Note: the word "painting" begins with "pain".

The next time I tell someone I'm going to paint, I hope that person punches me in the nose. Unless I own a home when I say that again. Or I'm talking about watercolors. Right now we're preparing to move and I painted the sunroom, bedroom and vanity area so, since we live in an apartment, we have to paint those rooms back to the hideous peachy-white they were when we moved in. I painted the sunroom Friday night and the vanity and bedroom today. I am exhausted and want a Coach bag as a reward for my hours and hours of hump busting. We're moving to another apartment and I can assure you - we will NOT be painting ANYTHING!

I'm in the mood for a survey since it's been a month since I've posted, it's been awhile since I've done a survey, and it will take very little brainpower and almost no physical exertion to complete one. Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and enjoyed their "bonus" Daylight Savings hour. Cheers!

Be honest, who texted you last? Jason
Do you sleep with the door open or closed? Closed b/c the HVAC unit is 3 feet from our bedroom door and is ridiculously loud.
Do you drink tea? Not super frequently.
Do you have plans for tomorrow? Take large quantities of Advil.
What’s worse: dry skin or chapped lips? Lips.
Would you rather go to Canada or California on vacation? Cali.
Are you wearing jeans, shorts, sweatpants or pajama pants? Lounge pants.
So, what if you married the last person you texted? That would be glorious as we are engaged!
Last person you told a secret to? ???
What are you listening to at the moment? Red Eye on TV in the background.
Where was the last place you fell asleep other than your bed? The couch.
Name 5 things you touch every day at work. PC keyboard, pen, paper, paper clips, my filing cabinet.
What do you always take with you? Aquaphor, cell phone.
Is your bed comfortable? Ridiculously so! Can't wait to raise up in it.
Would you say you’re an understanding person? Yes.
Are you generally a happy person? Yes.
Who’s in your profile picture with you? Jason's in my twitter profile pic.
Were you single on Valentines Day? No
What is the last movie you watched at home? Halloween 4
Last movie you saw at the theatre? Footloose (I loved it!)
How long does it take you to fall asleep at night? Sometimes no time at all, sometimes waaaaay too long.

Daily watercolor inspiration:

Source: etsy.com via krisabelle on Pinterest

A - Age: thirty one
B - Bed size: king
C - Chore you hate: unloading the dishwasher
D - Dog’s name: We have plenty of names, but don't have the dogs yet!
E - Essential start your day item: cell phone to wake me up
F - Favorite color: yellow, blush, turquoise, electric purple, emerald green, cherry red, pewter, coral...I love color!
G - Gold or Silver: silver
H - Height: 5’7"
I - Instruments you play(ed): violin back in 6th-7th grades
J - Job title: legal liaison. i liaise legally.
K - Kid(s): n/a
L - Living arrangements: apt w/ jase
M - Most fave TV shows: The Closer, Revenge, Project Runway, Memphis Beat
N - Nickname(s): kbelle
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none, thank the lawd.
P - Pet Peeve: Ungrateful people.
Q - Quote from a movie: Pretty much everything from Romy & Michele's High School Reunion.
R - Right or left handed: rightie
S - Super power you wish you had: ability to pause, fast forward, and rewind time. I would snooze every morning!
T - Time you wake up: 7 AM weekdays. boo!
U- Useless info: I like beets.
V - Vegetable you dislike: I think I may actually like them all!
W - Ways you run late: constantly?
X - X-rays you’ve had: teeth, hand, I think that's it.
Y - Yummy food you make: zuppe toscana is my best dish. i love it!
Z - Zoo animal: giraffes, elephants. Not monkeys. Not fond of monkeys at all.

Revenge is best served cold on Wednesday nights!

Revenge is a new TV show on Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM EST on ABC and it is AMAZING!

Emily Thorne's father was falsely convicted of a crime he didn't commit and spent the rest of his life behind bars. Emily didn't know he was innocent until she lost her father around the time she turned 18. Having discovered the truth, she's taking the people down who framed her father. Each episode features the "takedown" of one of the people involved. It is SO GOOD that I can't wait for the next episode! If you'd like to get caught up before this Wednesday's show, you can watch the first 3 episodes online at ABC.com (click here). WARNING: It's addictive!

Pinterest - Watercolors o' the Day!

I just joined Pinterest and I L♥VE it! You can create virtual pinboards/inspiration boards and it is SO addictive! I'm so glad my friend Hilary told me about it!

Here are some of my favorite watercolors I found on the site. I have gots to get a set of watercolors; I have been itching to paint for a few months, but now even more so after seeing these beautiful works of art!

Source: augustempress.com via Galina on Pinterest

Source: alwaysswell.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Norah on Pinterest

Source: stephanieestrin.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: mooik.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: inspirefirst.com via Hartmut on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: None via Annie on Pinterest

Source: siotes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Marya on Pinterest

Source: society6.com via Marius on Pinterest

Source: mohdbilbeisi.com via Robert on Pinterest

Source: None via Coral on Pinterest

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Krista on Pinterest

M&BB Monday Poll

This poll is from my favorite beauty blogger Karen @ Makeup & Beauty Blog

1. Mood: Quite happy - I heard "Ice Ice Baby" on the drive home AND Monday is OVAH! Yips!
2. What are a few of your least favorite things? When you're SO EXCITED about an online purchase, it arrives and doesn't work out for whatever reason and then having to ship it back and wait weeks to get your $ refunded. Also, back pain.
3. Today I’d love…to take a luxurious shower, get into comfy pj's and catch up on all the TV I have recorded from last week.
4. Outfit? Red cardigan, charcoal pants, cork wedges. I'm so ready to wear boots. And socks!!
5. Exactly where are you right now? In my sunroom AKA the best room in this hacienda!
6. Describe your favorite jacket to wear in the fall. I love my white coat Jason gave me; it's dreamy!
7. When was the last time you bounced on a pogo stick? Can't remember ever using one of those, but Pogo Bals? Oh hell yeah! 1992.
8. Your two cents (beauty related)? Paula's Choice is a really great skincare line and my skin seems very happy when I use it. Jason uses the SPF 45 non-greasy sunscreen when he golfs and he loves it.
9. Your two cents (non-beauty related)? My day was brightened so much by co-workers asking J-Larks, "What is twerking?" - I thought he was going to hit the deck laughing! It's always a good day at work when twerking comes up for discussion.
10. Weekly goals: Cut down by at least 2 cigarettes per day, catch up on the PILE of accumulated TV shows from last week, read 100 pages of this silly ass book I'm reading, be early to work every day, go to bed earlier than usual so the 7 AM alarm clock won't feel like hell on Earth, work out twice.

Fave TV Shows Survey

List your favorite TV Shows (in no order) and answer the questions. 
1. The Closer
2. Project Runway
3. The Mentalist
4. Modern Family
5. Memphis Beat

Who is your favorite character in 1? Brenda Lee Johnson!

Who is your least favorite character in 2? This season, it's Olivier. Really? Women's boobs "interfere" with your design? Then maybe you should design for men since they don't have those obnoxious breasticles.

What’s your favorite episode of 4? The one where Mitchell and Cameron try to get Lily into an exclusive preschool.

What is your favorite season of 5? Season 2.

What is your favorite 'ship in 3? Patrick & Lisbon.

Who is your anti-'ship in 2? Frankly I don't know what that means!

How long have you watched 1? I have watched almost every season!

How did you become interested in 3? I knew I liked Simon Baker and the show's premise sounded right up my alley!

Who is your favorite actor in 4? Gloria!

What do you prefer out of 1, 2, or 5? The Closer

Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3? The Closer b/c it's been on the air longer.

How would you kill off your favorite character in 2? Since it's a reality show, I wouldn't want anyone killed off for reals, but I would not be upset if Olivier hit the road this week!

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? Gloria!

Give a random quote from 1.
Fritz: Is there anything special you want from Santa this year?
Brenda: Maybe an Albanian translator?
Fritz: Oh, you are so hard to shop for.

Would a 3/4 crossover work? Hmm...Modern Family and The Mentalist? It could be entertaining!

Pair two characters in 1 that would make an unlikely, but strangely ok, couple. There's only 2 female characters on the show and I can't see either of them putting up with any of the male characters' romantic hijinks! If I have to choose, Captain Raydor and Lt. Flynn could be crazy!

Overall, which show has a better cast, 3 or 5? I love them both!

Which has better music, 2 or 4? Project Runway because it includes Tim Gunn saying "ATTITUDE!" and that's golden.

This survey borrowed from F YEAH, SURVEYS. Thank you!

15 Random Countdown

» Fifteen Random Favorites «
01. my loved ones
02. dogs
03. trying out new beauty products
04. magazines
05. reading
06. oldies
07. vacations
08. project runway
09. hockey tweeps
10. dolphins, otters & manta rays
11. root beer
12. a great night's sleep
13. america
14. coffee
15. spring & fall

» Fourteen Favorite Foods «
01. zuppe toscana
02. mac n' cheese
03. jason's burgers & meatloaf
04. crusty bread
05. 100 grand candy bars
06. sausage biscuits & gravy
07. twizzlers cherry pull n' peel
08. lemon anything
09. crab
10. grouper sammiches
11. velveeta & sourdough grilled cheese with chicken noodle soup
12. EVERYTHING served at the iberian pig
13. filet mignon
14. mellow mushroom white pizza sans sun dried toms

» Thirteen Most Watched Shows «
01. the closer
02. project runway
03. the mentalist
04. survivor
05. say yes to the dress atlanta
06. dance moms
07. bones
08. modern family
09. parenthood
10. so you think you can dance
11. memphis beat
12. true blood
13. rizzoli and isles

» Twelve Good Bands/Groups/Singers In Your Opinion «
01. diana ross & the supremes
02. the beatles
03. better than ezra
04. elvis
05. adele
06. duran duran
07. paramore
08. outkast
09. rolling stones
10. otis redding
11. katy perry
12. pat benatar

» Eleven Places You'd Love to Visit «
01. france
02. american west
03. pacific northwest
04. cal-i-forn-ia gurls are unforgettable
05. cape cod-ishness (northeastern coast)
06. yap, micronesia (best place on earth for manta ray dives)
07. tahiti/bora bora
08. uk
09. the caribbean
10. australia/nz
11. star's hollow :)

» Ten Fave Days of the Year «
01. christmas
02. christmas eve
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10. ...what else is there? :)

» Nine Things You're Looking Forward To «
01. jason coming back from his conference
02. weds night survivor party w/ mombo!
03. me & j's 3 yr anni
04. FALLLLLLLLLLL!
05. buying a home
06. getting a dog(s)
07. paying off my cc
08. christmastime!
09. gettin' hitched to my bestie! ♥

» Eight Things You Wear Daily «
01. my engagement ring :D
02. lip balm product
03. shoes of some assortment
04. a purse
05. toe nail polish
06. sunglasses
07. pj's
08. earrings

» Seven Things That Annoy You «
01. monday morning
02. drama
03. how quickly time passes when you want to slow it down / how slowly time passes when you want to hurry it up
04. eeyore types
05. people who don't return a smile
06. lack of follow up @ work
07. the simple fact that i'm 31 years old and i've never sampled a turducken.

» Six Things You Touch Every Day «
01. phone
02. soap
03. writing utensil
04. book/kindle
05. computer machine
06. coffee mug

» Five Movies You Could Watch Over And Over «
01. donnie brasco
02. home alone
03. sixteen candles
04. the bourne thrillogy
05. don't tell mom the babysitter's dead

» Four Of Your Favorite Toys When You Were Little «
01. my bunnies
02. roller skates
03. rainbow brite dolls
04. hot wheels

» Three of Your Fave Books «
01. the prizewinner of defiance, ohio
02. the shadow of the wind
03. crazy in alabama

» Two Of Your Favorite Songs At This Moment «
01. Touch Me (All Night Long) - Cathy Dennis
02. Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine

» One Material Thing You Can't Live Without «
01. lip balm!

Best Books of 2011 (thru Sept)

The best books I’ve read in the last year.

Ten Facts About Me

01: I totally enjoy "Roseanne's Nuts".
02: My car's name is Goldie Hawn.
03: I love Dannon DanActive. Muy deliciouso probiotics!
04: I strongly desire these ruby red boots.
05: I'm currently reading "Fatally Frosted" by Jessica Beck but I'm just not that into it.
06: Every time I hear Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus", I think of my friend Blair and our joke about someday choreographing a tap routine to it!
07: I hope this MAC Matte matte-ifying cream works and controls my shine factor.
08: I typically fail to participate in Follow Friday on Twitter, but for good reason: I'm at work all day! I hardly ever remember to do it before or after work. I'm a failure of a tweep for sure.
09: My dream honeymoon destination? Bora Bora, Tahiti, Maldives - any place that boasts mini huts on the water! Bring it with Bacos!
10: This video cracks me up.

9-11-11

IN REMEMBRANCE
9-11-01

I will never forget that day; the lost loved ones, the heroes, the horror, the grief. My heart is with everyone who lost someone on this day a decade ago.

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read a chapter or two for a few nights in a row and then got sucked into another book. I considered holding off on reading the rest of this book (about 400 pages were left) but I decided to read another chapter and I then finished it in 2 sessions! Once the storyline thickened, I could hardly put it down. It was really good; full of intrigue and backstabbing and plotting and love and hate. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series!

Something Blue (Darcy & Rachel, #2) by Emily Giffin

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading Something Borrowed, I really, really disliked Darcy Rhone. I found her infinite narcissism and hubris outrageous and wondered why anyone would have spent their entire life being her best friend. I could hardly believe she had any friends at all after how shabbily she treated people. To Darcy, it was as though people only existed to serve her, be her adoring audience, make her look better, or prop her up. Not that I condoned Rachel's treachery, but Darcy was certainly the self-centered boob villainess of book #1. When I came to the end of "Something Borrowed" and began reading the included snippet of "Something Blue", written entirely from Darcy's perspective, I was surprisingly hooked. I thought the last thing I'd be intrigued by would be hearing the story unfold from the discovery of the betrayal by Darcy, but it was highly entertaining and I really enjoyed it! There were several inappropriate-yet-hilarious thoughts Darcy had that I laughingly read aloud to my fiancee. I was so happy with the way everything turned out, but especially with the way Darcy transformed into someone I could honestly cheer for. I wish there was a third book!

Gather Round: Project Runway Season 9 hits the runway tomorrow night!

Project Runway Season 9 starts tomorrow night! I can't wait!!!

The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke

The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this down! I read it in under an hour and immediately went to buy the second book in the series. This book was AMAZINGLY written. I could not wait to find out what was going to happen next. I had chills and said "Wow" aloud when I finished it. I will be reading a LOT more of Burke's books!

{Glambunctious} Inquiring Minds Want to Know

1) What was the last TV show you watched? So You Think You Can Dance...dance...dance...!
2) What's the last beauty product you put on before hitting the hay? Hand lotion! Got to keep these mits hydrated!
3) Last thing you saw that your heart cried out for? Mini Banana MoonPies... NOM NOM NOM!!!
4) One thing you're looking forward to this weekend? Seeing Jason's parents! We're going up to visit them in NC! Ye-yeah!
5) Corniest song to be caught enjoying loudly whilst behind the wheel? Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic, but damn is it good! While your feet are stompin'! And the jam is pumpin'!

Copy & paste into the comments section and share your answers!

--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--
1) What was the last TV show you watched?
2) What's the last beauty product you put on before hitting the hay?
3) Last thing you saw that your heart cried out for?
4) One thing you're looking forward to this weekend?
5) Corniest song to be caught enjoying loudly whilst behind the wheel?

{Glambunctious} Wish List - June 2011

Chantecaille La Baleine Bleue Eyes (Blue Whale Palette)
Chloe Rosebud Eau de Toilette sample
Clinique All About Lips
Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector (serum)
Laura Mercier Eau de Toilette in Crème de Pistache
Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Buffing Cream
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush in It-Girl Purple
Maybelline Kissing Potion in Cherry Smash
Marc Jacobs Biscotti Splash
Moschino Hippy Fizz Eau de Toilette Spray
Philosophy Eye Hope
Philosophy Shower Gel in Pink Frosted Cake
Rachel Perry Lip Lover in Grape Juice
Savannah Bee Company Royal Jelly Body Butter
Tokyo Milk Lip Elixer in Salted Caramel
Waxelene

REVIEW! | Caudalie Grape Water / Eau de Raisin

Product: Caudalie Grape Water AKA Eau de Raisin if you're feeling French!
Category: Toner
Scent: Unscented
Cost: $8.00 for 1.6 fl oz, $13.00 for 3.4 fl oz, or $17.00 for 6.7 fl oz (limited edition size)
Where to Buy: Caudalie, Sephora
Caudalie says:"This 100 percent plant-based water - extracted directly from grapes during the harvests - soothes, refreshes, and hydrates the skin."
Pros: Refreshing, soothing for sensitive skin, highly portable
Cons: None

Review: I LOVE Caudalie Grape Water! Ou, en Français, J'adore Caudalie Eau de Raisin!

According to Caudalie, you are to spray this product on the face at any time of the day to refresh and hydrate the skin, and it can be used as a toner after removing make-up. It is so ridiculously refreshing to spritz it onto your face and neck when you're laying out at the pool or on the beach. It's just as snazzy on a hot day after crossing a 1,000° parking lot to get back to work at high noon! The super fine mist doesn't cause your makeup to run so you're safe to spray away throughout the day! ☺ The secret to an even more amazing spritztravaganza is to pop the can in the fridge (or a cooler if you're heading to a concert, pool, beach, park, outdoor July wedding, etc.) and reap the freshly chilled rewards of feeling unbelievably pleased with yourself for owning such an effervescent product!

As a resident ATLien currently feeling melty in the summer splendor, I cannot recommend this wunderbar spray toner enough to anyone, male or female, who also lives in a hot and/or humid locale!

Would I buy this product again? Yes!

Ingredients: Vitis vinifera (grape) fruit water, vitis vinifera (grape) juice, nitrogen.

3.4 fl oz size of Caudalie Grape Water

Vacation Approved! | Discovery Cove Trip

I knew there would be lots of pictures taken at Discovery Cove and I needed products that could survive heat, humidity, swimming, sweating, possible tears, and encounters with 600 pound sea creatures. The following items outlasted it all!

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
2. Lancome Definicils Waterproof Mascara
3. Benefit Benetint
4. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

All of these lovely products stayed put, refused to melt, smudge, or fade, and lasted all day long! I could not believe the mascara survived it all with absolutely NO running. It's worth the price if you know you're going to be swimming, sweating, or crying! I will most definitely be sporting it on my wedding day.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding; the picture below was taken after our dolphin swim!

{Glambunctious} Inquiring Minds Want To Know

If you know me, you know that I LOVE surveys. You know, those silly little Q&A's containing deep questions such as "What's your favorite ice cream flavor?" and "What color was your prom dress?"; they are a fun and relaxed way to get to know someone. I thought it would be nifty to incorporate a little survey-ness into this blog from time to time since it is one of my favorite things and it's a great way for you lovely readers to share a little something about yourselves, too! In the sage words of Barney, "Sharing means caring" after all. ☺

Today's first question was inspired by the charming and adorable Karen over at Makeup and Beauty Blog (if you aren't following her blog already, you definitely should be)!

1) What was your first MAC product? Viva Glam IV thanks to my always fabulous friend Hilary!
2) What is your ultimate go-to beauty product? Aquaphor as a lip balm. It hydrates my lips better than anything else I've tried and I promise you, I've tried hundreds of balms over the years!
3) What was the last movie you saw? I got completely captivated by "I Am Legend" last night when it came on TV. Even though I'd already seen it, I couldn't stop watching. Will Smith is amazeballs.
4) Name one of your favorite mags? Real Simple.
5) Back in the day, which New Kid On The Block made your heart go pitter-pat? Jordan. I know, LOL!

Copy & paste into the comments section and share your answers!

--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--
1) What was your first MAC product?
2) What is your ultimate go-to beauty product?
3) What was the last movie you saw?
4) Name one of your favorite mags?
5) Back in the day, which New Kid On The Block made your heart go pitter-pat?

Dolphins & Diamonds: A Wildly Decent Proposal

As most of you know, I'd previously posted that my boyfriend Jason and I were heading off to Florida's dolphin dreamland Discovery Cove last week. Aside from getting to live out my lifelong dream of swimming with dolphins, my wonderful blackberry-cobbler-a-la-mode-of-a-man just happened to plan the whole trip around the most amazing and perfect surprise proposal in ze world!

There I was, thinking "This day could simply NOT get any better!"; the Floridian sun was shining, the cabana he booked was an oasis of relaxation, and I'd just smooched a dolphin named Rose. I felt that my life had very little room for improvement at that moment.


Little did I know, Jason had pre-arranged with secret squirrel stealthy-ness to have Rose the dolphin bring me a very special buoy. As soon as the trainer told me Rose was "bringing me something", I thought, "OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! IS THIS IT?! IS HE PROPOSING RIGHT HERE IN THIS DOLPHIN POOL?!?!?!?!?!". Jason took the buoy from Rose and, grinning from ear to ear, asked...

"Kristen, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

❤ YES! ❤

After we left the dolphin pool, the Discovery Cove dolls led us back to our cabana. There we found a photographer and videographer, and my engagement ring set up on a pedestal (literally!) surrounded by lush tropical flowers. Jason got down on one knee and asked me to marry him (again, lol)!


It certainly adds a touch of humor to think that I'd never once envisioned myself not wearing pants when my special proposal day finally came along!


Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my now fiancée Jason for giving me the most incredibly special and perfect proposal that I could've ever imaged. The ring he picked out is beyond stunning; it makes me feel giddy and loved beyond my wildest dreams every time I look at it.

I love you Jason Bartholomew, and I can't wait to marry you!