sunday simplicity

The Glitter Guide

“November comes

And November goes,

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring.” 

― Clyde Watson

clicks of note: the sun still rises, even through the rain.

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

• This song from The Head and the Heart has literally been my lifeline this week.

SWOON.

Candace Moore at Minerva House via the Elli Blog

• Of course Lauren Conrad's home is boho-chic perfection.
• Loving this bride's pretty striped gown from the Elli blog.
• Polka Dot Bride's pretty green and copper moodboard.
• Artsy fall wedding inspiration from Australia, via SMP.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Uppercase Designs, The Blog Market.
• If the election has you stressed out, check out Jo's post.
• Digging Jamie Larkin's picks for cozy fall home decor.
• All the last-minute Thanksgiving ideas you need.

FLASHBACK.

• 2014: cozy layered looks for groomsmen, fall in entertainment, and November faves.
• 2013: purple pieces for fall and my favorite Instagrammers.
• 2012: cozy fall wardrobe picks, Thanksgiving decor, blog loves, and tailgating outfits.
• 2011:  rustic, cedar and teal, and modern barn wedding inspiration, Thanksgiving tablescapes and my apple-cranberry pie recipe.

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Katrina Louise via Snippet and Ink

• A stunning barn wedding from Elizabeth Anne Designs.
• From Katelyn James, this lovely ten-year vow renewal.
• S+I features a dreamy watercolor wedding in San Diego.
• At SMP, a sweet, dreamy wedding in the South of France.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Paper Leaf, Roost, TIMS, Minding My Nest.
• Women giving their "I Voted" stickers to Susan B. Anthony.
• I'm going to need LC's new Snow White inspired collection.
• Already pinning ideas for Friendsgiving... can't wait!

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: fall entertainment faves and a YA book review, favorite fall recipes.
• 2014: favorite mauve wardrobe picks for fall.
• 2013: red picks for fall, my favorites, and Thanksgiving cocktail party inspiration.
• 2012: burgundy pieces, purple and gold wedding ideas, and easy guest room updates.
• 2011: our wedding reception, Southern dinner, first dance, and cake table setup.

my fall {according to instagram.}

Before the Christmas season completely takes over, I wanted

to share a few small moments from this busy fall.

Every year for our anniversary, Mr. Q and I invest in a joint

gift, like a piece of furniture. This year, we got a studded

headboard for our bed. It's from the Better Homes & Gardens

collection at Wal-Mart, of all places, and it's perfect!

I had a very proud teacher moment on our eighth grade field

trip to an amusement park. One of the boys in my group was

very much afraid of heights. When it was time to choose the

last ride for the day, instead of heading for the big roller

coaster they'd been talking about all day, my boys chose

the ferris wheel so that they could all ride something together.

I'm not sure what could be more beautiful than the Blue

Ridge Mountains in the fall - on these days, my heart sings.

Praying for Paris, and so thankful my cherished friends

are safe. Still, always the city of my dreams.

A simple Thanksgiving centerpiece and Small Business

Saturday spent exploring in my adopted hometown.

Pinecones heralding winter at Mr. Q's family home.

The perfect slogan (and much-needed coffee) for the end of the semester.

What moments have you cherished during this 

season of change? Follow me on Instagram here.

sunday simplicity.

Kristyn Hogan via Elizabeth Anne Designs

“Home isn't where you're from, it's 
where you find light when all grows dark.”

― Pierce Brown

thanksgiving pin-spiration.

"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel 
to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge 
you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” 
- Maya Angelou

clicks of note: dream about the time i had with you...

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

• How amazing is this cover of The Proclaimers' "500 Miles"? How weird is it that it was featured in a Budweiser commercial? How ready are y'all for Thanksgiving? Discuss.

SWOON.

Annamarie Akins Photography

• An elegant Virginia wedding from Annamarie Akins.
• At One Love Photography, a cheerful Napa wedding.
• Modern model home perfection from Rue magazine.
• At SMP, maybe the most elegant camp wedding ever.

SMILE.

• Alex's good advice about adding wit to your writing.
• Kate Spade yoga wear! Spring 2016 just got exciting.
• Fantastic Beasts photos! Fall's looking great too...
• Oh Happy Day's tips for taking holiday card photos.

NEST.

• In time for Thanksgiving: what guests won't tell you...
• and Camille Styles' rules for being a good houseguest.
• APW's roundup of noncommercial holiday festivities.
• Erin chooses a holiday theme to keep things simple.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year, I shared red picks for fall and easy Thanksgiving decorating ideas.
• Two years ago, I rounded up festive pink pieces for a holiday wardrobe, inspiration for a pink vineyard wedding, and recapped November in Instagram and our quiet Thanksgiving at home.
• Three years ago, I shared my "no thank you" list, inspiration for a woodland fairytale wedding, cabin-inspired wardrobe and home picks, a Sunday Social that was all about the 4's, and my updated DIY Christmas wreath.

clicks of note: you're standing here beside me...

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

• Sam Beam, a.k.a. Iron and Wine, teamed up with Band of Horses' Ben Bridwell, and the result is absolutely gorgeous. I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Annemarie Akins

• From Annamarie Akins, a Richmond fall e-shoot.
• Ethereal modern inspiration from Morgan Gosch.
• At SMP, an absolutely elegant Pasadena wedding.
• A sweet Southern Wedding at Front Porch Farms.

SMILE.

• Desktops: The Front Door, Uppercase Design.
• Sarah and Nick's custom Guess Who game = genius!
• SW ideas for a fun, festive at-home football tailgate.
• Pinterest inspiration for a traditional Thanksgiving.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up cozy layered looks for groomsmen, recapped my fall in entertainment, and shared my November favorites.
• Two years ago, I featured purple pieces for fall and my favorite Instagrammers.
• Three years ago, I shared cozy fall wardrobe picks, my decorations for our family's Thanksgiving, my blog loves, and tailgating outfit inspiration.
• Four years ago, I rounded up barn wedding inspiration:  a rustic celebration, a cedar and teal color scheme, and a modern party.  I also shared Thanksgiving tablescapeideas and my apple-cranberry pie recipe.

clicks of note: just take my hand...

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

• Tori Kelly's "I Was Made for Loving You," featuring Ed Sheeran: sweet, acoustic guitar-driven goodness.

SWOON.

Ashley Cox via Southern Weddings

• Pretty red and purple wedding from Jessica Simons.
• A beachy engagement from One Love Photography.
• SMP features a stunning French welcome dinner.
• LOVE this UVa chapel wedding/Keswick reception.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Make + Tell, Red Stamp, Sarah Hearts.
• Fun: realistic Disney villains (Hades FTW y'all!)
• In love with Sugar Paper's Target holiday line.
• Pinterest inspiration for a glam Friendsgiving.

REFLECT.

• Many of my friends have kids, so I appreciated this.
• Jen's post about everyday acts of worship: good stuff.
• Meg's list of things she dislikes in her 30's is spot on.
• Sarah's post on practicing intentional ignorance? Yes.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up my favorite mauve wardrobe picks for fall.
• Two years ago, I rounded up red pieces for fall, participated in a Sunday Social all about favorites, and featured inspiration for a glitzy Thanksgiving cocktail party.
• Three years ago, I shared my favorite burgundy pieces, inspiration for a purple and gold wedding, and guest room updates.
• Four years ago, I featured photos and details from our wedding reception entrance, Southern dinner, first dance, and cake table setup.

clicks of note: jump off the edge...

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

• Can lyrics get any more romantic than "I will follow you to the end of the world?" I think fans of The Lumineers will enjoy Rivvrs' "I Will Follow You," which was a fortunate Spotify find for me! I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Rachabella Photography via The Sweetest Occasion

• A colorful bohemian model home from HoJ.
• Love Magnolia Rouge's modern autumn shoot.
• A whimsical gold and blush Southern Wedding.
• An apple farm picnic from The Sweetest Occasion.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Minding My Nest, Smashing, Paper Leaf.
• APW asks: what traditions make you happiest?
• 28 photobooth background ideas from BH and G.
• Inspiration for a rustic Thanksgiving from Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I recapped my fall in Instagram, rounded up my favorite trendy graphic sweatshirts, and joined The Circle for some book-themed questions.
• Two years ago, I rounded up my November favorites, favorite neutral pieces and studded ballet flats, decor and recipes for a modern Thanksgiving, my fall blog loves, entertainment favorites, and an Instagram recap.
• Three years ago, I shared inspiration for a black and white anemone wedding and my favorite healthy pumpkin pie oatmeal recipe.
• Four years ago, I featured our indoor wedding portraits, recapped our social hour, and showed off our outdoor bridal party portraits, and couple portraits.  I also posted about gratitude, shared my recipe for slow cooker baked apples and a peek at how we used cedar and teal as our main kitchen colors (still love this combo!).

#5FandomFriday: 5 Favorite Things About Autumn

5 Fandom Friday is a weekly prompt challenge hosted by The Nerdy Girlie and Super Space Chick. In honor of Autumn beginning next week on September 23rd, today's topic is 5 Favorite Things About Autumn... the hard part, of course, is choosing just 5. Fall is my favorite season! You can see the upcoming prompts here at the Female Geek Bloggers community.

1. Halloween - My favorite holiday since childhood! As a lifelong fantasy and sci-fi reader, I can't resist a holiday that's all about magic, imagination, and disguise. This year I'm going to be Peggy Carter if I can get Mr. Q to be Captain America, OR wear one of the two witch costumes I bought when I had a Halloween panic attack last October. I always teach some Edgar Allan Poe short stories and poems right around Halloween, which is fun for me and my students. I'm also planning on watching the Halloween episodes of my favorite old TV shows (Roseanne, Home Improvement, and Boy Meets World always had the best ones!) and my favorite movie, Hocus Pocus, every time it comes on ABC Family and a few more times on Blu-Ray. Light the black flame candle!

2. Fall festivals - Virginia is so beautiful in the fall, and I love going to as many outdoor festivals as possible before it gets too cold to be outside for more than five minutes. In September, we have the Apple Festival and the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival, and in October there are fall festivals at pretty much every pumpkin patch in town. I love the live music, especially bluegrass, the pretty fall decorations, and the festival food!

3. Thanksgiving - Mr. Q and I have claimed Thanksgiving as our family holiday - everyone  who's in town is welcome to come to our house for dinner. 

4. Fall food - Bring on apple cider and desserts and pumpkin flavored everything! My BFF Breeze and I started a soup swap last year - each week, we make something in the crock pot on the weekend, put half in a container, and Mr. Q makes the switch at work on Monday so both families have yummy dinners for the whole week.

5. Fall fashion - Sweaters! Pants! Tights! Jackets! Scarves! Layers! Boots! YES PLEASE!

What are you looking forward to this fall?

clicks of note: bring your secrets, bring your scars...

get your week off to a colorful start...

• Thanksgiving week is upon us, friends!  My students have been  so excited about our canned food drive at school, and the final count is today - wish us luck.  There's also potential "plowable snow" in our forecast for Wednesday... I'm not ready!

LISTEN.

• Can we all agree that Phillip Phillips is our generation's king when it comes to writing romantic, uplifting songs?  Love this one.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Centsational Girl's sophisticated holiday mantel.
• Eric Kelley features a breathtaking farm wedding.
• A sweet, vintagey e-sesh from Sarah McKenzie.
• From  SW, perfect bouquets for Southern heroines.

SMILE.

D'art Photographie via Remodelista

• APW features a fun DIY hexagon backdrop for parties.
• Buzzfeed puts privilege in perspective... timely.
• Nerdist's Star Wars themed "All About that Bass" cover.
• I enjoyed reading Madison's essentials for adulthood.
• Need any last-minute Thanksgiving entertaining ideas?

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up the most festive pink pieces for a holiday wardrobe, inspiration for a vibrant pink vineyard wedding, and recapped my November in Instagrams and our quiet Thanksgiving at home.
• Two years ago, I shared my "no thank you" list, inspiration for a woodland fairytale wedding, cabin-inspired wardrobe and home decor picks, a Sunday Social that was all about the 4's.and my updated DIY silk floral Christmas wreath.

clicks of note: and tell you everything i'm thinking...

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

• For some reason, my summer country phase has stretched well into fall this year. Thomas Rhett is one of my favorite newcomers on the country scene, and I could listen to "Make Me Wanna" on repeat. I'll be linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos... come join us!

SWOON.

One Love Photography via Style Me Pretty

• 6th St. Design School shows off House Seven - right up my alley!
• Elisabeth Millay shares a gorgeous mauve plantation wedding.
• A lovely vintage-inspired wedding at Heart Love Always.
• SMP features a blush Pasadena wedding with romantic details.

SMILE.

• Dear Lillie has two pretty new holiday printables.
• The Sweetest Occasion rounds up fab hostess gifts.
• Definitely going to add a post to #wearefamily2014.
• ALL THE THANKSGIVING IDEAS on my Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I featured my favorite acai and plum purple pieces for fall, gave a shoutout to some of my favorite Instagrammers,
• Two years ago, I shared cozy cabin-inspired wardrobe picks, my decorations for our family's Thanksgiving dinner, my November blog loves, and outfit inspiration for tailgating at the Commonwealth Cup.
• Three years ago, I rounded up barn wedding inspiration:  a traditional, rustic celebration, a cedar and teal color scheme, and a colorful, modern party.  I also shared Thanksgiving tablescape and centerpiece ideas and my apple-cranberry pie recipe.

clicks of note: the world's just spinning...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• Seattle band The Head and the Heart released their second album last year.  The title track, "Let's Be Still," is calm, soothing, and a perfect cure for a case of the Mondays. I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

Vue Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

• Glamorous bohemian inspiration for autumn at Elizabeth Anne Designs.
• Erin from House of Earnest always has impeccable style and taste.
• Modern Sequins created a whimsical fall tabletop with West Elm items.
• Southern Weddings features a sweet, sparkly DIY soirée on the  farm.

SMILE.

• Cheerful desktop wallpapers from Design Love Fest and Sarah Hearts.
• Daniel Radcliffe's rap skills on Jimmy Fallon win the Internet this week.
• NPR's interview with Mindy Kaling... and Cosmo's new (feminist!) editor.
• Congratulations to Laura from Finding Home on her fun new venture!

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up my November favorites, my favorite neutral pieces and studded ballet flats (a trend that's still going strong) for fall, decor and recipes for a modern Thanksgiving, my fall blog loves, fall entertainment favorites, and an Instagram recap.
• Two years ago, I shared inspiration for a black and white anemone-themed wedding and my favorite healthy pumpkin pie oatmeal breakfast recipe.
• Three years ago, I featured our indoor wedding portraits, recapped our social hour, showed off our outdoor bridal party portraits, and the ones of just me and Mr. Q.  I also posted about gratitude, shared my recipe for slow cooker baked apples and a peek at how we used cedar and teal as our main kitchen colors.