this week's clicks: when i need you the most...

get your week off to a colorful start!
LISTEN.

• If you're not following Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox on YouTube, I'll give you a minute to do that. I dig the Chainsmokers' original version of "Don't Let Me Down," but this soulful cover takes it to a whole new level - that piano! 

SWOON.

Jordan Imhoff Photography and Estera Events

• An industrial-meets-elegant wedding at Ovation Chicago.
• Creative colors and textures in a highland inspired shoot.
• Love the color palette in this Hamptons-style remodel.
• A Pitch Perfect wedding and Rebel Wilson, the perfect guest.

SMILE.

• Do you all think this job interview trick is worth trying?
• Jewelry made from ethereal fabric sculptures.
• Another reminder that what we see online =/= reality.
• Pinning all the  the sangria and apple recipes this week.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: favorite looks from the Emmys, inspiration for a vineyard wedding, and IG faves.
• 2014: theater inspired save-the-dates, blog loves, and a media-centric Sunday Social.
• 2013: mustard and greyed jade wardrobe picks for fall.
• 2012: wardrobe and home ideas in tangerine and tomato, wedding dresses with lace, and rustic sunflower wedding inspiration, and September blog loves.  
• 2011: our wedding's processional and exchange of vows, fall wardrobe and home decor ideas in phlox purple, and inspiration for a rustic purple wedding.

Entertaining: Easy Guest Room Updates

Christmas Guest room from Pinterest via A Ribbon at a Time

One of my goals for the Country Townhouse is to have a nice guest room/office that I have no qualms about letting friends and family members stay in!  We've got a long way to go, but the upcoming holidays, along with my friend Philly letting us know that she will be able to come stay with us during her Winter Break from graduate school, are inspiring me to take some steps in a more organized direction.

Ticking Stripe bedding from Plow & Hearth

Here are some ideas to help make guest rooms ready for visitors.

Target Sherpa throw

1.  Clean sheets and a warm sweater blanket or wool throw for chilly nights
Just because the guest bed is the least used one in the house doesn't mean it can be the most uncomfortable one.  If you use an old mattress in the guest room, add a foam egg crate or mattress pad to up the comfort factor.  Since everyone prefers a different thermostat setting, leave a few blankets folded at the foot of the bed so guests can cover up as needed.

Better Homes & Gardens

2.  A good lamp


3.  An alarm clock


4.  Some books
In our case, a lot of books, because the guest room is also our office... but I think it's always nice when a friend recommends a good read... and a jet-lagged friend needs something to do in the morning when you are still asleep.

Polka Dots and Puppies

5.  Flowers!
I spent some time visiting my friends Mr. and Mrs. H in Seattle last year and one of the nicest little touches for me as a guest was the vase of fresh flowers beside my bed.  It made me feel so special and welcome in their home.  If your garden is empty this time of year, snag a bunch of flowers from the grocery store to place in a pretty vase, cool old can, or even a pretty mug.  It's a great way to add some seasonal color if you have a neutral color scheme in your guest room.

Guestbook Options

There are so many options for couples who want to give guests the opportunity to leave wishes for them on the big day!

1. Photo mat or gallery wrap- I've seen several of these at real weddings. My friend K had her photographer print one of their engagement pictures onto a canvas gallery wrap for everyone to sign with a metallic pen. I like the more traditional version, the signing mat, because it can be used to display a wedding-day photo in the home later on. This one from Exclusively Weddings has lots of signing space and you can get an engraved plaque to attach to the frame. It's elegant, yet still more unique than a traditional guestbook.

2. Wish box/vase

But what if the guests want to leave more than just their signatures? I got really excited when I saw a Weddingbee post about the Anniversary Box and began thinking about ways to incorporate something similar into our wedding.

I like this monogrammed vase from Invitations by Dawn; it's 28.95. The vase is 8 3/4" tall. This would be a nice way for guests to leave a wish, and the vase would look nice on display in the home.

Finally, I had a burst of inspiration! While searching for a card box, I kept coming back to the Antique Style birdcages at Save On Crafts, but I'd been questioning the value of the purchase because I didn't know what I would do with the smaller birdcage. Here's my plan: as shown in this picture, I'm going to use the larger cage as a card box, and use the same rubber stamps I'm using on our table numbers to decorate some "wish cards" for the smaller cage. I may paint the cages either black or ivory to match our other decor items...

I am looking forward to working on some DIY projects over spring break next week, and can't wait to share the process and the results with y'all. I am so appreciative of the community I've found via the wedding blogosphere, Weddingbee boards, and weddingplans community on Livejournal- it's so nice to be able to commiserate with ladies who are going through the joy and stress of wedding planning as well!

out of town bags: virginia ideas

I would really like to provide welcome bags for our Out of Town guests!

Filler ideas:
- A list of recommended restaurants and sights to see in the area (I like the way Weddingbee's Mrs. Pinot Noir bundled her brochure with some official guides.
- Souvenirs: A "Virginia is for Lovers" bumper sticker or stamped postcard, something UVA/Tech related?
- Drinks: Bottled water or maybe a Dr. Pepper
- For the A.M.: Mill Mountain Coffee and some tea
- Something Sweet: A chocolate Roanoke star or dogwood from Chocolatepaper or The Farm Basket (or homemade chocolate dogwood using this mold.
- Something Crunchy: Route 11 Chips
- Something Fun: A little toy or crayons and a coloring book for the folks whose kids are attending the wedding
- Contact information for emergencies