Archive for April 2013
- In: Mom On the Go | Thrift store finds | Vest | Weight Loss
- 2 Comments
I am so lucky to have found, not just the best WW Leader Melissa, but a fantastic group of members. We all have so much fun and laugh at our meetings. It got me to thinking about Randy Pausch and the Last Lecture… ( A college professor who after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, delivered his last lecture at Carnegie Melon as a legacy to his young children) He talks about being a Tigger or an Eeyore and striving to be a Tigger.. I think what makes my meeting so great is that there are a lot of Tigger’s in my meeting…
Randy moved close to me in Chesapeake, VA to have his last special months with his family and he became a huge celebrity. He was very vocal in pleading with the public not to reveal his condition around his young children, as professionals had all cautioned to let them have their childhood until he became too sick to hide it any more. I loved that there was so much compassion and his children’s welfare was respected. I will never forget him and his Tigger/Eeyore reference. He wrote a book and as an avid reader I can’t believe I am saying this but, I recommend highly watching the DVD instead…
I love my green bubble necklace and look forward to wearing it more this Spring/Summer!
As for my Weigh in, I lost 1.8 pounds. This all happened in the last two days, when I exercised by doing the fluidity ballet bar, Yoga and stretching,but didn’t pick up weights or resistance bands. So maybe I will try that again this week! Exercise witht the weights for 5 days then two days before weigh in stop. I don’t like that idea because I love feeling the weights in my hand and how strong it makes me feel… If I maintain the weight loss and can loss a pound or more each week this way, then maybe I have found the magic formula.. wish me luck in this experiment!
This isn’t what I wore to my meeting,but I didn’t feel like taking photos today, so used pictures I had in reserve. The top, vest and shoes are all thrifted pieces. It’s funny how some days I have no thrifted items and others I group together…
Dear Readers, Did you see The Last Lecture? If so, what made the biggest impression on you? Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Do you see others in your life as one or the other? If you haven’t done this before, it’s an interesting thing to ask as you go about your day, ” Is he or she a Tigger or an Eeyore? ” or “Am I being a Tigger or an Eeyore today?” I believe self evaluation is a good thing to embrace and leads to a healthy mind ! Remember I subscribe to this journey being one of Mind, Body & Spirit!
Gratitude: I am grateful for such a wonderful WW meeting and the opportunity to connect with a group of wonderful people! I am grateful that my husband works so hard for our family(he had a crazy late night and was back up after only 4hours of sleep for a meeting). I am grateful to my 17 year old for his thoughtful gesture that made my husband feel loved and appreciated ( My husband always drops a few pieces of candy into my son’s lunch. This morning when he left for school he unlocked my husband’s vehicle and put candy and a note on his steering wheel, telling him to have a great day). I am grateful for another thrifting adventure with a dear friend.
Tuesday’s Food Choices
Breakfast: Protein Bar & Banana -4pts
Lunch: celery & laughing cow cheese & sunflower seeds -7pts
Dinner- My Dad’s recipe for stuffed burger with stuffing and brown gravy (the ultimate comfort food) 10 pts
This recipe is my 17 year old’s favorite & I just feel like making it for him (since he keeps asking) , to thank him for his incredible gesture to his father today…
Snack: sunflower seeds
Rainy Monday…
Posted on: April 30, 2013
It’s hard enough to go from a relaxed weekend, to homeschooling mother without the added gray skies and rain peering through the windows. It always makes me feel blah and lacking in energy. I did have an errand to run, so managed to get myself together despite really wanting to curl up on the couch under a blanket in my pj’s with a steaming cup of tea..
Wearing my newly thrifted sweater with a Will Smith top that I bought at TJ Maxx ages ago. Of course I managed to get dressed for my errands, but loved that I have new glasses and could be lazy about not putting in contacts…
Had to walk through the mud before taking these photos, hence my booties..
I was thinking after yesterday’s post on my lack of weight loss during strength training and decided that next week I am going to try to eat mostly protein for the next few weeks… Went shopping and bought fresh fruits and vegetables that need to be used this week.
Gratitude: I am grateful that despite my blah mood today, that Connor cooperated and worked hard on the writing unit and reading we did today! I am grateful that Connor also helped do chores of taking out trash and unloading dishwasher with a good spirit(he was stalling starting homeschooling but doesn’t know I was onto him! ) I am grateful that the rain stopped and I was able to take photos! I am grateful for phone conversation with my daughter as she is so stress free and she also told Connor she had 2oo pages to read tonight, so he knows I am not making up how important reading is in his college future…
Monday’s Food Choices
Breakfast– cleaned up and ate at 11am.. by then just grabbed a protein bar, banana & 1% milk- 7pts
Lunch- 2 celery stalks and 2 laughing cow cheese wedges ( a new favorite!) and an apple- 3 pts
Dinner– Quino, brown rice with mushrooms and onions and salad greens with feta & Ital dressing- 10 pts
Heading out to my WW Meeting this morning, so come back tomorrow and see how I did??
Totally Committed to Exercise…
Posted on: April 28, 2013
- In: animal Print | Boots | exercise | Weight Loss
- 12 Comments
The past two weeks I have committed myself to a really strong exercise program. I have a four way approach. I begin each day with a good 20 minute stretching routine. When working muscles as hard as I have been this truly makes all the difference. When I start the day off like this my muscles feel great and are ready to workout by the end of the day.. I also do these stretches before bed at night since I exercise late night. Hey, gotta do it when it works for your lifestyle… As a homeschooling mother after the kids are in bed is what works for me!
Linking up today with Visible Monday and Watch What I’m Wearing
I begin my workouts with my fluidity ballet bar 30 minute workout. The best description I can think of is that it is a combination of Yoga and Pilates. It works my entire body and other than water aerobics, is my all time favorite program that I have ever tried. Small movements create maximum effects!
I take a five minute water break and then pick up my 8lb weights and do every exercise for arms and shoulders that I could think of. I follow that up with some moves from Melt it off with Mitch where you hold the weights out in front of you and swing them back and forth, high and low. This does incredible for the abs. I also do up and down with the weights next to my sides for oblique work. This is followed by squats, as many as I can muster… Right now 30-40 and I do two sets of these, second one right before finishing with the weights. My last thing for weights is stomach crunches on edge of couch using arms with weights as well. i do crunches, flutter kicks and open and closing of legs all with weights in my hands. If I was braver I would make a video of this, but not that brave!
Finally, I mix Yoga poses throughout my day. There are so many opportunities to hold a tree or warrior pose for a few minutes. Waiting in the kitchen for my water to heat up for tea and for the tea to steep is just one example. If working with homeschooling is stressing, he goes on the trampoline and I do Yoga. Just fitting it in several times a day. If I feel like I want more after the weight workout, I frequently have a water break and do a few yoga posses..
Dear Readers, The hardest part about this routine is stepping on the scale and seeing either a gain or staying the same. I know this is normal and I am committing myself to 6 weeks of this strength training and will then switch to cardio and eventually a mix of 3 days of each… I love how strong I am feeling and my muscles crave the next workout. Remember for me this isn’t about weight loss it’s about health. I began this journey as I was pre-diabetic. I may have been thin for the majority of my life, but I have never eaten or exercised for health! Dear Reader, How do you fit in exercise? Do you prefer cardio or strength training? Have you found something you feel excited about like Zumba ? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Special Note: My youngest, Connor, newly 13 took my photos today. On some days he just points and shoots wanting to get it over with. Other days, he suggests poses or tells me to pick my chin up or down… This time he told me to stand still and took the first photo shown, then moved to my side to take the next shot! Pretty creative! My outfit is simple, my Diane Gilman purple leopard jeans, sweater from Walmart (on clearance last year for just $3), shoes thrifted and purse from Avon last year…
Sunday’s Food Choices
Breakfast- Strawberry & Banana smoothie w/yogurt & flaxseed meal (6pt breakfast)
Lunch– 2 laughing cow cheese lt. swiss wedges spread on 2 Celery & Apple ( 3pt lunch)
Snack-yogurt (4pt snack)
Dinner– Quino & brown rice & mushrooms and onions & mixed salad greens with feta & lt Ital dressing (10pt dinner)
New Glasses and White & Cream
Posted on: April 27, 2013
I’ve been loving the trend of wearing different shades of white and cream together and loved the idea of pairing my moto jacket with white skinny jeans… After all my moto is going to disappear once hot humid summers hit.
I have been wearing contacts for a few years now and haven’t wanted new glasses… Sinus issues for Spring prompted me to want some days without contacts… When I worked I wore my glasses all the time. I must say it is taking some getting use to seeing myself in glasses again…
These white skinny’s are thrifted by Cabi Jeans and I am very impressed with them… When I looked them up I found that this brand is sold via parties much like Tupperware . Pointed toed slingbacks and ruffled animal print shirt really give this outfit the feminine touches I love to mix with the moto jackets. I wasn’t sure about the snakeskin purse with what is a loosely done leopard print top mixed with florals, but seeing it in pictures, I am pleased with this choice…
Dear Readers, Have you tried mixing shades of white yet? I hope you all have an amazing weekend filled with family, friends, laughter and fun! All comments are appreciated and welcomed!
Gratitufe: I am grateful for a wonderful lunch with two dear friends that lasted 5 hours! I am grateful that we made plans to see each other again in two weeks. I am grateful that I came home and took a nap! I am grateful to my youngest for unloading the dishwasher while I was out to lunch. I am grateful that my seventeen year old is challenging himself in signing up for his senior year classes and in particular his Dual enrollment English class with Tidewater Community College. I am grateful that I found the energy to workout after my nap!
Friday’s Food Choices
Breakfast- Protein bar and 1%milk
Lunch- Salad greens with turkey & Italian dressing (Jason’s Deli salad bar)
Dinner- Just a banana & Peanut butter when I woke up
This post was written at 2 a. m… that nap was from 8pm to 11pm… tired now though and going to bed!
My Lucky Finds
Posted on: April 26, 2013
- In: shoes | Spring Outfits | Thrift store finds | Weight Loss | Yellow
- 5 Comments
Today’s Lucky Finds are a combination of things bought at retail , online , Ebay and thrifting…
Beginning with these Liz Cliaborne slim pants purchased via JC Penney. I have been mourning the loss of yellow shorts and skirt that I had last year that no longer fit me due to the weight loss.
Loft dress via Ebay- I have the perfect green sweater and slingbacks to go with this dress in the color of the season!
Love this color and the slimming effect from the middle panel in this top found at BJ’s for just $12.99. The sides are knit for a perfect fit to your body!!!
Also found at BJ’s for just $19.99 and what I plan to wear for my daughter’s college graduation next weekend!
Aerosoles ballet flats to replace my current metallics that are several years old..
Also Aerosoles this time floral wedges!
Thrifted cable knit sweater by Merona via Goodwill
Also by Merona and thrifted at Goodwill
Summer hat via Goodwill and Yellow scarf found at BJ’s
Yellow purse I’ve been searching for and finally found at Goodwill
Dear Readers, I am pretty set for Spring with these purchases, but still need to fill in some holes with a few pairs of Bermuda shorts… Are there any holes you need to fill for the warmer seasons? Come back tomorrow to see pictures of me in my new eyewear. I have both glasses and prescription sunglasses to debut!
Gratitude: I am grateful to have new glasses as I have been wearing contacts a lot ,but some days when it’s sinus season (like now) I’d prefer glasses… I am grateful that Connor finally wrote his ten sentences today, once I bribed him with Peanut M& M ‘s.. I am grateful that Tom had a short break today and came home and did a few more tiles in the bathroom…I am grateful for a lunch that I will be having today with dear friends…
Thursday’s Food Choices
Breakfast– Tropical Fruit Smoothie w/ yogurt & flax seed
Lunch- 1 slice WhiteWheat Bread, Peanut butter, bannana
Dinner– Baked potato w/ cheddar cheese
Spring for a Day!
Posted on: April 25, 2013
Today (Wednesday), a warm front moved in and brought high’s of 78 degrees! It’s only lasting one day and back to the 50’s again… I woke up to a friend texting me to go thrifting and jumped out of bed and put this together!
Linking up today with The Tiny Heart – petite fashion blog
I knew I was going to take advantage of the warmth by wearing a skirt…. This thrifted jean skirt is one I wore winterized before with burgundy moto jacket and boots…
This shirt was purchased last year via Chadwicks and I loved it so much I purchased it in a cobalt blue as well…
I love the rosette detailing.
Wednesday at Salvation Army is half off clothing day, so we headed there today instead of our typical Tuesday’s at Goodwill.. We both missed the WW meeting so made up for our weekly thrifting trip today! I already have this week’s Lucky find post together, so next week will show my score!
Dear Readers, I hope you are having a great week.. I picked up my new glasses after thrifting… I will feature them sometime next week…I have to get use to myself in glasses again as I have been wearing contacts these days….All comments are welcomed and appreciated.. I truly love hearing from my dear readers!
Gratitude: I am grateful for my thrifting trip today… I am grateful that my husband was home while I went out and helped Connor do the homeschooking assignment I had left for him. I am grateful that Friday two dear friends I haven’t seen in awhile are joining me for lunch. I am grateful for a wonderful phone conversation with my daughter and am so looking forward to her graduation Mother’s Day weekend!!!
Wednesday’s Food Choices
Breakfast– whipped up a Tropical Fruit smoothie to go thrifting
Lunch– Banana & PB and Yogurt w/ green tea
Dinner– Stuffed Chicken breast w/ fresh spinach, feta and Ital seasoning (YUUUM!)
Snack; Grapes and Newton Thins
- In: Green | Mom On the Go | Petite | pink | skinny jeans | Spring Outfits
- 6 Comments
As I sit writing this post, I am using my new LG Lucid2 cell phone, my first smartphone… I know I am a little late to the party…I am listening to music I have downloaded specifically Bon Jovi’s “Have a NiceDay”….
The song epitomizes my attitude towards these cold temperatures threatening to ruin Spring… So I answer back with brights, Green and Pink!!! These colors remind me of Izod and the preppy vibe!
The stripes on this jacket look strange in the pictures, but this close-up shows them nicely.. This jacket is from Chadwicks and like most purchases was a clearance buy last year in preparation for my weight loss. The necklace is glass beads that I purchased last year at Steinmart. My pink sunglasses were purchased on my Grand Cayman Vacation in February and answer my desire to embrace the statement sunglasses trend for Spring and Summer. Would love a pair in turquoise in the future…
I so love my pink ballet flats by Aerosoles and the added femininity of the flower…I believe I achieved my goal to say “Have a Nice Day” to the cold temperatures and embrace the vibe of Spring! Can you believe we are getting one day near 80 degrees on Wednesday, then back to the 50’s on Thursday?????
I missed my Weight Watcher meeting today… Quite frankly I needed sleep more than I needed to weigh in… I have been working out hard and dealing with some stress and succeeded in making up for the much needed rest.. I didn’t wake up until almost 11am!!!
Dear Readers, I hope you are all having a great week and thanks for stopping by! I hope to have brightened your day! Do you ever use music or fashion to brighten your day? For me there is nothing better than an impulsive solitary dance party or great colors in fashion to answer back to life’s stresses.
Gratitude: I am grateful to have my new smartphone and the fun I am having finding music that has meant so much to my life. I am grateful that long ago I embraced the philosophy of “putting my own oxygen mask on first” and that I chose sleep over my WW meeting today… I am grateful to my husband for working so hard to get the bathroom finished before our daughter comes home.
Tuesday’s Food Choices
Breakfast– Protein Bar and 1% milk
Lunch- laughing cow cheese & grapes ( more like a late afternoon snack with my sleeping in…)
Dinner: Chicken w/ sauteeed Onions and zuchini baked with cherry tomaotes, olive oil, ital seasoning & mozz cheese
Feeling like Winter!!!
Posted on: April 23, 2013
- In: Brown | Mom On the Go | Winter Coats
- 2 Comments
Well, I had to break out a coat today! This is crazy how much our temperatures can change.. It was in the mid 40’s but with the winds they were saying it felt like 40 degrees..
Hence my windswept hair!
This is my lovely hounds-tooth jacket purchased from Burlington Coat Factory and it was perfect to cut the wind and a hood for protection against the rain.
Without my coat, I was sporting my green bomber jacket purchased via ebay and a shirt purchased last spring from Chadwicks. It still fits from the weight loss, but without my larger chest size, it droops to far down so added a half camisole from Walmart. They are sold in the bra department and come in groups of 3 colors with or without the lace detail for just $9.99 I have these Denim & Co heathered pants in three colors, the brown here, grey and blue. Since I shop clearance a lot these are no longer available. I fit them much better now than when I first wore them..
I lucked out today and was able to take photos at the library, since I took my friend’s daughter there for her library class. Having a covered walkway was a blessing in the rain… I am exhausted from a long day babysitting my friend’s almost 7 year old…
Dear Readers are you experiencing these cold winter temperatures? Are you as unhappy about it as I am? I really can’t stand being cold!
Come back tomorrow for my Weigh In results and hopefully I won’t be as tired !
Gratitude: I am grateful for getting an opportunity to see a dear friend and support her while her life continues into crazy world! I am grateful that I figured out that doing Yoga stretches before getting out of bed, makes for a better pain free day after intense night time exercise. I am grateful that my husband is having an early night and is on his way to rescue me from figuring out dinner!
Monday’s Food Choices….
Breakfast– Protein bar and 1 % milk
Lunch- 2 Feta & veggie frittatas & apple w/ green tea
Dinner: Meatball sub as there is leftovers from the guys last night!
Dressing My Truth!!!!
Posted on: April 21, 2013
- In: Boots
- 12 Comments
So, what to do when the weather switches from the 60’s and 70’s back down to the 50’s?
Linking up with Visible Monday and Watch What I am Wearing
If you are me, You head for those favorite navy boots and a skirt! Not going to let this weather get me down, gonna answer back with all the spunk as sass in my arsenal!
I love the classics of this Jones New York kick-pleat skirt and am thrilled that although the scale may not be moving,my exercising is making a difference and I can now wear this size 4 that I thought would wait until goal next fall! I think I am going to hem this shirt to work better for my petite height….
As I was putting on make-up and doing my hair, wearing this outfit, my wonderful ADD brain went to wander. I thought about how much I love these classic pieces and lady-like skirts, which triggered my brain back to childhood. You see my mother was frequently telling me my behavior was unladylike. She grew up in a privileged life and went to private schools and had a driver. A daughter who did cartwheels and loved to spin in circles to twirl out her dresses was a shock to her system. I do love that she embraced me and just insisted I wore shorts under my dresses and encouraged me to twirl and do cartwheels! She realized it kept me from being bored and I could entertain myself… During my teen years the “un-lady-like” phrase came up again as I still loved my skirts and dresses, but switched to jeans and began playing touch football with the neighborhood boys and girls… She hated that I was playing a physical game with the boys, but they really didn’t do anything inappropriate and it was about the game….I can hear my sassy retort “What is so great about being lady-like!” I was blessed that even though it went against my mother’s views and made her question me, that she never really stopped me and allowed me to be myself and actually learned to embrace and support those things! 
I think this is all coming up since I found DRESSING YOUR TRUTH and began to recognize that I do have that blend of feminine/masculine or ying/yang as part of my personality and that it very much carries over into my personal style. As much as I love this classic skirt, it wouldn’t work for me without the moto jacket and boots.
Dear Readers, I highly recommend checking this out and can’t say enough how much of a difference discovering my truth has had to boost me to higher levels of self love and acceptance. I’ve always had those qualities and never been someone to beat myself up, but am thrilled at a new understanding and acceptance of myself that this information opened up for me….I’ve mention this before, but since it came back up again today, thought I needed to share it again.. Please remember there is no compensation for me and in fact they don’t even know I am recommending this.
Gratitude: I am grateful to my husband and two youngest boys because when I found the mess they made late night in my kitchen, and complained to my husband he responded by gathering them to knock it out. I am grateful for a great start to my day of feeling loved and valued by them pitching in and sparing me from what would have been 45 minutes of cleaning! I am grateful for the clearing of the clouds and the sunshine! I am grateful for cooler temps and an opportunity to wear my navy boots!
Sunday’s Meal Plan
I had a late night and woke up late so really had brunch instead of breakfast….
Brunch– 2 Feta & Vegetable Frittatas , grapes and green tea
Snack– PB and celery
Dinner– Grilled chicken with squash and tomato casserole
Dessert– yogurt
Under points for the day by 6….
Red, Black & White
Posted on: April 20, 2013
Love this color combo and this Mom on the Go formula of a skirt, top and ballet flats, works every time!
So happy to have thrifted this black Loft skirt , as with the weight loss, I have been really missing this basic. Have to note that I love that the top three buttons work, but the remainder of the skirt is sewed down, so none of that gaping that can happen with button down skirts!
It was a windy day , Friday and ended the evening with rain and cooler temperatures for Saturday…
Just wanted to note that I added this long tassel necklace that I picked up from Burlington Coat Factory to help elongate and change up the square lines created in this top and skirt. I could have added a belt or scarf for other options to break up that silhouette. Would also like to note that if you are lucky enough to live near a Burlington Coat Factory and haven’t thought of them for jewelry, they are a great resource with prices similar or less than Forever 21 and quite often I can find necklaces ranging from $5.99 to $ones like this which was #12.99.
We had a great day for Connor’s 13th b’day and took him shopping at Kohl’s for some shorts and tops… He really loves the Tony Hawk brand and found 3 shirts and 2 pairs of shorts. Later we went to Chik Fil A for dinner, his choice. I honestly think he chose it to support my weight loss as he knew my points for the day and wanted to ensure I could have a small bit of his cake… He is so thoughtful that way and very in-tune with other peoples needs. We ended the night with the new Tom Cruise movie Oblivion, and I have to say it was a great movie and we all enjoyed it… Doesn’t always happen when my two boys, husband and I pick a movie…
Dear Readers, I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and at peace that the fiasco in Boston ended in an arrest. We must remember that there are so many victims still suffering the loss of limbs and the new life they must now face. I continue to pray for them.
In other more personal new, I have really embraced working out these past two weeks and love the intense focused strength training. I will add back in cardio after a good six weeks on my current routine. It is tough. but I love it and the feeling in my muscles. It isn’t just about weight loss it is about being in great shape! Do you like strength training with weights, Pilates or yoga? I am doing a combination of all three. Or do you embrace Cardio? , although a necessity harder for me to embrace. Or are you good at combining them both? Or do you need to do start to exercise?
Gratitude: I am grateful that my husband got off work early last night and was able to join us for the birthday celebrations and the movie instead of putting of the movie until today when he would be able to join us. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of Boston and Federal law enforcement. I am grateful for quality time with my guys! I am grateful that everyone is still asleep (except my husband who is at work) and for the quiet time to put this blog post together.
Saturday’s Meal Plan
Breakfast– 2 feta & veggie frittatas , grapes and green tea
Lunch: Strawberry banana smoothie
Dinner; Caprese Salad and squash & tomato & italian seasoning casserole w green tea
Dessert: yogurt
Versatile Style by Tracey 