First of all, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your sweet words about Jen and prayers for her friends and family. I’m not ready to talk about it yet and not sure when I will be, but the last week has brought both tears and laughter and I guess the bottom line is I am so thankful for Jen’s life and the impact she had in her time here on earth. We will miss her so much.
In other news, today is our nineteenth wedding anniversary. Nineteen years ago today, at noon in San Antonio, P and I vowed to love and cherish each other in sickness and in health.
It seems appropriate that we woke up yesterday morning to a power outage and I found P in the kitchen, wearing a headlamp while making a pot of french-pressed coffee. He is a man that’s prepared for just about any life situation. Meanwhile, I sat on the couch and couldn’t figure out why the internet wasn’t working. It’s our differences that make us stronger. And often drive the other one crazy.
But I wouldn’t trade it.
Happy Anniversary, P! Love you more today than I did nineteen years ago.
I’ll be back for Fashion Friday, but other than that I’m out for the rest of this week. Caroline starts school on Monday and we’re trying to make the most of the last days of summer.
I don’t really have many words right now, but so many of you have been so faithful to pray for Jen as she fought her battle with breast cancer and I wanted you to know that she passed away in the early morning hours on Tuesday.
She fought the good fight, she finished her race and she kept her faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
I have no doubt she is healed and whole in the arms of Jesus, but we will miss her so much.
First of all, thanks so much for all the sweet birthday wishes for Caroline. I think it’s the realization that she’s now a teenager, but this one hit me right in the gut.
Secondly, today’s Fashion Friday comes with a chance to win fabulous prizes.
That’s right. I’m super excited about today’s Fashion Friday because it comes complete with two chances to win a $50 gift card to Milk and Honey Tees.
I’m such a fan of all her t-shirts and they are the ones I continually reach for in my closet because they are so soft and just get better with time. Plus, she always has so many cute options.
2. Leave a comment on this post telling me what shirt and/or shirts you think you might get if you win. The comment must actually be made on the blog (not on Facebook or through email) for it to count.
3. I’ll leave comments open until Sunday at noon and then choose two winners at random and notify you by email.
These jeans are at Old Navy and are already available in limited sizes, which tells me they must be something special. I love a flare jean. Throw the word “vintage” in the description and I’m a goner.
See? More plaid. I love that this is a denim plaid because I love the whole denim on denim trend but this is an easy way to do it. This would look so great with a pair of jeans and boots. But those jeans on the model? Go home, Gap, you’re drunk.
And here’s a little Gap tip I’ll share with you. You can order it in a tall size if you want it to be a little longer.
I have loved these pants since the moment I first saw them at Anthropologie. In fact, I love this whole outfit. Yet, sadly, there is no place for an all white outfit in my life. However, these pants also come in black and teal and I think they are fabulous.
Edited to add: ALERT! ALERT! Anthropologie has added new things to their sale section and they are all an additional 25% off. These pants are part of that. As is this top that I adore.
This is on sale at Nordstrom $49.90 but normally $79.00. It also comes in gray and black but I was drawn to the maroon version because AGGIE FOOTBALL SEASON IS NIGH.
I realize I’ve shown this top before, but I now actually own it and can vouch for it’s softness. There are limited sizes and colors left, but it is perfect to wear with jeans or even pajama pants. And it’s on sale for $24.90.
I’m going to go ahead and suggest that maybe these earrings aren’t real gold since they’re only $12.99. However, they are still great and I’m going to order them TOOT SUITE.
Today you are thirteen. You are officially a teenager. And all I know is that the last thirteen years have been the fastest of my life.
It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that the doctor told me that Daddy and I better head to the hospital because it sounded like I was most definitely in labor. My contractions continued to get stronger as Daddy drove us to the hospital and what I most vividly remember was that I felt a combination of emotions that ranged from excited to terrified at what was ahead. I was about to be someone’s mom and the only thing I knew for sure was that I had no idea what I was doing. But then there you were, a tiny, long-legged baby with eyes that never seemed to blink as you took in your new world. And, thirteen years later, here you are – still long-legged and taking in the world – and some days I still have no idea what I’m doing.
But here’s what I know for sure. Of all the things I have done in my life, being your mom is at the top of my list.
This year you wanted to celebrate your birthday with a week at the beach with one of your best friends, so we’re at Port Aransas which has always been one of your favorite places. When we arrived yesterday, you and Maddy ran to jump in the waves and, as I watched you, I was shocked by how big you suddenly seemed. I think somewhere in my mind’s eye, I still picture you as some version of the little girl in this video who loved her watermelon gum and told us “Port Aransas is just like Hawaii”.
But I took in the fact that you’re now almost 5’3″ tall (The pediatrician confirmed last week you’ve grown three inches and gained twenty pounds this year.) and the way you confidently ran right into the ocean without needing to wait for us to give you the okay or for Daddy and me to go with you and I realized this is where we are in life now. You are running with confidence toward all the world has to offer and Daddy and I are here just taking it all in, cheering you on and amazed at the person you have become.
As we sat on the beach, watching you play in the waves, we agreed that we have watched you grow more as a person this past year than any other year. Seventh grade brought its share of challenges, but you learned so much about yourself. You stood strong for what you believe in, made new friends, played for two different soccer teams and worked hard in school.
You realized you love science and hated band. And when you had the option to get out of band to try a new elective, I was so proud that you chose to be a peer tutor to help kids with special needs. And then, a few weeks ago, you drove to Dallas with Gulley and me to see Jen. I will never forget the way you sat next to me as we left the hospital and held my hand so tight as you kept checking to see if I was okay. You are kind, loyal and compassionate and I love that about you.
You have always been my tomboy and that hasn’t changed. You love hunting with Daddy more than just about anything but this has been the summer that you have also discovered how much you love fishing. The two of you have fished both the Louisiana and Texas coast this summer and Daddy is always so pleased that even the toughest fishing guides never cease to be impressed by your fishing acumen and ability. That’s his DNA at work for sure and it’s just one of many reasons the two of you are like peas and carrots.
And while Daddy has instilled in you a love of the outdoors, I believe one of the things I’ve handed down to you is a love of the Netflix marathon. You and I watched all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation in record time earlier this summer and your immediate love and appreciation for all the quirky characters warms my heart and makes me so proud. And when we both laugh out loud at something at the same time, it is maybe one of my favorite things ever. We are a family who has a deep appreciation for a good sense of humor and you have that covered. We’ve since moved on to Alias. I first watched it when I was pregnant with you thirteen years ago and thought Sydney Bristow was the coolest girl ever, but now I realize that’s because I didn’t know you yet.
The other day you said, “Mom, I’m about to be a teenager. Are you scared?” And the truth is I’m not. I’ll tell you what I am. So proud.
I’m proud of who you are and who you are becoming. I’m proud of the choices you make, the way you stand up for what’s right, the way you love others, and the way you serve God. I’m proud of the grit and determination you show in every aspect of your life – maybe with the exception of remembering to hang up your bath towel most nights.
In the words of the song Golden by Lady Antebellum, “Shadows run and darkness fades when you come around. My single star amongst the gray always shining down.”
Happy 13th birthday, my sweet girl. Daddy and I are excited for all that lies ahead for you and so grateful for every bit of the last thirteen years. You are our best dream come true.
Before we talk about any other fashion this week, I have to share some very important, perhaps life-changing, boot news. I believe it is well-documented that I love a good pair of boots. And I believe that it is also well-documented that I love the Junk Gypsies. I had loved Jolie and Amie Sikes from afar, but got to spend time with them at their store in Round Top, Texas this past spring and they are even better in person.
There are so many great styles and looks to choose from depending on your taste and your boot needs, but these are a few of my favorites.
This is the She Who Is Brave. They come in this honey color or a dark brown and I will tell you that the word “brave” is embossed on the heel. They are divine.
And, finally, look at these Spitfire boots. I’ve been searching all over for the perfect bootie and here they are. I’m in love. I’m just a girl, standing in front of a fringe bootie, asking it to love me.
Do you even want to know that the Spitfire also comes in red, turquoise (STOP), buckskin, and electric pink? This doesn’t even seem like a fair fight to my willpower.
The Junk Gypsies were kind enough to send me a pair from their new boot collection and I will tell you that they are even more gorgeous in person and they smell like heaven when you take them out of the box. Like all great boots, they aren’t inexpensive but they are worth the money if you’re in the market for a great pair of boots. You can see all the boots in their collection right here on their website.
I love the blue and white version of this. It’s on sale for $59.95 but Anthropologie is offering an extra 30% off all sale PLUS free shipping on everything with the code STAYCOOL at checkout. They almost never offer free shipping unless it’s on purchases over $150 so this is a great time to buy.
And the free shipping applies to everything, not just the stuff on sale.
This vest has great reviews and I love the color. It’s a great piece to wear with shorts now and jeans and boots later. It’s on sale for $49.95 but an extra 30% off.
This is one of those full price Anthropologie items that I can’t quit thinking about and I want to order it so bad but I just had a white top intervention with myself the other day. But I’m feeling awfully weak. This is $98 but you can get it shipped to you FOR FREE. And doesn’t that make all the difference?
This white hi lo top doesn’t have the lace detail and is a much more casual version, but is much more price-friendly and just $31.37.
This looks so different from anything I normally wear, but it keeps catching my eye every time I look through the Nordstrom sale. It comes in black, taupe and ivory and is on sale for $45.90. Sizes are limited, but I can just see this with a jacket over it when the weather cools off.
I love these oversize sweaters. Please know that they are semi-sheer so you will need something under it, but the colors are great and it is the perfect lightweight sweater to wear with jeans or leggings. It’s on sale for $39.90.
This isn’t necessarily something I’d normally wear, but it has great reviews and I do think they look like a good piece for fall and winter. They are on sale for $49.90.
Listen. Gap does a lot of things wrong. So very wrong. But they do know how to make a great denim shirt. I love the western detailing of this one. How great would it look with a pair of those Junk Gypsy boots?
It’s $59.95 but 30% off with code HAPPY at checkout. (I’m assuming that code is still good today, but even if it’s not, you can rest assured there will be another discount code in the future because nobody pays full-price at Gap anymore.)
I know not everyone subscribes to my theory of paying more for good jeans, but I wanted to share these for those of you who do. These are $163.90 but normally sell for $245. They sold out super quick the first time around, but have been re-stocked. I will tell you they are the best jeans I’ve ever owned. They are so soft and keep their shape for days. So if you want to make a denim investment, these are a good bet.
I realize they are pricey, but I still wear nice jeans I bought ten years ago so I’m not one to quit on a garment. Ever. I believe I get this from my father who still regularly wears a t-shirt that reads, “BERMUDA 1989” in neon letters.
I love this look but would never actually layer a sweatshirt over a shirt because I live somewhere that is too hot for that nonsense even in December. But I think this is so cute and I would like to wear it with white skinny jeans and Converse and summer in Cape Cod. It’s on sale for $44.50.
I saw this gray tee on my Instagram and knew I needed it in my life. It’s the perfect basic piece to layer or wear alone and it’s just $25.50 plus free shipping.
And I also wanted to let you know that this precious tasseled coverup was originally $54 but is now on sale for $31.50 but supplies are limited.
Both pieces are from The Ikat Elephant and there are some other really cute things on their Facebook page that you might want to check out.
Well I could tell you about my day while you nearly fall asleep from boredom. Or I can answer some questions and perhaps still cause you to fall asleep from boredom.
I’m opting for the latter because I figure at least this way you don’t have to hear about how I worked on book edits and did a load of laundry.
Feel free to ask any additional questions in the comments. It gives me something to write about during these lazy summer days.
1. What blogs do you read regularly?
This is an excellent question. The truth is I used to read so many more blogs than I do now and I think that’s a combination of not spending as much time on the computer when I’m not actually working and the fact that many of my favorite bloggers no longer blog anymore. I’m much more likely to spend time on Instagram these days.
The blogs I tend to look at these days are usually geared more toward fashion, like CStyle, Sheaffer Told Me To, and Blonde Expeditions. I also love Go Fug Yourself which is all about celebrity fashion (They are the girls who wrote The Royal We, which I believe I’ve mentioned is one of my very favorite fiction books.) And What Kate Wore because I always like to know what Kate wore.
And just for reading, I love I Hate Green Beans by Lincee Ray and Boomama. I’d love any recommendations if you have them, but I don’t want to read anything too serious and I absolutely don’t want to read anything political. I need like the Gilmore Girls of blogs.
Speaking of, have you seen this?
That’ll be the highlight of my fall. In addition to college football season.
2. What is your favorite type of pen to write with?
A Sharpie fine point marker. I realize that’s not actually a pen but rather a marker. But I have gone through about a million of them when I sign books because I think they are the best and give me the nicest signature.
As for just a regular pen, I’m not picky. I’ll use whatever I can find and like anything as long as it isn’t an extra fine point and doesn’t leave a lot of ink residue because I’m a lefty and I’ll smear it down the page.
3. Just wondering how it is having two (highly spirited) dogs. They say getting two puppies at the same time changes how bonded they are to their humans. Did you see any of that? And how on earth do you keep your house free of dog slobber, fur, etc.? Can you please share how you potty trained Mabel and Piper? And do you kennel them at night?
I know it sounds crazy and there were times in their puppyhood that I thought Piper and Mabel might cost me my sanity, but I highly recommend getting two puppies at once. Our girls are sisters, but Gulley’s family got two puppies that are different breeds at the same time and she would tell you the same thing. They burn a lot of energy having a playmate and our girls stay outside when we are gone and it gives them company. Yes, it’s a little bit more work at first but having a puppy is just hard work so you might as well get it all over with at once. And ours are as bonded to us as any dogs we’ve ever had so I don’t think it’s changed how they bond. It really is all about how much time you spend interacting with them and we spend a lot of time with our girls.
As for keeping the house free of dog slobber, fur, etc., they are the main reason I had to get rid of our white slipcovered couch. There was just no way that couch and my mental well being could co-exist. They have short hair and don’t shed a lot so that helps, but they believe the best way to drink water is to put both paws in the dish along with their entire face so I almost always have a trail of water in my kitchen. I just sweep and vacuum a lot.
We potty-trained ours by taking them outside at least every thirty minutes and setting them in the grass. Whenever they’d go to the bathroom, we’d praise them profusely and give them a treat. If they had an accident in the house, we’d tell them no and then take them outside. It just takes a little time and patience, much like potty training a human.
(Piper says having a dog is super easy. She doesn’t know what any of us are complaining about.)
And we don’t kennel them at night anymore. We did when they were puppies but quit after they were potty-trained and could make it through the night without an accident. They sleep in their dog beds in the house, but stay put all night long. Of all the dogs we’ve had before, we’ve never had dogs that slept inside but these girls made it clear that’s where they were going to sleep best. Plus Caroline really likes to have them sleep inside.
4. Could you share your guacamole recipe again?
I really think the biggest key to good guacamole is good, fresh avocados. It’s best to buy them when they have a little bit of give when you squeeze them, but they can’t be too soft. I like Haas avocados the best. I usually just mash them up and add season salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste. Sometimes if I feel fancy, I’ll make some pico de gallo to mix in with it because that’s delicious.
But if you want to make a guacamole that’s a little fancier, there’s a restaurant on the Riverwalk in San Antonio called Boudro’s that makes the best table side guacamole. You can find the recipe here.
5. What game are you playing on your phone these days?
No one asked this. But my friend, Erin, introduced me to a game called Merged! and I’m a little addicted. (Plus, every time I play it, I say “MERGE” like Chandler Bing on Friends when he suggested he and Monica get that sign above their bed.) Caroline and I have been watching Alias every night and I play Merged! while we watch because it helps soothe my nerves over the whole Milo Rambaldi thing and what it all means. I actually watched Alias like it was my job back when it was on T.V. but that has been sixteen years and one child ago so I’m shocked at what I don’t remember.
You know what I do remember? How much I love Sydney Bristow.
Have a great Thursday.
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