"Why I love the number 27"

Last night, we went over to Akira so that I could use a gift certificate that was expiring. For all of you who don't live in Chicago, Akira is a retail store that is overtaking North Avenue just east of Damen in Bucktown. It started with a small store front for women. Then it opened a shoe store. Then the shore store expanded to purses and accessories. Then a men's store opened a few blocks down...then a men's shoe store....then the women's store bought the adjoining buildings and is now quite large. Anyhoo, they have everything under the sun from cheap sweaters, nice coats to the best designer jeans. There really is something for everyone, depending on your budget.

Since most of my jeans are too big now, you can imagine my joy when I found that all of their designer jeans were buy one, get one half off. That's when all of the fun began (well fun for ME, but not so much for Brian). They have a "Denim Specialist" on hand to assist shoppers with their selection of jeans and will explain the different fits, styles, washes and shades. She started cramming my dressing room with jeans of all styles (and if you know me, you know I love my jeans).

There I was in a room filled with Seven for all Mankind, Citizen of Humanity, Chip & Pepper, Hudson, Monarchy, Frankie B, Traverniti and William Rast OH MY! Where do I begin? Have I died and gone to jean heaven??

Just when I thought I hit a 'climax' of jean euphoria in that dressing room the unthinkable happened. As I was trying on my first pair of jeans, I look down and read the tag. It's a size 27. Not my NEW svelte size of 28 that I've been enjoying for the past 6 months, down from a 29. Okay, I won't lie, I've flirted with a size 30 along the way over the past few years. But THIS pair was a 27. "Surely it's a fluke", I thought to myself. "Surely they run big". So I rip them off and try on the next pair of 27's. They fit, too! And the third and the fourth....all 27's! Can it be? Can I really be a size 27 now???

And ya know what? It gets EVEN better. One of the pair of Monarchy's were too big (and they run small), so she brought me a size 26. Yes, a size 26. And yes indeed....they fit!!!

If you remember this rant about my experiences w/Belinda at Jenny Craig, then you remember what crap she gave me for not meeting my goal of 128. Well I'm very happy to report that I am now a solid 126/127. So stick it in your ear, Belinda!

So I walked out of Akira last night with a new pair of Citizen's and a new pair of William Rast jeans. BOTH a size 27. Might be small news for you, but it's big news for me.....an athletic girl who has struggled for her entire life to lose muscle and size in her legs while maintaining and active lifestyle. Couple that with emotional eating and it's a tough feat. But I did it. Not only have I lost 16 lbs since March, but I've kept it off. It hasn't been easy and I still have my good days and bad days, but I now have more good days than bad days. That's the key! I've learned what my body to needs, how much my body needs and when my body needs it.

So Merry Christmas to me!!! :)