Fashion

On Tuesday morning I woke up with a raging sore throat and just knew I was coming down with a cold. I got Caroline off to school, popped some Tylenol and went back to bed.

And since I’ve been sick more in the last six years of being a mama than I have throughout the rest of my life, I just knew the sore throat was going to lead to heavy congestion and overall misery for me and everyone around me as I complained about how bad I felt. But then I woke up on Wednesday morning and the sore throat was pretty much gone and I felt fine. In fact, I even got out and accomplished a long list of errands that I’d been putting off for weeks.

(No, I didn’t buy deodorant. I have some sort of mental block at this point.)

So I complimented myself on my superior immune system and the power of my multi-vitamin, only to wake up yesterday morning with a head that felt like it might explode which would have been fine with me if it meant I’d feel better. I feel that I have come down with an exceptionally mean cold, especially because it toyed with my emotions and ultimately said, “SUCKER”.

And yet I still have to host a class party for first graders around noon today. May God have mercy on my soul.

Oh! On a completely different but equally pitiful note, I received a very nice email from a new reader named Amy yesterday. She just started reading the blog last week, saw my post about the denim puffy vest at Gap, and sent me this photo.

For those of you who may not share my addiction to reality television or People magazine, that is Tori Spelling wearing the denim puffy vest.

Is it the medication I’m taking or does it kind of look cute on her?

Amy, welcome to the blog. You made me so happy in the midst of my cough due to cold misery yesterday.

In spite of my ill health, I managed to find a couple of links I thought I’d share. This will be my last Fashion Friday post of 2009.

I know. SAD.

Also, please forgive the mediocrity of this post. In my defense, I’m high on Sudafed and self-pity.

1. Effortless Velvet Coat

I think I linked to this coat awhile back but at that time it was full price. It’s now almost 50% off and the sizes are going fast.

If you miss out on the coat, check out the rest of the Boden site. There are some great deals right now. I seriously cannot say enough about the quality of their kids’ clothing line.

2. Gathered Knit Scarf

Last summer when it was 106 every day, I couldn’t imagine that there would ever be a time when I would choose to wear accessories around my neck. But I have set a new personal record for consecutive days that I’ve worn a scarf.

It makes me so happy. I think it may be the best accessory ever invented.

3. Tulle Walking Coat

This coat is so cute and it comes in a rainbow of colors. It would look great paired with jeans or even with leggings and boots.

I’m a big fan of Tulle coats because they’re reasonably priced, but oh so cute.

4. Circle Knit Scarf

I am in love with this scarf.

5. Pink Flower Scarflette

See? I have a scarf addiction but I’m trying to act like it’s not really a problem. I could quit at anytime. I could downgrade to a scarflette.

Is that even a real thing?

I honestly don’t know the answer, but I do think this scarflette is adorable even if it has a made up name.

6. Turquoise and champagne necklace

There is really nothing that adds more to an outfit than a great necklace.

Unless you have a scarflette.

This one is really pretty and I love the neutral colors mixed with the turquoise. Of course I love anything mixed with turquoise. It’s who I am.

7. East Dillon T-shirt

For various reasons, Gulley and I got into a conversation the other day about things we feel strongly enough about that we’d wear a t-shirt proclaiming our love for it. I said I couldn’t think of anything other than maybe a Texas A&M shirt, but then Gulley threw down the “Riggins 33” gauntlet and I had to agree with her.

If you don’t watch Friday Night Lights then this means NOTHING to you.

Also, if you don’t watch Friday Night Lights then I am sad for you.

Also, if you do watch it and have DirectTV and are currently watching the new season, PLEASE do not tell me what is going on because I will have to be all “LALALALALALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU” in the comments.

All I know is that based on the end of last season, my loyalties now lie with East Dillon as opposed to the Dillon Panthers. Go Coach Taylor.

Also, GO SUDAFED. How else can you explain that I just put a shirt about a T.V. show on Fashion Friday?

8. Hooded dress

I think this looks like a warm hug.

I’m always on the look out for clothing that would feel like pajamas yet be socially acceptable. I think this dress with some leggings would totally qualify.

9. Cardi Wrap

The Cardi Wrap is seriously the most versatile thing you can add to your wardrobe. If you don’t believe me then check out the BCBG site and all the different ways the models are wearing one.

See? I TOLD YOU.

10. Tassel Necklace

I’m not sure exactly why, but I have long been fascinated by this tassel necklace. It kind of reminds me of something my grandmother would have worn at some point in my childhood.

Granted, I’m not fascinated enough to pay full price, but I bet it will be on sale in about ten days.

That’s it for this week.

I’m off to take some more medication because breathing through my nose would be a real hoot right about now.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Before I ramble endlessly, I want to let you know that I am giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of the kind folks who make the Hershey Kisses. Click over to my giveaway page to enter!

I don’t know that my OCD has ever been more full-blown than it was yesterday morning as I worked tirelessly for three hours weaving an insane amount of Christmas lights in and out of the branches of my best Christmas tree ever. Even after I sustained an injury falling backwards over my ottoman (I did the same thing last year. You think I’d learn to move it out of the way. You would be wrong.) I pushed through my pain to ensure the tree was properly illuminated. It deserved no less.

In the midst of all my hard work, I lost track of time and all of a sudden it was time to go pick Caroline up from school which was totally humiliating because I was wearing the exact same thing I was wearing when I dropped her off at 8:00 a.m. That wouldn’t have necessarily been a bad thing had I not been dressed like a bag lady, but with less style and panache.

To make matters worse, we had to to head straight for gymnastics and it was there that I looked down and realized that my faded black yoga pants weren’t as long as I’d hoped and everyone could absolutely see the shame of the olive green Smart Wool socks that I was wearing with my running shoes. OH THE HORROR.

In my defense, it has been VERY COLD and the Smart Wool socks tend to compensate for the fact that blood doesn’t regularly circulate to my feet. And I also sparkle in the sunlight? What do you think that means?

(Disclaimer: I’ve only read the first Twilight book and maybe I’m getting old and cynical because I really don’t get it. Back in my day, a boy who watches you while you sleep would have been called a stalker at best.)

(I also grew up in the days of eight-track tape players that were designed to look like denim pockets on the back of jeans, so what do I know?)

(I mean other than how to time a track just right and then click over to the second track in time to hear Jive Talkin’ by the BeeGees while listening to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack?)

Anyway, I wasn’t sure what to feature in today’s Fashion Friday because it’s the Christmas season and none of us are really shopping for ourselves right now. However, I thought I’d list ten things that might come in handy if you have some sort of holiday soiree to attend or just want to feel a little festive.

As for me, my social calendar is packed full of nights that I will spend in my pajamas in front of the fire while wearing my Smart Wool socks. And I’m not even embarrassed to admit it.

Well, maybe a little embarrassed.

1. Woven Shift Dress

If you have an occasion that calls for a little something special, this is a really cute little black dress. I like it because it can be dressed up or down and, honestly, every woman should have a go-to black dress in her closet.

2. Faux Fur Cheetah Jacket

Nothing says FESTIVE like a faux fur cheetah jacket.

It also says RAWR.

(I don’t think I pulled that off, but I’m leaving it there because it makes me laugh.)

3. Velvet Blazer

Some of the velvet blazers featured over at Victorias’ Secret show women wearing them with only a lace bra underneath. I don’t know that I’d recommend that look for public consumption, but a velvet blazer is a great piece to have during the holidays.

You can pair it with a beaded tank and wear it with jeans or dress it up with a pair of nice pants. It’s what we in the fashion business like to call VERSATILE.

Of course I’m not in the fashion business so I’ll just say it’s really soft and pretty.

4. Garnet Satin Sheath Dress

Well this is certainly festive.

I’d also like to ask that model if she enjoyed the crouton she ate for lunch today.

5. Red Walking Coat

I saw this coat earlier in the week and I just think it is the cute of all cutes. I love the style and the detail in the back. And I was a huge fan of Jessica Simpson back in the days of The Newlyweds Show.

I’m not even embarrassed to admit that, but I also wore green socks in public yesterday with my running shoes.

Oh, and think how cute this coat would look with leggings and tall black boots.

6. Velvet Pants

There was a year that I had some leopard print velvet pants. I refer to it as my favorite year ever. Not really, but if the qualification for best year ever was based on pants, then I totally would.

Velvet pants are the perfect piece for a holiday party because you can pair them with a beaded cardigan or a ruffled blouse and you’ve got yourself an outfit.

Disclaimer: I would not buy these if you own a white, long-haired cat.

7. Sparkly Ballet Flats

A little bit of happy for your feet.

8. Classic UGGS

A LOT OF HAPPY for your feet, especially when you get back from a long day of Christmas shopping.

9. Fleece Lounge Pants

This will probably be what I wear the most often this Christmas season. Let’s just hope I have some sense of decency and don’t end up wearing them to pick up Caroline from school.

Of course, they are called “lounging pants” which is a totally different animal than a “pajama pant”.

10. Rockin’ Rosettes Scarf

I just love a good scarf and this one makes me happy.

Rumor has it that sometime next week, P is going to guest post on the blog with a list of things you can get for the outdoorsman in your life. Of course rumor also had it that he was going to do it earlier this week, so I guess we’ll just wait and see what happens.

Also, my sister still hasn’t had her baby. ESPN + FREE FOOD = late baby boy

And now I’m off for a big shopping weekend. This is the weekend that Gulley and I have our annual Christmas shopping weekend where we shop until we can shop no more, fueled only by Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and lots of chips and queso.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Don’t forget about the giveaway.

And for more fashion, you can go visit Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife.

Yesterday morning I got an email from a sweet reader and she informed me that she was standing in the toy department of her small town Walmart surrounded by Zhu Zhu Pets. She asked if I wanted her to buy one for me and I replied, “Well, if you’re sure it’s not any trouble then YES PLEASE! I’LL TAKE TWO!”. So she headed to the checkout line with Mr. Squiggles and Chunk only to be stopped by a Walmart employee who informed her that the Zhu Zhu Pets were just part of a display and not available for purchase until Black Friday.

Shame on you, Walmart. It’s like you’re begging for a riot over $8.00 hamsters.

So I’m still on the hunt for the elusive Zhu Zhu, but it will not beat me.

To add to my frustration, I read an article online about a firm called Panjiva, run by fancy scientists from MIT that analyze the general insanity of the American population by measuring trends in imported goods, that has projected the hot holiday gifts will be Snuggies and Zhu Zhu Pets.

I don’t know what kind of computer program those MIT geniuses are using, but they haven’t told me anything I couldn’t have deduced from my eight trips to local Walmarts over the past week. Also, I believe their data regarding the Snuggie may be flawed considering that I saw an entire Snuggie display on the end of an aisle at HEB and they’d been marked down to $14.97.

All I know is that if there ever comes a day that some sort of anthropologists are digging through the rubble that used to be our society, they will find evidence of the Snuggie and the Zhu Zhu Pet and will all agree that our culture must have been very sad and misguided in our quest for backward robes and battery-powered pets.

And on that note, I thought it might be fun to compile a list of a few things I’ve found that would make great Christmas gifts for you or the ones you love. You will see that neither Pipsqueek nor Num Nums made this list.

(Also, these are just things I like. I wasn’t paid or given any merchandise to put them on this list. Just wanted you to know.)

1. Best of Lavender Gift Set

My friend Debi and her husband Jack own a lavender farm in the Texas Hill country and, y’all, they grow their own lavender. Like from scratch or seed or whatever. And then they use it to make the most awesome lotion in the world. I keep a bottle by my kitchen sink, a bottle by my bathroom sink and a tube of it in my purse. Addicted much?

Best of all, they are currently offering the gift set with free shipping.

2. The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Unless you don’t reside on this planet, you’ve probably heard about this cookbook, but what you may not know is that Amazon is currently selling it for $10.75. TEN DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS. What is this, 1974?

Why are you still here? Go order the cookbook for everyone on your list. If you’re lucky they’ll make you some homemade cinnamon rolls as a way to say thank you.

3. Ragg Wool Socks

I can’t tell you how much I hate to put socks on the list. It seems so boring, like the kind of thing you’d get someone who is in their pajamas by 7:30 p.m. every night and considers BravoTV to be the greatest invention of the 21st century.

Oh wait.

That’s me.

Truth be told, P bought me some of these socks about eight years ago and I have now worn a hole in the bottom of them because I wear them so much. They keep my feet toasty warm on these chilly South Texas winter nights when the temps dip into the mid-40’s. In other words, they pretty much perform a miracle because my feet are usually so cold that I’m either suffering from circulatory issues or I’m already dead.

4. Deux Lux Ruffle Bucket Bag

I just think this is a super cute bag. Love the ruffles.

5. 2010 Calendar

Who doesn’t love a new calendar to start off the year? I mean, besides people who don’t love a new calendar to start off the year?

This one is great because, not only are the designs beautiful and simple, but it’s separated into individual pages so you can put up each month one at a time. Isn’t that clever?

However, if you’re a fan of the entire twelve months being neatly bound, I’ve always been a big fan of Kris-10’s Creations Calendar.

6. Canon Powershot Digital Camera

P bought me one of these for Christmas about four years ago and it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It’s small enough to carry in my purse and it takes video and still pictures.

My Pa-Pa never would have dreamed there’d be a day when you could shoot moving pictures with something this small instead of a camera bigger than your head with a spotlight that could blind anyone in a three-mile radius.

7. Vintage-inspired apron

Just looking at how cute this apron is makes me feel like a better cook.

It also makes me have a desire to wear my hair in a bouffant and put on some pearls while I vacuum.

8. Flannel plaid pj pants

Flannel pj pants complete me and the plaid is so right now.

9. Bulletin Boards

I’ve been on the hunt for a bulletin board for Caroline’s room and when I saw this one, I immediately knew that I’d found the look I’d been searching for. It would be perfect in a kitchen, office or bedroom and you could even get it monogrammed in the center because who doesn’t love a good monogram? Other than people in the witness protection program?

10. The Sarge duck call

P has been sitting next to me while I make this list and he suggested that I include The Sarge duck call.

First, let me tell you that if you haven’t experienced The Duck Commanders, then you are missing out on one of life’s greatest joys. I am generally not a fan of hunting shows, but they reeled me in. It seriously makes me laugh out loud.

Secondly, you probably don’t need The Sarge duck call unless you plan on hunting ducks or giving it to your child and seeing how long it takes before they drive you insane with all the quacking.

That’s all I have for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

A few weeks ago my friend Steph and I had plans to go shop at the outlet mall in San Marcos. But then the day before we were supposed to go I came down with a cold/sinus issues/allergies/black plague and I knew I wouldn’t have the stamina to endure the marathon that is outlet shopping, so we rescheduled for yesterday.

On Tuesday I received a text message from Steph that read “Torn between two lovers. The semi-annual sale starts at Nordys on Wednesday. Should we go there or to the outlet malls?”

I don’t know. What’s more important, my left arm or my left leg?

Ultimately we decided to shop the Nordstrom sale because it only happens twice a year, plus the cafe upstairs serves those thin little french fries with the kalamata aioli dipping sauce.

My original plan was to take pictures of all the cute stuff we saw as we shopped. But you know what’s useful when you make that type of plan?

If you remember to actually take your camera out of your purse and use it. I cannot tell you how sorry I am, especially because that plan would have been so much simpler than trying to recreate all that I saw using only the internet.

But I’ll do my best.

Also, did you know that there is a Zara store at La Cantera? I originally heard about Zara at a Deeper Still conference when Beth and Priscilla mentioned on stage that they liked to shop there on occasion, but had never experienced one for myself until yesterday when I discovered that there is an ENTIRE SECTION of The Shops at La Cantera that I never knew existed. The only excuse for this oversight is that it’s located beyond the Food Court and I guess I get distracted once I see Chick-fil-A.

Anyway, here are a few things I thought were cute.

(By the way, Zara did have some really cute, very affordable things, but they don’t have a shoppable website)

(Is shoppable a word?)

1. Gumshoe Sweatercoat

I hate to do this to you because all I’m doing is causing you to join in my deep longing. If this isn’t one of the cutest sweatercoats you’ve ever seen, I’ll eat my hat.

Unfortunately, if I brought this coat home with me it would be all I’d have left to keep me warm at night. P wouldn’t understand the way the ruffles whispered my name and caused me to lose my sense of restraint and cost-appropriateness.

2. Ambition Corduroy Blazer

I didn’t buy one of these because I’m not in the market for a new blazer. Also, I’m a little afraid of the term “blazer”.

However, this is a really great jacket and even better in person than in the picture. Plus it comes in some great colors.

3. Naughty Monkey ‘Ring Maestro’ Boot

I love the detail of these boots. I love the color. I love the wedge heel that makes them so versatile.

But, let’s be honest, what really sold me was the name brand. I’d like to buy them just so I could make references to my naughty monkeys and cause people to wonder if I have a side job raising spider monkeys in my backyard.

Of course I guess a side job would require me to have a real job first.

4. Daytrip Plaid Coat

When Gulley and I were in college, the Diamond Darlings held a garage sale to raise money. I kid you not that we sold an old coat of Nena’s that looked EXACTLY like this one and oh did we laugh and mock and use the word “groovy” and other insults circa 1970’s.

But now I kind of wish we had the original.

5. Cable-knit Hooded Sweater Dress

In the interest of full disclosure I have to confess that I didn’t actually see this yesterday because we didn’t go in Old Navy. As far as I know, there isn’t an Old Navy in La Cantera unless I’m missing out on a whole other section of the mall. Which we now know is entirely possible.

Anyway, I’m including this hooded sweater dress because the number one fashion-related question I get in my email inbox is some version of “What’s a good alternative to the sweatsuit?” or in other words, “How can I walk around in my pajamas without looking like I’m in my pajamas?”

Steph and I pondered this question yesterday and ultimately decided that there really isn’t a good alternative for the sweatsuit. I mean, sure, you can run around in your velour sweatpants (guilty!) or your yoga pants (guilty again!) but you can only make those things look so cute. There is a cuteness threshold.

However, I think that you could easily pair a sweater/jersey/cotton type tunic/dress with leggings and either flats, sneakers or boots and have yourself a presentable look that would provide the comfort of a sweatsuit. Maybe I’m delusional, but I thought I’d throw it out there.

And on that note, I’m wrapping it up.

I realize I only featured five items today but that’s because that number coincides with the time I was rudely awakened this morning by a child who has the morning sensibilities of an overeager rooster. I need some sleep.

And to save some money for blackout shades for Caroline’s bedroom.

And to get my playbook ready for my solo coaching effort on Saturday since I don’t know anything and there is no rain in the forecast.

Y’all have a great Friday.

For more Fashion Friday, you can click over to Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife where she’s discussing the trends she doesn’t get and I definitely agree with her on some of them.

We had a big day yesterday, complete with our first gymnastics class and a makeup soccer game for the mighty Rainbows. It actually wasn’t our very first gymnastics class, but rather our first gymnastics class of the year. I thought we were done with gymnastics but we are in the midst of a gymnastics resurgence that I like to refer to as our gymnaissance.

On the plus side, our double-header of activities will only last one more week until soccer season ends. On the minus side, I was so tired by the time the afternoon was over that I went to dig the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups intended for trick-or-treaters off the top laundry room shelf where I hid them from myself and managed to cause a full package of assorted candy bars to fall on my head.

Unfortunately I didn’t let my head injury keep me from indulging in a peanut butter cup or two. Or five.

But let’s not focus on that because that’s not what today is about. Today is all about the winter coat and/or jacket. I have a deep, ongoing love affair with the jacket as evidenced by the many, many jackets I have collected over the years. Whenever I do my semi-annual closet cleanout, I can make myself get rid of many a clothing item, but never a jacket or a coat.

Which explains the cranberry red wool peacoat in my closet that I bought in 1997 and the denim trenchcoat with a faux fur collar that I bought when Gulley and I took a trip to New York in 2002. It’s not that I ever really wear either of them (I think the red peacoat has shoulder pads) but I can’t bear to let them go.

So here is my list of ten great coats/jackets for this season. As you look at the ones I love, please keep in mind that I live in a climate akin to the center of the equator. Which is to say, some of these coats may not keep you very warm, but they will keep you very fashionable.

And isn’t that the most important thing?

1. Park Avenue Coat

I just think this is the cutest thing. Plus it’s the pick of the week at Francescas and that means it’s on sale. Just think how great it would look with jeans and boots or even all dressed up with a black pencil skirt or pants.

And you seriously have to give some credit to the houndstooth print because it has some staying power. I’ve had something houndstooth in my closet for the last thirty-something years. It’s a classic.

2. Effortless Velvet Coat

If you don’t want to covet then don’t look at this coat. It is a delight and a wonder. It’s an effortless velvet coat.

Sophie called me last week and told me her best friend, EK, had this coat on at the Mississippi State game and it was totally fab. This is that coat.

And it’s totally fab.

The only problem is that Boden makes my bank account sad.

3. Hailey Plaid Coat

I know I’ve linked to approximately 452 variations of the plaid coat this fall, but I am a fan of the plaid coat and I don’t care who knows it.

4. Aeryn Double Breasted Cashmere Coat

A few years back we had to attend an outdoor wedding on one of the coldest December nights I can remember. I didn’t have a warm, dressy coat so Mimi let me borrow her black cashmere coat and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was like being wrapped in buttah.

Although being wrapped in butter would probably feel kind of gross and that’s not how this felt at all. It felt like a warm hug made of fairy dust and bunny tails.

5. Double Breasted Ruffle Coat

I don’t mean to get political, but I am of the belief that you can’t go wrong with a ruffle on a coat.

6. Birling Ruffle Coat

While I am a little on the fence about the staying power of the red and black checked combo, I adore the style of this jacket. It may not be for everyone but if you are a frilly kind of girl with a penchant for wearing patterns favored by lumberjacks everywhere, then I think this may be your coat.

7. From Russia, With Love Coat

This is just a great classic coat. Love the chocolate brown. Love the faux fur collar. Love the cut.

8. Cloud Spotter Mac

Late this summer, Boden marked down their raincoats to 75% off and I almost bought one about a million times. It was like a daily obsession to go see if they still had my size available. And then once I knew that it was there and available, I was content to just leave it in the online cart and put off making a commitment.

Somewhere in the above paragraph is a metaphor for my late teens and early twenties, but I’m going to ignore it.

The point is that I never ordered the coat because it hadn’t rained in two years and it seemed frivolous to order a raincoat even if it was 75% off. And, I kid you not, since the day they ran out of my size in the on sale raincoat it has rained about 15 inches. Shopping FAIL.

Anyway, this raincoat is darling and I truly hope it goes on sale because, in the words of The Who, I won’t be fooled again.

9. Leopard Fur Coat

I hate to bring you down on a Friday with my tale of woe but I’m going to do it anyway.

Years and years ago, I bought this unbelievably darling leopard fur coat. I just happened to spy it in the window of some totally cheesy store at the mall. (I want to say it was Chess King, but even I have my limits. It may have been a Merry-Go-Round.) As if led by the sweet hand of destiny, I went in the store, tried on the coat, and discovered it was only $49.99.

I loved that coat.

Then I attended a baby shower at some upscale restaurant in downtown Austin and, while I was inside ooohing an aaahing over some blue satin blankets and pacifiers, some hoodlums smashed out the window of my sweet white Ford Taurus (company car) and stole my leopard jacket. And also all my makeup and a leather jacket from Harolds. Needless to say, it was tragic.

And I learned that insurance cannot replace a $49.99 leopard fur coat from a cheesy mall store.

10. Faux Suede and Shearling Coat

I am so tempted to tell you about the beautiful faux suede coat that I bought years ago at Wet Seal, but I really need to quit admitting that I actually shop in those stores on occasion. I’m just millimeters away from uttering the phrase, “When I was looking around at Hot Topic the other day…”

Anyway, I love this coat. I have always been a fan of suede and shearling paired together because it’s just that whole Western-influenced style that I adore. This would look so great with a pair of jeans, some cowboy boots and gorgeous turquoise jewelry.

And that’s a wrap.

Or a coat or whatever.

I also want to add that you can find some really great bargains on coats and/or jackets at TJ Maxx, Marshalls and places like that but I am limited to showing you things I can find online. So let this just serve as a guideline, if you will, to help you find the coat that best suits your needs.

If all else fails, you can always go see what they have in stock at Journeyz.