Where do I turn in my grown up card?!

The top ten reasons being a grown up stinks!

 

1. Automobile maintenance...found out yesterday Lexi has to have new tires...and the guy at the shop said tires on her would only last 30-40k miles...which for this commuting gal means every 10 months. I can think of much better ways to spend $1100.
2. Bills...end of story.
3. When your checking account goes into the negative, it doesn't pull from Mom & Dad's account. (This is possibly the result of living in a small town, but in High School when I spent too much  money in my checking account, it pulled from my parents account to cover it...Best.Idea.Eva!)
4. Gas...at $3.79 a gallon, I'd kill to have Dad's Shell card back!
5. Personal property taxes...pshhh...don't we pay taxes on it when we buy it...and now I have to pay taxes just to own it!?
6. Snow days just aren't the same when you're a grown up...it goes from...Yay, No School! To, how the heck am I going to get to work in this!? 
7. Spring Break, Summer Break!? Those are thing's of the past! 
8. Insurance...I'm sure it's great and comes in handy when you need it...but I can think of several ways I'd rather spend my auto & homeowners insurance premiums every month! 
9. Laundry & Dishes...Ughhh...
10. Grocery Shopping...I'm not really sure how I spend so much money at the stinkin' grocery store...I can't cook!?

Oh, well...I guess I'll survive! On a brighter note, I DVR'ed The Royal Wedding...Can't wait to get home and watch it. I've already seen some pics of the GORGEOUS dress on Twitter, and the hats...can we talk about the hats?! I wish I didn't have a ginormous head and could pull off a fancy hat, because some of them were fabulous...some, not so much!


Hope you all have a great weekend!
Off to my laser hair appt...joy, joy! 

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm Loving...This song by The Eli Young Band...I have played it over and over since I downloaded it on iTunes!

I'm Loving...That Bravo is advertising for The Real Housewives of New Jersey - Season 3...It's my guilty pleasure...they are my favorite housewives!

I'm Loving...Mr. Clean magic erasers...I am pretty certain these things really are magic...they can do pretty much anything! I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to discover them?!

I'm Loving...My new Laura Mercier concealer that I recently got from Sephora. I have been on the search for years for a concealer that actually blends in with your skin and hides imperfections, rather than just caking up on them...and this one does just that! Love it!

I'm Loving...Old Navy's spring/summer line...they have really stepped up their game this year for casual clothes! These are a few of my favorite outfits!

I'm Loving...My devotional book Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry. I bought it a few months ago, but I've actually had time to get into it lately...it has great quick devotionals I can do in the morning, or during a break at work. It's a great reminder of God's love for us, so I've tried to make it part of my daily routine!


I'm Loving...My sweet Laney girl...she has been terrified of these storms we have been having the last few nights. I took this picture last night when she was hiding in her snuggie bed!

Hope you all have a great Wednesday!
I can't wait to see what you are loving! 

A little bit of Heaven in a pie plate!

I'm linking up today with A Love Worth Waiting For...it's time for Monday Meals, and I thought I would share my go to dessert for well, pretty much anything! Enjoy!

Paula Deen's Old Fashioned Fudge Pie

Ingredients

• 2 squares (2-ounces) semisweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sugar, then the eggs; beat well. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 25 minutes or until just set. Serve warm or cold, with ice cream or whipped cream. 

This pie is DELICIOUS, and easy as, well pie...no pun intended...trust me, I have ZERO domestic qualities, and I can handle this! :)


I can't wait to see all your wonderful recipes!

Monday is a terrible way to spend 1/7 of your life.

Good morning everyone. Hope you are all having a great Monday morning. If you are anywhere in the great state of Arkansas you are likely dealing with severe weather today, joy, joy...gotta love tornado season! This weekend was wonderful, it went by entirely too fast! NH and I spent most of the weekend on the lake, he has a minor obsession with fishing, so if I want to see him, fishing I must go! 

I must say, I do enjoy it (when I'm actually catching something). I usually end up taking the most recent issue of People Style Watch, and I make sure my iPhone is completely charged, because I get bored a little bit quicker than he does! We had a lazy Saturday night, I cooked the Mini Meatball Sandwiches that I mentioned in a previous post; they actually turned out to be pretty good, which is not a small feat for my completely non-domestic self. Sunday morning we had an incredible Easter service at church, followed by an amazing meal prepared by my mom...I have decided I will never be skinny as long as I live within 30 minutes of her...lol! This was the first Easter NH and I spent as a couple, yes we color coordinated, don't judge me! Haha :)

Now just 4 days of work, and I get to do it all again! :)

How was your weekend?


Until next time...

Amazing Love.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  -Isaiah 53:5  

I hope you all have a blessed Easter Sunday.  

If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!

Well Happy Thursday everyone, thankfully in the wonderful world of dentistry that means Friday! Woo Hoo! I was starting to feel like this week would never end! The weather has been absolutely crazy the last couple days. My dinner plans last night were postponed, so if you were wondering how the mini meatball sandwiches turned out, check back, I'll be making them this weekend! Tonight is my last night of Financial Peace University, I kinda feel like I'm graduating from Shopaholics Anonymous. (There were no S.A. programs in my area; believe me, I looked!) By no means is the FPU program geared to make you quit shopping, or give up the things you want, but it makes you smarter with your money. You give your money a name before you ever get it, and you have a monthly budget which has actually helped tremendously! The slogan for FPU is "Live like no one else, so later you can LIVE like no one else". The goal is to do what it takes, sacrifice that new Coach purse, daily meals out, weekly trips to Dillard's...whatever your vice may be...give those things up for a short about of time, then once you've become "financially stable", you can LIVE like no one else! I wish this class would have been offered in High School. I'm not certain it would have helped, but I think if I would have had this knowledge before I ever made my first paycheck, things would have been a lot different! 

I hope you are all having a great Thursday, despite the rain!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

This week I decided to link up with This Kind of Love, she hosts What I'm Loving Wednesday, and I love the idea....so...drum-roll please...

 

I'm Loving...That I've actually kept up with blogging...Go me! (PS:I love followers, I'm quite the follower myself ;) )

I'm Loving...McAlister's Sweet Tea...I think my Mother secretly drives to Little Rock every morning and makes a batch for them! My boss eats there a few times a week, so I get my sweet tea fix often :)

 

I'm Loving...OPI Nail Polish - I'm currently wearing Mod About You...Love it!

I'm Loving...Boyfriend Jeans! If you don't own a pair, GO BUY SOME TODAY...ok...maybe it's not that urgent...but they are pretty fab. I have 2 pair, I bought both at Maurices. They are so comfy! 

These are Silver's

And these are the Maurices brand!

I'm Loving...Spring/Summer in Arkansas...which also means Lake Season! Nate & I spent a couple day's this weekend on the lake, I absolutely love it!

 I'm Loving...That this Sunday is Easter...which calls for a Family Function! I can't wait to see my cousins and their kiddos! I love them to pieces...I don't get to see them often enough. 

I'm Loving...This recipe that I'm attempting to cook tonight for my favorite red-head ;)...If it tastes half as good as it looks we should be in good shape!

 Have I told you lately how much I love The Pioneer Woman?! Yummo!

I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!

Just a little Wednesday Wisdom...

It all started with a creepy stalker text message!

As I mentioned in my previous blog, one year ago today I started talking to NH. I had seen him at church a few times, and he caught my eye...I am an only child so I'm pretty good at doing whatever it takes to get what I want! He was a friend of our preachers son, so I text Janet (our preachers wife, and a close friend) and tried to get some quick info on him. She gave me a few minor details, and then gave me his number and told me to text him...lol. That was sooo not my style, but I thought it was worth a shot. 
"Hey, I know this is totally random...and not me at all...but I've never had the nerve to come up to you and actually introduce myself at church, so Janet gave me your number. My name is Lacey...and I'd love to talk to you...get to know you a bit...you now have my number if interested! :)"
Slightly ballsy, and a bit stalkerific (totally not a word, but I love it)...but it worked! For 7 months we continued talking/dating and built a friendship, I developed so much patience over that 7 months...good lord! I wanted a relationship, (well, mostly to be FB official...gay...lol) but he wasn't ready. Then in November of last year everything fell together. The past 5 months have been amazing, I honestly don't want to imagine my life without him in it.

Failure with a capital F

So...it's Monday...and for the last several Monday's I've told myself I'm going to make my New Year's Resolutions stick this week, but I have decided this Monday I'm done making excuses. As most (all 3) of you know, I have always had an issue with compulsive (self diagnosed) shopping. This  year I told myself it was time to grow up! I had always used shopping as a way to fill some sort of void I guess? Not that I didn't have a great family, and wonderful friends...but a new purse, or new pair of shoes was almost like a high...I always joked "Shopping is my drug of choice".  By no means have I completely stopped shopping, but I am much improved from where I was...I just hope in the future to find a balance of enjoying shopping, and depending on it for contentment. Two of my favorite quotes, that I actually keep in my wallet put things in perspective when I go to pull out my debit card.
"We buy things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like." - Dave Ramsey
"Carefully consider your buying motives, no amount of stuff equals contentment." - Dave Ramsey
(If you don't know who Dave Ramsey is, keep reading! I'm sure you'll hear more about him in the future!)


As for my other FAILED postponed resolutions, Jillian Michaels and myself have a HOT DATE tonight! FML (PS: Kyndall Carder, when you move home, I have elected you as my official workout partner...and if you call yourself fat, I will punch you! Love ya, mean it!)


On a brighter note...a year ago today I sent my sweet boyfriend, a stranger at the time, a super creepy stalker text message...lol...thank goodness he responded, and a year later I can't imagine my life without him!


Until next time...

'Cause everything tastes better covered in gravy!

Chicken Fried Steak - Pioneer Woman Style!

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Cube Steak (tenderized Round Steak That's Been Extra Tenderized)
• 1-½ cup Whole Milk, Plus Up To 2 Cups For Gravy
• 2 whole Large Eggs
• 3 cups All-purpose Flour
• Seasoned Salt
• ¼ teaspoons Cayenne
• LOTS Of Black Pepper. Lots.
• Canola Oil, For Frying
• Salt And Pepper, For Both Meat And Gravy

Preparation Instructions

Begin with an assembly line of dishes for the meat: milk mixed with egg in one; flour mixed with spices in one; meat in one; then have one clean plate at the end to receive the breaded meat.
Work one piece of meat at a time. Season both sides with salt and pepper, then dip in the milk/egg mixture. Next, place the meat on the plate of seasoned flour. Turn to coat thoroughly. Place the meat back into the milk/egg mixture, turning to coat. Place back in the flour and turn to coat.
(So: wet mixture/dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture.) Place breaded meat on the clean plate, then repeat with remaining meat.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it’s sufficiently hot. Cook meat, three pieces at a time, until edges start to look golden brown; around 2 to 2 1/2 minutes each side.
Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and keep warm. Repeat until all meat is cooked.


GRAVY:
After all meat is fried, pour off the grease into a heatproof bowl. Without cleaning the pan, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add 1/4 cup grease back to the pan. Allow grease to heat up.
Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour evenly over the grease. Using a whisk, mix flour with grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Keep cooking until it reaches a deep golden brown color. If paste seems more oily than pasty, sprinkle in another tablespoon of flour and whisk.
Whisking constantly, pour in milk. Cook to thicken the gravy. Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes overly thick. Add salt and pepper and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until gravy is smooth and thick. Be sure to taste to make sure gravy is sufficiently seasoned.
Serve meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes. Pour gravy over the whole shebang!

My life is now complete...

Ok; maybe that's an exaggeration, but it was a really neat experience. If you don't know who the gorgeous red-head in the picture is, you are definitely missing out! I had a chance to see The Pioneer Woman this weekend at the Arkansas Literary Festival. I got to sit on the front row of an extremely crowded room of women (and a few men). She was absolutely terrified, she told her life story, well most of it, with a powerpoint presentation. She has such a huge following, but still seems so humble, and quite frankly didn't think she was "a big deal" (I beg to differ). I'm starting her most recent book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels this week! I can't wait! If you're still not convinced she's fabulous...try this delicious recipe...it'll change your mind!


Go out and enjoy this gorgeous sunshine!

Friday Favorites!

There are so many things that I am loving right now, but to keep this post manageable...I'll just share a few! 

I got this Body Butter this week at Sephora. I've always heard about Body Shop; but have never had the chance to try any on their products, so when Sephora started carrying it I knew the Body Butter was a great place to start! The smell is a light citrus scent, and this formula just melts into your skin! I got the travel size, and I can't wait to use it up and go back for the big one!

I got this watch for Christmas, and I absolutely love it! I actually ordered it in gold earlier this week (I had rewards dollars from a CC that had to be used by June, simmer down, no need to alert Dave Ramsey..Ha!) I can't wait to get it in! I love gold in the summer!

 

Tarte released this new line of blushes at Sephora

that has 12 hour staying power; and if you're like me, and your makeup has usually left the building by noon, then this is a pretty impressive claim. So far, so good! I got the color Dollface, and it's actually done what it says it will. I'm not sure if it'll go 12 hours, but if it'll last through my work day, I'll take it! 

                                                                            

Earlier this week my friend Kyndall and I had Genghis Grill, it was my first time, but I'd been wanting to try it for a while. And it's pretty wonderful, if you can get past the whole raw meat situation GAG!

   

 

Spring in Arkansas...enough said! 

I finally broke down and jumped on the Twitter band-wagon! Love it! Follow me : laceyjhix86

The Pioneer Woman, if you don't know who she is, you should! I follow Leah at The Imperfect Momma; and she mentioned her several months ago so I immediately bought her first book, a cookbook filled with wonderful recipes, stories, and photos from her life. Throughout the past few months I have been captivated by the stories she tells, the amazing photographs she takes, and the scrumptious recipes she shares! She will be in Arkansas tomorrow, promoting her new book, and I going to see her...who's excited?! Yea...I'm excited!! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

"Let's Get It Started, In Here" (Yes, I just quoted Fergie. No, it won't happen again!...Ha!)

Disclaimer: By no means do I think my life is so fabulous that you should take a few minutes from every day to catch up on my daily (hopefully :/) post! With that said...I'm Lacey, I'm just a plain and simple (my friends and family would beg to differ on both the plain & simple part) twenty-something, living the life God has planned out for me, and loving every minute! I can't promise that this blog will change your life, or make your heart warm...but I can promise an occasional laugh, maybe a few great recipes (all stolen from my Mother), an obnoxious amount of photos of things/people I love, Deals & Steals from my shopping experiences, Beauty tips, and hopefully a few inspirational words/thoughts along the way!


Until next time...Love God ,Love People, Love Life!