Purple, Pink, & Red

 dress: ross (similar) // cardigan: gap (similar) // clutch: enit deisgn (here) // 

booties: lane bryant (similar) //necklace: oNecklace // headband: shop of worldly delights

  

A few days early for Valentine's Day, but what can I say... I love the color scheme, hate the holiday.  I'm actually working this February 14th, but once I get off I will be kicking back with some vino, a delicious, cheesy supreme pizza and House of Cards season 2 on Netflix with all the happiness and drugstore candy that strikes my fancy.  This is definitely my got-to dress that I wear around this time of year, check out last year.  A different variation a year later, but still the same indifference for the holiday.  What are your Valentine's weekend plans?  What do you like on your pizza?

Xo

Linking up with Trend Spin today with Laura and Erin

Leopard Print Scarf

 black pants: h&m // polka dot blouse: target // cardigan: old navy

 // leopard scarf: target // flats: marshalls

If you don't recognize my leopard print partner in crime up there, it is none other than little Laura of Walking In Memphis In High Heels.  She invited me to take part in styling myself for her Day to Night series.  We picked a leopard scarf (an item we both owned) to style! I LOVE leopard, that is quite a recurring theme here.  I have a more casual, daytime look and Laura with her red hot accessories is more of a nighttime ensemble.  I couldn't stay away from my new liquid lipstick, but the pop of color makes the otherwise neutral outfit feel fresh.  I know LB in real life and I love her style so much!  Check out her blog and the deets on her outfit here. 

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The Memphis Flyer featured me in a Style Session post yesterday.  I was so thrilled when they asked me to be a part, and it was SUCH a blast!  I am even more inspired to save up for that nice camera because the pictures turned out great.  The rest of the pics and the post can be found here.

Make sure to not miss out on any #merrymaking and follow along:

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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 \\

Leopard Shifts & Full House

 dress: asos curve // tights: we love colors // booties: barefoot tess // 

necklace: versona accessories // clutch: local boutique

I've never met an ASOS dress that I didn't like, but this one was love at first sight.

I am a leopard print obsessor, that's a given, but this print was different enough to be fresh and fun in another way.  I pulled it straight out of the bag & someone uttered, "Don't you already own that?"

In the famous words of little Michelle Tanner, "How rude!"

This girl might have a closet bedecked with leopard garments in a wide variety of textures and colors, but each piece is special on their own way, just trust me.  

Like this red/orange with gray mix, it's fun!

This dress looks like something Bekah would wear... I like the sound of that.

Enter the fabulous Foxcroft giveaway here!

Double the Dots

 jeans: h&m // peter pan collar shirt: target // coat: lane bryant (old)

leopard flats: rocket dog // headband: ???

Good morning, little chickens! How was your weekend!!!!   Mine went by WAY too fast because I had to work on Saturday AND a little of Sunday.  I did pencil in some time for fun.  My BFF and I grabbed some brunch & Bloody Mary's, then we caught the musical West Side Story at the Orpheum.

Side note: When I was a little girl, there was a made for TV movie about Natalie Wood and I was so incredibly intrigued by it.  I rented her biography from the library & watched every movie she ever made.  So there was the birth of my West Side Story obsession.  Seeing this play in person was EVERYTHING I thought it would be.  I got to see it twice and I am so lucky and happy about that!

Sunday, I celebrated a special four year old's birthday and hit up a TJ Maxx (or two) and put those gorgeous Ugg's on layaway!  I love driving down the rural streets near my house in the fall time when all of the leaves are changing and falling.  Something about the fall weather just immediately energizes me and makes me very excited about the upcoming holidays! YAY!

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans today.

Come Together

graphic tee: torrid // cardi: dkny // boyfriend jeans: torrid // flats: nine west 

necklace: accessory auctions // sunglasses: calvin klein

Boyfriend jeans, graphic tee, cardi, and flats... my new favorite go-to grab! Inspired by this post y my girl Kelly, I grabbed this new jeans and styled them for the first time, and I actually love it!  I was so anti-boyfriend jeans until I just took the plunge and tried them on.  Now I have officially learned not to judge a trend by the way it looks on a shelf/mannequin/Katie Holmes.  You just have to give it a go!

I am in the market for new leopard print shoes, I wore these down last year!

I love these!

// The lyrics on the shirt are from one of my favorite songs by the Beatles, but my heart belongs to the Aerosmith version.  Listen below and improve your day by 715%.

Happy Tuesday! 

Don't forget to enter the Versona giveaway for a $25 gift card! Jewelry, purses, and shoes OH MY!

Pink, Blue, & Leopard, too.

bright blue pants: dots \\ hot pink tank: tj maxx \\ leopard espadrilles: payless \\ necklace: dots

Hey there, can you see me? Maybe I should have worn something brighter?

ALL I can think about is the fact that it is hump day and we are almost to the weekend.  I have the most fabulous weekends to look forward to as May approaches.  It is a rare thing for me to be able to say that!  Getting a new look at the hair salon this weekend that I am THRILLED about.  Fingers crossed. We also have music festivals, food fests, Broadway shows, and tons of merrymaking to look forward to! Oh, and then June brings bachelorette parties and showers and a big wedding for my little sister.

SO. MUCH. FUN!

Obsessed with this song, had to share:

 May your hump day go by quickly and may Friday be here soon.

Confused & Casual

{princeton tee: target, old | red pants: lane bryant | sweater: i ♥ ronson | leopard flats: nine west | necklace: dots | headband: oh sweet joy!}

In my tiny two years of blogging, I have yet to (knock on wood) receive any negative comments regarding my outfits, content, or margarita addiction.   I know what you're thinking... "Oh then that's why you are posting this outfit?!" Alas- no.  I really thought this outfit was cute, but on second glance I am not too too crazy about it.  Every time I start out wanting a casual outfit, I always get confused.  (read: I prefer to wear tutus and things of that nature.)  This is an ensemble born of confusion, mixed with a desire for comfort, and a dash of my favorite necklace.  Stir and enjoy with a glass of champagne.

Springtime, is that you?

 {chevron top & denim jacket: JC Penney | silk skirt: talbots via tj maxx | leopard flats: nine west | mint purse: target | compass necklace: gift from bbff Dani}

See that sunshine? It came after 2 days of freezing weather and snow flurries.  It was a welcome sight. I feel that springtime is very near, thus the bare legs.  Don't let me down now, March! Okay, now it's storytime:  My whole life (okay, maybe I am slightly exaggerating...) I have yearned for a perfect denim jacket.  I loved the layering aspect, the keep ya warm-but not too warm factor, and the way that they can carry over spring items in to pre-spring time!  In case you did not know, I am 6 feet tall... and with that height comes a six foot wingspan (and great hugs).  Finding sleeves long enough were always a problem, as well as fitting my broad-ish shoulders. Also, cropped on a tall person = under the boob area. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?!  But alas, here we are.  It only took (almost) 25 years to track you down, but you are mine.  I think we will have a merry time, me and you.

Sneak peek:  I styled this ASOS animal print dress (below) THREE ways! I can't wait to share.  Hope you are having the best week ever! Spring break is so close, I can see it!

mardi gras & tons of sequins

 {coat: asos | dress: eloquii via gwynnie bee | boots: lane bryant | clutch: navoh | earrings: simply chic}

TONS OF SEQUINS: This dress is a perfect example of why I am obsessed with Gwynnie Bee!  I live for sequins, and this dress is amazing... but I was happy with wearing it just one time, because I was just renting.  The best part was getting to return it and having another fabulous outfit shipped back out to me. This is not a sponsored post, but I just love telling others about this website because I am having so much fun with my 30 day free trial.  Clothing without commitment!!! Check out other great Gwynnie Bee garments I have worn here, here, and here!  Moving on to the merrymaking: HAPPY MARDI GRAS! It is easily one of my top three favorite days of the year!  This time last year I was living it up on the streets of NOLA, celebrating with parades and parties. (Check out some pics from last year below.)  I would love to be there again this year, but alas, it was not in the plans!  However, I am letting the good times roll on the banks of the mighty Mississipi! I have plans to devour a king cake, wear more purple, green, and gold, and drink a daiquiri (or three)!  How are you celebrating Fat Tuesday?  Enjoy! And remember... not collecting beads ain't all it's cracked up to be ;)