Diy: Turning Wood into Metal

Just a quick little tutorial in case you haven't figured this one out yet..........!!

 

If you seen my posts on my dresser redo over the last few weeks, then you would have seen that I bought a can of Rustoleum to repaint the dresser pulls with.  Well, I still had plenty of paint left in the can for another project.

 

 

I found these candlestick holders for a dollar at the thrift store.  I was happy with the wood, but was itching to use the spray paint again.....and thought that these may match up a little better if they were metal.

 

I laid down newspaper as to not make a mess of the stepping stones outside, and sprayed away!!!  It was like instant gold!  Well........pewter, but you get my point.  When you seen these, they appear to be super heavy duty metal but light as a feather!!

 

If you get close up, you can still see the wood grain, but I love them.......quick simple and cheap way t update your décor!



Dresser Redo Part: 5 (drawer pulls)

 Well.....this is the last step in my dresser transformation and it was the easiest part of the whole thing!  Below are the links to the rest of the posts of this project.  Click on them to see how I got to where I am at now with this dresser.



 

 Dresser Redo Part: 1
Dresser Redo Part: 2
Dresser Redo Part: 3
Dresser Redo Part: 4

When we got the dresser the top drawer was missing a pull.  Some of the other pulls were kind of rusty and gritty.  I loved these pre existing handles though, and didn't want to replace them.  Since I was missing one, I did have to buy new ones for the top drawer, but seeing it all together now......the mismatched handles just add more flair to the piece.

 

I washed all the old handles with soap and water, and scrubbed them down with a wire brush to get the grit off.  Once they were thoroughly dry, I stuck them into a piece of Styrofoam so that they would be raised off the surface.  This was a very handy step being that I was getting ready to spray paint them.

 

 

To freshen up the older handles, and make the new ones match, I chose this!!!  I wanted that old aged bronze look and thought this would be perfect.  Silly me did not test spray this product before applying to my handles though......and I got an unexpected result.  The color that came out was not the same as what was on the can!!!  Instead of being bronze, it came out more of a dark pewter color.  I ended up liking the color so I stuck with it.  Plus, this stuff runs about 8 bucks a can.  Lesson learned.

 

 

After letting the handles dry over night I reattached them to the drawers.  I was totally in love with the finished look!

 

Come back Saturday for the big reveal!!!!!!  Woot!!

 

 

 

 



Dresser Redo Part: 4 (distressing paint)

Welcome back!

This is part four of my dresser redo project and I am going to show you how I gave this lovely dresser a simple distressed finish.  If you happened to miss the first three posts of this project you can find those by clicking the links below:
 

 Dresser Redo Part: 1
Dresser Redo Part: 2
Dresser Redo Part: 3
 

 

I knew from the start of this project that I was going to be giving this piece a distressed finish.  Its a sauder dresser with a veneer finish so there was going to be no way of staining it back to a wood finish. With the damage that it had, paint again was going to be the only option.  The style of the dresser also has an antique touch to it, so distressing it was going to really bring that look out.

I viewed many tutorials from blogland, pinterest and google before attempting this part of the process.  Some made it seem really difficult, while others turned a free item into something very costly and time consuming.....all of which I wanted no part of.  So, I took bits and pieces from here and there.......and just kind of winged it.  The ending result I will say turned out just as great, and I am very pleased.  I have money in my pocket and the whole project I completed in one weekend!

I bought this from Lowes......it is the cheapest brand they carry and ran me about 10 bucks for the quart.  Seemed expensive being that you can get a whole gallon of paint for that price, but I only used a bout 1/3 of the can for the whole dresser.  That left me with enough paint to do a couple more projects to match, which I will show you at a later date.  It is a paint and primer in one, with a satin finish, which helped cut down on the cost and time.

 The color  I chose was Antique Lace.....the name was very fitting! Ok, so I started out with applying a very thin coat over the whole dresser.  Being that I was using a paint and primer in one, I was expecting a more solid look, but to my surprise, this was not going to effect the outcome.

So I ended up doing a total of three very thin coats, just using a standard 3 inch angled brush.  I allowed about 2-4 hours inbetween for drying time.  With the layers being so thin, they seemed to dry pretty quickly.  I let the last layer dry for a complete 24 hours before I started to distress the finish.

For the distressing I used a very fine grit sand paper. I went along the edges of the dresser and drawers, just lightly.  I tried to hit all the others that you would typically see wear at.  Since the dresser already had some nicks and dings in it, I hit those areas too.  Once  I was satisfied with the look, I cleaned up all the dust again from the sanding.

On most tutorials that I came across they used a sealant such as a polyurethane.  I decided to not do this last step.  I didn't want it to cause any yellowing of the paint, or add any more glossy shine to it.  This is piece is going to be placed in my bedroom so I wasn't too concerned with adding the protective coating.  However, if it is going to be in an area of your home where there is children or high traffic, I would def. recommend adding a sealant.




IT WORKS (Giveaway) and Im co-hosting!!!



CHECK THIS OUT!!!

I am super excite to be co-hosting this amazing giveaway!!

 

Right now.....if chosen, you can score some great products to help shed some of that extra weight we all have been packing around!  Enter  now for your chance to win and get a jump start before all those holiday pounds start setting in....because that is going to be here before we know it!!

 

With all the monthly workout challenges I have been doing the last few months, the It Works wrap maybe just the thing I need to help get me motivated.  Instant results......yes please!!

 

Check it out below, and I bet Mary can hook you up with all the help and info you need!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!  My name is Mary (marianne) and I'm an It Works! Independent Consultant.  When I heard about this crazy wrap thing I was skeptical.   I kept seeing my friend post all these crazy pictures on facebook and my curiosity got the better of me.  I thought...There's no way this could be the real deal...But I was willing to give it a try.  I am SO glad I'm nosey!  After trying this crazy wrap thing I decided that I wanted to be more than a customer.

For $99 this is a steal to start your own business!  This is the perfect opportunity to become more financially independent, get out of debt and save for our future.  I'm doing it and so can you!
Ask me how It Works! Can change your life!

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The IT WORKS! Ultimate Body Applicator has been featured in the Emmy and Oscar Awards celebrity gift suites, as well as promoted by celebrity makeup artists on movie sets such as Sex and the City 2.

It Works Giveaway:

Mary is supplying 1 Ultimate Body Applicator and 1 Facial Applicator to 2 lucky people!!!
That's a value of $60 EACH!
Enter using the rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian readers 18 and older.
Ends 8/11/13 at 11:59pm.

What If you don’t win?
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American Girl Crafts House Party Fun

 

 

My daughter and I had such a blast hosting an American Girl Crafts House Party.  I just wanted to share a quick photo with everyone showing the fun we had!

 

 

If you get a chance check out Houseparty.com...........and maybe you can be selected to host one of there awesome parties too!!



Novasure and a little TMI

This post may contain a little (TMI) too much information for some of you, so I just want to let you know that upfront before you read too far in.  My reason for posting about this is to hopefully get some insight on the subject from some of you that may have experienced the same thing.

 

In case you are not familiar with the product  Novasure, it is a brand name for a device that is used in the procedure known as Endometrial Ablasion.  Ablasion is done as an alternative, to having a hysterectomy.  The device is inserted into the cervix once dialated, and lasers away the lining of the uterus. 

 

I am 32 years old, have had three children and a tubal litigation.  My sister and my mother both suffer from Endometrios.  I have yet to be diagnosed with it but have problems as well.  My periods are to the point of being debilitating!  Upon my most recent visit to the doctor, I was given three options to remedy this.  An IUD, Endometrial Ablation, or a Hysterectomy.

 

I have known several people that have had many problems with an IUD and I immediately ruled this option out.  The percentage of this helping me, was far lower than what I was looking for as well.  The Hysterectomy, I was not fond of either.  I am too young and the idea of possibly having to be on hormones for 20-25 years was not something that I even remotely wanted to consider.  So, I have been focusing my research on the Endometrial Ablasion.

 

Novasure is the device for the procedure that my doctors office offers.  I have viewed the website and even checked it out on the FDA site.  I have tried to look up testimonials and such but everything that I am finding is very negative.  This concerned me and almost made me throw this option out as well.  But the I got to thinking..........when someone has a bad experience, they are more likely to blast their story on the internet than someone who has had a good experience.  Im sure positive outcomes.....those people have moved on with their lives and don't think twice about it now.  So I decided not to let this sway my decision.

I am hoping to find some people who have had positive experiences with this procedure.  Get some real insight on what this is all about.  Have you or anyone you know ever had this done?  Any advice to share???

 

 

 

 

 

Oddities at Jungle Jims

Here in the Cincinnati Area we have the best store ever.... Jungle Jim's International Market!!  This store is huge, and we are lucky enough to have two of them within a half hour drive apart!  They have anything and everything you could ever imagine in your life. 

 

 

 

One of our favorite Food Network shows is Chopped.......and if you have ever seen it, then you know they use ingredients that you and I have probably never heard of, right?  Well, at  Jungle Jim's,  you will find all of these items!  Pretty cool, huh?! 

 

 

 

I have a passion for cooking, and love to try new recipes or items that I have never ate before.  This store gives you the opportunity to try any recipe......no matter how gourmet or exotic.  It is like a dream come true for a cooking fanatic!

 

 

Not that I would try everything that they have, but its always good to know that the items are there just in case!  The store is sectioned off by region or country making easy to find particular items if you know what your looking for.

 

 

Cod Roe Pate...........who knew they even made this stuff???

 

 

And a $40.00 Ostrich egg............yeah, I told her she better put that down nice and slowly!!

 

 

I offered to let her have one of these suckers...........but she passed.

 

Viking Blood?  Who comes up with these names??  If you like wine like I do.....this store carries over 12,000 kinds!  Amazing!

 

I can spend all day in this store just looking at all the new exciting things that I didn't even know existed.  We try to go atleast twice a month.  Whenever we get bored with the same old recipes....we head to Jungle Jim's and pick up a new item. 

 

I cant wait till our next trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



My Freebies!

Who likes getting freebies???  This girl right here!

 

Getting free samples is a great way to try out new products that you might not otherwise buy.  On top of getting to test try before buying,  they usually come with high value coupons, and this I love! 

 

There are several ways you can acquire these freebies.  Manufacturers sometimes run samples and coupons on their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.  You can also contact the manufacturers and request coupons.  There are blogs that are specific to this as well, they post where all the good stuff is at!!!   One of the blogs I follow is Stretching a Buck , you can find all kinds of deals there.

 

The first company I ever contacted was John Morrel.  We buy this brand frequently but I had never came across a coupon for their products before.  They sent me four coupons that were good on anything that they produced.  That was sweet!

This week, I got two great freebies in the mail.  A full roll of Scott bathroom tissue and a 1 load use of Woolite for Darks.  Both came with coupons!  These items are always needed so were great finds to ad to the stockpile. 

What did you get this week?

 

 

 



Oriental Style Country Ribs & Fried Rice

I don't know why, but I love Chinese food!  Growing up my parents never once cooked it in our house, or got us take out from a restaurant, but for some reason......once I tried it for the first time....I was hooked!  We have this HUGE Chinese Buffet about 15  minutes from the house, and I try to get my husband to take me there atleast once a month.  I mean they have anything and everything you can imagine.  I, however, do not always get my way.  So, when I get a craving for the stuff and its not in our budget to go out, I try to whip up something myself!

 

A few weeks back while shopping at Jungle Jims (O.M.G.  if you don't live by one of these stores you are missing out, google it...you will see why), we ventured into the Asian isles.  And this is what I found:

 

 

If you have ever been to a Chinese buffet and seen those bright red boneless ribs........this is what they use....well, atleast you can use this to create those!  I picked up a couple packs of it knowing that it would come in handy one day when the craving striked.  I liked the fact that it contained no MSG, and the ingredients on the back, well, lets just say I could pronounce every word!

 

Last week, I picked this little packet up for FREE....once I used the coupon I had.  Now, I have never made fried rice at home before, but it was a freebie,  and I needed something to go with the rib sauce I was hoarding in my cabinet.

 

 

Okay, so after hitting a small meat sale at Meijers I finally had accumulated enough ingredients to prepare me some of the yummy Chinese food I had been craving!  Since I had never worked with either of the seasoning packets before, this meal was going to be completely experimental.

 

 

This meal, though having few ingredients, was not a throw in the pan and call it done kind of dish.  Once the marinade was mixed up, the ribs had to be refrigerated in it for atleast four hours.  The longer it sat the redder it got!  My kids were starting to wonder if they were radioactive, lol.

 

 

When it came to making the Fried Rice, I had to cheat a bit.  The package called for two pieces of bacon, which I did not have, and scallions which not only was I lacking but my husband will not eat them.  I did have some bacon grease in the fridge that I was able to substitute.  That may have sounded funny and oh so unhealthy to some of you, but as far back as I can remember, my great grandmother always saved her bacon grease.  It ads great flavor when used and is very natural.  I also diced up some baby carrots that I had to add a little vegie to it.

 

The rice was a bit of a process too.  First you cook the rice as stated on package.  Then it needs to be refrigerated for atleast an hour.  You then proceed to the rest of the instructions on the packet.  While all of this is going on.....your ribs are still soaking!

 

When I placed the ribs in the oven, I veered away from the package instructions once more.  It called for a total of 40 minutes baking time at 350 degrees.  I cooked mine for 2 hours at 300, basting them with the left over marinade.

 

Voila!!!!!!!  Dinner is served!

 

Since I had never used either of these products before, I wasn't sure how it was all going to taste.  So, Im going to consider this  a product review.

 

The ribs turned out very nice and juicy, but were lacking in flavor.  When I prepare meat at my house, I add a lot of spice, and though this was marinated I found it to be rather bland.  Maybe I had too much meat to coat, or maybe its just me?  On the other hand, the rice was a complete success!  I will definitely be purchasing it again!  I may even add some snow peas and diced chicken and call that  a meal in its self!

 

Have you tried these products before?  Let me know what you think?



Dry Cracked Heals Solution

Summer is my favorite season, for many reasons.  I love the warm weather, the kids are out of school, we get to eat BBQ......yum!,  and one of my favoritest things.......wearing flip flops or better yet....bare feet!!!!

 

The only problem is that walking around bare foot all the time does tremendous damage to heals.  My feet get dry and ashy, and my heals end up hard and cracked.  This can be a real problem, and unsightly at that! 

 

 

Sure I could go and spend $40.00 bucks on a pedicure, ah..........that sounds so nice.....but the only problem is.......Im broke! Lol!  No seriously, things like that are just not in my budget.  I maintain my toe polish myself and I do a pretty good job.  I have learned to file and paint like the pros and it has saved me tons of money that Im able to spend on things we really need.  I even have all the tools to maintain nice smooth heals, but for some reason....no matter how much buffing and products I use I can never get my heals to what they should be.

 

Until now!!

 

 

You see this little baby here!  Yeah, well this has been my miracle cure.  Im not brand specific, so that doesn't really matter here.  This just happened to be the bottle I already had at the house.  I had heard before that Tea Tree Oil is good at keeping Lice away, so I put a little bit in the kids shampoo, especially during school season.  Hey, you can never be too careful with things like that.

 

Back to the feet!  I have been rubbing this on my heals at night (just with my fingertips)  for the last few days.  I can already see a difference!  Hoping that after another good home pedicure that I can finally be rid of my problematic heals and feel confident that walking around barefoot is not going to be an issue no more!

 

Just a little advice, this worked for me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Taming the Frizz (product review)

I don't know about you but I suffer from a major case of the frizzies!  I have straight hair that no longer lays straight..........how does that even happen??  Every morning it is a battle to get my hair to look even half way decent.  I wash, condition and blow dry every morning, and after that the fight is on!  I have three choices and that is to either curl it, use a flat iron or just wrap it in the good ole messy bun!  The flat iron usually wins.

 

Recently, old faithful died.

 

I ran out to the nearest store in a desperate attempt for a replacement.  The only place near by was a CVS so I stopped in figured I would just grab a 10 dollar cheapie until I could get to Sallys.  To my surprise,  they were all 25 bucks and up!  So much for a discounted backup. 

 

So, as I stood there and pondered the idea of just waiting (which I knew I couldn't), I went ahead and started looking over the packages.  They were all Conair products!  This did not excite me too much because I have not had very good luck with the products in the past.  Well, I decided to go ahead and purchase one, and I am so glad that I did!

 

 

 

This is the one I got!  It was about 40 dollars (a little pricey for the brand) but worth every penny!  I have owned several brands of flat irons over the years, even Chi, but nothing has compared to this new baby!  It is the Conair Infiniti Pro!

 

 

This is what I deal with every morning!  Whoa.... watch out....total Lion mane going on! 

 

 

And after using my new flat iron.....tamed as a lamb!

I am in love!

 

The Conair Infiniti Pro has 25 heat settings, my number is 20 and for my daughters hair I only use a 15.  This thing gets hot......and that's what does it for my hair.  It tops out at a whopping 455 degrees.  The blades are only one inch wide but I find that they run longer than most other brands which makes the whole process go a lot quicker.  Flatter hair in less time equals happy me!

 

 

It even came in this awesome Plum color! 

 

This is not a paid review and I am not affiliated with the company in any way.  All opinions are my own and based on my own experience with the product.