Fashion

This has nothing to do with fashion, but I just need to tell someone. P came home yesterday and informed me that his cell phone had officially crossed over the line to unacceptable.

Of course it had. He’s still carrying a flip-phone that I’m almost positive he’s had since 2002. It might even have an antenna that he has to pull up to get good reception.

But now the screen has completely cracked. And even though P isn’t one to quit on a cell phone just because it’s a candidate for the Museum of Technology, he told me to check online to find out his upgrade options.

So I pulled it up and showed him that he could get an iPhone 3 for .99. NINETY-NINE CENTS. Not even a dollar. But he said he just needs a phone that will call and text. And I tried to sell him on the benefits of a smart phone because ALL THE APPS! I LOVE THE APPS.

He doesn’t want apps. He doesn’t want a phone that talks to him. He wants to make phone calls and text. Which is just so 2004.

Then this morning I walked into the kitchen and asked if he’d made a decision about his phone. To my surprise, he informed me that he decided he didn’t need a new one after all. He’d managed to fix his old one.

With scotch tape.

But it’s the matte finish gift wrap kind so it’s super classy. And apparently a better option than getting a brand new phone for less than a dollar.

Here are some cute things I’ve found this week:

1. glamour power to you crimson dress

I couldn’t wear this dress because the cut of it is terrible on me. But I still think it’s really cute if you happen to be in the market for a fun dress. And it comes in navy.

2. rock of ages cuff in turquoise

I saw this bracelet in a variety of colors at Francesca’s the other day and fell in love. They are so pretty in person and the pictures don’t do it justice.

3. monterey bay top

Y’all know I like a pretty white top.

4. braid away necklace in turquoise

This is just so pretty. I can totally see it with a white shirt or a great coral colored top. Or maybe a bright yellow top with white jeans.

Basically, I can see it with my entire spring and summer wardrobe.

5. hunter rain boots

I already have a pair of rain boots and can’t justify buying another pair. Especially since I live in a state that’s been in a severe drought for the last two years. But I ADORE this pink color.

And Hunter boots almost never go on sale. And you’ll have them forever.

Unless you throw them away.

But I don’t know why you’d do that.

6. stripe trench coat

This is a little pricey, but I love it so much. LOVE. All caps.

And they are offering 30% off all new merchandise in honor of President’s Day. Which kind of makes me feel like I should buy it in a grand show of patriotism and love for America.

7. Timex originals easy reader

I always love the look of a watch. Yet I rarely wear a watch.

8. capri chandelier earrings

I saw these the other day and deemed them to be everything that is good and right in an earring.

9. bcbg white cotton-silk blouse

Yes. Another white shirt. Not to mention all the turquoise I’ve linked to.

It’s beginning to look a lot like spring time around here.

10. lace up tunic

This is really cute. And perfect with leggings and boots.

That’s all for today. Rumor has it we’re heading to the AT&T store in just a little bit to see about upgrading from the scotch-taped ghetto phone.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Y’all.

There are few things in life that make me happier than finding a great store with cute clothes at reasonable prices. Well, except for maybe baked potatoes with cheese and butter.

And wine.

Which is why I was so excited when I first discovered The Blue Door Boutique last fall. They have the best clothes and are constantly updating their inventory. And I love that it’s unique stuff that doesn’t feel uninspired and unoriginal and possibly recycled from 1992.

I’m looking at you, Gap.

And so I became a fan of The Blue Door Boutique on Facebook because that’s the best way to know when they get in something really great. And the good stuff sells out fast. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent filled with regret because I contemplated too long before pulling the trigger on a cardigan only to discover it was sold out.

(Pulling the trigger on a cardigan? That’s not a phrase you hear every day.)

Anyway, they emailed me and asked if I’d like to give away three (THREE!) $50 gift certificates. If you are interested in a chance to win, just go to www.facebook.com/thebluedoorboutique and fill out the new fan referral form and then leave me a comment. If you have already liked Blue Door and filled out the form then just leave me a comment.

I’ll close comments at noon on Monday and choose three winners using Random.org.

Good luck.

And may the force be with you.

(I don’t really know that the force will help.)

You know what might help? If I show you a few cute things I’d be tempted to buy if I won a $50 gift certificate.

1. jenny tunic

2. collision cardigan

3. side slit maxi

4. slouchy dolman tunic

5. cloud 9 cardigan

And then here are just a few other things I saw this week from various places that I thought had potential.

1. sheer floral tunic

Can I tell y’all something? I saw this yesterday and thought it was cute. And then I kept thinking about it. Then I tried it on.

And I bought it.

The best part? It really was only $15.00. And it comes in a pretty teal color, too.

2. wrap around good works bracelet

I saw these bracelets at a local boutique the other day and thought they were so cool.

3. faux stones necklace

Maybe it’s because it’s rodeo time or maybe it’s just because it’s Friday, but I can’t get enough turquoise.

4. diagonal stripe maxi skirt

I have a skirt that’s similar to this that I bought at Nordstrom Rack last fall and I adore it. It’s like walking around in pajamas. But cuter.

And more socially acceptable.

5. daydreaming earrings in turquoise

See? Turquoise.

Obsessed.

That’s it. Y’all have a great Friday and don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to The Blue Door Boutique.

Somehow Thursdays have ended up being a marathon day for us. Between homework, after school activities and basketball practice I usually end up wanting to cry by 8:00 p.m.

But I will not let my crazy Thursday stand in the way of Fashion Friday. It must go on. And I even tried to incorporate a new feature where I show y’all a few things and then show some Pinterest links to give you an idea of how to put those things together. It’s not an exact science, but I think it kind of worked.

So here’s what I found this week.

1. Old Navy colored rock star jeggings

Colored jeans are all the rage. ALL THE RAGE. And I think they look really cute. I’m just not sure I can go back there. I even found a pair of red skinny jeans on sale for $11.99 at Old Navy and couldn’t pull the trigger.

Mainly because the last time I wore red jeans they were from Express and it was 1991. I also had a perm in my hair. It was a dark time.

2. rugby stripe clean-stitch tee

I tried on these shirts at Gap the other day and really like them. They’re thin but not see-through and are a great length for layering. Plus they’re super soft.

3. Old Navy chambray shirt

See? 1991. Chambray shirt. I wore one with my red jeans. And a brown Brighton belt with a big silver clasp. And my perm.

But this is 2012. So I think this would look cute with the pink skinny jeans featured above. Maybe add some turquoise jewelry or a cute scarf or a jacket. Or wear it open with a tank underneath. And no one will think you’re just holding out for 1991.

4. gauzy gale peasant blouse

I think this is cute. Great top for spring. And it’s on sale.

5. charleston era ruffled coat

I adore this coat. It is just perfect with its ruffles.

6. watermelon ice dress

This is the orange dress featured in one of the Pinterest links below. It’s pricey right now, but I bet you can find a cheaper version at TJ Maxx or Francescas or somewhere like that.

7. Target trench coat

I love a good trench coat. And check out how cute the trench coats are in the Pinterest links below. I adore that little girls cuffed jeans, flats and trench. I guess she doesn’t just want to wear running shorts to school every day.

8. leather statement cuff

I think I first saw these on my friend Paige’s blog. Of course I’ve never met Paige in real life but I still call her my friend because I believe we will meet someday in person because I kind of love her.

9. georgina ruffled shirt

Yes, it’s a white shirt. Yes, I have a problem. Yes, I believe white shirts are perfection. But look how cute it looks in the Pinterest link with that blazer.

10. denim blazer

And speaking of blazers, I love this denim one. Sure, black is probably my favorite but I like the denim. Especially with a cute skirt for spring. It’s a little dressier than just a normal jean jacket.

Okay.

See how cute the trench is? LOVE.

 

And look at this with the striped shirt and rainboots. So cute.

 

 

 

I love the coral with denim and turquoise. This would be cute with cowboy boots too.

 

 

This is a great look, too. Apparently I’m all about the coral color right now.

 

 

 

Here are the red skinny jeans. It kind of makes me wish I’d forked over the $11.99 for that pair at Old Navy. But then what if I put them on and channel 1991 and the next thing you know I’m standing on a table in a public place singing “Groove is in the Heart” by Dee-Lite?

Not that I ever did that kind of thing.

 

I’ll just say that a few bottles of Zima  can cause a person to lose some inhibitions.

 

 

 

The only thing that rivals coral for me at this point is a great yellow. I love the yellow skirt with the brown accessories and denim jacket. You could put the denim blazer with it for a look that’s a little more tailored if that’s your thing.

 

 

 

See how great the ruffled shirt looks with the blazer? Such a great look.

 

 

 

And that’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

I wanted to give y’all a brief update on the shellac manicure.  Because I know you’ve all been losing sleep wondering about it.

Here’s the deal.  The polish still looks shiny.  And it hasn’t chipped at all.  Which is amazing considering that I have done nothing to protect my nails at all.

BUT I have noticed that the polish has kind of started to separate from where my cuticles meet the nail.  Does that make sense?  I really notice it whenever I’m doing anything that involves running my fingers through my hair.  It kind of creates some kind of icky sensation that is the hand equivalent of how I feel when I accidentally bite into a water chestnut.

So I don’t know if that’s an application error or just a side effect of the shellac manicure.  I will tell you that it has taken everything in me not to pick at it and peel it off.  But I have shown a resolve of steel and resisted.  It’s so uncharacteristic of me.

Anyway, on a fashion note, I wish I could tell you that I had all kinds of cute things to show you.  But you know what I’ve done this week?  Sat on the couch with a sick child.  The only fashion I know about right now involves a pair of yoga pants and my cleanest dirty shirt.

I will tell you that this is a great time to find boots on sale if you’re in the market for boots.  I’d go with a brown pair because they go with everything.  Even black.  Also, this is the last week to take advantage of the 30% discount at Francescas when you use the code MAMA at checkout.

Lastly, I decided to only link to five things today.  And then I found five cute outfit ideas on Pinterest.  So it’s a mixed bag.

(I wanted to include pics but it just didn’t happen.  Sorry.)

1. marina port pocket coat

I love the neutral tones and the stripes in this jacket. It’s a great transition piece for warmer weather and would look so cute with even just a simple white tank under it, a pair of rolled up jeans and a some sandals.

2. terry sweatshirt

I bought a similar sweatshirt to this a while back and I essentially live in it. There’s something about the terry that makes it irresistible.

3. on the wharf striped top

The whole navy-striped thing is so in for spring and I love the sleeves on this top. They transcend an ordinary t-shirt.

What am I talking about? Transcend? It’s a shirt.

4. cairo embroidered top

I love this top because I’m a little infatuated with orange right now. I love the idea of it paired with turquoise and cowboy boots. Plus, it’s on sale.

There’s a beautiful orange shirt at Sundance right now that Gulley and I both love but, like I told her, it’s RARE that things at Sundance ever go on sale. I think she thought I was being a little harsh, but I was just trying to speak the truth in love.

5. mohair cardigan in leopard

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this, but then I saw the cute outfit I featured below on Pinterest and loved the animal-print cardigan. And this one is on sale.

But if animal print isn’t for you, then you could go with the jackie cardigan. It comes in an array of colors. AN ARRAY.

You can also find cute cardigans at Old Navy for just tens of dollars.

And now here are some outfit ideas that I found while obsessively spending time on Pinterest this week.

So this has nothing to do with fashion, but when has that ever stopped me before?

Yesterday I totally went out on a new limb and got one of those shellac manicures that all the kids have been talking about. I’d been thinking about it for a while and then I went to dinner with a friend and she had one and it looked so good.

And here’s the thing. I never get manicures. Because I have these short little weak nails that don’t grow. They just don’t leave much to paint. Better to not call attention to them with polish that will chip thirty seconds after they’re painted.

Now there was a time in college when I used to go every two weeks and get sculptured nails. And then I quit doing that because it was a lot of work and I graduated from college and I was poor.

But I have to say that I am a fan of the shellac manicure. My hands actually look feminine and not like I’ve been fighting off badgers with my bare hands. And I just had them paint them a nice, neutral color. No need to get flashy. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I don’t know why I just brought Rome into this.

Anyway, so now I’ll just see how long it takes before they grow out and look terrible. I realize this is all TERRIBLY EXCITING. Maybe I’ll document the grow out process with some type of countdown calendar.

But enough about my nails. Let’s talk about clothes.

1. chunky knit cardigan

I’ve had my eye on this for a while. Love it. Keep waiting for it to go on sale for maybe $20.00 because $32 is pricey for Old Navy.

2. dotline boatneck

This is a darling top and perfect to transition from winter to spring. Even though the high here is 80 this weekend so apparently we’re going to skip right to summer sometime in February.

3. globetrotter dress

I think this is so cute. Love the colors and would look great with leggings.

4. slub knit cardigan

Old Navy has these right now and I really like them because it’s a good alternative to a long cardigan with buttons. It would work great with a skirt or anything that actually fits at the waist.

5. hey there wedge

Did I mention it was going to be 80 degrees this weekend? Because it is. And this makes me think about open toe shoes.

And last spring I bought a pair of nude wedge shoes that were my very favorite and they kind of look like these and I can’t wait to wear them again.

6. romantic lace blouse

I have loved various versions of this blouse for a long time. I can picture it with turquoise and cowboy boots.

7. mosaic ring

Speaking of turquoise…

Also, just a reminder that you can still get 30% off any regular priced item at Francescas when you use the code MAMA at checkout.

8. lifetime platform wedges

I couldn’t get this picture to work but just envision some really cute blue wedge shoes. I have no idea what I’d wear them with. I just know they’re really cute.

9. striped maxi skirt

I love a long cotton maxi skirt.

10. annie western shirt

At some point I’ve decided I’d really like a great denim shirt. There was a time when I owned about sixteen of them but that time was 1992, about the same time I still had sculpted nails.

So maybe this year is the year of a nail and denim shirt revival.

Anyway, I think it’s because I’ve seen a lot of cute outfit ideas on Pinterest that involve a denim shirt. Or maybe I just want to rock it like it’s 1992.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Y’all.

It’s a holiday weekend. And I’m so excited about it because I have big plans to sleep in on Saturday AND Monday morning. In fact, the promise of that luxurious sleep in time is the only thing that propelled me out of bed this morning.

And I mean it will be real sleep in time since P will be home. Not the kind of sleep in time I get when he’s out of town and Caroline says she’s going to let me sleep but then whispers a play by play of everything she’s about to do and then crawls back in bed next to me with a dry bowl of Cheerios that she crunches as if she’s eating a bag of rocks.

“MOM. I’M GOING TO TURN ON SCOOBY DOO.”

“MOM. IS THE T.V. ON TOO LOUD?”

“MOM. I’M GOING TO GO GET MORE CHEERIOS.”

Anyway, those are my big plans for the weekend. And then we’ll have a basketball game at some point and I plan to have one night where I eat things I actually want to eat and not vegetables.

But let’s talk about fashion.

More importantly, let’s talk about discount codes.

The nice folks at Francesca’s Collections are offering my readers a promo code until January 30 that will get you 30% off a single regular priced item AND free (FREE) standard shipping.

Here are the details:

Promo Code: MAMA
Promo Discount: 30% off a single regular priced item & free standard shipping!
Promo Dates: 1/1/11-1/30/11
Promo Disclaimer: Online only. Cannot be combined with other discounts or promo codes. One time use. Gift cards & sale items are excluded.

Here are few things from Francesca’s that I might be tempted to buy with a 30% discount.

1. flutter scarf

2. color me wrap

3. grecian cuff

4. rouge chandelier earrings

5. row upon row wrap

And those are just a few things. There is all kinds of good stuff to be found.

Just for fun and because I love these outfits. Here are some combinations I saw on Pinterest this week and thought they might give you some inspiration.

 

 

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a good Friday.