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8.28.2013

{at the moment v.6}

It's been a while since I've shared bits of my life in an At the Moment post, so I figured it was time. Life is good and full and happy these days, which is always nice. It's still wedding season (and will be wedding season until the end of October), so I've been doing a lot of timeline planning and venue walkthroughs. That's just life now, which I love. 
Any job that requires spending a random Tuesday morning in Santa Barbara is a good one in my book. I got to eat breakfast on the pier this week, and it was so peaceful. Quiet. Wonderful.

At the moment...

LISTENING TO :: Lorde. I just can't get enough of this girl. And I still can't believe she's only sixteen. I have a feeling we'll be hearing more from her soon. 

WATCHING :: Breaking Bad. I know we're late to this party, but I've had to prepare my heart for the intensity that is Breaking Bad. I seriously can't give one hundred percent of my attention to this show, because it just hurts my soul. It's so bad, in the best way possible. 

PLANNING :: For fall, duh. I am unapologetically obsessed with fall, just like every other blogger out there. I'm impatiently counting down the days until Monday, when I am allowed to start decorating for the season. I cheated this year though; I've been lighting fall candles for a week now...to be fair, we have mild weather where I live and it actually is starting to cool down, making my fall obsession seem slightly less obsessive.

DRINKING :: Water. Say what? After a terrible case of the wine flu last week, and a minor case of the real flu this week, I've been sticking to water and hot tea. Let's just hope I get back to normal soon so I can enjoy a few summer cocktails before I start making myself pumpkin pie martinis and spiked apple cider next week.

READING :: The last book in this series. We all know that I have questionable taste in books, but this one was definitely a pleasant surprise. I just can't get enough. 

8.27.2013

{wedding wednesday :: a forever ring}

And we're back for Wedding Wednesday, week two! Thank you all who linked up last week! Hope you had fun, and I hope you'll come back again this week to link up. Hosting Wedding Wednesday has always been a lot of fun for me, just takes a lot of time. I'm looking forward to getting back into it!

So, I read a somewhat obnoxious article last week that I shared on Twitter, and it seems that most agree with me on this one (at least regarding the story told in the post). Basically, the author told how he had to get his wife three engagement rings before she was happy. 
When we got married she was happy with it, but as we got older and three kids in three years, she figured she needed a little bit of an upgrade," he continued. "I think it was either an upgrade for boobs or an upgrade for a diamond ring. So she took the upgrade for the ring. - Huffington Post
He goes on to say how he reset her original ring with a larger diamond, "but his wife didn't receive the reaction from friends that she'd hoped for." Obviously my first reaction to this was, ew. After thinking about it for a few minutes, however, I couldn't help but wonder...I don't like the way that they did it, but is it really terrible to get a new engagement or wedding ring later in your marriage?

I'll admit, I've asked Robert if I could have another ring to wear as a wedding ring, but it was never because I "deserved" it. My engagement and weddings are extremely special to me, and I don't think I would ever do anything to tamper with them by resetting stones or something similar. I've thought about getting another band, something with a little more bling, but that would be to add to my original set. Or, maybe getting something small and pretty in gold, to go with my current style (I've been eyeing this beauty for a while). But never, ever because it's time to "upgrade." My marriage isn't about my ring, and the size of my ring doesn't represent my marriage. I wear my ring because I'm proud to be married to my husband, and he wears his because he loves me. That's all. 

I'd really like to know what your thoughts are on the matter? There's a lot of controversy and debate regarding engagement rings and diamonds in general these days, I know that. I really would like to know if you ever think it's okay for someone to ask for a new ring, husband or wife.

Now it's your turn! Link up your Wedding Wednesday posts below!

The rules for Wedding Wednesday are simple:

All posts must be recent (within a month) and wedding related. You can post about your favorite current wedding trends, photos from your wedding, your wedding planning experience, etc. That's it!

Obviously I would love it if you would visit the other blogs that are linked up, and I would SO appreciate it if you would link back to Something Charming in your post or use my button. Happy Wedding Wednesday everyone!

8.26.2013

{signature style :: lavender}

Okay, so let's clear something up. Lavender the color is most definitely NOT part of my signature style.  I don't even know that I own anything lavender. It's lavender the scent that I have a natural obsession with.
Okay, so I know it might sound strange, but I can actually tell you the exact moment that I started loving the smell of lavender. I have a very strong sense of smell, and there are a lot of scents that remind me of certain things or times.

It was my first trip to the spa (any spa really, but this one was especially nice). I had just graduated from high school, and had won a gift card at grad night. I went by myself and got my very first massage. Let's just say that I was in heaven (and subsequently discovered a very expensive love of pampering). This particular spa had the most amazing smelling lotions and scrubs, and I remember feeling so...relaxed. I even splurged and got a few body care items to take home with me. To this day, the combination of lavender and eucalyptus brings me back to that time, and I always love mixing the two scents in my bathroom. 

Since then, I've really discovered how lavender seems to calm me. It never fails to reduce my stress level or bring back to the ground. That's why I love having it in my bedroom, and I always find myself drawn to lavender scented lotions and scrubs. I do have a signature perfume that I wear occasionally, but it's far too expensive to wear on a daily basis. But that's okay; I'm perfectly okay wearing lavender on the regular instead. 
I truly do have all of these things in my home, I promise (Robert actually saw this collage and said - hey! I recognize those things). I keep the Voluspa candle in French Cade and Lavender next to my bed, and wear the Hugo Naturals Lavender lotion on a daily basis. We also live somewhat near the lavender fields in Santa Ynez, so on a recent trip I picked up a satchel of dried lavender to put in my lingerie drawer. Not pictured is the Trader Joe's Lavender Salt Scrub, which is honestly the best lavender scrub I've found. I've bought plenty of $20 jars of scrub, but this one (which is only $7) is incredible. Just trust me on this one. 

Do you all have a signature scent? What about lavender? Do you keep any lavender in your home?

8.25.2013

{words with bloggers :: gumption}

I'm happy to report back to you that Taylor Swift was just as amazing as I knew she would be. I know she isn't everyone's cup of tea, but you have to admit that the girl has some serious spunk. She puts on an incredible show, full of glitter and confetti and fireworks and ballet dancers. It's a full on production, and I have a feeling that even the most cynical critics would have enjoyed themselves. And while I seriously love every minute of the show, one of my favorite parts was when she played Mean. I have to listen to that song every once in a while, to remind myself that even the biggest of stars have their moments. I guess you could say that Taylor Swift has some serious...gumption. 

Name :: Lexi // Blog :: Glitter Inc.

What does the word "gumption" mean to you?
In truth, I fell in love with this word after watching "The Holiday" (for possibly the hundredth time). Gumption is taking initiative; it's having courage, spunk, guts.
Why did you choose this word for your week?
Not that I think it's a bad thing, but I've always tended toward being the shy, soft-spoken one. I'm determined - but on the inside. After a few years as a lawyer, and a few years as a blogger, I've had to train myself to have a bit more gumption - to stick up for what I want and to really go for it. In the next few weeks I'll be launching my brand new site, Glitter, Inc. and I'm headed to New York Fashion Week just after that to work with a brand I absolutely adore. I have to muster up all of my courage to talk to strangers and to promote my business these next few weeks. (Wish me luck!) 
Good luck Lexi! I know you're going to be just amazing at Fashion Week! What an incredible opportunity; one that you definitely deserve!

Be sure to keep an eye out for the launch of Lexi's new site soon, Glitter Inc.

8.23.2013

{five things}

Happy Friday everyone! I am kind of ridiculously excited for this weekend, because TAYLOR SWIFT. I only have one ticket, to go alone, but I just can't contain myself today. I've been looking forward to it all week...actually, let's be real here - I've been looking forward to this since Red came out last year! I already know that I'll pretty much be crying throughout the entire thing, so there's that. 

Other than that, I'm looking forward to just relaxing and working and not doing a ton else. It's needed, really, after a busy week and an even busier fall ahead. 

As always, here are five things to get you through your Friday and into your weekend!

1 // Need an inspirational story. Here you go.

2 // I'm not big on Reddit, but I found myself reading this thread for a while. So interesting! 

3 // LOVED this Biz Ladies profile of Emily Henderson on Design Sponge. Such great advice!

4 // A snarky, yet informative, post on wedding photography prices.

5 // Coming to Los Angeles soon? Here's a great city guide to use when visiting. I love LA (minus the traffic).  

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

8.21.2013

{the vc wedding artists studio}

As you all know by now, I am beyond blessed to share a studio with an amazing group of the most talented wedding vendors in the Ventura County area. We moved into the studio back in April, but it wasn't until last month that we really got everything finished in there. We hosted a soft launch at the beginning of July, and then asked a good photographer friend of ours to come take some photos. I'm so excited to finally share our studio with all of you!
Thank you SO much to Alyssa Armstrong Photography for the photos, and to Stella Bloom Designs, Leo Evidente Photography, and Anna Delores Photography for letting me share a space with you! I love you all!

8.20.2013

{wedding wednesday :: color vs. design}

Happy Wedding Wednesday everyone! I've missed you, I really have! I am so excited to start blogging about weddings again with all of you, and to see what you all have up your sleeves. 

It's actually a great day to start back up on this series, because a pretty inspired shoot that I got to work with some of my favorite wedding vendors was just featured on 100 Layer Cake! After thinking about it for a bit, I realized that this shoot was a perfect way to introduce a little dialogue on color vs. design. 

I think that one of the biggest misconceptions about wedding design is that it's all about color. True, this shoot that I coordinated was big on the color, but I used color to influence the overall design, rather than fit my design into the color scheme. Lavender was my inspiration, but not only the color lavender; I wanted to use the herb as well. Lavender also evokes a natural, organic feeling, which I ran with, but tried to pair it with some elegant touches to keep things from getting too rustic. 

It's also about the right type of lavender. My preference is for a subdued color, with grey undertones, and wanted to add other pops of color to create a fun, bright mood. For me, the mood or theme of the design is so much more important than just the color, and the feeling of the design is a combination of so many different elements: lighting, texture, metallics, accents, prop style, glassware, venue, in addition to color. 

I'd love to know what your thoughts on wedding color vs. design are. There are so many wedding websites out there that try to get you to commit to a color palette before anything else, which is terrible! I won't lie; before I had any experience in design, I did it for my own wedding, and I regret it. I'd love to know what your experience with color is in regards to your wedding design!

In the meantime, here are a few more photos from this sweet shoot that I did. Thanks to Lavender and Twine for the amazing photography, and These Buds a Blooming for the pretty flowers! You can see the entire inspired shoot on 100 Layer Cake
The rules for Wedding Wednesday are simple:

All posts must be recent (within a month) and wedding related. You can post about your favorite current wedding trends, photos from your wedding, your wedding planning experience, etc. That's it!

Obviously I would love it if you would visit the other blogs that are linked up, and I would SO appreciate it if you would link back to Something Charming in your post or use my button. Happy Wedding Wednesday everyone!

Now it's your turn! Link up your Wedding Wednesday posts below!


Something Charming

8.19.2013

{announcements + an anthro giveaway}

So, as you may know already, I've been working really hard on this little blog here. Something Charming is my child (other than OliveDuff, of course), and it's always been really important that I continue to post regularly and authentically, not only for all of you, but for myself as well. That being said, I have a few exciting announcements to share with all of you. Oh, and be sure to read through until the end to enter to win an Anthropologie gift card!

Wedding Wednesday is back!

That's right. I ended the weekly link up a few months ago, but I'm ready to bring it back this week. You can check out more information about this fun series right here!

New advertising opportunities now available!

My sponsorship opportunities on the blog have been somewhat...unexciting in these past few months. I just wanted to let you all know, that has changed! I'm now jumping on the Passionfruit bandwagon, and all sidebar ads now include a mention on a monthly sponsors post, as well as an option to participate in a group giveaway. Not only that, but I have a special Feature listing, where one blogger or business owner will have the top sidebar ad, along with an individual feature post and an option to host a giveaway! You can check out all of my advertising options here. Oh! And if you're interested in advertising, just enter "august25" at checkout to get 25% off any sidebar ad!

And now, it's giveaway time!


Now that you took the time to go through and read all of the exciting things happening on Something Charming, I just want to say THANK YOU. I would love to give one lucky reader something special: a $50 Anthropologie gift card! To enter, just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

8.18.2013

{words with bloggers :: charming}

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend; mine was busy, but a lot of fun. I treated myself to a manicure and a massage, which was so necessary. This week is just another week, full of work and not many exciting things.

Anyway, I hope you all liked last week's new series, Words with Bloggers. When I started the series, I knew that I wanted to share my word with you every once in a while too. After thinking about it for a little while, I realized exactly what word I wanted to use this week.
What does charming mean to you?
To me, charming means lovely without being perfect. It means beautiful without all the baggage that comes with being beautiful. It means paying attention to the details in the world, and adding your own bit of pretty to it as well.
Why did you choose this word for your week? 
I hope to take back the definition of “charming.” I want to live a life that is both charming and beautiful on the inside, as well as on the outside.
Hope you all have a fabulous week!

8.16.2013

{five things}

One of my good friends, and favorite wedding vendors, had her baby on Monday and I'm beyond obsessed. Not in a creepy way or anything (I promise Amy!), just in a I-think-my-uterus-is-ready-for-my-own kind of way. This little girl is absolutely the most precious thing, and when I went to visit her and her mom in the hospital, she had a bow! Obviously, the closest way to my heart. 
In case you're wondering, yes. Those are unicorns on my sweater. Photo by Anna Delores.

I'm looking forward to this weekend because it's my best friend's bridal shower! I'm so blessed to have known Carrie for seven years now (whaaaaaaat? Time has gone by so fast!), and she's letting me throw it for her. It's going to be an amazing time, and I can't wait to spend the day with her at one of our favorite wine tasting rooms parks!

Anyway, as always, here are five links to hold you over for the weekend! 

1 // I LOVE these watercolor letters from Jones Design Company!

2 // I just signed up for Passionfruit to manage my ads (you can purchase one here!), but here's a great tutorial on how to rotate your ads if you don't want to pay.

3 // I love a good quote, so obviously I love this post with 65 amazing quotes to inspire!

4 // Disney princesses on Instagram? Yes please.

5 // I don't think they are embarrassing, necessarily, but here are answers to some common blogging questions!

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

8.15.2013

{happiness hack no. 1}

I have another new, exciting series to reveal to all of you today! I'm a firm believer that it's the small things that bring the most happiness in life; splurging on a vanilla latte, volunteering at your favorite community organization, or taking an afternoon nap can just turn your day around completely, don't you think?

That's what made me think of Happiness Hacks, little things that I like to do when my day is a little sour. These are things that don't take much time or money, but can really make a difference in your outlook on life. They may not be anything too deep or even exciting, but you might be surprised at how they make you feel!
Do you have any suggestions for a Happiness Hack?

8.14.2013

{what i'm reading v. 7}

It's been over two months since my last What I'm Reading post, and I'm slightly horrified. Confession time...I've read only two books since then! What is wrong with me? I'm behind now, which makes me sad. It is the middle of wedding season, so I suppose I have a good excuse, but I really need to get back on this. 
I've been waiting patiently for both of these books to come out, and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint. If you haven't read Hopeless yet, you really have to. Losing Hope is told from Holder's perspective, which makes the story that much more intense. The Callie and Kayden series is also dark, in that popular way that new adult fiction is these days, but I really enjoyed it. Honestly, I preferred the first book, but this was definitely a good way to close out their story. 
I've heard some really great things about this book. I actually saw it and picked it up from the library recently, so hopefully I will read it in the next few days. I'm always looking for new books to read though, so let me know what you recommend in the comments!

8.13.2013

{signature style :: bright pink}

It's been a while since I've talked about my personal style journey. Basically, as of two years ago, my signature style was nonexistent. Last year, however, I decided I needed to make a change, and threw out the majority of my closet (which mainly consisted of clearance items I bought on a whim and jeans leftover from high school). I've spent the past year shopping intentionally, and filling my wardrobe with pieces that are very "me." More than having a signature style, however, I like the idea of making something my own. I go through phases, I guess you could say, depending on my mood and the season. This summer, I've been finding myself drawn to hot pink accents, and have been wearing my bright pink Kate Spade sunglasses, paired with my signature pink lipstick, on a regular basis. 

A few weeks ago we had one of our good friends Alyssa take photos of our studio, and I knew that I needed to wear my current "signature outfit" for the event: a black and white striped dress paired with my favorite hot pink accessories!

I'm really looking forward to sharing more of my signature style with you, since it's ever changing and evolving. I have a feeling that the hot pink is here to stay...at least for the rest of the summer!

8.12.2013

{easy entertaining :: margarita recipe}

You all know by now that my husband is a bartender and mixologist. It's mainly a hobby, but he does work weddings and events every once in a while. Bartending for a larger group of people is completely different than bartending at a restaurant or for a small crowd; you don't have as much time to shake cocktails as you would in an actual bar, and if you're providing the alcohol, you're going to want to find a way to keep costs down. 

Margaritas are one of the most popular specialty cocktails that people like to offer at events and weddings, and for a good reason: they're delicious, popular, and easy. That being said, however, not everyone makes them the right way. People tend to buy sugary mixes for their margaritas, which often cover up the flavors of the other ingredients, like the tequila. I actually love the taste of tequila (as long as it's not a full shot of tequila on its own, which is always a recipe for disaster), so I never like pre-made mixes that cover up the taste. Not only that, but making a delicious margarita from scratch, without any artificial ingredients or pre-made mixes, is actually really easy to do. 
This recipe is perfect if you want to make a pitcher for people to serve themselves with, and if you want to save time, just "build" the ingredients in the glass, rather than shake them together.

Ingredients:
1.5 ounces of tequila
1 ounce of triple sec or other orange flavored liquor (like Cointreau)
Top with an all-natural limeade juice, preferably organic and with no artificial sweeteners

The limeade juice is a great alternative to a store bought sweet 'n sour mix, which is full of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. You can make it yourself, using freshly squeezed lime juice and simple syrup, but squeezing that many limes can be a tedious task, especially if you're making margaritas for a big group of people. The all natural limeade really is just the same thing, so there's no need to make it yourself if you don't have the time!

For an extra special touch, top with a floater of Grand Marnier or blood orange soda, and enjoy!

8.11.2013

{words with bloggers :: bloom}

Happy Monday everyone! I am SO excited for Monday this week (crazy, I know), because I have a ton of new ideas and projects and content that I get to start sharing with you. I've taken the last week to brainstorm and come up with a new direction for this blog, and here it it. I want it to be a real place, one that inspires and connects with all of you. There will be a combination of inspired quotes, life hacks, style posts, entertaining tips, etiquette advice, plus a lot more. What makes it real, however, is that this is me.  What you see is what you get, and I've been wanting to put my own spin on what Something Charming means to me. 

The first change is going to be with Monday's Mantra. Don't worry, you'll still get your weekly dose of inspiration here, but it's going to be a little bit different. I've decided to start asking my favorite bloggers what their Word for the Week is, and to share a quote that exemplifies that word. 

The first Words with Bloggers post comes from a dear friend of mine, and a blogger that I look up to so much!

Name: Annelise

Blog: Aunie Sauce

What does "Bloom" mean to you?
To bloom is to become a beautiful soul. It is taking something that was hidden from the world, and opening it up for all to see. Whether that's you breaking out of your comfort zone, encouraging or inspiring someone with your journey, or making a difference in the life of someone around you, when you bloom—you become a light to the world.
Why did you choose this word?
We can't always control where we end up or what's happening in our lives. Sometimes we underestimate our potential & beauty. And sometimes we just have "one of those days." But no matter what—if we make the decision to BLOOM—we can change everything, and you never know how many people you'll reach along the way.
You guys, I am so excited for this series, and I think that Aunie really nailed it with the first word of the week. I truly believe that your happiness depends on your mindset, and that we can make the right decisions to keep ourselves happy. Circumstances are one thing; it really is all about how you deal with those circumstances that make the difference.

What's your word for the week?

8.05.2013

{imperfect yet beautiful}


If you're viewing this blog post directly in your browser rather than a viewer, you may notice the changes I made to my header and design. After last week's post, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be real and what it means for me to continue blogging. In the past three years, a lot has changed in my life. It's all been good, but it's still change. I've learned a lot as well; more than I ever anticipated. 

You've probably heard the saying "it doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful," or something like it. Every Sunday evening, I post a mantra for the week, something that I want to remember when life gets tough and I feel overwhelmed. What I've realized, however, is that saying up there is kind of my life mantra. As soon as it popped into my head, I ran with it. Because life really doesn't need to be perfect to be beautiful. 

I've been brainstorming all morning and all afternoon about what that means. I have so many projects in my head, and I feel like I'm finally ready to get started on a lot of them (why I feel the need to do this in the middle of wedding season, I have no idea). But I wanted to let you know that I'm inspired again. I'm sure you've noticed my lack of passion recently. I know I have. But it's there. Just reminding myself that it doesn't need to be perfect has allowed me to find the good in life. I want to share that with you. 

I'll be taking the rest of the week to collect my thoughts and plan for some really exciting new series and content. I'll be back on Sunday night with a new twist on Monday's Mantra. I know you're going to love it. 

8.04.2013

{monday's mantra}

This past weekend was just fantastic, and I'm not being sarcastic for once! I got to see a really amazing couple get married on Saturday, and it may have been one of my favorite weddings ever. I was booked over a year ago by Ashley and Andrew, and since then we've become great friends. My favorite part of this job is getting to know people like them, and giving them their perfect day. I think I might still be on a high from this one!

I'm really for another big wedding next week, and then it's a few weeks off before the next. I'm planning on taking the next few days to recover, but I'm not going anywhere. I'm feeling a little too inspired right now to take a break, I guess. 

I saw this quote on Pinterest, and I absolutely loved it. I think it's so true, don't you? Sometimes I don't feel like I'm doing much in the world, but maybe that just means I'm doing things gently. That's not a bad thing. 
I made iPhone and desktop wallpapers for you this week too! Hope you enjoy!

What's your mantra this week?

8.02.2013

{five things}

I had an elaborate Vegas post scheduled for this week, but that was actually before I went to Vegas. You want to know what I did while I was there?

I laid by the pool. 

I read. 

I gambled. 

I drank. A lot. 

The only photos I took were on my phone. While I was drunk. 

And I had so. much. fun.

So, here I am, reenergized for a wedding both this weekend and next. Life may be busy, but it's good. 

Anyway, here are five things for your weekend!

1 // An interesting look at Sex and the City.

2 // The truth about overnight success.

3 // This made me laugh. And then I felt old.

4 // So this really actually needs to happen.

5 // I love being organized, which is why I obviously liked this post

Happy weekend everyone!

8.01.2013

{something different}

I've been bothered lately, but really? What else is new. I love blogging. I wouldn't keep blogging if I didn't love it, to be honest. But I'm bothered. I'm bothered by the sameness these days. I'm bothered that everything exciting featured on bigger blogs is not really that exciting. The homes and the weddings and just the lives all seem the same. 

I love this post that Ashley wrote recently about how our blogs only show one part of the story: the part that we want to share. It's so true, isn't it? But that being said, why do we all still feel the need to share the same things? I want to hear about your real lives, one that isn't perfectly styled on Instagram. I want to be able to share a real wedding, one that may not have many details but does have amazing photography and an honest love story.  I want to see a real home, one that's actually lived in and doesn't have a gold bar cart. And I really don't want to see another post on how to style your coffee table. It's really not that difficult. 
I know I'm ranting at this point, and don't even try to ask me what better ideas I have right now. But that's what I'm going to do this month; I'm going to come up with something that's both pretty and unique. Somethings that's beautiful and realistic. It has to be out there. Don't you think?