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.

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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 :)

Black on Black

 dress (as skirt): asos // sweater: thrifted // scarf: gift // purse: target // wedges: payless

Yesterday (aka when these pictures were taken) was one of those days where as soon as I left the house, I wished I had worn sweatpants and a baggy tee.  The worst part of that is... I actually can do that in my line of work (glorified babysitter.)  I choose to put forth effort every day because I love getting dressed (and clothes are the most fun thing ever.)  

Today I wished I had a sweater blanket & a whole day to binge on Netflix and cookies.

Sigh.  Don't worry though, I broke world records getting in the door, in to my pajamas, and threw cookies in the oven.

All is right in the world again.

Camo & Dots

jeans: c/o dots // camo top: c/o dots  // booties: barefoot tess // scarf: handmade gift // clutch: vintage

 // cardigan: thrifted // sunglasses: cole haan

If you've been a Merrymaking reader for a while, you may have noticed that I often wear pieces found at Dots! Some of my favorite pieces: these pants, also these pants, these shorts, this dress... I could go on and on!  I have always loved their on-trend pieces with affordable prices.  Dots invited me to check out some new fall pieces & it was so much fun!  I wanted to put some camo in my wardrobe for a while and this top fit the bill perfectly with its sheer print and fun cut!  I can't wait to show you the rest of my scores!  Have you ever been to Dots? Click here to make sure you aren't missing out on a store right down the road from you.  The fashion is out there, folks.

Disclaimer: Dots sent me a gift card to purchase some new fall pieces, all opinions written are entirely from my brain.

Elephant Print (Cats Need Not Apply)

{elephant shirt: ASOS | scarf: forever 21 | boots: nine west | tshirt blazer: old navy | jeans: tj maxx}

I rarely ever wear jeans on the le blog.  I rarely wear them in real life, aside from casual days at school! I am a fancy dress kind of girl, in case you have not noticed.... I love mixing the elephant print shirt from ASOS with the random scarf pattern.  I think I have officially become obsessed with all things animal printed and patterned.  But, I think I will draw the line at cats. I'm allergic.
In other news, I am obsessed with this song.  It may just become my new karaoke jam Who's in? I have liked Miranda since the beginning, but since I saw her in concert- LOVE her. {Miranda Lambert - Mama's Broken Heart}

SPRING BREAK COUNTDOWN: 2 DAYS!

Olive, Stripes, & Leopard

 {jeans: tj maxx | striped top: target | green blazer: old navy | scarf: gift | leopard flats: nine west}

We made it halfway, little chickens!  HUMP DAY!  I can't believe it will be February in a few days.  I am definitely getting in the Valentine's mood.  That is- lots of hearts, glitter, pink and purple, candy shaped like hearts, love from kids, heart adorned outfits (just wait!), and much more. It is definitely the best holiday colors!  I'm too excited about bright colors to focus on this dark ensemble.  But I do love this scarf... and olive green.  And every merrymaker should own a pair of trusty leopard flats that never let ya down. See ya on Thursday!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, CHECK OUT: On Your Mark!  Round Two: featuring SMASHBOX!

Weather Anarchy

 {dress: ross | cardi & belt & scarf: target | boots: nine west | sunglasses: michael kors | socks: ???}

The leaves are finally really falling, chickens!  The only super sad thing was that it was 75 degrees today (the crazy hair is proof of the weather being wack!)  I crave my thick knits and wearing my bright tights!  What is this nonsense? Mother Nature is rebellling! So, I've got to be totally honest with you and share that I am completely obsessed with watching Lost, Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Dr. Who, SONS OF ANARCHY on Netflix.  I average 3-4 episodes a day.  It's a non-guilty obsession, if you will.  I know I'm not the only one who can take out a complete series in a week or two, right?  What should be next on my list?? Have the loveliest of Tuesdays, dear chickens.

via

Dizzy Dots

 {skirt: tj maxx | chambray top: jcpenney | belt: dots | leopard scarf: target | earrings: simply chic | shoes: payless, old}

....and invisible shoes.  No no, my shoes are not made out of grass.  It just looks that way.

They are actually a really cool alligator looking print with a pointy toe.  But some things just cannot be photographed on a rainy cloudy afternoon in green grass.  This skirt makes me giggle and twirl when I put it on... seriously this cannot be avoided.

Today was my first day going to work since the time change and boy, it is way less depressing than my  previous pitch black commute.  But dark at 5:30 kinda blows.

HAPPY ELECTION DAY 2012! I hope you all have or plan to make it out to the polls today.  I know its a thing in Memphis where bars offer drink specials for those sporting "I VOTED TODAY" stickers!  Good thing I saved mine ;) ;) ;)  But honestly, I take the right to vote very seriously, so make your own decision and make it out today!  XOXO, Bekah.

coast to coast neutralblocking

I was not 100% sure about this top when I bought it.  I wanted to get a new outfit (already bending my in my goals) for the first day back to school, so I ran into TJ Maxx and fell in love with this Cable & Gauge neutralblocked (?!) tunic.  It definitely looked different on the hanger, but that's what I get for not trying it on in-store. The cherry on top of this tale of a Maxxinista? I only took one of the price tags off of it accidentally, so yeah, I spent 6.5 hours at work with a barcode on my back.

 {leggings and top: cable & gauge via TJMAXX | necklace: borrowed | boots: LB | scarf: gifted}

 One of the Eagle scouts at my school painted a huge mural of the United States of America beside the playground for his final project.  Pretty cool, huh?
First I was in Memphis, Tennessee...

THEN, I was in CALI baby! (Hey, Dani!)

Pirate Convention

Saturday night was my first completely free weekend evening in a looooong time. Too long.We set out with the plan to make it a rememberable weekend, and I think we succeeded.  I went out to a fabulous dinner with a friend + to a party (more about that later!)I was jazzed by the cooler temps, which to me meant one two things.{leggings + boots.}The weather this weekend was fabulous and we enjoyed a lot of time outside, it was the best.

{leggings: tj maxx | dress: ross | scarf: F21 | belt: UO | cardi: target | flower: from this scarf | boots: nine west}

My brother, always the comedian, sees me leaving the house and says, "Oh, hey Bek, I didn't know there was a pirate convention in town."

You, sir, are a scallywag!