What’s Up Wednesday {January}
Today I’m linking up with Shay, Mel & Sheaffer for this months What’s Up Wednesday! The questions are in green so check it out and join the fun. Also joining Jessi and Jenn for What’s Hap- “Pinning” Wednesday.
What we’re eating this week….
So I’m pretty much at the point where the pants no longer button comfortably so it was time to get real around here! A little meal planning and clean eating is where we are this week…oh…and saying no to the adult beverages for at least 10 days while I participate in the Advocare Herbal Cleanse. Too much holiday fun finally caught up with me!
Meat and veggies has definitely been on the menu this week. My hubby can grill up a mean steak and roasted broccoli was the perfect side.
Comfort food was also on the menu and my mom’s meatloaf was perfect! Steamed green beans and potatoes from the Fed and Fit cookbook were amazing.
Carly Jo has been watching the Pioneer Woman 16 minute meals and she was dying to make this grilled chicken strawberry salad. She made hers into a wrap but I enjoyed it plain and simple as a salad. Bonus, the boys weren’t interested so there are leftovers for our lunches!
Full disclosure, this was not my actual dish but it wasn’t as pretty. This Fed and Fit Sweet Potato Hash has been my breakfast every day and oh my goodness…so good!
What I’m Reminiscing About….
On Monday I celebrated 25 years of service working for Texas A&M and I’ve been thinking alot about how things have changed over that time. Not only has the campus grown by over 20,000 students in that time, when I think about that naive 22 year old who was really afraid to participate and share ideas and the person I’ve grown into today it makes me feel kind of proud of myself. I so wish I could have found a picture from that first staff ID but no such luck!
What I’m loving….
Having longer fuller lashes! I haven’t mastered getting a great picture and I totally failed at a before picture but trust me, my lashes are greatly improved since using the Rodan + Fields Lash Booth. I would love to help you increase your lash length too!
What we’ve been up to….
We started the year with a bang on a winter ski vacation in New Mexico followed up with a mom and son trip to Dallas to celebrate Dillon’s 15th birthday.
The boys have been doing a lot of duck hunting and Carly Jo spent two weekends in a row sitting in a deer stand with her daddy.
And we’ve been dog sitting alot while Jordan enjoys being a young adult! I’m thinking she owes me a guest post about her trip to Nashville!
What I’m dreading….
Swimsuit season….and evidently in Texas it’s like just around the corner because swimwear has already shown up in the stores! Every year I’m less an less excited about it and I need to really get over myself and just show that I can stay committed to being healthy consistently!
What I’m working on….
Y’all…I’ve got to get my layout specs finished and to my blog designer. It’s time for a change around here and she is ready as soon as I am.
What I’m excited about….
Vegas! That’s right, Keith and I are heading to Vegas for a little getaway to celebrate his sisters birthday. We took our first trip together to Vegas when we were dating and have been back once together. Let’s just say, it is not my very favorite getaway but I have been 4 times so I think I’ve at least figured out what I love to do (see the sites and shows) and what I can skip (drinking too much and throwing the dice off the craps table).
What I’m watching/reading….
I shared my 2016 Book Review last week and I’ve already finished 4 books since January 1st! Loving all the recommendations I’ve received from everyone else. My list just continues to get longer and longer.
And seriously, if you are not already on board watching this show GET..CAUGHT..UP…NOW!! This is the first time I’ve been so attached to a show in years and years. I did feel rather dumb when Lindsay noted that Jack is Jess from Gilmore Girls because I totally had not noticed at all!!
What I’m listening to….
My self conscious reminding me I vowed to waste not in 2017 every single time I head to a retailer online and start to browse!! Y’all, so hard to not shop!!
What I’m wearing….
Loving wearing beanies on those cold weather days! I finally found a couple I love plus I will always take an extra day of not fixing my hair! I found this very similar cream beanie for under $7!
Leopard always adds a little extra fun to an otherwise mediocre day! I’m loving the leopard sweater against the white jeans but thinking I will swap out the boots for a different pair. I picked up a pair of Wit and Wisdom jeans in white and love the way they fit. I typically have to size down but this time they were just right.
I’m itching for it to be really cold again so I can wear this outfit. I just love how the colors all came together!
Ignore the hair, but this is one of those outfits I haven’t worn in awhile and when I put it on I wondered why the heck not! Have you ever received a Giving Key? They are a really fun gift!
What I’m doing this weekend….
Woohoo, another weekend of no plans! I’m hoping to make some more progress cleaning out a few of our cluttered spaces and maybe a little scrapbooking.
What I’m looking forward to next month….
Baseball season!! That’s right, while most of you are all hyped up about the Super Bowl I’m just over here waiting for my favorite season to begin. This will be Dillon’s first year of high school baseball and Riley will head back to Spring Training at the end of the month. It will be a big year for both of them and I am excited to get rolling! #baseballismyseason
What else is new….
This Sole Society bag! I gifted one to Jordan for Christmas and fell in love with it myself. It actually holds alot for a tiny purse but I’m super happy with it. These cute booties are not new but have been a huge favorite since September. They are on sale again and I’m trying to refrain from buying in another color!
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Hope you all have a super Wednesday!
Click the image for all my faves!
Let’s Get Social
I am glad to know that when Lindsay mentioned that Jack was Jess I wasn't the only one who didn't already know that!! You just look to precious in all of your outfits! Super Cute!!
Ugh to swimsuit season. That's all
Hey cutie!! Guess what? Mr Nine and I are going to Vegas too for my birthday! Always love seeing what your up to. Yay for that darling bag and seeing the boys play baseball!!! Have a wonderful day gorgeous!!
OMG! I had no idea who Jack was, except for the fact that I LOVE him, lol! That show is just so good. BTW, love those lashes of yours!
Yea! I'm so glad I am NOT the only one who didn't know. haha I love him on this show and I just love the show in general…soooo good.
Eek…when you guys going?
For real…that..is…all. I think I put a suit on twice last year and this year I'm thinking it will even be less haha
I know Heather…I totally see it now and can't believe I missed it before! Jess was not my fave on GG so I'm thinking since I love Jack's character so much I was just totally missing it.
I would take baseball over football every single day! All of those food photos got my stomach growling too. I really need to reign in my eating too. Swimsuit season IS coming.
ooo the lashes make me excited! I just posted about it today too – just started though! Loving your looks and yes, bring on baseball! I love GOING to them versus watching them on tv haha have a great rest of the week Shelly & way to go on 25 years!!!
Your lashes looks awesome…I can definitely see a difference. CJ looks like she is ready to be on Food Network! And a BIG congratulations on 25 years at A&M. That is truly an accomplishment! Not many people stick with the same company for long these days!
Baseball season is my favorite too! Can't wait for Detroit a Tigers opening day. P.S. Your food pictures all look so good:-)
I love your purse from Sole Society. That is so cool that you have worked for Texas A&M for 25 years – congratulations!! What department do you work in? I would have been on campus during your tenure – '97 to '02. 🙂
OMG!!! JACK IS JESS AND JESS IS JACK?!?!?! I hadn't noticed that either and hated Jess, but I love Jack! I'll be thinking about this all day now!!
I KNOW!!! I felt the same way.
I didn't realize you work for A&M! What do you do there? I graduated in 2013! 🙂
It fits a ton Jessica….I was pleasantly surprised. I worked in the financial management operations area during that time and handled the accounting for transportation(parking) and the airport. Now I feel soooooo old. haha
She is tired of me telling her about all of Jack's cooking adventures Tanya…. She's like "mom, you don't really know them". Ha! I never, ever dreamed I would stay here so long but it has been such a blessing.
I am not a baseball fan at all. I'm secretly hoping Connor never wants to play because I just can't handle the boredom! #badMom
I love Wit and Wisdom, such a good price for super comfy jeans! I have the same online shopping problem…this week a package shoes up from Loft and I was like I just ordered something from Loft today, no way this is it…completely forgetting that I ordered something else weeks prior…oops!
Your lashes look great – I need to take the plunge and try it soon! I'm trying not to shop, so I've had to stay off all my favorite sites. It's so hard because I know they have great sales going on right now. Congratulations on 25 years – that is a huge accomplishment!
There was definitely a time when I felt that way too Stephanie! Some games can be boring…but once I really learned to love the game there is just so much anticipation as to what might happen and things can change extremely quickly. Now…if my sons would have chosen football or basketball…I may never have become a huge fan.
Yes mam, I work in the budget office
That steak and broccolli looks amazing. Can you please send your hubs my way? Haha.
And girl, I'm so jealous of your Vegas trip! B and I used to go to Vegas every single year before we had kids and it was always such a blast! WE haven't been in almost seven years and I miss it SO MUCH.
What I am excited about is coming to Texas in March and getting to meet you and Holly! I hope you have it down on your calendar!!! Hopefully we can meet for dinner and a glass of wine and girl chat! Holly says she has it on her calendar too! March 22 is the night I think worked for her but if the 21 is better, then just let me know! Thanks!
I LOVE roasted broccoli with parmesan cheese over it. So good! That steak looks amazing, too. I am trying to cut out the carbs again, and I feel so much better…but I don't think I could go ten days without the vino. Props to you!!
I love the Sole Society bag! SO cute, and the perfect size!
Great meals! I love hash with an egg…
Your lashes look great!
And super cute outfits! You own great scarves!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
I need to find some good recipes for dinners. I'll be starting a new diet plan sometime soon and I need a LOT of protein, and little to no carbs. haha Sigh – should be interesting what I end up eating.
This Is Us is such an emotional show – but very good, I do agree!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
You guys had a great January! And twenty-five years?!!? You aren't old enough to have worked twenty-five years anywhere, shut your mouth! That's really a great accomplishment! Will you work five more and retire? Ooohhh that sounds delightful! And at such a young age. HELLO VEGAS! I cannot wait to hear all about it! Bathingsuit season – shut your mouth, not ready. xoxoxox
Eyelashes look great! Love, Love This is Us!!!!. Cole has been telling how many hours and minutes it is until Pitchers and Catchers report…..he is READY for baseball season!!!!!! He said it is what gives him joy. LOL. Our last trip to Vegas was so fun, because we didn't over drink and we took some time do other things….like the rodeo, Hoover Damn and the Spa….so fun!
I'm so looking forward to this trip just to get away and really pep talking myself about having fun without too many cocktails! We have lots of fun outings planned and since this is my 5th trip I definitely have a few bucket list items that I want to cross off…that I'm sure Keith will LOVE!! haha
Isn't that crazy Amanda…I surely don't feel old enough to retire but I will be eligible to hit the door in 4 years! I think my perspective might be changed for sure. Thinking I will for sure work until Carly Jo graduates from high school and then maybe I'll leave and explore some other options. And you are going to be all ready for bathing suit season with your challenges girl so you will be so ready!!
Honestly Lauren, once you get the hang of it that way of eating is pretty easy. My advice is definitely to keep it simple at first. I ate lots of eggs and meat with roasted veggies. I read all you need is a little healthy fat, some veggies and some sort of meat and you have a meal.
Holy moly Andrea…this hash is so good! I totally made it again for this week. And yes…I have way too many scarves!!
I didn't make it either Emily! I made it through the week but I did have some wine over the weekend. 🙂 I suck at giving things up.
That will of course work perfect!
I'm really optimistic that this is going to be the BEST trip we have had to Vegas. I'm sure he is going to love my bucket list items. 🙂
Girl…tell me about it. Staying away from shopping is so dang hard!! Would love for you to try out lash boost when you are ready to drop all those $$ you have been saving. 🙂
Totally agree…love W&W jeans. I've been pretty good since Jan 1st and am really trying to evaluate and only purchase what I "need"!!
Awesome!! I'm so excited! I'll have Tay hang out with her sorority sister so she can have her fun and I'll have mine! Can't wait! March 22!!
totally waiting for baseball!!
isn't it fun trying to get back on track eating after the holidays… or not.