We are exactly one month and fourteen days away from Ben and Ashley’s wedding!
(psstt.. if you’re new, check out the story of how my brother proposed. it’s a happy tear jerker 
)
You know what that means, right?
Bridesmaid dress alteration time!
When I ordered my bridesmaid dress back in October, I measured in between two different sizes. The sales lady suggested going with the larger size since it’s easier to take a dress in rather than having to let it out, so I handed over my card and ordered the larger dress.
Big mistake. The dress that came in was huge when it arrived at the beginning of November and felt even bigger when I tried it on today. It was one of those don’t-lift-your-arms-or-you’ll-flash-your-friends-and-family sort of moments. It was a dress made for a very tall person with very large boobs (I am neither).
I knew alterations were definitely going to be needed and by the time the sweet old lady at the alteration shop down the street from me (which came highly recommended by one of Derek’s friends) was done pinning me up, the dress looked like a shiny blue pin cushion.
I think this look works for the dress, no?
I can understand why the price of alterations run as high as they do (I mean, you’re basically pulling an entire dress apart and putting it together again), but, man, the total they gave me at the end definitely made me catch my breath. When you’re paying about 60% of the original dress price to alter a dress you’ve already paid for, it makes you hurt a little bit inside. I did a little googling and found that final figure was a competitive amount, but still, ouch.
The good news is, on February 8th (my birthday!) I should have a dress that I can ‘Shout!’ in without worries. At least that’s the plan!
Other good news: I spent the afternoon performing secret bridesmaid missions in preparation for Ashley’s bachelorette party at the end of the month! Penis crowns and blow-up dolls galore! Just kidding, Ashley! You know we’re classier than that. 
My lunch today was a repeat of yesterday. Leftover Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup topped with avocado and plain Chobani and paired with a slice of toast.
Dear soup weather, Please do not leave. xoxo Meghann
A handful of almonds served their place as a snack this afternoon
And I pulled out our Christmas griddle (thanks again Tyler and Rachel – we really do LOVE it!) for dinner.
Derek and I decided on black bean burgers for dinner, but I’m sort of bored with the way I usually make them (basically beans, onion, and spices in a food processor). After a quick google search for a little inspiration, I came across this recipe for Beet and Bean Burgers that had an ingredient list consisting of items we already had on hand and looked just interesting enough to pull us out of our bean burger boredom.
I added a little too much rice, which meant the burger didn’t stick together like it should, but the flavor was all there. I loved the beets, I loved the spices, and I loved the change-up to my normal bean burger. I WILL be attempting (and tweaking!) this one again and again.
I served the bean burgers with a heaping serving of roasted cauliflower, parsnips, and sweet potato with bbq sauce.
Yum.
Is a bowl really necessary when you’re down to the last serving of ice cream in the container?
Nope. Not at all. However, dark chocolate chips? Totally necessary.
Oh, and a spoon! Can’t forget the spoon!
Time for bed!
Good Night!
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