Good things to come..

Y'all, there has been SO much running through my mind the past few months.

So much stress, so much worry, so much wondering what people are going to think.

But after a lot of thought and prayer and hard conversations,
i've officially decided that I won't be re signing my lease on my store.
The opportunity to have my storefront came at such a perfect time in my life,
having a store front for a year was EXACTLY what I needed last year.
It was such a positive experience and I have learned and grown SO much from it.
Although it was SO much fun dealing with customers face to face,
and meeting SO many incredible and sweet women,
Plaza just wasn't the place for my business.
I'll be leaving at the end of March.
I'll be continuing to sell online, and I'll be doing pop up shops around Texas
as frequently as possible!
AND I now offer FREE shipping on all US orders!
(www.ShopMCE.com)

With all that being said, i've got some other exciting news!
If you follow me on instagram i'm sure you've already heard,
I'm now doing photography part time!!!
I have always loved taking photos of anything and everything.
I love capturing moments & making memories last forever.
If you live in the Houston area, or anywhere in Texas,
I would L-O-V-E to shoot you or your family!

Go ahead and click here to see some of my work & get pricing info.
Thanks for all the love & support y'all!

Goals and Resolutions

Sweater: ShopHopes | Pants: LuLus | Boots: Similar

I was one, along with a million others, who were just totally ready for 2016 to be over. 

Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad.

2016 was absolutely a growing year for me, and honestly,

growing is hard y'all!
In 2016 I opened my very first little store space.
and holy crap I have learned SO much about my business and relationships and
just myself personally.

So as most of you know Kyle and I have been trying for a baby,
and well, it's just not happening for us right now...
So this past month I made a promise to myself,
If my period came -- I would stop thinking so much about a baby,
and put ALL of my time,  energy and focus into my store and getting back in shape.

I'm sure all of you know I opened my online boutique a few years ago,
it's my baby, and it's something i'm very proud of.
However,
it seems like everyone and their damn cousin has an online boutique these days.
BUT i'm happy to say that I was one of the originals. 
And this year my goal is to get back to where I was when I first started.
So if you're one of my day one's - don't leave me now!
I've got a few ideas up my sleeve for my store and can't wait to share them with y'all!
--Stay Tuned!--

Model of the month

Top: ShopMCE | Flannel: Billabong[similar] | Jeans: LuLus | Shoes: OnlineShoes

If you follow my store on Instagram 

i'm sure you saw that I did a little photoshoot with one of my girlfriends recently!

and y'all...it kind of changed my life.

It's been really hard for me to grow my business Instagram, and really get the images that I want...

It's super hard to get the exact pictures that I want when i'm modeling my own clothes.

I always have a vision in mind -

What I want the picture to look like, how I want the clothes to lay on the body, 

how I want the model standing, and how I want the background to be...

But being the model & having a friend (who's NOT a photographer)

take the pictures makes that a pretty hard job.

My pictures always come out decent, but just not the vision I had in mind. 

I'm not at the point where I can hire a professional model, 

BUT I do have some pretty gorgeous friends.

The only problem is....

I'm only off on Mondays, and well the  majority of my friends work on Mondays.

However, the other week I convinced one of my friends to "work from home"

so she could model for me!

and guys...it was A W E S O M E.

I was able to direct and use my creativity to get the exact shots I wanted,

and I seriously loved every minute of it.

and my friend Liz had an awesome time as well.

I mean what girl wouldn't enjoy wearing cute clothes and being a model for a day?!

Which is how I came up with the idea of....

Having a different model every month.

A Model of the Month if you will.

So with all of that being said...

If any of you babes live in the Houston area and would be interested 

in being a model of the month (which is actually just a day or 2 of LOTS of picture taking)

let me know and we can talk details! 

Would love to meet some of you! 

Friday Favors

Dress: ShopMCE | Boots: LuLus | Necklace: Hemline

Howdy y'all!

So, I have a favor to ask of all of you, a prayer request if you will.

Kyle and I have been on the hunt for a new home for quite a while now.

I'm commuting almost 4 hours a day and not only is it taking a toll on the bank account, 

but also on my sanity. 

-- Long story short --

My sweet Mamaw has been living in an assisted living facility for a while now, 

and her house is just kind of sitting there empty.

My parents came up with a genius idea that Kyle & I could live in it, 

pay for the utilities, save up for a house of our own - 

but also work on my Mamaws house while we're living in it, ya know - fix it up a bit 

and just take care of it for her while she's not able to live in it. 

Well, My Mamaw isn't quite herself lately so she didn't take that too well,

and felt as if we were trying to take her house from her.

But in reality it would just be the perfect situation and help all of us out.

It's closer to my job, it would help us save money for a home of our own, 

and we would fix her house up and keep it safe while she's away. 

Today after work i'm going to go visit her and possibly talk to her about it,

so if y'all could say a little prayer for me!

Just pray that if it's Gods will that we move there for a little while that my Mamaw 

will have an open mind and trust that we will take care of her home for her & 

know that we aren't trying to take it away from her.

I know there's power in prayer so hopefully we will have an answer today!

Y'all are the best, thanks for reading this little blog of mine.

Happy Friday!!!

Little Dress and a Movie Date

Dress: LuLus | Chambray Top: Forever21 | Converse: Nordstrom | Choker: LuLus

Have I mentioned i'm obsessed with wrapping tops around my waist?

A dress and converse may be my most favorite look, it's simple and casual -- 

but the dress adds a "cute" aspect.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After work last night Kyle Reagan treated me to a little date night.

We headed to the movies to see Sully, and it was SO good.

I don't know what's up with me lately but I've become a pickle maniac.

--no i'm not pregnant--

I've always loved pickles but lately my love has turned into a scary obsession.

I literally brought my own jar of pickles to the movies with me last night y'all...

That can't be normal.

But hey, at least i'm not addicted to cocaine -- could always be worse right?

Hope everyone has a GRRRReat weekend! 

Monday Madness

Romper: ShopMCE Necklace: Forever21 Booties: Zara [similar]

It's officially Monday y'all.
For all of you heading into work I hope it's a good one!
Mondays are my day off...
and although I would prefer to be lounging around watching Gossip Girl,
I'm actually about to wash all the dishes and finish up the 8 loads of laundry we have.

BUT before I do all that I figured we could chat about Fridays outfit.
This little romper arrived in my shop sometime last week and I am SO in love.
The unique cactus print is ridiculously cute,
I'm all about unique prints that make people do a double take.
The ruffle detailing on the bottom just give it that extra flare that I LOVE.

I wore it with my favorite pair of booties for a more boho look,
but you could easily pair it with some sandals or gladiators to make it more casual..
or even a pair of wedges for a night time look!

Well, I'm off to get all of my wifely duties done...
one being buying groceries..
If anyone has any healthy and simple meal ideas PLEASE send them my way!

Life is good y'all.

Top: Topshop [similar]

Vest: ShopConversationPieces (similar vest coming soon to my store)

Jeans: LuLus

Booties: Zara [similar]

Life is good y'all.

Owning an actual store has helped me grow as a person in SO many ways,

and i've been learning soooo much!

Gaining knowledge about being a business owner as well as learning [a hell of a lot] about myself. 

Opening my store has made me a happier person because i'm actually getting to live out what I love.

Getting up every morning and putting together a cute outfit to wear for work 

is literally what I live for.

That probably sounds insane to most of you, but that's how MCE came to life.
Because of this little blog...
because I was SO passionate about putting outfits together
and sharing them with people and inspiring people.
Because of YOU, reading this and supporting me.
That passion and inspiration and support created MCE.

 ...and although working from home and just being online was pretty cool,
I kind of lost myself and wasn't getting to use my creativity like I am now.

SO here's to MANY MORE outfit posts on this here little blog.
I've been a little MIA since opening my store but I'm back in action y'all.
Hope my #ootd has inspired you in one way or another.

It's Been A While...

[Entire outfit is from LuLus, i'm a total LuLus whore and I have 0 shame]

Dress

Flannel

Sandals

Hey everyone!!

It has officially been a full month since the opening of my store and
I can honestly say that never in my life have I been happier.

Getting up and going to work (an hour away) every day has definitely been an adjustment.
I haven't had a legit full time job since I first graduated college & worked for a pharmacy.
Don't get me wrong, my online boutique was a full time job....
but it's a lot different when you don't have to set an alarm clock and can work in your underwear.

But i'm happy to say that even though I'm exhausted, I'm loving every minute of it.
I finally feel like myself again.
Still working on getting into a routine, but so far so good!

If you live in Houston you HAVE to come see me!!!!!
1030 W Nasa Rd 1
Webster, TX 77598
Inside Plaza Salons
Suite 101 :)

Blessings on Blessins Blessins

Holy crap, what better way to start the new year than with a HUGE announcement?!?!

I'M GOING TO HAVE MY OWN STOREFRONT!

I will be opening sometime in mid February and I am E.C.S.T.A.T.I.C.

If there's one thing i've learned the past 2-3 years it's that running your own business is TOUGH.

But you know what's even more tough? 

Working from your home, with no kids, and being at home all day every day, by yourself.

Yes, to some that sounds like a dream job.

Heck, it was MY dream job!

But I've come to realize that I am human and desperately need human interaction

throughout the day, and no social media DOES not count as human interaction.

This was NOT an easy decision by any means...

and I would say it didn't happen overnight..but it actually kind of did. 

Ever since bringing a few racks to this salon one weekend for a little pop up shop

i've been dying to have my own little space in there.

I talked to the manager that weekend and she mentioned that there MAY potentially be a space open

come April of 2016. 

Which was perfect because that gave me plenty of time to think and save

and weigh out the pros and cons.

I was SO excited but after a while it was really starting to look like it was going to be impossible.

And then God showed up the morning of NYE, slapped me in the face, 

and gave me a deal that I could NOT turn down.

So, I cried with joy, and I praised Him and I ran with it...

I signed a lease the very next day.

I am unbelievably grateful for this opportunity, Good Lord Almighty am I grateful.

Here's to a year full of new adventures!

High Neckline Obsession

Lately I've been drooling over high necklines...

and what girl doesn't love a dress that twirls?!

Dress

Necklace [similar]

Sandals

This dress is seriously so casual and comfy...but also fancy in a way.

That's what i'm loving about high necklines, I feel like they instantly make your outfit a tad fancier.

And I mean, fancy is always a good thing.

I can't even begin to explain how crazy my life has been lately...

BUT it's a good kind of crazy!!!

xoxo, Monica

Weekend Re-Cap

Sheesh I am WAY behind on blogging...

I guess that's what happens when you have 2 businesses and 2 vacations coming up!

Life has totally gotten in the way but I'm not too mad about it because I can honestly 

say that I LOVE my jobs.

Not this past weekend but the one before I had a mini photo shoot

 for my boutique at my parents house!

Dress

Hat

Necklace

Sandals

Dress

This dress is on sale for $29 and also available in a pink color!!

After our little photoshoot I wiped off my makeup, threw on my swimsuit,

and we all enjoyed some family time by the pool.

<3 <3 <3

Hope everyone had a fun weekend!

Time for me to get back to work.

xoxo, Monica

First Official ShopMCE Photoshoot

Y'ALL!!!!

I'm so excited right now, as you all know I own an online boutique.

I do everything....model, photograph, package, ship, social media, email, etc.

One of my best friends Claire has REALLY been wanting to start her photography business,

but she needs to build her portfolio first.

Therefore she offered to take some of my boutique photos for me!
[WinkPhoto.HOU]

The weather was AWFUL but we managed to get some good ones.

Here is just one of the outfits we shot...

I forced Skye to model with me because she's a doll,

[it really didn't take much forcing]

and also because I slowly want to step awaaayyyyy from being in front of the camera

and slowly add in new models. 

Purchase the dresses HERE

Purchase the headbands HERE

I'm so so excited to continue working with her!!

Make sure you follow @WinkPhoto.HOU on instagram!!!!

There are going to be a lot more photo shoots in the near future!