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.

this week's clicks.

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


SWOON.

Jeremiah and Rachel Photography via Style Me Pretty

• From SMP, a romantic blended-family wedding in Montana.
• Colorful Kentucky Derby party ideas from Oh Happy Day.
• Every detail of this workshop shoot from Ruffled is dreamy.
• At Snippet + Ink, a gorgeous interfaith wedding in England.

FYI.

• Desktops: Live Beautifully, Oh So Beautiful, Soggy Musings
• Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale arrives this week on Hulu...
• and Neil Gaiman's American Gods begins on Starz. 
• A different look at planning weekly date nights, from NYT.

SMILE.

• Mashable rounded up the best March for Science pictures.
• These cactus kiss favors would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
• From Damask Love, an adorable leather flower purse DIY.
• Stealing this Anthro styling idea for 90's style slip dresses.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: remixed closet staples, seating ideas for spring celebrations, April favorites.
• 2014: a Sunday Social about 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...
WATCH.

• I wish this magical commercial featuring dancer Lil Buck (remember him as a judge on SYTYCD?) was more than one minute long.

SWOON.

Amber Vickery via Intimate Weddings

• I'm enchanted by this intimate boho wedding in Big Sur.
• A classic elegant wedding in Alabama from Jennifer Blair.
• Via My Modern Met, dreamy photographs shot in Iceland.
• A bright industrial wedding in Washington, D.C. from SMP.

SMILE.

• Desktop: Going Home to Roost, Kitchen Heals Soul
• Clayton Cubbit's portraits of Women's Marchers.
• 100% true: the best parts of being a bookish 90's kid.
• Cool product: have y'all seen the Lumio lamp?

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: a winter entertainment recap, Literary Junkies, Snow White wedding inspiration, and late to the game TV discoveries.
• 2015: ideas for a living room makeover and my January in Instagram.
• 2014: entertainment favorites, my beauty routine, and blue wardrobe picks.
• 2013: deep thinking and my classic style staples.
• 2012: warm neutral wardrobe and home decor picks.

sunday.

from Ellie Shechet's Jezebel article

There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire which 
lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which 
kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. 
- Washington Irving

more Women's March content on my Tumblr blog.

this week's clicks: happy boxing day!

get your week off to a colorful start...

• I hope that you're all having a wonderful holiday week with your families. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to actually rest and relax with a good book (currently, The Queen of the Tearling) - that stack of papers to grade can wait until 2017, right?

LISTEN.

• Hat tip to my hip mom for telling me about this amazing year-end Carpool Karaoke from James Corden and friends! How did he keep this a secret???

SWOON.

Michael and Carina Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Speechless over this elegant Charlottesville wedding.
• I look forward to Lia's NYE printable hats every year.
• Sparkly, fun New Year's inspiration from Swooned.
• The perfect low-effort, high-glam hairstyle for NYE.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Dawn Nicole, Oh So Lovely, Soggy Musings
• Love these unique birthstone necklaces - New Year's gift?
• Interesting: Planned Parenthood donations are up 40%.
• Pinning all the best last-minute New Year's Eve ideas.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: inspiration for a cozy rose gold NYE, Literary Junkies, December in Instagram, most popular posts of 2015 and personal faves.
• 2014: most popular posts of 2014 and personal favorites.
• 2013: most popular posts of 2013, my personal favorites, and a NYE tablescape.
• 2012: avorite posts of 2012, gold and blush NYE inspiration, favorite movies and books of 2012, organization goals for 2013, gray wardrobe picks and home decor ideas. 
• 2011: gold/champagne inspiration for New Year's Eve and organization goals for 2012.

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.

clicks of note: like tide to the shore...

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

• I've been a fan of duo Johnnyswim for a while, and I love this epic love song.

SWOON.

Gaby J. Photography

• A romantic winery elopement from Gaby J Photography.
• Love this copper watercolor moodboard from One Fab Day.
• The loveliest rustic brunch wedding from Snippet + Ink.
• From SMP, a sweet red bohemian wedding in Kentucky.

SMILE.

• From Domino, Halloween movie and cocktail pairings.
• Hoodies for bad hombres and nasty women (Swiss Miss).
• Clever couples costume ideas from HerCampus and S+I.
• It's fall so I'm going crazy for squash recipes on Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Movie-themed Literary Junkies, favorite TV Halloween episodes.
• 2014: My fall in Instagram.
• 2013: Gray wardrobe picks, an HP fan link-up, and my Effie Trinket costume.
• 2012: Cobalt and black fall wardrobe inspiration.

this week's clicks.

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

• One of my friends who works in Silicon Valley shared this link on Facebook - apparently, his company is OBSESSED with this phenomenon right now, and from a sociological standpoint, it's quite interesting. As someone on the cusp of being either a Gen X-er or a Millenial (born in 1985 to Boomer parents), I have to say I don't hate these songs!

SWOON.

• A Palm Springs wedding with the best tropical vibes.
• Rita Chan's interior designs are so simple and calming.
• An elegant fall vineyard shoot from Ruffled.
• Perfect fall vibes in this Style Me Pretty farm wedding.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Sarah Hearts, Smashing, Mel Armstrong.
• Wish list alert: Fitbit's new line. Rose gold, please.
• One high school's colorful tradition has gone viral.
• In case you need another reason to support Hillary...

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: Windowpane print wardrobe picks, my fall TV roundup, 5 fave things about fall.
• 2014: a rainy game day outfit, blurbed the fall shows I was looking forward to, completed the Geek Girl tag, and participated in a Sunday Social all about fall.
• 2013: lilac and rose wardrobe picks for fall, inspiration for a neutral pastel wedding, a roundup of ballerina bun hairstyles, and my personal manifesto.  
• 2012: my bridal portraits and our wedding's prelude.

lately in instagram.

It's been a while since I recapped my life's happenings and

wanderings through the lens of Instagram! Here's what

I've been up to since the winter holidays...

Fun around Roanoke: the annual "Guns and Hoses" hockey

game between local law enforcement and firemen, and

ice skating on the new outdoor rink in Elmwood Park.

Happy mail from Germany and fun with friends

Snow day opportunities to find peace and take things slow

(and make this colorful, healthy salad from Not Without Salt)

Valentine's Day sweets - Voting in the Virginia primary

Busy teacher - In March I had the opportunity to visit a local

magnet school with co-taught classes and a working barn!

Best necklace ever, a gift from my coworker - My family

Easter selfie in the church parking lot + VIP seating

Spring break lunch date with Mr. Q + visiting Grounds 

with my favorite girls (totally stole this picture!)

Are you on Instagram? Let's be friends - you can follow me here.

{Linking Up with Weekend Snapshots at Her Heartland Soul}

sunday social: all about the 5's

1. 5 things you want us to know about you:

• I am an only child.  My parents were 40 when they had me and had raised my cousin from the time she was a teenager until she was emancipated from her parents.  I have several "spoiled only child" qualities but my parents were also fairly strict because they'd learned a lot from raising a teenager. 
• I'm just starting to really think about how growing up in Appalachia shaped my identity; in college, I tried to escape that culture, but now I'm trying to embrace it.
• I am an evangelical Christian and also a liberal, progressive, pro marriage equality, pro-choice, pro stronger gun control Democrat.  That makes me a real weirdo in Southwest Virginia and a lot of people don't understand how my faith and political viewpoints can co-exist. 
• I'm a workaholic.  Being a teacher is a dream come true for me and I take it very seriously.  No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'm probably thinking about lesson plans or how to reach a difficult student.
• Mr. Q and I have been married for three years now and I think our relationship is stronger than it has ever been.  I truly consider him my best friend and would rather spend time with him than anyone else.

2. 5 favorite things about blogging:

• Getting to know people I would never know otherwise because there are so many miles between us or because our lives are so different.
• Having a hobby that allows me to practice my writing and develop my voice while reaching an authentic audience of my peers.
• I've learned about so many cool things that I love from reading blogs, from TV shows to watch and new bands to listen to, to housecleaning hacks and DIY ideas.
• Learning that I really do enjoy photography and photo editing as a hobby - I need more practice but so far I know that my "style" = lots of brightness.
• I can't remember when I first started adding fashion posts to the blog, but participating in fashion-themed link-ups and researching trends has really helped me develop a more streamlined personal style.  I'm not buying many items that just sit in the closet because I have a lot more styling ideas thanks to my fashion blogger friends.

3. 5 things you are doing before the year is over:

• Welcoming my BFF Breeze's new neice, Kinslei, into the world in a few weeks!
• Seeing To Kill a Mockingbird at our local theater.
• Going to the wine festival with Mr. Q and some of our lake friends.
• Participating in the Color Me Rad 5K to raise money for Special Olympics.
• Hopefully visiting either an apple orchard or pumpkin patch - I am determined to get outside and get my fall on.

4. 5 favorite fall fashion staples:

• Scarves

• Riding boots

• Skinny jeans

• Pencil skirts

• Sheer sweaters for layering

5. 5 favorite beauty products:

• L'Oreal True Match Naturale mineral foundation - it contains SPF 19, covers blemishes, and gives my skin an airbrushed look.  I get compliments on my "perfect skin" even though I actually have a ton of pockmarks and acne scars.
• Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer - extended time in the sun just isn't part of my lifestyle and I'm very serious about using SPF and wearing hats when I am outside.  As a result, I'm naturally very pale and need help keeping a healthy glow.
• Physicians Formula HappyBooster bronzer and blush - the second part of my fake-glow regimen.  This blush and bronzer combo looks so natural and blends really well.
• Almay Smoky Eye Shadow Trio - the perfect combination of colors for brown eyed girls.
• Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick - it smells good and feels really soft, not dry and lipstick-y.

I look forward to reading all of your Sunday Social posts this week and to chatting with you in the comments!

february blog loves: a year of love!

Here are the blogs I'm loving this month.  It's hard to believe that I've been compiling these posts for a year now after participating in Literally Inspired's Blog Romance link party!

Note to Self

• Note to Self - Sarah's blog is elegant, classy, and one of the closest things to a glossy magazine in the blog world.  Her design skills constantly impress me.  My favorite features are the monthly Playlist, Hers/Mine, and Words for the Week.

Rage Against the Minivan

• Rage Against the Minivan - I discovered Kristen's blog while researching international adoption.  Rage Against the Minivan goes into some deep topics, but my favorite feature by far is her guest post series, What I Want You To Know.  In her posts about handling parenting four kids while navigating religion, politics, and life, Kristen is so honest and real, and I love it.

The Vintage Housewife

• The Vintage Housewife has a really fun premise:  the author, Christine, stumbled upon vintage home ec textbooks, and, having always been drawn the June Cleaver era, decided to take on the challenge of becoming the perfect 1950's housewife.  So far, that's included dressing up to go grocery shopping, having flatware engraved, and skinning a tomato.  I think she could totally get a book deal out of this project.

What are your current blog addictions?

Featured in the first year of Blog Loves: 

• Lifestyle and Fashion Blogs: Fabulous K, Henry Happened, Hip Hip Gin Gin, The Everygirl, The Fresh Exchange, Little Tin Soldier, A Cup of Jo, Capitol Hill Style, The Daily Spark, Along the Lines of Style, A Beach Cottage, and Bleubird.
• Shelter and DIY Blogs: The Inspired Room, Home Stories A to Z, Post Road Vintage, Two Twenty-One, Perfectly Imperfect, Dandee, Ella Claire, Making it Lovely, The Swenglish Home, Bright Bazaar, Centsational Girl, Dear Lillie, and A Beautiful Mess.
• Inspirational Blogs: Rosie Molinary, Geninne's Art Blog, and Tiny Twig.
• Food and Entertaining Blogs: The Gracious Pantry, A Farmgirl's Dabbles, Everyday Occasions, SkinnyTaste, and The Pioneer Woman.