sunday simplicity #88:

I just had to share these photos from my friend Jessica's wedding.  Jessica is a total Southern belle who loves antiques and primitive art, and that was reflected in her wedding, which had a lot of DIY elements.  Her photos are by Tiffany Maxfield Photography.

september blog loves.

September's almost here, which means it's blog crush time.  Here are the blogs I'm absolutely loving this month. As a schoolteacher, if I'm reading a blog at all right now it means I really can't stay away from it.  I mean, it's book fair week, people.  I probably have three e-mails waiting for me about The Hunger Games right now.

Perfectly Imperfect

• I've been reading Perfectly Imperfect for a while now, and I've decided that, imperfect as she claims to be, Shaunna is a wonder woman.  She restores furniture, creates fun tutorials, and shares inspiration, all while homeschooling her kids and opening a new brick and mortar store!  My favorite project of hers is her writing room.

Dandee

• I recently started reading Dandee and I'm inspired.  Danyelle's joie de vivre really comes through her posts, which are a perfect blend of family life, adorable DIYs, and design inspiration.  Her posts are so well-styled and her family is beautiful- with a new little one on the way!

A Cup of Jo

• A Cup of Jo really makes me wish I knew Joanna Goddard in real life.  Her blog's topics span everything from fashion and home decor to travel, marriage and relationships and I always want to add my two cents in the comments when she asks a question - I don't always feel comfortable doing that on strangers' blogs.  She has even lived my dream of being a magazine editor.  I want her to be the big sister I never had, but I'll settle for virtual advice.

A Farmgirl's Dabbles

• Brenda's food blog A Farmgirl's Dabbles hits that perfect sweet spot of beautiful food photography, clear directions, and consistently tasty final products.  These apple peanut butter cookies are definitely happening in my kitchen soon.

Previously featured: Ella Claire, Making it Lovely, Capitol Hill Style, The Swenglish Home, Geninne's Art Blog, The Daily Spark, Everyday Occasions, Bright Bazaar, Along the Lines of Style, Skinny Taste, A Beach Cottage, Bleubird, A Beautiful Mess, The Pioneer Woman, Centsational Girl, Dear Lillie, and Tiny Twig.

What blogs are you addicted to right now?  Let me know in the comments!

fall color: tomato & tangerine in home decor

As a lover of neutrals, I can be intimidated by bright colors - and tangerine and tomato are the brightest colors in this season's Pantone palette!  However, I love the idea of adding orange and red accents to a neutral room for fall!  I especially love these colors when they're used to create an eclectic, bohemian style.

Tangerine and tomato throw pillows and studded ottoman from Better Homes and Gardens

Switching in an orange or red rug could be a quick way to update for fall and completely change the energy of a room.  I like the quirky, collected style of this room from Five Days Five Ways.

wedding style trends: lace bodices

Nikki Meyer photography via The Pretty Blog

I consider it the Kate Middleton effect:  lace-trimmed dresses are everywhere right now.  The traditional lace overlay has given way to dresses with bits of sheer lace over the chest, shoulders and sleeves.

Marchesa via Glamour || Claire Pettibone via Trends of Wedding Dress

Lace bodices work with a variety of silhouettes and styles, from sophisticated to bohemian.

fall color: tangerine and tomato

1. Mossimo Carmen red cardigan, Target  2. Beaded neck tank, LOFT 3. Red wrap watch, LOFT  4. Orange vintage glass oval earrings, Silver Lining Decor on Etsy 5. Enamel chevron earrings, Lori's Shoes

5. Mossimo painted desert scoopneck sweater, Target  6. Lava orange khakis, Gap  7. Orange handled slouchy tote, Jack Rogers  8. Orange PU tote, SheInside  9. Light and shadow printed dress, Modcloth  10. Nail polish in "Spinning Again," Essie

Keep reading for some ways to wear these colors!

clicks of note: fallin'

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• Have you seen the new Target commercial featuring Connie Francis' "Fallin'"?  It's from 1958 - so fun!

SWOON.

Patrick Moyer via Santa Barbara Chic

• Santa Barbara Chic features a dreamy outdoor engagement shoot.
• This vintage-meets-modern wedding inspiration shoot against the Jacksonville, Florida skyline by Jennifer Blair Photography is a must-see- the bride's sparkly dress is such a showstopper!
• Fans of yellow and gray will adore this rustic mountain wedding from Elizabeth Anne Designs.
• Vintage-style neutral fall color inspiration from Magnolia Rouge.
• South Bound Bride features a gorgeous autumn South African winery engagement shoot.

SMILE.

• Another great link from my friend Micah: a kitten webcam.  You're welcome.
• Ana Perkins envisions a girls' night out with Margot Tenenbaum at Camille Styles.
• My friends with September birthdays will be getting this card.
• Wedding Thingz is giving away a $50 voucher to Green Bride Guide.
• Looking forward to Style Me Pretty - the book!  Congratulations Abby!

FLASHBACK.

• One year ago:  I recapped the beginning and end of our wedding ceremony and shared inspiration for a rustic purple wedding.

sunday simplicity #87: sunflower to the sun

Beaux Arts

Thus this I ask of you my brightest star

Forsake that daily period of night

And let us close this distance which seems so far

For being together just seems so right. 

- David Miao

Chris Moncus Photography via Style Me Pretty

autumn is here.

Boston Magazine

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird 

I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." 

-   George Eliot