January 15, 2011

Belated Fabulous Friday- Fashion and Other Late Night Ramblings


It is very late here as I type this. Either that or very early. I'm so deliriously tired that I can't decide. I was having a good sleep until a bad dream and the smell of ham and beans woke me up. Apparently it was not a brilliant idea to start the slow cooker before I went to bed so that my guy would have a hearty lunch. Hmm. I'll make a note of that. Also I have a cat curled up by my side, one curled up on my legs and a golden retriever with her 20lb head laying on my feet. I'm not completely comfortable but I can't quite make myself disturb them. You pet lovers will understand. The rest of you, not so much.


I want to thank you all for advice on our trip. I love research and fact gathering and planning and making lists. I'm a total geek about it. Thank you all for enabling me. Emma is as bad as I am. I will have to share her Paris list I found in my knitting journal. She has started her independent research project on Paris for school. It is supposed to be due in May. She is so enthusiastic that I'm pretty sure it will be finished by the end of January. Maybe sooner. They only want 4 pages for crying out loud and I'm pretty sure she is prepared to give them about 20.

In other news, I find myself thinking quite a bit about about fashion lately. A combination, I think, of dreams of foreign travel to the land of stylish women and my new commitment to losing 15-20lbs. I joined Weight Watchers online early this week and have started working out again. Why is it so hard to carve out the time to take care of ourselves? I'm determined to do it. This Spring I am going through my closet and getting rid of anything that doesn't fit or look right on me. That is a pretty big incentive as I will not have much left if I don't get on the ball. I've also decided to start a fashion journal to inspire me and help me pinpoint my style. I'll be sharing that as time goes on.



Disclaimer: The skinny legs in these photographs do not belong to me. Nor will any skinny legs appearing in any picture on my blog ever belong to me. I'm okay with that. Just keeping it real.

21 comments:

  1. I too am up. Dang hormones or lack of rather! I cleaned out a couple of drawers and then decided enough of that for tonight/ morning. I am pitching like crazy and hoping to get all the closets done over the weekend. How is it I do this every season and then the next there is still more to pitch.
    I am trying to lose 20 lbs also. I hate it but I want to feel better. I already have the outfit planned for when I hit my goal!
    You will love Paris I only got to be there for a weekend. We stayed with my nephew in Switzerland ad then took a long weekend to Paris and one to Venice. I want to go back and hit the countryside flea markets and the Palace of Versailles. We seriously walked all day every day. I lost 8 pounds! Take good shoes, and forget the cute heels! I had to buy a pair of good sandals b/c I had flip flops and was dying after the first weekend.
    Have a great weekend... catch a nap!

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  2. Hi Jen~
    I can't tell you how many times I have done the slow cooker....hearty soup thing and woke up to the smell. Good smell just not sleep inducing. Jeff tells me to WAKE him up when I can't sleep....try that next time....I am sure Jim would love it. After all....isn't the city of romance on your mind??? OUI OUI??? I am so excited for you guys.....it will be so much fun.
    XO~Hope

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  3. I so understand you sleeping arrangement. I awoke with my dogs wet nose in my face trying to figure out if I was really sleeping. I actually think he does this to check my breathing....

    I love your daughter is excited and researching her trip to Paris. What fun you will all have. I look forward to following your planning adventures.

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  4. hello...new to your blog and i love it!
    paris is a little dream of mine...made it to france and had a small slice of it...very lovely.
    i also loved your "skinny legs" disclaimer.
    xo

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  5. i am a planner too. i would have so many books lying around that i would never be able to narrow it down. that's how i am. you are going to have so much fun.

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  6. skinny leg photographs...you are too funny!!
    how exciting for you to be planning such a dream!
    yay!
    ps--my legs aren't skinny either. i would love to have skinny jeans tucked into hunters however i have the largest calves. ever. on the planet. the end.

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  7. Hi Jen! I didn't know you guys were planning to go to Paris!! How exciting!!
    I couldn't sleep last night, myself. My stomach was bothering me though, and I just didn't feel very well. Early to bed tonight, I hope.
    Good luck on your weight loss! I am trying to lose weight myself. I always gain 10 lbs or so during the winter, and like to take them off before summer time. I have been having a hard time getting myself in gear.I just need to knuckle down and do it!!
    Hope you have a great weekend!
    Beth.

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  8. That last photo? With the trench and the Hunters and the striped T and the flower pin? Oh, I adore it. I would so wear that!! Dang. I wanna shop now.

    Also - J!!! I'm so proud of your WW and WO. I meant to tell you that in an email, but I am totally lame and my inbox so quickly gets away from me. Your pretty face smiles at me daily from my fridge and you are going to be BEAUTIFUL in the glow of Gay Paree!

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  9. I see wellies in your future this spring. That is all. Over and out.

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  10. You are so lucky to be planning a trip like that! Good luck with your fitness plans, I should join you. I totally agree with not disturbing the pets, I am uncomfortable a lot!

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  11. My son woke me up at 6 AM today-slamming doors & stomping around getting read to leave for his science olympiad. Ugh. I did manage to fall back asleep. I was up all night with mightmares-I assume from the body wrap detox. I too started this week working out again, watching my calorie intake & with these body wraps. I'm down 3 pounds, so I need to keep it up. Good luck to you on your weight loss as well!

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  12. Ok, thanks for mentioning that the skinny legs aren't you. I couldn't understand the need to lose weight. ;) P.S. Ham and beans are my favorite!

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  13. I'm loving the middle photo...I am having a minor obsession with anything magenta at the moment. (Should read up and find out what that means in colour therapy) I want to make it my signature colour, walk the streets and people say "that must be Tanya down the block there, I can tell by the colour"
    I have also fallen for the folley of a slowcooker overnight.
    I am trying to loose 15kg.

    I love reading the comments as much as the answers and smiled as everyone seems to be so connected with what you are saying. It's nice to know you are not alone, especially in the middle of the night. ;)

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  14. Hahaha. Thanks for the confession of the skinny legs.I wish more people would get real!

    smiLes
    LiBBy

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  15. I've been a long time admirer of your blog. I totally relate to this! Ive been thinking of joining WW again for like the millionth time. And I long for Paris, it's our goal to go when our kids are in high school. So exciting to read of your adventure! I love lists too, totally geek out on that:)

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  16. hi jen,

    i am noticing little changes in your blog layout and i like them very much.

    good for you joining weight watchers. i've gained about 10 lbs since summertime and that ain't good. last spring i did lose 18 by making "small changes." hopefully that will work again. now if i could just stay away from that very berry coffee cake at starbucks ...

    happy weekend!

    xo
    elyse

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  17. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I have been totally thinking the same about fashion and losing weight. I first need to purge my closet {realized a girl doesn't really need 7 different black sweaters, really?}I have been trying to "eat clean" not as easy as it sounds. Best of luck to you!

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  18. Well, your Paris plans have our house abuzz with hope for plans of our own. Hope for plans... isn't that delicious?! And the outfits are cute, cute and cuter. Have fun meeting your goals.

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  19. Hi Jen,
    So excited for your plans for Paris! We are hoping for a similar trip in 2012!
    I've been debating the WW deal...let us know how you like it. I keep going to the site but just don't sign up...We did dust off the treadmill and I drug it to my bedroom...I WILL start using it tomorrow!
    I too started a "fashion folder"! Just started it two days ago! Cleaning out the closet is key and I keep putting that one off as well! You sound focused and determined...you can inspire us "slow pokes" to get a move on! Good luck with it all and thanks for sharing!
    P.S. We are still on the hunt for a house...thanks again for the advice!
    Jackie

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  20. LOL Jen! I just want to say, I love coming here and reading your blog!! I have the OPPOSITE problem! You can take pictures of my skinny legs anytime you want! My problem starts further up!! you know, muffin top, big boobs and back fat! Can you say APPLE? LOL!! I have gotten in a LITTLE better shape since riding again but it's been so BITTER cold, that I'm not out (even though it's indoors) as much as I was. HOPEFULLY this spring I'll be back on track!
    I have come to the conclusion that it is a constant struggle for people who love to cook to lose weight. I'm Italian, while it was easier in my younger years it is NOT now, LOL.
    Unless of course you have a CRAZY fast metabolism like GIada or Sandra Lee. I'm conviced they don't eat anything they cook. Just the little bite they take on the show!!!!

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  21. You crack me up!! Thanks for your wit, you make me smile. ;-) I love the photos you chose for this post, cool style (and photography in general.) Good luck with Weight Watchers. I know a lot of people who have had great success with it!
    ~michelle~

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