Just writing to say I love you...

Attention: This is NOT a test, I repeat do not adjust your monitors.  You're reading this correctly, I have returned from the elephant graveyard right to your blog reading device once again… Oh hey there!  How have you been the past three months?  My, oh my, I have been great.  Summertime is always better spent lounging by the pool, sipping cool drinks on patios, and spending some QT with your besties.  Sure, I still get dressed and go shopping and such, but for some reason I have never been much a good blogger during the summer months.  Honestly, I don't think I've cracked open this here laptop since I got my iPad in March! Eek!  I realllllly dropped the ball this summer.

I missed you chickens, I did indeed.  I would totally do a catch-up post, but if you even give a hoot about what I've been up to… you already follow along in my Instagram.  But because I love picture collages (and you probably do too) here is a collection of some of my favorite things I did in the past three months, for your eyeball's enjoyment.  

Imagine this in my best TV voice: Previously on Matters of Merrymaking…

Long story short (too late)... I spent two weeks in paradise, enjoyed a summer of tourist-ing in my own town, spent too many days by the pool (I'm one big freckle,) and there are many margaritas and craft beers not pictured.  

I hope to return to merrymaking more regularly here soon!

PS Thanks for all of the emails & notes telling me you missed me, be sure to leave a comment or shoot me a message to let me know how you've been.  Sweet words have not gone unnoticed and I seriously have some of the best readers ever ever! XO, Bekah

Friday Faves: Electric Inspiration

I've really been feeling the electric vibe here lately. I love these items and I'm especially yearning for that Urban Decay electric palette. Hint hint my birthdays coming up! (hi, family!) Check out all the item details here.

Happy weekend! TGIF!

 

Jumpsuit Jungle

 

 

jumpsuit: rainbow // sandals: Payless // necklace: gift // clutch: jun lee

This, my little chickens, is my first adventure in one-piece/jumpsuits/play suits land... Whatever you prefer to call them, I used to have a closed mind that onesies are for babies and completely unflattering. I wasn't completely convinced at first, but I've worn it a few times to positive reviews. What fun is personal style if you can't take any chances now and then. I'm excited to dress it up for night out soon with wedges. You can't really tell from the pictures, but it's a linen type material, perfect for continuing in to the summer months. The wide legs were the selling point.

Rompers, however, I'm not completely sold on.

 

Baby steps.

 

 

Music Fest Merrymaking

dress: Ross ($12!!!!) // necklace: accessory auctions FB //

booties: barefoot Tess

 

I wore this outfit over the weekend to the annual Memphis in May Beale Street music festival. Every year, we are either battling tornados, rain storms, or a heat wave. Thankfully, this year the weather was perfect. I picked the wrong shoes to wear (as I normally do) but when I was dancing on the banks of the mighty Mississippi listening to Alabama Shakes in the 65 degree breeze... I didn't have a care in the world.

I wish Music Fest was more than just once a year.

Happy hump day!

 

 

Hippie Hippie Shake

 

dress: rainbow (old) // necklace, bracelet: gifts // sandals: Payless // sunglasses: target

 

I always forget how comfortable and easy maxi dresses are! I tend to overthink ensembles from time to time, I love to layer, guilty as charged. However, today I was feeling super lazy (and HOT, we are not turning on a/c just yet.... Yikes!) and this tie dyed little number stood out from the rest. A statement dress, easy necklace, comfy shoes and bim bam dressed. Pretty sure i bought this dress for my first Black Crowes concert and i love the memories associated with it! I really need to invest in some more of these babies for the upcoming summer weather. What do you reach for on a lazy day?

 

PS My 80 year old grandmother, who suffers from dementia, took my photos today and it was the most fun for the both of us. :) enjoy your day!

Hola Monday!

 

black pants: h&m // tank top: dots // scarf: F21 // flats: Nine West // cardigan: Lauren by Ralph Lauren // fringe bag: target // ring & bracelet: gifts

 

 

Most weeks there is nothing worse than a Monday. But a Monday that follows an intense weekend music festival and a heartbreaking losing game of your favorite sports team probably takes the cake. I guess Mexican food and margaritas are the consolation prize. My pattern mixing was inspired by Cinco de Mayo festiveness. I think every day is a perfect time to celebrate with a marg or two, but I am always down for a holiday! Hope your weekends were swell!

Adiós Monday!

 

Among The Wildflowers

 

maxi dress: Ross // knit top: tj maxx // belt: lane bryant // clutch: iPad case from Target // booties: barefoot tess // sunglasses: target

 

As a kid, my favorite colors were purple and yellow. Much like the weeds that grow all Spring long. I always call them flowers because they're so beautiful, I hate the weed connotation. Trust me, my allergies are the only reason I don't straight up frolic in the fields and Maria Von Trapp spin my heart out.

I'm pretty obsessed with how this haphazard outfit came together. We have had a "cold" front the past few days and I needed to layer up last minute. Being a tall gal, the length of this dress looks weird with flats so I threw on the black wedge booties to toughen up the look. I'm especially fond of layering over maxis here lately.

Have a merry weekend, my little chickens. It feels fabulous to be back.

 

Quite A Pattern

dress: rainbow // clutch: ENiT design // wedges : target (last season) // bracelets: target, accessory auctions

 

I wanted to name this post, The Bitch is Back, but as much as I love Elton, I was slightly afraid of the google searches I would pop up in. But the sentiment is still here! Breaking back in to the swing of things with one of the most happy patterns! One of my merrymaking secrets is that I frequent some cheeeeap fast fashion stores. Rainbow is a bit like F21, but a more urban vibe. You have to dig through some club clothes to find a gem, but they are there. And for $19.99, the search is worth it! I love the one of a kind pieces I have added to my closet from places like Rainbow.

Also, any excuse to tie in my red wedges and I will take it.

I hope May treats all of my little chickens well. Thanks for the comments and emails during my absence. It definitely boosts my merriment to know that I was missed. Spring is in full swing in Memphis, so I hope to bring you nonstop merrymaking.

Xo.

 

It's Gonna Be May

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I think we can all agree on that. I took a month break from blogging, at first on accident, but then I decided to see the month out for good measure. I would never want M of M to be a place of forced posts and boring content. I just wasn't feeling it this past month. For the past three spring/summers I tend to fade in and out.  If the inspiration is not there, I don't want to just follow through the motions. I think after a month off (and now that we have somewhat consistent weather,) I'm ready to jump back in to it! 

Also, I'm blonde. Eeeeeek, right? I love it. Change is a good thing. 

Can you believe it is already almost May?! 

I think May will bring plenty of exciting things (like a Caribbean trip!!!!) and the more merriment, the better. 

Xo

Favorite Friday Dress

Have you ever made a brand new purchase, let's say an oversize, striped t-shirt dress, and then you find such complete happiness with it that you find it almost impossible to not wear it every other day?

Yeah... me neither.

This dress sometimes gives the appearance that I cut a neck hole in a bed sheet and ran out of the house, but it feels like a huge t-shirt and I just can't find an excuse to not wear it almost every day.  I've worn it like over half the days since I bought it.  #noshame

And if you can't wear your favorite dress on a Friday, then when can you?

Have a merry weekend. XO

dress: h&m+ (here) // necklace: F21 // booties: barefoot tess

Sunshine + Threads

vest (old): old navy // dress, as skirt: cynthia rowley // boots: target // coral boyfriend tee: target // 

fringe purse: target (here ON SALE) // necklace: gift // bracelet: THREADS // sunglasses: target (here ON SALE)

Happy Wednesday! No really, it is! My camera and my body are both back and in fighting form.  I think it has a lot to do with the fantastic sunshine that finally popped out and showed itself!  I'm recharged, rocking my trusty vest, and a new fabulous bracelet.  I shared this adorable, dainty bracelet on my Instagram the other day, but I'm here to share a little bit more about THREADS and the fantastic story behind it!  I've been following Ashley and The Shine Project for years now, but more recently she has started this jewelry endeavor.  THREADS employs at risk youth to make jewelry and earn a fair wage to help the students pay for their school to better their future.  

Here is some more info about them, from their website:

As a blogger, I love getting behind companies that I truly believe in!  

THREADS is offering a special discount code to my readers.  

Enter MATTERS10 at checkout for 10% of your purchase! There are tons of gorgeous styles (and necklaces!!) to choose from, check them out here.  Purchasing something beautiful and giving back at the same time is truly merry! Xo

Swim Suit Search

In two month's time, I will find myself on a beach in the Caribbean.  What!  So it is time to take this swim suit search seriously.  Try saying that ten times fast!  I have always been a fan of the retro style maillot and I love the ruffles!  These are my top faves.  What styles are you reaching for this summer?  I wanted to find some fringed tops, but I will settle for the adorable fringed coverup!

Shop my finds here:

Graphic Print Suit

Eyelet Twist Bandeau

Ruffle Tankini

Beach Dress

Radiant Rays Halter

Tie Dye Coverup Dress

Nautical Dots Suit

Spotted some fab suits?  Let me know about them in the comments! Xo

Out of Practice

blouse: tj maxx // blazer: thrifted // necklace: accessory auctions // 

leggings: dots // boots (not pictured): nine west

I'm still posting today even though every one of my pictures turned out horrible!  It seems I have been on "vacation" for so long that my camera decided to boycott reality today.  Things were unexplainably blurry and confused.  I don't blame the camera really, I was feeling quite the same way when I awoke. The weather did not help.  I thought I retired my riding boots for the season, after the first 70 degree patio day, but in true winter tradition... it's ain't over yet.  All of that to say, I missed posting so much that we are just going to power through this.  Plus, that's a lot of holiday cheer displayed and it just cannot go to waste.  I hope the weekend treated all of the merrymakers well, and although I never got my green beer, I had more Irish car bombs than I wish to admit.  I'm calling today a rough draft and hoping for a better performance tomorrow.
Monday is just Tuesday's dress rehearsal.

I'm Aliiiiiiive!

Just a quick check in, I am not still in New Orleans, lost among the discarded beads and empty daiquiri cups.  I've been home for almost a week, which is about the amount of time that it takes to recover from such a trip.  This week is Spring Break, so it is another slow week where I will rarely change from pajamas lounge cloooothes and won't bother to get up from the couch between catch-up episodes of my favorite television shows.  Except maybe to get a Kleenex during this episode of Parenthood...

Here are some of my favorite merrymaking highlights from my Mardi Gras trip!

I hope to get back to regularly scheduled programming soon, xo!

Best times, good drinks, and great people always makes for a fabulous trip.

Now... back to the Netflix binge.

This Week...

My fabulous chickens, I am on vacation this week in the Big Easy, catching beads & eating gumbo. In my absence, please enjoy a frozen cocktail beverage and a karaoke tune or two.  Stay tuned for a recap and tons of photos from NOLA upon my return.  

(Someone stockpile the Gatorade & Advil for me, dolls)

Follow along with the Mardi Gras merrymaking on Instagram.

XO