Saturday, September 7

Southern Traditions: UVa Game Day Style

Virginia fans were so excited to see Oregon on this year's schedule.  Today we face the Ducks in Scott Stadium, and win or lose, you can bet that Wahoo girls will be showing folks from the Pacific Northwest how to dress for football games.

Southern Traditions: UVa Game Day Style
View this set on Polyvore

1. Kenneth Jay Lane pearl stud earrings from Tuckernuck
2. Kate Spade bow bracelet from ShopBop  3. Essie nail polish in "Geranium" from Target
4. Judith March sundress from Sideline Sweetie (similar style in strapless)
5. Vera Bradley wristlet  6. Jack Russell tote bag (similar)  7. Jack Rogers Navajo sandals from Jildor



Friday, September 6

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:


Thursday, September 5

Modern Housewarming Gift Ideas

I've been using Polyvore for a while to create the sets for my Tuesday fashion and style posts, but haven't really tried using it to explore home decorating ideas.  When I saw a contest featuring housewarming gifts, I couldn't resist.  Here are twelve perfect, affordable gifts for newlyweds moving into a new home, whether it be a cozy cottage or a modern loft.  Which of these pieces would you most like to receive?

Modern Housewarming Gift Ideas

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1. A bottle of wine  2. Whimsical bookends (Jonathan Adler from Barnes and Noble)
3.  A cozy throw blanket (Pier1, $20)  4. Kitchen canisters (Target, up to $18)
5. Monogrammed mugs (Anthopologie, $8 each)
6.  A scented candle (Paddywax, $25)  7.  A serving tray (West Elm, $29 and up)
8. A colorful serving bowl ($35, Terrain)  9. A unique vase (Anthropologie, $28)
10. Cutting boards ($14 for two at World Market)
11. A monogrammed welcome mat (Pottery Barn, $59 and up)
12. A storage basket (Target, $31)



Wednesday, September 4

wedding inspiration: the most romantic ceremony backdrops

I just love rounding up great ceremony and portrait backdrops from creative weddings!  I've already shared my favorite quirky and whimsical backdrops; today, here are a few of the most beautiful and romantic backdrops from around the web.  All of them incorporate soft colors, a DIY spirit,

Disclaimer:  If you'd like to add any of these images to Pinterest, please click on the link underneath the photo and pin from the source so that the creators and owners get credit!  Please DO NOT pin from this post.


The origami arch on the left proves that any wedding location can become a showstopper- it's from a living room ceremony!  Isn't the arch on the right amazing - the simplest lines suggest classic Georgian architecture and the lush flower arch is the perfect compliment to the straight lines.



I love this vintage-inspired forest wedding background - such an approachable DIY with lace and simple white frames!  I think that sticking to a single color keeps the focus where it should be - on the couple, not on the backdrop.



Beach wedding?  Amazing florals?  JOHNNY CASH LYRICS IN AMAZING TEAL CALLIGRAPHY?  Yes, yes, and yes please.  This backdrop from a Beau and Arrow Events wedding might be my favorite of them all.



I think that a lot of brides still love a traditional floral arch as a ceremony backdrop, and I love that wedding planners, designers, and DIY brides themselves are finding so many ways to put a creative spin on this classic design elements - the ruffles inside the arch at the Cedarwood wedding on the left are feminine without being cheesy, and the rustic style and shape of the summer camp wedding arch on the right makes it unique and memorable.



Michelle Rigg shared the amazing, larger-than-life flowers from her own wedding on her art blog.  She used them as altar decor, then as props in day-after photos!




What have we learned today?  Maybe that I love lush florals, soft colors, and picture frames... oh wait.  We already knew all of that, didn't we?

Tuesday, September 3

Steeper or Cheaper: Emerald Peasant Tops

Steeper or Cheaper: Emerald Peasant Tops

Old Navy embroidered jersey peasant top, $12.00
Ruche Psalm of Life embellished peasant blouse, $36.99

Which of these peasant tops is your favorite?

Peace out, Summer! Jewel Tones

Today I wanted to share another take on transitional summer-to-fall colors.  The jewel tones that are popular right now are amped-up versions of Pantone's Vivacious, Acai, and Emerald.  These colors are bright and cheerful enough for September, but their rich tones are a reminder that fall is on the way.  Wear them now, throw on a drapey cardigan or structured moto jacket when the weather gets cooler.

Peace out, Summer! Jewel Tones

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1. Old Navy cross-front maxi dress  2. Mossimo embellished tank from Target 3. Old Navy belt
 4. Ruche peasant blouse  4. Vera Bradley tablet cover  5. Dorothy Perkins straight leg jeans
 6. Dior nail polish (from the "Samba" duo) at Macy's  7. Julep nail polish (similar colors)
8. Marais sandals from ShopBop 9. Aldo handbag in Cognac

Style Elixir

Monday, September 2

clicks of note: what are you listening to?

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

  • Chris Stapleton has one of the most soulful voices I've heard in a long time - I hope that he finds a lot of success!  I head "What Are You Listening To?" on my favorite country station this weekend and fell in love instantly.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos today.

SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.

Sunday, September 1

sunday simplicity: kindness and love


That best portion of a good man’s life
His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

- William Wordsworth, “Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”