This may not be great for me, but it works out splendidly for you, because I put together a fool-proof menu that you can now copy. And wow the man in your life like I did.

What you see here is:

Scallops Provencal

Herbed Basmati Rice

Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette 

And wine. Because everything’s better with wine.

I had it cooked and on the table in 30 minutes. No kidding. It was delectable. We don’t often buy sea scallops, because they’re so stinkin’ expensive, but they were perfect for a special meal.

For dessert, I made him Martha Stewart’s NY Style Cheesecake {sorry, no photo}.

It was super-simple to make, but if you’re going to make it, you should do so a day in advance because it takes at least 6 hours of chill time in the fridge. It too was delectable. And I’m not really a huge cheesecake fan.

So there you have it! A simple delicious meal for your honey-buns on Valentine’s Day!

After spending the better part of my twenties {up to this point} yo-yo dieting, I’ve finally gotten to a place where, not only have I had success, but I know, without a shadow of a doubt that I’m never going back.

First: My Story.

Around Easter time of 2010, we went over to my Grandmother’s house as usual, and my cousin Holly was taking pictures of everyone. During the photo-snapping, she captured this shot of me:

This picture changed my life.

I was horrified that I had allowed myself to get to this weight. I knew how much I weighed, and the number was definitely scary {191 pounds, in case you were wondering. And even for a 5’10″ woman, that’s TOO BIG}, but actually seeing myself really shocked me.

From that moment on, I began a weight loss journey that has re-shaped how I feel about food and what I put into my body and in what quantity.

I want to share what I’ve learned with you. So that you can be successful too.

You should know this about me: I am not a nutritionist. In fact, I will make “nutritionists” ill with what I’m going to share with you – because we subscribe to very different philosophies. Also, I’m not a stick-figure. As of this morning, I weigh 166.5 pounds {which is still 1.5 pounds away from my pre-baby weight and at least 15 pounds away from where I’d really like to be} and I wear a size 8.

But I am a success story. And that’s because I know the secrets to succesful weight loss.

And it’s not about carbs. Or points. Or non-fat/low-fat. Or starving yourself.

What is it about?

Stay tuned.

{frozen banana chocolate and peanut butter via pinned by sara}

{salted brown butter crispy treats via}

{citrus berry sorbet via}

{chipolte hummus via pinned by contessa d.}

{crispy baked fries via pinned by kathleen}

To check out more of what keeps me behind the computer screen instead of in the bathroom scrubbing my toilets, follow me on Pinterest.

When I was in Junior High in the late nineties, super-wide-leg jeans were the it-thing to own if you were into the greasy grunge movement, which for some reason, I was. And I mean wide legs. I think you could fit 10 people in the legs of my jeans, no kidding {ok, well, maybe a little kidding}. Unfortunately for you, I don’t have pictures of that time in my life, but when I slipped on these trouser jeans for the first time, it brought me back to those days. Granted, these are not nearly as wide and they’re much more sleek and grown-up looking, but the idea is still sort of the same; jeans so wide they cover my shoes. Maybe one day, I’ll look back at this picture and think, “Oh silly Laura! What wide-leg jeans you were wearing – you’re much more fashionable now.” Which is what I think now of myself then. I guess fashion is like that. And if nothing else, my kids will get a kick out of me when they look at this picture in 20 years.

{I linked up to What I Wore Wednesday over at The Pleated Poppy}

She made this Cream Cheese Pound Cake on last week’s episode and I really wanted to give it a try, so I did.

Um, yum.

Here’s the recipe, because you need to make it too. And while you’re at it, make this super-easy berry sauce to go over top like I did, because what’s a few more calories?

]]> http://sunnysideoflife.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/cream-cheese-pound-cake/feed/ 2 fancythis pound cake http://sunnysideoflife.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/ten-things/ http://sunnysideoflife.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/ten-things/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:07 +0000 fancythis http://sunnysideoflife.wordpress.com/?p=2173 ]]> 1. Luke and I went to his Grandmother’s funeral at the end of last week, and although we all gathered together for a really sad reason, we had a great time with his family. We got to meet our nephew Joel {he’s a month older than Marcus and lives in Minnesota} for the first time – he’s like the happiest baby ever. He beat out Marcus for the award who is a close second.

2. I have seen 2 men wearing shorts in very cold weather in the last week. I just don’t understand.

3. I think I may have a teething baby on my hands. I may have ended my day yesterday with vodka.

4. This same, potentially teething, baby is 5 months old today. This just blows my mind.

5. I just purchased the skirt that I wrote about for Fashion Friday 2 weeks ago. I know it’s super-springy, but I’m really tempted to at least wear it around the house until March.

6. Have you seen this picture of Snooki without makeup? Not only does she look like a normal human being, she’s actually very pretty! I never thought I’d ever say this, like, EVER, but TAKE IT OFF Snooki!

7. Today, I’m baking a Cream Cheese Pound Cake that I watched Martha Stewart bake the other day {not in person – on her baking show} and I’ve never been so excited to bake something ever in my life. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m thinking about trying it with Mascarpone Cheese if I really like the Cream Cheese version.

8. I’m still obsessed with Pinterest.

9. My brother Jake and his girlfriend Rachel are coming over for dinner and a movie tonight. We’re watching Big. Because she’s never seen it, and they’re going to NYC on Friday and wanted to be prepared.

10. There’s not a whole lot more embarrassing in life than walking in your wedges {with swag, of course} and then having your ankle randomly decide to give out on you. In front of lots of people.

Have a happy day!

{sweater wrap – Express, plaid shirt, boyfriend tank, and jeggings - AEO, knee socks - UO, boots – Bakers Shoes, jewelry – F21}

I have a bag of clothing that I’m passing along to my friend Ellen.

This plaid shirt has been in and out of it approximately forty trazillion times.

I’m tall, so it’s a little short on me {hence the white boyfriend tank underneath}, and right now, my baby-nursing-boobs aren’t helping matters. They want to turn all of my shirts into crop tops. Like Liv Tyler in the Crazy video.

Except not as creepy.

I have styled this shirt a bunch of different ways, and I like the styling of this particular outfit, but it doesn’t feel like the shirt’s permanent home should be among my other clothes.

What do you think?

{I linked up to What I Wore Wednesday over at The Pleated Poppy}

I would never have tried this unbelievably delicious smoothie.

Or these delectable pancakes. {in heaven, these things are served daily}

And I never would have found the gazillions of ideas for parties, weddings, home inspiration, and so, so much more that I have so far.

Basically, Pinterest rocks my socks.

Do you pin?

Posting about Spring when we really haven’t even gotten to the  harshest part of winter {here on the East Coast} is kind of like getting the JC Penney Christmas catalogue in August.

But I need to write about spring because I am just not content with it being winter anymore. So, indulge me, won’t you?

{via}

There are so many things that are right about this skirt. The length, the swishy-ness, the color. And how adorable would it look paired with a white boyfriend tank and denim jacket? You can’t forget a great pair of flippies either.

{via}

Horizontal stripes are still as fab as ever. This shirt makes me want to frolic in a field. That’s right, I said frolic. Also? As styled, it would go great with the green Hunter Boots I’ve so stealthily negotiated into my wardrobe.

{via}

I actually picked up a pair of these last week. I guess when it comes to color, I’m more comfortable having it on my pants. Either way – I plan on sporting these even before spring comes around for a visit. The down-side is that I had to go up a size. Stupid H&M.

{via}

Ain’t she a beaut? She is a Sperry, but she is sold at J. Crew. I would love to have her in my closet. I would take her on long walks {or would she take me on long walks?} and tuck her in at night. So, if any of you can think of a way that I can convice my husband to spend $100 on a shoe that is not a boot {because they have more to them, he doesn’t argue as much about spending money on boots}, I would greatly appreciate it. She needs me. I complete her.

Do you hate me now? It’s ok. I do too.

Check out more Fashion Friday posts, or link up your own over at All Things Chic!

I’m not quite sure why, but I’ll run with it. And since colored pants are such a big deal, I figured I’d give them a try. My wonderful hubby bought these lovelies for me for Christmas. Even though he didn’t “get” red pants or think they would look good on me.

{cardi: super old – shirt – jeans – shoes}

He still doesn’t “get” them. But his concern over them looking good isn’t there anymore. Boom, bam, baby.

{linked up to what i wore wednesday over @ The Pleated Poppy}