fail-proof outfits + countdowns

{tunic, leggings, boots: LB | scarf: ??? | shades: kate spade}

Gearing up for a weekend of parties (!!!), final Christmas shopping (eeeek, almost done!), and a countdown to Christmas break(8 days).  I will stay faithful to my easy to throw on, fail proof outfits! Tunics, leggings, and boots are so easy to throw on in these intense chilly winter mornings, with a coffee in hand!  During the cyber Monday extravaganzas, I managed to get a killer Christmas casual outfit (top, jeans, AND boots) for 1/2 off! I am way too excited about that and using all my will power to not wear it pre-vacay! Gotta save something special for my time away from pre-schoolers and around some grown up frands!

red pants + earned wrinkles

{shirt: alfani | cigarette pants: dots | scarf:gordmans | flats:payless}

Sure... they say it's a no-iron shirt.  But obviously, they don't mean it won't wrinkle through carpool duty, an 8 hour day of teaching, practice for the Christmas program (four year olds equipped with jingle bells, no sense of rhythm.) and decorating 23 gingerbread houses...Come to think of it, I earned those wrinkles on my shirt.
Ignore them and focus on those red cigarette pants. Now, imagine that you are me and that they are your size, 30% off, and super fabulous.WASN'T THAT FUN?!?!?!I love games! Also, this leopard scarf is my favorite and I rarely take it off... except to bathe.  Just kidding, that's gross. But really, during waking (non-bathing hours)--I love that thang.
My first holiday party of the season is tonight and I am ready for sequins, champagne, and door prizes!Before Monday, I will have partied through FOUR parties.There is something merry about this time of year, huh?

bomber jackets + runway junkie

{top, jacket: TJ Maxx | skinnies: Gap | wedges: payless | scarf: gordmans}

One of my favorite ways to layer a cropped jacket is with a longer cut shirt underneath.  I love the dimension given to the look! This buttery cognac bomber jacket was a late Spring 2011 purchase, and sadly, the weather didn't permit me to wear it until NOW!!! I can't wait to style it with feminine dresses + sequins + flannel!  Okay, okay, so you'll probably have to make me take it off....

Have you guys heard of RunwayJunkie?  It's like an online consignment store, of sorts.  More like an online marketplace for women’s designer clothing and accessories. The BEST part is that they donate 10% of their profits to a variety of women’s organizations.  You can buy, sell, and contrubute all in the name of philanthropy! 

 I think I could work more a little shopping $$$ in to my budget if it's for a good cause, right? 

My little chickens, you should check out their selling contest that runs through the end of the year. All you have to do is become a seller on Runwayjunkie.com, list items to sell and you can enter to win a L.A.M.B. handbag, Prada sunglasses, or a Missoni scarf!

Use the coupon code CONTEST when checking to enter to win and get FREE listings!

Take Four: Favorite Winter Coat

This time around, Take Four, is flaunting out favorite winter coat...We have previously explored fall trends, saturated hues, and chunky knits!I have recently acquired this new Style and Co. coat and if you know me personally you have seen me wear it, model it, and rave about it.  I got this beautiful baby at Macy's for 50% PLUS 25% off.  Yep, it's a $109 coat I snagged for a sweet sweet $28.00.  Love love love the deals.And the fur collar is just the icing on the army green cake.

My second favorite part of this coat is the waist cinch-ers.I feel fancy.For more winter coat action, check out my other Take Four ladies and their posts.

Karla from Frugal Big Girl
Gracey from Fashion for Giants
Kelsey from Charming Pumpkin

merry holiday shopping tips

Holiday Shopping Tips by The Merrymaker

So, Happy December 1st my little chickens.  Can we believe it is already the last month of 2011?Crazy sauce.  As unprepared as I am for this bitter bitter cold, I am prepared to brave the wild world of holiday shopping.  I have a few tips I always abide by to get through the Yuletide shopping sprees getting the most for my money and finding perfect gifts for all my the little chickens on my list.
1. Make a list (EARLY!)A wise merrymaker should always have a genuine idea of what your chicken wants/loves/needs for Christmas.  Making an actual list helps you to prioritize and include everyone.  Don't forget to account for the Secret Santas either!  I shop early (March, anyone?) and I shop often for the holidays, because the best times for purchasing gifts are before the pre-holiday "sales"! Not to mention, the frugal merrymaker has more time to stretch the holiday budget this way!

2. Shop smart AND ONLINE!It may seem like an obvious choice in this day and age, BUT many people still trudge out to the department stores for a majority of their presents.  Shopping online not only gives you a greater selection (and variation) but your gifting research could save you buckets of quarters in the end!  I love shopping online because if you google your favorite store's promo codes, you stand a chance of greater savings than in-store.  Also, stay away from the credit cards, shopping early with cash is stress free!(Not So) Secret Merrymaker Tip:  Holidays often prompt stores to offer free shipping BUT if you're shopping early...many online stores have a "Ship To Store:  FREE" option.  I do this ALL THE TIME!  No matter the item, forking over the $7-10+ for shipping really irks me.
(Half time break! CHEERS!)

click for recipe, serious yumminess.
3.  Personal and homemade optionsTo save money, consider gifting the angels on your list with handmade gifts. Give from the heart! Take the iPad out of your online shopping car and make your own gifts.Your sister will love the sparkly shoe clips and your mom will cry tears of happiness with her handmade Christmas ornament from her grandkids. It really isn't about the price of the presents after all, is it?

4. Enjoy your family time!The best Christmas time at our house was the year we were gifted Catchphrase, and after that there was no stopping us!  I mean- what makes a better gift, than something the whole family can use together!?  If board games are not your style, the whole Harry Potter series is out on blu-ray :)

Thanks for reading up on my holiday tips.  After all, I want all of you to make it to 2012 in one piece.