Author: Big Mama

Well, as you read this I am most likely en route to Chicago. Or maybe I’m already in Chicago. I guess it depends on what time you’re reading this post. Whatever the case, I’m spending the weekend in Chicago to be part of the Popcast Live and couldn’t be more excited about it.

You may also be aware that there is a football game of some importance to me that will be played on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. central time. The Aggies play Clemson and it’s kind of a big deal. I have not yet figured out how I will simultaneously be on stage and furiously check my phone for the play-by-play, but I assure you I will find a way.

And I’ll confess that my football optimism is at an all-time high because I honestly believe we can win. The heart wants what it wants.

Now before we get to the Fashion portion of today, I wanted to tell you about the Hummingbird Farms September Special because I believe I’ve mentioned how much I love their lavender products and this is a good deal. The Rest Easy Trio is a $66 Value that’s just $33 this month. Here’s the description:

“We know how important quality sleep can be for you, and back to school is always a good time to incorporate a calming bedtime routine so you can rest easy and sleep peacefully. Lavender is known for its calming and soothing qualities, and we have put together your perfect evening regimen so you can drift off to your best sleep every night of the week. Start your evening with a relaxing bath with our Lavender Body Wash No. 152. Not only is it a fabulous bath gel, but it makes a wonderful bubble bath, too! Our foaming aloe vera is infused with 100% pure essential oil of lavender. A FREE bath puff will be included, too! Just before getting into bed, mist your pillow and linens with our Lavender Pillow Mist No. 48. Lightly dribble a drop or two of Essential Oil of Lavender onto your wrists and the bottoms of your feet. Crawl into bed and AHHHHHHH! Enjoy your sweet dreams!

BUY 2 AND GET FREE SHIPPING!”

You can read more or purchase it here.

Now for the cute things I found this week:

1. velvet front tie-top

I love this velvet tie top because it can be dressed up or down. You could wear it with jeans for a date night or girls’ night out or dress it up with some sparkly pants for the holidays. It’s $78.

2. weekender cloud fleece pullover

I was in Anthropologie the other day and fell in love with this on the spot. I’m not sure why I didn’t buy it on the spot because the length is perfect to wear with leggings and it is so soft. It’s $78 which honestly feels like a steal for this.

3. j.crew cape scarf

I love these darling cape scarfs at J.Crew. They have striped versions and this window pane version. This is basically a super easy way to dress up a simple t-shirt or sweater and a pair of jeans. Throw one of these on and it looks like you tried.

They are $49.50 but 40% off with the code FALLTIME at checkout.

4. bp v-neck long sleeve sweater

I debated buying this sweater all last year which seems kind of dumb since it’s just $39. So I finally had a talk with myself and ordered it. I chose black because I wear a lot of black, but I also love the gray. I love the v-neck and I love the length. It also comes in gray, pale pink with gray stripes and gray with white stripes.

5. gap wide leg pants in french terry

I have some wide leg cotton pants that I bought on sale at Anthropologie for $14 years ago and I have worn them out. I’ve been looking for a replacement and these look promising. They are $39.95 but Gap currently has 40% off with the code FALL at checkout.

6. j.jill luxe supima tunic

The shirttail detail of this tunic is a winner for me. Plus, I have no problem with anything using the words “supima” and “luxe”. This is $59 and also comes in black, rose and ivory.

7. old navy floral print swing dress

This darling dress is just $28 plus an extra 25% taken at checkout which makes it just $21 plus free shipping. It also comes in tall and petite sizes and comes in a green option as well. I think it is just the cutest. The only problem is deciding between the black and the green. I love them both.

8. old navy twill field jacket

I have a camo jacket almost just like this that I bought on sale at Old Navy about ten years ago. I paid $6.00 for it. True story. And I’ve worn it 6,345 times at least. (That may be an exaggeration.)

This one isn’t $6.00 but it is just $30 plus an extra 25% taken at checkout and free shipping. It also comes in several other solid colors if camo isn’t your thing. It’s just a great lightweight jacket.

9. old navy plush knit long-line open-front sweater

I think a long open-front sweater is just a great basic. You can wear it to Saturday morning soccer game over jeans and a t-shirt or dress it up for the office and wear it over all black. It’s a great piece to have and it’s $39.99 plus an extra 25% taken at checkout and free shipping. It also comes in several different colors.

10. chelsea28 skyler faux leather foldover clutch

This is such a cute clutch if you happen to be in the market for a clutch. It’s $59 and also comes in a crimson red which happens to be darling.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

And Gig’em Aggies. BTHOClemson!

In other words, let’s give today a handclap of praise and all the hallelujahs.

I realize it’s still going to be hot for at least another month, but we are one day shy of it being September and that, much like the love story of Kate and Leo in The Titanic, means my heart will go on.

First order of business today, in honor of football season and Friday Night Lights firing up all over the nation, I have to start by sharing one of my favorite Milk and Honey tees of all time.

You know why Tami Taylor should be President? Because she knows how to handle any situation and, most importantly, her hair always held up beautifully at every single game the Dillon Panthers and/or the East Dillon Lions played. If you can have hair that looks good at a football game on a Friday night in Texas, then you can run the world.

And if you’ve never watched the show Friday Night Lights, then I need you to head to Amazon Prime toot suite and fix that immediately.

Anyway, you can find the Tami Taylor for President t-shirt here. Best of all, Mandy at Milk and Honey Tees is offering my readers 15% off on it when you use the code BIGMAMA at checkout.

Secondly, next weekend is the Popcast Live with Knox and Jamie at the Patio Theater in Chicago. I’ll be there along with Sophie and we are so excited about it.

There are still some tickets available You can find those here.

And, last but not least, we are starting our 100 Day Fearless Faith and Everyday Holy Reading Challege on Tuesday, September 4th and I’d love for you to join us. Young girls can read Fearless Faith and “older” women can read Everyday Holy.

I believe just five minutes a day could change your life and the life of a young girl or girls in your life. My prayer will be that we will look back on this fall as a time when God grew us and challenged us and made us more than we were before.

Here’s what it looks like:

Day 1: September 4 (This is the Tuesday after Labor Day and everyone will be back in school by then.)

Day 25: September 28th

Day 50: October 23rd

Day 75: November 17th

Day 100: December 12th

There will be no official group or anything that fancy, but just a lot of us reading either Everyday Holy or Fearless Faith over those 100 days. And we can all share what we are learning and what God is teaching us by posting and using the hashtags on Instagram #100DaysEverydayHoly or #100DaysOfFearlessFaith to help us all stay accountable and on track

And then we’ll celebrate on December 12th with a fun giveaway for two people that will be chosen at random from everyone who participates with the hashtags on social media.

What do you need to join?

-A copy of Everyday Holy and/or Fearless Faith or both!

-Five to ten minutes a day

-A journal might be good for writing thoughts down, but not necessary

-It might be fun to have some real life friends join in as well but, again, not necessary

-If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them or find people who know the answers.

So if you’ve wanted to do something like this but needed the push or if you’ve wanted to do it but didn’t want to do it alone or if you want to invite friends to all do it together as part of a small group, this is the time. I so hope you’ll join in with us starting September 4th. And in the meantime, you can purchase either book at your local bookstore or find Fearless Faith on Amazon here and Everyday Holy on Amazon here.

Now here are some cute things I found this week:

1. basseterre ruffle sleeve tank

I saw this in the sale room at Anthropologie this week and wanted to buy it but I had an intervention with myself because I don’t need another plain shirt right now. But it has ruffle sleeves! And it’s a tank! And it comes in so many colors!

It’s on sale for $29.95 plus is an extra 40% off. I am already regretting my intervention with myself.

2. tunic laced dress

This is not on sale. It’s $168. I wish I had seen it when dresses were 20% off last week. It also comes in white and a pink, but this gold color made me swoon in person. It’s a great fall dress that could be worn with boots or heels depending on your preference.

3. halogen wrap dress

They had this dress on a mannequin in Nordstrom and I just think it’s so cute. It’s $99 and would be a great dress for the office or a luncheon or really anywhere you’d wear a dress.

4. everleigh roll-tab sleeve tunic

I love these simple tunics because they can be dressed up or down. You can wear them with black pants or jeans or even shorts. This one is on sale for $34.90 and comes in a ton of color options.

5. sole society nuddo faux leather tote

I adore the Madewell Transport tote, but this is a more affordable version at $64.95 and I think it’s really pretty. It also comes in black and olive.

6. lonnie striped skirt

This is a great maxi skirt and super versatile. It’s on sale for $39.95 plus an extra 40% off.

7. antonella peasant top

The colors in this top are so pretty. The reviews say it’s sheer so just know you have to wear a tank or cami under it. But so cute with jeans for the fall. It’s $69.95 plus an extra 40% off.

8. j.crew bold stripe tunic

This reminds me of the shirt that Meghan Markle wore to Wimbledon and therefore I love it. It’s $69.50 but everything at J.Crew is 40% off with the code BIGSALE at checkout.

9. women’s calf hair belt

I’ve been looking for a leopard print belt and I think this one is perfect. It’s normally $65 but currently 40% off with code BIGSALE at checkout.

And speaking of leopard, this sheath dress in leopard print is really cute and would look great with a black blazer or leather jacket over it.

It’s normally $138 but 40% off with code BIGSALE at checkout

10. your girl tunic

I bought this in black last fall and it’s been one of my favorites. It’s so comfortable and I wear it with leggings or skinny jeans. It’s $78 and comes in black, white or burnt coral> (I know. What is burnt coral? Quit trying to make fetch happen.)

I also like this riverside tunic because it looks soft and drapey and just easy to throw on.

It’s $68 and comes in a ton of color options.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

And have a good weekend with all the college football and the extra day off.