my maternity photoshoot.

At 36 weeks pregnant I asked Mr. Q to take some photos of me because I wanted to remember what I looked like super preggo. I love all the pretty maternity shoots on Pinterest and showed him a few of my favorites for inspiration. The downsides of pregnancy for me were constant heartburn and regular morning sickness beyond the first trimester, but one of the upsides was the clearest skin I've had since elementary school - how could I not want to document that? I was also reaping the benefits of prenatal vitamins with thicker hair and longer fingernails, and found myself Googling whether pregnancy could make freckles more prominent (it can). I felt great about my appearance, and that's not the normal state of affairs for me. I'm so glad that I did get some photos when we did - the next weekend we went on our last date night as a party of two, and the weekend after that I was in labor!

One of the benefits of living close to a college town is a freely available beautiful setting! We started our afternoon on the campus of Ferrum College. My dress is from Pink Blush (same style in new colors) and I got the kimono on sale from Motherhood Maternity (similar). Mr. Q insisted that I wear my glasses in a few photos because "your glasses are you."

From Ferrum, we headed to our friends' beautifully tended Zen garden. This is probably my favorite photo from the day.

Finally, we headed back to town. I was inspired by a friend's maternity shoot which included some shots in front of a vibrant mural. There's an art gallery in our town that has a beautiful Van Gogh inspired mural on the side. It was a great backdrop for a few more photos in the last of the evening light.

Linking Up With:

Threads for Thomas

Walking in Memphis in High Heels

Get Your Pretty On

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• 4/23 - World Book Day
• 4/27 - Arbor Day
• 4/29 - International Dance Day 

SWOON.

Chris J. Evans via Intimate Weddings

• A vintage-inspired intimate wedding in Hawaii.
• A plant-filled bohemian Brooklyn home tour.
• From Lia Griffith, cute DIY baby shower invites.
• Love this modern cloud nursery with pops of gold.

SMILE.

• Digging everything in this Etsy paper goods shop.
• A kid-friendly music playlist that's not Kidz Bop #29.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: remixed closet staples and April favorites.
• 2014: pet peeves and the best [Mean Girls themed] link-up ever.
• 2013: inspiration for my eternal favorite spring trend: mixed prints.
• 2012: backyard wedding inspiration and ideas for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Andrea Anderson via Project Nursery

• An eclectic, masculine home tour from Apt Therapy.
• Crushing on this bohemian camp themed nursery.
• A calm, coastal inspired nursery from Table + Hearth.
• An amazing nature-inspired bridal shoot at Mag Rouge.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Red Stamp, Mel Armstrong, Inkstruck, TIMS.
• From Camille Styles, creative Valentine's Day date ideas.
• Love Haley's post about allowing others to care for her.
• Thinking about trying this Lenten decluttering challenge.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: favorite looks from the Grammys and Instagram faves,
• 2015: a business casual V-Day look, my second Stitch Fix, and February faves.
• 2014: sporty s-t-d ideas, the Olympics, and Sochi and Team USA wardrobe picks.
• 2013: inspiration for a poppies and lace wedding, the Cupid Swap, Cinderella-inspired wedding ideas, Oscar Party tips, and February blog loves.
• 2012: a couple of V-Day snapshots, and a peek at  my weekend.
• 2011: our wedding inspiration in textures, V-Day as an engaged couple, flower arranging, and contemporary instrumental wedding music.

this week's clicks.

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

Earnest Home Company

• A modern, sophisticated nursery from Earnest Home Co.
• A romantic bridal inspiration shoot with dreamy colors.
• This Iceland destination wedding is rainy-day perfection.
• This cute fox nursery would make Wes Anderson proud.

SMILE.

• Kristen Bell has a new web series about motherhood!
• Just finished Trevor Noah's fantastic Born a Crime.
• Have you seen Alex + Ani's Harry Potter collection?
• The White House got trolled by the Guggenheim...

FLASHBACK.

• 2016:  reading challenge ideas and my OTPs.
• 2015: dressing up a white tee, my TBR pile, V-Day style, and a "never have I ever" list.
• 2014: fave Grammy looks, January entertainment, a blended family wedding, Sunday Social all about the 4's, red picks for V-Day and easy party ideas.
• 2013: wedding dresses with full skirts, our wedding album, and a Super Bowl party.
• 2012: inspiration for a neutral wedding with pops of pastel pink.
• 2011: why and how I used wholesale flowers for our wedding.

What's coloring your life this week? Share your favorites in the comments!

This post contains affilitate links. Thanks for your support.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

Good morning! How was your weekend? Last week was weird because Mr. Q was sick and we had three snow days off from school, so it felt like my weekend started on Wednesday. When Josh recovered enough to leave the house, we started our baby registry, which was a pretty exhausting experience, and I spent a large portion of today doing even more research about all the options for everything from bottles to playpens (too many decisions!). I'll be glad to get back into my regular routine today.

eye candy.

Gina and Ryan Photography via Ruffled

• A bohemian wedding with on-trend agate accents.
• Love Jack's creative and crafty Peter Pan nursery.
• A modern, earthy boy's nursery from Bre Purposed.
• At SMP, a stylish Washington, D.C. wedding.

made me smile.

• Audrey posted a review of so many maternity clothes!
• Thinking about taking on the Classics Club challenge.
• From Lia Griffith, a dreamy DIY copper leaf wreath.
• Emily Ley's been sharing little steps to simplify life.

flashback.

• 2017: January favorites (post needs editing)
• 2016: winter entertainment, Literary Junkies and late to the game TV discoveries.
• 2015: ideas for a living room makeover and my January in Instagram.
• 2014: entertainment favorites and my beauty routine.
• 2013: deep thinking and my classic style staples.

What's coloring your life this week? Share your favorites or link to 

your most recent blog post, Pinterest board, or Insta in the comments!

sunday simplicity.

Nicole Lev Fine Art Photography via Style Me Pretty

"And think not that you can direct the course 

of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs 

your course." -Khalil Gibran

this week's clicks.

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

• An eclectic, bohemian San Francisco apartment tour.
• From Ruffled, an elaborate celestial fairytale wedding.
• Thrifty Decor Chick's great bathroom transformation.
• From Intimate Weddings, a storybook Banff elopement.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Minding My Nest, Soggy Musings, Cross Cards.
• Cute alert: kids describe their parents to an illustrator.
• How cute are these icon enamel pins from Sketch, Inc.?
• My friend has this cork wallet I'm adding to my wishlist.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: Potter-inspired books, a business trip Stitch Fix, driftwood and coral wedding inspiration
• 2015: Custard yellow and teal home decor and accessories, a bridal emergency kit, my early summer in Instagram, the Avengers book tag,
• 2014: a Sunday Social all about the special people in my life, reviewed an eShakti vintage-inspired dress, recapped our trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement, and checked in with Literary Junkies.
• 2013: inspiration for log home exteriors and interior design and collecting rustic wedding inspiration as we started planning Breeze's big day.
• 2012: a few of my favorite blogs and a round-up of braided bridal hairstyles.
• 2011: the bridal shower my friends gave me, my final hair and makeup trial, and my bachelorette party.

this week's clicks.

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

Nichols Photographers

• Into neutrals right now - like this artist's apartment.
• A California cliffside elopement from Cassidy Carson.
• A stunning contemporary wedding from the Nichols.
• From the Tomkat Studio, a gorgeous outdoor brunch.

SMILE.

• July Desktops: The Everygirl, Smashing, By Dawn Nicole.
• Currently crushing on this Anthro cowrie shell bracelet.
• From Vox, behind those totally 80's patterns and colors.
• Recently pinning inspiration for our Parkway cycling trip.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: the June Yogi Surprise box, cheerful camp wedding inspiration, Hufflepuff love.
• 2015: Palm leaf green wardrobe picks, retro camp wedding inspiration, summer entertainment faves (Paul McCartney!), and dream geeky spin-offs.
• 2014: fave genres, tropical-inspired fashion, Busch Gardens, and July favorites.
• 2013: July birthday cards, vintage-style wedding inspiration, and our Tennessee vacation, including the Titanic Museum, the Cumberland Plateau, and Nashville.
• 2012: my summer Instagrams, soft blue fashion, home decor, and wedding inspiration, and first wedding anniversary and the marriage book we received.

pinspiration: millennial pink new year's eve

Well, darlings, we're wrapping up another year here at Beyond the Aisle, and my thoughts this week are on 2017, and, of course, New Year's Eve. While the experts at Pantone have named Greenery the new Color of the Year, I'm honestly not over 2016's Rose Quartz and it's many permutations - fall's Dusty Cedar with its decadent 70's vibe, and of course the ubiquitous shade journalists have dubbed "millennial pink." My ideal New Year's Eve party would be laid-back with a bohemian vibe, plenty of champagne, a plethora of pink, the potential for a Nerf gun war, and, okay, some actual greenery thrown in as a nod to the New Year to come and all of its possibilities.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

sunday simplicity

The Grovers via Style Me Pretty

The secret to a happy marriage is if you can be at peace 

with someone within four walls, if you are content 

because the one you love is near to you, either upstairs 

or downstairs, or in the same room, and you feel that 

warmth that you don't find very often, then that 

is what love is all about.   - Bruce Forsyth

The Grovers via Style Me Pretty

sunday simplicity.

Audrey Rose Photography via Heart Love Always

“You don't love someone for their looks, or their 

clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they 

sing a song only you can hear.” ― Oscar Wilde

wedding wednesday: spring table number ideas.

Since my last post on creative table number ideas was posted two years ago, I wanted to take a look at current trends that savvy brides and party planners are drawing on to help their guests find a spot to sit! While I know not everyone is a fan of numbered tables at events, as a person with anxiety, I personally love knowing exactly where to go and being able to avoid that middle school lunchroom feeling. Table numbers (or names) can also be a great way to tie in the theme of the event or add a subtle nod to the couples' or hosts' interests.

Garden-inspired elements will always be popular for spring events, and this mock table setting from Pressed Cotton (via Snippet + Ink) cleverly uses a twisted fork (perhaps from a flea market or thrift shop) to hold a simple printed card that complements the fresh white linens and greenery of the centerpieces. If this style is too simple, a printed bee or floral design would be a nice element, but with an embroidered tablecloth and textured elements already on the table I think the simple number is breath of fresh air.

Lee Forrest Design | E. Gilbert Photography via Ruffled

Some simple but creative takes on a garden theme: a metal marker and a painted lantern. These ideas could be easily adapted for a smaller event by using plant markers with a fun quote, or using gold Sharpie to write a favorite song lyric or birthday year on lantern glass.

Matushek Photography

A vinyl number on a sparkling-clean carafe adds a modern touch to a traditional tablescape from Life in Bloom.

Meredith Perdue via Style Me Pretty | Maui Maka Photography via Bridal Musings

Hand-painted table numbers go from romantic to bohemian depending on how they're paired with other design features.

Kelsea Holder Photography via Ruffled

A vinyl number on a vintage lightbulb lends an industrial touch to a rustic wedding - this is an idea I'd never have had in a million years, but I love it.

Gemma Clarke Photography via Style Me Pretty

Another industrial-inspired touch paired with a classic centerpiece: this stenciled number on wood lends a rustic look.

Henry and Mac Photo Co. via Style Me Pretty

Finally, I adore this whimsical carved table number paired with mercury glass and pink roses.

What's your take on table numbers - are they

the mark of a pushy host, or a punch of personality?

this week's clicks.

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

• I've been on a Sara Bareilles kick lately. Have a great week!

SWOON.

Marina Koslow Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Obsessed with this Portland bride's Milly dress.
• Emmaline Bride is giving away a hair wreath.
• A pretty pink watercolor wedding from Ruffled.
• An elegant Bulgarian wedding in California.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Design Love Fest, Lime Ricki, Uppercase.
• Love Kate Spade's new initial planners and tumblers.
• 7 scientific reasons to spend on experiences, not things.
• Lots of ideas for St. Patrick's Day on my Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up spring style picks.
•  Sunday Social was all about Pinterest. I rounded up my fave green pieces for spring, did some snow day dog-sitting, and shared a St. Patrick's Day manicure
• Two years ago I turned my decoupage Easter eggs into a spring wreath and rounded up inspiration for a 1920's-inspired wedding and an Art Deco home office. 

clicks of note: to the one place we call home...

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

• Not only is Band of Merrymakers a holiday supergroup that includes Natasha Bedingfield, Fitz, Owl City, Christina Perri, and Jason Wade, they have YULE LOG VIDEOS, which is about as close to a fireplace as I'm probably going to get this week (it's going to be 70 degrees on Christmas in Virginia this year! Crazy!)

SWOON.

Hostess with the Mostess

• A festive #GladtoGive holiday party from HWTM.
• At A Cup of Jo, a perfect Brooklyn apartment tour.
• Glam printable New Year's invites from Lia Griffith.
• Style Me Pretty features a festive New York wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Minding My Nest, Mint for Hue, Pish and Posh.
• Holiday movies you can watch on streaming or Redbox.
• Book recommendations based on your fave holiday movies.
• All the holiday drinks and desserts you need.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared my holiday home tour.
• Two years ago, I chose my favorite account of Christmas, wrote to Santa, showed off my chalkboard ornaments and shared a holiday home tour.
• Three years ago, I shared a Sunday Social all about favorites, gave a holiday home tour and ideas for displaying cards, and rounded up my blog loves and my own most popular posts of 2012.  I also shared my December in Instagram.
• Four years ago, I shared my favorite things in our home.