Christmas Eve – I Believe

I really do think that the Christmas season is one where people are kinder to each other and walk around happier and more grateful. (But maybe that’s because I avoid the malls and do all of my Christmas-present shopping online).  Seriously, though, it does seem like “love is all around us,” as it says in Love Actually.

Today I’m spending the day wrapping gifts, taking a yoga class, going on a long walk with Sofi, and making the Skinnytaste hot artichoke and spinach dip to bring to my parents’ house for Christmas Eve tonight.

We do a traditional Sicilian Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve.  My mom makes her amazing cioppino, to which she adds 7 different kinds of fish: clams, mussels, shrimp, crab, scallops, cod, and halibut.  It’s delicious, and we look forward to it every single year.

I hope you have a wonderful day, and that tonight Santa brings you everything your heart desires.

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Countdown to Christmas Weigh-In: Week 30 Post-Op VSG

‘Tis the season! Which means that the world turns sparkly, the weather turns chilly, and 2013 is almost over. I’m looking at this time of year as a Countdown to Christmas – focusing on my weight loss and achieving my goal of hitting ONDERLAND before the end of 2013. Achieving that will be the best gift of all!!! Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend.  This is the time of year when food and celebrations are plentiful and the last thing on most people’s minds is weight loss.  I’m going to show that weight loss can happen during the holiday season. My Sunday progress updates will be called Countdown to Christmas Weigh-Ins.

Week 30 was packed! Tons of grading, finals, and finishing everything up before my two-week Winter Break.  Not to mention, trying to get things organized for Christmas and keeping up with my workouts.

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 202.2, which is a loss of 0.8 pounds this week, and a loss of 74.8 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 112.8 pounds from my highest weight!!  This loss isn’t stellar, but it is a loss, and it does reflect my efforts this week:

• I did great with my workouts – continued C25K training (more on that in a minute) and got two other workouts in, for a total of 5 workouts during this busy week.  That fact alone is something I’m really proud of because last year at this time all workouts were out the window.
• I can definitely improve on two fronts – getting enough water in and nighttime snacking.  Some days I got plenty of water in, but most days I’d only had 4-6 glasses, which just isn’t enough.  I definitely believe that water intake has a big effect on my weight loss and overall bodily functions.  The snacking at night is something I need to curb – I track all the snacks and was still within my normal 900-ish calories a day, but it’s the habit itself that needs to go.  Eating later like that doesn’t work well for my weight loss.  Plus, giving in to cravings isn’t a road I want to go down.  I’m never hungry after dinner, so I need to avoid the snacks and have a cup of tea (which will help my water intake, too).

One reason I’m looking forward to this break is fitting in my workouts with ease.  I have lots of fun, new classes I’m planning to take, and I’ll write about those as I do them.  C25K has been going really well, and after my Santa Run, I completed the other two days in strong form.  I ran for the entire 3-minute runs without much issue.  I just had to keep my mind strong and make sure I had great music playing and I did it!  This week includes the 3-minute runs that I’ve conquered, and then amps the time up to 5-minute runs.   The C25K app I use shows that I’ll be jogging half a 5K this week!! That fact alone is enough to encourage me to do those 5-minute runs.  Wish me luck.

I still have my goal of getting to Onederland before the end of this year.  That’s 3.2 pounds in 10 days (including the 31st) and I know I can do it.  The challenge is going to be doing it with all the Christmas food and celebrations, but I’m not going to let that be an excuse.  I will enjoy the foods my family eats on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and be thankful for my VSG tool because it offers built-in portion control. And I’m also going to remember that we’re just talking about two meals, not two days of indulging.  One major thing I’m going to look at is the types of snacks I’m eating.  I’ve been having lots of nuts and nuts w/ craisins, dried blueberries, etc., which is fine for once in a while, but I can’t have them everyday.  The calorie/protein ratio is just too far off.  So I’m going to stick with snacks that have a higher protein count and lower calories.

My point is, I know exactly what I need to do, and if I want Onederland badly enough, I can get it.  It’s more important to me than any snack, any indulgence, any distraction.

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Countdown to Christmas Weigh-In: Week 29 Post-Op VSG

‘Tis the season! Which means that the world turns sparkly, the weather turns chilly, and 2013 is almost over. I’m looking at this time of year as a Countdown to Christmas – focusing on my weight loss and achieving my goal of hitting ONDERLAND before the end of 2013. Achieving that will be the best gift of all!!! Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend.  This is the time of year when food and celebrations are plentiful and the last thing on most people’s minds is weight loss.  I’m going to show that weight loss can happen during the holiday season. My Sunday progress updates will be called Countdown to Christmas Weigh-Ins.

Week 29 was busier than expected.  I ended up taking 4 rest days, two more than planned, but I am glad to say that I did do C25K week 2 twice.  I’m really enjoying it, and although it’s not easy, I love the way I feel as soon as I’m done with it and I see all that I’ve accomplished.  That’s what I’ve been feeling a lot this week – reflecting back on these past 29 weeks and realizing just how far I’ve come.

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 203.0, which is a loss of 2.4 pounds this week, and a loss of 74 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 112 pounds from my highest weight!!  When I see my weight loss total I have to admit, I’m a bit in awe.  30 weeks ago,  don’t think I really had any idea what this weight loss would mean to me.  I knew I’d lose weight, sure, and go down in sizes of clothes, and be able to move through the world easier, but I don’t think I knew how my life would change.

The changes have been subtle, like the way my collarbones show a bit more each day. Or the way my smile has improved as my dimples have become more prominent.  Or the how amazing it feels to sit in the chairs outside Starbucks and not have my hips/thighs hang over and through the sides of the chair.  And how I can cross one leg over the other.  Or how my eyes look bigger now that my cheeks aren’t as full.  And these are just the physical changes.

There are also the changes of not worrying about getting past people down the row of a movie theatre.  Or in the church pew this week as I watched my niece in the Christmas pageant.  Or not giving a second thought to the decision to walk to my parents house to spend some time with them yesterday morning, instead of getting in the car and driving over.  Losing all this weight has really made living my daily life so much better in ways that I never anticipated because I got so used to dealing with the girth, I guess.   I’m so grateful that I’m able to appreciate all of these changes and recognize how far I’ve come.

I still have quite a ways to go, but I do feel like the momentum has shifted, and I’m on the downhill side of my weight loss journey.  My next major goal is right around the corner – hitting Onederland (getting to 199 or less).  I have four more pounds  and two more Sunday weigh-ins to get to that goal. Although, let’s be honest, I’m giving myself until the 31st, so if it means weighing in on that Tuesday morning and seeing 199, I’ll do it.

This week is finals week at school, and while the students are going to be stressed, it actually means I have a bit more time on my hands, because we have three days of a modified schedule.  I’ll be done at 12:30 Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Of course, I’ll spend plenty of time grading in the afternoon, but it will be nice to be able to hit the gym earlier than usual and then go back to paperwork, if I have to.  And the best part is those luxurious two weeks off with all that free time to spend with family, friends, and myself.  Lots to look forward to!

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Countdown to Christmas Weigh-In: Week 28 Post-Op VSG

‘Tis the season! Which means that the world turns sparkly, the weather turns chilly, and 2013 is almost over. I’m looking at this time of year as a Countdown to Christmas – focusing on my weight loss and achieving my goal of hitting ONDERLAND before the end of 2013. Achieving that will be the best gift of all!!! Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend.  This is the time of year when food and celebrations are plentiful and the last thing on most people’s minds is weight loss.  I’m going to show that weight loss can happen during the holiday season. My Sunday progress updates will be called Countdown to Christmas Weigh-Ins.

Week 28 was back to work, and as busy as this time of year can be.  We have one more week before finals, so things seem to be running at a fever-pitch.  Lots of meetings, collaborations, and grading to do.  I did fit in volunteering at Second Harvest Food bank with a group of colleagues, which made me feel great about giving a little bit back.  This week also brought the fruits of all of my online shopping in the form of the packages of gifts arriving at my doorstep.  So fun!  With all of this going on, I’m really proud of the fact that I fit in all of my workouts, too.

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 205.4, which is a loss of 1.6 pounds this week, and a loss of 71.6 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 109.6 pounds from my highest weight!! Another good loss this week.  The weather has turned quite chilly around here, which does make me want to “hibernate,” and eat more comfort foods.  I tried to find a balance of eating some rich and creamy soups, coupled with protein-packed salads. The other saving grace lately has been tea in the evenings.  I’ve become obsessed with David’s Tea, and if you took a peek in my cupboard, you’d think I was running the tea shop out of my kitchen.  Lately my favorite flavors are Gingerbread, Sleigh Ride, and Sweet Dreams. Because they’re all caffeine free, they help me get to my water goals, and they help keep me warm.  The sweetness of the teas also satisfies that nighttime sweets craving that sometimes kicks in.

This week I move to C25K Week 2, and in fact, I’m heading to the gym in a little while to complete Day 1.  Now that the days are shorter and it gets dark so much earlier, I’m so glad that the gym is an option for me to keep up with my training.  Today will be the first time I do the C25K on the treadmill, so we’ll see how that compares to the outdoor track that I’ve gotten used to.  I also want to fit in a few more classes, which I’ve gotten out of the habit of.  Here’s what I’m thinking for my workout plan:

Sunday: C25K, Week 2 Day 1
Monday: Rest Day (quick walk with Sofi)
Tuesday: C25K, Week 2 Day 2
Wednesday: Turbo Kick***
Thursday: C25K, Week 2 Day 3
Friday: Rest Day (getting the keratin treatment to my hair!!)
Saturday: Long walk with Sofi
Sunday: Santa Run 5K – I’m planning to do Week 3 Day 1

***The last time I took the Turbo Kick class, I was way out of my depth.  I stayed for the entire class, but I was huffing and puffing, and I wasn’t doing half the intensity that everyone else was.  I can’t wait to see how different the experience is this time.

This week I’m going to be doing a few things that will push me to new limits that I’ve never attempted before.  I know I’m going to be challenged, but I’m also going to be so proud.

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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Countdown to Christmas Weigh-In: Week 27 Post-Op VSG

‘Tis the season! Which means that the world turns sparkly, the weather turns chilly, and 2013 is almost over. I’m looking at this time of year as a Countdown to Christmas – focusing on my weight loss and achieving my goal of hitting ONDERLAND before the end of 2013. Achieving that will be the best gift of all!!! Sunday weigh-ins will keep me accountable through the weekend.  This is the time of year when food and celebrations are plentiful and the last thing on most people’s minds is weight loss.  I’m going to show that weight loss can happen during the holiday season. My Sunday progress updates will be called Countdown to Christmas Weigh-Ins.

Week 27 was a fun one because I had the entire week off with lots of plans.  I watched my 49ers win on Monday Night Football, got a cute blowout at DryBar, participated in the Turkey Trot, enjoyed a family Thanksgiving, started C25K and felt good out on the track, got all of my Christmas shopping done from the comfort of my home on Black Friday, saw The Book Thief (go see it!), and started decorating the house for Christmas.  Whew!  Action packed!!

So, what did the scale show?!

When I weighed in this morning, I was 207.0, which is a loss of 1.6 pounds this week, and a loss of 70 lbs since surgery! I’ve lost a total of 108 pounds from my highest weight!! I’m really happy with this loss, because it shows that even during a holiday week, where my normal routine was completely off AND where eating is the focal point, I can lose weight. I’m also really impressed that I’ve lost 70 pounds in just 6 1/2 months! I’ve never seen this much sustained success on the scale EVER before in my life.  Even in those times in the past when I’ve lost a significant amount of weight, I’ve never been as sure as I am right now that I WILL NOT GAIN IT BACK.  It’s not just the sleeve that makes me confident, it’s the fact that I’ve really changed my whole mindset around eating, exercising, and what I want out of life.  I still enjoy food, but it’s not as difficult to make healthy choices as it used to be.

For example, last night my parents, sister, and I went out to Outback for dinner before we saw The Book Thief.  My parents had ordered a really delicious appetizer – the crab & avocado stack:

As you can see, it was served with chips, but I didn’t even hesitate to pass those up and eat the crab and avocado with my fork instead.  That way, I got to enjoy the full flavors of the food without adding extra calories, sodium, and fat that the chips would have brought.  It’s a little change, but one that adds up throughout a day.  (The crab and avocado stack was a-mazing, and I’m planning on re-creating it at home because I really loved it).

This week my focus is going to be getting myself closer to my goal of hitting Onederland by the end of this year.  That’s 30 days to lose 8 pounds, and I think it’s a very attainable goal. I know that if I keep my protein and water intake high, keep my carbs low, and keep up with my exercising, I’ll hit 199 on the scale by December 31.

Until next Sunday, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful week!

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‘Tis the Season: Saturday Smiles

What a day it’s been!  I’ve gotten so much accomplished, and it isn’t even 3pm yet. Although my To Do list does have a few more items on it…but those can wait till tomorrow.

I definitely did this, bright and early this morning.  I hit the neighborhood high school track again for Week 1, Day 2 of C25K. This time I brought my mom and my sister with me.  They’d been inspired by what I did yesterday, and figured they’d give it a whirl.  Both of them tried jogging for a bit, but decided they preferred walking, which is just fine.  The only downside to today’s jaunt was that we got there at 7:30am, and it was FREEZING.  I found it so much harder to jog when it’s really cold out – I was much more out of breath than I was yesterday.  But I still completed all the run/walk intervals, which makes me really proud – proud enough to smile.

Most of the day today was dedicated to a “photo shoot” for my Christmas card.  I knew what I wanted it to look like, but I needed to ply my sister with a P.F. Chang’s gift card in order for her to put up with my diva behavior.  We even had a “costume change” halfway through. Since I won’t be able to send most of you a card, here’s the result:

On the back I was able to write a bit about what this year has meant to me, and I also included a cute photo of Sofi & me:

A bit of backstory to this photo – I had to stand on a chair so that I’d be tall enough for the holly tree berries to show up in the photo.  This meant that my sis also had to get up on a step ladder to take the photo.  See why she totally earned that gift card?!

Since I was in the photo-taking mood (really, when am I NOT in the photo-taking mood?!), I decided it was time for a Santa hat before/during photo.  The left one is from 2 years ago and the one on the right is today.

Seeing the changes in all of these photos puts a huge smile on my face.  It’s one thing to see the numbers on the scale, and it’s an entirely different thing to see photo proof.  BTW, the lipstick I have on in all of these photos I took today is the Snow White from NYX that I bought a few weeks ago – I love it!

Yesterday I got all of my Christmas shopping done, except for a couple of stocking stuffer-type items that I have to pick up.  And I’m very proud to say I didn’t fight the crowds and risk life and limb to do it. (Did you read this story about the person who died at a Black Friday sale? Simply disgusting and ridiculous.  I’m all for capitalism, but people are acting like animals).  Anyway, without needing to change out of my pjs, I got presents for everyone on my list.  I found some excellent items that I think they’ll really love.  And if you know me, you know I also bought myself a few things in the process.

I’ve been spending the past two days inside, taking down the Thanksgiving decorations and getting all the Christmas ones organized.  Plus the aforementioned online shopping and Christmas card creation.  And while I have been a busy little bee, I’ve had the Hallmark Channel on in the background.  They’re playing all of their Christmas made-for-TV movies right now, and I am loving every cheesy scene.  So far the Mrs. Miracle ones are my favorites, but they’ve all been really cute.  They’re the type of movies that make you believe not only in the spirit of Christmas, but in happy endings.

Speaking of movies, tonight my parents, sister, and I are heading to dinner at Outback, followed by going to see The Book Thief.  I haven’t read the book, although I have it, but I didn’t want to miss the movie, because I think it looks really good.

The rest of the weekend should be just as fun as the week has been – I’m meeting up with a friend for coffee tomorrow morning, decorating the rest of the house for Christmas throughout the day, and of course catching my 49ers beating the Rams.

I hope you’ve had just as many smiles today as I have.

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#30DaysofThanks, Day 27: Buying Gifts Online

This month I’m participating in 30 Days of Thanks (#30DaysofThanks) by writing a blog post about 30 things I’m thankful for. To join in, go to the link above. The best part is, you don’t need to have a blog or even be on social media to take part in the project; you just need to be thankful. I can’t wait to see how my life might change by spending the 30 days in November giving thanks for things in my life — every single day.

Ever since 2001 when I worked at an internet start-up, I’ve done most of my Christmas shopping online.  I’m thankful that buying gifts on the internet remains a safe and secure option.

Thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, I’ve been able to buy most of the Christmas gifts on my list already.  I only have a few more to buy, which I’ll complete this weekend.  The best part of online shopping is not having to mess with everything that comes with hitting the mall – fighting for parking, dealing with the crowds, walking from store to store (although that would be good exercise), and lugging all the bags back to the car.  Buying most of my gifts online frees up so much time, saves me lots of stress, and helps me enjoy the holidays even more.  Plus, it’s so fun to get the packages of gifts as they start arriving at my doorstep.  It’s like I’m getting the gifts, too.

Now all that’s left is wrapping.

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OOTW: Christmas Week

I’ve been having such a fun time this first week of Winter Break, and I thought I’d share a couple of the outfits I’ve been wearing out and about.

Monday I didn’t snap any photos because I stayed close to home doing errands, walking the dog, and going to the gym. Nothing noteworthy, in terms of fashion.

Tuesday, December 20th – Season of Hope Concert at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. One of my students was performing at a free concert in the downtown area and I invited a few of my friends to come along. We grabbed a drink at The Fairmont Hotel before, and then enjoyed some beautifully moving music. Seriously, I got teary-eyed as I listened, especially when I realized that these were high school kids performing – they sounded amazing, and you would’ve sworn they were professional adults. The nicest part was the huge smile on the face of my student when she realized I was there to support her. I took several photos with my friends, but none of those showed my outfit well. The one that did was taken with my student, so I cropped her out of the photo, hence the “random hand” on my shoulder. My hair was a bit flat on top, so I thought a beret fit perfectly with the outfit. The sparkly purple cardigan is courtesy of Scale Warfare (thanks for helping me out once again, SW!!).

Beret: Target; cami: LB; Cardi: Kohl

I know this picture has nothing to do with fashion, but I snapped it quickly outside of the Basilica, and I think it

Wednesday, December 21st – Lunch and shopping in Union Square, San Francisco. I was meeting a friend of mine for lunch, and this wasn’t just any old lunch, he and I had worked together years ago, and then lost touch, and reconnected on FB a few months ago. This was the first time I had seen him in over 6 years, and since he’s a buyer at a major SF-based clothing company, I knew I had to bring my A-game, fashion-wise. You guys have seen me in this outfit in a past OOTW, but I “juzzed it up” with that cool, red crochet flower. Oh, and a different beret made an appearance again today because the hair is still a bit flat on top. (I’m happy to report that he liked my dress and complimented me on it).

Beret: Macy

Thursday, December 22nd: Midday movie (Sherlock Holmes) with my dad. My dad and I have a tradition of going to the movies together whenever we have a break or vacation. Usually we see some sort of action, adventure, or thriller. I loved the first Sherlock Holmes, and this one might have been even better. The plotline is so convoluted that you really can’t figure it out, but it is fun just trying to keep up. Plus, I love the set designs and costumes. And Robert Downey Jr. has been a favorite of mine forever, and it’s so nice to see him doing so well. After the movie, we grabbed Subway, and then took the dogs on a long walk. I had a great time spending the afternoon with my dad. This outfit was already featured in a past OOTW, but since I had such a fun day, I figured I’d show the outfit.

Sweater: Woman Within; tank: LB; Jeans: Style & Co (Macy

This week has been really fun because I spent almost every day getting out and being social. It reminds me that I need to do this a bit more often even when I don’t have two weeks off. Of course, it’s so much easier to make plans when I don’t have a million other things on my mind, but I do need to make socializing more of a priority in 2012.

Friday was another stay at home in lounge clothes kind of day – no photos.

Saturday, December 24th – Christmas Eve.  I wanted to look nice for Christmas Eve, and I think the details can make all the difference, so I tried to put some thought into the accessories for my outfit. The buttons on the cardigan I was going to wear were really pretty – they reminded me of a brooch you might find on an outfit in the 20s.  Sort of deco.  This photo is a bit unclear, but I think you get the idea:

The buttons were pretty - clusters of red, clear, and bright pink stones.

I borrowed my sister's diamond cluster earrings, to echo the buttons of the cardigan

The ruby and diamond ring my grandmother bequeathed to me fit in perfectly.

Cardi: Avenue; Tank: LB; Black jeans: Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes: Clark's

 

December 25th: Christmas Day.  I was headed to my parents’ house again tonight, and I was looking forward to a quiet dinner with “the original four” – my dad, my mom, my sister, and me.  It was a nice evening sharing stories, opening presents,  and enjoying ravioli.  The atmosphere was casual, but I wanted to make she that I was decked out for the holidays.

I found these stocking socks in the $1 bins at Target. Love.

 

Sure, I can say that I was just in the Christmas spirit with this hat, but the truth is, my hair was a bit messy on top.

Hat: Walgreens (years ago); Sweater: Catherine's; tshirt: Woman Within; Dark Rinse jeans: Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes: Clark's

Which outfit was your favorite?

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Merry Christmas!

My wish for you dear blog readers, this Christmas morning is that all of you woke up to presents under the tree, stockings hung with care, and lots of love from those who matter most.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!

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OOTW: Winter Wonderland Edition

Before we get to the workweek clothes, I thought I’d share my usual weekend wear.  Depending on what I’m doing, I get more dressy with jeans and sweaters or even a dress, but if I’m just knocking around doing errands, taking Sofi for walks, meeting friends for coffee, and staying low key, I can be found in some combination like this:

Saturday, December 10th – I was meeting Kim for coffee (for the first time!) and since it was chilly, and early, I decided to go casual.  She’d mentioned that she’d be in workout clothes, I figured I was safe to do so, too.

Vest: Woman Within; Long-sleeved graphic tee: LB; Yoga pants: Woman Within; Shoes: Casual Comfort

There’s one thing about these pants.  They are really, really loose on me, which is uber comfy, but which isn’t the most flattering.  I never gravitate toward tight pants, but as you can see in the photo below, maybe I need to get some that aren’t quite as roomy?  Since they’re just for the weekends or after work, I don’t mind that they’re huge, but eventually I know I should get more form-fitting ones.  Maybe once I’m in a different size.

Reaaaaaallllllyyyyyy wide leg. But I do like how "flowy" they are.

Ready to meet a new friend for coffee!

This week at school the ASB decided to make it really fun by thinking of different themed dress days. They also had corresponding activities at break and lunch, which was fun for the kids. I took part in almost every day, and I loved it because it meant I had a week’s worth of outfits already all planned out. No guesswork! Luckily, too, I had enough “holiday” clothes to wear.

Monday, December 12th: PJ Day.  Now I was originally going to wear this:

Some of my winter pjs, from Woman Within; my (pre-makeup) outfit for pj day at school. Did I dare?

I know that these jammies are so cute and would’ve been a huge hit at school (They have knit scarves, hats, and mittens all over them and they say “warm and cuddly” on the top).  The problem was, since it was a Monday, I wasn’t sure how many of the kids would remember this dress-up day.  And I didn’t want to be the only one who did it.  I know that seemed like such a high school worry, but when your job is standing in front of people giving information, you do worry about what you’re going to wear and how it looks.  The pants were thin and showed my flub, and I wasn’t feeling as confident in them.  Plus, it was really cold that day, and I knew that if I wore them, I’d be freezing in my classroom all day long.

So I totally copped out.  I went with sweats, because people do wear them to bed and they were much warmer.  I felt better in them, and they were different in their own way.  The Chicago sweatshirt has the exact color of dark rose of the pants.  So I wore this:

No, that isn't a camel toe! Those pants are sort of loose too, and they gather. Still, not the best pose.

When I got to school, tons of kids (and a few teachers) had the pjs on, so I definitely should have worn mine.  Lesson learned.

Tuesday, December 13th: Holiday Color Day.  We were supposed to wear either green/red or blue/white or whatever colors were in the particular December holiday we celebrated.  I was so happy, because it meant that I could wear my Quaker Factory shirt that I got from QVC.  (OK, that statement made me sound 75 years old!). Since bling is in, and this is a holiday shirt, I don’t mind wearing it at all, even though Quaker Factory also makes some sweaters and shirts that could later be worn at an ugly Christmas sweater party.  😛

The detail of the shirt.

I took this in the bathroom to show the shirt in good lighting.

Shirt: Quaker Factory (QVC); Jeans: Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes: Aerosoles

Wednesday, December 14th: Decorate Yourself Day.  The directions said, come dressed as you would decorate a tree.  Wear ornaments, lights, tinsel – whatever you want.  Instead, I opted to wear my other QF shirt.  Hey, I have two and you can’t wear them any other time of year.  Why not?

The detail of the shirt.

To show the true color of the shirt.

Shirt: Quaker Factory (QVC); Jeans: Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes: Clark's

One important thing that I want to note is that last year when I bought these Quacker Factory shirts, they were snug on me and I worried about how I looked in them.  As you can see from these photos, they’re loose now.  And next year, they won’t fit at all!  Love that!!!!!!!

(I skipped Thursday because we had our Journalism deadline, and we all wear our Journalism sweatshirts on those days).

Friday, December 16th: Character Day.  The directions said to dress like your favorite holiday character – Santa, an elf, Rudolf, etc.  I chose to wear a Christmas hat and my star/snowflake shirt.

Bring on Winter Break!!

Detail of the shirt.

Top: LB; Cami: LB; Jeans: Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes: Clark's

And with that, I am now on Winter Break!!  It was fun to have the dress-up days and make it through one of the longest weeks of the year.

Which outfit did you like best?

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