The Best Kind Of Blues

 {dress: c/o eShakti | tights: we love colors | booties: lane bryant | studded blazer: gordman's | necklace: dots | clutch: navoh}

Bear with me, but as this month ends- I am suffering from the winter blues.  I just want it to end!

The weather outside may not be cooperating with me, but my closet is so ready for warm weather, candy colored accessories, and spring dresses!  When one of my favorite online shops, eShakti, contacted me and wanted me to review something from their Spring line- first stop... dresses!  They carry their entire stock in size 0-36W, and they believe that every one is a different shape and size, and that your clothes should be able to be as unique as you are. (I picked out this fine number right here) My faaaaaavorite thing about eShakti is that they offer customizations to every style. Shorter? Higher neckline? Add some sleeves? Pockets/no pockets? SURE THANG! I wanted a sassier style for nights out ((I wore it out just last Saturday)), so I opted to go for a shorter, tunic length.  It gives it more of a tutu look than a church dress- and that's prime merrymaking material right there, chickens!  LOVE IT! 

See my previous fabulouness from eShakti here and here.

GOOD NEWS:

: eShakti is offering 20% off your order today JUST for readers of Matters of Merrymaking!  Give yourself, or someone you love, with the gift of customization!

Enter the promo code: MTTERSFMER at checkout!!!

Promo code expires 3/10/13 so pick out a fancy new outfit soon!

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! And The Winner Is...

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: 1. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (in Black)

2. Smashbox Jet Set Water Proof Eyeliner (in Deep Black)

3. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (in Peversion)

4. bareMinerals Round The Clock Water Proof Eyeliner (in Midnight)

5. Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner (in Plum)

AND THE WINNER IS....

STILA! I loved the super easy applicator of the liquid liner.  The best I have ever used.  It is impossible to mess this up! Fool proof beauty routines are a merrymaker's best friend!  I use it every day now and I am so obsessed with its perfection.  I think second place would be the bareMinerals liner. THANKS SO MUCH FOR FOLLOWING ALONG ON THIS BEAUTY JOURNEY! Have a beauty item that you would like reviewed on Matters of Merrymaking? Email me!
UPDATE: After a brief break-up, I have gone back to being friends with Bloglovin, so make sure you are following over there!

Lots of Birds & New Specks

{bird print tunic: simply be via gwynnie bee | leggings: old navy | boots: nine west | earrings: bid girl}

I'm obviously a sucker for a good bird print.  Whether it be a dress, tunic, or top... I grab it right up. I think my closet is one half leopard print and the rest is made up with tribal prints, birds, and black. Also, there are not enough opportunities to wear my 4 inch heel fur lined faux hiking boots... WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? Maybe some of new blogging besties and I can find a solution to that? Ladies? Be sure to come by tomorrow because the le winner of On Your Mark! will be announced. Who do you think made the top of my list? _____________________________________
Have you guys heard of Firmoo glasses?  I had seen them reviewed by some of my fellow bloggers, and I was thrilled when they asked me to pick out a pair and review myself!  I was born blind as a bat! Glasses since first grade, contacts since fifth.  The glasses at Firmoo are extremely affordable and they come to your mailbox in a case with a leather pouch and glasses screwdriver! Fancy! I picked out this style, and filled in my RX online.  I loved the quality of the frames, and even though they are plastic, they are a fine quality. (They do non-prescription glasses and sunglasses, too!)  The best part? Firmoo has a "First Pair Free" program and you can get your own pair of glasses FOR FREE from the company with just paying shipping!  I think that it is a great opportunity to try a new style and take a fashion risk!!  Get those nerdy glasses that your inner hipster heart has been craving! Go visit their site, and let me know what glasses you LOVE!

Disclaimer: I was sent these glasses free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Memphis Bloggers Meetup

Saturday night, I had the honor and privledge to meet some lovely bloggers that live here in Memphis! It was such a treat to talk to ladies that I already felt like I knew!  We met at Local Gastropub in Midtown and had drinks and goodies and delicious food.  The big Instagram name game was my favorite!  I just loved meeting ladies that share my fun hobby.  Blogging has always been such a special place for me to meet and connect with ladies all over the world, and now I have a huge base in my own city to relate to.  I loved how many of the ladies are from out of state and are discovering the wonderful city through their blogs.  Don't worry- there was plenty of merrymaking at that table.

Sweet dear Alyssa from Ten Feet Off Beale made this super adorable embroidery hoops for everyone. WHAT A DOLL!

 The two gals I sat next to and immediately fell in love with:

Alyssa and precious Colleen from Parties & Cardis

 Another instant friend was the lovely gal who put the whole shindig together! Laura from Walking In Memphis In High Heels (Say that 5 times fast)!  I'm almost a foot taller, but I'm pretty sure we were meant to be.

 My former coworker and super amazing friend blast from the past, Jennifer who blogs at Mrs. in Memphis!  I loved catching up with her and she always brings the party.  Her theme song can be found here.

All in all, it was a super amazing time!  I missed all of the ladies who could not make it this time and hope to meet you all at the next one.  So, my little chickens, what was the highlight of your weekend?? Do share. XOXO!

The ABCs of this Merrymaker

The ABCs of Me

A — available or married?

Single.

B — book?

Just finished my third Gillian Flynn book.

(Gone Girl, Dark Places, Sharp Objects)

C — cake or pie?

Cake. Preferably cupcake. Specifically from Muddy's Bake Shop.

D — drink of choice?

Mango Margaritas. Starbucks Pike Place. Or water!

E — essential item?

Lipstick/gloss/balm.

F — favorite color?

My mom still thinks its purple even though I told her it was yellow. But now it is navy blue.

G — game to watch or play?

Baseball or basketball. I like to play volleyball and any board game where you shout it answers. Or trivia.

H — hometown?

MEMPHIS! :)

I — indulgence?

Shellac manis.

J — job?

Preschool teacher what what.

K — kids and their names?

No kids, but there is a little black dog named Ozzy who calls me Ma.

L — life is incomplete without?

Karaoke. Okay, okay... My family is tops.

M — music group of singer?

Impossible to pick a favorite... I love everything, but I adore Mumford & Sons. Aerosmith, Simon & Garfunkel, and Journey forever ever.

N — number of siblings?

Three.

O — oranges or apples?

I love oranges but a honey crisp apple is delicious.

P — phobias/fears?

I don't super love heights. Or water you can't see through.

Q — favorite quote?

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass,

of glory in the flower,

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind;

-- William Wordsworth

R — reason to smile?

Starting a new part time job endeavor. (read: more money)

S — season?

Autumn.

T — tattoos?

Not a fan.

U — unknown fact about me?

I've had plastic surgery. On my fingers.

V — vegetable you love?

Broccoli.

W — worst habit?

Probably my Starbucks in the AM habit.

X — X-rays you've had?

Teeth, ankle, hand.

Y — your favorite food?

Mexican. All of it. Or Asian. All of it.

Z — zodiac?

Gemini-ni-ni-ni.

That was probably more than you ever wished to know about me.

I would love to learn more about the ABCs of you! If you post this, let me know in the comments! Hope your Saturday is going well.

Posted with Blogsy

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round Five

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner.
The Contenders: {Round Five} 5. TARTE SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner (in Plum)

The Tarte liner is a thicker, crayon liner that comes with a smudging stick on the other end.  I love the purple color, and I don't normally go for the colored liners!  I think it makes my eyes greener, and the thickness of the crayon is easy for application.  All in all, it smudges like a champ and stayed in place all day!  Plus side: Vitamin E and mineral pigments give this liner a boost! THE PREVIOUS CONTENDERS:  Stila | SmashBox | Urban Decay | bareMinerals STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT POST! Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.

ombre tunics & special days

{floral print tunic: simply bee via gwynnie bee | leggings: tj maxx | belt: torrid | combat boots: LB | necklace: gift}

Such a fun and comfortable top!  Love the crazy print on it, too.  It was the perfect outfit to go bowling watch others bowl and drink mango daiquiris.  Gotta love Sunday Fundays!  Also, I snagged a new favorite lipstick during my once a month drugstore raid.  (Serious retail therapy comes to me in form of a Walgreens aisle)  I love the color: Maybelline NY Color Sensational Lip Color in shade 900, Hot Plum! (That's a ridiculously long name, but the lipstick is non-drying and the color is super fun!) _________________________________________________________ But that is enough about me for today! Today is such an important day for other reasons.  It is my favorite (and only) red-headed sister's birthday! I love you, I love you, I love you! HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY EMILIE!

I hope you enjoy another year in my life (I know I enjoy you) and may your day be merry and full of sweet treats & lovely words.

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round Four

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: {Round Four} 
 4. bareMinerals Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner

I had never used bareMinerals products before, so I had no clue how I would feel about this eyeliner.  I know they are proud of their minimal coverage foundation and the shake shake tap of the brush or whatever.  On to the eyeliner... it was a creamy, smooth application that really impressed me!  It gave really good coverage and lasted ALL DAY.  They name this eyeliner very accurately.  Like a few of the past products I have tried during this feature, this eyeliner has no parabens or sulfates or any of that bad junk!  Now I won't think twice about trying more bareMinerals products.

PREVIOUS ROUNDS: Stila | SmashBox | Urban Decay
Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.

graphic print & gwynnie bee

{dress: Eloquii via Gwynnie Bee | belt: LB | wedges: payless | earrings: target}

Well, hello!   I have had the most amazing, relaxing long three day weekend ever! Sometimes all you need is one day extra to get the boring stuff out of the way and make time for some FUN!

I had THREE garments this weekend from Gwynnie Bee to choose from, and I wore this graphic print dress to dinner on Friday with one of my girls!  SO FUN!  It never hurts to have some new clothes to choose from on a long weekend.  I had two other dresses perfect to a night at the pub, lunch/movie date, and THEN bowling and darts with friends!  Success!  If you haven't heard me rave on and on about GB here is your chance... it is like Netflix for clothes and you fill a queue of garments from their website that you want, and they send you your items in the mail.  You can keep them as long as you want, or send them back for more the next day.  Clothing without commitment helps you try new trends and take more risks because you're not paying the price on that tag!   Gwynnie Bee is offering a FREE 30 day free trial to YOU!  Click here!
Did you have President's Day off?  Do anything fun!

TOMORROW:  Round Four of the Beauty Feature: On Your Mark!  The search is on for the perfect eyeliner!