Music Fest Merrymaking

dress: Ross ($12!!!!) // necklace: accessory auctions FB //

booties: barefoot Tess

 

I wore this outfit over the weekend to the annual Memphis in May Beale Street music festival. Every year, we are either battling tornados, rain storms, or a heat wave. Thankfully, this year the weather was perfect. I picked the wrong shoes to wear (as I normally do) but when I was dancing on the banks of the mighty Mississippi listening to Alabama Shakes in the 65 degree breeze... I didn't have a care in the world.

I wish Music Fest was more than just once a year.

Happy hump day!

 

 

Among The Wildflowers

 

maxi dress: Ross // knit top: tj maxx // belt: lane bryant // clutch: iPad case from Target // booties: barefoot tess // sunglasses: target

 

As a kid, my favorite colors were purple and yellow. Much like the weeds that grow all Spring long. I always call them flowers because they're so beautiful, I hate the weed connotation. Trust me, my allergies are the only reason I don't straight up frolic in the fields and Maria Von Trapp spin my heart out.

I'm pretty obsessed with how this haphazard outfit came together. We have had a "cold" front the past few days and I needed to layer up last minute. Being a tall gal, the length of this dress looks weird with flats so I threw on the black wedge booties to toughen up the look. I'm especially fond of layering over maxis here lately.

Have a merry weekend, my little chickens. It feels fabulous to be back.

 

Favorite Friday Dress

Have you ever made a brand new purchase, let's say an oversize, striped t-shirt dress, and then you find such complete happiness with it that you find it almost impossible to not wear it every other day?

Yeah... me neither.

This dress sometimes gives the appearance that I cut a neck hole in a bed sheet and ran out of the house, but it feels like a huge t-shirt and I just can't find an excuse to not wear it almost every day.  I've worn it like over half the days since I bought it.  #noshame

And if you can't wear your favorite dress on a Friday, then when can you?

Have a merry weekend. XO

dress: h&m+ (here) // necklace: F21 // booties: barefoot tess

Bekah and the Real Boots

leggings: h&m // top: riley & james // booties: torrid (here) 

// necklace: lydell nyc // clutch: navoh

Have you ever felt a deep connection with something that will never return the affection?  Like how some people love sweets, professional sports teams, or Ryan Gosling... I LOVE THIS BOOTS.  I coveted them from first sight, even including them in my Spring wish list.  Over the weekend, I made the first move and told the boots exactly how I felt.  They came home with me, no questions asked.  We are trying to take it slow, but every day it feels like the very first time.  It's kind of like Lars and the Real Girl over here, but with way more buckles and sass.  And I say kind of because I didn't pay attention to the movie that much, just the leading man.  These boots are my #1, but Mr. Gosling is a strong #2.

Broncos, baby!

 dress: asos (here ON SALE) // necklace: versona accessories (similar) // 

booties: jeffrey campbell (here) // lipstick: stila liquid lipstick in tesoro (here)

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend, you know, in case you live under a rock.  I always pick a team even if I don't have heartfelt reason to go with them.  This year (just like last) there is a Manning in the big ole bowl.  It makes the decision a lot easier round these parts.  If the orange, navy, and white leopard print did not tell you: I'm a BRONCO!  Those poses are the direct result of freezing cold weather and no sleeves.  I learned all my poses from Peyton (see pic below.)

  Also, you're welcome.

  I live for themes and dress-up parties... (Seriously, asking me to plan your birthday party is pretty much a blatant request for me to make everyone dress in similar colors with coordinated accessories and designer cocktails named in your honor..)  

HENCE- I love a Super Bowl shindig.  The fun commercials, the best foods, killer half time show (BRUNO IS MY HOMEBOY!)... partying with people on a school night AND boys in tight pants.  I've been sold since I was seven.

I like to bring an extra degree of sass to the party, so maybe fringe boots with a 4-inch stacked heel don't scream down, set, hut... but I'm just making it merry, folks!  

Enjoy the game, the weekend, and your closet :)! 

See you in February, my little chickens.

Polka Dot Dot Dots

 dress: asos (on sale here) // necklace: eclectic ornaments // booties: barefoot tess 

The weather was amazing on Sunday, like 60 degrees amazing!  It was definitely a welcome addition to this weekend, but I hate to say the warm front has left us alone once again.  This weekend was so much fun! I spent Friday night celebrating a close friend's 25th! Saturday, we visited a local brewery and celebrated my little boy dog's birthday (he's six and I cannot believe it!)  Sunday was spent catching up with old friends, playing darts and not watching the Grammys!  I seriously do not have the attention span for awards shows.  They waste so much time and I like pretty, sparkly dresses as much as the next girl out there, but COME ON.  Speeches are annoying and awkward and the live performances are very rarely worth writing home about...  I did enjoy following the shows unfolding on twitter while I drink my tea and watch Downton Abbey. 

 I will take Lady Mary over Lady Gaga any day.

LAST FEW DAYS to enter the 

leopard clutch giveaway from Enitdesign!

Holey Moly

distressed jeans: rainbow (super old)  // booties: lane bryant // color-blocked sweater: old navy // 

infinity scarf: target // purse: steve madden

I dug these jeans out of the bottom of my closet the other morning because I needed to wear pants and nothing was winning me over.  I haven't worn these in forever, and I couldn't remember the reason until it was too late.  They have a hole where you do not want a hole, even in distressed jeans.  Such a hole that I have been meaning to patch, but never got around to it.  I find that to be a sad theme with me! I'm not a clothes hoarder by any means, I often give away clothes, but I have a hard time parting with pieces I like, even if they have small holes or missing buttons.

I spent the rest of the day being very careful & made it through the day without incident.

I guess this is my cue to learn how to sew on a button and wear those clothes at the bottom of the rotation.  Life is too short to have holes in your crotch.

Errrr, you know what I mean.

xxoo

Leather & Polka Dots

 dress: ross // leather look vest: c/o dots // necklace: versona accessories // 

clutch: target //  booties: lane bryant

I think it may be time for an intervention.

I've mentioned it a million times before, but I seriously have a Netflix obsession.

I loooooove watching an entire season or series from start to finish.  Granted, we don't have cable anymore as it was a totally wasted expense.  It is so much more satisfying than waiting week after week, through commercials and whatnot.  When I saw this shirt the other day, I knew it was perfect to wear for one of my weekend Netflix binge sessions.  

Let's just coast through the series I have devoured in the past two months:

Parenthood | The Following | Hemlock Grove | The Vampire Diaries | Parks & Rec | 

Don't Trust The B in Apt 23 | Sons of Anarchy 

Come to think of it, I'm not even ashamed.  That's impressive.

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.

Pin-spired

 dress: asos // sweater: thrifted // necklace: eclectic ornaments // booties: lane bryant

Truth be told, this outfit was inspired by this pin on Pinterest.  I did not have the patience to get the belt to work with this before I started twirling around in the dress (bad habit.) Also, I am completely convinced I need to get more sweaters.  During my shopping lunch hour yesterday, I perused the Old Navy choices and they have a lot going on.  Sequin cardis, embellished sweatshirts, hello gorgeousness!

I need more sweater ammo in my closet.  Have you seen any sweaters or sweatshirts rockin' your world lately? Please share.

Happy Dress!

 dress: american rag via macy's (here) // wedge booties: dolce vita (here) // sunglasses: cole haan // ring: gift // skull cuff bracelet: via random instagram sale :)

This dress actually screamed out loud at me at the mall.  It has everything I love about a dress.  The swing, the ruffles, sheer-ness, a unique piece with a ton of versatility = la la la happiness!  The best part is that it was on sale on top of sale on top of a 10% discount! WOOHOO!

Triple the score!  In other news, this is my first time breaking out this booties and boy do they need some breaking in.  My fourth toe on both feet didn't have the best time that day, but that is how it goes!  I'm not the only one who deals with a little bit of discomfort for the perfect rust colored bootie wedge, right? Right.  Then, it's settled.