Day 79 from France: Rocket Party

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris SoCal...

ManEater and I went to the most fun dinner party EVER last night. And the food was delicious on top of it all!

The semi fredo that was served with the cobbler was A.MAZ.ING.

ManEater and I thought we were just stopping over at HatMan's (aka The Mad Hatter) for a chill dinner, just the 3 of us. We showed up straight from work dressed in jean's and a hard earned sweat. When we got there, we quickly realized it was a more fancy affair with multiple courses and a total of 8 guests none of whom knew each other. But it was the best dinner party I've ever been too. We had such a blast.

This morning, I had quite a hard time figuring out what to wear to the kiddo birthday party today. I was originally in a dress but then imagined having to sit on the floor somewhere, or worse, the ground. So I changed into a cute capri-pant number with stilettos and a sexy belt. Then I imagined little kiddo frosting paw prints and what not. Jeans and a t-shirt it is! Dressed appropriately, I rushed over to Karen's house. Her family saw me getting out of my car and rushed on over, "You must be French Skinny!"

I looked around for hidden cameras or foreign spies or people pointing at me. How did they know who I am? After most of the adult introductions, I made friends with the little girls at the party. LOVED those little girls.

Then I made friends with the buffet table...

I have some cute pictures of Karen and her family but I am sure when she posts tomorrow, she'll have plenty to post herself. What I'm really dying to show you is the insane cake (that did not turn out to be a disaster as I originally feared) Karen made for her kid. Wow. It was pretty intense.

Stay tuned for Karen's post tomorrow...

Day 78 - Magic France Pants

Shaboom came over this morning and brought me 2 pair of pants, size 6, with the tags still on them. She bought them online from a fancy shmancy expensive store over a year ago and forgot about them. They are way too big for her so she is handing them off to me for inspiration. They are very cute but not a real size 6. They are a real size 10. Which is why they are giant on her and actually fit me. There is something satisfying about putting on a smaller size. Even if it's a fib. I will definitely shop there from now on. See how that works? It totally works.

My Magic France Pants!

This is fantastic.

And yet...............

I go get the stuff to make the giant Sun cake.

Shaboom walks in and sees the Sun cake stuff.

"But this is not a part of the French Skinny! I would never eat this crap!"

"You're right Shaboomy, but my French lover is super busy and this is a 'sure thing' so get over it and pretend it's from scratch."

It's off to a breakfast date with our friend.

I met this little doggy along the way.

Breakfast was delicious.

And coffee.

My new running shoes:)

Back home I bake a test (fail) round cake for 3's Birthday Party.

It's gonna be a long night.

Big birthday party tomorrow.

But it's okay.

I have the Magic France Pants!

Day 78 from France: Breakfast Date

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris SoCal...

I met up with Karen at our friend's house. We walked to a little restaurant on mid-Wilshire and chit-chatted non-stop. The three of us together can really get the yack on. Here's a photo of a poster I spotted on our walk.

I forgot to photograph what we ate until we were done, I was so hungry. Oops! Maybe Karen can bail me out on this one.

After Karen left for an appointment, I stayed and chatted with our friend for an hour or so to fill her in on the past few years since I last saw her. I also got filled in on her marriage, her career and all the other latest news in her life. It was really nice.

I MISS MY FRIENDS.

Then I had lunch with one of my favorite gays, Cliff Bear. I love him.

Have I mentioned that I MISS MY FRIENDS!

Then I went to work. I love half days. And did you know that I'm actually working with quite a few friends?

I MISS MY FRIENDS.

It's good to be back.

Happy Sunday - La Femme Nikita

This is one of my favorite French films. The scene with Jean Moreau changed my life.

Day 77 From Burbank - Weigh In - Week 11

Lost 1 pound this week.

Goal: Lose 35 pounds in 6 months the French Skinny Way.

Total lost so far: 14 pounds

Shaboom is coming to dinner! What a beautiful day.

Wow. That's a lot of laundry next to the 6 foot tiki god/night light.

Maybe Shaboom won't notice.

3 and I walk to the Bakery.

Mom, there's a dragon! We have to stop and save the princess!

I will sneak up on the dragon and hiya! Hiya! Take that dragon!!!

He took care of the dragon and we made it to the bakery.

We ordered a big sandwich to share.

And a MOM cookie.

That night, Hubby made a feast for us. Wings, ribs, corn on the cob, cole slaw........

We had an awesome Tiki party.

Hubby was super "helpful" giving unsolicited advice to Shaboom.

3 fell asleep in the Tiki Hut. There was a successful transfer to his bed.

Hubby did the dishes and went to bed. (Yes, he made dinner and did the dishes.)

Shaboom and I talked late into the night. (Okay, we talked until about 10:00pm. This is like 3 in the morning for other people.)

Shaboom says things to me like......

"I don't eat if I'm not hungry."

"I don't eat if I'm bored or angry or stressed."

"Swim Swim was my life. I know I should not still be in love with him but I can't help it."

"After a few bites of food I'm full, why would I still be eating?"

"I want to be in love with Obsessed! but.........."

"Wow, I had no idea how freaking crazy determined you were until I saw 3's cake from last year."

It was a long night.

A great night.

A great night with my friend.

Day 77 from France: The Grill Master

Shaboom sends us her update from Paris SoCal...

ManEater and I made a fish dinner last night with a side of edamame and rice, just the two of us. It was very romantic. Then we watched half of the first season of Glee. I might be addicted.

I worked a really long, hard day with meetings that ran late and nasty clients who would normally stress the heck out of me. But I'm not the boss, just a hired hand on this project. It's kind of nice not having any responsibility. It's amazing that when I leave work, I'm done working. I kind of like this new me. The old me was way more OUT OF MY WAY COMING THROUGH 3 cell phones ringing at all times while I eat, drive too fast and text furiously at the same time. The new me is way more laid back, like Karen. Easy breezy, right?!

I went to Karen's for dinner. Her hubby barbecued for us and it was AWESOME. Hallelujah for chicken wings. I totally giggle whenever her hubby is around. He's such a DUDE. "Look at me. I'm a dude. I make stuff in my garage. I play golf. I am the grill master."

He is also very honest and direct - very admirable qualities. "Wait, SwimSwim told you move to France and said everything would be fine? Yeah, he totally wanted to break up way back then, he just didn't have the balls to do it."

From the look on her face, I think if Karen had been sitting closer to him, she would've kicked him under the table. It's okay Karen, I can take it. Where was hubby 6-12 months ago to knock some sense into me? In fact, can I borrow him and just have him follow me around and set me straight for two weeks? Kind of like a DUDE translator...

I also like hubby because he makes sure there is wine in their house when I come over. So thoughtful. I know I live in France, but if ever I came over and there was no wine, I wouldn't go into convulsions or anything. Just a little FYI.

I took the following crappy photos in almost no light with an iPhone. Sorry they suck. I hope Karen took better ones.

I was too lazy to drive back to the beach to ManEater's, so I went to MagicMan's to spend the night. He too is a DUDE. But he is a single dude with no one to feed but himself. Check out what he had for dinner. (I think I might be part dude.)

See you for our breakfast date tomorrow. Magic France Pants!

Karen -Day 76 - The Magic French Jam

Yesterday Shaboom brought us homemade Fig Jam all the way from France.

It's magic.

Delicious on crackers in the morning,

With cheese and apple for lunch.

It gives you the ability to build a city in one day.

And it's really good on a baguette for dinner.

When the day is done, we give thanks for the Magic Fig French Jam.