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

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

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• 5/8 - National Teacher Day
• 5/13 - Mother's Day

SWOON.

Let's Frolic Together via Intimate Weddings

• This at-home California wedding looks so joyful.
• A roundup of modern, elegant card box ideas.
• From A Burst of Beautiful, a pretty centerpiece.

SMILE.

• Desktops: the Everygirl, Cross Cards, Inkstruck.
• Fun: Monica's Friends apartment updated for 2018.

REWIND.

• 2015: TV flashbacks, lemon yellow and rustic wedding inspo, and a day in my life.
• 2014: I shared my past and made predictions about my future.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• 4/23 - World Book Day
• 4/27 - Arbor Day
• 4/29 - International Dance Day 

SWOON.

Chris J. Evans via Intimate Weddings

• A vintage-inspired intimate wedding in Hawaii.
• A plant-filled bohemian Brooklyn home tour.
• From Lia Griffith, cute DIY baby shower invites.
• Love this modern cloud nursery with pops of gold.

SMILE.

• Digging everything in this Etsy paper goods shop.
• A kid-friendly music playlist that's not Kidz Bop #29.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: remixed closet staples and April favorites.
• 2014: pet peeves and the best [Mean Girls themed] link-up ever.
• 2013: inspiration for my eternal favorite spring trend: mixed prints.
• 2012: backyard wedding inspiration and ideas for a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

this week's clicks.

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

Tiffany Sangster Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

• A crazy-colorful elopement shoot in the Vegas desert.
• This dreamy blush Airstream makeover is a must-see!
• A roundup of the prettiest long-sleeve wedding gowns.
• Modern boys' nursery picks from West Coast Capri.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Smashing, May Designs, Mospens Studio.
• Anthropologie's new Nordstrom home decor line.
• Who's psyched for Target's collab with Hunter boots?
• Five rules to live by as a feminist in the workplace.

FLASHBACK.

• 2017: garden-themed Easter pinspiration.
• 2016: serenity blue color inspiration, spring table number ideas.
• 2015: my entertainment faves and Rachel Held Evans' Searching for Sunday.
• 2014: a classic Spring Break wardrobe and a spring and summer bucket list.
• 2013: about me + Twitter, citrus prints, and the Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure.
• 2012: Titanic dinner party.

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.

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

Paige Nelson Photography via Intimate Weddings

• I can never resist a romantic wedding in the woods.
• A New York vineyard wedding with gorgeous florals.
• Elegant garden wedding portraits in Portland, Oregon.

SMILE.

• The cutest, and most relatable, unicorn cake I've ever seen.
• These serving utensils would be a great housewarming gift.
• A round-up of cute Easter basket ideas that aren't candy!

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: rose quartz pinspiration, loss and reunion, and a geeky wardrobe wishlist.
• 2014: my blog as an outfit, teal and chambray wardrobe updates, watercolor stationery, life in IG, and entertainment picks.
• 2013: garden-inspired wardrobe ideas, inspiration for a French lavender wedding, and February and March in entertainment.
• 2012: I reflected on the course of this blog, and shared my blog loves.
• 2011: we designed our invitations and found our flower girl's dress.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

Michael and Carina Photographers via Magnolia Rouge

• I fell in love with this classic country club wedding in Virginia.
• From Beka Price, a dreamy maternity shoot in a lavender field.
• A sweet, romantic couples photo sesh. In Hawaii. With a puppy.
• Love Alicia's convenient and chic do-it-yourself office nook.

SMILE.

• Desktops:  The Everygirl, CrossCards, Flipsnack, Sarah Hearts
• Rifle Paper Co.'s new collab with Keds is here + includes kids'!
• Love peeking at Bridget Beth Collins' creative floral artwork.
• Currently pinning inspiration for Holy Week and Easter.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: spring reading challenge recommendations, tattoos I'd love to have
• 2015: my March favorites (and OUAT obsession).
• 2014: inspiration for a sweet mint and baby's breath wedding.
• 2013: 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.

this week's clicks.

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

Mindy Gayer Design Co. via Becki Owens

• Modern romantic wedding inspiration from Ruffled.
• Via Becki Owens, a fresh-meets-farmhouse Napa home.
• Just started following this designer's airy Insta account.
• Fun, colorful, and slightly retro superhero nursery ideas.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Kate Spade, Kelly Sugar Crafts, Natural Dreamer
• Anne tried and reviewed popular meal prep services.
• Currently pinning inspiration for a maternity photo shoot.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: reader survey results, fave Oscar looks, and my "gateway fandoms"
• 2015: custard yellow picks for spring and spring IG faves.
• 2014: a blast from my high school past and March favorites.
• 2013:a Sunday Social about the 5's and emerald wardrobe inspiration.
• 2012: #FebPhotoADay and chocolate marshmallow cupcakes.
• 2011: wedding planning thrift store adventures and our bridesmaids' dresses.

this week's clicks.

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

Earnest Home Company

• A modern, sophisticated nursery from Earnest Home Co.
• A romantic bridal inspiration shoot with dreamy colors.
• This Iceland destination wedding is rainy-day perfection.
• This cute fox nursery would make Wes Anderson proud.

SMILE.

• Kristen Bell has a new web series about motherhood!
• Just finished Trevor Noah's fantastic Born a Crime.
• Have you seen Alex + Ani's Harry Potter collection?
• The White House got trolled by the Guggenheim...

FLASHBACK.

• 2016:  reading challenge ideas and my OTPs.
• 2015: dressing up a white tee, my TBR pile, V-Day style, and a "never have I ever" list.
• 2014: fave Grammy looks, January entertainment, a blended family wedding, Sunday Social all about the 4's, red picks for V-Day and easy party ideas.
• 2013: wedding dresses with full skirts, our wedding album, and a Super Bowl party.
• 2012: inspiration for a neutral wedding with pops of pastel pink.
• 2011: why and how I used wholesale flowers for our wedding.

What's coloring your life this week? Share your favorites in the comments!

This post contains affilitate links. Thanks for your support.

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. 

sunday simplicity.

Heart Love Always

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, 

is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do 

we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” -  Bob Hope

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.

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.

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.