clicks of note: i'm feelin' 32...

get your week off to a colorful start...

How are you all doing this week? Today just so happens to be my 32nd birthday and the first official day of summer break. This weekend we visited a favorite brewery and food truck, visited Roanoke's new Mellow Mushroom, and went to see a Beatles tribute band perform in the park. Today I'll be celebrating my birthday with my Bible study, and tomorrow we're going line dancing! This summer, it's time to stop being jealous of other people's lives on Instagram and really get out there and live my own.

SWOON.

Landon Jacob Photography via Southern Weddings

• From SW, a colorful and fun Magnolia Plantation wedding.
• Found Rentals' perfect midcentury modern wedding shoot.
• This Tuscany wedding from Ruffled is what dreams are made of.
• A sweet San Francisco e-sesh for a dancer and musician.

SMILE.

• The Love Actually short sequel has arrived in the U.S.!
• A blueberry peach chia bowl (How Sweet Eats) looks yummy.
• "Astrology Is Fake, But Brad Pitt Got Owned By A Gemini."
• Little girls are better at designing superheroes than... anyone.

FLASHBACK.

• 2016: olive chinos styled two ways.
• 2015: My 80's birthday inspiration board.
• 2014: the #1 hit songs from my birthday every year, spring blog loves, and spring in IG.
• 2013: May entertainment faves.
• 2011: memorial day party inspiration, my "venue twins," and our invitations.

sunday simplicity.

J. Amber Creative via Wedding Chicks

“Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.

I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.”

― Langston Hughes

this week's clicks: Hippity Hoppity

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

• The Paper Kites' "Featherstone" is airy, peaceful, calming, and exactly what I need this week - and the video reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are. Things are finally looking up, I think.

SWOON.

Kasey Ivan Photography via Bridal Musings

• You must see this candlelit barn wedding.
• A mod City Hall wedding from S+I's archive.
• Love this joyful wedding with floral 'maids!
• On Wit + Delight, Kate's chic home tour.

SMILE.

• Desktops from Lily and Val and Shannon Kirsten.
• A quick cold-shoulder DIY from Hello, Maegan.
• Kelly Christine's colorful round-up made me smile.
• Lots of ideas and inspirational Pins for spring.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I turned my blog into an outfit, rounded up teal and chambray wardrobe updates, pretty watercolor stationery, and recapped life in IG and in entertainment.
• Two years ago I featured garden-inspired wardrobe ideas, rounded up inspiration for a French lavender wedding, and recapped February and March in entertainment.
• Three years ago I reflected on the course of this blog, and shared my blog loves.
• Four years ago we designed our invitations and found our flower girl's dress.

clicks of note: to hear those sleigh bells in the snow...

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

• I dare you not to smile while listening to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings belt out their version of "White Christmas" (I'm also really digging those square wreaths).

SWOON.

Michael and Carina Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Loving Alicia's peaceful, shiny holiday home tour.
• A sky blue vineyard wedding from Mirelle Carmichael.
• Style Me Pretty features an elegant Virginia wedding.
• Wedding Chicks features a whimsical bohemian soiree.

SMILE.

• Desktops: I & G, Nifty Earth, Paper Leaf, Roost, Uppercase.
• 15 creative ways to deal with sad days and scary world news.
• DIY holly decorated flats perfect for holiday get-togethers.
• Party-ready holiday hair and makeup ideas from Pinterest.

FLASHBACK.

• In case you missed it: I rounded up my favorite holiday dessert recipes.
• Last year I shared Christmas decorating inspiration from Roanoke's Festival of Trees, rounded up ideas for a wedding inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and my blog loves.
• Two years ago, I participated in 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.
• Three years ago, I shared holiday advice for letting go of perfect and enjoying the holiday season, and 7 winter date ideas.
• Four years ago I shared a few of the crafts and DIY projects I made for the holidays:  a paint chip mosaic, poinsettia wreath, no-sew tree skirt, and how I decorated our tree.

sunday simplicity.

Heidi Ryder Photography via Ruffled

"If you have a garden and a library, 

you have everything you need."

- Cicero

Heidi Ryder Photography via Ruffled

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

• I hope you all had a great weekend! I spent time with some of my best friends this weekend - one my childhood friend's husband threw her a surprise party with a bonfire on Friday night, and on Saturday Breeze and I had brunch downtown, wandered around the farmers' market, and ended up exploring the science museum. It was time well spent because I feel recharged and ready to take on another week.

LISTEN.

• Mat Kearney's new song "Air I Breathe" is so lovely - hear the whole thing and watch the lyrics video here. I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Magnolia Rouge features this dreamy shoot inspired by nature.
• This Snippet + Ink fête with outdoor pews and lace = perfection.
• At Style Me Pretty, a garden wedding with a beautiful bouquet.
• This Tallahassee soiree might be the ultimate Southern wedding.

SMILE.

• Pretty tech desktops from Design Love Fest + West Elm.
• LeBron James' Trainwreck 2 idea (with no Bill Hader).
• Let's make these tie-dye s'mores from Studio DIY tonight.
• From Vogue: summer camps for adults are now a Thing.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I participated in a Sunday Social about fall and college, rounded up my favorite Colonial home features, and recapped my late summer in Instagram.
• Two years ago I rounded up some olive and moss green wardrobe inspiration for fall and styled a classic preppy gameday.
• Three years ago I shared neutral wardrobe inspiration and home decor ideas and daydreamed about a mod-influenced citrus wedding.  
• Four years ago I shared inspiration for a destination wedding in tropical shades.

eShakti Dress Review [+ a discount code for YOU!]

Disclaimer:  I received a dress from eShakti in exchange for my honest review.  I was not monetarily compensated for this post.

Over the past year or so, I'd seen several fashion bloggers post about dresses from eShakti, but I wasn't really sure what made eShakti different from other online shops.  Recently, I was contacted by a media relations representative who explained that eShakti is currently the only online women's fashion company offering custom dresses in size 0-36W.  When they asked me to review one of their dresses, I was thrilled!

I am usually wary about ordering online from companies who don't have a brick and mortar presence I can visit to try things on and figure out how their sizing works - ordering a dress online can be such a gamble when one retailer's 12 is another's 16, and as a petite woman (I'm 5'2") I never know if dresses are going to be scandalously short or frumpy and long on me.  I could tell as soon as I started perusing eShakti that this experience was going to be different.  I browsed the adorable styles and settled on this contrast piped trim poplin dress because I liked the sixties-inspired details and the navy and coral color palette, and when I scrolled down to place my order, I saw that I could choose a standard dress size or enter my own measurements for a completely custom design.  I chose a standard size since the chart on the site seemed to match up with my measurements.  The site also had me enter my height, which this petite girl appreciated.  In addition to being able to customize the size of dresses, some eShakti designs give customers the option of changing the sleeve type, length, and/or neck line of each style - as a teacher, I LOVE these options because they mean I can make the eShakti dresses I love appropriate to wear at work!

When I placed my order, I received an e-mail invoice with an actual image of the dress, the order number and product ID, and the customization I had chosen - I really appreciated having all of that information so that I would know the dress I received was exactly what I ordered.  My dress was shipped through DHL, so I had to leave a note for the delivery man that it was okay to leave the box on the front porch.

Dress: eShakti (temporarily out of stock)  Necklace: J. Crew Factory  Shoes: TJ Maxx

I was happy to see when I took my dress out of the package that it looked exactly like the picture on the website, right down to the cute contrast stitching on the princess seams.  The fabric is a thick cotton poplin and this dress includes a partial side zipper.  Whereas the website listed inner bra strap keeps as one of the dress's features,  they do not seem to have been added to my dress, but that's not really a big deal.  I love the dress's fit-and-flare shape and decided I needed a 60's hairstyle to go with the mod look!

Unfortunately, when I tried on the dress, it turned out to be a bit too snug for comfort in the bust and the waist.  After reading a few other bloggers' eShakti reviews, I realize that I could have returned the dress for a larger size.  I really wish I had gone with the fully customized measurements rather than going with the size chart - there are two reviews on the page for the dress that state that it runs a size small.

The standout feature of this dress is definitely the button-tabbed banding at the waistline, and the band is removable for a slightly different look.  I can see myself wearing this dress to work as well as special occasions like date night with Mr. Q!

Can you see yourself in a ladylike eShakti dress?  They've created a coupon code especially for Beyond the Aisle readers!  Enter "brides" in the ‘promotional code’ box when you place your order to get 10% off.  This code is valid from 07/15/2014 – 08/15/2014.

Coupon Code Details:It is not case-sensitive.  Code can be used any number of times until the validity period. It can be clubbed with any other promotional offer, gift coupon or gift card in the same order unless explicitly specified otherwise in the offer conditions.This discount code is not applicable on clearance / sale, gift cards & overstock categories.Not applicable on previous purchases.

You can visit and follow eShakti on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter!

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

Stylish Tuesday at Life's a Party, Dress For It
Budget Babes with Elegance and Mommyhood and Not Fancy Just Life

Sunday Simplicity

KT Merry Photography via Wedding Sparrow

"Love does not consist in looking at each other, but rather in, together,

looking in the same direction." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

oscars style: my favorite hair, makeup, and accessories

The Oscars are full of inspiration for hair, makeup, and accessories as well as fashion.  Here are my favorite ideas and trends from this year's red carpet.

Perfect Color

Just Jared

I instantly fell in love with Kristen Bell's auburn highlighted look - especially since we're used to seeing her sport platinum blonde locks.  I thought the color really warmed up her complexion and made her elegant updo featuring a low bun and volume at the crown look even more dramatic.  She kept her makeup simple, with rose lipstick and blush to complement her dress' frosty color.

Vintage Waves

Just Jared

Vintage waves and a side part are so flattering on Cate Blanchett.  She kept her makeup simple, with black curled eyelashes, peach blush, and a nude lip, so that her rhinestone-accented dress and statement earrings were the focus.

Simple, Dramatic Makeup

Popcrush | Just Jared | Hollywood Life

It was all about the eyeliner for Olivia Wilde, Charlize Theron, and Anna Kendrick.  Olivia's look included a dramatic, mod-inspired winged cat-eye with a touch of white shimmer to match her white drop earrings and the details on her dress, paired with nude lipstick and matte balm.  The Revlon spokeswoman's messy chignon hairstyle looked effortless and gorgeous.  Charlize Theron and Anna Kendrick both went with sleek, polished hairstyles. Charlize's makeup included bold black liner, perfectly sculpted brows, and a nude lip.  Anna Kendrick added an extra pop of color with matte coral lipstick, and I adore her art deco influenced tassel earrings.

Smoky Eyes

Hollywood Life:  1, 2

Angelina Jolie and Penelop Cruz both brought perfect, glossy chesnut brunette haircolor and bronze smoky eyes to the red carpet to complement the romantic muted tones of their gowns. Angelina wore a pale pink glossy lipstick, white Penelope wore a pearlescent pink shade.

Drama and Romance

Hollywood Life

Mom-to-be Kerry Washington looked so pretty with her half-up, curly hairstyle, soft blush, and dramatic plum lipstick.  She was one of the only actresses to sport a dark lip and it looked surprisingly perfect with her lavender gown and matching vampy manicure.

Edgy Accessories

Hollwood Life: 1, 2, 3

Lupita Nyong'o, Sandra Bullock, and Maria Menounos each spotted eye-catching, edgy cluster earrings that cuff the earlobe.  Clearly these earrings look great with any hairstyle, from Lupita's feminine Fred Leighton headband, to Sandra's highlighted vintage waves, to Maria's braided boho chignon.  I think all of these fresh-faced ladies are winners in the makeup category as well.  Lupita looked dewy and glowing with gray eyeshadow, bright coral lipstick, and a Deborah Lipmann La Vie En Rose manicure to complement her "Nairobi blue" gown.  Sandra's navy waterline eyeliner looked modern but not too over-the-top paired with pale pink blush and lipstick (the way to go with colored liner).  Maria's bold eyeliner and nude lip rounded out her high-fashion look.


Which of these looks is your favorite?  Can you see yourself rocking any of these trends?

Carnival Style: Sochi Inspired

How would y'all feel if the rest of this week was all fashion all the time here on Beyond the Aisle?  I started playing around with Polyvore during my little snowcation while watching the Olympics and I couldn't stop.  Here's the first of my Sochi Inspired style boards, sparked by one of my favorite parts of the opening ceremonies: the inflatable-dome tribute to St. Basil's cathedral and Russian street festivals.  Adding carnival colors and whimsical patterns to my wardrobe puts me in a festive mood and makes me feel more confident that spring is on the way!

Disclaimer:  ModCloth links include an affiliate code.

View on Polyvore

1. Old Navy crewneck sweater  2. ModCloth polka dot cardigan
3. Jonathan Adler honeycomb umbrella  4. Jonathan Adler zip wallet
5. Old Navy cap toe ballet flats  6. Old Navy striped 3/4 sleeve tee  
7. Old Navy colorblock sweater  8. ModCloth chevron dress

Opening Ceremony image from The New Yorker

And in case you haven't experienced it yet, here's your new favorite song:

Linking Up With:
Style Sessions at Style Elixir

What I'm Loving Fridays at Simply Lulu Style

COLORFUL kitchen and home decor ideas from ModCloth [affiliate post]

You all know I don't do a lot of affiliate posts, but this was one opportunity that I got really excited about because it's a brand I truly adore.  ModCloth is launching a new line of whimsical, retro-inspired home decor items perfect for dorms, apartments, and townhouses like mine.  A lot of their accents are the perfect way to add a lot of style to small spaces. Take a look at some of the new items here: ModCloth - Retro and Cute Apartment Decor.  They have cute kitchen and bathroom items to make your home fit your personal style at prices that fit your budget, and they offer free shipping on all orders over $50.  Here are a few items I especially love from ModCloth's home decor collection.

1. You are My Sunshine artwork, $15.99  2. Candy hooks, $19.99
3. Owl potholder, $8.99  4. Soda cap cutting board, $29.99  5. Heart spoon, $9.99



Disclaimer:  As a ModCloth affiliate, I am being compensated for writing this post.

wedding inspiration: the coolest quirky ceremony backdrops

It's round-up time!  I love when I see weddings around the web with creative backdrops for the ceremony and portraits.  We've all seen couples tie the knot in front of a giant candelabra, in front of a mantel, and under a floral arch.  Here are a few couples whose creative and unique ceremony backdrops really stand out.  Disclaimer:  If you'd like to add any of these images to Pinterest, please click on the link underneath the photo and pin from the source so that the creators and owners get credit!  Please DO NOT pin from this post.

Stone Crandall Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

This chalk art floral arch backdrop on a concrete wall is so creative and modern while also being a nod to traditional wedding decor.  This would be an easy idea to adapt for a birthday party, class reunion, or other celebration where picture-taking is essential in an industrial or urban space!  This couple used chalk throughout their wedding decor, along with other fun details like sparkly chevron table runners.

Nine Photography via Ruffled

Aren't these orange and yellow pinwheels delightful?  This is another idea that would be just as pretty at a birthday party or family event, and a great spot to snap individual or group portraits!  The couple who created these pinwheels filled their Dallas wedding with meaningful and artistic DIY details.  Plus, the bride uses the phrase "newly hubs" - I may have to steal that one.

Dev Khalsa Photography via Limn and Lovely

This neon take on the oft-used driftwood arch is so much fun.  This backyard wedding is full of similarly colorful details, from the button-and-ribbon wrapped bouquets to the dahlia cupcakes.

Derek Martinez Photography via Wedding Chicks

Many people are familiar with the idea that paper cranes symbolize good luck, and I love this whimsical paper crane arch.  This absolutely lovely wedding was held at Historic Cedarwood in Tennessee.  If anyone is planning a wedding there and would like to have an extra blogger/amateur photographer in attendance, I AM SO IN.

Our Labor of Love via Snippet and Ink

Suitcases make a fantastic, unexpected backdrop for a vintage-inspired wedding in a nontraditional space.  This couple had their pick of cool antiques from the Metropolitan Building in Queens, New York to use on their wedding day - I am a little jealous.

Which one of these unexpected backdrops is your favorite?

clicks of note: like a drum, baby, don't stop beating...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• Phillip Phillips' new song describes the absolutely most beautiful kind of love.  The video is lovely, too.

SWOON.

June Bug Co. Photography via Style Me Pretty

• At Style Me Pretty Texas, an engagement shoot inspired by the 1960's and A Hard Day's Night.
• Vanessa came up with the cutest way to ask her bridesmaids and flower girl to be in her wedding!
• My favorite colors are universally pleasing (according to Camille Styles).
• Project Wedding features my new favorite (glamorous) take on mismatched bridesmaids.
• Beautiful fresh floral headpieces at Wedding Chicks.

SMILE.

• Design*Sponge finally did a Living In... post for Now and Then.
• I'm looking forward to the Summer Tour of Homes at the Shabby Creek Cottage this week.
• Shabby-vintage fans, rejoice: the history of the Mason (and Ball, and Kerr) jar. 
• Maybe Depression glass is more your style... Intimate Weddings as you covered.
• Snippet and Ink offers solid advice for visiting farmer's markets (look around first, THEN buy).

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I shared inspiration for a mint and blue wedding (still love this color palette).  Two years ago, I was in the middle of a wedding planning meltdown, which I survived by deciding to DIY a lot of our details.

steeper or cheaper TV style: citrus prints

Citrus colors are everywhere this spring, so it was probably only a matter of time until citrus prints followed.  I noticed some cute citrus-print items in two of my favorite television shows this week, and I was really shocked to see the HUGE difference in price between the two items!  Here are two ways to work cheerful citrus prints into your wardrobe this spring.

ModCloth

Apparently the stylists on the set of The Carrie Diaries (my favorite guilty pleasure show right now - I know it's geared toward high schoolers, but I can't resist the 80's style and references to Sex and the City) cannot get enough of the retro-inspired styles at ModCloth, because the show features items from the shop in almost every episode! Carrie Bradshaw's citrus print top is the Cool With Me Top from ModCloth featuring cap sleeves, a defined waist, and a fruity, retro print in Episode 113: "Kiss Yesterday Goodbye".  Apparently some ModCloth fans collect this top in every color, but I especially love the way this print reminds me of vintage children's book illustrations.

Worn On TV

I don't think I have to consider The Mindy Project a guilty pleasure, since the target audience for Mindy Kaling's show actually is young professional women, but I'm similarly obsessed with Mindy's wardrobe on the show, and when I saw the lemon-print dress she wore in last week's episode I sort of freaked out because it was so cute!  Mindy's lemon print dress is Alice + Olivia's "Candice" dress - available online for $572 from MyTheresa.  Sorry, but I'm not a television star - or even a doctor like Mindy's character on the show - so I don't have that kind of money to spend on a dress.  Alice + Olivia offers a tee in the same print for $88 if photoreal lemon print is a must-have for you.

How would you style citrus prints for spring?

clicks of note: autumn sunshine

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• We're loving the new Mumford and Sons album, Babel.  My current favorite song is "Lover of the Light"

SWOON.

Katelyn James Photography

• I think you'll adore this rustic nautical wedding in Maryland with creative details and a DIY bouquet photographed by Katelyn James.
• You've got to check out this barn wedding at 100 Layer Cake with plenty of cowgirl boots, vintage appeal, and a sky-blue wedding gown.
• Purple Wedding of the Week: an intimate California vineyard wedding with an adorable DIY ceremony backdrop at Green Wedding Shoes.
• Snippet and Ink features a backyard South Carolina wedding that is classic, sweet and a little retro.
• Over at Style Me Pretty: a peach and gray Texas inn wedding with chevron table runners and adorable details.

SMILE.

• Cake plate clings are such a good idea- I am a big fan of my white and clear glass cake stands because they are so versatile, but these would give them a little somethin' somethin' for special occasions.  File under "Why didn't I think of that?"  The monogram is my favorite.

MAKE.

• I'm being very slow to get Halloween decorations up this year; I'd like to paint some pumpkins this week - I love this monogrammed one and the candy corn and zigzag versions here.