Author: Big Mama

I’ve been at the beach all week with Sophie and Retha and it’s been the best to spend time with them. At the moment, I’m sitting at Love Field in Dallas waiting on a delayed flight at 10:30 on Thursday night. This feels like the exact opposite of experience of being at the beach.

But here are some cute things this week:

1. dingo out west cowboy boots

If you are looking for a great pair of cowboy boots, I think these are so pretty and a really great price for boots.

They are $169.95 and they come in other colors.

2. we the free lemon denim jacket

I love this oversized denim jacket and the collar on it.

It comes in several color options and is $148.

3. piled fleece zip up jacket

I was sitting across the room from Sophie and Retha when I saw this fleece jacket and I texted it to them immediately and we all ordered it.

It comes in several different patterns and has great reviews. It’s $78.

4. sailor gingham top

This is a maroon gingham. That’s all that really matters.

This is $79.

5. stella star sweater

How fun is this sweater? Love the colors and the stars.

It’s $96.

6. harem lounge palazzo pants

Retha wore these pants at the beach and I wanted to own them immediately. They are just perfect for a great casual pair of pants and so cute.

They come in several colors and are $45.90.

7. cropped denim vest

I tried this on and bought it immediately. It’s not as cropped as it looks online and I love it because it’s a super soft denim so it doesn’t feel stiff or heavy. It also comes in a really cute green and a white.

It’s on sale for $79.99. I would size up if you’re in between.

8. puff sleeve denim shirt

Dark denim is so trendy right now and I love this shirt.

It’s on sale for $89.95 and it also comes in a lighter wash.

9. pilcro zip front utility overalls

These are so fun. They are on sale for $109.95.

10. spanx air essentials maxi tank dress

Apparently Retha gave me a lot of fashion inspiration this week because she also wore this dress and I loved it. It literally feels like pajamas but is so stunning on and perfect alone or as a layer under a jacket or a sweater. It could also be dressed up or down.

It’s on sale for $88 and it also comes in black.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

It was quite a weekend for the Bulldogs and the Aggies, so on this episode (from the beach!) Sophie and I talk through our football thoughts and feelings, complete with Side Eyes and I See Yous. And in a development we didn’t expect, we got to watch the Emmys together this past Sunday night, so we break down some of that as well.

We also mourn the loss of our beloved Hazel and it’s Sophie’s turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

– Become a Patron!
– Our Amazon Shop
– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

You can click here to listen. Or you can even listen right here.

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

Show Notes:

• vidalia onion dip recipe
• Mario Craver
• the end of the game between A&M vs. Notre Dame
• Jeff Lebby awards the game ball to Seth Davis
• Temple’s football pants against Oklahoma
• Haynes King
• Marcus Freeman
• Lane and Landry Kiffin’s pre-game video
• Fluff Bothwell
• Georgia Tech beats Clemson
• Cole Cubelic and Theo Von
• Hazel
• elastic pen pouch
• Cheddar Jack Cheez-its
• super sturdy retro folding chairs
• mahjong line finders
• Voluspa Mediterranean Lemon candle

Sponsors:

• AG1 – use this link to get a free welcome kit and a 30-day supply of AGZ plus a free frother
• Drink LMNT – use this link for a free 8-count sample pack with any purchase
• Helix – use this link for 25% off sitewide
• Thrive Market – use this link for 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift

Sometimes the best break from reality is to do a little online shopping.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. frye & co miranda western boot

The Frye campus boots have never been more on trend than they are right now, but they are also pricey. These are incredibly similar and on sale for $139.96. They come in several color options.

2. poppy polka dot jeans

How cute are these? I’m normally not a barrel leg fan but I’m going to make an exception for these.

They are $106.

3. mongolian padded cashmere sweater tank

I would pair the pants above with this sweater. I’m such a fan of a sleeveless sweater because it’s a great look by itself but works beautifully layered under a jacket later.

This comes in several colors and is $59.90.

4. layered cascade necklace

I think this so pretty. Such a great easy statement piece.

It’s $58.

5. free assembly sweater dress

I ordered this immediately and it’s so good. The perfect dress to dress up or down. Super easy to layer under a jacket or sweater coat.

It comes in other colors and is just $26.

6. cropped double breasted trench coat

These cropped trench coats are a big fall and winter trend. This one is so cute and $47.99.

It comes in several color options.

7. ruched midi dress

This dress comes in other colors but I think this red would be so pretty for the holidays.

It’s $89.99.

8. barrel leg full length sweatpants

I bought these and love them. They are kind of a barrel leg situation but look so cute and just different from a regular pair of sweatpants.

They come in several color options and are $55. I wear a small and am usually a 4-6 in pants.

9. wide leg satin pants

My friend Stephanie told me about these and they are so cute. They look just like satin pants at J.Crew but are only $36.99. They are just an easy, comfortable thing to wear around and look put together.

They come in several color options. I wear a small.

10. suede fringe jacket

I love that the whole western look is in right now because it’s my favorite. This suede fringe jacket is a steal at $52.99 and looks just like others that are three times the price. This comes in several color options.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

*Just a note that this episode was recorded and scheduled to post before the murder of Charlie Kirk earlier today. Please keep his wife and young family in your prayers.* – Melanie

This is an extra long episode thanks to Mississippi State’s football stunner and Sophie’s trip to the Mississippi Delta. The Bulldogs got a signature win against Arizona State, and everything from the uniforms to the crowd to the social media to the CATCHING OF THE FOOTBALL was absolutely fantastic. Naturally Sophie and I break down all of her thoughts and reactions to the game, plus some observations about the college football weekend in general.

We also talk to our good friend Travis Cottrell – who’s the special guest for our San Antonio live show – and it’s my turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

– Become a Patron!
– Our Amazon Shop
– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

You can click here to listen. Or you can even listen right here.

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

Show Notes:

• State’s new black uniforms
• Arizona State’s helmets
• Blake Shapen’s hair
• Brenen Thompson
• the exciting (thrilling!) end of the State / ASU game
• my favorite State social media post of all time
• Florida’s tough loss
• Clemson struggles against Troy
• Cassius Howell’s three sacks
• HailState Instagram account
• Mississippi Delta
• The Barn by Wright Thompson
• George Somerville from Scotland
• Ramon’s in Clarksdale
• Laurin McCracken
• Caroline’s new book
• The Summer I Turned Pretty
• Travis Cottrell
• Running Girl sports bra
• Old Try prints
• American Flat picture frame
• 24 Days of Beauty Advent calendar
• denim bomber jacket (also this option)

Sponsors:

• Boll & Branch – use this link for 15% off and free shipping
• ZocDoc – use this link to find and book a doctor today
• Trust & Will – use this link for 20% off
• Mint Mobile – use this link to shop for plans

Even though it is 100 degrees here today, it is now fall in my heart. I will take no further questions. Thank you for your time.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. english factory plaid blazer

A plaid blazer is a big fall trend. It’s equestrian adjacent and takes me back to a time when all I wanted was a horse themed wrap skirt from Harold’s.

This is $150.

2. rose sling platform sandals

When I saw these shoes online, I sent them to Sophie immediately and she declared them “Melanie Shankle in shoe form”. She is correct. I adore these.

They are $198.

3. carolita printed tiered shirt dress

I think this is really pretty. It’s $118.

4. farm rio winter garden mix shirt dress

I’ve been looking at fall dresses and I believe this one is perfection.

It’s $248.

5. lyles dress

Love the bright colors in this. I think it would be so fun for the holidays.

It’s $98.

6. reese top

I’m really trying to branch out and get tops that aren’t just solid colors. I really love this one. It’ll be so great with jeans when the weather cools off.

It’s $78.

7. pilcro faux leather ruched midi shirt dress

I saw this in Anthropologie and it is so pretty. The leather is really soft and not too heavy. And I think this cut is so flattering with that ruching in the middle.

It’s $188.

8. army green denim overalls

I have a whole outfit planned in my head that involves these green overalls. Green is a big fall color.

These are $46.99 and come in other colors.

9. longline denim vest

I love the look of a longer denim vest but I don’t always love the high neck on myself. This one with a v-neck seems really promising and it’s on sale for $55.

10. piper shoulder bag

Olive green is a big fall color and I adore this suede shoulder bag. The shape is great and it comes in other colors. It’s under $100.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

The first big weekend of the 2025 college football season did not disappoint, and on this episode Sophie and I discuss some of our favorite parts (not to mention our Side Eyes and I See Yous). It didn’t hurt that both the Aggies and the Bulldogs were victorious, though admittedly, those wins weren’t necessarily pretty.

On top of that, I offer an update on Caroline’s new Costco membership, and it’s Sophie’s turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

– Become a Patron!

– Our Amazon Shop

– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

You can click here to listen. Or you can even listen right here.

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

Show Notes:

– Lee Corso’s last GameDay moment

– Alabama loses to FSU

– Texas loses to OSU

– Gus Malzahn offensive coordinator at Florida State

– Carson Beck at University of Miami

– Zach Calzada at University of Kentucky

– A&M defeats UTSA

– State defeats USM

– Fluff Bothwell

– Stonka Burnside

– Baylor’s opening game uniforms (others loved them)

– Joe Tessitore

– Brian Kelly

– our friends Cole and Katherine’s Tuesday Date Night podcast

– Mischa indoor/outdoor pillow

– Aesop Eleos body cleanser

– Lazyboi cordless leaf blower

– glass straws with cleaning brushes

– large beaded choker necklace (MY HEART)

– sinus medicine for Piper

Sponsors:

– OSEA – use code BIGBOO for 10% off your order

– Hungryroot – use code BIGBOO for 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life

– Thrive Causemetics – use this link for 20% off your first order

– AG1 – use this link to get a $76 welcome gift with your order