2020 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[Rhl2987]

Yesterday, spaghetti. Cinnamon rolls for dessert. Today, lunch was stuffed poblano peppers. Dinner was fried rice. Tomorrow will be lasagna. Not low carb at all! Later in the week, I'm going to bake bread so we can have BLTs. I'm hoping one day this week we can have steak and vegetables so I can at least have one low carb meal.

YUM!! That sounds delicious!

 

[Rhl2987]

Yesterday I had 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast, a greek salad for lunch, amd for dinner I had grilled chick rice ad spinach.

same!

Oh my!! I probably eat 3 to 4 times what you do in a day! But your food sounds so healthy and tasty as well.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Can you accidentally cut yourself or anything like that? I wax my upper lip (let's just call it what it is...I wax my mustache) and I sometimes have accidents where I rip some of the top layer of skin off with the wax! I just use the simple wax strips and still don't get it right 100% of the time. I'm nervous this implement would also cause accidental damage HAHA.

Wax does not work for me, because my hair grows in circles- the wax just doesn´t rip out enough in one go.

Of course an epilator has to be used with care. You cannot actually cut yourself, as tweezers don´t cut, but when you use the machine irresponsibly (like I do most of the time) without the skin protecting head on the roll of tweezers and press a bit too hard you can catch portions of your skin in the tweezers- gives nice bruises. I never had any accident like this in my face, yet, but certainly on other parts including the chicken skin on my neck... oops!

If you are worried about hurting yourself and have time on your hands why don´t you just take a pair of normal tweezers and invest an hour on de-mustaching?

Another option would be hair removal creams which you can get especially for facial use. I don´t have any experience with them, though.

 

[Rhl2987]

Wax does not work for me, because my hair grows in circles- the wax just doesn´t rip out enough in one go.

Of course an epilator has to be used with care. You cannot actually cut yourself, as tweezers don´t cut, but when you use the machine irresponsibly (like I do most of the time) without the skin protecting head on the roll of tweezers and press a bit too hard you can catch portions of your skin in the tweezers- gives nice bruises. I never had any accident like this in my face, yet, but certainly on other parts including the chicken skin on my neck... oops!

If you are worried about hurting yourself and have time on your hands why don´t you just take a pair of normal tweezers and invest an hour on de-mustaching?

Another option would be hair removal creams which you can get especially for facial use. I don´t have any experience with them, though.

I don't think I have the patience for tweezing and I also have cut myself that way, just by catching the skin. Boy, I sound like such an impatient klutz! I promise, it's really not that bad but I don't like to spend that much time on myself so waxing it is. I do take a little time to tweeze unruly brow hairs when I go a longtime between appointments, and I take my time with that.

I used to use Nair and it worked really well but the smell of it would drive me nuts!! That is a great option to reconsider so that you for suggesting it!

 

[keodi]

I use the Cetaphil lotion for my 11 month old because she has such dry skin, and I've been using that on my hands and feet when I remember and it works well! @keodi just another potential option. Moisturizing is so important these days!

thats a good option too ! i'll add that to my cart.

 

[Rhl2987]

I've struggled quite a bit over the last few days with being cooped up at home and having to be in a constant teamwork mode with my husband. Yesterday was the worst of it because I was in bed for quite a bit of the morning and afternoon. After having a virtual meeting with my therapist (I am a big proponent of therapy and am so glad that it seems like many have gone virtual), I've decided to create a nice routine every morning for myself. I plan to wake up around 5 am (normal for us, actually), workout, shower, get dressed in regular clothes, have some time for myself to drink tea, wake my daughter up, nurse her, dress her in normal clothes, step outside for a few minutes, and then make her breakfast. I feel lovely today and will wake my daughter up soon. I only anticipate having a couple hours of work today, so I probably won't have a full paycheck for this week (which is okay), and I'm excited to have a breather and get to spend more present time with my daughter. Hooray for routines!! I will let you all know how this goes.

 

[keodi]

I don't think I have the patience for tweezing and I also have cut myself that way, just by catching the skin. Boy, I sound like such an impatient klutz! I promise, it's really not that bad but I don't like to spend that much time on myself so waxing it is. I do take a little time to tweeze unruly brow hairs when I go a longtime between appointments, and I take my time with that.

I used to use Nair and it worked really well but the smell of it would drive me nuts!! That is a great option to reconsider so that you for suggesting it!

I couldn't get past the NAIR smell it would make me throw up! so i stoppped using it.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Made it to HK safely!

For black week I have less bags than 2019 and no new bags. I don’t use my black bags so will not be adding any anytime soon.
Sold my black 35 birkin
Fendi b bag
Chanel woc
Prada tote

So glad you made it safely. And, you were super smart to have services you needed ready when you arrived.

Yesterday, spaghetti. Cinnamon rolls for dessert. Today, lunch was stuffed poblano peppers. Dinner was fried rice. Tomorrow will be lasagna. Not low carb at all! Later in the week, I'm going to bake bread so we can have BLTs. I'm hoping one day this week we can have steak and vegetables so I can at least have one low carb meal.

Cinnamon rolls! Yum! One of my favorites and I haven’t had any in years.

I asked because I tend to get very light headed if I don't eat for a long period of time. The way you do it sounds more doable.

I used to get lightheaded when I didn’t eat. Then my body adjusted to IM fairly quickly over time.

Sparkle- So glad the boot is off. I think now that you can move around a bit easier any extra weight will fall off.

Thanks! I’m going to try walking today. My foot still hurts because I have 6ish more weeks of healing. But, the doc said I can definitely start walking. Yay!!

Yesterday I had 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast, a greek salad for lunch, and for dinner I had grilled chicken, rice and spinach.

This is a lot of how is usually eat except I don’t eat til noon and I don’t typically eat grains. I cheat on Paleo though and will have a bit of sugar every now and then along with my beloved cheese. My usually way of eating:
• Noon: 2 soft boiled eggs and a chopped slice of bacon over a pile of sautéed veggies (things like spinach, asparagus, zoodles, garlic, onions, etc.)
• 6pm: Lean protein, veggies and fruit For example pan seared trout with a baked sweet potato, broccolini w/lemon butter sauce and sliced tomatoes. Add in a glass of wine or sometimes a cocktail if Mr. S is in the mood to create.
• 9pm: Snack of protein, cheese and / or veggies. For example prosciutto with truffle cheese, hot pepper mix and olives. Or hot pickle spears and smoked salmon.

I tend to have very low blood pressure for reasons no one seems to understand. So my doctors have always told me to eat a little extra salt (otherwise I’ll get dizzy or pass out) This admonition is great because I don’t think I could survive with no sugar, no grains (my modified Paleo) and no salt too.

I drink loooooooots of water - I try to get in a gallon a day which is never easy. It’s usually 3 quarts. I literally have reminders on my phone to go off every 2 hours to remind me to chug water.

The key for me is every thing I eat has to be very flavorful. No plain baked chicken breast or steamed veggies. If my food doesn’t taste yummy I feel deprived and will eat something unhealthy.

Since the surgery, however, I’ve fallen further and further off the wagon because of my micro pity parties. Lol! I think “my foot is killing me. I’ll treat myself with a cookie.” Then that turns into a day of eating pizza, waffles and a bowl of popcorn. (sigh)

@Cookiefiend - I think the gastrointestinal gods do make us pay for getting off track. Lol! I’ve noticed my tummy hurts when I eat poorly even if I don’t over eat. And, I’ve never had any GI issues. But, that is half the reason I’m getting back on track with eating. I don’t like how I feel (GI, malaise, mood) when I don’t feed myself well.

I use the Cetaphil lotion for my 11 month old because she has such dry skin, and I've been using that on my hands and feet when I remember and it works well! @keodi just another potential option. Moisturizing is so important these days!

I’ve tried putting on moisturizer and wearing thin cotton gloves at night. I couldn’t stand it but, I know a lot of people swear by it.

My husband has made tuna salad melts, curries, steak, veggie brats, we've had eggs, pancakes, lots of fruit, salad mix, frozen pizza, fish, smoothies, celery juice. Lots of variety but my problem is all the cookies and sweets and snacks we have in the house!! Impossible not to go fishing every once in awhile for a delicious bite in the closet. I gained a couple pounds so I'm going to try intermittent fasting again, starting today. Last time it had some effects on milk supply but my daughter is 11 months old and eats like a beast, plus I have a decent amount of frozen milk to get her through this next month.

Go slowly. You have time to make the transition.

I agree on the sweets. We never have sweets in the house and yet now I’ve ordered a ton of Cheryl’s cookies and I’ve made banana pudding and cobblers. Mr. Sparkle bought a ton ice cream which, thankfully, I don’t like. I don’t like foods with creamy textures. That also helped as Mr. S happily ate all the banana pudding without much help from me. LOL!

I’m wearing myself back off the sweets with fruit juice popsicles. The madness has to end.

 

[Sparkletastic]

A progression of my selfies over the last few weeks.

 

[southernbelle43]

Just a POV. I found that when I have lived in cities where others didn’t typically wear designer bags, it actually worked to my advantage. No one knew my bags or cared about my bags. So, except for work situations, I could wear them without any issue. Are you getting reaction to your bags or are you presuming reaction? Maybe it’s less of an issue than you think and you can start feeling more comfortable with your bags.
I’m struggling a bit to keep a schedule and I’m surprised since I work from home as the norm. The main issue for me is that I’m now going into week EIGHT of being at home almost all the time.

Also, my usual week day starts with a workout. It gets me going mentally and physically. I can’t work out with my bottom half healing or unstable - not even rehab or simple walks. Yeah, I could do a chair workout but I’m not motivated or interested. So, that structure and mental boost I get from the early am workouts is gone. That means I’m sleeping later and more likely to be inexplicably sad / grumpy. I’m not a moody person so I hate it!

I’ve held a few social zoom meetings for my clubs and friends. Some I’ve moderated, some free form. I’m literally trying it all. Lol! While others seem to really enjoy them and be grateful for me doing so, I gotta admit. They are doing nothing for my mood. I’m just not a “talker”. I don’t like Skyping and I hate talking on the phone. I prefer being with people and doing things where conversation is a fun byproduct OR having solitude to read, exercise, meditate, etc. The only time I really enjoy endless talk is in a class or lecture. Soooooo...

A bit of good news! The boot can come off! Now I just need to find a shoe that will accommodate my bandaged foot as the doctor wants me to keep it wrapped to support the ligaments. Whoo hoo! I may have to buy 2 pair of something. One regular width and one wide width and just wear one of each.

That is great news and has to be a welcome relief, Sparkle!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

A progression of my selfies over the last few weeks. View attachment 4696958

Haha! this comes to mind:

I´d really fancy a rich milkshake floating towards me, though...

 

[muchstuff]

I use the Cetaphil lotion for my 11 month old because she has such dry skin, and I've been using that on my hands and feet when I remember and it works well! @keodi just another potential option. Moisturizing is so important these days!

Try almond oil with a few drops of lavender oil in it (google correct ratio) for your babe. It’s all I used on my twins for diaper changes, and they were totally rash free and it’s very soothing. Plus no added chemicals.

 

[Cookiefiend]

What is everyone cooking and eating right now? Yesterday, I fixed pan seared trout and roasted veggies. Today, home made pizza and mixed fruit. Tomorrow Creole fried catfish, baked sweet potatoes and TBD green item. I’m also planning to bake a lemon pound cake...because... well why the heck not. LOL! (See how much IM / Paleo is out of the window? Eeeek!)

I have never spent this much time hunting, considering, storing, planning, cooking and unfortunately eating food.

I neeeeeeeed something to do or they will have to cut me out of this house.

Hahahaa - I think part of the time spent hunting, considering, storing, and planning for food is a natural human reaction to what is going on. Your brain is saying "Holy Heck! We've got to make sure we survive!" I think it's completely normal - i started thinking that way about a month ago - I am a Plan Ahead Of Time person. Because I grew up hungry, I can't deal with an empty pantry… I had to 'fill' almost half of it with things like the food processor, the blender and other assorted inedible things, or it would have been floor to ceiling with canned and dry goods. I tell myself "Now doesn't that look nice and clean?" when the refrigerator is looking - well - empty… Next thing you know, I've made 3 different dinners of comfort food to fill it.

I asked because I tend to get very light headed if I don't eat for a long period of time. The way you do it sounds more doable.

I sometimes get nauseated if I get too hungry, I've found that a nice glass of water helps with that, but it doesn't happen very often. If water doesn't help - then I eat something - usually a spoonful of peanut butter. It's okay! It's your body saying 'Zomg - I need something pronto!' But honestly, you will acclimate to IF, it's just so easy.
But we have to be nice to ourselves too. Mary Oliver has a poem called Wild Geese:
"You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves."
Be easy - this is a rough rough time we're all going through. It's okay to have a cookie or two.

Can you accidentally cut yourself or anything like that? I wax my upper lip (let's just call it what it is...I wax my mustache) and I sometimes have accidents where I rip some of the top layer of skin off with the wax! I just use the simple wax strips and still don't get it right 100% of the time. I'm nervous this implement would also cause accidental damage HAHA.

I use Nair - I hate the smell, and I can't leave it on as long as they recommend because it will burn my skin - but it works well enough that I don't frighten small children or dogs with my mustache and snaggly tooth.

I've struggled quite a bit over the last few days with being cooped up at home and having to be in a constant teamwork mode with my husband. Yesterday was the worst of it because I was in bed for quite a bit of the morning and afternoon. After having a virtual meeting with my therapist (I am a big proponent of therapy and am so glad that it seems like many have gone virtual), I've decided to create a nice routine every morning for myself. I plan to wake up around 5 am (normal for us, actually), workout, shower, get dressed in regular clothes, have some time for myself to drink tea, wake my daughter up, nurse her, dress her in normal clothes, step outside for a few minutes, and then make her breakfast. I feel lovely today and will wake my daughter up soon. I only anticipate having a couple hours of work today, so I probably won't have a full paycheck for this week (which is okay), and I'm excited to have a breather and get to spend more present time with my daughter. Hooray for routines!! I will let you all know how this goes.

Oh hon, it's okay!
A routine will help, I swear by it. It will give a bit of structure, a bit of normality to the day.
Take some time for yourself too.
I'm going to try a bit of meditation, I think @ElainePG is using an app that she enjoys. It's definitely worth a shot!

A progression of my selfies over the last few weeks. View attachment 4696958

BWAHAHAHAA !!!!

 

[More bags]

I hope your MIL will be okay. I left the house with my daughter on Monday to go to the pediatrician for nothing. Turns out she does not have an ear infection even though she's had 3 recently and been tugging on and poking in her ear... But we've been doing such a good job with our quarantine that I was not happy to have to leave the house and go to a doctor's office. But I hope that she's able to get in and get out and then can relax after getting all cleaned up at home!

Thanks for the kind wishes for my MIL. She has anxiety and I hope Cookie’s tips can help my MIL feel more in control of the situation.
I can imagine how stressful it would have been to take your DD out of the house, to a doctor’s office and then not get a satisfactory answer. I am glad she doesn’t have another ear infection. When my firstborn DS was an infant/toddler he had a lot of ear infections. The ear/nose/throat specialist recommended surgery for installing ear tubes, which we did. Although the multiple ear infections were stressful in the moment everything worked out in the end. He is turning into a teenager in a week and a half. Hang in there Rhl2987, you’re doing great.
P.S. my husband pointed out we are almost out of milk and I wasn’t planning to do the next big grocery trip until Friday. I am deep into staying at home mode I don’t even want to leave to go get milk today!

I've struggled quite a bit over the last few days with being cooped up at home and having to be in a constant teamwork mode with my husband. Yesterday was the worst of it because I was in bed for quite a bit of the morning and afternoon. After having a virtual meeting with my therapist (I am a big proponent of therapy and am so glad that it seems like many have gone virtual), I've decided to create a nice routine every morning for myself. I plan to wake up around 5 am (normal for us, actually), workout, shower, get dressed in regular clothes, have some time for myself to drink tea, wake my daughter up, nurse her, dress her in normal clothes, step outside for a few minutes, and then make her breakfast. I feel lovely today and will wake my daughter up soon. I only anticipate having a couple hours of work today, so I probably won't have a full paycheck for this week (which is okay), and I'm excited to have a breather and get to spend more present time with my daughter. Hooray for routines!! I will let you all know how this goes.

Routines are great, especially with others in the house! I’m glad you are feeling better today. It is challenging for everyone to adjust to the new reality of staying home.
My boys were getting in my nerves on Monday so I asked them to make a schedule for the rest of the week. My younger DS took up the challenge and sketched out a schedule for yesterday and I found everything went smoothly and the boys and I were happier because it communicated what the expectations were.
Keep up the great efforts. I hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[More bags]

What is everyone cooking and eating right now? Yesterday, I fixed pan seared trout and roasted veggies. Today, home made pizza and mixed fruit. Tomorrow Creole fried catfish, baked sweet potatoes and TBD green item. I’m also planning to bake a lemon pound cake...because... well why the heck not. LOL! (See how much IM / Paleo is out of the window? Eeeek!)

I have never spent this much time hunting, considering, storing, planning, cooking and unfortunately eating food.

I neeeeeeeed something to do or they will have to cut me out of this house.

A progression of my selfies over the last few weeks. View attachment 4696958

So true!

Hahahaa - I think part of the time spent hunting, considering, storing, and planning for food is a natural human reaction to what is going on. Your brain is saying "Holy Heck! We've got to make sure we survive!" I think it's completely normal - i started thinking that way about a month ago - I am a Plan Ahead Of Time person. Because I grew up hungry, I can't deal with an empty pantry… I had to 'fill' almost half of it with things like the food processor, the blender and other assorted inedible things, or it would have been floor to ceiling with canned and dry goods. I tell myself "Now doesn't that look nice and clean?" when the refrigerator is looking - well - empty… Next thing you know, I've made 3 different dinners of comfort food to fill it.

I sometimes get nauseated if I get too hungry, I've found that a nice glass of water helps with that, but it doesn't happen very often. If water doesn't help - then I eat something - usually a spoonful of peanut butter. It's okay! It's your body saying 'Zomg - I need something pronto!' But honestly, you will acclimate to IF, it's just so easy.
But we have to be nice to ourselves too. Mary Oliver has a poem called Wild Geese:
"You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves."
Be easy - this is a rough rough time we're all going through. It's okay to have a cookie or two.

I use Nair - I hate the smell, and I can't leave it on as long as they recommend because it will burn my skin - but it works well enough that I don't frighten small children or dogs with my mustache and snaggly tooth.

Oh hon, it's okay!
A routine will help, I swear by it. It will give a bit of structure, a bit of normality to the day.
Take some time for yourself too.
I'm going to try a bit of meditation, I think @ElainePG is using an app that she enjoys. It's definitely worth a shot!

BWAHAHAHAA !!!!

Great poem Cookie! I am with you on the comfort food.

My girlfriend told me, forget the Freshman 15 (weight gain during first year of college/university), we now have the Covid 19.

I am loving all of the food talk, someone asked earlier if we still use cookbooks. I use cooking magazines and cookbooks, I especially like ones from Fine Cooking, Cook’s Illustrated and Cooking Light. I have been meal planning since 1997, yes, for 23 years. Lately, I have included my DSs in selecting recipes for the weekly menu. I have noticed we are leaning heavily towards more Sunday night type/comfort food meals and adding in desserts! I am spending a lot of time to plan menus, do the grocery shopping, process the groceries when I get home, prepare the food and clean everything up after it is consumed in 10 minutes. Once the kitchen is clean I start thinking about the next meal (do I need to take something out of the freezer, etc) We have built into our routine eating our meals at approximately the same time everyday (back to that discussion of how having a routine is helpful.) Here’s a list of things we’ve been eating recently (family of four and leftovers for hot lunches):

• Spring Vegetable Pasta Alfredo
• Garlic Miso Pork Noodle Bowl
• Roast Salmon with Bacon and Leeks, roasted baby potatoes
• Smoky Turkey and White Bean Chili
• Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja, white rice and black beans
• Hamburgers and home fries (cooked with 1 Tbsp oil in an Actifry Cooker)
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Roast Chicken, potato gratin, Garlic Parmesan Sautéed Zucchini
• Italian Sausage Soup with Cheese Tortellini
• Lasagna with meat sauce, Caesar salad

Desserts:

• Classic carrot cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting
• Chocolate Banana swirl cake
• Blueberry muffin cake
• Thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies