Diary

I’m not sure how this month has gone so fast but I feel like I blinked and we are almost to Christmas. Caroline gets home next week and then I’m sure the time will fly by. But in the meantime, I’m headed to College Station this weekend with Gulley because our dear friend Tiff’s oldest daughter is getting married. To put this in the perspective, Tiff was pregnant with this daughter at my wedding.

Anyway, it should be a fun weekend and a reminder that time goes so fast.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. pilcro corduroy tunic dress

This would probably be too short to be a dress on me, but I really love it as a tunic with leggings and boots or I’d also wear it exactly like the model.

It’s on sale for $99.95.

2. Maeve color blocked midi dress

I think this is just gorgeous. The blue is stunning and it would look so great with tall boots.

It’s on sale for $99.95

3. pilcro side slit maxi tunic button-down

Sophie had this on at our Live Show in Nashville and it is just the cutest.

It’s on sale for $79.95.

4. tiered midi dress

Well, this dress is just colorful and darling.

It’s on sale for $99.95.

5. Kelsey high rise fab ab ankle flare jeans

I love the cut of these jeans. They are $89.95.

6. vince camuto ruffle sleeve split neck blouse

This is such a pretty top. I love a ruffled sleeve that still allows you to eat chips and salsa without worrying about getting your ruffle in the salsa.

It’s on sale for $55.95.

7. stars above flannel pajama set

I bought these last week because I think they’re just a cute Christmas pajama without being overtly Christmas. They are $30 and so soft.

8. mia studded clogs

I have clogs that look very similar to these but they are several years old.

These are $59.95 but an extra 30% off with code SMJOYFUL at checkout. They also come in black.

9. evera b v-neck chiffon adjustable strap cami

I’ve shown this before but it’s worth repeating. This is my favorite base layer to wear under sweater coats, jackets, flannel shirts, etc. It’s got adjustable straps, a great length, and not clingy.

It’s $24.90 and comes in several color options.

10. wild fable shirt dress

This is another “dress” that I would wear with leggings and boots. I love this plaid but it also comes in a couple of solid colors.

It’s $28.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

We get a real tree every year. It’s just what we do. And normally we wait until the first weekend of December to buy it.

But this year we bought it right after Thanksgiving so Caroline could help us pick out our tree. We found a lovely one. It’s a Nordeman fir and is allegedly hypoallergenic. I don’t know about that. We chose it because we liked the shape.

Anyway, I put lights on it on Monday and finally decorated it today and I’m pretty sure it may already be dead. This doesn’t bode well for what it will look like come December 25. The lesson is maybe don’t buy a real tree when the temperatures are still in the 80s.

I keep threatening to buy a fake tree and this may be the year that pushes me over the edge.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. cozy notch collar duster cardigan

This is such a great cardigan. I love the neutral colors and the length. This is basically all the winter coat you need in Texas.

It’s normally $128 but on sale for $64. It comes in several other colors.

2. chic pale blue plaid coat

This is such a pretty coat. I really would like it but I have no need for another winter coat considering it’s barely been in the 50s here.

This is $78.

3. wine tiered midi dress

I love this dress. Super easy to dress up or down and just easy to wear.

It’s $76.

4. rock it any day red plaid shacket

I know I’ve featured many a shacket, but I really like this red plaid one for the holiday. It’s very festive.

It’s $56.

5. aerie marshmallow pullover

This set looks so dreamy and is sold as separates. The pullover also comes in a dark green. It’s $54.95.

And these aerie marshmallow pants are perfection.

They come in several colors and are $49.95.

6. pilcro the wanderer denim overalls

You know how I love a pair of overalls and these are darling. Such a great color and I love the embroidery.

They are on sale for $119.

7. pilcro relaxed button-down

This shirt is so cute and on sale for $91.

8. bdg alissa jacquard duster cardigan

Urban Outfitters has some of the best cardigans and sweaters. I love this one.

It’s $148.

9. satin dress

This satin dress is so simple and elegant. It would be so pretty for a Christmas party.

It’s just $34.99

10. appliqué sweater

H&M makes great sweaters. I really love this one.

It’s $39.99.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

So in early October, I decided I really wanted to attempt to write a 25 day devotional to celebrate Advent. I haven’t really written anything since I turned in my manuscript for On the Bright Side and that has almost been three years ago. I was burned out on writing after I finished that book. Then a pandemic hit and then it was Caroline’s senior year, and I just kind of fell off the writing wagon.

Anyway, I didn’t even really mention that I was writing this Advent devotional because I wasn’t sure I would actually finish. But, honestly, God gave me the grace and strength to get it done and I’m so glad. I love the way it turned out and it was fun to be completely in charge of a writing project from start to finish with no publishing company to answer to. Plus, there’s the instant gratification of writing something that I can literally put out in the world a week later instead of waiting years for it to be published.

All this to say, I have written an Advent devotional called Waiting on Wonder. It’ll take you from December 1st through December 25th and, hopefully, help you focus on the things that really matter this Christmas season. It’s a digital download which means you can download it as a PDF on your laptop, iPad, phone or whatever. And you are welcome to print it out or send it to a local print shop if you’d like to have a hard copy.

You can buy Waiting on Wonder here.

In other news, here are some cute things I found this week. There are so many great sales so make sure you take the time to look around online.

1. comfy cowl neck sweater

This is such a great, easy sweater to dress up or down. It’s a great length and I love the cowl neck and the length.

It’s $44 but they are offering 25% off site wide through Sunday with code THANKS25.

2. Jessica monogram ring

ABLE has so many great gift options. I love this monogram ring.

It’s $50 but everything at ABLE is 25% off with code MELANIEBF25.

3. Zella live in pocket joggers

These are really cute joggers and have a slimmer fit so you look put together. They are great for traveling or running errands.

They are on sale for $44.

4. free people Arden top

This is one of my favorite tops and I’ve mentioned it several times. It’s such a great basic to wear with leggings.

It’s on sale for $43.25 but only in the white. However, the white is the color I tend to wear all the time. It’s not heavy, but it’s not see through.

5. all in motion longline sherpa 1/2 zip tunic sweatshirt

I think this looks so cozy for cold winter days when I still have to take Mabel and Piper for walks. Or to throw on when I’m on my way to work out. Or just to wear on the couch.

It’s $48 and comes in a couple of other colors. I love that it’s longer.

6. tory burch McGraw leather tote

This is such a pretty bag if you’re looking for a nicer bag. It’s pricey, but 30% off and on sale for $278.60. It also comes in wine or black.

7. wool blend dad coat

I love this plaid coat. It’s normally $220 but it’s on sale for $154. It also comes in a solid camel color.

8. boyfriend crew graphic sweatshirt

Abercrombie is having a big sale and this sweatshirt is one of the things marked down. I love the oversized fit and it’s on sale for $41.30. It comes in several other options.

9. farm rio butterfly maxi dress

Farm Rio clothes are so gorgeous. I love the colors and patterns. They are honestly like works of art and they are definitely pricey.

This dress is $265 but they are offering 25% off the entire site with code SUPER25 and that’s a really rare discount. I just wanted to share in case you are looking for a great dress.

10. Sorel explorer II Joan boots

I was telling Caroline that she really needed a pair of waterproof winter boots because she’s going to have a lot of cold, rainy walks across campus ahead of her in January and February. So we started looking on the Sorel website and they’re having a Black Friday sale.

I really like this pair and they’re on sale for $105. The reviews say they are warm like a boot but feel like a sneaker, plus they come in several cute color options.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

BTHO LSU.

I have no idea how we are almost to Thanksgiving but here we are. And, according to Instagram, I’m horribly behind because I still have dead mums on my front porch and haven’t even thought about decorating for Christmas yet. I’m more worried about getting my grocery list for Thanksgiving together.

If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time then you know this is the time of year I go on my search for ladyfingers to make chocolate ice box pudding. A Shankle Thanksgiving cannot happen without it. So here’s hoping Central Market comes through for me.

I also have to tell you that I do have a package in the freezer just in case but they’ve been there since last Thanksgiving and I worry about their freshness and the fact that they may be a little smashed. I also need to order groceries that include Caroline’s favorite snacks and stuff since she’ll be home for almost a week and our pantry is a little lacking in Takis and chocolate. Anyway, this is the kind of thing I need to focus on before I can think about Christmas.

Here are some cute things I found this week.

1. gap vintage soft joggers

I ran in Gap this week for the first time in forever. I’m not even sure why I went except that I’m finishing up a writing project and finding ways to procrastinate. But I was glad I did because I saw these vintage soft joggers and love them. They are like the sweatpants of my youth. Super soft, not too heavy and so comfortable. I don’t know that I would wear them out of the house as a “cute” jogger, but I will wear the heck out of them at home.

They are on sale for $25. They come in a ton of color options. I got a small and am usually a 4-6 in pants.

2. vintage soft hoodie

Why is there a picture of a man on Fashion Friday? I’m glad you asked.

While I was in Gap, I glanced over at the men’s section and saw these hoodies hanging along the wall. I made my way over there and they are the softest, coziest hoodie I may have ever tried. They also come in a bunch of great colors and are perfectly oversized.

They are on sale for $25 today. I bought the medium because I wanted it a little bigger and to wear with leggings.

3. ribbed henley t-shirt

And yet one more Gap purchase. These henley t-shirts are the perfect weight for wearing alone or layering under a sweater coat. And the white isn’t see through which is a huge plus. I’ve already worn mine twice this week.

They come in a bunch of colors and are $39.95 but 40% off with code GOSHOP today.

4. lynsie top

I love this Kelly green color. This is a great top for the holidays and so easy to dress up or down.

It’s $68.

5. Eliza j sequin wrap front long sleeve jumpsuit

Is a sequin jumpsuit a lot of look? It is. But do I love this? Yes. I actually ordered it because I just wanted to try it and it is an amazing piece. It has just a little bit of stretch and is super flattering on. I’m not keeping it because my life doesn’t really have an occasion right now for a sequin jumpsuit but it’s great if you need a really festive look for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

It’s $198. I ordered the 6 and would definitely recommend sizing up if you’re in between sizes.

6. Adidas ultra boost running shoes

Adidas Ultraboost continue to be my favorite workout shoes. They are comfortable and wear so well.

They are currently on sale for $135.

7. reach your potential wine red floral dress

This is such a pretty dress for the holidays and it looks great with tall boots.

It’s $68.

8. able Eliza boots

My Erika boots from Able have been a favorite of mine this fall and now they have these Eliza boots in this pony hair calf. I’m in love.

These are $145 but you can get 25% off with my code MELANIEBF25

9. rudolph soda shop swing skirt

The Junk Gypsies had an online virtual market the other night and have some of the cutest holiday outfits and home decor. This skirt totally reminds me of that episode of Designing Women when Bernice literally wore a Christmas tree skirt, but I love it. I just had to show it to you because it would be so fun if you had a Christmas party to go to that requires a funky skirt with a light up Rudolph on it.

It’s $98.

10. sanctuary v-neck teddy sweater

This sweater looks so soft and it’s a great length. I also love a v-neck.

It’s on sale for $46 and comes in several colors. I think it could also make a great Christmas gift.

That’s it for today.

I’ll go ahead and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

And BTHO Prairie View.