My Love Hate Relationship. . . !

I hate the scale on days like last Sunday! But I loved the sale two weeks ago. As all of the J. LaMore readers know I'm trying to lose some weight. By weight I mean 15 pounds! I'm only 5'5" and to me that's a lot of weight. I've lost six pounds so far but I had a set back the other day and now I'm depressed and I hate the scale, again!

I'm writing about it on Wednesday because I was so angry about it I needed a day or two to calm down. When that happens I fall back into what I know and that is to look for ways in my head to justify the problem.

One problem I seem to be having is that I'm obsessed with the scale. that little metal piece of junk that sits in my bathroom and calls to me everyday. I see it there. Whenever I'm in the bathroom, there it sits. Haunting me and almost laughing at me because on Sunday, the scale has a 50/50 chance of beating me. That's sick but that is how I look at that stupid thing EVERYDAY! What's even more annoying is that I bought a "good scale" as opposed to a cheap scale. Like there's a difference! I'm now yelling at myself as I type.

So, I did some research and here's what I found out for all of you who are in the gravy boat as I am.

1. If you weigh yourself every day it's a reminder to stay on track. A study showed that people who do that lost twice as much weight as those who weigh themselves once a week. Hmmmm!
2. Buy a cheaper scale. Weight is weight! Plus, it won't feel like such a waste of money when you throw it out the window.
3. You can gain and lose as much as 5 pounds in 24 hours. Water is the issue here which includes the water in food, especially vegetables.
4. Muscle weighs more than fat! A lot more! As you exercise you can actually gain muscle mass and lose fat and not lose any weight. This is not news to me but I need to remind myself of this as I can almost run three miles now without stopping and I can feel my legs getting stronger.

I have the three mile run on Easter Sunday and I think I can run the whole thing without walking. I did think I would be lighter by now. I still hate my scale but I feel better about it now. Thanks for letting me rant.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Cute Dog!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Hi Everyone! It's St Patrick's Day and our family is going to our favorite Irish pub, Trinity Hall, for soda and maybe a beer or two for the adults. We look forward to this day as we meet several families e friends of ours and its quite a gathering and a lot of fun.

I'm going to celebrate a little tonight because last Sunday morning I jumped on the scale and lost another 1.4 pounds. I was really worried because I just didn't feel like I lost anything and my workouts were hard and slow. My diet didn't really change but it was just a hard week.

My total weight loss is 6 pounds now! I'm so happy. Nine more to go!

I hope everyone will get a chance to get out and enjoy the day and have a chance to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Flavio Castellani. . . Rocks!

Hi Friends! I was just going over the "what's new" section and when I saw this "lace" dress by Flavio Castellani I was immediately drawn to it. I clicked the image and then saw all the other images and was instantly dreaming of this dress.

I've now added another day of exercising to the week and I weigh in again on Sunday. I now exercise four days a week and it feels great.

I would love to be able to shrink into this dress and a few others I saw by Yoana Baraschi. Beautiful!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

New Yoana Baraschi!

Hi Jennifer & friends! Love, love, love the new Yoana Baraschi dresses that came in. I couldn't decide what picture to write about because it was a toss up between this dress and the Yoana Baraschi jumpsuit. I guess I could have put them both in. Very cute YB designs.

<<-- I love the new model. She is beautiful!

I know everyone is getting excited for the Oscar's tomorrow night and I'm very bummed that none of my friends really get into them enough to find some parties to go to.

My husband and I love going to the movies and we have a nice flat screen TV to watch movies at home and we enjoy the Oscar's a lot. So, I guess we'll just make it a little family night and grill out and watch all the festivities.

I'm envious of Lynn in LA who can go to the parties that are actually in Hollywood. Her condo party is a really good idea and that sounds perfect for kids and adults. I would also love to be part of a red carpet ceremony at least once in my life, just to experience it.

I'm not a sci-fi fan but when I saw Avatar in 3D I have to say that it was incredible, but I'm cheering for Julia Childs!

I'm up early and I ready to go on my Saturday morning run. My race is not to far away and I can run two miles without stopping now. I weigh in Sunday! Keep your fingers crossed.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Losing Weight & Feeling Great!

Hi Jennifer & friends! It's Sunday morning and I just weighed myself and I've lost 4.8 pounds since I started walking/running with my friends and I love it. Yahoo!

My daily log is looking fantastic and I can tell in my attitude and it's only been a few weeks. The weather has really helped as it's been beautiful and perfect for not making excuses to get off the couch.

I've been following a list of positive things to help jump start my health and I found it online at a Women's Health website. Here's what they suggested;

Food (I really changed my diet and actually joined weight watchers online and I count points.)
Antioxidants (5 servings a day)
In brightly colored foods like blueberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes and acai
Green and white tea (4 cups a day)
Red wine or Concord grape juice (1 glass a day)
Fiber (25 grams a day)
In fruits, vegetables, beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, "100 percent" whole grain bread and chia
Omega 3 fatty acids
In roasted or ground flax seeds, walnuts, hemp, salmon and spirolina algae
Olive oil (1 to 2 tablespoons a day)
Do not heat this delicate oil to smoking point or it will be damaged and lose its benefits

Exercise (I've been walk running almost everyday for three weeks!)
Get your heart rate up (3 times a week)
Find your target exercising heart rate: 220 - [your age] X .80
Do strength training (30 minutes a week)

Meditation (I never knew how to do this and I don't know if I'm doing it right, but I try)
Yoga, prayer or meditation (5 minutes a day)
Releases nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels

Sleep and Sex (I've been feeling so good lately that I'm having more fun in the bedroom :))
Sleep (7 to 8 hours a night)
Sex (2 to 3 times a week)

Vitamins (I've always took vitamins so this was not a change for me and it's easy to take them.)
Vitamin D (1,000 units a day)
Calcium (600 mg twice a day) with Magnesium (200 mg twice a day)
DHA Omega-3 (600 mg a day)
Baby aspirin (2 a day, for a total of 162 milligrams)
Multivitamin (Take half in the morning, half in the evening)
Pre-menopausal women need a multivitamin with iron and 5,000 units of vitamin A. Postmenopausal women need just 2,500 units of vitamin A.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

I need to be motivated. . . !

Hi Jennifer & Everyone! Getting motivated to workout has always been difficult for me and I see the new 'Mag' format of the friends blog is starting to talk about working out to get into shape for spring and summer. I live in Dallas, TX and I should be working out all year long. Unlike my northern friends, I don't have a weather excuse. Our winters are easy compared to the Midwest and the east coast. I've never lived in that kind of winter.

So why does this happen to me every year? Why is it that I cannot stay motivated to workout without stopping and starting over and over again.

Here's a clue to some of my problems. Researchers have said that 50% of women who start a workout program do so for all the wrong reasons. Someone like a husband, boyfriend, or mother-in-law may have said that you need to lose weight or a doctor told you to slim down. These are motivational killers. If you want to reach your goals you have to do it because you want to not because someone said you should. Another study showed that women who work out to "feel" good are far more successful than those who workout to "look" good. Hmmm! That study sounded just like me.

I haven't even put my tenny shoes on and I already feel like quiting. I gained 12 pounds over the past holidays and I hate it. I gain 12 pounds every holiday season and then kill myself to drop the weight and then I stop after I lose it. Oh c'mon! I love to exercise when I'm in shape but hate it when I'm not. What's that all about!

So, for everyone who's been in this situation here's what I've done in the past to drop the weight: I call my friends! I set up the schedule and some reachable goals to start walking with my friends and I'll try to make it fun for everyone. I read it here that Lynn from LA runs with her friends on the weekends and I completely connected with that and that's what I'm going to do as well.

Three out of four friends I called are in. I looked online and found a 5k charity run six weeks out! That's one goal I feel I can reach. And, I did the unthinkable; I signed myself up already. If I sign up and pay the small entry fee I will do it. Those are the things that motivate me. A small little 'commitment' entry fee! I know the J. LaMore people are supporters of Weight Watcher's and I'm thinking about signing up. I've never done a program like that before so I'm a little hesitant.

Anyway, writing about doing something is important for me and this has helped a great deal. I'm excited to get started now and when I jumped on the dreaded scale, I didn't freak out and get depressed. It is what it is and now I'm motivated. It took me a month to muster up enough courage to get on the scale. Seriously, how sick is that!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

(That new model in the previous "casting call" article looks amazing by the way! OMG! I hate her. It makes me feel better to say that. :))

Your own facial mask. . . !

Hi Jennifer, Friends & Bloggers:

Over the past weekend some friends and I had a 'girls day' at a local spa here in Dallas, TX that was offering all sorts of promotions after a remodel. It was great fun and the four of us vowed to do this more than once a year. The wine, the chatter, and the laughter made the afternoon priceless. I have to add that the place was crowded because of the promotion but the next time we go back I'm sure the place will have calmed down.

During my time at the spa. I had a facial mask made of honey and all sorts of other ingredients and the woman applying the mask said that they have their own special recipe but you can make face masks at home to that are just as good. Wow!

Making your own homemade facial masks isn't very hard. Try them and your skin will be glowing and feel great. Be sure to check which facial masks are good for your skin type. My skin seems dry so I have to use ingredients to will give moisture back to my skin. Be sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients before using the homemade facial masks you have created. You can test out a mask by using it as directed on the back of your ear first.

One of the best reasons to make your own facial masks is because you can normally find the ingredients right in your home - or at a quick trip to your grocery store. There are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, especially compared to the cost of facial masks you get in specialty beauty shops. As I mentioned earlier, this spa used their own formulas and facial recipes but for the most part you can buy all of these ingredients at. The next best reason to make your own is that you don't have to go out to use it. Creating your own spa at home and enjoying it adds to the stress-free relief of these facials.

Here is a great home recipe for women with dry skin.

Ingredients:

1/4 of an apple
1/2 tsp Half and half
1 Tsp honey
1 T oatmeal

Instructions:

Thoroughly mash ingrediatns with a fork or blender and place contents in a small bowl. Then apply it to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off. You can do this once a week and you can try all sorts of ingrediants. It was a fun day and I learned a lot!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

The little pink pill . . . ?

Hi Jade and a 'Howdy' welcome from good ol'e Dallas, Texas! I love the friends blog because it's a secret little indulgence for me. It's also inspired me to want to start my own blog and woman's forum.

You're picture is adorable by the way!

What I want to chat about today is the female Viagra that is making the headlines and articles these days and from what I've read, a little "pink" pill is in the pipeline for release for clinical testing this year. It's only taken ten years!

I'm in my mid thirties and my "sex drive" just isn't what it used to be and it's not because I'm not interested; I'm just too tired from my life and I quit work last year to be a stay at home mom and help my husband with his family business. When I was working away from home it was much worse. I don't know how people do it. My husband's tired, I'm tired, we're all tired. When the evening arrives and I'm going to bed I would love to get romantic but the last thing I want is to get romantic. I'm so conflicted! When sleep is more important than sex - you know you're no longer in your 20's.

The studies I've read indicated that approximately 40% of women suffer from "diminished female libido" and the little pink pill is going to do the trick. I don't think my libido is the problem here Mr. White Coat! Now what! Besides, I have to take issue with drug companies always trying to figure out a way to fix a problem that may or may not be a medical situation. Can you make a pill that gives me more time in the day, that when you take it a babysitter shows up (that's free of course), as well as a bottle of champagne, a sexy teddy and some candles! Make a pill like that and I'm in! (While you're at it, if you could throw in a little better body I would greatly appreciate it. Remember, I'm no longer in my 20's.)

I could ramble on for pages on this topic but from what I've read even psychologists and MD's seem to think that if you're not 'gett'n any' it's because your libido is low. It drives me crazy! I picture the conversation in my head with one of these doctors going like this; ". . . Here's a thing that vibrates, put this tape into the VCR and rub this oil all over your body. Now, you two go and have some fun. . . . !" Can you imagine paying for that advice?

The batteries are running low in Dallas! :) Welcome to the blog, Jade!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Love the lashes!

Hi Jennifer! I love the fact that everyone says hi to you when they write a post. It's like the writers are saying something directly to you although giving everyone the opportunity to read it. That's so cute!

As you know from my previous blogs, I don't wear a lot of makeup and I have read many articles here on the friend's blog from women who struggle with makeup. I would like to add one more post on the topic as I was introduced to several lines of amazing makeup at a makeup party put on by a local Salon here in Dallas, TX.

My favorite in the list is the Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Effet Extension. It looks kind of strange but once you get the hang of it it's amazing. It also comes in multiple colors, too!

I only tried one product at this little gathering but some of the other gals tried them and their eyes transformed right before me. It was incredible!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

New hairstyle for me!

Hi Jenifer & Friends! I'm sick of my hair and I want to change it. I have brown hair now and I would love to have this hair color and cut that Jennifer Connelly has. I had long straight hair years ago and now that I'm a little older I think this look would be a nice change.

I've had the same hair style for almost three years and I woke up one day and said, "I need a change!" I started looking in the fashion mags and this idea hit home. I love this look and I think it's sexy. My hair isn't as long as Connelly's but if I straightened it add some length.

Do these look like extensions? I would ever do that but it sure looks good in this picture.

Does anyone have a look they like that's similar? I would love to see what you like.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Super cute. . . !

Hi Jennifer! I wished I owned an iPhone! Looks like a very useful little tool!

I have to add that I love the Susana Monaco "Reine" Dress you have on the site. I have several pieces of Susana Monaco (that I got from you actually) and I still wear them. But this little dress really caught my eye.

It is short and sexy and it looks like a different style for what Susana Monaco usually designs but it's beautiful.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Bond Girl's, Vodka & Dangerous Men!

Hi Mandy! Happy Thanksgiving! I'm so happy that my little "Bond Girl" comment on the Flavio Castellani coats inspired your creative energy. I don't think that has ever happened to me before. LOL!

You truly captured the look in your photography and images that I had in my head when I saw the coats. For some reason, every time I see fur coats like these I think of sexy and glamorous Russian woman wearing them. (I also think of them drinking vodka and and associating with dangerous men but that's another image altogether. Maybe maybe not!) The ads I've seen in the past have never brought me back like these have.

Which reminds me. Why is it that certain thoughts or images stick in your mind and when you see a familiar image you are instantly transformed back to your original thought? That happens to me all the time. I can't tell you the last time I saw the movie "From Russia with Love". I can't imagine what you would have done if I said the coats look like they're from "Dr. Zhivago"!

The black and white photo's give a cold weather temperature to the lookbook and the cover page and the model is stunning! She is perfect for that Russian look! Does she have a Russian accent? :)

Anyway, it was great looking at your work and I'm glad my "Bond" comment helped. I wish I could afford that coat in the image. I love it more now!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Write it down. . . !

Hi Charlotte: In order to have a successful weight loss regime you need to have a goal and write everything down. You're absolutely right about one thing - writing everything down is very important. That practice and being consistant in keeping a journal is what made Weight Watchers the huge success. I keep my journal online right now and I go to it everyday and can keep track of everything I eat on my iPhone. I love that. I can then enter everything into my online journal later.

As all of you know from my previous post, I lost a bunch of weight by writing everything down and having a goal. Never loose sight of the goal. One of my goals was to fit into the fashions of jlamore.com. Like this right here. Nice!

I also took some vitamins and strongly suggest that just a small daily pack of vitamins can really help with appetite problems. But the #1 thing I did to loose weight is EXERCISE, and lots of it. Start out by walking 30 minutes/day and go up from there and keep track of that too! My husband used to tell me when I didn't want to go exercise is ". . . they sent someone to the moon for God sake you ought to be able to put one foot in front of the other for 45 minutes, . . . !" I guess when you put it that way. . . . Keeping things in perspective is aways a good thing. Sometimes the hardest part about excercissing is getting off the couch to put your workout shoes on.

As you can tell, I really get into weight loss topics. I worked hard and it paid off!

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Maloom dress is amazingly hot!

Love this dress! I agree with Charlotte, this dress is amazing but I wouldn't wear it backwards. I would wear it just like it's shown.

Also who's the new model? She is amazing and I love her look. So fresh and interesting. she has a wonderful smile.

I also noticed that she's wearing the Maloom dress that everyone loves, including me.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Flavio Castellani Coats. . . !

Hi Jennifer and All! I was surfing the site and saw all the new Flavio Castellani coats and jackets and I have to say that this jacket took my breath away.

It's STUNNING! The fashion forward and runway look is one of the few times that I've seen where you can take it off the model and wear it out the door. The collar and the cuffs make me think of a Russian or a Siberian inspired look and if you had a fur hat to go with it I would say it was definitely "From Russia with Love."

Nice job Jennifer and buyers. Seriously! Amazing!

Sarah

Dallas, TX

PS. Lila, your daughter is very cute and she looks like she loves the camera and the spotlight. You had better put a big lock on your closet! :)

Alicia Keys. . . Jewelry label?

Hi Jennifer & Friends! I have to ask a question about celebrities and why they collaborate with designers of all kinds to have their own label. Why do they do that? I understand that there is potential for making $$$ on their name, but every time I hear of a singer, actress, sports figure, etc., designing a fragrance, jewelry or a clothing line I shake my head and cringe. Ugh!

I say this only because I really like Alicia Keys and was saddened to hear that she has followed the masses and signed her name and collaborated in designing a jewelry line set to launch this month. What does Alicia Keys know about designing jewelry? Maybe that's not the issue but still. It was the first thing I thought of when I heard it. I also think that when celebrities do this the line will be cheap because what does this person know about designing anything. They're just in it to make money and everything else is just not very good. This is what I think every time a 'celeb' has their own label.

I've been a fashionista for as long as I can remember but up until recently this trend has really started to become a silly.

Mary Kate & Ashley started my downward spiral years ago and then Miley Cyrus (Hanah Montana) got a label, she was what, 10 0r 11 years old at the time? Every hip hop singer in the world has one and now American Idol winners are offered them right after the show ends. Is it just me or does anyone else think that's silly, too.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Fat-tastic topic . . . !

Hi Jennifer and Clare! I had to join in on the "fat" conversation because it's a great topic with thoughtful insight. (By the way, this is the "fattest" picture I could find of Kate Winslet and she is hardly fat!)

My own body image is important to me but Jennifer is right, I'm not obsessed (anymore) with my fluctuating weight. I must say, in all honesty, that I used to be and would be upset if I went into double digit weight gain, again! At one point in my life I gained almost 30 pounds. I'm only 5'5"! Do the math!

During my "fat time" I was very upset with myself. I felt terrible and lost my self confidence and felt that people were talking behind my back about how much weight I had gained. I thought that I was weak because I was successful in so many areas except for my weight. What was wrong with me? I didn't think anyone took me seriously anymore because I was fat and I made excuses not to go to out or to special events because I didn't want to be seen. In retrospect, I put on some weight for God's sake, I didn't have leprosy. I gained the weight after college and it increased into my 20's and it stayed with me for years. I never thought it was a social issue because I never defended my weight gain. I hated it and Hollywood had nothing to do with it.

This topic has really hit home for me and when I was reading it I thought about all the issues I had when I gained the weight. I woke up in the middle of the night and was thinking about what I was going to write about today. Here's what's interesting, I am no longer overweight but I constantly worry about it and need reassurance that I have control over it. I don't want to be fat because I want to wear the clothes I want and I want to be accepted as a healthy person who takes care of herself. These may not be the best reasons not to be fat but they work for me.

I started exercising, changed my diet, got married and worked hard at my job. I became happy!I lost all the weight I had gained and actually wanted to loose ten more pounds to go beyond my goal so that I had a "little room to play with." I actually said this to myself. If I gained a few pounds back I'm still thinner than I was when I hit my goal. Still victorious! Although I lost the weight and feel fantastic, mentally I still had weight issues. I was obsessed with body issues and it was all I talked about. Yes, I was one of those people! Yuck! I don't do that anymore.

With all this said I now think that if a person has never gained any weight they have a different perspective about what fat is. It's easy to be critical. "Just stop eating so much. . . " I don't think I've ever heard a fat person be critical of another fat person. I have heard thin women say "I look better than her. . . " blah, blah, blah. . . . !

Clare is right, Kate Winslet is not fat! She shouldn't worry about what other people say about her. She's a great actress and I really love her movies. I think maybe she needs a better publicist.

Sarah
Dallas, TX

Hello from Dallas, Texas!

Hi Jennifer! It's been more than a year since I was a friend and a blogger on jlamore.com but I have read the blog everyday to see what everyone's talking about and I missed being part of the fun. I've had a change in careers I'm now able to have some much needed free time to myself which means I can blog about things going on in Dallas, TX. Jlamore.com has really grown up since the beginning. Nice work you guys! The lookbook is first rate! Jennifer, I love the hair cut and color!

(I have to say thanks to Jim for sending me the instructions to blog and link. I completely forgot.)

I had to write a blog on Lynn's dilemma of whether or not she should get laser treatment on her bikini area. My advice to you is DO IT! You will not regret it, if you have the money that is. I did it and think it's great. However, it was almost $3,000 before I was done. My salon did have a deferred payment plan but it was still pricey for a private area that you only worry about when you're in a swimsuit.

I love the new Gypsy 05 sweatpants and top. Cute!

Sarah (Glad to be back)
Dallas, TX

Love Salvage. . . . !

Here in Texas you can wear Salvage tops almost all year long. The New Arrivals for jlamore.com have a great selection to choose from.

I love the Lost Souls tank top. The colors are fantastic. I also like the blue top that Julie wrote about. Very cute!

Sarah Dallas, TX

Boutique 9 peep toe pumps

Hi Jennifer and friends; I have a new job now and plenty of time to become active on the blog and jlamore.com. As I checked the site everyday I noticed the improvements and the growing selection of adorable fashions.

This Boutique 9 pump is going to be all mine. I love it!

I also love the Ardistia jackets below. Those are incredible!

Sarah Dallas, TX