Fashion

This is the lamest intro to Fashion Friday ever. But I spent my day running eighty-four errands to get ready for our end of the year pool party and then picked up a picture of Caroline’s class to frame for her teacher only to realize the photo-processing people took the liberty of cropping three children completely out of the picture.

And then I got that fixed just in time to pick Caroline up from school and head to the pool where we spent the next five hours. That’s right. Five hours. I’m that kind of tired where I could sit and cry like a little kid.

The good news is we have to be back at the pool for our first morning swim practice in about eight hours. Summer, why you gotta hate already?

Just kidding, summer. I love you. I wouldn’t trade you.

At least not until the middle of July.

Here are a few cute things:

1. sanctuary peace shorts

I’ve mentioned these shorts before because they are my favorites. But I’m mentioning them again because they’re on sale at Nordstrom for $49.90. Which, let’s face it, is really $50 but with fancy marketing strategy thrown in.

2. linen trouser pants

Ann Taylor Loft is having a great sale right now. All sale items are an additional 50%.

There are a bunch of cute things, but I’m really liking these linen pants.

3. essex sugar wash tee

I bought this shirt at Gap the other day and love it. It comes in a bunch of cute colors, it’s a good length and it’s super soft. Plus that sleeve gives it just a little flair.

4. sunset suede/jute wedge

These shoes are super cute and a great color for the summer. And they’re on sale.

5. chevron stripe maxi dress

I tried this on at Gap the other day and really liked it except for the fact that it requires undergarments trickier than just a normal bra. And that’s a deal breaker for me, ladies.

But maybe you don’t care about such things and, thus, I needed you to know about this dress.

6. notch neck tunic

I love Boden tunics. Honestly, I love just about everything at Boden. And right now all their summer stuff is 20% off with free shipping.

7. watercolor sound maxi

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I don’t know what’s wrong with me. This is another maxi that requires a strapless bra, but I love those stripes and the color.

Maybe I could just wear it with a denim jacket over it and die from the heat.

8. hidden gem bib necklace

Love this necklace. Perfect with summer colors.

9. zoom bisou top

I realize I’m slightly obsessed with all things chevron right now. But this top is so cute. I love the navy and white and I love the way it’s cut.

10. all time earrings

These are pretty.

And that’s it for today. Now I’m off to bed because did I mention we have swim team practice at 7:45 in the morning? I’m consoling myself with the fact I don’t have to pack a lunch.

Y’all have a great Friday.

So it’s Memorial Day Weekend. Which makes me feel like the last year has flown by because wasn’t it just Memorial Day Weekend like two weeks ago?

Either way. I’m just glad it’s almost summer and the days where I can wear shorts and a t-shirt all day long and get away with it. Not that I don’t do that during the other nine months of the year, but it just feels more right in the summer.

Here are a few cute things I found this week:

1. old navy tanks

It’s the second most wonderful time of the year. Old Navy tanks are on sale through Memorial Day weekend for $4.00 and as low as $2.00 in the store.

Why do I want to say something dorky like Tanks a lot, Old Navy?

Seriously. Someone stop me.

2. t-shirt maxi dress

I bought this in black last week because I tried it on in the store and it felt like a nightgown. And I decided right then and there that it would be the perfect thing to throw on all summer.

But now I also want the coral one.

3. aqua mirage striped scarf

I love this scarf. Great summer colors and would perfectly match the nail polish color that I’m too old to wear.

4. marc jacobs striped tote

I think this is a cute summer tote. And it’s on sale right now.

5. houseboat tunic

I bought this shirt about two months ago and I have worn the heck out of it. It looks great with shorts, colored jeans, just about anything. And it’s so cool and comfortable.

6. indo stripe pajamas

I don’t really need new pajamas because I prefer to wear a ratty old t-shirt that says Duke Baseball that I’ve owned since sometime in 1993. But if I needed some, I really like these.

7. shirred v-neck tee

My friend Steph showed me these shirred tees at Nordstrom a few weeks ago and I loved them. It’s a little fancier than a normal t-shirt, but just as comfortable.

8. woven slingback wedge

Adore. So great for summer. And completely affordable.

9. elegance is love top

Because I have a slight obsession with white, lacy tops. This is gorgeous.

10. open toe cork wedge

I saw these in a local boutique the other day and thought they were so cute. They’d look great with so many summer outfits because just look at all that color.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

I know.

I didn’t post anything yesterday. Not even a random list of things like I usually do when I can’t think of anything to write about. I’m still not sure what happened. I was sitting on the couch with P lamenting over my lack of creativity and all of a sudden I decided I was tired and going to bed.

It’s like I don’t even know who I am.

But I’m back with fashion and isn’t that what really matters? Everyone is entitled to play hooky every once in a while. In fact, I let Caroline play hooky last Monday. She was thrilled until P told her that sometimes the police will come pick up kids that skip school. I believe the phrase he used was “cuff ’em and stuff ’em”.

She was a little concerned, so I explained that police are only worried about kids that skip school all the time and get into mischief. Then that night we were all watching T.V. P was flipping through the channels and came upon some segment on the local news that showed a man lying on the ground handcuffed and said, “Looks like he got caught skipping school”.

And I laughed until I cried.

But none of that has anything to do with fashion.

1. split neck gauze top

I went to lunch with my sister, Amy, the other day and she had on this top. Except hers was a navy print. Whatever. It was super cute and I knew I had to have one. It’s lightweight and just the right length.

2. daniel rainn floral blouse

This is so pretty. Love it with the white jeans.

3. chevron stripe maxi skirt

I just love this. And it’s a great price.

4. lucky in love lace dress

If you are in need of a white lace dress then look no further. This is gorgeous.

5. embroidered mexicali tanks

I bought one of these the other day because I walked in Old Navy and they were on sale for $8.00. That’s hard to beat. And they come in a bunch of great colors.

6. strapless striped maxi dress

This would be a great cover-up or dress to throw on at the beach or at the pool or at the lake. Basically, it makes me feel like I need to put on sunscreen and be near a body of water.

7. lacey lucy tank

8. judith march floral maxi dress

I saw this in a shorter version that wasn’t going to work for me unless I found a DeLorean and Michael J. Fox and some plutonium and traveled back in time. But I love it in this maxi version. Very pretty.

9. jarmila tunic

This is pretty. Perfect with white jeans.

10. shawl-collar v-neck

I have the long-sleeve version of this shirt and, I kid you not, I wear it every night and every morning. I didn’t intend for it to become a pajama top, but it is so comfortable and sometimes things just don’t work out like you plan.

But this would be a great casual top to throw on all summer with or without your pajamas. I like that it’s loose and flowy, yet still a t-shirt type thing.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

And don’t skip school.

Y’all.

I am so excited.

I mean really I’m kind of tired because it’s late and whatever, but on the inside I am doing cartwheels. You know why?

Because I’d end up in the Emergency Room if I did them for real.

And also because my pretend friends, Amie and Jolie Sikes, otherwise known as the Junk Gypsies, have their own show on HGTV and it premieres tomorrow, Saturday, May 5th at 6:00 p.m. central time.

(That’s 7:00 p.m. for those of you on the east coast.)

(Those of you on the west coast will have to do your own time math. I’m always so confused.)

Anyway, I say they’re my pretend friends because I’ve never met them in real life, but I wish we had so that totally counts. Plus, we’ve emailed back and forth which means we’re practically related.

Amie and Jolie are rebel designers with a spirit of adventure and a knack for finding treasure in what other people see as trash. Their style is whimsical and fun and totally out of the ordinary.

And, y’all, they did all the decor for Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s wedding.

In honor of the premiere of their show, Jolie and Amie want one of you to have the chance to win $75 in Junk Bucks.

Then you could use that $75 to buy something great like this if Mama ain’t happy t-shirt.

Or I love this made in Texas tee.

And turquoise lovers (like myself) will adore this el camino cuff.

These silver spangle chandeliers are incredible.

As for me, I’d be tempted to get this Texas necklace.

Here’s what you need to do to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Watch the premiere of the Junk Gypsies show on HGTV Saturday night. (Not really, but you totally should.)

3. I’ll keep comments open until Monday, May 7th at noon and choose one lucky winner that I’ll notify by email.

That’s it.

Now for some great finds this week.

1. chevron stripe tank

I went shopping with my friend Stephanie yesterday and I bought this top. It comes in a bunch of cute colors and is perfect for summer. Long enough to wear with skinny jeans, short enough to wear with shorts.

2. wild patchwork oversize scarf

Steph pointed out this scarf to me and we agreed it would be so cute all summer long with different color tank tops. But then we also agreed that it gets way to hot here to have something around your neck all summer without wanting to kill a person.

3. woven wide brim hat

Every summer I buy a large hat because I like to channel someone’s Great Aunt Maude when I go to the pool. I’m also overcompensating for the sun sins of my youth.

So I bought this hat yesterday. The price was right, it will keep the sun off every inch of my face and it has one of those great adjustable brims so it won’t get too floppy.

4. endpoint skirt

I think this is really cute. Maybe with a bright yellow top? Or a green? Or a hot pink?

5. sanctuary peace shorts

Have we talked about these shorts? If you’re going to wear shorts this summer then I can’t recommend anything better than these Sanctuary shorts. In the words of the saleslady at a local store, they have the ability to make everyone’s rear end look good.

And they can roll up or down depending on your length preference.

(Just to clarify, you have to roll them up or down. They don’t do it on their own. Because that would be weird. And probably uncomfortable.)

6. scalloped lace date top

Oh, this is just lovely.

7. timex originals easy reader

I don’t wear a watch. Yet sometimes I am tempted to buy one because I like the way they look. And then I wonder if I’d ever really wear it.

Right now I’m tempted to buy this one because, OH THE PINK.

8. floating monogram necklace

I am dying for this necklace. Wouldn’t it be the perfect Mother’s Day gift?

(Let’s see if that works.)

I also love the fun acrylic monogram pendant that comes in a bunch of fun colors.

9. voile trapeze slip

I can’t remember if I’ve told you this, but way back in January there was a conference for college kids called Passion. And Christy Nockels was one of the worship leaders. And she had on the cutest long tunic with skinny jeans and a sweater layered over it.

(Not that I was solely focusing on her outfit. I was also worshiping Jesus. I may have even thanked him for giving some clothing designer the creativity to create that tunic.)

And then my friend Paige (who is technically another pretend friend because we’ve never met) emailed me and asked if I could figure out where the tunic originated. It came to me as if in a dream, Free People.

I was right. And here it is.

It would look great on its own or with something layered over it in cooler weather. Perfect with leggings or jeans.

10. leather and gold bracelet

This bracelet is really cute. Love the orange for summer but it also comes in some other great colors.

And that’s it for today.

Don’t forget to leave a comment if you want a chance to win the $75 gift certificate from the Junk Gypsies.

Y’all have a good Friday.

The other day I was in this kids’ clothing shop by our house and I saw the most darling top for Caroline. But it was a little more than I’d usually spend on someone who tends to use their clothing as a napkin on a regular basis.

A few days went by and I couldn’t quit thinking about it. I mean, I loved it so much that I nearly tried on a girls’ size 14 to see if it might fit. And I finally decided that Caroline needed to have it because it’s Fiesta time in San Antonio and a girl needs a bright new top.

So yesterday after school we ran by there for her to see it and, I assumed, adore it and beg me to get it for her. We walked in and I showed her the top, waited for the angels to sing a chorus of Hallelujah while a bright light shone done from heaven.

Caroline looked at it for a minute and, I KID YOU NOT, said, “Meh” with a shrug of her shoulders. And a part of me died inside.

I suspect she sensed my enthusiasm about the whole thing.

Here are a few other cute things I’ve seen this week:

1. jersey mexicali dress

This dress comes in a bunch of different colors and it’s only $19.94 or some tricky price point in that vicinity Old Navy likes to use to make you feel like it’s a deal because it’s less than $20. I think it would be great to throw on as a dress or as a coverup over a swimsuit.

2. peanut gallery panache top

I think this is kind of funky and fun. I’m sure Caroline would disagree.

3. smocked-gauze mexicali skirt

Apparently Old Navy is big into the word “Mexicali” right now. Which I assume is a cross between Mexico and California. And means that this skirt would be the perfect thing to wear while drinking a margarita during an earthquake.

Anyway, I went there yesterday to see it in person and they didn’t have it in our store yet. But it looks really cute.

4. sita clutch

This is a fun little purse for summer if you’re not like me and don’t feel the need to take the kitchen sink with you everywhere you go.

5. alexa sandal

Love this sandal and it comes in several different colors. Including gold.

6. paisley henley tunic

I don’t know what’s going on at Gap but they have actually had some good stuff lately. I’m a fan of these paisley tunics. They’d be cute with shorts, cuffed jeans, or even as a coverup.

7. chevron stripe kimono sleeve top

I’m a fan of the chevron stripe these days.

8. chambray drawstring tank

This is a great lightweight top. You’ll need something under it because it’s kind of sheer but it comes in several colors and would be cute with a lot of different things.

And here are a few outfit ideas I’ve found on Pinterest this week:

Sometimes just a simple white shirt and a pair of cuffed jeans is perfect. Add in some fun sandals like these or in a color and you’ve got an outfit.

About a week ago, Caroline and I went in Gap. They had a really cute dress on one of the display models and Caroline really wanted it. But I’m hesitant to buy her anything these days because she prefers to dress like she’s on her way to work out at the gym so I told her we’d wait and see.

Which is code for “I’ll see if you forget about it”.

But she kept talking about the dress and a few days later I went back to Gap and discovered it was 30% off. So I bought it. And I bought the denim vest that they had paired with it. I have always loved a denim vest. You can take the girl out of the early 90s, but you can’t take the early 90s out of the girl.

Caroline was so excited about the dress, but she took one look at the vest and said, “No thank you”. Really? You don’t want to help your mother in her effort to bring back the denim vest?

No. She didn’t.

Never mind the fact that I have held onto my denim vest all these years just waiting for its triumphant return to glory.

Then on Wednesday morning I put on my new pair of yellow jeans with a denim shirt. And I looked in the mirror and realized I was one perm and a Brighton belt away from my 1991 self.

Which may explain why I was so excited to hear a Guns N’ Roses song on the radio later that day and the sweet sounds of Axl Rose reminded me that all I need is just a little patience.

I’d like to think he was talking about my denim vest.

Here are a few things I found this week:

1. heidi tank

I wouldn’t wear this by itself because I need to do about 6,042 pushups. But I love the layers and think it might look cute with a little sweater or something over it.

2. evening sun blue lace dress

I love the color of this. It would be the perfect dress if you’re invited to a summer wedding.

3. for eternity lace dress

And speaking of lace, I really like this too. It’s a softer look, but I bet it would look great with gold sandals. Assuming that they’re happening this summer.

4. 1969 boyfriend shorts

I think I’ve expressed my issues with shorts. But I tried these on this week and they are really cute. And kind of the perfect length. My only regret is that they don’t come in more colors.

5. susana sleeveless dress

This is pretty.

6. jade caftan dress

Let me be clear. I would not wear this as a dress. But I would totally wear it with a pair of skinny white jeans.

7. courtney bag

I saw this purse in person the other day and it is so much cuter than it is in the picture. I’m a little bit in love with it.

8. humming a tune top

Y’all know I love a white shirt. And I’m a little torn about this one. I like that it is different from other white shirts. But I’m slightly concerned it might be a Seinfeld puffy shirt.

However, I think I’m leaning more towards cute. Picture it with some colored jeans and sandals.

Or maybe with a sword and a big ship flying a flag with the Jolly Roger on it.

9. back to tomorrow earrings

Some of you asked about turquoise jewelry the other day. I really like these earrings. And this site has a lot of really cute turquoise pieces and pretty reasonable prices.

10. There is no 10. Because I numbered wrong and just realized I don’t have a tenth thing. And I’m too tired to look for something. So here’s number ten, I’m an idiot. All that math homework I’ve been helping with doesn’t seem to be paying off.

Unless you count my new and improved knowledge of cylinders and spheres.

Y’all have a great Friday.