Author: Big Mama

Fashion Friday: Edition it’s Memorial Day weekend!

I’m not sure where the time has gone but here we are at Memorial Day weekend. I have packed my last school lunch of the year because Caroline just has finals and so she doesn’t have any full school days left. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

And just in case you missed it, Episode 106 of the Big Boo Cast is posted here with all our thoughts on the Royal Wedding.

This also feels like a good time to suggest that if you’re in the market for a graduation gift, a copy of Everyday Holy might be a good idea. Richard gives it one feather and two wings up.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. maddie eyelet top

This cute top is $49.95 plus there’s an extra 25% off all sale clothing at Anthropologie right now. It also comes in a dark gray.

2. taylor lace dress

Last summer I had a wedding to attend and searched high and low and never found a dress that I loved. This summer I have exactly zero occasions and I adore this dress. It feels like it’s just a fascinator away from being perfect for a royal wedding. It’s $129.95 plus the extra 25% off all sale clothing.

All the reviews say it runs a size or two small so keep that in mind if you order it.

I also love this sonia drop waist shirt dress for a more casual dress option.

It’s on sale for $99.95 plus an extra 25% off. It also comes in a dark mustard color.

3. casey geometric cutout faux leather bag

This is a great summer bag and it’s on sale for $52.93. It also comes in a light tan color.

4. potenza tie waist tunic

Nordstrom is having a big sale right now and there are tons of cute things marked down 40%. This top is $35.40 and also comes in white. I ordered it immediately.

5. toms espadrille slip ons

These Toms are super comfortable and a great summer shoe option, plus this chambray is a great neutral. They’re on sale for $38.37.

6. bp tiered faux wrap skirt

I saw this skirt in the store before it was on sale and seriously debated buying it. I love that it’s a faux wrap and it’s also a knit cotton so it won’t wrinkle. It would so great with just as simple tank or t-shirt and it’s on sale for $35.40.

7. beaded lariat necklace

This necklace is on sale for $46.80 and I think it’s so simple and pretty. It also comes in lapis, coral, and black.

8. crochet trim square neck dress

Loft has 40% off everything through the weekend and they have tons of cute dresses and tops. This one is $79.50 plus the additional 40% off with code LONGWKND at checkout.

9. j.crew factory embroidered dress

I realize this picture is weird but I couldn’t get it to download and finally just took a picture of my screen with my phone. I’m sure there was a better solution but I couldn’t think of one in that moment.

I love a simple shift dress like this for the hot weather. This also comes in navy or white and is on sale for $44.50. **Edited to add it’s actually only $24.95 today. I’m not sure why or for how long, but that’s a steal!**

10. dane espadrille wedge sandal

These are on sale for $71.96 and also come in indigo and caramel. I happen to love the gold and I love love the woven heel.

That’s it for today.

Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend.
Big Boo Cast: Episode 106

Well, here it is. All our thoughts on the Royal Wedding. We had some technical difficulties while we were recording so I’m sad to say some of our commentary got lost, but I still think we covered it all.

Bottom line: WE LOVED IT ALL.

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:

– Sofia Wellesley’s dress

– Kitty Spenser’s dress

– Victoria Beckham’s dress

– Amal Clooney’s dress

– Gina Torres’ dress

– Doria Ragland’s dress

– Queen Elizabeth’s dress

– Camilla’s hat

– flowers at the chapel

– Meghan Markle’s wedding day hair

– Meghan Markle’s wedding day makeup

– Teenager Meghan in front of Buckingham Palace

– Meghan’s wedding dress

– Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s wedding sermon

– The wonder of Meghan’s reception dress

– Serena Williams’ reception dress

– Closing Song: The First Dance Song

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

SPONSORS:

Prep Dish

Simple Contacts

Canidae Pet Food
Counting down to summer

So these two crazy kids got married over the weekend.

Maybe you heard about it.

I think it was on T.V.

(Side note: I have so many thoughts and feelings about the wedding and Sophie and I are recording a podcast all about it later today, so stay tuned for that.)

We spent our weekend in College Station at a soccer tournament. It wasn’t quite a royal wedding and there was nary a carriage ride to be had, but I was pretty happy all weekend because it was Caroline’s first time back on the soccer field after two months of being injured and, well, we were in College Station and got to stay at Honey and Big’s house.

The three of us left town on Friday afternoon as soon as Caroline got out of school. Apparently 4:00 is the new 5:00 rush hour and the traffic gets totally backed up on I-35 because I-35 is the devil’s road. But we eventually made our way to College Station and met Honey and Big for dinner at Wings-N-More. That was P’s favorite back during his time in College Station and he always loves to go back there for wings when he’s in town, which isn’t that often. In fact, the last time he was in College Station was several years ago when we picked Caroline up from Aggie Soccer Camp and that’s when he learned that hot, spicy garlic wings aren’t nearly as good as he thought they were when he was nineteen. I feel the same way about pepperoni pizza rolls dipped in ranch dressing.

Actually, I take that back. I still think those are delicious. I’m just older and wiser and have a slower metabolism now and know that pepperoni pizza rolls are bad for my goal of being able to wear pants that button and zip.

Caroline’s first game was Saturday morning so we had to be up bright and early. I took the time to get a quick glimpse of Meghan’s dress because I couldn’t stand not knowing and then we headed to the soccer fields. Caroline played about half of the first game because none of us were sure how long she could last, but she did pretty well considering that she’d been out for so long.

After the game we went to lunch with the team and then back to Honey and Big’s house to cool off and rest until the next game at 3:30. It was during that game that a couple of Caroline’s teammates got hurt and so she ended up playing almost the entire game because we basically had no subs.

I also got to see my friend Tiff because her daughter was playing in the same tournament. So we took a picture with Honey because it was like a mini-reunion at the soccer fields.

What this picture doesn’t show you is that it was approximately the same temperature as it would be if we’d been sitting on the sun. Except it was even more humid.

Later that night we went to team dinner and then basically fell into bed. We had one last game on Sunday morning and that’s when it decided to pour down rain. There’s really not much that feels as good as being soaking wet from the rain and then having the sun come out to really heat things up. And it’s an extra special touch when it lightnings and there’s a thirty minute lightning delay which means you take your sweaty, drenched self to sit in the car until the weather passes.

But the girls were able to finish the game after the delay. It was a rough one. Gulley texted me later and said, “Honey says Caroline got hurt during the last game. Is she okay?” And I texted her back, “She didn’t really get a specific injury. She was just kicked in the stomach, elbowed in the stomach, kneed in the back, and did a flip on the ground when a girl tripped her.”

Seriously.

Needless to say, she was a little sore on the drive back home to San Antonio. We were doling out all manner of Advil, chocolate milk and ice packs.

We had to board Piper and Mabel at the vet over the weekend and couldn’t pick them up until Monday morning. P went to go get them first thing and then took them immediately to the park to let them burn off all their pent up energy. They both gave me the cold shoulder when they first got home. Especially Mabel. But then I let them get on the couch and we all watched the Royal Wedding together and that seemed to help, although Mabel requested a tiara and was really put out that I didn’t have one for her to wear.

She wrote a haiku about it:

I would like a crown
Spent the weekend at the vet
I think I earned it

And now we’re just getting through the last real week of school. I had to make the tough decision to throw away her lunch box yesterday morning even though it only had to get her through a few more days. But apparently some combination of spilled salad dressing and fruit came together in the interior lining of the lunchbox and created a smell that can’t really be described without excessive profanity.

Anyway, that’s what has been going on around here. And I realize it’s kind of boring, but I really just wanted to check in and say hi.

Hi.
Fashion Friday: Edition it’s a royal wedding weekend

Is there some kind of wedding happening this weekend?

I’m just not sure based on all the Lifetime movies and continuous specials about the royal family. In fact, I am currently watching Kate: The Making of A Modern Queen on the BBC.

Also, stay tuned because later today I will post a very special Royal Wedding edition of The Big Boo Cast because who would we be if we didn’t take the time to discuss all the upcoming festivities?

Now for some cute things I found this week:

1. tasseled stella market tote bag

I ran in Anthropologie yesterday because I had to return a few swimsuits I’d ordered that, sadly, didn’t work out. But I did see this great beach/pool tote and fell in love. It’s $88 but it is made of water-resistant material and is just darling.

So, while I may not have a swimsuit, I have found a really cute pool bag and that’s really the most important thing.

2. steve madden chiara sandals

So while I was out shopping, I went in the Steve Madden store because I’ve had my eye on several pairs of Steve Madden sandals and I wanted to see them live and in person. I ended up with this pair, which is shocking considering I didn’t even know they existed until I walked in the store. Shocking may be a little bit of a stretch, but I was surprised by how much I liked them and how comfortable they are. They truly are a snandal. (That’s a cross between a sneaker and a sandal in case you missed that last week.)

My first runner up were the steve madden busy sandals

I love the gold. In fact, I told the salesman that my ideal shoe would be the chiara sandal sole but in the gold color. He didn’t seem that interested in my sandal assessment. All that to say, these are really cute, too, and I love the gold but they are a little bit dressier and I decided I ultimately needed something more casual.

4. mosley embroidered dress

Yes, this is pricey. It’s $168. But I feel that it will go on sale at some point and it is so gorgeous in person. The embroidery is to die for.

5. old navy sleeveless swing dress

This is a much more reasonable dress option for just $18.90. These Old Navy swing dresses are the perfect summer staple and come in a bunch of patterns and colors.

6. wadden embroidered dress

This is what happens when I go in Anthropologie. So many great things. This dress is $158 but this picture doesn’t do it justice. The blue is so gorgeous and the embroidery is perfection. It’s also longer than it appears to be in this picture. I think I stood and stared at it for five minutes, yet I didn’t dare try it on because I know my limits. I would have found a way to justify it and I don’t have a single reason to buy it. This makes me sad.

7. mad love kasandra slip on canvas sneakers

I happened to see these online and I think they are so cute and they have so many great reviews. I love this aged camo look and they are just $22.99.

I also saw these dv brynn flatform sandals in Target this week. I love that patterned wedge heel. They are $29.99.

These agnes quarter strap espadrille sandals are also an inexpensive version of the Steve Madden sandals at just $32.99

8. j.crew tie back tank top

This is a great solution to skirts or pants that need to be paired with a shirt that hits at the waist, but you don’t want to tuck something in. These tanks are $26.50 and come in black, gray, light blue, light red, and moss green. You can wear them tied in the back or let them hang loose, but the back still stays closed except at the bottom. They are super soft and I love that the white one isn’t see through.

9. j.crew tie waist midi skirt

I love this skirt. And it would look great with one of the tie back tanks featured up above. It’s on sale for $44.50 and also comes in a blue and white stripe. Both are darling.

10. lush henley

These tops are $39 and also come in light mauve, light blue and washed black. This is the perfect top to wear with jeans or even dressier pants for work. They are comfortable, light and versatile.

That’s it for today.

Happy Friday.

And congratulations to Harry and Meghan. All my best wishes to those crazy kids.
So what’s everyone reading?

Y’all. This is a big week for me. I mean, for Harry and Meghan. It’s the big wedding and in true wedding form, you have some relatives that have decided now is a good time to act crazy banana pants. Royalty. They’re just like us.

Except with easier access to tiaras.

The sad truth is I probably won’t even get to watch the wedding until Monday morning because Caroline has a soccer tournament in College Station this weekend and we’ll be busy with that. But I have big plans to park myself on my couch Monday morning with a cup of coffee and watch all the various recordings I have already scheduled on my DVR. And if you’re wondering if I’ve watched the Lifetime movie about Harry and Meghan then you must be new here. I’ve watched it twice and can’t promise I won’t watch it a third time. Is it a little cheesy? OF COURSE IT IS. Do I mind? Not in the slightest.

But here’s what I really want to discuss today.

Books.

There is something about summertime that makes me want to read more than usual. I guess it’s because summer promises a little more downtime than we have during the school year or maybe it’s a habit I developed back in the days of yore when Netflix didn’t exist and summer television viewing was an abysmal wasteland of reruns. Whatever the case, I am in the process of working on my summer list of books to read. I’ve been helped significantly by two recent posts from Modern Mrs. Darcy: this post of the 20 books everyone will be talking about this summer and her 2018 summer reading guide post. I’ve already put a few of these on my list, but here’s what I’ve read in the last two weeks and it’s not even summer yet. It’s like I’m an overachiever.

1. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis – I feel like everyone’s talking about this book right now and I totally understand why. I found it motivating and I am typically not one to be motivated by a book. I think because it reads more like you’re talking to a good friend.

2. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan – This is the most recent book in the Crazy Rich Asians series. I haven’t loved any of them as much as I loved the original, but they are all a fun, easy read and perfect for the beach.

3. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Levin – I downloaded this on my Kindle and finished it in two days. It was a green light pick from Jamie Golden on the Pop Cast and so I felt like I could count on it to be good and it didn’t disappoint. The writing is so good, the characters are likable and relatable, and the story sucked me in.

I just started Love and Ruin by Paula McClain because I am powerless to resist any novel set during World War II. And I have Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza waiting for me next.

I’ll also definitely read When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger and Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams as soon as they are released this summer.

But I would love to hear what you’ve read recently or what you plan to read. I love a good love story, a memoir, things that are light and funny except that I also love novels set in World War II so go figure. And yet somehow every time I read a novel set in World War II it’s like a fresh surprise that the book tends to be on the sad side. You would think I might figure that out.

I don’t like scary and I’m not big into thrillers unless it’s very light on the thrill part of that equation. And, obviously, I enjoy anything that has to do with the royal family.

I’ll eventually compile a whole list of what I plan to read this summer (Disclaimer: it’s always likely to change on a whim if say Gulley calls me and says, “You HAVE to read this book I just finished!”) and I’ll post little mini-reviews from time to time of what I liked and what I didn’t necessarily enjoy. Although, additional disclaimer, I’m not really good at giving books a bad review because now that I write books myself I realize that it’s like bleeding over your keyboard and who am I to judge someone else’s art?

So maybe I’ll just share what I really like and mention that others just weren’t my cup of tea but I’m sure somewhere they are being loved and enjoyed. It’s not exactly the The New York Times book review, but it seems about right for what usually goes on around here.
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 104

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

In case you’ve ever wondered what type of chicken products we like to order from McDonald’s, then this is the podcast you’ve been waiting for.

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:

The Happy Hour Live with Jamie Ivey

The Popcast Live! Show

LaToria

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

Lisa Whittle

McDonald’s Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

Southern Charm

The Bachelorette

SPONSORS:

FabFitFun #fabfitfunpartner

Canidae Pet Food