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...
SWOON.

Melanie Duerkopp

• A colorful San Francisco Ferry Building wedding.
• A round-up of the prettiest signs for weddings.
• Monika Hibbs' pretty spring guest room refresh.
• A cozy boho baby's room from Project Nursery.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Baby Chick, Mel Armstrong, The Everygirl.
• April Fools' roundups from Apt. Therapy and BuzzFeed...
• and a local known for his elaborate pranks and quirky art.
• Ringo Starr is now a knight of the British Empire!

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: Books that inspired me, an Instagram update, 5 songs that changed my life,
• 2015: a fairytale romance, a spring color palette, and restaurant wedding receptions.
• 2014: table number ideas and reflected on how my passions affect my goals.
• 2013: pastel wardrobe ideas and reflections on challenges in marriage.
• 2012: inspiration for our patio.

this week's clicks: merry christmas!

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

Victoria Elizabeth Photography via Wedding Chicks

• So cute and romantic: a surprise tree farm engagement!
• A fairytale coastal wedding from Found Vintage Rentals.
• From SMP, an intimate New England Christmas wedding.

SMILE.

• The Habits of Highly Successful Women, from Darling.
• These DIY mini star cake toppers would be great for NYE.
• The actual best New Year's resolutions, via A Cup of Jo.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: millenial pink inspiration for New Year's Eve, remembering Carrie Fisher, my  favorite things from December
• 2015: rose gold NYE inspiration, Literary Junkies, December in Instagram, my most popular posts of 2015 and my personal favorite posts.
• 2014: most popular posts of 2014 and personal favorites.
• 2013: most popular posts of 2013, personal favorites, and a NYE tablescape.
• 2012: favorite posts of 2012, gold and blush NYE inspiration, favorite movies and books of 2012, and organization goals for 2013.
• 2011: gold/champagne inspiration for New Year's Eve and organization goals for 2012.

this week's clicks: ovaries before brovaries.

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

• My typical move for this week would be to put a sweet, sappy love song here - BUT today is February 13th, Galentine's Day, a holiday that as far as I know was created by my fictional idol, Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. Here's the newest bit of sass from Ingrid Michaelson, featuring a cool ASL video.

SWOON.

Kelly Sauer via Elizabeth Anne Designs

• Vintage infused floral bridesmaid inspiration from EAD.
• Dreamy blush and gold moodboard from Mospens Studio.
• From Texas, a romantic Southern-meets-Scottish wedding.
• A modern organic wedding in North Carolina from SMP.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Cross Cards, Red Stamp, Going Home To Roost.
• Perfect for today: a roundup of Galentine's DIYs and crafts...
• and a giant pink-frosted donut cake, such a fun centerpiece!
• Fun Etsy find: succulent jewelry that looks like the real deal.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: favorite looks from the Grammys and Instagram faves,
• 2015: a business casual V-Day look, my second Stitch Fix, and February faves.
• 2014: sporty s-t-d ideas, the Olympics, and Sochi and Team USA wardrobe picks.
• 2013: inspiration for a poppies and lace wedding, the Cupid Swap, Cinderella-inspired wedding ideas, Oscar Party tips, and February blog loves.
• 2012: a couple of V-Day snapshots, and a peek at  my weekend.
• 2011: our wedding inspiration in textures, V-Day as an engaged couple, flower arranging, and contemporary instrumental wedding music.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

Happy August, y'all. This week, I'm focusing on reminding myself to be content with what I have and with my current season in life. Can I get real for a minute? All summer, friends and family members keep asking how the house hunt is going. It's painful to have to say... "it's still going" when in truth we have found a one-of-a-kind home but it is out of our price range. Several friends are mamas-to-be, and I have to remind myself that it's not my time yet. Teachers head back to school today, and there's a part of me that feels like I should be further along, more accomplished in my career. More, more, more.  I often forget that comparison is the thief of joy, until I realize that I've spent fifteen minutes or half an hour scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and feel worse instead of better. Two posts that really resonated with me this week were "The Traps" at The Inspired Room and "Of Elder-flowers and Jealousy" at Design for Mankind.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

SWOON.

• From 100 Layer Cake, a boho wedding's cool ceremony arch.
• A gorgeous interfaith wedding in NYC from Snippet and Ink.
• At Style Me Pretty, a graphic designer's beautiful wedding.
• How cute is this sprinkle-covered pink birthday cake?

SMILE.

• August desktops: Organised Housewife, Smashing, Flipsnack.
• Lunchbox love: Lisa Frank zebra cakes from Studio DIY.
• Girl Meets World's season finale will be a big BMW reunion!
• On my wishlist for fall: J. Crew's cute, colorful signet purse.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: The SC Aquarium, a date night LBD outfit, midsummer in IG, fave fictional pets.
• 2014: My August favorites.
• 2013: The things I can't live without and punchy wardrobe picks.
• 2012: Brazilian pork chops, a hearts of palm and avocado salad, an avocado-coconut milkshake, and an Olympics Ring tie-dyed shirt.
• 2011: Orange wardrobe and home inspiration, rustic and modern fall wedding ideas.

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.

The Hungry Australian

“Summertime is always the best of 

what might be.” - Charles Bowden

Pinspiration: The Sweet Side of Serenity

My main color inspiration so far this season has been Rose Quartz, but let's not forget that Pantone named TWO Colors of the Year for 2016, both perfect for spring. This year's most popular shade of blue, Serenity, is romantic, soft, and cool.

this week's clicks: Sláinte!

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

• Happy St. Patrick's Day week! Last week was absolutely awful, so I'm hoping the luck of the Irish will turn things around - my Irish last name counts, right? This weekend (if I survive administering a 2-day standardized test on Wednesday and Thursday), I'm going to see Elton John with my mom and cousin, so music is my lifeline this week. I recently included Lianna La Havas in my roundup of favorite Oscars outfits, and I absolutely love her track "What You Don't Do."

SWOON.

Victoria C Photography via Wedding Chicks

• Colorful, artistic wedding ideas from Wedding Chicks.
• Elli's new succulent wedding suite is so perfect for spring.
• At SMP, a romantic, rustic Tuckahoe Plantation wedding.
• This soiree may be the most Charlottesville wedding ever.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Flipsnack, Garlic My Soul, and Mel Armstrong.
• Fun cake toppers for parties from the Tomkat Studio.
• Anne rounds up stylish sweatshirts (not an oxymoron).
• Plenty of colorful ideas for Easter on my Pinterest board.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Last year I shared my March favorites (and OUAT obsession).
• 2014: Inspiration for a sweet mint and baby's breath wedding.
• 2013: I shared memories of Ireland and citron wardrobe inspiration.
• 2012: Inspiration for a moody pastel country wedding.
• 2011: Creative ideas for wedding card storage and thank you signs.

Pinspiration: Luck of the Irish...

What I'm loving right now...

Are you on Pinterest? I'd love to follow you- leave your
username in the comments! You can follow me here.

this week's clicks: there's a chance we can make it now...

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

• I'm obsessed with covers that put a song into a completely different genre, so I fell in love with Branches' version of "I Believe In a Thing Called Love" when I heard it on Spotify. What could be better to kick off February?

SWOON.

Dana Cubbage Weddings via Southern Weddings

• A Charleston wedding that's Gone with the Wind meets Gatsby.
• Jennifer Blair photographed this romantic beach wedding.
• At SMP, an elegant garden wedding inspired by the gilded age.
• From Swooned, a breathtaking cliffside winter bridal shoot.

SMILE.

• Desktops from Design Is Yay, Paper Leaf, Sarah ♥s, SALT Design
• Crafty Pie Press' new cake toppers are so much fun!
• Adorable vintagey printable valentines from Lia Griffith.
• I appreciated Emily's reminder to be kind to myself.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared one of my favorite style and beauty inspiration boards for Valentine's Day and made a "never have I ever" list for The Circle.
• Two years ago, Sunday Social was all about the 4's.  I also rounded up my fave red picks for V-Day, showed off some easy party ideas, rounded up my faves for February and reflected on what I learned from 2013.
• Three years ago, I created BTA's Facebook and shared ideas for a V-Day girls night in.
• Four years ago I shared a pretty pink Sunday Simplicity post.
• Five years ago, I discussed why I used wholesale flowers for our wedding.

inspiration: a snow white forest wedding

It's been a while since I rounded up fairytale wedding inspiration, so today I'm sharing some swoon-worthy images inspired by another of my favorite stories. The literary version of the Snow White story wasn't one I begged for as a child, but I've loved seeing modern interpretations, from Snow White and the Huntsman to Mary Margaret in Once Upon a Time that give Snow White more agency and power, and make her love story much more compelling. Today, I'm drawing on the Grimm brothers' original fairy tale to capture the innocent essence of the sweet princess.

Midnight Floral wedding invitations by Angela Marzuki from Minted | Docuvitae via Style Me Pretty

Once upon a time in the middle of winter, when the flakes of snow were falling like feathers from the sky, the queen sat by her window sewing, and the frame of the window was made of black ebony. And whilst she was sewing and looking out of the window at the snow, she pricked her finger with the needle, and three drops of blood fell upon the snow. The red looked so pretty upon the white snow that she felt no pain, and she thought to herself, "Would that I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood of the window-frame." Soon after that she had a little daughter, who was as white as snow, and as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony; and she was therefore called Snow White. 

Rebekah Hoyt Photography via Heart Love Always

As Snow White grew into womanhood, she grew more and more beautiful; and when the Queen asked her looking-glass —

"Looking-glass, Looking-glass, on the wall, Who in this land is the fairest of all?"

it answered—-

 "Thou art fairer than all who are here, Lady Queen."

 But more beautiful still is Snow-white, as I ween."

North Majesty Trail on Etsy | A Brit and a Blonde via Style Me Pretty

When the Queen's huntsman had drawn his knife, and was about to pierce Snow-white's innocent heart, she began to weep, and said, "Ah dear huntsman, leave me my life! I will run away into the wild forest, and never come home again."

And as she was so beautiful the huntsman had pity on her and said, "Run away, then, you poor child." It seemed as if a stone had been rolled from his heart, but now the poor child was all alone in the great forest, and so terrified that she looked at every leaf of every tree, and did not know what to do. Then she began to run, and ran over sharp stones and through thorns, and the wild beasts ran past her, but did her no harm.

Dana Cubbage Weddings via Style Me Pretty

She ran as long as her feet would go until it was almost evening; then she saw a little cottage and went into it to rest herself. Everything in the cottage was small, but neater and cleaner than can be told. There was a table on which was a white cover, and seven little plates, and on each plate a little spoon, seven little knives and forks, and seven little mugs. Against the wall stood seven little beds side by side, and covered with snow-white counterpanes.

The princess was so hungry and thirsty that she ate some vegetables and bread from each plate and drank a drop of wine out of each mug, for she did not wish to take all from one only. Then, as she was so tired, she laid herself down on one of the little beds, said a prayer and went to sleep.

Scobey Photography via Style Me Pretty

When it was morning Snow White awoke, and was frightened when she saw the seven dwarfs. But they were friendly and she stayed with them. In the mornings they went to the mountains and looked for copper and gold, in the evenings they came back, told wonderful stories, and were quite merry.

Candace Berry Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

When the apple was ready the Queen painted her face, and dressed herself up as a country-woman, and so she went over the seven mountains to the seven dwarfs' cottage. 

Snow White longed for the fine apple, and when she saw that the woman ate part of it she could resist no longer, and stretched out her hand and took the poisonous half. 

Canary Grey via Style Me Pretty | Meg Van Kampen Studios via Wedding Chicks

It happened that a king's son came into the forest, and saw the beautiful Snow White in her repose. And with his kiss, she opened her eyes, sat up, and was full of joy.  Snow White went with her prince, and their wedding was held with great show and splendour. 

Which of these fairytale-inspired details is your favorite?

Let me know in the comments!

this week's clicks: i hear your voice calling me...

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

• I was charmed when I heard The Hunts' folky song "Make This Leap" on Spotify. They're a band of brothers and sisters from Chesapeake, VA and their story is very sweet.

SWOON.

Stacy Able via Snippet and Ink

• At Snippet and Ink, a fun, fresh, and modern fête.
• Love everything about Lindy's wedding from APW.
• At Emmaline Bride, ring dishes perfect for gifting.
• Gorgeous winter wedding inspiration from SMP.

SMILE.

• January desktops from Design is Yay, Smashing, Sugar Paper.
• A printable Day Designer page to get your 2016 organized.
• There's a Fanuary bracket over at Entertainment Weekly...
• Disney princesses as Storm Troopers. Pocahontas FTW.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I completed Jamie's end of year book survey and rounded up my faves.
• Two years ago I stared the new year with challenges and gratitude, reflected on what worked in 2013, wrote about my organization goals, recapped my winter in entertainment, rounded up some favorite Instagrammers, ideas for a radiant orchid winter wedding, and my faves.
• Three years ago I featured white and cozy neutral winter wedding inspiration, and reflected on my expectations for the new year and my goal to show compassion.