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

ENITDESIGN leopard clutch GIVEAWAY!

shirt: calvin klein // black pants: gap // boots: nine west // clutch: enitdesign (giveaway below!) //

ring: dots // bracelet: handmade // lips: heat wave, NARS

I'm no secret fan of leopard, so this clutch spoke to me from the Etsy page! I love shopping handmade, so I love everything about enitdesign, including the sweetest shop owner Christine!  Leopard is the new neutral and I love the little pop of pattern it can add to an all black ensemble.  Enitdesign will be giving away one leopard clutch to a lucky little chicken!  Make sure you're following Matters of Merrymaking through GFC or Bloglovin' and visit the shop to let me know you're favorite item.  Enter with the rafflecopter below for your chance to get your hands on a made-just-for-you leopard clutch!  Giveaway ends next Wednesday at 12AM.  Best of luck to all the little chickens.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

// ALL readers can get 15% off the enitdesign shop with the code: MATTERSOFMERRYMAKING \\

Primary Confusion

 dress: target (old) // cardigan: old navy // scarf: F21 // leggings: asos // boots: target

I had a whole idea about what I was going to talk about today, but then I doubted the fact that yellow was a primary color.  I guess I didn't really pay attention during the color wheel lesson in Art class.  A quick and somewhat sketchy Google search later, and my original hypothesis was still cloudy.  Apparently it is not, yet some people argue that it is because of some sort of thing your eye does...

Fifteen minutes later, I forgot what I was going to say all together- 

Something to do with red and yellow.. I think.

There is a slight difference in these pics, but can you spot it?  No, not the spots on my dress.  And although, you can't see my eyes... The difference is my hair!  Nothing too drastic, but I went to get the ombre darkened a little bit.  I loved the bright blonde, but it had faded just enough to become brassy and it needed a facelift.  I LOVE IT!  The ombre is perfect and the color on top is still my virgin, natural colored hair which I love. Who knows what is next on my hair experimentation list?!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT 

to enter the Foxcroft collection giveaway!  Three winners will be chosen and giveaway ends Monday!

((Oh, and if you're local in Memphis, do yourself a favor and go see Elaine at Prescay Parlour.  She is my favorite person alive and always does exactly what I want!))

TGIF!

Ruffles and Such

dress & cardigan: dots // boots, socks & skirt ruffles: target // necklace: accessory concierge 

I have had this champagne colored ruffly skirt for a million years and it was perfect to throw under this dress to make it a little bit longer for the windy, windy day!  I actually forgot I had this skirt and now I want to wear it everyday to make my existing closet seem more boho and fun! The last picture is me failing at throwing leaves with a camera timer, don't be alarmed.

Yesterday when I wore this, it was 75 degrees and humid, I ended up rocking no sleeves in December. Now we are expected to be 19 degree with wintry precipitation tonight and tomorrow.  What's up with that?  I love a snow day as much as the next girl with spiked hot cocoa and a fur blanket, 

but let's stick with the cold weather for a while.  

Translation: I don't want to shave my legs again until 2014 and shut up you're the same way :)

Aztec Prints & Leather Boots

sweater: old navy // dress: ross // leggings: dots // boots: ugg lynnea II // necklace: versona accesssories

My new beloved boots and my favorite blanket sweater made the most comfortable outfit on the PLANET!  This is my third cold season with this sweater. which makes it the most reliable thing in my life.  I've blogged about my extreme love for this sweater before, but I just can't get over it.  No other sweater has since come close to the standards set so high by the flashy little aztec number.

You won't find me cold in the movie theater, not with this baby around.

Also, these boots are the perfect marriage of Ugg boot comfortability and leather bootie fierceness.

I think I found the two items I would definitely grab if there were to be a fire.

Right after the furry black canine, of course.

Xo

All Booties, All The Time

tunic: lane bryant // sweater: i ♥ ronson // necklace: eclectic ornaments // 

leggings: tj maxx // shoes: barefoot tess 

Tunics and leggings are one of my favorite grab-and-go outfits year round, but in the winter I love layering them with a oversized sweater! Also, I am trying to incorporate my boot/bootie collection more this season by going against my usual hesitation to wear the wedges/stacked heels on a random weekday.  With my extremely casual job, I kind of feel silly wearing dressier clothes and shoes, but I just love them so much! I have a massive collection of boots and I need to get them in a better rotation! Does anyone else struggle with this problem?  So if you see that girl with a 4 inch heel in the grocery store on a random Thursday... that may be me.

Black/White/White/Black

dress: ross // tights: we love colors // boots: nine west // coat: lane bryant // necklace: crack in the walk

As I was perusing Pinterest for the 56th time yesterday, I came across this idea where you write a letter to ten-years-older-than-yourself you.  (dear 35 year old Bekah....)  Inspired, really.  I attempted it.  Delete, delete, delete.  It sounded like a super sad, poorly written self-help diary entry.  

I don't really need to write a letter to myself in my mid-thirties to accomplish anything.  We all know that in the year 2023, Mrs. Bekah Gosling will be in her space house, wearing the most exquisite tutu on the moon drinking endless mango margaritas (you can't get hangovers in zero gravity, duh.)

In the mean time, I would rather write about sparkles & tutus & lipsticks.

Stay tuned for next week, when I share the MERRIEST of gifts on my Holiday Gift Guide.  I personally selected some fabulous presents perfect for each person on your list!  Also some fabulous discount codes and deals available just for M of M readers.

Eeny Beanie Miney Mo

beanie (here) & cardigan & gingham button-up: target // leggings: dots // skirt: asos // 

boot cuffs: handmade // boots: nine west // necklace: c/o versona accessories

All I know is that I will be buying this beanie from Target IN EVERY SINGLE COLOR.  This is my first fall to not be teaching, so I guess I feel more free to wear a beanie all day... 

Weird logic, but true nonetheless.

Here's to beanies, florals, and gingham all living happily together.

PS Did you know it was Friday?? Bless it.

xxoo

Someone was obviously jealous of my new beanie... Looks good, Ozzy :)

Sweater Weather

 leggings: dots (here) // flat boots: target (here) // sweater: i ♥ ronson (old) //
sunglasses: cole haan // shirt: tj maxx

This is definitely my favorite sweater!  I picked it up on Black Friday 2011 and I was so thrilled to break it out today for the first time this season.  I am beyond thrilled that today is Friday and the ever elusive weekend has come a-calling!  I am having the first of many costumed Halloween shin-digs and celebrating my big brother's 30th (WHAT!) birthday!  Lots of merrymaking shall be had around these parts.  I've gone back and forth (and back) trying to decide what to dress up like this year, but eventually I just had to go with my heart's desire.
(Yes, I am an adult, and yes, I take costume parties seriously... there will be daiquiris after all.)
What have you got on your weekend agenda! Pour one for me, happy weekend!
Oh, and that cute black dog?  He's the best accessory for any outfit.

Blue & Gray

cardigan: target (old) // dress: asos (here) // purse: target (here) // boots: nine west (similar)

necklace: gift // ring: silpada, etsy // shades: calvin klein via tj maxx

 Yesterday morning, we went to grab a delicious and nutritious breakfast at my favorite breakfast food spot near the U of M campus.  If you live in Memphis, then you know that Brother Juniper's has it GOING on!  Great food, the best service, and breakfast potatoes so good I thought about writing a country song about them. It had been WAY too long since I had dropped in, and I love all of the changes popping up around my alma mater.  It wasn't until I was loading these pics that I noticed I am actually wearing my college's colors! BLUE AND GRAY!

Go Tigers go!

:)

Oh, and by the way...