The Lonely Boat

I came across this small boat in Ireland recently. I recall it being in the same location, but in slightly better condition 4 years ago when I was on the same beach. What is your story boat? Why have you been forgotten? Did you enjoy your time out at sea? Hail, storm, sun you are always there. I wonder.

Donegal - Ireland

We spent Easter in Donegal, which is incredibly rainy but outrageously beautiful. I snapped this shot on my iPhone and within about 20 seconds, the heavens opened and we were hit by a hail storm so hard that I had bruising on my hands. The hail shocked the girls but it was incredibly exhilarating & stressful sprinting across the beach, each of us carrying a child. But - hey - you only live life once. 

Tip for BRIDES TO BE

This is the most thoughtful touch I have ever seen at a wedding. In the bathroom a rather large basket with a note reading "We've put this together, to help you along. Now get back on the dance-floor, before the next song. Compliments of the Newly Weds."  In the basket were some packs of mints, a bottle of hairspray, a bottle of spray-on deodorant, hair ties, bobby pins, headache medicine and then about 25 pairs of cheap flip flops. I found myself going back for mints several times and by 3am my hair was in a crazy pinned up do & my feet comfortably in flip flops. The entire dance floor was wearing flops by about 1am. great idea. I wish it would have been mine!

13 pounds diet update

A month ago I posted this entry, discussing the 13 pounds that I need to shed to get to my "goal" weight of 120. A month later, I am now reporting that I am now, 13 pounds away from my goal weight. Agh!

Yes. It is true. I have not made any progress, but while this might sound silly to you, the confidence I felt last weekend wearing my Spanx  has made me desire to always feel that good about myself. So now folks! I am committed to doing this. Day 1 was today. So far so good! Join me.

Spanx in Action

I had my very first Spanx experience last weekend and even though I am reluctant (embarrassed !?!) to post snapshots, I am doing it. I bought this dress two years ago, thinking it would fit me eventually & well it hasn't really. I can get into it but it is not flattering in the slightest because it hugs the bumps and emphasizes all the little imperfections in my figure, highlighting them further when I sit, move or breathe.

If you read my post about how uncomfortable I feel in dresses  then you know I often just shroud or layer clothes over myself to disguise the bumpy lumpy bits. As uncomfortable and tight that the darn thing was getting into, it was not too bad to actually wear. Don't get me wrong, by 4am it was a relief to get out of it but until then even trips to the toilet were not too bad & I did use a middle strap to keep it from running down.

As you can see from the photos, it kind of just smooths everything out nicely. My dress fit fabulously, but most important to me, I was able to let my hair loose and just go crazy on the dance floor with an incredible confidence, last experienced sometime around 2004.

I am so happy with my purchase. Thanks "S" for the heads up. I am still working on my appearance but yes, this really gave me the boost I needed, albeit for one night.

When your kids are told off by strangers !?!

I'll admit it. There were times, pre-children, when I just didn't understand tantruming toddlers in public. More true - I wondered why the parent's had let things get to that point. I was naive. I was young. Frankly, I was an IDIOT.  I am very sorry for being judgmental back then. I now understand that kids are evil. Ok - just joking but they definitely don't listen, especially when you would like them to, like this afternoon when Api refused to get out of the car and get into the house because she preferred to go to a birthday party, even though no one we know had a birthday today.

That being said, there are times when children will surprise you. We just got back from a two week trip to Ireland. It was great but we arrived home at 2 AM to an empty fridge so we opted to go to a local breakfast cafe for some morning grub. The place was not too busy. Api who is very chatty & smiley ordered her own breakfast and kept making a bit of conversation with H & I, and some other friendly diners. Both girls were very good during the meal, but H & the baby slipped out to get the newspaper and as they walked out of the door, Api called out, "see you later daddy."

That was all it took for someone (I'll call her Mrs. Crabtree), two tables down to turn to her and say "My god, we are just trying to have a quiet cup of coffee. Misbehaving kids must stay at home." and she huffed - she literally huffed at my child. I was raging - not because Api was told off, but because Api had actually behaved impeccably well the entire meal. In a matter of seconds I thought to myself. Api is 2. Api behaved very well. I need to defend her. I'd like to tell this woman where to go. I can't tell her where to go because that would be setting a bad example for Api. But I can't leave Api hanging either. I was very hot but knew I needed to keep cool.

I turned to Api whose big blue eyes looked confused and I told her that she had been a very good girl during breakfast and that I was very proud of her. Mrs. Crabtree then huffed at me. As I finished my coffee I tried to calm down and was thinking of smart comebacks to throw at Mrs. Crabtree. Clearing the table, the waitress, who must have heard the exchange told Api that she was a good girl and gave her a free cookie. Another couple stopped to tell her that she was a "lovely" girl as they walked out. ;)

Bill's (Covent Garden, London) - Cafe/Global

28 St. Martin's Courtyard (Covent Garden)

London WC2E 9AB

0207 240 8183

www.bills-website.co.uk 

Summary: I will just start out by saying that I loved this place. It is a "mini-chain" as there are 6 in the UK. I really dislike going to chains, but this one uses simple, everyday - good quality ingredients and products to make delicious food. It is also neat that it can meet anyone's needs offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and even a latte if that is all that you fancy. Even better - it is not a wallet breaker!

The Food: I had a chorizo sandwich with houmous & yogurt, accompanied by some outstanding thick crispy chips (fries). Being naughty, and my very first lunch out without the kids, I had a Hedgerow Fizz - which is a fancy drink served in a champagne flute containing elder-flower, white wine and sparkling water (I think). I felt sophisticated and it tasted fabulous! The menu was quite short, but everything sounded appetizing.

The Atmosphere: Convent Garden is a cool (but fancy) area so I was expecting a certain pretentious air. I was wrong. It is nestled in this very quiet courtyard and I wasn't sure if it was even open - until we walked in and the place was welcoming, packed and vibrant. There are really cool things on the walls and everyone around us just seemed to be having a good time. I was out on a lunch date with a girlfriend, but could happily see myself taking my 1 & 2 year-old for a meal here.

The Service: Incredibly friendly. Incredibly friendly. Incredibly friendly. I was very pleased.

Would I go back? Absolutely. I will go back.

Hedgerow Fizz

cutest mini salt & pepper shakers in the world 

My Spanx

There was a time in my life when I could comfortably wear virtually anything - no bumps, no bulges, no wobble. Those days are faint memories ... drifting - drifting - drifting. Alas, I have 6 dresses, all bought pre-children that are now incredibly unflattering. I've tried wearing them for special occasions. Each time, I draped a rather large scarf over to try and conceal my wide midsection, "back-fat" and  especially that horrendous "muffin top" I get when I sit down!  

I'm off to a wedding on Saturday and the thought of wearing any of my dresses was incredibly depressing and was hurting my self-esteem. Setting off to find a perfect dress, I found that the dresses that "fit" and sufficiently hid the bulges were incredibly expensive and still not completely flattering. They made me feel frumpy. This is often a problem when you find yourself, "in-between" sizes. 

A girlfriend of mine recommended that I try using SPANX. I'd never before heard of them. I anxiously made my way to the department store to try some on, and embarrassingly entered the dressing room with 6 varying styles, sizes and colors.  

I broke into a sweat trying to get them on and found myself having to take a deep breathe and a break, as it was kind of exhausting. They should be pretty snug to get the full effect. At one point I was on my back, in the dressing room trying to tuck everything in properly. Once I was in, I put my clothes back on. I could not believe my eyes when I looked in the mirror. It was a whole new body before me and I felt comfortable. I opted for buying the SPANX and will wear one of my old dresses. I am not sure which one but I can say that I am absolutely thrilled with my new find. 

I might for the benefit of my readers post pictures with and without the SPANX, though I am very nervous about doing that. They are quite difficult to get on so I am not sure how I am going to use the toilet that night. There is a small hole in the crotch area but knowing my clutso-self, that would just get very messy. ;)