Happy Halloween

Hey Halloweenies! What did we ever do before Pinterest? Shudder - now THERE'S a scary thought for Halloween. Thought I'd share some of my favey fave spooky pinspirations witcha today. BOO!

Source: laurenconrad.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Spiderriffic.

Source: marthastewart.com via Shannan on Pinterest

.

Source: marthastewart.com via Shannan on Pinterest

.

Source: marthastewart.com via Shannan on Pinterest

.

Source: marthastewart.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Leave it to Martha Stewart to out-do EVERYONE for the holidays. Sheesh Martha, PACE YOURSELF. 

Source: madiganmade.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Oooooh, pumpkiny! 

Source: gizmodo.com.au via Shannan on Pinterest

As God is my witness, one year my kids are going as Leia, R2D2 and Han Solo. Stay safe out there tonight! 

Merci, 
Shan

Stop the Presses

Let's have a chat about a coupla things that I'm tardy to the party on, shall we? Meet me at camera three.

How did I not know about this website until yesterday morning? Seriously? A whole site dedicated to the red-carpet???? If you have been reading MerciBlahBlah for any length of time, I think you know how I feel about a red carpet rundown, and an entire website of red carpet?! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!! Holy cow, quoting Jabberwocky takes me back to high school, when we sang that song in concert choir. Suck on THAT, Gleeks.

Damages. The TV show, you know, with Glenn Close? That's been on apparently for something like 4 or 5 seasons, and I'm just now jumping on board? Tom and I have been Netflixing it for about a week, and we're more than halfway through season two.

We are INHALING three or four episodes a night, and tonight? Tom has to work late, so no watchy for Shan, and someone needs to call Candy Finnegan or Jeff Van Vonderan, because I am pretty sure I'm having cold sweats from withdrawal.

Can I just say that Glenn Close is so frigging wicked in this - GLEEFUL in her wickedness? wickedry? wickedatude? ANYWAY, she is so bad she is almost good. And also? I really think they should change the name of the show from Damages to Every Fucking Person In Damages Is A Big Fat Lying Liar. Because they are. It's ridiculous. But does it deter me from watching? HELL no.

I need to hear from you if you are a Damages fan - SANS SPOILERS PLEASE. I just need to find out who My People are on this one.

Oh, and one final note? This outfit is my official New Fall Favorite. It's easy peasy lemon squeezy and pretty damn comfy, and I think the scarf makes it a little more fancy pants. Because when you're wearing fake leather, you need to push them into fancy pants territory sometimes. You just do.

Sweater/Pants/Belt As Bracelet: Target
Tank: Wal Mart
Boots: Libby  Edelman, TJ Maxx
Scarf: Gift from my sis - I think it's from Turkey (the country, not the bird)
Earrings: World Market

Merci!
Shan

EDIT: Eye of the Tapeworm

Oh, thank GOD I don't have a tapeworm. I just started my period. Seriously, ya'll, I was beginning to think I was going to eat everything in sight to satiate some gastrointestinal parasite, but lucky me - it's just Aunt Flo.

I am not even joking when I say I. Can't. Stop. Eating. Cheese.

I can barely stand to type up this post because I want to go stuff my face with Italian truffle, triple cream, and syrrah toscano, sliced and diced with some apples, apricot jam, and Trader Joe's Cookie Butter.

Tom is working late, so I'm going to make myself a little snackity ack and settle down with a movie I know he would never watch - in this case, Pret a Porter, which I have never seen.

In the immortal words of Popeye, that's all I can stands, cuz I can't stands no more. I'm off to stuff my face. 

Jacket: Thrifted
Tee: F21
Tank: Wal Mart
Pants: Target
Boots: Libby Edelman, TJ Maxx
Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Merci!
Shan

McLovin: Blog Style

Lately I have come across a coupla new-to-me blogs, and they were so dope, I wanted to share them with you. Come on - taste the rainbow.

(studs and pearls)
Seriously? This DIY-heavy blog is a-fricking-mazing. Found it on pinterest when looking for studded something-or-other, and found this photo.

Source: studs-and-pearls.com via Shannan on Pinterest

W-H-A-T???!!! Are you frigging kidding me????? DYING to try this on a thrifted trench. But wait, that's not all!!!

Source: studs-and-pearls.com via Shannan on Pinterest

She does gold cap toe boots too. And, and, annnnnnd, this: 

Source: studs-and-pearls.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Methinks SOMEONE needs to get off their ass and start making some Christmas gifts early. BUT WILL I????? Probably not.

'Nother blog that is on my radar? TARGET does it again. It's all Target, all the time, baby, as seen through the eyes of two bloggers, Ascot Friday and Deep In the Hart. Oh, and by the way - that boys' skull sweater? I totally tried it on last weekend BEFORE I saw it on TARGET does it again. What can I say? Great minds think alike.

Source: targetdoesitagain.tumblr.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Dope.

So what are YOUR favey fave new blogs? Share. This is a safe place.

Merci!
Shan

Stuff We Do In Private

Imma take a trip to the way-back machine and do something that Amy and I used to do when we co-hosted this bloggity ogg - share one of our emails witcha. I'm sorry, but we are funny when we want to be. Which, let's face it, is ALWAYS. And this one features G-Money too.  Name changed to protect the guilty.

Ames: PBI just sent me this with the subject line "this is how you go..."cracks me up.

G-Money: Funny.  I could live on a diet of Pumpkin Spice Latte’s and nothing else.

Ames: Not me. I need a pumpkin bread chaser.

Shan: Okay, I KNOW I'm way tardy to the party on this one, but when you were e-mailing back and forth yesterday, I was lucky enough to be sitting in The Most Uncomfortable Staff Meeting Ever - tonight, on a Very Special Blossom. Ugh. Blargh. RAWR.

Anyhoo, I have just two words for you both: Banana Bread with chocolate chips, crystallized ginger, and home made whipped cream. YES I KNOW THAT'S MORE THAN TWO WORDS. Just go with it. And I just realized that maybe I need to substitute the banana bread for pumpkin bread, but keep all the other accoutrements, cuz that wouldn't suck either. And while we're talking about banana bread, I would just like to leave you both with one bit of advice: Never make eye contact with someone while you're eating a banana.

HEY OHHHHHH! Thank you! We'll be here all week - don't forget to tip your waitress.

Jacket: Thrift
Dress: TJ Maxx
Boots: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's
Necklace: Vintage, mom's
Cuff: Charming Charlie's

Merci!
Shan

Private Dancer

Why is it that my kids ALWAYS come to me to answer questions, or help wipe their bums, or whatever? It's not that I don't want to help my kids. I do. But seriously? Rather than go to their dad to unravel the mysteries of the universe, like what two colors mix together to make magenta (okay, he probably COULDN'T answer that one for them), but perhaps green? purple? orange? I'm sure he could.

I mean. He was outside drawing with them on the driveway in chalk, and I was standing with my head in the kitchen sink, washing my hair, and Gavin ran in about 37 times to ask me what colors mixed together to make other colors. Finally I snapped, "ASK YOUR DAD!!! I can't hear you under the running water!!!" Then I immediately felt bad.

But I am not EVEN exaggerating when I tell you they will come find me on the toilet to ask me something. Like, Tom can be laying on the sofa in the room where they are watching TV, and they will come find me trying to drop a deuce in private (Private?! What's THAT???) to ask them to change the channel so they can watch Jake & The Neverland Pirates instead of Little Einsteins. Really people?

This is exactly why I lock myself in the bathroom to eat chocolate covered potato chips.

SOME things just aren't meant to be shared.

Camo jacket: Thrift
Plaid shirt: Target, men's
Tank: Wal Mart
Pants: hand-me-downs from my sis
Boots: Thrift
Necklace: TJ Maxx
Earrings: Standard Style Boutique

Merci!
Shan

Finding Your Voice

Monday, Ames and I were emailing back and forth, and talking about two of our favorite bloggers, Miz Sheree (It's Not That Deep) who graciously guest-posted for me yesterday, and Whitley from The Queen City Style. In particular, I mentioned a comment that Miz Whitley left me a few weeks ago that was one of my favorite comments that I have ever received in the 3 years that I have been writing this blog.

 

Whitley said in her comment: "I went to LuckyFABB last week in NYC and attended a break out session on finding your voice. The moderator asked if others have examples of blogs we admire, and I stood up and told everyone about Merci Blah Blah, because it is so true! You have such a voice that is all your own. So unique, witty, fun. I told the group that as a fellow full-time stay-at-home-mom that I could relate and I love that you say what everyone else is thinking! Anyway, I love ya and the feel good you provide me!!"

Whitley - I know I responded to your comment at the time, but seriously. Still, a month later, that comment makes me smile. It is great to receive ANY comment, and I am deeply honored - REALLY - each time someone takes a minute to comment on my blog. I love hearing that someone liked how I put together an outfit, but at the end of the day, what REALLY matters to me is that something I wrote meant something to a reader. That it touched them somehow, or made them laugh, or spit coffee on their monitor.

Maybe that need to be loved or appreciated for what I write goes back to my Comp 110 days in high school, with Maryfrances Wagner, who will forever remain my Favorite Teacher Ever. The first educator who made me feel like what I had to say was important, or creative, or unique. Because The Most Important thing to me, is that when someone reads what I have written, that it is genuine. That whether it is silly or sappy or sad, it is MY voice. Unique to me. And believe me, I have days when the words just don't flow quite as easily, and I feel like I'm forcing them. But baby, on the days that they DO flow, all is right with the world.

So I guess this post is a big fat THANK YOU, not just to Sheree and Whitley, but to everyone who stops by to see what the hell I have to say or what crazy things are going on in my life everyday. Because Lord knows there are plenty of other blogs out there in the blogosphere, and I know you don't HAVE to come here, but I am grateful that you do choose to spend a few minutes here. To those readers who comment - you should know that every comment I get gives me a thrill each time I see one come in. Well, except for that one commenter once who told me I had "...way too many photos of myself, and not in a GOOD way..." on my blog. That one pretty much sucked donkey you-know-whats.

And to those of you who may not comment, but I know you're there anyway, thank you too, for all the reasons I said above. Sheesh, I did not mean to turn this post into a sap-fest. I just think I don't say it enough. I love you, man. Ya'll rock.
 

Jacket: NY&Co
Chambray shirt: JC Penny
Pants: Target
Boots: Libby Edelman, TJ Maxx
Small Necklace: TJ Maxx
Large pendant Necklace: Vintage, from my mom 

Merci!
Shan

How Deep Is Your Love?

Ya'll, I have one of my favorite bloggers guesting for me today. See, I had asked the lurvly Sheree last week - when I thought we were going to be out of town on vacation - to guest for me, and she was kind enough to oblige. If you have not yet been to her blog, It's Not That Deep, first of all - what are you waiting for? And secondly? DO IT. Here. Sheree has perfected the art of cool, rockstar, kickass chic. Oh, and if you're wondering why I'm still in town after all? Cuz guess who has two thumbs and was in the ER at Children's Mercy with one of their kids the night before we were to fly out to Washington? THIS guy. Yep. Viruses STILL abound at Casa de Blah Blah, and I can tell you one thing for sure - I'm fucking SICK of being sick. Anyhoo, hopefully we're all on the mend, and in the meantime, YOU get to enjoy Mz. Sheree. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Guys, Sheree here from 'It's not that Deep.'

I was thrilled when Shan asked me to guest post.

She is one hysterical and stylish little lady. . . her posts and comments make my days! 

When you read my blog (if you don't already) you will quickly discover that I love wearing pieces in different ways.

The easiest way to do this is with the dress. 

In this post I showed how one dress can be worn in three different ways. 

Today, I decided to highlight some of the ways this can be done.

Here we go...

Tuck it into pants and layer....

As a top...

As a top tucked into a skirt...

Tucked in and pulled out..

So there you have it, a few looks that will hopefully provide you with some inspiration to rummage through your closets and rediscover new ways  to wear some old pieces!

Would love for you to stop by and say hi!

Itsnotthatdeep.com

Thanks again, Sheree - for guesting for me! I appreciate it - and you rock!

Merci,

Shannan

Random Fall-spirations

Mix-master.

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Fir-riffic.

Source: brookssalzwedel.com via Shannan on Pinterest

I can't think of a good reason any of the below shoes are not in my closet.

Source: ninewest.com via Shannan on Pinterest

and these...

Source: nyheter24.se via Shannan on Pinterest

and these...

Source: sumally.com via Shannan on Pinterest

and maybe these...

Source: ashburyskies.com via Shannan on Pinterest

One of my favorite places - the G Hotel in Galway, Ireland.

Source: sarahsarna.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Quiltastic.

Source: tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com via Shannan on Pinterest

Merci! 
Shan