FASHION FIND FRIDAYS 7/30/2010

And we are back in business....

Here are some of the latest finds....

Forgive the pictures...but the first find is the brown skirt.
Bought at of course Target....
Sadly I lost the tag, so I dont totally recall how much it was but I know it was around $3 originally $19.99


As a side note, because I know I will get flack from some of you, I DID get rid of the shirt I am wearing. Yes I was aware that it was too big and was not flattering to my body. So bye bye shirt and HELLO cute skirt! So comfy too! I am wearing it right now as I type this.

And for the next buy...This one was out of my comfort zone and trying to find a good excuse to wear it! I am also experimenting with different shirts to wear with it. Your opinion of cute colors or shirt style would be appreciated. Please no comments if you dont like it...SISSY! ;)


The black skirt has some cute pleating or ruffling at the top of it, so I am assuming it is meant to be worn with a shirt tucked into it. I am thinking either a cute button down top or something a little less form fitting than this white one. Any ideas?

Same story, lost the tag, but it cost the same about $3 and originally cost $24.99. So I must say it was quite a deal.

And for some shoes....
These babies from Target as well were $10 and I loved them so much that I also bought them in white.




I will have to add more pictures of these outfits later because they are all really cute!

So that is it for this weeks addition to FASHION FIND FRIDAYS!

NOT ME MONDAY

Oh the things I refuse to admit that I did this week!

First off, for the past month I have NOT noticed this ever growing spider web in my bottom drawer of my dresser with all of my shirts. I did NOT keep destroying the web only to see it begin to grow again and again. And no yesterday I did NOT finally decide to ask my mom if it was a black widow web....and no she did NOT say it was indeed a black widow web. And no she did NOT proceed to find the very culprit...the widow crawling around my shirts!

At this point, I did NOT scream and jump on my bed like a little baby. I did NOT curl up my hands and toes and scream even louder as it began to crawl around as it was being killed. I did NOT cry....ok I did NOT start sobbing because I was so scared! Once it was dead, I did NOT make my mom carry out my drawer out of my room and no it is NOT sitting out in our living room.

Also, I did NOT call my mom last night in the middle of the night because I was too scared to get out of bed, for fear the widow might come back, and make her assure me that it was dead.

NOPE NOT ME!

Also, in attempt to watch one of the best shows on the planet (see picture below) I do NOT pretend to use our "at home theater system."

Let me explain what our "home theater system" does NOT look like....

This is NOT our DVD player....

This is NOT our "big screen."

This is NOT our "viewing platform."

And no, this is NOT our complete home theater system.

As a note: We do have a bigger TV but the DVD player does not work, so we opt in for "home theater system" viewing pleasure.

OK, your turn to deny it all!!!!!!

PALM SPRINGS VACAY!

I wanted to take a vacation so I asked my mom who did not hesitate one bit
So to the Spa Resort Casino, we went



On one Wednesday Night the girl and her mom went....
On a vacation to Palm Springs that must have been heaven sent...

We went to the dinner buffet for many good eats...
To my surprise they had Sugar Free treats...


Then to the Casino for free play...
Ended $30 ahead HOORAY...

The next day was hot, but quite grand...
I decided to discover the land...



I knew I needed coffee but it was no easy task...
But I needed it now and I needed it fast...


I saw one...then I saw two...
But I had not a clue what to do...



Then I thought "oh this is it!" ...
Better yet, it matched my outfit!


The coffee and walking was quite fun...
I knew this day had just begun...

Off to the day spa, what a delight....
White robe and no make up, what a sight...

Sugar scrub, massage, saunas good grief...
My body said "thank you" what a relief...


Then out to the pool to get a tan...
To the room to sit under the fan...



The night life began so out to say hi...
Little did I know it would be Christmas in July...



I saw many things small and big...
But cutest of the night was this little black pig...


The end of the night deserved an applause...
But was made complete with the appearance of Santa Claus...


I had a great time even though it was hot...
But I must say....What a great vacation spot!


***FUNNY STORY: During my sugar scrub and massage I got the giggles. I was thinking..."oh no, I cant have sugar." "Maybe they should invent a splenda massage for people like me!" I dont know why it gave me the giggles, but I could hardly relax because of it.

ALSO, I decided to take a Yoga class while I was there. I also got the giggles there too. Why? Because the guy was tying to make us relax my repeating this mantra.
"Relax your toes...your toes are relaxing...relax your toes." And he kept this up for the following body parts....

• legs
• hips
• booty
• torso
• chest
• arms
• fingers
• neck
• head
• whole body

I was thinking....COME ON!!!!! I GET IT ALREADY!!!!

All in all we had a great time, but as you can see, were sad to leave!

EXTRA WHAT?!??!?!

OK OK OK, so I have been enjoying this guessing game on Facebook probably more than you guys, but it is about time to tell you what I have 41 extra of!

I guess it is time for me to reveal what it is....but first I wanna highlight on my favorite guesses.

Heather N-41 inches of extra skin! (COME ON!!! that is like 3 1/2 feet. I do have extra skin, but not as much to make a dress for your four year old. SHEESH!)

Melanie T- 41 extra numbers on the dial of a scale I will never need again (that is such a good one! I only wish I were so clever!)

Audrey N- 41 extra gift certificates to See's Candy I am not going to use. (Who are you kidding....I would have used those on a pre-surgery binge! It is not like me to forget something so valuable)

Ok, so what you have waited for!

After cleaning my room and getting rid of many many many items of clothing....I have 41 extra

COAT HANGERS

***SIDE NOTE: I would have many many many more, but I just scored huge from my friends Jackie and Kamar for new clothes...I got straight hooked up! (enter ghetto voice there)

NOT ME MONDAY!!!!

Oh man do I have a list of things I totally did NOT do this past week. I have been a bit rusty, but boy oh boy do I have a lot to share.

For instance, I certainly did NOT want to see what my hair would look curly. I totally did NOT wash my hair at night and put curlers in my hair, cover it with a shower cap and go to bed. I did NOT lose sleep because the curlers were poking my head and no I did NOT have scrapes on my scalp and bruises from them. And of course my hair was NOT still wet in the morning and no it was NOT straight when I removed the curlers. :( Twas NOT a sad sad waste of time!

Also this week, I did NOT let my sister sucker me in to watching a youtube video on tonsil stones. If you have no idea what those are, save yourself and avoid googling it! And no, I did NOT literally gag and come so close to tossing my cookies....well in my case SF cookies! I really do NOT fall under peer pressure like that and totally do NOT have a weak stomach.

I did NOT have a "blast from the past" moment and look up some funny fave youtube videos...NOT to name a few: Saturday Night Lives Penelope ...."umm so I guess that makes me better than you", and Dane Cook Koolaid "I dont like when juice wears tights." NOPE totally had more things to do than spend time laughing hysterically at youtube.

While hanging out with a friend yesterday, I did NOT see Twilight's Eclipse. To make matters worse, I did NOT cut it extremely close to make it to church on time. No way, I did NOT spend 2 whole hours admiring the abs of a 16 year old boy. I am way more mature and would NOT really enjoy the entertainment the movie brought.

While on my way to the gym, I did NOT forget to bring my shower flip flops. I did NOT have to go to Walgreens to buy some cheap ones. I want my body to be considered athletic not just my feet....Athletes Feet is a no go for me:)

And finally, in order to remember all of these funny stories, I did NOT have to text myself to remember them all. I have more important things to do than plan and laugh at all of the ridiculous things I certainly would NOT admit this week!

Ok your turn....anything you will NOT admit to these readers????

Enjoy your night;)

Fantastic Food Find Friday

Blogging Service Announcement:

Due to budget issues, fashion find fridays will not be occurring week. Yours truly has found some fashionable finds all week that existed in her closet. :) BUT I am here to announce a "special friday edition" of Fantastic Food Friday.

Because I had no money to buy new clothes this week, I spent some time in the kitchen. If you know anything about me....I am not a good cook. I can bake (which is virtually pointless since I cant eat sugar) but cooking is not my specialty. But, I would like to share with you some of my new food finds this week.

This week, a coworker brought in a ton of apples from her tree. I love apples, but because of my jaw, I cant really eat them raw. I decided to try to find a recipe for Sugar Free Apple Crisp. I figured that it cant really be that hard.

Sugar Free Apple Crisp

3 medium baking apples, cored, sliced thin
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp Splenda
2 Tbsp flour


Topping:
1 cup quick oats
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup Splenda
2 Tbsp heart-healthy margarine

Directions

Mix first four ingredients and place into 9-inch (square or round) baking dish.
In small bowl, mix Topping ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over the apples.
Bake at 325 degrees until apples are soft and topping is golden brown (about 30 minutes).
Number of Servings: 9

I decided to double the topping because I really like the crisp on top.

My consensus with the apple crisp is that it was good. It continued to get better as it sat in the refrigerator. The cinnamon and the splenda really could be tasted as the days went on. My only complaint is that it was a bit dry and that it is all gone. I wanted to make the apples a bit "saucy" and they were kinda dry. Next time, I will try to add something to make it a bit more "soupy" for lack of a better word.

Here are some of the pictures:

The apples I used. I was going to use plums too, but they were too mushy.

Putting cinnamon and sugar on them.


In the pan without the crisp on top. (see how it is not soupy?)

Making the crisp. It was SO GOOD!

All put together and baking.

I also ventured into actually cooking a good dinner for myself. I worked out super hard at the gym this evening and was not hungry for a little while after. By the time I was hungry, my mom had already eaten....meaning I was on my own for dinner. :) I decided to make some pasta, veggies and turkey meatballs. Super simple meal, but so yummy, not to mention really healthy.

Since we are all in the battle to be healthy, I thought I would share this one with you.

Yummy Pasta Dish:)
I think it is called pasta primavera....maybe:)

I used turkey meatballs from Fresh and Easy and followed the baking directions for the back of the bag. I baked them at 375 for 14 minutes

While this was cooking, I boiled the water to make angel hair pasta. I really like this brand because it is high in fiber and protein. How, I have not a clue, but it tastes the same as regular pasta.

To make the "sauce."
I picked tomatoes and broccoli to put in it. I cut up fresh tomatoes (still cold) and steamed broccoli.
Combine your selected veggies with the following and let sit while pasta is cooking to allow flavor to soak in.
1 Tbsp of butter
1/4 Parmesan Cheese
1-2 Tbsp (depending on preference) Garlic
A pinch of salt and pepper to taste


Once meatballs and pasta are finished, slice up meatballs and combine all ingredients.

Serve it up and enjoy:)

Again, super simple pasta recipe, but if you are anything like me, I NEED ideas!

Enjoy making these easy, yet super yummy recipes!

No Exception to the Rule

Being over six months post op and 115 pounds down, I have realized many things.....But, this one is the biggest ones....

I am so exception to the rule and need encouragement sometimes!

What do I mean by this?

They say: "There will be hairloss."
I say: "Maybe not me....probably not me."
The Truth: THERE WILL BE HAIRLOSS! I started losing just a little at a time and even now that I have cut my hair off, the hairloss has not stopped! It still comes out a ton...enough that I need to clean out my hairbrush every other day. I am no exception, and boy does hairloss suck! I mean really, wow it is scary to have your hair come out in chunks with every time you brush it or run your fingers through it.

They say: "At six months you will begin to have an appetite and be able to eat more."
I say: "uhhh I cant even think about food or eating more than one bite" (post surgery)
The Truth: YES, you can eat more and yes food starts to taste good again! Of course, before surgery I could eat an entire box of Ricearoni or Scalloped potatoes and chicken strips, immediately post op, I could only eat 3 bites of food, now have upgraded to being able to eat about 3/4 cup of denser protein rich food.

I know that 3/4 cup of food really is not that much, but it is scary to know that I can tolerate more food. I have to be extremely careful as to what I am putting in my body! Since I can eat more, I really need to follow the rules of eating protein first, then veggies, then the carbs. Initially I cut out carbs completely, until the dietitian told me I need to eat more carbs for my brain health. It has been a challenge to not overdo the carbs though.

They say: "It is completely normal to have a stall/plateau, but you will start to lose again,"
I say: "There is no way I will plateau! I go to the gym and eat healthy."
The Truth: You will have a stall or a plateau. Yeah, I still work out at the gym and still eat healthy, but the reality of it is that I have been losing 20 pounds per month for the last 6 months. It has to slow down eventually....and it is beginning to.

Honestly, it scared the heck out of me and was a bit discouraging! To go a whole week and only lose 2 pounds was scary, but I had to think about why this could be the case. Well, I am able to eat more food, so I need to be more careful. I was not at the gym as often as I wanted to be. Plus, the thinner I get, it is harder to lose weight.

So how did I fix that? I signed up for another day a week of personal training. I need that extra push and accountability. I threw out my SF icecream I had to make smoothies with. Though the SF icecream was low in calories and fat, it still had empty calories. So bye bye icecream. Truthfully, I am not sad to see it go. I know that I need to do this for me!

How do I remedy the fact that I love food? I am still working on that part because I do love food. I am a bored eater and a group eater. If people are eating/snacking....I will eat/snack. It is time to continue to break that habit.

The best advice I can give anyone who has had Gastric Bypass, Lap Band, or is just trying to lose weight....Be inward focused! Why do you eat the food you eat? What emotions trigger eating? Food for so many people is a comfort. For me, food was the only constant in my life. It was something that I knew would always be there for me when my life was not always going right. I have to break that habit and know that food is something that has been given to me to fuel my body.

I know that I must realize that Gastric Bypass or any modified eating was never meant to be a quick fix. It is NOT a sprint to the finish line, but a lifelong marathon.

And this is one marathon that I know I will WIN!!!

Do not lose hope, you can do it! I can do it!

Sure, I am no exception to the rule but I am doing something about losing weight.

Will you continue to join me in this journey of health?


What are you doing to stay healthy?

Please share and encourage one another!

Because I need the encouragement too! :)

NOT ME MONDAY!!!

This post could be titled many things this week.....

Here are some of the alternate titles....

Denials of a Frugal Eater

I certainly did NOT go out to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen with a friend this past weekend and we did NOT eat extremely frugally. No, our bill for 2 certainly was NOT $9.33 and no I was NOT full and she was NOT satisfied. No way, we totally ate more than that! Furthermore, our waitress was extremely supportive of our frugal habits and did NOT look at us quite oddly when we ordered. I promise miss waitress, we DO eat!

Denials of Retail Therapy

I most definitely did NOT do some retail therapy after some frustrating news at the doctor. I certainly did NOT contribute to my eyeshadow and lip gloss collection at Sephora, nor did I contribute to my Bath and Body Works Collection. I did NOT buy an anti wrinkle micro-dermabrasion scrub or lotion....and my bedroom certainly does NOT smell like a lavender bush blew up in my room!

A Near Miss

This evening while getting ready for bed, I certainly did NOT almost awkwardly kiss my mom goodnight. No, I certainly saw her coming at my to give me a goodnight kiss, and no I did NOT back away confused as to what she was doing. And no we did NOT laugh about it and reenact it about 10 more times laughing harder each time. No way, we are much more civilized in our house!

Now it is your turn....what have you tried to sheepishly deny this week? Come on, I know you have got something!!!!

Rants from a Gym Rat

Ok Ok Ok, So I have had it with a few things that occur at the gym! I thought I would share them with you and maybe you can relate to me! Please feel free to contribute to this "rant." I know that certainly I can not cover it all in this simple post. But, I am sure going to try....and probably add some more at the opportunity presents itself....

I hope you see the satire and sarcasm in it.....remember who is writing it....ME!

Here is my letter to anyone who goes to the gym...

Dear Fellow Gym Rat:


It is FINE not to bring a towel....BUT please do not leave the 2 "cheek rings" on the seat when you get up. Sure, dude, your cheeks may be nice to look at, but the ring of sweat is not too fun to look at on the place I am about to sit. It is perfectly fine to shimmy your knee across the seat to wipe it away.

It is FINE to socialize with you buddies at the gym...BUT please do not crowd my space. If I am lifting weights....I would really appreciate if you did not rest your arm on my piece of exercise equipment. And please do not think about resting your back on it either. I am pumping iron, and these arms certainly could bust a lip if you are not careful. :)

It is FINE to ride the bike...BUT if you are doing less RPM's than I did in physical therapy for my knee because you are reading Cosmo, maybe you should pick another exercise. Sure, I would totally understand if you were older or outta shape, but I just saw you run on the treadmill....so what exactly are you doing wasting your time on the bike? Just wondering.....still wondering.....

It is FINE to use the mats....BUT if you are just sitting there talking to the hot guy that works there, I would prefer you get off the mat. Don't worry, I totally am not trying to stretch now on the hard ground...and no I totally did not just slip while stretching and almost fall on my face. Yeah don't worry, I do not REALLY need the mat to stretch, please sit there and look pretty for the hot guy.

It is FINE that you push yourself....BUT if you are going to make loud noises or grimaces that only belong in a rough bathroom sesh, please think twice. Not only is it really loud, but really awkward.

It is FINE to look around the gym and scope out what is going on....BUT please don't stare at me or eye how much weight I am lifting. I dont look at you...unless you are the same person I described as grunting above.

It is FINE to flirt....BUT please don't do it at the gym. Most people want to work out and get in shape and get their sweat on...and your flipping your hair and giggling is not gonna cut it here.

It is FINE to change in the locker room...BUT please do it away from me. There plenty of room in our locker room and I don't want to be at risk of a frisk.

It is FINE to stack on the free weights on the leg press machine....BUT could you please stack them when you are finished? I am trying to work out my quads, glutes, and...well whatever the other muscles in your legs are called, not bust my back taking off the six 50 pound weights you stacked on.

And lastly....it is FINE to run on the treadmill (shoot I do it)....BUT if there is 10 treadmills open around me....please don't decided to "one up" me and run faster, breathe harder, and last longer on the treadmill RIGHT NEXT TO ME. It is just inconsiderate...and makes me feel a bit incompetent.

Thanks, A Fellow Gym Rat

Fashion Find Fridays

Happy Friday Everyone!
Well I guess technically it is almost Saturday, but regardless, I present to you my fashion finds for this week!

First up....of course....you guessed it from Target!

I have been watching these shoes for quite some time admiring how cute they are! I was waiting and waiting for them to go on sale. But, not only go on sale, but a sale price that I knew I had to snatch them up. You see, I get pretty lucky because I wear a size 11 shoes, so I usually find my size quite easily at Target. Anywhere else, a size 11 is near impossible!

So first up these floral shoes.....
Should have cost $12.99
Cost me $6.74
Saved me $6.25





Next up....from Target as well! I have also been waiting for these purple shoes to go on sale. You see, I own very few "good quality" shoes that were actually expensive. The styles come and go and so do my shoes. So....I do not mind buying a bunch of fun flats for a little bit of money. I know these purple shoes will not go with everything, but they are sure fun to wear around with a sassy black dress or jeans and a t-shirt. And, luckily they cost me the same as the shoes above.

Here is the breakdown:
Should have cost $12.99
Cost me $6.74
Saved me $6.25



Now the fun part! I actually can not take credit on this fine looking find. My mom found it at Ross and it was too short for her liking so I snatched it right up! Plus, she got a good deal on it and I am a proud daughter. I actually learned all of my frugal smart shopping from her, but I guess I can take the credit for what I find...but she gets all the credit for this dress.

Every girl needs a little black dress...and my "little" black dresses are now looking like trash bags of large nightgowns, so sadly I have had to donate them. So, it was quite a delightful sight to see that this dress not only fit, but was flattering as well. I can be paired with anything and worn anywhere.

So here is the financial breakdown:
Retails in store: $59.00
Cost: $13.99
Saved: $45.01

So that is it folks....another week, another deal!