Blogging: Love, Inspiration, & Merrymaking

I don't always get inspired when I sit down (ooorrrr lay on my bed, a la Carrie Bradshaw complete with voiceovers) with my Macbook to write a post.  

I need a desk... that will make me a better writer, right?

I digress.  I get inspired sitting right here, typing the beginning of what will probably be a rambling, long-winded blog post I am typing on my iPhone.  I love blogging so much.  The whole experience.  I never expected it to become a hobby.  I started blogging after graduating college for a much needed creative outlet.  

It became my baby.

I love blogging because not only am I building an epic time capsule to show my future, highly embarrassed children, (or puppies, there will always be puppies...)  I'm in a part of a great community.  I've made real life friends from this.  I love that people I've never met know everything about me (and I them,) they help influence my style and we all collaborate from time to time.  This little baby blog was so enriching for me, even with 17 followers, before Instagram and when I didn't ever think Twitter was going to take off.

I've recently come out of the "blogging closet", letting the entire population of people in my life know I've been harboring this weird ass hobby.  

It was scary.  

Having a local magazine photograph you and write about your blog will do that, btw.  People I haven't talked to since high school were emailing me congrats, so once the initial weirdness wore off... I decided to buck up and make the best of it.  I've integrated the blog with a Facebook page, which I purposely avoided for three years.  I guess when I was working in a school environment, I didn't want people to know I was doing this for a few reasons... Professionalism? 

 Let's face it, I was never cut out for professional.

Mainly because some people don't get it and I was a little afraid of what people would think.

They're missing out...

because I'm awesome.

Now, I wish I had not wasted so much time keeping it to myself, close friends and fam, and my online blogging confidants.  YES!  An entire online community of people I don't know was waaaay more comfortable that letting my co-workers follow along.  It's not a dirty little secret, it's personal life AND style.  And it's adapting everyday, just like me.

I want to pursue growing my blog and continue writing for other people in different forums.  It is where my heart is at the moment.  There is that quote that says "wherever your mind goes when it wanders" or something... that's ME!  When I changed career paths (aka completely halted having one) my sister was 100% convinced I should take more time and do this.  "You're funny," she said,  Ummm news flash?  I know I'm funny.  Convincing others in a blog post is another story.  Sharing a long post (of my OWN wordy words) is something I also avoided, but it is what I wanted to do!  Maybe you're still reading this, maybe you saw my silly face and had a laugh and then clicked away from this insanity compound.  I've written all of this to say, welcome old readers, my new spring chickens, locally and globally to my little place of revelry.

Buckle up, it's going to be a messy, merry ride. 

p.s. feedback welcome, as always.

picture sources: one, two, three, four

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 Sass Is Back!

Boy, oh boy, I have missed opening up my Blogger dashboard on the daily.  I have missed my camera timer, the dinky tripod, the interaction with my great friends of the interweb, comments and feedback from family and friends, everything!  You may ask, "Dear Merrymaker, what has kept you away for almost TWO months?  You don't write, you don't call!  What is this madness?"  And I will tell you, my dearest little chickens, that LIFE has happened.  I cheated on Robert Pattinson, had a baby named Maxwell, and married Justin Timberlake in Italy. What have you done recently? 

Wait, maybe I didn't do those things... but the point is I did not want to be one of those bloggers who take a break and constantly apologize for lack of updating.  That's no fun.  No one likes to read that.  I wanted to get my new school year figured out, and take some time to focus and be sure I was really ready to blog again!  Honestly, I have just been watching a ton ton of Gossip Girl.  I miss this hobby, and I am very much looking forward to getting back in to it.  I hope all my little dear chickens are out there and ready for some merrymaking! Thanks so much for all of the emails and texts checking up on me.  My favorite one might have been from a little blonde Southern blogging friend of mine, who told me "she missed my sass." I cannot wait to catch you up on my life and my fall wardrobe.  Well you know what, the sass is back and better than ever.  

#bloggerblingring2012

I mentioned a few posts ago that I recently had my first official blogger meet-up with some super fabulous bloggers (Dani, Sarah B, and the other Sarah B.) in New Orleans.  Here are some more pictures and fun stuff from that trip!  And if you wanna laugh harder, check out some pics from Sarah's blog.
I was definitely super excited to meet some of my favorite blogging friends in real life.  And to be honest... it was like we were all old friends instantly.  Sarah B (blonde) met me at the train station and we dove head first in to some margaritas and it felt like home!  We did a little shopping and met up with Dani at the airport, where we hid for 30 minutes behind a pole in anticipation of a surprise.  We laughed for the rest of the day, schooled Dani on southern cuisine, took a hilarious trip to Sonic, and laughed some more.  We left Sarah behind in Baton Rouge and journeyed to NOLA where I showed the girls around my second favorite city and all of the merrymaking that is to be had!
The trip really showed me how much I stinkin love the blogging community.  Building real friendships and relationships with people across the country is such a FUN FUN FUN benefit of our hobby!  All three girls were precious and I am so glad that we are IRL buddies now too!

 Taking jumping pics with Sarah, the professional.

 :)

The first three pictures are courtesy fo Think Twice Style.  I straight up stole them.  XOXO.

 Graffiti.

 Approaching Jackson Square, the St. Louis cathedral.

 The other Sarah B, myself, and Dani!

 Jackson Square

I love old advertisements.

I cannot CANNOT wait for another meet up next year.  It is a hard decision,,, CHICAGO, MEMPHIS or LOS ANGELES?!  Let's start planning...Happy hump day!

{insta}Merrymaking

Here are just a bundle of pics from my blogger meetup this past weekend in New Orleans.Stay tuned for some great camera photos & giggles.  My first week at summer camp started this week and I am still catching up on work and sleep and dreamcatcher crafts.Enjoy! xoxo

one: playing in the spanish moss

two: beignYAY!

three: train rides 

four: bayou cocktails

five: new friends, yolo.

one: they bitetwo: bbff necklacesthree: shrimp everythingfour: seriously love this girl
SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Hey... look who it is!

sarah, me, & dani

Just me and some cool kids.See y'all Monday.

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

bad days + new necklaces

Yesterday was a rough one, kids.  You know those days where you feel completely drained and the hits keep coming + coming.  Yep- that was my Tuesday from hell.  After a good cry session in my car, and some sweet words from my buds on Twitter, plus some ibuprofen and sweet tea, I was feeling a bit better.These aren't the perfect days for taking outfit pics, but it was the perfect day to get a stunning new necklace in the mail.  Talk about a pick me up!

I won a giveaway on Linley's blog, Dwelling and Telling last month. I WAS ECSTATIC!I won a Stella Date Necklace! I could choose any milestone specific date and Ann Marie made me a one-of-a-kind sweet and adorable necklace.  I chose my birthday! I can safely say this would make the perfect gift for anyone's birthday, a new mom, or newlyweds!

Because I love this necklace so much & Ann Marie is the most giving person ever- She is offering 20% off any item from the Stella collection! Use the code: MERRY20!Get some one-of-a-kind jewelry for someone in your life and don't forget that Christmas is right around the corner and these would make sweet presents!Have a lovely hump day, little chickens.

Accent Vlog

While perusing another fashion/lifestyle blog... I came across the most ingenious idea!

Below, you will find my ACCENT VLOG!

So, basically, you video yourself saying a variety of words to show how you say them!

Also- you answer some questions.  Being from the South, I am very interested in hearing how some of y'all may say these words so I hope you post a vlog too!

SUPER sexy thumbnail pic, huh? OHH YEAHHHH.
So with NO a little pressure, I would LOVE to see videos from Dani, Sarah B, Kimberly, Bex, Savannah, Jill & Elle. But if you would also like to share with me, leave me a link in comment below, my little chickens.Here are the rules:

Accent VLOG

Directions are as follows: 

The instructions are to say these words: 

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught 

And answer these questions: 

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house? 

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball? 

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called? 

What do you call gym shoes? 

What do you say to address a group of people? 

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs? 

What do you call your grandparents? 

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket? 

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining? 

What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

And if you are a blogger looking for some great software to make KICKASS headers, like mine, you should enter my *My Memories* digital software download giveaway here:

super sunday

I have been rearranging, cleaning, and working on blogging things.Big news coming this week (insert girly squeal here).See you tomorrow.

i'm back, y'all.

Summer's over. School has begun. And I am back in the merrymaking swing of things, my lovelies.I am waking up early, drinking massive amounts of coffee, taking my outfit pictures again, and then molding the lives of pre-schoolers.  Well, I'm gonna try to do the majority of those things daily.Priorities, y'all.But truth be told, I am ecstatic to be back and (hopefully) everyday.ENJOY! 

{Dress: Michael Kors | shoes: Payless | earrings: gift | shades: Michael Kors | polish: essie: clambake}

So, you guys, what is the 411? What has everybody been up to? What is the hot gossip? Tell me everything! :)