If you’re looking for more advice on how to begin eating healthily or how to start up a workout routine, check out the awesome informational nuggets from people who have been there in the comments section. You guys are some smart cookies. 🙂
Wedding Bands = Done!
After work today, I picked Ryan up at home and we headed to Winter Park to (yet again) scope out a potential wedding band for me. (We picked out Ryan’s band last weekend.)
When we arrived, the jeweler had two bands, both with princess cut diamonds, waiting for me to check out.
Option number one had nine smaller diamonds.
Option Number One
Option number two I actually examined last weekend. It had five larger diamonds.
Option Number Two
After trying them on back to back, and then re-trying them on about a billion more times, it became increasingly clear that I preferred the second ring.
I felt like the first ring looked like a ribbon of diamonds, whereas the second ring looked like five individual diamonds, almost like mini versions of the diamond on my engagement band, which I thought was beautiful.
I had a hard time with the whole process because the second ring was more expensive and it feels kind of crazy to spend so much money on a wedding band.
Ryan was amazing throughout the process and encouraged me to get the one I really loved because in the long run the price difference isn’t crazy and it’s something I’ll wear and treasure forever. I knew he was right, but it’s still hard to justify. Thank goodness I wasn’t with him when he bought my engagement ring!
A Little Anxious!
In the end we decided on the second ring and I couldn’t be more excited! I think it is gorgeous! I’m going to have a hard time waiting until October to wear it.
Me and Mah Ring!
Here is a picture of us sportin’ our bands.
Our Rings!!!
We were both feeling pretty excited!
Yay!
The woman sized our fingers (I’m a 4.5… apparently I have baby fingers???), and we will pick up our rings once they’re resized in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait!
Wedding band shopping made us quite hungry and we hurried home for a yummy dinner!
Dinner
Huuuuge shout out to TrailMomma for telling me that you can make spaghetti squash in the crock pot. Who knew!?!?
According to TrailMomma,
“If you put a spaghetti squash in the crock pot with 2 cups of water on low for 8 hours (or a tad less) or 5 hours on high you’ll come home to a cooked and ready to use squash. Keep in mind, cook less for a more “crunchier” squash as this makes it super soft . . . mix with tomato sauce, chickpeas and lots of oregano and you have one tasty meal!”
Coincidentally enough, I purchased a spaghetti squash at the grocery store on Sunday evening. After reading her comment, I couldn’t wait to attempt to cook the squash in my beloved crock pot.
As she suggested, I placed my spaghetti squash in the crock pot with 2 1/2 cups of water (it was a big squash!), and let it cook on low all day while I was at work.
Cooked Squash
I loved how easy the crock pot cooking made it to slice into the squash. Cutting into a spaghetti squash is always so hard and makes me nervous. It was nice to be able to slice into the squash withour much effort.
Sliced and Ready
After removing the seeds, I forked out the squash and topped it with steamed broccoli, pasta sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Dinner is Served
Close Up
Close Up of Tastiness
The verdict on crock pot spaghetti squash? It was really good! However, I like my “noodles” a little crunchier, so next time I will be sure to take the squash out of the crock pot after four hours or so to keep the squash from becoming too mushy.
Mushy squash and all, I still loved this dinner!
Of Possible Interest
- How to Handle Running in the Heat (FitSugar.com)
- 5 Myths About Excess Weight (Health.com)
- 3 Helpful Websites to Help You Workout When You Travel (WomansDay.com)
Bachelorette Party Countdown Begins!
Look what I had waiting for me on my front door step when I got home yesterday:
Bachelorette Party Goodies
My wonderful friends left me a bag full of goodies and a homemade bachelorette party countdown booklet… Only SIX more days!!!
Count Down!!!
Bachelorette Party Countdown Booklet
What to Wear
The booklet they made was beyond adorable. As shown in the above picture, it included a list of things I need to pack, organized by each day we’re there. The goodie bag included adorable bachelorette party gear, like a tank-top that says “BRIDE,” a blinking ring, a pink feather boa and more.
I have the best friends and can’t wait to enjoy a weekend of fun with them in Chicago!
Big Day Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning I plan on tackling my first long run in three weeks! After being sidelined from a heel injury, I took some time off from my half marathon training plan to recover.My heel feels much better and I feel up to attempting to conquer a 10 mile run tomorrow! Eek!!! Cross your fingers for me. 😀
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Yeah! So glad you made the squash!!! I am with you on “team crunchy” but my hubby likes his spaghetti squash on the mushy side. The fact that I have him eating squash at all is amazing, who am I to argue with him! 🙂
Beautiful band too and what awesome friends!!!!
wheres the protein??
r u on a diet?!?!??! u dont eat that much
nope not on a diet. i actually ate a cup of oikos caramel greek yogurt along with this, but didn’t post a pic on the blog. i am waiting to post about the yogurt separately to give it a full review. also, just fyi, i don’t post pics of everything i eat on this blog. 🙂
Your ring is stunning! Congratulations!!! You two are the cutest couple.
How fun that your friends made you that book. Looks like you will be in for a fun weekend!
Good luck on your run! 😉
love the wedding band choice! it’s stunning! 🙂
i love that little countdown booklet, that is the cutest idea ever! hope you have a fabulous time on your bachelorette trip! can’t wait to see pictures!!!
It’s so perty-ful!! Size 4.5? Your finger is itty bitty 🙂
The ring is beautiful!! What sweet friends you have!
OMG that ring is gorgeous! And the goodie bag looks amazing, I hope when I get engaged, my friends are able to plan as well as yours!
Also, I’m so glad you had the previous post about starting out on a healthy lifestyle today. The tips are so helpful, particularly you’re point about starting a healthy lifestyle now and then perfecting it forever. It’s easy to fall into a perfectionism trap of all-or-nothing! But small things add up, and reading your blog every day definitely helps me keep my motivation up.
such a stunning band! awe i love it!
Beautiful band! Looks like a great set!
SO exciting that your bachelorette party is soooooo close!!! WOOHOO!
Love the idea of putting the spaghetti squash in the crock pot. You are the crock pot queen 😀
PS: nice response to that comment above. 🙂
I’m IN LOVE with both your wedding band and your engagement ring!! You and Ryan make such a gorgeous couple…you’re going to be a beautiful bride 🙂 And that bachelorette party is so well planned!! I’m sure you’re going to have an absolute blast, I can’t wait to read all about it!
My ring fingers are a 4.5 too. Baby fingers unite!
gotta love anonymous comments. Dinner looks fantastic julie! I’ve been meaning to try spaghetti squash for years…. i just have to put down the pasta-filled fork and do it 😉
Gorgeous choice in your ring. I am more than mildly ring obsessed..in fact I found my style of ring while I was in Winter Park..I didn’t get that one, but another antique ring that I LOVE!
We must have baby fingers…I am 4.25 😉
Aaawww, congratulations on getting your band!! It is absolutely beautiful!
I envy your “baby fingers”. I played violin for around ten years and because of it my knuckles are quite large. I’m a size eight in rings. Eek! Makes me sound like I have giant hands, haha.
ash – congrats on the band and wow you’re fingers are so tiny! my fingers are fairly slender but my knuckles are way too large for that. also love the spaghetti squash. we always throw it in the oven and then cook the rest of the meal (typically other veggies) while it’s baking. delicious.
also stop by the blog if you want to enter our starbucks giftcard giveaway. i know you’ve definitely had a starbucks on a blog post or two 🙂
The ring is beautiful! I agree with your descriptions of both! That was so nice of your friends to leave that little gift bag for you!!! How fun!
Love the ring and your necklace! So cute! Sounds like you have great friends!
Love the new bling bling!
I was so excited to pick out my wedding band too! It just means that the big day is coming closer and closer…yay : )
PERFECT CHOICE!! As I was reading the post I was secretly hoping that you picked the second ring 😉 …. My older sister just got married a year ago and she too had trouble justifying her ring so she explained it like this: “most couples skimp on the band but splurge on their future anniversaries to get bands that sit on either side of the engagement ring….I just splurged all at once”… hahaha. No matter how you look at it, it’s totally worth it! Enjoy it and CONGRATS!!
LOVE this! I agree completely! 🙂
Excellent choice! The band is beautiful!! I have pretty small fingers too, my wedding ring is a 5.
Beautiful ring!! What an exciting day!!!!
congrats on the ring! and your finger is smaller than mine… i’m a 5.5, which our jeweler thought was crazy!
Your wedding band is beautiful! You definitely made the right choice. The diamonds are gorgeous. Good luck on your run tomorrow a.m., you can do it!
Very beautiful! I LOVE my wedding band. No diamonds, just a simple band that matches my husband’s (although his is thicker).
I also love that we got both for less than $50. Well technically all three, because I got too small for my first one and then it slipped off and I lost it and replaced it. First one was a size 11, second one was a size…8? I think that’s it.
I’m not a fan of squash, but it sure looks pretty!
I feel you on the baby fingers, my wedding ring is a 4 and it’s still a little big!
Your rings are stunning! My ring size is also 4.5, yay for baby fingers!
I’m a professional chef, but I totally use the microwave to cooke spaghetti squash, I’m so impatient!
I love the bachelorette party package. Looks like your friends have a fun weekend planned. So cute that you’re even working in a race!
Gorgeous wedding band! Congrats on finding “the one” tonight!
Your friends are adorable! What a fun idea for your event!
You and Ryan are ADORABLE!! You guys just look so happy and excited for your wedding.
So interesting about the spaghetti squash!!! They are way too hard for me, too. This is such an awesome and easy idea. Can’t wait to test it out.
Ahhh, that booklet is too cute!! Sounds like you’ll have an awesome time. I love that you even have a race planned. Awesome!
That goody bag is so stinkin cute – what a great idea!! You are going to have such a BLAST at your bachelorette party. I’m already excited to see the recaps! 😉
I love the ring! They look gorgeous together.
Love the ring!!! GORGEOUS!
The rings (both yours and Ryan’s) are beautiful! You both are such a great couple! 😀
Your friends are sooo cute!!! OMG! What a great idea! I can’t wait for a recap of the Bachelorette weekend!! Love the wedding band too! That is so exciting!! Have a great rest of the weekend!
i LOVE your rings! too pretty ! and you and your hubby to be are absolutely adorable!!! sounds like you are going to have an amazing bachelorette weekend! enjoy! what amazing friends!! xo
Gorgeous rings! All your talk of wedding planning makes me want to get married (and here I always thought I wasn’t the marrying kind.
Have a fantastic bachelorette party, your friends sounds fantastic!
love, love, love the ring. i liked it so much the first time you posted too. you cannot go wrong with bold beautiful diamonds. you will admire your ring for a lifetime and be so glad you chose this one when the light hits the diamonds.
Holy crap, look at that sparkle!! I love it!! It is something you will wear forever and it is just gorgeous!
You have the sweetest, most loyal and incredible friends! How sweet of them! Your ring is gorgeous Julie! You definitely deserve the one you love the most; you will have it for the rest of your life! You both look so so happy!
I have to thank you for posting La Roux’s Bullet Proof! I am in love with it! Keep the songs coming!
ps- Straight No Chaser’s Fix You rendition is beautiful!
Barbara
Your friends are so thoughtful!
And I love the band you chose-gorgeous!
I’m also used the “steamer” bag from Ziploc to cook spaghetti squash. You have to cut up the squash into slightly smaller pieces (I cute mine into fourths), but you only need to microwave for 5 minutes each, and it was really quick and easy!
Ah, beautiful rings!
And I know what you mean about baby fingers. My ring size is a 3.5!
Ryan’s wedding band looks just like my husband’s band! We love it.
Where did you get that necklace, I love it!
thank you, jaclyn! it was actually a gift from my grandma, so i am really not sure where it’s from… sorry!
what jeweler did you use? your rings are gorgeous!!
my engagement ring is from blue nile and our bands are from the international diamond center. 🙂
Very good writing. Interesting and accurate.