Author: Big Mama

Not only is it already November, but I am excited to report that the weather has finally decided to cooperate and recognize that maybe November isn’t the time that any of us want to deal with our car thermometers announcing that it’s 92 degrees outside. I’ve even worn boots the last three days in a row and so that feels like a victory.

Needless to say, they are not the Sam Edelman camellia boots that are still sold out at Nordstrom, but I’m not giving up hope yet. I just know there is someone out there who will decide they don’t want a pair of size 8.5 golden caramel boots after all and return them to Nordstrom. A girl has to have a dream after all.

Speaking of dreams, there is an excerpt about chasing your dreams from Church of the Small Things in Propel magazine. You can find it here if you’re interested in reading it. And I was also a guest on the Mom Struggling Well podcast last week and you can listen to that interview here.

In other Church of the Small Things news, you may remember this darling t-shirt featuring a quote from Mother Teresa that Milk and Honey Tees designed to help us all remember that it’s the small things that matter most.

This Milk and Honey small things t-shirt will be available for order until November 15th. If you happen to think a cute t-shirt and a copy of Church of the Small Things might make a nice little Christmas gift for someone in your life, you can find the t-shirt here and there are still a few signed copies of the book with bonus content available here online at Barnes & Noble or in your local Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Now for some cute things I’ve found this week:

1. j.crew long sleeve ruffle front top

I am so drawn to everything red right now. I’m sure it’s because Christmas is right around the corner, but this is the perfect shirt to add a festive touch to a pair of jeans. Or you could dress it up with a pair of velvet jeans and heels. It also comes in black.

2. philosophy metallic stars sweater

I love stars and I love sweaters. So, basically, this is the perfect sweater. I think it’s another piece that could be paired with jeans or dressed up for a holiday party. It’s on sale for $89 plus an additional discount depending on whatever Last Call is currently offering. It was an additional 50% last I checked but that might change by the time this post goes live.

3. j.crew city coat

I have been in love with this coat since I first saw it. It comes in a bunch of different colors but this bright green just has my heart. And it’s at J.Crew Factory so it’s significantly less expensive than it is at J.Crew. Now if I could just trust that the weather will get cold enough for me to actually need it in my life…

4. treasure and bond drape cardigan

I love the drape of this sweater and how easy it is to throw on over a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Or even with a cute dress. It also comes in burgundy and black and is $69. This would make a great Christmas gift because the sizing is pretty simple.

5. bp side tie sweater

I believe the side tie must be the new cold shoulder and hallelujah to that. I can get on board a side tie train. And I think this is so cute and just $49.

6. luxe velvet leggings

If there is one piece that your wardrobe needs for the holidays, then I think it’s some velvet. I happen to love these velvet leggings because you can pair them with a sweater like the one with stars above and have a cute, comfortable dressy outfit for a holiday get together.

These are $49 and also come in dark silver.

I also love these AG super skinny velvet leggings and they fit like a dream, but are significantly more expensive. They are for the person who’s ready to make a real velvet commitment. I happen to love them in the dark green color.

And these spanx velvet leggings are a great in between option as far as price goes. Spanx leggings always fit great and I’m sure these are no exception. I love them in the black, but they also come in a dark navy and a dark gray.

7. heart it laces sweater

This sweater is my new favorite for several reasons. It has “lustrous chenille yarns” according to the description which means it’s soft and not itchy. It has a v-neck which makes it universally flattering and a little dressier than just a crew neck sweater and it has darling laces up the side. It would be perfect with velvet leggings. It also comes in black or a pale pink depending on your color preference. I’m not sure how I’ll decide because I love all three colors.

8. sherpa luxe pullover

My friends and I refer to things like this as our “Cozy Sues”. It’s an article of clothing that you must have on your body on a cold, rainy day. If ever there was a Cozy Sue, this is it. It’s like wearing a blanket. This comes in mocha, gray or honey colored. I don’t really know how you could go wrong and this is a perfect Christmas gift. Those of you with teenage girls to buy for? This is a winner. Caroline would live in this all winter long.

9. cutout ruffle yoke blouse

Clearly I am drawn to a red blouse right now. This one is $49.50 with an additional 50% off with no code needed. It comes in red or an equally pretty periwinkle color. This is a great top to wear casually or to the office, but could easily be dressed up for a party.

10. lace bell sleeve top

Speaking of parties, this lace top is perfect. It’s actually navy, not black, but I kind of like the unexpected navy. It would look so pretty paired with dark gray. It’s $59.50 plus 40% off with code HAPPY at checkout.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

So after all the excitement and the angst and the late nights, the Houston Astros are the World Champions and I’m pretty excited about that.

In fact, it caused me to go through some old photo albums yesterday and find this gem.

Awkward pose? Check.

Bad haircut? Check.

But clearly feeling good about myself in the moment? Check.

And just in case you’d like a Houston Astros shirt of your very own to commemorate this historical moment, I happen to really like this one.

Houston Astros World Champion t-shirt

Here are a few cute things I found this week:

1. skye dress

Anthropologie had a dress very similar to this one that was about three times the price. I love everything about this and I think you could absolutely wear it with black leggings.

2. sole society faux leather hobo bag

This is a great bag that also comes in black. I love the tassel detail. It’s now 40% and just $41.96.

3. belted waffle woven coat

This soft pink color is so pretty and can work as a great neutral with black, gray or blue jeans. It’s 40% off and now $89.90.

4. gold cork leather earrings

I have some gold Nickel and Suede earring that I love, but I saw my friend Angie wearing these last Saturday at my book signing and feel that I need them in my life. They’re a great wear with everything pair of earrings that are different than just the standard gold.

5. free people nordic nights button down

I think maybe I featured this a few weeks ago, but I still really love it so I’m showing it again. Plus it has great reviews. It also comes in dusty rose.

6. bp raw edge v-neck tee

I love these raw edge v-neck tees because they are good on their own and perfect for layering under sweaters and jackets if the weather ever actually gets colder. They are just $17 and come in a ton of color options.

7. tie bell sleeve sweater

This may be my favorite of all the bell sleeve sweaters that are out there. It comes in lots of color options.

8. a new day flounce sleeve cardigan

This cute cardigan is just $29.95 at Target and also comes in black.

9. buffalo check hooded coat with faux fur trim

I am officially in love with this coat because I am basically powerless against a buffalo check. The only reason I’m not buying it immediately is because I’m afraid it would grow old and die in my closet since I don’t believe it will ever be cold enough to wear it. If we get to January and it turns out that I’m wrong, I’ll buy it when it goes on sale.

But if I lived where the weather is actually cold? SOLD.

10. free people flared sleeve blazer

Free People makes a great blazer and this one is no exception. I love that you could dress it up or just wear it with jeans. It comes in several pretty colors, but I think I like the black the best.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Some weeks you are glad it’s Friday and other weeks you feel like if it wasn’t Friday then you might just go hide in your closet until Friday arrives. This has been one of those weeks. It didn’t help matters that I stayed up way too late on Wednesday night watching the Astros for all eleven innings of Game 2 of the World Series, but at least it turned out to be worth it.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. polka dot tunic

I keep looking at this tunic and trying to decide if I need it. It’s on sale for $49.95 plus an extra 25% right now at Anthropologie.

2. tie sleeve sweater dress

Is this practical? Maybe not. But how pretty would it look with a great pair of tall suede boots? It also comes in charcoal gray and burgundy if you are afraid of the white.

3. plaid cotton blend shirt

This comes in several color options, but I’m partial to this red. It would look great with everything from jeans to black pants.

4. scout maxi dress

I actually ordered this and love it. It also comes in navy, but I decided on the black. It’s super comfortable and a great way to look dressed up while feeling like you’re wearing your pajamas.

5. cozy chic lite coastal hooded cardigan

Speaking of pajamas, these are back in stock at Nordstrom and worth every penny. I’m wearing mine right now. In fact, I wear it basically any time I am at home. It is the softest thing ever and even comes in some new colors. This is a perfect Christmas gift for anyone on your list who deserves a little something special this year.

6. gap ribbed open front cardigan

I had been looking for a long black cardigan to throw on over a t-shirt and with jeans. This one is perfect. It’s not too heavy, it’s a weave that won’t pill over time and it’s the perfect length. It comes in charcoal gray and black.

7. textured cowl neck tunic sweater

I love this because you could wear it to the office or just around. And it’s now just $40 with no code needed at checkout.

8. bianca two-piece jumpsuit

I love a jumpsuit. It’s true. I don’t currently own one, but this one might be what I’ve been looking for. You could dress it up or down and I love the ruffles.

9. francia bootie

Last week someone asked me why I feature booties when I’ve admitted that I don’t personally care for them. That’s a good question. Let me clarify. I don’t care for them personally, yet I still wear them on occasion because no other shoe will do. And many people love a good bootie. These are tempting even me because I kind of think I may need a black pair. They are 20% off and on sale for $119.20 but Nordstrom has a lot of booties on sale right now if you’re in the market for a pair.

10. sole society pamella flat

Look at these. They are fancy. They also come in a glacier blue and merlot, but I would totally do the leopard print because go big or go home. But that little rhinestone detail is calling out my name. Except I don’t wear flats. I like them on other people, but they never work out for me. Stay tuned for the upcoming Lifetime movie featuring my struggle.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

And, if you’re in Houston, I’d love to see you at Blue Willow Bookstore on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. I’ll be signing books and taking predictions on the Astros and the Aggies and probably asking people where they bought their purse or their shoes or what color lipstick they’re wearing because these are the things I like to know.