Diary

I’m still at a point as we are coming out of the pandemic where I have to remind myself to look at my calendar because I actually have things going on and appointments scheduled and so on and so forth. I’ve actually showed up for three different appointments lately where I had the time and day completely wrong and so I guess what I’m saying is I’ve kind of forgotten how to be a grown up over the last year.

So it will come as no surprise to you that I was totally shocked and surprised to discover that Caroline has both Friday and Monday off school this week. Not that it really matters since she’s a senior only taking three classes and school is basically nothing more than a social construct at this point, but it still feels freeing to realize we have nothing scheduled for Friday or Monday. Although given my current inability to calendar correctly, I could be completely wrong about that.

Anyway, she has Friday off because it’s typically Battle of Flowers here in San Antonio which is part of Fiesta and there’s a big parade and all manner of festivities. None of that is actually happening but they still get the day off school. And then I have no idea why Monday is a holiday but whatever. The bottom line is what do any of us really know about anything anymore?

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. short sleeve printed linen dress

Nordstrom Rack continues to be a great source for really cute dresses at great prices. I really like this one and can totally see it with some good white sneakers or dressed up with a wedge sandals.

It’s $49.97.

2. wrap it up multi print sarong

I think this is just the cutest, brightest sarong. I will probably need a lesson in how to tie it like the model is wearing it, but I’m willing to learn. It would also be cute just tied around your waist.

It’s $20.

3. frilled with you midi dress

This is such a pretty dress and this blush color is so in right now. This would be great if you have an event coming up and need a good dress. It also comes in other colors.

It’s $54.

4. sleeveless tie-dye midi dress

This doesn’t really look tie-dyed to me, but I really like it.

It’s $44.99.

5. oversized vintage dyed tunic sweatshirt

I realize we all overdid it on tie-dye last spring, but I love these tunic sweatshirts from Old Navy because they are lightweight and I actually just love the colors of this one.

It’s on sale for $30.

6. ray-ban 54mm square sunglasses

I like these square Ray-bans because they’re different than anything else I own and they’re marked down from $161 to $92.40.

7. make it your own fuchsia pink midi dress

This is just another great dress and I love this bright color.

It’s $55.

8. out for adventures green palm print bodysuit

Listen. I didn’t want to acknowledge that bodysuits have made a comeback, but it’s true. And it does make tucking in a shirt such an easier process. I love this one and the way it looks with jeans.

It’s $45.

9. delicate in spring mango yellow eyelet top

This is another really cute top and I love that it’s a longer length. It also comes in pink but I really love this bright yellow.

It’s $48.

10. the Bailey jacket

I have loved my Merly jacket from Able for a long time now but it is a little oversized and definitely distressed. If you want a traditional denim jacket that is super soft, not distressed and a perfect length, then the Bailey jacket is for you.

It’s $150 but you can get 30% off any ABLE purchase with the code MELANIEMOM30 from now until April 27. And there are tons of great things at ABLE that would be great Mother’s Day gifts.

That’s it for today.

Have a Good Friday.

Yes. I bought a new computer this week.

It is still not in my possession so I’m currently posting this from Caroline’s computer.

The whole thing started over the weekend when my beloved MacBook finally quit on me after eight years. I realize most people replace their computers more frequently than that, especially if your whole job is based on using a computer, but I do not enjoy new technology. It feels like buying a shovel. You’re just spending money to get back to where you already were.

However, I took my Mac to the Apple store on Monday prepared to get all my date transferred to a new computer. The problem was they didn’t have the computer I wanted. And I tried to order it online but wouldn’t get it for two weeks.

Thus, I bought my computer elsewhere. The data is currently still getting transferred and it’s Thursday night. I suspect it’s being held hostage.

And this is why I hate buying a new computer. However, I did find some cute things online this week in spite of not having a computer to call my own.

1. j.crew v-neck midi ruffle dress

I saw this in person yesterday and it’s so much prettier in real life. It’s on sale for $59 and is a great spring and summer dress.

2. Caroline knot front jumpsuit

I have a black jumpsuit from Able that I bought several years ago and have worn the heck out of it. This one is a little different but equally as versatile and so comfortable.

It’s $130 but you can get 20% off everything at ABLE right now with code BIGMAMA20.

3. Layla embroidered blouse

I’ve loved this top since I first saw it and now it’s on sale for $99.95 plus there’s an extra 50% off all sale at Anthropologie this weekend. It also comes in a brown and blue pattern.

It would be so cute with white jeans or white cutoff shorts.

4. pilcro romy relaxed plaid button-down

I love these pilcro button downs. They’re just a great basic and come in several color options.

They are $59.95 plus an extra 50% off at Anthropologie this weekend.

5. monogram square pendant necklace

This would make a great Mother’s Day or graduation gift. It’s on sale for $24.95 plus an extra 50% off this weekend.

I also love this tova colorpop pendant necklace

It’s on sale for $59.95 plus an extra 50% off.

6. Ella golden batwing dress

This is such a pretty dress and could be dressed up or down. It’s $98.

7. jasmine eyelet dress

I would like to basically live in the Sundance catalog. When I got my new one in the mail this week, this dress was the first thing I saw and I’m in love. It’s just so pretty.

It’s $138.

8. marc fisher oleta platform sandals

A few weeks ago I posted a pic of myself in some wedge platform heels that I bought years ago and are now unavailable. These are the closest thing I’ve found to the ones I have and they are $149.95. They come in several color options and I love the 70s look.

I also found these Marc Fisher Alida wedges for just $39.97 but sizes and colors are limited.

9. oversized camo short sleeve shirt

Old Navy is having a huge sale right now and this darling camo short sleeve shirt is on sale for just $20. It would be so cute with cutoffs or jeans.

10. universal thread short sleeve shirt dress

There are so many cute dresses at Target right now. I really love this one because it’s just a great basic, lightweight summer dress. I Love the v-neck and the cut, plus it’s just $20.

It also comes in olive green or red.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Gulley and I went shopping yesterday for the first time since Covid hit and it was a delightful day. We ate lunch at Nordstrom and then walked around and talked about trends and jeans and life and all manner of other things.

One of the things we noticed is that there are beautiful dresses aplenty right now. So many florals and ruffles. Long dresses and short dresses. Fitted dresses and flowy dresses.

And we agreed we liked this development. Dresses are easy to wear and there are so many that can be dressed up or down depending on your needs. So today is heavy on dresses. I make no apologies.

Here are some things I found this week:

1. lynda maxi dress

There are so many great dresses out right now. This one is so pretty.

It’s $158.

2. madyson smocked blouse

This top is not inexpensive, but it is gorgeous and so pretty for spring and summer.

It’s $138.

3. maeve cassandra maxi dress

I went to Anthropologie with Gulley yesterday and desperately wanted to see this dress in person because a Maeve brand dress has rarely let me down. They didn’t have it but I will continue to ponder this in my heart, also known as waiting for a sale.

This is $158.

4. rainbows in my heart striped top

This is such a cute top and would look great with shorts or jeans. It’s $38.

5. cloth & stone geri plaid maxi dress

I bought this when I was in the store yesterday because it can function as both a dress and a long shirt jacket worn open with jeans. I love almost everything cloth & stone makes because the material is always super soft and easy to wear.

This is on sale for $99.95 plus an extra 25% off all sale.

6. knox rose sleeveless smocked dress

This is such a great warm weather dress. Based on the fact that it was in the 90s here already this week, I’m thinking I’m going to need a lot of good “warm” weather dresses.

It’s $27.99 and also comes in a solid blue.

7. old navy chambray flutter-sleeve swing dress

This is such a cute dress and Old Navy makes the best inexpensive summer dresses. This would look great with sneakers, sandals or even cowboy boots.

It’s $39.99.

8. circus by sam edelman sandals

These are really similar to the much more expensive Tory Burch sandals and these are honestly more comfortable.

They come in a ton of color options and are $59.

9. abercrombie mid rise skinny jeans

I think white jeans are just a summer essential. You can dress them up or down and they make even the simplest top look cute. These are my favorite skinny jeans because they fit like leggings, never stretch out and are super flattering.

They are on sale for $47.40.

10. nike court legacy sneakers

I realize I feature a new pair of sneakers almost every week but it’s because there are so many cute ones out there. I really love these Nikes because they’re the perfect blend of sporty and casual.

They are $59.99.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.