{insta}Merrymaking

Here are just a bundle of pics from my blogger meetup this past weekend in New Orleans.Stay tuned for some great camera photos & giggles.  My first week at summer camp started this week and I am still catching up on work and sleep and dreamcatcher crafts.Enjoy! xoxo

one: playing in the spanish moss

two: beignYAY!

three: train rides 

four: bayou cocktails

five: new friends, yolo.

one: they bitetwo: bbff necklacesthree: shrimp everythingfour: seriously love this girl
SEE YOU TOMORROW!

eShakti Giveaway Winner

Congrats, Amber! Shoot me an email!

Thanks to everyone for entering.

Hope you are having a fabulous Monday!

Hey... look who it is!

sarah, me, & dani

Just me and some cool kids.See y'all Monday.

Good Morning, America! How are ya?

Chickens, I am outta here!  As you read this post, I am packed up and aboard a train to New Orleans!I am going to meet some of my best blogging friends soon to be my best real life friends.(Dani CA, Sarah LA, and Sarah TX)See you on Monday! Have a great one!

The City of New Orleans - Willie Nelson

ps weird screen shot, right? but seriously, listen to the song.  it has little to do with babies.

photo via

All about DOTS

If you have been a reader of Matters of Merrymaking for any length of time, you know that trends and affordability go hand in hand when it comes to my daily style.  I frequent stores that sell pieces that are very on-trend and stores that sell more investment-type pieces.  One of my FAVORITE places to shop in Memphis, is DOTS.  See some of my all time favorites from Dots: these pants, the infamous purse, and my favorite shirt! It is kind of like Forever 21 in the aspect that it sells trendy pieces to a younger crowd, along with fun accessories and shoes.  Most items stay under $25!
DOTS contacted me to let me know they were opening TWO new stores in Memphis and I was thrilled!  They invited me to take a tour of a new store and check out some of the new pieces for Summer!I walked in and was blown away.  Divided by color and trend, the store makes it easy to find all that you need to add to your wardrobe for the summer months! And yes, I came home with some neon pink shorts!

I talked to the store manager (Hi, Olga!) about all of the amazing clothes and she kept coming back to the SPICY colors that are taking over the scene.  Also, the amazing amount of tribal prints and lace really stood out to me.  I can definitely get behind these trends for many seasons to come. 

 Crazy print, bright colors? That dress definitely came home with me.

Check out their website and see if you have a DOTS in your area, and go check them out.  You will not regret adding some trendy FUN pieces to your closet this summer.Thanks for having me DOTS! I had so much fun and we all know I will be back soon!XOXO, the merrymaker.



psThe eShakti giveaway ends tomorrow night at 12PM CST. Enter before it is too late, chickens!All opinions and photos shared are my own.  I was not compensated for this post, I am just a super fan.