Real Talk

 military vest: old navy // white tee: old navy // skater skirt: asos // booties: barefoot tess //

necklace: gifted // bracelet: crack in the walk

I don't know how much you are all affected by the recent tragedy to hit the USA. I've remained pretty unscathed, but sometimes in the middle of the day, out of nowhere, it just hits me. The Civil Wars are really, truly breaking up.   They may never resolve this beef.  Who knows why they feel this animosity?  Can't we all just agree to get along and continue to make beautiful music with the sweetest harmonies of angels?  It's not that hard.  Okay, well just try your best and know that we love you.

Fun Florals & Easter Eggs

{dress: Spense via Gwynnie Bee | shoes: Payless | belt: Lane Bryant | necklace: Eclectic Ornaments | bracelet: dots | clutch: gift}

Such a fun dress for Easter! (Thanks, Gwynnie Bee!)  I saw this and I knew it was the perfect dress to bring in the spirit of Easter (the Reese's PB eggs helped a lot, too!) Although, the cold and rainy day did not really oblige.  I'm not really breaking any ground here by saying that I am super obsessed with mint green lately.  From my bubble necklace, to my new purse, and now this dress!  I cannot get enough!! I think that mint green is even in the talks for my sister's bridesmaid's dresses. 

Cue the Hallelujah chorus.

Ozzy even dressed up for the occasion... that little prince.

{bowtie: actually a hair bow c\o the shop of worldly delights, but I let him borrow it}

Happy Monday! Oh, and a brand new giveaway was posted earlier today! Check it out, my little chickens.

Foil Print Florals

{leggings: tj maxx | floral blouse: E via Gwynnie Bee | sweater: target | necklace: gordman's | flats: payless (old)}

HAPPY FEBRUARY! I feel like my spring fever has really crept in to my wardrobe here lately.  I am oh-so-ready to retire my chunky sweaters and I keep reaching for tunic shirts and leggings with flats.  I'm even tiring of my chunky scarves and boots with socks.  That's why when I got my second shirt from Gwynnie Bee (read more about GB in yesterday's post), I was thrilled to get a sleeveless floral print!  I really hope that cute little groundhog sees his shadow tomorrow because this little merrymaker is yearning for spring even more now! What are all of my little chickens up to this weekend?! I will be working a tiny bit, going out for dinner and drinks with a group of great friends & watching the Super Bowl with family and yummy snacks! I hope lots of fun events are in order for all of you!   CHEERS!

bright florals + pretzel tubs

{cardigan: old navy | skirt: altered from dress | shoes: payless | belt: UO | tank top: eShakti | necklace: Mama Chickie | clutch: vintage, gift}

I don't mean to brag, but this fall break has been wonderfully wonderful.  I spent Friday in bed all day. watching movies, telling ghost stories to my dog, & digging out my best christmas pajamas.Saturday was spent at the pumpkin patch, cutting orange beauties right from the vine and then cooking out a yum yum meal on the grill with the family!Sunday, I got all gussied up (in the above floral duds) to eat pizza and drink beer on the Mellow Mushroom patio with my bestie!Do all grown-ups have so much fun on their short, sparse, well-deserved breaks? I hope so!
Today, I am probably soaking up the last day of care-free pajama time!Happy Columbus Day to you all, celebrate however you wish, my little chickens.I will be kicking back with my roasted red pepper hummus & big fat tub of pretzels.No, really, the tub is HUGE.

POST SCRIPT:If you have fancied any of my past accessories, you may be interested in finding out that none other than my mother designed and created them! Momma Merrymaker has been making jewelry and other beautiful things my entire life.  She has steadily been building a fall collection and will premiere it at a wine/cheese/jewelry party in Memphis this week.  Many other artisans will be on display, too! For all my Memphis friends, email me for the location if you are interested in attending! Also, if you want some fab items of your own, she does custom items and is building an Etsy shop! Keep your chicken eyes peeled for Mama Chickie designs.

easter eggs & coconut

I can't believe I spent my groundbreaking, milestone of my 100th post on Saturdaytalking on and on about bicycles and basketball.What a bummer.I will make up for it now... second thought... Don't hold me to that.

This is my Easter themed outfit, I didn't try too hard, but I admit I spotted this cardigan at Old Navy during their clearance extravaganza and it makes me sooooo happy.

So I did combine ruffles, florals, and pleats.

THE TRIFECTA!

Remember how I was raving about pleats and then ended up owning some?

This was a skirt I have owned since before I started college... thank you Isaac Mizrahi for your acclamation for elastic waistbands, you come in handy on holidays that center on deviled eggs and sugary treats. 

Also, to be honest... This cardigan was peeled off after these pictures because it is out of control hot and humid here, and I was melllllttttinnnngggg. It's going to be a rough summer.

Did you guys have the most wonderful Easter ever? 

We kinda mixed traditions today with margaritas (!!!!) for lunch, family dinner, 

and coconut cake.  

I hate coconut. 

 Does your family ever repeatedly ignore you when it comes to desserts? 

Oh, they knoooooow I don't like it.  That never stops them.

Meanie-heads.

Enjoy your Easter Monday, well I will... I don't have work or school today.

I'll be lounging and studying for Exam #1.

The countdowns are on:

graduation: 12 days!

royal wedding: FOUR DAYS!

my birthday: 44 days (okay, I'm a BIT ahead of myself here... but just so you know-- it's coming!)

the only egg i got to decorate this year... so i did it big :)

Follow me on Twitter.

Check out my thrifting vlog.

into the woods... sequin style

I am by no means a "nature-lover."

For one, I am allergic to fresh spring air.

My eyes, nose, ears, head, skin, everything just freaks out.

Don't worry- I'm medicating in preparation for the pollen outbreak.

But, there's nothing I can do about those blasted mosquitoes.

But, I am really good at pretending, right?

This skirt was the product of me wanting to incorporate more skirts in to my closet.

I own tons of dresses and jeans and tops, but my skirt collection was minimal.

I never say never....

to florals.

(take that, justin bieber!)

Bows make me happy.  This is a long, shark bite cut tank and I am learning truly how versatile it is!

READER QUESTION #1: 

Have you ever done a makeup tutorial?

I had a question on a couple posts ago about whether or not I have ever done a makeup tutorial.  I do love makeup, I buy it, I wear it... But, I have never done any tutorial, makeup or otherwise.  I'm such a silly person, I might have to break the ice with a few, casual vlogs before heading towards anything remotely instructional.  

READER QUESTION #2:  

What shades of lipstick do you wear?

My favorite lipsticks are as follows:  

Yves Saint Laurent lipstick, in Opium Red,

 seen on me here & here.

Revlon Lipstick, in Orange Flip, seen on me here.

I love lipstick, and besides these I have like A BAJILLION more in my purse.

Oh, do you see that curtsy?  

I'm a lady.

floral skirt: torrid.com

sequin bow tank top: LB

pink cardigan: Gap outlet

leopard shoes: american eagle

curly, mess of hair: mom & dad

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

One of my many loving and precious readers, whom I know and cherish in real life, wanted me to share with you my newest technological purchase.  

She saw the sparkles and promptly said, during dinner, 

"Oh, Bekah, you should totally blog about that!"

Here ya go, Brookie, this one is for you.

What can I say? I told you I liked

  sparkles.

crimson & clover

happy tunic thursday! 

just kidding...

that doesn't exist.

yet.

seriously- happy saint patrick's day to my fellow irish men and women (and all of my other amazing chickens)i wore this wednesday so really i am just all kinds of cheating.i never promised to play by the rules.but i will wear green, just to avoid the mean little pinch givers out there.

red floral tunic: target

button leggings: LB

patent silver belt: torrid

flower headband: target

blue wedges: payless

so don't be jealous of my beautiful handsome man dog... he would give you kisses, too.he loves holidays.he's irish.

ENJOY your pint of green beer.and lots of luck from me to you.oh and corned beef and cabbage- if you're in to that kind of thing.

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As my blog is expanding (and I am loving every minute of it)- I want to expand my about me information  (on the page found in the top left under the header...)to let everyone know a little more about my crazy self
SO- if there is any question or curiosity, from ground breaking to trivial, doesn't matter, that you have pondered or thought about when visiting matters of merrymaking- be sure to ask!Comment, email me, or visit my formspring to ask the questions!Thanks y'all and and always: Have a merry day, my chickens! :)

saturday snapshot 1.0

GOOD MORNING!Today is the first post where I will be linking up to Yellow Songbird's blog for Saturday Snapshot.This is a picture of my sister's and I (bridesmaid) and our cousin (flower girl) for my brother's wedding.They leave for their "postponed-until-spring-break" honeymoon today, so I feel like it's only fitting to include a picture taken on such an important day in my family.:)Wedding blog posts can be found here and here.

Go to Yellow Songbird

You guys should check her blog out, if you're not familiar with it. You could join in on the fun.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -What are you doing this marvelous Saturday morning?It is supposed be hit 70 degrees today!I'm so happy!  I am taking my brother and sister-in-law to the airport then grabbing some yummy brunch (+mimosas) and thrifting.These things are making me super smile today.

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I found this pretty simple DIY tutorial on Cupcakes and Cashmere, one of my frequent stalks.I really want to do this.  It would be great to change the flowers out with each season.Plus... it floats.  Dogs and cats can't knock it over!Genius.

Chocolate cookies with caramel and sea salt.

I recently discovered the magic of sea salt conjured with desserts.

Yummy.

Party Animal Necklaces-- Need I say more?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I bought denim shorts today.They were $14.  I might take them back.I'm not one that usually experiences buyer's remorse, but I AM one who should not shop while sleepy.After my post-shopping nap, my mind was a tad clearer, and I wondered why I bought them.They came with a really cool belt?
I'll post a pic, once my legs don't blend in with the sidewalk.
Here's something to ponder for the afternoon:

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I'm writing my 60th posts, and I have 60 followers.

Yay me!

Have a good one, my chickens!

there's a whole lotta floral goin' on

Hey chickens! How was your weekend? I hope it was relaxing and restful.

I spent my two days off with family and friends.

and margaritas.

And Sunday was marvelous with a little lot of closet organizing and cleaning.

I could barely get to the back of the closet to my spring clothes, 

so I thought I'd revamp + get rid of some stuff.

(and make room for new treasures)

Pinks and florals and stripes, oh my!

It was colder than expected when taking pictures.  Hence, the grimace and fists.

And you can't really see but the shirt has three tiers of ruffles.

I'm on a roll.

Cardi: thrifted, Ruffly Shirt: Target, Black Pants: Gap, Flats: Payless, 

Bad Hair: Priceless

I have owned both of these items for a long time, but this is the first time I'm wearing both of them!

It was like Christmas, finding new things in the back of my closet.

And now, I have a gift for you.

It's my beautiful little sister- She's awesome. And what a looker.

Yep, we're from the same gene pool.

Notes: She dresses correctly for the weather.

2011 Oscars Fashion

Did any of you watch the Academy Awards last night?

Here are MY choice picks for best lookin' ladies:

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Florence- from Florence + the Machine, wearing Valentino, was the first dress that I saw and LOVED.

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 Hathaway has like a BILLION costume changes, but I liked the Lanvin tuxedo suit she whipped out mid-show.  And did you check out the kicks? Heaven.

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 I loved the color scheme and lace detail of Mila's dress.

Her dress was Elie Saab.

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And you may hate me disagree for this but I died and went to dress heaven when I saw Cate Blanchett.  Her Givenchy dress was compared to my twitter fam as the "dippin' dot dress" but I love the shape and structure.

And the color.

And the back:

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She was divine.

Best wishes for a great week!