DISPLAYING YOUR HOLIDAY CARDS + A MINTED.COM GIVEAWAY!

I'm pretty sure everyone in the world loves getting happy mail. I know I do, so I love when December comes around and people send their holiday cards.

Minted is far and away my favorite holiday card site -- they have fantastic and unique designs (I love this floral one and everything in their foil collection), super high quality cards, and really good prices. Their turnaround is also super quick, which is very important during the holidays when you have a million other things on your plate.

Today I've teamed up with Minted to give away $250 to use on anything on their site (the giveaway is at the bottom of the post!), and I'm sharing two easy ways to display your holiday cards this year. I always just tape mine to the wall, but having them hung around the house like this is just so pretty and festive.

Here are our cards we've sent out over the last five years (we didn't start sending them out until B was born)

Now for two easy ways to display them!

1. Use a sturdy ribbon and hang it across your fireplace, or just on a blank wall. Use mini clothespins to clip the cards to the ribbon.

I think it would look so pretty if you had five or six rows of ribbon, all with your hanging cards!

2. Hang vertical strings of ribbon over your mantel, or just in strands along a blank wall. Use clothespins to clip the pictures to the ribbon.

Again, this would look so pretty with a wall filled with rows of vertical strands.

OUTFIT DETAILS: DRESS c/o OLIVE LANE SHOP  ||  BOOTS c/o RACK ROOM SHOES

And now for the giveaway! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win $250 to Minted -- now is the perfect time to order your holiday cards, so hurry and enter!  Giveaway ends next Wednesday at midnight. Good luck!

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SAILOR STRIPES

OUTFIT DETAILS: white plum striped tunic, c/o (use code MERRICK SUMMER for 25% off your entire purchase until 6/11!) | white denim | white wedges | michael kors bag | sunglasses | watch

*photos by sara walk

Like I mentioned in this post, I'm on the hunt for summer wardrobe staples that are easy to throw on and look cute, but also let me run and play with my kids over the next few months. I love this striped tunic from White Plum because it fits all those criteria. And it's easy to dress up with a pair of white denim and wedges for a summer date night, like I did above, or dress down with a fringe bag and sandals like I did on instagram yesterday. And better yet, White Plum is generously offering my readers 25% off their order through June 11 with code MERRICKSUMMER, so snag yourself one while it's still in stock (it comes in pink stripes too!)

Every summer, White Plum does an amazing summer wardrobe giveaway (worth $1200!), and I'm so excited to announce that the time is here!

Click the image below to hop over to the giveaway page -- just enter your email address to sign up and a brand new wardrobe could be coming your way. Good luck!

(giveaway ends June 8th at 5pm MST)

HOW TO STYLE IT: MIXING FEMININE AND EDGY (PLUS A GIVEAWAY!)

DETAILS: clad and cloth top, c/o (wearing size small) | DSTLD denim, c/o | rack room heels, c/o | leopard clutch made by me (tutorial here, or similar here) | urban outfitter sunglasses | michael kors watch | similar bracelet

*pictures by sara walk

I've talked about this a ton of times on the blog before, but I love creating outfits with interesting juxtapositions, so this date night outfit that mixed feminine and edgy was a total win in my book. But pulling off this look, or finding feminine and edgy pieces that go well together can be a little tricky. 

Let's talk about how to get your mix of feminine and edgy just right. 

First, keep your feminine pieces neutral and subtle. A pink bag is super feminine, but adding it to this outfit would feel out of place and too feminine. Instead, add those girly vibes more subtly through lace, flowy and floaty tops, or glitzy jewelry. This clad and cloth top is perfect for this look because it's so feminine and beautiful, but neutral enough that you could take it in any style direction. 

Second, add distressed denim. I wear distressed denim all the time anyway, but adding a dark pair of distressed jeans instantly adds an edgy vibe to your look. But to keep the outfit still feminine, make them a skinny, fitted pair to show off those long stems. 

Third, it's all about the shoes. Shoes can make or break your outfit, in my opinion. So if you're going for an edgy feel, make sure your shoes throw off that vibe as well. Anything with straps, spikes, laces, or studs feel edgy to me, but heels feel super feminine. So the combination of the two is just the right mix to make your outfit feel feminine and edgy! 

Clad and Cloth has tons of gorgeous feminine pieces that would work perfectly in an edgy/feminine outfit. Today they're giving away $50 to their shop, so you can win a beautiful piece and then style it in this fun way!

Enter through the rafflecopter below -- the giveaway will run through next Tuesday, May 12. Good luck!

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WHY DIAPER BAGS ARE REALLY AWESOME (PLUS A PPB BAG GIVEAWAY!)

DETAILS: asos top | old sandals (similar here and here) | gap jeans (old, similar here) | PPB bag, c/o 

BOYS DETAILS: tea collection yellow hoodie, c/o | old navy shorts | tea collection chambray shirt, c/o | tea collection red shorts, c/o | old navy flip flops 

*pictures by Sara Walk

When I was a brand new mom, and even before my first baby was born, I was sort of anti-diaper bag. I felt like every diaper bag out there was ugly or bulky or just not my style. I figured I could haul all my baby things around in just a regular bag. Seemed easy enough. 

But the first time I purchased a real diaper bag my life was changed. All the pockets! All the space! All the organizers! It was a serious game changer. Now I own several diaper bags and use them still, even though the most I ever carry around for my boys is a water bottle, a package of wipes, and a granola bar. I use them for my day to day activities, even without the boys! All of the features they offer are perfect for storing my phone, wallet, keys, lip gloss, mints, headphones...and I could go on. 

I love them and think you should have one so much that I'm going to give one Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag (from their Glazed collection) to one lucky reader! Happy Mother's Day to you!

I own several PPB diaper bags, and adore them all. Their designs in the last few years have become so modern and streamline, and the variety of bags they offer is unmatched. There is honestly a bag for everyone. 

Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below to win yourself a beautiful diaper bag for Mother's Day! The giveaway will run through Saturday, after which a winner will be randomly chosen. Good luck!

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THE MOST FLATTERING SUNGLASSES FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

Last week we got a new dresser for our master bedroom, which meant I did a little closet organization with the newly added extra space. One of the first things I pulled out of my closet and put in the dresser were all my sunglasses. For the last few years they've been piled in a bowl on the shelf in my closet, but now they are neatly arranged in the top dresser drawer, all laid out and easy to see. I'd forgotten how many different styles I owned and how many pairs I hadn't worn in years!

Sunglasses are one of my favorite accessories, not only because they protect my eyes, but they often complete an outfit for me. I love wearing all kinds of styles of sunglasses, but there are definitely some that I know I look better in than others. For example, my rectangular pairs are the most unworn of all my frames because they are the least flattering for my face shape. My wayfarer and round pairs are the most flattering, and thus get worn the very most.

Do you know what glasses are best for your face shape? Here's a quick little cheat sheet:

Square Shaped Face: Round or cateye (avoid any pairs with sharp angles)
Round Shaped Face: Oversized, rectangular, and cat-eye (avoid round pairs!)
Heart Shaped Face: Cat-eye or round glasses (avoid rectangular)
Long Face: Anything oversized, especially round (avoid any pairs with small or narrow frames)

Oval Shaped Face: Anything and everything. Buy them all!

So now you're probably thinking you need a new pair of sunglasses, right? Well you're in luck. Today I've teamed up with SunglassesShop to give away one pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses of your choice*!

Enter through the rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway will run for one week, and the winner will be notified via email. Good luck!

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*polarised/titanium and limited edition frames excluded. 

A DAY AT THE BEACH WITH JONAS PAUL

OUTFIT DETAILS // ON ME: forever 21 romper | similar swimsuit (not pictured) | ray-ban sunglasses, c/o sunglasses shop | ON FOSTER: target t-shirt | old navy swim shorts (sold out) | h&m kids hat | jonas paul sunglasses, c/o (wearing small frame) | ON BENSON:  hero tee, c/o sweet tees shop | swimzip shorts, c/o | jonas paul sunglasses, c/o (wearing large frame)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK

Since we live super close to the beach and go down there regularly, I've become super aware of protecting my boy's little bodies from the harsh sun. We're careful about sunscreen and hats, and I'm super aware of protecting their little eyes. We've gone through tons of sunglasses with both of them -- little cheap ones we pick up from street vendors or at the grocery store -- and although they like to wear them, they don't last very long.

Then I was introduced to Jonas Paul Eyewear, a line of glasses and sunglasses for little kids. They have such a sweet story behind their line, inspired by the CEO's son, Jonas Paul, who was born with a rare vision disorder, which you can read about here. Their sunglasses (and glasses) are trendy, protective, and also basically indestructible -- which is a must for kids! They sent these darling sunglasses to my boys, and we're all in love with them. Fos wears his constantly, and always asks for them when we're driving in the car...which is basically the cutest thing ever.

Today I've teamed up with Jonas Paul to give away one pair of sunglasses or optical glasses (frames only, prescription lenses not included) of your choice! Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway will be open for one week -- good luck!

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BUFFALO PLAID + A GIVEAWAY

OUTFIT DETAILS: trend addiction vest, c/o (sold out, similar here) || forever 21 sweater || dittos jeans || steve madden ankle boots || petunia pickle bottom diaper bag || karen walker sunglasses 

Please tell me I'm not the only one still obsessed with buffalo plaid. I just can't get enough. I'm also a big fan of vests around here since they give me a little extra warmth for cool California days without being too warm. So this buffalo plaid vest from Trend Addictions? You know I'm there. I wore it on a chilly day with a furry sweater and ankle boots. 

And today, I'm excited to team up with Trend Addictions for a fantastic $75 gift card giveaway to their shop!  

To Enter (mandatory):

• Visit Trend Addiction's Blog and sign up for their newsletter (on the right sidebar), then come back here and leave a comment below saying you did (please include your email address in your comment).

Additional Entries (optional):

• Follow Trend Addictions on Instagram and leave a comment below saying you did (please include your instagram handle)
• Follow Trend Addictions on Pinterest and leave a comment below saying you did (please include your pinterest name)

BOHO BLUSH (+ A GIVEAWAY!)

OUTFIT DETAILS: White plum tunic (25% off with code MERRICK25), c/o || dittos jeans, similar || lulu*s heels || kate spade bag (similar) || michael stars hat via zappos || karen walker sunglasses

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANA

Blush is one of those perfect colors that can be worn all year round. I love it in summer paired with white for a super fresh, feminine look, but here I paired it with dark gray and denim for a more cool-weather look and love it maybe just as much! 

Today I've teamed up with White Plum to give away $100 to their shop -- it's full of all sorts of clothing items just like this tunic I'm wearing; unique, feminine, and fun.  The hardest part about shopping at their store is choosing a favorite! 

Enter with the rafflecopter widget below, OR if you can't wait, get 25% off your purchase with code MERRICK25. The giveaway will run through February 4th. Good luck! 

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LOVE KNOT (AND A GIVEAWAY!)

lulu*s dress, c/o

sheinside jacket

bcbg heels via dsw

 lulu*s clutch, c/o

urban outfitters sunglasses

accessory concierge cuff, c/o

LEILA jewelry love knot necklace, c/o

________________________________

I've professed my love for delicate gold jewelry here a million times, and honestly I love it all. But every once in a while there's a piece that makes me stop and instantly fall in love, and this love knot necklace made me do just that -- it's so simple, but simultaneously special and stunning. It's not just a pretty necklace, it's interesting and meaningful, and I love that. It's like a tiny statement necklace! And so many pieces from LEILA jewelry are like that -- they're simple and minimalist designs, but they're special and unique. I think you'll love them just as much as I do. 

So I'm excited to team up with them today and give away $75 to their shop for one lucky winner -- Merry Christmas to you! 

Enter with the rafflecopter widget below, and good luck!

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HANDMADE HOLIDAYS: DOUBLE SIDED INFINITY SCARF (+ A GIVEAWAY!)

boden tee (unavailable, similar here and here)

j.crew jacket

similar boots here and here

gap jeans, sold out, similar here

urban outfitter sunglasses

jotoes bag, c/o

PHOTOS BY JANA LAURENE

Today I'm excited to share with you a fun and super easy gift idea for another day of Handmade Holidays. An infinity scarf is a perfect gift for any of your friends or siblings, but this one has a little twist to it -- it's reversible! It's like two gifts in one! And the best part is that it's super easy to make.

I teamed up with Girl Charlee, a cute little online fabric shop (I used their fabric for my green swing dress and my pattern mixed peter pan collar top), to make this top, and used two of the fabrics from my Girl Charlee Knit Fix Bag! The Knit Fix bag is a brand new way to buy fabrics, and is a batch of specially selected, unique, and exclusive fabrics, each cut in two yards, so you get 12 yards total. A brand new Knit Fix bag is launched the second Tuesday of each month, and each bag has fabrics that are only available for that month.

My Knit Fix came with six very fun fabrics, all of which you can see in the image below. They are all insanely luxurious and soft knits, each with a fun and unique print. Since I wanted to use a couple of them for my project, I chose two of the more wintery fabrics and made my double sided scarf. But I cannot wait to use the other fabrics for other projects soon!

And today Girl Charlee is giving away a free Knit Fix bag (with these exact same fabrics!) to one lucky winner (and get excited because having the same fabric as me means you can make the EXACT project I do for future tutorials!), so enter with the rafflecopter widget below (US Residents Only)

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Now click through to get the double side scarf tutorial!