Time to return to the weight loss posting. It hasn’t been easy to lose the extra calories pounds that were added on during Christmas. But—I was not going to deprive myself of the enjoyment of sitting around the table with my family during the holidays. Family. Food. Fun.
I am finding it somewhat difficult to get back into the swing of my weight loss program; I’m at a plateau. It’s fine though because I am watching what I’ve been eating and went back to cutting out sugar and processed foods. It’s the cheese that’s killing me.
Seriously–do I need a pedicure or what? I’m a disgrace to beauty bloggers everywhere!!
Anyway, at 147.8, I’ve hit a plateau. It’ll take me a while to really get back to the weight loss normal—and with less than ten pounds to lose, it will take some time. Those last elusive pounds are tricky. In the meantime, I spent yesterday getting ready for date night!
Truth be told. Bonaparte and I really don’t go out on many date nights. During the week, we are so happy to come home after work that neither of us can be bothered going out. Even for errands. We will wait for the weekend.
And on the weekends, I find it comforting and therapeutic to cook our special meals.
But when we do go out for date night, it’s to a really good restaurant. And last night we dined at our personal favorite—Spring Mill Café.
Obviously I’m no Jacques-Henri Lartigue when it comes to photography. And I snapped this pic BEFORE the wine. It was a blustery mix of snow and rain as we drove into the parking lot at Spring Mill Cafe!
The restaurant is not an elaborate one nor is it extremely spectacular. The food is French style country with a bit of an edge—but not too edgy. The menu isn’t large but the offerings are always excellent.
Menu at the ready…
The cozy table all set in our little alcove and we were ready for a great meal!
We love it because it is “our” place. We can always expect the service to be excellent. Our little alcove to be reserved and the food always consistent.
And after all the running around and cooking and busy-as-a-bee moments of the holidays, we decided to put one of our Christmas gifts, a certificate to Spring Mill Café, to use.
Spring Mill is a BYO and the wine that Bonaparte decided to bring was a Bordeaux he had sitting around for about five years. A Chateau Lanessan 2000. It was GOOOOODDD!!!
We did enjoy our Kir Royals with the Pate Tasting. They know Monsieur Lartigue well at Spring Mill Cafe–I can tell by the large amount of baguette on the plate!
You-know-who had his usual steak. And he RAVED about the perfection of it. He spoke in his sleep of it–and woke up praising the taste!
I went with my wintertime favorite: Deconstructed Cassoulet. I was thrilled to see it on the menu again. I LOVE Cassoulet–and deconstructed is such a different and more refined way to enjoy it. Duck Confit. Sausage in a little puff pastry. Beans. I was in epicure heaven!
Yeah. I know. I said I have given up sugar. I cheated last night with dessert. I had the Mousse au Chocolat..
Ohlalalala! I helped with the Creme Brulee too! Overall, it was a fantastic dinner and fun date night!
I was happy because I was looking a bit neglected and a bit raggy and preparing for date night was a great way to spend a Saturday by doing all things girly!
A bit of makeup left over from the day before. Yes! I’m THAT lazy at times–but I didn’t have to apply any to go to the nail salon. Casually dressed for my nail appointment!
My friend Kim, on the right and her sister! I LOVE going to Oaks Nail Salon on Egypt Road! If you live in the Philly area, you really should stop by here. Kim is the best nail technician ever! She’s going to go back home to Vietnam for a few weeks to visit her father and I can’t wait to see her when she returns!!
Bonaparte was exasperated by the state of my nails. I ripped the gel off and cut my nails down to the nubs because it is impossible to type on this new laptop with longer nails. In a fit of getting used to the keyboard—let’s just say I had a moment, and the nails were cut!
Look how disgusting my nails were after I ripped the gel off and cut them down. The fact that Toppik residue from filling in my bald hair spots are also embedded in my nails makes them look absolutely vulgar! Bonaparte would not take me to dinner unless I had them fixed! AFTER–look and admire Kim’s handy work! She’s an artisan! My hands look pretty again!
Being that my little toes looked awful on the scale, I also decided to have a pedicure and had those lady whiskers waxed away!
Yeah Kim. I don’t blame you for wearing a mask to take care of my stinky feet!
Look at those cute toes! And look at that hair that just fell from my head! Can I ever take a decent photo?
Next step was a relaxing bath upon arriving home. Bonaparte took Chippy with him to run errands and I had the house to myself. I exfoliated and then put a light coating of fake tan on my legs.
The snow started falling. Being on the safe side of “milkbreadeggs”, we had the milk and eggs. I baked some bread!
I normally use my Pullman pan for baking loaves of Brioche. This time I made white sandwich bread…
Out of the oven and warm–it turned out great! I’ll be baking more for next weekend. We’ll toast slices for foie gras!
While the bread was baking, I decided to relax with a cuppa tea and my new favorite TV Show. “The Mick” starring the great Kaitlin Olson of “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”
You KNOW how much I love “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and THIS show, The Mick, is just as funny–if not more! This IS the ultimate girl show. Ultimate!!!!
At this point it was time to get ready.
I turned my unmade wrinkly face into a more human appearance. I didn’t want an overdone look.
I know. You are thinking it is nearly impossible to get this face to look like….
And since my hair needed a bit of help I placed a Tony of Beverly topper over my bio hair for a fuller look.
…THIS! Marc Jacobs Foundation, Maybelline contour stick, Naked Smokey Eyes palette, NARS Multiple in Riviera, e.l.f. eyeliner crayon used as brow color, NYC Color liquid Eyeliner, Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara–which I picked up for two bucks and will go back to buy more, Chapstick and iT’s Lip Vitality. Whew! That’s a lot to look natural!
I went “high-low” with the attire. I know, I know, I know!! Many of my circle of friends here aren’t crazy about the ripped jeans look. But I love the way it looks with some high-end finishes. When I go out to eat, I want to be comfortable. Hence the jeans!
I give up on the pics. My phone takes lousy pics in evening lighting. I need a digital camera! Anyway, I wore my favorite AG jeans that were on sale at Nordstrom Rack. Pewter heels. J. Crew FACTORY version of the Tippi sweater which does not shrink when washed and my J. Crew Lady Jacket. Lots of fake pearls completed the look!
And YES. OLD PEOPLE GO OUT ON DATE NIGHT! I could sense the tone of “eww” and “ugh” when Oona called and I told her B. and I were having “date night”. Sorry, twenty-somethings. Sixty and Seventy somethings are allowed to enjoy date night too! Let’s not get all ageist on our social lives!
And so, we left Chippy to his own devices, of which he most likely spent the entire evening trying to figure out how to get the bread off the counter, and headed to Spring Mill Café! And that was my Saturday!
Today the sun is shining and later this afternoon I’ll be running an errand. My new project is re-stuffing the cushions on that “bane-of-existence” overpriced Ethan Allen sofa. What a headache!
Getting back into the weight loss grove—here’s some of the outfits I wore this week!
From the quality of the photo, it is hard to see that the pants are Black Watch plaid. These pants have not fit me properly in over two years. They were tight and uncomfortable. Now they are loose and I love them so much more!
A better view of the pants. I thought I purchased these from J. Crew–but I didn’t. They are from Loft!
My “Poinsettia” skirt. THIS is from J. Crew. I ordered it maybe three years ago and could not even get it zippered up last year. I was so disappointed!
These days I can zipper it up and the waist is a bit large!
Office attire with my “Nun” boots! I love these boots because they remind me of the shoes the nuns who taught me wore. I know–I’m weird.
A little bling to brighten up an all-black outfit never hurt anyone!
That’s it for today! I realize I need to save up for a new camera–or a new phone! And I continue to curse this new laptop because one false move on the keyboard and the cursor is all over the place. Making me a real-life “curser”!! Have a great day and for those with the three-day weekend (not I), enjoy your Monday off!!
And mentioning food, here’s a song that I’m constantly revisiting. I love this song so much. French Canadian singer Lisa Leblanc’s “Kraft Dinner” I need to see her in concert!! Canada! I love all her imports!
