cool coats

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I'm guilty of waiting till the last minute to think about outerwear. When sales come around at the end of the holiday season and J. Crew coats {my weeeakness} are 40% am I thinking of snatching one up for next year? Nooooo, I'm already on to bikinis. Quoting an SNL skit, "What's up wit dat??" For some silly reason I seem to wait till that random Texas freeze to think about bundling up. Per usual, here I am talking about coats when December is knocking on our door. Granted there have only been a couple of dips in the temps in Texas but they have been enough for me to go searching for a new coverup. The styles above are up for grabs to add to this years arsenal of coats. 

{1&2} Usually I shy away from leather (maybe the Wilson's Leather store scarred me for life), but these versions really get my creativity going. I pulled the trigger last year and purchased this Zara version {2} then returned and now I'm kicking myself. I also love quilted details in a leather coat - a classic detail, very Chanel-y. The key for me is not too many zippers to be confused for a biker gang member but enough to get some street cred. Tough girl. These might be contenders... Trouve Leather jacket and for a different color Neiman Marcus.

{3} Ugh, this leopard coat is divine! Love the way Blair has paired it with hot pink bow flats and a shawl. Here's the drool worthy Emerson Fry version. THAT is heaven people. Maybe I'll try this ASOS version?

{4} The structured coat. This one tricky to find but stunning when you get it right. With the wrong fit they can come of boxy and not flattering but with a properly fitting coat you'd be one modern mama.

{5} Last year my in-laws gifted me this exact coat (similar here) for Christmas and I have loved loved every minute wearing it! Camel is a great transitional color with a lot of ways to mix and match. I also have another short J.Crew peacoat in a chilly watermelon color that I have had from college. Talk about getting your money's worth - that coat is ancient and still a classic. Without these two coats I'd be naked. Not cool.

{6} An enormous shawl as a coat? Genius! Think of all those wool capes that seem a little red riding hood-esque that can be roped in with a belt. I'm especially liking the Aztec print on the one above. 

Hopefully one of these lovely silhouettes can make it into my shopping cart this season. What cool coats are keeping you warm?

a pinterest side dish election

My name is Merrick...

and I am a pinterest addict.

Follow me on pinterest and you will see what I'm talking about - 3,400 pins and counting. I want more, more, MORE PINS!

You can count on me checking pinterest multiple times a day almost neurotically... if I have a spare moment while waiting in line I'm searching for the perfect leopard coat {yes}. Should have gone to bed an hour ago? Probably scanning 50 tips to make your life healthier - one of them being getting enough sleep. A spare moment before a mid-day workout? 50 ba-gillion brownie recipes come across my feed... along with funfetti dip/red velvet puppy chow/the best peanut butter chocolate cups eVeR. Fitting. So naturally I'm going to the major time sucker, pinterest, for some Thanksgiving recipes.

This year my parents are hosting Thanksgiving at their house. Those of you who know the Rutledge family know that papa Rutledge is a bad to the bone cook {I swear he channels Julia Childs} and holiday fetes are his specialty. No boxed stuffing here. He makes the REAL deal from scratch starting with homemade cornbread, biscuits etc. days before. YUM. Sooo, he's got all the major players covered - turkey, stuffing, veggies, salad etc. I know I've  at least signed up for a finicky carb, popovers. For those of you unfamiliar this is a popover...

It's goldeny brown exterior with a doughy delicate interior makes for one heavenly treat. Pass the bread please. The Zodiac at Neiman Marcus serves them with strawberry butter and a teacup full of consomme {refined chicken broth}. Hits the spot. 

Along with the popovers, I'm dying to try one of these delicious looking side dishes that I've been pinning. The problem is narrowing it down to one. Here are the candidates:

1. Brussels Sprout Mac n' Cheese: a sneaky way to disguise a veggie within my major food group. I actually love brussels sprout so I'm liking this one. I'm not one to shy away from unpopular veggies. Ryan always jokes with me that I will be the type of mom that instead of bringing cheetos and grilled cheese sandwiches out to the pool for a snack we'll be having hummus and carrot sticks anyone?? Bring on the weird foods!

 2. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole: broccoli rice casserole has always be a fav of mine. I'm proud to say I can eat a whole pyrex full. Love subbing rice for this protein superfood.

3. Butternut Square Au Gratin: such a rich and creamy fall vegetable. We've never had a recipe like this at the Rutledge household. Could be a game changer. Look at those buttery layers of goodness. 

Man, this is a close one and I only have a day to decide. My inner Martha Stewart is depending on you guys - I need your help!! Cast your comment and help me decide which side dish I will over eat this Thanksgiving. 

What would you choose????

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thanks to the table

As I'm finishing my orders from market, I find my mind has been wandering to holiday decorating. It seems as though every year I have these visions of a perfectly decorated casa {see below} with the appropriate mantle appointments, garland, frosted candles and everything you see from Martha Stewart {check out her book Entertaining it's amaze}. 

After the holidays are all said and done, I find myself fully satisfied with family time and good eats but my decor tank is only half full. Womp, womp, wompppp... Yeah, feel sorry for me. This year I started daydreaming of place settings, chargers, and monogrammed napkins in October and I thought I could really get it together in time for Thanksgiving. Tabletop indulgences...

rich textures for the thanksgiving table - feathers, patterns, marbled plates, and gilded pumpkins

Are you drooling yet????? And the food isn't even on the table...

 

glamour and gold baby and that calligraphy menu? a knockout

gold dipped stemware with organic greenery

monogrammed chevron placemats with leaflet gold chargers and I'm obsessed with the gold matte flatware

Gold seems to be the theme, no? As the big turkey day is next week and my "Thanksgiving table" looks the same as last year - *le sigh*. Butttt I do admit I have some gorgeous things to work with and I think I can get my act together to primp {errr pimp?} my tabletop for a little fete next week. My momma always told me to buy classic so with the right seasonal accessories {napkins, place cards, center table decor} these classics can translate for any holiday. Good thing because china ain't cheap!

gold chargers, gold aves salad plates, gold rimmed white dinner plates (not pictured) black lizard placemats, and waterford lismore crystal goblets

Add monogrammed napkins via my Brother sewing machine, custom place cards, some fall florals and I think we have ourselves a set! 

How do you decorate for Thanksgiving?? Please pass on any tips!!

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i just want to chill out

Merrick Jewels Spring lovelies at FIG Market

horn bangles, coral, turquoise - can't stay away from these combos

October kicked my butt and I am officially ready to chill out. Field hockey games, TX/OU, 5 year anniversary (yowza), trunk shows, lost my furry friend Bowie, and FIG market really did me in. I'm pooped. 

Although a lot of work, market was great and I picked up a lot of amazing new stores! Merrick Jewels is coming to Kicks/Menlo Park, CA - The Alley/Boerne, TX - Meadow/San Antonio, TX - and Never Enough/St. Louis, MO. Love my new stores and I can't wait to send them new pieces for Spring '13. 

But seriously, I'm ready to chill out - like watching Bravo all day, organizing my nail polish, and starting DIY projects I won't finish kinda chill out. That sounds like a good time.

Another way I'd like to chill out is with some normal fall weather. Can a girl get a nice cool breeze so she won't be sweating in her riding boots?? Geez Texas, give the hot weather a rest. (I say that now, talk to me again when I'm coaching soccer in the middle of January during a very Texas arctic freeze where I can't feel any of my extremities and I will be begging for 80 degrees). I mean come on I want this...

via Pinterest

I know we are all yearning for this mystical fall weather especially since we are already being bombarded with Christmas music?? Yes, I am looking forward to Christmas and have already started brainstorming gifts (because most of them get ordered online anyway and that takes time) but I like Nordstrom's approach to the holidays. Take that retail. 

image via 

Here's to chilling out this week!

P.S. Apparently, it isn't fall until you've had a pumpkin spice latte. As a newbie to coffee drinking I admit I've never had one. (I know, I know, I know... it be cray cray) Is it your favorite fall bev??

f.i.g. not the fruit

To market, to market to... buy some Merrick Jewels? It's that time again - I really can't believe it - market starts tomorrow. I've been running around like a crazy person getting ready and I just thought I'd write a blog post proclaiming my craziness incase anyone has been wondering about me. Heh. Here's a little looksie from the last market...

you guys should know by now I'm a sucker for coral

voila! my booth - here's not looking forward to setting up that thing again

Stay tuned for a brighter and more pastel-y booth this go around. I'll be posting pics on my facebook and instagram (MerrickJewels). 

here's to being a PITA

The Garden Room table

 Beauty of Life luncheon

Last Thursday I had the chance to participate in one of my favorite events of the year, The Beauty of Life event benefiting Hospice Austin. The luncheon was held at the Hilton in downtown Austin and this year's keynote speaker was Kathryn Stockett, writer of The Help. Each year vendors have the opportunity to set up booths for the 1,000+ guests that attend the luncheon. My fabulous friend Patty, from The Garden Room, asked if I would like to bring some wares for the booth. How could I resist.

The vendors were quite the stylish group this year. We were accompanied by By George (who brought a red Celine bag to tempt us all... I shake my fist at you By George!!), local favorite Kendra Scott, The Menagerie, and Adelante Boutique amongst others.

I had the pleasure of sitting at The Garden Room table for the luncheon where we nibbled on cucumber sandwiches, a rich ham and egg quiche, and a rendition of Minnie's famous and laughable chocolate pie (without a certain ingredient I hope... you all should know this if you have seen the movie/read the book).

After the end of the luncheon, Kathryn was signing books for about an hour. Inspired by her story of 60 rejections from publishers yet persisting on until lucky number 61 signed her book, I decided I wanted to say thank you for the inspiring words and explaining that not everyone needs to get a Ph.D. to write etc. (to her meaning pretty heavy drinker which you can major in vodka or bourbon). I arrived at the signing table a little too late as they ran out of books. With no shame I grabbed a post-it note and asked the author for some tips on persevering through all the rejection. She said, "Honey, you have to be a stubbon PITA, a pain in the ass." Soo that's what it's called! Can a sister get that monogrammed somewhere? Taking her advice I decided Kathryn needed to go home with some Merrick Jewels so I tracked her down for this photo and gave her my pyrite nugget earrings in which she cooed, "these are gorgeous." What an inspiring and delightful experience. All my ladies out there who are pioneering their way in business - here's to being a PITA!

with Kathryn, post-it note, and Merrick Jewels earrings in hand

 love Patty and The Garden Room team!

weekend highlights - carmel/san fran

After a whirlwind of activities over a long weekend, I'm safely back on Texas soil (many thanks to the US Airways team that fixed the oil leak on one of the engines or I might have been a crispy critter).

*side note alert* - I am baffled why people complain about delays due to airplane maintenance. I know some planes are super beat up and should probably be retired but don't complain about the time it takes to make a repair that could save your life. I'm like... take alllll the time you need my friends (as I watched The Hunger Games for the first time on my iPad while sitting on the tar). Plus, I don't think I would have enough survival skills as Matthew Fox and company on Lost. The typewriter smoke monster thing and I would not be besties.

Some of you might have seen some highlights from my trip on my Instagram (follow MerrickJewels) but here's a little bit of everything in high res.

everything grows in Cali, succulents the size of my face - wish my backyard looked like this

wearing a new Merrick Jewels mixed chain/rock crystal necklace and reflective sunnies as seen in this post... this was right around the corner from where we had lunch at La Bicyclette (think fresh French bistro with lavender creme brulee as the finale)

pattern play on the streets of Carmel

enjoyed a morning jog along this beach

Merrick Jewels burgundy statement necklace for the art show preview

stopped at a produce stand on the side of the road and had the best strawberries I've ever had

solo bike ride to the Golden Gate bridge

Love me some California!