Other

It’s Thursday and I guess all the toilet paper drama has caused me to run out of words. Well, that and the fact that I really didn’t do anything yesterday other than run to the grocery store. I hadn’t planned to go to the store because I’d made a big trip on Monday, but of course I forgot a few things because I went without a list.

See? You don’t want me to continue with that story.

So here are some things that might be more interesting/entertaining.

1. Golden Days by Dave Barnes

Dave Barnes is one of my absolute favorites and his newest album is no exception. It’s what I’m putting on these days while I cook dinner. Or while I order pizza. Whatever.

I highly recommend it if you’re looking for new music.

2. A few of you commented on the chairs in my living room. The chairs themselves are old, but I recovered them last year with this cornwall fabric on the recommendation of Holly Mathis.

They might be my favorite thing in the house. Besides the people who live here.

Also, when I saw I recovered them, I mean I paid someone to do it for me.

3. If this doesn’t make you happy, then I can’t help you.

4. A friend told me about a new email subscription called The Skimm. They send you emails every morning with a quick breakdown of the headlines in the news. I’ve enjoyed reading a quick, easy summary of what’s going on and it helps me decide what I might want to read more about later.

5. There are a few apps I love right now.

Pray Now – I read about this on Edie’s blog, Life in Grace, and downloaded it immediately. It is $7.99 but so worth it. Each day gives a reading from the Psalms, the Old Testament and the New Testament. There’s also a prayer and a writing. I love that you can bookmark readings and add notes if you’re so inclined.

This is sand – Caroline downloaded this on my phone and I checked it out because I was curious. Now I’m slightly addicted to making designs out of fake sand. I guess this is what happens when you don’t know how to knit, yet need a relaxing hobby.

The Daily Mom – I actually heard about this app when I was asked to be a blog contributor. It’s a daily round up of blogs, current events, health news, style, recipes, celebrity news, weather and even a joke. I love all the information in one place.

6. A long time ago I read about the Zefrank flower maker and Caroline and I spent many hours on the computer designing all manner of flowers. I’d totally forgotten about it until the other day and now I’ve been making flowers when I’m not busy making sand designs on my phone.

Maybe I should learn to knit.

7. How to hang plates on the wall by Nester

I love the way it looks to hang plates on a wall and thought you might find this post by Nester to be a good tutorial.

8. After much research and reading and just genuine over-thinking, we decided on a Speed Queen top-loader washing machine. I called the store here in town that carries them. They had one left and it was almost half-price. I cannot wait to rock my laundry like it’s the 1970’s.

9. I can’t quit thinking about these handwoven seagrass poufs ever since I saw them on Holly Mathis’s blog.

And they’re on sale. Such a great accent piece for a living room or porch or wherever you may need a seagrass pouf.

Which kind of sounds like something on a sushi menu.

10. Earlier this week Gulley and I were discussing our search for the perfect summer wedge sandal. We agreed we wanted something with a heel, but not too high. She finally took a deep breath and confessed, “You know what I really want? For Yo-Yos to make a comeback.” And I had to agree that it would be the perfect answer to our dilemma.

But later that evening I googled “Yo-Yo Shoes” and saw this:

They aren’t quite as spectacular as I remembered. I realize I was probably so completely enamored because they were the first “high heels” I was allowed to wear. And wear them I did. With a red terrycloth dress and pantyhose that I pray were “sandal foot” and not the reinforced toe.

And on that note, I bid you good day.
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One more thing. Several people have emailed and asked about how to access my archives to read old posts. I’ve added an Archives button at the very bottom of my sidebar below the ads so that you can access them easily.

Yep. It’s officially spring. Even though I think there’s at least one more snowstorm predicted over the next week because this is the winter that won’t go quietly.

But as for those of us in South Texas, I think it’s safe to say we’re pretty much done with any arctic blasts.

Which explains why I’ve started working out again this week. It has been both a high and low point. The high is that it feels good to stretch and kick like Sally O’Malley. The low is that I may or may not be able to stand up from my couch after I finish typing this. You know what would be such a novel idea? If I just worked out all year long and didn’t take extended breaks for Christmas vacation that last until the end of March.

Anyway, here are some things I found this week:

1. canal street tiered dress

I realize this looks a little plain, but I like that it’s kind of a blank canvas. I can see it with all turquoise accessories. Or gold jewelry and gold sandals. Or with leggings and boots. It’s versatile.

2. caravane tunic dress

I’ve had my eye on this for a while. This floral is pretty but it also comes in a gorgeous blue with white accents that I adore and can totally picture with white skinny jeans. It also happens to be on sale.

3. foldover knit maxi skirt

Speaking of on sale, this maxi skirt is now just $34.97 and comes in some other cute color combinations. I just happen to like this blue. For now. I haven’t actually ordered one because I can’t make up my mind.

4. daniel rainn sleeveless v-neck

I think I’m a little obsessed with all things cobalt blue right now. I just love the idea of it paired with white.

5. pink dot drawstring dress

I haven’t seen this dress in person and it says it’s not in stores. But I think it has potential to be cute. I like a casual dress for spring and summer. Sometimes it’s a better option than shorts.

6. first lace knit top

This is a great transitional piece. For some reason I’m picturing it with pink jeans. Even though I don’t personally own any. But I wish I did and that should count for something.

7. jonathan adler toms

The other day it got hot here and I hadn’t had a recent pedicure and I found myself on the horns of a shoe dilemma. And then I remembered my Toms that had been relegated to the back of my closet all winter long. I pulled them out and fell in love all over again. It’s a great casual shoe.

And look how cute they are in those new Jonathan Adler patterns. LOVE.

I’m also a fan of this desert burlap wedge bootie for spring.

8. crinkle holiday skirt

This skirt had me at “crinkle”. That means you can wear it all summer long and not have to pull out an iron and it’s all okay because that’s how it’s supposed to look. It also comes in navy. I think it’s adorable.

9. plus size umgee spring romance top

I cannot resist this color. This is a great top. Maybe with white pants for Easter?

10. gap boyfriend shorts

I’d ordered these a few weeks ago but they finally came in and I love them. They’re soft and super comfortable. Also, they’re now on sale.

That’s it for today.

Have a great Friday.

So since I didn’t post anything yesterday you might be wondering how our transition back to real life after Spring Break is going. Or maybe you don’t care at all. Either way, I’ll tell you that it’s been rough.

First of all, it’s still dark outside when we get up now, which is about seventeen kinds of wrong. Secondly, Caroline’s new preferred sandwich is a BLT on toasted bread and I know that may seem like a small thing but the toasting of the bread requires the extra step of turning on the oven in the morning and, long story short, why is my life so hard?

Yes. I have to turn on the oven to toast the bread. There was a time when we were awash in toasters. And by awash, I mean we owned two. We received them both as wedding gifts and Best Buy wouldn’t let me return either of them which is why that store is dead to me to this very day. But we used one toaster for the first eight years of our marriage and the alternate toaster for the next eight years until it began to smoke and sparks flew out of it. I’m no Smokey the Bear but it appeared to be a fire hazard and we threw it out.

Now we are toaster-less. Truthfully, I prefer it that way because we don’t really eat toast and it took up precious counter space, but I just decided to bore you with the whole story of why we don’t own a toaster and I have to turn on the oven to toast bread like I’m Grandma Walton.

In addition to the hardship of the toasted BLT, I also had to help Caroline with a science project that was due yesterday. Technically we were supposed to work on it during Spring Break. To which I say YEAH, RIGHT. Instead, she followed in my scholastic footsteps and we pretty much did the whole thing on Sunday night and Monday afternoon. And then she covered the whole thing in stick on rhinestones and glitter glue because we are very science-y around here. Like Esqueleto says in Nacho Libre, “I don’t know why you always have to be judging me because I only believe in science”.

(Apparently I have Nacho Libre in my head because I almost quoted it a few paragraphs ago. “I was wondering if you would like to join me in my quarters this night… for some toast.”)

That’s all the big news here. Which is basically my way of telling you there isn’t much going on at all. Other than the obviously huge news about the toasted BLT and the science project.

But I will tell you this. I think it’s really spring in Texas. The sun is shining, the wildflowers are blooming and the calendar says it’s official on Thursday. I may have even gotten a little bit of sun on my scary white snowman legs while I bathed the dog yesterday.

(Wait! How did I forget to mention earlier that I bathed the dog? That is the stuff of legendary blog posts.)

(I used a new oatmeal and aloe shampoo because Bruiser has itchy skin and flea allergies and undiagnosed OCD which causes him to chew out all his hair in search of possible itches and fleas. It’s pitiful.)

Anyway, back to my white legs. And spring. Let’s finish out this day by discussing self-tanners. I’d love to know your thoughts on any of them that you’ve found that will not make me look like an Oompa Loompa.

Because if I’m going to look like an Oompa Loompa, I’d prefer that it be because my green hair and jaunty white coveralls.

In that past I’ve been a fan of Jergens Natural Glow lotion and Neutrogena gradual tanner. But I’m always open to learning about new and better tanning technology. Because like I mentioned earlier, I believe in the science.

I need to talk about something that’s happening right this very minute.

The first time I noticed it was about a month ago when I received a few clothing catalogs in the mail. Then my fears were confirmed when I was out shopping last week. And since that time, I’ve come to realize that the fashion powers that be are clearly trying to make this happen.

Overalls.

But not just any overalls, we’re talking overalls that are priced upwards of $300. This particular pair is by Citizens of Humanity and they are $330. Farmers everywhere are laughing their heads off. And maybe preparing to sell the old pair they bought at the local feed store for $10.50 on Ebay.

There was a time called 1984 when I fell victim to the overall trend and persuaded my dad to buy me a pair of Guess overalls that cost $80. Which is probably the equivalent of $330 when you factor in inflation.

I just can’t believe that collectively as a nation that we are going to fall for the overpriced overall trend again. Dear Fashion Designers, Overalls are like the word “fetch”. You need to quit trying to make it happen.

Now for a few things that make more sense:

1. layered v-neck

I tried one of these on in the store when they were still full price and couldn’t commit. But now they’re on sale for $39.95 and I bought one this week. It’s a perfect lightweight top to throw on with jeans and unbelievably soft. Almost feels like pajamas which is always a score.

2. gracie top

I knew I’d seen my lace top at Anthropologie but couldn’t find it the other day when I was mentioning places where that top may be available. It’s a little pricey here, but it could always go on sale.

3. cannes sandals

These come in a few different color patterns and I think they’re just adorable.

4. guerrero clutch

I have no need for a clutch in my life. I carry way too much stuff and prefer to sling my enormous purse over my shoulder and call it a day. But I saw this in Anthropologie and fell in love with it and felt I would be remiss not to share it with you just in case you have a need for a clutch in your life.

5. lucky brand oversized stone necklace

When we were at the Galleria in Houston the other day, we passed by the Lucky Store and this necklace was on a mannequin in the window and immediately caught my eye. I have had so many regrets since then that I didn’t take the time to stop and look closer. But I can guarantee it isn’t going to be long before I make this mine.

6. amica crochet detail maxi dress

I think this is the perfect dress to throw on when the weather warms up. I love a maxi dress that doesn’t require undergarment creativity and other various shenanigans.

7. flirt sandal

I’ve been looking for a new pair of wedge sandals and I think these are officially in the running. I like that the heel isn’t absurdly high, yet high enough to add a little bit of length to my legs. They also come in other colors. Super cute.

8. merona polka dot anorak jacket

Well this is just darling.

9. sandstone wedge sandal

Here’s another wedge that I’m considering. I love the natural color and that it’s just a slip on. Sometimes in the summer it can feel like an ankle strap is just too much effort. Or maybe that’s just me.

10. gap printed espadrille

These espadrilles are super cute and come in several different colors and patterns. They’re also 30% off with code SAVE at checkout for the rest of the day.

That’s it for today.

If you need me I’ll be here mourning the end of Spring Break.

Have a great Friday.

I’m sitting on my own couch right now. And I just pulled a fresh batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m wearing a ten year old pair of hot pink velour sweatpants with bleach stains on the front, I’d be just like Martha Stewart.

Caroline and I got home from the travel portion of our Spring Break around 5 p.m. on Wednesday. And even though a cold front had blown through town causing temps to plummet to a frigid 65 degrees, it finally feels like Spring. The first thing I noticed after I pulled into our driveway and walked towards the back door was the smell of all our trees blooming. The sweet, spicy smell of the plum tree and the grape soda scent of the Mountain Laurels. It’s almost enough to make me want to break out my self-tanner. Well, the scent of Spring and the new shorts I ordered from Gap that had arrived when I got home and caused me to gasp audibly when I tried them on. There is nothing as disconcerting as seeing your winter white legs in the mirror after they’ve been covered for months. It is very literally like seeing a ghost. A ghost that would never make pottery pieces with Demi Moore.

So when I last left off on our tale of Spring Break adventures, I’d taken the kids to play air hockey at Aggieland Outfitters and you could hear the cries of “Not fair!” and feel the envy of children everywhere.

Later that evening Honey hosted a family birthday party for Big. Everyone came over and we ate strawberry cake and told stories and just generally had a great time. Then the next morning it was time for Caroline and me to drive to Houston to see Mimi and Bops.

We hit the road around noon. I really wanted to get away earlier than that but the Daylight Saving Time has me all thrown off. Gulley and I had an entire conversation about being relieved that it fell during Spring Break, yet slightly dismayed that it throws off our sleeping late plan because sleeping in until 9:30 or 10 feels acceptable but the time change turns that into 10:30 or 11 which becomes perilously close to loser territory.

Anyway, Caroline and I headed to Houston and weren’t at Mimi and Bops’s house for longer than thirty minutes before we left for the Galleria to do a little shopping. Caroline had declared her two goals for Spring Break were to shop at the Galleria and shoot a pig. I really hoped she didn’t mean for them to take place at the same time.

We walked around and she even tried on a few things, but we ended up leaving a place with easily over 1,000 stores with only one shirt. I don’t even understand. And I feel certain I could have found all manner of things for myself, but other than a quick glance around the Free People store, I didn’t let myself look. Partly because I don’t really need anything right now and partly because I always make myself clean out my closet before I bring home anything new for the upcoming season.

(Are you asleep yet? Good night at all the boring over explaining.)

After Caroline declared she was tired of shopping, we went back to the house and she looked for lizards in the yard until it was time to leave for dinner. We opted for Italian food at Collina’s, Paciugo for dessert and then watched the original Escape to Witch Mountain from 1975. I hadn’t seen it since sometime around 1979 and (SPOILER ALERT) totally forgot that they ended up being aliens at the end. However, I did remember that my best friend in elementary school named her pet chihuahua Tia after Kim Richard’s character and that Tia used to terrorize me by chasing me through their house.

Oh sure. You may think it silly that I was frightened by a chihuahua, but I think that might be because you’ve never experienced that particular horror.

(Also that same friend had a real jukebox in her house, Atari, and bunk beds which is why I continued to subject myself to the reign of chihuahua terror.)

Caroline and I drove home to San Antonio on Wednesday afternoon after a quick stop at Starbucks because I wasn’t going to make it without an extra dose of caffeine. It is seriously so good that this time change didn’t take place during normal school days because I feel like P might find me passed out on the countertop midway through packing Caroline’s ham sandwich in her lunchbox.

We made it home a little bit before P got home from work and I immediately unpacked both of our suitcases and started a load of laundry because I cannot stand to have a packed suitcase in my home after a trip. P cooked us a delicious dinner of fried quail and we sat outside on the back patio while we ate and just enjoyed being back together.

And the best part is we still have the last half of Spring Break to go.

Which is good since Caroline didn’t end up shooting a pig at the Galleria and probably is going to need a trip to the ranch to fulfill that particular goal.

Unless of course our neighborhood has become overrun with pigs in her absence.

Which, frankly, I’d take that over a pack of chihuahuas.