On this episode Melanie and I talk about – wait for it – COLLEGE FOOTBALL. It’s the week of SEC Media Days, and that always sparks a little football reflection (and also hope!) in the two of us. Given that, we enjoy a little pre-season analysis of A&M’s September schedule before we recap our weekends and discuss a movie that we both unexpectedly adored. What a time.

Melanie also brings some rom-com concerns to the forefront, and it’s her turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

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

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

Show Notes:

– Diego Pavia

– SEC Football: Any Given Saturday

– Ladybird Taco

– AGT at Ladybird

– Aubie the Tiger

– Sophie with Cole on The Paul Finebaum Show (starts around 23 minutes)

– El Royale Cafe

– Superman

– F1

– Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

– Project Hail Mary preview

– The Love Haters by Katherine Center

– Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

– Tuesday Night Date Night with Katherine and Cole Cubelic

– Good Natured Carpet Deodorizer

– Salt & Stone santal and vetiver lotion

– OSEA undaria algae body oil

– Phoebe Scott on IG

– Grillo’s pickle de gallo

Sponsors:

– Trust & Will – use this link for 20% off

– Mint Mobile – use this link for their special offer

– Boll & Branch – use this link for 20% off and free shipping

– Thrive Market – use this link to get 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift

Texas Flood Relief Resources:

– Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

– Convoy of Hope

– Texas Search & Rescue

– Cross Kingdom Church (designate RELIEF FUND in notes)

– Mercy Chefs

– Grape Juice Kerrville

– Salvation Army Kerrville

– Austin Pets Alive

– Beau Bear

Here’s the deal: I love having a newsletter. But for whatever reason a newsletter feels like where I go to share my thoughts on several different topics. A blog feels like a place to park some information about one particular topic that’s too lengthy to share on social media. Now certainly I’m not saying that any of this rationale, you know, makes sense, not to mention that the operational side of my blog seems to be pretty significantly broken (I believe technical people would refer to those problems as CODE ISSUES). So I don’t know how long things are going to hold up in this particular cul de sac of the 2007 Mommy Blog Interwebs, but for better or worse, this is what I’m working with, and since I do in fact want to park some information in one place for the sake of linking purposes, I’m going to attempt to use this broke-down WWW vehicle to take us on a little fashion journey.

Cruise fashion, to be specific.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Quebec City, Quebec to do some sightseeing for a couple of days before I left on a cruise to celebrate my friend Jamie’s birthday. Our Holland America ship, the Zuiderdam, traveled from QC to Boston over the course of a week, and we saw some stunning Canadian (and American) sights in the process. There were ten people in our group, and while I would absolutely say the women in our group were hilarious and smart and charming, I would also say that we were really, really loud. There was just no getting around it. We were loud talkers and loud laughers and loud loungers and loud diners, and my goodness we had ourselves a time. Blessings to those who craved quiet in our presence.

When I was growing up, I always thought of cruise clothes as something you could find in your local Steinmart (may she rest in peace) every spring – no doubt with sewn-on / bedazzled anchors and oars and whatnot – and when I was in my early 20s, I embarked on a cruise with my parents while wearing a nautical-themed skirt and sweater (and felt PROUD ABOUT IT, I would add). For my recent trip, however, I just wanted to be comfortable and covered in natural fibers so that I could manage my personal temperature regardless of what was happening in nature. There have for sure been times when I packed for a long trip and felt like I totally missed the mark in terms of having the clothes that I needed, but for whatever reason, on this particular trip I felt like I nailed it. I packed too much, of course – this is apparently one of my core values as a human being – but I 100% had clothes that worked for what we were doing, and I enjoyed the clothes that were with me on Ye Olde Zuiderdam.

Anyway. On the last night of our cruise (Jamie arranged a really lovely dinner for us at North 43 Bistro in Portland, and it was fantastic), my friend Katherine said that I should put all of my cruise clothes in a post / Reel / FaceTokGram, and I have taken her suggestion to heart. After all, I am a woman of a certain age and a certain size (forever a teenager if you’re looking at the number of my dress size, amirite), but I love to feel great in my clothes – and I love to feel like I look cute in my clothes. I recognize that might sound silly considering that I’m in my 50s, but I will never give up on looking cute, my friends. It’s a particular brand of my personal stubbornness that lives deep-down in my bones.

So here’s what I wore (and loved!) on our trip.

Dresses:

It’s no secret that I adore a shirt dress. They’re so easy to wear, and I love a piece of clothing that mainly just touches my shoulders and arms. Plus, a defined waist is my personal fashion nemesis. I took a couple of shirt dresses to wear to dinner on the ship.

Corey Lynn Calter is a forever favorite brand, and this particular dress is knee length on me. It’s like wearing a night shirt.

Melanie told me about this Frank & Eileen dress, and I love it so much that I ordered it in another color. It’s so well-made and such a great deal (70% off)!

I also took a couple of dresses that could double as cover-ups, and double they did. Because they’re sort of a terry cloth / cotton situation, I could hang them up in my cabin if they needed to dry after a trip to the pool, and they still looked great the next day.

This dress has really been my whole personality this summer. My gosh it is the essence of comfort.

And this dress – also from Free People – is actually a light butter yellow color. Will take you straight into fall if you live in the South.

Ship / Excursion clothes:

I’m a huge Aerie fan, and Aerie got ‘er done in terms of the clothes I wore to hang out on the ship or tour the ports we visited.

This sweatshirt is oversized, it’s soft, and it’s perfect if you want a sleeve in the A/C.

I wore the sweatshirt with matching shorts. The shorts are high-waisted and have a long inseam, so they’re great for sitting (I know that sounds weird, but not at all shorts are great for sitting, and IYKYK).

This sweatshirt was also a winner –

– and it’s perfect with either my favorite Aerie cut-offs…

…or some Easel pants that I love.

These jeans are so lightweight *and* they don’t bag out.

I also think that they’re a comfy button down shirt‘s best friend.

And one thing I always pack – regardless of where I’m going – is a denim shirt. Works with shorts, with pants, as a second layer on cool nights – a real MVP. This one is over 50% off.

Travel Days:

At some point over the last few years, I’ve gotten into a routine with what I wear on flights, mainly because I hate having to make decisions when I’m trying to get out of the house without forgetting any of the stuff that’s supposed to travel with me. So for me the Travel Outfit is always a Free People Mari Muscle pullover…

…and a pair of my beloved Aerie crossover leggings.

If the weather is cold, I’ll do a long sleeve sweatshirt instead.

Finally, shoes:

These New Balance 327s are my travel MVPs and have been for a few years.

I also packed a pair of Back 70s so I would have a second pair of sneakers, and they were winners.

And last but not least, when I was on the boat, I lived in my beloved 4CCCCEEs (they’re not on the Gus Mayer website right now, but if you’re interested, DM the Gus IG account and Maggie or Katie will help you).

Hope the rest of your summer is full of time with the people you love!

Love,
SH

Our hearts are so heavy for everyone who has been impacted by the devastation of the Texas flooding, and we talk about that at the beginning of this episode. We didn’t know how to transition into our normal brand of silliness without addressing it, and we’re praying that the presence and the comfort of the Lord will be so palpable for everyone who is hurting. Jesus, be near.

We also talk about my trip to Canada, Melanie’s trip to Knoxville, and what we’ve been watching. Basically we just try to do what we usually do, and we hope that it will lighten a load / brighten someone’s day a little bit.

Take care, y’all.

– Become a Patron!

– Our Amazon Shop

– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

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

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

Texas Flood Relief Resources:

– Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

– Convoy of Hope

– Texas Search & Rescue

– Cross Kingdom Church (designate RELIEF FUND in notes)

– Mercy Chefs

– Grape Juice Kerrville

– Salvation Army Kerrville

– Austin Pets Alive

– Beau Bear

Show Notes:

– Holland America cruise from Boston to Quebec City

– Quebec City, Quebec

– Trainwreck: Poop Cruise on Netflix

– Anne of Green Gables museum on Prince Edward Island

– Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia

– Dr. Edie Wadsworth

– STIR in Knoxville

– Bayonet in Birmingham

– Townsend, Tennessee

– Peaceful Side Creamery

– One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

– It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

– America’s Sweethearts on Netflix

– The Bear on Hulu

– Kindle Paperwhite

– Think Royln Double Trouble crossbody – over 60% off

– Towel Crabbers

– Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel

– LMNT lemonade salt

– Free People Happy Place maxi sweatshirt dress

Sponsors:

– OSEA Malibu – use code BIGBOO for 10% off

– AG1 – use this link for a free welcome kit with your subscription

– Thrive Causemetics – use this link for 20% off your order

– Drink LMNT – use this link for a free sample pack with any purchase

I’m on the Atlantic Ocean somewhere between Canada and Maine this week (Melanie opted out of the trip because of the aforementioned ocean), so we recorded this episode before I left Birmingham, and we asked our friend Cole Cubelic – who is one of our all-time favorite people – to join us. As some of you may remember, Melanie and I met Cole a couple of years ago after he saw us at an event where my hair clip was in a constant state of malfunction. Now he’s like the little brother we didn’t know we needed. So this week we catch up with him about life and his thoughts about this fall in the SEC and the real meanings behind phrases that coaches use over and over.

We don’t do Five Favorites this week, but I’ll be back with five fresh favorites next week. :-)

Enjoy, everybody!

– Become a Patron!

– Our Amazon Shop

– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

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

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

Show Notes:

– Cole’s podcast, Cube Show

- MLB The Show

– Dairy Queen Blizzards

– Oreo The Most Stuf

– The Manchester in Lexington

– Fuego Tortilla Grill in College Station

– Just For Feet

Sponsors:

– Remi – use code BIGBOO for up to 50% off your nightguard

– Hungry Root – use code BIGBOO for 40% off your first box and a free item for life

– Drink LMNT – use this link for a free sample pack with any purchase

– Laundry Sauce – use code BIGBOO for 20% off

This week Melanie and I talk through our reactions to the College World Series (Razorbacks, we feel your pain, and Tigers, we congratulate you), we break down what’s been going on in our respective lives over the past week, and we share some delight over all the good television that’s been released since we last recorded.

We also discuss the fact that Melanie ordered some chicken on the bone at a restaurant, and it’s her turn for Five Favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

– Become a Patron!

– Our Amazon Shop

– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

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

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

Show Notes:

– Arkansas loses to LSU in a heartbreaker

– Coastal Carolina coaches get ejected

– LSU fan painted up like a tiger

– Mama’s Cafe’ in San Antonio

– Current Charcoal Grill in Birmingham

– George Benson

– Al Jarreau’s “Since I Fell For You”

– Panhandle Slim on IG

– America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

– our Patreon episode 2024 about DCC

– Somebody Feel Phil

– The Gilded Age

– Helen Leland on IG

– how to correct your rounded shoulders

– Zen Sleep essential oil roll-on

– Curativa hypochlorous skin spray

– personalized dog collars

– Quince Luna stretch slim straight jeans

– J.Crew knit pajamas

Sponsors:

– Helix – use this link to get 27% off during their 4th of July sale

– Thrive Causemetics – use this link for a special offer for new customers

– ZocDoc – use this link to find and book a top-rated doctor today

– Remi – use code BIGBOO for up to 50% off your night guard

On this week’s episode Melanie and I talk about how Caroline is now home from her long European journey, I sampled the most delicious homemade pies, and why we shouldn’t underestimate Gen Z’s persistence in selecting the perfect nail polish colors. It’s been an eventful week.

We also have an unplanned – but lively!  – discussion about AI, and it’s my turn for Five Favorites.

Enjoy, everybody!

– Become a Patron!

– Our Amazon Shop

– San Antonio Live Show (10/23/25) tickets are on sale now!

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

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

Show Notes:

– Away luggage

– Pies by Mike in Clanton, Alabama

– Main Street Cafe in Clanton

– Mountainview Orchard in Jemison, Alabama

– Mad Men

– ruffle socks

– Abib Heartleaf calming toner for redness

– IGK Pick Me Up root lifting spray

– Daydream denim jort

– the blog post about shorts

– 24/7 classic unlined minimizer bra

Sponsors:

– Thrive Market – use this link for 30% off your first order and a free $60 gift

– Drink LMNT – use this link to get your free sample pack with any purchase

– AG1 – subscribe this link for a free hat, a welcome kit, and more goodies

– Maya Chia – use code BIGBOO for 15% off