Author: Big Mama

  • The Big Boo Cast, Episode 134

    In this episode we discuss our incompetence when it comes to taxes and, also, that we are struggling to find things to cook for dinner. We also discuss my new love of the show Narcos on Netflix and why we need a fashion blogger in her mid-40s to guide us.

    You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog.

    And if you’re on the Facebook, well, we are, too.

    We’d love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

    Show Notes:

    – Melanie and P’s new favorite show (NOT FOR THE CHILDREN)

    – Chef’s Table (Sophie’s favorite)

    – Delicious Kale Salad

    – Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Palette

    – Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow

    – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

    – Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eye Palette

    Sponsors:

    – FabFitFun (promo code BIGBOO for 20% off your first subscription box)

    – Green Chef (promo code BIGBOO for $50 off your first box)

    – Simple Contacts (promo code BIGBOO20 for $20 off your first order)

    – care/of (promo code BIGBOO for 50% your first order)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition a lot of red for March 1

    Well, when I looked back over everything I picked out this week it appears the theme is red. I don’t know how that happened but I guess I’m currently in a place of wanting some bright colors.

    Here are some cute things I found this week:

    1. moon child maxi top

    I know the trends are tilting towards shirts tucked in with a belt and that’s fine but, in my heart, I am team tunic forever. This is $128. I adore it with my entire being.

    2. ae smocked tube jumpsuit

    The reviews say this does come with straps if you’d rather wear it with straps, but you’d still need a strapless bra. Well, unless you do what I do sometimes and wear stuff like this with a normal bra with a denim jacket over it to hide your normal bra and just pray that you don’t get hot and wish you could take your jacket off. This is $34.96 and I think it would be so cute dressed up with wedges or just thrown on as a swimsuit coverup.

    3. aerie play pocket and cuff legging

    These leggings are normally $49.97 but they were on sale yesterday, but that may mean they’ll be on sale again soon. I just know that they are my favorite thing I bought this past fall and I’ve worn mine to the point that I need to order another pair for backup when I eventually wear these out and they are falling apart. I cannot overstate how comfortable and cozy they feel.

    4. bali will wait for you midi dress

    This is pricey at $168, but I love it. If I lived a fancier life that involved an upcoming trip to a resort of some sort, I would totally get this dress. However, my life pretty much consists of soccer games and driving carpool right now and this is a lot of look for both of those activities.

    5. esperanza eyelet tunic

    See? Team tunic forever. I cannot quit them. Especially when they are this pretty. This is $148.

    6. long sleeve duster cardigan

    I ordered this off Amazon and it is the perfect long cardigan. It’s soft, the length is perfect and the weight makes it a perfect transitional piece for spring into summer. It’s $19.99 and I ordered the medium for size reference to give me a little bit of room and plenty of length in the sleeves.

    7. steve madden laurisa leather sandals

    I cannot resist a shoe that is reminiscent of the 1970s. I adore these wooden platforms even though I could probably only wear a heel this high for about an hour without wanting to cut my feet off. They are $99.95 and also come in black.

    8. bp hexagon drop earrings

    I really like these and they’re a good deal for $19.

    9. new balance fresh foam knit trainer

    I didn’t know I wanted a red tennis shoe until I saw these. They are so cute and fun. They are $100 and also come in black.

    10. colorblock sherpa half-zip sweatshirt

    This pullover reminds me of the top to a velour jogging suit my dad wore in the 1970s and 80s, but I can’t help but love it. It’s on sale for $49 and I adore it.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Thursday Things, Edition 4

    Well, I’m not going to lie. When I realized we were already to Thursday, I was both elated and freaked out because I’d forgotten to make notes about things to share this week. However, I quickly used my last few remaining brain cells to recall some things I wanted to share with you and here they are in numerical format.

    1. mind blowing easy kale salad

    There’s a restaurant here in San Antonio that makes a really good kale salad. It’s good enough that I will actually go there and order it just because I like it and not because I’m trying to be healthy. And I’ve wanted to make a version of it at home because, you know, kale is a super food. I mean, it’s not as popular as it was a year ago thanks to the advent of the cauliflower pizza crust that people want to tell you is the same as a regular pizza crust, but it’s still on the healthy eating desirable list.

    All that to say, this kale salad is delicious. The dressing really makes it because it’s the perfect amount of lemon flavor and then the dried cranberries (I used those instead of raisins because I am raisin adverse) add just a little bit of sweetness. I’ve also learned that the trick to making kale better is to make sure you take the leaf part off the stem part. The stems are chewy weeds of Satan.

    2. Jesus, Mary and Joe Jonas article by Jonathan Parks-Ramage

    I read this article about Reality church in Los Angeles earlier this week and it has really stuck with me. At a time when it seems like the church is doing a lot of things wrong, this made me appreciate the people who are really walking out what it means to love Jesus and share that with your community.

    3. Sacred Pace by Terry Looper

    I met Terry Looper briefly a few weeks ago when we were both waiting to do a T.V. interview. He was so kind and we talked about writing books. He told me his first book was coming out in a few weeks and the general synopsis was how God changed the way he lived his life and led him to start a business at age 40 where there were no sales goals and no one worked more than forty hours a week. Oh, and he also gives half of what he makes back to the church and other ministries. I googled him when I got home and found out the company he started based on those principles is now a multi-billion dollar business. So it looks like that worked out for him.

    Anyway, I had his publisher send me a copy of the book and it’s really made me think about how I make decisions. This would be a great book for wherever you are in life and I like that it’s super practical, straight forward and honest.

    Here’s the Amazon description:

    “At just thirty-six years old, Terry Looper was a successful Christian businessman who thought he had it all—until managing all he had led to a devastating burnout. Wealthy beyond his wildest dreams but miserable beyond belief, Terry experienced a radical transformation when he discovered how to align himself with God’s will in the years following his crash and burn.

    Sacred Pace is a four-step process that helps Christians in all walks of life learn how to

    -slow down their decision-making under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
    -sift through their surface desires and sinful patterns in order to receive clear, peace-filled answers from the Lord,
    -gain the confident assurance that God’s answers are His way of fulfilling the true desires he has placed in their hearts, and
    -grow closer to the One who loves them most and knows them best.”

    4. southport patio egg chair

    This chair is at Target and I fall in love with it every time I find myself in their outdoor furniture department. It’s $399.99 in case you are in the market for a patio egg chair.

    5. Jen Reed at The Sister Studio

    Maybe it’s because I need the mental break while I’m trying to finish my next book, but I am following more fashion bloggers than ever on Instagram. I can’t even remember how I found Jen Reed’s instagram, but she is my current favorite because her style is simple, affordable and practical. Plus, she’s just funny and doesn’t take herself seriously which are qualities I enjoy in a person. Her Sister Studio instagram is a great one to follow if you’re in need of some fashion inspiration.

    Happy Thursday!

  • Fashion Friday: Edition it has been a long short week

    On Monday, I felt so optimistic about this week because it was only going to be a four day week due to the President’s Day holiday. That was such an optimistic and sweet time.

    Then I flew to Dallas on Tuesday and went through having my flight home cancelled on Wednesday. And then Thursday looked at Wednesday and said, “Hold my beer” because P called me while I was at the airport returning the rental car I’d used to drive home from Dallas to tell me that the electric company was at our house to turn off our electricity because I had forgotten to pay our bill.

    Yep.

    And so after an hour of being on the phone with the CPS energy, I finally got it all cleared up and it would appear that while I thought I had paid our bill online the last two months, I forgot to hit the “submit” button. This is one of those times where I had to explain to P that “I have other gifts”. As of right now, I’m not sure what they are. However, it’s clear they are not focused in the arena of financial management and/or computer skills.

    Anyway, the upside is I used our period of being electricity-free to clean up the closet in the playroom because you would be shocked at the things that you can’t do in 2019 with no electricity.

    And, on that note, here are some cute things I found this week:

    1. let’s brunch top in tulum dreams

    I love this bright top for spring and summer, especially with white jeans. It’s semi-sheer so you will need a cami or tank under it. It’s $44.

    2. bp brice notched bootie

    I bought these booties last summer during the Nordstrom sale and I’ve loved them. They are super versatile because that part around your ankle is a little floppy and you can wear it up or turned down. Plus, they are really comfortable.

    They are on sale for $49.90 and come in a couple of different color options.

    3. everleigh roll-tab sleeve tunic

    I love these roll-tab sleeve tunics because they are a great basic to wear alone and dress up with jewelry and accessories, but they also work well as a layering piece under cardigans or jackets.

    They are no 50% off and on sale for $26. Not all colors are available, but this magenta is great for spring and summer.

    4. bp cozy cable knit turtleneck sweater

    I love a white sweater for this transitional time of year. You can do an all white look with white jeans and taupe or cognac accessories. Or you could wear it with black or blue jeans for a look that’s warm but just a little lighter. It’s on sale for 40% off and $29.40.

    It also comes in charcoal gray or mint.

    5. free people penny flare jeans

    I wore these jeans on Wednesday when I spoke. And then I wore them to the airport when I found out my flight was cancelled. Then I wore them on the rental car shuttle at DFW that essentially drove us halfway back to San Antonio. And, finally, I wore them as I drove the five hours home in a Kia Soul. Here’s what I can tell you, they were comfortable the whole time. They essentially feel like wearing leggings. And I cannot overstate how flattering a flare leg jean is on essentially everyone.

    They are $78 and come in short, regular or long inseam length (Short Inseam: 32 in Regular Inseam: 34 in Long Inseam: 37 in) For reference, I’m 5’6″ and have the regular inseam that I wear with 3 1/2 inch heels. They run true to size and the elastic waist is a gift.

    6. grecerelle maxi dress

    I ended up with three of these dresses last summer because when you find a good summer clothing option for $23.80, you embrace it. I wear mine tied up in the front. And I love them once the weather warms up because they are so comfortable, wash well, and you can wear them with a denim jacket and booties now and then just sandals later.

    7. niashot women’s short sleeve v-neck

    I ordered this last week because I needed a simple white t-shirt to wear with leggings. This one is a great length and, while it’s a little sheer I think it can still be worn by itself under a jacket or sweater. I ordered a medium and it’s long enough for me to wear with leggings. But I think I could’ve done a large, too, if I wanted it be a little more flowy. It’s $14.99, super soft and comes in a ton of color options.

    8. adidas swift run sneakers

    I love these Adidas for just running around with my athleisure. They are $85 and also come in all white and a charcoal gray.

    9. pilcro textured tunic

    It’s hard to beat a good white tunic for spring and summer. You can wear it over leggings or skinny jeans or half-tucked in shorts later in the season. This one is normally $88 but currently 20% off and $70.40. It’s a plus that it’s textured because that means you don’t have to worry about ironing it all the time.

    10. the merly jacket

    I cannot overstate how much I love this denim jacket. I realize I keep talking about it but it’s the best denim jacket I’ve ever owned and I bet I wear it 4-5 times a week. It’s pricey at $148 but you can 20% off your first order if you sign up for emails.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • The Big Boo Cast: Episode 133

    I had fully planned on posting a Thursday Things post today but I was in Dallas for a speaking event at Liberty Christian School yesterday. I was supposed to fly out of D/FW on a 2:53 flight right after the event so I could get home in time for Caroline’s soccer game. Except American Airlines decided to cancel the flight. Why? Because the plane was broken.

    And so they cancelled my flight and decided I didn’t need to fly home until 7:45 a.m. Thursday morning. Except here’s the problem, American Airlines, you don’t know my life. I did need to get home on Wednesday and as much as I appreciated your helpful offer to fly me home to San Antonio via Los Angeles at 8:45 on Wednesday night, that wasn’t really a good option either. So I rented a car and drove home.

    While I’m on this rant, let me also suggest that the rental car people who have decided that a Kia Soul counts as a mid-size sedan are lying liars that lie. A car without a trunk is not a mid-size car.

    In short, Dear Travel Industry, DO BETTER.

    Also, I will never cheat on Southwest Airlines again even if it means I have to drive a little further after flying into Love Field.

    Anyway, here’s a new podcast for you in the meantime and I promise Thursday Things will be back next week. But right now I need to go to bed.

    You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog.

    And if you’re on the Facebook, well, we are, too.

    We’d love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

    Show Notes:

    – Dorit’s outfit when she went to Lisa Rinna’s house

    photo IMG_0263_zpsbc7n0oh6.jpeg

    – A raccoon playing the harp on a sprinkler

    – French Onion Beef Sliders for a Crowd (maybe Alex’s favorite thing I’ve ever cooked)

    – The Board Couple in San Antonio

    – Nivea cream made in Germany

    – Kut from the Kloth $20 off coupon (shop the sale)

    – Amazon Cotton Casual Jumpsuit

    Sponsors:

    – FabFitFun (promo code BIGBOO for 20% off your first subscription box)

    – ZOLA (promo code BIGBOO for your free wedding website and $50 off your registry)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition three day weekends are my favorite

    Well, we are limping to the finish line this week after a week of Nyquil and all manner of immunity boosting supplements. And so I’m thankful for a three day weekend to have some time to recover and also wash everything in the house down with bleach in the hopes that P and I don’t get sick now.

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

    1. all things new suede and turquoise wrap bracelets

    My sister has added these darling turquoise wrap bracelets to her shop and I adore them. In fact, I saw them on Facebook before I realized they were hers and decided I had to have one. I guess this confirms that DNA is a real thing. They are $16.

    And she’s also started making these acrylic and leather earrings which are so cute. Acrylic earrings are a big trend right now and I love that they are lightweight. These are also $16.

    Finally, I wanted to show you this stick bead necklace for $25. She also has a red version, but you know I love the turquoise the best because I believe it’s a neutral and goes with almost everything.

    2. old navy crewneck sweater

    I ran in Old Navy yesterday because I was looking for a gray v-neck t-shirt to replace one that I have apparently lost. I didn’t find a good gray v-neck, but I looked around and found a ton of cute stuff for spring. Alas, I was in a hurry so didn’t have time to fully investigate.

    This crewneck sweater is darling. It’s lightweight and perfect for Spring and I love the striped detail on the cuffs. It’s 20% off taken at checkout and comes in several other color options.

    3. old navy wide strap camera bag

    Old Navy has these cute crossbody bags on sale for $24 plus 20% off taken at checkout. They also come in red or camel and they are a perfect size.

    4. ae military button up shirt

    I’ve been wanting a shirt in this olive color for a while now and was waiting for this one to go on sale. It’s just a good versatile basic that you can wear on it’s on or open over a t-shirt or tank. It’s on sale for $33.71 plus free shipping.

    5. old navy relaxed slub knit tunic

    I really like this tunic and it will be so cute with white shorts or jeans. It’s $26.99 plus 20% off taken at checkout. It also comes in yellow.

    6. dr. scholl’s slay all day sneaker

    Here’s a question. If you are a Dr. Scholl shoe, can you really get away with being called “Slay all day”? I appreciate the attempt to relate to the youths, but I’m not sure this is going to persuade them that Dr. Scholls are the new Adidas All-Stars. But they look a lot like these APL Techloom Bliss shoes that I really like, but less expensive.

    These are $89.95. They also come in black and Dr. Scholl knows how to make a comfortable shoe.

    7. I would know one shoulder maxi dress

    I don’t have anywhere to wear this right now, but I wish I had a tropical vacation planned because I would for sure order this. It’s $52.

    8. treasure & bond sannibel platform wedge sandal

    These wedges were everywhere last summer and I never bought a pair. However, I will this summer because everyone raves about how comfortable they are and that is what I am currently looking for in a shoe. Plus, they are really cute. They are $79.95 and also come in black, gray, mustard or white.

    9. h&m shirt dress

    I saw this cute dress on H&M and had to share. H&M was offering 14% and free shipping with the code LOVE but I’m not sure if it still applies after Valentine’s Day. This is $34.99.

    I also love this h&m dress with a tie collar

    It’s just $24.99 and also comes in black or red. It would be perfect dressed up or down. And I was worried about the length so I even did a metric system conversion for you and learned that 90.5 centimeters converts to 35.6 inches so you can figure out if that’s an above the knee length you feel okay about.

    10. ae smocked neck peasant top

    This top has such great reviews and I’m always in the market for another maroon top option. I think this would be great with jeans now and shorts later. It’s on sale for $33.74 plus free shipping.and also comes in teal.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.