sunday simplicity

Sloan Photographers via Style Me Pretty

"The seeds of love first by thy eyes were thrown

Into a ground untilled, a heart unknown

To bear such fruit, till by thy hands 'twas sown."

- Michael Dratton

my fitness style

I'm sure you've heard the common idea that it takes 21 days to form a new habit.  The truth is, it depends on the habit!  For me, summer presents a time to re-focus on my health, hobbies and well-being.  I've been making some gradual lifestyle changes, like cutting down on soda and processed foods and adding some strength training to my routine.   It might sound silly, but brightly-colored workout gear is part of my arsenal and sometimes I sleep in a gym outfit because that gives me one less way to procrastinate in the morning.  I want to get down to a healthy BMI and keep my blood sugar regulated so that I can drop the "pre-diabetic" label next time I get a checkup!  Here are some pieces that would definitely make great rewards for meeting my fitness, health and weight loss goals.

1. Old Navy tank top  2. Essie polish in "Serial Shopper" + "Too Taboo"

3. Printable wall art from The Lion and the Lark on Etsy

4. Athleta capri pants  5. Carpe Diem pillow from Bright July on Etsy  6. Nike "Roshe Run" sneakers  7. Lifefactory water bottle from Athleta

Linking Up:

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera

Stylish Tuesday with Life's a Party, Dress Like It and Audrey Salutes

clicks of note: in my own peculiar way...

get your week off to a colorful start...

I'm pretty excited about this week.  Tomorrow night, my family will be going to see Willie Nelson and Allison Krauss in concert.  You probably have to be a country music fan to truly appreciate what a big deal this is.  I'm pretty sure my mom's exact words when the concert was announced were, "I don't care how much the tickets are, I'm going."

SWOON.

Ashley Goodwin Photography via Style Me Pretty

• SMP features a pastel Honolulu inspiration shoot filled with vintage elegance.
• Bridal Musings features a breathtaking orchid gown fit for a princess.
• Escape with this Italian destination wedding from Eliabeth Anne Designs.
• This woodland wedding from Snippet and Ink is straight from a fairytale.

SMILE.

• So jealous of this girls' trip to Mexico from Design Love Fest.
• Kristen from Ella Claire features her beautiful patio makeover for spring.
• Amy rounds up some gorgeous book covers over on the Julep blog.
• Fresh farmer's market inspiration from Oh So Beautiful Paper.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared my past and made predictions about my future.
• Three years ago my co-workers threw the four brides-to-be in the department a surprise bridal shower!

paper chase: the best mint wedding invitations

Yesterday, I pictured a dreamy spring wedding with lots of mint.  But let's just

say the girly pastel thing isn't quite right for you.  Mint is one of the most popular

hues for weddings this season, and it's easy to find an invitation that suits

your style - whether you want to save yourself the fuss, support independent 

designers, or DIY by printing your own invites at home.

Woodland Kraft invitations by Olivia Raufman for Elli

Woodland themes have been gaining popularity over the last few years, 

and this invitation would be perfect for a March or April wedding at a 

little chapel in the forest or a summer camp setting.

Chalkboard Invitations by Alethea and Ruth for Minted

As you know, chalkboard details are a favorite of mine - so I 

absolutely love this design's totally modern take on chalk art.

Boxwood Invitations by Penelope Poppy for Minted

It doesn't get much more classic than a boxwood wreath tied

with ribbon, and the rest of this design is simple and sophisticated.

Floral Invitation by Behold Designz on Etsy

This floral invitation pairs a mint-infused jade green with this spring's

popular orchid for a fresh, feminine design.  This is one of my all-time

favorite wedding color palettes.

Oldani Photography via Style Me Pretty

You have to check out this wedding on Style Me Pretty - the bride

is a DIY queen who designed most of her wedding decor herself.

I love the banner design on these modern pastel invitations.

Forever at Last Invitation by Rio Grange for Minted

This design is one part dreamy and whimsical, one part sophisticated - 

perfect for a city or destination wedding.

Celebration of Love invitation by Miranda Lyn for Minted

This pretty, retro-inspired design is definitely eye-catching and

sets the scene for a wedding day that isn't too serious.

California Dreamin' invitation by Cadence Paige Design for Minted

This invitation's postmark-inspired design would be perfect for a

destination wedding, and I love the confetti-inspired details and

modern text.

Hearts and Polka Dots printable save-the-date from Wedding Chicks

For the DIY bride, it doesn't get much better than the cute

polka dot and interlocking hearts in this design - and the design

can be customized to suit any wedding's color palette.

Confetti wedding invitation by SuitePaper on Etsy

Finally, I'm loving everything about this design from SuitePaper - 

it's got confetti, it's got retro-inspired typesetting, and it's got

arrows!  The perfect invitation to set the scene for a fun wedding.

Which of these designs is your favorite?

sunday simplicity

Brumley and Wells Fine Art Photography via Once Wed

my january in instagram

my january in instagram

A few December photos first.  I went to the Festival of Trees at the Hotel

Roanoke for the first time ever and Breeze and I basically made it our new

dream in life to become professional Christmas tree designers.  The

tree shown here is from my all time favorite florist in my hometown.

Nothing makes me quite so happy as color coordinating my Christmas 

wrapping paper.  This is probably because I have no pets or children.

Epic Postal Service fail, and what is technically a Christmas mug

but which I use all year round.

Christmas cookies for family members and one of my favorite gifts

(apparently my subliminal messages to Mr. Q were a success!)

Celebrating C's birthday, before and after dying my hair black.

I've been on a little home improvement kick inspired by Apartment

Therapy's January Cure.  I don't think our refrigerator had been

deep-cleaned since our townhouse was built.  And WOO NEW BED!

 

I've actually managed to keep up with this round of #busygirlnails.

For teal, I layered OPI's Last Friday Night over Essie Turquoise

and Caicos.  For white, I attempted a half-moon manicure using 

reinforcement stickers - Salon Perfect Sugar Cube over OPI

Lucky Lucky Lavender.  The reinforcement stickers worked well

on my fingers but I wasn't sure how to handle my big ol' thumbnails.

Adorable party decorations at the 100th birthday party for one of

Mr. Q's family friends.  Plenty of burlap, lace, Mason jars, and 

vintage China - most of it thrifted.

A few scenes from my recent snow days - I'm trying to keep an orchid

alive and trying to eat healthier foods, like this salad!

Are you on Instagram?  You can follow me here.

inspiration for a radiant orchid winter wedding

It's no secret that purple is my all-time favorite, and after putting together yesterday's feature on Pantone's Color of the Year for 2014, Radiant Orchid, I was inspired to envision a glamorous winter wedding featuring this rich, saturated royal shade.

"South Beach" from Invitations by Ajalon

The 1920's and Art Deco design were very popular in 2013 and 

I don't see this trend going away anytime soon!  One of my favorite 

places to feature Art Deco inspiration in weddings is in paper goods - 

invitations, programs, menus, escort cards can all be personalized 

with 1920's-inspired typefaces and embellishments.

Callaway Gable via Style Me Pretty

Eggplant-toned succulents make an unexpectedly elegant boutonniere.

Maria Vicencio Photography via Brides.com

I love the Kate Spade heels this bride chose - check out her gorgeous

wedding photographed by Maria Vicencio over at Brides.com.

Cherish Paperie

Alvina Valenta silk bridal gown by JLM Couture | Allan Zepeda via Style Me Pretty

Happy 2014: Radiant Orchid + Magenta

2014 is here, and with it, a new Pantone color of the year.  This year the color experts have chosen Radiant Orchid and I have to say, I am really happy with their choice!

View this set on Polyvore

1. LOFT slubbed tee  2. Our World Boutique statement necklace 
 3. Printable party horns from Love the Day  4. Mossimo sweater dress from Target  
5. Pop Fizz Clink balloons from The Flair Exchange on Etsy
6. Covergirl nail polish in "Pink Lady" from Ulta  7. Wildfox t-shirt (very DIY-able, I think)  
8. Victoria's Secret bra  9. J. Crew Factory cardigan  10. Tignanello handbag from QVC

Pantone Winter 2012 - Orchid Hush & Quarry accessories and makeup

Can you believe its the last full week of February?  In my world, time is flying, but the snow southwest Virginia got this weekend is a reminder that it's still winter.  The last two Pantone colors for Fall/Winter 2011, orchid hush and quarry, are wintry colors that will look great in Spring as well because of their softness.  Here are some ways to incorporate these gorgeous colors into your wardrobe via accessories and makeup.

Earrings by ElainaLouiseStudios and PoleStar on Etsy, $12 and $32 respectively

Metallic cat-eye makeup from Smashbox.  To get this look, Smashbox recommends using Photo Finish Lid Primer; Platinum Cream Eye Liner; Bone, Lavender Grey, and Warm Taupe Eyeshadow; Soft Focus Powder Eye Liner in Heather; Artificial Light Luminizing Powder; and Bionic Mascara.  Whew, that's a lot of products!

Annie Bracelet by Brideblu on Etsy, just $18

Amazing gel manicure via Sweet Talk on the Spot

Zoya nail polishes in Kristen and Tao, $8 each