Inspired: Cold-Weather Bridal Accessories That Won't Cramp Your Style

If we're being completely honest, Fall and Winter weddings aren't entirely fashion-friendly, at least in the keeping warm department.  But that doesn't mean you're relegated to wearing your old stuff that clashes with your dress, with shivering your way through photos, or that you can't take advantage of the weather to add an extra element of coordination to your wedding party.  Can I suggest coordinating items for you and your bridesmaids, like a neutral scarf you can all wear in outdoor photos or cozy socks and robes for your getting ready pictures, and splurging a little on a special piece like a coat or boots you can wear again (my fave is that gorgeous blanket--it's wintry and festive and can later take up residence on your bed or couch!)?

Here, a few toasty picks that could coordinate well with most palettes:

1. Moroccan Wedding Blanket  2. Trapper Hat (similar)  3. Fur Jacket (similar)  4. Embellished Earband (if you're wearing your hair down!)  5. Boots  6. Infinity Scarf  7. Over-the-Knee Socks  8. Opera Gloves  9. Robe (similar)

What do you think?  Do you have a stay-warm game plan for your colder-weather wedding, and are you planning to pick up anything new to go with your wedding look?

P.S. Here's a post from the archives on warm, modest toppers for your dress (the exact items, obviously, won't be available anymore, but use the inspiration as a starting point for hunting down your accessories).

Crafting a Masterpiece: Personalized Art for Starting Your Life Together

Since we rent our apartment, and since we've been renting for our entire marriage across 3 dwellings in 4 years, I've been torn in the past between kind of neglecting semi-major things like nails in a rental while still deeply wanting to make our home, however temporary, truly feel like it belongs to us.

Which brings me to this, today's post.  The desire to furbish your living space, as a way of visually manifesting your life together, is a good one; one that's particularly exciting when you're engaged.

Sometimes it's hard to wade through the sea of calligraphied, chevron-printed "live, love laugh," heart-shaped map, or monogram on burlap.   Not that there's anything expressly wrong with those; it's just that in my experience, it's tough finding a more uncommon designs suited to my taste.  Anyway, personalized art makes a wonderful gift if you're a wedding guest, a great treat to yourselves if you're newlyweds, or just a nice timeless piece for your home if, like me, you're neither at the moment.  Here's a roundup of some Etsy favorites, any of which I'd love to hang on our walls and would consider worth the Spackling when we move out one day (Andrew, if you're reading this…).  Links are in the graphic caption:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Which one's your favorite?  And please tell: have you given or received a personalized piece of wedding art? I love hearing your stories!

Fall Roundup: Dates, A Playlist, Dressing Your Dress, and Wedding Inspiration

Our last two annual family apple picking photos.  I suspect this year's will more resemble the former...

I fully admit, it's still all hot-town-summer-in-the-city around D.C.  But the breezes that have snuck their way into the evenings lately are giving this third trimester perpetual sweater hope that the best, most crisp days of the year are close at hand.  If you're planning a Fall wedding or if, like me, you're just antsy for all things commercially pumpkiny, I offer you this roundup of Fall posts past from the blog…

Autumn wedding DIYs

A Fall playlist and date ideas

Cozy, chic wedding gown toppers, to add a layer of personality and keep you toasty for outdoor photos

Incorporating rustic-glam feathers into your wedding details and accessories

In the spirit of the new school year, what I wish I'd known about relocating for love, academic-style

Why I get sentimental this time of year, and how meeting myself prepared me to meet my husband


... as well as a few other favorites:

The fondue party I've never yet attempted, but have always wanted to host

The most beautifully seasonal engagement shoot

A stunning reminder of our mortality and God's mercy from one of my favorite poets (apologies for the hilarious website design…)

The yummiest homemade pumpkin spice syrup I've ever tried


What about you?  Anything big happening in your life over the next few months?  What's your favorite way to spend a Fall afternoon?

Inspired: Wedding Day Nails

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Way, way back in the early days of this blog, I wrote about wedding nail colors.  There were a lot of safe, practically unnoticeable pinks and nudes which, don't get me wrong, are pretty, but in the two years since then I've branched out into thinking a more statement-y mani can be a great bridal accessory.

Popping in a movie, pouring a cup of tea, and painting my nails is one of my favorite luxuries, though, with a 6-month old, there are way fewer opportunities--these days I ditch the movie and the tea,  file the digits during one of Aaron's naps, and then paint them like lightning during the next one while desperately praying he'll stay asleep long enough for them to dry most of the way (I'm not deluded enough to think he'd actually nap long enough for the whole enchilada, start to finish, in one sitting).  But anyway, I still stand by my opinion that doing your own nails is much more relaxing than going to a salon.  You can just hang out in your PJ's, you can buy a whole bottle of polish for less than the cost of one salon manicure, and you don't have to tip or breathe in all the chemicals.

So, can I suggest a bride-and-bridesmaids mani-pedi night after your rehearsal dinner?   Here, a selection of pretty picks, from blushing to bold:

Row 1, left to right, Essie: Clambake, Go Overboard, Van D'Go, Beyond Cozy, Bikini So Teeny.  Row 2, Julep: Rae, Chloe, Abigail, Adele, Octavia.  Row 3, Butter London: Jaffa, Saucy Jack, Yummy Mummy, Stardust, Fiver.  Row 4, OPI: Shorts Story, Black Cherry Chutney, Kyoto Pearl, When Monkeys Fly, I Don't GIve a Rotterdam.

Little-known fact: my childhood dream, no joke, was to name nail polish and paint colors when I grew up.  Any other home mani enthusiasts out there?  I love finding new colors and brands…what's your favorite?

A Reappearance & A Christmas Gift Guide

After a month and a half's blogging break spent falling in love with sweet baby Aaron, I'm so happy to return to writing.  

I'm not sure what it says about me that my first post back displays my material girl tendencies in full swing.  But, with Advent half over and Christmas coming so soon, plus the fact that hanging out with my baby all day means I've done all of this year's shopping online and have had plenty of time to peruse the ol' internets for gift ideas, I had to share some of my discoveries with you!  

Prepare yourself for a barrage of baby updates on Wednesday.  Meanwhile, without further ado, I present to you these presents...links to each are in the captions. 

1. Backpack  2. Hat  3. Shaving Brush  4. Salt Soap  5. Spade Bottle Opener  6. Giraffe Sculpture  7. Ring Dish  8. Be You Print  9. Turkish Towel  10. Clutch

11. St. Therese Doll (plus plenty of other saints in this Etsy shop!)  12. Fill These Hearts Book (read my review here)  13. Tau Cross  14. Teapot & Mug For One  15. Ski Dessert Plates  16. Fondue Pot  17. Coasters

Click here for last year's gift guide, and here for a fantastic gift resource for every imaginable recipient at any price point.

Thoughts?  Any gifts you're extra excited to give this year (I won't tell!)?  This happily homebound mama would love to get some dialogue going on this here bliggity blog again!

DIY: Fall Wedding Crafts

As much as this is my favorite time of year, I have to ask: am I the only one who feels like obsessing over riding boots, apple picking, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes as soon as Fall hits has become kind of cliche?  Not that I dislike any of those things (far, far from it, in fact); I just get a little peeved, for some reason, at the constant emphasis.  I should probably take a Pinterest vacation.

Regardless, I suppose there really is no getting around the greatness of snappy fresh air, deeper, crisper blue skies, and crunchy leaves.  Here, in the spirit of celebrating the season as you celebrate your wedding feast, simple, inspired DIYs to add a touch of all that warmth to your day (links to each project are in the caption):

1. Silhouette Art.  2. Embellished Cardigan.  3. Gilded Pumpkins.  4. Caramel Apple favors.  5. Painted Wine Bottles.

Yes?  If you're having a Fall wedding or have been to one, share your best ideas in the comments!

Inspired: Maternity Bridesmaids Wear

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As a girl who's officially 9 months pregnant as of today (!), I feel like I have a new appreciation for my wardrobe, as in, all the things that used to fit.  Dressing a baby bump has definitely taken some creativity with items I already own, which is fun if limiting, but for a few special occasions (baptisms, interviews, and parties) I did have to go hunting for new dresses.  For a while I was able to get away with bigger sizes of regular items, but at 36 weeks, there's pretty much no getting around the maternity wear right now.

My guess is that if you're having a Catholic wedding, there's a good chance at least one pregnant girl is involved.  Out of solidarity, I offer you today some of the cutest belly-friendly bridesmaids' dresses I've stumbled across:

Dresses, Left to Right: Ruche, David's Bridal, Ruche, Ruche, Topshop

What do you think?  If you've had expectant friends in your wedding or one that you've been in, I'd love for you to share any extra advice!

Inspired: Minimalist Style

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Make no mistake; I love bold colors and a nice, healthy dose of sparkle as much as the next girl (see here, here and here).  Lately, though I don't know--something about the heat and humidity of summer has me drawn to cleaner, simpler styles.  I think these minimalist finds are so modern and elegant looking and would be perfect for a late summer wedding!  Straight silhouettes, delicate jewelry, and a black and white palette add up to something so fresh, don't you think?  Links are in the captions.

1. Dress, Ruche.  2 & 4. Love Knot Necklace and Studs, Ariel Gordon.  3. Anenome Bouquet.  5. Gown, Wedding Dress Bee.  6. Sandals, Shoemint.  7. Holding Hands Invitation, Printable Press.

What do you think?  Would you go minimal for your wedding day?  Have a wonderful weekend!

Inspired: Gatsby Style

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I have to admit, my attention tends to alternately wander from or get overloaded by Baz Luhrmann, the director of Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and most recently, The Great Gatsby.  The novel is one of my absolute favorites, and in spite of mixed reactions to these very stylized, jumpy movies, I do think I'd like to see it down the line sometime.

Regardless of my cinematic opinions, there's no denying the classic glamour of the 20s, no?  Dropped waists, ankle straps, a healthy sprinkling of gold, and slightly more dramatic makeup than usual...I love it all.  If you're concerned about your wedding looking like a costume party, don't be! I humbly suggest including just a few of these elements, rather than going all out, and grounding them with a simple palette of black and white, plus a pop of color, like eggplant, burgundy, peach, or mint.

True, the world of the novel is flawed, shallow, and excessive, but I don't think that detracts one bit from the beauty of pieces like these (links below):

1, 2, & 7.  Dresses, Modcloth.  3, 4, & 5.  Bangles and Earrings, Bauble Bar.  6.  Sandals, Zappo's.  8 & 9.  Cocktail glassware, C. Wonder.  10, 11, & 12.  Polish in Lucy, Paris, and Claudette, Julep.  13.  Headpiece, Etsy.

What do you think?  Would you add some Gatsby-inspired soiree style to your day?  And should I go see the flick?

P.S.  Today is moving day!  Prayers, please!