clicks of note: give me your heart, I won't let go...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• Thanks to Pandora I've added Joe Brooks' "Someday (OK)" to my playlist.  I think fans of Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran will love this one.  Also, the lyric "waking up on a Monday, treatin' it like a Sunday" is incredibly appropriate for my life today except for the part where I accidentally scheduled a dentist appointment on a holiday.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• 100 Layer Cake shares an elegant outdoor wedding.
• At Snippet and Ink, an airstream camp wedding!
• SMP features a gorgeous merlot inspiration shoot.
• Wedding Thingz features beautiful wedding tops.

SMILE.

• OMG Y'ALL THE ROYALS ARE ON INSTAGRAM.
• January is National Soup Month - here's my favorite.
• Bonnie has rounded up 2015's stargazing opportunities.
• NYT's 50 places to visit in 2015, with cinemagraphs.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year's Sunday Social was about Top 3's.  I rounded up my favorite cranberry-hued wardrobe updates (spoiler alert: this color will never go out of style), collected inspiration for an elegant black, white, and blush celebration, put together ideas for a living room makeover, recapped my January in Instagram.
• Two years ago, I shone the spotlight on a few of my favorite Instagrammers, rounded up inspiration for a red amaryllis wedding, and listed my entertainment favorites from the month.

 

clicks of note: our finest gifts we bring...

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

• For King and Country was a Pandora discovery for me.  "The Little Drummer Boy" has never been one of my favorite Christmas carols, mainly because the drummer boy himself is not Biblical.  However, I find this version really stirring thanks to the electric guitar and isolated vocals.  Their version of "Angels We Have Heard on High" has a creative animated video featuring their album cover art.  I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Golden Boys and Me

• Golden Boys and Me delivers a rustic lodge Christmas.
• {Ella Claire} shares a bright, festive holiday home tour.
• Rooms for Rent shows off calm, natural holiday decor.
• A fall Southern Wedding with bread and wine in Texas.

SMILE.

• Classic book titles rewritten as BuzzFeed-style clickbait.
• Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a Rockette?
• Obviously, Prince George is the cutest of the royals.
• Ideas for a homespun Christmas on my Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I participated in a Sunday Social all about the holidays, pulled together emerald green and gold wardrobe and wedding/party inspiration, shared my favorite no-bake cookie recipe, and recapped my December in Instagram.
• Two years ago, I shared holiday advice for letting go of perfect and enjoying the holiday season, and 7 winter date ideas.
• Three years ago I shared a few of the crafts and DIY projects I made for the holidays:  a paint chip mosaic, silk floral poinsettia wreath, no-sew ruffle tree skirt, and how I decorated our tree.

clicks of note: cinco de mayo!

get your week off to a colorful start...

WATCH.

SWOON.

Love, Inc. Weddings via 100 Layer Cake

• 100 Layer Cake features fabulous red and coral coastal wedding ideas.
• A pretty yellow and gray beach themed bridal shower at HWTM.
• Cute fortune cookie party invites from A Thoughtful Place.
• This organic La Jolla wedding via Style Me Pretty is striking and unique.

SMILE.

• Buzzfeed has a great social media tips you wish you'd known sooner.
• Camille Styles features Cinco de Mayo inspiration in a calming palette.
• I like these pretty Mother's Day cards by Sophie and Lili for Target.
• Will and Kate DJing in Australia - they are so lovably dorky, right?

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up ideas for a fiesta-inspired wedding, shared a Sunday Simplicity all about the 4's, counted a few of my blessings in life, and gathered inspiration for a vintage lemon wedding.
• Two years ago, I met Ben Savage at the Lake Effects premiere party, shared my favorite neon yellow fashion and beauty finds, and neon party ideas.  
• Three years ago I was working on my DIY flower girl basket and sharing why my mom was going to be walking me down the aisle.

clicks of note: who you love...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• John Mayer and Katy Perry are pretty much the cutest couple in entertainment right now, and their video for their duet "Who You Love" is almost too sweet.  Katy's little giggle at the end makes me happy.  Can these crazy kids make it?  I guess we'll see.

SWOON.

Laura Leslie via Magnolia Rouge

• Magnolia Rouge features an unbelievably gorgeous European chateau wedding.
• The perfect holiday entertaining outfit formula from House of Earnest.
• SAS Interiors features Radiant Orchid, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2014.
• Dreaming of visiting a modern snowy retreat like this one from 1Kindesign.

SMILE.

• It's not too late for this New Year's Eve in a box DIY from You Are My Fave.
• Laura shares some affordable last-minute New Year's ideas at Top This Top That.
• These confetti wands from The Hunted Interior look like so much fun!
• The Royal family's Boxing Day schedule was packed full of awesomeness.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared my favorite posts of 2012, rose gold inspiration for New Year's Eve, and my favorite movies and books of 2012.  I kicked off 2013 by listing my annual organization goals and rounding up cool and cozy gray wardrobe picks and home decor ideas.  Laura nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award.
• Two years ago I shared gold and champagne inspiration for New Year's Eve, listed my organization goals for 2012.

clicks of note: you're everything i need and more...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

The Boston Herald

• One of my students who found out I love a capella groups introduced me to Pentatonix, the group that won the third season of "The Sing-Off."  I fell in love with their cover of "Radioactive" with violinist Lindsey Stirling, and I flipped out when they posted their "Evolution of Beyonce" to YouTube. Acapella + Queen Bey = amazing.  I'm linking up to Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Erica Serena Photographer via Style Me Pretty

• This elegant Perth wedding at SMP Australia is too gorgeous for words.
• Celebrations at Home features a cute sewing notions themed shabby chic shower.
• This bohemian Malibu wedding from Erin J. Saldana is pretty and magical.
• Brides-to-be: ways to include guests in your ceremony from Intimate Weddings.

SMILE.

• I think Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband had the best celeb Halloween costumes.
• Cup of Jo features fun photo scavenger hunt for your next party.
• Want these royal family figures from British chain Debenham's.  Wee plastic George!
• Fascinated by this Yes and Yes feature about working on a cruise ship.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up inspiration for a black and white anemone-themed wedding and my pumpkin pie oatmeal breakfast recipe.
• Two years ago, I shared our indoor wedding portraits, recapped our social hour, showed off our outdoor bridal party portraits, and the ones of just me and Mr. Q.  I also posted about gratitude, shared my recipe for slow cooker baked apples and a peek at how we used cedar and teal as our main kitchen colors.

9 Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples and Groups

First things first:  have you all seen this adorable Verizon commercial featuring a whole family dressed as unlikely Star Wars characters who use their phones to find the best candy?  How could anyone resist a tiny baby Princess Leia or pug Darth Vader?

Now that I'm solidly out of the Mean Girls style high school Halloween (fishnets required) and the frat party college version (fishnets still required), I'm enjoying twenty-something Halloween house parties.  As more and more of my friends find serious boyfriends and girlfriends, get married, and start families, I'm noticing more and more cute couple and group costumes every year.  Here are nine of my current favorite costume ideas:

1. Effie Trinket and Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games 

 

This idea is the frontrunner in our house right now!  I love literary Halloween costumes and when it's YA lit?  Even better.  There is a lot of possibility for group costumes with The Hunger Games - the more the merrier with Katniss, Peeta, Cinna, Cesar Flickerman, President Snow, and so on.  I think that Effie and Haymitch would be fun and instantly recognizable together - I'd go with Effie's costume from the Reaping from the first book/film for the most recognition.  If I do, I totally plan to carry around a fish bowl with the names of all of my friends inside and choose tributes throughout the night.

2. Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone

We love Anchorman in our house and we are so excited about the sequel coming out this Christmas.  This couples costume idea appeals to me mainly because it is an excuse to visit the tackiest suit shop in town.  If you've got a bunch of guy friends, you could have the whole news team.  Microphones and a milk carton are the perfect accessories, as shown in this take on the couple from The Morning Call.

3. The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus

The villains of the best Halloween movie of all time would make great costume inspiration for three girl friends, and witch hats and black, red, and blonde wigs are easy to come by.  Add pink, purple, and teal trim to store-bought witch costumes (this one from Target is fabulous and this "lady Dracula" one would also work minus the collar), gel those wigs into shape, and you'll have Winnifred, Mary, and Sarah.

4. The Great Gatsby

 

I think 1920's costumes will be really popular this year since Baz Luhrman's movie was a hit.  Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, Nick Carraway, and Jordan Baker each have their own styles that would be fun to replicate - either a tuxedo and a champagne coupe or a summer suit and boater hat for Gatsby, a feminine vintage-style dress and jewels for Daisy, a sweater with elbow patches and newsboy cap for Nick, and something sleek, black, and flapper-inspired for Jordan.  I'll share some picks for the girls' costumes later this week.

5. A Christmas Story leg lamp and Ralphie (or "Fragile" box)
I thought this was a really strange costume idea when I saw the leg lamp dress on the Target web site, but I got on board with it when I saw real couples - and amputee Josh Sundquist - showing different ways to pull it off.  One nice thing about the costume is that it would be really easy to DIY!

6. Where's Waldo and Carmen Sandiego
I thought of this when I saw this funny image online, and it appears I'm not the first one to think it's a great Halloween costume idea.  Jessica Quirk shares her ideas for creating a Carmen Sandiego costume at What I Wore, or this Theodora costume from Target could work with a few tweaks.

7. The girls from Clueless

I tend to think in groups of three when it comes to costumes for girlfriends.  In case you've been living under a rock, 90's fashion is making a comeback (as evidenced by Katy Perry).  Throw on your plaid and knee socks and go out as Cher, Dionne and Tai.

8. Grandpa and Grandma
Dressing up like cute little old people doesn't require much more than gray wigs and a trip to Goodwill.  This is a great costume idea for newlyweds in particular - dressing up as an "old married couple."  My friends Justin and Tiffany used this idea at a party I attended a few years ago and it was the most popular costume idea of the night.

9. Duck Dynasty/hunting themed
Where I live, everyone seems obsessed with the Robinsons -  in a rural area, a family who hunt, fish, and pray over their meals while also becoming millionaires does seem to be living the dream.  The best part about a Duck Dynasty inspired Halloween costume would be the ease of finding camo and blaze orange gear at Wal-Mart or Sportsman's Warehouse to pull off the look.

10.  Kate, William and the Royal Baby

New moms, this year there is a pop-culture-relevant Halloween costume just for you that does not require putting your little baby into any kind of strange getup.  It justifies you buying a new, cute dress from Topshop.  Plus, you could wear a fascinator or tiny hat if you want.  Win-win.

clicks of note: all kinds of kinds...

get your week off to a colorful start...

• Today is the first day of school for my students, so I'm off early this morning to work on seating charts, finish my bulletin board, and make copies before they arrive.  I'm praying that the air conditioning in our building got fixed over the weekend! I'd really appreciate any positive thoughts and good vibes you'd like to send our way.

LISTEN. 

• My current favorite song is Miranda Lambert's "All Kinds of Kinds" - it's cute and quirky.  The CMA Music Fest airs on ABC tonight and I can't wait to kick back, relax, and hear a few of my favorite performers!

SWOON.

Archetype Studio via Style Me Pretty

• Style Me Pretty Texas features a stylish camping engagement session.
• This bright townhouse tour at Design*Sponge is full of budget-friendly ideas for getting modern style.
• Emmaline Bride features a round-up of ways to style birdcage veils.
• Photographer Jennifer Blair shares a classic navy wedding with a crazy-beautiful bride.

SMILE.

• I might be able to remember how to set a table with this guide from Antiquaria.
• Emmaline Bride features a clever mad lib-style RSVP card idea.
• A round-up of wedding guest fashion ideas at different price points from Molly.
• A friend's parents were featured on NPR's StoryCorps about their unlikely relationship.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I reflected on this in-between season, shared coral, peach, and teal wardrobe inspiration that's perfect for vacation, recapped Kate Midleton's Olympic wardrobe and came up with budget-friendly versions of her outfits.  Two years ago, I shared ideas for honeysuckle pink wardrobe and home decor.

clicks of note: finally holding what i've been hoping for...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• I heard Charlie Worsham's "Could It Be" on the radio last week and instantly fell in love - what a great country sound paired with sweet lyrics.  Be sure to swing by My So-Called Chaos for Musical Mondays!

SWOON.

Kaysha Weiner Photographer via Ruffled

• Ruffled features a COLORFUL wedding with gold balloons, bicycle cookies and a sprinkle cake!
• Have you seen Perfectly Imperfect's Vintage Market decor?  So shabby-cute and inspirational.
• Style Me Pretty Texas features a Galveston wedding with a lovely blush Monique Lhullier gown.
• This romantic desert engagement session at Wedding Chicks is positively cinematic.

SMILE.

• Genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? comes back to TV via TLC this week... fun!
• Modern Mrs. Darcy posts about giving kids space to make messes.  My parents believed in that!
• Love this sweet Goodnight Moon shadowbox from Moomah.
• Welcome to the world, Royal Baby!

FLASHBACK.

• Two years ago, I recapped the shower Mr. Q's coworkers gave us.  Last year, I posted a Sunday Simplicity inspired by my dream of traveling to Europe, Micah shared a DIY dresser makeover, I wondered about the origins of "Christmas in July" and geeked out about the London Olympics.

wedding trend: lace sleeves

We can probably thank Kate Middleton for the increased popularity of dresses with vintage-inspired lace sleeves.  Dresses with sleeves were basically nonexistent when I was wedding planning, but now they can be spotted in classically elegant celebrations.  I think lace sleeves give a dress a timeless glamour that is hard to beat!

Rebekah J. Murray via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Delphine Manivet || Reem Acra via Style.com

Lace dresses with sleeves aren't just for traditional weddings - they can fit right in at a bohemian wedding or at an art deco inspired celebration.

fashion: must-haves for classic style

In high school, I once described my personal fashion sense as "gypsy cowgirl ballerina."  That's right, I said in high school, not when I was three.  These days, I'm trying to streamline my wardrobe a bit.  My style these days is best described as "classic."  Maybe I'm just getting older, but I'm starting to value a good fit over a trendy look, and my style icons are women like Audrey Hepburn, Michelle Obama, and the Middleton sisters- women who exude class and always look put together.

My Must-Have Items for Classic Style:

LOFT

1.  Shells - Something fancier than a t-shirt to wear alone in warm weather and under a cardigan in cool weather, I like silky shells in solid colors, with classic patterns like polka dots, stripes, and florals, and with great details like bows and ruffles.

Rebecca-May

2.  Breton tops - I love French style and a striped sailor top is its simplest iteration.

Michelle Obama via Nitrolicious

3.  Cardigans - My favorites are Target's Mossimo line - they are affordable, available in a wide range of colors, and hold up in the washing machine.

beyond the aisle: most popular posts of 2012.

One of my favorite things about being a blogger is being able to look back and see what was important to me over the course of a year.  I also love being able to see what was important to you, my readers.  Here are my ten most popular posts from 2012:

#10: Clicks of Note: February 12, 2012

Why this particular Monday Clicks of Note post was so popular?  I'm guessing because of Beyonce and Blue Ivy.

#9:  Celebrate:  Kate Middleton's Olympic Wardrobe

I'm so glad y'all love Kate Middleton, and the Olympics, as much as I do - one of my favorite things about watching the daily coverage on television was spotting what Kate was wearing and looking out for affordable versions of her outfits.  I learned a thing or two about packing for a trip from Kate!

#8:  Independence Day Craft:  4th of July Rag Wreath

This was an easy craft inspired by my friend Riley.  Independence Day is one of my favorite celebrations and I love rustic style, so it was the perfect addition to the country townhouse.

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• As if I needed any reason to love Jimmy Fallon more.  I know a lot of you list this as your #1 Christmas song, so here's your new favorite version.

SWOON.

Ruffled

• Ruffled features a beautiful, glamorous Montreal winter inspiration shoot.
• Elizabeth Anne Designs features the unique protea in Friday Flowers
• Inspired Living's holiday tablescape is a simple neutral-and-metallic beauty.
• Snippet and Ink features a Great Gatsby-inspired wedding with gorgeous venues, a showstopping dress, and a sweet lily-of-the-valley bouquet.
• Purple Wedding of the Week: this rustic Texas wedding at Style Me Pretty.

SMILE.

• This week's Glee is going to be a tribute to Love Actually - get excited!
• An ornament bouquet - what a great touch of whimsy! (via The House that Lars Built)
• Love My Dress shares an easy Christmas ornament DIY - with sequins!
• Matchbook Magazine's inspiration board for the royal baby is perfection.

FLASHBACK.

• This time last year I shared Christmas PIN-spiration for woodland style, vintage, and homespun themed holiday decor. 

travel light: packing inspired by kate middleton

For sources visit my Polyvore

Our packing list based on Kate's Olympic wardrobe includes 25 pieces ideal for business travel with your main squeeze combined with sightseeing:

Packing List:

- 1 solid and 1 colored tee

- 2 printed sleeveless blouses (1 polka dot, 1 striped)

- 2 blazers (1 colored, 1 neutral - Kate's neutral is navy)

- 1 cardigan

- 1 windbreaker jacket

- 2 business style dresses (for meetings, receptions, etc.)

- 1 nighttime dress and 1 daytime dress

- 2 pairs of pants (or shorts or capris)

- sneakers, casual shoes, and neutral dress shoes

- 1 belt

- 1 casual and 1 dressy clutch handbag

- 1 tote bag

- 1 colorful scarf

- dangly earrings, studs, and a bracelet to go with everything

Traveling & Business Reception outfits

I went for an open-front cardigan for this travel wardrobe rather than a fleece jacket like the one Kate wore.  I think a cardigan is more versatile because you can throw it on during a chilly plane ride (or car ride with the AC on!) or over one of your dresses later in the trip.

celebrate: kate middleton's olympic wardrobe

My love of and admiration for Kate Middleton is pretty well-documented here at Beyond the Aisle, and I have pretty much squealed and clapped every time NBC has shown her during the Olympics.  I love that even though she probably could have had an extensive wardrobe, she's been dressing very much like a traveler during the Olympics, repeating and rotating key pieces and using a palette of red, white, cobalt and navy blue, taupe and gray to ensure that everything can be mixed and matched.  Today, I'm looking at what Kate actually wore during the London Olympics.  Tomorrow, I'll share my ideas for how to pack like Kate for a trip, with more affordable pieces.

What Kate Wore

When the Olympic Torch arrived at Buckingham palace on Thursday, July 26, Kate was patriotic in a white Team GB polo, cobalt Zara "Satin Tourser" jeans with back zippers (available from Zara in black for $19.99 or in cobalt from Zara's German site for 39.95 Euro), and navy Stuart Weitzman "Corkswoon" wedges (available in black patent from Nordstrom for $179, Zappos for $190.99 in a wider range of sizes, or Stuart Weitzman for $375 in nude patent, white patent, or denim).

LDNfashion

Kate wore an ice-blue Christopher Kane coatdress, nude pumps, a grey suede clutch, and bespoke Kiki McDonough earrings to the afternoon reception at Buckingham Palace welcoming international Heads of State and to the Opening Ceremonies on July 27.

Both images via LDNfashion

Kate wore her white polo, navy wool Smythe blazer ($208 at Neiman Marcus, with Team GB lapel pin, skinny navy pants, her Stuart Weitzman wedges and pearl stud earrings for the Equestrian events on July 30th | For equestrian events and a visit to the Olympic Village on July 31, Kate wore a sleeveless striped top, her Smythe blazer, her skinny pants, her Stuart Weitzman wedges, and a Team GB scarf (£10 at Next)

clicks of note: live every week like it's...

get your week off to a colorful start.

LISTEN.

• I absolutely adore The Beatles, but I'm not a purist - I love a lot of Beatles covers.  I even enjoyed Russel Brand's take on "I Am the Walrus" on the Closing Ceremonies of the London Olympics.  This version of "Here Comes the Sun" by Yuna is so lovely and peaceful, I could listen to it for days.

SWOON.

• This elegant bohemian wedding with purple details featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs reminds me of A Midsummer Night's Dream- it looks almost too lovely to be real!
• I love the artistic take on a library themed invitation from Quill and Fox.  The illustration has such a nostalgic quality.
• Style Me Pretty features a traditional Georgia wedding in a Greek Revival home with the prettiest peach-topped cake.

SMILE.

• Fuzzy green dianthus were last week's Friday flower at Elizabeth Anne Designs... I like learning the names of unfamiliar flowers!
• I'm a little in love with the concept of pop-up dinner parties, a la Oh Happy Day.
• Happy Shark Week!