Monday Deals and Steals: Fashion Edition

I got a sweater and dress on sale at Target this week that I've had my eye on. Glad I waited for them to go on sale! 

Here's what I got:

Via.

- Mossimo Belted Dress. On sale. Had a Target coupon for 20% off.

Original price: $27.99 Total cost: $14.40!

Via.

- Mossimo Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater. On sale. Had a Target coupon for 15% off.

Original price: $19.99 Total cost: $12.75!

I saved $20.83!

Other than this post today, and maybe my February Birchbox review later in the week, I'm going to be pretty reclusive this week. I have 4 tests AND a presentation this week.

Got to love midterms, right?

Funny enough, this is my last semester in school, and I've never experienced midterms like this before. 

Heck, this is the first time I've had a teacher actually call it midterms.

Usually there's always tests around this time, but in a 3 week timespan for me.

Le sigh.

Wish me luck!

Wedding Cake Linkup!

I'm linking up today with The Magnolia Pair for a Wedding Cake Linkup!

We had a 5 tiered cake covered in smooth buttercream with a beaded frosting at the bottom of each layer.
I based our cake off our wedding colors, but also off a swirly design I found online - though I can't find it now. Our baker accidentally displayed it the wrong way though. The front was suppose to be what she had for the side, like this....

Oh well, it certainly did not change how gorgeous it turned out!

For our topper, I ordered the wooden "S" online and covered it in green rhinestones myself. The cymbidium orchid is made out of sugar though! 

We had 5 different flavors, one for each tier. They were, going from bottom to top:

{ Vanilla with Raspberry Filling }

{ Spice with Buttercream filling }

{ Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese filling }

{ Lemon with Cream Cheese filling }

{ Vanilla with Mocha filling }


I was able to try 4 out of the 5 flavors (one that night, the rest later) but one flavor was completely gone by the end of the night, the Carrot Cake, which was the one I didn't try. We only passed out the first four and saved the Vanilla with Mocha to eat later (we didn't freeze it though). We ended up giving some to family to take home that night and giving our parents a lot too. Granted, a lot was eaten the night of the Wedding, but we also had a lot leftover. 
5 tiered cake + only 150 guests = lots left! ;)

And here we are, cutting into it...

I absolutely loved our cake, and our guests did too. We still have people that remember it and say how much they loved it. It was worth every.single.penny.

Since I'm graduating from College in May, I asked our Baker to make my Graduation cake. I'm so excited to have some more! :)

Thanks for the fun link up Britt! It's always fun to go back and reminisce.
Be sure and link up with her if you want to participate!

Fasting

If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I am trying to lose weight.

It's been a difficult journey but I (think) after 3 weeks, I've hit a slump.

Thankfully, Lent is upon us which means it's a time where a lot of people are fasting from certain things.

I was raised Catholic. I went to Catholic school and half of my family considers themselves Catholic. However, I started going to a Baptist church when I was in middle school and sort of broke off from Catholicism. 

That's a long story though.

Given that I don't really consider myself Catholic anymore, I still believe in fasting. 

Not just fasting in the sense of not eating for a certain time, but also giving up things.

So, here's what I intend to give up these next 40 days until Easter.

{ Pop }

I go in cycles with drinking pop. There will be times I stay away from it for quite a while and other times where I drink it constantly. I'm hoping to stay away from it since it is bad for you, even diet.

{ Sweets }

Of any kind. Period. Need to stay away! haha

{ Junk Food }

Again, of any kind. I've been pretty good at staying away from fast food but when it comes to other food that is processed and not good for you, I haven't stayed away from honestly. Things like chips, Lunchables (even the regular, bleh), etc.

Thankfully, thanks to pictures like these floating around the internet, I'm pretty much against getting junk food for the most part ever again. Especially McDonald's. 

Chick - fil - A is a different story though. But they actually have healthy menu options.

That's suppose to be McDonald's chicken nuggets...

Via.

And you may have seen this. The food after 137 days. And yep, it doesn't look any different.

Think about how you've had it in the car and a fry dropped and you find it months later and it still looks the same.

Via.

I'm also going to make it a goal to work out more. That's where I've really hit my slump. But I'm going to attempt this workout starting Sunday.

Wish me luck!

Are you giving up anything for Lent?

What A Lovely Pinteresting Wednesday

Another day to link up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday and with Michelle for Pinteresting Wednesday!

First, here's what I'm loving.

I'm loving that it rained on Monday.

And that it waited to do so until I got home to enjoy it. ;)

Via.

I'm loving Lunchables with Fruit.

Quick and easy, just how I like it. And moderately healthy - better than the regular anyway!

Via.

I'm loving my Molecular Biology lab.
Nerdy? Definitely. 

Via.

Now on to my pins. If you want to follow me, you can here.

These look so good. I'm aiming to try them soon!
Crash Hot Potatoes

Via.

Super cute.

Via.

Sad and annoying, but true.

Via.

Love this decor for Easter.

Via.

Too Funny

I don't know about you girls, but there are multiple videos out there that literally make me laugh out loud every time I see them.

And let's be honest, sometimes we just need a good laugh.

Hopefully these will do that for you today.

I apologize for the poor quality in this, but it was the only decent one I could find.

Let's be honest. Ever single one is so true.

I know Jenna Marbles can be pretty crass, but this is my favorite of hers.

If y'all don't know Very Mary Kate, let me introduce you so you can waste an afternoon like I did.

It was wonderful.

What are some of your favorite funny videos?

Monday Deals and Steals

Finally, an actual Monday Deals and Steals! haha

Oh how I've missed you...

I saved $22.12 today!

Here is what I got at Target.

You can find their ad here and their in store coupons here.

- Market Pantry Garlic Bread, Spaghetti and Pasta Sauce. Had two different Target coupons for $1.00 off.

Original price for all three: $4.30 Total cost for all three: $2.30!

- Archer Farms Fruit Strips. On sale. Had a Target coupon for $0.50 off.

Original price: $2.99 Total cost: $2.19

- Hunts Canned Tomatoes. On sale. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off three.

Original price: $2.97 for all three. Total cost: $1.62 for all three.

- Betty Crocker Instant Potatoes. On sale. 

Original price: $1.52 each. Total cost: $0.91 each.

- Lipton Tea. Peach on sale. Had a Target coupon for $0.75 off two. Had two different manufacturer coupons, one for $0.75 off Green Tea and another for $0.50 off any.

Original price: $3.98 for both. Total cost: $1.78 for both.

- Up & Up Cotton Squares. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off.

Original price: $3.67 Total cost: $2.67

- Charmin Toilet Paper, 18 ct. On sale. Had a Target coupon for $1.00 off and a manufacturer coupon for $0.25 off.

Original price: $12.29 Total cost: $9.24


(why is toilet paper SO expensive?! And this is the first time I've seen a coupon greater than $0.25 off. So, when I got the $1.00 off, I was waiting - and praying - that it would go on sale so it would go farther haha)

- Flintstones Gummies, 60ct. Had a Target coupon for $2.00 off and a manufacturer coupon for $2.00 off.

Original price: $5.99 Total cost: $1.99

- Aveeno Face Wash Scrub. On sale. Had a manufacturer coupon for $2.00 off.

Original price: $6.49 Total cost: $3.49

I also picked up this cute frame in the clearance section!

- Valentine's Frame. On sale.

Original price: $4.99 Total cost: $1.49

What are some deals you've found lately?

Giveaway Winners!

I apologize for the lack of the actual picture of the number generator, so my iPhone picture will have to do. I don't know how to do that honestly despite the instructions I've heard. lol

On to what you really care about, the lovely winners! :)

For Day 1's paper goods, the winner is....

Hillary from agalandherdog!

For Day 2's accessories, the winner is...

Star from Star's Pink World!

For Day 3's scented goods, the winner is....

Ecletically E!

For Day 4's nail goods, the winner is...

Lia Joy from lifeisamayesing!

And finally, the winner from Day 5's Vera Bradley items is...

Lia from Sunkissed and Southern!

Congrats to you girls! Be sure and email me at joyful.one86@gmail.com so I can get your mailing address! 

And of course, a BIG thanks to everyone else for following along. I wish you could all get something! There's always next time! ;)

Fashion Friday

Here's what I wore this week!

Definitely an improvement from last time.

Valentine's Outfit!

Hard to tell, but there's "flowers" on that fuchsia top.

I look like my eyes are closed. haha

I took a close up of my hair because I've been obsessed with wearing it like this lately. Usually on Tuesday's and Thursday's I won't wash my hair so I can sleep in a little bit longer. So I'll either wear my hair up or I'll curl it. 

Well this way, I twist it (with my bangs included) and get it into my ponytail that I wear on the side.

Super easy. 

I really like this color combo. Peacock Blue and Yellow.

I have to admit that I didn't eat so great last weekend.

There were a couple moments that I ate junk food I am ashamed to say.

However, I did not finish it like I normally do. So I was super proud of myself in that sense.

For instance, I got Arby's for dinner on Sunday night (I had an Organic 2 test on Monday and for whatever reason, I decide to treat myself to junk food during that time while studying for that horrendous subject). Anyway, I got a regular adult meal and only ate half of it. A few weeks ago, I would've eaten the entire thing.

It wasn't until I finished eating that I thought I should've ordered a kids meal.

Oh well, now I know.

And as far as my weight goes, there is no change. :(

Thankfully though, I haven't really lost that motivation yet. Here's to hoping it sticks around!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

I'm planning on posting the winners from the Giveaways on Sunday. :)

Wanted: Cookies

Something occurred the other night in our home that I thought was too funny.

Sammy was raptured by some cookies that Ryan was eating.

Girl Scout Cookies.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Girl Scout Cookies.

You can imagine the complete attention Sammy had on Ryan.

Hopefully you are also entertained by this...

Spotted. Ryan eating cookies.

Sammy comes over to Ryan.

Ryan is confused.

Sammy expresses interest in cookie because Ryan "wasn't getting it."

AKA, not giving him a cookie.

Excuse me....you're suppose to give ME one.

Continues to stare intensely at Ryan cookie.

Please..?? I love you.

See how much I love you. And I know you love me too and you want to give me one.

If you don't know Sammy's personality, now you know.

By the way, Sammy DID get some regular peanut butter after that pathetic attempt. ;)

What A Lovely Pinteresting Wednesday

Another day to link up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday!
And it's my first time linking up with Michelle for Pinteresting Wednesday!

First, be sure and sign up for my Giveaways if you haven't yet. You have until Midnight tonight to do so!

Here is what I'm loving this week.

I'm loving that when I got home yesterday, I came home to this.
Flowers, lit candles, and my husband making dinner!

I had to snap a picture when I walked in the door. ;)

For those who don't know, I don't get home until 7pm 3 nights a week. So we planned to just make dinner and stay in for Valentine's. We plan on officially going out to celebrate on Saturday. :)

I'm loving that Sammy celebrated his 2nd Birthday yesterday.
I am not loving that he is getting older though. :(

I'm loving this new sweater I ordered from Old Navy.

Via.

Lastly, I'm loving the show, Worst Cooks in America.
I just got into it, and I must admit, I love it!

Via.


And here are some of my recent pins from Pinterest that I'm loving.

Adore.

Via.

Love the room arrangement.

Via.

It's only mid February, and this is exactly how I feel.

Via.

I love this outfit!

Via.

What are you loving this week?