Being Bridget

September means the arrival of college gameday. Whether it’s dressing for tailgating and a trip to a stadium or getting together with friends and loved ones at home, repping your team’s colors is a quintessential part of getting in the spirit.

Football, friends, food, fun? Sign me up. Below, find fresh picks and outfit ideas to cheer on your team in style. Be sure to let me know your team in the comments. xx

TCU

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TEXAS

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ALABAMA

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TEXAS A&M

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BAYLOR

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AUBURN

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UGA OR TEXAS TECH

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LSU

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SMU

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KENTUCKY

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WAKE FOREST

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TENNESSEE

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OU OR ARKANSAS

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The annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially live and running through August 5th. One of the most iconic sales of the year – I’m excited to share my favorite picks. So many items are included in the sale such as my all-time fav bra {I wear it everyday}, the Doona stroller/car seat, and luxurious Augustinus Bader Rich Cream which is a product I’ve loved for years. The sale follows a tiered structure {details listed below} allowing credit card members to shop Early Access, and the public to shop the sale beginning July 15th. Below, you will find my favorites of the sale – from sunglasses to sweaters to strollers and more.

Happy NSale! xx

EARLY ACCESS

• Icons – July 9-14
• Ambassadors – July 10-14
• Influencers – July 11-14

PUBLIC ACCESS

• Everyone – July 15-August 4

BEAUTY

Nécessaire The Body Wash Duo {$32) // Lancôme Lash Idôle Volumizing Mascara Duo {$33} // Westman Atelier Petite Lit Up Highlight Stick Duo {$40} // T3 Switch Kit Classic Trio {$200} // Westman Atelier The Summer Bronze Trio {$115} // U Beauty The Anniversary Trio {$156} // Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser Duo Set {$120} // Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream Duo {$210} // Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream Jumbo {$430} // Clé De Peau Beauté Bright Eyes & Radiant Skin Collection Set {$290} // Dr. Barbara Sturm SturmGlow™ Serum Essentials Set {$325} // Nuface Mini+ Smart On-the-Go Facial Toning Starter Kit {$165} // DryBar Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush {$103}

ACCESSORIES & SHOES

Nordstrom Set of 3 Nesting Ceramic Catchall Trays {$30} // Madewell Tennis Bracelet {$32} // Nordstrom Set of 3 Ceramic Vanity Trays {$30} // Brixton Jo Straw Rancher Hat {$66} // Celine 50mm Gradient Small Cat Eye Sunglasses {$300} // Nordstrom Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings {$30} // Nordstrom Mary Jane Flat {$60} // Loeffler Randall Hadley Bow Slide Sandal {$200} // New Balance 574 Sneaker {$70} // Rag & Bone Retro Court Sneaker {$191} // Olga Berg Cece Straw Woven Box Clutch {$55}

CLOTHING

Madewell Oversize Denim Button-Up Shirt {$65} // Madewell Variegated Corduroy Button-Up Shirt {$58} // Rails Georgia Eyelet Sleeve T-Shirt {$66} // Spanx Get Moving Skort {$48} // Rails Vittoria Long Sleeve Double Organic Cotton Gauze Midi Dress {$166} // Madewell Signature Oversize Button-Up Shirt {$58} // Varley Callie Sheer Knit Cotton Top {$78} // Faherty Hana Chambray Mini Shirtdress {$110}

BABY & KIDS GEAR

UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller {$750} // Nuna RAVA Flame Retardant Free Convertible Car Seat {$400} // BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss + Travel Bag {$221} // Doona Convertible Infant Car Seat/Compact Stroller System {$412} // Doona Convertible Stroller Trike {$187}

DENIM

{TOP ROW} Vince High Waist Cigarette Pants {$216} // Rag & Bone Sofie Featherweight Wide Leg Jeans {$192} // AG Ex-Boyfriend Jeans {$164} // AG Mari High Waist Stretch Slim Straight Leg Jeans {$144} // AG The Ex-Boyfriend Slim Jeans {$164}
{BOTTOM ROW} Mother The Hustler Frayed Ankle Jeans {$180} // Veronica Beard Hilde Crop Wide Leg Jeans {$219} // Rag & Bone Harlow Ankle Straight Leg Jeans {$159} // AG Mari Raw Hem Slim Straight Leg Jeans {$157}

SWEATERS

Vince Camuto Crewneck Sweater in Grey {$67} // Splendid Livy Stripe Sweater {$98} // Caslon Easy Pima Cotton Roll Neck Sweater {$46} // Vince Camuto Crewneck Sweater in Pink {$67} // Caslon Pima Cotton Cardigan {$53} // Rails Geneva Stripe Cotton Blend Cardigan {$165} // Zella Kickback Ottoman Tunic {$66} // Varley Acadia Ottoman Knit Half Zip Pullover {$106}

COATS & JACKETS

Sam Edelman Stand Collar Pressed Bouclé Jacket {$100} // Theory Holiday Crop Jacket {$266} // 1.STATE Faux Shearling Crop Jacket {$100} // Avec Les Filles Relaxed Fit Button Back Trench Coat {$140} // Avec Les Filles Water Resistant Twill Hooded Longline Coat {$140} // FP Movement Pippa Water Resistant Packable Pullover {$130} // Barbour Clydebank Quilted Jacket {$195} // Barbour Belsay Waxed Cotton Jacket {$240} // Sam Edelman Diamond Quilted Jacket {$110} // Barbour Belsay Waxed Cotton Jacket {$280} // Lauren Ralph Lauren Herringbone Wool Coat {$190}

I recently discovered ME + EM, an online retailer with high-end, well-made classic pieces. Right off the bat, there were so many pieces I loved. 

A few of my favorite styles include this denim mini dress, this knit set and this dress with the coolest detail on the hem.  I am also in love with this terry cloth set which I’m currently stalking for a return in my size. Nothing I love more than a matching set.

ME+EM styles are ones which make up the foundation of a wardrobe – versatile, wearable, and incredible quality. So excited to share some of the beautiful ME+EM pieces I’ve recently added to my repertoire. 

Top // Pants

Matching set

photos by Vanessa Christina
Thank you to ME+EM for sponsoring this post!

Last spring, a few of my girlfriends organized a Mahjong lesson with Mahjong Molly and invited me to join. I was intimidated, and if I’m being honest, not totally thrilled with the idea of learning what seemed to be a super complicated game. My fear of FOMO reigned strong though, so I agreed to join and I’m so happy I did. I have been absolutely hooked ever since.

Some of you may be asking yourself, what is Mahjong?! Mahjong is a traditional Chinese game that involves skill, strategy, and a quite a bit of luck. It’s typically played with four players and a set of tiles marked by various numbers/characters/suits {kind of like a deck of cards}, and a card that lays out all the options of which tiles you can piece together for a winning ‘line’ AKA how you win and call ‘Mahjong!’
TLDR: you are basically drawing and discarding tiles to try and achieve a winning ‘line’ as quickly as possible.

Like I mentioned earlier, we took 2 lessons from Mahjong Molly, a local teacher based here in Dallas who was great. My recommendation for learning how to play is to take a lesson or two, or have a friend who knows the game well enough to teach you. Since there are quite a few rules to Mahjong {and it’s a bit more complicated than your standard bridge or backgammon}, it’s important to have a knowledgeable and patient teacher to show you the ropes. If you don’t know of anyone who can teach you, this is an amazing, in-depth resource with a full ‘how-to guide.’

My biggest tip is practice, practice, practice! Not only do you become more knowledgeable of the rules, you become quicker at playing and build confidence in your abilities. The games can average anywhere from 15 to 45 or so minutes depending on the speed and skill level of the players. When we first started playing, my friends and I would sit in silence, concentrating too hard to attempt a conversation. Now, over a year and many games later, we can easily chat, drink wine and play all at the same time. It really is such a fun and social game!

Another reason I love Mahjong is the transportable nature of it. We pack up our racks and tiles and bring them with us all the time – to a girls lunch, hanging by the pool, play dates, a weekend at the ranch…It’s my favorite way to catch up with a friend these days. I keep all of my Mahjong supplies in my L.L. Bean Boat and Tote or this Barrington Gifts monogram tote – perfectly roomy and easy for schlepping. Because there are quite a few pieces to the game, {and they can get pricey} it’s best to keep them safe in one spot so nothing goes missing.

Below I’m going to break down all of my favorite Mahjong products with both splurge and save options:

Tiles

• The Mahjong Line is undoubtedly my go-to for fun Mahjong finds. Truly, the most beautiful acrylic tiles that are as much fun to look at as they are to play with. However, be warned you will be making an investment in this hobby if you decide to purchase via TML. The Mahjong Line does have a plethora of colorways and styles with themes like The Ocean Line, The Botanical Line, and the Mountain Line to choose from. I have the these from the Minimal Line and these from the Mountain Line which we purchased for Colorado. How appropriate?! I also love supporting a local business – they’re Dallas born-and-bred!
• For a more cost-effective option, Amazon has amazing options that get the exact same job done. My mom owns and loves this set which includes the tiles, racks, and a bag for carrying, all for under $100. This is a great way to dip your toes in the Mahjong water without making a huge financial commitment to the game.

The Big Sky Mahjong tiles from The Mountain Line x The Mahjong Line

Racks + Protective Bag

• I also purchased my racks from The Mahjong Line but Amazon has options like these and these for just around $30. I also purchased this racks bag which protects my racks from getting beat up and keeps them looking nice and new.

Cards

• The ‘card’ is one of the most important aspects of Mahjong – it is your North Star when playing the game. As mentioned above, it is the listing of all the possible ‘lines’ you can go for. An updated card comes out annually but older versions of the card work just fine. The 2024 version was actually just released!

Tablecloths and mats

• Tablecloths and mats can be used interchangeably when playing Mahjong. You really just need something to put the tiles and racks on top of as to preserve the surface you’re playing on. Also, to allow the tiles to slide across the table easily. I received this Mahj All Day mat for my birthday that I am obsessed with – I’ve already gotten so much use out of it! I also love this Pearly Gates Designs one. Have received so many dm’s and questions about it. My favorite tablecloths come from Fenwick Fields – everything they do is so beautiful! They have a line called ‘Scalloped Square Table Toppers’ which is a perfect fit on the square game table I use.

Travel game table

• I purchased an easy foldable square game table from Amazon earlier this year and it’s been great. It’s sturdy, easily transportable, and allows us to play pool side, in the yard during playdates, or whereever our children take us. I’ve also brought it to friends houses in the past who don’t have a permanent game table. Also love that it’s $50. A few of my friends have this one which has a wood finish and is a great option if you want the look of a permanent game table but don’t want to have to spend $$$ on one. Once you drape a tablecloth over the top, no would would know what is hidden underneath!

Fun unnecessary add-ons

• I love this mini set which is perfect for travel {especially airplane travel}. It packs so well, taking up very little space in a suitcase or carry-on. This would also make for a fantastic gift!
• These $20 mini Amazon lamps live on my game table. Tiny but mighty, they provide more light than you would think! Super chic.

Whether you’re a seasoned Mahjong lover or learning for the first time, I hope this post serves as a helpful resource for you and your loved ones. x