Author / Kelly Mattei

Unknown's avatar

Posts by Kelly Mattei

I grew up in Alabama but have lived in Charlotte, NC, for more than 25 years...longer than I've ever lived any other one place. Growing up, we moved a few times, so when people ask where I’m from, I just say Alabama, even though I have lived in three other states. I have been married for 25 years, and we have one daughter, who has one year of college left. We love being parents, but we also love empty-nesting. We enjoy traveling, star-gazing, walking, and sunshine. I worked in the travel business for 11 years, and I’m always looking for the next place to visit, but interestingly, I don’t like going where everyone else is going. If everyone else is going to Italy or Greece, no thanks. I’d rather go to Latin America or somewhere in the US I haven’t seen before. I’ve never liked doing what everyone else is doing! I have visited 40 states and would love to visit all 50. I also consider myself a “connector.” I like helping people know other people. No, not for money…for fun.
by Kelly Mattei

MORE College Cocktail Dresses

MORE College Cocktail Dresses.

If you’re the mom of a college girl, you know the importance of great dresses at low prices. I’m trying to save you some time and lots of money by finding great dresses that the girls are likely to wear at great prices. Here are some more choices:

  • Dore Mini. This red number is great for the parties in fall/winter or even at the holidays, and right now, it’s only $50!!! Yes, you read that right. It’s normally $198 but on deep discount. I just ordered one for my daughter. Get it while they last here.
  • Angel Strapless Midi. This one is a classic pillar-style. It’s awesome at just $72 and is offered in several colors. Click here.
  • Superdown Rockie Mini. This one has a different shape than most one-shoulder minis, and it comes in three colors: green, red, and navy. It’s a fitted style and is priced at $32 for green, or just $68 for red or black. *I have found the girls tend to like the Superdown brand, and it’s usually a bargain. See it here.
  • Katya Mini Sequin. When my daughter wore this to a party last year, I was shocked. It’s not normally her style, but she looked great, and she said she felt great. Normally $198, it’s priced at just $40 in burgundy and $187 in midnight blue. Get it here.
  • BCBGeneration Cocktail. A cute, long-sleeve, champagne-colored dress with tie-detail at the side. At just $63, you can’t afford not to get it. Purchase here.
  • Superdown Rachelle Dress. Another one from Superdown for just $71, this black dress has ruching and a classic style. Purchase here.
  • OW Celine mini. Chocolate Brown? Yes, please! This dress is a great style, but it’s also an unusual color that is flattering on lots of skin tones! Priced at just $89. Get it here.
  • Amanda Uprichard Salma Dress. Finding an Amanda Uprichard dress for $90 is almost unheard of, but that’s how much this awesome one-shoulder black mini is! Get it here.
  • Saffron Mini. Need a little sparkle? This black sequined, long-sleeve mini is perfect! And the price? Just $92 (originally $248). Get it here.
  • Camo Dress. Hint: it’s not camouflage. I don’t know why they call it the camo dress, but it’s cute and stylish! It’s also offered in eight colors, starting with “lime” for $104. Other colors are higher, but still under $150. Get it here.

There are ten more great dresses at awesome prices! Happy shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 4 (Amazon)

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 4 (Amazon)

For Part 4, I decided to find some good dresses on Amazon. Anyone with Amazon Prime membership knows the benefits of ordering from Amazon…free shipping, easy returns, etc. If I need something quickly, I often order from Amazon. Plus, some of these prices are so great that you won’t get upset if she only wears it once! Without further ado…I bring to you…cocktail dresses from Amazon:

  • Pretty Garden Short Satin Dress. This one is super cute and comes in lots of colors. Priced at only $53.99, maybe you’ll get more than one? I tend to do that…when I find something I like, I get it in lots of colors. See this great short dress here. Or you can find the same basic dress from Zesica here for only $45.99. However, I prefer the colors on the Pretty Garden listing, but that’s just personal preference.
  • BTFBM Satin Maxi Dress. $35.99??? This awesome dress starts at just $35.99. It’s a maxi with a gorgeous halter neck that comes in 13 different colors, with each color priced differently, but the wine color is $35.99. All the others are under $55. See them all here.
  • BTFBM One Shoulder Ruched Mini. It’s not sparkly, but it’s gorgeous with one sheer sleeve. Priced at just $36.99, this dress comes in 15 colors, so pick one or two or three at this price! Purchase here.
  • Lyaner Satin Mini Tank Dress. I have actually seen this style on several girls over the past year. It’s another one that’s offered in 15 colors and priced right at just $38.99. Purchase here.
  • Pretty Garden One Shoulder Long Dress with slit. Need a full-length dress? This one could be the answer! Priced at just $52.99, it’s offered in lots of colors. Purchase here.
  • Wenrine Women’s Mesh Long Sleeve Square Neck dress. This dress is flattering for lots of body types, and the long, sheer sleeves give it a more fall/winter look for cooler months. Priced at just $39.99, this one comes in lots of colors, some of which are great for now, and some of which are perfect for fall/winter/holiday. The square neckline gives it something different. See it here.
  • Caracilia Satin Maxi. Another long dress, this one is a classic and priced under $45. See it here.
  • Lots of dresses on Amazon. If none of the above feature what you’re looking for, you can see lots of offerings on Amazon here.

Happy Shopping! Get those dresses now, so she won’t panic at the last minute!

by Kelly Mattei

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 3

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 3.

Here’s the third installment of the series, featuring cocktail dresses for college students. This one features ten dresses of varying lengths, colors, styles, and prices. Let’s go shopping! If you haven’t found anything yet, don’t fret! There will be more coming tomorrow! (I need to watch football today.)

  • L’Idee Gala Mini. Want a different color? Try this dress in Sunset! Regularly priced at $350, this one is on sale for $123! Very popular style. See it here.
  • Show Me Your Mumu Jasmine Dress. A popular halter-style dress that comes in lots of colors and is priced under $150. See yellow and pink here. See it in black here. Ivory here. And a lovely bellini color here.
  • NBD Lila Gown. This full-length dress also comes in several colors. See it in champagne ($122) here. Mauve pink ($194) here. Or navy ($228) here.
  • Blaine Mini Dress. This one is a steal at $30! Long sleeves, ruching, mini. Get it in red or teal here. Great for fall or holiday!
  • Montrose Mini. This one is offered in glorious purple or pink. At $111, you almost have to get it. See it here. I could totally see my daughter in the purple.
  • Kerrie Deep V Mini. Priced at just $70, this dress comes in pink or green. Super cute! See it here.
  • Joyce Mini Dress. This cheetah print, long sleeve number is on final sale for $42 (orig $168) at Revolve. See it here.
  • Amelia Gown. This black, full-length gown is beautiful and on sale for $153! See it here.
  • Old Money Gown. With a plunging neckline and tiered skirt, this black gown is simply gorgeous. Originally $325, it’s on sale now for $195. Purchase here.
  • Lovers and Friends Lazo Gown. This one is on sale for $188. It’s red, and it’s dramatic. Purchase here.

Happy Shopping! Come back tomorrow for more suggestions!

by Kelly Mattei

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 2

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 2.

Y’all seemed to have liked the first part of this “series,” so I wanted to get the second part out there quickly! More college cocktail dresses! As I mentioned before, I am featuring dresses I have seen college girls wear over the last year, and I’m trying to pick dresses I think they would wear. I’m also trying to keep the price point down, because we all know that, because of social media, our girls only want to wear a cocktail dress once. After they post a picture in a dress, they can’t post another picture in the same dress!

So here we go…more cocktail dresses!

  • Amanda Uprichard Arial Gown. This full-length gown is offered in several colors at different prices, but the blush one is $193…a great price for Amanda Uprichard. Also offered in pink, black, thyme, and fire…all at different prices. Purchase here. The fire version is $251 and can be seen here.
  • Amanda Uprichard Joanne Dress. This one is a winner. Its a style I have seen several times and seems to flatter almost everyone. Priced at $104, it’s a deal. The color is great too. Purchase here.
  • Lovers and Friends Poppy Mini. This one is priced higher at $269 (reg $359), but it’s a dazzling long-sleeve number in navy. Check it out here.
  • Superdown Sophie Draped Long Sleeve Mini. Offered in eight colors with prices starting as low as $32 for the Kelly Green version. See it here.
  • Indah Anjeli Maxi. Priced at $145, this maxi is a lovely fuschia with a deep-V neckline. Purchase here.
  • Superdown Harlow Mini. Definitely a mini, this is offered in red, pink, green, or white, starting at $68 here. Or see it in black here.
  • Song of Style Tucker Mini. This long-sleeve shimmering mini is glorious! My daughter wore it once, and she loved it. Priced at just $107, she’ll look like a million bucks! See it here.
  • Show Me Your Mumu Shimmy Mini. This black sequined dress has one shoulder with one long sleeve, so it’s different. Priced at $134. Purchase here.
  • BCBGeneration One Shoulder Cut Out Dress. Slightly conservative, this one is priced right at $44! See it here.
  • Michael Costello Cecelia Gown. Starting at $149 for the pink version, this dress is also offered in white and black for $177. It’s a gown that’s great for the tall girls out there! See it here.

More to come! Part 3 will be out with more dresses within 24 hours!

by Kelly Mattei

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 1

College Cocktail Dresses, Part 1.

When I went to college in the 1980s, I didn’t own what I considered to be a cocktail dress of my own. I had dresses I had worn for various events, but I didn’t have anything that I equated to a “cocktail” dress. Back then, we couldn’t just order things online. We actually had to go places to shop, and in Tuscaloosa, the shopping wasn’t spectacular. Fortunately, my mother would purchase dresses and mail…yes, mail…them to me. She had a good eye.

My daughter is in college now, and I find that she needs cocktail dresses regularly for various events. Fortunately, the internet is a real thing, and online shopping is super easy, so I’m going to share some great dresses I have found that she (and possibly your daughter) might like…without breaking the budget! I’m also including dresses from Revolve I have seen on college girls. Keep in mind, Mom, that these are not your 1980s cocktail dresses. Seriously…happy shopping!

  • Superdown Lennie Wrap Dress. Very popular style short dress. Only $34 on sale here.
  • Superdown Vivienne Ruched Dress. Another short style. Only $48 on sale here.
  • Superdown Tamzin Mini. You’ll see lots of Superdown listed, because they are popular and inexpensive. This one is $39 on sale here.
  • Superdown Lena Cowl Mini. These cowl styles have been popular. This one is one sale for $46 here.
  • Superdown Corine Ruched. Cute blue style with ruching. On sale for $43 here.
  • House of Harlow Edie Dress. Two versions of this great dress. See the long sleeve version for cooler nights on sale for $100 here. And the gorgeous sleeveless version for $218 here.
  • Lovers and Friends Kim Midi. This one is a rich shade of green for only $110 here. There’s also a long gown version for $296, in blush or black, here.
  • Elliatt Sloane Long. A lovely satin in seafoam. On sale for $174 here.

More to come! I’m loading them as fast as I can!

by Kelly Mattei

Back Pain? Foot Pain? Leg Pain? OOFOS!

Back pain? Foot pain? Leg pain? OOFOS!

This summer, I learned about chronic pain. When I say I learned about it, I mean I experienced it, and that’s how I learned. I mentioned in The Only Pain I Want in My Life is…Champagne, which you can read here. I wrote that piece when I was less that a month into the excruciating pain of sciatica. At the time, I had no idea how long it would last.

Now it’s September, and while the pain is mostly gone (FINALLY!), I still have intermittent pain. It’s not severe, and it’s not constant, thank God, but I feel it sometimes. And yes, I’m still praying about it every day. I thank God every day that it’s better, and I pray every day asking Him to help me get well. I’ve done everything I can think of to help myself with it. I’ve seen multiple doctors. I’ve walked. I’ve done physical therapy. I’ve stretched. I’ve done new exercises as directed by the physical therapists. I’ve taken steroids. I’ve iced my back and heated it. I’ve used a TENS machine. I’ve used lidocaine patches and creams. I’ve worn sneakers instead of heels or sandals with every outfit since May. Seriously, I’ve done everything I can think to do.

And on my neighbors recommendation, I purchased some OOFOS recovery flip-flops. She said she had suffered from sciatica and plantar fasciitis, and the OOFOS helped, so I got some to wear around the house. Going barefoot hurts my back and feet, and after wearing sneakers at home all the time, I finally tried the OOFOS.

I have thanked my neighbor many times since.

I have thanked her and thanked her. I will be traveling to a sunny destination next week, and I will be especially thankful for my OOFOS there. All I can say is buy them if you experience back, leg, or foot pain. Try them. They might offer you some relief. If you’re hurting badly enough, you’re likely willing to try them. No, they’re not the cute, but they’re awesome. To purchase from the OOFOS store on Amazon and take advantage of Prime benefits, click here. You can see their various lines and choose for yourself. I choose the thong-style, but they also make slides, clogs, and even sneakers.

Hoping you have happy feet (and back and legs) soon!

by Kelly Mattei

College Game Day Essentials

College game day essentials.

It’s finally football season…the most wonderful time of the year! And what’s more fun than spending time with friends and family, pregaming or watching a game together?

Whether you’re hosting friends and family at home or hosting a tailgate, there are some things you’ll need. Check out these suggestions:

  • Tailgate/game day cookbook. I have a favorite, and you can get it from Amazon. It is The Southern Tailgating Cookbook, written by Taylor Mathis, an alumnus of my daughter’s high school. The book contains great recipes the author collected at tailgates across the south. I heard Mr. Mathis speak about the fun he had researching the book, so I had to have it. Get it here.
  • Cheese Board Deck. My friend, Angela, gave me this deck of charcuterie/cheese board ideas, and I love it! Charcuterie boards are an easy, beautiful way to entertain! The deck shows photos and lists ingredients for different types of charcuterie boards, and the price is right at $17.99! Each card in the box tells you exactly what cheeses, fruits, etc. to buy for the corresponding board. Get it here.
  • Football paper plates. If you’re hosting the tailgate or party and don’t want to have dishes to wash later, these cute football paper plates fit right with a game day theme. Get them here.
  • Full set of disposable paper products. Wanna keep it easy and but a full set of football themed disposable paper products? You can do that on Amazon here.
  • Football Serving Trays (3pieces). How about some fun nesting trays that are football themed? If you’re going to be hosting a tailgate or having guests at home, follow through on a football theme with a set of trays that can be used for chips, dips, appetizers or beverages. Get them here.
  • Football cocktail napkins. Maybe you’re just tailgating with cocktails? If so, you’ll need cocktail napkins that are just for tailgating. These are great to have around all the time, in fact. Get them here.
  • Bug fans. If you’re going to have food outside, you will attract flies. How to get rid of them? Keep these small, battery-operated, tabletop fans around your food. They really work, and they’re priced right at about $35 for four. Get them here.
  • Handheld paper fans for guests. Tailgating in the south? You’ll and all your guests will be hot. A great addition to any southern tailgate? Handheld paper fans for all! You can purchase at pack of 20 for about $15 in your team color here.
  • Yeti coolers and cups. You have to keep those drinks cold! Choose from a variety of Yeti coolers and cups for your pregame tailgate or your game day party at the Yeti Amazon store here.
  • Solo Stove. Night game? Need a portable fire pit? Solo Stove makes great ones! We have the Bonfire model, and we love it. Get it at Amazon for about $345 now. Purchase here. You’ll use it for years to come.
  • All-in-One Tailgating Table. I stumbled upon this and thought it was a great thing for tailgates! Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out how to organize a tailgate, but this table can certainly help! Get it here.
  • Football-themed Beer Pong Table. Pong is all the rage, so having a beer pong table is almost a necessity at a tailgate or home football party. There’s a great one at Amazon for $99 here.
  • Cornhole boards. Cornhole brings a group together, for sure! If you want cool regulation sized boards, there are some great ones at Amazon here. You don’t care if it’s not regulations sized? Then you might like a set for about $80 from Amazon here.

  • Folding chairs. If you’re going to need to take a folding chair, you can find lots of them at all price points at Amazon here.
  • JBL speakers. Every tailgate or game day party needs tunes before the game, and with a bluetooth speaker, you can even listen to pregame and game broadcasts! JBL has a great assortment of bluetooth speakers on Amazon here. We have a small JBL speaker, the Charge 5 ($179.95), that puts out great sound. You can see it here. And we have a larger one, the JBL Boombox 2 ($399.95) that puts out bigger sound that you can see here. If you want the newer version, the Boombox 3, it’s great and will set you back $499.95. See it here. (pictured below)

Are you ready for some football?!

by Kelly Mattei

Sorority Initiation Dresses

Sorority initiation dresses.

Congratulations! Your daughter has pledged a sorority. She is excited. You sent her a bid day gift, and she likely went on the pledge retreat.

Now what?

You should receive information soon about how to pay the bills. You should receive information about the chapter’s parent page on Facebook. And you likely need to get a white dress for your daughter to wear for initiation. At most schools in the south, sorority initiation occurs in late September or October. You will likely receive information about the date soon. Most sororities require a white dress, so find out if your daughter’s is one of them…and go ahead and order it! After initiation, they can hang onto the dress and possibly use it for Pref Night during recruitment next year! ***First, make sure they need a white dress, and find out if it needs to cover shoulders or not.***

Here are some great options from Amazon that won’t break the bank:

  • From Zesica at $49.99, a tiered white dress. Purchase here. (below)

  • Also from Zesica, at $45.59, a midi dress with shoulder ties. Purchase here. (below)
  • From Soly Hux, a flowy maxi dress, at $47.99. Purchase here. (below)
  • From Febriajuice, at $39.98, a maxi with spaghetti straps. Purchase here. (below)
  • From Exchic, a round neck, short-sleeve dress that covers the shoulders, priced at $27.85. Purchase here. (below)
  • For more options on white dresses at Amazon, click here.

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Organize Your Bathroom Vanity Countertop

Organize your bathroom vanity countertop.

First, let me say I am not always the best at organizing my own space. But at 56, I’m better than I used to be! No doubt! I can’t stand clutter on my bathroom vanity countertop, so I find ways to organize, and lately, I have discovered some new things to help.

Before I tackled the countertop, I needed to tackle the drawers and under-sink space. The more I can store in drawers and under the sink, the less I have to organize on the countertop. Therefore, to organize under the sink, I ordered two organizers that are made just for that. In fact, I have ordered two more for my husband’s side of the bathroom. You can see them and purchase here. They are sold as a two pack, and when the arrived, I opened the package and immediately thought, “Ugh, assembly required.” But honestly, it took less than five minutes for me to put them together at the kitchen counter…no tools required…just fit pieces together. At $15.99 for two, it’s a steal!

Once I had tackled the under-sink area and all the drawers, I had more room for some of the items on my countertop, but I do believe there is as pretty way to organize some things on the countertop. My main problem? Makeup brushes. I don’t know what to do with them! And they are plentiful! I don’t like just throwing them in a drawer. I put all my makeup away in a drawer, but I needed somewhere to put the brushes that would make them easier to differentiate. My solution? Vases!

No, I didn’t buy lots of vases. I just bought two…a large and a medium. And they are the cutest vases that look like partial faces. See the featured photo. The photo shows flowers, but mine will hold makeup brushes! Or maybe one will hold brushes and the other will hold flowers. We shall see! To see the vases I purchased, click here.

If you have other ideas, please send them to me!

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Mom, I Feel Terrible

Mom, I feel terrible.

If you followed me last year, you know that in September, I received a call from my daughter, and the first words out of her mouth were, “Mom, we’ve been in an accident.” I was in the Bahamas, and she had flown home from college for the weekend. It was not the call I wanted to receive. Fortunately, everything turned out fine.

She is now in her sophomore year and has been back at school since August 2…about four weeks. She had to go back early to prepare for sorority rush for a week before actual rush the following week. In the middle of rush week, I received a late night phone call. When I picked up the phone, she immediately sad, “Mom, I feel terrible.” I could hear that she was trying to choke back tears, so I jumped out of bed and went to the loveseat in the keeping room off our kitchen, so I could talk with her without disturbing my husband. By the sound of her voice, I knew she really felt terrible.

It broke my heart. If you’re a mom who has ever had to deal with a sick child far away, you get it. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to hear your tearful child telling you had badly she feels. I looked at the clock: 12:35am. And I started asking questions. “What’s wrong? Is it your stomach? Where does it hurt? Do you have fever?” You know…all the questions you ask when you are a mom. I seriously considered just getting in the car and going down to her university 450 miles away, but I had taken some sleep meds, so that wasn’t an option. It might have been an overreaction if I had done it, too.

She explained that she was experiencing nausea and chills. First, I needed to make sure it wasn’t appendicitis. I asked if she had pain in her lower abdomen. No, just nausea. I told her to lie on her left side and extend/flex her right hip. No pain. I told her to stand up for just a minute and jump up and down. No pain. Since I felt pretty sure it wasn’t appendicitis, I recommended she take some nausea meds. I asked, “Can you check your temperature before you do that, though?” “I don’t have a thermometer.” What?!?!?!?! I know I sent one last year, and I thought it was still in her medicine box, but I guess not. Note to self: send the girl a thermometer.

She was sick for a few hours…like really sick. I went back to my bed to grab my pillow and a blanket to take to the sofa and kept her company over the phone while she sat in the bathroom floor. Poor baby. It is so hard to know your child is sick so far away! She finally went back to bed and fell asleep at about 4:00am. I encouraged her to sleep most of the next day, even though she would miss one day of rush festivities. She was exhausted and did not argue with me. No one else living with her ever got it, so maybe it was foodborne? (When she felt better, I talked with her about making sure food is cooked properly…and how, in a restaurant, if the food isn’t really hot, don’t eat it.) We will likely never know, but I do know I need to make sure her medicine box has everything she needs! Wondering what that might be? Here are some suggestions:

  • Thermometer. Honestly, I always knew mercury thermometers were accurate, but we can’t get them anymore. I don’t always trust a digital thermometer, but to see the one I trust most, click here.
  • Band-Aids. I prefer actual Band-Aid brand. I like to have some blister Band-Aids and some flexible fabric ones. See a variety here.
  • Tylenol and Motrin. They need both. Tylenol is good for fever and headaches. Motrin is great for body aches and inflammation.
  • Flonase.This is my go-to when we have sniffles or cold symptoms. It doesn’t make me sleepy like some cold meds, but you can take it in conjunction with your preferred cough and cold meds. Order here.
  • Benadryl tablets. If your college student thinks he/she is having a mild allergic reaction, Benadryl can halt the reaction. Get tablets here.
  • Benadryl cream or spray. Insect bites? We use Benadryl cream and/or spray for wasp stings, bee stings, ant bites, even mosquito bites. Get cream here and spray here.
  • OFF insect repellent. Two people in Alabama died recently from Equine Encephalitis. Since our daughter is in college there, I sent her some OFF! Spray and told her to use it. Get it here. I will be taking some in a spritz bottle with me when I vacation in Panama in October. Get the spritz bottle here.
  • Tums and Pepto-Bismol. Get Tums here. Get Pepto here.
  • Cough and Cold Meds. Since everyone seems to have their own preferences on this, I’m not going to recommend a certain brand. Just make sure your college students has some cough and cold meds on hand.
  • Alcohol wipes. Get them here.

Basically, you want to make sure they have anything they might need. And yes, a thermometer is one of those important things…duh!

I hope you don’t ever receive one of those middle-of-the-night calls.