Month: June 2011

  • Ten things I like right now

    You know what I did yesterday?

    Absolutely nothing interesting. Not even anything I can make sound interesting unless you want to hear how I returned a black maxi dress to Old Navy and then filled up my car with gas.

    So I thought I would take this opportunity of extreme nothingness to share ten things I am a fan of at the moment. Maybe you’ll like them to. Or maybe you won’t. Either way.

    1. Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer

    This is my go-to moisturizer in the summer. It helps me appear tan before I actually am tan and then helps me maintain a little color all summer long so that I don’t cry when I have to wear shorts in public and catch my reflection in a mirror.

    2. Neutrogena Build-A-Tan

    Now I use this on my face. I like that it gives gradual coverage and I tend to use it every other day to help my face match my body. Especially because I can’t let my face see the sun or I develop hideous brown spots. Let’s just say they’re oversized freckles as opposed to age spots. That sounds better.

    Also, my skin tends to be sensitive but this doesn’t make me break out.

    3. One Kings Lane

    I am officially in love with this site. Beautiful things for your home at discount prices.

    4. Dream Menagerie Rug

    I have no use for this rug. But yet I love it. If I were having another baby (which I’m not) I’d totally decorate a nursery around this rug.

    5. Knotted Melati Hanging Chair

    Sadly, I do not own this chair. But one of my friends does and I adore it every time I see it.

    6. Copy Cat Chic Blog

    Do y’all know about this? She finds cheaper versions of all sorts of home goods. Brilliant.

    In the meantime, I just need to hang the map of Texas that I bought six months ago.

    7. Cost Plus Red Adirondack Chairs

    I would love to have these chairs on my back porch. Or maybe out in the yard somewhere. I don’t even think they go with my house, but I love the red.

    And they come in other colors.

    8. The Beat by Ben Rector

    Sophie sent me a download of this album (Is that how you say it? I am so out of touch.) last year and I didn’t get the chance to listen to it very much. But I’ve had it on constant rotation lately and adore the entire thing. Especially this song.

    9. NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder Bronzer

    I bought this last summer and then I ran out a few weeks ago. So I thought I would just cut corners and buy a lesser bronzer at the HEB because how different could it be?

    The answer is VERY different. The NARS is above and beyond the best bronzer I’ve ever used. And I need a good one because did I mention my face can’t handle the sun?

    10. Good Reads

    This has become one of my other favorite sites. I love reading all the book recommendations and quotes. Honestly, I wasted a good hour and a half on here yesterday.

    Which is why I don’t have anything to say other than to write this list.

    And that brings me back to my original point.

    So, anything you’re loving this summer? Makeup? Chairs? Websites? Please share with the group.

  • Big Boo Cast: Episode we are on a roll

    Stop.

    We are up to four podcasts in a row.

    I think it’s safe to say this make actually become a regular thing now that all my internet issues have been sorted out. Today we talk a little bit about The Bachelorette, but we also cover fall shoe trends (Booties. It’s still all about the booties.) and books and even the upcoming Miss Mississippi pageant.

    I was going to bring up the fact that something appear to be wrong with my sinus cavities, but refrained lest these podcasts become a list of all our various ailments. And now I’m glad I did because I just heard on the news that the mold count is really high right now. And the molds? They get me every time.

    So maybe I’m not getting the black plague, but just have some bad allergies.

    Anyway, to spend forty-five minutes of your life that you’ll never get back listening to the two of us ramble, you can click here to listen. Or here. Or, as always, you can subscribe on iTunes.

    Thank you and have a nice day.

  • And who can forget “The Legend of Muy Grande”?

    Well, this is a sad day.

    I feel like I’ve forgotten how to construct sentences over the last three days and, therefore, actual paragraphs may be entirely out of my reach. I’m not sure what has happened, but it would appear my brain has officially gone over to the summer side.

    My point is this may officially be the blog post that describes how I did my laundry and separated the whites from the darks and, OH, did I mention that I washed a tube of Chapstick and a Kit Kat?

    (Just so you know, the Chapstick washed fairly well. The Kit Kat? Not so much.)

    So it’s been a busy few days around here. On Friday night, P went hog hunting because a group from our church is heading to Joplin, MO this week and wanted to provide some meals while they are there. And P is always willing to shoot something for a good cause. Or even no cause. He’s not really particular.

    While he was out hunting and gathering, Caroline and I went to eat Mexican food with Mimi and Bops and my sister and her family. And then we came home and watched some truly terrible animated movie that she found at Redbox. I can’t even remember the name and, trust me, you don’t want to know. I guarantee you haven’t seen it. And if you have you don’t want to be reminded.

    Saturday morning we all slept late. Which means P slept until 7:30 and Caroline and I slept until 9:45. We had a lazy morning around the house and ended up at the pool later that afternoon. We didn’t order any food, but we did get popsicles since they are pretty hard to screw up. Later that night, we went to a post-wedding party for our friends Stewart and Hannah who got married two weeks ago. We had the best time hanging out with friends we haven’t seen in a long time.

    (Also, total side note but Stewart and Hannah got married by the river, flew off to Greece for two weeks for their honeymoon and then came home and had a reception. THAT is how you get married.)

    I totally overslept and missed church on Sunday morning which is totally worthless but I’m being honest. We’d been out until midnight the night before and I had to take out my dentures and tend to my rheumatism and I was tired. It’s not easy having all that carefree fun.

    Caroline was invited to a birthday party at the roller skate rink on Sunday that was supposed to be a drop off party. However, once I walked in and realized half of San Antonio was also at the skating rink, I didn’t feel like I could just leave her there with minimal supervision. Especially because there seemed to be an inordinate number of older men there by themselves who were very eager to participate in the ADULTS ONLY backwards skate.

    (It would have been good to know I was staying at the party because then I might have chosen attire other than my rattiest running shorts and slightly holey t-shirt. Also, the bun on top of my head was a nice touch.)

    First of all, I don’t feel like we really need to have an ADULTS ONLY backwards skate on a Sunday afternoon. And, secondly, it made me feel like some of them might have a white, paneled creeper van out in the parking lot filled with candy.

    Call me paranoid but I am just suspicious about grown men at the skating rink with no children. P would never go to the skating rink alone and participate in the ADULTS ONLY backwards skate. The fast skate FOR SURE, but not the backwards skate.

    (I’m just kidding. I’ve never seen P roller skate. Although I’m sure he did back in the days of junior high to impress the ladies.)

    Anyway, I ended up staying at the skating rink for the entire party and listened to more than my fill of Lady Ga-Ga until it was time for us to head home so we could get ready for a dinner party with some friends. And so we went to dinner with friends, came home and put Caroline to bed because she started a week of day camp yesterday and we didn’t want her to frighten the counselors with the DON’T ANGER IT thing she can get going if she’s overtired.

    Yesterday morning I dropped her off at camp and then tried to remember what I do when I have free time. Ultimately, I threw caution to the wind and went to the grocery store AND the bank. I know. I am the wind beneath your wings.

    After I ran all my errands, I came home and discovered that P had thrown down the chandelier gauntlet. You probably don’t know what I mean by that because I don’t know what I mean by that. But he had hung the chandelier I bought for Caroline’s room. Granted, I bought the chandelier at a garage sale back in September so he’s had a full nine and a half months but, still, it made me feel like I needed to do something productive.

    (I realize this isn’t a great picture of the chandelier, but I couldn’t get a picture with it actually on because THE BRIGHTNESS WAS VERY BRIGHT.)

    (Also, if you have any thoughts on how I could make that chain more attractive, feel free to share them. I realize we could hardwire it, but let’s not pretend that will happen in the next five years.)

    I felt like I should do something productive around the house, yet I didn’t want it to involve actual cleaning products. So I decided to organize Caroline’s Wii games and movies that are all just piled in the bottom of our armoire. Which is how I discovered a long-forgotten stockpile of VHS tapes in the armoire drawers.

    All of which belonged to P.

    And had been there for the last twelve or so years after he assured me they were very important and he would continue to enjoy his “movie library” for many years to come.

    Here’s a look at his extensive collection.

    Obviously, “The Buck Stops Here” is a classic. As is “Monster Bucks VI” which everyone knows was SO MUCH BETTER than “Monster Bucks V”.

    But it felt like it was time to let them go. Especially in light of the fact that we haven’t owned a VCR in five years.

    Oh, and “Hope Floats” may have been mine because P doesn’t really watch a lot of chick movies.

    He’s way too busy practicing his fast skate for the roller rink.

  • A girl and her fish

    Summertime

    And the fishing is easy

    At least it was for Caroline.

    My sources tell me that her daddy didn’t catch anything.

  • Fashion Friday: Edition it’s officially summer

    Wow. How is it Friday already?

    I guess that’s one of the things about summer. All the days just blend together and there isn’t much difference between a Tuesday and a Thursday. And then maybe you spend all day thinking Wednesday is Tuesday. And before you know it another week has gone by.

    Or maybe it’s just me.

    Anyway, it works out that today is Friday because I spent all day yesterday by myself because Caroline went to the ranch with P and there is no way I can make my day of running errands sound interesting.

    So, here are a few cute things I’ve seen this week.

    1. phoenix rising top

    I saw this a few weeks ago at Anthropologie and thought it would look so great with white jeans. And now it’s on sale. Which means it would look even better with white jeans.

    2. mexican embroidered tunic/dress

    Speaking of things that would look good with white jeans, I love any sort of Mexican embroidered top. Especially if it comes down a little long like a tunic.

    3. embrace scarf

    I know it’s 152 degrees here right now, but sometimes an outfit still needs some accessorizing. This scarf is the perfect thing because it’s lightweight and such a great color.

    4. pink jersey ruffle bottom dress

    I am such a fan of a dress in the summer because it eliminates all the issues I have with shorts. Plus, it’s one step dressing. Like Garanimals for adults.

    5. sabrina strapless dress

    This is such a gorgeous color. I can just see it paired with some turquoise jewelry and worn to dinner during some fabulous vacation on an island somewhere.

    If that is in your future, can I go with you?

    6. free spirit tiered maxi

    Several of you have asked about a maxi dress that isn’t quite so bare. I think this one is perfect. It’s long and comfortable, but with a little more coverage.

    7. striped jersey skirts

    I saw this skirt in Old Navy yesterday except it was white and orange striped. I like it better in those colors, but they didn’t show those colors online. So just picture it in your head. And maybe go see if they have it at your local store.

    8. liberty one-shoulder dress

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    I realize all these stripes and navy and one-shouldered business might not be for everyone, but I saw this and just thought it was too cute not to feature. My deepest wish is that someone, somewhere, would be able to rock this dress. And then tell me how that feels.

    9. bahia hobo

    Cute, cute summer bag. And it’s on sale.

    10. diagonal stripe jersey tank

    Old Navy also had these darling tanks with diagonal stripes in various colors. I thought they were darling.

    And speaking of Old Navy tanks, this weekend (IN STORES ONLY) is the Old Navy tank top event. All tanks for only $2.00. TWO DOLLARS. You could buy them and use them as dust cloths.

    Assuming you’re not like me and actually dust from time to time.

    Y’all have a great Friday.

  • And then I took my One-A-Day plus iron and went to bed at 9:00 p.m.

    We had some major thunderstorms come through last night. I honestly can’t explain the excitement I felt when I woke up around 1 a.m. and heard RAIN. Actual rain. Falling from the sky.

    I was half-tempted to go just stand out in it.

    Until the lightning flashed and lit up our entire bedroom.

    We’re in the midst of a major drought and so the rain was much needed. Not to mention it cooled temps down to a fall-like 98 degrees.

    But the thunder kept us all awake last night and so Caroline and I slept in until 10:00 a.m. I would feel bad about that except I totally don’t. I paid my 6 a.m. dues for many a morning for the last seven years and feel like I deserve the occasional late morning wake up call.

    Eventually we got dressed and met AJ and her nephew, Wilson, for lunch. Gulley and her boys joined us as well and Gulley and I got great delight from watching AJ deal with a three year old who did NOT want to eat his chicken fingers while there was fun to be had and big kids to impress.

    Later in the afternoon, Gulley and I ventured back to the pool with the kids. As God is our witness, we will not let the grill issues steal our pool joy. We intend to persevere and sneak in some sandwiches if it comes to that. But as we set our stuff down on some lounge chairs, I realized we are both suffering from some lingering grill bitterness because the “manager” of the pool grill walked right by us and Gulley said, “If he’d spend as much time worrying about the pool grill as he spends trying to keep those sunglasses balanced backwards on his head, maybe we could get our chicken fingers”.

    Because, yes, we have determined part of the grill issues seem to lie with the grill “manager” who appears to be all of nineteen years old, wears Oakley sunglasses backwards on his head, black Vans high-tops unlaced and yesterday had on a shirt that declared “SAVE SECOND BASE” in hot pink neon letters. Yes, it was a shirt to support the fight for breast cancer but I bet I’m not the only mother who doesn’t really want to explain the concept of second base to my child unless we’re talking about baseball.

    So now I’m going to have to put on my old fogey hat and my grandma pants and complain to someone with some actual authority.

    And speaking of my old fogey hat, Gulley and I were sitting in some lounge chairs by the deep end watching the kids dive and do the pencil and, in Will’s case, CANNONBALL!!!! There was about a fourteen year old girl sitting right in front of us with her legs dangling in the pool while multiple teenage boys did various flips and jack-knives in an attempt to impress her because nothing says YOUNG LOVE like a double twist with a flip by a boy who has yet to grow real chest hair.

    Gulley and I were in the middle of a discussion about television and somehow began to reminisce about the summer that MTV first appeared and how there were some parents who were totally opposed to all things MTV and its evil cousin, Friday Night Videos. Then Gulley asked, “Do they even make music videos anymore?”

    And I said, “I don’t know. The only station that I ever see play music videos is CMT.”

    “What about VH-1? Do they play videos?”

    “I don’t know. Every time I turn it on they just have on movies like Footloose or something about Michael Jackson.”

    “That’s true. And all MTV has on are shows like Jersey Shore or The Real World/Road Rules Part 700. Remember when they used to play stuff like that A-Ha video for “Take On Me” that had all that cool animation?”

    “YES! Whatever happened to the music video?”

    It was right at this moment that Gulley and I both saw that teenage girl sitting in front of us turn her head to give us a side glance and then ROLL HER EYES as she let out an AUDIBLE SIGH. As if to convey, “Who let Maude and Hazel into the pool?”

    And I feel it’s important to document this because I guess it means yesterday was the day we officially became a couple of old biddies sitting by the pool. We might as well have been talking about our rheumatism.

    But, seriously, do they still make music videos?

    And, if so, do they ever play them on MTV?