pinspiration: a farmhouse Easter

Maybe it's the copious amounts of Fixer Upper I've been watching lately (it's the perfect thing when I'm in preggo nesting mode, but too tired to actually clean or work on my own house), but I'm really feeling a farmhouse-inspired theme for Easter this year!

I'm so inspired by the cobalt and terra cotta tones in this very Anthropologie-esque vignette from House By Hoff.

How cool are the Rae Dunn inspired Easter eggs from DIY Beautify?

Using temporary tattoos to decorate eggs is one of those ideas I'd never think of - Lia Griffith is so creative!

To make your holiday extra special, here's a playlist that would be the perfect background music for a farmhouse brunch:

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
SWOON. this week in pretty things.

Bridget Matkovich via Project Nursery

• An ethereal bridal shoot in the Scottish highlands.
• The DIY Playbook's calm, modern boy's nursery.
• Monika Hibbs rounds up spring entertaining pieces.
• Love this idea for displaying photos via A Cup of Jo.

THIS WEEK. the kids are all right.

• Photos from March for Our Lives rallies worldwide.
• The New England Patriots lent Parkland kids a plane,
• Veterans are showing their support for the youth activists,
• and the protest signs were creative, moving, and heartbreaking.

FLASHBACK. let's see how far we've come.

• 2017: Niagara blue pinspiration and March favorites.
• 2016: Literary Junkies, spring getaway pinspiration, book + concert reviews (Elton John!), and my March Stitch Fix
• 2015: I pretty much predicted the Colors of the Year for 2016.
• 2014: Sunday Socialabout ideals and accomplishments, my fave green and black and white picks, and my April favorites.
• 2013: rainy day fashions, white bridesmaid dress inspiration, explained how we save money on groceries, completed my second Liebster survey, and shared my love story with Mr. Q for the Love and Marriage series.
• 2012: I collected inspiration for an April Fool's wedding.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Michael and Carina Photographers via Magnolia Rouge

• I fell in love with this classic country club wedding in Virginia.
• From Beka Price, a dreamy maternity shoot in a lavender field.
• A sweet, romantic couples photo sesh. In Hawaii. With a puppy.
• Love Alicia's convenient and chic do-it-yourself office nook.

SMILE.

• Desktops:  The Everygirl, CrossCards, Flipsnack, Sarah Hearts
• Rifle Paper Co.'s new collab with Keds is here + includes kids'!
• Love peeking at Bridget Beth Collins' creative floral artwork.
• Currently pinning inspiration for Holy Week and Easter.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: spring reading challenge recommendations, tattoos I'd love to have
• 2015: my March favorites (and OUAT obsession).
• 2014: inspiration for a sweet mint and baby's breath wedding.
• 2013: memories of Ireland and citron wardrobe inspiration.
• 2012: inspiration for a moody pastel country wedding.
• 2011: creative ideas for wedding card storage and thank you signs.

this week's clicks.

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

A Burst of Beautiful

• Loving Alicia's simply decorated sideboard for spring.
• Crushing on this former gardener's cottage in California.
• A lovely, smile-filled intimate wedding on a Michigan farm.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Mospens Studio, TIMS, and Bonnie Christine.
• The striking WVa teachers packed lunches for their students.
• Harry + Meghan + Spice Girls? Probably, if you ask Mel B.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: St. Patrick's Day pinspiration and favorite fictional foods.
• 2015: spring style picks.
• 2014: all about Pinterest, green pieces for spring, dog-sitting, and a St. Patrick's mani.
• 2013: A DIY decoupage Easter egg wreath, 1920's-inspired wedding ideas, and Art Deco home office picks. 

clicks of note: nobody loves in a straight line...

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

SWOON.

Julie Paisley Photography via Style Me Pretty

• A colorful, modern rental home tour from Apartment Therapy.
• Copper and + purple = perfect color combo (Jenna Henderson).
• Lia Griffith's modern, fresh DIY brass geometric centerpieces.
• Love the bright colors in this NOLA bistro wedding from SMP.

SMILE.

• May Desktops: Short Stop Designs, Smashing, Eden's Garden. 
• I'll be out of town, BUT it's Rke's first Harry Potter Festival!
• Floral recipe cards would be a nice spring bridal shower gift.
• Thinking of trying this social media diet from Camille Styles.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: TV flashbacks, lemon yellow picks and rustic wedding inspiration, and a typical day in my teaching life (will definitely need to do this again in my new job as a coach!)
• 2014: I shared my past and made predictions about my future.

this week's clicks.

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

• "Silver Lining" is the result of Oklahoma-born Americana singer-songwriter Parker Millsap wondering if he could write a pop song. Paired with a cute music video that features Millsap in a jumble of leading-man stereotypes, I'd say he did just fine.

SWOON.

Inner Song Photography via Borrowed and Blue

• A vintage-inspired wedding with a soft color palette.
• Refreshing spring home decor swaps from Domaine.
• Snippet + Ink features a perfect wine country wedding.
• From SMP, a stunning anniversary shoot in Australia.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Cross Cards, Spark + Chemistry, Eden's Garden. 
• I totally enjoyed this interview with Lisa Frank at her HQ.
• Wouldn't this retro necklace be a sweet mother's day gift?
• Eyeing this cute tee for my BFF and favorite new momma.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: I shared a Sunday Social all about the 5's, joined Literary Junkies, rounded up bridesmaids in white, let Mr. Q take over, and recapped April in entertainment.
• 2014: I recapped my entertainment faves and my spring in Instagram.
• 2013: I shared my goals for the future.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Topshop via Refinery29

• Topshop's bridal collection is on point with the current 90's trend.
• A sweet casual Colorado ranch engagement session from Jamee.
• From Ruffled, the most romantic elopement in Santorini, Greece!
• A pretty, rustic Massachusetts wedding from Samantha Melanson.

SMILE.

• The Everygirl rounds up of this spring's new wardrobe staples.
• In adorable/political news, Cory Booker asked Mindy Kaling out!
• Currently pinning all the spring home decor/wardrobe inspiration.
• Planning Easter baskets for my team after seeing Joy's post.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: Literary Junkies, spring getaway pinspiration, book + concert reviews (Elton John!), and my March Stitch Fix
• 2015: I pretty much predicted the Colors of the Year for 2016.
• 2014: Sunday Socialabout ideals and accomplishments, my fave green and black and white picks, and my April favorites.
• 2013: rainy day fashions, white bridesmaid dress inspiration, explained how we save money on groceries, completed my second Liebster survey, and shared my love story with Mr. Q for the Love and Marriage series.
• 2012: I collected inspiration for an April Fool's wedding.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Erin McGinn Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

• Love the black gowns + pastel flowers at this winery fete.
• This hacienda featured on the Found blog is so dreamy.
• From SMP, a magical destination wedding in Tuscany.
• Annie of Zevy Joy's airy spring home decor = perfection.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Geninne, Mospens Studio, Going Home to Roost.
• The colorful new spring Starbucks cups are 100% Insta-worthy.
• From Dear Lillie, the classiest chalkboard basketball bracket.
• Did you know that this Thursday is National Puppy Day? 

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: rose quartz pinspiration, a Circle post on loss and reunion, and my geeky wardrobe wishlist.
• 2015:
• 2014: I turned my blog into an outfit, rounded up teal and chambray wardrobe updates, pretty watercolor stationery, and recapped life in IG and in entertainment.
• 2013: I featured garden-inspired wardrobe ideas, rounded up inspiration for a French lavender wedding, and recapped February and March in entertainment.
• 2012: I reflected on the course of this blog, and shared my blog loves.
• 2011: we designed our invitations and found our flower girl's dress.

my late spring in instagram.

As y'all know, Instagram is my favorite form of social media. Lately, I've been striving for a balance of "styled" shots that help me practice my photography skills and real, un-posed memories of small town life that I know will serve as a diary for years to come. I'm really happy with the result! Here's what I've been up to since spring break.

Spring break photography practice with some blossoms from

the trees around our townhouse and a few of my favorite

antiques - this espresso cup is from my parents' time spent

living in Germany and I can't pass up a blue Ball Mason jar!

My jewelry organization situation was reaching crisis mode, 

so I ordered this cute arrow hook from Urban Outfitters and

I'm in love with it. It's the little things! Spring break = real 

lunch without having to supervise 150 kids or rush to eat!

One of my town's gems - the Grainery, which is home to an

art gallery/store and glass blowing school/studio. I love the

Van Gogh inspired mural outside. | Someone got my yoga

teacher this fantastic gnome as a gift at the end of term.

My mom is from the Kentucky and watches the Derby religiously

every year. This year we celebrated at my house with virgin

mint juleps - the colorful paper straws reminded me of the 

jockeys' racing silks. | This spring I taught three boys I referred

to as my Musketeers on their best days and my Stooges all the

others - all three were on the baseball team and I loved going

to their last middle school game, where they shone like stars.

         

My Bestie and her husband came in from Seattle to visit their 

families and their trip just happened to coincide with our 31st 

birthday (we were both born on May 29th!). We celebrated in 

true Roanoke fashion with a very indulgent brunch at Thelma's 

Chicken & Waffles, visiting a downtown event for a photo op with 

a mini horse, an adult big wheel ride on the Greenway with my tribe, 

homemade ice cream from Hits, and dinner at Beamer's 25 in honor 

of Bestie's love for Virginia Tech (as a Wahoo, this is true friendship).

Bestie and I both bought each other whale gifts for our birthday

in reference to an old inside joke from when we worked at

4-H camp together and our resulting catchphrase, "Whale please!"

Great minds think alike even when living on opposite coasts.

Finally, here's my chubby adorable cat, Scout, responding to being 

called "pretty boy." He is 100% awake in this picture.

Are you on Instagram? Let's be friends - you can follow me here.

{Linking Up with Weekend Snapshots at Her Heartland Soul}

style: olive chinos two ways

Now for something I haven't done in a while - a style post! Toward the end of the school year, my work look gets a little comfier; after all, my students already *know* I'm a professional, and the crunch of finals and standardized testing is stressful. I recently picked up my third pair of Old Navy pixie pants - this time in the chino style - and immediately thought of two ways to style them with some other new wardrobe favorites. Luckily, Mr. Q was on hand to offer his photography services while I was brainstorming.

I've been coveting a chambray shirt for what feels like years now, but a well-fitting button-down is very hard to find for a petite hourglass shape - shirts that are short enough in the torso tend to be too tight across the chest. I spotted this perfect light chambray blouse at Wal-Mart, of all places, and knew it would be the perfect match for my Pixies, Bare Traps sandals (similar), and homemade tassel necklace and charm bracelet.

Want to hear a slightly funny story about my charm bracelet? Of course you do! I got the bracelet at A.C. Moore and the tiny charms from Michael's, and chose the Om symbol to remind me to keep my yoga-time peace and calmness with me wherever I go. This is especially important in a middle school classroom. One of my darling boys saw my bracelet and said, "Mrs. Quinn, do you like Stephen Curry?" He'd definitely mistaken the Om for a 30 and thought I was a die-hard Golden State Warriors fan. I think trying to explain the significance of Om left him even more confused...

The second way I knew I'd style these Pixies is with my new favorite J. Crew Factory tee (similar - I waited forever for this one to go on clearance!) and all-time favorite boyfriend cardigan from GAP. These two comfortable outfits were the basis of my go-to uniform during a hectic spring!

Linking Up With:
Let It Shine at Still Being Molly
Mix it Mondays with Fizz and Frosting

Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet
Friday Faves at Style Elixir

sunday simplicity.

Erin Hearts Court via Green Wedding Shoes

“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole 

world around you because the greatest secrets are always 

hidden in the most unlikely places.” ― Roald Dahl

this week's clicks.

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

• Have a great week, everyone!

SWOON.

• An elegant Pippin Hill wedding from S+I.
• A pastel Texas wedding with an airstream!
• At SMP, a spring floral inspiration shoot.
• The most amazing real wedding portrait.

SMILE.

Sugar and Cloth

• Every town needs a bright and colorful wall!
• Anthro's classic-with-a-twist birthstone cuff.
• Just Loki popping in with a weather report.
• Creative money-saving tips from Refinery29.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year: my entertainment faves, Rachel Held Evans' Searching for Sunday,
• Two years ago: classic Spring Break wardrobe, a spring and summer bucket list.
• Three years ago: a Sunday Social all about Twitter, citrus prints inspired by two of my favorite shows, and the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure.
• Four years ago: Titanic dinner party.

sunday simplicity.

Kate Zimmerman via Camille Styles

“It is good people who make good places.”

― Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

this week's clicks: Spring Breakin'

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

• My favorite part of Spotify is definitely the "Discover Weekly" playlist that generates a list of songs based on what I'm listening to and liking. Aren't algorithms cool? This week, one of my favorites from the list was Firekid's "Lay By Me" - how sweet are these lyrics?

SWOON.

Studio DIY via Love, Maegan

• Maegan's got the DIY for chic palm frond balloons.
• At S+I, a beautiful veil and funfetti wedding cake.
• SMP features a pretty pink Korean-American e-shoot.
• A fun, colorful Austin soirée from Wedding Chicks.

SMILE.

• A cheeky little pin for Spring Break outfits.
• Loving the inspiration for Jen's style challenge.
• Her Universe's Marvel activewear line is here!
• Spring Break style ideas on my Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I pretty much predicted the Colors of the Year for 2016.
• Two years ago, Sunday Social was about ideals and accomplishments. I featured my fave green and black and white picks, and rounded up my April favorites.
• Three years ago I rounded up rainy day fashions, white bridesmaid dress inspiration, explained how we save money on groceries, completed my second Liebster survey, and shared my love story with Mr. Q for the Love and Marriage series.
• Four years ago I collected inspiration for an April Fool's wedding.