Other

Well, we are allegedly in for a rainy weekend around here. P and I just watched the weather and they’re predicting 5-7 inches for San Antonio through Saturday. But we are jaded and cynical when it comes to the weather (and also some other things) and both declared that we’ll believe it when we see it.

But here’s hoping they’re right because a rainy Saturday morning consisting of Game Day and college football and coffee sounds dreamy.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. painted threads open front cardigan

I originally saw this in Nordstrom and loved it because it’s the perfect layering piece for a Texas fall. And it could easily be dressed up or just worn over workout clothes. It’s even better now that it’s on sale for just $22.80.

2. cedez tank

I bought this top a while back and never would have even looked at it in the store if the salesgirl hadn’t recommended it. It can be worn alone but also looks great under a jacket. Plus, you can tuck in that longer layer and just have that shorter layer that hits at your waist. It also comes in green and black but sizes are limited now that it’s on sale for $39.95 with an extra 30% off with code XTRA XTRA.

3. loft relaxed turtleneck tunic

As of Thursday night, Loft had 50% off everything with code HALFTIME at checkout. I’m not sure that will still be good on Friday, but I guarantee they will have some other discount soon. I love this turtleneck tunic because it comes in a ton of colors and is a great length.

4. grandpa coatigan

I think I liked this more before I saw that it’s called a “grandpa coatigan”. I feel like that’s an oversight by the Loft marketing department. Nevertheless, I love a big sweater like this to throw on over a long t-shirt and leggings during the winter.

5. spice market embroidered dress

How cute is this? I would wear it with leggings most likely depending on the length, but I love the pattern.

6. wrapped in plaid vest

Plaid has never been hotter than it is right now. Everything is plaid. And I love this because it’s a cool way to add some plaid to your wardrobe beyond just a traditional plaid shirt. Just look how cute it looks over this denim tunic with boots.

7. rumer slouchy knee high boot

I love the color of these boots and the suede. They are currently on sale at Nordstrom.

8. midnight summer dress

I was looking around Free People the other day and saw this. It comes in a few different color options and I think it would look so great with a pair of leggings or over some skinny jeans with boots or booties.

9. nickel and suede leather earrings

When I was in Atlanta a few weeks ago, they gave me a pair of these earrings as a gift. I didn’t realize until I picked them up that they are made of leather which means they are unbelievably lightweight and you don’t even feel like you’re wearing earrings.

They come in a lot of colors and several styles, plus they have leather cuff bracelets as well. I’m a big fan.

10. geo pattern open cardigan

I’ve featured this before but now it’s on sale for $34.80 and I felt that was noteworthy.

11. crochet inset peasant top

I think this is so pretty and would look great with skinny black pants or jeans. It also comes in an ivory color.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.

I realize things have been a little slow around here this week. It just seems like there isn’t much going on and a lot going on all at the same time. And I’m starting to think about a new book project which is perfectly summed up in this quote I saw on a friend’s Facebook page.

Here are just a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you.

1. Pink Pray Love

So many of you continually ask about Jen and how she’s doing. And I so appreciate your continued prayers for her. She’s been at the beach with friends and family this week and wrote this beautiful, honest blog post that made me cry in public.

None of us would have chosen this road, but I am continually in awe of the grace God gives her as she walks this path. I would appreciate your continued prayers for her and her family.

2. The Burning Edge of Dawn

A couple of weeks ago someone asked me how I write my books. Well, first, see the quote above.

But, secondly, I have to have a good soundtrack to listen to as I write. And my criteria is that it has to be mellow and with good lyrics that I don’t know by heart, otherwise I sing along in my head instead of writing words.

And so this is why I’m so thrilled that Andrew Peterson has a new album out. I listened to him the majority of time as I wrote Sparkly Green Earrings and I’ll be so glad to have his music to keep me company as I jump on a burning bicycle again.

3. Pearl and Rose Designs

At the DotMom Conference this year, I met a girl named Shelby and she’d made me this most beautiful hand drawn artwork with a quote from Sparkly Green Earrings. This is where I would love to show you a picture of it but it’s in my bedroom and P is already asleep.

But then she mentioned that she’d love to make me something to represent my love for Texas and came up with this.

Those are all the words to the Aggie War Hymn written inside the outline of Texas. How awesome is that? You can order one for yourself or a friend right here for only $12.

She has so many beautiful things even for those of you who aren’t from Texas or an Aggie. Like this hand drawn 2016 calendar with a different Bible verse for every month.

Or various Bible verse prints like this one.

And she also does gorgeous custom work like this hand drawn wedding map.

Hope you all have a great Thursday.

See you tomorrow for Fashion Friday.

Listen.

I realize fall is late to the party this year. But maybe you need to do what I have now done which is just crank our air-conditioning down and wear my Uggs and winter pjs around the house and pretend. I’m about a week away from lighting a fire in the fireplace and making s’mores. I’m going to get my fall experience even if I have to artificially manufacture it.

Speaking of fall experience, the Aggies play Alabama this weekend and let’s not even pretend that I’m calm about it. In fact, I may not sleep between now and kick off because I seem to believe that if I just read enough message boards about what the Aggies need to do to win, then I can actually impact the outcome of the game. And, as it turns out, I got to talk all about Aggie football this week on the Deep South Details podcast. You can listen to it here if you want to hear me talk about what I believe we need to do to win. Let’s just hope Coach Sumlin listens because otherwise he may not know how to coach this team.

Also, last week I talked about my Barrington tote bag and how much I adore it. It really is a bag that will last me forever and it has held up so well as it’s been stuffed full of all manner of In Style magazines and then dragged around airports. But the link wasn’t working maybe? Or I didn’t put it in right. This is the more likely scenario.

So if you’re interested, this is the St. Anne Florentine tote by Barrington.

But you could always do one of their fall collections with a monogram stripe which I think are just precious.

Of course I chose to show you a plaid option because I can’t quit it.

Here are some other things I found this week.

1. the leatherette legging ankle AG jeans

I realize many of us may not be able to look at leather (or even leatherette) pants without thinking about Ross Gellar being stuck in that bathroom unable to get his leather pants pulled back up. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t in style right now.

More importantly, these are now 25% off with code THANKYOU and free shipping with code FREESHIP from Saks, along with all kinds of other great deals. If you’ve been on the fence about buying a really nice pair of jeans, this might be the time to check out Saks to see what all they have right now because it’s rare to find designer jeans 25% off.

2. frye campus knee high leather boots

Speaking of 25% off at Saks, these Frye boots are also part of that promotion along with all manner of cute shoes and booties and, yes, even shooties.

Just use the code THANKYOU at checkout and FREESHIP to get the free shipping.

3. billabong winter solstice cardigan

This makes me want to keep cranking my A/C down just so I can order this and wear it immediately. How great would it look with jeans and the Frye boots above?

4. fringe cowl neck poncho

I do love a poncho because it’s like effortless fashion since it’s basically a blanket with a neck hole. And with that poetic description, I bet we’re all wondering why anyone would ever call it a poncho again?

5. billabong fade to dusk stripe cardigan

Three years ago I bought a long, colorful striped sweater coat from Free People and it may still rank as one of my favorite all-time purchases. However, this one might be almost as good. I love the bright colors.

6. old navy open front cocoon cardigan

I ran in Old Navy this week because Caroline needs black pants and a black top for a band concert and I know I better start looking now if I hope to find anything she actually likes between now and the concert. Sadly, I didn’t find anything for her, but I did see these really great cocoon cardigans. They are super soft and perfect to throw on over a t-shirt with jeans.

7. merona anorak jacket

After I dropped Caroline off at soccer practice the other night, I ran in Target to buy a few grocery items and accidentally ended up in the clothing section and bought this anorak along with my boxes of Kind bars and Smart Start. This picture really doesn’t do it justice, nor does the fact that the website refers to the green color as “broccoli green”. When has anyone wanted to wear something in a lovely shade of broccoli green?

Anyway, I bought it in black and it will be perfect to throw on for rainy soccer games or while running errands.

8. old navy long sleeve knit tunic sweater

I also saw these sweaters at Old Navy. They are really soft and a great length. I love the v-neck too because they don’t feel as stuffy, plus you can always add a scarf.

9. home plait tunic

I love a long sweater that you can throw on with leggings and boots. Bonus that this one happens to be burgundy. Otherwise known as Aggie Maroon.

10. fab around the fire pit circle scarf

This buffalo check plaid is everywhere right now and I think this would look great with a denim tunic, black leggings and boots. Or with a cream sweater and jeans. Or basically with all kinds of things.

Hope you have a good Friday.

Gig’em Aggies. BTHO Alabama!

So some things happened here yesterday. None of which may prove to be interesting to you but I’m going to put forth some effort to make them sound exciting and fascinating.

First of all, I received a box in the mail from my publisher and when I opened it, I saw six copies of this book inside.

I couldn’t figure out why they had sent me a book written in Chinese until I looked a little closer and realized it’s the Chinese translation of Sparkly Green Earrings. Apparently, Caroline is a red head in China and I would kill for whatever is going on with my hair in that drawing because it’s never looked better. Maybe my Chinese self gets regular keratin treatments.

But in all seriousness, it kind of blows my mind a little bit to see words I’ve written being translated into Chinese and I can only hope the good people of China appreciate all of my Sanford & Son references, which HOW COULD THEY NOT? Some things speak the universal language of love.

After I’d gone through the rest of the mail, I went outside to water the grass in our backyard. I believe I’ve mentioned that we are in the midst of a backyard project and, as part of that project, P laid new grass in our yard about two weeks ago. We had lived with what was basically a yard full of dirt (and mud when it rained which were the days that nearly sent me to a home) since we brought Piper and Mabel home almost eighteen months ago. It should come as no surprise that those two dumb dumbs had no regard for our landscaping and proceeded to turn it into a dog version of a fraternity house except with various chewed up remnants of things instead of empty beer cans.

And I told P at the end of August that the weather forecasters were calling for a wet, cold winter due to El Nino (that translates to “the nino” for those of you who don’t speak Spanish) and if he cared about my sanity then he would make sure we had grass in our backyard.

So it appears that he does value my sanity or at least my roast-cooking skills because he installed the grass about two weeks ago and, in the time since then, we have tended to that grass with more care and tenderness than Pa showed when growing the crops that ensured the Ingalls’ family’s survival in Little House On the Prairie. P has fertilized it, watered it, kept Piper and Mabel off it and done everything short of conducting a prayer service for it and I’m not sure we won’t get to that point.

But yesterday he was on a job site and the high temperature here was about 98 degrees (I CANNOT SPEAK OF THIS EXCEPT TO SAY WHY, GOD? WHY?) and so he called me and asked if I’d mind watering down the yard for him. And so I got out there with the hose and spent the next thirty minutes meticulously spraying down the yard like a woman who knows her very sanity hangs in the balance of that grass’s survival.

Meanwhile, Piper took this opportunity to cool off in the hose’s spray and maybe even occasionally actually drank some water.

Of course Mabel was having no part in such foolishness and wrote a haiku about it later.

Drinking from the hose
What are we? Just animals?
Have some dignity

After the yard was sufficiently watered, I checked the mail and saw that the denim dress I ordered from Gap had arrived. Do you remember the one I featured last week on Fashion Friday and said there was no telling how it might actually work out because Gap seems to find a way to screw up a perfectly good idea? Well, I’m sad to report that I am a fashion prophet because this dress. It caused me to write a letter to Gap in my head and I haven’t done that in a long time.

Dear Gap,

There was a time period from 1990-1994 when I believed no store could compare to you when it came to products made of denim. I had a Gap denim vest, a Gap denim jacket, and several pairs of Gap jeans. (I also had many pairs of your plaid knee-length walking shorts with front pleats but that’s a cautionary tale for another day.) Then came a dark day in 2003 when I ordered a pair of your maternity jeans and you sent me a pair of jeans made of such a hideous wash and texture of denim that I still remember it to this very day. It was a denim that was such a faded, sad shade of baby blue that it seemed only appropriate that the waistband of those jeans hit somewhere right below my underarms as if to announce to the world that my best days were over and life would henceforth consist of nothing but driving kids to soccer practice and packing lunches. As it turns out, this was true but I didn’t need your jeans to mock me for it.

Honestly, I thought that day was the darkest denim day I’d ever experience at your hands until I received this denim dress in the mail yesterday. I don’t even understand what is happening but it’s somewhere between chambray and ashes and sackcloth. Do better, Gap. Some of us still want you to succeed to the point that we just can’t quit you in spite of the fact that you insist on putting pockets that fall directly in the area of our hips. This is a region that no woman in the history of the world has ever wished looked larger. It’s why Eve put a fig leaf in front to cover herself and not on the sides.

I’d like to say it’s not you, it’s me. But that’s not true. It’s you.

With love and regrets,

Melanie

After I finished writing my imaginary letter to Gap in my head and folding up the denim dress in my return pile, I sat down to watch a CNN special I’d recorded a week or so ago but haven’t had a chance to watch. Have you watched Being Thirteen: Inside the Secret World of Teens? I haven’t been so afraid of something since I watched Pet Sematary my senior year of high school.

As I sat and listened to what these kids do and say on social media it was enough to make me want to throw all our phones in the garbage along with every computer in this house. Perhaps we could just go back to simpler times. Maybe send telegrams back and forth, move to the middle of nowhere and I could wear a hideous denim dress with pockets on the hips as I tend crops that will provide food for our family, as opposed to grass, just like we’re the Ingalls family.

I’m just kidding.

I’d draw the line on that hideous denim dress.

So I didn’t write anything on Monday because I figured it was Columbus Day and I wanted to properly honor Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America. Also, I was tired.

Then not writing anything on Monday felt so good that I decided to extend my holiday to one more day and took Tuesday off as well. Truth be told, I came just short of putting up a post where I basically just decide to shut down the blog for an indeterminate amount of time.

But let’s take a quick moment to watch my favorite Les Miles’ moment of all time in honor of Christopher Columbus.

Les, I adore you 364 days of the year and only take off the day the Aggies play LSU.

I got a good night’s sleep on Monday night and woke up Tuesday morning finally feeling some semblance of semi-normal. The last few weeks have taken their toll on me and I got home from Atlanta on Saturday morning and felt so exhausted that I could have just laid on my couch and cried. However, there was college football to watch so I watched football as opposed to crying and that was probably the better choice.

My emotional state is returning to normal (or at least my version of normal) because I don’t have any plans that require me to get on a plane or not sleep in my own bed anytime soon. And I’m good with that. It is so fun to travel around and meet so many of you who read the blog and I’m so grateful that I get to do that, but I’m also so thankful that I have about a month of down time stretching in front of me. I even cooked a roast last night complete with homemade mashed potatoes and was so proud of myself that I could have made an entire Pinterest board filled with motivational quotes about the experience.

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to cook a roast is strong enough to succeed.”

“What you cook today can improve all your tomorrows.”

“Aim for the moon. If you miss, maybe you’ll still have a roast in the oven.”

“Your roast is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.”

And lest you think this was some extra-special roast, let me assure you it was a standard shoulder roast from HEB that I cooked in the oven covered in beef stock mixed with powdered ranch dressing, Italian dressing mix and brown gravy mix, otherwise known as the MSG and preservative special.

Other than that, there’s just not much going on around here. It’s still hot in case you were wondering and it’s not bringing out my best side. I am tired of wearing summer clothes but when I attempt to wear fall clothes it just makes me angry because I’m so hot. I have ordered three new sweaters and a jacket because I am choosing to believe winter is like Field of Dreams and if you shop it, it will come.

Anyway, I had a great time in Atlanta last Friday night although the Atlanta traffic was enough to make me want to move to Mars with Matt Damon. I don’t even know if Matt Damon lives on Mars or how long he was actually there, but based on the movie previews it appears he stayed on Mars for a decent amount of time and was all alone which means he never had to deal with traffic and feeling like he might throw up from motion sickness in the backseat of a car driven by people he’d just met.

The good news is my flight out on Saturday morning was super early and I can report there is virtually no traffic in Atlanta at 6:15 a.m. on a Saturday. P and Caroline picked me up from the airport and I was on the couch in my pajamas watching the Texas/OU game by halftime and was surprised as anyone that the Longhorns pulled out the victory. I don’t want to say it was probably because I featured that burnt orange dress on Fashion Friday, but coincidence? I think not. So you’re welcome for that, Longhorn sisters.

Sunday morning we had church and then Caroline had a soccer game. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out around the house. Then we had a school holiday on Monday which makes this a nice short week and I’m ecstatic that it’s already Wednesday. Or at least it will be by the time you read this.

Hope you all had a good weekend and a very merry Columbus Day.