Hollywood goes glam with Oscar-nominated film “The Artist”.  Taking inspiration from the retro Hollywood era are Mary Green and Panache.

Mary Green 1930’s-inspired silk chemise with lace ($121.00)— MaryGreen.com
Mary Green “Midnight in Satin” silk camisole ($93.50) and boy pant with lace ($51.75)— MaryGreen.com
Mary Green “Midnight in Satin” silk chemise with lace ($121.00)— MaryGreen.com

Masquerade by Panache “Harem” plunge bra ($74.00) and high-waisted brief ($36.00)— available late-February

Additional winning styles include:


Panache “Paloma” balconnet bra ($66.00) and high-waisted brief ($34.00)— available late-February
Panache “Carmel” balconnet bra ($66.00) and high-waisted brief ($34.00)— barencessities.com

In November of this past year I was a competitor on Food Network Challenge Lego Cakes, an 8 hour televised cake competition that pitted myself and an assistant against three other top cake decorating teams. At the end of the day our team prevailed by creating a three and a half foot tall Lego world, all from cake and frosting. Our prize for the win was a $10,000 check and I topped it off with on air proposal to my longtime girlfriend (she said yes by the way). This experience showcased my ability to create cakes that don't look like cake. This style of cake is no longer limited to the traditional grooms cake.

When I say this diet is hard, I mean the hardest!!!  Trust me when I say this is NOT EASY!!  But, it’s working like a charm.  I was 139.0 this morning and even though I am a breath away from 140, I am so happy to say I am in the 130’s now.  Surprisingly, I do not notice any hunger pangs, but I do notice the cravings for things.  I did not realize how many times I had bites of my child’s food or just a cracker here and there.  I feel like I want to snack heavily on some REAL food though.  And that part is very, very hard.  But, I am sticking with it.  The thing that I like about this diet is that you really think twice before cheating.  The way that the HCG works in your system, your body is releasing thousands of calories a day for fuel which is why you do not feel hungry.  This only leaves room for 500 calories to be eaten in a single day before your body begins to pack away water as weight.  So, if you go above 500 calories or eat something that is not approved on this diet, you run the risk of moving up in the scale as much as 2 pounds in one day or stalling weight loss for 3-6 days.  I mean who wants to do that?  Not me!  So, it’s really keeping me on point because I am too scared to cheat!

We are going to Mexico in May and I refuse to be the beached whale in the bathing suit.  Will check back after the weekend!

I AM Modern Magazine does not endorse the use of the HCG diet. This is not a paid advertisement and the opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author's and not necessarily of I AM Modern Magazine.

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ANN NERI GAUSE has been a middle school counselor for 5 years with Loudoun County Public Schools. She graduated from Ferrum College in 2002 and went on to complete her Master of Arts Degree in Psychological Services K-12 from Marymount University in 2005. Ann currently resides in Leesburg with her husband Joey, their son Ashton and dog Charlie.

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day.   My husband and I don’t normally celebrate it.   Lucky for him, I have never liked it and would much rather receive something sweet from him when it’s unexpected.  So, we just exchanged cards as usual.  I did make dinner and it was so hard not to eat it!  Spinach and mozzarella ravioli with olive oil and herbs alongside an amazing salad of fresh greens, cranberries, toasted almonds, feta cheese and white balsamic vinaigrette.  He washed it down with almost a bottle of wine too.  I sat and drooled.

Before I go on with my posts, I want to make sure that it is very clear that before starting any weight loss diet, that you first consult your doctor and find out what works for you.  If you decide to do the HCG diet, you really need to research it to it’s entirety because it is no easy feat.  There are a lot of things involved with it and reading Dr. Simeons Diet Protocol is a good place to start.  This diet was discovered in the 1950’s and has been around for a very long time.  However, there are many companies that are creating products that are not truly HCG.  This means that they are adding many other preservatives, which can cause some pretty violent side effects. The FDA is currently going after these businesses to shut them down.  Please be sure that you are obtaining HCG from a doctor or preferred source.

I had a baby in October of 2010.  He is now 15 months old.  I was definitely that pregnant lady that ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and gained 75 pounds.  Yep, you heard me.  So, the normal 30 pounds fell right after after the baby came out and the rest was mine to own up to.  I worked out like a crazy woman, ate as clean as possible, worked out with an amazing trainer and lost the rest.  It was hard work and it sucked…plain and simple.  I got to the point where working out and eating so clean was becoming a chore and I just stopped doing everything when I got to my “comfy weight” in the 140’s.  With working full time, being a mom, and having a husband with an unpredictable work schedule, the workouts have become non -existent and I have not been eating very healthy.   And it has been that way for a while.  Slowly but surely the weight crept up a little and now I’m feeling gross again.  Still in the 140’s, but gross.  So, when my friend that works for a doctor told me about the HCG diet, I was very intrigued.  At first I thought it sounded like the most unhealthy diet to ever enter the planet but the more I researched it, the more I understood it and the more I thought that this is really something that can work for me.  So, I’m giving it the ol’ college try and documenting it for the I AM MODERN readers to see.  Here goes nothing……

 

When my oldest boy was just a baby, I'd buckle him into his car seat conversion stroller and take him for long walks in the woods near our house. Over time we graduated to the front carrier, and finally to the off -road jogging stroller.

Just as his little legs began to carry him on longer walks, his little brother came along and we were back to square one. Now, as my boys approach three and five, we’ve finally been liberated from strollers loaded down with diapers and toys. We’ve freed ourselves from the shackles of pacifiers, snacks, and sippy cups. At long last, we’re free to just follow the trail to see where it may lead. I’ve waited a long time for this.

Women are nurturers. We take great pride in our ability to cheer up a friend in distress (a little wine, a little conversation…everybody feels better). But sometimes even we gals are at a loss for words when a friend is in need of advice. This column gives suggestions – from actual women who have been through each of these situations – on what we should and should not say to our friends during these times.