Casual Neutrals for Fall [high school reunion tailgate outfits]

In a few hours, I'll be heading back to my old high school football stadium stomping grounds to kick off my ten year reunion weekend with my classmates.  It's also the 50th anniversary of my high school, so alumni from throughout the school's history as well as retired teachers will be in attendance.  I had been brainstorming cute fall outfit ideas for a while and came up with four layered looks I was loving - and then Virginia decided to be 80 degrees in September.  So while I'll probably be rocking a t-shirt, jeans, and flats tonight, here's what I'd rather be wearing!

View this set on Polyvore

Tomboy:  Striped sweater (similar from J. Crew), bar necklace (similar from Piperlime), Nordstrom pave stud earrings, GAP destructed jeans, Merona riding boots from Target

Preppy: Madewell cableknit sweater (similar from Mango), J. Crew Factory herringbone excursion vest (similar from Need Supply Co.), pearl earrings (similar from ShopBop), mustard crossbody purse (similar from Macy's), Old Navy embroidered loafters

Edgy: Moto jacket (similar from Forever 21), House of Harlow 1960 button earrings from Piperlime, flared jeans (similar from Pink Mascara)

Diva: Old Navy t-shirt, Yumi glitter thread cardigan from House of Fraser (UK), Tory Burch stud earrings from Nordstrom, Fossil satchel, GAP leopard print flats

Which of these looks is your favorite?

Fall 2013: Graphic Black and White

I'm excited about Target's fall designer collaboration with 3.1 Phillip Lim.  The pieces hit stores this Sunday, and the collection focuses on versatile, modern items with clean lines and fun prints.  My favorite pieces also fall in step with one of this fall's biggest trends: graphic black and white.  White after Labor Day?  Now totally acceptable- especially paired with bold black pieces like moto jackets, structured handbags, and statement jewelry.

View this set on Polyvore

Disclaimer:  ModCloth items contain affiliate links.

1. Mossimo moto jacket from Target  2. LOFT necklace tee  3. 3.1 Phillip Lim booties from Target
4. Tribal print dress from ModCloth  5. House of Harlow 1960 earrings from Piperlime
6. Pam Breeze-ly tunic  from ModCloth  7. 3.1 Phillip Lim purse from Target
8. BCBGMAXAZRIA lace blouse from Piperlime  9. Bow-print dress from ModCloth
10. 3.1 Phillip Lim graphic dress from Target 11. 3.1 Phillip Lim embellished dress from Target

Here are some of our favorite celebrities rocking black and white.  Please note:  If you'd like to add any of these celebrity images to your Pinterest boards, please click on the link below the picture and pin from the source so the photographers get credit for their work!

Modern:  Julianne Moore || Olivia Wilde

clicks of note: i will love who i am.

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• Janelle Monae's new album comes out today!  I love her so much for her refusal to conform to the status quo of the music industry.  I'm loving the first two videos, "Q.U.E.E.N." and "Dance Apocalyptic."  Here's an animated portrait by by favorite Tumblr illustrator, Celeste.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos today.

SWOON.

Sandra Marusic Photography via Bridal Musings

• Bridal Musings features two dancers' engagement shoot in London - urban and awesome.
• These DIY gold dot vases from Lilikoi Joy are elegant and fun - they'd make cute votives, too.
• Style Me Pretty features a romantic San Ysidro shoot with a ribbon veil and stunning bouquet.
• A very Southern, orange and blue bow tie inspiration shoot from Wedding Chicks.

SMILE.

• The School of Rock cast had a 10 year reunion!  (BuzzFeed)
• Nate Berkus' new line of housewares hits Target this weekend. (CasaSugar)
• Design Love Fest shares a tutorial for customizing my family's favorite yard game.
• A perfectly pulled-together look with fall's key pieces from KMK Styling.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I shared our wedding's thrifted touches, rounded up the coolest terrariums on the web and more geometric accessories, and joined an Instagram challenge for bookworms. 
•  Two years ago, I shared more of our wedding's handcrafted details.

team spirit: house united rag wreath [football season!]

I've seen several great ideas for "House Divided" wreaths on Pinterest: they're perfect for couples that attended rival colleges - like us!  Mr. Q is a Virginia Tech alumni and I graduated from the University of Virginia.  I'd been thinking about putting my own spin on a House Divided wreath, but when I really thought about it, I decided to go in a different direction.

I made a House United rag wreath.   Honestly, Mr. Q and I are not the rabid football fans that many Virginia natives are.  We love a good game, but neither of us gets throwing-things angry when our team loses.  When we were talking the night we met and learned that we attended rival schools, both of us kind of shrugged and kept asking questions.  Mr. Q has attended several UVa games with me, I've been to a few Tech games, and we root for both the big Virginia teams every weekend - except for that one weekend in November when the Commonwealth Cup is on the line. 

To make my House United wreath, I used the same method used to make my Fourth of July Rag Wreath - I just love the random, rustic look it creates!  My raw materials were a coat hanger, scissors, four spools of ribbon, and four fabric quarters (from the quilting section at JoAnn Fabrics).  I used navy, maroon, burnt orange, and bright orange fabric, and burgundy grosgrain, orange dot, orange stripe, and blue gingham ribbon.

Once I had my coat hanger circle made, I cut my ribbons, cut and ripped the fabric into strips, and went to work tying knots around the circle.  I tried to mix up the colors as much as possible.  This is what the side that was face-up while I was working looks like when it's finished:

I flipped the wreath over to hang it on the door - the side that was facing the table while I was working.  For whatever reason, that side always looks a little more rustic and fun!  Making the wreath took about an hour.  I'd love to try this again with a little burlap ribbon in there with the school colors!

 

See that crazy goodness?  I love ripped edges.

Here's what the wreath looks like on our front door.  Do you like my antique 

key print welcome mat?  It's a Target find.

And here's a shot of our townhouse in her between-seasons glory!

Linking Up:

The 36th Avenue

Catch as Catch Can at My Repurposed Life

The Inspiration Exchange at Clean and Scentsible

Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths

Inspire Me Please at Liz Marie Blog

Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits at Stone Gable

Wildly Original at I Gotta Create

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Frugal Fridays at The Shabby Nest

Shine on Fridays at Young and Crafty

Best of the Weekend at A Little Claireification

Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

Well, I survived my first week with a new crop of middle school students and I'm already loving them.  This year's group is funny, creative, and enthusiastic.  Some of my students have their reservations about reading and writing, but they've all set goals for themselves and are willing to face their struggles head-on.  Right now, my focus is on building relationships with my students so that they trust me enough to ask for help when they need it.


LISTEN.

• New music releases this week include John Mayer's Paradise Valley... is it pay day yet?*  I'm loving the track "Wildfire" (here's a link to the official lyric video) - it's the perfect end-of-summer cookout song.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos - don't forget to check out what everyone else is listening to this week!

SWOON.

Style Me Pretty via Stephanie Williams Photography

• Emmaline Bride has rounded up some lovely ideas for using parasols in weddings.
• Check out this sweet, feminine vintage-inspired birthday party from Hostess with the Mostess.
• Julie from Willow Bird Baking shared photos from her sweet Charlotte wedding on her blog.
• I love the graceful muted palette in this elegant Sonoma wedding featured on Style Me Pretty.

SMILE.

• This recipe themed bridal shower from Celebrations at Home is genius - and adorable.
• Jenny Steffens Hobick from Everyday Occasions now has her own store full of party essentials.
• The perfect new wardrobe staples for late summer (from Mix and Match Fashion).

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared wardrobe inspiration and home decor ideas in shades of navy blue, daydreamed about a bohemian citrus-inspired wedding, and rounded up my favorite brides in forehead bands.

*No, it's not.