Sunday, December 29, 2013

Refurbished Night Stand

I found this night stand at a Goodwill 50% off sale for about $10. Pretty worn out; some of the knobs were broken.

Decided to paint chevron stripes on the top. I put the stripes on with blue painters tape. I just eyeballed the stripes and how I wanted them angled. 

I painted the entire night stand with Annie Sloan's Old White chalk paint.

I then taped off the white chevron stripes with the blue painters tape so that I could paint the alternating stripes.

Painted the alternating stripes with Annie Sloan's Paris Grey chalk paint. 

Finished chevron stripes and white base of night stand.

Painted the drawers Paris Grey as well and added different knobs from Hobby Lobby.
Inspiration from Made By Girl's blog.
Inspiration from Michaela Noelle Designs' blog.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Port Douglas Faves

1 | Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas - Beautiful, yet dangerous! Many jelly fish, string rays and other posinous sea creatures in these waters. You can see the roped off area in the water that was for swimming!

2 | Wallabies (the cutest things ever) - Loved feeding these little guys at all of the zoos we went to! Tried to sneak one home but security took it! JK

3 | Plant Life - The flowers, plants and trees in Port were just gorgeous! So many exotic types and they were beautiful. 

4 | Seafood - So many different types of fish, mussels, clams, etc. in Port. Loved these clams! 

5 | Cape Tribulation - Where the rainforest meets the reef, aka most beautiful sight ever!

6 | Great Barrier Reef - This was by far my favorite part of the trip. Pictures do not do justice to what my eyes saw. The most gorgeous coral and fish I have ever seen and probably ever will! 

7 | Coral - Breath taking coral on one of our dives.

8 | Port Douglas Market - This was on a Sunday. So many different booths selling handmade things from AUS! I went home with a bracelet, purse, earrings, and a wallet! I also bought some natural juice from the market that was so good! 

9 | Ziplining in the Rainforest - Pretty much the coolest zipline experience I've ever had. We were so high up in the air! The views were incredible and you could see Cape Tribulation from some of the zips. 

10 | Sunrise - Port is one of the few places on earth where you can watch the sunrise and sunset all in the same day. This is a picture of sunrise - so gorgeous by the beach! 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Refurbished Dresser


So lately I have been into refurbishing furniture and fixing things up around my apartment. I love all the inspiration I find on Pinterest and other people's blogs. I found this dresser at an estate sale in Nashville. I believe the dresser was around $60 which is a bit high for a cheap old dreser, but I could see the potential it had, so I got it! 


Above is a before picture of the dreser. Fairly simple with five drawers and it also came with a mirror on top which I did not show in the pictures. 


I purchased this 32 fl oz can of Annie Sloan chalk paint at C'est Moi (little botique shop in Brentwood). I love the color Provence becuase it has a shabby chic feel to it and is also just a pretty color in general. 


I decided to paint the entire dresser with Annie Sloan's Old White chalk paint and paint the dressers with Annie Sloan's Provence. Annie's chalk paint is so easy to use. I have never used chalk paint before in my life and I now feel like an expert! I bought a few paint brushes at Lowe's and got to work! Make sure not to buy super cheap brushes, or the bristles will fall out. 


I did several coats of the Old White and several coats of the Provence on the drawers. I used a sanding block that I bought at Walmart to rough up the edges of the dresser and the drawers. I would recommend buying the 32 fl oz can if you have a lot to paint.  I bought 32 fl oz cans of both the Old White and the Provence because I knew I had other things in my aparment that I wanted to paint/redo. I used an old shower curtain to paint on - worked very nicely. 


One of my favorite parts of refurbishing this old dresser was buying the knobs. My cousin had told me that Hobby Lobby has a great variety of knobs so I went to check it out. I wasn't sure weather I was going to get all of the same knob or different types. After I got to the store and saw all of the neat knobs, I went a little buck wild and bought all different knobs. I bought some knobs and also some handles. I took one of the drawers to the store with me to make sure the knobs/handles would fit. Some of the handles they sell do not fit, so taking in a drawer would be a good idea. I also just so happened to get my knobs when they were 50% off. So make sure to go on half off day becuase otherwise these knobs can be a bit pricey. I bought all of my knobs/handles for this dresser for around $40 (that was the half off price). 


This bird knob was one of my favorites! Such a great variety of knobs/handles and other decorating items. I almost walked out of the store with a lamp and mirror but decided I needed to think more before I just purchased random items for my apartment! I have done a few other pieces since this dresser and hope to post them on here soon! 


Here is the final product! I was so surprised by how nicely the Provence chalk paint matched my curtains (curtains from Target). All of my handles are from Hobby Lobby. I would love to hear your feedback/advice on this project! More refurbished furniture coming soon!


Monday, August 12, 2013

Bella, bella


Me and Isabella
Had a wonderful weekend despite the 
rainy weather! Dog sat in Spring Hill for my aunt
 and uncle. Got to go hiking with some friends 
and hung out with family on Sunday. The pic above is 
of me and Isabella walking around some outdoor shops 
in Franklin. Isabella is almost 2 years old! She is so cute 
and wanted to hold my hand while we walked 
around. My cousin snapped this pic of us! Thanks Mo! 
Also a shout out to Mo- it is her birthday today! 
Happy Birthday Morgan!! 
Looking forward to celebrating on 
Wednesday together! Xo

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Reason to Sing


This song is so comforting and reminds me that God has never left even though I am swimming around in this world of sin. Constantly on the go and being busy. He is constant and will always be with us. This song makes me feel like I'm walking back in the front door and coming home to my creator. His peace is a blanket over this crazy life we live in. Don't forget to take time to sit in silence and meditate on his word and listen to him. It is almost near impossible to sit still for that long. I know that my time with God is something I treasure greatly, yet don't get enough of it. Remember you will always make time for things that are most important to you. What do you always make time for? 


Smoky Mountain Getaway








Had a wonderful time last weekend in the Smoky Mountains with Inversion [young adult ministry at my church]. We stayed in really nice cabins on the edge of the mountains. The views were gorgeous. I love getting away from the everyday busyness of life and escaping into God's creation and just forgetting about everything that doesn't even matter! I had so much fun hiking and hanging out with wonderful friends and meeting new friends. I enjoyed hiking to some beautiful water falls and hiking up a rock cliff to get views over all of the Smokies. I definitely love living so close to the Smokies. I hope to go back a few times this fall with family and friends. We stayed at Black Bear Ridge Resort. Check it out here.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

P a u s e .

Photo: Blue Mountains, Australia

S  o  m  e  t  i  m  e  s  //

          it's so easy to keep to yourself and stay in your own little world.  However,there 
          is so much more out there. There is so much we can do to change others' lives.
         These things can be so simple!  I know that I need to get better about getting
         out of my box and getting to know others and helping them.  So today I took 
         action.  There are always people selling newspapers on the street corners of 
         Nashville.  I pass them by everyday and they are always there selling papers.  I 
         never take the time to give them a dollar for the paper.  How simple is that?? 
         Today I walked by a lady selling those papers.  I told her I would buy one from 
         her on my way back to the office.  I also asked if she wanted something to 
         drink.  It was so hot out.  She wanted a Gatorade.  I bought her a Gatorade and 
         gave her money for the paper and some for her.  I am writing this to share 
         about giving to those in need.  I want to inspire you to get out of your comfort
         zone and help others.  It can be so simple!  The lady's name was Jamie.  I hope 
         to see her again sometime!  
          
                               the greatest of these is   L   O   V   E. 
                                                                                                      [1 Corinthians 13:13]

Friday, May 24, 2013

Handmade Envelopes

I have been wondering how to put some of my random scrapbook papers to use. I found this idea on Pinterest and decided to try it! It's super easy and turns out great! I apologize for the pictures not going the right direction, I uploaded these from my phone and couldn't flip them around.

Basic envelope I already had -- unfolded it 

Traced the envelope onto cardstock to make a template

Traced around the template onto scrapbook paper

Collection of hand-made envelopes!

Enjoy! 

Sibling Surprise

Surprised my brother at the Indianapolis airport a couple weeks ago! He returned safely and in one piece from his semester abroad in Australia! He took classes towards his major of wildlife biology at Purdue. He studied in Yungaburra, Queensland which is up near the Great Barrier Reef. He had a wonderful time abroad and I am so proud of him for doing it! Enjoy the pictures! He truly had no idea I was going to be at the airport. It was so fun to see his reaction!

First hug on U.S. soil since Australia! 
Siblings happy to be back together

Check out the awesome sign 

Indy car in the background -- wonder where we are!? 

My lovely family back together again

The first thing Matt wanted was Steak 'n Shake drive-thru
The next day we celebrated his 21st birthday... just a month or so late! 

Brother & sister lovin'! 

Dad and Matt on Matt's very belated birthday

Matt opening presents

Matt got a game that he played during his time abroad

Present from me!

Free liquor in the bow

Thrilled

Mom observing everything!

Dad watching 

Little shot glass from Miami!