Wedding Wednesdays: Floral Design

Pretty flowers, oh how they melt my heart! I love when I have fresh flowers around the house, they just make my whole house brighter. Flowers are a subtle way to incorporate a chosen color palette into a wedding day. Whether bright, soft, bold, or natural colors, gorgeous floral designs are a surefire way to have guests in awe!

 Photography by Shannen Norman // Floral Design by the Bride // via Style Me Pretty //Photography by Ashlee Raubach // Floral Design by Twig and Twine // via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Meredith Perdue // Floral Design by Flora Fauna // via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Emily March Photography // Floral Design by Springwell Gardens

Floral Design by Mimosa Flower Studio // via Belle The Magazine

Photography by Brooke Images // Floral Design by Shea Hopely // via Southern Weddings

Photography by Emily March Photography

Dreamin' Big

I want to become more than just a dreamer. I want to have the courage to step out of the boat onto the waters like Peter did and trust that He won't let me fall. It's fear that keeps me from my dreams. It's fear that makes me want to take the safe route. The Lord calls us to give our fears to Him and to trust His plans for our lives. As scary as that is, it is also incredibly encouraging and exciting! 

Even though I just started this little blog back in August, I am beginning the process of turning the dreams I have for my little space in the cyber-world into reality. The quotes and prints above can be found on Pinterest and they are some of my favorite encouraging words. I adore crafting, styling, decorating, and stationery but as a college student I don't always have the budget or time to do everything I dream. I daily doodle layouts for a new website with a shop where I can share what I love with others. For now, new found love is where you will find me... but someday down the road I'll reach my dreams. Progress not perfection!

I am dreamin' big y'all! 

Last NC State Game

This past Saturday was my last NC State home football game as a student! I can't believe I am already beginning my "lasts." It was a terrible game (we are having an impressive losing streak) but we all had a great time! 

The boys sneakin' in this picture crack me up!

I am so blessed to have lived with these girls for my last two years of college! God definitely knew what he was doin' by bringing us together. I will forever cherish our fellowship, friendships, and late night baking!

"We're the Red and White from State..."

How to Make an Instagram Widget

Being a do-it-yourself blogger, I have had to learn how to design my template using many tutorials. Lets just say HTML coding is not the easiest... This is an EASY tutorial on how to display your Instagram pictures in your sidebar! The site I use is Intagme and it is so simple to use. First type in your Username and then decide if you want a slideshow widget (like the one I have) or a grid widget like the one highlighted in the circle.

After you decide which widget you want, you need to set the width of the widget based on the width of your sidebar. You can find your width by going to Template>Customize>Adjust Widths. My widget is set to 220 and it also has no border or background color. Next click get code and copy the HTML code!

Go to your Layout page and click Add a Gadget. You will be adding the HTML/JavaScript gadget.

Add the HTML/JavaScript gadget.

A coding box will appear where you can paste your widget code.

If you want your widget to be centered add the code <div align="center"> before the code you pasted.

Move the Intagme widget where you want it in your sidebar and preview the layout!

Yayyy for displaying pretty Instagram pictures!

Five on Friday

Another whirlwind week behind me! So thankful for the weekend, which includes my last home football game as a student, and Thanksgiving family time is just around the corner. It will be so nice to escape from the school grind for maybee a day. Linking up with the lovely ladies for my cherished five from this week!

{one} The red cup from Starbucks is the ultimate sign that Christmas is near!

{two} I am absolute loving the Day Designer by Whitney English. I am such a lover of anything organizational. Pretty planners and pretty paper have a soft spot in my heart. She originally had a stunning gold stripe planner along with the classic black stripes but not surprisingly the gold stripes is already out of stock. While I have a planner that goes through July of 2014, I cant help but dream of a new one already!

{three} I am still loving flannels, vests and my beautiful Tory Burch flats! 

Flannel from Eddie Bauer// Black Quilted Vest from Old Navy

{four} Pretty Stationery... If y'all follow along you know that I am a handwritten letter lover. I adore getting mail so naturally, I love gorgeous stationery. It melts my heart! I am interested in possibly launching an Etsy shop for prints, calligraphy, and stationery when I re-brand someday... fingers crossed!

{five} Quiet time on the beach with my sister and her pug Ava. You can see more pictures here. It was so nice to escape the hustle and bustle of school life for a little beach get away last weekend!

Isn't she such a model?! HA! Happy Friday friends :)

Stay Beautiful Beaufort

This past summer I had an internship in the charming town of Beaufort, North Carolina. Once I learned that it is pronounced bow-fert not bew-fert (as in Beaufort, South Carolina), I was all set. This town captured my heart. Beaufort is a sleepy little town nestled off the North Carolina's coast on Taylor Creek. While strolling along the the waterfront, horses can be seen roaming the beaches of Shackleford Banks just across the creek. The beautiful houses have wrap-around porches and rocking chairs that sway in the salty air. Ahhh I just love it! My sister and I had the chance to go back last weekend to visit some friends...here are some of my favorites :)

Taylor and Holly dancin' in the street

Love these girls!

Huge front porches and rockin' chairs... Swoonnn

The beach is such a soothing place for my soul. I love the sand under my toes, the sound of the waves rolling onto the shore and the gulls calling overhead. Taylor and I lucked out with an unusually warm North Carolina November weekend! We had so much fun running around on the beach with little Ava :)

Wedding Wednesdays: Invitations & Calligraphy

I have a love for beautiful handwritten notes... they are so personal and timeless. I grew up writing notes to friends, family, and of course, sweethearts.  Nothing is better than receiving a good ole fashion handwritten letter in the mail (or by the tree of a childhood fort)! Wedding stationery should be no different. It is a way to reach out to friends and family in a personal way to invite them to share in your celebration. Stationery and calligraphy are great ways to set the tone for the type of wedding guests should expect... super formal? rustic? beach casual? Beautiful stationery and curly calligraphy are a pair that continue to melt my heart! I finally purchased a calligraphy kit from Design Roots by May Designs and am ready to begin my calligraphy journey.

This stunning invitation suite by Ashley Buzzy McHugh is featured in the Southern Weddings V6: Fine Feathered Fete shoot.  I just love how the colors play off of the feather! This calligraphy work is by far one of my favorites. The mixture of prints and cursive is flawless.

Photography by Ali Harper // Prop Styling & Set Design by Blue Eyed Yonder // via Southern Weddings

This chalkboard inspired invitation suite is perfect for a rustic do-it-yourself bride! 

Paper & Lace Collections // via Rustic Wedding Chic

This lovely floral invitation suite by Juliet Grace Design is featured on the Southern Weddings blog. I love the soft strokes and how it plays in with the floral theme of this North Carolina wedding.

Photography by Alicia Swedenborg // via Southern Weddings

This soft floral invitation suite by Momental Design is featured in the Southern Weddings V6: Generations Past shoot. This shoot is simply gorgeous, filled with southern traditions and family heirlooms. Photography by Katie Stoops // via Southern Weddings

I love the classic blue and white stripes in this invitation suite by Heather O'Brien. Don't those blueberries look like you could just pick them off the page? The curly calligraphy is to die for!

I hope y'all enjoyed gawking at all of the gorgeous calligraphy and stationery!