Author: Big Mama

  • Fashion Friday: Edition and then there were three

    Last Monday my sister and I were over at Bops and Mimi’s house and she asked me if I’d go shopping with her a little later this fall and help her pick out some new clothes.

    Umm. YES.

    There are few things more enjoyable than spending someone else’s money.

    So we began to discuss a few boutiques and key items she might need and Bops suddenly said, “Well I know for sure that the key to a good wardrobe is a great pair of jeans. You need to spend some extra money to get the right pair of jeans”.

    I believe we have a closet Fashion Friday reader and I think he might have been mocking me.

    I replied, “It’s true. A good pair of jeans should be viewed as an investment piece. They’ll last for years.”

    And he said, “So do my Levis and they only cost me $29”.

    Then I knew for sure he was mocking me.

    I think he might still be bitter that he paid $80 for the pair of Guess overalls I HAD TO HAVE back in 1986. But in all fairness, I took those to college with me. INVESTMENT PIECE.

    There are three fall trends left to round out the list of ten I started three weeks ago:

    1. Structured handbags

    Also known as a doctor bag. Or a bag like the ones little old ladies use to hit muggers on the head in cartoons and movies.

    The official Dolce and Gabbana Cervo Doctor bag is a mere $2000.

    Absurd.

    I’d only pay that much if it came with $1900 stuffed in the side zipper pocket.

    But if you are a fan of the doctor bag aka structured handbag aka little old lady weapon bag, there are definitely some affordable options out there.

    Like this Hyde Park tote or this Steve Maden satchel or this Fossil vintage reissue satchel. And this Misha bag is an incredible deal.

    Personally, they all hit a little too close to this.

    Holla if you had one. Mine was forest green. It was my first true purse love.

    But, like most old loves, I don’t know that it would be wise to go back.

    So I’ve got my eye on something like this Big Buddha bag for the fall.

    Or maybe this one. Or this one.

    Clearly I need to make a decision. Especially since, TRUE CONFESSION, I’m still carrying my white purse.

    Oh the shame.

    2. Chunky sweaters

    If there is a piece of clothing that can count me as a fan, it’s the chunky sweater. I love a good sweater. In fact, I went shopping with my friend Steph yesterday and I told her not to let me buy one more flowy cardigan type thing. I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

    But sweaters are everywhere right now even though it’s still more humid than a rainforest in the Amazon. I love this twisted cable cardigan.

    And this Front and center pullover sweater.

    Old Navy has a ton of great sweater options and different ways to wear this trend. Check out the long belted cardigan, knit wrap sweater vest, button-collared sweater coat, or the cable-knit tunic.

    I also like this short-sleeve textured cardigan

    And this ruffled sweater coat .

    Oh, and this textured turtleneck.

    Or how about this cashmere hooded striped cardigan? ADORE.

    This Every which way cardigan is great.

    But I think my favorite is the Far Away cable cardigan by Free People.

    Hi. My name is Melanie and I am addicted to sweaters.

    Which is ironic because I live in South Texas.

    3. Feminine jewelry

    Are great accessories ever out of style?

    The answer is no.

    Although it was kind of a rhetorical question.

    I love this Hive and Honey pearl drop double strand necklace.

    Or this cluster necklace.

    This olive green jewel bib necklace has great fall colors as does this seraphim necklace from Anthropologie.

    This necklace from Forever 21 is a total steal.

    And with that I will bid you adieu.

    Y’all have a great Friday.

    ______________________________________________________

    There are so many great posts coming out of Guatemala from the Compassion Bloggers that I can’t choose just one. I loved Amanda’s post about a Tale of Two Hurricanes and if you don’t cry when you read How To Make Your Life An Endless Celebration by Ann Voskamp, then you’re stronger than me.

  • I’m not on a horse

    Listen y’all. Hermine was not playing around. We had some more storms pass through late Tuesday night and got another four inches of rain and some lightning and thunder that may or may not have caused me to sit straight up in bed because I was certain our roof was about to cave in.

    And when I went running the next morning (Couch to 5K, Week 3 Day 1. I’m all about the accountability. Until I’m not.) I thought the police were just being dramatic about their barricades until I went to make my usual right turn and came upon this scene.

    There used to be a street there. Needless to say, I took a different route because I’m not really up for a triathlon.

    Anyway, you know what makes you tired? Attempting to sleep through a storm while your seven-year-old child tries to figure out any way possible to get closer to you, if not actually inside your skin which is what she would prefer.

    So today’s post is kind of like hello ladies, look at your man. Now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. I’m on a horse.

    1. I can always count on Jon Acuff to make me laugh or to make me cry or to make me wish I was a better writer. I loved his post from yesterday titled Wondering why God makes life impossible sometimes.

    It’s worth the read. I promise.

    2. Someone sent me this picture of Kyle Field yesterday.

    I believe it’s a sign from God that this season holds good things for Aggie football. And that we’ll never have to play in the Gallery Furniture Bowl again.

    3. I meant to tell y’all this on Tuesday. ABC Family has begun airing Friday Night Lights every day at 5:00. If you start watching it today then you’ll have only missed the first two episodes.

    As Nena would say, it’s on channel 180.

    If you don’t fall in love with Coach and Tami Taylor, then I don’t know if we can be friends. Or maybe we can be friends, but the kind of friends that can only get together for maybe thirty minutes at a time before we run out of things to talk about.

    4. A reader sent me a link to this photo yesterday:

    Apparently I was wrong about not being able to use ammo to decorate for Christmas. Very festive in a get-off-my-property-or-I’ll-shoot-you-dead kind of way.

    5. I’m on a mission to really decorate my house for fall. Just as soon as I paint my kitchen brown and get P to plant some yellow mums in the urns on our front porch. Specifically, I want to come up with a really pretty, yet totally natural, fall centerpiece for my dining room table. Which is why I was so excited to see the Fall Nesting Party going on at The Inspired Room.

    There are tons of great ideas and you can look at all of them if you have a few weeks to spare.

    Also, I feel like I need some mercury glass pumpkins.

    The good news is, thanks to Hermine, I can find plenty of dead limbs all around the neighborhood. Including the ones P had to get off our backhouse yesterday.

    6. Have I ever mentioned that I love the way Ann Voskamp writes? I love her first post from the Compassion Bloggers trip to Guatemala.

    Anyone who can make Shaun Groves’ guitar case seem beautiful and poetic is beyond gifted.

    Oh I kid. The duct tape that holds his guitar case together is very chic.

    See y’all tomorrow.

  • A report from my rainy day

    I’m sure I had something wonderfully clever and insightful to say a few minutes ago. But then P handed me the computer and it had some kind of brown substance smeared all over the bottom of it and it was also on one of my new throw pillows. It kind of brought our evening to a screeching halt until I made P smell it and he discovered that it appeared to be a pretzel M&M in its former unmelted life.

    You may be wondering why I made P smell it instead of smelling it myself. It’s because that’s the kind of thing that falls under his unofficial job description, along with going outside during a tropical storm every fifteen minutes and surveying our property for wind damage. Which, by the way, happened. Every fifteen minutes. All day long.

    So, yes, Tropical Storm Hermine made its way to San Antonio and the weathermen are all so pleased with themselves for making an accurate prediction. There have been graphics and breaking weather news and flood updates for the last twenty-four hours. But I’m thrilled because I was able to fulfill my dream of sitting at home in the rain and not doing one thing yesterday. Unless you count all the times I felt like I needed to ask P for an update on any potential property damage.

    I’m sad to report that an enormous tree limb fell on the roof of the backhouse. P was worried that it put a hole in the roof when it fell and I immediately became concerned because all my festive holiday wreaths are back there, but I’m guessing he was more concerned about his supply of ammo and weaponry. Like we can hang any of that on the front door come Christmas.

    I picked Caroline up from school a few minutes early because the carpool line on a rainy day is enough to push any one over the edge and I’d spent a good deal of time watching What About Bob? earlier in the day and it may have hit too close to home.

    We were supposed to have Back To School night last night but it was postponed due to the weather, which was a good thing because it was sprinkling heavily by 6:00 p.m. and the streets were wet. There may have even been a breeze.

    So instead of Back To School night, we ended up enjoying our standard Tuesday night activities. If there’s one question that people email me with more than any other, it’s “What do you usually do on a Tuesday night?” Except that’s not true at all because no one cares. The actual question I’m asked the most is “Why do you only have one child and do you recommend it?” which I’ve thought about writing an entire post on but HELLO CAN OF WORMS.

    However, I’ll tell you that our Tuesday nights are delightful. We usually eat dinner as a family. Last night we had Frito Pies made with Hormel chili from a can because we are sophisticated. Then after Caroline goes to bed, we begin our reality t.v. marathon. First, we watch Duck Commanders which has the honor of being the only hunting show I adore. After that P watches Uncle Ted while I play Words with Friends and/or Angry Bird depending on my mood. Finally, we end the evening with The Rachel Zoe Project.

    In the interest of full disclosure, P usually seems to be more interested in looking at hunting paraphernalia online during Rachel Zoe. But I made him watch last night because Rachel and Brad dressed Johnny Weir (the figure skater) for some event and then he showed up to another event wearing the same suit as someone sitting at his table. It was a FASHION EMERGENCY LEVEL 10 CRISIS and ended with Brad helping him pick out a red velvet blazer to wear instead and citing the 90210 episode where Brenda and Kelly show up wearing the same dress to prom.

    Which I just mentioned on Friday.

    I don’t know when anything has brought me more joy.

    I’m thinking I probably need to get out later today and do something productive with my life.

    Maybe I’ll start with moving my wreaths out of the backhouse until our roof situation is remedied. And, also, scanning the couch in search of rogue pretzel M&Ms.

    ___________________________________________

    There’s a group of Compassion bloggers in Guatemala this week. You can follow them on the Compassion bloggers’ site.

    Also, I have a new Kellogg’s giveaway post up. Click over to my giveaway page for the chance to win a $100 gift card.

  • A lot of words to say a lot of nothing

    There are two important things going on here right now. The first is that Tropical Storm Hermine is allegedly heading this way. And the second is that I left my hair up in a high ponytail for too long and now the whole left side of my head hurts.

    Of course the whole high ponytail thing is pretty much irrelevant unless you happen to be me, so I’ll talk about Hermine. (Not to be confused with the youngest Mandrell sister, Irlene.) She used to just be Tropical Storm #10, but got upgraded with a truly unfortunate name sometime late yesterday afternoon and the weathermen are all abuzz about the fact that we might get anywhere between zero and eleven hundred inches of rain over the next forty-eight hours. All I know is that I made a special trip to HEB yesterday to stock up on the essentials (Pretzel M&Ms! York Peppermint Patties! Fritos! Hormel Chili! InStyle Magazine!) and am planning my entire day around being socked in by the rain. If it doesn’t happen I am going to be terribly bitter and forced to say disparaging things about our local meteorologists.

    But for now I’ll focus on brighter, happier things than a possible tropical storm, namely our Labor Day weekend. Never has so little been accomplished or proved to be not even remotely interesting in a three day time span.

    On Friday night we met Mimi and Bops for Mexican food.

    And then we went home and went to bed.

    Saturday proved to be a little more eventful. P and Caroline headed down to the ranch to do whatever it is they do down there and I stayed at home. I’d like to say that I was out of my pajamas sometime before 2:00 p.m. but it would be a lie. I blame College Gameday. And, also, I may have gotten sucked into several episodes of 90210, but it’s hardly my fault considering they were the episodes where Dr. Martin dies and Gina reconciles with the family and Dylan finds out that his dad isn’t really dead but in the witness protection program and David and Donna realize they still love each other. If that’s not compelling television, then I don’t know what is.

    Ultimately I decided I needed to do something productive to make myself feel better. So I ran a dust cloth over the coffee table and a few other prominent pieces of furniture and then went to Gap to return a shirt that I’d bought for P a few weeks ago and he’d deemed unacceptable.

    I’ve decided one of my goals for the next few months is to update P’s personal style, but it’s proving to be harder than I thought. Mainly because P isn’t one to quit on a look just because he’s been wearing it for the last twenty years and also because all the clothing manufacturers have begun making their dress shirts with a cut designed to fit twelve-year-old boys or men who don’t eat a box of Nilla Wafers in one sitting.

    Oh, and I went by Sherwin Williams to look at paint chips because I’ve officially decided that I don’t like my turquoise kitchen and emailed Holly to ask for her advice. To her credit she didn’t email me back with a big I TOLD YOU SO even though she did tell me so when I asked for her thoughts on painting it turquoise back in May. And she was right. The turquoise is pretty but it doesn’t go with the rest of my house. She suggested that I paint it dark brown and I’m currently obsessed with that idea and will not rest until the kitchen is repainted.

    (Actually, that’s not true. I won’t have time to paint the kitchen for at least a week. Clearly I’ll need to rest between now and then. I’m just using a little thing called literary license. Or whatever.)

    Unfortunately the Aggies weren’t on T.V. so I had to console myself by watching other televised games and constantly hitting refresh on Fox Sports to get the latest score.

    Anyway, Sunday morning we went to church and then Caroline and I decided to go shopping out at La Cantera. The night before we’d looked at clothes on different websites because she claims “my taste has changed, Mama”. Apparently that’s true because I pointed out an adorable sweater dress and she laughed as she said, “PLEASE TELL ME YOU’RE KIDDING”. Which made me look back fondly on the first two years of her life when she let me dress her in whatever I wanted and didn’t have an opinion.

    So we made our way to the mall and had the best time shopping together. I let her pick out the things she wanted to try on and make the final decisions according to my budget and what she actually needed. She was a little bit upset that I nixed the faux leopard print fur vest, but who wouldn’t be? I just wasn’t sure it seemed like a necessity for second grade.

    And we went to a delightful store called Naartjie that has won me over body and soul. Oh my word at all the cuteness. Best of all, she actually liked some of it even though there wasn’t a sequin or piece of faux fur to be found.

    We came home and watched The Sound of Music together while P cooked burgers on the grill. Then yesterday morning we stayed in bed until almost 10:30 and watched it all over again.

    So, assuming you didn’t have the strength to read through all that (Who can blame you?) and just skipped to the bottom. Here’s a brief summary.

    On the plus side:

    Mexican food
    College football
    90210
    Dreams of a brown kitchen
    Aggies win
    Shopping
    The Von Trapp family
    Grilled burgers
    Possible torrential rain from a tropical storm not named after the youngest Mandrell sister

    On the negative side:

    Left side of my head hurts from ill-conceived high ponytail

    How was your weekend?

  • Fashion Friday: Edition continuing with fall trends

    I can’t believe that I totally missed that yesterday was 9-02-10 days. Get it? It was September 2, 2010. Which translates to 9-02-10. Which translates to West Beverly High and the show that I watched long after it was age appropriate for me to be so invested in the lives of Kelly, Brandon, Brenda, Donna and Dylan.

    But I’ve never been good with numbers, so I didn’t even realize it was 9-02-10 until I began to see people posting it on Twitter and Facebook and whatever. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was googling “Donna Martin Graduates” and “David Silver sings ‘You are so precious to me'” and “Brenda Walsh’s prom dress”. Because, y’all, if there was ever a dress I coveted besides Princess Di’s wedding dress, it was the dress Brenda Walsh wore to prom.

    I am so ashamed.

    Ultimately I came upon this picture.

    And this one.

    Oh sure. We can laugh and mock. But we aren’t that far away from seeing all those things come back around the fashion bend.

    Except for maybe that shirt David Silver has on. Please don’t let that ever come back around.

    On a totally different note, several of you asked if I really bought a pair of camo leggings. Yes. Yes I did. I’m still not entirely sure what came over me but they were $12.99 and I felt like they held some possibilities. Chiefly, the possibility that I’ll put them on and P will ask, “What in the hell do you have on your legs?”

    But also the possibility that they might look cute with the new oversized white boyfriend shirt I bought and my tall brown boots.

    It’s a risk I’m willing to take for $12.99. Worst case scenario, I just bought myself some camo loungewear.

    Now for some more fall trends:

    1. Jewel tones

    Rich colors are definitely in for fall. When Gulley and I were shopping last week I felt like we saw teal and purple everywhere we went. Mainly because anytime I see teal and purple I cringe a little bit because there was a time that I owned a pair of teal flats. Teal was a very important color for me back in the late 80’s.

    Which is why I’m not sure I can go back to that place again. However, I do love the rich color of this magenta tunic dress although I’d never wear it as a dress.

    I also love this wrap tunic and twist waist sheath dress.

    And, oh how I love this From the Poles jacket from Anthropologie. The built in ruffle detail has stolen my heart.

    I also have a big crush on this washed velvet coat. How great would that be with jeans or black pants with boots?

    And if you don’t carry the scars of teal around with you, there is this washed cord skirt in teal.

    The good news for me is that it comes in other colors.

    2. Leather

    Leather is everywhere right now. Of course the majority of what I can afford isn’t actually real leather, but rather faux leather that smells reminiscent of my grandmother’s collection of GENUINE LEATHER handbags that she kept stored in the top of her closet.

    The big style for leather right now is the motorcycle jacket. One of my college roommates, Meredith, had the best black leather motorcycle jacket. I cannot tell you how I coveted that jacket and she was kind enough to let me borrow it on occasion. One of those occasions was the day I decided to go break up with a guy I’d been dating for a few months. It had been a tumultuous relationship and I felt it needed to go out with me clad in leather and slamming his front door as I left.

    I was a treasure at twenty-one years old.

    Anyway, I really like this Manderson leather jacket.

    But there are many other options, such as this Hydraulic faux leather motorcycle jacket. Or this faux leather ruffle jacket.

    If you’re really feeling edgy, there are even faux leather skinny jeans. All I can think about when I look at those is that episode of Friends when Ross wore those leather pants and went to the bathroom to splash his legs with water to cool off and couldn’t get his pants back up.

    Needless to say, I’m going to pass on the leather pants.

    3. Feminine shapes

    On a totally different note, there is a return to clothes that have a feminine shape. Things that actually show your waist as my grandmother would say. “Why don’t you show your waist? You have such a cute figure.”

    I’m such a fool for coats and I particularly love this fresh coat in print

    There is also the Anything but ordinary dress.

    And I’m so sad that this All vest up with someplace to go vest is sold out, but it looks like they may get more in at some point. I can just see this with jeans and boots. Of course I can see everything with jeans and boots.

    If you’re looking for a pretty feminine blouse, you might want to find something like this blouse from Anthropologie. So pretty. Although I struggle with the word “blouse”.

    4. Animal prints

    I went to breakfast the other day with Steph and Gulley and we got into a conversation about how animal prints shouldn’t necessarily be listed as a trend because they have really become a timeless classic. We also talked about the fluctuations in the stock market and our thoughts on the global economy, but those conversations aren’t relevant to this post.

    We all agreed that we can’t remember a fashion season in the last several years that didn’t feature some sort of animal print. It’s become as ubiquitous as khaki or denim or black.

    And, yes, I just used the word ubiquitous. I didn’t even have to look it up on spell check. I’m going to tell Caroline about this the next time she’s studying for a spelling test and wants to argue with me about the correct spelling of “sandwich”.

    I believe the use of animal prints in a wardrobe is a personal decision. You can go big with something like this Glendale top.

    Or you can just have one outstanding piece like this Street Car Darya bag by Kate Spade. Even though that particular bag costs the equivalent of fifteen years of my wardrobe combined. But I included it anyway because IT’S DIVINE.

    There are always these cute leopard clogs or a pair funky leopard flats.

    Best of all, you can always find the budget version. Like these Merona leopard ballet flats or these leopard rain boots.

    That’s it for today.

    And, in the words of David Silver, you are so precious to me.

    Or in the words of Dylan McKay, “I loved you more than I ever thought I could love anybody. Maybe that was the problem.”

    Y’all have a great Friday.

  • So much more than you wanted to know

    My original plan was to try the new smoothie recipe for breakfast yesterday morning, but then I remembered that it was Wednesday morning which meant it was one of my running days. That’s right. I said running days.

    As part of my commitment to a healthier, sweatier me in 2011, I started the Couch to 5K training program last week. I’d been contemplating it for several weeks because I knew I needed to come up with a workout alternative to the 30 Day Shred since I was on the verge of unplugging the DVR and throwing it through the T.V. screen if I had to listen to Jillian taunt me one more time about the fact I’ll never have abs that look like green sports bra girl.

    And, secretly, there’s always been a part of me that would like to be a runner. The only thing that’s held me back all these years is the whole part that involves the running, but I’ve always been a huge fan of the clothing and accessories and the way legitimate runners say cool things like, “I ran a nine minute mile in my last 10K” or “I’m thinking about doing the half next year”. Because clearly they don’t even need to specify they mean a half marathon. It’s implied by the Nike sensor on their running shoes and the JUST DO IT emblazoned across their t-shirt.

    So when I began to hear people talk about the Couch to 5K program, I was intrigued. Mainly because I have the couch part DOWN FLAT. I looked it up on the internet and decided it sounded within the realm of my possibilities. The only concern I had was how I was going to be able to run, possibly throw up from the exercise and keep track of my one minute of running alternated with the two minutes of walking for thirty minutes. It seemed like I might need some special kind of Ironman watch and timers and this is why I’ve never been a runner. Besides all the running.

    Then I realized there certainly had to be a Couch to 5K app on my phone and so I searched for it and THERE IT WAS because Steve Jobs will not rest until every aspect of our life is controlled and managed by Apple. All I have to do is make myself put on my running shoes and it does all the work for me. Except the actual running. But there is a nice lady who lives inside my phone that says, “It’s time to run now!” and “It’s time to walk now!” and “You’re halfway done!” When it’s all over she congratulates me and it means the world to me to have her support.

    Of course you and I both know that I’m going to hate her by next week and will become the crazy lady running down the road, trying not to throw up while yelling, “QUIT TELLING ME WHAT TO DO! YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!” into my phone.

    If you’re wondering what any of this has to do with a tofu smoothie, you’re not alone.

    I can’t eat anything before I run in the morning because THE HEAT, MY WORD THE HEAT so I decided I’d wait until I got home and cooled down to make the smoothie. Then I remembered that I was meeting my friend, Jennifer, at Starbucks, and I needed to shower and get dressed instead of experimenting with tofu. I also needed to figure out a way to get my face to quit glowing bright red. I don’t know why it turns so red, but I look like an angry cartoon character for at least an hour after I run.

    Anyway, after Starbucks I ran in Hobby Lobby because I need some kind of fall centerpiece for my dining room table (I didn’t find anything. I don’t know what I’m looking for.) and then I went to Target for reasons I can’t recall but it ended with me buying a pair of camo leggings and a great long-sleeve t-shirt that I might be able to wear if it ever drops below 104 degrees.

    (I’m sorry for all the pointless details. I could go on and on with the pointless details of my day. In fact, I just did. I stopped for gas. And thought about getting my car washed. And ran the dishwasher twice because the soap didn’t come out of the the dispenser the first time. It’s all fascinating.)

    When I got back to the house around lunchtime, I decided that nothing would be better than a smoothie with tofu in it for lunch. So I began to dump all the ingredients into the blender. Then I opened up the tofu, didn’t realize it was packed in water, and made a huge mess all over the countertops and the floor. And then I thought about how that kind of thing never happens with bacon or pretzel M&Ms.

    But I decided to forgive the tofu and made my smoothie. It was delicious. I’ll be making another one tomorrow. And the next day.

    And maybe the day after that.

    In fact, given my propensity for sucking all the life and joy out of a food by eating it until I can’t stand to even think about it, I’ll probably make one daily for the next three months. And then the smoothie will be dead to me.

    In case you’d like to try one for yourself, you can find the recipe right here.