February Favorites

Can you believe we are entering the third month of the year!?!?!?  It is so weird to think about.  It was only 2 months ago I set those lofty New Years Resolutions!  So I guess today is a time for some updates.

Here are some highlights from this month:

I still have not learned how to sew!! I am getting so very discouraged.  I finally pulled out that little devil at the beginning of the month and quickly learned I do not even know how to set it up.  So after several short lived attempts to set it up I am still no good!  My mom even came and showed me, and I swear I am doing the same thing she did but not getting anywhere!! She must have magic hands...that is the only logic I can decide on...magic!  Ugh...so maybe for this month, I will learn to set it up FINALLY and sew some straight lines.  Is this lofty?  I mean, I have a whole 2 more days this month so I guess that's working in my favor.  Not sure if the curtain project will be accomplished, but I think I have some other things that will be keeping me busy.

Here are some goals for March:

Set up sewing machine

Sew at least one gosh darn line

Island in Kitchen (yes this is another goal from January...but I finally have a clear vision on what I want to do!)

Vanity make-over (Yet again, a January goal, but I have a better vision on this as well)

Figure out a crafty way to organize the sub-par fridge we have in our apartment

Continue thrifting to find wall art and cool decorating accessories (found an AWESOME brass lantern this weekend for $6!!)

Add more color into my wardrobe and home (I'm talking pastels and neons)

Here are some things I love this month:

Love this restored dresser from the Little Green Notebook.

A skirt made of suspenders!! Does it get much better?

About time for a new welcome mat. Great DIY by Sincerely Kinsey.

Loved everything about Kate Spade at NYFW.

Yum…my next experiment.

Everything chevron.

Headband DIY at Holly Dolly.

These fun homemade butters.  How can you not like butter?

When I learn to sew? One day…

Much Love,

Mere

Spring Obsession : Feminine Blouses

Spring Obsession : Feminine Blouses by meredithyackel featuring leather tops

J Crew silk chiffon blouse, $88
Party blouse, $81
Pins and Needles mesh blouse, $59
ASOS peter pan collar blouse, $54
Leather top, $50
Tie neck blouse, $43
Back button blouse, $35

Coffee Tips

So there are several ways to make good coffee, but here are some good pointers for a perfect cup.

1. Choose whole beans that have been roasted within the past month but we prefer the past 2 weeks. (If you buy a bag of Starbucks coffee it has probably sat in the factory for 6 months before it is shipped out.)

We really like Counter Culture or Intelegistia Coffee.

2. Make sure that you use purified water.  Coffee is about 90% water, so why would you not want good water in it?

3. Make sure that your grind setting is correct.  For example, if you make a French press cup of coffee you want a more coarse grind (like sea salt), but if you use a pour over method you would want it to be medium to fine. 

FUN TIP: If you place light brown sugar in the bottom of a glass before pouring in the coffee, mix it and then put your whipped topping on top, the whipped topping will not mix with the rest of the drink! 

We make our own whipped cream.  Beat heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla together.  It is sooo much better than anything store bought.  Trust me!  I like to think that Leslie Knope would definitely approve. 

Much Love,

Mere & the Mr.

Frame it Part 3

Hello my friends!! I hope you had a great weekend.  We were able to get so much done and had a great time hanging out with some new friends!  Soooo...I know this project is two months overdue!! What's up with that?  There is really no excuse, although it did take me an hour to find chicken wire at Home Depot (part distractions along the way, part just being stubborn and not asking for assistance).  It is in the gardening section FYI.  Anyways, without further ado...

Supplies:

Empty frame

Gold paint and brush

Chicken wire (Buy by the roll at Home Depot or Lowes) only $2

Staple gun

Inspirational pics and colors

Clips (I painted these to match the frame)

*This project cost around $15 total

Instructions:

Paint frame (if necessary).  Stretch chicken wire across frame.  You will want to make sure that it is extra tight so it may help to have someone hold while you staple.  (I had the mister help me out with this part.)  Trim off extra wire.  I used pictures of us and paint samples that matched to room on mine, but it would also make a great message/notes board or a great inspiration board for above your desk.  

I loved how I bought all these frames for no more than 12 bucks all together and were able to make each of them into really cool wall art!  See Here and Here.  Although, I still have a long way to go for wall decorations, this helped me get ever so closer.

For now this will go above our bed between two recently thrifted candelabras, but I would like to eventually put this above a desk.  Problem is, I have yet to find a desk…sigh…

Maybe one day I will give a house tour, but I am nowhere close to having a fully decorated home to do that.  Someday...

Much Love,

Mere

Spring Obsession: Colored Jeans

Spring Obsession: Colored Jeans by meredithyackel featuring reversible jeans

H&m pants
$25 - hm.com

Vero Moda reversible jeans
$50 - asos.com

ASOS studded jeans
$57 - asos.com

Forever 21 zipper jeans
$28 - forever21.com

Forever 21 light weight jeans
$30 - forever21.com

Welcome: New Feature!!

Hello Lovlies!

I am excited to introduce a new feature to the blog.  The 'Spring Obsession' series!  For the next few weeks I am going to be posting some of my favorite trends for this upcoming season.  It has been so rainy lately that I need the inspiration myself.  I am so ready for some 70 degrees sunny weather.  Plus all my finds will be under $100! My first post is below.  

Now its off to date night at a cool new place in town called Sips!!  Sorry I have been somewhat absent this week, but I have some great things in store for you next week! Have a lovely weekend.  

P.S. Just found this great pic of me and the mr.  Why am I hiding behind him? And what is he doing with his hands?  haha.  Enjoy!

Much Love,

Mere

Spring Obsessions: Shorts

Spring Obsessions: Shorts by meredithyackel featuring elastic waist shorts

Shorts, $38
Lace shorts, $33
Elastic waist shorts, $35
ASOS pleated shorts, $45
J.Crew short shorts, $55
J.Crew short shorts, $80

Pan Seared Salmon

My parents, and dog (Wilson), came in for the long weekend (well long for them anayways) and we all had a great time.  Both of our families live 4 hours away, and while that isn’t too far, we still do not get to see them often, so we love having people come visit.  While they were hear we played with Wilson, played some Pictionary, ate some great food, and did a little shopping as well! Dad made some awesome pan seared salmon while he was here and I had to share. 

Ingredients:

4 fillets of Salmon

2 T. olive oil

2 T. capers

1/8 t. salt

1/8 t. black pepper

8 slices of lemon (4 for garnish)

Directions: Preheat skillet to medium heat.  We used non-stick but it would probably be best to use a regular skillet.  Coat each fillet with olive oil.  Place in skillet and turn to high for 3 minutes.  Sprinkle with capers, salt, and pepper.  Turn and cook for 5 minutes. Plate and garnish with lemon.  

As for the salad my mom made:

Mixed greens

Bacon

Goat cheese

Red onion

Celery

Strawberries

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Served with a Raspberry Walnut Vinegrette

Enjoy!!!

Much Love,

Mere

Show some Lovin on Bloglovin’

Just wanted to drop a note on how great bloglovin is. 

Bloglovin’ explained:  I keep finding so many people who love blogs and see the bloglovin’ button all the time, but really don’t know what it is.  Let me educate…Bloglovin’ is a tool that collects all the blogs that you love and updates their new posts every time they post. That means that you do not need to jump around from blog to blog everyday, but have a whole compilation in one spot.  How awesome is that!!!

I have been able to find some pretty awesome blogs also through this site.  Plus my favorite feature is the ‘Like’ feature.  How many times do you find something on a blog and want to remember?  Well, the like button compiles all the liked blogs into one place.  I understand there in Pinterest now, which is a great tool as well, but this is even easier.

Here are some blogs that I have currently be lovin’ on:

Erin from Currently Coveting.  I love everything she wears.  Like me she has a business casual dress code at work, and she does a great job showing off her style while still being work appropriate!

Breakfast at the Zemke’s.  This is the cutest blog.  Full of inspiration and personality!

Sparkling Footsteps.  Great bold style, with awesome tutorials too.

Revolutionaries.  Bonnie is actually a friend from college that I recently graduated with.  She has some awesome, affordable DIYs.

Creatively Stylish.  Simple and straight forward photography.  Love the clean over all look.

Dreaming en Francais.  Style and inspiration. Love.

These are just a few to start off a bloglovin’ account!!  

P.S.  That picture has nothing to do with the post, but I came across it today and had to share!

Much Love,

Mere

The Olsens

Has anyone else been drooling over EVERYTHING that Elizabeth Olsen has been wearing?  Where has she been all my life?  Thought I would share some inspiration that this newbie, and sister to the Olsen twins, has been wearing.

Much Love,

Mere

Weekend Photos

Just a few pictures from the weekend.  We had a great relaxed weekend with coffee and good food and a couple of intense Jenga games.  My parents also came to visit...note their dog in the last picture (Wilson).   I hope you all had a lovely weekend too! 

Much Love,

Mere

Love List : Basics Edition

The Charlotte Russe reversible cami

Now, this isn’t a typical stop that I make at the mall but I love their camis.  Camis are tricky, but these are great.  Great length, tons of colors, reversible (v-neck or crew neck), and a great price!  Plus I have had mine for over a year now and they have held up great.

Jcrew 3’ chino shorts

Perfect colors, perfect length, plus it’s J.crew, Perfect!

 

Hue Socks

The perfect thickness, and last forever.

Basic Tee (Mossimo for Target)

Loose fitted but not too loose, a lot of colors, awesome price.

Much Love,

Mere