Okay.
Why did I just start this with “okay”? Am I suddenly Leo Getz from Lethal Weapon? “Whatever Leo wants, Leo Getz”.
What I’m trying to say is that before I get started with Fashion Friday today, I have to tell you about something else that you’re going to want to buy to start a new tradition with your family this Christmas. I realize it seems to early to talk about Christmas, but there are Halloween decorations at Michael’s which means we are about one week away from a barrage of dancing Santas.
My dear friend Ann Voskamp has a new book out today. It’s called The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas
Isn’t it gorgeous? And the parts I’ve read are written in that stunningly beautiful way that is so unique to Ann, each line it’s own bit of poetry. Here’s a brief excerpt:
The coming of Christ was right through families of messed-up monarchs and battling brothers, through affairs and adultery and more than a feud or two, through skeletons in closets and cheaters at tables. It was in that time of prophets and kings, the time of Mary and Joseph, that men were in genealogies and women were invisible. But for Jesus, women had names and stories and lives that mattered.
The family tree of Christ startlingly notes not one woman but four. Four broken women—women who felt like outsiders, like has-beens, like never-beens. Women who were weary of being taken advantage of, of being unnoticed and uncherished and unappreciated; women who didn’t fit in, who didn’t know how to keep going, what to believe, where to go—women who had thought about giving up. and Jesus claims exactly these who are wander- ing and wondering and wounded and worn out as His. He grafts you into his line and his story and His heart, and he gives you his name, his lineage, his righteousness. He graces you with plain grace.
Is there a greater Gift you could want or need or have? Christ comes right to your Christmas tree and looks at your family tree and says, “I am your God, and I am one of you, and I’ll be the Gift, and I’ll take you. Take Me?”
You can buy it here on Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble.
I can’t wait for this book to become part of our Christmas celebration each year.
And now for some cute clothes. (How’s that for worst transition ever?)
1. striped merino wool blend sweater dress
At some point I’m going to quit complaining about the lack of cute maroon clothes. But considering that it’s the first weekend of college football, it probably won’t happen anytime soon.
So when I see something appealing in maroon, it jumps out at me. Not literally because that would be frightening.
Anyway, I saw this dress at Loft yesterday and it is precious. Sadly, it is made of merino wool so probably won’t be appropriate gameday wear in Texas until mid-October.
I think these are so cute.
3. hastings street georgette blouse
This is not maroon. It’s magenta. There’s a big difference. But I do think this would look really pretty with jeans for the fall.
4. naughty monkey fall fever boot
Why is it that when I see the brand name Naughty Monkey I want to channel my inner Austin Powers and say, “OH BEHAVE”?
Whatever. I like these boots. They’re kind of different and priced well for a boot. Or a pair of boots. Because just one wouldn’t do you much good.
I realize I am bad about posting plus-size things, but here is something I found yesterday. I love this top. The colors are gorgeous and the style is just perfect.
Just because my bootie search is over doesn’t mean yours is. These are really pretty.
7. sam & libby leopard ankle boot
I was in Target the other day and came so close to buying these. They are cuter in person than they are here and they also come in black. And for the three minutes I had them on my feet they didn’t appear to be too uncomfortable.
I think the leopard could be really fun for winter. Just think of it as a neutral.
8. plaid shirts
Plaid is one of the big trends for fall and Old Navy has several plaid shirts for sale right now. In fact, everything at Old Navy is 30% off all weekend.
This vest is also from Old Navy and it comes in a bunch of great colors. I really like this color though. I’d wear it with jeans and boots over the shirt I just mentioned above.
10. cowl neck tunic
I’m always on the lookout for warm, cozy things I can just throw on when the weather cools off. I realize it’s going to be 102 this weekend, but just humor me please when I say that certainly cooler weather isn’t too far off.
That’s it for today.
Y’all have a good Friday.
Oh. And GIG’EM AGGIES.
I went on the hunt for a maroon game day dress this weekend with my sister in law. We had many things against us including A) being in Lubbock while shopping, and B) the fashion world believing that maroon dresses must be made of winter material and have long sleeves. So rude!
I completely understand the bootie/no bootie debate. I have stood my ground on the ‘just say no to the bootie’ trend since they first started appearing. I just can’t get on board.
Just say no to the bootie are words of wisdom for our girl Miley. Oh, Miley, honey…just say no.
That shirt is not plaid – it’s a large gingham.
Since it will be 105 degrees tomorrow at the Aggie game, I am wearing a maroon sleeveless breezy top from Old Navy with white cut-off jean shorts. Will probably be my go-to for games until November when it is a chilly 75 degrees outside.
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72298&vid=1&pid=648763012
Thank you for this link! I went by there this weekend and got myself one. It’s a maroon game at Miss. State this weekend. And it will be 150 degrees – so this is about as comfortable as I can get. And it was on sale – $18!
Good to read the stuff, i will definatly try the frost free vest with my purple jeans and fancy hat>
Clearly, Hobby Lobby doesn’t think it’s too early to think about Christmas. Walked in there yesterday out of the 105 degree heat and my twins screamed “SANTA!” Sure enough, right beyond the Halloween/Thankgiving decor were multiple displays of Christmas. I love that day more than anyone, but throwing up Christmas trees in August seems a bit extreme. At any rate, thanks for sharing about that book, it sounds wonderful!
95 degrees in Colorado yesterday, and today will not be much better! It’s sort of hard to think about cooler fall clothing, Halloween, and Christmas when it’s blistering outside but we know that the cold and snow will come. I like the plaid/gingham shirt but I’m not a fan of the bootie. Enjoy your weekend!
I feel psychic because I just ordered that tunic a few days ago. Also, you should come to Starkville to shop, there is no shortage of maroon. Actually, one of our local shops Deep South Pout has a pretty good selection online.
Check zulily. They have numerous maroon things, specifically geared at college fans. Super cute. I think of you every time I see something maroon.
IT’S GAMEDAY IN KANSAS! Every Man A Wildcat! Go State!
Howdy from Big D!
Since it won’t be cool until the end of the Great State Fair (mid-late Oct) and sometimes not even then….I figure I have plenty of time to look for long sleeved items, as shorts will be appropriate until then…it has been quite a long wait for football season to start, but the drought is over TOMORROW!! YAY!!!! I totally agree, no to the booties, but love those boots…Have a great weekend and HOOK ‘EM!!!!!
p.s. I sure do miss not having our last game of the year against y’all..it’s just not the same..:-(
First of all, love the vest and the tunic. I put the vest on my post Labor Day shopping list. I need to talk about the Naughty Monkey boots though. I honestly do not understand how no one else on the whole entire planet is seeing the problem with that style of boots. Maybe I’m just dirty-minded, but every time I see those, I think “uncircumsized penis boots”. Nothing against uncircumsized penises, but they are better not worn as footwear.
Dying laughing! Maybe that’s why they named them Naughty Monkey!
Oh my, I thought the very same thing! so glad you brought it up. whoops!
I was just starting to think about Christmas presents. This book is perfect for my two mother-in-laws (no, I am not a weird reverse polygamist, divorce just causes all sorts of weird family phenomenas). Happy Labor Day weekend! I am headed over to amazon.
Melanie, as a fellow Aggie, I’m always in search of cute maroon clothing. And it’s everywhere this year! Except that it tends to all be corduroy or silky tops, which is obviously a no go for Texas football (100 degrees this weekend!) So maybe we should have been more specific when we begged for more maroon 🙂
Love the Fall/Winter wear ’cause it covers my ‘old lady’ saggy upper arms. Last summer the husband and I were headed out to a church sponsored picnic – and I was wearing jeans and a discrete sleeveless top. His comment, “uh you wearing THAT?” My puzzled look turned to mortification when he noted, “you have those wrinkled upper arms.” I wore it anyway (too late to change), but since then I’ve avoided sleeveless wear like the plague. Yippee the three-quarter and long sleeve are every saggy woman’s dream wear. 🙂
love the book! can’t wait to get my hands on it. never have read her before, that exerpt was amazingly written. can’t wait for the weather change to start wearing some cool fall clothes. and…WHOOP!
Can’t wait to read the book…. and get some to wrap for Christmas. I went to Old Navy after reading your blog….thanks for the 30% off tip..wouldn’t have known. I found a cute maroon and white strip sweater there! Yea! Thanks to you :)) and of course, I found about 20 other things NOT maroon….then headed over to one of the Aggie tent sales for more maroon..Gig ’em.
I’m currently obsessed with these booties and am about to pull the trigger. I’ve never had Dr. Scholl’s before…but they should be super comfy and cute, right? I CAN’T GET ENOUGH FALL SHOES.
http://www.drschollsshoes.com/en-US/Product/01240-5165321/Dr.+Scholls/Greystorm/Womens+Balance.aspx
I just finished reading your book today! I loved it! I laughed a lot! Made me think of my own daughter when she was growing up. She is 22 now and just got married! I’m so glad you are enjoying the time with Caroline. Time passes sooooo fast!
Do you know how many pages Ann’s new book is? We do outreach to at-risk young women in our city, and I’m wondering if this might be a good Christmas gift for them — but our budget is tight, so I need a few more details than Amazon is telling me. 🙂 Thanks for any help you can provide!
Love, love all the boots and booties. Might have to check some of them out. And, the cowl neck top – too cute! Have a splendid week!
howdy! What bootie ended your search? I guess I missed it. 🙂 And, I can’t seem to find them. Would love to see what you choose.