MODERN GIRL'S CHRISTMAS: RED PLAID DRESS

OUTFIT DETAILS: DRESS MADE BY ME -- TUTORIAL HERE  ||  PATENT LEATHER HEELS  ||  NECKLACE  ||  BRACELET  ||  LIPSTICK 

This week Leanne and I have been sharing holiday style with garments you can make with The Modern Girl's Guide to Sewing! Our courses will be on sale this weekend, so don't miss the chance to pick up our Beginner's Course, the Intermediate Course, or both of them!

On Monday I shared a gold sequin skirt, and yesterday Leanne shared a gorgeous burgundy lace skirt, both made with instructions from our Beginners Guide.

The Intermediate course teaches more advanced skills, and the last video in the course takes you through a step by step tutorial for a shift dress, like the one I'm wearing here. I slimmed down the sides to make it more baby bump friendly and obviously used a stretchy knit material.

Make sure to check Leanne's blog tomorrow to see her holiday shift dress, and then snag yourself a course this weekend while they're on sale so you can whip up some amazing handmade holiday clothing!

CASUAL FRIDAY

OUTFIT DETAILS: PLAID BUTTON UP  ||  JEANS  ||  OLD JACKET, SIMILAR HERE AND HERE  ||  DUCK BOOTS  ||  SUNGLASSES 

Last year we had a really mild winter -- I think we turned the heat on twice, and I wore a coat maybe three times but didn't ever really need one. We had planned to go up to the mountains to take the boys sledding and build a snowman, but our surrounding mountains never got enough snow. This year they've already had their first snowfall, so we're excitedly planning a little weekend getaway!

So of course I'm pulling out my duck boots and breaking them in so they're ready for the snow. They're the perfect waterproof, cozy, and cute snow boots, especially when I pair them with a super thick and cozy pair of socks, but also work great as a clunky pair of fall boots to take exploring, or just crunch through the leaves. I paired them with plaid and my favorite lightweight jacket for a cool fall afternoon.

. . . . . .

Also, three other things of note, just because it's Friday:

1. Next week marks the beginning of Merrick's Guide to the Holidays! The past two years I've done my Handmade Holidays, but this year I'm stepping it up with weekly themes that will include party ideas, sewing and DIY projects, gift guides, giveaways, and more, all pertaining to that week's theme. They will start next week and run all the way through the week of Christmas. I'm so excited about it, and you will not want to miss it, so make sure you check back on Monday when it all launches!

2. I'm participating in a fun holiday campaign with Kathy Davis, all about Creating a Life You Love. I'm such a huge advocate of taking control of your own happiness and making your life special just because you deserve it, and it's been fun to reflect on a bit of that with this campaign. Follow along on Instagram (@merricksart) so you can catch my next few posts with her!

3. Yesterday I hit 23 weeks with this pregnancy. Although I still feel like I have a ways to go, the weeks are flying by and I can't believe I'm already this far along. Baby is 11 inches long, and he's an active baby -- especially around Halloween when I was feeding him candy. We also finalized his name last week, which is always a big weight off of our shoulders -- now we have four months to say it aloud a million times and make sure it's right. Does anyone else have to do this with baby names?

Happy Friday!

shop my look in the widget below, plus a few other favorite plaid tops and military jackets!

photos by jana laurene

ADDING COLOR TO YOUR WINTER WARDROBE

OLD NAVY SWEATER, c/o   ||  OLD NAVY SCARF, c/o  ||  WHITE BUTTON UP ||  JOE'S JEANS  ||  ISOLA BOOTS  ||  SIMILAR JACKET  

During the spring and summer, most people gravitate toward bright and bold colors. During the Fall we move to muted, rich colors, and in the winter everything goes to neutrals. Right? Winter is like a sea of black and navy and camel. And don't get me wrong -- my closet is full of those colors and I love them just like everyone else. But it's also fun to add some pops of color to your winter wardrobe to brighten up your look and keep you feeling happy and colorful all winter long (especially those of you who have really long, cold winters ahead of you)!

Old Navy has some gorgeous colorful clothing and accessories right now, and when I stopped in my local store last week, I couldn't resist picking up a few things to brighten up my winter wardrobe. This royal blue sweater is so cozy, and pairs perfectly with this bright plaid scarf, both of which are on sale for under $30 right now!

A plaid scarf is such a winter wardrobe staple, and paired with an all black look, and a splash of blue, creates just the perfect amount of winter-y pop.

And for even more of a colorful look, add a bright crossbody bag, winter hat, or pair of shoes -- Old Navy has the cutest choices of all of those right now, and they have free 3-day shipping and 40% off with code HOLIDAY through today, so hurry and stock up on some bright winter essentials!

photos by rad and happy  ||  created in partnership with old navy 

3 WAYS TO STYLE PLAID IN SUMMER

OUTFIT DETAILS: pleated skirt (also comes in pink -- see me wearing it here) | plaid top | similar heels | similar clutch | ring c/o shop primadonna 

Plaid is one of my favorite patterns, but it's typically worn in the fall and winter months when cozy flannels are perfect for layering. But you can still wear plaids during the summer if you know how to style them.

1. Find plaids that are summer appropriate. Choose lightweight plaids, like this cotton one I'm wearing. Also choose ones with bright summery color combinations, like yellows, blues, and pinks.

2. Pair with summery pieces. If you pair your plaid with wool, boots, or scarves, the outfit obviously looks winter-y.  So pair them with lightweight summery pieces, like shorts or a white skirt.

3. Switch it up. During the colder months, it's common to wear it buttoned up, like I'm wearing it above. But switching up the way you wear it can make it feel less wintery. Wrap it around your waist with a summery dress, wear it open with a graphic tee underneath, or wear it knotted at your naval with a skirt. Get creative!

Shop some of my favorite summery plaids in the widget below -- click each image to shop!

MAD FOR PLAID + THREE WAYS TO DRESS UP YOUR BASICS

OUTFIT DETAILS: 

white tee, on sale for under $15! (wearing size small) 

plaid button up, on sale for under $25! 

 denim (same pair available here, similar pair and more sizes here and here)

ankle boots on sale for 35% off!

 michael kors bag on sale for 35% off

sunglasses

similar bracelet on sale for $17

watch here (similar here on sale for 35% off)

photos by rad and happy

Jeans and a t-shirt is everyone's go-to for a quick and easy outfit, right? I certainly know it's mine. But an outfit as simple as that can look unfinished and boring. So let's talk about how you can make this basic outfit into a chic and visually interesting outfit, all without sacrificing comfort:

1. Add a shirt around your waist. I love this trend that's so popular right now because it just amps up any basic outfit. I love tying them around my waist over a dress, with a skirt, with shorts...pretty much anything! This red and blue one from the Nordstrom Sale instantly caught my eye, and I love that it's plaid but not Christmasy. You can wear this baby all year long! The best part? It's on sale for under $25, but hurry because it's selling fast! It also comes in a few other colors right here.

If you can't snag yourself one of those, this boyfriend style plaid shirt comes in a ton of good colors and is perfectly oversized. 

2. Wear something great on your feet. The typical choice for a simple outfit is simple shoes. But do not reach for those rubber flip flops. I mean it. The way to make an outfit not so basic and boring is by adding great accessories. Shoes can make or break your outfit (and rubber flip flops always, always break it). 

I just picked up these ankle boots from the Nordstrom Sale and they make this outfit feel like a real outfit, and like you put in some effort (when you really didn't). And at 35% off, they are a must buy. Mostly because they go with absolutely everything, and are a perfect year round kind of shoe. Wear them with dresses and shorts in the summer, and jeans and tights in the fall. I can't wait to get a million uses out of them. 

3. Don't forget the finishing touches!  Jewelry, sunglasses, and a bag. These always make an outfit feel complete, and just take a couple extra seconds to add. Crossbody bags are very casual, so it's the perfect choice for an outfit like this. I just added this tiny one to my handbag collection because it was on huge sale, but I'm also loving this Kate Spade one that's on sale for under $100, and this quilted one that's also on sale for only $22!

As far as jewelry goes, keep it simple. I like to add a delicate necklace or two, like this one or this one, or just an oversized watch and bracelet.  Throw on a pair of chic sunglasses and your outfit is complete. 

ALSO, did you guys know today is Amazon Prime day? Apparently the sales over on Amazon are as big as Black Friday. It's available only for Prime members, but you can sign up for their 30 day free trial, so really it's available to everyone! 

Of course we all love Amazon, but I really really love it because I've discovered that old, sold out items can often be found there. Like my very favorite Dittos Jessica jeans that are nearly impossible to find anywhere these days, but there's several colors and sizes available right here, and with all sizes in stock! They also have a really good selection of shoes like these gorgeous lace up sandals, these beautiful gemstone sandals (that are only $32), or pretty much anything in the Sam Edelman shoe category. 

So while you're getting a really good deal on a new printer, DSLR, TV, or headphones, snag a pair of shoes too ;) 

Shop all the pieces from this post right here by clicking on the images below: 

Happy Wednesday!

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)

RAIDING MY SISTERS CLOSET: WARDROBE WORKHORSE

Everybody has at least one piece in their closet that is a workhorse. Am I right? It's a piece that is a fail safe for any social event, goes with everything, is incredibly versatile, or just makes you feel amazing. But whatever the reason, you continue to pull it out of the closet and wear it everywhere. 

For me, one of my wardrobe workhorses is this green utility jacket. I didn't expect it to be quite as versatile as it is, but it's probably the jacket I wear more than any other. It goes with everything, it's a little bit unique and interesting, it's not too warm and not too thin, and it always adds a great layer to any outfit. Do yourself a favor and buy a utility jacket. 

Now go hop over to Janssen and Landen's blogs to see what their picks, and tell me in the comments what your wardrobe workhorses are (anything that I must have in my closet??)

jacket: c/o chicwish

button up: c/o lulu*s

jeans: old navy

flats: target

bag: c/o jototes

glasses: c/o lulu*s

watch: michael kors

ring: c/o pradman jewelry