Author: Big Mama

I seriously can’t believe that the 4th of July is next week. June has gone by so fast and it still doesn’t really feel like summer to me, except for the heat and the mosquitoes.

I have laughed because I follow a lot of fashion bloggers on Instagram and they’ve all been posting various outfit options for the 4th of July and it’s caused me to question my life because we have no real plans for the 4th of July that require any kind of elaborate patriotic wardrobe choices. I remember back in ye olden days when people just wore that $5 t-shirt from Old Navy to show their patriotism and now we have all manner of gingham and checks and stars and stripes to choose from.

However, here are some cute things I found this week:

1. chiara corseted wide-leg pants

I love a wide-leg pant and I think these are so cute. They are $69.95 plus Anthropologie has an extra 30% off all sale with no code needed at checkout.

2. colonsay tunic

This tunic is a great length and good to wear alone now or layered with a sweater and leggings during the fall and winter. It’s $39.95 but an additional 30% off. It also comes in some other color options.

3. sojos small square polarized sunglasses

I have a pair of Ray-Bans that look almost just like these but were significantly more expensive. I was excited to find this version for $13.99 that I can wear at the lake or the river or in whatever hazardous conditions I might find myself in where I don’t want to wear my nice glasses. Are they really polarized? I have no idea, but they are just $13.99.

4. universal thread collared shirtdress

This is a great little dress from Target that can be dressed up or down and it’s that Lyocell fabric that is kind of magically soft. It’s $27.99. It also comes in yellow or burgundy. The model is 5’9″ so keep in mind that it won’t be as short on those of us who aren’t models.

5. grecerelle maxi dress beach cover up

I have the short sleeve version of this, but I love this one to wear as a swimsuit coverup or just to run around in the heat. It’s $23.80 and comes in several color options.

6. universal thread pocket v-neck t-shirt

These t-shirts from Target are a great basic and on sale 3 for $20. They come in a lot of color options.

7. sanibel platform wedge sandal

Everyone who has these sandals swears by them. They are comfortable and look cute with so many different outfits, even your 4th of July outfits. And now they are on sale for $49.90 and come in lots of color options .

8. lana sandal

I really like these strappy flat sandals. They also come in coral or black and are 50% off and on sale for $29.90.

9. halogen multi ring hoop earrings

These are great basic everyday earrings if you are in need of such a thing. They are $29.90 and come in gold or silver.

10. central shirt in dalton stripe

Madewell has a lot of their summer basics on sale right now, including this cute striped shirt. It’s $69.50 but 25% off with the code FIREWORK at checkout. You could wear this with some red shorts for the 4th of July. But then you’d have to find a pair of red shorts.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

It’s officially the point in summer where it’s really too hot to do anything except stay in the air-conditioning as much as possible. Fortunately, we have the Women’s World Cup and the College World Series to help achieve these goals.

Here are some cute things I found this week between watching all the sports:

1. rosemary midi dress

I love all the dresses like this that are available right now. They are so feminine and perfect for summer, plus you can layer a cardigan or denim jacket on top if you feel the need.

This one is on sale for $89.95. It also comes in coral and black. Plus sizes are available as well.

2. camilla maxi dress

This is a great maxi dress and now it’s on sale for $99.95. It also comes in black, solid blue and a colorful pattern that’s almost sold out. It’s also available in plus sizes.

3. haida peasant top

This is a gorgeous summer top and it’s on sale for just $29.95. It also comes in a blue pattern and white but sizes are limited. I happen to really love this yellow. It would be so cute with white jeans or denim cut off shorts.

4. straw panama hat

A summer hat is an essential for those of us who have basically become vampires when it comes to the sun on our face. This one is really cute and just $15.99. It also comes in a bunch of color options.

5. here for the fiesta red dress

This dress is darling. I love the style, I love the color, I love everything about it. It’s $44.

6. swing by royal blue embroidered dress

This is another great summer dress that’s just easy to throw on. You could dress it up with wedges or even wear it as a swimsuit coverup. It’s $66.

7. bowtie jelly flip-flops

These cute little studded flip-flops are knock-off versions of Valentino sandals. The difference is the Valentinos are about $345 and these are just $19.99. They’re the perfect shoe for the pool or beach or even just to wear to dinner.

8. granada maxi dress

This dress is truly one of my favorites that I’ve seen this season. I love the bright embroidered detail and the ties at the shoulder. It’s $76.

It also comes in red here. I don’t know how to tell you which color to get because they are both gorgeous.

9. summer tortoise acrylic earrings

I know I’ve mentioned my sister’s earrings before, but I had to show you these bright acrylic ones. They are so colorful and fun and perfect for all your summer outfits. They are $16.

10. liv flat slide sandal

I love these sandals because they are strappy without being too strappy. Does that make sense because it did in my head. They are $39.95 and also come in rose gold and silver.

I also love these toms lexie sandals. Caroline had a pair similar to these last summer and they are so comfortable and cute. Just a great every day sandal.

They are $62.99.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

It’s true.

On Wednesday afternoon I was recording a podcast with Sophie and realized that my computer was no longer connecting to the internet. Oddly enough, it kept working for Skype but anytime I tried to get on Safari or Chrome, it completely quit working. And, while normally I would love blame AT&T for this issue, everyone else in our home had internet that worked completely fine. Plus, our TV was working.

I did my best to fix the issue, by which I mean that I shut my computer down and restarted it about twenty-three times. Shockingly, this didn’t work.

So I finally texted my friend Debbi who often knows how to deal with technological problems and she told me I needed to call the Apple 1-800 number.

Listen. Nothing makes me question all my life choices and the scope of eternity like being confronted with having to call a 1-800 number to get something fixed.

However, I called Apple about two hours ago and Abdul could not have been nicer and more patient as he walked me through all the steps we needed to complete to get my Macbook back up and running on the internet as God intended. As it turns out, I had inadvertently downloaded something that installed Malware on my computer and caused the internet to quit working properly. Abdul helped me install Malware prevention software and even went through my computer and told me to delete all these random things I had somehow managed to acquire over the years. He said I should be more careful in the future. Abdul, that’s the story of my life.

Anyway, thankfully my computer was fixed in time for Fashion Friday because that would have been the real tragedy.

1. around the corner light leopard print top

I really love this top and the light leopard is super cute for a summer animal print option, yet could transition well into fall. It’s $54 and it also comes in several color options if you’re not a leopard print fan.

Red Dress Boutique offers free shipping for orders over $50.

2. ladies luncheon white lace maxi dress

I love a white flowy dress and this one is so pretty. It’s $62 free shipping when your order is $50 or more And you can get 10% off when you sign up for their VIP club.

3. loft striped tie waist flare dress

How cute would this be for the 4th of July? And you could even throw a denim jacket on top if you live somewhere that doesn’t feel like the surface of the sun in July.

It’s $69.50 but Loft has 40% off with the code NEWNOW at checkout until Monday.

4. loft eyelet sleeveless flutter shell

I have a top that’s similar to this and I wore it with cut off denim shorts this week and loved the whole look. This one is $54.50 but 40% off with code NEWNOW until Monday.

5. bdcoco wide leg jumpsuit

This is an Amazon find but I think it has real potential. I love the wide legs and it has great reviews. There is also an option that’s a little looser fit with short sleeves if that’s more your style. It’s $22.99.

6. fp one solid smocked top

This top has been calling my name. And it has great reviews. I love the smocked sleeves and the smocking at the bottom because it’s the figure flattering shape of a shirt that hits at the waist without having to tuck anything in. It’s perfect with jeans now that a higher waist is in style.

It’s $88 and it comes in several color options.

7. ae embroidered peasant top

This blue and white peasant top is so pretty and I love blue and white in the summer. It’s $49.95 but all tops at American Eagle are buy one, get one 50% off right now.

These ae white denim midi shorts would look great with it.

They are on sale for $24.99 and have a 4 inch inseam but 6 inches unrolled. The thing I like about these shorts is they have plenty of stretch because I always need more stretch in my life.

8. ae striped button down shirt

This is another cute AE top and could part of your 50% off. It’s $39.95 and comes in several stripe color options.

9. tomgirl bermuda shorts

These are my favorite summer shorts. I wear them just about every other day because they are so soft and I love the longer length and the fact that they don’t fit tight. They are on sale right now for just $14.99.

10. lulunina split front maxi dress

I know not one thing about the site that is selling this dress. I just know that it popped up on my Instagram feed because Instagram knows me better than my closest friends and family and I fell in love with it. If anyone has any more information on this site or this dress, it would be greatly appreciated because they actually have a bunch of cute things.

It’s on sale for $37.99.

11. j.crew antique gold hoop earrings

This is just a bonus section because I saw the J.Crew is offering 50% off on a lot of things right now. These hoop earrings are normally $19.50 but 50% off with code GETAWAY at checkout and the perfect gold earrings to wear everyday.

I also love this j.crew layered coin necklace to wear everyday because it’s the layered look with no effort and I’m a fan of no effort.

It’s $39.50 but 50% off with the code GETAWAY.

And, finally, I love this j.crew boy fit shirt in ratti kaleidoscope floral.This pattern and these colors are everything. I always think I like a simple look and then I see a pattern like this and think I WANT TO DECORATE MY WHOLE HOUSE IN THAT. So maybe not as simple as I think.

It’s $98 but 50% off with the code GETAWAY at checkout.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

I’d wish you a Happy Father’s Day but I’m guessing my dad is probably the only dad reading this right now so Happy Father’s Day to him.

So yesterday we went from sunny skies and a high temperature that I’d estimate at around 107 degrees to thunderstorms complete with golf ball size hail. Welcome to summer in Texas.

Caroline and I were across town at the gym where we work out when the storm hit and we waited until the worst of it passed before we headed home. I told Caroline to text P to tell him we were on our way home and he texted back, “DO NOT HEAD THIS WAY. THERE’S HUGE GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.”

We were already fairly close to home but turned off on a side street where I knew there was a covered parking garage. And as we drove we saw a double rainbow and the bottom one was the brightest rainbow I’ve ever seen.

I’m hoping that rainbow is God’s promise that the Texas heat won’t kill us dead this summer.

And on another subject, I’m going to be speaking at an event at The Prospect House in Dripping Springs for the new Bethel Church in Austin next Thursday night, June 13th. There are still some tickets available and you can register here.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. adler tunic dress

I think this is the cutest dress and I love this color. It’s $140 but there’s 20% off all clothing at Anthropologie this weekend. It also comes in black, white and royal blue.

2. asher cognac multi sandals

I bought these sandals all the way back in February because I knew I’d wear them all summer long. I needed that stripe platform in my life. And I was right because I wear them all the time and love them. They are $79.95 and also come in a black or white option. Plus you can get 20% off if you sign up for emails on the Steve Madden website.

3. h&m long ruffled dress

This is a great dress for summer and would look so cute with sandals or even thrown over a bathing suit. It’s just $19.99 and also comes in a zebra pattern.

4. turquoise beaded bracelet set

I have three turquoise bead bracelets that I wear almost all the time. It’s the perfect year round accessory and they go with almost everything. This set is $24 and also comes in white and light green.

5. marc fisher bryte studded sandals

I’ve had my eye on these sandals since I first saw them a month ago and have been hoping they’d go on sale. Well, that day is here. They are normally $69.99 but on sale for $34.99 with code FRIEND at checkout They also come in white, light latte and black.

6. free people will wait for you embroidered midi dress

This is another great sale find. I’ve loved it since I first saw it. It’s normally $168 but on sale for $94.08 with code FRIEND at checkout. Also comes in a natural color and a turquoise color.

I realize that v-neck is a little low, but you can wear it with this seamless bandeau under it.

7. aerie beach fleece

I do not mean to keep pushing this beach fleece except that it is so amazing and I basically have one on my person at all times if I am in my house. It’s the perfect summer weight and I never want to be without one. They are on sale for $31.46 and come in several color options and a few stripe patterns.

8. sleeveless crewneck tiered maxi dress

I stumbled upon this dress on the Target website. I haven’t seen it in person, but it has definite promise. I love the length and the bright yellow. It’s $31.99.

9. gibson hi sugarplum tied front summer skirt

This collection launched yesterday and I love this skirt. It comes in several other patterns and colors and, well, I think it’s the perfect summer skirt.

It’s $59.

10. H&M v-neck dress

I am powerless to resist a blue and white floral. This dress is $19.99 and probably perfect to wear when it’s 107 degrees outside. It also comes in solid colors and a few other patterns.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.