Author: Big Mama

  • Fashion Friday: Edition it’s almost July

    I keep thinking that I’ll quit mentioning that it’s hot except that it’s so hot. That’s all I have to say about that.

    In fact, that’s all I have to say today.

    But here are some cute things I found this week while I sat in the air-conditioning and searched the internet.

    1. adidas original muscle tank

    I’ve been working out with Caroline twice a week this summer (Disclaimer: When I say “working out with Caroline I mean we are in the same room. We don’t do the same workout because I don’t want to die.) but I’m always on the lookout for cute workout tops that are long enough to cover both my front and back without looking frumpy. This one is perfect. It’s $30 and longer in the back than it is in the front, but plenty long in the front as well. And it fits without being tight.

    It also comes in white.

    2. johanna tunic

    I bought this tunic in a red color last fall and have loved it. I wear it with skinny jeans because it is definitely not long enough to be a dress unless you’re a Polly Pocket.

    It’s $44 and also comes in maroon.

    3. knot hem tee

    I love this simple t-shirt with the knotted front. It’s just a little bit extra but still easy to just throw on with jeans or shorts or a skirt. It’s $32.

    4. gap crochet lace up blouse

    I ran in Gap yesterday and saw this top. It’s even prettier in person and just a great summer look. Everything at Gap is 40% off with the code PARTYON.

    5. sandbridge buttondown

    This is a great classic button-down and I really like this lavender color for summer, especially with white. It comes in other colors and even a pretty stripe version. It’s on sale for $49.95 plus there’s an extra 25% off sale at Anthropologie.

    6. manna embroidered peasant top

    I cannot resist an embroidered peasant top. This one has great reviews and it’s on sale for $99.95 plus the extra 25% off sale.

    7. adelina embroidered blouse

    This is another darling top with great reviews. It’s on sale for $69.95 plus an extra 25% off.

    8. j.crew factory tie back t-shirt

    I bought one of J.Crew’s tie back tank tops and have loved it. It’s perfect because it creates a clean line at the front without having to tuck something in.

    I also love this t-shirt version. It’s on sale for $19.50 It comes in white, black, soft apricot or this darling black and white stripe.

    9. j.crew factory printed flutter dress

    I have had my eye on this dress since the spring and now it’s on sale for $29.95. A great dress is just a good thing to have in your closet because I have learned that when I need a cute dress I can never actually find one.

    This one also comes in a cute black floral and a navy polka dot.

    This darling embroidered dress is also on sale for $29.95 right now.

    It comes in white or navy also.

    10. zella live in midi leggings

    I guess I should’ve put these right next to that Adidas work out top, but these are my favorite leggings these days. They are comfortable and I can wash them and put them in the dryer and they keep their color and their stretch. I always look to see if they’re on sale because various colors, etc are usually on sale at Nordstrom.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Big Boo Cast: Episode 110

    On this episode we answer some listener questions about various things that include what we’re cooking for dinner, how to raise good humans, and various other things.

    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.

    Here’s where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention:

    – “Caroline’s” shoe box Fiesta floats

    – “Old Friends” by Ben Rector (we don’t mention it specifically – but it’s fitting considering what we say about friendship)

    – Melanie’s friend Jen

    – Sophie’s mama

    – Carpool Karaoke with Paul McCartney (we don’t talk about this at all, but it’s so heartwarming and will totally brighten your day)

    – Closing Song

    Our new Big Boo Cast t-shirts from Milk and Honey Tees! (and for the record, this shirt is CRAZY soft)

    Sponsors:

    – FabFitFun (use promo code BIGBOO for $10 off your first subscription box)

    – care/of (use promo code BIGBOO for 25% off your first order)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition the disappointment of no rain

    All last week the weather forecasters kept talking about a “rain event” that was going to bring anywhere from “zero to six inches of rain”. Way to hedge your bets, meteorologists. There’s somewhere between a zero and one hundred percent chance that you might win the lottery. Congratulations.

    Anyway, I was really hoping for some good rainy days this week because it’s been so hot, but it turns out the “zero” part of their forecast was true for San Antonio. Well, unless you count the four seconds it sprinkled at my house on Tuesday. And I don’t.

    At least I’m not bitter about it.

    The good news is there an actual 100% chance that I found some cute stuff this week and that Anthropologie just put a ton of stuff on sale.

    1. free people little wing kimono

    I love the colors in this kimono and think it’s great because you can wear it now with shorts or over all white and it still transitions well to fall. It’s $68 and also comes in a plum colorway.

    2. vero moda block stripe beach kimono

    This cutie cute kimono/swim coverup is just $18. You could wear it over a swimsuit or with an outfit. Love the bright color and the stripes.

    3. sugarfix by baublebar delicate bracelet set

    I ran in Target this week because I essentially run in Target every week and I glanced over and saw this entire Baublebar display. I had no idea Target was doing a partnership with Baublebar but I am here for it. There were some cute pieces in the store and tons more online. I love this bracelet set for just $16.99.

    And I also love these beaded double hoop earrings that comes in turquoise, hot pink or bright yellow.

    They are $12.99. But look around at all the stuff because there are a bunch of really great options.

    4. grecerelle casual maxi dress

    If you see me this summer, there’s a good chance I’m going to be wearing this dress. It is the perfect thing to throw on and I usually wear mine tied up like the photo shows. It is $23.80 and comes in a ton of color options. I love that I can wear it with everything from flip flops to wedge heels depending on how dressy I want to be.

    5. ruidoso embroidered dress

    This is on sale at Anthropologie for $99.95 and I adore it. My weakness is a summer dress with embroidery.

    6. malindi embroidered tunic

    I like everything about this top. The color, the embroidery, the length. It’s a great summer top and is on sale for $59.95.

    7. tasseled stella market tote

    I featured this tote earlier in the spring. It’s perfect for the beach, pool or lake and is now on sale for $49.95. It also comes in a white option.

    8. malta tie-waist dress

    This dress has great reviews and is on sale for $89.95. I happen to love the stripes because it’s a little more casual-looking option, but it also comes in black and would be easy to dress up.

    9. breezy tunic tank

    This tunic tank is on sale for $29.95 and comes in several color options but I happen to love this blue and white version.

    10. loft tie waist chambray utility shorts

    I saw these shorts in Loft and they are the softest thing you’ve ever felt. They would be so cute with just a simple tank or t-shirt.

    And I have been wearing these gap midrise denim with raw hem shorts at least once or twice a week because the length is the perfect not too short/not too long combo and the denim has a good amount of stretch to it so they don’t feel tight or make me angry.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a great Friday.

  • My favorite summer beauty products

    So I thought since we are fully into summer at this point that it might be a good time to share my current summer beauty favorites. But, first, I wanted to share this beauty.

    Fearless Faith is my new one hundred day devotional for girls that officially releases on Tuesday, August 7th. My friend Heather Gauthier did the cover art, just like Church of the Small Things and Everyday Holy, and I could not love it more.

    I’ll be talking about it more when it gets closer to the release date, but my publisher is offering a special pre-order incentive. If you order it before August 7th, you can email a copy of your receipt to [email protected] and receive an immediate download of the first seven days of Fearless Faith. You can pre-order here on Amazon or here on Barnes & Noble. It would make a perfect back to school gift for any girls in your life who are between about 8 to 16 years old.

    And now here are the products I’m loving right now.

    1. teddie organics rosehip oil

    If there is a product other than Cetaphil that has become a staple for me, then this is it. I love this rosehip oil. It’s moisturizing and healing all at the same time. Remember in My Big Fat Greek Wedding how her dad would spray Windex on everything? That’s me with rosehip oil.

    I put it on my face first thing in the morning and let it soak in before I put on sunscreen. Then I put it on again at night after I wash my face. I’ll sometimes use moisturizer over that if my face feels really dry but that’s not really an issue in the summer.

    2. charlotte tilbury healthy glow moisturizer

    I really don’t wear much makeup at all during the summer, but I am loving this healthy glow moisturizer. It goes on gray but then blends into your skin and just gives a little bit of a glow that helps even out your complexion without feeling or looking heavy.

    3. revlon colorstay ultimate suede lipstick

    I am the queen of just throwing a random lip color that looks promising into my cart at the grocery store and this one has actually been a success. It’s a matte lip color that stays on a really long time without feeling dry. And it even works well if I layer a lip gloss over it.

    I like the supermodel color and the boho chic, but there are a bunch of great colors to choose from and they are all lighter than they appear in photos.

    4. curology custom lotion

    So I heard about this from Jamie Golden on her Insta-story. (She does the best beauty insta-stories just in case you’re looking for that kind of thing.) It’s an online skincare service with dermatologists who create custom skincare products for whatever your skin issues happen to be. It’s $25 a month but you can get an initial trial for just $4.99. You take photos of your skin and answer questions about your skin problems and concerns, then they give you a daily regimen/

    I decided to try it for Caroline because she’s been having normal teen breakouts along with some hyperpigmentation from the sun. It’s only been a week and her skin already looks noticeably clearer and brighter.

    5. physicians formula butter bronzer

    This is a great bronzer if you’re in the market for one. It goes on smooth and not powdery, plus it’s just the right pop of color.

    6. dr. gross alpha beta peel extra strength formula

    These peels are amazing. They help with breakouts, discoloration and just general skin texture. I don’t use them as much in the summer as I do in the winter, but I still use them about once a week.

    7. dr. gross hyaluronic marine dew it all eye gel

    I mentioned this on the podcast and it really is a great eye cream. I can immediately tell a difference in my fine lines right after I put it on and it kind of tingles so you know it’s working.

    8. jergens natural glow daily firming moisturizer

    So my days of spending a lot of time in the sun are over, but I do like a tan. I use this daily during the summer and it helps me not frighten children with my white legs.

    Now, if you need a good self-tanner before an event or a vacation, then this st. tropez self tan express bronzing mousse is pretty amazing. You definitely want to apply it with the mitt so it doesn’t stain your hands, but it goes on easily, dries quickly and doesn’t have a terrible smell. Leave it on for one to three hours depending how dark you want your color and then rinse it off. It gives a nice golden brown with no hint of orange.

    I also love the dr. gross alpha beta glow pads for face for my face. I can use them about once a week to keep good color on my face.

    And if you want a budget option, then this neutrogena micromist airbrush sunless tan is actually pretty good and the spray makes it super easy to apply.

    9. laura mercier caviar eye stick

    I bought this in the spring and I love it. It’s a great creamy eye color that stays on and doesn’t get flaky or crease. I like just a hint of light color for the summer and this is perfect.

    10. buxom full on lip polish

    This is a lip gloss that I always go back to. A tube lasts a long time and it looks good layered over a color or just by itself. And it tingles and plumps your lips which is always a plus.

    11. bumble and bumble don’t blow it hair styler

    This is our summer hair product around here. The last thing I want is a hair dryer blowing hot air on me when it’s one thousand degrees outside so I tend to just let my hair air dry. This gives it volume and body, but it leaves it feeling soft and smooth like I’ve blown it dry. It’s a winner and a little goes a long way.

    But if I have to blow dry my hair, I really like this aquage uplifting foam. It gives great volume and hold without feeling heavy.

    So there you have it.

    Feel free to share any of your favorites in the comments.

  • Big Boo Cast: Episode 109

    This week we talk about a new show that I’m binge-watching, the College World series, and various beauty products. So, you know, the usual.

    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.

    Here’s where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention:

    – Mississippi State and the College World Series

    – Younger

    – Riverdale

    – Ben Rector’s Magic album (out June 22nd)

    – Indigo Girls Live with the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra (out June 29th)

    – When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

    – Band of Brothers

    – The Real Housewives of San Antonio (???)

    – The BBQ chicken recipe Melanie mentioned on the last episode

    – OPI Suzi Without A Paddle

    – jane iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream

    – Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Dew It All Eye Gel

    – e.l.f. Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer

    Our new Big Boo Cast t-shirts from Milk and Honey Tees! (and for the record, this shirt is CRAZY soft)

    Sponsor:

    Simple Contacts (coupon code “BIGBOO” for $30 off your first box)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition I almost missed this entirely

    Happy Friday!

    Here’s the problem with summer. I totally lost track of my days this week and only realized it was Thursday around 8:00 p.m. and so this edition of Fashion Friday almost didn’t happen. I mean technically I knew it was Thursday but I guess I just didn’t process it.

    Anyway, before we get to the fashion portion of today, I wanted to share a quick deal that’s going on right now for my Church of The Small Things Bible study. (Not to be confused with the Church of the Small Things book which is an entirely different thing and is just $3.99 right now on Amazon. You can find that deal here. Edited to add: Sorry! Apparently that deal ended but it’s still just $11.24!)

    And here’s the video trailer where I talk a little bit about the study and what it’s about.

    If you’ve ever wondered if your life really matters, then this is for you. If you or your small group want to do the Church of the Small Things study, Church Source is currently offering the kit at an additional 18% when you use code SAVE18 now thru 6/27! That means you get the DVDs for all six video sessions along with a study guide for just $21. You can click here to order.

    Now here are some cute things I found this week:

    1. floral embroidered tie neck dress

    I love a dress for summer. And I realize this one is white, but it is so cute and I love that embroidered detail. It’s normally $89.50 but it’s 40% off everything at Loft with the code NEWNOW at checkout.

    And make sure you look around because they have a bunch of great pieces right now.

    2. j.crew denim jacket

    I have three denim jackets in my closet right now which is the only reason I’m not ordering this one. It’s on sale for $49.50 and it’s the perfect shade of denim. Truth be told, I really like it better than any of the ones I have in my closet and I’m having to talk myself down from ordering it.

    I just think a good denim jacket is a classic piece that goes with just about everything.

    3. camo clare tee

    I am totally ordering this tee. My friend Leslie texted me about it because it’s Free People and just $38 which never happens at Free People. It also comes in black or pink pattern.

    4. j.crew chambray shirt

    A good chambray shirt is a staple. You can wear it with everything from shorts to jeans to a skirt. You can wear it open over a tank top or sundress. You can tie it in a knot at your waist. This one is on sale for $27.50.

    5. gap wearlight true skinny midrise jeans

    And while we’re on the subject of light denim, I am really wanting a pair of light wash jeans. I think they’re like the gray jean of summer…different than white, but still a lighter look. These are on sale for $56 with an additional 10% with code GETMORE at checkout.

    6. starboy vintage top

    I would wear this top all year round but it would be especially cute for the 4th of July. It’s $36.

    7. superga gingham sneakers

    I adore these gingham sneakers and they are on sale for $49.99 right now.

    8. treasure and bond hoop ellipse earrings

    I am a gold hoop kind of girl. I just like a good gold hoop option, but sometimes it’s nice to have something just a little less basic. I love the shape of these. They are $35 and also come in silver.

    9. leith maxi cover up dress

    I have several coverup options, but the one I go to the most is really similar to this because it covers everything and it’s comfortable and easy to throw on. This is on sale for $29.40 and also comes in a dark gray.

    10. fluted sleeve knot hem kimono

    This is just $12. I think ordering from Shein is hit or miss, but I’ve had good luck with their kimono type things because they are usually one size fits all. This would look so cute with just a simple t-shirt under it with a pair of denim shorts. Or over all white.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

    And Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who probably aren’t reading this unless you’re my dad.