Exclusive: Merrily Mom Blogs for Us!

To our Merrily readers and followers:

We are so proud to announce this exclusive post from our very own Merrily Mama! Our parents have spent tireless hours over the last few years renovating an old home that they purchased, and have truly rejuvenated not only a beauty of a time gone by, but a place that we both call home.

We love our little small town (if you haven't noticed), and we are so proud to call our little blue house and Gladwin 'home sweet home', and proud of the true love our parents have invested to give us a comfort and a place that not everyone has the pleasure of experiencing. A home that is rich in history, many stories, but most of all, a home that is filled with welcome and a love to all who visit.

Go here if you are interested in learning more about the Gladwin County Historical Society and helping their cause.

Go here to learn about the little town we call home, {Gladwin, Michigan}. 

 

    xoxo

~ j & r

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Hi! I am Merrily Mom {Kerri} and unlike my daughters Merrily Jenna and Merrily Raechel, I have no fashion finesse. Only with their help can I put an outfit together!

One passion I do have is all things historic and architectural. Recently, my husband and I purchased a 113-year-old home that really needed some TLC. It was a sight for sore eyes in the neighborhood.  My husband thought I was crazy because we had never taken on that magnitude of a renovation project before.  I ignored his opinion and three years later, we have persevered through the toughest projects and are getting to the fun of making it our home.

We were asked by the Gladwin County Historical Society to showcase our home in the Gladwin County Historical Society Home Tour of 2013. We were hesitant at first, but with some prompting from our neighbors who have encouraged us from the beginning of this crazy endeavor, we agreed!

The tour went better than expected and it was a fantastic time.  The day of the tour, people came to our home on an old double-decker bus with the driver and some of the members of the historical society dressing accurately in the early 20^th century time period when the home was built (1900)!  As the tourists came inside, my job was to narrate some of the original features of the home. This includes:

·      Original windows, windowsills, and casings, along with original wood trim

·      Orignal fireplace

·      Original wooden bakers chest in the dining room featuring adjustable shelving (adjustable shelving not common during that time period)

·      Original wooden staircase banister

 

And many more! We have also discovered some interesting items while renovating the home such as old newspapers and magazines dating back to the early 1900’s, a letter written to an inhabitant of the home that came from a cousin who lived in Waterford, MI. (dated 1914 and even had recipes included for a chocolate cake and frosting).

It was rewarding to open our home for such a worthy cause. All the proceeds were donated to the Historical Museum, so that they can continue to stay open and let citizens that enjoy taking a look back in time enjoy all things nostalgic, such as the old homes that are in our community.

I would like to suggest to everyone to go and see some of the beautiful historic homes and buildings that are being preserved in your own communities, and for a moment in time you will live in the good ole days gone by!

Xoxo

Merrily Mom (Kerri)

Stitch Fix

So if you don't know what Stitch Fix is, I'll tell you a little bit about it. You first have to sign up. You can click here to sign up through my special referral link! Once you are signed up, you will answer a bunch of fun questions about your style and what kind of things you are looking for in your wardrobe. You will also give your sizes and chose a price point for the items you would like to receive as well. Then you can schedule when you would like your box to arrive!

You pay a $20 styling fee when your box is shipped. That $20 serves as a credit towards purchasing something from your box. If you choose to keep everything from your box you get a 25% discount! So you get your box, try everything on, and decide what you like and what you don't. You go online to your account and select the things you are keeping and the things you aren't. They will charge you for what you keep and you send back what you aren't keeping in a pre-paid envelope that they include in the box - HELLO = free shipping! It's such a great way to discover new brands and designers that you wouldn't normally see in your everyday shopping.

This was my 6th "Fix" and it was just as fabulous as my first 5. Here's what I got...

(I apologize for the terrible pictures, I took them quickly at night in really bad lighting)

1// THML Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank $48

2// Peach Love Cream Minerva Geo Print Peplum Blouse $58

3// Denim Blvd Aaron Skinny Jean $58

4// Hourglass Lily Lyra Chevron Print Dress $48

5// Ezra Dantine Striped Skirt $58

I loved almost everything in this fix. The racerback tank was just my style, I love anything peplum, the color of those jeans were to die for, the chevron dress was the most comfortable thing I've put on in a long time, and the skirt was something I wouldn't have picked out but still looked super cute on. The reason I didn't purchase everything is because some of them didn't fit exactly the way I wanted to and I always tell myself I need to love whatever I'm buying. Can you guess what I chose?...

The Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank! It's perfect for me! 

XO-R

Merrily Favorites: Patterned Leggings and Bows

R:There is a never ending debate between all the women in the world about leggings.

 I mean seriously, it's been going on for years now. Well, I'm one of those "pro leggings" people. As long as my shirt covers my entire booty, I'm wearing them. They are so comfortable and cute when worn with the right top. I understand that some women abuse leggings and wear them in ways that should never be seen out of the comfort of their own home...but we're not going to even go there today. 

This Fall I've discovered patterned leggings. They are so cute! Pair them with a solid top, boots and a sweater and its the perfect Fall combo! Target and Forever 21 have tons of cute ones right now! If you don't have a pair or are nervous to try them, just give it a chance! I took a chance on a sweater I wasn't too sure about this week and I absolutely love it. You just never know until you try!!

J: Bows! I have seen this as a fashion accessory twice in the last day, and although I will admit I have never been a big "bow wearer", I am really loving what I see! I'm not talking about your little girl hair bows either, I am talking about some serious big girl bows. 

Enjoy!

Oh, and Tag us on Instagram (@merrilysisters) if you are wearing any of our favorites and we might just regram you!!

XO

J + R

Merrily Favorites: Wall Art and Aztec Inspired Prints

R: Something I've been obsessing over lately is Wall Art.

 There is wall art for literally every holiday/occasion of life. I love it. I've been collecting pieces here and there so that when we finally get a house I will have tons of cute pieces to decorate with. Barn Owl Primitives is one of my very favorites for typography word art. You can find Barn Owl Primitive designs at Target, Homegoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Cost Plus World Market. I don't think I'm going to make it through the Christmas holiday without buying one of their signs!!

  

Another great place to find unique wall art is francesca's. They have many different sizes and usually only a few of each kind so it makes it really special.

 

 I'm hoping to create somewhat of a gallery wall in our new home with all the wall art I collect. Can't wait to show you guys!!


J: Aztec inspired prints!
This is EVERYWHERE right now, and especially hot for Fall! Every time I catch a glimpse of an Aztec inspired print, I feel like it's Christmas day for my eyeballs! The colors! The texture! I get excited just thinking about it, and could it be any more  perfect for this lovely time of year? The rich tones and pops of color like orange, yellow, and blue remind me of a vibrant Fall oak tree on a sunny clear sky day!

Two looks that I am loving right now are:::
1. Oversized Tribal Sweater or Aztec Inspired Sweatshirt. With your favorite pair of blue jeans or over a chambray shirt and leggings, this combo is definitely a home run staple for your Fall wardrobe!

2. Aztec Inspired Skirt. Mini or maxi, this look can be very versatile. With a t-shirt and boots or some cozy tights and a sweater, either of these can be worn day or night!

xoxo
J & R