CVS: June 12-18

Another great week at CVS.  I feel like I'm starting to get in the "groove".  With shopping at CVS you have to do at least 2-3 weeks consistently to roll over your ECB* before you really start getting the hang of it and getting the best deals.

*extra care bucks (coupons that print off with your receipt to be used as money off your next purchase)

So, here's what I got today:

(and note, these are current deals, so you can go get them now!)

1)  Schick Hydro Razor.  

Original price: $9.99

Sale Price: $8.00

Schick Printable Coupon: $3/1

ECB: $4.00

2) (2) Motrin PM

Original Price: $11.98 ($5.99 each)

Sale Price: $8.00 ($4.00 each)

Motrin PM Printable Coupon: $1/1

ECB: $6.00 ($3.00 each)

3) (3) Mitchum Power Gel Deodorant

Original Price: $11.97 ($3.99 each)

Sale Price: $5.97 ($1.99 each)

4) 12-pack Diet Pepsi

Original Price: $4.99

Sale Price: $3.34

Pepsi Coupon printed out of the CVS EBC machine:  12-pack for .99!

Total: $38.93

After Sale Price: $25.31

After Manufacturers Coupons: $17.96

Last week's ECB: -$15.00

Total: $2.96 + tax

Grand Total of $4.00 OOP (out-of-pocket)

And I got back $10.00 ECB for my next trip!

Most of the sites I read (and agree with) will tell you that you should buy things that get you as many or more ECB's back as you spend.  As much as I agree with that, the Mitchum deal was too good not to stock up on.  At $3.99 a pop, I would have paid more on 1 stick of deodorant for the hubs than I did on this entire trip.  Score.  And the Pepsi didn't get any ECB's, but come on, who wouldn't spend .99 on a 12-pack of soda?  

One thing you need to be ready for when shopping CVS deals is to be flexible.  Because they have such good deals, they sell out of the sale items pretty quickly.  I didn't go until 6pm this evening, and these sales have been out since Sunday.  I knew that somethings might not be available.  CVS is great with rain checks, but it still messes up your "plan".  I was going to snag a great deal on Zyrtec ($5.99 with a $3.00 off coupon and then $5.99 ECB back!)  This was going to get me $2 more ECB's and I would have only spent $2 oop in the end plus gotten more product, crazy huh?  But no such luck.  All gone.  Luckily, I will get the deal and the ECB next time they are stocked, so I will still get the savings eventually.  Just not today, bummer.

And I will leave you with  one of many outtakes.  Apparently Stanley really wanted to be in this photo shoot.  Wish granted, my puppy friend. 

Not Good

Clothes shopping and me don't mix.  Well here's the deal.  I love shopping.  I love the act of shopping more than I love the clothes.  I do love when clothes fit.  But this doesn't happen much.  In fact, it's a darn near miracle when it does.   

I was blessed with the body of a 12 year old.  Don't even get me started with the "oh but you're so tiny,  I would love to be your size, blah blah."  When you have to buy your jeans in the little girls department and have to do all you can not to freak out that everything has butterflies bedazzled on the butt, then you won't think you're so lucky.  Sorry soap box.  No hate here.  We all have our drama :)

 While trying on a few things in at Old Navy yesterday I couldn't help from snapping 

a few pictures to prove the ridiculousness.

No I did not willingly choose parachute high water pants.  

I picked out the cute dark blue khaki capris in my size. 

But apparently that's not what they were.  I didn't get the memo.

Oh and that shirt.  For the love.  Not even worth a full picture.  Let's just say it was one where you aren't even sure you are wearing it right because it's just that bad. 

Note the 45 items in the room with me.  I came home with 3.  And I'm returning at least one.  Oh and the other 2 were flip flops and sun glasses.  Not Good.

Project: Forgotten and Found

I'm no professional.  Well, actually, I don't think there is an association or anything, so technically I could claim to be a professional and no one can tell me I'm not.  But, I don't claim to be.  Ahem. Back to where I was. 

I just find joy in what I do.  Decorating.  Redecorating.  

Refinishing.  Repurposing.  Living.  Loving.  

Learning.  And sharing.  

Sharing is part of the reason I write on this blog.  Of course it's nice to look back at posts even a year ago and see where I was in life, but I'm not going to sit here and say that if no one read this that I would keep writing.  It's nice to be heard.  It's nice to get out my thoughts.  But most of all I love sharing my ideas.

And that brings us to my newest "idea".  I wanted a way for you to be able to follow some of the tutorials I put on here.  So I created a project.  Project: Forgotten and Found.  And because I'm a self proclaimed graphic designer, I of course had to make myself a logo.  Did anyone really not see that one coming? :)

Okay, mental picture taken?  Good.  

Before and After is sooo 1999, so I fancied it up a bit.  I take things that other people (or myself) have forgotten and find a new use for them.  

Find new life in them. 

So, keep an eye out for this new logo.  Sometimes I will post just the "forgotten" and make you wait with giddy anticipation until I get around to finishing the project.  Other times you will get lucky and I will post the "forgotten" and then the "found" aka - end result together.   But I will always post the how and the why.  Why did I choose that piece of furniture, why did I use the latex and not the oil based paint, how did I get those lines so straight, why on earth did I make my own bed?  And because I'm no professional (tying it all together...), my ways are not going to be perfect.  Sometimes you may not like my ideas.  Sometimes there will be a better way than the way I'm going to do it.  

But hey, my blog, that's just the way I roll.

I'll leave it at that.  You'll catch on.  I believe in you.  

Oh and because they are both "f" words (not that f-word people!) I might, just might be convinced to do something crazy like "Forgotten and Found Fridays".  

But that's too much pressure for me right now.  Baby Steps.

Steals of the week!

If you know anything about me, you know that I love a good deal. A really good deal. If it's not on super sale, I typically don't buy it. I've been known to spend hours at the mall and come home with 1 item at best. I just can't pull the trigger until I know it's the best I can do. But, persistence pays off. And even better than persistence, is thrifting. And that's where I jump in: "Hi, I'm Kendahl, and yes I will buy your left over junk that you overpaid for, for next to nothing. Nice to meet you." :)

And that's exactly what I did this week...I scored 3 amazing deals 

for a grand total of $10!

1) A turquoise blue copper lantern.  $5

 Not the cheapest deal of the week, but probably the coolest thing I bought. This will go perfect next to my old window frame (that has still yet to be hung by my husband despite the daily nagging  polite asking) in our bedroom.  They only had one, but I asked the guy to keep an eye out for another in a similar style for me.

Needs to be cleaned up a bit, but once it's shined I'm sure the color 

will pop even more!  Love the details!

2) A "someone-cut-off-the-tag-but-I-swear-its-straight-from-Anthropologie-comforter"  $4

No joke.  Check out this beaut.  Please tell me that you wouldn't drool over this if you walked into Anthro?  Just because it was in a Salvation Army doesn't mean that it didn't start it's life hanging in my favorite store.  I searched online to verify my inkling and couldn't find any exact replicas, but I would put money on it.  After 3 washes in the washing machine with a lot of soap and very hot water, it's now made its new home on my guest bed.  

3) My best snag of the week: an antique wooden fold out table.  $1

That's right, one dollar! holla.  I don't have anywhere to put this now...well I'm sure I could find a place if I had to...but since this isn't a long term home for us I don't wanna go mounting big ole' furniture to the walls and/or risk ruining it for our next home.  I've always drooled over these at Ikea, but hated the "cheapness" of them being plastic/metal.  I have many, many ideas of what to do with it, but for now I will probably tuck it away until that perfect day comes.

My ghetto set-up so that you can see just how stinking cool this is!

Look at those legs!! Can't you imagine it painted and glazed the perfect earthy green color.  Chipped paint look and all...I'm melting...

And my favorite thing about finding great deals is trying to imagine how it's been used in the past.  I can see Pa telling little Laura and Mary to go do their homework at this little table.  Straight up Little House on the Prairie.  Love it. 

another successful CVS trip

No pictures this time, but I had a pretty good trip to CVS this week. Here's how it went down:

What I purchased:

1. (2) tubes of Colgate MaxClean toothpaste

2. A 2-pack of Colgate Total toothpaste

3. A 2-pack of Colgate 360 toothbrushes

4. 12-pack of Charmin Ultra Toilet Paper

5. 9-pack of Bounty Paper Towels

6. (3) 20 packs of Cascade dishwasher packs

7. (4) Bottles of Dawn Dishsoap

My total before coupons was: $52

After coupons my total went down to $36

When I checked out, I received $10.00 in ECB*s for next time I shop. Now, that's not the best I've ever done, but to get all that for $26 is pretty great!

(*ECB = Easy Care Bucks = literally like CVS cash...5 ECB equals $5 off of my next purchase)

But wait... the best part came when I got home. I received an email to do an online survey for CVS. After the quick survey, I received 2 coupons in my email. One was a $5 ECB and the other was a $5 off of $20 coupon!

So my grand total is: $36 for all of those things plus $15 ECB and $5 off of $20. I can combine these which essentially means next time I go to CVS I can get $20 worth of products and pay NOTHING!

Not too shabby, huh?

Did you know?

Did you know that I am a self-proclaimed graphic designer?

Did you know that I have my own graphic design business, Beautifully Esoteric Designs, but I hate marketing myself (for real)?

Did you know that my husband put me up to this because he believes in me more than I believe in myself?

Did you know that I love to design completely

custom work for clients?

Did you know I love designing wedding invitations, programs, place cards, thank you cards, and any other kind of

coordinating wedding stationary?

Did you know I can take your images and make photo invites, baby announcements, personal stationary and even photo books?

Did you know I can take quotes/verses/images and make a

cool piece of artwork for your home?

Did you know I'd love to take your old photos and make a slideshow for a wedding reception, graduation party or anniversary gift?

Did you know I have a website?

Welp, now that you know, do you know of

anyone in need of my services?

{all photos courtesy: Shultz Photography}

blog neglect

You know it's been too long since you last blogged when you get a spam comment. Those crazies love abandoned blogs...I'm sorry I neglected you blog...

Anyways, I have a few updates. I promise my whole life doesn't revolve around redecorating my house. Actually, I rarely have time to do it, thus the lack of blog updates. However, since I don't have cute kids yet or insanely inspirational things to say, decor is about all I can muster up to write about. If it bothers you, I dare you not to keep reading...

Finally finished the chest...here's the whole project. I guess I could write a post about how I refinished it. But I'm not convinced anyone really even reads this...sooo...if that's something you would be interested in, speak up

(aka: comment, please, so I know I'm not alone here)

Before:

During:

After:

I snagged this shelf at a garage sale for $3. And made the flowers in the pot. A little much? Maybe...but I will live with it for a while and see. Bryan said they look like paper flowers. Well they are. Get over it.

And this little guy Bryan and I picked up at a little stand on the side of the road driving back from Petersburg one night. All it took was a little windex and elbow grease. No paint or anything! :) Not a great pic but this thing is huge and since I've lived in this house for almost 17 months without a full length mirror

I'd say it's about time and well worth the $5.

And in other news...

(because I don't think you really believe me that there is more going on in my life than painting furniture)

I've been editing pics from prom night, working on lots of graphic design projects (including wedding invites for my newest engaged friend :)- miss Jessica Moss!!! yee!), making homemade jam (just call me Betty Crocker), dreaming up new ways to make a little extra mulah to fund my new JCrew obsession, watching Friends like its my job, working out for 3 days strong, and apparently perfecting the art of run-on sentences.

and that's all she wrote...

The Story con't...

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From a life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand

-"In Christ Alone"

About the time when the band quiets down and all you hear is the bass drum keeping beat...and then they start in with "...there in the ground" Jen, TJ (friends in college) and I would look at each other and start to pump our fists. It was a bit of a joke, but really it was just so powerful that we couldn't help but celebrate. "Up from the grave He rose again!" was the best part of the song.

Not because it's a good song... but because it's truth. Jesus didn't stay in the ground (cave/tomb/whichever...) he rose 3 days later and sin lost it's curse on me. and you.

Happy Easter.

Good Friday

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

-"In Christ Alone" Various Artists

Beautifully broken by what our Savior did for us on this day many years ago...

graciously thankful that this isn't the end of the story.

I think I can I think I can...

Someday I will conquer this bedroom makeover. Here's our progress..

Finally got the bed together (thanks to my wonderful husband and the one and only Justin Grant)!

Here's a picture I snagged the night the put it all together. I got the bedding on and loved it! (although if anyone knows any secret to "fluffy" bedding please help - I long for the day that I have a fluffy bed...)

One reason why this has taken so long is because I am indecisive. I wish there was a more severe word. I am incapable of making decisions. For real. Ask B. After going back and forth for 2 weeks, I finally decided I truly hated the putrid green wall color. It was supposed to be earthly and subtle but instead it was brown/green poop colored. Anything poop is not subtle. I've lived with it over a year and just couldn't do it any longer. It was bringing all of my new decor down. I was unhappy. So, I sucked it up and spent the $20 for a new gallon of paint. Drool with me...

You have to see it in person to really understand how beautiful it really is. It looks a little purple in these pictures, but it's not. It's a very calming, almost silvery blue. It's delicious.

So, after painting, the room was in complete, I mean complete, shambles. And I'm not gunna lie, we lived in in like this for a good couple days before I could no longer handle it. (and it takes a lot for me to not be able to handle it...)

So when I could no longer deal with a ladder for a nightstand, I did the inevitable. I cleared out the entire room. I'm like a Tasmanian devil when I clean. I don't clean 99% of the time, but when I do, I really do. I took everything out besides the bed itself. See exhibit A:

Once it was all out, I sorted it, clean it, and started bringing it all back in...slowly. (And most of the crapola was pitched...why we had some of the things we do in our bedroom, I will never know...) Like the glade holiday candle that I found stuffed in my sock drawer...or my high school diploma which was in a shoebox in the closet...wowzers.

With the room cleared out I was able to start assembling my new decor. I finally got the chicken wire wall stapled in place! More pictures/decor will be put up on it eventually, but come on people, just getting it up was a huge step for me!!

Next is the new love of my life, our dresser. Yep, we finally found one. And she's a beaut. It was hard as heck trying to find the best place for her, but once we figured it all out it was perfect. The frame is not staying - ended up feeling too "grandma" but I don't have a picture without it - so just imagine with me...

Looks pretty decent from that angle, right? Well, what you can't see in the picture is the fact that only 1 of 4 walls has anything on it. The other 3 are blank. Blank as can be. I tried a picture collage idea I found from Under the Sycamore, but Bryan vetoed it because it looked too much like a college dorm room collage. I agreed unfortunately. The idea is great, just didn't work with the room/pictures we had. I have a few picture frames and mirrors I'm waiting to try and get up, but I just need a little time to figure something out. Progress people. It comes in stages :)

Lastly, we bought this chest along with our dresser. You can see it a bit in the third picture up top being used as a catchall. Well, it was just not the right color white. Looked yellow against the bed. Sooooo...I set out this past weekend to sand it down, repaint and distress it. After 2 hours of electric sanding and a trip to Lowes for more hardcore sanding disks, this is what I ended up with. Ugh. Looks like I will be investing in some heavy duty "stripper" to try and get all 17 layers of paint off of this dang thing.

That's all I've got for now! But it's a big improvement...hopefully sooner than later I will have a final before and after reveal. hopefully...