The past week has been so busy that I hardly noticed it whiz by (in fact, where has this year gone? I mean it’s May already. What???)
Despite the madness, I did find a three extra little things that I wanted to share with you this week that are not “big” enough for full blog posts (thanks to The Write Balance for the three little things idea).
Beauty
We went to a photographic exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery here in Edinburgh this week. The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition featured 60 portraits by professionals, students and amateurs of all kinds of people famous and not so famous.
About 90% of those in the portraits were not classically beautiful but they all had beauty and character that shone through, brought out by the photographers – the beauty of their souls in picture form. I tried to get this idea across in my book “You Are Beautiful! 53 Easy Ways To Love Your Imperfect Self” (available here on Amazon if you’d like to see it) but sometimes a picture tells a thousand words! The exhibition is on until 26th May if you get a chance to catch it.
Make Time
Hubbie took the day off work on Thursday and we went out to eat brunch and dinner (as well as to the exhibition and a bit of shopping for him).
It’s not that often we get to spend a whole day together without the kids or cares of work and home, but Thursday was such a day.
A day of dating is well worth organizing if you can do it. Came home knowing (again!) why I married him twenty-six years ago.
It also reminded me that it’s worth making the effort to look good for your partner – I love it when hubbie dresses up a bit, and I expect it’s the same when I do that for him. It’s too easy to let yourself go and slob around in your old favorites, because you’re taking the love of a long term partner for granted.
Weight
I’ve never been either a size 0 or particularly overweight, but I’ve been trying to get ready for the beach by losing a few of the excess ten or so pounds I could do with losing to look my best.
I lost two pounds this week with some effort but I also started thinking about how little weight actually matters to those who count. I mean, I might feel better about myself at ten pounds less, but I doubt anyone else will even notice.
My friends bemoan their weight but do I love them more when they weigh less? No! Do their guys? I doubt it! If you’re unhealthily overweight that’s another thing. Lose weight for you, and for those who love you. But I wonder how much grief we are all giving ourselves about the last ten or twenty pounds that really don’t matter a bit.
Over to you: Did any of this strike a chord with you? What little things occurred to you this week? Please share in the comments below.
Sounds like you had a lovely date day…we used to love those..I miss those days very much.
Enjoy your weekend!
Michael recently posted…Have Cat,Will Love
Thanks Michael. I’m so sorry for your loss. Some people never experience something so special to grieve over but it does make the grief much deeper when you had something so good between you.
Ana recently posted…Three Little Things From This Week
I found similarities on all three points. You’re beautiful because you’re you, not for your looks or your weight. As for dressing for your partner–you’re so right. I love it when he makes a special effort to look good.
Francene Stanley recently posted…Wild creatures that invade our lives.
I didn’t see the theme there when I wrote that but you’re right Francene. Thanks for your comment.
Ana recently posted…Are Shared Interests Important In A Relationship?
What a lovely post!
Inner beauty is the most important thing…and happiness!
Sophie Bowns recently posted…Teddy- Chapter 2
Thanks Sophie – inner beauty and happiness – I like it 🙂
Ana recently posted…Is Your New Relationship Going Anywhere?
Weight loss can be really frustrating – am in post baby mode (just out of curiosity how long can I use that excuse) and finding the time or energy to work out is tough :/ Date day sounds wonderful, that’s awesome that you guys did that!
Weight loss is definitely tough and kids are designed to use up plenty of time and energy. I think you have to cut yourself a bit of slack for a good ten or fifteen years because mine are still using up lots of my time and energy years after the baby stage – not that I mind too much LOL Thanks for your comment Sarah
Ana recently posted…37 Free (or Almost Free) Date Ideas
Ooh, it sounds like you had a lovely week, Ana. My favorite part of this week was playing games with my loved ones. We got together one night and played until the wee hours of the morning. It was so much fun. 🙂
Avery recently posted…How to Get Free Photos for Your Blog
Thanks for sharing Avery. Sometimes the simple pleasures are the best especially when you’re with those you care about.
Ana recently posted…Online Dating: Don’t Just Date, Mix!
My husband and I have 3 older kids, actually mine, he is their step dad, but he and I just had our own first baby together who is now 17 months. We rarely get to go out because we hate to leave her and I am hard to trust anyone. But lately, my 16 year old son has been open to babysitting now that she isn’t such a “baby” anymore. It’s been so nice to actually dress up and go out to a nice restaurant or even to a movie. Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out in my sweatpants and t-shirt and playing on the floor with her but wow it’s such a nice break to get dressed and behave like an adult once in awhile!
Misty Spears recently posted…My Home: A Dining Room Makeover
I remember that feeling of getting out for the first time after having each of my kids (I have a 7 year gap between them) and the joy of the eldest being old enough to babysit – oh the freedom that gave to go out now and again without having to make arrangements with others to babysit. Thanks for sharing Misty.
Ana recently posted…37 Free (or Almost Free) Date Ideas
I am so happy you linked up Ana! And I love all your three things!! I wish it were more accepted that beauty takes shape in so many different ways, not just what magazines portray. And the whole day date sound lovely. We’ve only been married 7 years, but date night is definitely something we need to do more. Lastly, I also struggle with the last 10lbs, but it is all me. Nobody is going to notice and look at me differently but I still feel like I would be better if it came off. It’s a constant struggle trying to be content with how my mom body now looks, but I’m getting closer 🙂
Salma recently posted…San Diego Vacation – Day 2
Thanks for sharing Salma – I loved your three things idea 🙂
Ana recently posted…37 Free (or Almost Free) Date Ideas
Thanks for joining 3 Things Thursday Ana!
That exhibition sounds lovely! I’m always trying to think of more ways to add art into my life and often forget to visit my local museums and see what is new. Suddenly feeling inspired 🙂
Raj recently posted…Masala Margarita – Cinco de Mayo Special!
Thanks Raj. That’s one of my favorite things to do and because the exhibits change all the time, it’s not just a one-off visit to each place.
Ana recently posted…NEVER Do This After Your First Date. Really??