Rescued Desk {tutorial}

Last spring I was on the hunt for a dresser to refinish for one of our spare bedrooms. I have yet to find a dresser I want to refinish, and have actually given up my hunt for now. However, one day on craigslist I found a dresser I thought would be worth looking at. Based on the add they seemed fairly close to where we live. So my husband gladly took me to look at the dresser.

It turned out they lived like an hour away, in the middle of nowhere and the dresser was a bust. They did have a desk that I offered her $20 for.  I didn't really need a desk, but I wanted more experience refinishing furniture. Plus, there was no way I was going to make my Husband drive me that far and leave empty handed. We rescued a desk to refinish.

I like how the desk turned out, but this project was a little questionable at first.

The desk had like 4-5 different layers of paint that were all chipping at different layers.  I needed to strip all the layers away to have a smooth surface to paint on. After attempting to strip the paint, which took forever, I decided to use an orbital sander instead to remove all the layers of paint. Here is how I refinished my desk:

Supplies:

Orbital sander with medium and fine sandpaper

Sandpaper block/cube

Steel wool for a fine finish

Kiltz spray primer

Foam roller

Paint of your choosing

Minewax finishing wax

Mask and protective eye wear

Use medium sandpaper first with your orbital sander to remove all the layers of paint (If you have a piece of furniture that already has a smooth surface and you are going to repaint but not stain the wood; then all you need to do is remove the "shine" off the paint). Once all your paint is removed then use fine sandpaper to give yourself a smooth finish. You will want to wear your mask and protective eye wear during these steps because there is so much dust.

Gently rub the surface with steel wool and spray the entire wood surface you will be painting with primer. I like to use spray primer because it goes on quickly and also dries quickly. Once your primer is dry, rub your surface with steel wool again. By "roughing-up" your surface a little bit  it will allow your paint to adhere better and prevent peeling or chipping later.

I used a quart size of Behr paint that I had color matched from an old paint chip. I am not sure what the actual color is, but I used an eggshell finish. I don't really like my refinished furniture to be a high gloss.

Start painting your furniture. I like to use a foam roller because I have pretty poor painting skills and a foam roller gives you a smooth surface. I have also found that it is best to paint your edges with a paint brush then use the foam roller on your main surface. Allow each layer to dry before moving onto the next and rub your surface with steel wool in between each paint layer. I did four thin layers of paint.

Next, I distressed the corners and high traffic areas of the wood using a sand paper block. I use to be anxious about distressing my beautiful new paint job, but you really can't mess this step up: it's all a personal preference to distress as much  or as little as you want. One last time, use your steel wool on your surface then cover with minewax finishing wax. All you do is rub the wax on with an old shirt, wait 10 minutes and rub the wax off.

Last, I added my new hardware from the Home Depot.

Right now the desk is sitting in one of our spare bedrooms. My spare bedrooms have very little decor. I don't really want to spend the money to decorate rooms that I only use to fold my laundry. Plus, all our family lives within 30 minutes of us so we rarely have overnight guests. Someday, I will incorporate the desk into the decor of the room.

I also refinished this chair. I got it at a garage sale this summer for one whole dollar! It was originally dark wood with a black pleather seat cushion!



I will be linking up to parties at:

Check out all the Buttons here
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A 2 Z
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoe String
Friday Flair at Whipper Berry
Potpourri Party at 2805
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday Scoop at I heart Nap Time
Lovely Crafty Weekend at Lovely Crafty Home
Weekend Wrap up Party at Tater tots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Wow me Wednesdays at Ginger Snap Scrafts
Sizzle into Summers at DIY by Design
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at Primp
Will Craft for...Comments at Tales of a Trophy Wife
Creative juice Thursday at Momnivores-dilemma
Share Awesomeness Thursdays at The 36th Ave
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring
Frugal Fridy at The Shabby Nest
Watch Got Weekend at Lolly Jane Boutique
Show and Share at Just a Girl Blog
Creative Bloggers Party & Hop at Homemaker on a Dime
Simple Creations Friday at My Simple Home Life

Boo! Eek! {tutorial}

This project was completely free... everything I needed I had around the house from previous projects.

A quick and easy project to spruce up your mantel for Halloween.

Supplies:
-2x4 (left over from a previous project)
-chalkboard spray paint
-chalk
-An awesome hubby who will cut your 2x4. (Or do it yourself, but mine thought I might lose a finger using a saw myself)

Cut a straight edge on both ends of your 2x4. Section off six blocks (or however many blocks you want). I wanted my blocks to all be different sizes to add some dimension to such a simple project. Once your blocks are cut, just spray paint them with your chalkboard paint. I did two coats on each side.

Originally I was going to use an old stencil to write the letters, but I decided I wanted to free hand them. Once your blocks are dry, write whatever your crafty mind chooses!

Check out all the Buttons here
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A 2 Z
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoe String
Friday Flair at Whipper Berry
Potpourri Party at 2805
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday Scoop at I heart Nap Time
Lovely Crafty Weekend at Lovely Crafty Home
Weekend Wrap up Party at Tater tots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Wow me Wednesdays at Ginger Snap Scrafts
Sizzle into Summers at DIY by Design
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at Primp
Will Craft for...Comments at Tales of a Trophy Wife
Creative juice Thursday at Momnivores-dilemma
Share Awesomeness Thursdays at The 36th Ave
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring
Frugal Fridy at The Shabby Nest
Watch Got Weekend at Lolly Jane Boutique
Show and Share at Just a Girl Blog
Creative Bloggers Party & Hop at Homemaker on a Dime
Simple Creations Friday at My Simple Home Life



Fall Comfort Food

Loaded Baked Potato Soup
In the fall and winter I love to make soups. I love that you can make a huge batch of soup at once and eat for a week, or freeze part of it to save for later. My husbands favorite soup is loaded baked potato soup. So, I have been on a quest to find a recipe that does not use tons of heavy cream. I found one via pinterest here. I changed the recipe some, to make it a little healthier.  The best part is, you can make it in your slow cooker!

Ingredients:
-1 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into pieces
-5 russet potatoes, washed but do not peel. Dice into about 1/2 inch cubes
-2 tablespoons minced garlic
-8 cups chicken stock
-2 8oz packages of fat free cream cheese
-1 tablespoon all purpose seasoning
-Cheese for garnish
-Crumbled bacon for garnish
-Chives

Directions:
-Add cauliflower, potatoes, garlic, and chicken stock to slow cooker.
-Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours
-In a blender place one of the packages of cream cheese and fill with soup. Do this with both packages of  cream cheese. Blending the cream cheese will help to integrate the cheese and soup. 
-You only want to blend about half your soup, the rest you can stir really well or use a potato masher. This way you still have a few larger chunks of potato in your soup
-Stir everything together, add garnish, and taste.

I forgot to buy chives at the store. Mine was chive-less but still delicious.

This will give you 10-12 servings. It seemed like I was eating soup for a week. You could cut this recipe in half or freeze the soup in individual servings and reheat for a quick delicious meal later.

WOW # 4

Workout of the week # 4



It's that time of week again. It's time for the workout of the week. Yep, it's another circuit workout! I have some responses to past workouts that many ladies feel these workouts just seem too intense. I once said that too, and had no desire to do these workouts. Here is why I do circuit training:

I used to be the girl that went to the gym, jumped on the treadmill, ran a few miles, went to the weight room and walked around, (having no idea what to do) did a few crunches, and left the gym. I never saw any results. I finally started seeing some results when I started lifting weighs. I instantly started to slim down and burn more fat when I began weight lifting. I was soon introduced to cross-fit and circuit workouts. But I refused to do cross-fit because it seemed "too intense" and the females I saw doing cross-fit had way more muscle then I ever wanted to have.

It took me six months to give in and try cross-fit. I saw results when I started lifting weights but I saw major result when I started practicing cross-fit. I was finally toned. And no, I did not suddenly become super muscular. The hormone balance of a female body is not naturally meant to be muscular like a male. Your specific genetics play a role in how muscular you will become, but unless you are super supplementing with protein and creatine powders you will not bulk up. Here is a great article that explains all this, in more detail.

Here is our circuit for the WOW:

Run 1 mile to warm up

Stretch

Complete the following circuit 5 times:

• 22 kettle ball swings
• 22 box jumps (20 inch box)
• 22 burpees
• 22 wall balls

Cool down by walking a half mile and stretching.

Every body is different. This is the type of workout I have found works for my body to achieve the results I want to see. You may need to do something different for your body and what you want to achieve. Leave me comments, what have you found works for you? Or is there a type of workout you would like see in the next WOW?

Flu Shot Blues....

Aside from posting on my blog, I work as a nurse and the time of year has quickly come upon us for flu season. For the next couple of months about every patient who comes into the hospital will get a flu shot. I will be giving tons of shots in the next couple of months. This last weekend, it was time for all the nurses and employees to get their flu shots. I get one every year. It is hilarious how scared nurses are to actually receive a shot. We seem to have no problem inflicting pain and giving others their shots, but when they start rolling the cart around from floor to floor to give nurses their shots we all seem to disappear into our patient's rooms.

Every year when I talk to patients about getting their flu shot the first thing they ask is, "Is it going to hurt?" I always respond with the same answer, "A little, your arm will be sore for about a day but it will not be too bad." The second thing they ask is, "Will I get sick?" I have routine answer for that. "No, it's a killed virus, so you will not get sick."

After receiving my shot, I realized I have been quite a misleading nurse. I forgot how sore the flu shot makes your arm. My arm ached so bad.  The next two nights I was not able to sleep on my right side, like I usually do, because of the pressure it put on my arm. When I went to lift weights at the gym the next day, my right arm was weak and could not lift as much as usual.  Four days later my arm finally feels better. I am not telling you this to scare you away from getting your flu shot, rather to clear my conscious for all those poor patients I've fibbed to (Sorry to any recent recipients of the flu shot who are reading this and saying, "My nurse told me it wouldn't be too bad!).

And that is the tiny bruise that is causing all my complaining... I might be over reacting!
As a health care professional, would I suggest getting your flu shot?
Yes, but you have to make that decision on your own. There are some people who should not get the vaccine.

Will it hurt?
Yes, but the more you use your arm the quicker the soreness will subside because the vaccine will absorb faster.

Will it make you sick?
It shouldn't, but whenever you are putting something foreign in your body you are calling your immune system into action and you risk getting some mild flu like symptoms. You can get an intranasal flu shot which is where you inhale the vaccine, but you are more likely to get sick because that is a live virus you are putting into your body.

WOW #3

Since the seasons are changing my Hubby and I are trying to get in as many workouts outside these days before we are forced back in to the hot, stuffy gym. Plus if we workout outside, we can take our dog Kona with us to get her daily exercise.

I like to do cross-fit style workouts which are often pretty exhausting. For some reason when I pick out a workout or make up my own work out, I always think that they are going to be easier then they actually turn out to be. I like to "trick" myself and break up the workout in my mind. I will tell my self, "All I have to do is run for five minutes." Then once I have ran for five minutes I say, " All I have to do is 20 burpees." This helps me focus on the specific exercise I am doing and keeps me pushing hard throughout the workout. Good Luck with today's workout!

Track Workout:

Warm up by running for five minutes followed by stretching.

20 jumping jacks

20 burpees

20 walking lunges

Run for five minutes

20 pushups

20 tricep dips

20 walking lunges

Run for five minutes

60 second plank

40 mountain climbers

20 walking lunges

Run for five minutes

40 bicycle crunches

20 oblique plank crunches (in a plank position bring knee up to elbow, return to plank position.)

Finish with an abdominal workout:

Complete this circuit twice

20 leg lifts

20 double crunches

30 second side plank, each side

Monogramed Doormat {tutorial}

Who doesn't love a Monogram?  To see thier initial beautifully displayed? I love them!
I saw this in the Pottery Barn catalog, where I got my inspiration for my DIY monogramed doormat.

{via}

This is $99 at Pottery Barn.

Since I had a new wreath, I thought I also needed a new doormat for my entryway. I loved the simplcity of this rug.

I found that it is was difficult to find a plain doormat that did not have a design. Eventually, I found mine at Ikea for $9.99.  I made my own stencil by printing a "D" on cardsotck and then cutting it out with a craft knife. Next, I taped the stencil onto the rug.

I used a foam brush and some old outdoor latex paint that was leftover from painting our house. Using a blotting technique I filled in my "D." You will need to put your paint on pretty thick because the paint will absorb in the fibers of the rug. I let my rug dry for a few hours and decided to add another layer of paint. Once dry, my monogram had faded a lot since all the paint  absorbed down into the fibers of the rug. 

Originally, my plan was to add some leaves around the edge of the rug and make this my fall rug. Once I placed my monogram, I loved the simplicity of the rug and decided not to add anything else.

I will be linking up to parties at:
Check out all the Buttons here
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A 2 Z
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoe String
Friday Flair at Whipper Berry
Potpourri Party at 2805
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday Scoop at I heart Nap Time
Lovely Crafty Weekend at Lovely Crafty Home
Weekend Wrap up Party at Tater tots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Wow me Wednesdays at Ginger Snap Scrafts
Sizzle into Summers at DIY by Design
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at Primp
Will Craft for...Comments at Tales of a Trophy Wife
Creative juice Thursday at Momnivores-dilemma
Share Awesomeness Thursdays at The 36th Ave

WOW #2

If you  followed the last couple workouts of the week (WOW), you have probably noticed I am all about quick and efficient workouts. Here is another intense workout you can do anywhere. Good Luck!

{via}

WOW #2

Warm up by running one mile.

Stretch

Complete each of the 10 exercises in the circuit for 60 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds between exercises. 

Complete this circuit two times.

1. Goblet Squat : hold a dumbbell at chest level while you squat
2. Mountain climbers: in push up position, do a running motion bringing knees to your chest
3. Single-Arm dumbbell swing : like a kettle ball swing but with one arm. Do each arm for 30 seconds.
4. T-Push up: push up position with dumbbell in each hand, go down into push up. Come up and extend one arm up over your head and shoulder so your body creates a "t." Rotate arms.
5. Split jump: start in lunge position. Explode up off the ground to do a scissor kick in the air and land with opposite foot forward in lunge position. (essentially this is alternating jumping lunges)
6. Dumbbell row: bend at your hips to make you back parallel to the floor and complete row, squeezing your shoulder blades together
7. Dumbbell side lunge with touch: side lunge with dumbbells in each hand sink low enough into your lunge that both dumbbells touch the floor.
8. Push up row: push up position with dumbbell in each hand, complete a single arm row
9. Lunge with rotation: hold a dumbbell at chest height, step forward into lunge. While in lunge rotate your upper body towards your forward leg.
10. Dumbbell push press: standing, hold dumbbells in each hand at shoulders. Slightly bend your knees.  At the same time straighten your knees and extend your arms over your shoulders

Rest for two minutes and complete this circuit a second time.
Stretch to cool down.
*Remember to go light with your weights. You are not completing sets in this circuit. It is very exhausting completing the same exercise for 60 seconds. Use lighter weights so you can still use correct form.
Good Luck!

DIY Ombre Pumpkins {tutorial}

I have seen a few ombre inspired projects lately (here) and was trying to think of a way to incorporate this trend into my fall decore. Why not try to paint  my craft pumkins?

Supplies:

Craft pumpkins (I got my two smaller ones at the Dollar Tree and the largest one at Joanns for 50% off)

One 2 oz paint bottle (I used Martha Stewarts new line of paints. Just because I liked the color)

One 2 oz bottle of white or cream paint

Paint brushes

Blue painter's tape

Ruler

Primer (you dont really need this but my pumpkins all started out different colors. I primed them with white spray primer so I had the same surface to work with)

Once I primed my pumpkins and they dried I decided how big I wanted my stripes to be. I choose 3/4 inch. With your pumpkin sitting flat, measure 3/4 inch up from your flat surface. Put your blue painters tape around the pumpkin.

Next, squeeze your entire bottle of orange paint into a cantainer (or whatever color you choose). Paint your first section of the pumpkin.

This is where this project gets time consuming. Let the paint completly dry (approx. 30 minutes). While I was waiting for my paint to dry I cleaned and worked on some future projects. I used a hair dryer to help speed the process because I had the patience of about a two year old. Watching and waiting for paint to dry is very exciting!

Once your paint is dry remove the blue tape. Put blue tape over the line that just finished drying, leaving a little overlap so no white shows through. Measure 3/4 inch from your last painted row and tape around your pumpkin again. You will now have two rows of blue tape to paint your next row between.

Try to get your tape as tight as possible. The surface of the pumpkin made it difficult. In the end, it really does not matter beacause you are going to be painting over it with your next row. Plus with the uneven surface of the pumpkin the blemishes are difficult to see unless you standing right next to the pumpkin.

To paint your next row, add 1 teaspoon of white paint to your base and mix. You will continue this process all the way up your pumpkin. It is a long project so don't expect to sit down and do this project in an hour. (I painted a row, went to the gym, came back to do the next row, showered, came back to do the next row, ect...)

When I finally finished painting my rows, I painted the stem of the pumpkin with some leftover brown paint. I am pleased with the finished project, but this project takes time and patience.

I am linking up to parties at:



Check out all the Buttons here
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A 2 Z
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoe String
Friday Flair at Whipper Berry
Potpourri Party at 2805
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday Scoop at I heart Nap Time
Lovely Crafty Weekend at Lovely Crafty Home
Weekend Wrap up Party at Tater tots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Wow me Wednesdays at Ginger Snap Scrafts
Sizzle into Summers at DIY by Design
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at Primp
Will Craft for...Comments at Tales of a Trophy Wife





Peanut Butter Rice Krispies

I have a number of favorite desserts and these babies are one of my favorites. I love these because they only take about five minutes to make and the ingredients are simple and easy to remember. They are my go-to last minute dessert.

Your Ingredients:
7 cups Rice Krispies
1 cube (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup white corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
(I told you the ingredients are easy to remember!)


Combine butter, corn syrup, and sugar in sauce pan and bring to boil. Let boil for about a minute. Turn your burner off and add peanut butter. Stir until all peanut butter is melted.

While you were waiting for your sauce to boil, you should be putting your Rice Krispies in a large bowl. Once your sauce is mixed well pour it over your Rice Krispies and mix all your ingredients together.

Pour your mix into a baking pan and smooth everything out. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and cover for about five minutes. By covering your dish it helps the chocolate chips melt and will make them easier to smooth out. Once your chocolate chips look like they are getting melty or soft, smooth them over the top.

This takes about an hour to cool down. You can serve this slightly warm right out of the dish or wait for them to cool to cut and serve.

 

Harvest Sign Garland

This is the first year that I am actually decorating for fall. Last year we were so new in our home that I hardly had any normal decorations; so I did not want to spend the time or money on seasonal decorations. This year I am ready to decorate for fall, in full force. I started with my wreath and the next step was making something for my mantel.

Your Supplies:
-Card Stock
-Craft knife
-Mod Podge
-Glitter
-String
-Hole Punch
-Glue-dots
I like this project because it is simple and if you are into making crafts, you probably already have all these supplies in your crafting room or closet!

I am not lucky enough to have a Silhouette or Cricut at this point, so I had cut-out my letters the old fashion way.  I picked out the size and font that I wanted my letters, printed, and started cutting with my craft knife. (Maybe in the future I will have a magical machine that will do all the hard cutting for me!)
I taped my prints over cardstock to cut my letters out.

I was using orange glitter, so I also used orange cardstock so no white would show through my glitter.
Once your letters are cut out start mod-podging and glittering your letters.

I let my letters dry while I cut out triangles to adhere to the back of my letters. Using a small circular hole punch I made holes for the string of my garland. I strung my triangles on my hemp string and used glue dots to adhere my triangles and letters together. 

I am Linking up to parties at:
Check out all the Buttons here
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A 2 Z
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoe String
Friday Flair at Whipper Berry
Potpourri Party at 2805
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday Scoop at I heart Nap Time
Lovely Crafty Weekend at Lovely Crafty Home
Weekend Wrap up Party at Tater tots and Jello
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Wow me Wednesdays at Ginger Snap Scrafts
Sizzle into Summers at DIY by Design
Primp your Stuff Wednesday at Primp
Will Craft for...Comments at Tales of a Trophy Wife