[the lovers, the dreamers & me]

Heads up: today's post is rather picture heavy. In fact, I think today will be pretty much all pictures. On to the meals?? 

 Breakfast: chocolatey pear ginger smoothie

 Snack: whole wheat crackers with homemade olive spread (olive oil, garlic powder & olives), Laughing Cow wedge & grapes

 Homemade salsa (recipe from here)

 Lunch: healthier layered bean dip

 Let me introduce you to the Easter dress. I've worn this dress for 4 consecutive Easter masses and 3 weddings. It would have gone to college graduation but one of my closest friends was wearing it for graduation. We agreed that I would wear it to the wedding we were both attending the day before & she would wear it to graduation. It may make an appearance at law school graduation too, provided it still fits. Hopefully this will be the last Easter the Easter dress makes an appearance at. I do have a soft spot for this dress. This year I added the belt & tank underneath. The shoes are different every single time I wear the dress.

After mass yesterday I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather. I wanted to go outside. Originally I thought I'll go down to the Inner Harbor which I love. Unfortunately, I tend to shop when at the Harbor. Given the uncertainty in my employment/financial future I was hesitant to do anything to tempt myself into spending money unnecessarily. Sure I love to shop but I'm saving up for once I drop a clothing size. In the mean time I avoid stores unless absolutely necessary to reduce temptation.

After much thought I settled on hopping the Light Rail out to Robert E. Lee Park and Roland Lake. Best decision I've made in a long time. It was beautiful out and clearly other Marylanders agreed since the park was crowded. It was the perfect amount of crowded: enough that I never felt alone but not so much that I was annoyed.

As you can tell, I'm not wearing the Easter dress. Silk dresses are not conducive to hanging out at the park, at least not with my budget. I guess if you have a Blair Waldorf budget that would be different. But real silk is a rare addition to my wardrobe. Plus it's just not as comfortable to go hiking around in a dress, heels and Spanx. 

I loved the little dog park they had by the lake. If I had a dog I would definitely bring it here along with a tennis ball. I thought about entering the park but I thought that might be strange since I didn't know anyone in there and didn't have a dog with me. You can't tell from the photo but the dog area extends all the way down to the water and all the way up the hill behind me. 

Even if you can't tell from the photos just yet I'm already seeing results.  These are more non-scale victories, or NSV in the weight loss blogging community. I'm exploring more, stepping outside my comfort zone and spending less time in my apartment. I've gotten bolder with my photo taking. As you can see below, I took a picture of myself somewhere besides my living/dining room. I even took myself out to dinner. I'm a great date as it turns out. I felt no shame in sitting alone at CPK last night.

Like I mentioned this was my first time taking an outfit photo outside. And yes, you get some stares. Okay maybe lots of stares. It didn't help that I McGyver-ed my camera to the bench across from me. Since I was tripod-less I had to get super creative with holding my camera still on a slanted armrest without physically touching the camera myself.

Hopefully there will be more to come from the great outdoors, weather permitting!

Easter mass outfit: Banana Republic dress, Old Navy tank, Macy's belt, Forever 21 shrug, Dolce Vita heels, gifted jewelry 


Park outfit: Talbots cords, LOFT top and sunglasses, Steve Madden flats