Author: Big Mama

  • Fashion Friday: Edition the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

    So today is the first day the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open to the public and there are some good deals to be found. I’ve already ordered a few things for myself and a couple of things for Caroline’s upcoming birthday. I realize it is difficult to imagine you will ever wear a sweater or boots again when it’s 126 degrees outside, but yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And this really is a great time to stock up on things at great prices.

    Here are a few of my favorites:

    1. Zella live in high waist leggings

    I bought a pair of these last year and already bought another pair this year. These are my favorite leggings of all time to wear to work out or even with boots and a cute tunic. They are on sale for $35.90 and are normally $54. The high waist will make you feel so good about yourself, yet doesn’t make you feel like you can’t breathe.

    2. barefoot dreams cozy chic lite coastal hooded cardigan

    I was skeptical about this at first. Do I really need another Barefoot Dreams Cardigan in my life? If your answer is no, then why do you hate yourself? I tried this on at Nordstrom the other day and was SOLD. It is even softer and lighter than the original version I have, plus it’s longer AND it has a hood.

    This one is going to go fast so don’t wait. It’s on sale for $75.90 and is normally $114.

    3. plaid cotton blend shirt

    These bp plaid shirts are so great because they are lightweight enough to wear in the early fall, long enough to cover your bottom and on sale for $31.90. They are normally $49. I happen to love this blue, but the red is great, too.

    4. gibson tie front cozy fleece pullover

    First off, this is incredibly soft and cozy. I also am powerless against a tie in the front. It’s $39.90 but normally $59 and comes in a bunch of colors including burgundy, which I made need for football season.

    I also love this bell sleeve cozy fleece pullover for a variation on a theme.

    5. spanx faux leather leggings

    Do you need faux leather leggings? I don’t know. I keep asking myself that same question. But then I think they could be so cute with boots and a denim tunic. Or dressed up for the holidays. These are on sale for $64.90 and normally $98.

    6. free people victorian minidress

    Listen to me now and believe me later, red is going to be a big color this fall. I really love this minidress although I would wear it with leggings and boots. It’s on sale for $109.90 but is normally $168. It also comes in black or white.

    7. ruffle shift dress

    This is one of the first things I fell in love with when I saw it on the sale site. I think it would look so cute with tall boots or booties for fall. It’s on sale for $58.90 and is normally $89.

    8. halogen cashmere poncho

    Gulley bought me this poncho for my birthday last year and I adore it. Sadly, winter really didn’t visit San Antonio last year so I only wore it once or twice, but it is so perfect to throw on over all white or all black or whatever. It’s on sale for $98.90 but is normally $149.

    I also love this wool and cashmere poncho.

    It’s also on sale for $99.90. I guess you pay a dollar more for a cowl neck.

    9. madewell paint stripe leather transport tote

    I love these transport totes and I especially love this stripe version. They come in several different color combinations and are on sale for $129.90 but are normally $198. Madewell never puts these on sale so this feels huge.

    And if you really are in the market for a nice bag, this frye whipstitch leather hobo bag is divine.

    It’s $284.90 but is normally $428 so if there was ever a time to take the plunge, it is now.

    10. nike free focus flyknit training shoe

    I love these in the gray with the aqua shoelaces. They are $89.90 but normally $120. They also come in black.

    And I ADORE these adidas gazelle sneakers

    They are $59.90 and also come in a light gray.

    And these sperry saltwater wedge reeve waterproof boot are so cute if you’re in need of a waterproof boot.

    They are on sale for $89.90 but are normally $135.

    11. nature dream custom coverage bra

    This is one of my favorite bras. It’s $47.90 but normally $72.

    And this chantelle underwire sports bra is the best if you are in the market for a good sports bra with underwire that won’t give you a uniboob.

    It’s $47.90 but normally $72.

    That’s it for today. Make sure you look around on the Nordstrom site because there are a ton of great things on sale.

    Have a good Friday.

  • A small thing on a Wednesday

    Happy Wednesday!

    I’m in Dallas where I dropped Caroline off at soccer camp and am spending the rest of the week here to catch up with dear friends and maybe shop if you twist my arm.

    But I wanted to welcome you to my new blog design. We are still tweaking a couple of things, but I am so happy with the way it turned out and I hope you are too! If you’re reading on email, then you probably need to click through to see it all.

    And I’m also so excited to share the official trailer for Church of the Small Things.

    We have some really great pre-order information and other things coming soon, so stay tuned for that and definitely mark your calendar for next Wednesday, July 26th because there is going to be an incredible deal available that day for one day only. Also, several of you have asked and so I wanted to give you the heads up that there is going to be a separate version of the book that’s a six week Bible study so I’ll be sharing more about that soon.

    Hope y’all are having a great week and I’ll be back with all my favorites from the big Nordstrom sale that’s open to the public starting tomorrow.

  • Fashion Friday: Edition have I mentioned it’s hot?

    This is going to be a little quick because I’m a little tired today because we were up repairing our air-conditioning at 3:30 a.m. And by we, I mean I woke P up so he could figure out why water was dripping profusely from the vent hood in Caroline’s bathroom.

    Caroline and I noticed it about 1:00 a.m. and I wanted to think it wasn’t that big of a deal, but then I remembered how two summers ago the entire ceiling in her bathroom almost collapsed from a leak in the air-conditioner and decided I better wake P up. It took him a minute to process what was happening but then you’ve never seen someone get on his shoes and his handy headlamp so fast.

    It took a little while to figure out exactly how he could fix it, but he managed it shortly before 4:00 a.m. and then we all went back to bed so we could lay there wide awake, fueled by the adrenaline rush that only comes when you think the ceiling is about to cave in. It was altogether a lovely evening.

    Here are a few things I found this week: (The Nordstrom sale started yesterday for cardholders and there are some great things to be found there in case you have a Nordstrom card. Which I do. Which is why I already ordered several things. I didn’t include any of it here, but I will once the sale is open to the public next week.)

    1. quatrefoil drops

    I’ve been looking for a new pair of basic gold earrings because my other ones broke. These are really cute and just $18. They also come in silver.

    2. crochet trim swing dress

    I love the colors and cut of this dress. It’s $79.95 plus an extra 30% off with no code needed at checkout.

    3. stretch crepe sheath dress

    I’m more convinced than ever that everyone needs a good basic black dress in their closet just in case. I really like this one and it also comes in a berry color.

    4. brooke eyelet swing dress

    I have loved this since I first saw it and have been waiting for it to go on sale. That day is today. It’s $99.95 plus an extra 30% off. It also comes in pink but I think the black is stunning.

    5. reign
    top

    This top is so pretty and easy to transition to fall with jeans and boots. It also comes in lavender.

    6. plaka sandals

    So many of you bought these sandals the first time I posted them and have emailed with rave reviews. They are cute, comfortable and so affordable.

    7. gap linen sleeve popover shirt

    Gap is offering 40% off your purchase with code SOGOOD at checkout. I really like these linen popovers. They also come in a stripe pattern.

    8. maria print blouse

    Now this just jumped out at me on the Nordstrom website. I really love it. The color, the style, the whole thing. It’s lovely.

    9. we the free charleston tee

    Free People is offering free shipping through Monday and this tee is just $29.95. I love the soft muted colors and the long length.

    10. ruffled handkerchief hem top

    This top is still one of my favorite summer purchases. It comes in several colors and is even better in person.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • The Big Boo Cast, Episode 77

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    After a summer of conflicting schedules and general malaise whenever our schedules actually aligned, Sophie and I found time to record a podcast this week. We talk about how I will never go on a cruise, entertainment options for the summer, and various other things that I can’t remember right now.

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

    You can also listen on Stitcher.

    Or, as always, you can subscribe on iTunes. We’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

    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:

    – Sophie’s Kenya trip with Compassion (link to recap podcast with Jamie Ivey)

    – Dear Evan Hansen

    – Dizengoff in Chelsea Market

    – L’Oreal root cover

    – Magnolia Market

    – purses at Magnolia Market

    – Opal ice maker

    – Chadillac’s Backyard Water Park

    – Lake Tejas

    – The Marlboro Man Sandwich from Pioneer Woman

    – Melanie’s new book: Church of the Small Things

    – Sophie’s new book: All in All (a journaling devotional for young women)

    – Jenny from the Block

    – For Forever (from the Dear Evan Hansen cast recording

  • And I’m in denial that we’re almost halfway through July

    This is basically my life philosophy right now because it’s too hot to be outside right now.

    P really appreciated me sharing that fact with him today when he got home from a day of landscape work. I just felt that he needed to know.

    And there’s really nothing to do but stay inside because I asked Caroline earlier if she wanted to go to the pool and basically got this response.

    Apparently going to the pool to just hang out with your mom isn’t your favorite thing when you’re about to be fourteen. And so we haven’t been to the pool since the 4th of July, but we have plans to change that and meet Gulley and her boys there at some point over the next couple of days.

    Speaking of the 4th of July, here’s a quick recap of that since I haven’t written anything here since then. Gulley and I got home from the road trip and I needed a little time to recover, plus I had a million little projects to catch up on after spending my week at questionable water parks. But P, Caroline and I woke up early enough on the 4th of July to walk in the neighborhood parade per our annual family tradition.

    After the parade and some lunch, we all needed a nap because THE HEAT. IT IS SO HOT. Then we headed to the pool and watched the belly flop contest where Gulley’s youngest son, Will, won for the sixth year in a row. He’s like the Michael Phelps of the belly flop contest. Later on we had some friends over for dinner and then watched various firework displays on T.V. In the air-conditioning.

    The rest of the week was spent getting ready for the busy weekend we had ahead of us. Caroline had the same precious elementary school teacher for 1st, 3rd and 4th grade and she had promised the girls that someday when she got married that they would be in her wedding. And when she got engaged earlier this year, she followed up on that promise and asked them to be junior bridesmaids. To say they were thrilled is an understatement.

    Caroline and I drove to Austin on Friday morning in time for the bridesmaids’ luncheon.

    And then later that afternoon, we went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. It was all so pretty and I was so glad I’d given Caroline a refresher course in proper dinner etiquette on the way to Austin earlier in the day because there were a lot of forks. While we were at the rehearsal dinner, Caroline came up and announced to me that the bride had told the girls they could now call her by her first name and then Caroline headed to the bar to slam back a Shirley Temple because she’d clearly never felt bigger.

    The next morning the girls were invited to spend time with the bride and her bridesmaids in the hotel room where they were all getting ready. She had given them all these cute little pink monogrammed robes and so they all wore them in the spirit of the day.

    Then it was time for them to go get their hair done at a local blow dry bar and Caroline got to experience the joy of getting a professional updo.

    This is when I asked for an after pic.

    And here they are…all ready for the big night.

    The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was so fun. They had a donut bar (ALL OF THE YES TO A DONUT BAR), gourmet hot dogs, fried chicken and waffles and mac and cheese. They also had baskets of flip flops so everyone could change out of their high heels before they hit the dance floor. Essentially, it was all a version of my idea of what heaven will be like.

    The groom has a six-year-old son and he and the bride did their very own first dance to Shake It Off by Taylor Swift and then he proceeded to entertain the crowd the rest of the night. It was seriously like watching the next Justin Timberlake. Even the band leader said they had never been upstaged by a child before that night in all their years of performing. This was when the girls were his back up singers for Call Me Maybe.

    Finally, a little after midnight it was time for the bride and groom to leave and so we all lined up with sparklers to send them off. As soon as they drove off, Caroline looked at me and said, “I don’t feel good.” We had to unzip the back of her dress because it was so tight after dancing all night and eating three waffles, two pieces of fried chicken, a plate of mac and cheese, and an untold number of donuts. That’s not even counting the piece of groom’s cake I saw her eat. She sat on the curb as we waited for our Uber driver to pick us up and I couldn’t help but snap this picture of her. It sums up how we all felt by that point.

    But it was totally worth it. It was such a great time and I know Caroline will always look back on the weekend with so much love and appreciation. And it just goes to prove that there is nothing that can make a difference in your child’s life like a really great teacher. I feel so fortunate that we had that.

    Now we’re back in San Antonio for the week and have absolutely nothing planned except getting ready to be gone again next week. And doing laundry. And probably making a trip to the grocery store because, sadly, there is no donut bar in my house.

  • Fashion Friday: Edition so I guess I took the week off

    Yesterday morning I woke up early because I had to drop Piper and Mabel off at the vet for their annual vaccinations. It was as peaceful as you might imagine. And then I came home to sit on my couch and work on a few projects and realized it was Thursday. I’m not sure where the week went. Yet, here we are and here are some cute things I found this week while I was celebrating America’s independence.

    1. smocked swing top

    Anthropologie is still offering an additional 30% off all merchandise that’s already on sale and that includes this super cute swing top. It also comes in white, turquoise, and brown (although the brown looks a little more dark orange to me.)

    2. tie-cuff tee

    This t-shirt is on sale for $29.95 plus an additional 30% off. It comes in multiple colors and the reviews are exceptional. The thing that stood out to me is that the reviewers say it’s longer than a normal t-shirt. Between that and the cute tie sleeves? LOVE.

    3. dayla tie-front tunic

    I’ve been waiting for this to go on sale. It comes in several color options but I think I’m partial to black because it’s so versatile. I also think it will transition nicely into fall. It’s on sale for $39.95 plus an additional 30% off.

    4. christel ruffled-sleeve top

    This is another sale top at Anthro and I am in love with these sleeves and the yellow color.

    5. beaded tassel drop earrings

    I saw these in person at our J.Crew Mercantile store and they are so cute. They also come in navy and hot pink and are on sale for $20.50.

    6. up and away embroidered blouse

    This lovely top is 40% off and now $100.80. I can totally picture it with jeans and boots in the fall. I love it.

    7. j.crew factory embroidered crosshatch shell

    I saw this in person and it is so cute and the perfect top to get you through these incredibly hot, soul-sucking days of July and August. It also comes in yellow and is on sale for $29.50.

    8. old navy embroidered swing dress

    Speaking of things to get you through the super hot days of late summer, this dress qualifies as one of those.

    9. geo print tassel wrap

    This is so pretty and could be so great to throw on over a t-shirt with jeans or a tank and some shorts or even as a swimsuit coverup. It’s 40% off and now just $22.80. It also comes in black and white.

    10. old navy tie-front swing dress

    I’ll be honest, I had concerns about this based on how it looks in this picture. But when you watch the video of the model actually walking in it, I think it’s a winner. It also comes in white.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.