Girlie Christmas Supper

Morning!  I'm bright and cheery this beautiful Sunday morning.  Not a hangover in sight.  I've been trying to find my Christmas carols CD but it's disappeared.  Feeling festive!!!

Last night was a real success.  In previous years we have been to the Wine Bar for Girlie Christmas Supper but this year - after changing the venue three times - we went the the White Hart (otherwise known as the Wine and Sausage).  It was a good choice.  Nice atmosphere, good service, lovely wine and delicious food.

There were eight of us and most of us were on good form and entering into the Christmas spirit.  Sarah coped well even though she is suffering from a bad back and was drugged up so that she could actually come.

We had great fun opening our Secret Santa presents and then when everyone had opened them each trying to guess who had bought ours.  I got a lovely bracelet from Coast so I'm very happy.  Paola also bought a game for us to play which was lots of fun.  The couple on the next table probably didn't appreciate how loud we were but hey it's Christmas!!!

Anyway, I wore dress number one.  Brave for me because it's quite short but actually I felt really comfortable in it.  So here's the evidence:

Finally I go out in a dress!!!

So what do you think???!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who commented on which dress I should wear.  Actually it wasn't too bad.  I thought I'd feel really uncomfortable but it's a very easy dress to wear.  I've had it for ages; probably at least a couple of years.  I'm pretty sure it's from Primark.  My boots are also old.  I found them in the back of the cupboard.  As my son put it, "they're really old school".  Maybe I'll get some new ones in the sales.

It's inspired me to try dress wearing again.  Claire and Sarah also wore dresses but they are regular dress wearers.  We had such a lovely evening.  Claire's house is always immaculate but at the same time warm and welcoming.  Although Claire, like myself, is a reluctant cook she always gives us a lovely meal and is a wonderful hostess.  We had salmon in a cream sauce, roasted new potatoes and salad followed by trifle and of course plenty of bubbly and wine.

Yesterday was my day off my diet.  I really enjoyed the whole day but feel crappy today.  I'm not sure you realise how over indulging effects you until you diet then there is such a contrast in how you feel on diet and none diet days.  I still exercised yesterday.  My friend Paola picked me up at around 8.30am and we met some of the Cleeve Ladies at Pitville Park and went for a run.  The reward at the end of the run was coffee and cake at the cafe!  I also walked the dogs for over an hour. 

I'm actually glad to be back to dieting today but it's an exercise free day for me - unless you count walking round Sainsburys!  Tomorrow back to running!  Bring it on!  Oh and it's my day to weigh!!!  Prepare for me being devastated!!!!

Saturday Night Supper

Last night I went to my friend Jane's for supper along with three other friends.  We had a fab evening, lush food, lots of wine and even more laughs!  I wore my burgundy/wine coloured Gok straight jeans - again - and my Joules hunting shirt.  Doing this blog has made me realise that the saying "you wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time" is true.  I'm very aware now that I wear the same things on a regular basis.

I looked through my wardrobe last night and tried a few things on that I hadn't worn for a while but ended up going back to my favourites!

At supper Heather - who also usually avoids dresses - was telling us that she had seen a dress in Monsoon that she had coverted for weeks and finally went to buy it only to find it didn't fit her.  She was gutted because she loved the dress.  I know that feeling.  I saw Myleene Klass in the newspaper wearing a dress from her own range and just thought - that's so me - only to find that it's sold out in all sizes except size 20.  Gutted!!!

This is said dress.  I just love it.  Anyway in order to be more interesting with my wardrobe I have ventured into the loft and returned with four dresses.  My dresses live in the loft due to lack of use.  So they are currently hanging in my bedroom and I am determined to wear one next Saturday for supper at Claire's.  Now I've said that I guess I'm actually going to have to do it.  I'm feeling uncomfortable already.  I will try them on tomorrow and see if that makes me feel any better???!!!

I have to say the Myleene Klass range of dresses is really nice but others must agree as most of them are out of stock.  I like the following ones too:

I've had such a naughty week of eating and drinking this week so from tomorrow I'm off the wine, on the diet and out there running.  Wish me luck!!!

Running Goddesses!

Feeling tired after a busy weekend.  Yesterday had a lovely lunch with two friends at the Wine Bar in Winchcombe.  Super venue, excellent food - as always - and even better company.  I wore tan Top Shop skinnies, knee high flat brown and black Top Shop boots, beige cardigan with elbow patches from Primark and my tweed jacket.

Yesterday afternoon I went for a run with my friend Heather.  Even though it was a couple of hours since I'd eaten lunch it wasn't very comfortable running but we did it!

Last night Rich and I went to see the Spanish Riding School at the NIA in Birmingham.  I have to say I don't like the NIA its such a pain to get to, so busy, and even more of a pain to get out of.  The Spanish Riding School was OK but I'd probably rather have been at home watching X Factor.  It took an hour to get out of the car park.  Rich slept though the second half of the show and most of the way back down the motorway.  I was driving I hasten to add!!!!!

Today has been catching up on stuff at home and grocery shopping as well as another run with Heather.  We started running back in April.  I joined Cleeve Ladies 10 week beginner course.  The idea was you can run 3 miles by the end of 10 weeks.  In fact I'd done it by week 5 or 6.  Heather couldn't join the group but did all the practising with me between sessions.  We have tried to keep it up since then.  We have had the odd few weeks where life has got in the way but we haven't given up. 

This week we have run four times and each time about three and a half miles so about 14 miles in total.  We are going to up some of our runs to four miles next week.  I have done a few five and a half mile runs but it's time consuming and hard on your joints.  We very often don't feel like going out on dark winter nights but once we have done it we feel so good about ourselves!

In the summer we were also doing Kettlercise.  We really enjoyed it but I injured my shoulder and was advised by my physio to rest it.  I'd like to get back to it but there's only so many evenings you can be out exercising!

We were debating the benefits of joining a gym.  Especially one with a pool.  I think it would need to be somewhere that you didn't have to sign up for an annual contract.  I figure there may be lots of offers on in January.  I hate being tied in though because we all start with the best of intentions and a few months down the line those intentions have fallen by the wayside.  Usually in there place is a beautifully chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a bag of Galaxy Counters!

Obviously if you like clothes staying slim (ish) is important. Especially if you are like me and constantly beating yourself up about being fat.  I know it's crazy.  I have friends who wear a bigger dress size than me and they look fab.  Our friend Claire always looks amazing!!  I think she just knows how to dress for her shape.  And she is always immaculate!

I'm constantly on and off diets.  I hate that feeling when you go to your wardrobe and wear the same few outfits all the time because you're scared if you try something else on it might be too tight!  I hate the scales too.  I weigh heavier than people imagine so it can be soul destroying when the scales flash up some mammoth figure at me!

Running is really good exercise but it doesn't tone up your flabby, wobbly bits!  I think in January I'm going to have to address this!  I'm a size 12.  I tend to be a size 12 whether I'm feeling fat or thin!  I very rarely get into a size 10 and don't that often have to upgrade to a size 14.  But I do get those horrible rolls of fat that bulge out from every place where there's an escape route.  I have no idea where they come from.  It can't be the amount of Sauvignon Blanc I drink and surely has nothing to do with Galaxy Counters, Giant Buttons, Ripples, Milky Bars or my love of deserts.  It must be those greens Rich is always banging on about!