Gone Fishin

Yes, that's right...I'm taking off for a couple days! Even though I will be on a lake until Monday, I won't technically be fishing :)

I have been dying for my very own chalkboard for ages. I recently made this little guy out of an old $5 frame from a second hand shop.

This was my first try at it. Next time I will go for a larger, more ornate rectangle or oval frame. I didn't have the space in my condo for one that size... Dare to dream :)

Krylon sells chalkboard spray paint which is really easy to use. I have also seen some pre-made chalkboard paper in all different shapes and sizes at Home Outfitters and Chapters Books but they can be a bit pricey.

The oval stenciled frame is cute but you can do any design you want! I think a calender or a lined notepad would be cute.

I am going up to Kelowna for my boyfriends family reunion. There are several theme nights so I will have plenty of fun posts when I return.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Domestically Gifted

I owe a HUGE thank you to Natalie over at Blossoming Visions! I was so happy when I discovered that I was chosen by her for the Domestically Gifted award. I am so humbled and honored to receive this :)


The rules of winning this award included answering five questions. So here are the five questions with my answers.

1. If you could befriend a famous person, who would it be and why? Well I was not sure of the rules on this one~ meaning, I didn't know if the famous person had to be living. If not, I would choose Joan of Arc. She lived during such an amazingly difficult time. Not only was she so courageous and inspiring but she was also rebellious. She definitely was not cookie cutter and she lived life to the beat of her own drum. BUT if the rules only apply to those who are still with us, I would like to be friends with the fashion guru from Project Runway Tim Gunn. He seems like one of the nicest, most genuine people I have seen on TV. I would love to go on a little shopping excursion with him followed up with a martini! I should mention that I have never really been a big celebrity follower so this was a hard question to answer.

2. What sounds make you happy? Staying true to the 'sea to my heart', waves would have to be my favourite sound. Nothing beats sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun (with sunscreen on of course), running sand through your fingers and toes while listening to the waves rumbling up the beach. Ahhh that makes me so happy.

3. What is your favourite dessert? ICE CREAM!!! Without question :) My favourite flavour is maple walnut but I also love Oreo McFlurry's from McDonalds. The only problem is that I am lactose intolerant so I have to have a love hate relationship with it.

4. Which Holiday do you look forward to the most? I would have to say I look forward to Christmas the most. My family always gets together for fun times and yummy dinners. Plus there are so many decorating and craft ideas!

Oh...and how could I forget. I also love Christmas because we usually spend it on a beach or some place warm and sunny.

5. What is your favourite all-time movie? Braveheart is my favourite movie. I love the combination of romance, drama, heroism and action.

I really hope I didn't bore you to death with my answers. Now to passing the award on to five deserving bloggers.

1. Lara at Air Kiss- I just love her fresh beachy style mixed with vintage french style!

2. Maria at Dreamy Whites-Wow, Maria ever has style. She owns my dream home! Simply amazing

3. The Hatch family at Joy In The Journey-This lovely mother of two truly enjoys painting furniture and turning her house into a home.

4. Rebecca at Painting The Roses White- Not only is she the coolest girl I know but she is so amazingly talented at anything she does; especially decorating and renovating her home.
5. Anonymous at Life of a Future Domestic Goddess-I love checking out her DIY projects and her inspirational pictures are truly that!

My Humble Abode

When my boyfriend and I decided to take the plunge (into living with each other that is), we concluded that it would be best if we moved into my condo. I had been renting it out previously. I knew that it needed a fresh coat of paint and some possible carpet cleaning but when we walked in on February 1st, we realized it needed MUCH more TLC then we originally thought.


We started by tearing up the baseboards and carpets. Once that was done, we chose the flooring and the paint colour. I chose Benjamin Moore Pale Oak for the wall colour and Eco-Click Gun stock Bamboo hardwood for the floors.

My lovely managed to squeeze a smile out for this picture but trust me, it was hard work! I snatched this Ikea Ektorp chair off of Craiglist and the love seat was a Birthday gift from my Step Mom Leah.

The coffee table was given to us for free. It was a DIY project but I forgot to take 'before' pictures.

The wall colour turned out a very light grey which makes the crisp white trim pop. It was exactly what I was hoping for :) I also replaced the spotlight with a shell light from Home Depot.

It was hard work and it is still a work in progress but I love it. It is so open and airy, I honestly can't wait to get home from work everyday.

Honky Tonk Times

I apologize for the lack of blog posts lately. I have been so busy painting and working (and trying to sneak in a little fun here and there). Speaking of FUN...excuse the random post but this was way too much fun to keep to myself.

Have any of you ever had one of those totally random days that turn out to be the most fun you have ever had?! Well last weekend I experienced that very thing at an event called Summer Super Slam.


My mister's sister's mister (lol...that's a mouthful) was hosting a wrestling match to raise money for their rugby club. I am not into wrestling and honestly don't know a thing about it but man this was so much fun!

There was this cute little wrestling fan who had a matching jean vest with his Dad. I just had take a picture of them :) Everyone was just having so much fun, including all of us.

There were semi-pro and professional wrestlers in the ring. This included the Honky Tonk Man who apparently wrestled The Hulk in his prime.

They even let us get in the ring after and put our skills to the test! This is my boyfriends sister and her friend putting the boots to my boyfriend Lol.

Cedar Chest Makeover

I recently received an email from the most wonderful woman. She is the owner of this great cedar chest. She loves the chest but it didn't quite fit with the style of her house...which is beautiful by the way! Her vision was to have the chest a creamy white with a bit of distressing.

I sanded, primed and did several coats of a creamy white paint. I also sealed the top with varathane to give it a smooth finish.

I only had time to snap a couple pictures before it was off to its new (beautiful) home!

I apologize about the poor quality photos. They don't do the distressing justice. I am saving up for a Canon Rebel!

A BIG Huge Thank You

In July, Holly from In The Fun Lane had an amazing giveaway! The winner got to choose a pair of beautiful earrings from Silver Lining Decor.

As my friend Trish and I were scrolling through the site, we both immediately pointed at these stunning vintage icy blue studs. We agreed that they were so beautiful and they would be our choice if we won. Sadly...neither of us won.

BUT...today my unbelievably kind friend surprised me with this pair!! Thanks Trish :) Please go an check out Silver Lining Decor if you have a chance, you will sure be happy you did. Not only are her jewelery pieces vintage and one of a kind but they are affordable!

All Dolled Up

My lovely friend Krystal has been following my blog from the beginning. She has been so kind and supportive with my passion of painting furniture and home decorating. She has been encouraging me from day one to sell my pieces. She even offered to be my first customer...how sweet!

She found this little second hand, 76 year old beauty for her bedroom. She wanted it to match the current style of her bedroom so she asked for it to be creamy and polished with no distressing. Let me tell you, this 76 year old had a bit of a rough life and it showed!

After a face lift which included sanding, priming and several coats of creamy antique white, I think it looks great.

Thank you Krystal for encouraging me to sell my pieces and for being my first customer! You are a wonderful friend. I am so happy you love it too :)

Tea For Two...or Three...or Four

Last Christmas I was visiting my lovely sister and her wonderfully creative friend Holly. I truly have to credit them for kick starting my creative juices!



When we were crafting at Holly's house, she showed me her candle tea cups and gave me a quick tutorial. As soon as I got home, I went to a thrift shop and stocked up on as many pretty antique tea cups and saucers as I could find.

They are SO easy to make and they make lovely gifts. It happened to be right before Christmas so I gave all of my candles away as gifts (hence having to get pictures off the Internet). They were a HUGE hit so I thought I would share them with all of you.

What you need:

1. Either buy container wax or use old candles you have lying around the house!

2. You will then need pre-waxed wicks. If you want to add fragrance you can melt some fragrance in with the wax. They have so many yummy scents at the craft store.

How To:

1. Melt wax in a pot on the stove top. Try to use an old pot because the wax can get messy! Melt it slowly and carefully because you don't want to burn it.
2. Place wick in bottom of teacup. Press down to hold into place.
3. Stir the melting wax well and then carefully (it's hot) pour into your beautiful little cups.
4. Let your candles sit for about half an hour and then poke a hole in the wax near the wick with a toothpick to let the air escape. ( It took me a couple tries to figure this out).

5. Trim the wick

TA DA! I want to make a bunch and put them all around my bath tub! How relaxing.

Sister Act

Between working full time and painting all my furniture finds, I have been one busy bee lately. I did manage to spend some time with great friends this weekend though :)

A while back, I walked into a thrift shop and gasped when I saw these two beauties for sale. I bought them without a second thought and kept them for safe keeping until my sister could come out and we could paint them together.

My sister wanted the three drawer dresser and I wanted the four drawer dresser so it worked out perfectly! I decided to paint mine white (of course) with a little hint of turquoise.

I distressed it and added a key hole and pull knobs. I just love the little caster wheels on it.

You will have to check my sisters blog to see her dresser transformation (when she posts it). I had so much fun painting these with my sister. But I always have fun with her; we were born sisters but became best friends :)