this week's clicks.

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

• An eclectic, bohemian San Francisco apartment tour.
• From Ruffled, an elaborate celestial fairytale wedding.
• Thrifty Decor Chick's great bathroom transformation.
• From Intimate Weddings, a storybook Banff elopement.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Minding My Nest, Soggy Musings, Cross Cards.
• Cute alert: kids describe their parents to an illustrator.
• How cute are these icon enamel pins from Sketch, Inc.?
• My friend has this cork wallet I'm adding to my wishlist.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: Potter-inspired books, a business trip Stitch Fix, driftwood and coral wedding inspiration
• 2015: Custard yellow and teal home decor and accessories, a bridal emergency kit, my early summer in Instagram, the Avengers book tag,
• 2014: a Sunday Social all about the special people in my life, reviewed an eShakti vintage-inspired dress, recapped our trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement, and checked in with Literary Junkies.
• 2013: inspiration for log home exteriors and interior design and collecting rustic wedding inspiration as we started planning Breeze's big day.
• 2012: a few of my favorite blogs and a round-up of braided bridal hairstyles.
• 2011: the bridal shower my friends gave me, my final hair and makeup trial, and my bachelorette party.

sunday simplicity

Larissa Cleveland via Style Me Pretty

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Real Wedding: Rustic Elegance at Explore Park

This past weekend I had the pleasure of helping with a wedding in an absolutely beautiful location: Virginia's Explore Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The wedding was extra special to me because the bride is my BFF Breeze's younger sister and since I've known her for 20 years, I love her like she's my own sister too. She and her groom actually met at Breeze's wedding and everyone there could see that it was love at first sight.

Photo by my sister-in-law Autumn

The wedding ceremony took place in Mountain Union Church, a reconstructed Greek Revival church and schoolhouse from the 1880's. The bride was given away by her grandfather, who later said in his toast that it was the happiest day of his life because both of his granddaughters are so happy. Special touches included vows written by the bride and groom and a tree ceremony with readings from both of their mothers. The couple became homeowners last year so knowing that the tree will be planted on their homestead was a sweet touch.

The reception was held in the Chestnut Ridge Room in the Arthur Taubman Center, a modern building designed with 18th century style in mind. The bride and her bridesmaids filled the room with special touches including a puzzle guest book and chalkboard relationship timeline. The wedding colors were coral, cobalt, and gray, and everything came together through the use of repeated textures - "tree cookies," chalkboards, burlap, and lace. Photographs were also a major decorating theme for the reception.

We created this sweetheart table with antique chairs from the couple's home. The drink holders are from Kirkland's - I couldn't resist picking them up when I saw the burlap!

The bride's best friend is a photographer who created this "LOVE" art on a hike through the woods. The bride adores owls, so we had to get a few feathered friends in on the decor!

The centerpieces included a "tree cookie" cut from the bride's grandfather's farm, a cobalt wine bottle from a local vineyard wrapped in lace and filled with baby's breath, a burlap-wrapped glass soda bottle filled with cobalt and blue flowers, and a tiny Weck-style burlap-wrapped canning jar filled with an LED light and glass marbles. Each table also had photos of the bride and groom at similar phases in their lives (and in poses that basically proved they are soulmates).

The couple are known as avid environmentalists who love hiking, camping and attending music festivals, and their plates and cutlery were 100% compostable. The dinner buffet included wraps, veggie slaw, and fruit salad from a local café. 

This rustic, elegant wedding at Explore Park was one of the most unique and creative weddings I've attended - it was certainly a labor of love for friends and family, and the bride and groom have never looked happier or more in love.

clicks of note: happy 2015.

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• I heard Ed Sheeran's new song "Thinking Out Loud" on my weekend drive to - or maybe it was from - Charlottesville, came home and watched the video, and I'm in love.  Can't wait to hear everyone else's picks for Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Thanks to Domestic Imperfection I want a DIY stone wall.
• Ruffled rounds up the best ceremony details from 2014.
• Can't get over this cute elopement from Snippet and Ink.
• A romantic Virginia wedding shoot from Style Me Pretty.

SMILE.

• January desktops: Sugar Paper, Cardstore, Oh So Lovely.
• Positivity-boosting tricks I can get behind (mini party time!)
• These famous rock songs have hidden meanings (vampires!)
• Geek joy: so excited to watch Agent Carter on Tuesday night!

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I stared Lara Casey's goal-setting series by reflecting on challenges and gratitude and what worked in 2013, wrote about my organization goals for 2014, recapped my winter in entertainment, rounded up some favorite Instagrammers, pulled together radiant orchid fashion inspiration and ideas for a radiant orchid winter wedding, and showed off my favorite things for January.
• Two years ago I featured white amaryllis wedding ideas, kicked off the new year Sunday Social style, wrote about expecting great things from 2013 and ways to show compassion, and rounded up ideas for a cozy-glam neutral winter wedding.
• Three years ago I rounded up pretty ideas for decorating art journals.

sunday simplicity: balance.

Jessica Simons Photography via Wedding Chicks

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” 

― Orison Swett Marden

sunday simplicity.

Todd Pellowe via Style Me Pretty

clicks of note: i'm making a beautiful day...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN. something new for your playlist

• One of my best friends from college came to visit us at the townhouse this weekend, and we packed so much fun into one weekend it was ridiculous - brewery visiting, tater tot eating, live music listening, puppy dog playing, and even the musical episode of Buffy.  This is my last week of summer break, and it feels like it has been all too short. Joshua Radin's "Beautiful Day" sounds exactly how I want this week to feel.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos - check it out if you'd like to discover some new tunes :)

SWOON. my favorite pretty links this week

Edyta Szyszlo via Style Me Pretty

• Jennifer Blair shot this totally gorgeous mint and pastel fête.
• Style Me Pretty features such a lovely pink winery wedding.
• A sweet hot air balloon styled shoot over at Wedding Chicks.
• Wish I could write like: "The body sings the vows" at APW:

"When we spoke to each other, he held my hands so tightly my fingers ached. His arms shook. My knees trembled, invisible under ivory tulle. I listened to his voice—my husband’s voice!—an ancient hillside on which I lay, finally rested, soaking up joy."

SMILE. all things funny, cute, and quirky

• Buzzfeed's roundup of high school Snapchats is hilarious.
• Bridal Musings' blog branding-inspired photoshoot is so cute!
• The Nostalgia Machine gives you a playlist of childhood jams.
• Love this 30th birthday gift idea from You Are My Fave.

FLASHBACK.  where was I again?

• Last year I participated in a Sunday Social all about food, shared beach bag essentials in bright shades of red and blue, rounded up quirky ceremony backdrops, and shared my summer blog loves.
• Two years ago, I got to see President Obama speak in Roanoke, shared summer and fall wardrobe inspiration in shades of gray, rounded up inspiration for a destination beach wedding, and participated in a fun Sunshine Blogger Survey.
• Three years ago I shared my thoughts on what makes a wedding fun and inspiration for traditional, modern, eclectic, and rustic weddings with a gray and yellow color palette. 

clicks of note: someone like you...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• As much as I like Kings of Leon, Boyce Avenue and Hannah Trigwell give "Use Somebody" a whole new tone and meaning in their cover.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Jessica Burke Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Style Me Pretty features a dreamy, elegant wedding in black and gold.
• Love this Paris-themed birthday party from Hostess with the Mostess
• Lia Griffith's plum living room is totally swoon-worthy.
• A New York Times love story about a couple who found each other again.

SMILE.

• February desktop calendars from Oana Befort and Ruche.
• These tintype photos from Sundance make stars seem like time travelers.
• New York Fashion Week starts this Thursday.
• Oh, and just a little Winter Olympics starting Friday, no big deal.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I created the Beyond the Aisle Facebook Page, shared ideas for a Valentine's girls night in, and rounded up bridal gowns with lace sleeves
• Two years ago I shared a pretty pink Sunday Simplicity post.
• Three years ago, I featured black and ivory tuxedo style inspiration, my favorite hairstyles from the 2011 SAG Awards, and the reason I went with wholesale flowers for our wedding.

sunday simplicity: one day at a time...

Emily Blake Photography via Bridal Guide || Kami Lu and Nicole Deanne Bridal Hair and Makeup

"The best thing about the future 

is that it only comes one day at a time."

- Abraham Lincoln

wedding inspiration: the coolest quirky ceremony backdrops

It's round-up time!  I love when I see weddings around the web with creative backdrops for the ceremony and portraits.  We've all seen couples tie the knot in front of a giant candelabra, in front of a mantel, and under a floral arch.  Here are a few couples whose creative and unique ceremony backdrops really stand out.  Disclaimer:  If you'd like to add any of these images to Pinterest, please click on the link underneath the photo and pin from the source so that the creators and owners get credit!  Please DO NOT pin from this post.

Stone Crandall Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

This chalk art floral arch backdrop on a concrete wall is so creative and modern while also being a nod to traditional wedding decor.  This would be an easy idea to adapt for a birthday party, class reunion, or other celebration where picture-taking is essential in an industrial or urban space!  This couple used chalk throughout their wedding decor, along with other fun details like sparkly chevron table runners.

Nine Photography via Ruffled

Aren't these orange and yellow pinwheels delightful?  This is another idea that would be just as pretty at a birthday party or family event, and a great spot to snap individual or group portraits!  The couple who created these pinwheels filled their Dallas wedding with meaningful and artistic DIY details.  Plus, the bride uses the phrase "newly hubs" - I may have to steal that one.

Dev Khalsa Photography via Limn and Lovely

This neon take on the oft-used driftwood arch is so much fun.  This backyard wedding is full of similarly colorful details, from the button-and-ribbon wrapped bouquets to the dahlia cupcakes.

Derek Martinez Photography via Wedding Chicks

Many people are familiar with the idea that paper cranes symbolize good luck, and I love this whimsical paper crane arch.  This absolutely lovely wedding was held at Historic Cedarwood in Tennessee.  If anyone is planning a wedding there and would like to have an extra blogger/amateur photographer in attendance, I AM SO IN.

Our Labor of Love via Snippet and Ink

Suitcases make a fantastic, unexpected backdrop for a vintage-inspired wedding in a nontraditional space.  This couple had their pick of cool antiques from the Metropolitan Building in Queens, New York to use on their wedding day - I am a little jealous.

Which one of these unexpected backdrops is your favorite?

sunday simplicity #129

All photographs by Teale Photography via Bridal Musings

clicks of note: so this is the new year

get your week off to a colorful start...

I know I've said it already, but since this is the first link roundup of the New Year, happy 2013, y'all!  Did you make any resolutions?  My biggest one is to get back into creative writing.  Mr. Q's is to eat more salads :)  I also hope to exercise more (don't we all?), find a church to attend on a regular basis, and start a retirement plan.  I'm also going to continue my pursuit of being a more compassionate, less self-centered person.

I drank my coffee on New Year's Day from a friend's mug that said Expect Great Things - how great of a motto for 2013 is that?  Besides the Kohl's slogan, I've found two quotes expanding on this idea.  Michael Jordan said, "You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them."  English Baptist Missionary William Carey said, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God."  Two inspiring twists on the same concept.

LISTEN.

• The drive to Northern Virginia for New Year's Eve consisted of a lot of radio-station-switching and I think we heard Of Monsters and Men's "Little Talks" in four different cities.

SWOON.

Elizabeth Anne Designs

• At Elizabeth Anne Designs, a pastel shabby-vintage wedding with lots of pretty details.
• Purple Wedding of the Week: a destination wedding on the Amalfi Coast featured on Ruffled.
• It's summer down under - visit this beautiful Melbourne beach inspiration shoot at SMP.
• A Wedding Thingz pastel celebration that's like Downton Abbey meets Alice in Wonderland.
• How beautiful are Mrs. Wallaby's vows?  

SMILE.

• Bunheads comes back tonight on ABC Family!
• My friend Micah is hosting a Cupid Swap for Valentine's Day!
• I like this free 2013 Resolutions printable from Live Laugh Rowe.
• Kate Spade's (of course) perfectly designed New Year's Resolutions.
• If resolutions aren't quite your style, check out these 13 Fresh Starts for 2013 from Yes and Yes.

BE INSPIRED.

• Shaunna from Perfectly Imperfect writes about how choosing the word "within" for 2012 shaped her year and walk with God.

"He was beginning to rebuild my ancient ruins, allowing me to walk through the temples I had built up before Him–He was letting me have them and find no comfort there."

summer color trends: inspiration for a violet and blue wedding

Since our own wedding colors were a variation of purple and blue, I wanted to envision something very different for this imaginary event.  You will not see hydrangeas or ballrooms in this post, and I was drawn to a more watercolor-influenced palette.  Here's my inspiration for a nature-inspired violet and chambray blue wedding.

"Vintage Wreath" Save-the-Date from Minted

Beaux Arts Photographie || Style Me Pretty

Paper flags from Wedding Etc.

Bowties and Bliss

Style Me Pretty

Succulent escort cards from The Sweetest Occasion

Style Me Pretty

Something Turquoise || Style Me Pretty

Beaux Arts Photographie

If you would like to add any of the images in this post to your Pinterest or blog please visit the original source by clicking on the link below the image and pin/save from there so the creators get the credit.  Enjoy!

wedding memories: the coolest kid i know...

Family photo - please do not steal.

My favorite little girl in the world, my best friend's daughter, celebrates her fourth birthday this week!  FOUR.  It shouldn't come as a surprise to me, since she was born the summer before I started teaching and I just finished my fourth year, but it seems like just yesterday we were sticking socks over her little hands to keep her infant self from scratching her own face.  She's important to me partially because her birth was the if you leave Virginia, you'll miss a lot wake-up call I needed to keep me in this valley for the forseeable future.  Now she's wearing a child-size flapper dress and Audrey Hepburn glasses and eating cake and a lollipop at the same time.  If the above picture does not demonstrate the utter coolness of this kid, I don't know what does.

Significantly to this blog, she was our flower girl a little over a year ago!  Was it a great idea to have a three year old flower girl?  Probably not - three-year-olds are kind of notoriously terrible and she didn't have a concept of how she should behave because she'd never been to a wedding before.  I could tell at our rehearsal that she was going to either be a hot little mess going down the aisle or have a meltdown and not make it at all.  I could also tell that Mr. Q didn't care, and neither did I - we'd have a little girl in a pretty dress at our wedding, and she'd be our favorite little girl in the world whether she made it to the end of the aisle or not.  

Sunday Simplicity #52 [a year of simple posts]

Snippet and Ink

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

If life's not a party, you're doing it wrong.

Our Wedding: Processional

Our ceremony began to the strains of "Butterfly's Day Out" from Yo-Yo Ma's Applachia Waltz.

Our minister, Mr. Spin, and Spin's dad (his best man) walked in 

together to take their place at the front of the ballroom.

Our Wedding: Prelude

Your soundtrack for reading this post:  the "prelude" playlist I created for our guests to listen to as they found their seats.  The theme for this list was classy Southern - traditional music with some modern bluegrass-inspired tunes thrown in.

As guests arrived at the War Memorial, they were invited to take a program, 

and could take a few minutes to sign our photo frame guestbook or leave us a wish...

Sunday Simplicity #28

Classic Creations

Ceremony Details

Now that I have my ideas in order and the finalized program with readings has been e-mailed to our minister, it's time to talk about our plans for ceremony details and how we're saving money with DIT (do it together)!

SB Support Services

1. Programs - I will be designing our programs because I can't justify spending a lot of money on something that only a few people are sentimental enough to hold on to. The programs will be stored in a basket my mom already had which will get a new coat of ivory paint and some lavender and periwinkle silk floral and ribbon decorations. Mr. Spin's cousin will be passing out programs and also serving as guestbook attendant, so she's our "welcome attendant" for the wedding.  She's very excited- she and I share a close bond because she was so young when Mr. Spin and I started wedding, and she visited my classroom often when she was a student at the school where I teach (she was actually assigned to be in my class, but I thought that was a conflict of interest so she was moved to a colleague's English class instead.)