Seriously, eight Fashion Fridays? Because it feels more like thirty-eight.
And if y’all thought yesterday’s post was lame, just wait. Today will probably be worse.
Caroline has her Thanksgiving program and feast at school today so we spent a good portion of our day yesterday baking gingersnap cookies. It shouldn’t have taken up such a large chunk of our day, but let me let y’all in on a little secret. If you’re making a recipe that calls for shortening and you open your tub of Crisco and notice it smells similar to a pure petroleum-type product, otherwise known as horse’s rear end, then it’s a safe bet that you probably shouldn’t cook with it.
This realization, sadly, didn’t dawn on me until after I had mixed in the rest of the ingredients and noticed the dough still smelled more like the devil’s armpit than the makings of a gingersnap cookie. I actually had to taste it before I accepted that, yes, Crisco can go rancid.
Just the memory of the taste makes me throw up in my mouth just a little.
So, we pitched the entire batch of gingersnap dough and started all over again. And it wasn’t so much the remaking the dough that was unpleasant as it was getting the petroleum-type substance off my Kitchenaid mixer and bowl. It rivaled the Exxon Valdez.
I kept thinking that something like this would never happen to Ree at Pioneer Woman.
But anyway, as we were finally rolling the dough into little balls and coating them with cinnamon and sugar, Caroline looked at me and said, “You’re my BEST MOM.”
I said, “Well, you’re my best girl.”
She said, “I looked down from heaven and saw you and knew you would be the BEST MAMA EVER.”
And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me get all teary and weepy at the sweetness of it all.
Which is kind of how I felt when I saw this dress at J. Crew the other day.
Except in black. Because, as my closet will attest, I can’t have enough black clothing.
And do you see what I’ve done? I’ve brought it around to fashion, my friends.
It’s a gift.
1. Lora asks: I need sensible, comfortable, yet stylish every day shoes. I wear mostly jeans and khakis. Suggestions?
Is it possible to wear skirts in the winter? I’m in Alabama, so it’s not like it’s sub-zero temps here. What sort of style would they need to be? Any ideas? I need just a few pieces that I can mix and match and rotate because, let’s face it, I don’t dress up any other time of the week. I prefer skirts on Sundays, although I can appreciate a good dressy pant on occasion.
This series of questions has been sitting in my inbox for a few weeks now because, frankly, it overwhelms me. But rumor has it that Lora is waiting on my answer before she goes shopping, so now the pressure is on.
Let’s start with shoes. If you’re looking for comfortable, stylish shoes to go with jeans and khakis, I’d look for a cute flat, a tennis shoe or flat boots. Flat boots are really in this year and that would probably be my personal preference because I enjoy wearing socks in the winter time.
Here’s an example of a cute flat.
Or this.
Here’s a good tennis shoe.
And here is a flat boot that I would love to have greet me in my closet every morning.
Hello Lover.
Remember, these are just a guideline. So, figure out what works best for your lifestyle and adapt as needed.
On to the next part of the question. Yes, it is possible to wear skirts in the winter. I think a wool skirt with boots and tights is just about the cutest thing going.
Think about something like this.
Or this.
Or how about a sweater dress?
And definitely go check out Target. They might have some really cute skirts. I wouldn’t know if they do because I have temporarily banned myself from Target because I always leave there at least $100 poorer with nothing really to show for it.
I definitely like the dressy pants option for church because you can mix and match it with some cute sweaters than can also be worn with jeans throughout the week. Here are a few nice sweater options.
This.
Or this.
Or for a little something different, this.
God speed as you shop for a winter wardrobe. I hope I helped just a little.
2. Darlene asks: “I’ve been wondering this for awhile now. How do you feel about sweaters/sweatshirts with characters on the
front? For example, snowmen, Mickey Mouse, Pooh and such. Are they in or out? Personally, I don’t wear them… anymore. I have been known to sport an occasional Hundred Acre Woods character or two in my time!
I have never been a fan of character shirts. Well, unless you count those three years in elementary school where I would beg my mom to buy me a new t-shirt at one of those iron-on transfer t-shirt shops.
Remember those days? A bright blue t-shirt with a unicorn jumping over a rainbow and “Follow Your Dreams” written in cursive?
People used a lot of illegal substances in the 70’s.
If a person enjoys wearing character shirts then, by all means, wear on my friend. But I think it’s safe to say that you won’t see any character shirts on Project Runway or Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.
Maybe it’s their loss.
But probably not.
That’s all I’ve got for this week. If I haven’t gotten to your question yet, I promise I will at some point.
It’s just hard to keep up, especially when I’m busy trying to live up to my title of BEST MAMA EVER.
I wouldn’t want Caroline to second guess the selection she made in heaven.
***Edited to add: Gulley called and asked me where I found the brown tennis shoes. I realized that many of y’all may not realize that if you click on the colored words in the text that they will take you directly to where I found the sweaters, shoes, etc. It’s usually the word “this” that’s in blue and will take you to the site. Hope that helps.
So, I was already laughing at the boot greeting you in the closet every morning. But when I scrolled down to, “Hello Lover” I actually hooted. Loudly.
Still laughing.
I made Paula Deen’s (and Gulley’s) triple chocolate chip cookies recently for something and it called for shortening so I pulled out my can of crisco that I think has been in there for 4 years and I discovered the same thing. As I tried one of the cookies – it was the worst thing I had ever tasted. I had to dump the precious batter and all of those ingredients – I could have bought that cute dress from J Crew instead. (see I turned this to fashion as well)
I love your blog! It always brings a smile to my face!
I have a question…. If one is wearing those particular styles of shoes you pictured with jeans or khakis, do you wear socks with them? (what color?) Pantyhose/tights? (ick) Bare feet? (brrrr!) I have always loved the look of those cute flats or the sneaker-type casual looking shoes with the strap, but I have no idea what to wear with them! I’d love an answer to this pressing question!
Very sweet post about your daughter. It makes a second batch of cookies worth it!
I laughed out loud at the “Hello Lover.” for those boots! So funny!
I have enjoyed reading your blog so much.
Janel
I’m still shocked that there is a prescool out there these days that allows parents to make homemade goodies!
As a first time horomonal mama to be in May…. I just MELTED into a big puddle of tears at what Caroline said to you! How sweet! Thanks for the winter shoe tips the past few editions… I am off to shop for shoes that probably won’t fit next year anyways!
Donna-
I am not qualified to be answering fashion questions, but I have been wearing trousers socks the dcolor of the flats with mine. But, I will admit I think they look a lot cuter wihtout!
I thought I had finally erased my own rancid Crisco experience from memory, but you just brought it all back. Thanks for that. 🙂 But really, thank you for the shoe ideas — I am actually headed out on a mission to DSW for the same thing, and was feeling very uninspired.
Enjoy the weekend (and the break from the tragedy that is Aggie football this season!)
I must be hormonal. I am crying about Caroline’s comment to you and she isn’t even my daughter. 🙂 That’s too sweet. 🙂
Thank you for answering my dilemmas in the midst of your gingerbread/petroleum crisis. You are very kind. Where, oh where is that wool skirt (the chocolate brown one) from? And, yes, I love those boots, too. Well done.
Thanks again. If I have big shopping success, I’ll let you know. Then you could follow up with a “where are they now?” segment. And I could cry a little and talk about how you changed my life. 🙂
Why is it that $100 is the magic number at Target? I CANNOT leave there without spending it. But, I did get a cute sweater there yesterday for 17.48, so I believe it was money well spent. I also found a new shampoo and conditioner…Organix Shea Butter. It was in the illegal salon products aisle, but it was only 6.99!
Isn’t it amazing how the little darlings know just what to say? They can be rotten little scoundrals one minute, and then just melt your heart in the next!
You are a good mama! We made orange blossom muffins for the church bake sale yesterday. I obviously filled each muffin tin up WAY too much. They looked so ugly that we decided to eat them ourselves. No making a new batch for this mama!
I recently had a similar crisco experience…..whoda thunk Crisco can go bad? but when it goes, it goes in a way that makes you completely second guess EVER using it in food again. lol
Anyway, where is that white sweater from…I love LOVE love it? Thanks
Oh wise fashionable one,
I have a question about belts. I can never figure out when to wear big chunky belt, and when to wear a little skinny belt. And what about scarf belts, or decorative chain-type belts? In or out? Is there any rule of thumb that you can bestow on us fashion-challenged so that I can pick a belt with confidence?
I had a bad experience with rancid Crisco, too. I didn’t find out the mistake until AFTER I had baked the cookies. Bleech!
I wonder why we feel the need to complete the recipe before we accept that the ingredient-in-question has “turned”? I’ve ruined so many dishes this way.
Bad Crisco is really really bad isn’t it? I shudder at the memory…
When I was little, though I knew where babies came from, I thought we all started out in heaven and then God looked down, saw which mommies and daddies needed babies, chose which of us would go to which parents, so then we became babies and were born. 🙂
And, just to toss in my two cents, I agree that there is nothing cuter than a wool skirt with boots in the winter time. I would live in such a skirt if it were practical.
I’ll refrain from a slam on Target and just simply share that I have been known to cook with an expired ingredient here or there. Perhaps that’s why my child won’t eat my food. And here I thought he was just another picky toddler.
Solving the world’s fashion and famine issues? You should get the BEST BLOGGER EVER title to go with the precious one Caroline bestowed upon you.
That was an impressive segue, I have to say. The Crisco? OMG. Shudder.
And can I just say, that corduroy skirt from Boden? LOVE. Sigh… Any idea how Boden’s sizing runs? I’m a 6 or an 8 in an Ann Taylor LOFT skirt. I always hesitate to shop online b/c I don’t know what size to order. And that red cowl neck sweater went right onto my Christmas wish list. It’s amazing how fast that happened! 😉
Worse than getting the Crisco off of your utensils is getting the taste out of your mouth! Ugh! Been there, done that. I even had each family member taste the icing (“just to be sure”) before I finally gave in and threw it all out.
Caroline: so sweet!
I am a newbie to your site and have fallen in love with it. Such good writing and helpful tips. Keep up the great work!
Oh, and I particularly loved the “Hello Lover” line. Nice.
Coming out of lurkdom to say I love your blog! Those boots are so awesome!! I personally am in love with the crisco sticks for baking no more messy measuring cups and I have never had one go bad. You are so kind in your response to the character shirt question but please america GROW UP! Those should be reserved for small children and the senile!! Nothing against Mickey Mouse. 🙂
My personal fashion rule is that characters (for children) are reserved for pajamas, toothbrushes, beach towels, band-aids sippy cups, etc. and (gasp) toys!
Sounds militant…but if I let it go…that’s ALL they want to wear.
I’m sure if we go to Disneyworld someday I’ll make a big time exception.
I was just in J Crew today and died over that very dress (in black)! And I thought about you when I went into Anthropologie and saw a plethora of sweater coats.
I am in love with everything you pictured here…the shoes, the skirts….I am in a real greedy mood right now!!
Great fashion advice! But the best part was your daughter’s sweet compliment.
So, my question is, where do you find your stuff to show us? Can you put the link where you found the stuff on the blog too? Sometimes I just LOVE what you’ve chosen and being so totally visual I just want to go get THAT item, not look for something like it. Thanks for your hard work to help us with our wardrobes 🙂
Oh, forgot to say that the statement that your daughter made was really cute. My boy used to tell me that he loved me all the way past heaven….so sweet. He’s 17 now and hasn’t said that in a while…go figure 🙂
It being deer season here in South Texas, I need some advice.
I haven’t been camo shopping in almost two years, and so I’m worried I’ll look like an out-of-style reject in the deer blind. But with a baby on the way, I can’t splurge at Cabela’s like I want to. Does camo ever really go out of style? If so, how can I put together a fashionable ensemble without busting my wallet?
i’ve been looking for a cute tennis shoe (i’m a missionary in central mexico and do A LOT of walking!) and love the one you posted a picture of. what brand is it? thanks!
So many choices! But it’s given me a few ideas for the wedding that I’ll be going to in late December in England in the COLD.
Cheers
I giant heart Fashion Friday. I know it is a lot of work for you – but it is very helpful to those of us who lost our gift of fashion when permed hair went out of style. I wore my trouser jeans, white shirt and boots to a school party Friday and I felt very sassy yet practical. Thank you!!!!
Oh, that first cute flat is wonderful! And the white Old Navy sweater! Thanks for sharing. And now, um, not to sound dumb or anything, but what exactly is a sweatsuit alternative? Can you show us a picture? Thanks for keeping us straight!
I can only imagine it is the fact that you are southern has led you to be overly polite about the characters on clothes question. Cause I am pretty sure that should have been a very strongly worded no. There is no worse fashion faux paux as far as I am concerned. I am from the North so I can be as rude as I want about it. I will end with a smiley face though cause it’s not like I’m from New York or something 🙂
Good grief! What a great post. There’s so much going on here, I don’t know where to start.
So let me just thank you for reminding me to check my Crisco. I’ll bet mine’s rancid, too, and I would have been up to here in a recipe when I discovered it. Seriously. Thank you!
Yeah. This is an exact copy of the comment I left on the wrong post, three posts back. No wonder I thought so much was going on…I read three posts at once.
Don’t even try to figure it out. I’m just a genius like that.
My answers would be 1)flats in a solid color or muted pattern so that they will go with everything. They should be supportive, not floppy or ballet style. 2)Skirts are awesome in winter. I wear denim and thicker winter skirts with knit tights and lighter winter skirts with heavy nylon type tights. I also wear black suede boots with buckles on the sides. 3) Absolutely no cartoon characters or any other characters on clothing.
🙂
You are an answered prayer! I am a fashion fiasco. Thanks for giving me a shopping direction. I will literally hunt down everything pictured and buy it!
Blessings, Lori
Hi! I have a question that I just CAN NOT figure out. I live in Hawaii, were it never gets cold, but I still want to look cute and fall-ish. Somedays are cool, like rainy days, and I can wear thin long-sleeved shirts, but for other times, what do I do?
This is the second time today I have checked for my daily dose of BigMama only to find Friday’s post. I just arrived in Okinawa last night and I’m having trouble remembering it’s not Monday yet in the states. I guess I’ll have to change my regular reading time to later. Looking forward to the laughs from Monday’s post which will really be Tuesday for me. Weird. THanks for the fashion advice.