Well heyyyyy there, friends! Long time no talk about the usual stuff around here, huh?
I’m pretty sure I’m done with any updates and/or new news for right now, but I must once again thank you for your amazing support and comments. Jay and I are both just so excited, and we’re really looking forward to sharing bits and pieces of this special journey along the way with you all!
That being said, let’s get back to basics. Honestly, I haven’t been taking too many photos of food the past couple of days, just because I’ve been busy with work and/or not eating anything all that exciting. Today at work we actually had a catered holiday lunch, which was great. We had everything from salad, to rolls, to mashed potatoes (omg amazing), stuffed portabella mushrooms, chicken, and cookies…lots and lots of Italian cookies and pastries. I had one, but honestly, I was more about the mashed potatoes. Go figure?!?
There are a few meals you’ve missed along the way though. On Tuesday night (when I said I was originally planning on breakfast for dinner) Jay wound up cooking a delicious steak & potatoes dinner.
He cut up, cooked, and seasoned the potatoes all himself, and used some of the beef sirloin tips that we had gotten from our Omaha Steaks order. Surprisingly, they were pretty good!
But the potatoes were where it was at.
Since I’m still dragging ass getting used to my schedule in the morning, I haven’t been giving myself enough time in the mornings for breakfast at home. Instead, I’ve been bringing it with me and eating it at my desk, and the past two mornings have looked just like this.
Vanilla Chobani mixed with pumpkin, banana slices, raisins, Quaker Oatmeal Squares, and granola. Plus some decaf on the side (although I actually decided I wasn’t totally feelin’ it again this morning).
I don’t mind eating breakfast at work as far as the timing goes (eating at 7:15am before leaving the house is early for me), but I will tell you that it is not easy. This morning, I think it took me about an hour to finish up my yogurt bowl, thanks to having to be up and down, away from my desk.
Ahhhh, so much movement…I loooooove it! Granted, I was downright ready to crash at my desk by noon…thank goodness for good food at lunch time.
Yesterday I only worked a half day, since I had things that needed to be taken care of in the afternoon (work has really been SO great with giving me a flexible schedule through the end of December). I had to drop off my engagement ring to be fixed since I realized on Monday that it was about *this close* to losing it’s center stone.
I freaked out and immediately took it off, then brought it over yesterday to get fixed. My ring finger feels super naked right now (just like it did last summer, remember?) but I’ll be able to pick it up tomorrow, so it’s all good.
I also had a chance yesterday to stop in and see Kelsey (aka, nail artist extraordinaire!) and she gave me an adorable, festive little manicure.
I knew I wanted something different from last year’s design, and she knew exactly what to do. The lighting in the photo doesn’t do it justice, but the color of this polish is soooooo right up my alley. It’s by OPI and is a mix between a deep navy and almost purple color. Then I had Kels add a few snowflakes onto the ring fingers, just for good measure. Thanks again, Kels!
Not sure what the plan is for tonight’s dinner yet, so I guess I’ll have to figure that out soon. I’m absolutely wiped, and honestly, a couple pieces of toast with peanut butter would totally satisfy me right now.
Lyric says
Those nails are gorgeous! I wish my nails were long enough to get a mani!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Oh my goodness, I would have had a heart attack if I realized my stone was falling out! Talk about a moment of panic! I’m so glad you realized it in time!
Khushboo says
I won’t lie- as much as I love sweet potatoes, you just can’t beat the ol fashioned white potatoes :)
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
That steak & potatoes dinner looks yummy! I love your nails too – adorable! I need to do mine too… I’m thinking a darker purple color too! Aaaand good choice on the peanut butter toast. That’s been my snack/meal of choice these days. ;)
Courtney says
Haha, you and your sunbutter!
Alysha @ Shesontherun says
I just read your pregnancy post. Congrats!!! I know you two will make one good looking kid :)
Lauren says
Jay is such a winner! Keep him around. ;)
Courtney says
I think I will ;)
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
I’m so torn when it comes to packing my breakfasts. I totally agree that eating at home too early isn’t all that pleasant, but I’m the kind of person that likes to enjoy my breakfast in peace and quiet, so having to get up and do things in the middle of it wouldn’t make me a happy camper. Oh the joys of having to adjust to a new schedule :)
Danielle says
I love your mani! It’s so cute. I have been pintresting ideas for what to do with my nails for all of the Christmas parties that I will be attending next week!
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
When I saw the title of your post, I started laughing because I was just listening to Christina Aguilera’s Back to Basics album…weird!
Molly @ Happy&Healthy says
Love those nails! And you engagement ring, gorgeous!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Glad you’re loving the new job! I’m sure you’ll get used to your new schedule soon. And I’m sure it doesn’t help you’re 9 weeks pregnant!!
Courtney says
Bahaha…that might have something to do with it ;)
Joanna @ Running Places says
Your breakfast to-go looks great!
I love “back to basics” posts. It’s so important to stay centered :)
Allison @ girloctopus says
Hey! I just started reading your blog :) you have so much excitement going on right now! I had to leave a comment to share that I was allllll about the potatoes during the first trimester of both my pregnancies. Baked, mashed, roasted… So I know why you were so excited about the potatoes at your lunch ;)
Courtney says
Haha, I definitely do have a lot going on, don’t I? ;)
Thanks so much for reading!!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
That steak and potatoes looks great! I might have to put that on the menu for the weekend!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
LOVE your nails! So cute and festive! :)
Sarah says
The nails are SO cute! Oh, and those potatoes? TO DIE FOR!
michelle kim says
Love the nails! And mmmmm that steak dinner looks delicious (I’ll be making something like that for dinner, too).
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes says
Oh the pregnancy dinners! Pb and toast is where it’s at!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Cannot go wrong with a good steak and potatoes dinner!
And I love the little snowflakes on the nail – adorable.
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Love the nails! I just got my nails done for Christmas, too, and I went with a sparkly red!
Brooke @ Running In Heels says
How adorable is your manicure?! Too cute.
Also your ring is gorgeous!
I honestly can not even express how excited I am for you!! I’ve been a long time reader and just wish you the very best :)
Courtney says
Aww, thanks so much, Brooke!! :)
Connie @ Livin' Lean says
Glad you’re enjoying the new job so far. :) LOVE your nails!! I really like dark nail polish, and the snowflakes are adorable!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
LOVE the nails & design. SUPER cute!
Melanie says
The same thing happened with my engagement ring ( my ring is VERY similar to yours too). They actually had to tighten it up twice. The second time they made the prongs a little bit bigger. That did the trick and I haven’t had any troubles since!
Courtney says
Ring twins! woo hooo :)
Jessica @ Prayers and Apples says
Love the nails ♥ OPI is the best! Getting my Christmas mani/pedi tomorrow! :)
Courtney says
Thanks, Jessica! (P.S. – I love your Avatar photo – so cute!!) :)
Alicia @NeverEverBeenSkinny says
Oh those nails are great! I still need to get my nails done for the holidays!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Those potatoes look SO good! :) I’m always so nervous about my center stone falling out too. I always make sure to be so careful with my rings. Love your nails! So pretty.
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats says
Love the nails! and your breakfast has me drooling. I have been in a breakfast rut the past few weeks so I might have to try this out :)
Linz @ Itz Linz says
SUCH pretty nails!!
Amanda says
My diamond actually fell out of my engagement ring at a training for work. I didn’t notice it until lunch time when we were out of the building, talk about frantic mess! Thankfully my coworker found it! I had them reinforce the prongs and since then I have been good, and I am rough on my rings, plus anytime I am near the Jeweler I have them inspect and clean it to make sure, takes 5 mins. Hopefully you have no more problems!
Courtney says
OH MY GOSH! You’re so luck you found it!!! I’d be freaking out too!
Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets says
Cute manicure! I love the lil’ snowflakes. Adorable! :) You’ve got model nails.. you should seriously consider a side career in modelling for OPI or Sally Hansen ;)