A huge NSV -- I picked myself up from four days of self-pity and mindless eating and I'm back on track again! I'm absolutely thrilled with myself :)

( here's the blog I posted in SparkPeople about it )

SW 265.4
GW 175
CW 260

Down 5.4 lbs in the first week!!

Hey everyone today ended a challenge that I was doing for spark people. So I took some pics to show the difference over those 12 weeks. It also ran along the time as our fun challenge here. I figured I should post it here too. Here is the info:

Challenge start weight: 207 april, 22
Goal weight: 183
challenge measurements:

Start Waist: 38 inches End: 35.5
Start muffintop/lovehandle waist: 43 inches End: 39.5
Start thighs: 29 inches End: 26.6
Start Arms: 14.5 inches End: 13.7
Start hips: 47 inches End: 43

Current weight: 185
Total pounds lost: 22 pounds
Total inches lost: 13.3 off measured areas
Met challenge goal: No, just 2 pounds away. i could have done better but I really started slacking towards the end, when it came exercise.

Also here are some new progress pics: This is the first time I've ever tried a short hairstyle..I'm sure I'm not the only one who has heard, "big girls should have long hair to distract from their weight"..yup from both family and friends..but oh well I don't care anymore. I've always liked short hair better. So I tried it, not a fan of the color, but thats all they had. Its a sew in anyway, so it's temporary. ( wanna see click here ) Hope I didn't kill your computer with big pics this time.

I've been stagnating at 192.5 for the last two-ish months. And while I won't say I was getting frustrated, because I am seriously happy to be at this weight, I was sort of wondering what more I might have to do to keep losing. Sure I slacked off with the diligence for about six weeks, staying happy with maintenance, but I've been back at work for the last two weeks with nary a budge. And then, this morning I stepped on the scale. After breakfast, after rehydrating from my run, after taking a bath and getting waterloggy skin, I was at 191. I usually step on the scale first thing in the morning, so I wasn't prepared to see that low a number, but I'll take it.  Yay. I'll have to take another picture of myself. I'm finding/saving a bunch of pictures of myself throughout this journey so I can post them for all you lovely people sometime in the future.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KnittingBlogChicKnits/~3/iB98Jd88FH0/

As you may well ask, why am I sitting here blogging instead of:
1. Finishing the one pocket that would make this a FO instead of a UFO
2. Doing my laundry
3. Enjoying a fabulous summer day
4. Going to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?!

Let's see:
AMC Loews 600 North Michigan 9 ...

So, I like to ask questions. I think it stems from my job. I like to do stuff like this, and if no one minds, maybe I'll post a question a week that have to do with our weightloss. (?)

Anywho, in becomming healthy, what have you started doing that you thought you'd never do?
For me, I've started drinking milk. I HATE milk. I never drank it, even growing up. I ate cereal with a fork.

Well, I've realized that I do need to eat more balanced, so I'm drinking maybe two glasses a week. Mind you I still have to add chocolate powder, but I think it's still better than nothing.

So what about you? Have any of you started doing something you've never thought you'd do in order to become more healthy?

dident mean to offend

I had a fantastic day for food yesterday! I made a meal plan and stuck to it completely with the exception of switching an orange for some chocolate milk...but I was still in my cal range, and tha'ts not too bad of a switch, health wise.

I'm about to start my cycle, so I've been pretty stable at 215 since saturday...which means I'm probably under that...or will be when I come off next week.

I'm going to make a meal plan for today and my bf will be up in 30mins and we're going to have a healthy breakfast together. This is such an accomplishment...he will NEVER eat breakfast.

Anyway, just thought I'd check in.

Where can I find a well-made garter belt? I bought one from Torrid recently, and that was a rather expensive mistake. It was made with plastic clips and they broke the first time I wore it. I'm in the 18-20 range, if it matters.

Hey all! I After finding out on Fats that Jibri's Esty store was open for business, I was so delighted to find this review!

stylevanguard.com/2009/07/09/jibri-is-the-bomb/#comment-390

I've been stalking Jibri online for the past year and a half and I can't wait to order. The prices are higher than what I'm used to but I'm definitely willing to sacrifice and save up for a piece that fits me perfectly AND that won't fall apart.  Anyone else have a chance to purchase  something Jibri? What do you think about the collection? Share please :)

www.jibrionline.com/live/
www.etsy.com/shop.php

so lately i've been really digging the shorts and tights look. well anyway, i decided i'd like to try the look out for myself. i normally don't wear shorts since i haven't felt too comfortable with my thighs in a while, but think i would feel way more comfortable with the tights on. i have yet to find a pair of cute shorts and tights that i like enough to try the look out, and i've especially been on the hunt for some really cute textured tights myself but haven't had any luck yet.

also, i was wondering if anyone here who normally wears this look would mind posting photos of either yourselves or other plus sized ladies sporting the shorts and tights look? it would be extremely helpful, thanks in advance.

Hi all- I'm looking for a few specific things to help with my wedding and am looking for your suggestions.  I'm getting married in six weeks and after a year and a half engagement, am starting to feel the pressure to get everything ready! 

I'm wearing a super cute pair of shoes that I bought from Zappos for the ceremony but need something way more comfortable for the dinner and party afterwards.  I was thinking of a small wedge heel, in a cream color or in a chocolate brown (the color of my bridesmaids' dresses).  Have you seen any that are cute? I have a wide foot, size 8 and am in Canada, so something that ships here would be awesome.   You're probably thinking, why not search Zappos again? Well, the shoe cost, shipping, customs and brokerage fees were quite high so I'd like to test the water to see if there are other options out there.   I'd like to keep it to under $100, ideally.

Secondly, I'm looking for a large wrap to wear with the dress, particularly in case the weather cools off in the evening.  I am thinking I'd like something in chocolate brown.  Have you seen anything like this? The ones I have seen are quite small and don't provide enough coverage.  I would like something wide enough that it covered my shoulders and fell down my back, and a material that isn't see through (nothing sheer). 

Lastly, I'd like to find a lightweight denim jacket to wear on my honeymoon.  I would like something not too loose and boxy, probably material with a bit of stretch, and preferably 3/4 length sleeves.  If I found one that had long sleeves, I'd probably go for it.  I'm about 48" in the chest and 52" in the hips, so usually a 2x or a 20 for most places.  I don't want anything long (looking for hip-lengthed), with frills or poufy features, no embroidery, no fading, no weird color and no weird logos- just a basic, simple denim jacket with a button-front.  I'd like to keep it to under $60 if at all possible.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

( Click for a pic of the dress! )

we were really worried about Dubbins a little while ago. he was acting very unlike himself. he cuddled up in berv's lap and cuddled up in the crook of my arm. he's never cuddly and only allows skritches on his own terms. he cuddled and liked to be petted tonight. i said it seemed like nesting behavior - like he was looking for a safe place to lay eggs. then he was cuddling down in the palm of berv's hand and straining. we decided to take him to the emergency vet. i said i wondered if he was trying to lay an egg as it looked like the same way i've seen skye hunch down and lay right in front of me. be sure to keep your hand cupped good behind his vent to catch it so it doesn't fall. his vent was bright pink. berv was gently massaging his belly like the vet does for skye. she could feel an egg in there. i went to get the emergency cage and some oil for his vent and he laid an egg right in berv's hand! he did heart wings after, just like skye and we reassured him and comforted him. we put the egg in the bottom of the cage. it feels weird calling him "him" still. hahah. i hope he & henry did not get it on.



we just took skye to the vet about eggs yesterday! (she has no more eggs in her and is in perfect health. all the angell memorial people fawned over her & she got to come to my work & go to wendy's for frosties and to see the geesies... they said her eggs were infertile. she's still laying on them.)

Hello everyone, here's an outfit I wore to go to work again, lol. :| I have no money at all so I can't wear any of Addition-Elle's clothing... yet.

( In... )
X-posted in inbetweenies and Flickr.

Any suggestions where I might vintage denim, or vintage look denim? I'd be looking at a 38 waist with at least a 34" inseam. Thanks everyone!

looking for a few things and thought you lovely people could help me:

• I finally got into leggings about three years too late (I'm always three years behind trends). I love how they look on my body and how I can just throw them on and have an outfit. The only thing I don't like is the weird spandex/poly material the ones I have are made of. Any place where I can find cotton leggings?
• A good leather motorcycle jacket? very fitted and womanly?
• Does anyone have experience with Torrid's Black Aunika Boots? the last time I tried to get a pair of boots at Torrid they were HUGE on my ankle, even though they fit my calf. I have about a 16-18 inch calf so finding boots is a bitch and a half, but my ankle is fairly small :(

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035992&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442202992&bmUID=1247592030841

and finally, Harem pants. What do you think about them? anyone know where I can find a high waisted pair?

I wear a 14-18 on the bottom, waist 38 inches, hips 42

thanks for the help!

Re/Dress NYC is going to have an indie designer trunk show the weekend of Sept 11-13th.
We're hoping to do a designer round table event, a fashion/trunk show, and then a more opened up marketplace on Sunday where folks will be able to rent a table to sell their clothes/crafts... more coming about that soon.

but i am looking for more independent designers to invite to participate in the trunk show.
So far we have:
Bertha Pearl of Size Queen Clothing, Diesel Femme Wear, Cupcake + Cuddlebunny.
I've got an offer out to Jane Bon Bon (crossing my fingers).

I'm looking for a few other people who do either accessories and/or fashion that's of a
different style, either Urban or Evening. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Independent for me means someone who's already making clothing for plus sizes but isn't represented in the market. They could have an online presence but they're not sold in more than a handful of boutiques.

If you don't have any suggestions, I'd love to hear what kinds of clothes you're craving. Thanks!

http://www.boogaj.com/knitting/2009/07/tasty-kitchen.html

ACK! The Pioneer Woman (you all read her blog, right?) has created a recipe website. It looks pretty and fun and it's called Tasty Kitchen. Check it out!