Month: March 2021

  • Big Boo Bonus Episode 3: Retha Nichole

    This week on Five Questions – a bonus series of The Big Boo Cast – we’re talking with Retha Nichole, our favorite life and business coach who also happens to be the business manager for our podcast. Retha has a way of cutting straight through excuses and procrastination and helping people not just see their goals – but figure out how to make forward progress. So whether you’ve dreamed of writing or painting or starting your own business or running a half marathon, Retha has some great tips to help you get started and build momentum.

    This week we’ll also have a new regular episode – Episode 228 – and then we’ll be back next Monday with episode four in this bonus series, a (continued) conversation with the author of Good Apple, our new friend Elizabeth Passarella.

    Hope y’all enjoy!

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    Show Notes:

    Retha’s website

    Retha’s Instagram

    Retha’s Sunday Planner

    Retha’s STUCK ebook

    Sponsor:

    AcornTV (use promo code BIGBOO to get your first 30 days free)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition it’s late and I’m tired

    I know this is brief but here are some cute things I found this week:

    1. bb dakota california soul dress

    This dress feels like something Megan Draper would’ve worn in Mad Men and, thus, I love it. It’s just a great summer dress with a retro feel.

    It’s $118.95.

    2. white denim overalls

    I like overalls. I do. I’ve liked them since I owned my very first pair of Guess overalls back in 1985. And so I like these white overalls for summer, although I’d probably wear an actual shirt under mine.

    These are $49.99 and they also come in black.

    3. loose knit sweater

    I have a version of this sweater and it’s my favorite this time of year. It looks great dressed up or down and is the perfect weight for spring and summer.

    It’s $24.99 and it also comes in black.

    4. daily ritual super soft dolman sleeve v-neck dress

    I bought this dress last summer and it is a summer staple for me. It’s $28.90 and comes in several colors and patterns. It’s a great weight and not see through. It looks equally great with sneakers or dressed up a little with wedge sandals.

    5. daily ritual jersey muscle swing dress

    This is another summer staple dress for me. I have this in three colors and pretty much just rotate them throughout the week. They are soft, wash well and so much better than shorts in my opinion. I can wear them all summer with flip flops and then transition them to fall with booties and a denim jacket.

    They are around $20 depending on the color you choose.

    6. evera b spaghetti adjustable strap chiffon cami top

    I bought this cami top on a whim because I wanted something to wear under kimonos and jackets that was flowy and not cotton. This is perfect. The straps are adjustable, it’s a great length and it’s not see through. I bought it in white and then went back and got it in black. And, technically, you need a strapless bra but I just wear a regular bra because I know I’m not taking my jacket or kimono off.

    It is $24.90 and comes in a bunch of color options.

    7. marco platform ankle strap sandal

    I have a version of these and love them. The striped platform is just a cute extra pop on otherwise basic sandals.

    They are $89.95 and they also come in black.

    8. uptown dainty white lace top

    I have banned myself from buying anymore white tops but I really like this one. It’s a great shorter length that gives you some shape without having to actually tuck anything in.

    It’s $36.

    9. kut from the kloth gidget shorts

    I ordered these as soon as I saw them online last night. The only shorts I like to wear in the summer besides athletic shorts are cutoffs, yet it is hard to find a cutoff short that doesn’t have a 2 inch inseam. I’m almost 50 and I don’t want your 2 inch inseam.
    These have the elusive 4 inch inseam and I’m hoping they’ll basically be my Cinderella moment but with cutoff shorts.

    They are $59.

    10. maeve katia two-toned buttondown

    Anthropologie has an extra 40% off sale items this weekend. Sadly, this top isn’t on sale but it sure is cute for spring. It’s $88.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Big Boo Cast Bonus Episode 2: Laura Tremaine

    This week on Five Questions – our new bonus series of The Big Boo Cast – we’re talking with Laura Tremaine, our longtime blog friend and newly published author. Laura is insightful, honest, and has had such an interesting journey from blogging to podcasting to writing a book. We had an absolute blast talking with her.

    And just a reminder: there’s no regular episode this week because Melanie and I are taking a little time off, but we’ll be back again next week with a new Five Questions and a new regular episode. You can also find us over on Patreon where there’s a new episode on spring fashion – complete with our spring fashion memories from the late 80s / early 90s.

    Hope y’all enjoy!

    Our Amazon Shop

    Become a Patron!

    You can click here to listen. Or you can even listen right here.

    And if you’re on the Facebook, well, we are, too.

    We’d love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

    Show Notes:

    10 Things to Tell You

    The Popcast Live Show

    Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.

    Laura’s website

    Laura on Twitter

    Laura on Instagram

    Sponsor:

    AcornTV (use promo code BIGBOO to get your first 30 days free)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition it’s mid-March and I don’t know what to wear right now

    We’ve officially reached the time of year when it’s hard to know what to wear. Yesterday started off cool enough that I wanted a sweater but then it got warm enough that I regretted wearing one.

    The stores are all filled with spring clothes, but it’s still technically not spring.

    Also, I’m still not really going that many places so I just want to keep wearing leggings for now.

    All that to say, it’s a very confusing time when you find yourself in the days before spring after a year of living in a pandemic.

    But here are some things I found this week that I really like.

    1. miranda peasant blouse

    This top has been an Anthropologie staple for a few seasons, but they’ve updated it in new patterns and colors. This one happens to be my favorite. It’s just so bright and fun and the world could use some bright and fun.

    2. 7 for all mankind cropped wide leg jeans

    If I buy one pair of jeans right now it will be these. I’m tired of my white skinny jeans and want a change. I love this cropped wide leg style because it’s so versatile.

    These are on sale for $89.97.

    3. daily practice marka embroidered shorts

    I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t really wear shorts in the summer unless they’re workout shorts or cutoff jeans shorts. But these may make me change my mind. They’re lik a hybrid short and would be so cute with just a basic tank or t-shirt.

    They come in several color options and are $68.

    4. sanya ruffled blouse

    Well, I just love this top. In a world of short tops, it’s a little bit longer and I appreciate that.

    It’s $138.

    5. daily practice boy meets girl tee

    This is a really cute upgrade on a basic tee. It would look great with the shorts up above or paired with really any pants, skirt or pair of shorts.

    It comes in a bunch of colors and is $38.

    6. nanette lepore high/low midi dress

    Nordstrom Rack is a great source for inexpensive dresses if you’re in the market. This one is so pretty and just $34.97.

    And I also love this nanette lepore smocked neck sleeveless floral print.

    It’s just $32.97.

    7. pure excitement multi beaded knit bag

    How cute would this bag be for the pool or beach this summer?

    It’s $64.

    8. boden striped sneakers

    This week I went on an internet rabbit trail because Sophie and I recorded a podcast about spring trends (It will be on Patreon soon) and I referenced tennis shoes I owned back in 1979 from Kinney’s shoe store. This led to me googling “striped retro tennis shoes” and these popped up. I think I’m in love.

    They are $120 and also come in white. I realize that’s pricey for nostalgia but they are really cute.

    9. have your attention oatmeal tunic

    Speaking of nostalgic, I miss long tunic tops. That was such an easy thing to wear. Which is why I got so excited to see this top. I think it’s so pretty for summer and I would wear it with white skinny jeans.

    It’s $46 and it also comes in black.

    10. a new day short sleeve ruffle top

    This is the cutest top. It’s just $20 and comes in several colors and a few prints. Super cute with jeans or shorts or even a skirt for summer.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.

  • Big Boo Cast: Bonus Episode 1

    If you’re wondering why in the world you’re seeing a new podcast episode on a Monday, here’s why. Melanie and I are doing a bonus series called Five Questions with some of our favorite writers – and some of our favorite people who are connected to our writing life. These are shorter, 25-30-ish minute episodes that we hope will brighten your day and encourage you, too.

    This week we’re talking with our dear, brilliant friend Erin Moon. She is, as always, a delight – full of wisdom about writing and Texas and why practice really does help you get closer to perfect.

    And as for the regular episodes, they’re not going anywhere. We’ll be back later this week with episode 227, and then we’ll be back again next Monday, and then we won’t be back next Thursday because of Spring Break, but then we’ll be back in the Monday / Thursday rhythm the week of the 29th. See how that all works out?

    Hope y’all enjoy!

    Our Amazon Shop

    Become a Patron!

    You can click here to listen. Or you can even listen right here.

    And if you’re on the Facebook, well, we are, too.

    We’d love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

    Show Notes:

    Erin Moon

    Bucc-ee’s

    State’s walk-off win in the Sunday game

    @sharonsaysso on Instagram

    – Explosions in the Sky on Apple Music and Spotify

    Erin’s Instagram

    Brennan Manning

    Henri Nouwen

    Anne Lamott

    Madeleine L’Engle

    Larry McMurtry

    Sponsor:

    AcornTV (use promo code BIGBOO to get your first 30 days free)

  • Fashion Friday: Edition we had the earliest Spring Break and now it’s over

    Today is our last day of Spring Break and I’ve decided that, based on my personal observations and social media, San Antonio schools were literally the only people on Spring Break this early. I’m not sure what happened, but we were a full week ahead of most places.

    The upside is this led to places being virtually empty because everyone else was in school or at least at home online at school. We spent the first part of the week in Dallas with friends and it was delightful. I ate more Mexican food in four days than is probably healthy and watched the Meghan Markle interview and now we are back to our real world later this morning with a soccer game.

    You know what the worst part is – I mean other than that we’ve been in a pandemic for a year – Daylight Savings Time happens on Sunday which means we have to spring forward right as we go back to school.

    Daylight Savings Time is dumb.

    via GIPHY

    Anyway, here are some cute things I found this week:

    1. old navy overalls

    My overalls were like a quarantine staple for me over the past year. I wore them all year long and I have no regrets. They’re just a great, easy thing to have in your closet and can actually look cute with some sandals and white tank or tee.

    These are on sale for $40 plus an extra 30% off at checkout which makes them just $28. They also come in a medium wash and a dark wash, but I really like this lighter wash for spring and summer and the distressed hem at the ankle. These are just about perfect.

    2. farm rio mosaic maxi dress

    This dress is stunning. It is not on sale and is fully $228 but Farm Rio just makes a great dress.

    3. birkenstock arizona camo sandals

    I’m so glad that I live in a world where Birkenstocks have become socially acceptable again. I love this camo pattern because they would go with everything.

    They are $99.95 They also come in a light sand camouflage which is equally pretty depending on your style preference.

    4. maeve rita printed tunic blouse

    I love a long tunic blouse. You can wear it open like a kimono or tie up the front or just wear it buttoned over a pair of leggings or jeans.

    This is $88 and also comes in a pink color.

    5. demetria lace tank

    This lace top is so pretty. I love this color and it would look so pretty with a pair of wide leg jeans.

    It’s $98 and also comes in black.

    6. h&m cotton striped shirt

    This is a great basic shirt. It’s only $24.99 and these stripes are so great for summer. You could wear this over a swimsuit, with white skinny jeans, open over a tank and jeans. It really is so versatile.

    It also comes in white, light blue and black.

    7. dolce vita sandals

    These sandals are so basic, but pretty.

    They are $50. They also come gold, black, white or silver.

    8. floral print ruffle hem midi dress

    I feel like after officially living a year in quarantine and sweatpants that maybe we are all ready for a pretty dress. We are tired of our athleisure. Maybe this is how the Roaring 20s happened after the Spanish Flu.

    This dress is just $79 and so pretty. It would be perfect for Easter or a spring or summer wedding or other event.

    9. san diego mel woven palm hat

    I bought this hat last year and it’s been one of my favorite purchases. Did I share that pic so you could see me in the hat or so that you could see my fish?

    Both.

    Anyway, the tight palm weave makes it a great hat for sun protection whether you’re fishing or lying by a pool or watching a soccer game.

    It’s $57.

    10. athleta canopy wrap

    This is such a soft wrap and perfect for wearing over your workout clothes or even just with leggings around the house. It’s totally your choice and this wrap won’t judge you.

    It’s normally $89 but is on sale right now for $71.99 It also comes in teal but the sizes left are limited.

    That’s it for today.

    Have a good Friday.