I love it when I see people who I have not seen for a while and they say, “You look great.  Have you lost weight?”  Because, the answer is “Yes, I have!”

A while back, I made the decision to drop off the 12 pounds that I had slowly put on over the past couple of years.  I had clothes in my closet that no longer fit and I felt old and tired.  I decided to use Weight Watchers because with their point program, I was able to change portions and ratios of my favorite foods instead of eating “diet food” in a way that would be impossible to manage.  The food I eat is generally pretty healthy so what I really needed was a strategy to work around special occasions and pizza with the Little League team. 

And now the dreaded holiday season. which for me, runs from Halloween to New Years, is upon us.  On top of everyone else’s holidays, our family adds in two birthday celebrations to the season.  But this year, I will not be adding on a few extra pounds to drop off in January.  Or not. 

Here are a few examples of changes that I have made that have been extremely helpful: 

Fill my plate with green/orange/yellow vegetables and fruits such as berries and melon, then add the right proportion of lean proteins.  It is satisfying, appealing and balanced so I am not hungry.

Using the Weight Watchers meal planner, I “budget” special meals for the week ahead.  

If we are going out to dinner or there is a special occasion, I will plan ahead what foods I will eat for that meal and how I will compensate around that meal so that I don’t blow it. 

For ongoing events like baseball games, I have charted out meals and how to cut back around those meals.  I also bring low point foods in my bag to snack on so that I can eat a small meal of the high calorie, high fat stadium food.  I even budget in a cold beer to wash down that delicious grease! 

I was sitting at lunch with three friends on Saturday (just before the Tim Gunn Fashion Show at Valley Fair Mall) when the topic turned to handbags.  One of my friends is tall and two are petite so the conversation turned to how height determines the best handbag.  And once again, the word “proportion” popped up. 

The bottom line is that your handbag must be in proportion to your height or it will look like luggage.  Its that important.  Do you really want to generate the impression that you are living out of your handbag?  Probably not.  On the other hand, the smaller a handbag is, the more it looks like an evening bag.  This could impact how seriously people take you, particularly in a business setting.

I received an email from a friend yesterday who was shopping for a relative for Christmas.  She wanted to find a good everyday handbag and her price limit was $50.  So I asked a couple of questions.  First, what is her overall size and stature.  The recipient is small and petite.  So that rules out any of the oversized models that are so popular this season.  Also, the relative is expecting a baby.  That immediately sent me to the Ellie Crossbody Bag from LeSportsac.  She will need both of her hands to be free and the ability to remain organized.  Lightweight is also important. 

I love Ponte Knit LBDs.  Ponte knit is very comfortable, easy to dress up or down, and travels like a dream!  The one downfall of Ponte Knit is if the cut is wrong for the body, it can quickly take on the look of man’s sweatshirt!  This LBD from Calvin Klein meets all my criteria.  The well tailored cap sleeve is a great detraction from a large bust.  The angled pleats are as attractive as they are flattering.  The strategically placed skinny belt will be a friend to most body types.  The back is finished off with a zipper and slit.  The length is just right for most any setting.  And thanks to the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale, this LBD will fit smartly into many budgets! 

But waste not a minute.  This perfect LBD is priced to sell and when its gone, its gone.  So, click here quickly to shop.

Boots by their very definition must be cute and comfortable.  We wear them when the weather is crummy to keep our feet warm and give us a lift.  Painful shoes do not give us a lift.  Ugly shoes do not give us a lift.  Fortunately, boot makers are beginning to understand this and are taking advantage of the boot design to offer great arch support. 

Endless.com had this to say about the Carina from ASGI: “Sleek style and ergonomically correct comfort? They’re both offered by ASGI’s Carina. We bet you’ve never found such an effective system for keeping your feet and shoes in balance, and we’re positive you’ve never found it in such a pretty bootie.”

Be sure to check out the architectural heel on this great bootie.  And with Endless.com’s competitive pricing, the Carina is an amazing value!