Diary

Fashion Friday: Edition it’s actually cool outside

First, I just want to take a minute to remember that today is September 11. Everything has felt so contentious this year and it’s weird to think about on how united the country seemed in the days following September 11. Honestly, I wonder if it will ever be that way again. It’s just hard to believe we are almost twenty years away from that awful day.

via GIPHY

Anyway, I cannot tell you how skeptical I was about an actual cool front arriving in San Antonio on September 9, but it really happened. Maybe this is God’s way of letting us know he hasn’t forgotten us as we live through the hellscape that is 2020.

Whatever the case, I’ll take it.

I’d forgotten what it feels like to walk outside and not immediately have regrets.

Speaking of outside, we are just two weeks ago from SEC football games. I watched Texas State and SMU play last weekend with an enthusiasm I once reserved for more of an LSU vs. Alabama game. I don’t even care who’s playing anymore, I just need football to be on my television during the fall.

Fortunately, my friend Kristy at Two Funny Girls has created the perfect cups for all of us who will be watching football on T.V. but not actually getting to tailgate as we have in years past before we knew about things like face masks and Covid-19.

That’s right.

Homegating.

This is where we are right now.

She also has these great cups with various campus skylines and I love them more than I can say.

She also has shatterproof plastic versions if that’s more your style.

You can find all of her tailgate cups here and you can get FREE SHIPPING when you use the code BIGMAMA at checkout.

Happy Homegating.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. vale maxi shirtdress

Anthropologie has 40% off on a bunch of new fall things just this weekend. This long shirtdress is on sale for $117.60. I love that you can wear it as a dress or leave it open and wear it as a kimono type thing.

It also comes in blue and I’m not sure which color I like best.

2. offline real me high waisted leggings

These leggings. I ordered these last week because I needed a new pair of black leggings and I’d heard great things about these. They did not disappoint. I cannot tell you how soft and comfortable they are and the material is great because long tops won’t cling to them. I highly recommend these.

They aren’t really a workout legging because they don’t have a ton of compression or thickness, but they are a perfect wear around/athleisure type leggings. I sized up to a medium but could’ve totally done a small. I just didn’t want the waistband to make me feel sad, but that isn’t really an issue.

They are on sale for $27.96 and come in several color options. I’ll also tell you that I like this 7/8th length because they hit right above my ankle. I’m 5’6″ for reference.

3. farm rio wide legged pants

I think these pants are so bright and darling. They are on sale for $88.80 and would look so great with a white tank and a denim jacket. Or maybe a black turtleneck and booties.

4. aerie boyfriend voop oversized t-shirt

I also got this t-shirt when I ordered my leggings. It is the perfect oversized t-shirt, works great with leggings and is loose without being too boxy, plus I love the neckline. I could totally wear a denim jacket or sweater coat over it if I wanted.

It’s on sale for $24.95 and comes in a bunch of color options. I actually got the maplewood which is kind of a maroon because I will wear it while I homegate before Aggie games.

5. elisabeth peasant blouse

This peasant blouse is so cute and would look great with skinny or flare jeans. It’s on sale for $61.60 and comes in a few different color and pattern options.

6. free people arden tee

I did a whole thing on Instagram this week with some of my favorite white shirts and this one made the cut. It’s a great basic long sleeve shirt, but long enough to wear with leggings and I enjoy a thumbhole in a shirt.

It’s $58 and comes in several color options.

7. vianne maxi shirtdress

If you are in need of a dress, this one is on sale for $134.40 and is darling. I love the print and the style. It would look great with tall boots or booties.

8. abercrombie mid rise jean leggings

Listen. These Abercrombie jeans leggings are maybe one of my best finds this year. They hold their shape like crazy, yet are so soft and comfortable. I like that the mid-rise holds everything in, but doesn’t hit so high up that my rib cage feels like it’s being compromised.

They are 20% off and on sale for $63.20. They come in a bunch of color and wash options, but I’m eyeing this black pair because I need a new pair of black skinny jeans. I’m telling you that I like these better than my AG jeans that I paid significantly more money for.

9. wild fable tiered babydoll dress

This is a cute little day dress to transition into fall. It comes in several fall prints and looks great on its own or with a denim jacket and booties or sneakers.

I was worried about the length, but the model is 5’9″ so I think it would be plenty long enough for most of us. It’s $25.

10. puff sleeve long sleeve dress

This is another great fall answer to the t-shirt dress. The puff long sleeves make it a little bit dressy if you want to go that direction with some great jewelry and booties, but it would be equally cute with a pair of sneakers.

It’s $32.99 and it also comes in cream.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Fashion Friday: Edition I’m traveling like people used to in the olden days six months ago

Yep.

This is going to be a quick post today because Caroline and I are on a little road trip which is basically the only advantage of online school. We drove to Dallas on Thursday to see some friends and we’re headed to College Station for a soccer tournament this weekend. I have to say that I had forgotten how much I love to get in the car and take a trip.

Not even I-35 could steal my joy and that’s about as bold of a statement as I can make.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. leggings depot jogger track pants

I featured these last week, but I had to show them to you again because they are so incredibly comfortable. I plan to live in these basically every day. And they are just $14.99.

I ordered a medium and they fit kind of loose. I would say order your regular size for a tighter fit and a size up if you want them to be a little more loose. You will not be disappointed by these.

2. abercrombie mid rise jean leggings

I ordered these jeans from Abercrombie a few weeks ago because I’d heard good things about them and they were on sale and I figured I might as well try them.

Well, let me tell you that I love them. They are so comfortable, fit like leggings, don’t get bagged out at the knees and are really flattering.

They are on sale for $39.50 and come in several color wash options, including black which I think will be the next color I order if I ever have events where I leave the house again and have to look nice.

3. mix print kimono duster

Will I ever get tired of kimonos? I don’t think so.

I love the colors and fun pattern of this one and it’s $39.

4. adidas platform sneakers

This week on the podcast, Sophie mentioned she’d love a pair of cute sneakers but wasn’t sure what to order. I went on the search for a good pair that she might like and found these. I really like the platform, yet they’re simple enough to wear with basically anything from joggers to dresses.

They are $65.

5. leopard platform sneakers

I bought a version of these last year and they were one of my favorite purchases. It’s a great shoe to transition into fall. And they are just $32.

6. breathe old navy jumpsuit

This is the cutest jumpsuit and it has fantastic reviews. I think it’s a great piece to wear by itself now with sandals and then transition to fall with sneakers and a denim jacket.

It’s on sale for $32 and comes in several other colors.

7. the merly denim jacket

This is my favorite denim jacket of all time. It’s pricey at $148 but you can get 20% off your first purchase or wait for it to go on sale which is what I did.

I love it because it’s lightweight and so soft that it feels like you’ve had it for a million years. There’s also a longer more oversized version if you like that look.

8. a new day long sleeve babydoll dress

I haven’t seen this dress in person, but I think it has real potential. The reviews say it hits right above the knee so it would work for the office, but could also be a fun night out option with booties.

It’s $27.99 and also comes in a rust color.

9. universal thread puff sleeve t-shirt dress

Puff sleeves are a big fall trend and this is a great dress to transition into cooler weather. It comes in so many pretty color options and is just $24.99.

10. daily ritual sweatshirt tunic

Look at the sleeves on this. I love Daily Ritual stuff on Amazon and have found so many great basic pieces. This lightweight sweatshirt tunic is a great elevated basic that would work perfectly with leggings and sneakers.

It comes in several color options and is under $15.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Fashion Friday: Edition it’s my birthday

That’s right. It’s my birthday today.

I’m officially starting the last year of my forties and so I can only imagine that the money I spend on skincare will increase over the next year.

via GIPHY

Here are some cute things I found this week that I may or may not buy myself to celebrate my birthday.

1. milly plaid button down

Here’s what you need to know immediately. Francesca’s currently has everything on sale for $20. EVERYTHING. I personally really like this plaid button down for myself, but the truth is we find a lot of cute stuff for Caroline there.

So if you’re a mom/grandma/aunt/friend of a teen girl, this is a great time to find cute things for a great price.

2. chic grey cardigan

I know it’s hard to think about a cardigan when it’s so hot outside, but I think this one is really fun. It’s $46.

3. solar wind and rain anorak

Athleta has a lot of things on sale right now, including this lightweight raincoat for $49.99. It also comes in a shoreline beige color.

I love that it’s such a feminine cut. It would go well with just about anything. Also, I wish it would rain.

4. universal thread short sleeve flutter dress

Anthropologie had a dress really similar to this last spring, but this one is priced much better at just $29.99. It also comes in plus sizes and a couple of different print and color options. I personally really like this color for fall.

5. salutation jogger

These joggers at Athleta aren’t on sale, but I really like them. I think this could be a basic that I’d wear almost every day because it’s not like I ever have to get dressed up anymore. They are $89 and come in several color options.

6. vince camuto rumple fabric blouse

I’m not featuring much of Nordstrom’s anniversary sale because most of the things I really like are already sold out. The exception is this top. I love that the length is a little shorter than some of the tunic length tops I have. Plus, it’s just a great versatile basic.

It’s on sale for $48.90 and comes in several colors.

7. cloudlight restore tank

I wouldn’t normally spend $49 for a workout tank, but I’m also not in a life situation where I basically wear athleisure 24/7. I love the longer length of this and the asymmetrical hem. It comes in several color options.

8. good fortune green camo sneakers

These are super cute sneakers for just $28.

9. vince camuto gradina block heel bootie

This is my only other Nordstrom sale item. I’ve needed a pair of booties with a heel because my old ones are totally beat up. These are my personal favorites from the sale and they are on sale for $99.90.

10. breathe Old Navy pullover hoodie

Did I mention all I’m wearing is athleisure? This Old Navy pullover is the perfect weight and length to wear with my workout leggings or shorts. It’s on sale for $25 and comes in several color options.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Fashion Friday: Edition is it fall yet?

Here’s the highlight of my week:

It rained here on Monday night.

Actually, Monday was Caroline’s birthday so that was the biggest highlight, but the rain was a close second. It’s just so dang hot and the rain made it actually feel cool for a second. It made the sky cloudy enough that our air actually quit running for a few minutes because it was able to cool off our house without the intensity of the sun beating down on our roof.

I realize you didn’t come here for a weather report, but that’s an indicator of how boring this week has been.

However, there are a lot of good sales happening. I’m not talking about the Nordstrom sale yet because I’m assuming most of you are like me and can’t shop it until August 13th at the earliest. And if you can shop it earlier, then you probably have someone smarter than me telling you what you should buy.

Anyway, here are a few cute things I found this week:

1. farm rio gabriela knit maxi skirt

Let me tell you a short story. Last fall back when life was normal, I stopped by Anthropologie to check out the sale room. There was a gorgeous maxi skirt marked down to 50% off and so I tried it on. Then I fell in love.

I had never heard of the Farm Rio brand until that day, but now I’m a huge fan of their gorgeous prints. This skirt is very similar to the one I bought that day. The knit is so soft and it’s very forgiving even though it’s a fitted type skirt. It’s not tight and so comfortable. Mine is a small and I’m normally a 4-6.

This skirt was $138 but is on sale for $89.95 plus an additional 25% off all sale at Anthropologie.

2. just you wait navy blue floral top

I think this is the cutest top. I love the colors and it would be so cute with skinny jeans and booties for the fall. It’s $36 but you can get 15% off when you sign up for emails.

3. old navy linen blend shirtdress

These Old Navy shirt dresses are such a great basic piece. You can wear them now with sandals or sneakers and then wear a long cardigan over them with booties for the fall.

This is $28 with an extra 30% off at checkout.

4. breaking free magenta batwing sweater

I realize I am getting ahead of myself with this sweater, but the color is so gorgeous. You also don’t have to wear it off your shoulder like that unless you just want to. It’s $54 but you can get 15% off if you sign up for emails.

And if you’re in the market for some faux leather type leggings this fall and winter, these American Eagle crackle leggings are great and on sale for just $38.46.

5. stars above wide leg lounge pants

I know I featured these last week but I don’t want you to miss them. They are the softest dang thing I’ve maybe ever put on and just $19.99. I love them so much that I’m going to get them in the light gray, too.

And the matching stars above lounge sweatshirt is also $19.99.

The whole set is so comfortable and soft. I’m just saying that pandemic times require pandemic clothes. Treat yo’ self.

6. zella high waist daily leggings

These are my very favorite leggings of all time. I wear them dressed up with boots and tunics and I wear them to work out in when the weather is cool. This is a great deal on them right now. They are normally $58 but on sale for $26.97.

7. perfect puff sleeve blouse

My friend Ashley has the cutest online shop called The Bluest Willow. You can follow her shop and see all her new arrivals each week on Instagram here.

This top was my show stopper this week. I love the color and the style. Plus, you know how I love a piece that you can wear now and then transition for fall later.

It’s $36.

8. daily ritual jersey muscle swing dress

This has been my shining star for the last two summers. It’s just a great basic and I find myself wearing it over and over again because it’s just so easy to throw on any time I have to leave the house.

It’s just $18.50 and it comes in a ton of colors and some stripe options.

9. abercrombie mid rise jean leggings

Abercrombie has all jeans 50% off right now and these are even an additional 25% off. They feel just like leggings and are so comfortable. But there are a ton of great options and styles on sale so I’d definitely look around if these aren’t your style but you are in need of jeans.

10. marc fisher hopee booties

I realize these are awfully winter-ish, but they are on sale for $49.98 and that’s a great deal. I bought a pair similar to these last year and replaced the laces with red shoelaces from Amazon and they were my favorites.

These also come in black.

11. ripped ultra high rise straight overalls

My overalls have been a quarantine staple for me and so I’m either way on trend or I’m too old to care that I’m now back to wearing overalls after I swore I wouldn’t do that again in 1996. The heart wants what it wants.

These are on sale for $55 and I love the distressed look. You can wear them now with a tank and sandals and then later with long sleeves and booties. I’m a fan. The end.

I also love these white wide-leg overalls for something different.

They are also on sale for $55 and I think they would look so cute with a black long sleeve top and booties this fall.

12. madden girl booties

Speaking of booties, I really like these if you’re in the market for a new pair. They are on sale for $59.99 and also come in black.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Seventeen

Dear Caroline,

Today you are seventeen. Even as I type that, I can’t wrap my mind around it.

I spent all day yesterday thinking about where I was and what I was doing seventeen years ago. In the early morning hours of August 2, 2003, I woke up with stomach pains that I felt certain were the result of eating too much chicken spaghetti the night before. I laid in bed from 2:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. with stomach pains that occurred about every thirty minutes and it never even dawned on me that I might be in labor and not in the throes of food poisoning.

When Daddy finally woke up about 6:30, he asked, “Do you think you’re in labor?” Which was a valid question considering I was thirty-seven weeks pregnant. Sure enough, you had decided it was time to see the world and showed up at 2:14 a.m. on August 3. I didn’t realize you might be early because that wasn’t in the plan, which was just the beginning of things I didn’t know seventeen years ago.

Here are the few things I did know:

-You were going to be a girl.
-We were naming you Caroline Tatum Shankle.
-Your nursery was decorated in pale pinks and greens that I meticulously picked out.
-I figured it might be a while before I got a good night’s sleep after you were born.

Here’s what I didn’t know:

-That you would change my life forever for the better.
-I wouldn’t sleep through the night again for about five or thirteen years.
-The way you’d make me laugh so hard that I couldn’t breathe.
-That you’d have a little dimple that shows up under your eye when you smile.
-Seventeen years would go by so mind-numbingly fast.

You arrived in our lives two weeks ahead of schedule and we have never been the same. I don’t know what we did before you came along, but I know it wasn’t filled with as much joy and laughter. You made us a family.

This past year…what can I say about this year? Speaking of things I didn’t know…who could have known that the second half of your junior year in high school would be cut short by a pandemic? There is no page in a baby book entitled “Baby’s First Pandemic”.

One of the things I prayed for over the last twelve months was that you would see and know the goodness of God. I want that to be the guiding light of your whole life and, honestly, I just want to see life work out for you. So it was hard to watch you struggle with soccer injuries, disappointments, and feeling left out a lot of the time.

But every time I questioned why, God constantly reminded me that His goodness doesn’t always look like my version of good. That never felt more true than when the Coronavirus hit and life totally shut down, ending your junior year and soccer season on a weird, incomplete note.

Here’s what I watched you learn over the last several months. You don’t always get to choose what happens to you in life. You don’t get to pick which challenges you have to face or what circumstances you may live through, but you get to choose how you’re going to deal with those things. You get to choose your attitude and your outlook and I’ve seen you rise to the occasion in circumstances that are truly unprecedented.

You’ve fought for joy and laughter. (One of my personal highlights of 2020 was the day you got your wisdom teeth out and were the most hilarious post-op patient ever) You’ve continued to push yourself even when it would have been easy to give up. You’ve learned to advocate for yourself and speak your mind even when it’s not the popular thing to do. I’m so proud of who you are and it’s made me see the goodness of God with a whole new perspective. Warriors don’t learn to be strong if they are never tested.

Here’s something else I didn’t know seventeen years ago:

I didn’t know that you would actually be the one showing me what it means to stay strong in the face of adversity.

On Saturday – as if your seventeenth birthday being imminent wasn’t enough on my heart – you spent the day working on your applications to college. Texas A&M is at the top of your list which makes me feel like I’ve nailed this whole parenting thing.

After you finished checking over that particular application one last time, you told me you were ready to hit submit. I asked if you wanted to pray before you did and so we held hands and you prayed. I’ll keep your words private but hearing that prayer confirmed for me that you have grown into a woman who is chasing after everything God has called her to be. You trust in the goodness of God even if it looks different from what you planned.

And as you face your senior year of high school with so many unknowns and uncertainties, I look at you and know without a doubt that you’ll make the best of it no matter what comes your way. You’ve been forged in fires that neither of us necessarily wanted, but here’s something else I didn’t know seventeen years ago:

It’s often those tough, scary, and unwanted things that are making you into exactly who God has called you to be.

Since life turned sideways this spring, I’ve found comfort in the words of the song “The Blessing”. I bet I’ve listened to it a million times and I sing it as a prayer over your life, so it feels fitting to end this year’s birthday letter with those words.

“The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace

May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children

May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you

In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you, He is for you”

Don’t ever forget that He is for you.

And so are Daddy and me.

We will be cheering you on every step of the way and cherishing every single second of your last year at home. Here’s the last thing we didn’t know seventeen years ago:

You are every dream we had come true.

Love,

Mom

Fashion Friday: Edition the end of July

Well, here we are at the very end of July. I’m not sure if time is going faster or slower at this point and I guess it doesn’t really matter.

Here’s what I do know. I’m predictable even in a pandemic because I’m starting to think about fall clothes. In a normal year this means I’m thinking about all the places and events I have planned for the fall and what I’ll need.

This year?

I don’t know what it means. I just know I love fall and winter clothes.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. solene midi dress

I always like to see what new dresses Anthropologie has in and I love this one to transition into fall. It would be so cute with sandals now and booties and a denim jacket later. It’s $148 but I bet it goes on sale at some point.

2. ae ribbed henley t-shirt

This is the softest long sleeve shirt I’ve found and it looks cute on its own or as a layer. It comes in several color options and is $39.95.

3. army button down

I saw this and immediately fell in love. I know camo isn’t for everyone, but I can see this with black leggings and tall boots this fall. It’s $42.

4. prologue cap sleeve dress

It’s hard to beat a good basic dress for $22.99 This one has great reviews and also comes in tan.

5. kimberley tunic

We have a Sundance store here in town now that I haven’t been in much because we are currently in a pandemic. But I ran in there the other day and found this top on sale for 50% off. I cannot tell you how much I love it. It’s supposed to be wrinkled which is a plus and is so lightweight and easy to wear.

It’s $88 and not on sale online unfortunately. Although I’d pay full price for it now that I’ve discovered how much I like it. It also comes in pink.

6. universal thread shirt dress

This is another great basic to transition into fall. It’s longer than it looks on this model and hits me about an inch or so above my knee and I’m 5’6″. It works great with sandals or boots or even sneakers.

It also comes in a rust color and is $27.99.

7. zella strength racerback tank

This is a great workout tank for $25. It comes in several color options and, personally, I like to size up one because I like my workout tanks a little roomier and longer.

8. free people getaway with me tunic

I think this is the cutest tunic and it’s still full price for $108 at Nordstrom. But I found it for 40% off with code BACKTOSCHOOL at checkout at Belk making it just $64.80.

It comes in a couple of different colors and Belk has a ton of great Free People things 40% off right now so it’s worth looking around.

9. cloth and stone woodland pocket button down

I love a good plaid buttondown for fall and winter. Evereve is a having a huge clearance sale and this is normally $88 but on sale for $35.99.

10. 7 for all mankind dojo jeans

Evereve also has a ton of designer jeans way on sale. These are so cute and on sale for $103.99. They are normally $165.

11. stars above cozy lounge pants

I have a pair of lounge pants like these from Target and I wear them every night. The wide leg is my favorite. I just ordered these pair as well because I can’t risk them going out of existence. They are $19.99 also come in light gray.

You can also get the matching stars above cozy lounge sweatshirt.

It’s also $19.99 and comes in light gray.

12. nashelle pure bar drop earrings

These pretty earrings are normally $41 but on sale for $16.40. They also come in silver and rose gold. I love a simple earring that’s different from the hoops I normally wear.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.