About Me and House Update

More Facts About Moi.

 Instead of doodling in class, I always practice my penmanship and cursive. Guess that explains why I'm not artistic at all. haha

 Via.

My left big toe is bent inward permanently. I broke it once a few years ago and broke it again while it was healing and it just stuck that way.

 I wish I was a true Southern Belle. My great grandparents are from South Carolina and had a plantation that was in the family for years.

I absolutely adore the South and hope to live there one day. 

 Via.

I have been driving on the streets since I was 12, and not because I grew up in the middle of nowhere. For whatever reason my Dad would let me. It wasn't an everyday occurrence by any means but it happened. I also didn't get my permit until I was 15, and that was 2 months before I was 16. 

She looks like she could be 12. haha

Via.

I have never been stung by any sort of bee or wasp in my entire life.
I'd like to keep it that way (obviously). My Mom was allergic to bee stings (doesn't know if she still is since she hasn't been stung in years) and since I have no clue as to what I'm allergic to, I have a feeling that could be it.

 Via.



Well, Ryan and I have been house hunting yesterday and again today. We've found two that we love (FINALLY!) and are pursuing, they're even in the same neighborhood. So please send us some good vibes and wishes that one of these will work out! :)

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! 

Love to you.
Kristen

Weekend Plans

Tonight Ryan is having a small band performance at a local coffee shop. I'm excited because I absolutely love this little coffee shop (they have the best cake!), and to see Ryan perform of course! :)

Tomorrow we're continuing on with the house hunt. We sent about 13 houses to our Realtor to go look at tomorrow. No telling if we'll actually seeing them all though. Is it bad that I'm already planning on not seeing all of them or not even one of them becoming a possibility? I've just gotten so completely discouraged to be honest. My Mom started looking at houses after us and already has one. I've almost just completely given up...

If anyone has any encouraging words, I could sure use them right about now.

Sunday plans include going to church and then who knows! :)

What are your plans this weekend?

Love to you.
Kristen

Top 5: Beauty

Thought I would do something a little different for our Thursdays. Still kind of random, but something with more structure to it. Plus it's something I've been wanting to do for a while. So, I give you....my Top 5 things! Specifically, each week will be a different topic until I run out of topics. haha

For this week, I thought I would do my Top 5 Favorite Beauty Products.

{five}

Miss Dior Cherie perfume.

I love this scent, it's my favorite perfume that I own! With most perfume - for me anyway - after a while I can't smell it anymore but throughout the entire day, I'll still smell this one on me.

Via.

 {four}
Urban Decay Primer Potion.
Seriously love this stuff. It doesn't make my eyeshadow crease and helps it stay on for longer. I was also able to buy the squeezable tube version, which is must better than the bottle. Plus it includes just a little bit more than the bottle.

Via.

{three}
Essie Vanity Fairest Nail Polish.
I like a very natural nail color on my hands and this is the perfect one I've found so far. It's kind of funny because I prefer Essie for my hands but OPI for my feet....

Via.

{two}
Nars Orgasm Blush.
It seems like this stuff is either a hit or miss for people, but I love this stuff. I prefer my blush to have a peach tint and this one is perfect! I used to use a Maybelline version that I loved but they discontinued it, so while this is a more expensive replacement, it's the perfect color for me.

Via. 

{one}
AG Moisture Shine Shampoo and Conditioner.
I've only been using this stuff for a while but it is my favorite beauty product right now. It works wonders on my hair and while the leave in conditioner was a little weird and different from what I'm used to, I'm definitely used to it now. Worth every penny (at the liter sale that is haha).

Via.

What are some of your favorite beauty products?

Love to you.

Kristen

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Another day, another Wednesday to link up with Jamie at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving Pinterest.

I'm a little late to the game on this but I just joined on Sunday and already am addicted. Now I know what people have been talking about! haha
You can follow me at joyfulone86 if ya want :)

Here are a couple favorites...

 Love how the banister is highlighted like that.

A DIY necklace - so cute with that top!

I'm really loving my new iPhone 4! 

I just got it yesterday and all I can say is - swoon.
Know any good apps I should get? I have an iTouch so I have some but not a lot...

Via.

I'm loving these dresses from Modcloth.com

 Pebbled Pathway

Ignite the Night.

I am loving that I fit into some shorts that I haven't worn for 2 years!!
Losing weight and dieting sucks, but you just feel so amazing when you see the benefits (about time too haha).

Via.

I am not loving that school starts in a mere three weeks. How I'll miss my free time...
Le sigh.

Love to you.

Kristen

Love.

Via.

Not only have I become a recent Pinterest addict, but I'm also about to become an iPhone addict. I'm getting the iPhone 4 tomorrow and I am just so excited! I even ordered my case already on Amazon - it was $10 with shipping! Can't beat it. Plus it's yellow and it's an Otterbox which is exactly what I'll need to protect it. 

I may or may not be responsible for dropping my phone often.

Here's what it looks like.

Via.


Hooray! :)

Love to you.
Kristen

Now I know....

...what everyone was talking about.

Hello, my name is Kristen and I am officially a pinterest addict.

Via.

And I've only been on it for less than 48 hours. Oh geez....

If you're interested, you can follow me here. I'm joyfulone86.

Happy pinning!

Love to you.

Kristen

Iowa

Via.

Tomorrow I will be headed to Des Moines with my Dad for a family member's wedding.
Be jealous y'all.
Unfortunately Ryan isn't able to join due to a couple band practices scheduled this weekend. :(
However, I'm excited for the little roadtrip with my Dad and to visit with family.

Granted, Des Moines isn't too exciting but it's the first time I'm traveling out of KC this Summer - and I'm just itching to get away! I am normally the girl who goes to at least one place during the Summer. Last Summer I was in the state of Tennessee for an entire month, visiting a couple friends. And another Summer I went to 4 different places - what can I say, I love to travel.

So I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Love to you.
Joyful K

PS - I apologize for the lack of blogging lately, house hunting has taken up my life. School will be my next excuse unfortunately.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Time to link up again with Jamie at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving this dress from Modcloth.com
It's yellow! And I really just need to cave and buy a yellow dress finally.

Name It and Win It Imagination Vacation Day 2

I'm loving good friends.

I have made some amazing friends over the years, and several I have known for 10+ years. I'm just so thankful for them!

I'm loving the new show, State of Georgia.
I have always loved Raven Symone so I'm excited that she's back on tv. Anyone recognize her best friend, actress Majandra Delfino...?? Roswell anyone....anyone??

Via.

I'm loving that Friends with Benefits comes out this week.
I'm so excited to see this movie! Not only do I love JT, but this movie looks way better than No Strings Attached - just my humble opinion though.

Via.

 I'm loving corn on the cob.
So delicious and the perfect side dish for this time of the year. We may or may not have had it 3 times in the past week...

 Via.

I'm loving that Ryan and I will be taking a trip to the Missouri Hick BBQ in Cuba, Missouri soon!
Seriously, such good BBQ. They have some of the best I've had and they're applesauce is so yummy! It's also off Route 66, which is fun. Plus I'm excited since it'll be out first "little trip" as a married couple. :)

Via.



I am NOT loving that my phone has decided to not allow me to do anything besides text. Oh well, the thing is over 2 years old. It's time for Kristen to get a new phone! :)
So...for you iPhone users out there, who is your carrier and what do you like about them?

Love to you.
Joyful K

Monday Deals and Steals

Before I begin, I added a couple new recipes to my cooking blog if you want to take a look!

And thanks to everyone for the sweet and encouraging comments on our house search. I know we'll find the perfect one, I just hope it's sooner rather than later. haha

And someone asked me if we considered building our own. We kind of have, we found a couple new neighborhoods that are just building up so we thought we'd use that as a last resort. :)

Now on to the deals! Here are some manufacturer coupons that you can find here. But remember, the best place to get them is in your Sunday paper.

Between all the shopping trips, I saved $65.38 today! 

Plus I got 11 items for free or $0.50 or less.

Here is what I got at Wal-mart.

- Rachel Ray Just 6 dog treats. Had a Buy One, Get One manufacturer coupon. There was also a $1.00 off coupon on one of the bags.
Original price: $3.48 each. Total cost: $2.48 for both.

- Pine Sol 28 oz. Had a $1.00 off manufacturer coupon.
Original price: $1.97 Total cost: $0.97

 I saved $5.48 at Wal-mart.


 Here is what I got at CVS.
You can find their store ad here.

- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. On sale for 2 for $4.00. I had $2.50 off in ExtraCare Bucks.
Original price: $4.59 each Total cost: $1.50 for both
- Seattle's Best Coffee. Had a Free for One coupon.
Original price: $1.59 Total Cost: FREE

I also got a bottled water - it's hotter than hot here, so I spent $3.58 on all the items and saved $9.27.

Here is what I got at Target.
You can find their ad here and their in store coupons here.

- Kashi various items. On sale for Buy Four, Get One Free - priced at $2.99. I had a Target coupon for $2.00 off four, and two different manufacturer coupons for $0.75 off and $1.00 off.
Original price for all five: $14.95 with a sale price of $2.99 each. Total cost: $8.21 for all five.

- Ziploc Sandwich bags. On sale for 2 for $5.00 Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off
Original price $5.00 after sale for both. Total cost: $4.00 for both.
- Oral B Essential Floss. Had a manufacturer coupon for $0.75 off.
Original price: $0.97 Total cost: $0.22
- Trident Gum. On sale for 2 for $4.00 Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off two.
Original price: $2.89 each. Total cost: $3.00 for both.
- Up & Up 22 ct pantiliners. Had a Target coupon for $0.75 off.
Original price: $0.89 Total cost: $0.14

Guess how much I paid for everything shown in this picture?
$1.00!

 
- RE pillow. Had a Target coupon for $2.00 off.
Original price: $2.50 Total cost: $0.50
- Bic pens. On sale for $0.50 Had a manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off two.
Original price: $0.50 after sale price. Total cost: FREE
- Sharpie highlighters. On sale for $0.50
Original and Total cost: $0.50
- Scotch Magic Tape. On sale for $0.50 Had a Target coupon for $0.50 off
Original price: $0.50 after sale price. Total cost: FREE

I only saved $20.63 on this trip but I got several items for practically nothing. So that's what is fabulous to me!


And here's a shirt I got from Kohl's.

And guess how much I paid for it?
Absolutely nothing.

  It was on the clearance rack and I had a $10.00 off reward.
Original price: $30.00 Total cost: FREE!


I was really happy with today's outcome, considering the multiple items I got for nothing or practically nothing. Which is always nice. :)

Love to you.
Joyful K

House Update

So Ryan and I have looked at 10 homes now in our house hunting. We found one that we both fell in love with but the yard was horrible. There was pretty much no back yard and we certainly want one not only for our dog, but for our kids some day. So that was just a huge let down just because the house was so perfect in every way. 

I know it's a buyers market right now, and it seems like other people know that too. There's been a couple homes we really wanted to look at, that had gotten snatched up just a few days before. It's getting a little discouraging but I know we'll find one we love.

Anyway, thought I'd give everyone a little update on that part of our lives - which has become a huge part. haha

We got together with family last night to celebrate a couple birthday's and I made home-made ice cream and cherry cobbler for the first time which turned out amazing! I'll be posting that in my cooking blog soon. For now, I must make lunch and make my plan of attack for tomorrow's shopping. I'm going to try and describe how I do it as well for you all. :)

Hope you had a lovely weekend!
Joyful K

PS....I officially have 1 month left of Summer. Sad day.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Time to link up again with Jamie at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 comes out Friday! Some friends and I are going to go see it at Midnight. :) I haven't read the books yet (still need to do that) but I have enjoyed the movies.

Via.

I'm loving my new shampoo and conditioner, AG Moisture Shine. I did a review on it below but it has made my hair so healthy after just a few uses. Think I found a new favorite...

I'm loving this book series, The Iron Fey, by Julie Kagawa. The Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare are my number one favorite series (yes, more than Twilight people - SO much more well written) but this one comes a close second. Funny enough, as much as I might love some of the Supernatural series that are so popular right now, I didn't think I would like this one just because of the faeries but it's really such a good read. Also well written and creative with the concept of the story, I love it and can't wait for the last book this October!

Via.

I'm loving these three houses that we'll be looking at tomorrow! I'm so excited to finally see them in person!

{one}

{two}

{three}

Just three out of many. haha But I'm excited to start actually seeing them and hopefully narrowing it down to the one! :)


Love to you.
Joyful K

Product Review: AG

Via.

I bought this duo at last year's Beauty Brands liter sale per the advice of a friend. She claimed she loved it instantly and that I needed to give it a try. So I bought that along with another duo by the Big Sexy hair line. And let me tell you, I also loved it instantly when I first tried it.

I just started using it a few days ago since I ran out of my Big Sexy hair duo. The shampoo you use in the shower like usual but the conditioner is a leave-in conditioner. I didn't realize this when I bought it at the time so when I was looking it over, I was sort of bummed. I've never done this before so I didn't know how I would feel about it. Well, while it's different, it doesn't change or alter what it does for my hair.

The formula is based on a pH system, and me being the nerdy Science person I am, knew it must be good stuff. It leaves my hair soft and shiny and also gives it some bounce. Which, in general, it leaves my hair feeling SO healthy. And this is just after using it once. It also makes my hair style better due to the condition of health it gives my hair. If you don't know, I have thick hair that dries up easily so the fact that it leaves it feeling so healthy, is huge for me.
You don't need a lot either. One pump of the conditioner is all you need. And I just put it in while my hair is damp, before brushing. Because of the conditioner, I don't need to use Argan Oil - which I use to help detangle my hair and soften it.

Now, if you're interested in the line, be sure and get it NOW while it's part of the liter sale at Beauty Brands. It cost me about $26 for both, but if you buy the regular liter sizes, not on sale, it would cost you around $65! So go take advantage of the sale while you can! I promise you will love it like I do.

Love to you.
Joyful K

Monday Deals and Steals

Time for another day of Monday Deals and Steals! :)

Between both trips to the store, I saved $61.63!

Here are some manufacturer coupons that you can find here. But remember, the best place to get them is in your Sunday paper.

Here is what I got at our local grocery store, Price Chopper.

They were having an amazing sale last week and surprisingly, everything shown here, was bought without a coupon!

- Best Choice select cheeses. On sale.

Original price: $2.49 each. Total cost: $0.99 each.

- Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey. On sale.
Original price: $5.99 each. Total cost: $1.99 each.

- Crystal Light drink mixes. On sale.
Original price: $2.69 each. Total cost: $0.99 each.

- Blueberries, pint sized. On sale.
Original price: $2.99 each. Total cost: $1.49 each.

I saved $22.28 with the items above!

Here is what I got at Target.
You can find their ad here and their in store coupons here.

These items were on sale at Target, and for great prices too!

- Lunchables. On sale.
Original price: $1.59 each. Total cost: $1.00 each.

- Pepperidge Farm bread. On sale.
Original price: $3.99 each. Total cost: $2.00 each.
- Archer Farms coffee. On sale. Had a Target coupon for $1.50 off two.
Original price: $6.99 each. Total cost: $10.50 for both.
- Gold n Plump Natural Chicken breasts fillets. Had a $2.00 off coupon attached to each package. I also had a Target coupon for $2.00 off two.
Original price: $6.49 each. Total cost: $6.98 for both.

- 4 pack of Vitamin Water. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off a 4 pack.
Original price: $2.79. Total cost: $1.79.
- 20 fl oz Vitamin Water. On sale. Had a Buy Two, Get One Target coupon.
Original price: $1.00 each after sale. Total cost: $2.00 for three.

- Up & Up 22ct pantiliners. Had a Target coupon for $0.75 off one.

Original price: $0.89 Total cost: $0.14

- Bic Mechanical Pencils. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off two.

Original price: $1.99 each Total cost: $2.98 for both.

- Papermate pens. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off one.

Original price: $1.02 Total cost: $0.02

- Neutrogena Cleanser/Mask. On sale. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off.

Original price: $6.99 after sale. Total cost: $5.99

- Merona Cardigan. On sale for $15.00. Had a Target coupon for 20% off any Women's Merona item.

Original price: $22.99 Total cost: $12.00

Along with a couple other items that I had coupons for, I saved $39.35 at Target!

Also, Beauty Brands is having their annual liter sale - which I love! I just started using the second duo that I bought from last year, and I plan on doing a review on it. Anyway, if you haven't checked it out, be sure and do so! A liter of shampoo and conditioner will generally last me more than 6 months, but less than a year. Which is a great deal for the liter sale price!

Biolage Hydrathereapie Shampoo and Conditioner.

Original price: $45.90 for both. Total cost: $23.96 for both!

Worth every penny. :)

Hope everyone is staying nice and cool! Today is the second day in a row that it's gotten in the 110 range when factoring humidity. Gross.

Love to you.
Joyful K