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)! ♡

Interview: Jazmine from Jazzabelle's Diary

Whenever I see a new post from Jazmine, 21 year old stylist, model, and generally lovely person behind Jazzabelle's Diary, my heart soars! This girl is so genuinely lovely inside and out - scrolling through her blog, the words "effortlessly chic" come to mind - and when trying to think of blogs that are the absolute cream of the crop, hers is one I immediately think of!

Jazmine was kind enough to let me interview her, and below you will find her answers to my questions about her personal style, photography, and Nicki Minaj! ♡

How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Simple, classic & ladylike.

I really love the fact your mother is your photographer (mine too!) - do you two have any photography tips or advice for taking the best outfit pictures?
I think taking your time, finding the perfect locations and discovering your own style are pretty important things. Also, my mum and I take the best pictures when I'm feelin' confident and happy, so I never force myself to take them just for the sake of a blog post, the moment has to be right.

What are five of your favorite things right now?
'I Love You More Than You Think' by Rizzle Kicks, The Mindy Project, a good ol' cup of tea (two sugars and a splash of milk!), my new Topshop teddy bear fur coat and lighting lots of candles around my bedroom.

Describe the average day in the life of Miss Jazmine.
I'll wake up around eight o'clock, have a cup of tea and start to get ready for work. I don't take too long to get ready, so sometimes I snooze my alarm for a bit, but I make sure I'm leaving my flat no later than quarter past nine. I'll then walk to my local train station, catch a train for two stops (I usually have a whole carriage to myself!), then pop to the Pret or M&S to grab somethin' for breakfast. I work in Cath Kidston, which honestly is the most lovely job, so I'm more than happy to arrive early so I have time for another cup of tea and a chat before we have to open shop at ten o'clock. As the in store Visual Merchandiser, I'm often doing the many displays, so sometimes I can be in the window all day changing the scheme for the new season or creating mini stories and displays in store.

After my four hour shift I usually head straight home (maybe stopping at the local florist or charity shop to treat myself to something!), to either get changed straight into my pajamas or get ready to take outfit pictures with my mum. Most evenings are then spent replying to emails, blogging, watchin' tv, listening to music and lounging around in my bedroom. I love the simple things in life, so I can be quite content in not doing much at all! Though sometimes it really is nice to be busy like I have been recently.

Lisette described you as "if Nicki Minaj and Audrey Hepburn had a child" - which I love and I think the perfect description of you! So I have to ask: what is your favorite Audrey film and your favorite Nicki song?
Oh, I thought that was the best compliment ever - I like to think I'm somewhat elegant and classic like Audrey, but then I also have a slightly wilder side to me - my Nicki Minaj alter ego, perhaps! Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday (Nicki Minaj actually has a song called Roman Holiday, would you believe!) and Funny Face are three of my favourite Audrey films, I honestly couldn't choose between them as I love them all for such different reasons. And let's not even start on my favourite Nicki Minaj songs! Can I pick a few? Super Bass is a total classic, I adore the lyrics in Fly, but more recently I've been lovin' High School as I love learning to rap tricky lyrics!

Visit Jazmine on Jazzabelle's Diary, Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram ♡

Thank you so much again Jazmine!

She and Reverie Camp Versailles Lookbook

The other day I opened my mailbox to discover an envelope from Small Girls PR - inside, the S/S 2014 lookbook for one of the loveliest brands around, She and Reverie!

Designer Quinne Myers' sweet aesthetic puts pastels and scallops in the spotlight with her gorgeous eye for lingerie and loungewear, and I've been under her spell since I saw Kate's post modeling one of her frothy skirts!

Inspired by Marie Antoinette and Versailles, this lookbook is utterly dreamy with beautiful ribbons and ruffles and model Ariel Winn-Mohler showcases Quinne's designs beautifully ♡

I definitely recommend checking out their other gorgeous collections as well - is this or is this not the cutest bra you have ever seen?! ♡

Happy Friday everybody - I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Splendiferous

DEAR CREATURES DRESS

Hello - it's been forever! A string of rainy days, unkempt hair (aka ROOTS AHOY), and a bad sleeping schedule had left me drained of the energy needed to keep this little corner of the internet updated - BUT the clouds are clearing, my hair will be sorted out momentarily, and I've been drinking a lot of coffee so I'm re-engerized and ready to start creating new content again! (◉‿◉✿)

So I thought I'd say a quick hello and share some things with you!

I've rediscovered my love of magazines and isn't this cover of Glamour with Kerry Washington STUNNING?!

My mom bought a new coffee maker and I'm SO SO in love!

LOOKBOOK STORE CAT PURSE *

Currently my desk looks like this - surrounding myself with little reminders of the lovely people I am lucky enough to have in my life helps me stay motivated ♡

I now own the cutest cat dress of all time thanks to Lookbook Store *! You will be seeing me wear this next week! (=①ω①=)

Literally can't stop listening to Arctic Monkeys' newest album, AM! My favorite songs are Do I Wanna Know?, R U Mine?, One For The Road, Arabella, and I Wanna Be Yours!

And finally, I found this g o r g e o u s Dear Creatures dress on Urban Outfitters for an additional 30% off sale items sale last weekend! The stars aligned because I even had a gift card from returning a piece from earlier this year (♡‿♡) Can't wait to do an official ""outfit"" post with it!

WISHCANDY STICKERS (everything is currently 20% off in her store! Some art is nsfw) // LAURA REDBURN ICE CREAM PRINT

Tomorrow I have a really exciting lookbook post coming up and have so many outfits to show you - I can't wait! I hope you are all well - please tell me what's going on with you lately ♡♡♡

Label Love: Dear Creatures

Founded by Bianca Benitez and Rob Sinclair, Dear Creatures features the sweetest vintage inspired collars, color schemes and silhouettes with a modern twist. My introduction to the brand was the lovely Sandra posting about their Fall 2012 collection and I've been in love ever since!

I am particularly taken with their newly released Autumn 2013 lookbook - with pieces in muted hues of navy, mustard, and burgundy, this collection is exactly what my dream fall wardrobe would look like! The campaign, Girl About Town (photographed by Yudi Ela Echevarria with the gorgeous Annie Monroe as model), reminds me of Marlo Thomas as That Girl with the hair and clothing reminiscent of the 60s and city backdrop!

Pieces from the fall collection are available on the official Dear Creatures shop and ModCloth with more to be released in October.