Diary

It’s true.

On Wednesday afternoon I was recording a podcast with Sophie and realized that my computer was no longer connecting to the internet. Oddly enough, it kept working for Skype but anytime I tried to get on Safari or Chrome, it completely quit working. And, while normally I would love blame AT&T for this issue, everyone else in our home had internet that worked completely fine. Plus, our TV was working.

I did my best to fix the issue, by which I mean that I shut my computer down and restarted it about twenty-three times. Shockingly, this didn’t work.

So I finally texted my friend Debbi who often knows how to deal with technological problems and she told me I needed to call the Apple 1-800 number.

Listen. Nothing makes me question all my life choices and the scope of eternity like being confronted with having to call a 1-800 number to get something fixed.

However, I called Apple about two hours ago and Abdul could not have been nicer and more patient as he walked me through all the steps we needed to complete to get my Macbook back up and running on the internet as God intended. As it turns out, I had inadvertently downloaded something that installed Malware on my computer and caused the internet to quit working properly. Abdul helped me install Malware prevention software and even went through my computer and told me to delete all these random things I had somehow managed to acquire over the years. He said I should be more careful in the future. Abdul, that’s the story of my life.

Anyway, thankfully my computer was fixed in time for Fashion Friday because that would have been the real tragedy.

1. around the corner light leopard print top

I really love this top and the light leopard is super cute for a summer animal print option, yet could transition well into fall. It’s $54 and it also comes in several color options if you’re not a leopard print fan.

Red Dress Boutique offers free shipping for orders over $50.

2. ladies luncheon white lace maxi dress

I love a white flowy dress and this one is so pretty. It’s $62 free shipping when your order is $50 or more And you can get 10% off when you sign up for their VIP club.

3. loft striped tie waist flare dress

How cute would this be for the 4th of July? And you could even throw a denim jacket on top if you live somewhere that doesn’t feel like the surface of the sun in July.

It’s $69.50 but Loft has 40% off with the code NEWNOW at checkout until Monday.

4. loft eyelet sleeveless flutter shell

I have a top that’s similar to this and I wore it with cut off denim shorts this week and loved the whole look. This one is $54.50 but 40% off with code NEWNOW until Monday.

5. bdcoco wide leg jumpsuit

This is an Amazon find but I think it has real potential. I love the wide legs and it has great reviews. There is also an option that’s a little looser fit with short sleeves if that’s more your style. It’s $22.99.

6. fp one solid smocked top

This top has been calling my name. And it has great reviews. I love the smocked sleeves and the smocking at the bottom because it’s the figure flattering shape of a shirt that hits at the waist without having to tuck anything in. It’s perfect with jeans now that a higher waist is in style.

It’s $88 and it comes in several color options.

7. ae embroidered peasant top

This blue and white peasant top is so pretty and I love blue and white in the summer. It’s $49.95 but all tops at American Eagle are buy one, get one 50% off right now.

These ae white denim midi shorts would look great with it.

They are on sale for $24.99 and have a 4 inch inseam but 6 inches unrolled. The thing I like about these shorts is they have plenty of stretch because I always need more stretch in my life.

8. ae striped button down shirt

This is another cute AE top and could part of your 50% off. It’s $39.95 and comes in several stripe color options.

9. tomgirl bermuda shorts

These are my favorite summer shorts. I wear them just about every other day because they are so soft and I love the longer length and the fact that they don’t fit tight. They are on sale right now for just $14.99.

10. lulunina split front maxi dress

I know not one thing about the site that is selling this dress. I just know that it popped up on my Instagram feed because Instagram knows me better than my closest friends and family and I fell in love with it. If anyone has any more information on this site or this dress, it would be greatly appreciated because they actually have a bunch of cute things.

It’s on sale for $37.99.

11. j.crew antique gold hoop earrings

This is just a bonus section because I saw the J.Crew is offering 50% off on a lot of things right now. These hoop earrings are normally $19.50 but 50% off with code GETAWAY at checkout and the perfect gold earrings to wear everyday.

I also love this j.crew layered coin necklace to wear everyday because it’s the layered look with no effort and I’m a fan of no effort.

It’s $39.50 but 50% off with the code GETAWAY.

And, finally, I love this j.crew boy fit shirt in ratti kaleidoscope floral.This pattern and these colors are everything. I always think I like a simple look and then I see a pattern like this and think I WANT TO DECORATE MY WHOLE HOUSE IN THAT. So maybe not as simple as I think.

It’s $98 but 50% off with the code GETAWAY at checkout.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

I’d wish you a Happy Father’s Day but I’m guessing my dad is probably the only dad reading this right now so Happy Father’s Day to him.

So yesterday we went from sunny skies and a high temperature that I’d estimate at around 107 degrees to thunderstorms complete with golf ball size hail. Welcome to summer in Texas.

Caroline and I were across town at the gym where we work out when the storm hit and we waited until the worst of it passed before we headed home. I told Caroline to text P to tell him we were on our way home and he texted back, “DO NOT HEAD THIS WAY. THERE’S HUGE GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.”

We were already fairly close to home but turned off on a side street where I knew there was a covered parking garage. And as we drove we saw a double rainbow and the bottom one was the brightest rainbow I’ve ever seen.

I’m hoping that rainbow is God’s promise that the Texas heat won’t kill us dead this summer.

And on another subject, I’m going to be speaking at an event at The Prospect House in Dripping Springs for the new Bethel Church in Austin next Thursday night, June 13th. There are still some tickets available and you can register here.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. adler tunic dress

I think this is the cutest dress and I love this color. It’s $140 but there’s 20% off all clothing at Anthropologie this weekend. It also comes in black, white and royal blue.

2. asher cognac multi sandals

I bought these sandals all the way back in February because I knew I’d wear them all summer long. I needed that stripe platform in my life. And I was right because I wear them all the time and love them. They are $79.95 and also come in a black or white option. Plus you can get 20% off if you sign up for emails on the Steve Madden website.

3. h&m long ruffled dress

This is a great dress for summer and would look so cute with sandals or even thrown over a bathing suit. It’s just $19.99 and also comes in a zebra pattern.

4. turquoise beaded bracelet set

I have three turquoise bead bracelets that I wear almost all the time. It’s the perfect year round accessory and they go with almost everything. This set is $24 and also comes in white and light green.

5. marc fisher bryte studded sandals

I’ve had my eye on these sandals since I first saw them a month ago and have been hoping they’d go on sale. Well, that day is here. They are normally $69.99 but on sale for $34.99 with code FRIEND at checkout They also come in white, light latte and black.

6. free people will wait for you embroidered midi dress

This is another great sale find. I’ve loved it since I first saw it. It’s normally $168 but on sale for $94.08 with code FRIEND at checkout. Also comes in a natural color and a turquoise color.

I realize that v-neck is a little low, but you can wear it with this seamless bandeau under it.

7. aerie beach fleece

I do not mean to keep pushing this beach fleece except that it is so amazing and I basically have one on my person at all times if I am in my house. It’s the perfect summer weight and I never want to be without one. They are on sale for $31.46 and come in several color options and a few stripe patterns.

8. sleeveless crewneck tiered maxi dress

I stumbled upon this dress on the Target website. I haven’t seen it in person, but it has definite promise. I love the length and the bright yellow. It’s $31.99.

9. gibson hi sugarplum tied front summer skirt

This collection launched yesterday and I love this skirt. It comes in several other patterns and colors and, well, I think it’s the perfect summer skirt.

It’s $59.

10. H&M v-neck dress

I am powerless to resist a blue and white floral. This dress is $19.99 and probably perfect to wear when it’s 107 degrees outside. It also comes in solid colors and a few other patterns.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

May is one of those months where I never remember if it has 30 or 31 days. As it turns out, it has 31. And so today is the last day of May.

We’ve been on summer vacation for a week and it has been glorious. And even though summer school starts on Monday, I keep telling myself it will still be an easier routine than the normal school year. (Several of you asked last week, Caroline is taking government and economics during June just to get those credits out of the way and leave room for other stuff in her schedule for junior and senior year.)

Anyway, here are some cute things I found this week:

1. lou & grey cuffed tee dress

I love a t-shirt dress for summer because it’s just a great everyday alternative to shorts and feels a little more put together. This one is $59.50 but 50% off. It comes in a bunch of other color options but I really like this yellow.

2. vans festival slip ons

These showed up in my Instagram feed as an ad because Instagram knows me better than my closest friends. I tracked them down immediately and think they are just darling. They are $60.

3. dream on distressed hat

Last summer I lost my beloved “Mama Tried” hat from Junk Gypsy in the Guadalupe River. It was as sad as what you are imagining. But I have to move on and have been looking for a new hat love. This one is $38 and I love the blue. It also comes in lots of other options, both color and phrases.

4. free people darling days midi dress

This is the cutest dress. It’s $98 and the reviews say it runs big It comes in several other color options and I think it would be great dressed up with some wedges and jewelry.

5. adidas running ultraboost

These are great running shoes and so comfortable. Whether you choose to actually run in them is your personal business. Maybe you just want to wear them to “run” to the refrigerator for another square of cold Ghirardhelli dark chocolate raspberry. Hypothetically speaking.

They are normally $180 but this pink color is on sale for $109.99 and I happen to love pink.

6. ae lace shell top

I really like this top and it would be equally cute with jeans or shorts. It’s on sale for $23.97.

7. j.crew factory tie front tanks

These tie front tanks are a summer staple for me because you can wear them with anything and I love to tie a shirt as opposed to the dreaded tuck in. They are on sale for $14.50 and come in several colors.

8. rainbow stripe maxi skirt

I have loved this maxi skirt from the moment I saw it. It’s perfect for summer and would look great with one of the tie-front tanks above. It’s $45.

9. j.crew factory summer t-shirt

I also think this Summer t-shirt would be darling with the skirt above for a casual look, but it would be equally cute with a pair of cutoffs. It’s on sale for $19.50.

10. sole society dunne tote

I think this tote is so pretty and it’s big enough to hold your laptop but not too big to use as an everyday bag. It’s $79.95 but you can get 15% off when you sign up for their emails. It also comes in black.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Well, we are officially out of school for the summer. Except that Caroline is going to summer school during June. She’s super excited about that except for the opposite of excited.

But we are going to enjoy the next ten days of sleeping in and being on a summer schedule.

Also, I cried real tears looking at graduation pictures on Facebook last night so that really bodes well for how well I’ll handle our last two years of high school.

Here are some cute things I found this week.

1. loft striped sleeveless dress

I shared a maxi version of this dress a couple of weeks ago, but I also love this shorter version for those of us who need a change from a maxi dress. These yellow stripes are so cute.

It’s normally $99.50 but Loft has 40% off with the code FINALLY at checkout.

2. casual v-neck tee

Anthropologie currently has 40% off all sale items right now. This is a great t-shirt and I love this turquoise color. It’s also comes in some other colors in case that’s more your thing.

It’s $39.95 plus the extra 40% off.

3. brenda peasant top

This top has great reviews and it would look so great with white jeans.

It’s $59.95 plus an extra 40% off. It also comes in a pale pink and plus sizes.

4. wander alone blue and yellow clutch

I really love this straw clutch for summer. It’s $42.

5. chuck taylor shoreline low top sneakers

Nordstrom is having a big sale right now and these are 40% off and on sale for $35.98. I have them in white and wear them all the time, but I really love this blush pink version. So cute for summer.

6. rosi flat espadrille sandal

These are 50% off and on sale for $88.98. They also come in black and a woven gold and I just think they are so cute.

7. zella live in 7/8 leggings

These are still my very favorite leggings of all the leggings and they are on sale for $32.40.

8. j.crew girls just wanna have sun t-shirt

J.Crew has some really cute graphic tees for summer and this one is my favorite. It’s $29.50 plus 40% off with the code SHOP40.

9. loft wrap skort romper

This skort romper is on sale for $35 and has great reviews. I love that you could dress it down with casual sandals or dress it up with jewelry and a pair of wedges.

10. kendra josephine bar station necklace

I was in Kendra Scott a couple of weeks ago and saw this necklace and loved it immediately. It’s now 20% off and on sale for $70.40. It also comes in silver and rose gold.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

Here’s the best thing I can say about this week. I survived it.

We had soccer banquet Monday then I drove to Dallas on Tuesday for an event on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Then I got home at almost 10 p.m. Wednesday night and Caroline had to bring donuts to school and be there by 7:00 a.m. Thursday for her World History AP exam. Now, in all fairness, P got up and went to Shipley’s and brought her to school, but I still had to think about all of that and it made me even more exhausted.

Now we are getting ready to head into final exams next week and Caroline has to take two more than she originally planned because we both forgot about an absence she had in early January and, well, this caused the sky to fall.

In the meantime, at least we have online shopping.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. daily ritual supersoft terry dolman sleeve dress

I bought this dress in gray about two months ago and have worn it on repeat ever since. It is so soft and comfortable and I just ordered it in the stripe pattern because I may just alternate these two dresses all summer long. It’s $28.

2. camilla maxi dress

This has amazing reviews and also comes in plus sizes. It’s on sale right now for $75 because Anthropologie has 50% off some of their dresses for a limited time. What does that mean? I have no idea except it’s LIMITED.

This dress also comes in a couple of patterns and black.

3. contrera knit maxi dress

This is another Anthropologie dress that’s on sale for $150 and I just adore it. I have no need of this dress, but maybe you do and I can live vicariously through you.

4. averil tee dress

This one is on sale for $49 and comes in several colors, although the black is the only color that really appeals to me based on the website pictures. It’s a great year round basic that can be dressed up or down. I have a black Anthro dress similar to this one that I wear all the time.

5. straw bag with scarf

I love the shape and the blue accents on this straw bag. Perfect for summer. It’s $59.99.

6. tasseled shopper

I also love this bag and it’s just $34.99 and also comes in natural white.

7. satin kaftan

Now you may remember that last summer was my summer of the kaftan and this summer will be the same. A kaftan is a magical garment that you can wear around the house like Mrs. Roper and feel a little 70’s glam. Yet this one also buttons up the front so you could wear it unbuttoned and use it as a swimsuit coverup. It’s $69.99.

8. lyocell tunic

I don’t know what lyocell is exactly other than a super soft magical fabric that makes denim shirts and dresses so much better and softer than they used to be. This dress is $39.99 and also comes in a dark blue denim.

9. accord espadrille sandals

I really love these sandals. They’re a great neutral shoe for summer and are $79.95.

10. bp wanda studded slide sandal

I’ve been wanting some studded slides and these are really cute. They are $59.95 and come in several color options.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.