{weight watchers}

Last week I joined Weight Watchers. I've had some success on the program in the past. Specifically right before I got pregnant with Isobel. Then they went and changed everything and it wasn't working for me so I cancelled my membership. Well last week I was reminded by a co-worker about it and I signed up. This wedding is creeping up on me and I need to get serious about losing some weight. Of course not only for the wedding, for my overall health but looking better in my gown is always a plus, right?

So far I am loving the program again! They have Smart Points now and *most fruits and vegetable are 0 points. This is helpful to not go over your daily allotment of points. I have had days where I've gone over but yesterday I was way under and completely full on vegetables. I suppose that's a good thing!

I'm excited to start this journey. I will succeed this time. Consider it done. Also, I apologize ahead of time for all of the Weight Watchers posts and foods headed this way. I'm just way too excited about it!

Starting Weight: 234
Current Weight: 230
1st Goal Weight: 200

{And yeah, I put my weight out there. I don't care one bit. It's just a number. It does not define me. I'm still totally awesomesauce!}

{Wedding Inspiration...Lilac}

I've always wanted a Fall wedding. Fall is my favorite season and the leaves and all the Fall things are just magical. So when Lisa and I started planning our wedding it was obvious that we would get married in the Fall. Duh. Until Spring when the Lilacs bloomed....

Me: Lisa can we get married in the Spring? I want ALL THE LILACS at the wedding. It will be perfect.

Lisa: But we decided on Fall.  Our honeymoon is in the Fall.

Me: But the LILACS! I don't even have to buy them. I can just drive around the day before the wedding and cut them all down.

Truly this was a silly conversation. (And I'm paraphrasing here, of course.) We are meant to get married in the Fall. If only for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. I mean, come on. That didn't stop me from pinning away all the lilac things. Here are a few of the pins that I loved so much.

I mean, come on! Look at this bouquet!


Look at how pretty they are as a table setting.


Rustic lilac? Yes please!


This cake is absolutely perfectly gorgeous in every way. If we were having a cake I would still go with this as our main color is still purpleish.


A couple of more cute ways to incorporate them.


All of these pics are from my Pinterest board titled "I do Lilacs" if you are interested in knowing where the pics came from.

Follow Angela's board I do Lilacs on Pinterest.

{Roasted Vegetables}

Lately one of my favorite things to make is roasted vegetables. I found a recipe on Pinterest for chicken and veggies and you use those packets of powder that make salad dressing and butter. So good!




You can use any kind of dressing you'd like. I've made these with the Garlic and Herb version and it's also tdf. I bought some dill dressing because it was on clearance and I can't wait to try it!

So you put your veggies on a pan, sprinkle the dressing over the top and then drizzle butter over it all. Roast for about an hour depending on what kind of veggies you're cooking. If you want to lighten the recipe, use olive oil.

This time I made two batches. The first had mushrooms, cauliflower, tomatoes, onion and garlic. I've never made mushrooms or cauliflower myself before and both were so delicious! The second had red bliss potatoes, green beans, onions and garlic. So good!

Batch one....before and after.


Batch two....before and after.



I also made some chicken and packed it all up for the week. Meal prep really helps me to stay on track.


There are so many different combinations you can try. The possibilities are endless.

Recipe:
One packet of dressing mix per batch of veggies
Enough veggies to fill a baking sheet
1/2 stick of butter per batch

Put veggies on pan, sprinkle with dressing mix and drizzle with butter. Let cook for one hour or until veggies are to desired texture. Stir as needed.

{sometimes they get along}

These two used to be best buds. Two peas in a pod. Partners in crime. Well since this school year has started it's all changed. Chloe has moved up to the middle school so now it's just the two of them in the morning.



I think they used to partner up on Chloe. Don't feel bad for her, she probably deserved it most times. ;) But now they only have each other to fight with. And do they ever fight?



I found these in my Flickr stream and they made me smile because sometimes they get along great still. I know someday they'll love each other again but for now send coffee and wine....

{He Loves Taking Pictures}

This post has been sitting in my drafts foreva. Literally. I think it's from Mother's Day like a long time ago. Ian loves to get his picture taken and he loves to take pictures with me. I hope this never changes.


In other news, isn't this hot air balloon sweater totes adorbs?!