Missing in action.. again

Ok! 
So I know I have completely thrown my blog onto the back burner! I cant make excuses for it, things just happen. I have been vigorisly working to make more merchandise (which I will post pictures & pricing later), working 40+ hours a week at my "real" job, and preparing for a move into a new home (which you will also see pictures of how fabulously decorated it will be). WHEW. Stress is not the right word, because I am actually having a great time this summer doing things I love!
 Busy, rundown, and motion are all words that better describe what I have been doing. But do not fear, there will be MANY more posts and pictures on amazing crafts and home decor that I have been loving and hopefully you will too!
XoXo,
Meika!

Back In Action

So, I have been missing in action for the past couple, or three maybe, weeks - I'm not sure. But, unlike most spurs of impulsive "me-time," I have a good excuse for this one. Nothing bad happened to make me stop blogging on my newly normal schedule, but I just took some time AWAY from the computer. I averaged about 30 minutes on the computer a day for what seemed like a century. But, it was nice to just spend more time with friends and actually get dressed up. I did take pictures like always though!

Just so much fun. The girl in black is my older sister, Mishayla. Birthday Pie! 

How To Dress Up Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are super cute but mainly known for "country girls." BUT, most of us who wear cowboy boots aren't riding a horse or scoopin' shit. 















Meet Toni- my little sister. Not a country girl, but really not a city girl either. He style is comfortable & cute. Here is an outfit she paired together that I absolutely loved and thought is a great example of how to style cowboy boots without throwin' on a pair of jeans and an old T-shirt. 

Boots- $215.00 - Local Boutique
Dress- $45.00 -Local Boutique
Cardigan- $60.00 -Hollister
Belt- $5.80 -Forever21

Throwback Thursday: Kitty Style

I would not classify myself as a "crazy cat lady", however, I do love my cat basically like he is my child. He is my child! And good thing about these kind of kids is that they don't have to come everywhere with you... and you don't have to watch the same trick 1000 times in a row-- you just choose too (: 

Here are some throw backs of my 1/2 Maine Coon 1/2 Manx kitty-kitty named Coach Jack Riley... You can read after the pictures if you'd like to know how he got his name.

This is the first day I got my baby. I had to give him a photoshoot & the pictures turned out looking like they belong in a calendar!

Here is another from the same day! His eyes are blue here but they have changed to a greenish yellow color.

He used to be soooo tiny!

And... he still loves water and loves putting his tail in the water!

 

So, Coach Riley got his name because my boyfriend, who shares the bills with me, did NOT want a cat. But, luckily he compromised and said I could get him if he could name it.. Well, I mentioned the idea and he agreed rather quickly. So, because he was the rascalliest of the bunch, he chose the rambunctious "bad guy" from The Mighty Ducks, a Walt Disney classic from the early 90's.

Well, thats all I have for you tonight!
XoXo
ML

Keep Calm & Carry On!

"Don't cry over spilled milk!" 
"This too shall pass"
"Keep calm & carry on"

Seems so easy until you knock over you new $30.00 foundation or a dude rides your ass the whole way home. This past week I have been trying to observe & figure out what exactly it is that pisses people off when it comes to the "instant rage" effect inanimate objects or people who play no meaning in that persons life. 

Is it because we are pissed at ourselves for doing something so stupid? Because our car can't speed up? Is it embarrassment that we are not doing things "according to plan?" Or, do we truly get upset with those around us?! 
  
We could even take this question back too Freud. Is it because of an over developed id?! 

But as always, here it is-- everyone is different and everyone has different biological and environmental reasons that cause anger. But, we are the determinants of our future! We decide what will piss us off to the point of no return and what is small enough to shrug it off! If we can all accept and recognize that we have complete control of our own happiness we can find things that make us happy and eliminate those that do not!

So I encourage you to do a challenge this week with me. 
Every time something small happens that starts to irk your nerves, whether its traffic or small problem at work, take a second and ask yourself if this will still be relevant an hour, a day, a year, or even a decade from now. If the answer is no, let the problem go. If the answer is yes, consider the reasons why it affects you so much and establish a better and more socially acceptable way to deal with these daily stresses! 

Remember, life does in fact go on and if you are having a bad day and things just don't seem to be going right, change the course of your day!





I obviously do what makes me happy most as shown below. Haha, just kidding(:

For shits & giggles

Today at work I had eye contact with the craziest chipmunk, or as my grandma calls them, "ground squirrels." 

I saw it and ran back inside to get my camera and take a picture of it! And when I came back it was hiding. But I found it! See if you can! Hahahaha (:
 

Smooches,
ML

 

Clothing that NEVER goes out of style...

I like to describe my style as "classic." I would prefer to buy clothing that will never goes out of style and is not too trendy. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy wearing a fedora with cheetah jeggings from time to time but chances are, in a year from now a new style will come along and my "trendy" outfit will be tossed to the Goodwill pile. 

1. A-Line Dresses

Lace-Paneled A-Line Dress- $19.50 - forever21.com

 A-Line dresses can be styled for multiple occasions... Here are some ideas that I have.  

Day Time 

Crocheted A-Line Dress - $24.50 -forever21.com
Sandals- $17.85 -hm.com
Lacquered Zig Zag Bangle Set- $8.80 -forever21.com
Melie Bianco Janelle Clutch- $55.00 -nordstrom.com

I love the bright colors for spring! But if bright colors are too bold for you to wear in shirt/dress form then try just adding some bright accessories. Patent Leather also gives a little extra umph to any color: dull or bright! 

Night Time

A-Line Mattelasse Dress- $22.80 -forever21.com
Jessica Simpson Sierra Shoe- $55.00 -buckle.com
Michael Kors Parker Two-Toned Watch- $250.00 -macys.com
Pavilla Satchel- $138.00 -guess.com

A simple night time look is always classy with an a-line dress as well. Add some bold accessories and this "little black dress" will be a key part of anyone's wardrobe. 

2. Jeans & A T-Shirt

Day Time

Miss Me Boot Stretch Jean- $99.00 -buckle.com
Jobina Floral Print Wedges- $80.00 -guess.com
The Essential Boxy Tee- $24.00 -victoriassecret.com
*Bag/Watch same as above

This kind of look is my favorite go to look for running errands or just hanging out around the house. Jeans, a plain tee, and some wild shoes. 

Night Time

For a night look I would just add a blazer and some red lipstick and head out the door. Since the pattern of the shoes completely is dependent on personal style, the color of the blazer should match slightly. I prefer a bright colored blazer to add some pizazz to the look! 


Well, those are two favorite classic pieces that can be used for so many looks! 

-ML  

NEW YORK? THIS WEEKS OUTFITS? WAAA?!

Okay. So, I was going to post what I wore this week. But unfortunantly I am not capable of taking a single full body shot, or a decent photo of any outfit.

We shall see where this goes.

Love this top. You obviously can't see the whole outfit but everything is in stores now!

 Top: hollisterco.com Earrings: Brandy Melville

LOVE this tank. it is a galaxy. From Urban Outfitters... But this photo is not about the top, clothing, and pinkyness of my lips. It is that I am in the place of death.. DENNYS

Me and my only child. Coach Riley. I thought the accessories made this photo appropriate. However, I am probably wrong. But YAY big flowers on the side of your head! Love spring and love this lazy hair look. I got my earrings and headband from forever21.

AND this photo is from a couple years ago. It is of my lovely man-candy, Ryan, munchin' down on some New Jouzey style Taylor Ham Egg & Cheese On A Hard Roll...
I love so many things about New Jersey! I love that New Jersey and the TriState area have these sandwiches exclusively (basically) and also that they are so freaking good. They can turn a breakfast hater into an early-bird nibbler. Everyone goes nuts over these things, notice the hungry rascal pictured above? But, besides the sandwiches, there are a few other things I love about New Jersey: The Accent and the closeness to The Big Apple.
New York City... That is a whole other post itself... Ahhhh.

 Well, this really didn't turn out as expected, but they... That's why its my blog! So I can ramble without simultaneously becoming annoyed by a certain someones selective hearing and oddly accurate placing of "yeah babe" and "uh huh"

Haha.

M.L.















*All Photos From Instagram/Camera.

How To Make My Favorite Drink!

21+

Everyone has their favorite drink. Well, in each category of course: favorite wine, beer, mixed drink, dessert drink, vodka, gin, rum, etc... Okay. Everyone has about 20 favorite drinks. BUT- the one drink that I would choose above all?! LONG ISLAND ICED TEA. Oh My God. But, they bring trouble most of the time... Take Cinco De Mayo 2013.

Here I am, just enjoying my Long Island Iced Teas (notice the two already empty)...Everything was going great-- until they kicked in full throttle and ready to go.

Two hours later I was ready to party. The look on my face basically explains it all.
(My dress is from Forever21. Shoes are from Maurices. Earrings are from Brandy Melville)

THE RECIPE FOR FUN: 

This whole post is about how to make these delicious drinks.

1 shot of Vodka
1 shot of Gin
1 shot of Rum
1 shot of Triple Sec
1 shot of Tequila
2 teaspoons of orange juice
2 shots of Coke
2 lemon wedges

You can make this with and brand of liqueur.

Decorating 70 Miles Away

I have done it! I have made the leap and signed a lease 70 miles away from home. Anxiety overload. Packing, moving back into my parents to save money, repacking a moving truck, moving into a new home, starting a new job, and also, transferring to a new college. Sounds hectic, however, there is some fun that hasn't been mentioned yet: DECORATING. Here are some ideas I have for my apartment. Keep in mind, it is a one bedroom small place near downtown Columbus, OH. 

 
 Kitchen:


  Curtains from urbanoutfitters.com $39.00

Kitchen cart from target.com $249.00



Bar Stools from walmart.com $99.00

Chair Cushions from overstock.com $44.99 -- I love how this color/pattern plays off the strawberries in the curtains!

And finally, a small litter house to hide my cats litter box since my apartment is soo small-- walmart.com $109.99



I love this look for the kitchen and I am so excited to finally put all this together and decorate my new place! My old apartment was very dark so this is a great opposite to try!