Style: Bold Black and White for Fall

First, I fell in love with this daring dalmation-spotted hand painted wall by Gaby at The Vault Files...

The Vault Files

Then, I saw this scaled-down wall art version of graphic black and white spots in Michelle Adams' bedroom...

Lonny Magazine

The next thing I knew I wanted black and white everything... clothes, accessories, and home decor.  This fall, I'm feeling high-contrast, graphic prints and typefaces.

View this set on Polyvore

1. Old Navy graphic t-shirt  2. J. Crew Factory linen t-shirt 
 3. H&M storage basket  4. Nate Berkus storage baskets from Target  
5. Merona wedge sandals from Target (similar) 6. Monki clutch from ASOS

Which of these graphic pieces is your favorite?

Linking Up:

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera and Sophisticated in Style

clicks of note: fear is a friend that's misunderstood...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• I've probably posted "The Heart of Life" in this spot before, because it's one of my all-time favorite John Mayer songs, but when this live version popped up on my Pandora I was automatically transported to fall college weekends driving through the Blue Ridge mountains.  I love that he mixes in a little of "In Repair" at the end, too.  I'm linking up, as usual, with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Wendy's Lookbook via The Sweetest Occasion

• Perfect office/guest room makeover from Dear Lillie.
• Pretty 'let love grow' styled shoot from The Bride's Cafe.
• Lia Griffith created this vintage-style paper bouquet!
• The Sweetest Occasion's prettiest color palette for fall.

SMILE.

• I'm so excited that autumn has finally arrived in Virginia.
• Let Lucky's 10 fall classics inspire your autumn wardrobe.
• Also loving Monika Hibbs' gilded picks for the season.
• These moccasins (from Payless!) are SO comfortable.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I recapped Breeze's beautiful blue and yellow rustic wedding, put together a casual game day look, shared some of my favorite berry wardrobe updates for fall.  Mr. Q and I went to a low-country boil at the lake with some of our best friends, and I reminisced about some of my favorite high school TV shows while planning my class' 10-year reunion.
• Three years ago, I recapped our wedding recessional and shared our indoor wedding party portraits.

sunday social: all around.

1. What is your favorite magazine to read?

Nerdy answer: the NEA Today magazine that I get for being a member of the National Education Association.  I always pick up some practical teaching tips that I can use in my classroom.

Less nerdy answer:  Rolling Stone - it covers so much more about entertainment than just rock music, the interviewers ask celebrities truly deep questions, and I've even learned a lot about politics from Matt Taibbi's reports.

2. What is the best thing you’ve seen online lately?

Probably a tie between John Green's response to Riverside, California's decision to ban The Fault in Our Stars from middle school libraries, and Ellen Page and Kate Mara's Tiny Detectives sketch.  Oh, and this baby who loves Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" always cheers me up.

3. What is your favorite celebrity to follow on Instagram or Twitter?

Anna Kendrick's Twitter and Instagram are both very funny.  I also love YA author Maureen Johnson for gems like this one:

I've decided to live my life like someone is narrating it for Drunk History.
— Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) September 17, 2014

4. Is there one article of clothing no matter what the season you can’t help but love?

I believe every woman should own yoga pants and a terry cloth hoodie.

5. Do you prefer email or snail mail?

Super selfish, true answer:  I prefer to send e-mail and receive snail mail.  I'm usually too lazy to write actual letters but I love getting them from other people.

sunday simplicity: fall

Love Made Visible via Ruffled

“Life starts all over again 
when it gets crisp in the fall.” 

― from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

oh hey friday: my 5 recent blog loves.

Every season here at Beyond the Aisle, I like to share a handful of my "blog-mances" with my readers - charming blogs that cover all of my favorite subjects - lifestyle, fashion, cooking, organization - and that I think you should add to your reading list ASAP!

Nine-Thirty To Five

Nine-Thirty to Five - Sure, I love the fashion blogs that feature Chanel this and Coach that, tulle skirts with sweatshirts, and other creative takes on what fashion actually is, but what I really want to read are fashion blogs that show me outfits I can actually replicate on an everyday basis.  As cute as those tulle skirts might be, I can't wear them in the hallways of my school.  Paloma and Karen deliver with real-life, work-appropriate outfits that include budget-friendly options (think The Limited, LOFT, J. Crew Factory, and Forever21).  I'm constantly going, "Oh my gosh, I have a leopard print top/striped dress/green pencil skirt/whatever, but I've never thought of wearing it like that!"  I really love that these ladies aren't afraid to repeat items to show how they can be worn in different ways.

{Ella Claire}

{Ella Claire} - Kristen shares her lovingly decorated home, fun craft ideas like her signature vintage-inspired fall signs, and yummy seasonal recipes - the freezable breakfast bites are truly a thing of genius, people!  She's also one of the hostesses of the Inspiration Exchange link-up, which is always worth checking out.

The Lettered Cottage

The Lettered Cottage - Layla and Kevin's blog is very well known due to their DIY skills and work with HGTV.  Their modern take on cottage style is right up my alley - the little reading nook/guest room in their old house is still so inspiring to me.  My favorite features on the blog are Pick My Presto, in which Layla uses her mad Photoshop skills to show people the potential in rooms they want to makeover, and their Blog Threads project, which uses the proceeds from cool t-shirts to help families fund adoptions.

Dinner, A Love Story

Dinner, A Love Story - Reading Jenny Rosenstrach's blog is like having a conversation with your cool older sister who's got her act together.  There are so many tried-and-true recipes on this site, like the 10 fall favorites Jenny posted this week.  The what to cook tonight page is genius.

Previously featured blog loves I'm still loving:  Corilynn, Southern Curls and Pearls, A Cup of Jo, Oh Joy!, Dandee, The Fresh Exchange, Sacramento Street, Geninne's Art Blog, The Everygirl, Fabulous K, Note to Self, My Life as a Teacup, Bright Bazaar, Clean and Scentsible, Everyday Occasions, City Farmhouse, Home Stories A to Z, Teal and Lime, A Thoughtful Place, The Vintage Housewife, Tidy Mom, A Farmgirl's Dabbles, The Gracious Pantry, SkinnyTaste, How Sweet It Is, Shutterbean, The Recipe Critic.

Which blogs always put a smile on your face?  Do you have any recommendations this month?

paper chase: movie and theater-inspired save the dates

Previously while chasing the best paper goods from around the web, I've featured save-the-dates inspired by sports and music.  Today, I've rounded up chick save-the-dates inspired by the movies and theater - perfect for the union of two cinemaphiles, actors, or fans of Old Hollywood.  Save-the-dates are the perfect opportunity to have a little fun with wedding planning.

Miranda Olive on Etsy via Venue Safari

This save the date suite by Miranda Olive featured text that could only be read with the enclosed 3-D glasses... it's an idea that's a little geeky, definitely fun, and way cool.

Letterbox Ink || Old Hollywood Movie Ticket by NoblestHeart on Etsy

Love these ticket-inspired save-the-dates, which can be fully customized with your names, date, and wedding location.  These designs would be so perfect for a black-tie wedding with vintage flair.

"Popcorn" by Deeply Impressed

"Art Deco" by Origami Prints on Zazzle

Wit and Delight

"Marquee Date" by Jill Means on Minted

This marquee-inspired design is modern and fun.

Heather C. Johnson Photography via Confetti Daydreams || via Weddings by Lilly

Love this idea!  With a little help from a local independent theater, classic marquee signs present a perfect engagement photo opportunity that can double as the perfect save-the-date.

Bryant Hardwick

This movie-poster inspired save the date is completely unique, and makes an adorable keepsake.

Theater save-the-date from SouthCityPress on Etsy

Finally, for future newlyweds whose tastes run a little more toward the stage than the screen, these red curtain-inspired invitations with an art deco font are the perfect way to set the tone.

Which of these save-the-date ideas is your favorite?

welcome, fall.

Clark Brewer Photography via Grey Likes Weddings

"If more of us valued food and cheer and 

song above hoarded gold, it would be 

a merrier world." — J.R.R. Tolkien

clicks of note: one thing that you should know...

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

• I fell in love with British singer-songwriter Alex Clare back when "Too Close" was in those Internet Explorer commercials.  His new song "Never Let You Go" is very different than most of his previous work musically and really lets his voice shine.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Amy Campbell Photography via Style Me Pretty

• SMP's got a Kentucky wedding with lovely florals.
• Kelly's super cute summer engagement party.
• A fun citrus-themed shower for Kelly of Studio DIY.
• This tropical kids' party at HWTM made me smile, too.

SMILE.

• Apt. Therapy's helpful tips for fall floral arrangements.
• Cozy fall tours from Finding Home and blogger friends.
• Southern Weddings' collection of ACC inspired details.
• Joanna's round-up of career tips from smart women:

Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women.

—Nora Ephron

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I rounded up mustard and greyed jade wardrobe picks for fall,
• Two years ago, I shared fall wardrobe and home decor ideas in tangerine and tomato, compiled a roundup of wedding dresses with lace bodices and shared some rustic sunflower wedding inspiration, and featured my September blog loves.  
• Three years ago, I recapped our wedding's processional and exchange of vows and featured fall wardrobe and home decor ideas in phlox purple as well as inspiration for a rustic phlox purple wedding.