DECISIONS DECISIONS

For those of you who have been following/reading/subscribing/stopping by since day one, you know that a major part of my blog is tracking and curbing my compulsive spending. Tomorrow, April 1st 2010 it will be 3 solid months of 100% no shopping. Now I was wondering if I should reward myself with a "keep up the good work" purchase. Nothing big or costly, just something as a pat on the back. Weigh in and let me know what you think. Place your votes!

~Black Orchid~

NEW READ- KAFFIR BOY

I try to read a book whenever I can, but I don't really care to purchase them so I just grab whatever's in my student's library. This time around I picked up Kaffir Boy and couldn't believe that it was in an 8th grade library. My coworker also informed me that she read it in her college lit class and while reading on the train the young lady next to me just couldn't help but initiate a conversation about the book. This book is so good and very disturbing at the same time. Its a true story about a youth growing up in a very apartheid South Africa. Kaffir Boy took me through every emotion on the spectrum. If you're looking for a new book please please pick this one up. If and when you do let me know what you think.

~Black Orchid~

I GOT MY 1ST AWARD!!!!!!!!!

HEY GUYS, TODAY YOU GET TWO POST. THAT PROBABLY WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. NOTICE THAT I AM WRITING IN ALL CAPS AS THOUGH I AM SCREAMING....THAT'S BECAUSE I AM SCREAMING. LOL

This weekend I got my 1st blog award! As I was checking out fellow blogger The Obsessionista I realized that she had presented me (along with 5 other Bloggers) the "Love Her Style" Blog Award. I was totally excited and couldn't wait to let you guys know. YAY...lol

After you leave my blog go check hers out.....It's uberchic!

Off to roam in Chicago.

~Happy Orchid~

INSANITY UPDATE

I'm off on vacation, but look what showed up just before I left.

I opened the box and upon reading the above message I got nervous. I mean talk about scaring you into shape. I am very afraid to start this program. Thankfully you all will be with me along the way.

Hope you all are enjoying your day!

~Scared Orchid~

I MEAN REALLY?

These days I just can't find time for myself. I feel like there is always something to do and at work the kids are relentless around this time of year. I have fallen into a funk that seems to affect every arena of my life even what I wear to work. My work attire yesterday was a perfect example of this. I opened my closet and reached in and pulled out a some ole t-shirt. I don't think I have ever worn a t-shirt to work before but that didn't matter. I pulled out a pair of less than flattering black trousers, a white "teacher cardigan" and a pair of comfy flats and I was out the door. As the day began and classes started so did the questions about my t-shirt. I started to wish I didn't wear the stupid thing. Here's the t-shirt, tell me who you see.

Now I got asked if it was:

Chris Brown

Run from Run DMC

Usher

My dad

Also questions like:

Who is that dude?

Is that some old rapper?

Who's that loser?

Cool shirt. but who is it?

I mean I almost died. To think that these children, our future had no clue who the man on my tee shirt was made me sick and a little angry. I was happy when the day finally ended at 9pm and I could finally take off my shirt. Before I could however, my niece (5 yrs old) came upstairs to say good night. She took one look at me and said "Aunty why is Obama wearing that hat, chain and glasses?" Her saying that totally made my day. Maybe there is hope after all.

Thank God for her and my 3 students who recognized the mystery man on my t-shirt.

~Black Orchid~

GETTING READY

This past week has been great. I have been in a great mood and I slept through the nights. What's the reason for the positive change you may ask? Well I have finally gotten my butt up and started working out. The 1st day I went on my run it was terrible. Though I made it through all 3.35 miles without stopping I thought I would die in the 39 minute process. The following day I headed out to the park again and if I thought the prior day was bad I had another thing coming. My legs felt like a combination of lead and rubber. As much as I tried to move faster my legs would not cooperate. At one point I wondered if I was running at all because I was moving so slow. As tragic as it seemed day 2 was only one minute slower than the previous day and that's actually not bad considering all the lactic acid buildup that I acquired after day 1. It's funny because while I'm foaming at the mouth and drifting in and out of consciousness I vowed never to get this out of shape again, but I have made this promise time and time again only to one year later find myself in the same predicament.

All in all I am happy that I have begun the fitness process. I have finally purchased INSANITY so there is no turning back. For some reason I think this program will be different from all the others I have tried yet failed at miserably. I will continue going on my runs this week and start the program after Spring Break. (I doubt I will do any running during my trip but I will try.)

Stay tuned! This venture should be very interesting.

Enjoy your beautiful weather and weekend.

~Black Orchid~

THE BADDEST CHICK

Ladies, have you ever seen a pair of shoes and just fell in love? Yesterday I say a pair of Proenza Schouler platform sandals that I fell in love with automatically. I kept looking at them and couldn't stop thinking about how I would possibly make them mine. Take a look, tell me what you think and let me know what pair of shoes you are loving right now. Guys you can weigh in also.

~Black Orchid~

ANOTHER LONG WEEK

This was another long week. Parent Teachers Conferences, house hunting, field trips and getting sick all wrapped into one. I had every intention of adding a new post however that surely didn't happen. Here is my wayyyy overdue post that was suppose to go out on Wednesday.

6 MUST HAVE SHOES

Wednesday's Oprah featured 6 pieces of footwear that all women should have in their closet (it was a rerun I think. For show info click here.) I decided to see if I had all 6. When I start shopping again I have an excuse to get a few pieces because apparently I am lacking.

1. 2 inch kitten heel pump

Just like a LBD (little black dress), every woman needs a pair of effortless shoes. A 2 inch kitten heel is classy, classic and polished.

Oprah's Example:

From My Closet:

2. Comfortable Flats

This category is a must! As a teacher I have learned that my 3.5 inch heels are not my friend and I need to be more wise in my footwear as I stand pretty much all day.

Oprah's Example:

From My Closet:

3. A Show Stopper Shoe

Sometimes an event comes up unexpectedly, and having a pair of show stopping shoes in your closet means all you have to do is pull your fav LBD and throw on your show stopping shoe and BAM you have an outfit.

Oprah's Example:

From My Closet:

4. Sleek Comfy Sneakers

I must say this is one category that I know nothing about. I don't wear sneakers unless its my trainers when I am at the gym, and like Oprah said "Ladies, please keep your trainers in the gym". I definitely need a pair of sleek comfy sneakers.

Oprah's Example:

From My Closet: NONE

5. All Weather Footwear

This category speaks for itself.

Oprah's Example:

From My Closet:

6. Tall Boots

Tall boots adds style to any outfit. This category can include tall riding boots also. I really cannot think of a woman that doesn't have a pair of either shoe in her closet. I have a few so it took me forever to choose one to post.

Oprah's Example:

From My Closet:

Based on this list I would say I need 3 items. I need to update my kitten heels, snatch up a pair of sleek comfortable sneakers, and get a new show stopper heels (the ones I have are not stopping any shows).

Go through your closet and determine which category of shoes you're missing.

~Black Orchid~

P.S. Maybe one day I will do a list for our fellas.

FITNESS ACTION PLAN-PURE INSANITY

It's 8:20am on Saturday morning and I am having fried rice for breakfast. I love rice; white rice, brown rice, yellow rice, curried rice, fried rice, rice n peas, peas and rice..... Yes I love rice, but I think its my downfall. I mean I will have rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner and still not be satisfied. But I digress.

This week was tough. I have noticed that I have not been sleeping through the night, my hamstrings have been hurting and I am extremely drained by the end of the day. All of these usually happen when I need to workout so I have decided to stop ignoring the fact that I am slowing gaining weight and determine a fitness plan. I am not ready to join a gym and it is too cold out to go running everyday so I have another plan.

Awhile back I saw an infomercial (I know) for a workout dvd program called INSANITY. It got me very interested but I was not ready to workout so I just ignored it. However today while sitting on my bed eating fried rice and looking at my expanding belly I couldn't ignore it anymore.

Here's the plan: For now I will go running in the park on the weekends weather permitting. After spring break (1st week in April) I will start the INSANITY challenge. INSANITY is a 60 day challenge so I should be good to go by the beginning of June. That's perfect timing for all of my spring dress and bikinis.

Once I start my challenge I will keep you all posted with pics and measurements. I will need your help keeping motivated, so get your best cheerleader spirit ready.

Till we meet again

~Black Orchid~

TWO MONTHS AND COUNTING

Hello everyone, I'm back. Its been wayyyyy too long but I'm back, now back to business.

Its been two months 3 days since I last shopped and it wasn't very hard until today. I have finally figured out that I am an emotional shopper and today my emotions were all over the place. I walked by Free People to get lunch and they had the cutest beige ruffle cropped blazer. As soon as I saw it i feel in love.

Blazer

Immediately I thought "f the spending freeze" and walked into the boutique. Just the thought of getting the blazer made me feel so much better. As I walked around the store I thought "If I'm gonna break my pledge I might as well make it worth it" so I walked around the store picking up everything that called my name. This is strange because pieces by Free People are usually to much like hippie clothes to me. Anyway, as I headed to the fitting room it dawned on me that I needed to get back to work, so I asked the sales associate to hold the items for me. Luckily after work I felt a little better so I purchased a white chocolate Toblerone bar for a quick fix. That worked so I was safe.....that is until I got home and looked at Bluefly's new arrival. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted everything, bags, shoes, dresses, swim suits, everything! I pulled out the remainder of my Toblerone chocolate and 540 calories later I only felt the need to have one item. Check 'em out.

Miu Miu Flats

Are they not the most perfect accessory for your feet?

Overall I think I'm doing well, though I don't see where the money I save goes. I'm ready for a congrats gift for making it thus far. How about the Miu Miu flats I love? Okay so maybe not but I think I need a reward for making it this far. What do you think?

Well I should go do some situps or something but I'm not.

Later folks!

~Black Orchid~