Books

It’s St. Patrick’s day with a giveaway!

I hate to sound overly dramatic, but I am devastated that Spring Break is over. Now we face the weeks ahead where it will still be dark outside as I make ham sandwiches to put in Caroline’s lunch.

And the worst is that I have to act totally enthusiastic about the whole thing because I have to offset Caroline’s lack of excitement about re-entering the world of alarm clocks and homework. If she senses weakness in me, then the whole jig is up.

On the upside, Caroline’s soccer team won their game yesterday. This may not sound like a big deal until I tell you that it’s the first game they’ve won in two seasons. They’re actually better than that makes them sound, but we struggle to score goals. And in case you’re not familiar with soccer, it helps if you can score some points.

But yesterday it all finally clicked and her team won the game 3-1. And the reaction of all the parents may have been reminiscent of this clip of Steve Martin from Parenthood.

Here’s hoping it’s the beginning of a winning streak so we won’t ever have to be that obnoxious again.

Anyway, since I’m in mourning over the end of Spring Break and today is St. Patrick’s Day and it’s associated with the color green and I just happen to have written a book entitled Sparkly Green Earrings, I thought it might be fun to have a little giveaway.

One of you has the chance to wear this pretty pair of green earrings:

Along with a signed copy of Sparkly Green Earrings AND The Antelope in the Living Room.

(I realize Antelope has nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day, but you have the chance to win both books and let’s just call that the luck of the Irish.)

All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post letting me know if you do anything to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. One comment per person please. Duplicates will be deleted.

I’ll leave comments open until Wednesday, March 20th and then pick a winner at random using Random.org.

Have a great Monday.
Fashion Friday: Edition the week of the antelope

It has been a big week. And now I have big plans to sleep all weekend with the exception of 10 until 11 a.m. on Saturday morning when I will go watch Caroline play basketball.

I’ll also be drawing for the Frye boots around noon today and will email the winner. If for any reason the winner is unable to fulfill her duties as the owner of the Frye boots, they will go to the first runner up.

And now for some things I’ve found in the last two hours as I’ve frantically searched the internet.

1. embroidered lace shift dress

It seems like spring sometimes brings parties and weddings and other functions that require a fancy dress. I happen to think this one is really pretty and it comes in several different colors.

2. braided brynn tunic

I tried this on last night at Anthropologie and came so close to buying it. It’s on sale for $39.95 and also comes in gray. In case you’re wondering, I was going to buy the gray. And it’s long enough to wear with leggings.

Now I regret that I didn’t buy it. I just didn’t feel capable of making the decision.

3. love spark lace top

Wouldn’t this be pretty for a Valentine’s Day event?

4. free people daisy lace dress

I have this dress in the ivory color and adore it. This black color is on sale right now and they only have XS and S left, but I figured it was worth mentioning just in case.

5. stitched quills jacket

This jacket is gorgeous. And it’s on sale for $99.95 and was originally $268.

6. split neck tunic

I love simple tunics like this because you can add different accessories. It’s like a blank canvas.

And it also comes in plus sizes here.

7. lace trim trapeze tunic

I’ve always loved these tunics. This particular color happens to be on sale for $58.96.

8. kendra scott danielle earrings

This week in the video I did with Edie, I mentioned Kendra Scott earrings. Here they are. Love them so much.

9. merrakesh blouse

Apparently I’m into hot pink right now. Love this top.

10. john wind gold initial bracelet

And I think I’ve featured this before but it’s still one of my favorite things. Plus it’s late and I was struggling to find a tenth thing.

That’s it for today.

Hope y’all have a great Friday.
Remember the antelope

Well.

The last two days have been a whirlwind. But it has all been so fun and I’ve loved reading all the comments and emails and seeing pictures of the book in your sweet little hands. You have made it so great and I cannot even tell you how much I appreciate it.

I had a book signing on Tuesday night here in town and it was the best time. I’ll write more about it next week, but I’ll never get over how much I love my friends and family. And then afterwards I went out with several of my girlfriends and, long story short, I was drinking champagne and eating fried chicken at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday night.

You know what isn’t really great for a 40-something woman? Eating fried chicken and drinking champagne at 11:00 on a school night.

Especially when you come home to find your husband sitting on the couch in your living room with the front door wide open and every candle in the house lit because he’s trying to eradicate the smell of the skunk that just sprayed your dumb elderly dog that decided chasing it was a good idea.

It was all very glamorous.

And so I woke up Wednesday morning smelling like a mixture of fried chicken, skunk and Volcano candle. Otherwise known as Eau de Junkyard.

One of my very favorite things during this whole process has been the series of pictures that Gulley and Debbi have taken and put on Instagram. They are priceless. And I would be remiss if I didn’t share some of them. Please note the captions on each one because that’s the best part.

This was while they were in the med clinic because Gulley’s youngest son Will got sick at school and they had to pick him up and take him to the doctor.

And this is when we realized the sign at Barnes and Noble was wrong.

And this is when I channeled my inner Kate Middleton because my friend Bevin bought a book about the Royal Family while she was at Barnes & Noble and I didn’t think Kate would mind if I signed it for her.

And, most importantly.

And here are a few quick links to other book related things in case you’re interested:

Just in case you haven’t been here in a few days, I’m giving away a gorgeous pair of Frye boots in celebration of book release. You can find out more here.

I did a fun video interview with Edie at Life in Grace. I apologize in advance for my serious case of flat hair, but what are you gonna do now? You can watch it here.

There’s another video here that I did with my friend Amanda at her house. She’s a great resource when it comes to all things book-related. You can see it here.

If you happen to live in or are visiting the Virginia Beach area, I’m speaking at the Princess Anne Country Club on the evening of February 12. Don’t think I might not be tempted to again channel my inner Kate Middleton because Princess Anne Country Club sounds like I’m practically going to Windsor Castle. You can find out more details here.

Finally (I think), I answered some questions for Alison at Readerly. You can read that interview here.

And now I’m going to get in bed and possibly sleep for three days.

Thanks again for being the best readers ever. I seriously could cry for days just thinking about it.
The Antelope in the Living Room

Okay, so let’s talk about this emotional milestone.

I just got home from an informational meeting at the Junior High because Caroline is going to be in Junior High next year. Of all the things happening in my life right now, this might be the one that is the most surreal and has caused me to be a little bit of a wreck.

Junior High. As in, MIDDLE SCHOOL. As in, she’ll have a locker and everything.

Oh, and also. I have a book that’s officially out today. Maybe you’ve heard about it since I have been talking about it for the last week or so non-stop.

It’s called The Antelope in the Living Room: The Real Story of Two People Sharing One Life.

Spoiler alert: It’s about marriage. Specifically, it’s about my marriage. But I expect that it’s probably about your marriage, too. Because there are things and moments and frustrations and joys that we all experience as we spend our lives with another person that we’ve pledged to be with until one or both of us die.

(You’re welcome for that cheery thought.)

I’m going to be honest with you and admit that I hope you buy this book. And I hope you spread the word to your friends and that they read it. Because as I’ve really spent time thinking about what my hopes and dreams are for The Antelope in the Living Room (the book, not the real antelope because my hope for it is that it mysteriously disappears) something has become clear. I want it to fill you with the realization that you’re normal.

I realize that may be a lofty goal for some of you.

Here’s the thing. Marriage can be hard. We all know that. And there are millions, or at least hundreds, of books out there with all manner of advice telling us how we can be better wives or speak each other’s love languages or pray for our husbands. And that’s good. Sometimes that’s what we need.

But in a world where Fifty Shades of Gray spent time on the bestseller list, maybe we need a book about a real relationship. A real, messy, beautiful, normal marriage and what an incredible thing it can be and what a gift it is to spend your life with a man who can drive you crazy and make you fall in love all over again in the midst of the mundane and the routine and the what’s for dinner tonight and the soccer carpools.

Maybe instead of reading more statistics about divorce and hearing all the gloom and doom, we need a little hope that marriage, with all its ups and downs, can bring us joy.

Because it’s often in those hard moments that we are becoming the person God created us to be. We’re dying to self and learning what it means to forgive and sharing all the triumphs and struggles that life can bring with another human being. It’s in the simple chaos and absurdities of everyday life that you and your husband are weaving a legacy for your family.

And if we can’t find the laughter and the humor and the security in that? Then I think we’re missing the whole point.

That’s my prayer as this book goes out into the world. That for a few hours or days or however long it takes you to finish it, that you will laugh and cry and feel normal. That you’ll know you’re not the only one whose husband buys peppermint bark in bulk or lectures you on how to turn the closet doorknob the right way or didn’t buy you a Lexus wrapped in a big red bow this past Christmas.

I want it to be a reminder that marriage is funny and fragile and hard and wonderful all at the same time. It’s God’s gift to us and sometimes I think we can all use to remember that it is worth fighting for.

Over the last few months, I have been so thankful for your kind words and your prayers and your support. You have blessed me and cheered me on more than I can ever convey. You’re a part of this book and I would love for you to be a part of it again this week as it goes out in the world.

So today I have a really fun giveaway planned just to say thank you for all your support.

One of you has the chance to win a pair of my very favorite Frye boots. The Jackie Tall Button boots. I talk about them in a chapter of the book.

I happen to own them in the cognac color, but you can choose whatever color and size you prefer. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. I’ll close comments on Friday, February 7th at noon and choose a winner using Random.org. One comment per person please. Duplicates will be deleted.

In the meantime, here are some ways you can help make the launch of The Antelope in the Living Room a success. You can do all of these or none of them. I mean that with almost total sincerity. Well, maybe 65% sincerity.

1. Buy the book

It’s officially out today.

Here’s a handy widget if you’d like to purchase it from one of the following places online.

Or you can be like a pioneer and trek to your local real live bookstore and buy it there. It should be on the shelves at all your local book stores and even your Sam’s Club.

2. ONLINE REVIEWS

You can start leaving reviews for the book today and it would be great if you would take the time to leave a review after you read the book. Apparently, that’s important.

You can just briefly write your thoughts and please know that if you leave a one star review that I won’t read it because I learned last time that it causes me to go in the fetal position.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA

Feel free to post about it or tweet about it or Facebook it or Instagram yourself holding a copy of it at your bookstore or on your couch or whatever.

And if you feel like it, you can hashtag it (Dad, that’s this #) like this #antelopeinthelivingroom. That will make it easy for me to go find your pictures on Instagram or read your tweets.

Plus, Gulley and my friend Debbi have made it their mission to take pictures of the book all day long in various locations and they’ll be using #antelopeinthelivingroom as their hashtag. I have a feeling it’s going to be entertaining.

You can also find easy ways to share the book or tweet or pin or whatever the kids are doing these days on the official book page. Just click here.

4. SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS

You know, everyone you know and maybe even some people you don’t. Word of mouth is such a huge help.

5. PRAY

My prayer for this book is that it gets in the hands of every woman who may need the encouragement or the laughs. I hope it helps us all take some time to find the joy in our marriage and breathe a sigh of relief that it doesn’t all need to feel so heavy all the time.

I cannot thank you enough for all the love you have shown me. I don’t take it lightly that you show up here and read what I write and buy my books. In fact, I don’t know that I’ll ever get over it. And I’ve determined that I will forever spend book release days crying like a baby intermittently throughout the day as I am overwhelmed with all the kindness. And maybe also that my baby is going to Junior High next year.

Thank you isn’t enough.

But maybe a chance at a pair of Frye boots helps.

**Also, one last reminder that I’ll be signing books at the Barnes and Noble San Pedro location in San Antonio tonight from 6-8 p.m.**

****Comments on this post are now closed. The winner has been chosen and notified by email! Thank you all so much!****
It’s a giveaway for your ears

Does that make it sound like I’m giving away your ears? I couldn’t decide. But I think it’s obvious that wouldn’t really work out because your ears don’t belong to me.

Remember a few months ago when I mentioned I’d recorded the audio version of Sparkly Green Earrings?

(It’s okay if you don’t. I keep forgetting to buy new razors at the grocery store so I totally understand.)

Anyway, it’s available for purchase now.

You can click here or you can also order it from Amazon here.

I cannot offer you the ability to understand my Texas accent though.

However, I do have a free copy of the audio version to give away today along with this pair of Towne & Reese green earrings.

All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment on this post. I’d love to know one fun thing you did this past weekend.

I’ll leave comments open until Tuesday at noon and then notify the winner by email.

Have a great Monday.
Antelopes and chandeliers

So last week I ended up taking an inadvertent break from my Smart Barre workouts. At first it was because we were busy getting the playroom finished and I felt that using an orbital sander for hours at a time definitely counted as exercise.

But then I started feeling kind of bad. And then I couldn’t move my neck and I was like Joan Cusack in Sixteen Candles. And then I had friends coming in from out of town and it was the weekend and I generally try to not exercise on the weekends because I feel I should observe the Sabbath.

It always comes back to how spiritual I am.

By the time I returned to Smart Barre on Tuesday morning, it had been a full seven days since my last workout. Forgive me Father for I have sinned and also eaten two gallons of chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream. And six pounds of crawfish. And my body weight in guacamole.

Needless to say, it totally kicked my rear end. And I woke up Wednesday morning almost as sore as I was the first time I ever did Smart Barre. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you it felt like some effort to squeeze toothpaste on my toothbrush and lift it to brush my teeth.

(Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but that’s what I do.)

But I went to Smart Barre again because the only way to get rid of the soreness is to go through it all over again. Exercise is the worst.

And I think it’s indicative of my true feelings about the whole exercise thing when I was almost excited to realize I won’t have time to go to Smart Barre on Thursday morning because I have my annual exam at my doctor’s office.

What is wrong with me?

Anyway, since I mentioned the playroom, I thought I’d show you the beds now that they’re finished and stained and decorated with bedding that was picked out without much drama at all. At least not much drama for our house. And certainly not as much drama as yesterday when Caroline wanted some kind of special ponytail in her hair but couldn’t find a picture to show me what she was trying to explain and, OH THE HUMANITY, her life is very difficult.

So here are the beds.

I know. They are the cutest.

We found the quilts at World Market. They’re called the Paisley Rialto quilt. They’re a little thin, but that’s actually a good thing because it makes them easy to tuck in. Plus I’ve ordered two cotton blankets from JC Penney but apparently they’re backordered and my life is very difficult.

The turquoise side table is another World Market find and all the pillows came from Homegoods. I have big plans to get those linen-colored ones monogrammed with Caroline’s monogram in turquoise thread, but that would require me to remember to take them to the monogram place. And we bought that chandelier at a garage sale several years ago. It has been in a corner of Caroline’s room, but as the playroom started coming together, Mimi suggested it might be the perfect light fixture for in there. So P worked his electrician magic and I love it so much.

I also feel like the following picture sums up my whole house. Perhaps even my entire life.

P would argue that the Antelope of the Lord is the prettiest thing in that picture. I would beg to differ.

But I’m so pleased with how everything turned out. We finished it last Wednesday and Caroline has basically lived in there ever since. Occasionally we go visit her on the top bunk, which we now refer to as her little perch, to remind her we exist.

Now I’d love to find a cute rug that’s impossibly cheap so I won’t be obsessed about things getting spilled on it. Ideally it would be made out of something that would repel stains, but I don’t know that anyone is making teflon rugs. Any suggestions are welcome.

Then eventually we’ll add a little desk or drawing table. And Caroline has informed me she’d like to continue to add all manner of fish mounts and deer heads to the walls.

I can’t even.

So for now I’m just going to enjoy the present and the subtlety of having just one single enormous antelope on the wall.