When I left you yesterday, I was about to get ready for our Birthday Date Night. By the time I got ready and dressed, I felt back to my normal self.
Yup! I was feeling ok again!!!
I decided to wear a pair of pants that has been hanging in my closet since—late November or early December. Navy brocade pants that I picked up for less than ten dollars on clearance at Old Navy. They were extremely tight when I purchased them and after Christmas didn’t even fit me.
Two weeks on Weight Watchers and the pants now fit beautifully.
My look last night. Casual but simple elegance. A J. Crew Tippi sweater with Navy and Black Brocade pants, black heels and a string of pearls. I kept the makeup simple too. I’m really getting into no eyeliner on my lids and heavier mascara. Wig of choice? Violet by Estetica Designs!
Into the car and protecting the wine, as is my duty when we drive to Spring Mill Café, we enjoyed our drive through the back roads of Wayne and Radnor. I don’t know if you are aware, but BYO Wine is a “thing” in the Philly area. I was not aware of this until I moved here. It’s a great thing as it cuts down on the tab for the dinner.
Champagne, Creme de Cassis and this great red wine. It was my duty to protect the goods!
We arrived at the restaurant and sat at our usual table—in a little nook off the front.
Spring Mill Cafe is such a delightful restaurant–it’s like having dinner at someone’s country home in France!
It’s nice to see that SMC is very well established–40 years young!
Our favorite table awaits us!!
Now, let me make one thing clear. I left my Weight Watchers Freestyle program train of thought at home last night. I wasn’t going to go out to a great dinner to fret and worry about what I was eating. And as I write this I’m back on track. It’s not conducive to any weight loss program to deprive yourself.
Bonaparte is so serious as he reaches for the menu…but he orders the same thing every time. Filet Mignon!
We started with the pate tasting—we always order it. In fact, I ordered gluten-free rolls and boy were they delicious!
No way was I passing any of this up. Our favorite appetizer ever!
We both ordered the Steak Bordelaise –a beautiful filet mignon–served with a mash of celery root and potatoes which was heavenly. My steak was cooked just the way I love it—blue –and Bonaparte had his steak very rare.
The serving size was perfect. And so was the steak!!!!
There is a reason it is called red meat—it should be served red!
Dessert was split between us with me eating most of it. Crème Brulee!
I was definitely in the lead of the “clean plate club” last night. It was a great dinner!
The wine was so good and I drank too much of it (one glass. One LARGE glass). Wine makes me sleepy so as soon as I got home, I was in dream land.
And today my GERD is at an epic rate. I’ve had heartburn all day. Why does wine give me heartburn?
It’s so hard to pass up a wine that smells like dirt and tastes earthy and I drank it because it was soooooooooo gooooooooood. Now I have heartburn!
I’m so happy that the weather on Friday and Saturday was beautiful, sunny and warm because today it is windy, damp, and raining.
That Isla wig I washed yesterday? Turned out even better than I expected. The fibers dropped a bit adding just the slightest touch of length. Isla was money well-spent.
If you notice, this Isla wig from Tony of Beverly, dropped a bit and I love it even more! I’m glad I washed it!!!
Tomorrow being my birthday, I’m planning on attending my Weight Watcher’s meeting but I’m going to pass up being weighed. It’s my treat to myself. The meeting is needed for support and I’ll return to be weighed next week.
In the meantime, here’s what I wore this past week. It’s so hard to choose what to wear during the transitional times. The temperature rises one day and falls the next. There has been absolutely no consistency with the weather. I need to fake tan before taking out my warm-weather clothing because I refuse to wear panty hose and love bare legs—but not pasty white ones.
Yesterday morning I went for a mani-pedi and it was hot outside. You will note that my pasty-fish-belly white legs are in dire need of a spray tan. I had shorts on–it was that warm and I held Patsy Stone close to my heart!
Jeans Friday! In the morning, it was cool enough for a blazer. I wore this Chambray number from J. Crew that was purchased last year. I am beginning to like the Modern Motif wig by Gabor more and more!
I wore heels with my favorite plaid pants on Thursday but gave an edgier look with a denim jacket. One of my favorite bobs, April by Bobbi Boss wigs always makes me happy!
Black and Tan on Wednesday. These pants were unzippable three weeks ago and now they are back to that perfect fit. I love black and tan together. I wore Violet on my head–perfect for the black and tan outfit!
Tuesday’s look–ugh, the skirt didn’t photograph well but it’s a black and white and gray plaid that was tight on me and fits again. I wore Jamison from Estetica Designs. Notice the tights!!
And this was last Monday’s “Quick Change” outfit. I had to wear something that would allow me to change quickly into my WW clothes–and naturally Isla is the lightest wig I own!
Enjoy the rest of the day into evening. I made two YouTube Videos today. This one is my thoughts on turning 63. It’s a bit long but if you have the chance, I hope you will watch it! XOXOXOXO
Uh oh….GERD is not GOOD. Red wine will do it and red meat and pâté. Something happens to our digestion as we get ‘older’ …I know because I have suffered the same after meeting that trio for dinner. Good news is that Zantac is a GERDfriend’s BFF. Take it before you eat and it helps. I had a gorgeous red wine the other night and was awakened by bile burning it’s way up my throat. Totally. Brutal.
There is also Nexium for 24 HR relief but read this about Nexium:….
‘used to treat conditions such as reflux esophagitis (tissue damage caused by stomach contents flowing back up the esophagus) and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in people with reflux esophagitis. It is also used to treat nonerosive reflux disease (NERD; heartburn and regurgitation not related to tissue damage) in children and adults.’ I never knew that NERD was a thing…maybe doc’s are too polite to tell a patient they have NERD!!!
I’m thinking it’s a good excuse for behaviour you need a quick explanation for…’Honey, I am sorry but having a NERD attack’ You need to get out of something? ‘Can’t. Sorry. (Points to chest) THE WORST NERD EVAH!!!’
You look so cute in all your new wigs! Amazing how pants feel after losing even just a few pounds and I am liking the fresh eyeliner free look on you! You are going to rock sixty-three!!!! Have a happy birthday week!!
Hi Momcat! Thanks for the suggestions on getting rid of my NERDY GERDY!!! And it’s worse when I recline!! I ha-ha’d over your NERD comments!!! I wish red wine didn’t do that to me!!! XOXOXOXO
Just want to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Birthday tomorrow! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with love!
Thanks so much Lori!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Another early Happy Birthday to you! Love your blog–always look forward to your posts!
Happy Birthday Catherine! I turned 60 the week prior-04/06. I’m looking forward to your leadership as we forge ahead. xo
Happy Birthday, darlin’! Best video yet! So uplifting and inspiring! You are so genuinely, uniquely you and I you are the BEST! Enjoy your day —- your birthday celebration dinner with your husband looked wonderful—-I have mentioned before that my family is in South Jersey, not too far from Philly and I will put Spring Mill Cafe on my list of places to get to! Happy 63rd Birthday! May you have many, many more healthy happy years ahead of you!
Joyeux Anniversaire, Catherine!
Oh, une bouteille de Margaux 2005….YES! I Like your man’s taste!
Who wouldn’t have indulged in the pate et le vin? It’s Spring Mill! (seriously, I have to get off this idea that 25 mins is too far to drive for dinner. It’s been ages since we’ve been there)
I hope your GERD eases up soon so you can enjoy your morning cafe…
Have a lovely birthday!
Wishing you a happy birthday and a year of much happiness.
The Isla wig is your best! Keep wearing it! Happy Birthday!
BYOB is a ‘big thing’ in Philly because the state of PA won’t issue liquor licenses. They are impossible to get. It’s from the dark ages – they only want so many in a certain size area. It really hurts the restaurant business there. I was born and raised and lived there, but now live in a state that has amazing restaurants because there is no such restriction here. BYOB is nice for the budget tho! Happy Birthday!!
Hi Suzy. Yeah. The BYOB is great to keep costs down but those State-run liquor stores suck!!! WTF is that about anyway? They are the absolute worst. Thank god for Total Wine in DE!!! XOXOXOXOXOO
Joyeux anniversaire, Cathérine! Hope your weather improves so that you’ll have loads of sunshine to match your sparkeling personality! Love the wig!
BYO’s are great aren’t they? I’ve only ever seen one near me in the UK but in Oz they are everywhere! Your birthday meal looks ‘formidable’, shame the red doesn’t agree with you. (I had to Google GERD…we call it acid reflux) Sending top birthday wishes across the pond. Xxx
Happy Birthday all the way from the Black Sea! Lise
I enjoyed this week’s wardrobe roundup. Fitting into your navy brocade pants was a great WW moment! What a great celebratory dinner…steak bordelaise and lots of yummy food. So sorry about the heartburn from the wine. Good to know you are enjoying good health in your sixties. I’m two years ahead of you and never in my wildest dream did I think I would love being in this age. You are great to watch on video and enjoyed your musings and the infos. Your skin looks great, and didn’t see a turkey neck anywhere. Have a great birthday! XO
Happy Birthday Catherine – have a lovely day xxxx
Bon anniversaire, Catherine! Wishing you a year filled with good health and laughter.
Sandra
A very Happy Birthday to you! Bless the day you were born……..a little ray of sunshine. Dinner looked fabulous. I never share my dessert!
Have a fab week!
Chris D
You’re looking beautiful. Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday! you look amazing and I think that restaurant is now all our favourite – it looks delicious
Hi, love your style, and well done on Weight Watchers! You look wonderful, date I say it “for your age” but actuallly age not withstanding, just great anyway. Love reading what you and Bonaparte get up to and of course the only way to eat steak is red! 😜👍🏼 Look forward to your next blog x
Thank you Yasmin! (One of my favorite names!! ) Yeah–now I’m back to being on program but you know, you can’t deprive yourself. LOL…it’s cool “For your age” is not an insult to me!! It’s all about pro-aging!!! XOXOXOXOXO
happy birthday! It seems we share the same birthday. You look beautiful.
Love all the outfits! Fantastic! Glad you had a fun birthday, always great to celebrate life and good health. We sometimes bring a bottle of wine to restaurants too. They usually charge a corkage fee – do they do that where you are? Sorry the red wine doesn’t agree with you. I tend to shy away from it myself, but mostly because it results in my feeling sort of foggy in the morning. So I’m usually a French white burgundy girl for that reason. Enjoy your day! xxoo