I can’t believe it’s been 12 weeks of a weight loss journey. I’m down another pound. Truth be told, my personal goal for the week before Thanksgiving was 147 but I’ll take the 148! I’m hoping to be 145 by Christmas. As long as I don’t gain weight over the holidays I’ll be fine!
148.2–I’ll take it. It will be hard transitioning into the holiday food mode but after last night’s baking experience, I’ll be good!
Remember when I was groaning and moaning about being unemployed and not being able to find a job? Remember how I had so much time on my hands?
Well. These days I’m actually wondering just where the time goes! Thanksgiving is next week. Next week! Bonaparte and I were invited to my sister’s house out on Long Island. Oona is spending Thanksgiving with friends in Cincinnati because it’s more important to be home for Christmas. Jake has to work at the evening news and Roman is working for NBC at the parade.
And because we leave for Paris two days after Thanksgiving, we decided to stay home and have a quiet Thanksgiving—just the three of us. Bonaparte, Chippy and me. It’ll give me time to get packing and just get the house ready for the holidays.
This Thanksgiving I’ll most likely fall asleep while watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel!
It’s weird because I actually enjoy being in a mad rush. Jake is coming over this weekend so I’ll be doing lots of cooking. And I started last night. I made brownies—for Jake and for the girls at work. Have you ever had Barefoot Contessa’s “Outrageous Brownies”? They are, hands down, the best brownies on earth!!!
An entire sheet pan of these dense brownies. I didn’t add nuts though. The girls at work were very happy!
I also made one of Jake’s favorite desserts. The Barefoot Contessa Frozen Nougatine! It’s always a hit and the most requested dessert and there’s no baking!
The Nougatine isn’t much to look at now, but when sliced and presented with a side of either salted caramel or chocolate sauce–it’s a beauty! And this is the easiest dessert to make! All the ingredients are folded in (top left photo) then placed in a loaf pan, topped with home made pistachio brittle, covered and frozen. Easy Peasey!
While preparing the brownies, I was a bit naughty. I started to help myself to brownie batter. Not a lot of it, but a good amount. And you know what? I felt like crap all day. Being without sweets has really had a positive effect on my body because I’m so used to not having all that sugar; and when I did, it just made me feel sluggish and “ugh”.
It’s true all that dense, uncooked chocolate and also the pistachio brittle AND licking the nougatine did have a brutal effect on me. I felt sluggish and sleepy all day!
But out of the bad naughtiness came a very good ephiphany! I’ll be able to carry out all the holiday baking without pigging out. So it was actually a good thing that I helped myself to the decadence of the best brownies in the world!
How was your week? Did you stick to your healthy or different habits? Anything to share?
I’m keeping it somewhat short tonight because I have a turkey breast in the oven. I also have stuffing in the oven and will be making cranberry sauce too. Why? Because when Jake is here he’ll be watching Longhorn Football on Saturday afternoon and I’ll make one of those Turkey-Stuffing-Cranberry sauce sandwiches. Personally, I like those sandwiches better than the entire Thanksgiving dinner!
Hook ’em Horns! I’ll be feeding my son while he watches his alma mater’s football team!
The clothing continues to fit better, but I gotta get new bras. I think the girls went down a size. Here’s a bit of what I wore this week!
Last Friday’s “jeans day” outfit. I call this my bipartisan look because I wore Ivanka Trump shoes. ( I know–I should’t be wearing them but I’m trying to be bipartisian in my own special way!)
I wore this on Tuesday. I know I forgot what I wore Monday because I forgot to take pics. This skirt is quite a few years old. It’s a ruched knit skirt from Banana Republic. I couldn’t wear it last year because I got so heavy that the knit stretched out and actually made the skirt shorter. I’m wearing a black turtleneck with a scarf, gray tights and over-the-knee boots. First and last time wearing gray tights. I don’t like them. I should have worn black to give a better flow to the outfit. Hey–you learn through your mistakes! Right??
Here’s what I wore yesterday. Basic Navy and White cotton turtleneck from J. Crew and to ensure that turkey neck was hidden I wore the polka dotted scarf. I love the combo. I also wore navy pants from J. Crew and gold Tory Burch Reva flats from the year of the flood. Any way, it’s a pretty basic outfit. BUT. I decided to……
Add this bright red-orange schoolboy blazer from J. Crew. HOLY SCHNICKIES!! You would not believe the amount of compliments I ended up getting on this outfit. A random woman stopped me in the parking lot at work to tell me she loved what I was wearing. And all the girls at work complimented me too! It is amazing what a bright colored item of clothing can do to transform an outfit!
HOLD ON! NOW I remember what I wore on Monday! I wore this shirt with black pixie pants and black ballet flats. I had my mammogram and this shirt was mammogram friendly! Hey. I dress for the occasion!
Are you familiar with Zulily? I ordered this tunic from their site. At $29.99 I thought it was a pretty shirt. Let me tell you something. It’s even better than photographed. The green and blue are very vibrant. The shirt drapes beautifully and the neck is high enough to cover the turkey neck. I’m very happy with this purchase. Let’s see how it wears over time!
And that’s it for tonight! I’ve got to keep an eye on that Turkey breast and make some cranberry sauce! I wanna hear how your week went!
Oh..and because of time, here’s the ever-beautiful Judy Collins with “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”!
Catherine, you are looking amazing! I love your outfits. You are styling pieces so beautifully and I would never know you are 60!! You look fabulous and congrats are in order, not only for your weight loss, but your self control. Thanks for being an inspiration! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi Amy! Thank you! Thank you so much!! Oh the self control is difficult but getting easier! I’m trying to disrupt age–lol!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
It’s been fun watching your scale go down!! You’ve give me inspiration and I’ve started to shed a few lbs!! Love the stripes with polka dots! And, your hair looks amazing. So natural on you!
Thanks Aimee!! Yeah..It’s been great watching those numbers get smaller. I think the biggest challenge will be staying low when I reach goal–but I’ll worry about that after the holidays.LOL!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Agree with Amy C….you look amazing and are such an inspiration..can you inspire me to stop drinking prosecco???? hahaha
Nancy!! BWAAAAAAAAA!!! I need inspiration to cut down on the Kir Royal’s!! We can help each other!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Ooooooh I love nougatine! It is delicious, I am going to have to try that recipe, my weight is creeping up already (yikes November – not nearly Christmas even and of course we don’t have Thanksgiving, but we do have St Andrews night – mmmmmm haggis and neeps! bliss) that may be due to test baking biscotti amongst other things… I was happily scrolling through all your outfits admiring them (the dark check scarf and skirt is gorgeous – talk about slinky and svelte) and came to an admiring halt with the orange blazer – that is just lovely on you
Hi Juliet. Thank you so much. Yeah, that orange blazer was SUPPOSED to be red according to the online J. Crew site. I was really ticked off at them but too lazy to return it–and was shocked at the amount of compliments so I’m happy I kept it. Don’t even mention biscotti. I will be baking some when we return from Paris and will need every ounce of willpower to NOT have some with my afternoon tea!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I am always amazed at how much you achieve in a week. Plus creating eclectic blogs which always include a lovely bit of trivia and then culminate in a video. Judy Collins is so beautiful. Your determined and controlled weight loss is to be applauded. I understand the sugar surge because once you stop eating sugar everyday you feel like a slug after a little binge. Though my downfall is chips and happy to say I have been able to control that lately. Love all the cooking especially the nougatine including homemade pecan brittle.
Yvonne. Is Judy Collins not the greatest? I often forget about her beautiful voice and her incredibly beauty–especially as she’s aged–she’s even more beautiful! Oddly, the sugar rushes have been tamed-but the cheese cravings are at an all time peak!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Congrats on your weight loss. I too am doing this journey and have lost around 20lbs. Its amazing but I have lost a shoe size. I dream about losing a cup size. That would be amazing!
Thank you Illueck! 20 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go girl!!!! I think I have lost a cup size because my bras are getting this weird fit. I’m to cheap to buy new ones so I’ll have to stuff them!! Just like a little turkey!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
You look wonderful and your OOTD’s are killer. It takes incredible willpower not to eat those brownies! I can smell them on my ipad😋 Please continue to inspire and amuse us in your journey- enjoy the happiest of holidays ( skinniest too)
Thanks Missy!! I still have nougatine in the freezer and haven’t touched it at all. I’m wearing extra tight jeans so I can’t fit that much into my belly!! XOXOXOXO!!! Have a great Thanksgiving!!!
Reading your blog since a while, I never found that you look like that you should loose weight. But of course I do understand, I hate it too when I have to hold on breeth during closing the zipper of my jeans;-).
You have a great sense of style, just love it.
Thank you Barbara! Thank you so much. I think it all comes down to what we are comfortable with. For me, I like to have some “give” in my weight–especially around the holidays! LOL–I cannot stand squatting and breathing in to zip those jeans and pants –it is so annoying!!! I have to attribute my sense of style to my mom and the fact that I wore uniforms to school. I honestly think wearing uniforms gives you a sense of a “basic” look that you can always play around with!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hey Longhorns! Reppin my home state of Texas here…Happy Thanksgiving!
Cynthia. Bevo and company need a little push. I still can’t believe they lost to Kansas!! Oh well! Have a great and safe Thanksgiving!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Well done with your weight loss. They say that the camera adds inches, but you look really slim,I wish I looked as slim as you at the same weight.
Wishing you, Bonaparte and all your family a very happy Thanksgiving.
Susan D
Thank you Susan! And a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!!! XOXOXOXO!!!