this week's clicks.

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

Nichols Photographers

• Into neutrals right now - like this artist's apartment.
• A California cliffside elopement from Cassidy Carson.
• A stunning contemporary wedding from the Nichols.
• From the Tomkat Studio, a gorgeous outdoor brunch.

SMILE.

• July Desktops: The Everygirl, Smashing, By Dawn Nicole.
• Currently crushing on this Anthro cowrie shell bracelet.
• From Vox, behind those totally 80's patterns and colors.
• Recently pinning inspiration for our Parkway cycling trip.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: the June Yogi Surprise box, cheerful camp wedding inspiration, Hufflepuff love.
• 2015: Palm leaf green wardrobe picks, retro camp wedding inspiration, summer entertainment faves (Paul McCartney!), and dream geeky spin-offs.
• 2014: fave genres, tropical-inspired fashion, Busch Gardens, and July favorites.
• 2013: July birthday cards, vintage-style wedding inspiration, and our Tennessee vacation, including the Titanic Museum, the Cumberland Plateau, and Nashville.
• 2012: my summer Instagrams, soft blue fashion, home decor, and wedding inspiration, and first wedding anniversary and the marriage book we received.

Style: End Of Summer?

Last week was my students' first week of school - definitely a sign that summer is coming to a close here in the U.S.  I also kept seeing references to the approach of fall on blogs and in magazines, not to mention pumpkin-shaped planters full of chrysanthemums and bags of candy corn on display at the grocery store and bottles of Oktoberfest in the cooler at a weekend cookout.  It was all getting me a little verklempt - how can fall be coming when I haven't done everything on my summer bucket list? While it may feel like trick-or-treaters are coming, like, tomorrow, the first official day of fall isn't until September 23.  We still have more than a month of summer!  The best way to extend that relaxed, carefree summer feeling?  Pretty, light neutrals and metallics that will get you through Labor Day and into September.

1. Old Navy sequin tank  2. J. Crew ceramic jewelry tray  3. Toni and Guy metallic bobby pins from Target 4. LOFT gold pave link necklace

5. GAP rugby stripe dress  6. Essie "Urban Jungle" nail polish from Target  7. Old Navy pointed ballet flats  8. American Eagle shorts (Similar) 9. Old Navy flip-flops

Linking Up:

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Style Sessions at Style Elixir
Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera

Stylish Tuesday at Life's a Party, Dress Like It

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

Well, I survived my first week with a new crop of middle school students and I'm already loving them.  This year's group is funny, creative, and enthusiastic.  Some of my students have their reservations about reading and writing, but they've all set goals for themselves and are willing to face their struggles head-on.  Right now, my focus is on building relationships with my students so that they trust me enough to ask for help when they need it.


LISTEN.

• New music releases this week include John Mayer's Paradise Valley... is it pay day yet?*  I'm loving the track "Wildfire" (here's a link to the official lyric video) - it's the perfect end-of-summer cookout song.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos - don't forget to check out what everyone else is listening to this week!

SWOON.

Style Me Pretty via Stephanie Williams Photography

• Emmaline Bride has rounded up some lovely ideas for using parasols in weddings.
• Check out this sweet, feminine vintage-inspired birthday party from Hostess with the Mostess.
• Julie from Willow Bird Baking shared photos from her sweet Charlotte wedding on her blog.
• I love the graceful muted palette in this elegant Sonoma wedding featured on Style Me Pretty.

SMILE.

• This recipe themed bridal shower from Celebrations at Home is genius - and adorable.
• Jenny Steffens Hobick from Everyday Occasions now has her own store full of party essentials.
• The perfect new wardrobe staples for late summer (from Mix and Match Fashion).

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared wardrobe inspiration and home decor ideas in shades of navy blue, daydreamed about a bohemian citrus-inspired wedding, and rounded up my favorite brides in forehead bands.

*No, it's not.

summer style: what to wear to a casual bridal shower

This past Saturday was one of the most anticipated days of my summer: my BFF's bridal shower!  Honestly, the last time I hosted a big party was my own wedding, and I had the hostessing itch.  Since Breeze's wedding has a rustic theme and laid-back style, we wanted to keep the shower fun, casual, and a little country.  I'll show you the inspiration for Breeze's wedding and what we did for the shower later this week, but first I wanted to take some time to daydream about how I would decorate and what I'd wear if I had a magazine editor's budget.  I came up with a vintage inspired farmhouse-style summer shower with coral accents, and a dress that keeps finding its way into my ModCloth cart.

Disclaimer:  ModCloth links contain an affiliate code.

The Outfit: 1. Floral dress from ModCloth  2. Betsey Johnson pave stud earrings from Lord and Taylor 3. Fossil lock and key necklace from Macy's  4. Fossil crosshatch iPhone case  5. Kate Spade bridesmade idiom cuff bracelet  6. Max and Chloe sterling silver monogram bracelet  7. Straw Studios crochet handbag from Nordstrom  8. Camper wedge sandals

The Serveware:  1. 12" x 20" Wooden tray from Bed Bath and Beyond  2. Chalkboard condiment tray from Pier1  3. Scalloped cake stand from Pier1  4. Mason jar  style drink dispenser from Bed Bath and Beyond (also available at World Market) 5. "Emma" cupcake liner from Dress My Cupcake 6. Libbey dessert spoons from Bed Bath and Beyond  7. 13" Chip and dip tray from Bed Bath and Beyond