18? Bid adieu to the number broadcasting strategy!

Holy crap! I know stress is a catalyst for eating, and certainly I've been feeling more stress this year in general and over the past few weeks specifically. But I almost had a heart attack when I jumped on the scale this past weekend. Numbers were supposed to go down, not up. I haven't been counting calories, but I didn't think I was eating that poorly. I thought posting my weight loss target would motivate me; I think it's adding to my stress. Probably also the reason why I haven't posted since my close encounter with my bathroom scale. Bye-bye numbers. Hello, bicycle.

And those will be my last words ever about that.

Here's something I'd love some advice about: I am wondering what anyone thinks about the Sperry Top-Sider loafers. Proudly, I am a product of high school/college in the 80s, so I have a soft spot in my heart for these shoes, along with all other things 80s. I've been eyeballing them in Macy's and @ J.Crew for a while. The dilemma: what color? Top choices: bronze metallic, gold metallic, sahara brown or navy. I plan to wear them with bermuda shorts, chinos and jeans. I think the metallic ones could be worn with some of my patterned pants/capris. Man, are they comfy! Otherwise, my go-to comfy/casual shoes are Jack Purcell sneakers. (Who can resist that smile line on the toe?! Not me!) I {love} them, but they are super casual. I own three colors, but my black ones are the ones I reach for most. Any thoughts about the Sperry colors?

No OOTD from the past 3 work days, but here's my outfit from last Thursday. I'm not feeling any love for this sweater! (At least not in pictures.) I think I need to tuck it. Or not belt it. Or toss it.
I hate it when you love something more on the hanger than on your body. Of course the opposite is true, too. Two things I tried on this weekend that I was sure I'd hate I absolutely fell in love with. One is that silk Gondola stripe top that everyone is blogging about. The other are the Café capri in fresco floral sateen. I got a call from my PS mid week telling me that there would be 30% off sale items on Monday. So I stopped in on Sunday to see if there were any new items in the sale section worth putting on hold. I ended up purchasing some sale items: the Café capris in casablanca blue and jade ($41.64 each), the Waverly chinos in natural ($17.84) , the Scalloped lace shell in ivory ($29.74), the Olympia leather sandals in radio red and deep raisin ($41.64 each), and a blue/rhinestone stretch bracelet ($11.89). All these items were marked down with an additional 30% off + and additional 15% off teacher discount. I also bought the Gondola stripe top. My closet is still lacking spring work pants and short-sleeved tops, but at least I have a few more pair of pants to make it through spring.

Enough for now.

Thanks for reading!

16. Shopping Vs.

Glory be! Tax returns have arrived. My husband decided to "upgrade" our 5 million pound tv with a new one last weekend. Should have known this wouldn't be an easy task. Try #1: a 51" Plasma. Too big. No need for such extravagance in our small-ish living room; plus, hubby couldn't live with the "glare" on the screen. Back it went. Try #2: a 40" LCD. Too small (strictly husband's opinion). Back it went. Currently viewing try #3: a 46" LCD with built-in wifi, 3D, and "smart apps" (could someone please school me on why these are desirable features?). Time to take a step back and appreciate the subtle differences, men vs. women, when it comes to shopping habits. Maybe I'll get some kind of a cool digital tan from this monster in the living room. Needless to say, I'll be happy to not see the inside of a Best Buy store for a while.

But let's talk about happy shopping--the kind my husband hates. Two "secret" promos on the J.Crew web site leaves me feeling like an outsider. Who gets the info about these promos? How? When? Glad I'm plugged into the J.Crew junkie blogs to learn about these hidden and exclusive promos (maybe one of the bloggers is an undercover J.Crew employee?! My mind does enjoy a good conspiracy theory!). Inevitably, only two of the items I've been stalking were online this morning AND in my size. I put many different combinations of items in my shopping basket, trying to achieve the "free shipping" status. Then I took all but my original two items back out of my shopping cart. Logic says that spending $95 to save 9 is illogical. But I sure tried! Does anyone else do this, or am I just a freak/ideal online shopper?

What I bought: Bermuda shorts in pebble dot in poppy, Crystal strip-link necklace in black.
What I would have bought if the had had them in my size: Viv patent flats in festival green. (The early morning stalking of the sale site continues...)

OOTDs for Tuesday & Wednesday:

Sorry for the lack of outfit details. If you are reading this/care, you probably can tell what pieces I have on (all JC minus my beloved DD necklace). If not and you really want to know, feel free to ask! My eyes are closing as I am typing. Time to say good night!

Thanks for reading!

16. Back to work

Another short post. Very tired after first day back; sometimes I wonder whether having a whole week off is worth it! Just gotta get my groove back.

OOTD: (h2t J.Crew) Gladiola pencil skirt in yellow/gray, beaded t-shirt, open cardigan sweater in a periwinkle blue-ish color, gray patent flats w/strap, gray patent belt. Old gray glass bead necklace (not JC).
I had a harder time pairing this skirt than I thought I would. My first try was with a l/s white button down boy shirt with a dark gray cardigan. Then I tried an orange/red cardigan before I settled on this periwinkle one. The skirt was an eBay purchase and is a little too big, imo. (Looks a little long, doesn't it?) Would've been another good day to have a last fling with wool/boots! Supposed to be cooler again tomorrow. No spring outfit for me, that's for sure!

Off to bed to get up and do it all over again tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

16. The countdown begins

Happy Easter, everyone!

Time off from school is often a good time for me to do some reflecting. I have been feeling the squeeze recently--the squeeze of my pants and skirts around my waist and thighs. I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that I had lost 65 lbs a couple of years ago. I hop on the scale every now and again, and have been watching my weight slowly climb over the past year. I've tried a few times, unsuccessfully, to get back into my routine of counting calories. For some reason, I just can't seem to stick with it for longer than a week. 16 is the number of pounds I need to lose to get back to the weight I was at one year ago. I'm going to post my number of pounds left to lose number at the beginning of each of my blog titles until I hit zero. I'm thinking that public scrutiny may motivate me. We'll see. One thing I know for sure, I've collected waaaay too many gorgeous and beloved pieces of clothing in my smallest size to even contemplate giving up.

A short post, (easing back into the groove). I'll end by sharing this Easter image:

http://www.smilesunlimited.net/

Everyone's probably seen it a bazillion times, but for me, it just never gets old. Cracks me up every time.

Thanks for reading.