Good Morning, America! How are ya?

Chickens, I am outta here!  As you read this post, I am packed up and aboard a train to New Orleans!I am going to meet some of my best blogging friends soon to be my best real life friends.(Dani CA, Sarah LA, and Sarah TX)See you on Monday! Have a great one!

The City of New Orleans - Willie Nelson

ps weird screen shot, right? but seriously, listen to the song.  it has little to do with babies.

photo via

All about DOTS

If you have been a reader of Matters of Merrymaking for any length of time, you know that trends and affordability go hand in hand when it comes to my daily style.  I frequent stores that sell pieces that are very on-trend and stores that sell more investment-type pieces.  One of my FAVORITE places to shop in Memphis, is DOTS.  See some of my all time favorites from Dots: these pants, the infamous purse, and my favorite shirt! It is kind of like Forever 21 in the aspect that it sells trendy pieces to a younger crowd, along with fun accessories and shoes.  Most items stay under $25!
DOTS contacted me to let me know they were opening TWO new stores in Memphis and I was thrilled!  They invited me to take a tour of a new store and check out some of the new pieces for Summer!I walked in and was blown away.  Divided by color and trend, the store makes it easy to find all that you need to add to your wardrobe for the summer months! And yes, I came home with some neon pink shorts!

I talked to the store manager (Hi, Olga!) about all of the amazing clothes and she kept coming back to the SPICY colors that are taking over the scene.  Also, the amazing amount of tribal prints and lace really stood out to me.  I can definitely get behind these trends for many seasons to come. 

 Crazy print, bright colors? That dress definitely came home with me.

Check out their website and see if you have a DOTS in your area, and go check them out.  You will not regret adding some trendy FUN pieces to your closet this summer.Thanks for having me DOTS! I had so much fun and we all know I will be back soon!XOXO, the merrymaker.



psThe eShakti giveaway ends tomorrow night at 12PM CST. Enter before it is too late, chickens!All opinions and photos shared are my own.  I was not compensated for this post, I am just a super fan.

Zombies and Trolleys

 {top: target | skirt: thrifted, $3 | wedges: nine west | belt: UO | necklace: crack in the walk | clutch: sister's}

Zombies and Trolleys.Yes, that pretty much sums up my Friday night.I went to the monthly trolley art tour downtown and this month it coincidently falls along the same night at the Zombie Walk.  Yeah, it was awkward. How awesome is this necklace? You can find this necklace and more funky fun jewelry at Crack in the Walk on Etsy.  Seriously, some fun stuff there.How was your Memorial Day? I hope it was fabulous! I am not sunburned but I am so tired! I need a 3 day weekend to recover from this three day weekend!
We are in the last few days of the eShakti giveaway! Be sure to enter today before it is too late, my little chickens! It ends Wednesday!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

happy memorial day, my little chickens!


photo via

{insta}Merrymaking

Cookouts, a little hometown fun, and lots of booze.Summer is officially here.Have a merry Memorial Day weekend!  Hopefully you can take three days to sit outside, sip some cocktails and spend some time with those closest to you.  Those are my priorities until Tuesday AM.

Long friendships.

 Piggly Wiggles.

 Cook outs.

 SIX DAYS!

 I believe in iced lattes.

^ Amazon. $10. BELIEVE IT! ^

I really like daiquiris, and it seems everyone knows.

End of the year presents include:

Party on, chickens.

Polka Dots Never Fail

 {dress: ross | necklace: target | shoes: payless | sunglasses: michael kors}

It's almost summer... I certainly don't envy people with year-round jobs.  I am finishing up my first year of teaching and now I know that teachers look forward to summer just as much as I did as a kid.

I am so ready to throw dress codes out of the window and style my favorite summer looks with my fun accessories! But until then I reach for the sturdy favorites- like my go-to polkas.

SEVEN DAYS until I am in New Orleans with some pretty awesome people!!!!!

Enter to win an item of your choice in my eShakti giveaway!

Maxi skirt & a photobomb

{skirt: homemade, top: dots, necklace: F21, belt: UO, cardi & bracelet: target}

Photobombed by the family dog.  Getoutthaway Mollie!

You chickens will have to just pardon me this morning as I am out of words.  

Let me break it down for you:

1. As of the time this post is published- I have 1.5 days, 5 hours, some odd minutes until summer vacation.  It is ALL I can think about.

2. I am spending some quality time with a super great friend tonight and I am so excited.

3.  This is my favorite shirt.

That's all I have today.  Perhaps Thursday will find me more focused.

Let's not bet on it.

CHEERS!

Don't forget to enter my eShakti giveaway!

At The Baggage Claim

On Friday night, I got a super cool last minute surprise of being invited to the Miranda Lambert concert!  A friend got tickets like 2 hours before show time, so we hopped in the car and went!(After an emergency dress shopping adventure)If you're not famil with the fabulously talented and undeniably country crooner...Watch this video.And then this one.I didn't get any pictures of my outfit, because I was just way too excited but here are some of my favorite from Instagram and my camera.

 above: pistol annies

below: chris young opened for her, looooove him

 above: crazy good seats

below: a MARGARITA in a can! WHAT!!!!

My Closet Has A Bucket List

It's true.  There are many items I want to add to my closet before it dies... A super fabulous fringe purse can now be crossed off of that list.  Maybe it's my love of Almost Famous and everything 70s accessories-wise, but this purse was love at first sight.  It is the ideal amount of sass for every day.

{jeans: LB | top: target | necklace: crack in the walk | purse: dots | shoes: payless}

eShakti *GIVEAWAY* {CLOSED}

As summer approaches, (judging by the 100% humidty, it's already here in TN,) stocking up on dresses and skirts in florals and fun prints is my favorite part of the season!  You are in luck because I am hosting an eShakti giveaway! You could win one item of your choice form their website!It is the perfect time to get your hands on some new items for Spring and Summer!
*GIVEAWAY RULES*MANDATORY:1. Be a follower of Matters of Merrymaking through GFC and visit eShakti.com and scope out the item you would pick if you won!2. Follow eShakti on Facebook 3. AND follow eShakti on Pinterest!Leave me a comment and let me know you did ALL THREE!BONUS:1. Follow me (@missbekah) on Twitter2. Tweet about the giveaway! Be sure to include @eShakti and @missbekah in the tweet!Comment and let me know!
That is it!  They have so many great items, what a hard decision it will be!Here is what I have my eye on:

photo 1, photo 2, photo 3
Giveaway ends 5/31, winner announced 6/03