Three Years

leggings: c/o dots // boots: ugg australia // scarf & tunic: target // 

denim jacket: jc penney (similar, on sale)

Grabbing that denim jacket out of the back of the closet again!  Truthfully, it is normally a last resort, a not too cold day option last seen here, but I need to reach for it more.  I love the cropped style, but I really do wish that it was a darker wash.  Maybe one of these days I will throw it in the washer with a RIT denim kit and try to get a more indigo denim look.

That's a big maybe.

I realized the other day (11-17-13) that I have been blogging at the lovely Matters of Merrymaking for THREE merry years! It is pretty much beyond embarrassing to read some of my first posts (Save yourself the headache and take my word for it.)  Not to say that I am nearing perfection (sheesh!) in any manner, but I definitely think I found my rhythm by the second year.  I love blogging for that reason! I have this great little documentation of my growth as a person, in so many ways.  2013 has by far been the most challenging.  But, let's not get in to the end of the year reflection posts yet, we have to get through next week first.  Pass the egg nog & holler back.

**This is kind of a lackluster blogiversary post, which is okay because its silly to celebrate yourself writing about yourself, right? WRONG! Keep your eyes peeled for an exciting upcoming celebration giveaway :)

Merry Christmas Waldo!

 turtleneck tunic (old) & leggings: target // booties: barefoot tess // vest: old navy //

 necklace: crack in the walk

Hey look, it's me getting dressed again! Feels good.  I love this turtleneck with every fiber of my being, it has to be like almost seven years old.  Thank Baby Jesus for stretch fabrics...

A little Where's Waldo and a little holiday color combo, I like the idea.

Perfect comfortable outfit for a day running errands and eating lots of macaroni & cheese.

C'est la vie.

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.

denim jackets & stripes

 black skinnies: GAP // striped tee: target // denim jacket: jc penney // 

scarf: gift // watch: c/o timex // shoes: rocketdog (here) // bracelet: i made it :)

Boots With The Fringe

 tights: we love colors // boots: jeffrey campbell (here) // dress: ross // necklace: versona accessories

Ever since I bought these boots on sale, I have been wanting to wear them every day.  Unfortunately I am a realist, and they are lovely, yet non-practical boots.  I whipped them out this weekend for Saturday lunch at a favorite college sub shop, followed by impromptu day drinking at Memphis brewery.  Makeup shopping, LOTS of margaritas, family bonding time! We had the weirdest warm front, but once I fully commit to my tights collection, there is no turning back for me.  Sunday, I got to shower a really close friend from high school with baby girls for her boy and girl TWINS she is expecting in January.  Such a fun way to spend an afternoon!

 As Monday approaches, I am truly excited for the upcoming holiday activities!

First stop, Friendsgiving!  Can't. Wait.

Outfit Repeat & Broken Toes

swing dress: ASOS // tights: we love colors // necklace: baublebar // boots: lane bryant

This was my Halloween dress and I was really looking forward to re-styling it and adding new pieces to make it work year round.  My extensive collection of We Love Colors tights proved perfect with this burgundy pair, but there was only one slight problem keeping this outfit from being truly great.  My three "broken" toes on my left foot.  I use the term broken very loosely, as I am not a professional doctor.  I can speak professionally on the subject of being a very clumsy person, I have tried to break many a doorframe by walking straight into it.  

Long story short, always turn on the light...

I don't love these boots with this outfit, but my poor toes were in lots of pain in just about every other pair of shoes I tried... In a perfect non-broken toe world, I would have slipped on these bad daddies I just bought. Cheers to a quick and speedy recovery for my toes and a super fun weekend wearing Ugg boots & swigging Chardonnay.  Xo

Aztec & Sweaters

leggings: c/o dots (here) // boots: target (here) // waffle knit sweater: old navy // 

necklace: c/o versona accessories // denim tunic: lane bryant

 This time of year is great for many things... the weather, the food, the holidays...

One of my favorite things that happens is the PROMO codes!  Companies flood your email boxes on the daily with promo codes giving great deals 20% off, 30% off, etc, etc.  All the stars align and you can grab the items you have been lusting over since Fall collections hit the stores.

I've already scored some deals in store at Old Navy (this sweater) and my long awaited Sephora splurges will be arriving later this week!  Tis the season, after all!

Let's all pause to freak out... 40 days until Christmas!

Do you know about any promo code/in store deals I may not know about? 

Let me know in the comments.

Xo