tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27536158798823391032024-03-17T23:01:45.355-04:00Sandy's Motherhood Blog: Food, Fun, FashionSome recipes, some red carpet fashion reviews, some comments about motherhood, and a lot of random thoughtsSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.comBlogger1356125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-89620414462805809382024-03-16T11:35:00.001-04:002024-03-16T11:35:33.880-04:00The Plateau That Wouldn't Die: Week 10 Check-InAt this point, I feel a little like Sisyphus: I'm still working hard, yet I'm not seeing any results. Fortunately, unlike Sisyphus, I haven't lost (gained) much ground, I just haven't gained (lost) much, either. In other words, I'm still on a plateau, yoyo-ing between 157 point something and just over 158 pounds. (That said, this morning I clocked in at a cool 156.2 pounds, so I'm hoping this Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-23293414107338718432024-03-11T14:22:00.005-04:002024-03-11T14:22:58.532-04:00Academy Awards 2024: Red Carpet ReviewLast night was the Oscars, but I was uninspired to watch in real time. However, this morning I went online to catch up and I was stunned to discover that literally 90+% of the gowns fell into one of three categories: black/midnight blue, silver/white/ice blue, and pink. So I'll critique them according to those categories, and then I'll end with the tiny handful of notable outfits that didn't fit Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-15914646768630627252024-03-09T09:46:00.009-05:002024-03-09T09:46:54.369-05:00Another Plateau: Week 9 Check-InThis week has probably been the most frustrating week so far. I've been hovering around the 157 point something mark all week. I haven't really gained anything, but I haven't really lost anything either. But this is the benefit of having everything written down: I can go back and look at my eating habits for the week to determine if I've been falling off the wagon anywhere. And the good Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-87846604236181097852024-03-02T08:00:00.001-05:002024-03-02T08:00:00.132-05:0020-Pound Milestone: Week 8 Check-InEight weeks ago, I started a weight-loss program after I'd hit a lifetime high weight of just under 180 pounds. As of today, I've passed the 20-pound mark, weighing in at a cool 158.2 pounds. This is less than I've weighed in the past 5 years!My goal is to get back below 150 pounds. After my kids were born (in my early 40s; I was a late starter), my weight settled in at around 148 pounds for Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-56899463993523761272024-02-27T11:55:00.002-05:002024-02-27T11:55:51.789-05:002024 Screen Actors Guild Awards Red Carpet ReviewOnce again, I missed the actual awards ceremony last night but I caught up with the red carpet looks this morning. Interestingly, the color palette of the gowns was limited to mainly black, white, red, and metallics, with only a handful of looks venturing out into other colors. So that's how I've categorized them here!BlackMany of the looks were traditional all-black ensembles, accented with Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-78847001471338277992024-02-24T11:08:00.001-05:002024-02-24T14:21:55.044-05:00You Can't Just Give (It) Up: Week 7 Check-InLast week's plateau was frustrating, but the upside was that it inspired me to not only hang in there, but to look more closely at what I was doing and to consider if I needed to change anything. Looking back over my "treats" for the week, I realized I had gotten a little lazy about trading off when I opted for a treat. It also made me think about whether I really needed those treats as Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-88863368297490702432024-02-18T19:16:00.006-05:002024-02-18T19:16:59.068-05:00The Dreaded Plateau: Week 6 Check-InWelp, I knew it would happen: the dreaded diet plateau. I didn't think it would happen quite this soon, but here it is. I can't complain; the first 10 pounds came off unexpectedly quickly and easily. But I thought I'd have another couple of weeks before I stalled out. The scale has been bouncing around 166.5-167.5 all week, with a taunting low of 164.4 (admittedly, after a bout of illness Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-70578071901708491012024-02-10T19:49:00.002-05:002024-02-10T19:49:47.042-05:002024 Grammy Awards: Red Carpet ReviewI'm a little late in getting this red carpet review posted, but I didn't forget! Although I didn't actually watch the Grammy Awards ceremony, I looked all over the internet to find photos of as many outfits as I could. Most of the notable dresses fell into one of several categories: White, Black, Metallic, Belly Baring, and Structurally Impressive. There were a few other looks that didn't fit Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-91034251910182092362024-02-10T13:49:00.003-05:002024-02-10T13:49:46.048-05:00Focusing on the Food: Week 5 Check-InAfter five weeks of changing my eating habits and just over one-third of the way to my goal weight, I've discovered one of the most important - and most pleasurable - aspects of this eating plan: It reminds me to really enjoy my food. To focus on what I'm eating. To savor each bite. As much as I hate the word "mindfulness," this eating plan has made me realize that I need to eat Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-42658522368623385992024-02-03T08:00:00.006-05:002024-02-03T08:00:00.152-05:0010-Pound Milestone: Week 4 Check-InI started my weight loss journey on January 7, at a nearly all-time high weight of 178.6 pounds. Four weeks in, weighing in at 168.6 pounds, I am excited to share that I have hit the 10-pound mark! I am also excited to share that my weight loss "regimen" has begun to feel natural and normal. In other words, I'm not spending all my time thinking about food.That definitely was not true the first Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-48157076197521045512024-01-28T21:50:00.004-05:002024-01-28T21:50:38.144-05:00Dieting & Trade-Offs: Week 3 Check-InMy current weight is 171 pounds even (it went as low as 170.4, but bounced back a bit). Nearly eight pounds down is not bad for 3 weeks in! Here's what I've learned this week: When you have a food-related event coming up, it's best to plan ahead. I've developed a system of exchanges that allows me "treats," but it works best for me if I don't restrict those exchanges to a single 8-hourSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-18721256443978878192024-01-24T12:04:00.004-05:002024-01-24T12:04:45.515-05:00The 2024 Emmy Awards Red Carpet - How To Get "The Looks"I am a big fan of competitive fashion design shows such as Project Runway and Making the Cut. And one of my favorite challenges is when the designers have to create a "high fashion" look and a related "accessible" look. In other words, one outfit would look at home on a red carpet worn by a celebrity and one outfit would look at home in my closet and on my body, but they share common elements. Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-29352570502229037722024-01-20T09:42:00.000-05:002024-01-20T09:42:02.847-05:00I'm a Little Less Fat: Week 2 Check-InI'll admit that I'm actually a little surprised to be seeing results already, but there is a distinct downward trend in my weight. The past few days have been consistently in the 173.5-174.5 pound range, which means I've lost roughly 4 pounds in two weeks. Hooray!Looking back at my initial post, here's how each of the parts of my diet and exercise plan have been working out:Drink less alcohol. Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-30375995467824565172024-01-16T10:33:00.000-05:002024-01-16T10:33:21.037-05:00I'm Fat: Week 1 Check-InGuess what? I'm still fat. Yeah, the hardest part of trying to lose weight is that it takes time. I'm hoping the old adage that it takes twice as long to lose it as it did to gain it isn't true. I've gained 25 pounds over the past 5 years, and I'm really hoping that it won't take 10 years to take it off again. Fortunately, I've also read that losing a pound or even 2 every week is a Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-56703529961562043142024-01-08T14:03:00.002-05:002024-01-08T14:35:27.837-05:00The 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet ReviewI did not watch the Golden Globes this year, but any of you who read my blog know that never stops me from posting a red carpet review. So, without further ado, I give you: The Hits and Misses of the 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet!The majority of dresses fell into one of three categories: metallics, bright colors, and mostly-black. I'll start with the metallics. I love Quinta Brunson's Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-34930233337958428022024-01-08T07:30:00.001-05:002024-01-08T07:30:00.138-05:00Lighten Up Your Liquor: Low-Alcohol Cocktails and Mocktails Since I started my "accountability" weight loss program on a Sunday, one of my first changes was to cut down my Sunday evening cocktail by swapping out my usual vodka martini for a spritzer-type drink made with just a small splash of vodka and 3 or 4 dashes each of cocoa and orange bitters, topped off with orange vanilla seltzer, garnished with a pretty lemon twist, and served in a frosty, funky Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-16567299229260635112024-01-07T12:42:00.000-05:002024-01-07T12:42:55.933-05:00Because I'm Fat, I'm Fat, Ya Know ItHi, my name is Sandy and I'm fat. "Fat" is such a loaded word in our society. Because of that, I would never call anyone else fat, but I absolutely reserve the right to call myself fat. And I am. I'm about 35 pounds over what I would consider a reasonably attainable and healthy weight, and about 50 pounds over what I would consider my ideal adult weight. At 5'7.5" tall and 178 pounds, I am, Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-48848693530724684402023-12-04T21:58:00.003-05:002023-12-04T21:58:42.700-05:00Stocking Stuffers, 2023 EditionHave you started your Christmas shopping yet? More importantly, have you started your Christmas stocking shopping yet? Somehow I always end up grabbing stuff at the last minute to finish up the stocking stuffing. But this year I'm determined to start early and get some cool stuff for all the stockings well before the 24th. Here are some of the great stocking stuffers I've found this year:&Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-78309068414035552512023-12-02T17:12:00.000-05:002023-12-02T17:12:22.320-05:00The Best New Christmas Songs, 2023I've been putting together a playlist of my favorite Christmas songs, and I realized I don't have any music that's been released in the past few years. So I did a little research on new Christmas songs that were just released this year, and I have a few recommendations for songs you might want to add to your playlist. Here are 10 of the best of the 2023 Christmas releases!Please, Santa, Please - Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-33892281551317403582023-10-24T14:50:00.000-04:002023-10-24T14:50:01.287-04:00Autumn SoupsI love soup. A lot of people like soup; I LOVE soup. You can tell from searching my blog how much I love soup. I have recipes for chicken noodle soup, lentil and sausage soup, ginger carrot soup, white bean and bacon soup, black bean soup, lasagna soup, potato soup, lemon chicken rice soup, pumpkin pie soup, lamb stew, beef stew, beef stew with Guinness, fish chowder, lemony lentilSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-72973943341661170382023-10-21T13:07:00.001-04:002023-10-21T13:07:24.563-04:00Easy Last-Minute Halloween CostumesEvery year we swear we'll start planning our Halloween costumes in mid-September. And yet, somehow, we always end up un-costumed and panicking on October 27th. But never fear! I have a collection of (easy - but not lame!) homemade costumes that can be thrown together relatively quickly at the last minute using mainly items you already have on hand or can pick up or make easily. Here are my Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-33872674296641059472023-09-18T22:27:00.001-04:002023-09-18T22:27:51.261-04:00Musicals as Wedding GownsMy husband sent me a funny video clip of a woman at a bridal store lip-synching to Broadway songs as she tried on various dresses that fit the theme of each show. I decided to browse a little and I came up with a few of my own!Grecian, toga-inspired? A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,Trade in the traditional gown for white bell bottoms. Hair.Prairie ruffles and a straw hat?Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-75560242039131617042023-09-12T10:55:00.002-04:002023-09-12T10:55:26.669-04:00New York Fashion Week September 2023: Fashion ReviewThis time of year is usually the Emmy Awards ceremony, but due to the SAG-WGA strike, it has been postponed until next spring. So there's no red carpet to be reviewed, boo! But since it's been a while since I've had a red carpet event to review, I thought I'd check out New York Fashion Week to see what the celebrities are wearing there. It turns out that there are a number of very specific trendsSandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-28132152424781288372023-09-01T08:28:00.003-04:002023-09-01T11:59:32.036-04:00TransitionsAs a parent, I am always amazed by the way my kids seem to mature in bursts. They start out as helpless blobs, then suddenly they develop a personality all their own. They're babies for a while, then suddenly they turn into toddlers with independent wills. After toddlerhood there's a sudden transition into being little kids. And then big kids. And now, both of mine have had another sudden lurch, Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753615879882339103.post-73465817111042640582023-07-18T11:45:00.000-04:002023-07-18T11:45:54.742-04:00Philpott Family Adventures, European Vacation 2023 (Part dix)It's our last full day on board the Diamond, so we intend to make the most of it, including getting up early enough for our 6am sail from Bourg to Blaye. It was the first time we had seen any kind of waves, which the captain told us was because we were getting closer to the ocean. Friday, June 30thIt was a rare overcast morning, but the sky was beautiful and the light breeze kept the Sandy Philpotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03654915192510918183noreply@blogger.com0