My September Favorites

Happy Friday, everyone! I know posting has been light this month (mentoring new teachers is taking more of my time this school year), but I wanted to pop in and share a few things I'm loving right now.

1. It's football season - I'm not a huge sports fan by any means, but there's something special about football season. I'm happy to cheer on my favorite teams, UVa (despite the terrible season we're having so far) and Green Bay. I love tailgating and have found myself tuning into Game Day on ESPN even when Mr. Q's not home.

2. Sephora mud mask - My skin went through a crazy phase toward the end of this summer, and this mask helped my face get back on track. I use it every week to help clarify my skin and dry up breakouts. It's affordable and effective.

3. Starbucks PSL VIA - Since I live pretty far from an actual Starbucks, this is the next best thing.

4. Target candleholders - Have y'all noticed that the Dollar Spot is now called Bullseye's Playground? Those shelves now include items at a range of prices up to $5. The autumn items are adorable, and I picked up several mercury glass votive candles in shades of gold and copper - my favorite scents are Fall Day and Harvest Sangria.

5. OPI's Washington, DC collection - I haven't picked up any of these colors yet, but I love the unique fall shades with clever names like "Never a Dulles Moment," inspired by my nearest major metropolitan area!

this week's clicks.

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

• Grace Potter is definitely one of my favorite musicians, and I love this live session recording of "Empty Heart."

SWOON.

Shaun Menary via Snippet and Ink

• A rustic bohemian wedding in the desert with vintage details.
• From Ruffled, a cool Philly antiques emporium wedding.
• Love this purple Cancun wedding's stunning photography.
• A modern split-level apartment filled with quirky, colorful art.

SMILE.

• Oh Joy's Target collab and Kate Spade fall = SWAN FEVER.
• Via Apt Therapy, a map for when your area reaches peak fall.
• Halloween vibes - Lia's 3-D paper bats and treat boxes!
• This year, I'm dreaming of a spooky and sparkly Halloween.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: September faves, Literary Junkies, the intro to my 31 Days series, Love Where You Live (hoping to finish it up this year!), and ideas for loving your neighborhood.
• 2014: graphic black and white wardrobe and home decor picks.
• 2013: my BFF's blue and yellow rustic wedding, casual game day style, berry wardrobe updates for fall, and a low-country boil at the lake.
• 2012: our wedding recessional and indoor wedding party portraits.

sunday simplicity.

J. Amber Creative via Wedding Chicks

“Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.

I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.”

― Langston Hughes

this week's clicks: when i need you the most...

get your week off to a colorful start!
LISTEN.

• If you're not following Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox on YouTube, I'll give you a minute to do that. I dig the Chainsmokers' original version of "Don't Let Me Down," but this soulful cover takes it to a whole new level - that piano! 

SWOON.

Jordan Imhoff Photography and Estera Events

• An industrial-meets-elegant wedding at Ovation Chicago.
• Creative colors and textures in a highland inspired shoot.
• Love the color palette in this Hamptons-style remodel.
• A Pitch Perfect wedding and Rebel Wilson, the perfect guest.

SMILE.

• Do you all think this job interview trick is worth trying?
• Jewelry made from ethereal fabric sculptures.
• Another reminder that what we see online =/= reality.
• Pinning all the  the sangria and apple recipes this week.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: favorite looks from the Emmys, inspiration for a vineyard wedding, and IG faves.
• 2014: theater inspired save-the-dates, blog loves, and a media-centric Sunday Social.
• 2013: mustard and greyed jade wardrobe picks for fall.
• 2012: wardrobe and home ideas in tangerine and tomato, wedding dresses with lace, and rustic sunflower wedding inspiration, and September blog loves.  
• 2011: our wedding's processional and exchange of vows, fall wardrobe and home decor ideas in phlox purple, and inspiration for a rustic purple wedding.

sunday simplicity.

Shea Christine Photography via Style Me Pretty

“True friends are always together in spirit.”

― Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

this week's clicks.

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

• One of my friends who works in Silicon Valley shared this link on Facebook - apparently, his company is OBSESSED with this phenomenon right now, and from a sociological standpoint, it's quite interesting. As someone on the cusp of being either a Gen X-er or a Millenial (born in 1985 to Boomer parents), I have to say I don't hate these songs!

SWOON.

• A Palm Springs wedding with the best tropical vibes.
• Rita Chan's interior designs are so simple and calming.
• An elegant fall vineyard shoot from Ruffled.
• Perfect fall vibes in this Style Me Pretty farm wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Sarah Hearts, Smashing, Mel Armstrong.
• Wish list alert: Fitbit's new line. Rose gold, please.
• One high school's colorful tradition has gone viral.
• In case you need another reason to support Hillary...

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Windowpane print wardrobe picks, my fall TV roundup, 5 fave things about fall.
• 2014: a rainy game day outfit, blurbed the fall shows I was looking forward to, completed the Geek Girl tag, and participated in a Sunday Social all about fall.
• 2013: lilac and rose wardrobe picks for fall, inspiration for a neutral pastel wedding, a roundup of ballerina bun hairstyles, and my personal manifesto.  
• 2012: my bridal portraits and our wedding's prelude.

sunday simplicity.

Mike Adrian via Style Me Pretty

The joy of life comes from our encounters with new
experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to

have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to

have a new and different sun. - Christopher McCandless

this week's clicks: happy labor day!

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

• Yes, this is totally an extended Lincoln commercial, but I love Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and I don't hate the parting shot of Matthew McConaughey.

SWOON.

• A California wedding with a whimsical Southern style.
• Looks so pretty - a honeysuckle champagne cocktail!
• Loving this classy wedding at Richmond's Quirk Hotel.
• Lovely portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama (goals).

SMILE.

• Desktops: Lime Ricki, By Dawn Nicole, Flipsnack.
• From Domaine: films to watch at each career stage.
• Jeff Bridges is one of my faves - enjoyed this interview.
• Geek girls: MAC's Star Trek inspired makeup line (!!!)

FLASHBACK.

• 2014: my late summer in entertainment, shared a Sunday Social all about my favorites,
• 2013: graphic black and white pieces for fall and inspiration for a Jane Austen inspired garden wedding, recapped my summer in entertainment, and blurbed the fall 2013 shows I was looking forward to.
• 2012: our wedding's thrifted touches, rounded up modern terrariums from around the web and more geometric accessories, and joined an Instagram challenge for book lovers. 
• 2011: our wedding's handcrafted details, a peek at the girls getting ready at the salon, and what the guys were up to.

sunday simplicity.

Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography via Style Me Pretty

“August has passed, and yet summer continues by 

force to grow days. They sprout secretly between the 

chapters of the year, covertly included between its pages.”

― Jonathan Safran Foer, Tree of Codes

Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography via Style Me Pretty