Author: Big Mama

  • Fashion Friday: Edition my colors are blush and bashful

    This is one of those weeks where I put this whole post together and then realized I chose a lot of blush colored items to feature. I didn’t necessarily do this on purpose, but I think it happened because blush is a hot color right now and it’s officially February which means Valentine’s Day is around the corner and pink seems festive.

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

    1. leith easy circle cardigan

    I bought the charcoal gray version of this last year and it’s one of my favorite things to wear on days when it’s cool but not cold. It looks good over everything from a button-down to a dress to a t-shirt. And it’s 40% off and now $44.98. It also comes in a light gray.

    2. lush perfect roll sleeve tab tunic

    I feel like I’ve featured these tunics a million times. Probably because I’ve featured them a million times. But they are such a basic staple in my closet and I love that they’re long enough to wear with leggings. They are 40% off and now $27.90. It also comes in black, gold, ivory and lavender.

    3. free people heart it lace up sweater

    I have loved this sweater since I first saw it and it’s an extra 25% off at Macy’s with code RED at checkout, which makes it $83.24 It also comes in black, gray and teal.

    4. color block bomber jacket

    I’ve kind of had my eye on bomber jackets and/or track jackets. I think they look cute on people. For instance, Bruno Mars. And then I saw this on at Forever 21 and it’s just $22.99. It also happens to be almost identical to a satin track jacket that I owned in fourth grade that came from Weiner’s. I’ve never loved myself more than I did in that jacket. And those memories kind of make me want to buy this. But I’m afraid Caroline would say, “Mom. Please don’t wear your satin track jacket.” And maybe rightfully so.

    However, this velvet floral embroidered jacket has potential.

    It’s a little more at $58, but I think it’s so cute.

    5. camden ruched sweatshirt

    I believe I have mentioned I am in the market for more sweatshirts since that tends to be the attire of my real life. I love this one and it’s 40% off and comes in gray, olive green, and milk.

    6. layered disc necklace

    I’ve been eyeing a necklace just like this that is much pricier and then I saw this on Forever 21 for $6.90. SEVEN DOLLARS.

    Here’s the original bauble bar amber layered y-chain necklace that I love. It’s worth it if you know you’ll wear it, but the $6.90 is perfect if you just want a quick trend fix.

    This one is $48 and also comes in rose gold and silver. It probably will last longer than the Forever 21 version, but you could also buy 6 of the cheaper one and just throw them out when they make your neck turn green.

    7. marc fisher halo wedge sandals

    I love Marc Fisher wedge sandals every spring and summer but they are usually twice this price. These are on sale for $59.99. They also come in black or taupe.

    8. stripe cozy tee

    This is such a great tee to wear with jeans. It’s $39 and also comes in a black and charcoal gray stripe.

    9. old navy luxe curved hem tank

    This tank comes in a bunch of different colors and is a great layering piece under a jacket or cardigan. Personally, I order mine in the tall size because I like it to be a little bit longer. They are on sale for $13.59.

    10. chenille cardigan

    And if you buy that Old Navy tank then you might need a good cardigan. This chenille one looks so cozy.

    But I also really like this charlie dolman cardigan.

    It’s on sale for $39 and also comes in gray, gold, or a brown with striped cuffs. I’m also trying to figure out why Urban Outfitters is showing these cardigans worn over a bathing suit. Is that a thing? I need it to not be a thing.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Is this where they get the expression “proud and emotionally stable as a peacock”?

    Until yesterday I really thought that living my best life in my mid-40s was determined by two things:

    1. Am I showered, in my pajamas, and home for the night by 6:30 p.m.?

    2. Are my reading glasses on the coffee table where I swear I left them?

    But then I found out that someone, somewhere has an emotional support peacock.

    And so now I am obviously faced with the reality that my life isn’t all it could be. I mean I have had thoughts of seeing about getting Mabel declared as an emotional support dog except in her case she is the one who needs A LOT of emotional support and I don’t think that’s how it works. But a peacock? I SALUTE YOU AND YOUR BIG AMBITIONS, MA’AM.

    I think my biggest question is how many animals do you eliminate from your list before you arrive at a peacock? Did you try a chicken? A guinea fowl? Or do you move straight from a Shih Tzu to a peacock?

    The other thing that has brought me great joy this week is this picture of Beyonce and her daughter, Blue Ivy, at the Grammy Awards.

    This has to be the best version of US Weekly’s feature “Stars! They’re Just Like Us!” I have ever seen. Because there is Beyonce. At the Grammy’s. In a hat that probably costs more than my house. Holding what appears to be a bag of fruit snacks and a juice box. And I can’t help but wonder, as a mom who once had a small child, if she meant to bring Blue Ivy to the Grammy’s all along or if her babysitter got the flu.

    The bottom line is I have a lot of questions about current events this week.

    I also wanted to mention after talking about my dinner time struggles last week that I have decided my best cooking strategy is to make one really good meal per week and then two other meals that are quick and easy. (This essentially means tacos and spaghetti and meatballs) That’s three home cooked meals a week, which should allow for at least one night of leftovers, two nights of eating out or picking something up or Perry grilling, and one night of what a blog reader once called a “Bust and Grab” which means everyone is on their own. I feel good about it. And, truthfully, I think it’s what I’ve been doing all along but it feels better to act like I’ve come up with a new strategy.

    Anyway, I’m telling you that because I wanted to share the recipe for these red wine short ribs from Kate at Framed Cooks that I made Monday night, along with brown butter mashed potatoes. I served it with a salad to offset all the butter. Was it healthy? No. But it was like a plate full of your grandmother’s hugs.

    I hope you’re having a good week. I’m off to watch more Poldark because I’ve hit Season 2 and you weren’t kidding when you said it gets a little depressing. I have to power through to Season 3.

    Happy Wednesday.

  • Big Boo Cast: Episode 93

    After a longer break than we intended, Sophie and I finally recorded a new podcast last week. We discuss T.V. shows, an article that led me down a bad path about must have Amazon products, and marriage.

    I also mentioned that I’d decided to try Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon Prime over the weekend. I’m sad to report that I only made it through three episodes and tried really hard to like it, but I cannot recommend it. It’s not for me.

    However, my lack of love for Mozart in the Jungle made me finally decide to try Poldark, which has been repeatedly recommended to me and now I’m not sure why I ever resisted. It is SO GOOD and I am TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH THE ENTIRE SHOW AND ALL THE CHARACTERS. Why did I think Masterpiece Theater would ever lead me astray? I may even dare to say that I like it as much, if not more, than Downton Abbey. I KNOW. You can find it on Amazon Prime or PBS.

    This is Ross Poldark. He’s the main character.

    Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of T.V. frogs before you find your prince.

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

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

    You can also listen on Stitcher.

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

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

    The Greatest Showman

    The Popcast with Knox and Jamie

    The Post

    Ladybird

    Kelly Corrigan’s Tell Me More

    The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

    The Bachelor

    The Antelope in the Living Room

    Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Heart. Passion. Pursuit.

    Charity Gayle – Lord, You Are My Song

    60 Dope Things on Amazon Prime That Have A Cult Following

    Facetory

  • Fashion Friday: Edition I’ll be busy watching Netflix until the end of time

    Well, I cannot thank you enough for all the show suggestions. There were so many shows I’d never even heard of and many others that I’d heard about and forgotten existed. All that to say, I believe I will have plenty of things to watch from now until forever and I couldn’t be happier about it. One of my small joys in life is to have a show to look forward to when I finally sit down at the end of the day.

    My other small joy is shopping. Here are some cute things I found this week.

    Oh, I also feel like I need to let you know that I wrote a book because I’ve only mentioned it forty-seven times. It’s called Church of the Small Things and it is currently on sale on Amazon for $11.76, otherwise known as dirt cheap. You can find it here.

    1. brushed fleece pullover

    This has great reviews and is so cute and soft. I love that it could be dressed up or down depending on your fashion needs. It’s $78 and also comes in cream or gray.

    2. flat oval hoop earrings

    I ran in Nordstrom this week and made a quick sweep through the Trend department because I wanted a pair of thin gold hoops that were inexpensive and light. These are what I found. They are $8.00.

    3. bp the perfect shirt

    I also saw this darling shirt. It comes in several patterns and colors but I pink puffy heart this hot pink and white gingham version. I like that it’s rayon and feels lighter than cotton. It’s $49.

    4. free people by your side sweater

    This is pricey at $128 but I’m watching to see if it goes on sale at some point because I love it and I cannot resist a soft, comfortable, cute sweater. I love the blush color but it also comes in cream and black.

    5. dale’s track leggings

    Free People is declaring it to be the year of the legging. I don’t know about that. But I do think these track style leggings are really cute if you decide that it’s your year of the legging.

    6. beaded oval statement earrings

    These feel like the perfect spring and summertime earrings because they’re so bright and cheery. They are $25 but an extra 35% off with code AMAZING at checkout. They also come in navy, fuchsia and tangerine.

    7. ribbed boat neck tunic

    This is not an inexpensive shirt, but it is perfection if you’re looking for a long sleeve shirt that can be both a layering piece or worn alone. I tried on the medium and it’s long enough that I can wear it with leggings and it’s heavier than a t-shirt but lighter than a sweater. It comes in pink, silver or carbon. I personally like the silver.

    8. barefoot dreams cozy chic lounge hoodie

    Did you know barefoot dreams makes a lounge hoodie? Neither did I. And it’s $125 which I would personally not pay for it, yet I felt like you should know it exists because everything barefoot dreams makes is divine. It also comes in indigo.

    sundry stripe bell sleeve hoodie

    I have a Sundry brand sweatshirt that I bought ten years ago at Anthropologie and I have literally worn the elbows out of it. Yet, I cannot make myself throw it away because it has been a staple of my wardrobe for the past decade. However, this would be a good replacement and help me to not look hobo chic in my elbowless, ten year old sweatshirt. This is $98 which, admittedly, is a lot for a sweatshirt unless you factor in owning it for ten years in which case it will only cost you $9 a year.

    9. lace mock neck tank

    This is so pretty and perfect by itself or layered under a jacket or cardigan. It’s $22.99 and also comes in gray or light coral.

    10. gap cross back sweatshirt

    I am back on the workout train because cheese and chocolate and wine. But these cold mornings have made me realize I need a few more long sleeve workout options. I love this sweatshirt and it’s on sale for $33. It also comes in oatmeal, black or gray.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Another day, another dinner, another T.V. show

    I knew this week was probably not going to be my favorite because there was no holiday on Monday or an impending ice storm that would turn it into a three day week like last week. And, sure enough, today was just Monday which means there are still four more legitimate days left where I will need to be a productive adult and do things like get up early and pack lunches and drive carpool and cook dinner. Honestly, I feel like having to come up with a plan for dinner every single night is truly one of the hardest parts of being a grown up. It’s like exercising or laundry. The need to make it happen never goes away.

    Maybe now you think this is going to turn into a sponsored post where I tell you about a way I solved all my “What’s for dinner?” problems, but it’s not. I’m just a girl, writing on my blog, wishing that dinner would quit being a thing.

    And maybe now you’re tempted to tell me about how the Instapot has changed your life, but I will confess that I am skeptical of the Instapot. I’m sure it can make pasta with meat sauce in six minutes and defrost an entire chicken in a single bound, but I’m clearly not an early adopter of cooking technology because my main concern is that it’s going to make my kitchen smell weird.

    All this to say that I did cook chicken fried elk steaks with mashed potatoes for dinner tonight and it was decidedly not healthy, but tasted so good that I wanted to give myself an award. I always use this recipe a that I found in Southern Living years ago and I use Pioneer Woman’s recipe for cream gravy. I only make this meal about once every six months because, first of all, it’s terrible for you. Secondly, it requires me to use approximately seventy-four different pots and pans and makes a horrific mess in my kitchen. Maybe if the Instapot could figure out a way to chicken fry things, I would get on board.

    In other news that is not about cooking dinner, I am in need of suggestions and am turning to you for help. This is more important than what my family is going to eat because it’s about Netflix. Specifically, I need a new show to watch. I’ve finished The Crown. I’ve watched all four seasons of The Hart of Dixie. I’ve watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. If it’s about the Royal Family? I’ve watched it. I’ve watched Call the Midwife, Sherlock, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Mindy Project, Parenthood and Schitt’s Creek.

    I told Gulley that during the long weekend and the ice storm last week, I hit the pinnacle of entertainment bliss because I alternated between watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime and reading Kelly Corrigan’s new book, Tell Me More. Both of these were the best of the best in my opinion. They made me laugh and cry and forget that there was a blizzard raging right outside my door.

    And now? It’s like all other entertainment is dead to me. Nothing compares. I’ve browsed through Netflix to see what it suggests but I feel like Netflix doesn’t understand me right now. It doesn’t know what I’m looking for, so maybe one of you will.

    Here’s what I want. I want a funny, smart show that isn’t creepy or scary. I don’t want blood and guts. I prefer at least some element of a romantic storyline. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.

    Which, by the way, I don’t care for Star Wars or any thing that involves people in space. I need to watch people that are living on planet Earth. In the meantime, I’ll just be here re-watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and possibly The Crown.

    And also trying to think of what I’m going to cook for dinner tomorrow night.

  • Fashion Friday: Edition I’m in a hotel in Austin with junk food by my side

    It’s true.

    I had a speaking event in Austin tonight and I am now tucked into my hotel bed with an array of chips, M&Ms and trail mix. I also got a banana to even things out. And, much to my dismay, I just realized the chips I bought are vegan and gluten free. It’s like I’ve come to Austin and turned into a person who makes healthy choices except I made them by accident.

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

    1. zella en route hoodie

    I decided this week during the great ice storm that I don’t have enough sweatshirts in my life and I live a life that really requires sweatshirts on a regular basis. So I ordered this one and I have no doubt I will wear the heck out of it.

    It’s 40% and now $47.40 It also comes in black, gray and red. And the reviews say it runs small so you may want to size up. Personally, I got a large because I wanted it to be oversized.

    2. treasure & bond something navy crewneck sweater

    I love this sweater and it’s on sale for $66.33 This green is really my favorite but it also comes in beige oatmeal, pale pink, and bright orange if that’s more your style.

    3. free people lofty v-neck sweater

    This sweater is on sale for $76.80. It also comes in black, dark turquoise, lilac and wine. And I think the V-neck is lower than it appears so you’ll need a tank under it but worth it.

    4. old navy relaxed flannel shirt

    This is on sale for $24 and I love the gray and white stripe. It also comes in a plaid, but this stripe is speaking to me.

    5. loft fleece funnel jacket

    This gorgeous jacket is $148 but now 50% off with code COZY at checkout. It has great reviews and I think I’m in love with it. And now that I live in a place that gets ice storms and snow, I may need another jacket.

    6. old navy open front longline sweater

    This cute sweater is $34.99 and also comes in a white and yellow stripe or black.

    7. sorel winter fancy lace boots

    Zappos has a ton of winter boots on sale, including these cuties for $104.97. P got me some Sorel boots for Christmas last year and it seemed kind of silly that I wanted them because we live in San Antonio, but they have totally paid off this year. I adore them and they keep my feet so warm at those cold soccer games. You know, like when it’s in the sixties.

    8. ugg essential tall boots

    These Uggs are 33% off and $133.97 which is a great deal for Uggs. I still wear mine all the time because they’re like a sweatshirt for your feet. I don’t know why they aren’t using that as their marketing slogan.

    9. rocia ruffled cardigan

    This on sale for $69. It also comes in gray and is much cuter in person and, surprisingly, very warm. I really wanted to buy it when I was in Anthro but had an intervention with myself.

    10. kolby striped fringe scarf

    This cute scarf is on sale for $19.95. It also comes in a blue and white combo, but I love this green and black. Think how cute it would look with that green sweater up above.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.