week's Pinspiration, I've also thrown in a Joni Mitchell quote because my 70's obsession, like the humidity, isn't going away any time soon.

Will you be watching the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremonies tomorrow night?

sunday simplicity.

Cassidy Carson Photography via Ruffled

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your 
face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

― Roald Dahl

sunday simplicity

Kate Osborne Photography

"I love your feet

because they have

wandered over

the earth and through

the wind and water

until they brought

you to me."

-Pablo Neruda

thanksgiving pin-spiration.

"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel 
to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge 
you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” 
- Maya Angelou

clicks of note: just take my hand...

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

• Tori Kelly's "I Was Made for Loving You," featuring Ed Sheeran: sweet, acoustic guitar-driven goodness.

SWOON.

Ashley Cox via Southern Weddings

• Pretty red and purple wedding from Jessica Simons.
• A beachy engagement from One Love Photography.
• SMP features a stunning French welcome dinner.
• LOVE this UVa chapel wedding/Keswick reception.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Make + Tell, Red Stamp, Sarah Hearts.
• Fun: realistic Disney villains (Hades FTW y'all!)
• In love with Sugar Paper's Target holiday line.
• Pinterest inspiration for a glam Friendsgiving.

REFLECT.

• Many of my friends have kids, so I appreciated this.
• Jen's post about everyday acts of worship: good stuff.
• Meg's list of things she dislikes in her 30's is spot on.
• Sarah's post on practicing intentional ignorance? Yes.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up my favorite mauve wardrobe picks for fall.
• Two years ago, I rounded up red pieces for fall, participated in a Sunday Social all about favorites, and featured inspiration for a glitzy Thanksgiving cocktail party.
• Three years ago, I shared my favorite burgundy pieces, inspiration for a purple and gold wedding, and guest room updates.
• Four years ago, I featured photos and details from our wedding reception entrance, Southern dinner, first dance, and cake table setup.

wedding wednesday: vineyard inspired

Happy first day of autumn, everyone! I'm enjoying watching the first signs of fall color appear here in the Blue Ridge Mountains and looking forward to my community's wine festival this weekend - which has my imagination turning today toward the perfect vineyard wedding - a plum color palette, dahlias, roses, and other fall flowers, and classic nods to a winery setting.

Sherrell Photography via Rustic Wedding Chic

I love the sweet ruffle on this plum bridesmaids' dress.

Julie Mikos Photographer via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Vitalic Photo via The Every Last Detail

Sherrell Photography via Rustic Wedding Chic

de la Barra Photography via Design Sponge | Vitalic Photo via The Every Last Detail

How fun (and easy) is this cork monogram?

Julie Mikos Photographer via Elizabeth Anne Designs

An apple basket makes the perfect vessel for an autumn dahlia centerpiece.

The Nichols via Southern Weddings

Katie DeLorme via Style Me Pretty | Mosca Studio via One Wed

Liz and Ryan via United With Love

Michael and Anna Costa Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Have you ever been to a vineyard wedding? How does your community welcome fall?

Summer Trend: Boho Tassels Under $50

The summer trend I am most obsessed with right now is tassels on everything - jewelry, purses, shoes, you name it - so for this week's style post, I've paired some of my favorite on-sale summer pieces that can easily transition from vacation to the office with the perfect tassel accessories. Best of all, since there are some awesome end-of-summer sales going on right now, every item in this post is under $50!

1. Purple Periodot tassel necklace  2. Old Navy soft pants in Pantone Scuba Blue (on sale for $12.97)  3. LOFT henley shell (currently 40% off)  4. Purple Peridot beaded tassel earrings 5. Antonio Melani tassel sandals in Pantone Tangerine from Dillard's (40% off - similar, similar) 6. Old Navy tropical wrap dress (on sale for $14.97)

Disclaimer: ModCloth links include an affiliate code. Thank you for supporting Beyond the Aisle!

Linking Up With:
Color Me Tuesday at Undergraduate Style

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Let It Shine at Still Being Molly
Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• I had such a crazy, busy weekend - my friends and family gave me the 80's birthday party I'd dreamed of and then some, Mr. Q and I went to see Pitch Perfect 2, and I started getting a crazy amount of traffic on my patriotic rag wreath post - turns out it was featured on Country Living Magazine's Facebook page and website and Good Housekeeping's website. It was such a nice unexpected surprise!

SWOON.

Dana Cubbage Weddings via Southern Weddings

• SW features a colorful, preppy Charleston fête.
• Love the National Mall + this engagement shoot.
• Natalie Franke shares a lovely Tidewater soirée.
• At SMP, a pretty, subtly Paris-themed wedding.

SMILE.

• June desktops from May Richer Fuller Be, Roost.
• From APW: Why wedding season is the actual best.
• Definitely going to play the amazing free travel game.
• Oh Joy! Band-Aids are going in my camp suitcase.

CREATE.

• Domaine rounds up cooking tips from celeb chefs.
• Fall For DIY's gold letters would be great party decor!
• These shelves are first on my summer to-do list.
• Cute straw tote makeover from Design Improvised.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I featured my favorite summer brights, rounded up inspiration for a cerulean blue and pink ballroom wedding, and shared the weirdest search terms people Googled to get to BTA in 2014 and my June favorites.
• Two years ago I did some summer reminiscing with the Sunday Social ladies and shared the weird Google search terms that brought people to the blog in 2013.
• Three years ago, I shared inspiration for a mint and blue wedding (still love this color palette).  
• Four years ago, I found myself having a wedding planning meltdown, which I survived by deciding to DIY a lot of our details.  

sunday simplicity.

Ivy Weddings via Ruffled

sunday simplicity.

McKenzie Powell and Bryce Covey via Wedding Chicks

“In character, in manner, in style, in all the 

things, the supreme excellence is simplicity”

― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

sunday simplicity: something to hope for...

Cyn Kain Photography via The Bride's Cafe

“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something 

to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

― George Washington Burnap

clicks of note: darling, i was made for you...

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

• Alexander Cardinale is a California singer-songwriter whose songs have been featured in many television shows' soundtracks. "Made For You” was released in August and will be the leading single for his next album, Digital Youth.    I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Morgan Lamkin Photography via 100 Layer Cake

• At 100 Layer Cake, fairytale-worthy blush pink for fall.
• Annamarie Akins shares a bright fall e-sesh in Staunton.
• Intimate Weddings shows off an elegant hotel wedding.
• SW features a sweet editorial inspired by fall in the South.

SMILE.

• Snippet and Ink rounds up perfect bridesmaids' gifts.
• A very happy ending from Operation Christmas Child.
• Desktops @ Bohemian Gypsy Jane and Pepper and Buttons.
• Ideas for using up your leftover turkey on Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I wrote about my favorites for Sunday Social and the monthly faves link-up, rounded up my favorite black and white wardrobe picks,
• Two years ago, I shared a Sunday Social all about Christmas traditions, reflected on how important caregivers are during the holidays, shared my favorite pink  wardrobe and home decor updates, and put together gift guides for the quirky girl and glam girl in your circle of friends.  I also shared a peek at our Dickens-inspired Christmas decorations.
• Three years ago I rounded up inspiration for a woodland Christmas.
• Four years ago I got engaged :)

Fall 2014: Aurora Red and Sienna

One of my favorite color trends this season is the rust-red Pantone calls Aurora Red.  Call it rust, call it sienna, shades inspired by honeycrisp apples, juicy persimmons, ripe pomegranates, and autumn leaves are perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving.

Disclaimer:  ModCloth and Amazon item links include affiliate codes. Thank you for supporting Beyond the Aisle!

Items:  1. Zoya nail polish in "Chanelle" via Amazon  2. Anthropologie quilted dress in Rust  3. Francesca's knit scarf  4. ModCloth dress in Auburn  5. West Elm filled owl candle  6. Face Stockholm lipstick from Anthropologie  7. O.P.I. nail polish in "Schnapps Out of It" via Amazon 8. Ruche elastic belt  9. H+M UK saddle bag purse (similar from Sole Society)  10. Ruche sweater dress in Camel

Inspiration: 1. Autumn leaves from Coffee in Cottage  2. Tablescape from Green Wedding Shoes  3. Wedding party from Elizabeth Anne Designs

Linking Up:

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera

my fall in instagram: if you can't get a pony, be a pony.

I was surprised to realize that I haven't done a photo update since August!  As I mentioned in last week's post on Halloween costume ideas, this has been an especially busy fall for Mr. Q and I, for various reasons.  Here's a peek at what we've been up to!

Adding a little fall cheer to our outdoor and indoor spaces.

My Italian basil plant was growing out of control and I had

to snip off some branches to keep it from falling over.  It

dawned on me that I could put some in a vase, the way

people do with boxwood branches.  The smell is an extra perk.

The first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season, a Friday gift from

Mr. Q, and a happy coincidence spotted while shopping.

There's a brand-new restaurant in town called The Bootlegger's

Café and we are in love.  Of course, the drinks are served in Mason jars.

My BFF Breeze and I decided to have the most autumnal day

ever - we visited a pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins, make apple

seasoned pork chops and apple sangria, and watched football.

We couldn't resist these Virginia Tech and UVa themed hay bales!

Our tribe's Halloween pumpkin carving efforts - the middle two

started with stencils, but Breeze and I did the monograms freehand!

Mr. Q competed in his first Cyclocross race in Roanoke.  Cyclocross

is no joke - the bikers had to ride and jump over obstacles like 

telephone poles, a wooden wall, and a sand pit.

I participated in Color Me Rad with some lovely special education

teachers from my school - the proceeds go to Special Olympics so it was 

near and dear to our hearts.  I actually ran several parts of the course!

Halloween!  Mr. Q was so happy when he spotted this He-Man

costume that I decided we should go for an 80's theme.  When I

saw a My Little Pony hoodie, I was sold.  Hoodie costumes for the

win - most comfortable Halloween ever.  I also kind of want to dye 

my hair pink and purple for real because I loved being a rainbow.

Linking Up:

Be.You.Tiful at Maybe I Will