Merci Blah Blah – A Guest Post

Today I am so excited to share one of my favorite bloggers with you, Shannan from Merci Blah Blah. I am drawn to her blog because she is not only hilarious, but she has great style and does it all while raising her 5 year old TRIPLETS. So if you were thinking you can’t find time to start a blog – here is some inspiration for you! Scroll down to learn more about Shannan!

P.S. She recently won an award from Circle of Mom’s Top 25 Fashion and Beauty Mom bloggers and the website www.mom.me featured Shannan as one of their 13 Mom Fashion Bloggers to watch in 2013! You can check out the link HERE.


1. Why did you start blogging? 

I actually started blogging in 2008 when I was on bedrest in the hospital (from 25 weeks until delivery at 33 weeks, 6 days, but who’s counting? THIS guy was…). It was a way to maintain my sanity. Sadly, the blog-host that I started with is no longer in existence, so guess what? Neither is that blog. After I had the kids, I realized blogging was STILL a way to maintain my sanity, plus, I’ve always loved fashion, design, celeb trivia, and writing, so it was a way to combine all of those loves in one giant Fashiony Designey Love Stew.

2. You have toddler TRIPLETS -so basically you are superhuman – how do you find the time to blog? 

Au contrairie. I mean, I DO have triplets, and they will turn FIVE in May, which I can’t believe, but I am far from super-human. One way my blog is such an outlet for me is because it allows me to keep it real about my kids. I am always amazed by those blogs who seemingly have perfect families, and never have any stress, and their kids never pull their weiners out in public or act inappropriately, not to mention the parents. I am under no allusions. With three at once, it’s an extreme situation, with extreme instances of stress and guilt, but also extreme joy and happiness. I think I’m pretty honest when I feel like I have been a sh!t parent (which is a lot more than I care to think about), but hopefully in the long run, the kids won’t need TOO much therapy. Except for that time that my husband sent our daughter to school without pants. That’s a given. And I just realized I didn’t really ANSWER your question – how do I find time to blog? The same way I do with exercise – I make it happen. Usually early in the mornings before anyone wakes up, or after they’ve gone to bed. I take all my OOTD pics after I get ready for work, before breakfast, and while everyone is asleep. Then I edit, upload and write the next day’s post in the evening.



3. What are you into? Likes/Dislikes/Hobbies (anything – food, tv, stores, activities, no activities) – 

Hmmmm….I like reality TV maybe a weee bit too much. Give me some Real Housewives followed up by Intervention, and I’m a happy camper. I also love shopping (duh), kick-boxing, pina coladas and long walks on the beach (tee heeee). My favorite place in the world is Laguna Beach, and if I ever hit the lottery, I am SO THERE. I also love to cook – it’s another creative outlet for me, though I don’t do it all the time. 

4. What is your go to look? (you can describe the pic if you want) – 

Easy – a graphic tee, skinny pants, kickass shoes or boots, a jacket, and great accessories. Done and done. Oh, and if they’re printed skinnies? So much the better. I have a weeeee bit of an obsession with printed pants at the moment. Ahem….



5. What are 3 favorite songs on your playlist right now? 

My number one song that I’m listening to CONTINUALLY is San Francisco by The Mowgli’s. If you listen to that song and can’t get happy, it may be time to look into some xanex. Seriously. As far as what else is on my playlist, I’m totally behind in music, because when I’m in my car, I ONLY listen to audiobooks. I am listening to the most amazing audiobook right now, called Life, On the Line, about chef Grant Achatz. SOOOO good. But back to music, my two absolute favorite CDs are Garden State and The Last Kiss. Both are full of amazing music that transports me to another place every single time I listen to them.




6. Any advice for moms out there who can’t carve out time for style? 

Do not, I repeat DO NOT – wear yoga pants or sweats out in public (unless you’re coming from the gym). And don’t even get me started on people who wear PAJAMAS out – their printed flannel pajamas and slippers assault my eyes. Come on, people, have some pride. Take a page from Stacy and Clinton. It’s just as easy to get dressed in a nice pair of jeans, a tee, some cool jewelry and a jacket as it is in yoga pants (see number 4 above). Whether your jeans are skinnies, flares, boot cut, or straight – find the ones that look best on YOUR body and rock them. Who cares what the latest trend is? If it looks good on you and you KNOW it looks good on you, that confidence will come through.
You can visit Shannan’s Blog at MerciBlahBlah.com

Thanks for visiting! Come back tomorrow to meet another awesome blogger!

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Last week we took a quick trip to escape the snow for some sunshine in Key Largo, Florida☀️ We spent every moment possible outside, Tom and Adam got their Scuba Diver PADI certification (yay!) while Sophia and I spent our days either swimming or drawing marine life and landscapes. This was my first trip after my sister passed last November, and even though I look so happy here, there were so many moments I felt the grief and sadness, as if it happened just yesterday. I am still figuring out how I want to show up in this space, as I have changed so much as a person since the loss. I just don’t feel called to post some of the things I shared before. Maybe that will change someday, or maybe it will just naturally evolve into something new. I think I will take this year to just process it all. (Even the idea of taking an entire year to think through something is a huge shift for my usually hyperactive type A personality) My focus at the moment is just living in the moment with my family and friends, spending time doing things that make me happy and healthy. I hope to share some of that journey here with you ~ thanks for following along ❤️
I had planned to shoot this outfit in collaboration with @lenacoutureofficial right before my dear sister passed away. Saba, the designer, was more than understanding if I didn’t want to anymore - but after thinking on it for a while I decided I wanted to - in my sister’s honor 💗 She was always my biggest hype woman. When i would feel like I’m not good enough or that I should quit (which was often) she would tell me I was unique and great and to keep it up. When I think of my sister, beauty and love is all that she embodied in her being. She expressed that on the outside also - as she loved to wear everything glam, bright & colorful, and full of bling. Hair done, nails done, everything did - that was Nusrat. For this shoot I took the time to get glam after a long hiatus - and makeup and hair took so long because I think I forgot how to do it, but afterwards I was surprised how I felt transformed. When I wore this gorgeous outfit that I know was designed with such love and incredible attention to detail by @lenacoutureofficial, I felt all of that beauty - like a walking piece of art, and very much at peace. Thank you so much to @divmophoto for capturing the feeling so well 💕
Ski weekend with my favorites ❄️❄️ So proud of Sophia for skiing on her own for the first time!
There are some trees with seeds that only grow after a fire. Their seeds are completely sealed with a resin that have to be physically melted off by a great fire in order to propagate. So to do we as humans, gain wisdom only after great pain and suffering.*
A month ago (and one day) I lost my sister and best friend to cancer. I am still completely gutted and broken. But, I’m also so so grateful to have had felt the love that now brings me so much heartbreak. ❤️ I am so inspired by her - and I will forever live my life to honor her memory. Miss you sis ❤️
Classic outfit combo: oversized blazer + denim 🖤fendi mules @shoeslutz
Just a mom who loves mums 🌸 🪴
Cozy for a coffee date ☕️
French. Toast. Egg. Bake. Save this recipe for a weekend or holiday brunch - it’s SO good and fool-proof! I’m not even a sweet person and I love it. The pecans are a non-negotiable IMO - I get honey bourbon vanilla pecans for this and it is just heavenly. Enjoy!