Author: Big Mama

This is going to be quick because we are on the road trip. I’ll write all about it next week because we have had some fun times.

But, for today, let’s focus on good sale stuff to be found. The Nordstrom Anniversary sale goes live today and there are always so many good deals to be had. I know it’s so hot and hard to imagine you’ll ever wear boots and sweaters again, but think how appreciative your November self will be of your July self when you find cute things in your closet in a few months that you bought at great low prices.

(Also, I’m not linking to any specific beauty items but when you shop around make sure to check out some of the deals on various makeup and beauty products because there are some good ones.)

1. cameron dress

I actually featured this a few months ago, but now it’s on sale for $99.95. I love it because you can wear it now and then into fall with a jacket or sweater over it.

2. ruffle sleeve tee

I love this tee. It’s on sale for $39.95 and it also comes in turquoise.

3. zella live in crop leggings

These Zella leggings are my favorite. I actually like them better than Lululemons and they are a steal right now for $24.90.

You can also opt for the full length version for $33.90. These would be good for working out or even to wear with long tunics and boots.

4. lush deep v-neck tee

These tees are great to wear alone or to layer under things. They are on sale for $15.90 and come in several different colors.

5. b.p. plaid tunic shirt

This is a great plaid shirt and I love the oversized fit. It comes in several different color options and is just $28.90.

6. thermal henley top

I love casual tops like this that you can just wear with jeans. It comes in several colors and is just $24.90.

7. barefoot dreams cozy chic robe

I realize a robe may not count as fashion, but these Barefoot Dreams robes are so unbelievably soft and cozy. It’s on sale for $65.90.

8. vince cameo peera cutout bootie

There are several cute booties and boots to choose from, but these might be my favorite. They are on sale for $99.95.

9. natori pure luxe underwire t-shirt bra

Listen. I’m going to speak a truth here. We are a nation that is in the midst of an inadequate undergarment epidemic. I realize it can be hard to pay a lot of money for something no one really sees, but a good bra will make your clothes look so much better.

This one has become my personal favorite and this is a great price. In the words of Tom Haverford, “Treat Yo’Self”.

10. blanknyc skinny jeans

There are a lot of great jeans included in the sale, but I really like this BlankNYC brand because they are reasonably priced and fit really well. They are on sale for $57.90.

And several of you asked about a gray jean option without any distressing. These wit & wisdom ab-solution stretch skinny jeans are a good brand that usually fit well and have good reviews. They are $44.90.

Happy shopping!

Have a good Friday.

Our summer has been so busy this year with the kids’ activities and schedules that Gulley and I began to stress that we weren’t going to have a time to take our annual summer road trip. Which was absolutely unacceptable because we vowed early on the road trip will happen every summer until the kids go off to college. And, EVEN THEN, we may show up at their dorm or apartment or whatever and load them up and drive them through Chick-Fil-A and make them listen to our music on the radio or the chip in our brain that automatically plays music that we’ll probably all have by then.

(Go ahead and laugh but how many of you thought cassette tapes were the best technology you’d ever experienced?)

So we finally came up with a couple of days last week in addition to three days this week and, thus, the road trip lives.

Last summer we discovered that a resort is a delightful way to spend a portion of the road trip and so we drove right up the road to the JW Marriott where Gulley and I finally found ourselves by a pool with drinks in hand and our kids nowhere to be found. Which is really optimal.

They swam and floated the lazy river all day long, occasionally stopping by to check in with us. Or they would occasionally ambush us while we floated the lazy river and flip us over on our tubes. Oh, teenagers, they are the best except when they’re absolutely not.

Eventually we all made our way to dinner. We let the kids go eat on their own while Gulley and I enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio. After dinner, they ate seventeen S’mores by the campfire and then settled in for checkers.

The next morning we slept in and then headed back down to the pool. I told the kids to get together so I could get some photographic evidence of the trip and this is what I got.

Caroline told me to quit taking pictures of them where they look weird, but I’ve discovered getting a good picture of all of them is more difficult now than it was when they were toddlers. Someone is always making a goofy face or has their eyes closed or is just so over it because MOMMMMMMM.

But it was a great two days and the perfect start to our road trip that will be continued starting Wednesday afternoon. We aren’t entirely sure what all we are going to do, but I can bet on a few things.

1. At some point Will is either going to just feel carsick or actually throw up.

2. Caroline will try to convince one or both boys that she already took a turn sitting in the middle seat in the back.

3. They will imitate either Gulley or me or both of us. And it will be funny at first and then they’ll cross the line.

What I’m saying is not much has changed since we took our first summer road trip with them ten years ago when they looked like this.

Except now they look like this.

I want to talk about the heat. And the fact that it will stay hot for at least the next two months. But I’m too hot to talk about it.

Let’s turn our attention towards more pleasant things like cute jewelry and pretty bags.

Here are a few things I found this week:

1. madewell transport tassel-tie tote

I love these Madewell transport totes and they almost never go on sale. But this tassel-tie version is currently on sale for $114.50. Plus there are a ton of other cute bags and shoes up to 50% off at Madewell right now.

2. mom tee

Gulley and I are finally taking the kids on our much delayed summer road trip next week. They refer to us as “THE MOMS” and I totally want to get each of us one of these t-shirts.

There are actually a bunch of cute t-shirts on this site so you may want to look around.

3. pendant necklace

Love this necklace with the tassel pendant and it’s on sale for just $8.98. I’m pretty sure it’s not real gold.

4. eyelet fit and flare dress

This dress is now 40% off and on sale for $106.80. I realize you may be over a white eyelet dress by this point, but it might be a good thing to have on hand for next Easter. Or a wedding. Or whatever.

5. corbara peplum tank

This top is on sale for $39.90 at Anthropologie right now and it has a ton of great reviews. I love the color.

6. veracruz dress in game day colors

SEC Media days was this week which means college football season is only six weeks away. This is the most perfect time for Aggie football because the possibilities are endless and I am full of so much optimism that this could be our year.

I love these game day embroidered dresses. The perfect thing to wear to those early games when it’s still so hot that you might pass out. This one also comes in orange embroidery for certain schools and one with red and black embroidery.

7. vigoss released hem skinny jeans

My gray jeans are the jeans I’ve been wearing more than any others. I love that they are the equivalent of a white jean but without the pressure. They feel a little more low maintenance.

And the release hem on these gives them a really current look. I actually just cut them hem off a pair of my white skinny jeans the other day to give them an update.

8. valentia dress

I saw this dress in Bevello and it is unbelievably soft and so cute.

9. loft gingham drop waist dress

Loft has a ton of stuff on sale. As of now, this dress isn’t one of those things but I love it so much. The big gingham is in right now and this is perfect to throw on with sandals.

This mosaic double v flare dress is only $20 along with several others at Loft. I think this has serious potential. Especially for $20.

10. j.crew factory linen shirt

J.Crew Factory is having a big sale right now with a bunch of great deals. This linen shirt is $39.99 but an extra 50% with code EXTRA50 at checkout. It comes in several different options.

But all clearance is 50% off with the code EXTRA50 so you may want to look around and see what you can find. A lot of great stuff.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

So I looked at the comments from the other day and basically pulled out the first five questions I saw and – DRUMROLL PLEASE – here are my answers. Just in case you don’t have any paint you can watch dry, you can read this instead.

I’ll answer more at some point and I have been planning to write a whole post about our outdoor kitchen complete with pictures, but I can’t do that tonight because it would require me to go outside and take pictures. And it’s hot. And I’m in my pajamas.

1. Can you tell us anything about your next book? What is it about? When does it come out? Can I get an advanced copy because I don’t think I can wait for the release date?

Several of you asked this question so I’ll tell you what I know about my next book. Be forewarned that I don’t know much.

The general focus is on the moments that make up a life and how it’s usually the small, day to day things that define us. But it’s still stories from my life and friends and family and all of that. I would love to tell you the title but it’s super secret. In fact, it’s so secret that I don’t even know it yet.

Which is my way of saying I haven’t actually decided on the title but we do have it narrowed down to one or four options. And I’m really excited about the cover art because we are going in a different direction with my next books that will be totally different from my first three.

It is set to come out October 3, 2017. I realize that is a sweet forever away but I will do my best to ensure it is worth the wait. And hopefully there will be a way for some of you to get some advance copies so I’ll keep you posted on that as soon as I know more. Which probably won’t be until some time in 2017 when the book actually has a title and a cover and has been edited.

But, seriously, thanks for being excited about it. I’m excited too but I can’t think about it too much because I tend to quit sleeping when I’m overly excited and I can’t not sleep between now and October 3, 2017.

2. Would you please share your list of favorite books that you’ve read this summer?

I haven’t read nearly as much this summer as I originally planned and I blame that largely on Parks and Recreation. But there’s something so fun about binge-watching a show with Caroline every night that I can’t make myself pick up a book as much as I have in summers past.

However, here’s what I’ve read so far with brief thoughts:

– The American Wife

This is supposed to be loosely based on Laura Bush, but Gulley and I agreed we had to detach ourself from that to fully enjoy the book. I actually loved the middle of this book more than the beginning or the end, but it was pretty good overall.

– Mrs. Kennedy and Me

Someone suggested this to me and it’s a great read if you’re interested in the Secret Service and/or the Kennedy presidency. I loved reading all the various details about protecting the First Family from an inside perspective.

– The Year We Turned Forty

This was a quick, easy book, perfect for the pool or beach. It’s about three friends who have a chance to return to the year they turned forty and do it all over again.

– Heartburn

I’d seen this movie years ago but had never read the book. Nora Ephron is one of my writing heroes and I’ve read many of her other books so felt it was time to read this one. It was funny and made me laugh out loud, although I took a long time to finish it because I already knew the story and that made me forget to pick it up for days at a time.

– Boys in the Trees

I’m a huge fan of Carly Simon’s music and I liked reading about her life. My two takeaways were that I’m sad things didn’t work out with James Taylor and she has an incredible vocabulary. I can’t remember the last time I had to look up so many words while reading a book.

And here’s what I’m reading next:

– A Hundred Summers

Someone recommended this and it seems promising.

– The Undoing of Saint Silvanus

This is a novel by Beth Moore. It doesn’t actually release until September but I have an advance copy and can’t wait to read it.

Feel free to add any great books you’ve read this summer in the comments. I’m sure I’ll need at least five or six more to get me through the summer.

3. Would you be willing to share your ceviche recipe?

Cut fish in 1/2 inch cubes. Put in a tupperware container, pour fresh squeezed lime juice to cover it (I buy it in a bottle at HEB), and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4-5 hours. Drain the lime juice and rinse the fish with cold water.

Cut up equal amounts of roma tomatoes, white onion (or green if you prefer), and cilantro (I actually go easy on the cilantro because a little goes a long way for me). We also like to add some fresh jalapeño (diced and seeded), and chopped green olives. Mix in a large bowl with the fish and squeeze about two limes over the whole thing. Salt and pepper to taste.

We serve it with avocado slices along with either Saltines or tortilla chips. It’s delicious as a meal or just an appetizer.

4. Are you not a part of DotMom this year?

I’m not doing DotMom this year. I really cut back on my schedule because I want to be home as many weekends as possible to watch Caroline play soccer and so I had to let some things go. But they have a great lineup of speakers this year and it’s always a great time. It really is one of my very favorite conferences.

5. What are the 5 things that are always on your grocery list?

This varies depending on the time of year, but I’d say my five things are:

– toilet paper and/or paper towels
– milk
– some combination of ingredients that I can turn into a quick, easy dinner (This can be anything from taco stuff to a frozen pizza depending on how busy I think our week is going to be.)
– always either candy, cookies or ice cream…or all three
– lemons (I’m on a big lemon water kick right now so I go through a lot of lemons)

P.S. This list is so boring.

P.S.P.S. Mabel requested that I add Dingo Chew Sticks to this list. Which is true. We go through an absurd amount of dog treats in a week.

6. Can you explain PokemonGo and why everyone is obsessed?

No one actually asked this and I have no explanation. Remember that time everyone bought Beanie Babies and they were a huge deal and people went crazy?

It’s like the 2016 version of that.

It has officially reached the stage of hot here in South Texas where the plants in the pots on my front porch have died and I’m not even going to go through the motions of replacing them. Why should more poor plants have to suffer due to my negligence and inability to remember to turn on a garden hose?

Gulley, Caroline and I drove home from Dallas on Friday morning. It took us about six and a half hours to make what is normally a four hour drive, thanks to all manner of traffic and freeway shutdowns. I’ve decided the stretch of I-35 between Austin and Dallas is a special kind of automotive hell.

We spent the rest of the weekend doing not much of anything unless you count sitting around in your pajamas an activity. Which I totally do. Then we had church on Sunday and P and Caroline left to go fishing for the night and I enjoyed some much needed alone time which I spent catching up on various Real Housewives on Bravo, watching the movie Creed, and finishing the book I’ve been reading called Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill. Clearly I am a woman with some diversified interests.

Anyway, I thought I’d answer a couple of questions that have come up over the last few days. Feel free to leave any additional questions in the comments and I’ll answer them at some point since there doesn’t seem to much going on right now.

1. How is Jen doing?

I can’t tell you how much all of your prayers and thoughts about Jen have meant to her. And to me. Jen is in the hospital right now and she is a very sick girl. I would so appreciate your prayers that her pain and nausea stay in check as the doctors continue to figure out the next course of action.

2. How do we talk to Caroline about the things going on in the world right now?

Honestly? We are honest with her. Caroline will be thirteen in less than a month and P and I have always been pretty straightforward with her when it comes to current events. She sat in the hotel room in Dallas with Gulley and me and we all watched the coverage of the shooting Dallas and I explained about the men who had been shot in Baton Rouge and Minnesota. It’s all the reality of the world she is growing up in.

There was a time when she was younger that we shielded her from some of the worst, but the truth is we live in a broken world full of hard things and we want her to be equipped to handle it and, hopefully, be a light that shines in the midst of so much darkness.

We reference John 16:33 a lot. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” It doesn’t always make things easier, but it does remind us that God never promised we wouldn’t have trouble, but that He wins in the end.

3. Why do Caroline and Perry wear long sleeves and long pants when they fish? Aren’t they hot?

This is a pic from yesterday. It was a big day for catching flounder and we’re making ceviche for dinner tomorrow night.

As for the clothing, it’s actually cooler to wear those fishing shirts and pants than shorts and a t-shirt. Everything is super lightweight, dries quickly, and keeps the sun from beating down on you. The thing P always has around his neck is called a buff. It’s like a bandana but made of breathable material so it stays cool while protecting him from the sun. He’s had several basal cell carcinomas cut off over the years from childhood sun damage (Thanks for nothing, 1970’s and your non-awareness of harmful rays!) and so he is diligent about protecting his skin from further damage and keeping Caroline protected from getting burned.

4. Does Piper regret that she looks like she has an underbite in the following picture?

That wasn’t an actual question that anyone asked, but the answer is yes. A girl can’t be photogenic all the time.

Have a good Tuesday!