We were on the road in good time and had an hour or so to spare so she directed me to turn into the mall.
An hour to peruse the new lines...
she likes to keep up with what's current and I think shopping is a habit or hobby of hers.
(she was the manager of a ladies boutique after her many years of nursing and she loved that job)
Mother said "I'm going to look around so off you go and good luck."
I said "Mother how will you find me later you don't have a cellphone?"
Mother "Oh I don't think I'll have any trouble!"
Hostess "Well if you are having trouble make a "hoo hoo" sound and call my name!"
Mother "Oh I'd have you paged over the loud speaker before I'd resort to that nonsense."
So we parted our ways and I went foraging in the aisles.
Here's the Loot I scooped...
Andrew Geller
woven black and cream flats with rope/jute detail.
Merrell
leather flats with cut out detail at the heel
raised textured insoles for foot stimulation
new health technology perhaps?
Jones New York
black and white striped polo style shirt
I'll wear the collar open and maybe some pearls at the neck.
Vivienne Tam
lightweight tunic top in a BOLD shade of salmon
I'll wear this with leggings.
Luii
Black lightweight jacket
material has a sheen and is rainproof.
I managed to find all of these in 45 minutes
for just under $200.
Fast and Frugal
My sister snapped this photo of Mother and I
I snapped one of her with Mother as well.
OOTE
Outfit ~of~the~evening
Bianca Nygard dress
3 or 4 years old
I considered deleting this image
as I have mixed feelings about posting it.
I don't feel like a large woman but I am
especially when you factor in my height and my weight.
Body image is a funny thing
some women see themselves as fat when they are stick insect thin
then there are those like myself who spend years avoiding mirrors
(and cameras)
Mater mentioned a bit about our insecurities about revealing our true selves recently on her blog
go have a read...
On the morning of our departure we awoke to
a dusting of snow!
I had not packed for the cold and I wore my ballet flats sans hose
thank heavens for seat and car heaters!
these crocus look chilled...
There were flurries on the way home but we were warm and cozy
and arrived home safe and sound.
Mother was quite anxious about the weather
being snowbound is a concern
it's melted and thankfully she's able to come and go as she pleases.
I'm going to go to the pool and swim some laps
I love swimming!
What is your fitness routine?
50 comments:
Leslie, you and your mother look very elegant and stylish! Great finds shopping. I've been composing a comment to mater's post since yesterday, but yes, that disconnect of seeing ourselves in photos strikes a nerve.
I think you look beautiful and I love your black dress: it's perfect and very flattering.
I envy you your relationship with your Mother, she really seems like a wonderful lady and no-nonsense too.
I agree we all have body image problems and most of us hate pictures of ourselves. But I think men have this issue as well!
I do Classical Stretch for fitness, and I try to walk every day. I have been very low-energy lately so I've been finding it difficult.
I like swimming too but I don't have access to a pool.
Oh and great shopping! I love all of your finds!
xo
I really enjoyed your post today. The striped polo shirt caught my eye, it´s so cute.
Your sister managed very well in taking a picture of you charming ladies, all dressed up : )!
My gym is at the stable and then one day is spent doing simply nothing (;
I'm glad you didn't delete the picture! I'm drawn to people who "keep it real" (for lack of more original words...).
My fitness routine? Well, so far - it's in my dreams. I plan to start walking seriously - tomorrow. I've put it off too long. I DID spend about an hour outside working in the lawn yesterday. I need to do more of that, too, and now that the weather is nice, I have NO excuse for either activity.
I agree--you and your mother look so chic. I have a stylish mom--and her mother always looked good, so I have to keep it up.
Which one is the mother and which one the daughter?
I think both you and your Mother look fabulous! I think you look like a 40's bombshell! You are too critical of yourself. Oh, and I love that salmon colored top. I'd love to see that on you.
Lately my fitness routine is just yoga. When my knee starts feeling better I hope to get back to cycling.
It does require an extra bit of courage to put ourselves out here for all to see and critique...
you do it so well and I admire you.
Dani I appreciate your comment about body image issues I suppose we all have them even those who are thin and svelte.
I hope your energy perks up you might be fighting off a virus there are colds and flu all around us. We all could use some serious sunshine and warm days.
Take care,
XO
My sister keeps fit like you, mucking out stalls, riding and throwing bales of hay.
She's a tiny size 6 and very strong, in fact she's quite the dynamo.
Happy to hear that you liked today's post :-)
Rebecca,
It's real/reality here!
The weather must be getting better soon and you'll feel more comfortable being outside.
Gardening is good exercise and walking is enjoyable.
I was fittest when I walked for 45 minutes 5 days a week after I got off work. I remember co-workers commenting on my weight loss. I didn't even diet and it came off. Maybe I'll get back in that habit too!
Thanks for sharing your comments.
XO
Frugal scholar it sounds like your maternal role models have set the bar high...
rather like a command performance we must not disappoint :-)
Thank you anonymous...I'm smiling now!
Debbie I've never been referred to as a bombshell and I love you for that comment!
I'll remember to snap a photo for you when I wear the salmon top.
Yoga is wonderful...I am a fan too.
Women of our age need to be mindful of our joints and careful not to injure ourselves.
For occasional aches I have tried Voltaren gel. I buy it at the drugstore here in Canada but i don't know if you have it in the states, it has won awards so it might help your knee pain.
Take care,
XO
I love the photo! You look so glamously curvacious ~ lovely. Fitness is big in my life, it is one of the things that keeps me centered. Love all of your purchases. What a fun time you had.
I think you look wonderful! I love that dress. And you look so young.
I love that photo of you with you mom! I have often imagined what she looked like...a lovely and elegant woman just as I suspected.
I am not doing much in the way of fitness these days. I did something to my back over a week ago and it's still sore. I work at a winery now - on my feet all day, lifting, moving, carrying, etc. I feel like that counts as a workout, even though it's only one or two days a week.
Great finds! xoxo
I love the photo of you with your mother and am so impressed that you are both so dressed up for your outing. My outings with my mother are often much more casual affairs. Your last line reminds me that I OUGHT to be swimming, not so much for appearance sake as for heart health.
I am a large person and I know it. I have recently lost some weight through diet alone. I wanted to lose a bit before I got on my treadmill. But the day after I lowered the deck of the trendy I sprained my ankle! That was almost 2 weeks ago and I am feeling good about getting on it now. It is a constant battle for me and I'm now regretting not having more photos taken with my children. They won't have many to remind them of what I looked like at different stages of their lives! But I have always disliked having my photo taken. A bit selfish really. I wish I had photos of my mother. She was the same and I only have one photo of her and I with my sister as well in some kooky Christmas shirt, so sad really.
Gorgeous photo of you and your mother! Stunning, in fact.
Fitness? Since Christmas I've been faithfully attending Jazzercise - it feels like 'back to the 70's', but it works for me!
I would love to embrace fitness as you do Adrienne...do you have any tips for me?
Lisa
You inspire me always...
XO
Adrienne,
Working at your new job sounds like it is keeping you fit.
I know that you are mindful about your food too so I think you have achieved a balance.
Bring on that Italian holiday and maybe a bikini!
I OUGHT to get serious too as my heart health is front and center.
I have been for an ECG and am going for a treadmill test in April...
I had a scare recently so fitness needs to be a new priority.
You've got the memories of your Mom which surely you treasure.
Sounds like we have a lot in common,
do you like the treadmill?
Is it something that you use everyday?
just curious.....
XO
Sounds like fun...
and it's great that you are onto a regime that works for you.
what a glamorous pair you are leslie! i had your mother pictured so differently in my mind. isn't that funny?! xo janet
You look wonderful-- how lucky your Mum is healthy enough for shopping with you at this point! Mine uses a walker, but has all her marbles. And you captured a photo of the day.
Trying to keep people active is a big part of my job. People have a lot of guilt about what they are not doing-- must let that go and start any where. Also, moving exercise into the toothbrushing category can help-- hey, I don't have to like this, I just have to DO it as sitting too much kills people, we now know. Hopefully, you'll get a green light after your stresstest.
I am a walker, mostly, although do the elliptical in the winter when I belong to a gym. Even 10 minutes after a meal can help on a tough day. Mat Pilates on my own for flexibility, big issue in my 50's.
I'm glad you decided to post -- this is a great photo of you and your mother looking elegant and, above all, happy in each other's company. I especially love that your mother is willing to bare arms at her age. So many of us get silly about covering ours up at all costs. As for you, you look radiant and your hourglass figure shows to advantage in your outfit. What a great idea to glam it up together. Bravo!
(thanks, btw, for the nod to my post)
Maybe I have not described her very well in my previous posts.
I find when I read a book that the characters look quite different in my mind than when i discuss them with others. We have individual imaginations and personal experiences which help create our ideas so they are bound to be different.
You sound like you inspire many to get up and just get going which is really half the battle.
Swimming laps yesterday reminded me how much I need to get back into a regular routine and to mix up the way that I exercise.
Thank you mater it took courage to post this image and I think your post was what nudged me on!
Mother is a no nonsense kind of gal and she has the power of her conviction to push herself forward everyday which she does and it looks effortless.
Confidence is something I need to work hard to embrace...
I often wonder why it takes so long for women to accept their foibles and flaws,
do we ever get to that place and what does it take to get there?
Thank you for posting the picture. It is a lovely one of a mother and daughter enjoying time together and dressing for dinner.
I have the same model of Merrells (all blue) and they are wonderful for walking. I am always on the lookout for shoes that are as comfortable as running shoes, but a little more stylish and less clunky.
Lovely photo of you and your mom; you look so happy and proud.
How lucky you are to be able to enjoy these outings together.
Must say I'm envious, wish my mom was still with us.
Great shopping, and how lovely to be able to have such a happy outing with both your mother and sister. Something to cherish. (I love your mother's paging response!)
I need to go shopping with you, I can't believed you got all that in 45 minutes and for that great total! Wow! Love the picture of you and your mom, do not delete it! As for fitness routines, I wish someone would have told me that after the second child exercising would become much harder. My youngest just turned 5 and I'm STILL trying to get back into a regular routine. Some months are better than others. I just do the best I can. XO, Jill
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! You are both beautiful. And my goodness you two shop a lot, and seem to always find great things.
Such a wonderful addition to your life to have such a great and enjoyable relationship with your mother and your sister. I hope you realize how lucky you are. You both look beautiful, confident and happy. As for my fitness routine, it's pretty rigorous. Spinning classes, advanced yoga, workouts at the gym, lifting weights. etc.
I need it mentally, as much as physically. I've been doing it for so long, that my mood suffers if I don't get enough cardio in. A walk just doesn't do it (although I love a long walk) - it seems I need to sweat!
My sister wears a lot of Merrell shoes too, they look good and seem to last a long time.
I will wear mine this weekend on a walk with a friend.
The thought of not having Mother in my life is something I cannot fathom. I empathize with you and hope that you have many happy memories of your mom to hold close to your heart.
I know what you mean, she makes me laugh often and sometimes I need to conceal it because she's serious about what she's saying!
I'd love to go shopping in the chic store that you work in...
although I would be spending much more money and buying a lot less but it would be a treat!
You look great Jill. Being a mom is a full time job and we put our children first so finding time to get to the gym or workout does require more than just the desire to go. I'd love to go back to the days when my children were small :-)
We shop together like we have done for years.
When Woodward's was in business she would let me skip school and accompany her to $1.49 day Tuesdays!
You are very dedicated to fitness and it sounds like you really are passionate about your regime.
I have had so many hot flashes in the past that I loathe to sweat!
I agree that without some form of exercise we can become very disenchanted with ourselves.
How's that new house of yours?
Hostess, you are quite a lucky woman indeed to have a such a great relationship with your family.
I'm a big believer in weight-bearing exercise and gentle cardio. So, I lift heavy free weights or use the machines if I have a problem joint (my right knee prevents me from doing squats with the big barbells) for few reps: 8-10. I like to spend the least amount of time in the gym as possible, so I maximize the effort and minimize the time.
You're awesome. None of us 50-somethings are as thin as we used to be.
I exercise a lot--1hour plus of hard cardio, usually elliptical trainer, 5-6 days a week. Doesn't seem to help the weight issue, but I'm certainly fit!
oh yes I have a fabulous lot of memories of my mum. I lived with her until I was 27, only moving out to get married! I had a great adult relationship with her, It was just the 2 of us for many years, my older brother and sister had moved out when they turned 18 and my father had left when I was 12.
I loove the treadmill- when I am regularly using it! It has a deck that goes up and down and I can do interval training which is fantastic to help move the weight and build up the cardio, kind of like going up and down mountains/hills really! I do one day easy then the next day hard slog.
I have found that playing a game of scrabble on the ipad ( idea from oprah) -helps pass the time, but I seem to go slower. I also have it in front of a TV so that helps keep me on it too. I am a bit addicted to multitasking!
I have free weights in my hobby room which is full of stuff right now because of the ongoing renovations...I should dust them off and test drive them again...
great idea Rebekah!
I love word games and have toyed with the idea of a treadmill for my hobby room...
especially for inclement weather when walking outdoors is not enjoyable.
Muscle weighs more than fat! Sounds like you are doing the right thing.
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