Month: November 2013

Well I hate to put a damper on your Monday morning with this news, but I’m pretty sure I have bursitis in my right shoulder. It’s either that or I have somehow aggravated my rotator cuff. I know this because I just spent five minutes on WebMD after I googled “My shoulder hurts. Why?”

The bigger question may be why I didn’t just google, “Why does my shoulder hurt?”

Whatever. The bottom line is I have a shoulder problem. In fact, I have woken up around 4:30 a.m. every night for the last week because my shoulder hurts so bad.

So after my extensive research on Google a few minutes ago, I informed P, “I have bursitis in my shoulder. Or maybe a rotator cuff injury.” And he looked at me blankly for a minute before he replied, “Or maybe you just slept on it wrong.”

“What? Slept on it wrong? But it’s been bothering me for a week. Like waking me up at night.”

P said, “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. You’re sleeping on it wrong.”

“How do you know I haven’t incurred some sort of injury?”

“From what?” P asked.

“Um. Smart Barre. I felt something pull when I lifted those three pound weights the other day.”

And then he just shrugged his healthy shoulders and said, “Or you slept on it wrong.”

I feel like my malady isn’t getting the respect it deserves from anyone except WebMD. And the worst is yet to come because I’m a little afraid it’s going to hurt to blow-dry my hair and I’ll have to resort to sleeping in sponge rollers or something. Or maybe a sock bun.

Anyway, other than my shoulder, there’s not much to tell from this weekend other than that it was awesome because it was so low-key and involved a lot of relaxing and staying in pjs.

On Friday night, P headed to the ranch for the evening and Caroline and I went to eat Italian food with Mimi and Bops. Normally we do Mexican food, but Caroline doesn’t love Mexican food like we do and requested Italian. I know. I don’t understand either, but she’s ten and I’m hoping she’ll grow out of it.

And while we’re talking about Italian food (because we technically are) I made a discovery last week. It’s something I’ve long suspected, but now I know for sure. I met a friend at a Greek restaurant here in town and I have confirmed that I do not really care for Greek food. I also don’t enjoy Indian food. I’ve decided that the problem is the various spices. They’re too strong for me and it’s like I can’t really enjoy my food because the smell is stronger than the taste. Does that make sense to anyone but me?

Apparently I am an American through and through. With a sophisticated palate that enjoys Popeye’s fried chicken but not a gyro.

(This same phenomenon also occurs with certain seafood dishes. I enjoy the fish as long as it doesn’t really smell like fish.)

Saturday morning we slept in and spent the morning drinking coffee, watching Gameday and just hanging out until it was time to head to Gulley’s house to watch the Aggies play Mississippi State. I’m happy to say that we pulled it out, but I still have some questions and concerns about our defense. Especially in light of the fact that our last two games are against LSU and Missouri. It’s a good thing I kept my lucky Aggie Football sweatshirt.

And then we woke up for church Sunday morning. Actually, my shoulder woke me up. (I don’t know if I mentioned that it’s been bothering me.) We went to church, picked up breakfast tacos, and rested until it was time for Caroline’s last soccer game of the season at 2:00.

After the game we came home and I showered and put on my pajamas because I felt like it was the middle of the night only to realize it was actually only 4:30. This is pretty much the story of my life during daylight savings time. Not that I’m really complaining.

Oh and I almost forgot this high point that came while we watched LSU play Alabama on Saturday night.

God bless college football.

And, more importantly, God bless our veterans. We are grateful for your service to our country.

I know I’ve talked about Noonday Collection before, but perhaps some of you are new. Or maybe you didn’t pay attention the first time. You can read their whole story here, but the short version is their gorgeous products are made by artisans who are paid a fair and competitive wage for their skilled work, which provides a life-altering opportunity for them to earn income that allows them to educate their children and support their family.

So when you buy Noonday Collection items, you’re helping vulnerable women in Ecuador, Uganda, Peru, India and other countries find their way out of poverty. What could be better than that? And, y’all. I am not playing around or being nice when I say that I LOVE everything Noonday Collection sells. The real problem is deciding what to buy.

My friend Paige is a Noonday Ambassador and an incredible photographer and happens to have four gorgeous daughters so I asked her if she would share a few photos to help you figure out what you might want to buy your daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, teacher, grocery store checkout girl or yourself for Christmas.

First, let’s discuss these scarves. To quote Rachel Zoe, I DIE.

I love this cozy zip wrap.

And the angelica infinity scarf would go with everything I have in my closet.

Look how gorgeous the lines and stripes infinity scarf is. LOVE.

And then the jewelry. Oh my word.

Madison is wearing the bombay raw silk scarf, the on the mark necklace, the bethe rope necklace, the ready or knot necklace, the blushed necklace, gold hammered drop earrings, and the hammered orb cuff.

I also love the ruth necklace in turquoise and gray.

And the scattered steps necklace with the bell flower cuff and the chrysoprase chandelier earrings.

Not to mention that my life could pretty much be complete with these annie’s feathered earrings.

Anyway, I just wanted to share Noonday because I love their products, their cause, and the heart behind the people who work with them and for them.

Here are a few other things I found this week:

1. reagan henley

After I went to Nordstrom on Wednesday, it only seemed right that I make a quick run through the sale room at Anthropologie and it totally paid off. I found this shirt, tried it on and bought it. It’s one of those things I will wear all the time because it’s easy. Like Sunday morning.

2. tiered and ruffled sweater

I will go ahead and warn you that this is already sold out online in every size but medium. But I had to feature it anyway because it’s so cute and maybe some of you medium size girls can snatch it up before they’re all gone.

And you may luck out and find it in the store in other sizes.

3. paisley cutout satchel

This bag. I cannot handle the greatness.

4. marled colorblock cardigan

I came so close to buying this but decided I have enough sweaters. I love the colors.

5. mossimo supply plaid shirt

On Monday night I dropped Caroline off at soccer and decided to run in Target to look around. And that’s when I found these great plaid shirts. Here’s the caveat: Order at least a size up from your normal size because they run small.

6. merona faux fur gold coat

I’m pretty sure my Me-Ma had this coat at some point in her life. And how great would it be to have a real live vintage version? But this will do.

7. old navy frost free vest

I tried one of these on the other day and was pleasantly surprised by how warm it was. Best of all, it’s on sale for $25.

I plan to wear it with my new plaid shirt and boots. And probably jeans too because otherwise people might point and stare.

8. sweet nothing dress

I also ran by Free People on Wednesday because I had an online order that I needed to return. I know. It was really sad but it just didn’t fit right and sometimes that’s how it goes.

So I looked around in the store and tried this dress on. It is super comfortable and would look darling with leggings. But I didn’t buy it because I’m practicing self-restraint.

Sometimes.

And so there you have it. A whole lot of stuff to check out over the weekend.

Have a great Friday.

I know.

It’s Thursday.

And I’ll have a normal Fashion Friday tomorrow, but I couldn’t help myself because I woke up this morning to an email announcing Nordstrom’s half-yearly sale. I spent the morning drinking coffee and looking at all the cute things online until I finally couldn’t help myself and got in my car and drove to Nordstrom.

Then as I was on my way out there it began to pour down rain. And by the time I arrived at Nordstrom the temperature had dropped about twenty degrees in fifteen minutes.

Welcome to fall in Texas.

But I was glad I persevered through the wind and the rain because I saw some really great things for sale and feel it’s my duty to share them with you in case you’re interested. If not, feel free to click away at this point.

1. free people tiger lily embroidered top

I tried this top on a few weeks ago at the Free People in New York. And I really liked it but it wasn’t on sale and, let’s face it, it’s a little pricey even now that it’s on sale. But it’s really gorgeous.

I would wear it with black skinny jeans and brown boots. The end.

2. nike half-zip top

One of the things I did when I cleaned out my closet last weekend was get rid of all the old sweatshirts and fleeces that I’ve had for way too long. Hence the reason my ’94 A&M Football sweatshirt almost became a casualty.

But I am a big fan of the athletic type apparel. You don’t have to actually work out to give the illusion that you work out. And this kind of stuff is as close as you can get to wearing pajamas in public.

3. free people lace trapeze tunic dress

I’ve nearly bought one of these tops so many times. But I never can decide on which color or if I need it and then I can’t justify the cost.

However, the white and the maroon are on sale right now. And I think we all know I might need the maroon one.

4. michael kors weston bag

This bag is 40% off and it’s still not cheap. But it is so pretty and comes in some great colors and would be a great classic piece to add to your purse wardrobe while it’s on sale.

5. cable knit infinity scarf

This scarf. I love it. I tried it on in the junior department in about four different colors and I love them all. It’s only $22 and would make a great Christmas gift for various people in your life.

6. cross my heart sweater

Okay, so I fell in love with this sweater in the cream color way back in August. But I didn’t buy it because I figured it would go on sale eventually. And it has. But not in the cream color.

And this orchid color isn’t my first choice but this picture shows how it fits better than the other options. Personally, I would get the wine color. Also known as maroon.

7. fiona’s victoria top

This top will not work for me personally. It’s just not a good fit. But I wish it did because I really like it. I would love it under a great jacket.

8. keep me v-neck burnout tee

I realize this is just a t-shirt, but it is the softest thing ever and it actually looks really cute on in a super casual sort of way. Just know that it runs big and I’d order a size down.

9. lucky brand ria boot

I have always wanted a lace up boot. Maybe it goes back to how much I loved my Esprit booties with the faux socks peeking out of the top in 1987.

But I don’t need another pair of boots right now. Which kind of makes me sad.

10. kendra scott stone rings

These cute stackable rings come in a few different color combos and would make a really great gift. For you or somebody you love.

11. ashley open front dolman cardigan

Okay, technically, this isn’t on sale. And I’ve featured it before. But I saw it in person yesterday and it is so unbelievably soft. It’s the perfect thing to throw on with a pair of jeans.

So while I was at Nordstrom, I also made a swing through the girls’ department because hope springs eternal that Caroline might someday wear something besides running shorts and t-shirts again. And I didn’t find anything for her that she would actually wear anywhere besides my imagination, but I did see three things that you might want to know about it.

1. North Face glacier hoodie

This is a great fleece and I love the turquoise color.

2. mini boden intarsia sweater

This sweater. I kind of wish it came in my size.

3. mini boden jersey dress

And this jersey dress is so cute and comes in a few different color combinations. This is the kind of thing I would have bought for Caroline when she was in preschool and paired with some fun tights or striped leggings.

So there you have it. Some of my personal favorites from the Nordstrom sale. The best part is they offer free shipping and returns.

Happy shopping!

I am not an organized person.

It’s true.

You don’t want me in charge of any kind of committee or your income taxes or even your grocery list. I am just not great with details and timelines and remembering to buy ketchup even though it’s the first thing on the list.

But there’s one area of my life that is different. My closet.

I need my closet to be organized. I need things to be folded and in order. When my closet makes sense, my life makes sense.

And so it has been driving me crazy that I haven’t had time to do a thorough closet clean out this fall. This is something I do twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall. I go through all my clothes, throw out the things I know I won’t wear again and move the out of season clothes to the top shelves and put the in season clothes front and center.

But it’s been a busy fall and I haven’t had the time to do this until this past Saturday. Caroline had a soccer game at 8:30 Saturday morning (I know. It was so depressing. We had to leave the house at 7:20. I can’t even think about it without yawning.) and a friend came home with her after the game. P left for the ranch and this left me with vast amounts of time to get my closet organized.

(Please know that I realize this sounds terribly boring and I’ve just destroyed any illusions you had about my glamorous life.)

Normally I like to do my fall clean out by mid-October and the state of my closet has been driving me crazy for weeks because I can’t even evaluate what I might need for fall and winter until I get down my clothes from last year and remember what I already own. And maybe that’s why I was so ruthless this time. I took no prisoners. There was none of this sappy, sentimental “maybe it will make a comeback” or “maybe it will be retro-chic” or “what if Caroline needs it for pharmaceutical sales rep dress up day at school?”

Nope.

I got rid of it all. Starting with this:

94 isn’t someone’s number. That’s the year I bought that sweatshirt. 1994. As in, almost twenty years ago. The best part is I texted Gulley a picture of it and asked if she wanted it because I was getting rid of it. And she texted me back “Why are you getting rid of it?”

Um. Do you not see the 94 on the front of it? It’s like a large beacon announcing I’m middle-aged. The real question is why did I still even own it until Sunday when I took it to Goodwill.

Next up:

A green jacket from Target. This used to be one of my work staples five years ago. But it was time to accept there was no reason to keep holding on to a jacket I paid $29.99 for eight years ago. And that a day was never going to come again.when I’d feel it was a good day to wear a jacket the color of Kermit the frog.

Next:

A seersucker suit from Banana Republic. Yes, I paid full price for it. Ten years ago. I wore this for Easter the year Caroline was four and it was old then. Sometimes you just have to realize your life no longer calls for a seersucker suit. And that if a dressier occasion comes up, it may not be the best choice to dress like an old Southern gentleman if you are, in fact, a forty-something woman.

And this:

I don’t even know what to say. Please don’t be envious that you don’t own a denim trench coat with a fur collar that would make a muppet jealous. I bought this when Gulley and I went to New York ELEVEN years ago and I’ve held on to it for sentimental reasons. I’ve worn it two times total. I believe this was a “caught up in the moment” purchase.

Along with this:

This was my favorite sweatshirt for years. I wore it all the time. The FDNY used to be red and now it’s white. I really can’t even justify wearing it around the house anymore.

Next up:

Michael Jackson wants to know why I raided his closet. The only time I ever wore this I had an inexplicable urge to moonwalk.

And, finally:

These were like the original yoga pants before anyone really wore yoga pants. I bought them at Gap the year before P and I got married. That would be 1996. And I wore them out in public. I mean check out the inseam on those bad boys. There’s no way that crotch wasn’t hitting me somewhere around my knees. Oh, the shame.

But there were two things I couldn’t quite let go:

This is a Gap flannel plaid shirt that belonged to Gulley in college. I bought it from her at a garage sale for $2.00 about ten years ago. I have no real explanation for this. I keep thinking I’m going to need it for something and can’t bear to part with it. Maybe I can use it next Halloween and dress as a lumberjack.

And this:

I bought this the year P and I got married. 1997. It’s a Patagonia fleece and I wore it on all of our Campus Life ski trips and even on New Year’s Eve 1999 when I thought it might be the end of the world and Y2K was imminent. That means I really loved it. I almost threw it out but I just couldn’t bear it. So it lives to see another year inside my closet.

Then after I made a huge pile to take to Goodwill, I was left with a nice, neat closet and the world makes sense again. Colors are more vibrant. The air is clearer and birds sing.

Am I alone in this? Do you clean out your closet? Do you have things that you hold onto for no good reason at all? Is there seersucker lurking in your dark corners?