Diary

  • Big Boo Cast : Episode 137

    On this episode we discuss a retail store discovery that Sophie made that – NO LIE – has the potential to change your life. I can’t remember the last time I was so excited about something.

    We also talk about the Enneagram personality types and our respective families dynamics along with having to retrain our feet to walk in summer sandals.

    Basically, this is exactly what you’ve come to expect from our podcast.

    You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog.

    And if you’re on the Facebook, well, we are, too.

    We’d love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

    Show Notes:

    Birkencrocs

    Steve Madden Asher sandals

    Smells Like a Citrus Grove spray cleaner

    Target Restock (A WONDER, it is – ONE OF THE BEST THINGS EVER)

    Wayfair Open Box sales

    Suzanne Stabile on Instagram

    Hum Glow Sweet Glow vitamins

    Elevator music

    Jamie Golden’s March Favorites

    it Superhero mascara (Sophie’s new fave)

    American Eagle Bermuda shorts

    Laura Ashley Collection at Urban Outfitters

    – Ben Platt & Sara Bareilles sing “Bad Idea” (start around 14:15) – https://itunes.apple.com/us/episode/ben-platt-sara-bareilles/1451899011

    – Nate Bargatze – The Tennessee Kid – https://www.netflix.com/watch/81002880?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2C8e1ef668b034fd619ca24cc34331966794bb171c%3Ad3fa6b4428a2e2a02d410f89c17b7c7d33b726ab%2C%2C

    Leaving Neverland – so difficult to watch but so beautifully done

    Sponsors:

    FabFitFun (promo code BIGBOO for 20% off your first subscription box)

    Simple Contacts (promo code BIGBOO20 for $20 off your first order)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition we are in the midst of soccer playoffs

    So we are in the middle of soccer playoffs here and so we are a little focused on that. The team parents even had fat heads made of the girls for the upcoming game and I’m already so excited about all the potential ways I can use it to embarrass Caroline. I mean I would never intentionally embarrass her, but the fact I can act like I’m going to tape her fathead up on the back of my car window is enough to cause her to majorly roll her eyes and want to die inside. Parenting a teen has its moments.

    Anyway, if you feel so inclined, you can certainly say a little prayer that the girls play well and have a great time and that everyone stays injury-free.

    On another note, we are only about a month away from various high school and college and kindergarten graduation ceremonies. I still can’t figure out why January lasted for three years but February, March and April have flown by while I blinked.

    I wanted to share some cute graduation supplies and gift ideas that you can find online at Two Funny Girls. They have these darling full color graduation napkins with your graduate’s bitmoji and lots of other cute supplies for a graduation party, including plates, cups, napkins, water bottle labels and personalize koozies.

    You can find them all here.

    They also have a lot of great personalized graduation gifts that you can order, including pillow cases, towels, laundry hampers, tote bags and clear stadium bags. You can find them all here.

    Best of all, you can get FREE SHIPPING from today until Friday, April 19th when you use the code BIGMAMA at checkout with Two Funny Girls.

    Here are some cute things I found this week:

    1. madewell classic corsage smocked button-down top

    I stumbled upon this on the Nordstrom site and I love it. It’s got a little bit of a 70’s vibe which I love and would look so cute with denim shorts or some flare jeans. It’s $78.

    2. free people penny pull-on flares

    Speaking of flares, I know I’ve mentioned these before but I love them that much. They come in several color options, but this white is perfect for summer. They are $78 and Free People is offering free shipping and free returns on denim during the month of April so it’s a good time to try them out. I wear a 27 in these so they are pretty true to size. If in between sizes, then I’d probably size down.

    3. noonday collection marina hoops

    I love a turquoise accessory for summer and so these gorgeous Noonday earrings caught my attention the minute I saw them. I ordered them and they did not disappoint. They are so gorgeous and will go with just about anything.

    I also bought this chain reaction necklace and it’s a great piece that you can wear long or double up depending on your outfit.

    It’s normally $58 but is on sale for $34.80.

    4. daily ritual dolman sleeve v-neck dress

    I ordered this dress in gray from Amazon and I already know I’m going to get another one in a different color. I will wear this all summer long with tennis shoes or sandals. It is so soft and comfy. It’s made out of a good thick cotton, but not heavy at all. It’s $28 and it also comes in black, gray, navy, olive, pale pink, and a black with white stripes.

    For size reference, I ordered a small and have plenty of room. I will probably order an XS for my next one and I’m rarely an XS in anything. What I’m saying is, you may want to size down. The length also hits me about two inches above my knee and I’m 5’6″.

    5. vans classic slip-ons

    It’s hard to beat a pair of these classic slip-ons for comfort and I think this red gingham is so cute for summer. But you can also get the straight up old school checkerboard version of your youth. They are $59.95 and come in a ton of color options.

    6. rosalie leopard blouse

    This is one of the cutest leopard print blouses I’ve seen and I love that you could dress it up for the office or wear it with jeans for a more casual look. It’s on sale for $89.95 plus an extra 25% off at checkout.

    7. steve madden cadence sandal

    These sandals are darling and 50% off. They come in several color options and are on sale for $49.96.

    8. zella ria hooded cardigan

    I love a lightweight, soft cardigan to throw on over my workout clothes when I’m on my way to actually workout or just running errands. This is a really good one and it’s now 50% off and on sale for $39.49.

    9. zella live in 7/8 leggings

    These Zella leggings are still my favorite of all my leggings. They are 50% off and on sale for $32.40.

    10. pennbrooke top

    This top is so pretty and has great reviews. It’s on sale for $39.95 plus an extra 25% off at checkout It also comes in black.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a great Friday.

    And Go Mules!!

  • Thursday Things: Edition 7

    I totally forgot to post anything on Thursday last week. Or maybe I just didn’t have anything to post. Either way.

    But here are a few things I thought I’d share with you today just in case you’re interested.

    1. Easter eggs dyed with silk ties

    I read about this last year and thought it sounded intriguing. Dyeing Easter eggs is one of my favorite holiday things to do and I require complete family participation even if people think they are too old to dye eggs. Maybe this year we’ll cut up a couple of the four ties that P owns and try this out.

    2. Dots pretzels

    Did I pay $11 for a bag of pretzels because a fashion blogger I follow said they’re delicious? Yes, I did. Were they worth it? Absolutely. These are so delicious and we ate the whole bag in two days. Now I’m just hoping that my local Central Market carries them and I’ve just never noticed it because now that I’ve found them, I can’t live without them.

    3. st. tropez self tan express bronzing mist

    This is my very favorite of all the self-tanners because it works fast compared to a lot of others and I think it gives you a really nice natural color that doesn’t look orange. Ulta is having a big sale right now and this is normally $40 for a bottle, but is on sale for $24. I highly recommend using a tanning mitt to apply so you don’t end up with tan palms.

    4. corkcicle arctican

    My friend Bri McKoy mentioned this on her instastories this week and I knew immediately I needed it in my life. It’s $19.95. You freeze the core and then it gives you 3 hours of cooling for cans and bottles. This is a summertime must in Texas. I can’t tell you how many bottles of Topo Chico that I give up on because they get too warm before I can finish.

    5. wayfair 36 hour sale

    I am not currently in the market for any kind of furniture although there is a green velvet couch on the Wayfair site that makes me wish I needed a new couch. But Wayfair is having a huge 36 hour sale with free shipping on everything and it also includes flash sales on various things. So if you are in the market for any type of home decor, you may want to check it out.

    That’s it for today.

    Happy Thursday!

  • Fashion Friday: Edition the pollen might be killing me

    I do not mean to be overly dramatic (Yes I do) but the oak pollen might be killing me. Everything outside is yellow. And I normally don’t have bad allergies but this seems to be a banner year. If you need me, I’ll be here taking my Zyrtec.

    Also, I have to give a special thank you to Dr. Brandt no more baggage eye de-puffing gel that I got in my spring Fab Fit Fun box. It is the sole reason I’m able to leave the house and see out of my eyes.

    1. sleeveless peasant top

    Anthropologie always has one cute top every season that I adore. This is that top for spring and summer. It is absolute perfection. It’s $140.

    2. loft sleeveless wrap dress

    This cute wrap dress is on sale for $49.50. It would be easy to dress up or down depending on your wardrobe needs.

    3. uo rosalie raffia platform sandal

    Urban Outfitter has 20% off shoes right now and I love the raffia platforms. They are normally $59 but are 20% off.

    4. old navy ruffle trim swing dress

    I ran in Old Navy the other day and ended up trying on this dress. It is so much cuter in person than it is online. First of all, I recommend not buttoning that top button that makes it high-neck. It’s flowy and lightweight and I love it. It’s on sale for $27.

    I bought the small just for size reference and the length and fit are good. I’m about 5’6″ and normally wear a 4-6.

    5. fisoul raincoats lightweight rain jacket

    I was looking for something on Amazon and somehow came across these raincoats. They have great reviews and appear to be really cute. They come in several color options and are $42.

    6. old navy running shorts

    I discovered these last summer and they are my new go to athletic shorts. I like them better than Lululemon and they’re about $1000 cheaper because Lulu thinks a lot of their shorts. These are on sale for $14 and come in several color and pattern options.

    7. steve madden prima espadrille wedge

    DSW has the cutest shoes in stock right now, including these cheetah print wedges. They are $69.99 and also come in black or tan.

    8. old navy french terry chevron-stripe pullover hoodie

    I love a french terry pullover. And I love a hoodie. So of course I love a french terry hoodie. This is $28 but an extra 30% off at checkout.

    9. amazon round trendy sunglasses

    If you’re looking for a trendy, yet cheap, pair of sunglasses, look no further. These are $9.49 which is the perfect price point for glasses that I will wear to float the river or wear at the beach. They also come with blue lenses, pink lenses and black with silver frames.

    10. catherine boyfriend shorts

    Good news, it appears that bermuda length shorts are making a comeback. I really like these and Kut from the Kloth are usually very comfortable and have a good amount of stretch. These are $69.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Fashion Friday: Edition so I ended up in a few dressing rooms

    Well.

    After last week’s Fashion Friday, I really had no plan to feature any more pictures of me wearing clothes I feature even though you were so sweet about my lack of fashion blogger skills and poses. But then I went to lunch with a friend on Wednesday and needed to kill about an hour before I picked Caroline up early from school for a doctor’s appointment. And I didn’t want to go home because I knew Piper and Mabel would bark at me until I took them to run at the park and I had actually washed my hair and put on makeup that morning and didn’t want to take them.

    I realize this means I am letting my dogs bully me. I can’t deny it. But in my defense, they are relentless when they decide it’s time for an outing.

    So I ran in Gap because Sophie had texted me earlier in the week to tell me they had some cute things and I decided I should see for myself. And I tried on some jeans that I liked so much that I thought, “Maybe I should take a picture of myself in these jeans for Fashion Friday” and, long story short, after Gap I went to Target and found some things there I really liked, too. I also ended up following around these two delightful older ladies who were shopping together at Target because their conversation was priceless. There was a lot of “Will you look at this bag? I saw one just like this at Neiman’s” and “I’m going to wear this shirt with a scarf and some pants and look like I’m on the cover of Vogue.”

    Anyway, pictures of me trying things on in dressing rooms probably won’t become a regular thing, but I have a few today. **Edited to add for reference: I am 5’6″ and usually wear a 4-6 in most things.

    I’m also editing to let you know that ABLE is offering 25% off everything on their site through March 31 with the code SPRINGTIME at checkout. This includes my very favorite denim jacket ever here.

    Here are the cute things I found:

    1. loft leopard print flippy skirt

    I love this light version of a leopard print skirt for spring and summer. You could wear it with a tank, denim jacket and sandals. Or dress it up for the office with a dressier blouse or a black blazer and heels.

    It’s $59.50 but 40% off with the code HELLO at checkout, along with a lot of things at Loft right now.

    2. knox rose sleeveless dress with eyelet trim

    I saw this hanging in Target and thought it was cute enough to try on. And so I did.

    It’s $27.99 and the perfect dress for summer. It’s lightweight and a little longer in the back than it is in the front. The eyelet detail across the top isn’t sheer enough that you can’t wear it with a normal nude-colored bra. I am wearing a small for size reference. Oh, and I bought it.

    3. a new day open cardigan

    This cardigan looks so much like one I’ve seen at Nordstrom that’s much more expensive, but I’m glad I took a picture of it while I was in the store that shows how vibrant the colors are in person.

    It’s $24.99 and also comes in ivory with black stripes if that’s more your style. I personally like the gray and yellow for summer.

    4. gap sky high distressed true skinny jeans

    This is what started my dressing room try-on. I had tried on a pair of high waisted jeans a few weeks ago, but they were super expensive and more than I wanted to spend. So I saw these at Gap and decided to try them because I loved the distressed hem and I’ve been wanting a pair of light-colored jeans.

    The ones I tried on were a little different than the ones above because mine had a distressed hem, but other than that they are the exact same jean.

    They were super soft and comfortable and I have to admit I kind of like the high waist. I mean, I wouldn’t tuck in a shirt or wear a belt with them, but they kind of suck everything in. These are on sale for $52. I am wearing a 27.

    I also tried on these gap mid rise true skinny jeans in sculpt.

    I really liked these, too. They feel more like leggings than jeans and are so soft. They are on sale for $52. I am wearing a 27 in these.

    5. loft lace wrap dress

    It’s always good to have a great dress in your closet for weddings and such and this black lace one is so pretty. It’s normally $118 but 40% off with the code HELLO at checkout.

    6. boyfriend shirt in linen

    I love a linen shirt for summer because you can wear it tucked out and by itself. Or tie it at the front with a pair of shorts or jeans. Or wear it open over a tank like a lightweight jacket. This one is sale for $30 and comes in several color options I have on a small.

    7. vintage soft pullover sweatshirt tunic

    If you are looking for a longer, oversized sweatshirt, then look no further. This one is so soft and comfortable and totally long enough to wear with leggings.

    It’s normally $54.95 The blue is $33 but other colors are on sale for $27 I am wearing a medium but could have totally worn a small.

    8. xhilaration striped knit v-neck cropped jumpsuit

    This is really cute and super soft. And sometimes jumpsuits don’t work for me because my torso is too long, but this one fit perfectly. It also has adjustable straps which helps it really fit well.

    It’s $29.99 and I’m wearing a medium. It also comes in teal. And I think you could easily wear a white blazer or a denim jacket over it if you wanted more coverage.

    9. ae military button down shirt

    I already own this and happened to be wearing it while I was at Gap so I took a picture so you could see it on. It’s one of my favorite spring purchases and I’ve worn it a ton.

    It’s $44.95 and I’m wearing a small.

    I also have on this universal thread short sleeve v-neck t-shirt.

    It’s $8.00 and comes in a ton of color options. I’m wearing a medium.

    And I’m also wearing these hue essential denim leggings that I keep telling you about. I love them. They are so comfortable and never lose their shape. Also, mine were longer than I wanted so I just grabbed my scissors and gave them a raw hem. Worked like a charm.

    They are $38 and I’m wearing a small. They look tiny when you pull them out of the package, but then they stretch.

    I think Nordstrom is sold out of my exact booties, but this bp barris block heel is pretty similar and on sale for $59.90.

    10. steve madden aida platform sandal

    These are really cute basic sandals. I love the wooden platform that gives a little bit of height. They are $79.95 and come in several other color options, including a really fun snakeskin.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Thursday Things: Edition 6

    I missed Thursday things last week because of Spring Break, but look what’s back.

    Here are a few things you might want to know about:

    1. John Mayer singing How Great Thou Art

    If you listen to the Big Boo Cast, you might remember that we had Erin Moon as our guest and discussed John Mayer at length. Specifically, that we all feel he is in search of the meaning of life. So I was understandably thrilled by his cover of How Great Thou Art during his time in Australia, both because it is beautiful and because I hope it means something to him.

    2. The Resident Chef Spinach Parmesan Dip

    When we were at Honey and Big’s over Spring Break, she made this dip and it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The secret is this mix and then you add in mayo and sour cream. So it’s super low fat, but it is delicious. The mix is $4.65 for a packet and I already bought all of the ones that were still left on Amazon so this is where I found you can get it online.

    3. Color by Number App by Impala Studios

    This is another discovery from Honey’s house. Gulley’s Aunt Diane had introduced her to this Color By Number app and I am completely addicted to it. It is the perfect mindless activity to do while you watch something on Netflix. I’ve been staying up late at night trying to finish writing my book and it has helped me immensely to color by number to wind down before I try to go to sleep. You can even upload your own photos to color by number.

    4. The Popcast and Big Boo Cast Live in Texas to benefit Amarillo Angels

    I couldn’t be more excited about this. Sophie and I will be in Amarillo with Knox and Jamie from the Popcast on September 14th for a live show to benefit Amarillo Angels.

    This is the mission statement of the Amarillo Angels: “The Amarillo Angels mission is to walk alongside children in the foster care system, as well as their caretakers, by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship.”

    More information about the work of Amarillo Angels can be found at amarilloangels.org

    5. NYX butter gloss in creme brulee

    If you are looking for just a good, inexpensive neutral lipgloss, I am loving this one. It looks much pinker in the tube than it is once you put it on so do not be afraid. I think it’s a color that would work for just about anyone. And it’s just $5.00.

    That’s it for today.

    Happy Thursday.