Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Photo Fun

Disclaimer: I am not a model (go figure haha).  However, I did have a lot of fun with these girls though.  I pretty much just stick to 1 of 3 poses when taking photos but these girls encouraged me to be just a bit more adventurous.  They literally had to form me into certain poses haha.  Enjoy!!
 
Blouse: Franchesca’s
Vest: T.J. Maxx
Jeans: Forever 21
Booties: Forever 21 (2 years ago)
Necklaces: The Loft

Have a great Day!!

Much Love,
Mere





Monday, January 30, 2012

The Weekender

 


Hello friends!!  How was your weekend?  This weekend I got together with friends Emily and Becca to mess around with my new camera and gain some experience shooting people in different lighting. Emily is super artsy so it was fun to see her perspective on photography and Becca is a dancer so it was a lot of fun photographing her doing her thing.  Anyways, just wanted to share a few of pictures I took for these beautiful girls.  I will share some more of myself tomorrow.

Much Love,

Mere

Friday, January 27, 2012

The Roast (The Mr.)

We are coffee connoisseurs (or as some would put it ‘snobs’).  We often roast our own coffee.  Although we do not have the best equipment and this may not be the best coffee, we still love it and have so much fun doing it.  Coffee, the kind we like (SNOBS…I know), is expensive, so this is always a good alternative.


Supplies:

Green beans (we get ours from HERE)
Popcorn popper (Stir style…ours is HERE)
Thermometer
Scale
Small swivel fan
Colander
Wooden Spoon



Directions: Measure out four ounces of green coffee beans.  Heat up empty popcorn popper on the stove until it reaches 400 degrees and pour in green beans.  Stir constantly, until you hear the first crack.  This takes about 8 minutes.  (I request using a timer).  Once the first crack is over, take off heat and Pour in colander.  Now this next part is messy, so make sure to do it outside.  Place the colander on top of fan, or point fan towards colander and stir with wooden spoon.  All the stuff that has cracked in the pot will fly away, until it is just the beans.  Make sure that you get all of that extra stuff out.  We then store our coffee in Mason jars with the top labeled with roast type and date.  Leave the top off for an hour or so, so that they can cool down.  We recommend waiting about 7 days to let the flavor develop a little.  There ya go!

Much Love,

Mere

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Oops!!


So I know it was only last week that I boldly proclaimed I would only be buying quality clothes from this moment forward.  Today I come before you, tail between my legs, to say that I totally broke that promise already.  I just happened to stroll into Old Navy this past weekend (which was having an amazing sale by the way), and picked up this little number.  I mean, 4 bucks!!  What's a girl to do?!?!?!


Anyways I bought this top, and yes only spent $4.  I really think it was worth it though.  It's not like I bought eight $4 shirts.  Just one.  And I kinda love it.  Yes, quality is key, but maybe portion control is just as big a key...

Much Love,

Mere


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Work work work


So I actually took these photos in front of the building that I work in.  We (me and the mr.) decided just to go for it, but the whole time I was thinking “Please, let no one at work see me doing this!!”

Top: Delias; Pants: Walmart (no joke…and only $1); Shoes: Steve Madden; Necklace: H$M

In other news, we had a great time with Ryan's sister, Steffanie, and David this weekend.  They came to visit, and I had every intention of getting some pictures but the weather was very rainy.  I kinda like the rain though...

Much Love,
Mere

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Soup

Hello my friends!! I was not planning on posting this today, but I had to share. This year, one of my goals is to try a new recipe (or two) a week.  Most of the time they turn out great!  Key words...most of the time. (i.e. Salmon bisque and cranberry crock pot pork chops...not so good) This week I decided to make home made potato soup.  It was so darn scrumdiliumptious I just had to share!!  The recipe is Here.


Also, rarely do I think a soup is complete without toppings.  As you can see we did bacon, sour cream, cheese, and oyster crackers on ours.  But wait!!! Those aren't just any kind of oyster crackers. Au contraire, in fact, they are special.  Try out these ranch flavored oysters.  So easy to make and a necessity (at least for me) in this soup.

Note: The next time I make this I will probably add two more potatoes and take away 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream.

Much Love,

Mere



Friday, January 20, 2012

I Don’t Play!

Almost every year (or a few times a year) I go CRAZY over my whole closet.  I feel bored and drab and just need a whole make over!  Well, it’s that time of year again.  Last night, on a total whim, I went through and put about 20 pieces of clothes in a bag to send to the Goodwill.  No regrets, no second guessing, it is GONE!!  I don’t play. 
Yet again, I find myself with the mindset of NO more spur of the moment buys from Forever 21 or Old Navy clearance.  I declare, from now on, NO MORE OF IT!!  I am going to carefully examine each piece I buy before buying.  More J.Crew, and less “so so” purchases.  So “Bye, bye” for now, until I find myself back in the downward cycle again!
Here are some pieces I am looking into to beat these blues!

J.Crew $350


Ruche $36.99


Asos $57.30



Anthopologie $29.95 (down from $78)

Does anyone else have this issue?
Note:  Nothing is wrong with Forever 21.  The truth is, I love it.  I just need to learn to scale back on cheaper purchases and focus more on things that will last.  ‘Nough said.

Much Love,

Mere

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Wanderlust

So recently, I have been having a bit of wander lust.  Maybe it is the winter blues or maybe it is because I happen to be watching 'Midnight in Paris' tonight.  Although not the best story (please forgive), the scenery is really something.  Woody Allen, sure does have a way of capturing a city. 





Paris.  I have always thought it so cliche, but lately it has seemed very appealing.  The fashion, the interior design,  the music, the food.  I don't know why, but lately I have been more attracted to it than ever!!  Anyways, I feel like this is an outfit I would wear around Paris.  Hmmmm....I think I need a long weekend!!  Or perhaps just a down right vacation!!  

Much Love,
Mere

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Snapshots of the Weekend





Ryan's parents came to visit this past weekend, along with their little dog too.  We had a great time eating good food, doing a little shopping, and playing board games.  Hope your weekends were great too!!

Much Love,
Mere

Monday, January 16, 2012

Best Gift Ever!!



Look at what our good friends Erik and Kyrie just sent us!! Man they know us soo well.  Cannot wait to give these all a try!


Look forward to a coffee roasting tutorial later this week :)

Much Love,
Mere

Friday, January 13, 2012

Frame It 2


So this was super easy…really a no brainer. 

All you need is a frame, lace, and hot glue. 

Figure out the lace pattern that you want to do, mark the pattern on the back of the frames, and then glue them to the back!! 






The only question now is how to use it!!  I could just leave it plain, hang earrings, or maybe even sunglasses. Such a versatile piece and SOOO cheap!

So this week has been harder than expected with my mouth taking a little longer to heal than I expected.  Next week I should be back on a regular schedule! Be expecting some more outfit posts along with a Mr. Style File, as well as the third Frame DIY!!

Much Love,
                                                Mere