Exciting News || Meet Maggie

Maggie and I at the Sun Ghost video shoot. We were supposed to be a girl gang of hoodlums.

Hey guys! I'm so super stoked to announce that one of my very best pals, Maggie, is going to start doing guest posts here and there. She is super cool, super smart, and has great style. Her style is pretty different from mine so I thought it would be a nice addition to the blog. Maggie has a very cool and effortless sense of style and she inspires me daily to push the boundaries I sometimes place upon myself. She is a great friend and I know she will be an awesome addition to my little blog. We have a few fun ideas we are hoping to incorporate in the coming months. My mind is already racing with fun ideas!

So here she is! I'm so exciiitedddd!

Hello, my fellow Fashion Lovers.

Right off the bat, I want to thank Ashley for asking me to be a "guest blogger" for her site. I am honored to be friends (and neighbors!) with such a sweet, creative, talented, and most importantly goofy individual. I know all of you, her readers and followers, love her and appreciate her as much as I do, so I hope to do her shop and her brand justice.

With that said, I will admit, when she initially asked me to do this blog I said "Duh, of course!" But quickly realized that I had no idea how to blog, let alone what I should write about. So please excuse my initial mess and hopefully I will get the hang of this in the next couple of posts I write.  Please feel free to email me ideas or questions and I can cheat, I mean...use that as inspiration for my posts.

I apologize if this is too cliche but I wanted to use this opportunity to introduce myself, how I came to be friends with Ashley, and of course where my love of fashion has stemmed from.

I met Ashley about three years ago when she was working at a vintage shop in downtown Phoenix. We bonded over both going to college  in Denver, attending private high schools and how we "altered" our uniforms to fit our personalities, and our shared love of blink182 (sorry, had to do it). We have since become very close friends and she has trusted me enough to help out at some of her events and put together outfits for a photo shoot this past summer. I am so pumped to have the opportunity to share my thoughts about fashion with you.

I have had quite a bumpy road on my journey to discovering my fashion identity and what works for me. Like most people, I have gone through many different interesting phases, but I do believe I have always remained true to myself while trying to figure out who I actually am. I guess that is something we all universally experience, which is what makes fashion so cool. Lovers of fashion usually discover it at some critical point in their lives and are continually learning and growing and allowing what they wear to not necessarily define, but enhance who they are.

I remember being allowed to pick out my clothes for the first time in second grade. I wore totally mismatched outfits and had no idea what the "rules" were when it came to matching and coordinating,  but looking back....I kinda don't think I cared. Other kids had their moms dressing them in of the moment, typically school- kid outfits (think oshkosh and gap) and I was out there wearing a poncho from my dads business trip to Chile one day, a Mexican sundress the next, and then my multicolored chucks or even a pair of Dr.Martens with overalls the next.  I even had a super edgy, androgynous short haircut for a good chunk of my childhood (hopefully you are picking up on my extremely dry sarcasm here). If that doesn't help one develop a thick skin in regards to appearance, I don't know what will. The  point I am trying to make is that I was able to express myself through fashion and personal style, and even though it wasn't always well received, it was important to me.

How is fashion important to you? What was your a-ha moment when it comes to personal style?

Can't wait to share more of my (ridiculous) opinions and ideas about fashion with you all.

Later, dudes.

You guyyyyysss, I finally did it!

I'm finally doing an outfit post!

The weather here in Phoenix has been a little weird lately. It was freezing cold for about a week and then all of a sudden a high of 80 degrees! It's hard to figure out what to wear in the morning when it's super cold and dark but then turns warm and summery in the afternoon. So I've been wearing plenty of layers and stripping down or piling on as the weather permits. For work, I am not required to wear dress attire. Since I don't meet with customers, really anything goes. I tend to wear a lot of tights and baggy shirts or tunics. I try to dress them up a bit with accessories but sometimes I end up looking like I just rolled out of bed.

I've been wanting to do outfit posts for so long but everything seemed stacked against me. I'd get home late and the lighting would be horrible, or it'd be terribly hot, or I'd look like a big ol mess... And... I'm really camera shy. I have this weird thing where any time there is a camera present I go into cheesy mode, making the weirdest faces I can conjure. I guess it's just a way to mask my discomfort. That is why I have been wanting to embark on this project- to a) practicing taking photos more often, b) push myself to put more thought into my daily outfits, and c) to get more comfortable in front of the camera. Plus I love seeing how other folks' outfit of the day type posts so why not join in.

 Leggings and Scarf: American Apparel || T-shirt and plaid button up: from the CO-OP Phoenix Clothing Swap. I think the button up is from the men's section at Urban Outfitters ||Boots: Vintage || Turquoise Ring: GROWop || Dainty Ring: Etsy, my birthday present from Trevor || Key Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs

New Things || Shop Update

And so much more at SHOPMERRYMAY.COM

My dear friend Jarrett came by and helped me photograph a ton of products for the online shop last week! New things will continue to go up each day so be sure to visit often. 

Lovey Love you all <3

Fashion Inspiration || Myrna Loy

Mryna Loy is a total babe. Myrna Loy was an american actress who was named the "Queen of Hollywood" in 1937. What's cool about her is she seems to have such a range of looks and pulls off each one perfectly. From the cutesy girl next door to the vampy sexpot, she kills it every time. The third picture kills me! Those outfits are perfect!

Style || Charlotte Taylor

Charlotte Taylor SS12 from Stina Smith on Vimeo.

Style || Gather and Spread

Gather and Spread

Beautiful.

Style || Alice Nightingale

Alice Nightingale

WANT.

Fashion || Etsy Fall Wants

I get sooo stinking excited for fall. I love love love waking up to a dark house and cuddling under the covers (even though it's soooo hard to wake up), pumpkin flavored things EVERYWHERE, drinking tea under an afghan, plants greening up (that's what happens here in the desert), and most of all, fall fashion.

Here are some things that I'm really into for fall and winter.

Nordic Prints/ Ponchos (of course... I'm a poncho-holic)

Biker Jackets (I'm dying for one!)

Bell bottoms (these dungarees are incredible and if you're a xs you should snatch em up)

Fur Coats (think Penny Lane/Almost Famous)

High Heeled Ankle Boots (cause heels make my kankles less visible)

Long Sleeved Mini Dresses (If I had to choose one dress to describe me I might choose this one)

Patterned Tights (especially swiss dots and hearts : )




What special pieces are you looking for to jazz up your wardrobe this season?

Fashion Inspiration || Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung is effortlessly cool.

She's got a great sense of style and always rocks it.

So pretty.

A Few of my Favorite Things || Makeup

I'm kinda obsessed with makeup. For real, you should see my stash. It's crazy.

When I was young (like 5) my grandmother would let my cousin and I play with her makeup. She taught us so much through the years and really instilled an interest in both my cousin and I. I was fortunate to be able to work in consmetics at Nordstrom through college and I learned so much about application, content, color, etc. So I thought it would be fun to show you a few of my favorite makeup products. There are, of course a whole bunch more but I thought I'd start with the basics. These are the things I use nearly every single day. Try em out. I think you'll like em.

NOTE: Since working towards being vegan I have (sadly) come to find that some of my favorite products are not (which isn't exactly surprising). I'm trying out vegan products here and there and would love any input on your vegan faves.

FACE || Lush Colour Supplement

Lush products are the very best and, to be completely honest, if they introduced a whole makeup line, I'd run out to buy it all this instant.  It's like magic in a little pot. It makes my face flawless. And, I swear on my sister's life, it made my face look BETTER when I took it off. It's all the fancy herbs and shit in it that are sitting on your skin all day. I get the light pink and light yellow (both only $13) and mix em for the right shade. They last surprisingly long (pretty sure I had my two little pots for 4-6 months). The only problem is that they do not provide many options for darker shades. Ya hear that Lush?? Get on it.

FACE || MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

I used to have a love hate relationship with Studiofix. If you've ever used it you probably know what I'm talking about. It made me look like a frikken doll (which is pretty much my goal in life), yet it really did a number on my skin. I don't really know what they put in that stuff but my poor face didn't like it. Nowadays, I generally only add powder to my routine before going out on the town or somethin like that. This stuff is great cause it's super light, yet buildable, with a nice matte finish. And my face doesn't react poorly to it. Must be all those fancy minerals ;)

COLOR || Nars Blush

Sex Appeal | Oasis | Deep Throat

Nars blush is pretty much the best thing ever. To be completely honest, I first bought their deep throat blush cause of the name. Yep, I'm that guy. Now I realize that the dirty names are just a plus (makes me smile every morning). This stuff is highly pigmented and blends beautifully. Another plus- as far as I can tell almost every shade looks fabulous on most skin tones.... weeeeiiiiirrrrdd. Don't know how they do it. AAND word on the streets (web?) is that the founder of Nars, Francios Nars, is even vegan. Killer. Their stuff, though expensive, is great.  

EYES || Revlon Color Stay Liquid Liner

I'm such a sucker for liquid eyeliner. I wear it pretty much every day and feel naked without it. I've tried my hand at many different kinds of liner and find that Revlon's Color Stay line is my favorite. It's really easy to apply and wears really well. No smudgies throughout the day. Also, for those of you who prefer a pencil liner, the Color Stay line makes a nice one. However, there is one con; There are limited colors. Which I guess isn't a problem for everyday wear but I'd love it if they had a teal or even a golden brown color. Also, while Revlon does not test their products on animals, their products are not necessarily vegan.

EYES || Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara 

I pretty much don't leave the house without mascara. As a daily contact wearer, I can be kinda picky about my mascaras. I've noticed some brands dry or irritate my eyes- no bueno. This mascara is awesome; it gives a natural look with good hold that doesn't stiffen your lashes. Unfortunately, as a subsidiary of L'oreal, Kiehl's is not vegan. Boo for that cause this shit is magical. If you have any suggestions for vegan mascara's that make my lashes look awesome and feel healthy, lemme know.

LIPS || Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

I love this stuff cause it instantly pulls together a look. This stuff is cheap and you can get it pretty much everywhere. It makes my lips smooth and hydrated and gives a nice little bit of color to keep my grill lookin fresh.

LIPS || Revlon Matte Lipstick

For a heavier look, try Revlon's Matte Lipstick. Matte lipstick can be dangerous territory for some but let me make my case. It stays on all day yet isn't designed like some franken-lipstick to stay on for all of eternity. It'll stay put through a night out but will easily come off when the night comes to an end. They've got plenty of shades to tickle your fancy. Plus you can swipe on some gloss or chapstick to change and control the look. Apply lightly, blot, and add chapstick for more of a stain look. Apply, blot and /or powder, and touch up for a full coverage look.

What are your favorite makeup products? What can't you live without and why? 

Say whaaat?

Modcloth's having a sale.

Eep! Here's what I want.

If I had to choose one bag to describe me, I'd pick this one. It's so me.

 Perfect summer dress.

 This dress is the most lovely cut. Gorgeous.

LOVE
Check it out folks. What are you crushin on?

What I Wore

Howdy Friends. Here's another lil outfit I wore the other day. 

Taken by my bud Traci outside of Butter Toast Boutique.

Skirt: Vintage

Top: Plain ol wife beater

I remembered to take pictures of my rings this time!

 Necklace: Owlette. My friend Rebecca is launching her Etsy shop super soon. In the meantime, stay connected via Facebook.

Shoes: Thrifted

See more here.

I hope you're having a splendid weekend! If you're in town, come downtown for Art Detour. There's lots going on and sixth street has live music, lot's of booths filled with vintage and handmade, live mural painting, and big big sales! (Trunk sale at GROWop and Butter Toast with awesome vintage items for 3-5 dollars and 40-50% off winter items! Woot!)

B H L D N

Urban Outfitters debuted their new bridal line yesterday!
 (Valentines day = cuuuute!)

BHLDN has the most lovely things.

Following in the Urban Tradition, BHLDN is a little bit edgy and untraditional (like Urban Outfitters), a little bit feminine and retro (like Anthropologie), and a little bit bohemian (like Free People). Three Urban brands rolled into one?? Perfection.

 But I wouldn't expect anything less.

If you're big day is comin up, you seriously can't miss all the lovely-ness over at BHLDN.

I've never really been the type to hope and dream for my wedding or things like that. But I spent like, all day browsing and am in love with this new, fancy brand. They've got everything you might need- gowns, dresses, shoes, lingerie, jewelry.

These are all my most favorites- probably- it was hard to choose. Take a looksy. What do you love?