Hey everyone, just a heads up that I am importing over some, if not, all recipe posts from my old blog. I couldn't bring myself to just delete them. Feel free to browse these repeat posts with a new eye, or just skip them:)
MerelyMarie
Recipes & food photos. Nail polish. Hair. Clothes. Books. Movies. Videos. TV. Random thoughts & daydreams. Inspirational Quotes & photos. MerelyMarie is about being & accepting who you are. No facades. No apologies. No fear. No shame. It's also about growing into the person you want to be, and living your life for yourself...not for other people.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Checkers & Patrick.

Kissing in Manhattan, by David Schickler
Dark & sexy read! Little individual stories in nearly every chapter; each sorta introducing new characters whose tales ultimately weave & come together near the end. So good, I read it twice. That Patrick...
Labels: unwind
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Perfect Love.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Labels: spark
Creamy Hot Cocoa.
I don't really care for cocoa or hot chocolate, but got a craving for a cup one evening. Found this recipe, and gave it a go!
Merely More...
Labels: devour
The Getaway.

Here are some photos of our recent getaway to Kohler, Wisconsin. Husband and I went to The American Club, stayed at the Carriage House, and got a 75 minute "Two-gether" massage at the Kohler Water Spa. Both the suite and the spa were...A-mazing! Clean. Quiet. Relaxing. Romantic.
Merely More...
Labels: unwind
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Holidays!
Hope you enjoy good food, nice gifts, and precious time with family & friends this holiday!
To everyone who has joined me, left messages, read posts, or just viewed photos here...
Thank you Very Much & Happy Holidays!!!
I appreciate you all:)
Marie
Labels: mind
The Introvert.
Outfit
Coat: J.Crew • Mittens & Scarf: Portolano • Bag: Cole Haan
Legwear: Berkshire • Legwarmers: H&M • Boots: Nicole
Merely More...
'Tis Time I Showed You The Door, Mr. Green-Eye.
Jealousy. It's such an ugly, depressing, negative, semi-fiery feeling of someone else having it better than you...Or worse, them having something you don't &/or will possibly never have.
I feel it more often than I'd like to. I'd like to not feel it at all. Genuinely Confident people. Financially-Free people. Beautiful people. Courageous people. People who live their best life.
Envying others does no good for me. In fact...Ouch!, it hurts me. It ONLY hurts me.
It's time I show ole Green-Eye the door out my life, and get new locks to prevent it's most unwelcome return.
Merely More...
Labels: mind
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
You Know My Name & Another Way to Die.
Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace, Movies
Guns, Fast Cars, British Accents, Fist Fights, Explosions, Gorgeous Bond Girls, & Daniel Craig.
Two sexy, highly entertaining movies.
Love Daniel Craig as Bond! Chris Cornell singing the theme song on the first one; perfect...
Jack White and Alicia Keys on the second; not too shabby, either!
Photo Credits.
Labels: unwind
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Hot Caramel Apple Cider & Spice.
They got me! Starbucks and their caramel apple spice drink. So good on a cold day, but $3.50 for a small...err "tall"!...Yep, had to try and make this at home.
I bought some real apple cider, caramel topping (from the ice cream section), and whipped cream; then headed for the microwave. After heating up a cup of cider, I added in a teaspoon of dark brown sugar (cider was unsweetened), and a couple shakes of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Gave it a stir. Topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Didn't taste like the Starbucks drink, but tasty nonetheless.
Will play around more with the spices next time; and probably try some cinnamon sticks & cloves.
Labels: devour
I Threw on a Beanie & Went.


I've never really worn my hair like this outside home. The twists were always just an overnight thing; necessary preparations for a Good Morning Twist Out. Sunday night, (after washing/deep conditioning/twisting my hair) I decided I would not fuss with it in the AM. Monday morning, I just threw on a beanie, and went.
Merely More...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Non "Real World" Thinking.
Imagine if:
• There were no such thing as embarrassment.
• When asked, "Why do you want to work here?", you honestly answer "To get paid."...and you actually get the job.
• No assumptions were made, based on physical appearances alone.
• There was a world where everyone had child-like honesty. You never have to consider & arrange your words or actions, fake interest, put it delicately, or even say the words "Thank You"; just to be "polite" or to spare someone's feelings.
• You walked into a room, filled with people, who look similar. You stand out completely, and yet, nobody makes you aware of this because "your difference" is not an obvious thing. In fact, it has no real existence. No one is aware of it at all, not even yourself.
Labels: mind
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
All the time, Everywhere...I Am the exact same.
I wish I could say this. Truely say this; alas, I'm not there yet.
It seems there is a:
Work Marie. Home Marie. Family Marie.
Once, even a School Marie.
Each one feeling, looking, sounding slightly different. At least, it seems this way to me. How are you to BE who you are, when the roles you play are different?
I know a person from college. He once told me that he's the exact same everywhere he goes; all the time. I'll never forget it, because I believed him as soon as he said it. I admire him for that.
Labels: mind
Cross Body Bags.
Labels: peek
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wait, I've been here before. Wait, this happened before. Wait, I saw this before.
Deja Vu??? What is it really called? When you've seen, heard, been in a situation that you've seen, heard, been in somewhere...sometime ago but you can't exactly remember what place or what time it indeed was. You're almost certain it never actually happened, but it feels so very real. Like you're living the moment. Again. And it's only for a moment.
Then it's gone.
Do you experience this? And, in the moment, do you speak that it's happened before?
I do; and everyone around me gets quiet & looks at me like I've just lost it all. When I think about it, I guess it does sound kinda nuts! Nevertheless, it happens.
Labels: mind
Monday, December 13, 2010
Candied Pecan, Cranberry & Apple Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette.

There's one restaurant that I particularly go to for their walnut apple salad. I love it because (besides it being filling, for a salad) the dressing is perfectly sweet; but at $8...I had to figure out how to make it at home.
Merely More...
Labels: devour
Friday, December 10, 2010
Free Sky Shows, just look up.
A meteor shower & lunar eclipse are to take place in the coming days of December!!! I will be watching, as I've always been a major fan of seeing these types of events. I often wish I lived out in the country (or owned a telescope) to better observe the loveliness of the sky. It makes me calm.
Labels: unwind
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Hair.
After eight months of growing out my hair, I was ready. Husband cut off the remaining 9 inches of my processed straight strands, leaving only the highly textured. I've yet to look back. The hair is what started it all.
Merely More...
TV Characters: Women.
Felicity Porter. Elena Tyler. Buffy Summers. Willow Rosenburg. Sarah Tacredi. Gretchen. Tara Thornton. Sookie Stackhouse. Peggy Olsen. Joan Holloway. Betty Draper. Anne Boleyn. Mary Tudor.
These are several of my favorite female characters from TV. The actresses owned their characters and made them believable. If you missed the men, check them out here!
What are some of your favorite/most memorable leading ladies from television?
Message below:)
Photo credit.
Labels: unwind
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
To Infinity & beyond...
Labels: peek
Monday, December 6, 2010
Dim. Shine. Crawl. Fly.
Never dim your light...You were meant to shine.
Don't crawl...You were born to fly.
I've been seeing these inspiring words typed across the net quite a bit these days. They echo after me, because I feel them in my heart and believe them to be true.
Also, believing that everyone has a unique gift to share with the world; I just wish I knew mine already.
I'm so anxious & excited to get started.
Labels: mind
The Retiring Perfectionist.
Shirt & Hoodie: Martin & Osa • Blazer: Banana Republic • Denim: Paper Denim & Cloth • Ankle Boots: Gee Wawa • Various pearl bracelets & necklaces wrapped around into bracelets: Gift from my sister
Merely More...
Labels: peek
Sunday, December 5, 2010
TV Characters: Men.
Dexter. Pete Campbell. Don Draper. T-Bag. Michael Scofield. King Henry Tudor. Spike. Angel. Ben Covington. Noel Crane. Mostly all the men of Lost: Locke, Sayid, Hurly, Sawyer, Michael, Ben, Jin, Jack...
Some actors are so believable in their characters, that I think/wish them to be real. If I ever saw them in life, their character names would pop into mind long before their real names. Though, I believe this to be an actor's pet peeve; isn't it a testament to how great they are at their work?
What are some of your favorite/most memorable male characters on televison?
Photo Credit.
Labels: unwind
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Financial Non-Fiction.
Labels: spark
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Great Odin's Raven...Eos!
Labels: peek
Perfect Imperfections...TAG!
When I came across this blog and saw her My First Tag post, I thought I'd give it a go too. Tags are fun, plus, this one seems encouraging & conducive to my retiring from perfectionism:)
Listing 3 things about myself that I consider perfect & 3 things about myself that I consider imperfect (I think they all are suppose to be physical things).
Merely More...
Labels: mind