spring in the midwest

springmerlfwd1

springmerlfwd2

there’s an old saying on the weed farm.. ‘Merl and Todd aren’t too particular about the weather.. so long as it’s a breezy, sunny, non humid day between the temps of 68 and 76. Really, they aren’t asking for much.’ …except that is, to NOT live in the Midwest. The fabulous man mentioned above is basically the 7th member of our family, and the *best at sashaying past you with a cutting remark whilst he flips one of his numerous scarves over his shoulders. [*giving him the queen bee title says a lot for anyone who knows me] However, we are equally adept at bemoaning the mercurial beast that is weather in the creamy white filling of our US of A. Take this spring for example. After surprise snow flurries in the middle of April, Mama N then decides to flick the switch over to broil and skyrocket the temps to the upper 80′s a few scant days later. After that? Frost warnings and frigid winds. After that? A day that starts in the mid 90′s and sinks to the mid 60′s by 3 pm with no visible change in the weather. I don’t know who Mama N has been seeing these days, but she needs to keep a better eye on her medicine cabinet. Those bi-polar meds can catch a pretty dime on the streets.

springmerlfwd3

[denim jacket-thrifted // trousers- buffalo xchange // wedges- dear golden // black T- thrifted // clutch- bee's netta via milk handmade // gemini necklace- julie nolan // vera necklace- clyde's rebirth]

Isn’t it amazing how I went from lamenting the weather to casting Mother Nature as a serial dater with a mental disorder? I don’t know whether to delete and start over, or give my imagination a pat on the crazay back. If you’re reading this, obviously it’s the former.

springmerlfwd4

Moving on! This outfit was the result of stomping around my apartment [which only made me sweat more] on one of those sweltering days while I cursed my lack of appropriate summer weather attire. Luckily, the simple cotton T, loose khaki trousers I so carefully hacked off a few inches of and perfectly shrunken denim jacket [that I had on earlier in the day, but ripped off in a sudden hot flash.. and then re-donned for photos] kept me reasonably cool while being simple and unfussy. As I approach the last year of my 20′s [!!!], I’ve come to terms with what I’m most comfortable in.. the basics. Providing that the basics are high quality, fit well and have a timeless quality that allows them years of wear and inevitably tear at my clumsy, constantly dingy hands. Naturally, this fits in well with my ethos, as well as saves me time and sanity when getting dressed ~~each~~ most days. It’s not that I’m opposed to bold colors and wild prints.. in fact, I look quite dashing in many of them. However, I have a ‘less is more’ approach to style these days, and find myself erring on the side of minimal to stark versus loud and complicated. That said, my summer wardrobe still needs work so I’m on the hunt for the perfect drapey, but not boxy light shift dress, a few high waisted pairs of breezy palazzos [or jumpsuit?] & maybe a pair or two cutlottes, as well as one ..or five more fitted crop tops to wear with said high waisted bottoms, and lastly this smock that I can wear working in the studio, and loose over a bandeau and a slinky pencil skirt come nighttime.. man, even though I love supporting other small businesses & designers, I really wish I could sew; I have pages and pages of clothing designs that I desperately want to hang in my closet [..and you know, wear]. anyone wanna donate their garment creation skills to this friendly ginger? I’ll pay you in jewels and cat hair..

[x]m.

**photos by Rachel Winslow // visit the facebook page for the outtakes**

Posted on May 16, 2013 by merl

instant update

[{L-R} this happened.. again // mr scooty boots was pretty much convinced I smuggled in high grade catnip to OKC // clyde giving my new green babies a taste test // you can now shop a select clyde's rebirth pieces @ Milk Handmade in Andersonville! // you kittens spoke {yelled} and I listened.. new earring styles coming soon! // being a tourist with my darling gal pal Nikka who's a temporary Chicago resident]

my computer’s hard drive decided to crash last week. oh sure, I had some minimal warning signs.. programs constantly shutting down or running slowler than an obese hamster on a rusty wheel, randomly shutting off when there’s still 20% battery life left, and generally being an incredibly frustrating piece of technology. yet I was still shocked and angered when it wheezed out it’s final death rattle. getting a new one was merely annoying [and slightly costly] but what almost had me chucking the entire thing out the window was the fact that my external hard drive that I had so carefully backed up on almost every day WASN’T LETTING ME ACCESS ALL MY DATA. though my title has never been ‘customer service representative’ every single job I’ve worked at has had this element firmly entrenched in my duties, so I try very hard not to take out said murderous rage towards a device on the staff required to help us customers out. however, after 2 days of trying to reach someone who wouldn’t simply ask me the same questions over and over in an accent I can barely understand, I was losing my last shred of sanity. thankfully the last rep, after asking me to try ‘admin’ for the 1982374 time and hearing me literally bite off the end of every reply, transferred me to a very friendly gentleman who had me switch one setting on my computer and VOILA! access to my hard drive. I could’ve reached through the phone and hugged the shit out of him. maybe even toss in an ass grab for good measure.

and that, little kittens, is my excuse as to why I have only instagram photos to share with you today. I plan to do a full recap -with photos- of my trip to OKC to visit an awesome shop, an awesome couple of ladies, two awesome felines and meet a whole damn room full of awesome, inspiring artistpreneurs like myself. I even have an outfit post coming later this week! I know, I know, you guys will believe when you see it. I don’t blame you.

[x]m.

Posted on May 15, 2013 by merl

s // s 2013

{insert dramatic drum roll here……and then click on the photo to view the lookbook!}

First off, I would be remiss if I did not shout something from the rooftops right quick: HAPPY EARTH DAY!!! I can safely say this is the first Monday in awhile that I’ve been happy to ~~bound~~ stumble out of bed with a smile on my face. Not only is this a day that Mama N should be showered with gratitude, gifts of freshly planted greenery and a refusal to use any but the most necessary electricity, but it’s also -insanely appropriately enough!- the day I launch my spring/summer 2013 jewelry lookbook! I think this calls for a group wide dolphin squeal: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My ‘vision,’ if you will excuse me dropping an lofty term into the mix, was to showcase how my pieces are worn by a variety of ladies, all with different styles and career backgrounds. I reached out to some stylish and ‘green’ minded ladies to see if they would be interested in schmizing for my camera and was tickled pink when they said yes! My only requirement was that they done a white shirt that won’t compete with or swallow whole the jewelry. This created a cohesive appearance across the board, while still allowing them to feel comfortable in their own favorite attire. I also made sure to snap 20389723 photos so that I one: have blackmail photos and two: can catch them in candid, natural poses and movements. I hope you kittens enjoy clicking through and be sure to give Alexz, Andrea, Crystal, Karrin, Karyn, Linsey, Lora, Maranda, Rachael and finally Samantha your rabid attention as well! Whew. Oh, and most importantly: go support our incredible, ever evolving and magical Earth by purchasing an eco friendly necklace [or 10].