Marlowe Mckerihan - The Blog

A Merry Christmas to you and yours. May your holiday be spent drinking bubbly with the ones you love. Adam and I are hitting the road to Cascade tonight. We will spend Christmas Eve with his family and then head down to Whitefish Bay {in Milwaukee} to spend Christmas with my family tomorrow. My family has the champagne chilled for my already. I can't wait to give everyone my presents, I'm not too concerned with what I'm getting this year. Safe travels & lots of love! 

I'd like to start by saying: Henry NEEDS a dog bed and I NEED a bar cart for all of my wine bottles.  I've convinced myself that I am wife material. I have a brilliant engagement ring on my finger, but the domestic goddess gene has not reared it's pretty head yet. Today the future hub and I wrapped presents, I kept saying it's the thought that count with a side glare he and I both knew I was lying to myself. It looked like some unfortunate fool wrapped my thoughtful gifts with their toes. I've never cooked a roast or a chicken, I don't like touching raw meat. Adam is the one that lights candles around the house and buys fancy floor steamers for the original hard wood floors in our house. But I do have something he doesn't have - good taste when it comes to decorating. We both like a bright palette  and preppy too, so when I say how about this he usually agrees with no hesitation. Over our three years together we've accumulated so...

It's been done time and time before, but that doesn't mean it's tired. Navy and black reads rich and sophisticated. I usually only wear black to work, since I do work in a retail setting, and often times slip in a little navy to add some excitement. In the new year I vow to pick up more navy! Nothing says perfection like leather pants and a sequin navy blazer! cheers! 

What The Stylish One said, "Top knot envy." And I had to reblog this from her too. Way too cute. I love Inslee.

I'll get back to it. Blogging about inanimate objects that cost thousands of dollars. But also possessions that could be yours, for less than $100. Like that STUNNING jacket.  I mean it's $62.99 (I emailed it to my mom - and it will be mine for Christmas! YAY).   And then there is this jacket.  Trust me click it: wool, faux fur, leather sleeves. 

Can't wait to be with family this time next week & spend the weekend in Chicago with my best friends! via  the girls of lincoln park

Green with Envy.

I have today off from work. It's much needed: laundry, finishing up errands, a good work out. However, I'm currently glued to the television - CNN to be exact. A reminder that I also have a lot of people to say "I love you" to today. 

i miss summer. jean jackets. out door cocktail parties. and having a tan. {it could be worse. xx}

I didn't plan on posting today. Only because my heart is heavy and the only word I keep saying over and over in my head is, why?  I hopped on Twitter early to morning to see tweets about a school shooting, so I did what any curious person would do next, and checked CNN. I was horrified, mortified, and deeply saddened by one man's act of pure evil that took place in CT. Today heaven gained 26 angels, 20 of them far to young. If we can't even feel safe sending our young children to elementary school, where can we feel safe? As a child school was safe haven. Teachers cared, friends to play with, and books, and toys, and so much learning! Now...it seems like machine guns and evil intentions are taking over the school system, it breaks my heart. Education is a beautiful thing, we are so blessed to live in a nation that believes in helping us thrive and pursue our dreams. Why anyone would want to harm a child, in their classroom, is unimaginable to me. My heart brok...

Wedding planning has taken a toll on my common sense. Of course everyone needs custom wine labels in their life, right? I have no aversion to cheap wine. Two Buck Chuck - count this girl in; however, when gifting wine to someone, it's probably not the most polite gift to give. Look I like you and all, but I didn't want to splurge on that spendy $7 bottle. Instead, so those labels off, and repurpose your cheap wine with some custom kick!  The great news. Wine labels cost between $1 and $.13 {provided the quantity you order}.  The Bottle Your Brand website has great {hello chic!} designs {see above} and they are extremely affordable.  Their are tons of pinterest board with amazing labels - follow me here!  I'm thinking we will do something like this for our wedding - maybe just a each table! {bottle your brand}

Have you ever gone to an ugly sweater party and you were the only loser that didn't dress up? Welcome to my world last year. Adam and I didn't dress up, and as you can imagine we were the ONLY ones! I usually have very little to say about what other people think, but this I was a bit embarrassed, especially since I take pride in my holiday outfits. This year, I planned ahead, and ordered this sweatshirt {about is the t-shirt option} on amazon {etsy} also has similar designs for sale! For $19 I plan on really getting into the Christmas spirit, but making it feel like ME. I plan on making it Molly-Esque with a faux furst vest, an arm full of my favorite bangles {tory burch, stella and dot, and j.crew - via ebay}, a GIANT statement necklace, and hunter boots! Adam won't give me my Christmas present early, but I am so eager to trot about town with my  new {orange} Tory Burch purse! BONUS: Saturday's party is a white elephant party! My co-worker didn't know what it ...

  via one sister down. one to go. i know that whatever kate buys her she will love, because our style is similar {and i bought her something i already own, and wear every day}.emily is the preppiest of our sisters and she is particular.  8 dresser drawer knobs   jcrew crystal venus flytrap necklace candles for my room, I want a large one with a few wicks.   2-3 picture frames to put pictures of my friends in.  Preferably silver, either 4x6 or 5x7.  Also a frame for the map of paris picture  monogram iphone 4s case bright colored scarf to wear with my winter coat  ann taylor shirt, size small  black polka dot pants, size 2:  long sleeve black silk popover top, size small that's great. except for NONE of the items on her list fit into our 'sister present budget confines', so i've spent way too much time pouring over my ipad trying to find her something.  we try only sp...

Why is there snow on the ground? I could be wearing these {so lovely}! via

I wish I could bat my eyelashes and pretend I was the carefree bride. Turns out, I want everything perfect, and perfectly chic and ethereal on my wedding day. Adam and I have a lot of planning to do, especially since I can't commit to a venue. I knew what our colors would be within 24 hours of saying "yes"! Just some pretty photos I found on WeddingGawker.com {it's amazing for you brides-to-be}!

Two looks, one day. Most of us aren't this lucky; however, when you work in the beauty industry it's about trying every product and experimenting. I thankfully work with a very  talented make up artist {Katie Kirckof. The below picture is what I looked like this morning, weary eyed, tired - BUT wit the most perfect pink lipstick! This afternoon we were asked to film a segment for local news and Katie beautified me. The biggest difference you'll notice between the before {below} and after {above} is my eyes. Katie is the best at doing a tight line, it makes all of the difference and really opens up my eyes and made the whites even brighter. You'll also notice my face looks slimmer, thanks to the Nars Multiple. Laguna was used as a bronzer and Orgasm on my cheeks. To tightline Katie used Smashbox's Jet Set Waterproof liner and she used the Nars Stylo as a liquid liner about the Winks by Georgie lashes.  I love love love this look! And of course Primrose! W...

Adam asked me what I WANTED for Christmas, I promptly replied, Tory Burch riding boots, because it seemed logical. Yes, spendy, but I'd wear them nearly everyday. Then he said, what about a dresser, you really need a dresser. I use one of our four bedrooms as an office/closet and I had no idea that he ever went in there. Pursing my six faux fur vests I assume. A dresser, I was fuming, how could this man, that I'm about to marry, think I would want a large piece of wood for Christmas. Then I came across this beauty . It would go so great with my bright orange office/closet walls and would look stunning under my dove gray monogram that hangs above my current, dilapidated mess of drawers. 

Sometimes it can be hard to justify a treat for yourself during the relentless hours spent holiday shopping for friends and family. If you're anything like me you need to splurge on yourself in someway, without breaking the bank. Before the real gift giving beings now is a great time to stock up on some goodies that will tide your wall over until the new year. I've put together some of my favorite goodies {candles, electronics, clothes, and shoes....} to help you make the decision on what you deserve. Because no one has been naughty this year, right?

Turkey Day Style Inspiration. Love this look from Miss Olivia P - well played sister. She always gets it right! via  emphasis added

What do you get the boy that has everything? The boy {and by this I mean fiance} that buys himself a steam cleaner for your hardwood floors, for fun. Treat to to the stuff he might not ever splurge on for him!

Monograms are near and dear to my heart. I could list off all of the things I have monogrammed: two necklaces, two iPhone cases, a silver jewelry box, countless key chains, St. Christopher Medals, a Cambridge Satchel, a GIANT dove gray monogram that hangs on my wall. You get it, right? I'm obsessed. So when my friend Susie stopped into my store with a stunning monogram on her phone I freaked out. When I upgraded to the iPhone 5 I needed a case - quickly - so I picked up a simple gold chevron one, but it wouldn't be very "molly" without some sort of quirk. Enter Etsy - and these $3.00 monogram stickers.  I ended up going with Style 1 in Hot Pink! Enjoy! 

I loved this. via  http://quarterlifecoe.tumblr.com/

Just some looks that are currently inspiring me at work!

In love! Especially with the beige one from H&M! I have two of my Nan's vintage mink collars and I adore them! Perfect for making a moto jacket more girly or adding to a simple blazer! 

I just gasped. This Jacket is almost way way way too good to be true. Via one of my favorites  http://www.georgiegirlnyc.com/  Anyone know the designer?

I posted this to Instagram and the crowds went wild! Let me first start off by saying I'm volunteering at a gala for the March of Dimes tonight so I'm a little more dressy than usual. I decided to keep my black dress fun with a bright read lip. I snapped this photo after my lunch to see what a mess my lipstick was {I ate a bagel}. And this was the aftermath I was met with. It was perfect! Nars has always impressed me with their lip color, after a bought of food poisoning from dinner their Carthage lipstick stayed on my lips {I'll spare you the details}. And now this....and it's red!! Win! Win! Win! It's the greatest tomato red, with blue undertones, so it works for a lot of skin tones and makes teeth look whiter! 

Because $32 is a nobrainer.  Buy!

It's just all so practical...

please vote! xo m image via inslee 

I'm jumping on the drop waist trend a little late this season. I just ordered a similar dress in black to wear to a charity function I'm volunteering at on Thursday! I love the look of this gray version . Guess how much this baby costs - - - $59! What a deal! 

This is where my head is at right now. Wedding. Wedding. Wedding. Thank goodness I have some time to plan! Can you tell what colors I'm obsessed with? Cheers to Friday!  xx 

Someone asked me what my favorite color was, and in a room full of people, with all eyes on me I said BLACK. I wasn't lying!

Happy Halloween! This is the first year Adam and I have lived in a house and he is SO excited about having the kiddos come around in their costumes. He even made me buy and extra bag of candy last night! We also picked up Henry's costume. Ad was set on him being a shark, but they only had small fins at the store, so Hen is being an astronaut {or space cadet}. He was not a very happy camper last night, but he looks SO cute! Fall is definitely here in Minnesota, it was 33 degrees this morning after all. I've ditched fashionable coats in favor of my North Face parka {it goes down to my knees - hello!}.  Have a safe and cheerful day! BOO! M

Thank you so much to  Monica  for bringing me to life on paper! I never knew I could look so good!  Monica of Classy & Fabulous  is such an amazing artist and when she asked if I would like an illustration I almost screamed! I sent her a photo of me in one of my favorite outfits {leather skirt, classic blazer, and spike the punch necklace} and I received this in my email last night! I'm SO in love! I definitely plan on having her do a custom wedding sketch for me! How fun!?  Even better - her shop offers gift cards - such a fun and unique present to give to a fashionista friend or bride-to-be!  Please check out Monica's Etsy store for more of her beautiful art work:  Classy & Fabulous

So dreams really do come true. I thought my wish bracelet would be hanging by a thread for years to come, but it fell off a week after Adam proposed {that was my wish after all}. It's been a whirlwind month and I'm not entirely prepared for everything that is about to come. I've been getting lots of advice {sometimes too much}, but it's great to hear other brides trials and tribulations so that I don't make the same mistakes on my wedding day. Adam and I were doing to have our wedding in October of next year, when I REALLY thought about it, I'm just not a fall bride {if that's even a thing} - - - so we're waiting until {most likely} May of 2014. I've picked our colors, unofficially asked my bridesmaids, and started making appointments to look at venues. I've learned a few things in my first few weeks as a bridezilla: The dress does NOT have to cost $5,000 Simple. Simple. Simple. No one cares about party favors anyway. Make sure the foo...

Stop into the store for an amazing deal on all of our lip glosses! We're talking MAJOR savings on Lip Fusion and Nars! One of my favorite things to do is find the perfect lip color for clients. Whether we try two or twenty it's all about finding a color that enhances your skin tone, teeth, and smile.  Did you know that the wrong shade makes your teeth appear sallow, yellow, or even grayish. The right color can make lips look fuller, teeth look whiter, and brighten your complexion!