inspiration for a rustic, lemon yellow wedding on the farm

I have a strange lemon wedding inspiration addiction, and I have to thank you, readers, for humoring me every spring.  Could it be because yellow and purple are opposite one another on the color wheel, therefore a lemon wedding is the complete opposite of the wedding I actually had?  Let's not try to get to psychological about it, though.  Winter is over.  Yellow is happy.  Here we go.

"Rustic Charm" wedding invitations from Minted

I love the vintage-inspired typography on this invitation!  I think it's a great way to set the tone for a laid-back, happy wedding full of personal touches.  It reminds me of county fairs, concert posters, and antique stores.

Wedding Bouquets

Kellie Kano Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Fact:  having been a bridesmaid in a navy blue dress and cowgirl boots, I will NEVER get tired of seeing bridesmaids in navy blue dresses and cowgirl boots.

Kim Bullock Photography

Storyboard Wedding

KC Photography via The Knot

I love everything about this groomsman's look: the striped tie, the different textures in the suit, and the wildflower boutonniere.  The cornflowers are the perfect touch of blue.

Brittany Janelle Photography via Emmaline Bride | AM Photography

All Mason jars, all the time, everywhere.

Bridelicious

Great Oak Circle | Kim Bullock Photography

Straw hats as decor and a lemon ring shot?  I want to go to there.

Vintage Tea Roses

This lemonade-themed ombre ruffle cake is an absolute dream.

Good Morning, Sunshine! Lemon Wardrobe, Decor & What I Smell Like...

Everything's coming up lemons this spring - the fruit itself and its sunny color are everywhere, from fashion to home decor.  No wonder - research about the color yellow suggests that it can really change people's thought and mood patterns.

Stylists cite yellow as an inviting color and studies have found that people feel happier and more open around this sunshiny shade - that makes it the perfect choice for many occasions, from an interview to brunch with your best girlfriend.  Interior designers and home decor color consultants recommend yellow to stimulate conversation, warmth, and connection and claim that saturated yellow can even help improve focus, which makes it a great wall color for foyers and living rooms and a good accent color for offices and classrooms.

Color therapists believe that looking at yellow can help ease some cases of depression.  Adding a little sunkissed yellow to your wardrobe or space is a great way to ensure a happy start to your day!  

View this set on Polyvore

1. Levi's sleeveless blouse  2. Kate Spade lemon wedge earrings  
3. J. Crew cotton lace dress  4. Vanzetti scarf from Zalando  5. Target soy candle
6. Xhiliration geometric wristlet from Target  7. Burt's Bee's cuticle cream from Target  
8. Kate Spade skirt  9. Rifle Paper Co. phone case from Walk in Love  
10. Pier1 microwaveable mug  11. Keds for Kate Spade sneakers

Those Kate Spade earrings are totally getting added to my birthday wish list.  Can I also come up with a reason to need the Keds sneakers?  They are quite possibly the cutest sneakers in world.

My personal favorite way to add a little lemon to my life is with my absolute favorite perfume for spring and summer - and the simplest scent I own.  A Bath and Body Works salesgirl sold me on C.O. Bigelow's Lemon Eau de Parfum years ago by telling me that in aromatherapy, lemon is linked to happiness and confidence.  Well, who doesn't need a little more happy?  The scent is crisp and a little bit sweet, and I get "you smell good!" complements every time I wear it.

Linking Up With:
Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Casual Friday at Two Thirty-Five Designs

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated for this post in any way, I just love all of the products and ideas featured!

clicks of note: in my own peculiar way...

get your week off to a colorful start...

I'm pretty excited about this week.  Tomorrow night, my family will be going to see Willie Nelson and Allison Krauss in concert.  You probably have to be a country music fan to truly appreciate what a big deal this is.  I'm pretty sure my mom's exact words when the concert was announced were, "I don't care how much the tickets are, I'm going."

SWOON.

Ashley Goodwin Photography via Style Me Pretty

• SMP features a pastel Honolulu inspiration shoot filled with vintage elegance.
• Bridal Musings features a breathtaking orchid gown fit for a princess.
• Escape with this Italian destination wedding from Eliabeth Anne Designs.
• This woodland wedding from Snippet and Ink is straight from a fairytale.

SMILE.

• So jealous of this girls' trip to Mexico from Design Love Fest.
• Kristen from Ella Claire features her beautiful patio makeover for spring.
• Amy rounds up some gorgeous book covers over on the Julep blog.
• Fresh farmer's market inspiration from Oh So Beautiful Paper.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared my past and made predictions about my future.
• Three years ago my co-workers threw the four brides-to-be in the department a surprise bridal shower!

sunday social: TV flashback!

1. What was your favorite TGIF show?  Definitely Boy Meets World, though I also had a soft spot for Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  I feel like I grew up with the Boy Meets World characters because they were just a little bit older than me, and I remember having actual emotional turmoil over their relationship problems in high school - especially Shawn and Angela who I just wanted to get their act together, get married, and travel the world together writing poetry and being bohemians together.  My mom and I still quote the infamous Halloween episode often.  I think I am slowly turning into a combination of Mr. Turner and Mr. Feeny because I enjoy sitting on my desk cool-teacher style, I like to think I impart important life lessons, and every now and then I like to call my students by their last names just to keep them on their toes.

Just hanging out with Cory Matthews, no big deal.

2. What was your favorite Saturday morning TV show?  I was watching Lizzie McGuire when I was way too old to be doing so and Breeze and I went to see the movie (we took her little sister as an excuse.  Katie hated the movie, but we loved it).  I also really enjoyed Even Stevens, and I really liked Endurance, which was like a children's version of Survivor.  But my all time favorite was probably Pepper Ann!  It was so witty.

3. Mickey Mouse Club or Kids Incorporated?  My family didn't have cable when I was growing up, so I never saw either.  But since Mickey Mouse Club brought us Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling, I don't really see how anyone wouldn't want to watch it. Thank you, Disney.

4. Zack Morris or AC Slater?  Slater.  I always wanted someone to take that smug Zack Morris down a peg.  He thought he was so cool with his brick-sized cell phone.

5. Which show would you love to see remade? (For example, Boy Meets World is back as Girl Meets World)  It saddens me that there's not really anything like Full House on right now that's clean enough for kids to watch but still funny for the parents.  I am totally psyched for Girl Meets World!

sunday simplicity.

100 Layer Cake

Happy Mother's Day!

inspiration for an elegant spring dogwood wedding

In Virginia, our most beloved sign of spring also happens to be our state flower - the dogwood.  The dogwood trees that can be found scattered throughout our forests and alongside our highways start to bloom around Easter, and by the beginning of May they are covered with ivory blooms tinged with pink.  Today, I'm imagining a wedding that puts the dogwood in a starring role, paired with burlap, lace, and soft blush pink and sage green for a romantic spring affair.

Jose Villa Photographer

This seemingly simple invitation set puts calligraphy in the spotlight.

Parsi's Etsy shop

Can you believe this boutonniere is made of clay?  When a wedding or event is based

around a specific flower, clay or silk flowers can be a great idea for accent pieces since

the real thing can be very delicate.  Clay flowers are also a wonderful way to have

a lasting token of the wedding day.

 Wedding Chicks | How to Dress

Paul Johnson Photography via Southern Weddings

Marcus Krause Photography via Style Me Pretty

I'm really into tan suits for groomsmen lately - it looks very Southern,

a little bit casual, and perfect for spring and summer temperatures.

 Annabella Charles via Wedding Chicks | Lisa Lefkowitz via Snippet and Ink

Calligraphy shines again on escort cards that could be easily
 crafted with craft scissors and a simple floral stamp.

Jose Villa Photographer

Katie Shuler Photography via Memento Designs | Lisa Lefkowitz via Snippet and Ink

Abby Jiu Photography via Once Wed

Isn't this dogwood wedding cake lovely?  You should really check out

all of the photos from Ritzy Bee's elopement at the Once Wed link above.

Spring 2014: St. Germain Pink

I realized recently (yes, it was Mean Girls day) that I have almost no pink in my wardrobe.  I need to fix this situation as soon as possible. This spring's most popular pink, St. Germain, is a far cry from blush and easier to wear than fuchsia shades.  Here are a few outfit ideas, for the work week as well as the weekend, that feature this bright, happy shade in all it's springtime glory.

View this set on Polyvore

1. Old Navy lightweight cardigan  2. J. Crew Factory statement necklace  
3. Cherokee tiered tee from Target  4. Lily Pulitzer striped infinity scarf  
5. Old Navy oxford shirt  6. Merona striped pencil skirt from Target  
7. The Limited bow belt  8. Old Navy skinny khakis  
9. MAC nail lacquer from Nordstrom  10. Dorothy Perkins denim pencil skirt
11. Merona colorblock flats from Target  12. Vans floral sneakers from PacSun 
13. DV by Dolce Vita leather sandals from Nordstrom

Linking Up With:
Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Casual Friday at Two Thirty-Five Designs
Three-Fer Thursday at Perfectly Coutured

clicks of note: cinco de mayo!

get your week off to a colorful start...

WATCH.

SWOON.

Love, Inc. Weddings via 100 Layer Cake

• 100 Layer Cake features fabulous red and coral coastal wedding ideas.
• A pretty yellow and gray beach themed bridal shower at HWTM.
• Cute fortune cookie party invites from A Thoughtful Place.
• This organic La Jolla wedding via Style Me Pretty is striking and unique.

SMILE.

• Buzzfeed has a great social media tips you wish you'd known sooner.
• Camille Styles features Cinco de Mayo inspiration in a calming palette.
• I like these pretty Mother's Day cards by Sophie and Lili for Target.
• Will and Kate DJing in Australia - they are so lovably dorky, right?

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up ideas for a fiesta-inspired wedding, shared a Sunday Simplicity all about the 4's, counted a few of my blessings in life, and gathered inspiration for a vintage lemon wedding.
• Two years ago, I met Ben Savage at the Lake Effects premiere party, shared my favorite neon yellow fashion and beauty finds, and neon party ideas.  
• Three years ago I was working on my DIY flower girl basket and sharing why my mom was going to be walking me down the aisle.