look book: i don't like mondays

I am dying over this dress! I love how it's a simple design and yet it has such unique features. Like the back zipper, the pockets, the detail that goes from front to back and the thick stretchy material. I'll admit it makes me feel a little bit like a bad-ass haha. I decided to make my hair uber-feminine with a teased updo, a modern take inspired by the one and only Audrey. Thank you so much to I Don't Like Mondays for sending me this awesome dress! Their shop has the coolest stuff so go check it out!

dress T by Alexander Wang c/o I Don't Like Mondays, necklaces Forever 21, spiky ring Marc Jacobs, socks, Nordstrom Rack, shoes Mary Kyri, jacket Madewell, lipstick Lancome Code Red

It's so hard adjusting after a nice long holiday weekend! I also have to remind myself that it's still November, even if just for another day. I have a ton of stuff to do in the next couple weeks but I'm so excited the holiday season is finally here. It seems like everyone is just bubbling with joy and I think that's pretty great!

Update: I Don't Like Mondays is offering an incredible 30% off all full priced Alexander Wang items, including Men's. The code is MLOVESM and it's good  through December 7th!
xox

recipe: macarons!

I have always been interested in making macarons, the beautiful and tasty French cookies! I made coconut macaroons last year which perhaps got me thinking about the other dessert with the similar name. My Dad got me this awesome book called I Heart Macaroons which breaks the recipes down step by step with illustrations. SO helpful because it can get very confusing. Unfortunately I couldn't find a copy of it online but if you're interested I'd definitely recommend the book..it would be a great stocking stuffer since it's so thin! I decided to make my life a little easier by going with the basic vanilla macaron batter {as opposed to the macaroon batter with Italian Meringue}. I also stuck with chocolate ganache and caramel filling. Next time I'll go for the macarons in pretty colors!

{my sheets of mess ups! oops}

They were gooood! Even with all the sweets we had this weekend I'm still craving more! 

Hello, my name is Mara and I'm a sugar addict...with no intention of recovery :)

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving weekend! 

The winner of the Jung Jewel Necklace giveaway is...Beth! Congrats!

xox

happy birthday dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday!! I love being home to celebrate these kinds of celebrations. My Dad is an incredible man and an amazing father! I seriously lucked out. Not only do I get to enjoy his cooking every night {which I've mentioned before here, here, and here} but I also get to talk with him and learn from him. He's the smartest man I know and I've learned so much from him. He's always been an inspiration to me. I strive to be as avid a reader, as dedicated a partner, as loving a father, and as skilled a cook!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

photo 1. about a year old 

photo 2. 8 years old 

photo 3. 17 years old visiting Seattle

happy happy thanksgiving!

Well the table is set, the food is made, and the house is clean! Now I just need to get dressed and wait for our family and friends to come! Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays {if not my favorite}. It's a day that's all about family and love, and giving thanks. This year I am thankful for so many things. I'm grateful for my wonderful and supportive family, my amazing friends, and my incredible and loving fiance! {Eek still so excited about that}. It's been a year full of so much joy and I'm counting all of my blessings! I'm also thinking about all of you, my sweet blogging friends! Thank you all for coming here and being a part of my life and sharing in my adventures. I cherish each and every one of you {even though most of us haven't met}. I'm wishing you all a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

xox

photo taken by my brother Anthony!

look book: boots and argyle

I don't know about you but this week has me in the best mood ever! Maybe it's because my brother is coming home Wednesday, or that it's THANKSGIVING on Thursday, or that I'm seeing my best friends in the whole wide world on Friday, or that my Dad's birthday is on Sunday. I'm actually thinking it's all of the above! I really think this is my favorite time of the year!

blouse Banana Republic, skirt, sweater and boots J. Crew, belt thrifted, jacket Madewell

It's also getting a lot colder in LA, which I know really isn't that cold compared to other parts of the country, but it's cold for here! I think it's officially time to reorganize my closet. The summer things need to rotate to the back of my closet because it doesn't make sense anymore. I have a feeling Matthew is going to use my fall cleaning as an excuse for me to downsize. Someone is getting a little worried about his closet space {or lack thereof} in May! hehe

Make sure to enter the giveaway for the Irene Jung necklace!

xox

 

Also, Groupon is having a deal for Nordstrom Rack {$25 for $50!}. It's valid at all locations so if you haven't gotten it already you should! I heart Groupon!

giveaway: Jung Jewels Necklace!

Irene Jung is a a jewelry designer based out of San Francisco who creates beautiful necklaces out of re-purposed materials. She loves combining the vintage with modern, so she's constantly scouring antique shops, flea markets, and estate sales for beautiful brooches to incorporate into her collection. Each piece is one of a kind! Irene has so kindly offered to give away this necklace to one of you! It would be so perfect paired with a tee and jeans, or a cute dress. It's definitely a fun statement piece!

To Enter:
1). Must be a follower of M Loves M

2). Comment and share which necklace from Irene Jung's collection is your favorite! {I love Present to Myself!}

For extra entries
3). Blog/tweet for extra entries!
4). Become a Facebook fan of M Loves M
{please leave separate comments since it makes it a little easier on me!}

I'll be picking the winner next Monday, November 29th! Good luck!
xox

look book: lots of hearts {and giveaway winner!}

This dress is very "business" in the front, party in the back! You wouldn't know it by the cute little clusters of hearts and modest V-neck, but there's a semi-open back! I've been wanting a dress like this for awhile.

dress Urban Outfitters Renewal, sweater Urban Outfitters, necklace Forever 21, shoes Aldo

For some reason I got really sick last night. I'm not sure if it was something I ate or maybe the kids I tutor for, but it was not pretty. I'm feeling better today, thank goodness, so I'm planning on re-hydrating and taking it semi-easy this weekend. The last thing I want is to be sick before Thanksgiving!

The winner of the Perricone MD giveaway is...E.Day!

Thanks everyone for entering! I'll have another giveaway for you on Monday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xox

wedding wednesday: wedding blogs

Wedding blogs I figured I'd take today to address some of my favorites, especially since they're eating up most of my internet time! Wedding blogs are a great way to get the inside look at some of the loveliest weddings around and gain some inspiration for your own special day. Now let me start by saying that there are a ton of amazing wedding blogs out there! I would probably go insane if I was reading them all so these are just the ones I spend most of my time on. I've also been following them since before Matthew and I were engaged, so there's some loyalty there, too!

As a California girl I love looking at Green Wedding Shoes since many of the weddings featured are from my area. It's great to be able to look at those weddings to scout out nearby vendors. I also love how the brides are asked to share their most memorable moment and a piece of advice for future brides. It makes it a little more personal.

I think most everyone knows about Style Me Pretty. It's pretty much the grand-daddylady of wedding blogs. Every wedding featured is just breathtakingly beautiful. They also update multiple times a day so it's easy to get totally absorbed on their site.

Snippet and Ink features so many pretty inspiration boards with different color palates and I love all the "Real Weddings" featured. They are a great source for admiring cute DIY details.

 

Once Wed is amazing! I had the pleasure of meeting the editor, Emily Newman, when Matthew and I did the shoot with Jose Vila. She was so sweet and down-to-earth and so are the weddings she features. I look at her site with a notebook next to me, jotting down ideas! I also love that she's set up a way for brides to sell their dresses to other brides. It's a lot cheaper to buy second-hand and they are still gorgeous dresses!

 Do any of you look at any specific wedding blogs? Or have any you'd recommend? I'd love to hear!

Make sure to enter the Perricone MD giveaway !! I'm picking the lucky winner on Friday!

xox