What up CHI-town

Long time no blog post?!!  I know, I am not in hiding... I am just in CHICAGO!

Sometimes you have those signs in your life where things just seem coincidental -- like when your boots just seem to be saying 'wear me today' and so you do, and then there is a unpredicted rain storm that day, so you are thankful you weren't caught out in your sandals with wet feet.

And then there are those other signs, where ignored whispered coincidences are turned into doors flinging wide open, and posting neon signs flashing above them, just so you are sure not to miss 'this sign'.  Well, I think it is safe to say that The Drew and I are experiencing one of those moments.  And even when all signs were pointing toward one clear decision, it was still one of the toughest decisions we have ever made.  I can't really explain how this all came about, but when something falls into place as quickly as this opportunity, your only option is to trust and follow.

So, we have said goodbye to the ATL and moved to Chicago!  The main reason for moving was an exciting opportunity for me to dive back into the Sensory field in the food Industry.  With all my textile business momentum you might ask, why now?  Well, for the success of M E G + M I L O, right now isn't the best time for it to be my full time.  Anyone who has followed a creative dream would advise that it has to be a balanced path in the beginning -- get your feet under you before you take off on your race to dream success.  Chicago has so many things to offer me, not only in my scientific career, but also my creative career, so I am very excited about my prosperous future here. 

The toughest part of this big change has been making sure it also works for the Drew's career. Anyone who has relocated with two career-focused adults knows how tough it can be to make something work for both.  While the logistics have been difficult, I am continually amazed as to how things have fallen into place not just for me, but also for the Drew, to make this move. I am talking lots of open doors, at just the right time -- we couldn't be luckier!      

This transition also wouldn't have been possible without the loving support of our families, now that we are now 12 hours away from NC instead of 3 :(  Thank you all!! :)

So now that we are getting more settled, this will be the first of many posts to come from our new home, CHICAGO!!! 

xo - megan

PS - Any advice for us southerners now calling the midwest our home?  Please share!! :)   

My Biz-Venture: Let's Debate...

Did you catch the National Debate last night?  Don't worry, I am not going to get all political... but while things were getting all steamed up on the debate stage, things were also getting steamy here at the M E G + M I L O headquarters.  Purple silks, Orange silks, and Navy silks took their own 3-hour session in the steamer last night to make the dyes permanent in the silks.

Let's talk Care... not Healthcare, nor Obamacare, but 'Silkcare' :)  That is right, while I kept my ears perked to the Presidential debate, I worked on my own 'Silkcare' Plan -- sewing in my new silk Care Tags into a round of tops.  Unfortunately, my silk tops don't take into account your pre-exisiting laundry routine; these tops are silk, which is a strong fiber, but also delicate and needs to be laundered with specific gentle care.  Don't they look happy?!  Right there, all professional, in the side of your M E G + M I L O silk top, to make sure the top lasts many years and many seasons.

And I can't blog about the Debate without mentioning taxes.  Haha, oh taxes... I am convinced that nobody on the whole earth understands any tax code, ever.  None-the-less, as a small business owner, the topic of taxes reminded me that I need to file my own monthly Sales and Use taxes.  

While there are lots of 'hoops' I have had to learn about and jump through to be a legal business, I also have the right to vote and affect the government that creates those 'hoops'.  That is why I made this a Biz-Venture post, because the debate reminded me how grateful I am to live in a nation where I can make my sewing business dreams a reality.      

xo - megan

  

5 Ways to Wear a M E G + M I L O Scarf - Black Tie

Today is my last post in my scarf styling series -- if you missed the others, find them HERE and HERE.  And I think you will agree with me that I saved the best for last.  

Before Gran and Bop's recent 60th Wedding Anniversary Party, I asked the Drew what he was wearing, and without a skip in breath he replied, 'a suit, of course.'  Like, why ever would anyone wear anything else but a suit?!  The Drew subscribes to the Gentleman's adage that the only proper apparel for a man is a suit.  So as his 'date' to this event, I was instructed to look fabulous.  And so these Black Tie scarf stylings were created.  I donned look #5, and it was a big hit at the party.  An older gentleman at the party complimented that I had a very 'striking' look.    

Many of you mentioned that you would love to wear a M E G + M I L O silk scarf to an orchestra concert, upcoming wedding, engagement shoot, or anywhere fine cocktails are served...  so enters the scarf stylings for a Black Tie event.

While I was dressed and all pink-lipped, I had to try out the bow look one more time -- just a little encouragement to get a bow-fad going.

Who needs a new dress for every event?  Update and elevate that dress that is already in your closet to create a sharp get-up for the next time you are wined and dined.  So which style is your favorite?  I have a fancy occasion in my future and am curious which way you think I should wear the scarf with my little black dress?  

xo - megan

 

Fresh Baked Birthday Sweets

Sunday was my Mother's Birthday, and while I didn't get to visit with her in person, I celebrated this week from afar by baking.  You see, aside from my mother's day job as a dedicated chemist, she and my father have also built a hearth-baked bread business with a major following.  Last summer, I posted some mouth watering pictures from their weekly bread baking.  Each week they bake 80+ loaves of bread on Friday night after work and sell them Saturday morning at the local Farmer's Market.  

But that isn't all, this year they rolled out a new venture at the Farmer's Market, freshly baked Hand Pies -- and customers are eating them UP!  Each week their pies showcase the in-season fruits and veggies from the Market, and meats from local farmers: chorizo black bean, sausage and egg, onion gruyere, spinach ricotta, ratatouille, strawberry rhubarb, peach blueberry, almond custard, and so on.

Ratatouille Pie - veggie cheesy goodness

So the only logical way to celebrate my mother's birthday was by doing some baking of my own.  Let me admit, I had a little help in the form of a King Arthur Flour Brioche mix that was gifted to me by none other than my mother :)  The smell of having something sweet baking in the oven is a constant reminder of my childhood.  No week, or really day for that matter, went by without my mother baking something.  My mother has always been an early riser, so as a child, waking up to the smell of a fresh-baked cake was not only normal, but quite frankly the only way to wake up!!  Homemade sweets is one of the things I miss most about living with my parents.  

Mini Orange Cranberry Brioches

While I may have inherited my mother's talent of sewing, baking is a more challenging task for me -- she always makes it look so easy!  And as for me, well, I am much better at eating the sweet treats than I am at baking them.  So from afar, while we both enjoy something sweet, I want to wish my 'sweet' mother a wonderful and happy Birthday!!  Thanks Momsie for filling my childhood with these sweet aromas, and for all the Love you bake inside!!

xo - megan   

PS.  Here is a photo of the creative card my mother made me for my birthday a couple weeks ago -- a woman of many talents for sure :)

And The Winner is...

"People want to feel or express emotions in their clothes and furnishings, a bland cocoon is a dull existence" - Vera Neumann, Style Icon 

Thank you all for your lovely comments and complements of my work!!!  M E G + M I L O started out as courage: courage to embrace a passion and see how far it can fly.  Every woman should dress to inspire themselves, to believe in their dreams, to satisfy their desire to not only look fabulous, but to feel fabulous because she deserves it.    

The only thing better than living a dream, is sharing your dream with friends and family.  So without further ado, the random winner of her own M E G + M I L O scarf is:

LaurieElaine - "Happy Birthday Lady! Ultimately I would pick whichever one you think I would look awesome in - I love the ones with grey because that color is totally my jam. And I'd be finidng a way to wear that bad boy everywhere!"

Thanks again to everyone who entered!!  This was fun, so we will definitely have to do it again :)  And be on the lookout for another scarf styling post later this week.  

xo - megan