Fashion

So today is Gulley’s fortieth birthday. And while I normally refrain from all manner of big birthday shout-outs on the blog it feels like my best friend turning forty is a reason to forgo my policy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GULLEY!!!! I’m so glad you were born.

I love you more than my luggage for several reasons:

1. You’ve saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars in therapy.

2. You make me laugh every day. Sometimes multiple times a day.

3. No one does a better impression of Tony DiMera from Days of Our Lives.

4. You don’t question me when I make bold statements like “I HATE CHINESE FOOD”. You just go with it even if you saw me eating Chinese food last week.

5. I love that we both call each other to recap any event we’ve attended less than five minutes after we’ve left.

6. You’ve known me (good, bad, and ugly) for over twenty years and love me anyway.

7. You are kind to everyone and inspire me to be a better person.

8. You love Caroline like she’s your own.

9. Your ability to bring any conversation back to an episode of Friends and the fact that I totally know what you’re talking about.

10. That we both appreciate stupid things like the way Siri screws up a text, the man in the purple bandana at the pool, and spontaneously ordering Dillon Panthers QB-1 shirts on a Saturday night.

I hope forty is the best year yet. Like the card I saw yesterday said, “We’ll be friends until we’re old and senile. And then we’ll be new friends.”

Also, here’s a random fact. Gulley and I didn’t meet until her freshman year and my sophomore year in college. But we were delivered by the same doctor at the same hospital in Houston, Texas.

We like to think that means we were meant to be.

And now for some fashion since that’s probably why you’re here.

1. cut that out tunic

Love this. Love the navy.

2. meant to be striped dress

I don’t think I could actually wear this but I could if I were in my twenties. Of course Nena was just here and she told me short dresses are vulgar and no one should show their knees because they’re an unattractive body part.

So keep that in mind.

3. tiered peasant skirt

I saw these skirts at Gap the other day and really liked them. I have a version of this skirt from about five years ago and still wear it all the time in the summer. It’s the perfect thing to throw on.

4. lakehouse grass striped dress

This is a little Betty Draper and I like it.

5. poplin roll-ups

These were in Anthropologie. They’re the pant version of the Sanctuary shorts that I adore. And they’re also much cuter in person.

6. rainyday mac

Maybe it’s because it’s been raining here all week (GLORY HALLELUJAH) but I’ve been thinking about rain coats and I always love the ones from Boden. Especially when they’re on sale.

7. fishing net top

I think this is so pretty. I’m assuming you know you’d have to wear a cami under it. But I love this lightweight knit stuff.

8. tortoise monogram cuff bracelet

I’m so in love with these bracelets.

9. twisted necklace

I’m such a fan of Noonday Collection. I think this necklace is my favorite right now.

10. tooled western leather belt

Love these western tooled belts from the Junk Gypsies and really like the belt buckle.

And that’s it for today. I’m off to celebrate with Gulley and lots of cake.

Y’all have a great Friday.

About a month ago (maybe longer but I’ve lost all sense of time and possibly sanity as the summer has gone on) Sophie’s sister (who I’ll now refer to as Sister) was in France. And she emailed me to ask if I’d like to know what the French women were wearing around town. Which, OF COURSE.

Because everyone knows it’s just a matter of six or eight years before the trends in Paris make their way down to South Texas and I don’t want to miss the boat.

Now I said “miss the boat” and that makes me think of a cruise and I’m wondering if I’ve ever shared my complete aversion to cruises. I’ve never actually been on a cruise but you’ll never convince me it’s a good idea to get out in the middle of the water on a long ship.

And if you try to convince me otherwise I will trump you every time with the word TITANIC.

There isn’t enough Dramamine in the world for some situations.

Anyway, here’s an excerpt from Sister’s email update:

“Here’s what I’ve been seeing for the past week, even with the overcoats:

Stripes, as in Parisian horizontal: black and white striped tops are a staple here, but I’ve seen tops in all colors (e.g., the orange/white)

Scarves: very long scarves that you wrap around and around and twist and create a work of art; I’ve also noticed long, sort of crinkled fabric scarves that have tiny flowers, almost Provencal looking. Scarves are a must if you are in Paris. Hot or cold weather.

Shoes in all colors

Purses/bags in all colors

The colors I saw most today were all shades of orange, anywhere from reddish/orange to a pale peachy-peach. I saw orange and red trench coats (yes, even though it was warm ’cause they looked darling!), jackets, pants, jeans, shoes, purses and scarves. Orange was everywhere!

There was another lady on the Metro who had on orange shoes that looked like these penny loafer top-siders that I had in 1980. Her shoes looked darling with her outfit; it was her only splash of color.

I also saw some adorable black and white striped (horizontal) tiered short skirts today (sassy/flirty styles); saw one on a girl Caroline’s age, too. The other evening I saw a woman with a kiwi green long jacket, black top w/white stripes, slim black ankle pants, and red/orange shoes. Killer outfit – and she was probably going to the grocery store. I also saw a woman walking her dogs with a great looking mermaid green top, white pants and red shoes.”

And so there you have it. The latest (even though it was about a month ago) report from an on scene observer straight from the streets of Paris.

Here are a few things I saw this week even though now I wish more of them were orange or had cute stripes or included a kiwi long jacket.

1. silk top with frilled hem

Perfect! A cute orange top. I totally planned that.

2. boxy cuffed sleeve top

I love the color of this top. It also comes in a pretty blue. Perfect to throw on with white shorts or pants.

3. striped keyhole tanks

I realize this is the kind of tank that requires a strapless bra and that’s never going to happen around here. But it can also be worn with another tank under it or maybe just thrown on over a swimsuit.

I know I’m trying hard to make it work but I just really like the stripes.

4. white eyelet shift dress

I am a sucker for a white eyelet dress.

5. living easy tunic

This is one of my favorite things I’ve seen in a while. It’s a shame that it’s more than $15.

6. diagonal print stripe skirt

I love a good skirt in the summer and this one is really cute with its aqua stripes. Plus it’s an extra 40% off.

7. cotton shadow stripe smocked neck peasant top

And this top is really cute. I wish I could post a picture but for some reason the pictures won’t work now even though I totally posted a pic of that dress from Ann Taylor Loft just five minutes ago.

I don’t understand.

8. toms chambray wedge

There was a time when I thought I would never again own any item of clothing that could be described with the word “chambray”. But fashion is a fickle thing and I found myself drawn to all manner of chambray and denim right now.

Which is why I’m in love with these wedges.

9. nike free run 3 running shoe

Listen. I realize a woman in Paris wouldn’t be caught dead in some Ugly American running shoes. But I’m in need of some new running shoes and I think I like these.

Has anyone tried them? Or have any better suggestions?

10. rosy plumes dress

This would be just perfect for a summer wedding. Unfortunately I’m not invited to any summer weddings. But maybe you are.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

I’m not sure how it’s already Friday. But that’s what the calendar says and so I’m going with it.

So I guess I’m posting about clothes today and everything else can wait until next week which is just as well since most of our summer days tend to be a repeat of the day before. Like Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.

Except for it’s June. And Bill Murray is nowhere to be found.

Anyway, on a fashion related note, many of you have emailed or left comments wishing that I’d feature more plus-size clothing. So I wanted to tell you about a site that I found a while back but keep forgetting to mention. It’s called One Stop Plus. It’s basically a place where you can search for a dress or a shirt or whatever and it will show you what’s available at a variety of stores. And you can search by color or price too.

So there you go.

And here are a few other things I’ve found this week.

1. v-neck dolman sleeve top

This is only available online but it would be perfect for the 4th of July. Or really anytime.

2. batwing lace top

I have a version of this top that I adore.

3. zoe turquoise and red earrings

These are so beautiful. I love the turquoise and red together.

4. sakura breeze striped dress

I think this dress is cute.

And thanks to two semesters of Japanese that I took in college I also know that sakura means cherry blossom tree. You’d be shocked at how little you get to use the four Japanese words you know when you live in Texas.

5. swim systems swimwear

I think I mention this every summer but I love Swim Systems swimsuits. It’s all mix and match tops and bottoms.

6. bohemian romance maxi dress

This is pretty. The sleeves would cause me to die of heat in the summer, but maybe I could think about it sometime in November.

(I just proofread this and had typed “die of feet”. Which is another likely possibility. I have an aversion to feet. It’s why I can’t watch that commercial where the groom goes down the aisle barefoot.)

7. leopardlily coat

There’s something about this I really like. But it may also cause me to die of heat or feet anytime before November.

8. lakeside lounging polka dot swimsuit

I love the retro look of this swimsuit. Very fun. Like maybe something Gidget would have worn.

Don’t ask me how I just pulled out a Gidget reference. It’s like my four words of Japanese.

9. matisse sonoma sandal

These are so cute. And I’d love them with colored jeans. Or basically anything.

10. team USA t-shirt

And if you really want to be patriotic, then there’s nothing better than a Team USA t-shirt.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Y’all have no idea about the technological challenges I have faced over the last twenty-four hours. My server crashed and so if you tried to visit the blog you saw a page that said FORBIDDEN. Which makes the whole thing sound so much more exciting than it really was.

Long story short, I had to get on a new server. And by I had to, I meant that I frantically emailed Cathy at Desperately Seeking WordPress who is my angel/hero/woman with the patience of Job who helps me with all tech related issues and said, “HELP. MY BLOG HAS FALLEN AND IT CAN’T GET UP.”

And she made some calls and sprinkled some fairy dust and I think it’s all going to be okay. In fact, I’m feeling so optimistic that I decided to go ahead with Fashion Friday.

Here are a few cute things for the week:

1. don’t tribe me dress

I like this because it looks like something you could just throw on and still look like you put some effort into it.

2. resort ready

I am always resort ready. Which in my case means I am always ready to go to a resort. Preferably one that serves Pina Coladas poolside with those little umbrellas in them.

3. clockwork pullover

Please don’t let the fact the model is wearing lavender jeans throw you off. I love this pullover even though I would die if I wore it in this Texas heat.

4. irina top

This is the perfect summer top and it comes in so many fun colors and patterns that I can’t choose.

5. pure enlightenment top

Love this top to throw on with shorts.

6. henley tank dress

I’m not sure about this but I’m a sucker for a green and navy striped item. Maybe a swimsuit coverup?

7. printed twill shorts

It’s too bad those model’s legs aren’t for sale. But I do like those shorts.

8. majestic sunsets tunic

Love this. And love that it could transition perfectly into fall with some skinny jeans and cowboy boots.

9. gimme a tint top

Perfect top to just throw on.

10. simply put coral top

I love coral. Thus, I love this top.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

This is going to be quick because I spent most of the day helping P tear the rest of the sheetrock of the wall. Please note that I said helping P because he pretty much took over the project to my great relief and now I just need to do some clean up and prep the walls before I paint them.

I also ended up taking Caroline to the doctor where we discovered that she may have torn a tendon or have a stress fracture in her wrist. She fell at a friend’s house about a week ago and had complained about it on and off but I thought she was being dramatic since the bulk of the complaints seemed to crop up around bedtime.

Apparently I was wrong.

So we’re going to see another doctor in the morning to find out more.

And there goes my dream of being voted mother of the year.

Anyway, here are a few cute things. I think. This is a weird time of year for clothes because it’s so dang hot and I pretty much live in running shorts and a t-shirt.

1. encourage top

I think this would be so cute with white jeans. Or white shorts. Either way.

2. sweet summer afternoon flats

Have I mentioned that I really don’t like to wear flats unless they’re sandals? My foot doesn’t like to be fenced in. It likes to be free to move around.

But these are cute if you’re a fan of flats.

3. gauze skirts

I’m such a fan of the summer skirt. Throw on a t-shirt or a tank top and you’re good to go.

Or you could be like me and just wear running shorts.

4. me and my honey bag

This is a really fun bag for summer.

5. eyelet shell tank

I love this.

6. crochet wedges

These are perfect for summer and they come in black too.

7. daisy of the week top

This is the perfect top to throw on all summer long.

8. pink ankle jeans

I really want some pink jeans. And these are on sale.

9. ruffle tank

Love this. Think I might have put it on Fashion Friday before but I can’t remember because my brain is tired.

10. striped tank dress

I tried this on in Gap the other day and really liked it. It’s the perfect dress to throw on all summer and it would make a cute coverup.

And that’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

This may be a new low for Fashion Friday. Not only did I not get it written in a timely manner, but I didn’t even find ten things. I’m not sure if I was tired of looking or if there just isn’t that much out there to see.

Maybe it’s the time of year.

Anyway, here are a few things I found this week. I’m not even going to give them any commentary because that takes time and words and a thought process. Thank you in advance for understanding.

1. gone with the wind scarf

2. ruffle romper

3. joy joy maxi dress

4. starfish sandal

5. karlie stripe summer layer maxi dress

6. openwork t-shirt

7. rosanna ikat orange and grey handbag

That’s it for this week.

Y’all have a good Friday.