Shop My Closet! Also, Anthro 25% Off Sale.

In an effort to avoid competing with the scalpers on eBay (and to raise more money for more shopping), I've taken a hard look at my closet and picked out a few clothes and shoes that I don't get much use out of. You can find them on the aptly named Stuff Jewish Girls Aren't As Fond Of Anymore. All items are under $50 and shipping is included.

I hope these lovely items will find their way to a better home!

Speaking of shopping, I hope everyone has made their way over to Anthro to check out the 25% off sale. I was highly conflicted about whether to request price adjustments for all the stuff I've bought over the last two weeks. As you know, I've been anticipating getting price adjustments after next week's tag sale, but Anthro will only grant ONE price adjustment. As I mentioned in a comment on Roxy's blog, it's a little like being on Deal or No Deal---

"Jewish Girl, your suitcase could contain $370 or nothing. The banker is offering you $230. Deal...or no deal?"

I'm always the one shouting "DEAL! TAKE THE DEAL YOU MORON!" at the contestants whenever I stumble upon this show, so it's no surprise that I wussed out and took the 25% discount. I fear that I will regret this next week when the infamous "tag sale" hits---I'm predicting 40% off all sale products, or at least a lot of second cuts---but ultimately I figured a sale in the hand is worth two in the hypothetical ether of next week.

I'm pretty certain I'll regret the early price adjustment, actually, but it'll be a good object lesson in patience, which I sorely lack when it comes to sales.

On the plus side, I bought the Tied Scutes Flats for only $45! And I can still get a price adjustment on them if they get marked down again next week!

The journey lasts a lifetime. (Long, meandering thoughts) (very bloggidy)

Completely unexpectedly---and I mean COMPLETELY---as in, I had Burger King for lunch yesterday---I made Lifetime last night at my Weight Watchers meeting. "Making Lifetime" is shorthand for becoming a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers, which means I get to attend meetings for free as long as I stay within two pounds of my goal weight. Practically speaking, this means that I hit my goal weight, and then weighed in within two pounds of it after six weeks of maintenance.

With my fabulous leader Cami, who crowned me Princess for the Day (read Cami's Success Story here!). I'm holding up my Lifetime Card.

My journey to Lifetime was somewhat fraught...I hit my goal weight (136) at the end of May, after hovering two pounds above it for four agonizing months, and then promptly moved to a new city and started a new job, in which they paid for extravagant three course lunches DAILY (and cocktail hours...and snacks...and parties...). I started gaining weight and frankly didn't particularly FEEL like under-indulging in the goodies around me. I figured the summer was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I just sort of rode it out. That's not to say there was not anxiety. Oh no, there was anxiety. You can see it in many of my weight-related posts from over the summer. I wasn't just indulging; I was overeating on purpose. I'm still not quite sure why; perhaps I was rebelling a bit against being diligent and avoiding cookie dough, or maybe I was testing the waters, seeing how much I would gain and how fast. I'm sure I'll explore it more someday.

I gained almost ten pounds over the summer---as did many of my law school classmates---but I did my best not to freak out. I read several books by Geneen Roth and felt like I had a new perspective on my relationship with food. Of course, much of this deserves separate posts, and will eventually get it as I sort through my sometimes complicated---but increasingly less so---relationship with eating.

My clothes were uncomfortable, but I knew the weight would come off as my eating normalized. Every time I've tried to really "crack down" on myself, I've gone off the handle soon afterwards, eating much candy, ice cream, fast food and cookie dough (Phase I of the South Beach Diet, I'm looking at you). This fall, I was determined to normalize a bit, even if that meant that I often ate above my weekly points target (for those weeks when sticking to it strictly would have felt cruel for one reason or another).

Finally, FINALLY making Lifetime, not after six weeks but after more than six months, means a lot to me. My very, very long "maintenance" period helped me address new pieces of the weight loss puzzle: my fear of gaining weight back, the sense of deprivation that comes with even a sensible eating plan, and the feeling of entitlement to eat (and even overeat) delicious foods. Gaining weight back wasn't the end of the world for me, and it really showed me how much I prefer eating normally and feeling good in my clothes. One nice side effect of dumping so much money into Anthro: I want to fit into these clothes for a looonnnng time.

In the last few months, I've realized that my body seems to naturally hover about two pounds above my goal weight. I remember feeling like I was working SO hard to get down to 136; it was a real struggle despite the fact that I was so fit and eating so healthily. I couldn't even really enjoy my body because I was so occupied with hitting that number. I feel like most women in America have five pounds that they ALWAYS want to lose...the five pounds that never go away...the five pounds that are holding you back.

I didn't want that for myself. The first thing I did after making lifetime at 138 pounds was raise my goal weight. I set my new goal at 138...exactly where I am now. I feel good here. I'd feel good two pounds below this, and I'd feel alright two pounds above it (although a bit like sausage in some of my tighter pants). I can't imagine myself much skinnier than 136, and I can't imagine struggling to stay down there. I don't want this to be a struggle any more than it needs to be. So 138 it is.

Me at my heaviest - May 2009

One year later - May 2010. (PS: Those toned arms WILL be mine again. Jillian Michaels, I'm returning to you as soon as finals are over!)

24.6 pounds lost

From a size 10/12 to a size 4/6 (and sometimes 8)

From a L/XL to a XS/S (and sometimes M)

From a shoe size 9 to...well...my shoe size is the same.

OOTDs: Double your pleasure

Two outfits for you today, very little commentary! I'm working to perfect a cake recipe I'm developing, in the hopes of sharing something delicious with you on this blog.

(incidentally, had another minor kitchen failure yesterday: was baking this prototype cake to bring to my study group in the morning, and everything was going smoothly...VERY unlike last time...and just as I got to the last step, while I was worrying whether the cake would be fresh enough to bring to study group after sitting overnight---that's when I realized that I'd gotten my days mixed up. Study group was NOT tomorrow, and I'm a bonehead. But on the plus side, I get to take another stab at the cake)

(Incidentally, I do feel a little silly/superficial posting these, but I LOVE looking at other people's outfits (and often turn up as helpful google results when I'm trying to figure out how to wear something), so here we are.)

Shirt: Loosely Looped Tee

Skirt: Marston Sweater Skirt

Slip: Floral Muse Slip

Belt: Nimble Paisley Belt ($20 here)

Shoes: Rensellaer T-Straps by Miss Albright

Tights: Neutral Paisley Tights

Necklaces: J.Crew (long with the flower), Anthro Zodiac Necklace, and a random beaded strand from H&M or Forever 21 [The belt was purchased a few hours after leaving the apartment, so I think I was trying to make up for the fact that I obviously needed a dark belt by distracting people with my neckwear.]

Earrings: Anthro Trefoil Posts

This outfit inspired someone to tell me, "I love the way you dress---it makes me happy!" What a wonderful compliment! I have only worn this cardigan once, and was just thinking that perhaps I should try to sell it, when I figured I'd give it one more shot in the big leagues. It performed admirably.

Dress (and matching belt): Brassica Shirtdress (on sale for $30...sold out online but still available in stores)

Cardigan: Split Decision Cardigan

Necklace and Earrings: J.Crew (earrings $19.50 here)

Tights: Place de la Concorde Tights (loved these...so pretty in person, although a bit thin for winter)

Shoes: Lavandula Heels by Everybody

What Stayed, What Went

[Disclaimer: This post is not particularly clever. It's quite mundane, actually. But in the event that you felt invested in my earlier post, this one is for you.]

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on my Too Keep or Not To Keep dilemma over in The Shopping Zone. It's really good for me to have an objective eye (or 18 objective eyes...or 16 objective eyes + my mom) evaluate whether I'm spending my money in the right place. It's very easy to get caught up in the rush of the sale and forget that $60 here and $70 there adds up VERY fast. The fact that my boyfriend is now considering purchasing stock in Anthropologie suggests that perhaps I should reconsider my budget.

Tria Skirt

Verdict: Exchanged for a larger size.

A few of you noted that the skirt does seem pretty tight (Missy said "ill-fitting", which I think is right on), and Brittany and Mich both made excellent points about the work-appropriateness of "Bootylicious" garb (as Mandy so wonderfully put it). Ultimately, I just can't explain why I love this skirt so much...I felt as though if I could only chose one item, it may have been this one. My initial reaction to sizing up had been the same as Jin's---namely, DON'T DO IT---but I read somewhere in the blogosphere that some folks found the same size of this skirt to fit differently depending on the individual skirt...so I tried on a different medium today in the store and it fit wonderfully! Still had the lovely shape and figure-flattery as the small size, but with less clinging around the hips. It was NOTHING like the other size medium I tried on, which was droopy and formless. Perhaps someone squeezed their way into my first one and left the skirt hopelessly stretched out? Anyway, the plan is to keep the medium, return the small, and resist pulling the tag off as long as possible to leave myself an exit strategy if there is no price drop (and thus no price adjustment) in the next 14 days. I just love this skirt so much, though, I'm not sure I can resist wearing it.

Tied Scutes Flats

Verdict: Returned.

I really love these shoes, and they are so unique, but I just couldn't justify spending $60 on shoes that I could probably never wear to work. I also noticed that the only picture I really loved of them was the third picture...in which I'm wearing the lovely Tria skirt! Perhaps that skirt just brings out the best in everything. In any case, I will keep my eyes peeled for these shoes if they get a second cut to $30! (I spent the money I saved on a Southward Stop shirtdress) (I maybe bought a few other things too...err...) (I'm not totally sure I'm keeping the shirtdress...gotta mull it over...) (err...)

Tweedy Leaves Dress

Verdict: Exchanged for a smaller size.

After trying on the smaller size again in the store, I felt fine in it, and it was clear that this really WAS my size. I can't explain why I'm so afraid of going to a tailor, as Thirteenlbs, Kathleen, and my mom suggested. The thought of anyone ripping apart a new dress (especially one I can still return) for uncertain results makes me cringe a bit. Still, I'm not going to take the tags off this one yet. I'm not sure I NEED it, and as Mich said, I'm just not sure I'm in love with it. Missy made a point that my friend Esme told me recently, too, namely that if you don't really LOVE something, it shouldn't come home with you. So I'm just still not sure. I'd love it for $40, if that makes any sense/is possible. There are rumors circulating about a big "tag sale" at Anthro next week. With this exchange, I am now within 2 weeks of the tag sale (rumored to be December 23), so I'm also eligible to get a refund for the price difference between what I paid today and any sale price next week. If the dress doesn't get a second discount, I may still return it. Arguably gaming the system a bit, but considering the fact that almost all my discretionary income ends up in Anthro's hot little corporate hands, I don't feel too guilty.

Five Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Pomegranates!

Since Weight Watchers** introduced their new Points Plus program, I have found myself enjoying much more fresh fruit than I had been before. It's a challenge to find good, tasty fruit in the winter since my favorite fruit of all time---the trusty apple---is hit-or-miss this time of year. There are few fruit-related experiences worse than biting into a mealy apple, so I've branched out to other, more seasonal fruits.

My favorite winter fruit so far---BY far---is the glorious POMEGRANATE!

Just look at that wonderful thing. Those juicy (and yet crunchy!) ruby kernels! The casual splash of juice in the middle. ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE STAGED THE PHOTOGRAPH! The kernels are bursting forth, waiting to eject their sweet nectar onto your taste buds. I eat pomegranate like I used to eat popcorn...at night, with great abandon, and often in a manner visually resembling a squirrel or hamster.

They are a bit pricier than an apple (my grocery store sells them for $1.70-$2.50, but I live in NYC so YMMV), but I only eat about half of one at a time, so that brings down the cost per serving.

You've probably heard the Greek myth starring the pomegranate: poor Persephone eats six pomegranate kernels in the Underworld and has to stay there with bitter old Hades for six months every year. Her mother Demeter, clearly the anxious Jewish Mother type, is so distraught during these six months that she can't concentrate on her job as Goddess of the Harvest...so thanks to Persephone, Demeter and the pomegranate we all get winter. Those Greeks knew how to tell a story, eh?

Here are a few things you may not have known about this fabulous fruit:

1. According to the Produce Picker Podcast, the best way to open a pomegranate is the following: cut the ends off the fruit. Make four score [and seven years] marks along the sides of the pomegranate. (You're basically quartering it, but not cutting the whole way through). Fill a bowl with water, then break the pomegranate into quarters with your hands and put the quarters into the bowl of water. Then pull the seeds apart in the bowl. The "pith," which is the white membrane in the fruit, will float to the top and the seeds will sink. You can then strain out the pith and keep the seeds! (Video demo here; this demo is geared towards "getting to our ultimate goal: the delicious seeds.")

2. Pomegranate is an extremely potent source of antioxidants and helps improve blood flow and prevent heart disease. It can promote a healthy blood pressure and prevent prostate cancer in men. (Source) However, the POM company (they make the juices in the wavy bottles) recently got in trouble with the FDA for claiming that their juice can also prevent heart disease...and erectile dysfunction...(clearly trying to get at the male market there, huh? Maybe take the hearts off your bottles before messing with the FDA?) (Source)

3. Pomegranates are in season in the Northern Hemisphere from September through May! Rejoice Northerners! Though our life is frigid and we curse cruel fate daily for placing us in this hemisphere, at least we can enjoy fresh pomegranate in winter! (Source)

4. To select the best pomegranate, pick one that feels very heavy for its size; weight is a sign that it's filled with juice! The skin should be dark or bright red and should not pucker or ripple when you rub it. Avoid fruit with cracks or bruises on the skin, as this may mean the fruit is no longer moist. A pomegranate can actually keep for up to SIX MONTHS in your refrigerator, but it will taste best if eaten in a few days. (Source)

5. Pomegranates have some ties to Judaism! There are supposedly 613 seeds in a pomegranate--and there are 613 commandments in the Torah! Coincidence? Judaism says no, and tradition actually teaches that pomegranates are a symbol of righteousness for this reason! The Bible even commands that images of pomegranates be woven onto the borders of Hebrew priestly robes. (Exodus 28:33-34) (Source)

So go forth, readers, and eat your pomegranates! (Just make sure to protect your clothes---the juice WILL stain!)

**Quick Weight Watchers tutorial for the newbs: The Weight Watchers program is basically a simplified version of calorie counting. Instead of calories, you get "points," which were derived from a formula that used to consist of calories, fat, and fiber. Calories and fat brought the points value up, fiber brings it down. All food has a point value, and you get a certain number of points a day, plus extra flex points to distribute across the week however you like. Weight Watchers recently revamped the program so that the new points formula includes fat, fiber, protein, and carbs and seems like a more complete measurement of the impact a food has on your body. It calls this "PointsPlus." The nice part is that no food is off-limits...you are welcome to have a slice of chocolate cake, but it's going to cost you 12 points. (Under the old system, I got 21 points a day. Under the new system, I get 29. And chocolate cake is still 12 points. SCORE.) The biggest downside of the old program, for me, was that fruit cost at least one point per piece, and some fruits, like bananas, were more. Under the new PointsPlus program, fruit is free! Let's face it...if a banana and a Skinny Cow Mint Ice Cream Sandwich cost the same number of points...well...I'm not always gonna pick the banana, alright?