Fashion

Y’all. It is so hot.

That has nothing to do with this post, but it has to be said that if I wanted to live on the surface of the sun, I would have been an astronaut.

But today I want to begin Fashion Friday by talking about the Deeper Still Conference I went to last weekend. Specifically, the skirt Priscilla Shirer wore when she spoke on Saturday morning because I loved it with my whole heart. And apparently I wasn’t the only one since more than several people found my blog this week by googling “Priscilla Shirer’s maxi skirt”.

So I emailed Priscilla and asked if she’d be willing to share the whereabouts of the aforementioned skirt. And, y’all, she totally shared all the pertinent details. It is the downpour maxi skirt from Anthropologie.

AND IT’S ON SALE.

BUT THEY HAVE LIMITED SIZES LEFT ONLINE SO CHECK AT YOUR LOCAL STORE.

(I’M SO SORRY IF YOU DON’T HAVE A LOCAL STORE.)

(I DON’T KNOW WHY I’M STILL USING ALL CAPS, I’M JUST VERY EXCITED.)

Anyway, the picture doesn’t really do the skirt justice. Priscilla wore it with a sleeveless green shirt and a great belt. Her arms were also very toned, but I don’t think you can buy that in a store. And if you can, I need someone to HOOK ME UP with that location.

Seriously, Priscilla is not only a gifted Bible teacher, she also possesses a great sense of style. She wore an outfit Saturday night that I’m still trying to figure out how to replicate. Best of all, she’s talking fashion over at her blog today and YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT. Just click here.

And now for the rest of today’s fashion information.

1. stripe ruffle tier tank

Ann Taylor Loft has all their tops on sale for buy one, get one 50% off. I really like the stripe ruffle tier tank, but I also love this 3/4 sleeve tunic.

And you know what? I could get both.

Or maybe I’d choose this tiered shell and this sleeveless ruffle henley.

The possibilities are endless.

Well, actually the possibilities are limited to what’s available, but you know what I mean.

2. white trillums skirt

I love a skirt in the summer. And this one is on sale.

3. shapeshifter maxi

This, however, is not on sale. But it’s so great that I can’t hold that against it. Plus, wouldn’t it be cute with a denim jacket over it in the fall?

4. roberta roller rabbit pareo wrap

I love these wraps over a swimsuit. It brings a little glamour to the pool.

5. avandel floral eyelet dress

This is adorable.

6. screenprint starlet dress

And I love all the fun colors in this dress.

7. makeeda knot curvy plus maxi

I don’t know if y’all know this, but Ruche carries some really cute plus size clothes. Like this maxi dress.

8. pintucked crochet-trim top

I love when Old Navy has tops like this one. It’s the perfect thing to wear with shorts now and transition to jeans in the fall.

Assuming it ever feels cool again.

9. vintage havana paisley maxi

Speaking of maxi skirts, (and we were about nine items ago) I love this one. It’s got that whole bohemian thing going on and can also turn into a strapless dress. How clever is that?

10. zelda poets blouse

I don’t know if it’s still going on today, but Tracy Porter was offering 70% off, SEVENTY PERCENT OFF, all clothing, shoes, bags, and jewelry on her site yesterday. And, y’all, there are some seriously great things over there.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.
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By the way, my friend Marla Taviano has written a brand new e-book just for husbands. Well, I guess wives can read it too, but it’s geared towards men. It’s only $4.99, and you can download a PDF or buy a copy for your Kindle, Nook or iPad. Click here for more details.

It’s true.

I am out of town without my computer. P talked me into leaving it because he thought he might need it over the weekend even though he continually vows that he isn’t interested in the computer AT ALL. Yet, my computer is in San Antonio this weekend while I am in Kentucky.

But I agreed because I figured I’d be too busy to use it anyway. And I have my iPhone. Which means I can still connect to the world of the internets. Just on a very small screen.

However, because I will have no computer on Thursday night, I’m writing Fashion Friday on Wednesday night. It’s like the world has gone MAD.

Hopefully I can still find some cute clothes to share in spite of the fact that my universe is out of order.

1. filtered light tunic

I saw this in person yesterday. A girl who works in Anthropologie had it on and MY WORD at the gorgeous.

2. drawing parallels skirt

I’m a big fan of the skirt in the summer time. And love this color.

3. bay of bengal teardrop earrings

So pretty.

4. collective concepts strapless maxi dress

Love the pattern.

5. languid paisley maxi dress

I saw this in the store and they had it paired with a little cardigan like this one. But in a different color. That’s a great way to wear a maxi dress and not be too bare.

If you worry about that sort of thing.

6. smocked strapless dress

I love these for swimsuit coverups.

7. printed kaftan

Unfortunately there is no online shopping at Zara, but maybe you have one near you.

8. swiss dots and lace blouse

I think I showed this top before. But now it’s on sale.

9. jersey drawstring top

I forgot to upload this picture and I’m too lazy to go back and do it now.

10. athleta swim collection

Athleta is another great resource for swimsuits. They have them for all kinds of body types.

Unfortunately the models’ bodies on the website aren’t included. I’d kill for those abs. Of course I say that, but when was the last time I did a sit up?

Y’all have a great Friday.

I’ll just be in Kentucky trying not to go into computer withdrawals.

Last night I was in bed and couldn’t sleep because, well, I believe I’ve mentioned my bout of insomnia. And also because I was so excited about the last day of school. Second grade will not go down as my favorite year and so while there is the whole WHERE DOES THE TIME GO AND MY BABY IS GROWING UP kind of thing, more than anything I’m just relieved we survived it. And, lo, perhaps even built some character along the way.

I decided that maybe I needed to do something like count sheep or whatever to help my brain wind down, but counting sheep is so 1976 and I opted to think of all the lyrics to songs about summertime instead.

(I think we may have hit on the core of my insomnia issues)

And so I thought of the lyrics to Boys of Summer by Don Henley and then Summer of ’69 by Bryan Adams.

Then I naturally transitioned to Summertime by Will Smith. At least that was the title I thought of but the lyrics running through my head were:

“I want a girl with extensions in her hair
Bamboo earrings, at least two pair
A Fendi bag and a bad attitude
That’s all I need to get me in a good mood.”

Those are not the lyrics to Summertime, but rather the lyrics to Around the Way Girl by L.L. Cool J which is one of those songs I used to love and then forgot about. So I immediately downloaded it on iTunes this morning.

I don’t know what the point of any of this is unless it’s to tell you that sometimes insomnia with a healthy dose of OCD pays off.

Okay, I’m going to be totally honest. This is not a great time of year to find good fashion on the internet. Or maybe it’s just not a great time of year for ME to find great fashion on the internet. Largely because it’s now officially summer and I spend large quantities of time in running shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops. Frankly, I can’t say when the next time will be when I even put on makeup.

That’s just how I roll in the summer time.

But I scoured the online fashions until I found a few cute things today. Although I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to keep it up since there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of inventory rotation happening right now.

Here’s what I found:

1. magic garden sandals

These are cute with that little flower on your foot.

2. spanish cathedral strapless dress

I wouldn’t wear this as a dress because I have issues with strapless dresses and all the complicated undergarment issues. But I would totally wear it over my swimsuit as a cover up.

3. inherited elegance dress

LOVE this. It looks vintage and delicate. And like I might not burn up in it the minute I put it on.

4. the happy bunch skirt

I bet 50 cents that Marsha Brady wore this exact same skirt. And by 50 cents, I mean the actual monetary value. Not the rapper. Just wanted to clarify.

5. beach shirt dress

I adore this. Apparently I’m in love with all things retro today.

6. straw rosette tote

This would be the perfect purse/tote to carry this summer.

7. majesty chandelier earrings

So pretty.

8. swim systems swimsuits

I normally do an entire post dedicated to swimsuits every year, but just haven’t done it this year. I don’t know why but I think it has something to do with my lack of follow-through.

However, I just wanted to say that I am a big fan of Swim Systems swimwear because they come in an array of choices and you can mix and match and pick out the tops and bottoms that work best for you.

9. horkelia shift dress

I think this is so pretty. Perfect for a summer wedding or some other occasion.

10. ball chain bracelet

Nothing looks better on a (safely) tanned arm than a gold bracelet. And, yes, I know there’s no such thing as a safe tan unless it comes in a bottle. Just go with me on this.

Y’all have a great Friday.

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Don’t forget to check in on the Compassion bloggers. This post by Stephanie is beautiful and this post about the neighbors next door by Shaun will stay with me for a long time. It humbled me.

Caroline and I went to Target yesterday for several reasons, but while we were there I decided she needed a least one more swimsuit for the summer and then she found a maxi dress on sale that she felt like she must have in order for her life to be complete. And I totally understand that. Plus, it was only $7.00 which is 50% of my normal $15.00 price point.

(I realize it’s not exactly half, but close enough. Work with me.)

So we were headed back to the dressing room when she saw one more dress that she wanted to try on. A dress that I did not like AT ALL. A dress that I could tell was made of cheap material and wouldn’t fit well. But I told her she could try it on because, let’s be honest, there are some battles you don’t feel like fighting in Target at 4:15 in the afternoon.

Once we got in the dressing room she tried on the 184 swimsuits she’d picked out until we found one that we both agreed on and then she tried on the first dress. It really was cute and I felt good about it because did I mention it was only $7.00? And she is ALL ABOUT the maxi dress this year which kind of cracks me up but that fashionable apple did not fall far from the tree.

But then she tried on the other dress, looked in the mirror and said, “OH, NO WAY!” I acted surprised and asked, “What’s the problem?” She replied, “This material is CHEAP and I don’t like the way it fits AT ALL.”

And in that moment I felt a little bit like Obi Wan Kenobi as he realizes that he has taught young Luke Skywalker well. Well done, young Jedi, well done.

Also, we have watched a lot of Star Wars at our house in the last three weeks.

So here are a few things that hopefully aren’t made from cheap material and will look good on you. I have no explanation for why so many of them have stripes. I guess I was in a striped frame of mind.

1. dolce vida dress in kaleidoscope

This is awfully pretty and bright. Love all the colors.

2. cable car tour dress

Back in the days when I worked for corporate America schlepping drug samples in and out of doctor’s offices in the blazing heat, this would have been the perfect addition to my business wardrobe. It looks professional and pulled together, but it’s sleeveless and seems like it would be fairly cool.

As in temperature. But maybe like the Fonz cool too.

Plus when the weather turns cooler it would be perfect with a sweater or jacket over it.

3. franco sarto carnival wedges

Nordstrom is in the midst of their semi-annual sale right now which means these shoes are a pretty good deal. I bought a pair of Franco Sarto wedges at the beginning of Spring and they are so comfortable. I’m assuming these would be too.

Not to mention they’re really cute and come in great colors.

4. sanctuary caravan shorts

Someone emailed me this week and mentioned she was struggling to find a good pair of shorts. Which is so funny because I’m struggling to find a good pair of legs to wear with my shorts.

Speaking of, did anyone else notice Carrie Underwood’s legs during the American Idol finale? Sweet mercy. It made me want to do 1,000 lunges a day to make my legs look like that. But then I went to bed and the feeling went away.

Truthfully, shorts are hard to find and I think they’re a very personal decision. But I bought these sanctuary peace shorts a few weeks ago and really like them. I also have an old pair of shorts similar to these denim bermudas that I’ll still wear every now and then.

But what I wear the most are my Nike running shorts. They are cool and comfortable and come in handy if I feel inspired to do a lunge or six.

5. 7 for all mankind bootcut jeans

I know. I know. I won’t let the jeans thing go. But it’s all out of love. OF LOVE.

I believe a great pair of jeans can change your life. Or at least your closet.

And I LONG RESISTED spending a lot of money on jeans. I thought it was ludicrous. But then I gave in and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I still wear the first pair of expensive jeans I ever bought and they’re almost six years old. Which, if you average the cost out over the number of times I’ve worn them, they now make me money.

Anyway, Nordstrom has a lot of jeans on sale right now so it’s a great time to get a nice pair of jeans for much less than they normally cost.

The end.

6. linen blend tunics

I liked this tunic the first time I saw it. But I liked it even better when I found it on the sale rack at Old Navy last week for EIGHT DOLLARS AND NINETY-NINE CENTS.

7. striped dolman sleeve tee

Like this striped top because the stripes aren’t straight across. Makes it more flattering.

8. emcee tee

This is so pretty and different. Love the detail on the sleeves.

9. alfresco tunic

This is another top that I loved at first sight. And now it’s on sale.

10. big buddha chloe

Apparently some part of me is really wanting an aztec-striped handbag because I am drawn to them. I love the colors in this one by Big Buddha.

But for something different, I also think this Big Buddha fiesta bag has the potential to be cute. Although I haven’t seen it in person.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a lovely Memorial Day Weekend.

Of course it would be a lot better if we didn’t have to go back to school next Tuesday. Ridiculous.

Before we talk about fashion today, I need to talk about something that is technically fashion-related because it concerns Ralph Lauren.

Y’all.

His ranch.

I saw it on Oprah the other day when she interviewed him at his 17,000 acre ranch in Telluride.

(I’ve been recording Oprah even though I’ve never really been a big Oprah fan and don’t really care one way or the other that her show is ending. But I do think all those people who think the world is going to end this Saturday are crazy if they think the world will end before Oprah’s last show airs.)

(I’m kidding about that.)

(But, for the record, I don’t think the world is going to end this Saturday.)

Let me say, I’ve never been someone who is overly impressed by big houses and fancy things. I’ll look at the section of celebrity homes in InStyle magazine and think they’re pretty or whatever, but that’s about it.

But I fell in love with Ralph Lauren’s ranch. The whole thing. The mountains, the hand-painted tee-pees fully decorated, the house and the barn with the chandeliers. It’s all like one big Ralph Lauren ad.

Someday I hope my little piece of heaven looks a little like that ranch. And you know God has higher thread count sheets than Ralph Lauren.

Now for things that don’t concern hand-painted tee-pees.

Piperlime is having a big sale on a bunch of things right now so that’s where I found most of my selections this week. But I’m in no way being compensated by Piperlime. They don’t know or care that I exist.

1. janie tie-waist knit dress

This little dress looks like the perfect thing to throw on this summer when it’s so hot that you want to take your skin off. Best of all, it’s on sale for $21.50.

For that price it might even make a great swimsuit coverup.

2. tinley road ruffle knit dress

I’ve loved this dress ever since I first saw it and now it’s on sale.

3. sleeveless top with shirred ruffle

Great shirt for summer. And it comes in a bunch of colors. And I think it’s on sale for something like $15.00.

I’d tell you the exact price but I can’t remember and I’m too tired to look. Let’s go with $15.00.

4. lace detail boho top

So pretty. And it’s on sale.

But not for $15.00.

5. bcbgeneration aztec tote

There’s something about this that I really like. It looks like summer.

6. tahari raven sandals

Love these gold sandals.

7. moroccan henley top

This top is not on sale.

But it’s really cute.

8. embroidered gauze cover-up

Do you notice that sometimes I hyphenate the word “coverup” and sometimes I don’t?

I’m very conflicted about the whole thing.

9. swinging rhythm lace trapeze top

Pretty.

10. fragrant swag tank

I really, really like this. And it would look great with a pair of white jeans. Plus it has a really cool back to it.

And that’s all for today.

Y’all have a good Friday.

And I’ll see you Monday.

Unless I’m wrong about the world not ending.

The fact that it rained here yesterday has absolutely nothing to do with today’s Fashion Friday, but it was the first time we’ve had more than a half inch of rain since last September and so it seems noteworthy. It would have been a perfect time for me to wear my rain boots except that it wasn’t raining when I left the house yesterday morning and the rain has had a tendency to fall apart before it actually makes it here and I was paranoid about looking foolish in my rain gear. Not to mention, rubber boots are a bit warm in May if the sun ends up shining.

But, lo and behold, it did rain. And it was a deluge. I missed almost the whole thing because I was in the school auditorium helping with the dress rehearsal for Caroline’s second grade musical, but I did see that the sky was black as night and P called to tell me he could either pick me up right then or I’d probably have to wait for an hour until he could leave the house.

You may be wondering why P would have to pick me up in the first place. Where was my car you may be asking to yourself. Well, I’ll tell you.

P checked out the radar and it was all a mess of purple and red and florescent pink storms headed our way. And rumors of HAIL. OF HAIL. And so he put the stay wag in the garage and told me it needed to stay there. Away from the hail.

In the end, it didn’t even hail.

But it could have and that’s what matters.

And now I’ve talked about the weather for so long you probably feel like you’re reading your grandma’s blog. Sorry.

Here are some cute fashion items. There is nary a SAS shoe in the bunch and there totally would be if this was your grandma’s blog.

1. usekh necklace

I was in Anthropologie this week and saw this necklace in person and fell in love with it. Love the gold with the color accents that are perfect for summer.

2. loveappella crochet top

I realize a white top is a SHOCKING thing for me to feature, but I really love this one because it’s pretty yet it looks comfortable. And it doesn’t look like it needs to be ironed which is always a bonus.

I’m also laughing at my ALL CAPS “SHOCKING” because Gulley has told me all week that I’ve been unusually dramatic when I say certain things. And by “unusually dramatic” I’m pretty sure she means COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP.

3. daisy daze eyelet dress

So, so cute.

4. mad for mandarin dress

I couldn’t get the picture of this one to work, but trust me when I tell you to check it out. It’s the perfect color for summer.

5. long and lean jeans (white wash)

Many people are afraid of the white jean. In fact, I myself spent a few years fearing the white jean. But then I found a pair that I love and can’t wait to wear.

These aren’t them, but I tried these on the other day and they are just as good. Such a flattering cut and fit. And great to have some jeans that aren’t cut quite as low, but still look modern.

6. chroma reflections maxi dress

This dress is actually the reason I went in Anthropologie the other day because I’d seen it in person before and loved it but it wasn’t on sale. Then I saw it was on sale and so I ran out there to try it on and YOU KNOW WHAT? SOLD OUT.

And it’s almost gone online too. It’s so much prettier in person than it appears in this picture and I’m sad I never even tried it on.

Granted, I have no idea where I thought I was going to wear it but I thought this might be the summer I’d receive a plethora of invitations for glamorous summer evening cocktail parties. Even though I think we all know my summer evenings will basically be spent at the pool eating a hot dog.

7. priya platform wedge sandals

Great wedge sandals. And they’re from Target.

8. pleated yoke tee

I realize there’s a lot of Anthropologie this week, but that’s because I LOVE IT and I was actually in the store this week and saw some of this stuff in person. I really, REALLY, liked this shirt but I didn’t get it and now I can’t remember why.

In fact, I feel sad about it. Why didn’t I get this shirt? It would look so cute with the aforementioned white jeans.

9. double ruffle tops

I did make it into Old Navy this week and saw these tops in person. They are the perfect lightweight top for summer and would look great with a pair of jeans or shorts.

10. east indies chandeliers

These are gorgeous. Love them.

11. embroidered flora pullover

I know. Eleven things? Eleven?

I wasn’t going to list eleven things but then I saw this pullover from Free People and fell, as Journey would sing, STONE IN LOVE.

This is about forty-eight kinds of my love language.

That’s all I have for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.