3500 Calories ... May as Well Be 35 Million

Day 146
3500 Calories ... May as Well Be 35 Million


Yay! It 's warm! The days are longer. The leaves and grass are unbelievable shades of green. It's shorts season. (arrr ... sound of putting on the brakes ...) Yikes! shorts season already? 


I month or so ago I had this all figured out. Feeling all empowered by staying with my no-buy challenge, I decided to tackle this extra pounds problem head-on. I can do this! I researched and found that it takes approx. 3,500 calories to make or lose a pound. That didn't sound too bad. I hate starving so I decided that I would simply exercise 3500 calories away each week and, voila! By June my cutest clothes would be back into rotation. I even made myself a little chart on a whiteboard to track my progress. It's just math, plain and simple. 


Next step- how much does each activity burn? I was pretty shocked to learn that not as many calories are burned as one may think. For example, one full hour of Zumba burns 500-700 calories. I decided to always round down even though the class is super-intense. Two days per week I wog (a hybrid walk-jog that we invented) around our lake. Again, 500-ish calories. It came down to me exercising 7 days per week, 500 calories, or about an hour each day. A bit of wind out of my sails, but OK- I can do this.


I can not do this. I can not exercise 7 days per week. It just doesn't work for me right now. 3500 calories may as well be 35 million calories. It can seem that unattainable. As I gazed down at my white, expanding thighs encased in shorts yesterday, I felt defeated. Will I ever get the upper hand on these pounds? With a few spring events looming, I faced my closet this morning. Better to know now if I have to cancel based on a too-small wardrobe. And guess what! The dresses seem to be fitting! Either I am doing something right or some tiny little seamstress fairies are living in my closet letting out the seams. Then I realized that I may not be burning 3500 calories, but I am burning at least half that. Not a pound a week, but a half pound. And that counts! If you ever feel defeated, hang in there. Don't beat yourself up. Baby steps are better than no steps. One-half pound ... yay!

Souvenir Dilemma

Day 145
Souvenir Dilemma

The vacation t-shirt is one of my top summer style picks. I, like many of us, have a drawer full of t-shirts. I love to slip on a t-shirt and reminisce about a fun weekend in Memphis, remember a cool restaurant on Maui or relive adventure filled days on Grand Cayman. I had my first Hawaii t-shirt long before I ever visited, courtesy of my mom. This got me to thinking about two things ...


I think souvenir shopping is one of the most fun parts of vacation. In theory (and by definition) a souvenir is a memento of a trip or occasion. For years and years, souvenir shopping for me meant bringing back someone for everyone I know to remember my vacation. Hours spent trudging through straw markets, tacky gift shops and beach emporiums deciding what size t-shirt my nephew wears, what style necklace my neighbor would like and which shell figure is the most whimsical. To remember MY vacation. The stress of counting and recounting to ensure that the gifts were equal in number and value. To be sure everyone is included. And there's the money spent on t-shirts, mugs, toys and candy. So others will remember MY vacation. I am having an OMG, slap myself on the side of the head, what was I thinking for all these years moment. Souvenirs should be mementos for ourselves to remember our vacations, not so everyone else can wear a t-shirt from a restaurant they will never even see. It's time to stop souvenir insanity! Sorry souvenir industry. 


On the other hand, vacations are a wonderful opportunity to pick up a few unique or exclusive things for yourself. I love art from local artisans and jewelry with local stones. I love specialty food and liquor like coconut rum from the Virgin Islands or Rum Cake from Grand Cayman. I found amazing coconut soap and awesome lotions made in Hawaii. There are times when it is absolutely appropriate to bring back things for others. If someone has helped you plan, watched your house or pets, or helped with your kids, they deserve a nice gift. I just don't think an extra suitcase is necessary for souvenirs (yes- I actually had to purchase an extra suitcase on vacation, I get very carried away ...)


If you are planning a nice vacation this summer, grab a memento for yourself. And if you are bringing back a gift for a friend, choose wisely. Some of my favorite souvenirs from other people's vacations include a music CD from Hawaii, a brightly colored sarong, and miniature art from various Caribbean islands. And rum. Lots and lots of rum.

My Summer Style Must-Haves

Day 141
My Summer Style Must-Haves


I feel a little panic-y when a magazine cover claims the true secrets to summer style are available in stores now. Since I can not buy any summer style this year, I will be relying on what I have and what I can make. I was a little anxious to open InStyle magazine's summer essential list but I found it (like many magazine lists) to be lacking. 
I believe many of us already have the real summer essentials because, of all seasons, I think there is the least change in summer fashion. Sunny, warm summer days are conducive to style tried and true, reliable as a great pair of flip-flops. So, here is my list for Summer Style Essentials, and you probably really do have most.

1. Sarong
A sarong, or large rectangle of soft fabric, is essential on and off the beach. I love a great batik or floral pattern. A sarong is perfect to tie over a swimsuit, drape over your shoulders or dress up your dining room table.


2. Flower Clip
Buy one or make it yourself, even the fashion timid can pull off a pretty flower in summer. Wear in hair, on a sweater or clipped on your sandal.


3. Flip Flops
Any summer closet can benefit from a rainbow of flip flops. Important: comfort matters! $2 flip flops may not cut it. I love Havianna Slims and the soft metallic flip flops at Old Navy. A beaded pair or sequin pair is great bet and a flower transforms a simple flip flop to summer couture. 


4. Dresses
Any, all ... I love dresses for summer. I have the floral dress pictured above (from Bealls in Florida, not on clearance) and it is perfect every time I wear it. Go long but not matronly, short but not cheeky.


5. Black Strappy Something
A dress or tank, golden summer skin is enhanced by black strappy.


6. Vacation T-Shirt
I love a vacation tee because it brings memories of fun and relaxation. The more broken in, the better. Think carefully before choosing your next vacation tee, it should look and feel like you can wear it for years.


7. Great fitting White Tank and Tee
Great fit is the key here- so TRY ON! Look for fabrics with some stretch. The shirt should be fitted but not skin tight. And, take care of yellow under arms or get a new one. Nude bra is essential.


8. Baubles
Summer is the perfect time for colorful, kitschy baubles (fun summer jewelry). Ankle bracelets, layered necklaces and bracelets dress up summer casual. Remember, both gold and silver look fab with a tan!


9. Great, Colorful Sandals
A statement sandal is a great choice for summer. Show off those legs!


10. White Cotton Sweater
Again, go for fit and quality here. A summer sweater layered over a tank or thrown over your shoulders says, "Hold the yacht, I'll be right there!"


If you find some of these essentials are missing from your wardrobe, it's the perfect time to get out there and get some summer style. Macy's has a collection called Brasil this summer and it looks amazing- I suggest you give it a look!

InStyle's Last 5 Essentials

Day 140
InStyle's Last 5 Essentials


These are the top 5 summer outfit essentials as presented by InStyle magazine:


#5: Floral Maxi Dress
Duh. Point.


#4: Chambray Shirt
I would call this a potential wardrobe staple, not a summer essential. 1/2 point.


#3: Ballet Flats
They show these in bright colors. I would expand that to include metallics. Point.


#2: White Shorts
Okay. Point.


#1: Striped Sweater
Summer essential? Don't think so. No Point.


My final review on the InStyle Summer Essentials: 8.5 out of 15 points. Tomorrow I will reveal my Summer Essentials and you can decide who embraces summer more fashionably!

The Next Set of Summer Essentials

Day 138
The Next Set of Summer Essentials


Back to InStyle magazine's 15 Summer Outfit Essentials


#10: Polka-dot Bikini
Hmmmm ... possibly. 1/2 point


#9: Peasant Dress
Calling anything "peasant" is not conducive to me coveting it. Call it a casual summer dress and I'm all in. 1/2 point because InStyle should know better than "peasant".


#8: Mens-wear Hat
I can see that this could be a trendy fashion moment, but an essential? No way. No points.


#7: White Jeans
I agree that white jeans are about as summer-y as it gets. Problem is, they can be less than flattering if you are less than svelte. And for coffee-spilling me, likely won't make it through the day sparkling clean. Great idea so a point is scored.


#6: Polo Shirt
I guess that a sleeveless polo has a throw-back Palm Springs vibe but again--essential? I think not. No point.


Here's where we stand on Summer Essentials as dictated by my (former?) favorite magazine, InStyle:
5 out of 10 points thus far. I'm feeling a little disappointed but we'll continue tomorrow.

15 Summer Wardrobe Essentials

Day 137
15 Summer Wardrobe Essentials


This is the worst time of the year to be in a No Buy Zone. Spring and summer fashions are my absolute favorite. I swear, I walk past a rack or see a picture in a magazine and they call to me. "You would look so pretty in me! I am perfect for you. C'mon, no one would know, it can be our fashionable little secret." I stick fingers firmly in ears and march on.


That's why this InStyle magazine headline caught my eye: 15 Summer Outfit Essentials. What's on your closet already? Perfect, right? Well, sort of. I am starting to realize (hellooooo...) that InStyle magazine really only wants me to buy things from the fine companies that purchase their advertising space. The headline should really read: 15 Categories of Overpriced Outfit Essentials.  I however, am not a giver-upper, so I examined their picks closely.

#15: Embroidered Tunic




  The one in the magazine looked similar to this. Danger: This can easily look like an impulsive Mexican Riviera vacation purchase! I say go for mostly white or at least try for embroidery that is very close to the fabric color for a more subtle look. I give them 1/2 point for this one.                                           


#14: Striped Tank
I actually got one of these last summer and I totally agree. Striped tank gets a point.


#13: White One Piece Swimsuit                                                        
Seriously? Nice thought but I think this applied to teens and models only. And, no way for the beach, poolside only. No points.


#12: Crochet Dress
I'm all for a great summer dress but perhaps a gauzy dress is more "essential". 1/2 point


#11: Oversize Sunglasses
Yes. Point.


So far, InStyle is 3 out of  5.


Check your closet, more tomorrow!

Things I Learned From My Mother

Day 132
Things I Learned From My Mother


I've already confessed that I am a bargain-junkie. I can't pass up a clearance sale and I have bought things I do not need time and time again because they were cheap. These are behaviors passed on to me from my mother. Perhaps they were passed on to her by my grandmother. I come from a long line of bargain-hunters. That in itself isn't so bad, but other things I learned from my mother are:

• You can always fit one more thing in the closet.
• You may not need it now but someday might.
• Kids can never have too many toys or clothes.
• If it's from resale or a garage sale, it doesn't count.
• If one is good, five are better.

Many of these are behaviors I am battling this year. Thanks a lot, mom.

    But there's another side to my mother, the bigger, better side. My mother is the most generous person I know. She would, literally, give someone the shirt off her back if they wanted it. She has made dozens of scarves and blankets using sale-priced fabrics to gift senior citizens, mostly anonymously. She uses coupons to buy toiletries to help stock a homeless shelter. She showers the grandkids with so much, our Christmases used to resemble a toy factory explosion. More accurately, she is generous to a fault, buying for everyone when she really couldn't afford to. 

     I've learned from my mother that family is the MOST important thing in the world and you sacrifice anything for them. If any of us need anything, she is there, and more importantly, is happy to be there and do whatever we need. I'm sure my sisters and I have taken advantage from time to time but she doesn't complain. 

     Because of my mother, I feel like I can accomplish anything, because she truly believes I can accomplish anything. All of us, my sisters, our kids and grandkids. My mom bursts with pride in us. 

     And, my mom has taught us to embrace the adventures in life. She travels as much as she can and is always up for a road-trip. I remember the Sunday afternoons when we would pile into the car with a full cooler and no plan. The times she packed up the kids to spend the night in a hotel with a pool. The shopping trips she still takes with her good friends, even hours away. 

So, yes. I have learned my bad shopping habits from my mother. But that's a small price to pay for all the wonderful things she passed on to my sisters and me. I look at my own daughter and hope that I've stopped this shopping madness in time for her. But mostly I am thrilled to see that we have passed on all those good things on to her, too. So, really, Thanks a Lot, Mom!