Random thoughts on an almost-fall Saturday morning:
1. Did you know it’s been almost two years since I started my weight loss journey? I’m as surprised as you are. I’ve been able to keep off most of the weight, but I’ve gained a little bit back and I’m NOT GOING BACK to where I was when I started this journey.
So I’m trying something new. I just started Noom. My mother signed up for it and it’s been working for her.
Has anyone else tried it? Any tips?
2. If you are looking for drugstore make-up and you need some recommendations that are tried and true? Here are all my best recommendations here.
3. I’m watching the Cowboys right now. Football is here. My favorite season.
4. It was an amazing week on the blog. I shared
- 10 of my favorite cozy throws
- wait until you see what I got for FREE
- 9 simple ideas to update your bedroom
5. Have you seen the latest fall fashion trends? What are your thoughts on clogs? Yes? Never?
6. I’m almost done with the manuscript for my next book. It’s all about simple and easy decorating. I can’t wait to share it with all of you next year.
And now?
I have the cutest stuff to share this week.
Here are all of my favorite finds.
Look at these pumpkins.
Aren’t they perfect for fall?
I love pumpkin spice anything.
Especially when it’s for breakfast.
This pumpkin spice cinnamon roll hack is amazing.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons to decorate.
This kitchen is the perfect example.
See all the fall kitchen decorating here.
Love decorating with dried florals for fall?
Here’s a simple DIY arrangement.
See the entire step-by-step here.
And in random news:
The hobby you should try next (based on your enneagram)
This fall mudroom
This pumpkin bread
This beautiful pinecone wreath
Trying this for fall and Christmas
42 expensive mistakes you might be making
This visit to the home of Dirty Dancing
This cream cheese pie
This pretty entryway
This storekeeper’s home
And this
So many of y’all have asked about the hanging basket on my back door
Here’s how to DIY your own
And one more for the road
This pie crust and this apple pie are so yummy.
I first made it six years ago and all these years later it doesn’t disappoint.
See the recipe here.
Hi Karianne Just got back from Martha’s Vineyard! Shared the funniest street sign on blog today. I had no idea. Suggestions : I don’t use Noom. I got a fitbit luxe to track my daily steps. I’ve noticed I walk and talk now ( my husband walks the block on some calls too). I do a modified intermittent fast. I stop eating most nights at 7pm and go to bed a little hungry. Also remember muscle weighs more than fat 🙂
I love Noom! I lost 14 pounds last year. Tip? Stick with it, follow the plan. I strayed and I’ve gained some back too. I’m now working to get it back off. Love the hobby quiz! I’m a 2/4. And I already love to cook and garden! Soooo many tomatoes that I’m sharing them with neighbors!
You always make my Saturday, Karianne! (My faves are the home tours you find for us.) Good luck with your continuing weight loss journey. You are beautiful at any weight, but I know it'll make you happy to be at your goal. You're an inspiration! (I recently lost 30 pounds but am finding the final 5 tough going!) I'm off to power wash my house this morning. (Never done this before, so fingers crossed!)
Your blog is such fun, with something for everyone! Someone introduced my to Tim Steele's book The Potato Hack. It's very interesting (and basically suggests eating lots of potatoes) and can help some people kick their stubborn weight. It's filled with science (I skimmed those chapters :) ) for all of the people who think potatoes are terrible. It may be right for you? (Note: if you're diabetic, there's a special chapter and tests for you so don't start eating loads of potatoes if you're diabetic.) Thanks for sharing your life.
Hi, Karianne! I love to start my Saturday mornings with your Thistlekeeping post -- It just brightens my whole outlook for starting a busy weekend! I am so excited to hear that you will soon have a new book out! I have really enjoyed your other books and given them as gifts to my favorite people. Thank you for all that you share and for all of the hard work that you put in to make that happen. You're the best!
Please hang in on the weight loss! You are our heroine. I don't know anything about Noom, but I do know that sugar is our worst enemy. It not only plays hob with weight loss but causes inflammation. I have a Food Dessert category in my Gmail and when I see anything devoted to desserts that's where it goes without reading. I don't know about anyone else, but if I have the least little bit of sugar my willpower totally dissolves and it takes about ten days to get it out of my system so I'm no longer craving. I'm convinced some of us have genes that make us addicted. Best of luck. I'm using MyFitnessPal again to count calories, the only way I can keep on the straight and narrow.
Thanks so much for the lovely house tours that you provide each week. I really enjoy them. This week I enjoyed the Mountain Lake Dirty Dancing venue. So sad that the lovely Paula Skulina passed away earlier this year. Really miss her lovely home and surrounding area of my beautiful state of Virginia. Best wishes on your weightloss.
LOVE intermittent fasting. Seems to work for me and it is a way of life, not a diet. You are beautiful at any size but I know we feel better at some point. Enjoying your posts!
Love sharing Saturday mornings with you! I may need to join you on Noom…skid down the slippery slope again. Happy Saturday!
You did a good job of finding not-quite-fall items for us! 🍁 Hard to believe how quickly summer is flitting by. As to your questions about Noom--I looked into it but didn't commit, but from what I can tell, it's a quality program backed by good science. I would strongly encourage you to find a good weight maintenance program--I don't know if Noom does that--I used Weight Watchers maintenance for a long time and it was very helpful. I did get tired of the weekly weigh-ins but the program has changed and maybe you don't need to weigh in in-person? Anyway, what works for me, and has for years, is keeping a food diary (keeps me honest) and committing to a minimum of 5 days per week of exercise (45 minutes at a time). I find that these days I'm more concerned with being healthy than in my appearance (looking slimmer is a bonus) so an overall healthy diet and active lifestyle help me achieve that.
Karianne I used Room ,along with a couple of friends, and was very disappointed. Yes,you will lose some weight(it's very restrictive),but that will happen with most diets. They were very supportive in the very beginning, but difficult to actually connect as time lapsed. I truly believe they are more geared to millennials then those over 40. You were so successful in your journey, it will always take commitment and a bit of hunger to maintain, the hardest part!!. Perhaps cutting back on your fruit each day will be helpful, good natural source of sugar, but I have learned that the body still senses sugar, whether from fruit or a cookie! You are inspirational to us and a tough cookie, cheers to you!
I know your doing a great job with your weight, it's harder when kid leave for college cause you get a little sad and want to eat, maybe. At that time I walked a lot after I got off of work. I enjoyed seeing the Dirty Dancing area and seeing the shopkeepers place. You have a great week.
Hi, KariAnne! I have never tried Noom, but have had great success with intermittent fasting. I only eat between 11 AM and 8 PM. I started for reasons other than weight loss, but lost 11 pounds.
Hi, KariAnne! Love all the amazing inspiration I find at Thistlekeeping! Thanks so much for sharing my pinecone flower wreath! Have a ablous week, Donna
I’m so excited to make that apple pie but what would be great is to see the recipe in its entirety instead of in 3 separate sections. Just so much easier to follow than looking up a crust, a filling and the star topping.
Thank you Karianne. Im thinking of painting my front door fsux wood to keep my mind active. May all your seasons be blessed. As for your weight loss, follow your heart. What you wish to try to help you, is going to be the best choice for you, ALWAYS. Take care, Jodena
I totally agree with Laura, remember muscle weighs more than fat. I go with how my clothes fit.
I'm taking your recommendation and trying the 1 week trial of Noom. Wish me luck!