sunday simplicity: as much sweetness...

Elizabeth Anne Designs

“Once in a young lifetime one should be 

allowed to have as much sweetness 

as one can possibly want and hold.”

― Judith Olney

The Bride's Cafe

july birthday card round-up

I love paper goods, and always try to include cute save-the-dates and invitations in my wedding inspiration posts... but there are a TON of adorable birthday cards out there that were getting no love.  Here are some cards I think would be just darling to send to your friends with July birthdays!

for the friend who's super sweet...

OldEnglishCo on Etsy

for the free-spirited sister...

lovelysweetwilliam on Etsy

for the friend who jumps for joy...

SusanTracie on Etsy

for the acoustic soul...

DeannsCreativeCorner on Etsy

for a sophisticated lady...

HappyDappyBits on Etsy

for the Southern belle...

dodelinedesign on Etsy

Happy 4th!

Jaclyn Marie Photography via Bridal Guide

"America is another name for opportunity."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

wedding wednesday: Americana

Maddie B Photography via One Hitched Lane

Maddie B Photography via One Hitched Lane

Ashley Rose Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

summer recipe: mixed-berry cobbler for the 4th of july!

I made this cobbler, based on a recipe from Midwest Living, for a dinner party

this weekend and got so excited that I forgot to take any "real" pictures,

so you get this Instagram gem that also shows off my friend Breeze's beautiful

countertop and cute flatwear.  But you can see that this cobbler is amazing, right?

Mixed-Berry Cobbler

Serves about 12

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 cup whole milk

1/3 cup butter

12 oz. fresh blackberries

12 oz. fresh raspberries

1/2 cup sugar

Vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. Preparation:  preheat oven to 350 degrees F, melt the butter, and grease an 8x8 baking dish.  

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and baking powder. Add milk and butter; mix well.

3. Spread the batter in the dish and scatter the berries evenly over batter.  Sprinkle sugar over each layer of berries, finishing off the 1/2 cup sugar.

3. Bake 50 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake portion near the center comes out clean.

4.  Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.  I do not consider the ice cream optional- it's a must.

ENJOY!

my favorite SYTYCD season 10 contestants (so far)

• Amy Yakima - Amy's contemporary solo at Vegas callbacks was so beautiful and powerful.  She is super talented on the technical end, as demonstrated in her emotion-filled Sonya Tayeh contemporary piece with Fik-Shun last week (that got a standing ovation from the judges)

• Brittany Cherry - Brittany's dancing just seems effortless.  She is really growing on me and I like her bubbly personality - she even stood out in last week's opening hip-hop number that had EVERYONE in it.

• Aaron Turner - Aaron's story really drew me in - he wasn't originally in the Top 20, but was the first runner up, so when another dancer was injured he got his chance.  I really see him as a fighter, and I loved the interview when he said he didn't just want to be in the Top 10, he wanted to be an All-Star. I do look forward to seeing him do solos - he is a DJ so I'm sure his song choices will be interesting.  I do think he needs to work on the acting part of being a dancer just a bit, or he's going to struggle.

• Jasmine Harper - I am so ready for the show to let her be her own person and not just "Cyrus' ex-girlfriend."  She seems to have a really positive, driven attitude and her lines are beautiful.

• Tucker Knox - Tucker has had a lot of dance training and it shows.  I look forward to seeing how he will do with different styles - he was great in the Tyce Diorio Broadway piece last week.  Tucker's story is very inspiring - he was in a car accident and doctors weren't sure he would ever walk again - his spine was broken.  He's such a powerful dancer - and the fact that he picked Ray LaMontagne audition music makes me like him even more.

• Malece Miller - Malece reminds me a lot of Melanie from last season - she has the same kind of whimsical, innocent style.  Her audition intro video almost made me cry - her mom has really sacrificed so Malece could keep dancing and it's clear that she really appreciates it.  Her solos in the audition rounds were captivating and beautiful, she was arresting in her "Silver Screen" piece with Jade last week, and I hope she can keep bringing the same energy to the live shows.  

summer style: poolside essentials [lemon zest]

1. Sunglass print tankini top from Down East Basics  2. Forever 21 sunglasses  

3. Nicole by OPI nail polish in "Hit the Lights" from Drugstore.com  4. Old Navy striped tank

5. People Style Watch (my favorite magazine)  

6. Lord and Taylor pajama shorts  7. Salt Water sandals from Modcloth

8. Jonathan Adler water bottle from Modcloth  9. Old Navy flip-flops

Here's how celebrities are styling lemon zest yellow on the red carpet and on the town...

this is a color that looks vivid and playful with all skintones and hair colors!

Julianne Hough in Kaufman Franco || Kerry Washington in Jason Wu

Pippa Middleton at the U.S. Open || Miranda Kerr in New York City

Disclaimer: ModCloth links are affiliate links.

Pssst... there's more lemon zesty goodness on my Pinterest board!

clicks of note: steal my kisses...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

SWOON.

Carmen and Ingo Photography via Magnolia Rouge

• This blue toile inspiration shoot at Magnolia Rouge is stunning.
• Design*Sponge features perfect mixed prints for summer home decor.
• Apartment34's Erin shares solid tips for creating a gift registry and classy picks at Snippet and Ink.
• Purple Wedding of the Week: this rustic hydrangea wedding in from SMP (Mason jar alert!).

SMILE.

• Do you live in one of these places with the most fabulous fireworks displays in the U.S.?
• Tips for travel food photography from The Kitchn.
• Love this chambray inspired style board at Note to Self.
• We live in a modern world.  You can now follow first lady Michelle Obama on Instagram.

MAKE.

• Doesn't this watermelon mojito from A Beautiful Mess sound delicious for the 4th?
• I think I need to live in a neighborhood with a 4th of July bike parade (Say Yes to Hoboken).
• Lia Griffith's printable gift wrap and tags in punchy colors are perfect for summer celebrations.
• Moomah follwed up their classic single-bloom bouquet with a rustic mixed-flower bouquet tutorial.

FLASHBACK.

• Two years ago, I was working on last-minute wedding projects. Last year I shared Independence Day wardrobe inspiration, party decor ideas, round-ups of dessert recipes and side dishes, and my DIY rag wreath in red, burlap, and blue.  There's more inspiration for the Fourth on my Pinterest board, Independence Day!

Have a great week, everyone!