Fashion

This may be the shortest edition of Fashion Friday ever for a few reasons. But there’s a giveaway announcement at the end so make sure you don’t miss that part.

1. I really struggled to find things I liked this week.

2. I spent most of yesterday chaperoning a third grade field trip to the museum.

3. Then I found out at 4:00 that we were supposed to make a map of Caroline’s bedroom complete with a compass key and a legend.

4. That caused me to take six Advil.

5. And now I am ready for bed.

So, without further adieu, here are a few things that I think are cute. Think being the key word.

1. flounced pintuck parka

Yes, I’ve shown this before. But now it’s on sale for $99.95

2. parsonage towne crochet vest

I like this. But would probably wear it without the belt or maybe with a wider belt.

3. flannel lounge pants

Yes. These.

4. short sleeve sweater dress

I bought this exact dress in charcoal gray last year and I love it. It looks great with tights or leggings. And it’s 40% off.

5. leather jacket

Did you know that you can shop at H&M online now? YOU CAN. My life may never be the same.

6. black blazer

See? Something else from H&M. This is a great black blazer at a great price.

7. anything but bored boots

These are pretty cute boots and great price.

8. above and beyond dress

I love so many things at The Blue Door Boutique, but I picked this one to show.

9. lucky brand allison sheer peasant top

This would look really great with jeans and cowboy boots.

10. daniel rainn lattice blouse

I am a big fan of Daniel Rainn tops. They always look great on and are fairly affordable. This one is great because it could be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.
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I recently had the chance to try Bare Escentuals new Bare Minerals 2.0 eyeshadow and am a big fan. For a chance to win your own Bare Minerals eyeshadow just click on over to my giveaway page.

I think it’s probably obvious that I haven’t been up for much shopping this week. In fact, I haven’t been up for much of anything that doesn’t involve lying on the couch in my pajamas. Thankfully, P has more than taken up the slack around here. He’s let me sleep in late, packed Caroline’s lunch and gotten her off to school every morning, and even unloaded the dishwasher yesterday. And here I thought I just married him for the eye candy.

So I started looking around online to see if I could find anything cute and came up short. I don’t know if it’s because I’m on a lot of cold medicine or if I’m just tired or if three straight days in pajamas has clouded my judgment, but nothing really appealed to me.

But I thought it might be fun to do something different. I know a lot of people use Pinterest to discover all manner of crafty activities and birthday party ideas. However, I use it for fashion. Where else can you sit on your couch in holey pajamas and get great wardrobe ideas?

One of the things I love the most is to see what other people are wearing and then try to recreate it with things I already have in my closet or things I can find for a bargain.

Here are a few outfit combinations I love right now.

1.  I love this because it’s simple and totally easy to copy.  A simple t-shirt,  scarf and jeans with Toms.  The perfect Mom outfit.

Source: polyvore.com via Jenny on Pinterest

 

2.  This is a little dressier than anything my life calls for, but I would love it if I were still working in an office setting because it’s made up of pieces that could also be worn on the weekend.  I’m a fan of the unexpected mix of colors.

Source: polyvore.com via Jenny on Pinterest

 

3.  I’m a little obsessed with orange.  I believe I’ve mentioned that.  So I adore this orange and gray together.

Source: polyvore.com via Jenny on Pinterest

 

4.  Maybe it’s just me but I believe a denim jacket is an essential part of any wardrobe.  It’s a great transitional piece and can add that perfect something to any outfit.   I love how this necklace and the unexpected tan boots make a simple black dress into something great.

Source: None via Stephanie on Pinterest

 

5.  Love the simplicity of this.

Source: polyvore.com via Ania on Pinterest

 

6.  I don’t know if I could pull off this outfit but I really like the way all these different pieces come together to make a great look.  It makes me want to look in my closet and see what I can pull together from things that may not seem like they go together at first glance.

Source: gallery.me.com via Sydney on Pinterest

 

7.  This is another easy outfit that pops because of the color combinations.

Source: polyvore.com via Jenny on Pinterest

 

8.  Um.  Orange and gray again?  Yes.

Source: matissecolor.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

 

9.  Love the way leopard print flats and an orange  bag (I know. I’m obsessed.) can make an outfit fun.

Source: polyvore.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

 

10.  I also really like blue and green together.  Super cute coat.

Source: None via Heather on Pinterest

 

 

11.  Do you kind of feel like I’m pushing the whole t-shirt and scarf thing?  It’s because I am.  I just want you to see how easy it is to put together an inexpensive outfit that still looks great.  Sometimes it’s just all about the right accessories.

Source: None via Heather on Pinterest

 

12.  T-shirt.  Scarf.  I have a problem.

Source: None via Heather on Pinterest

 

13.   Now this is a little different because it’s a long sleeve, SLOUCHY t-shirt with an infinity scarf.  Seriously.  I have a problem.

Source: polyvore.com via Jenny on Pinterest

 

 

14.  The jacket makes this totally different.  Plus I love the green with the gray and the cream jacket.  You could totally put this together from pieces you’d find at Forever 21 or TJ Maxx or Target.

Source: polyvore.com via Dianene on Pinterest

 

 

15.  This has nothing to do with fashion, but I really like her haircut.  Any thoughts on whether or not I should get my hair cut like this?  I think we all know that it’s the bangs that appeal to me, yet frighten me at the same time.

Source: valooworfae.blogspot.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

 

 

 

Y’all have a great Friday.

Yes. It’s true. Our air-conditioning is out. On the bright side, it’s only the unit that cools our bedroom. Yet on the downside, we like to sleep in our bedrooms. And on another downside, the repairman had to order a part and told us our circuit board is dead. I’ll be honest, that doesn’t sound cheap.

But I don’t want to let my personal A/C tragedy interfere with fashion.

Also, I have to tell you two things that happened today that made me believe I might have some sort of sixth sense.

First, I tweeted yesterday morning that Gap can’t even make clothes that look good on the models on their website anymore. And that doesn’t bode well for those of us who are normal. Then I read just a little while ago that Gap is closing a third of their stores nationwide.

This comes as no surprise to me. I want to like Gap, I really do. Plaid walking shorts from Gap were a staple of my college wardrobe along with their side zip black skinny pants. But I can’t remember the last time I bought something there for myself. Dear Gap, where did it all go wrong?

Secondly, I was dropping off a shirt at the drycleaners’ and was standing in line behind a man wearing a t-shirt that read, “I DRESS MYSELF”. I didn’t need the shirt to tell me that was the case because the fact he had on knee-high white socks with shorts told the whole story.

Now for a few things I’ve found that you may or may not have some interest in knowing about.

1. raking leaves striped asymmetrical cardigan

I’m sure someday I’ll regret all the striped items I’ve accumulated in my closet over the last six months.

2. coach tour dress in vert

This is really cute, but it doesn’t really go with my life. I rarely wear dresses anymore because I just don’t. But if I were still working I’d totally buy this dress.

3. brandee ruffle knit cardigan

Love that this could just go on over a white t-shirt and some jeans.

4. favorite lounge tee

I’m always on the lookout for great pieces to layer under jackets or sweaters or just to wear on their own.

5. tulle highlands wool peacoat

I love a great camel-colored coat. So versatile.

6. bb dakota zeke striped brown coat

This has potential. I love the thought of it with skinny jeans and boots.

7. two faced scarf

Pretty scarf.

8. taupe tribal top

Love this top.

9. mandarin navy jacket

I thought this was really pretty.

10. where there’s smoke dress

Now I love this. Great with leggings or skinny jeans or tights with boots.

That’s it for today.

Hope y’all have a great Friday.

I have to tell you a sad tale of fashion woe. A couple of weeks ago I featured the Free People Snow Nymph cape as part of Fashion Friday. And then I decided I really wanted to order it for myself, especially since I happened to have a gift card to Piperlime. Or actually BECAUSE I had a gift card to Piperlime.

But it was sold out.

Then on Wednesday I happened to be browsing around on Piperlime, looking for ways to spend my gift card, when I noticed that the Free People Snow Nymph cape was back. All they had was a medium but I figured it would work so I added it to my virtual cart.

Then I got distracted, possibly watching this week’s episode of Rachel Zoe, and forgot to enter in my gift card information. And by the time I remembered, twenty minutes later, the Snow Nymph cape had been removed from my cart and was no longer available.

While I realize this is a first world problem, I feel like there is also a cautionary tale here. The early gift card gets the Snow Nymph cape.

Someone should put that on a pillow.

But here are a few cute things I’ve seen this week that don’t involve snow nymphs or gift cards or sadness.

1. olivia pleated dress

My friend Kelly linked to The Blue Door Boutique on her blog earlier this week and I immediately fell in love. They have so many great things and post new stuff everyday on Facebook.

It was hard for me to pick just one thing, but I really like this pleated dress. So cute on its own or over leggings or tights for winter.

2. dover fort military jacket

I’ve decided it’s never going to get cold this winter, but I’d like this coat just in case it does.

3. buckled oxford boots

Y’all. These boots are on sale for $59.95. And I kind of love them.

I’m not sure that I need gray boots, but they have so much potential. Plus, they’re a steal. And you may also want to know that all sale items at Anthropologie are an additional 25% off.

4. ribbed waist cargos

I know. These have an elastic waistband. Old Navy is trying to fool us by calling it “ribbed”, but we can all see what’s going on there.

I was feeling all judgmental about them until I actually tried a pair on and discovered they feel like butter. And they’re on sale for $19.95 this weekend. So with the money you save you can get a t-shirt that’s long enough to cover up that elastic waistband.

5. different degrees maxi

In theory I love this. Not sure about the horizontal stripes, but it looks like it would be delightful to curl up in and enjoy the 90 degree weather outside.

6. fire lily burnt orange coat

I saw this coat featured on The Today Show earlier this week and thought it was cute. Although I don’t wear burnt orange in the fall. But maybe you do.

7. beaded statement bracelet

I’m in love with these bracelets. I’d like to own them in every color combination. Not to mention they’re for a good cause.

8. sweater stripe scarf

I don’t know why I feel the need to pick things that look cozy. It’s hot here. It’s still so hot.

9. yoga pants

I’m always on the lookout for a good pair of yoga pants because, let’s be honest, it’s what I wear 87% of the time. These are really great and very flattering.

10. ellassential cardigan

I found this while I was scouring the Piperlime site making sure that the Snow Nymph cape was really gone. It’s a lightweight sweater by Ella Moss, but I think it’s probably the perfect thing to get a person through a South Texas fall and winter.

Honestly, I’d probably get a lot more wear out of this than a Snow Nymph cape.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday. If you need me I’ll be watching the first half of the Aggie game on Saturday night and then turning off the T.V.

Sometime in mid-July, Caroline informed me she wanted to be a ninja for Halloween. Not a pink Ninja or some type of girly ninja. A real ninja. Dressed all in black. With nunchuks and a death star.

I didn’t know about the nunchuks and the death star. P had to tell me about those. And also that ninjas wear odd little black boots because I was envisioning some tall black boots. Something a little more Sydney Bristow and less Bruce Lee.

(Was Bruce Lee even a ninja? I have no idea. Let’s just pretend that’s the case because I’m too tired to google “famous ninja”.)

But then yesterday morning P let me sleep late. Except Caroline still came and woke me up because she needed me to fix her hair. So I braided her hair, kissed her goodbye and started to fall back asleep. Until I felt someone breathing on me and heard the rattle of catalog pages in close proximity.

I opened my eyes to find Caroline standing over me holding a catalog while she whispered, “Mama, I’ve decided to be a Disco Queen. Just look at this outfit.” What? Where am I? Is this some sort of weird dream like the other night after I took that ALL NATURAL sleeping supplement and had repeated dreams about trying to flush a pair of khaki pants down the toilet?

(Can someone interpret that for me, by the way?)

I mumbled something along the lines of “Let’s discuss it later”. Which she took me up on the minute she got out of school. Everything is about that Disco Queen costume. And the sweet bell bottoms and the sparkly headband and the platform shoes.

In fact, after I tucked her into bed tonight, she came back out and said she’d like to sleep with the picture of the Disco Queen costume because it makes her so happy. And when I went in to check on her a few minutes ago, she was sound asleep with that picture grasped tightly in her hand.

And, really, I understand. I felt that same way about a pair of boots from Anthropologie a few years back.

Now I just need to figure out how to get P a white suit so he can be Tony Manero.

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

1. adelmira lace open cardigan

This is so pretty. Perfect with jeans and tall boots.

2. striped draped sweater

I saw this in the White House Black Market catalog the other day and fell in love with it. Love the black and white stripes. I have some black skinny jeans that would like to be friends with this sweater.

3. stratford town ruched tunic

Personally, I couldn’t wear this. It’s a little too empire-waisty for me. But I love the color and the length and think it would be darling with a pair of leggings.

4. cowl-neck pointelle sweater

I haven’t seen this in person but it looks like it has potential. Plus, all Old Navy sweaters are 40% off right now. It’s the time to get a deal.

5. flounced pintuck parka

I’ve had my eye on this for awhile because it seems like the perfect coat to throw on. Casual, but with super cute pintucks in the back. And all coats at Anthropologie are 30% off right now.

It also comes in an ivory color if the orange makes you feel a little too Coast Guard. However, I really like the orange.

6. candy apple chic coat

I don’t have the picture of this but, OH MY, it is a vision of darlingness. So cute and so chick.

7. asos full skirt with gold stripe

I realize it may be a little too early to talk about holiday parties, but I saw this skirt and thought it was so cute. It would be perfect for a little Christmas get-together.

8. shoreham mid boots

Not going to lie. I’m a little obsessed with these.

9. golden gate cardigan

I’m going to an A&M game later this fall and if I knew it was going to be cold I’d order this in a heartbeat. But it might be 85 degrees and I wouldn’t get to wear it.

However, I may order it anyway because I have an Anthropologie gift card that’s burning a hole in my pocket.

10. hive and honey ruffle slit maxi dress

I really like this because it looks so comfortable yet stylish. I realize the bare leg might be problematic in a daytime setting, but that’s what cute patterned tights are for.

This is slightly off-topic but Gulley and I were in a store the other day and they had this cute charcoal gray maxi dress with a heart on the front. But we noticed it was totally see-through. Then the salesgirl showed us this strapless girdle thing that you’re supposed to wear under it. We were kind of on board until we looked at the price and saw it was $175.

Yes. I’d like to pay almost $200 for a see-through dress that requires me to wear a strapless girdle under it.

11. boho shirred dress

Now I really like this. I think it would look so cute with some jeggings or leggings or skinny jeans or whatever.

12. nanette lepore provocative coat

Yes. This.

When I’m not dreaming about flushing a pair of khaki pants down the toilet, I’m dreaming about this coat. It is so beautiful. And it’s so outrageously expensive.

But I wanted to share it with you because I want others to experience it from afar.

That’s it for today.

Except for Gig’em Aggies.

Beat the hell out of Arkansas.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Is it Friday yet?

Yes. Yes it is.

I’m not sure why this week has seemed so long but I think it has something to do with packing a lunch every morning at 7:00 a.m. The ham sandwiches make the days seem long. I think Plato first said that.

After I picked Caroline up from school yesterday we ran by Gap to see what they had on sale. She found a pair of leopard print ankle booties that she declared to be “rad”. I’m sorry? Rad?

I asked, “How do you know the word rad?”

“Mom, I am in third grade. I know about rad.” Apparently third grade is the year you know ALL KINDS of things.

She also found a pair of brown suede boots that she had to have. I reminded her that there was another pair of brown suede boots that she’d already said she wanted and she only needs one pair of brown boots. She replied, “A girl can NEVER have too many boots”.

The force is strong in that one.

1. flower conductor cap

I went shopping with my friend Steph yesterday and we saw this hat. While I love the idea of a hat, I’m not sure about the actual wearing of aforementioned hat. But I plan to buy one just as soon as I feel like I could wear it without feeling like I might be mistaken as an extra from the cast of Newsies.

2. statement necklace

I did buy one of these necklaces. They are a great buy and look like the ones at Anthropologie that are significantly more expensive.

3. baja beach hoodie

This is the kind of thing I’d throw on all the time. In fact I think I used to have one just like this that I bought in Mexico in 1986.

4. rainyday mac

I almost wept with joy when I saw that the Farmers’ Almanac has predicted a wet winter for Texas. Please, Lord.

I don’t dare to buy a raincoat because I bought rainboots last January and it hasn’t rained since, but if I were feeling like a gambling kind of girl I’d buy this coat.

5. cowl-neck sweater dress

The website says this is “online only”. So I don’t know how well it’s made. But I think it’s really cute and would look great with leggings or tights and boots.

6. tolani print silk tunic (plus size)

I discovered Tolani tunics last spring and fell in love with them. I adore all the prints and patterns. This one is on sale at The Rack.

7. eight sixty sleeveless print top

I realize this is sleeveless but I like it a lot. And I think it might look really cute layered under a sweater or a blazer or something like that.

Or maybe not.

I don’t know. It’s late and I’m tired.

8. hollyhock mustard scarf

Really pretty scarf.

9. sheer sophistication blouse

This is a great blouse. It’s a little bit long and comes in a vast array of colors. This time of year I like lightweight things that I can throw on with jeans and boots and look like I put forth some effort.

10. tiered ruffle hem jacket

Super cute jacket with a darling little ruffle detail. But, yet, a subtle ruffle. Because you don’t want to be that girl wearing that big ruffled jacket. Or maybe you do. In which case this isn’t the jacket for you.

That’s it for today. Y’all have a great Friday.