Sheer is not a dress color

Apparently this passes for "dressed" these days...

As you all know, I will forever lust after an invitation to the Met Ball and obsessively study and adore the outfits of all the fancy people who are actually lucky enough to attend, but this year I must lodge a complaint. Attention all ladies: Sheer is not a dress color!

I have the utmost respect for women who rock bodies so hot that clothing should be optional and I fully support women with a daring fashion sense, but there is a difference between sexual/risqué and nearly naked/lingerie. As fashion has embraced sheer fabrics, plunging necklines and cutouts in all sizes and locations, I've found myself longing for the days when red carpets meant elegance and risky choices still involved actual fabric. Lately, it would seem that the more naked you appear, the better and while I would give ANYTHING to look like those ladies (and even if the Met Ball is a place for daring and costume-eque outfits) it seems ridiculous that these women feel the need to reveal so much at a red carpet event. Is this what high fashion is now? Is that what is required to turn heads? I don't know how we got here, but sheer is not a dress color and I think it's time my famous lady loves remembered that!

Happy Halloween Week!

boo!

Yesterday I rode the elevator in my apartment building with a tiny dragon. While walking through the park I passed a baby bumble bee. On Saturday my Instagram feed was filled with costumed pups on parade. Ladies and gentleman... Halloween is almost here! Somehow the black and orange love of my calendar year snuck up on me and now we're just 4 days away from All Hallow's Eve and I've barely said a peep (errr candy corn?) about it!! Do not despair, I've got your inspiration a'plenty from last minute costumes to recipes and decor. So gather your pumpkins and call in the ghosts, it's Halloween Week on Seek to be Merry starting with all the dress up inspiration a last minute reveler could need. Now get ghoul-ing!

Pop Sugar has a list of 20 last-minute costumes for those of you that still don't have a clue what to be. Click HERE for inspiration that will be sure to get the laughs (my personal favorites are the spider, candy wrapper and tourists, though "Nickelback" is pretty damn witty)

Because who doesn't love a good pun, HERE are some pun-tastic costumes courtesy of BuzzFeed. I personally almost went for the "Shooting Star" (kick it up a notch like this) and the "Pig in a Blanket".

So Jordan of OhHappyDay is pretty much the Queen of adorable kids costumes of the DIY variety. And while these are no doubt perfect for the wee one in your life, most would also be perfect in the full-grown version. Check out great unique costumes like UFO, Urkel, Sound of Music, all things Hipster (these are pretty great!), sailor, butterfly, iconic musicians (x2) and more over at OhHappyDay. (For the full collection of "homemade halloween" posts from Jordan, click HERE).

And finally, Ms. Conrad's blog has an awesome little collection of feminine and chic last minute costume ideas, including, quite coincidentally my very own Wednesday Addams inspiration! (Though I love that pineapple idea and do have a bright yellow dress!!)

Where's my invitation to The Ball!?

As a New York City gal and lover of all things high brow and high fashion, the Met Costume Gala has always been my absolute holy grail, "wish upon a star" NYC event. Infinitely more glamorous than opening night at the opera or ballet, I would, without hesitation, give anything for a chance to attend the Met Ball (who needs a first born anyway!?). 

For those not determined to sell their soul in exchange for a night on the town, the Costume Institute Gala, popularly known as the Met Gala or Met Ball, is an annual fundraising gala to benefit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The event is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive social events in NYC and one of its biggest fundraising nights (a reported $9 million raised in 2013!). The affair has been held at the Met since 1971 and is considered to be the fashion industry's premier annual red carpet event.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better... the party has a THEME!! (you all know how I luuurve a good theme party!) Unlike last year's "punk theme" (ick), this year ladies are requested to pay tribute to Charles James (a fashion designer known as America's first couturier, so ready your ball gowns girls!) and men are left to interpret "White Tie and Decorations" (Fred Astaire meets Office Space!?) I cannot tell you how many dresses I flip past in magazines or thumb wistfully in stores and think "if only I had somewhere to wear it..." and lordy that somewhere would be the Met Ball.

While I await an invitation to Monday's big soiree from Karl Lagerfeld or for Tom Brady to take me instead of Gisele, anyone willing to foot the $25,000 per ticket price (up a measly $10k from last year!) in the name of making Merry Meri dreams come true, do be in touch:)  

Frenchie

Hey there little buddy..!

I have never been a fan of French Bulldogs in particular (I've always been more of an English Bulldog gal) but lately I've come across some Frenchie photos which make me wonder if these guys are in fact just as awesome as their British counterparts...

Good day sir.

Just clowning around.

As I continue to contemplate which breed of dog I'm going to force Dr. H to let into my life, the French Bulldog's apparent willingness to be posed in any sort of costume or location certainly peaks my interest...

Need a push?

Pup after my own heart...

I can't even...

For a little more Frenchie fabulousness to bring a smile to your face, click HERE

Cheers to a wonderful weekend!

Hump Day Distractions

Guess what day it is you sassy pink fellow you...

"I can't wait to go home and arrange these gords in our new basket!" - Thing I actually said last night. (#decorativegordseason). It's Wednesday... not Friday. Good lord someone get me to Friday. But in the meantime, let's get our hump on.

* Gloria Steinem absolutely shuts down the lame Miley Cyrus debate going on.

* Oh Restoration Hardware... you so silly.

* This seems like a craft project that just might be worth the effort (tassel-tastic!)

* So. Many. Tasty. Grilled. Cheeses.

* Romance in the Big Apple. J'adore.

* Going through a bit of a skull phase... diggin this necklace.

* I own more than a few of THESE life-changers and I absolutely agree (lookin at you SodaStream!)

* From black and white to color... very cool.

* This kid is my hero. My food loving, poop-chatting, hero.

And for today's 31 Days of Halloween, HERE are 25 adorable kiddie costumes (some of my most favorites below).

31 Days of Halloween

Indeed.

October has arrived, my first batch of beloved candy corn has been purchased (and consumed) and my Pinterest feed is bursting with seasonal inspiration... Halloween, my friends, is nearly here!! Which got me to thinking - you peeps seem to LOVE all things autumn and Halloweeny just as much as I do, so why should Christmas be the only holiday with a whole month-long calendar's worth of fun!? Today Seek to be Merry is officially kicking off the 31 days of Halloween, a month-long orange, black, costumed and pumpkin spiced celebration of my most favorite holiday (July 4th is a close second:) Each day, in addition to my regular posting, I will share a seasonal goody with you, everything from decor ideas to recipes and costume inspiration. It will be boo-tiful:) And since today is technically the 3rd day of 31, no tricks, just 3 treats to kick off our month!!! 

Trick or Treat!!

Since your front door plays such an important part in all the Halloween festivities, why not get it dolled up for the occasion!? Last year I suggested THIS mummified version, but if something a bit more monstrous is your preference, here's how to get the look courtesy of Parents.com.

Snap, crackle, boo!!!

A seasonal sweet treat that's beyond easy to make in bulk? Yes please! These pumpkin rice krispie treats (with tootsie roll stems!) via Food, Family and Friends are perfect for Halloween parties of all ages and will be sure to score smiles.

Everything's coming up roses!

How awesomely adorable is this costume?! Ladies, 1 quick trip to your local craft store (and possibly also home depot for the plastic planter) and you're ready to go. All you have to do is cut out the bottom of a large plastic pot, affix two thick straps (I'd use a staple gun and something rubbery and durable like a theraband) and go crazy with the fake flowers and glue gun. Add a floral hairband for an extra ounce of awesome!

Master of Disguise

Boo!

For the third installment of my "I freaking love Halloween and you should too" series (recipes HERE; decor HERE) I thought I would tackle the trickiest of all the Hallo-weeny topics: costumes. Sure you can always go to the store and purchase a packaged costume in a bag (Marie Antoinette was a fan favorite of those for me) or, if you are a lady, be a "slutty ___" (nurse? construction worker? referee?) and pull it off, but sometimes a little DIY can make you the star of the party. Here are a few ideas (from my crazy brain and around the web) to help get your creative juices flowing.

* Get Witty

This is GENIUS!

Rock, paper, scissors anyone!?

This little girl is legit my hero. Easy peasy
how-to instructions HERE

Think about a play on words, your favorite food or a classic song... how can you bring it to life? Maybe you need to be a "Devil in a blue dress" or "Hell on wheels" (devil costume + roller skates!)? Cup of Jo has an AMAZING collection of ideas for adults and kiddies HERE and Coolest Homemade Costumes is an online gallery filled with genius inspiration.

* Be a Star

Khakis, jacket, button down, hat =
instant Indie

Dr. H will forever be attempting to match the
greatness of the year he was "Most Interesting"

Put your LBD to work!

One of my favorite costumes from recent years was when I dressed as Ms. Holly Golightly of Breakfast at Tiffany's fame. Black dress, sunglasses, gloves and a tiny tiara instantly transformed me to another era. Consider Indiana Jones if you're an action movie kinda guy, or a recognizable television or commercial character (two friends once donned maid of the mist ponchos to perfectly portray The Office's Pam and Jim on their wedding day).

* Go Classic

Frank is as iconic as Halloween itself!

A witch, ghost, mummy or Frankenstein are all exceptionally easy to execute and probably require very few purchases beyond what's already in your closet. For a Witch: black dress, black tights, black nail polish. Buy the pointy hat and a broom as well as some green face paint if you're going for authenticity. Ghost: White top sheet and a friend to help  you mark where to cut your eye holes. Frankenstein: Black suit and a black shirt. Purchase some green face paint and use eyeliner to make your "stitches and seams". Black spray-in hair color completes the look.

* Keep it Simple / Pick a Theme

Halloween-y & HOT!

If you're looking for a way to mix up your Halloween party costume theme (because you KNOW I love themes) consider encouraging people's creativity with something like "Heroes & Villains  or "Twice as Nice: Your best costume ever, again" (I literally JUST thought of that and I'm tooootally doing it next year. Is dressing up as Raggedy Ann 3 times in 1 lifetime too many!?) If you know your audience isn't big on theme participation, maybe a simple "Masquerade" or "Black & Orange" is the way to go. 

It's not often that adults are invited to dress up like children (without being considered whack-a-doos) so don't miss your chance to play pretend for a night!