I feel so inspired this morning. And that's on a gloomy day with a migraine...so it had to be good. I found another learning tool from my fashion ebook series, this one was a teleseminar on great clothes at budget prices. So I ordered it. It wasn't a long read, but it was really interesting. It also has a taped version of the seminar that I can download onto my iPod. I truly learned new information on setting up a budget for clothing, what quality category and store category would be best to purchase different clothing & accessories. Fascinating. I'm much clearer about how to get the best clothing for the best price and rate it according to how often this item will be worn.
The department stores were rated at the highest cost, unless the products were purchased on sale. Which makes me think about how I shop. I use a personal shopper at Nordstroms. Now I know she tries to pull sale items for me and also work within my budget range. But I'm still paying the most for my clothing across the board going this way. I knew this on some level, but now I know some alternative places to shop. It's actually doing the legwork and trusting my own judgment as to how things feel and look on me. That's a little scary.
She strongly suggested shopping from a list, which I have already made. However, I also have an appointment with Lynn at Nordstroms on Saturday to shop for my spring/summer wardrobe, a white top for the wedding and possibly a swimsuit. I have to try mine on today. Argh... Since I have nothing to work with I just want to have Lynn put it together and then buy it. All ready to go. I'll have to stay very close to my list and budget while shopping with her.
Probably the best place to start is to determine my budget and what items are investments and which ones aren't. Then how much I can spend between clothing and accessories. Then what percentage of that can go towards trendier items to update my wardrobe.
Well, I'm off to do just that!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Looking For The Good Things
It has been a rough day. I've been fighting migraines this week. I had one on Tuesday and now again today. I'm sure it's allergy related due to the weather changes this week. I feel a bit down because of it. I don't feel like I'm moving ahead. So I'm going to look for the good things that happened today.
Jasmine has stayed close to me all day, it's as if she knows I could use it. I've been able to stay on my new lifestyle diet. I will end the day at 1219 calories. I enjoyed an cinnamon raisin english muffin at lunch with cheesy eggs, which was delicious and very filling. I talked to my sister Rachel for quite a long time this afternoon. We talked about the Twilight series and have plans to watch the movie together next Friday night. I think I'm going to go ahead and buy the movie. I'm also going to let my family know that I would love to have the books as a gift idea. I looked at my recipes and made a list of dinners that I feel would be low carb and within the 300 calorie range. It felt good to have a page full of dinner options. I even found a crustless quiche recipe that I had copied but never tried. I thought that sounded good. I was blessed that Robert had plans all day today so I didn't have to try to face the tv and noise. I'm making hamburgers on the grill for dinner with petite green beans. I may try to saute the green beans in olive oil and balsamic vinegrette. Now that my girlfriend Kathi is probably done with her workout, I'm going to text and see how she's doing today.
So, all in all, it's still been a very good day. I just needed to stop and look.
Jasmine has stayed close to me all day, it's as if she knows I could use it. I've been able to stay on my new lifestyle diet. I will end the day at 1219 calories. I enjoyed an cinnamon raisin english muffin at lunch with cheesy eggs, which was delicious and very filling. I talked to my sister Rachel for quite a long time this afternoon. We talked about the Twilight series and have plans to watch the movie together next Friday night. I think I'm going to go ahead and buy the movie. I'm also going to let my family know that I would love to have the books as a gift idea. I looked at my recipes and made a list of dinners that I feel would be low carb and within the 300 calorie range. It felt good to have a page full of dinner options. I even found a crustless quiche recipe that I had copied but never tried. I thought that sounded good. I was blessed that Robert had plans all day today so I didn't have to try to face the tv and noise. I'm making hamburgers on the grill for dinner with petite green beans. I may try to saute the green beans in olive oil and balsamic vinegrette. Now that my girlfriend Kathi is probably done with her workout, I'm going to text and see how she's doing today.
So, all in all, it's still been a very good day. I just needed to stop and look.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Moving Outside of the Box
After following what has been a very restrictive diet for the past 6 years. With dramatic highs and lows, I am now going to put together a lifestyle diet. I'll be keeping my calories at 1200 for the day. I'm a little nervous about this because I don't equate this with attaining weight loss. I am in the process of putting this plan together. I will leave my breakfast alone at this point. I don't seem to have a problem there and I'm at 330 calories. That includes my full cup of 2% milk for the day and I quite often only have 2 cups of coffee.
I've focused on lunch. I want to keep around 300 calories. I've come up with 11 different options which I'm happy about. I need to focus on stocking the pantry and refrigerator with the food I need to back this up. The thing that I'm a little concerned about at this point is the number of different places I need to go to get the groceries, and the whole point is to be prepared. No more one stop shopping, I see this as a potential snafu. I've got Walmart, Caputos, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Costco and Sam's on my list. I'm hoping I can eliminate Whole Foods and find what I need at Caputos. Oh, and Jewel, where I get my salmon.
My next focus will be dinner. I want to keep around 400 calories for the meal. My guess is that I'll be looking at protein, veggies and salads. I'll be focusing on fish, chicken and a little red meat.
I'm back to menu planning and getting the food I need in the house so I can be prepared. I'm also going to pick up the food planning diary at Barnes and Noble.
I've focused on lunch. I want to keep around 300 calories. I've come up with 11 different options which I'm happy about. I need to focus on stocking the pantry and refrigerator with the food I need to back this up. The thing that I'm a little concerned about at this point is the number of different places I need to go to get the groceries, and the whole point is to be prepared. No more one stop shopping, I see this as a potential snafu. I've got Walmart, Caputos, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Costco and Sam's on my list. I'm hoping I can eliminate Whole Foods and find what I need at Caputos. Oh, and Jewel, where I get my salmon.
My next focus will be dinner. I want to keep around 400 calories for the meal. My guess is that I'll be looking at protein, veggies and salads. I'll be focusing on fish, chicken and a little red meat.
I'm back to menu planning and getting the food I need in the house so I can be prepared. I'm also going to pick up the food planning diary at Barnes and Noble.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Makeover!
Yesterday was busy and fun! I went with all 3 sisters to the Jewelry Trade Show. The Spring & Fall shows have a wider range of products and more people there. I was very clear that I was only going to buy what I loved. I found a great oblong green/brown scarf and Chanel brown sunglasses.
We all headed to Oak Brook after that to go for lunch. Rachel rode with me. She and I decided to go look at make up at MAC after lunch...which by this time was about 3:00 pm. We were there until 7:00 pm. I had a complete makeover and Rachel had her eyes done. Finally I have that old, crap makeup replaced. What a hodge podge of stuff. I was shown a daytime look and an evening look for the wedding. Now I'm set.
This morning was my facial and microdermabrasion appointment with Diane. So my face & neck are cleansed and fresh. What a mess that made out of my hair. I was red faced and wild looking the rest of the day! I might have scared people...but I just couldn't care I had things to do today.
So, I headed over to Macy's to make a return. Between mine and Mom's gift cards I was able to buy two white tops (hoping to go with that black/white skirt), black BCGC flats, Donna Karen pantyhose, a pair of Lauren pearl earrings and a MAC eyeshadow brush. The great thing is I still have money on my gift card! Now that's shopping!
Tomorrow I'm meeting up with Lyn at Nordstroms to look for the black evening dress for the wedding. I already have shoes and earrings. This is going to have to be a very versatile dress. I still don't feel like I've nailed down the white top I need to go with that skirt for the shower, so I'll probably look for that again too. I can't believe the shower is next weekend. The time is flying by!
I haven't even begun to look at my spring/summer wardrobe yet. I'd like to put together a clothing capsule to take on vacation. Robert left information out on the business conference in Las Vegas in July. I'm not sure we can swing that too. I guess we'll have to see how it goes. I don't even have a bathing suit that fits. Ugh. I need to get my eating, cardio and workouts down tight for this summer's events!
We all headed to Oak Brook after that to go for lunch. Rachel rode with me. She and I decided to go look at make up at MAC after lunch...which by this time was about 3:00 pm. We were there until 7:00 pm. I had a complete makeover and Rachel had her eyes done. Finally I have that old, crap makeup replaced. What a hodge podge of stuff. I was shown a daytime look and an evening look for the wedding. Now I'm set.
This morning was my facial and microdermabrasion appointment with Diane. So my face & neck are cleansed and fresh. What a mess that made out of my hair. I was red faced and wild looking the rest of the day! I might have scared people...but I just couldn't care I had things to do today.
So, I headed over to Macy's to make a return. Between mine and Mom's gift cards I was able to buy two white tops (hoping to go with that black/white skirt), black BCGC flats, Donna Karen pantyhose, a pair of Lauren pearl earrings and a MAC eyeshadow brush. The great thing is I still have money on my gift card! Now that's shopping!
Tomorrow I'm meeting up with Lyn at Nordstroms to look for the black evening dress for the wedding. I already have shoes and earrings. This is going to have to be a very versatile dress. I still don't feel like I've nailed down the white top I need to go with that skirt for the shower, so I'll probably look for that again too. I can't believe the shower is next weekend. The time is flying by!
I haven't even begun to look at my spring/summer wardrobe yet. I'd like to put together a clothing capsule to take on vacation. Robert left information out on the business conference in Las Vegas in July. I'm not sure we can swing that too. I guess we'll have to see how it goes. I don't even have a bathing suit that fits. Ugh. I need to get my eating, cardio and workouts down tight for this summer's events!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Spring/Summer Wardrobe
Yeah! A new season...and that means a wardrobe change! I ordered MSP through the spring season just to complete my profile wardrobe binder. Now I just need the printer hooked up to the router so I can make copies of the information. I have the catagories of clothes written out already. I just have to start trying things on to see what I can keep and what needs to be purchased. I want to do this early before the choices and sizes are gone.
I hope I can find good short sleeved t-shirts this year. Last year was a disaster in the t-shirt department. I also need to get back into shorts. I'm tired of wearing capris all summer long because I don't want to show my legs. A good tan will help too.
I've decided my basic colors for the spring/summer season are black, khaki and olive. I don't really know if olive is a good choice as a basic color, but I'm going to try it out and see. I can always change it later. I love this stuff!
I hope I can find good short sleeved t-shirts this year. Last year was a disaster in the t-shirt department. I also need to get back into shorts. I'm tired of wearing capris all summer long because I don't want to show my legs. A good tan will help too.
I've decided my basic colors for the spring/summer season are black, khaki and olive. I don't really know if olive is a good choice as a basic color, but I'm going to try it out and see. I can always change it later. I love this stuff!
Resolve...
I am frustrated with myself. I have taken myself out of the game, having done 2 very good days. Now that Derek is out I just keep getting worse as the weekend progresses. I have started to think about my spring/summer clothes, realizing some of the clothes are going to be too big. But concerned as I'm heading up the scale right now with summer coming. I think I may need to get an underwear pic taken as my bathing suit is going to be too big. Good problem I guess. Not looking forward to trying to find a new one.
I am back at the same 15 lbs to lose that I was when I started on December 31. What does that tell me? I'm going down and back up again. I can do this. I've done it before. However, I need to be losing consistently and that area has been really lacking since the first of March. The first of March was Derek's first visit of the year...and I've never recovered. Now it's the first of April, Derek is back out and I'm still not moving forward. Maybe Dick was right, start on Monday if I don't think I can make it through the weekend. It wasn't exactly my best week to start. Regardless, I am going to have to deal with Derek's visit at other times.
I need to recommit to my workouts, cardio and food plan. I need to be continuing on my countdown. The wedding will be here in about 8 weeks...I still have time to get the weight down farther. I need to make my first goal of 114 lbs. Easter is next weekend and should be no problem. I'm having it here and I'm serving turkey. I'm going to ask Mom & Kathy to bring healthier food too.
I'm thinking of a 14 day run starting Monday. I can realistically commit to 4 days of cardio. I can do it on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Anything over that is bonus. My 1000 calorie food plan will be:
Breakfast: Myoplex, lite yogurt
Lunch: Tuna salad, mozzerella cheesestick
Snack: Myoplex
Dinner: Blackened orange roughy, broccoli or green beans
Snack: 1/2 South Beach meal bar
Coffee: 1 c. 2% milk
That covers it. I start on Monday.
I am back at the same 15 lbs to lose that I was when I started on December 31. What does that tell me? I'm going down and back up again. I can do this. I've done it before. However, I need to be losing consistently and that area has been really lacking since the first of March. The first of March was Derek's first visit of the year...and I've never recovered. Now it's the first of April, Derek is back out and I'm still not moving forward. Maybe Dick was right, start on Monday if I don't think I can make it through the weekend. It wasn't exactly my best week to start. Regardless, I am going to have to deal with Derek's visit at other times.
I need to recommit to my workouts, cardio and food plan. I need to be continuing on my countdown. The wedding will be here in about 8 weeks...I still have time to get the weight down farther. I need to make my first goal of 114 lbs. Easter is next weekend and should be no problem. I'm having it here and I'm serving turkey. I'm going to ask Mom & Kathy to bring healthier food too.
I'm thinking of a 14 day run starting Monday. I can realistically commit to 4 days of cardio. I can do it on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Anything over that is bonus. My 1000 calorie food plan will be:
Breakfast: Myoplex, lite yogurt
Lunch: Tuna salad, mozzerella cheesestick
Snack: Myoplex
Dinner: Blackened orange roughy, broccoli or green beans
Snack: 1/2 South Beach meal bar
Coffee: 1 c. 2% milk
That covers it. I start on Monday.
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