Let me just take a moment...

To bask in the glory of this number:

*164.6*. Yes. 164.6, that's right. I haven't seen this number for almost a decade. 164.6 means I've passed the 50lbs lost mark. 50 pounds ago I was aghast at the number I saw here, and I decided to do my best to change it. I never imagined I would get this far, but I guess when I give myself 2 years and 3 months to lose weight I can reach my goal! Haha, how about that?

Weekend/Week Wrap-Up:

My mom and sister made this beautiful apple pie for Thanksgiving:

Martha-worthy, right?! They are truly talented cooks and made yet another fantastic dinner for all of us - I felt so lucky and grateful for them. Thanksgiving is such a huge undertaking and yet they make it every year happily while the rest of us get away with merely eating and washing some dishes! I plan to do my part in the future by contributing to Christmas feasts but until then I owe them...big time. I have so much to be grateful for this year...where to begin. Stay tuned for the annual "Happy Moments" post where y'all can join in with what you're grateful for and your happiest moments of 2011 :)

Better late than never?

The blog is in a SAD, SAD wasteland of no posts state, I know. Stick with me guys, it's a busy time for me right now.

In other news: the fiance are making one last push for wedding greatness and have been eating a little healthier and low-carb lately. I made these "eggplant pizzas" over spinach. They turned out pretty tasty! Mostly thanks to my already-made bolognese sauce that went on them.

I got this idea from none other than the queen of eating whole foods, KathEats: "Slice eggplant into discs, rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt + pepper, bake for 20 minutes at 400*, flip eggplants, add tomato paste and then pile on tomatoes (draining slightly if yours are runny), Top with garlic, Italian seasoning and cheese, bake 10 minutes more."

Nice and filling without the pasta. Cheers, Y'all! Hoping to get back to regular posting once I'm done with school mid-December :)

More Scarf Stuff

The best, most comprehensive Scarf Tutorial EVER!

Paper Elegance

How awesome is this and how fabulous would it be if you used glitter paper?! I'm thinking of so many different ways you could make one of these paper chandeliers: for a nursery, holiday, party, etc. I like the monochromatic look here the best - maybe you could do shades of cranberry for Christmas? And it doesn't require hardly any special materials other than jump rings, a circle punch, dowels, paper and glue. And maybe a good movie to watch while you're putting it all together :)

{from LilSproutCreations via Dooce}

Entertaining n' Stuff

A while back (before I had a job AND school on the agenda), I decided it would be brilliant to host a bachelorette party and then a ladies lunch the very next day. Hu-whaaa? Nawh, it actually all went smoothly and was a lot of fun.

Saturday night: hosting the starting line for the bachelorette party:

I made this Apple Cinnamon Sangria but without some of the fussiness (used more schnapps, didn't let it sit for 4 hours, skipped the "pisco" and honey). I tried to emulate this picture with my apples, but of course it doesn't look quite as perfect. Still cute though, I thought!

Of course we could not forget the obligatory laundry line of panties for the bride. We filed this entire line up with (mostly) impractical underwears :)

Good times were had by all. I know this, because I was a DD and have perfect memory of it all, which was delightful!

Sunday I hosted my first grown-up lunch for The Ladies. It was so much fun! I felt like a real grown-up lady. It was fun to give them all a tour of our house and catch up. It was also the perfect excuse for me to finally buy some of these French Macaroons from Le Rêve. They were a total hit...

I also got a Tuxedo Cake from Macrina and it was seriously good, You Guys. We have over half of it left so if you want to come over and have some please do so!!!

Ask MM XIV

What's up everyone? Here I am, answering some of your burning questions!

Yeah here's an article that claims Kim and Kris made $18 million on their wedding. DANG!

Shorts w/tights and boots: I have to admit to wearing my black shiny shorts to a bachelorette party last Saturday night. But it was a bachelorette party, a time when that sort of thing seems alright. I also wore it with my Cher shirt because...I can't pass up any opportunity to wear it!

Example of how not to wear shorts + boots + tights:

I think that the shorts being cut-off jeans is just a step too far.

Example of how shorts + boots + (sometimes)tights can work (imo):

And now I'm fresh outta questions again, so bring 'em on!!!