Briar Rose

BLOUSE: Forever 21 DRESS: Bought from Paige, originally Topshop PINK SANDALS: c/o Surfdome

Good morning! Is this not one of the most adorable dresses ever?! And it has pockets! I had been eyeing it for ages on Topshop, but it was always just a bit out of my price range and it sold out. I forgot about it until I saw the lovely Paige post it in a blog sale for an incredible price, so I snatched it up! I'm wearing it with a beautiful sheer blouse from Forever 21.

Meanwhile, I am positively smitten with these shoes by Mel Footwear! Surfdome was kind enough to send them to me for review, and I absolutely love them! I always feel rather awkward in heels, but that wasn't the case with these adorable pink sandals! Thank you so much again surfdome.com!

I've spent the majority of this past week fretting over my cat Fi, who wasn't acting herself and had lost some weight. The days leading up to the appointment I imagined every single thing that could be wrong (does anybody else do this?!) and how much whatever it would cost to fix whatever it was. Finally the day arrived and it seems she has stones + an infection - thankfully they gave her the necessary medicine and antibiotics and are pretty confident she will recover fairly quickly! I was so, so relieved I could cry - she's my baby and I've had her since I was just six! :')

I'm still absolutely flabbergasted by the truly incredible response my last outfit post received. I can't even begin to thank you all and I'm still a bit behind replying - but I'm on it!

Here's hoping you have a beautiful week ♡

Visual Optimism: Blogging as Self Care

DRESS: Dear Creatures (bought on sale at UO - now sold out; pink version at Emerging Thoughts) CAT BAG: c/o Lookbook Store SHOES: ASOS (now sold out, similar) HARRIET GRAY TEMPORARY TATTOO: c/o Yurei Boutique HAIR BARRETTE: A gift from Charlotte

My goal for Mermaidens is to be an optimistic source of escapism - both for me and you - so if I don’t seem to have much to say beyond discussions of makeup and clothing, the truth is I don’t have much else going on in my life at the moment.

Over the last few years, my father’s disability has been getting worse and this has had a dramatic impact on my family and livelihood. This doesn’t make for very interesting or happy blog content, not to mention I’m already too self-conscious about my writing abilities (and especially sharing them on a large public platform!) to tackle topics heavier than my favorite lipsticks. These family problems not only require time-consuming dedication and patience, but having the responsibility to stay at home caring for someone has decreased most of my opportunities. This blog has become my main opportunity that I can pursue from my limited means - home and places near it - yet share and connect with so many amazing people.

It is lonely and difficult seeing loved ones struggle, so I try to channel all my love and creativity into Mermaidens. These past two weeks, several things prevented me from being able to post, and being without such a positive and at times therapeutic outlet had a drastic effect on my happiness. A lot of us disappear into the blogging world as escapism and being part of this community has been invaluable for me. I believe I’m a better person because of it and I'm so happy to be back!

I am always blogging and creating from a place of optimism - and hope that Mermaidens can be an escape for you if and when you need one like it has been for me ♡

And now, a few words about what I'm wearing! The stars aligned and I was lucky enough to find this dress by Dear Creatures on sale - a brand I have long admired and I am so happy to have a piece of their magic in my wardrobe! I wore it with the cutest cat bag ever, which was kindly sent to me from Lookbook Store, my favorite silver ASOS flats, and on my wrist is the adorable Harriet Gray temporary cat tattoo from the brand new shop Yurei Boutique! If you love the look of tattoos but are too fickle to get one yourself (like me!), these are purfect (sorry, I had to)! ♡