sunday simplicity: national ice cream day.

Danielle Poff via The Wedding Standard

Your love is better than ice cream

better than anything else that I've tried

- Sarah McLachlan

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• 5/8 - National Teacher Day
• 5/13 - Mother's Day

SWOON.

Let's Frolic Together via Intimate Weddings

• This at-home California wedding looks so joyful.
• A roundup of modern, elegant card box ideas.
• From A Burst of Beautiful, a pretty centerpiece.

SMILE.

• Desktops: the Everygirl, Cross Cards, Inkstruck.
• Fun: Monica's Friends apartment updated for 2018.

REWIND.

• 2015: TV flashbacks, lemon yellow and rustic wedding inspo, and a day in my life.
• 2014: I shared my past and made predictions about my future.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• 4/23 - World Book Day
• 4/27 - Arbor Day
• 4/29 - International Dance Day 

SWOON.

Chris J. Evans via Intimate Weddings

• A vintage-inspired intimate wedding in Hawaii.
• A plant-filled bohemian Brooklyn home tour.
• From Lia Griffith, cute DIY baby shower invites.
• Love this modern cloud nursery with pops of gold.

SMILE.

• Digging everything in this Etsy paper goods shop.
• A kid-friendly music playlist that's not Kidz Bop #29.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: remixed closet staples and April favorites.
• 2014: pet peeves and the best [Mean Girls themed] link-up ever.
• 2013: inspiration for my eternal favorite spring trend: mixed prints.
• 2012: backyard wedding inspiration and ideas for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

this week's clicks: happy 2018!

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things 
that have never been. - Rainer Maria Rilke

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Brooke Images via Wedding Chicks

• From Wedding Chicks, an elegant New Year's wedding.
• A sweet mint and cobalt wedding from the Elli blog.
• Preppy hunt club winter wedding inspiration from SMP.

SMILE.

• January desktops: Red Stamp, Cross Cards, Oh So Lovely.
• 2018 book challenges from Book Riot, MMD, and PopSugar.
• How Harry Potter characters would decorate their homes.

REFLECT.

• Could you commit to a no-shopping year? I don't think I could.
• New Year goal-setting activities from Living Well Spending Less...
• and the ones I use yearly, from Rosie Molinary and Lara Casey.

FLASHBACK.

• 2017: sage green Pinspiration,
• 2016: An end of year book survey, Instagram faves, and 5 ways I grew in 2015.
• 2015: Jamie's end of year book survey and my favorite things for January.
• 2014: challenges and gratitude, what worked in 2013, and winter in entertainment.
• 2013: expectations for the new year and my goal to show more compassion.

What's coloring your week? Share a link to your favorite recent blog

 or Tumblr post, Tweet, or Instagram pic in the comments!

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Minttu Saarni via Intimate Weddings

• So much spring inspiration in this Finnish bridal shoot.
• From APW, a colorful Brooklyn wedding/dance party.
• Rarely have I geeked out so much about a laundry room.
• I'm a sucker for a Craftsman - love this fresh makeover.

SMILE.

• March desktops: Jessica Haas, Designer Blogs, Smashing.
• Bookmarking The Everygirl's list of healthier fast-food orders.
• Eyeing these quilted sneakers for spring (these are cute, too).
• Currently filling my Pinterest boards with St. Patrick's ideas.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: St. Patrick's Day pinspiration and favorite fictional foods.
• 2015: spring style picks.
• 2014: all about Pinterest, green pieces for spring, dog-sitting, and a St. Patrick's mani.
• 2013: A DIY decoupage Easter egg wreath, 1920's-inspired wedding ideas, and Art Deco home office picks. 

sunday simplicity.

Jen Huang via Snippet and Ink

"There is no beauty without happiness.” 

― Christian Dior

sunday simplicity.

Lauren Fair Photography via Ruffled

"I thought maybe we could make gingerbread 

houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice 

skating, and maybe even hold hands." - Elf

Marissa Lambert Photography via Style Me Pretty

this week's clicks.

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

• Of all the holiday songs I can think of, the one I probably would've said least needed to be covered was the novelty song "Mele Kalikimaka," made famous by  Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1950 and featured prominently on the soundtrack of everyone's dad's favorite Christmas movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Until I found out that Kacey Musgraves has a new Christmas album. This song is cheesy, retro perfection with a Texas twist thanks to the Quebe Sisters.

SWOON.

Sposto Photography via Style Me Pretty

• From SMP, a muted take on the top colors of 2016.
• Domino rounds up cozy winter wedding details.
• I'd love to stay in this sweet Christmas guest room.
• Festive dessert table inspiration from Swooned.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Lime Ricki, ❤ Mae, Minding My Nest, Red Stamp.
• My mom used to make this potato candy when I was a kid!
• Helpful: what donation centers really need for the holidays.
• Pinning all the winter work wardrobe and beauty ideas.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: My geeky Christmas wish list.
• 2014: A DIY cardinal wreath, winter wedding guest outfit, and holiday book review.
• 2013: Why Christmas is complicated, great holiday party dresses, my wishlist, my all-time favorite Christmas movies and songs, and a historical fiction book review.
• 2012: Easy holiday party ideas, emerald green wardrobe and home picks, gift guides for the geeky girl and manly men in your life, and my 12 favorite Christmas movies.
• 2011: Homespun holiday decor ideas. 
• 2010: After our engagement, I shared our love story.

clicks of note: burning everything but the ice cream cones...

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

• Soundcloud's "Discover Weekly" playlist is one of my favorite things in the world - digging this track that popped up this week and it right up my musical alley.

SWOON.

Erin McGinn Boutique Photography

• A beautiful Rhode Island wedding from Erin McGinn.
• A special education teacher had the sweetest bridal party.
• From Inspired By This, a cute farmer's market e-session.
• I'm in love with this charming neutral nursery from SMP.

SMILE.

• Pinning my fall reading list... any suggestions to add?
• Pretty sure I need to make Sanderson Sisters peg dolls.
• Adding this Edgar Allan Poe bracelet to my wishlist.
• This Zara choker necklace is perfect for Halloween.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Favorite things about Halloween and costume ideas.
• 2014: Even more costume ideas... 'tis the season!
• 2013: fall outfit inspiration in olive and pumpkin.
• 2012: purple wardrobe pieces for fall.
• 2011: inspiration based on our kitchen's cedar + teal color scheme.

sunday simplicity

To Wander and Seek via Floridian Social

"O’er many a heath, through many a woodland dun, 
Through buried paths, where sleepy twilight dreams

The summer time away.” ― John Keats, Endymion

sunday simplicity.

Cassidy Carson Photography via Ruffled

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your 
face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

― Roald Dahl

sunday simplicity.

Jessia Lorren via Once Wed

"love can be a thing that endures, a rich, deep 

current flowing unending through the years.”

― Louis L'Amour

wedding wednesday: inspiration for a cheerful summer camp wedding

Longtime readers of this blog know that summer camp is the heart of my life - in fact, this year I'm celebrating my 20th year of participating in camping programs at my local 4-H center, from my first week as a camper in 1996, becoming a counselor-in-training, growing in self-confidence as a teen leader, and building teaching and teamwork skills by working on staff for three summers, to serving as an adult volunteer. Last week, I furthered my commitment to the organization that has helped shape me as an individual by becoming a 4-H All-Star, which is the highest honor one can receive in the organization in the state of Virginia - there's a secret handshake and everything. 

When I look back on the last 20 years, some of my favorite memories of camp are bright, cheerful, and warm - painting ceramics during free recreation period, holding hands with sweet campers away from home for the first time, singing songs with my best friends at the top of our lungs, and gathering around the campfire by the lake to share in magic that gets passed down to new campers each summer. I think that summer camps make an amazing wedding venue, and today I'm sharing inspiration for a dream wedding with a retro vibe - inspired by dahlias, red camp lanterns, and the optimistic atmosphere of summer camp.

Caroline Studios via Rustic Wedding Chic

Dahlia Invitations by Althea and Ruth for Minted

Isn't this invitation perfect for a summer wedding? I love the hand-drawn illustration. This past summer, when two friends who were both on staff together at my camp tied the knot, they borrowed our camp's tradition of assigning campers to animal themed "packs" for their escort cards and table numbers. At our camp, the pack animals are bobcats, coyotes, deer, ducks, foxes rabbits, squirrels, and wolves. When I was still very young, campers were divided into tribes named after Native American groups who had historically lived in our area. I recently found out that current staff members there are assigned to "families" named after native trees. I love camp-inspired teams as an escort card/table number idea and think it adds a perfect retro camping touch to a wedding without being over-the-top. 

Kristin Sweeting Photography via Wedding Chicks | Sea Studio via Weddbook

My dahlia obsession comes back to me in full force every summer - I love the endless color palette they offer, and how versatile they can be for formal and casual arrangements. They may give my all-time favorites, hydrangeas and peonies, a run for their money.

Ben Furtado via Woodsy Weddings

This wedding took place on a former gold mine now operated as a private, not-for-profit camp - how cool is that? Follow the link for lots of great rustic wedding inspiration.

Acqua Photo via Amorology Weddings | Our Labor of Love via Green Wedding Shoes

Another must-see is the vintage-themed camp wedding planned and styled by Amorology - at first I thought it was a styled shoot and couldn't believe it was the real deal!

Jonas Peterson via OnceWed

Antique malls, Etsy, and even thrift shops would be great sources for summer camp inspired weddings - I love the idea of a reception dinner on mismatched plates and simple wildflower arrangements in a variety of containers.

Angela Stott Photography | Wedding Wire

Mixed vintage-inspired prints can add to the retro feel of a camp-inspired wedding in the form of bow ties, pocket squares, ring pillows, quilts thrown over hay bales, and anywhere else that needs a dose of colorful cheer.

Jean Morée Photography via Shady Grove Gardens

Cluney Photo via The Natural Wedding Company | SNS Photography via Meet Mrs. B

My favorite time to walk around my camp is actually at night, just after campfire, when campers have gone to their lodges, the grounds are quiet, and the moon is shining on the lake. That's when I can remember all the walks up the hill from campfire with my friends, the mentors who taught me how to handle homesick campers, the late-night trips to the infirmary that always seemed to end with laughter, and, when I was on staff, Mr. Q dropping me off after our first dates the summer we met. Camp will always be home to me.

Caroline Ross Photography Studio via Sweet Violet Bride

sunday simplicity

Kate Osborne Photography

"I love your feet

because they have

wandered over

the earth and through

the wind and water

until they brought

you to me."

-Pablo Neruda

sunday simplicity.

Christa-Taylor Photography via Style Me Pretty

“Love knows no limits to its endurance, no end to its 

trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. Love 

still stands when all else has fallen.” ― Tim McGraw

sunday simplicity.

Paula McManus via Snippet and Ink

this week's clicks.

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

• Have a great week, everyone!

SWOON.

• An elegant Pippin Hill wedding from S+I.
• A pastel Texas wedding with an airstream!
• At SMP, a spring floral inspiration shoot.
• The most amazing real wedding portrait.

SMILE.

Sugar and Cloth

• Every town needs a bright and colorful wall!
• Anthro's classic-with-a-twist birthstone cuff.
• Just Loki popping in with a weather report.
• Creative money-saving tips from Refinery29.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year: my entertainment faves, Rachel Held Evans' Searching for Sunday,
• Two years ago: classic Spring Break wardrobe, a spring and summer bucket list.
• Three years ago: a Sunday Social all about Twitter, citrus prints inspired by two of my favorite shows, and the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure.
• Four years ago: Titanic dinner party.

sunday simplicity.

Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer via One Wed

"I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

sunday simplicity.

The De Jaureguis via Style Me Pretty

“I was made and meant to look for you and 

wait for you and become yours forever.” 

― Robert Browning

sunday simplicity.

Landon Jacob via Style Me Pretty

"We have always held to the hope, the belief, 

the conviction that there is a better life, 

a better world, beyond the horizon."

- Franklin D. Roosevelt