Fashion

Y’all.

I’m am, right this moment, sitting in the Minneapolis airport. I just ate a Whopper with cheese for dinner and I think my face is starting to break out from the combination of stale airport air and processed fast food. (So much for taking twenty years off my life.) Needless to say, it’s all just as glamorous as what you’re imagining it to be.

And I’m not trying to be mysterious about why I was in Minneapolis for less than 24 hours, but I don’t think I can talk about it. I feel bad about that. But I also don’t want to not mention that I was in Minneapolis because I’ve never been in Minnesota before and it kind of feels like a milestone in my quest to someday visit all 50 states.

I didn’t even know I had a desire to do that until I just typed it. I will visit all 50 states. Maybe. Unless I change my mind and decide I don’t really want to because I’m not really a fan of airports and airplanes. Not because I’m afraid of flying, but because I’m afraid of the stale air and the bad food.

Okay and now I’m writing this part hours later and I’m finally home on my couch and I must go to bed. I could tell you tales of woe about lack of internet on either of my flights and how I had to stick my carry on bag in the overhead compartment in Aisle 32 when I was sitting in Aisle 14 because American Airlines is stingy with overhead bin space, but I’m going to assume you don’t want to hear about my first world problems.

And so I will now just show you ten cute things. You will note there are no pictures this week. Why? Did you not just read the part about midnight and flights with no internet and American Airlines and that I have to go to a book fair tomorrow?

Okay, you probably didn’t read the part about the book fair because I didn’t mention it until now.

Oh and make sure you read all the way to #10 to find out about the giveaway.

1. simply striped loose cardi

Love this. Love the stripes and the fact it could be worn all year round.

2. santa cruz top

A friend of mine emailed me and mentioned that Sundance Catalog has some really cute things and she wasn’t lying. Not that I thought she was lying. But, still, she was TOTALLY RIGHT.

3. draw the eye vest

How cute is this? And it’s on sale. LOVE. Perfect with jeans or shorts or whatever.

4. Gap city flats

Ree at Pioneer Woman (as if I need to clarify) linked to these a few weeks ago and mentioned how comfortable they are. And I was skeptical because I don’t really think flats are that comfortable. They make my feet feel claustrophobic.

But I went in Gap later that week and tried them on. And they are SO COMFORTABLE. And they come in several great colors. An array, even.

5. saturn sunhat

It’s time for me to pick my annual summer hat that will have the misfortune of being completely ruined by summer’s end. This one is in the running.

6. maddox tunic top

Have I featured this before? Or do I just think that because it’s a white tunic?

7. serenite sandal

Well, these are really cute.

8. roberta roller rabbit classic kurta

This would be a perfect cover up or would look darling with white jeans. Or blue jeans. Or blue jean shorts.

Versatility is a virtue.

9. calypso st. barth straw tote

I haven’t had time to visit my local Target in at least four days. Thus, I haven’t seen this in person. But it looks really, really cute. Perfect for the pool.

10. nautical stripe scarf

And now for the GIVEAWAY. Ruche is sponsoring a great giveaway for this scarf. How cute is this?

Put that baby on with a plain white tee (or a yellow tee or a blue tee or an orange tee) and you have got yourself a fun summer look. To enter, click on over to my Nautical Stripe Scarf giveaway page and leave a comment there to enter.

Y’all have a happy day after Cinco de Mayo. I’m going to go collapse into my bed.

__________________________

Tropicana is also offering a chance to win $100 gift card. Click here to enter.

Well I think it’s probably safe to say at this point that I didn’t make the cut for the royal wedding. And, really, it’s just as well because there’s no way I ever would have been able to make a decision about what hat to wear. Especially since I don’t own any hats unless you count a slightly mildewed sun hat leftover from last summer and a Texas A&M baseball cap that has seen better days.

So my DVR is set to start recording at 3:00 a.m. and there’s a good possibility it may explode before the day is over. I’ve never asked it to work this tirelessly.

In other news, I attempted to make my grandmother’s spaghetti recipe last night and it was possibly one of the worst meals I’ve cooked in a long time. I’m not sure where I went wrong, but I’m going to take it as a sign that I need to stick to what I know. And I know clothes. You don’t have to worry about clothes not thickening while they simmer or being too sweet because you may have added too much sugar.

Also, there are no meatballs in clothes that fall apart too easily and become more of a meat sauce.

Here are a few things I’ve seen this week. Make sure you check out #10 because there’s a giveaway coming your way.

1. hive and honey eyelet tunic

I love this in navy or white. You really can’t go wrong.

Unless you don’t like eyelet.

2. gauze mexicali tops

Old Navy has done some version of this top for the last few years and I adore them. They’re lightweight and perfect to throw on with shorts or jeans.

3. gauzy tiers skirt

This picture doesn’t really do the skirt justice. I saw it in the store the other day and fell in love with it. It’s the perfect thing for summer.

4. long island longing dress

Have I featured this before? Or did I just think about it? I can’t remember.

Either way, super cute.

5. sanctuary peace short

These are the shorts I bought at Nordstrom Rack on Monday. I really, really like them, especially because they can be rolled up or down to be longer or shorter and they fit perfectly.

Best of all, they were only $30. While that is slightly more than $15, it’s still a bargain for a good pair of shorts.

6. bohemian print tunic

There’s something about this that I really like. It kind of reminds me of something Cher might have worn on the Sonny and Cher Show. Not that I really remember that show, but I’m going with it.

7. zig zag dress

I just think this is adorable. It reminds me of a roll of Lifesavers. Or like something Cher might have worn on the Sonny and Cher Show.

Did I already say that?

8. lunch date cardi

I saw this at Francesca’s the other day and really liked it. It’s much cuter in person and they had it paired with a top kind of like this something blue tank, except it was a cuter top with a ruffle across the top. Unfortunately I can’t find it online.

Or you could go wild and mix patterns and wear it over something like this heart and soul top.

9. cricket top

I picked this cricket top because people in the UK play cricket. And today is the Royal Wedding.

That’s not really true. I mean, yes, people play cricket. But I picked this top because it’s cute and looks really comfortable.

10. ruffles and rows tunic

ALERT. ALERT. THIS IS THE GIVEAWAY ITEM.

It comes in three beautiful colors and you will be able to pick the color you want if you win. To enter, you must click over to my giveaway page and leave a comment there.

That’s it for today.

Cheerio.

(That’s British for “Y’all have a good Friday.”)

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10

Happy Easter!

One of P’s best friends came in town last night for a quick visit and I felt like the occasion deserved some type of homemade dessert. Please note that I didn’t feel like it deserved a home cooked dinner. Actually, that’s not true. It did deserve a home cooked dinner but it was so much easier to pick up barbecue instead.

But I was committed to dessert.

So I rummaged through my cabinets and found a chocolate cake mix and some caramel candy, everything I needed to make a turtle cake. But the cake mix looked funny. Perhaps because it had expired in 2005. A fact that would have been good to know before I added in three of my last five eggs.

I scrapped the cake because I read some horror story on the internet about someone dying from eating expired cake mix and everyone knows the internet NEVER presents the worst-case scenario.

Fortunately I had everything on hand to make chocolate chip cookies. Except I was halfway through the process when I realized I couldn’t remember if I’d already added 3/4 cup of sugar. Also, I was out of vanilla extract.

And that is why I need to stick to fashion

(See how I just made that transition?)

Okay, so before I show you the cute things I want to tell you two important things:

A. On Monday I’m going to post about a great fashion-related giveaway. You don’t want to miss it so make sure you come back on Monday.

B. Francesca’s is one of my favorite shops. And they’re offering 30% off any regular price item to Big Mama readers from today through Friday, April 30th. Just use the code BIGMAMA at checkout.

So here are some things I really like this week:

1. pretty posies tunic

So since you have the opportunity to get 30% off at Francesca’s, I thought I should show you a few of my personal favorites.

I love the posies tunic in green. It’s actually great in all colors, but I have a deep desire to have something in emerald green. While I wouldn’t wear this as a dress, it would look great with white jeans and gold jewelry.

This summer stripes scarf is the perfect piece to throw on with a t-shirt and a cute skirt.

I also adore this dropping in necklace.

And there is nothing better than a great straw bag for the summer. Something like this beach bum tote.

(Not that you asked, but the FCC or CIA might be curious. Francesca’s has not compensated me in any way to offer this discount code. They just gave me the chance to give y’all a 30% discount and why wouldn’t I do that?)

2. tinley road ruffle detail knit dress

Piperlime had a maxi version of this dress about a month ago and I adored it. But I also really like this shorter version because it would be so easy to dress up or down. Can’t you picture it with that dropping in necklace from Francesca’s? And maybe some cute turquoise sandals?

Because I totally can.

3. tell me your story eyelet dress

Did I mention I’m in the market to add some green to my Spring wardrobe? The verdict is out on whether or not this could actually be a dress for anyone over 25, but it would be a great tunic with leggings or skinny jeans.

4. charming cavort dress

I thought this was just darling.

5. melie bianco zoe bag

Turquoise is such a great color for Spring and Summer. Remember that time last year when I painted my kitchen turquoise and left it that way for three months before I painted it? Good times.

This purse would be a much simpler way to add a little turquoise to your life.

6. mossimo ruffle neck tank

I saw this in Target a few days ago and it stopped me in my tracks. Love it.

7. ettie leather wedge sandals

And while I was in Target I saw these darling wedge champagne sandals with a flower accent. I nearly bought a very similar pair at DSW for twice the price. These are a deal.

8. jeweled beaded linen kurta tunic

I wish I could get this picture to work on my blog just because it is so pretty. Love the orange and turquoise together.

9. scoop neck tees

Old Navy is the best place to buy t-shirts for summer because they’re inexpensive and come in any color of the rainbow. And stripes! Currently, they’re on sale for $7.50 each if you buy 2.

10. ae embroidered floral tunic

Gulley and I saw this in American Eagle this week and really liked it. It’s made of the softest cotton and would be perfect to throw on all summer long.

That’s it for today. I wish I could offer you all a homemade chocolate chip cookie, but really you’re better off.

Also, don’t forget your taxes are due today. God bless America.

(**Edited to add: Nevermind about the taxes. Apparently the deadline is the 18th this year. This is why you should never listen to me about anything.)

Y’all have a great weekend.

Wow.

It has taken me a sweet forever to write about the last five trends of Spring and Summer. Originally it was all due to my master ability to procrastinate and waste time, but then I almost deleted the entire post last Thursday night around midnight and had to take a sedative.

Ultimately, I think the month-long lapse between the initial Spring trends post and this one explains why I have a map of Texas that needs to be framed sitting in a corner of my living room and a chandelier that needs to be hung sitting in a corner of my bedroom and a closet full of clothes in Caroline’s room that need to be sorted through and all other manner of projects that I have started and neglected to finish. I am good with the starting, not so much with the follow-through.

However, here are the final five trends of Spring/Summer.

6. maxi dresses and skirts

The maxi dress is a sneaky little thing because I thought it was out and then it was back in. And then it was out again and now here it is. In reality, maybe it never really left and I’m just projecting my own feelings about the maxi dress to the trend in general. I don’t know.

But that was yesterday. Or last week. Right now I am a fan of the maxi dress. I particularly like this ella moss stripe maxi dress even though I think I’m past the age of wearing it without something over it, not to mention what I’d need to wear under it. Still, it’s so cute and I adore the stripes. Something like this accidentally in love stripe maxi dress might be more practical and it’s certainly more affordable.

Speaking of affordable, Forever 21 is a great place to find inexpensive maxi dresses which is perfect because you don’t have to feel guilty if you only wear them for one season or decide to use it as a swimsuit coverup and it has an unfortunate encounter with a rainbow popsicle. Hypothetically speaking. I really like this one shoulder maxi dress or this rope straps maxi dress or a simple short-sleeved maxi dress

Old Navy is also a great place to find a maxi dress for a good price.

And I love this sleeveless halter paisley print maxi dress and this mocha daisy print from Boden.

Or maybe you’re looking for something in a leopard print. Rawr.

You also can’t go wrong with a maxi skirt like this jenny han maxi skirt or this tiered paisley maxi skirt or this knit stripe maxi skirt might be a cute casual option

7. Denim

Denim. The fabric of our lives. Or is that cotton? Either way, you can’t make denim without cotton which means it is also the fabric of our lives and the clothing of our ancestors.

I have no idea what I’m talking about. I just know that I love denim. In fact, in high school I had this denim dress that zipped all the way up the front with enormous shoulder pads and it was a sad day when I had to admit it was over. I think I threw it out at the same time as my Swatch dress. The 1980’s were hilarious.

Anyway, there is denim to be had in every style imaginable. I really like this denim skirt or even this denim dress.

There are also cuffed cropped jeans or wide legged jeans.

And I’m on the search for just the perfect pair of denim shorts. I’m hoping I might be able to just make these from a pair I have in my closet.

I also really like this denim button up with a tied waist and I wait all winter long to wear my white jeans.

Personally, I don’t know if I can go back to the sleeveless denim shirt because I had about seventy-five of them in college. All of which I wore tied at the waist with denim shorts and my favorite Brighton belt. Oh, and Cole Haan tassel loafers. With socks.

Bless my heart.

8. prints

Prints are a big trend but they’re tricky for me because I’m generally not a fan of the floral print. It can take a bad turn towards Aunt Edna’s couch, but don’t let me keep you from a love of florals. I just have issues.

I really like this swatch book top.

And I adore this little jersey beach dress from Boden. I want to go to the beach and I want to wear this dress.

This spanish nights dress is also really pretty and I LOVE this celestine paisley tunic.

Something like this tropical daydream tank would be cute with cropped jeans or shorts.

And, naturally, Anthropologie has some adorable print dresses like this cornellian dress or this tuileries dress.

9. bracelets

The nice thing about accessories is they are a cheap way to add to an outfit. Or at least they are for me because I’m a firm believer in the inexpensive jewelry. I love this beaded flower bracelet because I’m a sucker for turquoise.

There’s also this turquoise cuff bracelet or a textured gold cuff or maybe an elegant stone bracelet. Although I question the elegance of those stones.

I also like this curved bangle or a leather cuff bracelet or how about some metal bangles or these stackable bangles in multi-colors?

See? Cheap and fun. I want to make an inappropriate joke here but I’m going to let the moment pass by.

10. Crochet details

This isn’t your granny’s crochet. Or maybe it is. I don’t know your granny and I shouldn’t presume.

There are so many ways to incorporate this trend. Like this crochet trim dolman top or the point of view peasant top.

This breaking loose crochet sweater has potential and I think this sunflower sensations top would be such a fun pop of color with some white jeans.

And then I have to add this lace blouse with tie because I am a fool for a lace blouse with a tie.

So, there you have it America. Your next American Idol.

Wait, that’s not right.

Your final five trends for Spring and Summer 2011. I hope it didn’t disappoint.

Also, writing this entire post felt like deja vu. Probably because I did the exact same thing last week.

Y’all have a great Friday.

So Gulley and I were talking about a variety of topics yesterday, everything from our favorite contestant on American Idol to the American involvement in Libya. Because we pride ourselves on being well-rounded.

(In case you’re wondering, Paul McDonald is my favorite on Idol right now. He just has that whole quirky, raspy-voiced thing going on that I adore. Also, Gulley and I got really tickled because one of the kids in her pre-school class told her he loved American Idol because that funny-looking grandma always says hilarious things. The funny-looking grandma would be Steven Tyler. I’m not sure that’s the look he’s going for.)

Anyway, one of the things we discussed was how late Easter falls this year. It’s April 24th for those of you playing along at home and that is WAY LATE compared to all Easters in my recent memory. Our discussion led us to this question: if it’s already 90 degrees outside but Easter isn’t until April 24th, when is it okay to wear white pants?

I’m not as concerned about white shoes because I fundamentally don’t believe in white shoes for females over the age of ten. Don’t hassle me about it. It’s just a personal opinion.

And I realize that we are living in 2011 and people really have bigger concerns (like Libya) than when to wear white pants. I am aware we live in a world where people wear white pants all year round. I just need to know that my great-grandmother won’t be turning over in her grave if I decide to break out the white jeans sometime around mid-April instead of waiting until the day after Easter.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Speaking of Easter, I thought it might be fun to look at some good options for Easter attire today. If you don’t agree with me, please don’t let me know. It took me a long time to find ten dresses I actually liked.

They just don’t make them like Leslie Lucks used to with big sailor collars that require you to turn sideways when you walk through a doorway.

1. sunny soiree dress

As usual, Anthropologie has my heart. And, honestly, this dress is pretty reasonable for Anthropologie who generally likes to charge you $300 and the right to name your first born child.

2. jaquard party dress

I’m always looking for anything besides a floral print because I struggle with floral prints. I love that this is bright and feminine without flowers.

3. square neck matte jersey dress

Love the colors and I bet it’s so dang comfortable.

4. bell sleeve paisley empire waist dress

I really love the hot pink and black together and this style of dress is usually flattering on everyone.

5. brilliant in bolds floral skirt

What? A skirt? For Easter? MADNESS.

But how cute would this be with a pretty shrunken yellow cardigan? Very Betty Draper.

6. flounced mocha dress

This is definitely non-traditional but I really like it.

7. hot pink sleeveless with flared skirt

Love the hot pink. I think it would be darling with some turquoise accents to spice it up.

8. yellow sleeveless printed dress

See? Another bright, pretty dress with no flowers.

9. terazzo tunic

I love this tunic and it would be great paired with some white skinny, cropped pants. Plus you could wear it all summer long.

I’m also a big fan of this ibiza tunic. Might be cute worn over cropped leggings with some pretty bejeweled sandals.

10. macaron making tunic

You can’t go wrong with a pretty top. I really like this one. Or maybe something like this printed ruffle top which is about as close to a floral print as I’ll ever get.

BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE.

Here are a few cute dresses for little girls I’ve found in my search for Caroline’s Easter dress.

1. vintage dress

I love these vintage dresses from Boden. Caroline nixed this one though because she’s trying to kill me.

2. kissing kumquats knot dress

I adore this. ADORE. Just so cute and they come in some many fabric combinations.

3. blue church flowers knot dress and peasant pants

There again, I love this. But Caroline would rather kick the Easter bunny than put on anything this ruffly at this point in her life. However, if she were three years old, this would have been a contender.

4. eyelet pillowcase dress with monogram

I’ve always loved pillowcase dresses. Just so old-fashioned and pretty.

5. pink striped with ruffle

I love this. And I would love it more with a big monogrammed “C” on the front.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.