Just writing to say I love you...

Attention: This is NOT a test, I repeat do not adjust your monitors.  You're reading this correctly, I have returned from the elephant graveyard right to your blog reading device once again… Oh hey there!  How have you been the past three months?  My, oh my, I have been great.  Summertime is always better spent lounging by the pool, sipping cool drinks on patios, and spending some QT with your besties.  Sure, I still get dressed and go shopping and such, but for some reason I have never been much a good blogger during the summer months.  Honestly, I don't think I've cracked open this here laptop since I got my iPad in March! Eek!  I realllllly dropped the ball this summer.

I missed you chickens, I did indeed.  I would totally do a catch-up post, but if you even give a hoot about what I've been up to… you already follow along in my Instagram.  But because I love picture collages (and you probably do too) here is a collection of some of my favorite things I did in the past three months, for your eyeball's enjoyment.  

Imagine this in my best TV voice: Previously on Matters of Merrymaking…

Long story short (too late)... I spent two weeks in paradise, enjoyed a summer of tourist-ing in my own town, spent too many days by the pool (I'm one big freckle,) and there are many margaritas and craft beers not pictured.  

I hope to return to merrymaking more regularly here soon!

PS Thanks for all of the emails & notes telling me you missed me, be sure to leave a comment or shoot me a message to let me know how you've been.  Sweet words have not gone unnoticed and I seriously have some of the best readers ever ever! XO, Bekah

New Orleans Bound

Unless you avoid me on all social media outlets, you are not aware that I am heading to the Big Easy next week for Mardi Gras!  If you're a Twitter/Instagram follower then you are beyond bored of hearing about it already.  I can't help it, y'all, I'm so excited! I am like a little kid who can't sleep the night before Christmas.  I'm making the road trip with one of my nearest and dearest old friends.  We have made the trek every other year since we turned 21 and it has made for some of the best memories.  Since Fat Tuesday is ONE week from today, I wanted to share some of my favorite tastes of New Orleans-style merrymaking with all of my little chickens today!

Un, deux, trois... laissez les bon temps rouler!

I've visited New Orleans more times that I can count.  It is only six tiny hours from Memphis, and I have travleed by car and train to the city of frozen beverages at all different times of the year.  There's no bad time to visit NOLA, but here are some of the things I am most looking forward to doing during Mardi Gras.  I love the sounds of the music on every corner and the traditional costumes mixed in with the crazy bead tossing parade float riders.  From cafe au lait and beignets to hot dog carts and frozen daquriris in 88 oz cups.  You know what, why don't you just come with me!?  Ok deal.

All images pinned here.

Girls & Grizzlies

First, I just want to say thanks a merrymillion to everyone who commented, messaged, tweeted, and reached out to me after yesterday's post.  It is great to know I am not the only one who dreaded the enivitable and I know it is opening myself up for such a great future in blogging.  Now, if you really love me you will continue to excuse this cold weather almost-dusk horrible quality of pictures along with some super fuzzy ones, right?!  You know you reallllly love me, right? Xo

 dress, as skirt: dots // top: grizz store // leggings: dots // boots: ugg (HERE) // 

purse: target (HERE) // necklace: crack in the walk

Here is some wild news you just may not know about me! I am a contest addict.  If I see a twitter contest, a Facebook share it to win it, or a radio station call in... you bet your sweet Aunt Sally I will do my best to win that mofo.  I guess the fact that I have racked up some pretty sweet prizes (second row Sheryl Crow, an Xbox 360, theatre tickets, etc) keeps me going at it again and again.  I didn't even remember entering a contest for sweet Memphis Grizz tickets and free dinner and drinks at a local downtown restaurant but lo and behold! I get a call telling me I won a few weeks ago and I was FLOORED!  I took my red-headed sister and we had such a good time.  We stuffed our faces with fried food and local brews.  And almost immediately regretted it, but we were soon focused on cheering our hometown boys.  Sadly, they lost, but it was such an experience to have great seats and even better company.  As you can see from the sign above, I kept my section cheering until the final buzzer!

I love dressing up a t-shirt!  I wanted to bring out a tulle skirt or two, but decided it was best in this freezing weather to keep it a bit more casual.  Yes, casual for me is normally a dress so this was perfect!  I love my new Grizz shirt I picked up in anticipation of this night, it has a soft vintage feel and I'm so happy with it.  Who says you can't be girlie and enjoy a beer and a bball game!?

I may be able to win things, but I'm completely incapable of catching t-shirts flying from a cannon... 

WHAT IS WITH THAT?

(my boys, drinking one for my homies, and my grizz nails!)

Linking up with Ashley today!

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

Wicked & Wine

 dress: asos (similar) // necklace: eclectic ornaments // booties: barefoot tess // sunglasses: mossimo via target // clutch: ENIT design

On Saturday, my favorite theatre pal (resident BFF) and I headed out to see Wicked at The Orpheum.  We grabbed some pre-show local brews at South Of Beale then we were BLOWN AWAY by the show! I had seen Wicked before, but this was like the first time all over again!  I am a total theatre freak and I had to pinch myself to keep from singing along to every song.

Brace yourselves for one of the MOST exciting and fun restaurant concepts!  After the excitement, we were parched and in need of some major deliciousness.  We hit up Greencork, which is in Midtown Memphis in the Cooper Young area.  I cannot believe that I put off hitting this place up for so long!  Basically, you get a pre-paid, or personalized tab card, and you can choose from a ton of self-serve wines with different pour options.  Helloooooo!  I was smitten from the get-go, and then you add in a delicious meat and cheese plate and I was all set to move in forever.  If you're local, you have to go check it out (also, call me!)

SUCH a merry weekend!

Have the greatest week ever ever.

Netflix Rut

We gave up on cable TV completely a few years ago.  I didn't have it growing up because they couldn't offer it to us because of where we lived.  By the time I went to college, my parents finally got the service, but I was dorm living with my own E! channel, so I was golden.  Don't get me wrong, I love sitcoms, dramas, and even the most asinine reality shows... but cable just wasn't worth it for me.

Enter: Netflix.

I've been obsessed with Netflix for going on seven or so years, before I owned any streaming device...

Now, I just stream!  We don't miss cable one bit, and we also have Hulu Plus & Amazon Prime.  I can watch any show, at any time with no commercials! That is the way life should be.  Let's face it, the world is going that way.  I consider myself a bit of a Netflix aficionado.  You name it, chances are that I have seen it. Better yet, I have probably binge watched it.

Am I a better person for it?  Besides my increased knowledge of vampires (Vampires Diaries,) how to be a doctor (Scrubs, Hart of Dixie,) my rights & the law (all three series of Law & Order) or how to make meth (Breaking Bad, ps JK Mom) I'm probably not.  Then there are the lessons that Dexter taught us, which reminds me that television shows are not how-to videos.  

Don't try any of the above at home, little chickens.

My point in all of this (if you're one of the two people probably still reading) is that I am in a serious Netflix rut.  I've revisited favorites, I've watched those movies that I have been putting off (Fargo was insanely awesome) but I need some input!  Hit me with your best shot show or movie and help me with another unnecessary obsession! What are friends for?

  Or else I will be forced to read one of the seven half read books on my kindle.

I was not asked to write this for any reason, these are just my thoughts. 

 Netflix should probably pay me not to write about them.

Disclaimer: obviously I have a life, this post might just not get that point across.  

I'm going to go play outside now.

Goodbye 2013, hello new year!

I'm a little behind on the 2013 recap train, but I wanted to reminisce a little, so I went through my posts over the last year and picked out some of my favorite posts/highlights, etc.

All in all, I think 2013 was great, a lot of personal growth, job change, great moments happening for my friends and family, numerous margaritas inhaled, and lots of Netflix hours logged.

Thanks a million for being a reader of this little bloggie doo, 

and I hope that 2014 will treat us all with kindness.

one/two/three/four/five/six/seven/eight/nine/ten/eleven/twelve

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Well, hello there.  It's Monday again, after my accidental and unintentional week off from blogging!

I spent all free moments last week decorating and finishing the last few details before my holiday party (spending most time in yoga pants and tennis shoes!)  If it weren't for an unexpected downpour, we were going to have a roaring bonfire on Saturday, complete with best friends & spiked hot chocolate.  But, no worries, our fireplace worked just as well.  And the delicious hot chocolate kept us just as warm.  I have a few suggestions along those lines.  These different liquors were a hit!

There are tons of options when it comes to spiked hot cocoa, but here are some of my favorites.

I suggest you try them all, but if one drink is in your budget, do it my way.

Swiss Miss, made with milk, add Smirnoff Caramel vodka, top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkle of cinnamon! Your body will be warmed and your heart shall be merry!

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.

(Dish)Crawlin' In Memphis

FOOD FIGHT!

When it comes to food, I'm not necessarily known in my group of friends as the chick with the refined palate.  I like what I like. but I am always game to try new things!  Exploring new restaurants is fun!

When the fabulous Kim, from Dishcrawl, asked me if I wanted to be one of the judges for Battledish: Memphis (read more about that here,) I didn't hesitate.  I got to try new dishes at 6 different downtown restaurants in Memphis, FOUR of which I had never even been to before!  

Also... there were cocktails... yummy, yummy, yummy cocktails.

Here we go:

I'm not one of those people to save the best for last, so I am sharing my favorite with you first.

Some people eat their dessert first, I have an affinity for mango flavored drinks.

The Restaurant:  Automatic Slim's

The Dish: 4-Sauce Pan Seared Sesame Encrusted Tuna with Spiced Rice & Wakame

The Cocktail: They had two cocktails entered.

left: Muddle Mango Mojito

right: Cranberry Lemongrass Martini

//

I had never had seared tuna before and if it tastes this good anywhere else, I am now a believer!  We all tried the different sauces, I personally loved the soy and wasabi ones.  I loved the atmosphere (check those lanterns out!) and service at Automatic Slim's.  If you are freaked out by the seaweed, that's cool, but every single part of this dish complimented one another.   Our server, Julia, was a gem and she was so awesome to our party of 5, even when we came back post-crawl and ordered MORE mojitos.  Like I said, I like what I like.

We will DEFINITELY come back here to try their brunch menu.  I can't believe I walked by this restaurant a million times and never went inside.

 TOP:

The Restaurant: Jerry Lee Lewis' Honky Tonk & Cafe

The Dish: Flammkuchen (it was like a pizza on a really thin and crunchy crust with gruyere, bacon, creme fraiche, and sage.

The Cocktail:  Also, they had two, "Million Dollar Margarita" and "Trishalicious" (pictured)

//

Goodness, gracious, great balls of Flamma-what?

Well, I was not at all familiar with the Flammkuchen dish or what it was supposed to be, but I liked the crunchy crust and the bacon!  Bad judge Bekah, google is my friend now.  I would like to try it again sometime.  The margarita wasn't much to write home about, in my opinion, but I would definitely order the Trishalicious (some mixed drink with cranberry, vodka, red bull, and apple pucker) the next time I am kicking up my heels in the honky tonk.

BOTTOM:

The Restaurant: Lunchbox Eats

The Dish: Short Rib Chili in a Buttery Cornbread Cup

The Cocktail: (no cocktail entered, but we got Coconut Lemonade and it was BAD ASS!)

//

I had read reviews of Lunchbox Eats before, but never ventured to their spot nestled behind quiet side of the Fed Ex Forum.  We sat at a huge table with shelves of childhood games at our reach, and I was a fan from the beginning.  Presentation wise, I was immediately won over by the chili being served in little cups of cornbread.  It was adorable and delicious.  I loved the unique taste, more sweet, made with cinnamon.  The short ribs were a great addition.  All five of us ate the entire dish and cornbread cup, crumbs and all.  Also, really great service here. Apparently, Memphians flock here for their grown-up version of dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets and fries.  I'm sold.

  TOP:

The Restaurant: Tamp & Tap

The Dish: Autumn Napoleon 

The Cocktail: (no cocktail entered here either, but I got a beer because it is a restaurant specializing in coffee AND beer, and I seize all opportunities, folks)

//

The full description of this dish was Autumn Napoleon of Horseradish Brioche French Toast, Roasted Butternut Squash Puree, Quinoa, Heirloom Tomato Relish, Fried Shiitake and Prosciutto with Lime Chimichurri.  (SAY THAT FIVE TIMES FAST!)  The description (to a non-foodie aka ME) is very all over the place, but imagine it as a parfait of everything awesome topped with more awesome.  There you have it.  I liked the dish a lot, but it was too rich to eat the whole thing. So many flavors.

BOTTOM:

The Restaurant: Belle Diner

The Dish:  Braised Short Rib with Grit Cake and Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

The Cocktail: Bloody Belle (not pictured)

//

The Belle Diner now inhabits the former Rio Loco space where I had many a margarita fueled birthday celebration, but that's another story for another day.  I love the revamp of the space, it was fancified and well decorated!  I am lacking a picture of the Bloody Mary because I was so excited about it, I forgot to snap one.  When we got this dish, everyone at the table got QUIET!  My sister, Sarah, looked at me and exclaimed, "Now, this is FOOD!" The grit cake was crispy and creamy perfection.

Our plates (and glasses) were cleaned, and our souls were cured.  

(Check out my official judging face... totally profesh, right?)

The Restaurant:  Rizzo's Diner

The Dish: Grit & Grind (Duck Confit and Goat Cheese, wrapped in Grits, rolled in Panko, and served atop Sauteed Spinach)

The Cocktail: South Mango Mimosa

//

This was the restaurant that we came to last (almost four hours in to the battle,) and even though we were full and happy, I was a little let down by Rizzo's.  I had such high hopes for this restaurant, as the other judges I ran in to had bragged about the cocktail.  Our drinks were watered down and not really impressive.  The food was really good, I loved the spicy red sauce it was served with.  Also, this was the only restaurant where the chef came around and spoke to all the patrons.  Points for service and personality.  I will make it my life's mission to try this drink again, stay tuned.

If you are still reading...

You deserve a cocktail and a gold star. All of the judge's votes were tallied 

up and you can see the big time winners here.

All in all, it was such a FUN experience to explore downtown Memphis in a different way!  I had passed by those restaurants a hundred times and never gone in!  Check out Dishcrawl's website and see if they are crawling around in your area.  You will not regret it.  I will definitely be taking part in the Slider Crawl coming in November and COCKTAIL WARS in early December.

Battledish: Memphis

This weekend, all merrymaking will be amped up a notch!  I know, I didn't think that was possible either.  I was asked to be one of the judges in the Battledish Memphis competition! If you have not heard of Battledish, which is a special branch of Dishcrawl, you HAVE to check it out.  Chances are there is one right in your own city.  

Six chefs have been chosen to compete in Battledish: Memphis this October in conjunction with the 60 other chefs competing in North America for King of Battledish.

I am so excited to try dishes from six local chefs, paired with delicious cocktails!

If you're in Memphis, use code 'merrymaking' for $10 off your ticket!

Come hang out and meet new people and try fancy dishes from some of the best chefs in Memphis.

Check out the chefs and menus here.

See ya there.

Perfect Pairs & Pizza Pies

dress: ASOS //  booties: barefoot tess //  necklace: dots //  purse: steve madden // shades:  calvin klein 

What are your favorite things to do on the perfect weather weekends? My go-to plan is DEFINITELY a patio!  Also, a shift dress and booties make the perfect pair! The weather was the definition of early fall perfection on Saturday and I took full advantage! My siblings, my mom, and I wanted to grab lunch on a patio and I knew just the place. Downtown, Aldo's Pizza Pies has an amazing S. Main St. view of the trolley, princess horse carriages, and prime people watching.  Last time I went, it was really busy so I am glad we experienced a more laid back pizza experience.  Not to mention, they have some of the BEST local beers on draft.

my sisters and me :)
All in all, a pretty perfect fall afternoon with the fam. Hope your weekend was merry and delicious!

Home Again

Some of the best trips I have ever taken have been the more spontaneous, laid-back ones.  And the best ones are the ones I get to enjoy with my family!  We have our serious quirks and little bitty baby fights every now and then, but we laugh WAY more.  And only some of that laughter is sugar induced.
I loved everything about visiting Michigan!  Even the 11-12 hr drive was enjoyable with my crazy siblings and it was so worth it.  The scenery was breathtaking, the people were SO lovely, and if Memphis had a Trader Joe's I would never complain about cooking again.  I'm a sucker for a body of water and a pier.  It is so relaxing and so calm.  I never wanted to leave.
What are your favorite places to visit?  Check back tomorrow for an outfit post! Cheers!