Friday Favorites

It’s Friday, so y’all know what that means!  It’s time to link up with Erika, Andrea, and Narci to let everybody know what some of my favorite things are right now!

FAVORITE #1:   CARTER’S BASEBALL TEAM

Carter’s baseball team is made up of the sweetest and most supportive group of boys.  Last weekend they played their hearts out in a triple header on Sunday (in SERIOUS heat and humidity), and they came away tournament champs!  GO BRAVES!  I love the boys, the parents, and the coaches.  It was a great season!

This little guy was pretty dang pumped!

Chris’s parents were out of town and my mom had some church obligations, but my dad was there for all 3 games.  We love you, Dude!!!

FAVORITE #2:  WHITE SNEAKER TIP

On Monday I had a dress and sneakers combo that got a lot of attention.  Sadly, the dress sold out super fast.  🙁 Don’t worry, I’ve got my fingers crossed for a restock, and I’ll let you know as soon as it pops up again!

In addition to the dress, my white Shoreline Converse got a lot of attention too, and they are still fully stocked! Remember, I suggest buying down 1/2 a size and lots of readers agree.  Click HERE if you want to pop over to the original post to read about all of the reasons I love them (even more than my regular Converse)!

I did get the following handy tip from a reader in the blog comments on Monday, and I wanted to make sure everybody saw it!  Thank you Samantha!

Tell your readers to scotch guard their white shoes – it really works. You can buy a can of scotch guard at any store for a few dollars. I always do 3 coats (let each dry about 30 minutes) then spray them again. Your shoes will stay white for as long as you have them. I also always use a leather/suede protector (available at Nordstrom’s) on any colored shoes (3 coats again) and you will not get any dirt, stains, etc. Best way to ensure your shoes will last much longer and look new longer. – Samantha

FAVORITE #3:  SWIMSUIT OPTIONS

I’ve had quite a few requests over the last month for me to do a post on personal swimsuit picks, and as luck would have it, Nordstrom wanted me to talk about swimsuits as well!  They have TONS of swimsuits at all different price points, and I searched through many of them to find suits that I would feel comfortable in….or that I wish I could feel comfortable in (I’m looking at you #6).  😉

See below for a collection of some favorite suits and cover ups that I found while hopping around online.  I’m not a bikini girl, but I TOTALLY wish I was.   If you ARE a bikini girl, well then YOU GO ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF.  #fistbump   I stick to one pieces or tankinis (and have for years), so those are what most of my picks are!  And I tried to resist, but I ordered #4 and #12 for myself.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 ON SALE/ 11 / 12

If you are more of a visual person, here are the above items in picture form (plus a couple of extra ones)!  Just scroll right to see all of them!

 

I featured THIS swimsuit earlier in the week on facebook when I saw it was ON SALE.  Here’s what my friend’s little sister had to say about it:  “You wanna talk swim suits? Let’s talk about the END AND ALL BE ALL Mirclesuit “Escape” one piece (really all their one pieces). Your chesty followers will be forever grateful. I get one from Nordstrom every year ?? and they are worth EVERY penny.”  All readers who commented suggested to size up 1 size.

And some other facebook commenters said the following:

*LoVe Miraclesuits!!! They all have tummy control!!!!  AND they also have styles with formed bra cups for those of us never blessed in the northern region -or- who lost what God gave us after kids! ? – Allison

*I am super chesty…34 G. I only wear Miraclesuits. Keeps the girls secure and I feel good in it. I have worn both the tankini top and one piece. – Kirsten

Click HERE for all MiracleSuit choices!  Thanks Allison and Kirsten for your input!

THIS top also really caught my eye.  I like that it has full coverage, but it’s still fun and sassy!  Click HERE for lots of other colors and patterns in tops from the same maker, as well as some basic bottoms.  A reader brought up that there aren’t a lot of tankini options out there anymore.  She’s right, but there are some good ones HERE!

UPDATE: Let’s talk about #6 for a minute.  Based upon reader feedback I’ve already received today, apparently this is a great bikini to be active in.  One reader even says it stays up even when she just ties her straps in a bow and wears it strapless!  It’s made for ladies with bigger girls, but lots of other bandeau options can be found HERE.

I ordered THIS cover up last month.  My floral swimsuit I’m wearing is no longer available, but everything else in the picture is!  For size reference, I’m wearing a small in the cover up (so it’s true to size).  I sized up a 1/2 size in the flip flops.

vineyard vines hat / cover up / chunky stud earrings / TOMS burlap flip flops / beach bag

This next cover up is super cute with the tie-dye pattern and the pom poms!  It would be especially great for you taller ladies!  It’s pricey, but I know how important a good cover up is to many of you!

cover up / chunky stud earrings / TOMS burlap flip flops 

You probably need a close up of my cork glitz flip flops from TOMS.  They are true to size, and oh so comfy.  I love that they are a neutral (but still fun with the cork!), and they go with EVERYTHING.  I wear them to the pool, but I also wear them all over town!

 

And just because I saw it ON SALE when browsing online, check out THIS darling tote.

 

 

FAVORITE #4:  MY DINING ROOM

The dining room is a room  you see a part of in lots of my pictures, because it’s actually where I take many of my mirror selfies!  I get lots of questions about various things in the room, so I thought I would take some time today to address them!

The dining room is one of my favorite (if not THE favorite) place in the house.  Probably because it’s never messy!  Right, mamas?  But I also love this room because I feel like it represents how I like a room  (and a home) to feel.  I always try to make sure each room in my home has a  good mix of old and new.  Personally, I like a room to be filled with some items that have a little bit of history to them…..or at least a little bit of age!  So, I’m going to break down part of the room for you in these next 2 pics.

The canvas is a photograph taken at my husband’s family ranch.  I got it for him for Christmas 2 years ago, but I am so happy that it found its way to the dining room!  I got the side chairs the first year we were married at a yard sale for $60 a piece.  They were lime green velvet, I had them reupholstered in the fabric you see now, and they still make me smile so many years later.  The dining table and upholstered dining room chairs are from Stacy furniture.  The chandelier was found in downtown McKinney, and the items on the table top are either from HomeGoods or downtown McKinney!

The antique painted wooden tray was found when strolling through downtown McKinney earlier this year, and it just make me happy.  I actually collect metal tole trays (found throughout the house), but this wooden green one spoke to me.  🙂  The orchid was given to us by our neighbors when we lost Scout last month, which was so sweet (love you Keely, Heather, and Shara!). The buffet and the lamps are from Weir’s.  The embroidered pillow in the chair is also from HomeGoods.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions about the room!  Also, I’ve been considering starting to show more of the house, so let me know if you are interested in that as well!

FAVORITE #5:  SOME MORE INSPIRATION FOR THE 4th

On Wednesday, I highlighted a ton of tops (as well as some shorts and dresses) that would be perfect attire for the July 4th).  Click HERE for that post.  I popped into the mall yesterday, and I managed to try on a couple of things that I thought would be perfect for the 4th – this top being at the top of the list.  Also, lots of you have asked me to feature a longer denim short….and these fit the bill!  I’m wearing a small in the top (true to size) and a 27 in the shorts..although I would have liked to have tried on a 26 (they were very stretchy and comfy), they just didn’t have them in store.

embroidered top / jean shorts / turquoise earrings

And check out THIS tote that would of course be great for the beach, but PERFECT for hauling around extra belongings on the 4th!

 

FAVORITE #6:  BEADED BRACELETS

I ran across some fun bracelets at the mall as well.  You can find the Aid for Trade bracelets HERE.  They are exquisitely hand-crocheted by female artisans in Nepal.  A set of three beautifully beaded bracelets is designed to easily roll on and off the wrist. Collect your favorites, then mix and match them to create your own unique stacked wrist.  So pretty, right?  You can see all of the color options in the back, but I was partial to this pink/coral combo.  THIS is the other bracelet I have on.

 

Before you go today, I want to leave you with some information on a couple of my favorite people.  I introduced y’all to Drew (one of the sweetest and most tender hearted people on the planet) about a month ago.  He’s one of my oldest and dearest friends 12 year old son, and he suffered a brain bleed during a baseball game last month.  Jill and I have been besties since junior high, and I have been so tremendously proud of her while watching her handle this incredibly trying time in her family’s life.  If you didn’t see when I first posted about it, they almost lost Drew that first night.  He was in ICU for about a week, and then spent another week or so at the hospital after that.  After stabilizing him, they sent him home to give him time for the swelling in his brain to reduce before scheduling surgery.  He’s had a really tough month of recovery dealing with lots of continued headaches (terrible headaches) and fear creeping in here and there… but he’s been under the care of great doctors, surrounded by family and friends, and COVERED in prayer.

Monday is a big day for Drew.  He will be undergoing brain surgery to remove (I think “remove” is the right term) the AVM in his brain.  The doctors have studied his scans and have a solid plan for his surgery, but of course fear is present.  As a mama myself, I know that Jill and the rest of the family have gotten through this month by the absolute GRACE OF GOD and they will be leaning on Him heavily on Monday.

I would like to encourage each and every one of you to click HERE to read Jill’s most current update on sweet Drew.  Her words will touch your heart, and you will see why I love her so much.  Her faith during this incredibly difficult time has been strengthened.  And even though her fears are big and real, she talks about how an overwhelming peace has overcome her.  God has never left her side.  Even during the darkest of times.

Family and friends started a sign up for prayer where people will be praying in 15 minute intervals the entire day of surgery.  Although the slots are all filled, I know we would all covet any and all additional prayers, so please join me in STORMING THE HEAVENS on behalf of our Drew!   Here is our biggest prayer request (in Jill’s words):  There are a lot of very important nerves near Drew’s AVM.  We are praying there is a way to work around each nerve to cause minimal damage.  If that is not an option, we pray for the team’s discernment in choosing which course of action will cause the least amount of lasting effects.  Please join me in praying for Drew!

 

 

And just in case you didn’t head over to read Jill’s words, I’ve copy and pasted a paragraph for you here.  I want to make it as easy for you as possible, because I’m betting her words are going to bless your socks off.

In the past week, I have had several people reach out to me to share something that they hadn’t planned to share (a story, a Bible verse, or words of encouragement). During this time, every single person stated that they just felt a “nudge” to reach out.  Many of them are people that I have never met before.  God so beautifully used the Holy Spirit to send others to reassure me and equip me for this next step.  I will never be able to describe the level of goodness we have witnessed in the world.  When you are on the receiving end of so much goodness, it is overwhelming.  It makes me want to get on a roof top and scream “Pay attention! Can you even believe how all of this beauty is coming together?  Can someone witness these miracles with me so I know I am not crazy and imagining it all?” I haven’t figured out if God’s presence is always so evident and I am just too distracted to notice, or if God saves his really fancy tricks for people who are really struggling.  Whatever the case, there has been a perfect choreography of people, some I know and some I don’t know that have shared their stories and offered us so much hope and peace.  I will never ever forget how much God shows up through other people.  It will forever be a conviction for me to act on every little nudge I feel to reach out to someone, even if I don’t understand why……..I have seen God’s ability to put His disciples to work and the magnitude and impact that has on people and the world.  The body of Christ is legit.  God always redeems what He allows.  Light is always more powerful than darkness.  Always.

My favorite sentences are in bold because they sound just like my friend.  I love how she stated such profound truths in such a simple way.  LOVE YOU JILL, MICHAEL (hubby), DREW, ADAM AND HUNTER (younger brothers)!  Much love to the rest of the Gilbert and Womack bunch and to their tribe that has taken such good care of them in Houston.  YOU’VE GOT THIS DREW!!!!!!!

 

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