my maternity photoshoot.

At 36 weeks pregnant I asked Mr. Q to take some photos of me because I wanted to remember what I looked like super preggo. I love all the pretty maternity shoots on Pinterest and showed him a few of my favorites for inspiration. The downsides of pregnancy for me were constant heartburn and regular morning sickness beyond the first trimester, but one of the upsides was the clearest skin I've had since elementary school - how could I not want to document that? I was also reaping the benefits of prenatal vitamins with thicker hair and longer fingernails, and found myself Googling whether pregnancy could make freckles more prominent (it can). I felt great about my appearance, and that's not the normal state of affairs for me. I'm so glad that I did get some photos when we did - the next weekend we went on our last date night as a party of two, and the weekend after that I was in labor!

One of the benefits of living close to a college town is a freely available beautiful setting! We started our afternoon on the campus of Ferrum College. My dress is from Pink Blush (same style in new colors) and I got the kimono on sale from Motherhood Maternity (similar). Mr. Q insisted that I wear my glasses in a few photos because "your glasses are you."

From Ferrum, we headed to our friends' beautifully tended Zen garden. This is probably my favorite photo from the day.

Finally, we headed back to town. I was inspired by a friend's maternity shoot which included some shots in front of a vibrant mural. There's an art gallery in our town that has a beautiful Van Gogh inspired mural on the side. It was a great backdrop for a few more photos in the last of the evening light.

Linking Up With:

Threads for Thomas

Walking in Memphis in High Heels

Get Your Pretty On

pinspiration: a farmhouse Easter

Maybe it's the copious amounts of Fixer Upper I've been watching lately (it's the perfect thing when I'm in preggo nesting mode, but too tired to actually clean or work on my own house), but I'm really feeling a farmhouse-inspired theme for Easter this year!

I'm so inspired by the cobalt and terra cotta tones in this very Anthropologie-esque vignette from House By Hoff.

How cool are the Rae Dunn inspired Easter eggs from DIY Beautify?

Using temporary tattoos to decorate eggs is one of those ideas I'd never think of - Lia Griffith is so creative!

To make your holiday extra special, here's a playlist that would be the perfect background music for a farmhouse brunch:

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
SWOON. this week in pretty things.

Bridget Matkovich via Project Nursery

• An ethereal bridal shoot in the Scottish highlands.
• The DIY Playbook's calm, modern boy's nursery.
• Monika Hibbs rounds up spring entertaining pieces.
• Love this idea for displaying photos via A Cup of Jo.

THIS WEEK. the kids are all right.

• Photos from March for Our Lives rallies worldwide.
• The New England Patriots lent Parkland kids a plane,
• Veterans are showing their support for the youth activists,
• and the protest signs were creative, moving, and heartbreaking.

FLASHBACK. let's see how far we've come.

• 2017: Niagara blue pinspiration and March favorites.
• 2016: Literary Junkies, spring getaway pinspiration, book + concert reviews (Elton John!), and my March Stitch Fix
• 2015: I pretty much predicted the Colors of the Year for 2016.
• 2014: Sunday Socialabout ideals and accomplishments, my fave green and black and white picks, and my April favorites.
• 2013: rainy day fashions, white bridesmaid dress inspiration, explained how we save money on groceries, completed my second Liebster survey, and shared my love story with Mr. Q for the Love and Marriage series.
• 2012: I collected inspiration for an April Fool's wedding.

sunday simplicity

Claire Penn Photography via Junebug Weddings

"Last year’s words belong to last year’s language 

and next year’s words await another voice.”

— T.S. Eliot

pinspiration: new year's eve

I recently saw a post where someone described 2017 as "personally, great; internationally; a mess," and I couldn't agree more. While our New Year's Eves tend to skew toward the cozy (our friends plan a night of Minute to Win It games and appetizers), if this year's fashion offerings are any indication we're all dreaming of a little Studio 54 throwback style. Even a cozy night at home needs a little sparkle and glitter, in my opinion. Let's do this, 2018. We're ready.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Up to Date Interiors

• Kathy's global-inspired holiday home decor feels fresh.
• A fresh blue Christmas home tour from Lilypad Cottage.
• Cozy Christmas e-shoot inspiration from Style Me Pretty.
• An attic turned cozy guest room with Wes Anderson vibes.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Mospens Studio, Oh So Lovely, Pop Goes the Reader.
• Apt. Therapy's tips for (actually awesome) holiday gift baskets.
• Loved this story about preschool besties who say they're twins.
• Excited to take my mama to see The Greatest Showman soon.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: my treat yourself wish list, decoupaged world map ornaments, and a mini home tour featuring a glam woodland tree.
• 2014: my holiday home tour.
• 2013: my favorite account of Christmas, wrote to Santa, showed off my chalkboard ornaments and shared a holiday home tour.
• 2012: a Sunday Social all about favorites, gave a holiday home tour and ideas for displaying cards, and rounded up my blog loves and my own most popular posts of 2012.  I also shared my December in Instagram.
• 2011: my favorite things in our home. 

pinspiration: a stars and stripes hostess...

Happy Independence Day to all of my fellow American readers. I hope that whatever you're up to today, you have a lot of fun. Here are my best bets for the hostess - what to serve, what to wear, and the ultimate July 4th Americana playlist.

this week's clicks.

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

Christina Bernales Fine Art Wedding Photography via Style Me Pretty

• From SMP, a classic summer wedding in Maine.
• A pretty winery wedding from Alicia Lacey.
• At Found, a bohemian glamping inspiration shoot.
• A wedding at a place called Villa Amor? Good stuff.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Smashing, Mospens Studio, Red Stamp,
• Pride merch that actually gives back, via Brit + Co.
• From Bored Panda: Photography vs. reality.
• Wanderlust: illustrated literary locations in the U.K.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: my 6th Stitch Fix, blush and palm Pinspiration, 5 Broadway roles I love
• 2015: June favorites, tropical black and white, early summer entertainment faves.
• 2014: mint and gray picks and inspiration for a summer camp wedding.
• 2013: my blogging history with the Sunday Social girls.
• 2012: being intentionally considerate and what Father's Day means for me now.

sunday simplicity.

O'Malley Photographers via Style Me Pretty

“It had long since come to my attention that people of 
accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to
them. They went out and happened to things.”

― Leonardo da Vinci

sunday simplicity.

Ashleigh Jayne Weddings via Southern Weddings

"The bad news is time flies. The 

good news is you’re the pilot.”

— Michael Altshuler

pinspiration: niagara blue

So far 2017 is shaping up to be such an exciting year in my life, and I keep feeling like so many of my little steps along the way have led me to precisely this season. In November, I was hired as the instructional coach and coordinator for a new school-within-a-school, the seeds of which were planted long ago. I would not have taken the chance to even apply for the job if not for the confidence I've gained from working with the most amazing team of all-new-to-8th-grade-English teachers this year. All the best things I've done in life have come from choices I've made when I had nothing to lose.

Two weeks ago, my forward momentum came to a grinding halt and balancing two jobs at once became too much for me to bear. Teaching has never been an 8:30-3:30 job for me - it's not just my job but my calling and passion and I am a self-identified workaholic. I love what I do. But adding a lot of research, paperwork, and tasks that delved into the PR and HR fields on top of planning three differentiated lessons a day for 70+ hormonal tweens, scoring 70+ essays on a regular basis, and dealing with all of the IEP progress reports, RTI forms, gradebook deadlines - oh, and being the 8th grade English department chair - my body finally said "nope." What I thought was just a good cry after a stressful conference call and one dropped ball on my part was actually the first sign that I was sick.

I woke up at 3 a.m. the next morning with terrible pains in my stomach. A few hours later, it became abundantly clear that I had norovirus - fever, chills, and all. I had to miss two days of work and lived on saltine crackers and Pedialyte for a week. Through it all, my team - the 5 beautiful ladies I've been mentoring this year - were there for me, helping make sure that my substitutes had the right plans and materials, that my students were behaving and on track, and, once I returned to work, that I really had talked to the powers that be about my workload.

These girls - our group Snapchat name is "Teacherladies" - aren't just my coworkers. They've become some of my dearest friends. I was so heartbroken about my old English team breaking up, but I don't think I've ever connected with a new group of people so quickly. One of the greatest gifts this group of women has brought me has been the invitation to a Bible study consisting of a handful of English teachers, several young pastors, and a handful of other folks in their late 20's and early 30's from a variety of denominations. Oh man, has this group been a blessing for Mr. Q and I. Sitting in a friend's living room last night, arms still sore from an indoor rock climbing adventure we shared this weekend, talking about Jesus and taking communion and cuddling with dogs, I was just so thankful that the Lord restores my soul - even if it takes getting knocked down by my immune system to know that restoration needs to happen.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Caroline Yoon Fine Art Photography via Ruffled

• At Ruffled, a colorful + modern boho California wedding.
• From Found Rentals, a stylish wedding with vintage flair.
• A blue + white wedding at Boone Hall Plantation from SW.
• Love the playful touches in this elegant vineyard wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Smashing, Flipsnack, Blushed, Mospens Studio, TIMS.
• Pottery Barn's new small space collection looks great for renters.
• Sweetly illustrated Valentine's traditions from around the world.
• A worthy read on self-care during turbulent times from Tsh.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: 80's-inspired pins, blog loves, blush + gray inspiration, fave fictional galentines.
• 2015: a Pin-spired outfit and a letter to my younger self for the Circle.
• 2014: faves for February, lessons from 2013, and details from the Sochi Olympics.
• 2013: BTA's Facebook debut and ideas for a V-Day girls night in.
• 2012: my first ever round-up of blog loves and hot pink wedding inspiration.
• 2011: table number inspo and some of my favorite poetry in time for V-Day.

this week's clicks.

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

• I've had this tune stuck in my head for weeks now and it was driving me crazy because I didn't know what it was called, what the words actually were other than "In the silence of the night..." or who sang it - thank goodness The Santa Clause was on TV last night and I realized it was from the scene where the characters visit the North Pole for the first time. The song is "The Bells of Christmas" by Loreena McKennitt. It's a shame it's so hard to find, because it's absolutely magical.

SWOON.

Mary Margaret Smith Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

• From EAD, a winter wedding with a bright pop of color.
• A lovely redwood forest wedding from Lauren Fair.
• An evocative editorial in Italy from Michael and Carina.
• Love the palette and florals from this white barn wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Sarah ❤s, The Blog Market, Flipsnack, SALT. 
• Read It Forward is giving away 50 books and a bookshelf!
• Love Liz's simple, welcoming farmhouse Christmas entry.
• Ashley's home is a rustic, snowy winter wonderland.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: My wellness wish list, fall in Instagram, favorite holiday traditions, and a glam woodland Christmas wreath.
• 2014: Roanoke's Festival of Trees, rounded up ideas for a wedding inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and my blog loves.
• 2013: a Sunday Social all about the holidays, pulled together emerald green and gold wardrobe and wedding/party inspiration, shared my favorite no-bake cookie recipe, and recapped my December in Instagram.
• 2012: holiday advice for letting go of perfect and enjoying the holiday season, and 7 winter date ideas.
• 2011:  a paint chip mosaic, poinsettia wreath, no-sew tree skirt, and how I decorated our tree.

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.

this week's clicks: 5 years of Beyond the Aisle!

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

Annamarie Akins Photography

• An Annapolis anniversary shoot from Annamarie Akins.
• A chic San Francisco wedding with fresh style from Jose Villa.
• Loving Liz's farmhouse Christmas living room decor.
• From SMP, a camp wedding full of cool details (that arch!).

SMILE.

• Almost time for 25 Days of Christmas! (All Elf all the time)
• Happy Narwhalidays. Bye, Buddy, hope you find your dad!
• Cute, helpful and functional: Bonnie's gift list printable.
• Obsessed with this lovely Cinderella-inspired pinboard.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: My 5 favorite holiday recipes.
• 2014: My December favorite things.
• 2013: December faves and black and white wardrobe picks.
• 2012: our Christmas traditions, how important caregivers are during the holidays, gift guides for the quirky and glam girls in my life, and a peek at our Dickens-inspired Christmas decorations.
• 2011: Mr. Q and I got engaged and officially started this blog.

sunday simplicity.

Rachel Solomon via Style Me Pretty

“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.”

― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

sunday simplicity

The Grovers via Style Me Pretty

The secret to a happy marriage is if you can be at peace 

with someone within four walls, if you are content 

because the one you love is near to you, either upstairs 

or downstairs, or in the same room, and you feel that 

warmth that you don't find very often, then that 

is what love is all about.   - Bruce Forsyth

The Grovers via Style Me Pretty

this week's clicks.

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

• It is a truth universally acknowledged that Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren are one of the cutest couples in country music. I love this song that he wrote after their wedding.

SWOON.

Gaby J Photograpghy via Style Me Pretty

• SMP features a must-see whimsical blue and gold wedding.
• Farmhouse style fall dining room inspiration from Dear Lillie.
• Can't wait to try Lucy's apple cake recipe (hers is so gorgeous!)
• In love with this Secret Garden-inspired Georgia wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Teaching Is My Superpower, Smashing, Sarah Hearts.
• Studio DIY's costume shop includes their perfect dresses.
• These funny misfortune cookies are so cute for Halloween!
• Pinning all the autumn inspiration and pumpkin recipes.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: ways to learn something new in your hometown, favorite fictional teachers.
• 2014: favorite marsala wardrobe picks and a fall and winter bucket list.
• 2013: costumes for groups, Gatsby-inspired getups, and an A to Z book survey.
• 2012: navy and orange wardrobe ideas, inspiration for a rustic navy wedding, wedding cake pop ideas, photos from High Point Furniture Market as well as a what-to-wear guide, and a musical alphabet.
• 2011: fall centerpiece ideas, photos from my first trip to High Point, and my recipe for crock pot baked apples.