Curious to know if my sweet potato praline dog biscuit recipe was a hit? Just click the pic to find out…
What do you get when you mix a crossword puzzle, a kitty, and a couple that’s beyond cute? Click on the image to find out… Besides a lot of alliteration, it all adds up to one pretty silly Sunday morning.
Photos of Megan Brockett, Matthew Potter & Trixie
Photography and design by Brittney Hydrick
I’ve officially completed my first furniture refinish project - check out my amazing ‘new’ mid-century modern desk!
I scored this local beauty off of craigslist a few months ago and she’s been patiently waiting in my garage ever since, hopeful for a make-over. Fifty bucks isn’t bad for a solid wood antique, but her age was definitely showing as you can tell by looking at the before pictures. It didn’t take much TLC to get her looking young again, and the project was pretty easy on time as well as my wallet.
I started this make-over by removing her blemishes with a deep cleansing facial (a carpenter might refer to this as stripping and sanding). Then I decided to change her color (yes, I meant stain). Brunette it is! Ahem…I mean dark walnut. Finally, I applied a glaze treatment (or rather, a topcoat sealant) and then added some sparkle with a few pieces of jewelry (her original hardware, just newly painted) for that final finishing touch. And voilà! Just look at her - isn’t she beautiful?
How much did this project cost me you ask? As I stated earlier, the desk was $50. Supplies such as sandpaper, stain, sealant, paint, and lint free rags cost about another $50. As far as how much time it took - I spent the better part of 6 hours working on this desk revamp, easily completing it in one weekend. If I hadn’t done the work myself, I could have spent $350+ for a similarly finished desk in this same Danish silhouette. So, was it worth it? Absolutely! Not only did I get to personalize the look of this piece to my own taste, but the satisfaction of doing it myself is priceless!
So if you are also considering refinishing an old piece of furniture for your home, go for it! This was my first refinish project and it turned out wonderfully. If you’re like me, I bet you’ll be glad you took the extra time to show an old piece of furniture some love and you’ll probably be looking forward to the next DIY project just as much as I am!
My 2012 New Year Resolutions
So I’m generally not the type to make New Year’s resolutions… in fact, last year was the first time I had made one for myself. Although I had aimed to remain vegan, falling back on vegetarianism has proved to be just as rewarding and I plan to stay this way. And now I find myself at the start of another year - perfect timing for positive life change. Knowing from experience that I can stick to personal commitments, I have made my list for 2012. Here we go!
1.) I will get more active with my dogs. That means more biking, hiking, swimming, leisurely walks, and visits to the dog park. It’s a great way to keep all three of us in shape while I enjoy things that I like to do as well.
2.) I will keep social engagements. I’m a young, active, and healthy individual so there’s no excuse to cancel! No more ‘I don’t have anything to wear’ or ‘I won’t know anybody there.’ Now is the time to expand and meet new people – it’s the perfect way for new opportunities to present themselves. Let the networking begin!
3.) No more favors! I am a creative professional and I should be paid as one. Pricing for all of my freelance projects will remain consistent. No discounts will be provided, friend or not. It’s time that I am taken seriously in my profession.
So there you have it! Those are my three resolutions for the New Year. Will they be as challenging to keep as last time? I personally don’t think so. I’ve never been as clear minded or strong willed about the decisions I’ve been making for myself as I have been lately. Here we go 2012 – let’s get to work!
5 Ways My Dogs Have Made My Life Better
They save my family and friends from emotional meltdowns. When you live with a dog, you’ve always got someone to talk to. Dogs listen to your rants and woes, never pipe in with ‘helpful’ advice, and always look at you with the same adoration at the end of whatever peevish grumble you’ve gotten off of your chest. Lord knows I’ve talked through endless drama involving my recent life change to my dogs, and the truth is, I probably couldn’t have survived it without them. My family and friends are grateful I’m sure (and of course I couldn’t have lived through it without them either). So big thanks are in order for the nonjudgmental listening ears of my dogs – for I could search all my life for the same qualities in a human and most likely never find them.
They keep me warm in winter. I doubt there’s hardly anything warmer than two Vizsla’s at a combined weight of 112 pounds in full slumber mode. They’re like giant versions of those aromatherapy beanbags that you heat up in the microwave (minus the fresh lavender scent). This is our first winter together and I’ve discovered that there’s no need for central heating when I’ve got Duke and Dutch sprawled out covering me up. I’ve just got to make sure that all books, remote controls, and coffee cups are within reach because once my dogs settle in, they don’t like moving. Try it once and you’ll hear their infamous grumpy growls… better yet, just take my word for it.
They make me do more housework. When I was younger my parents picked up after the family pets. Now that I’m an adult looking after my own critters, I’m realizing what a chore it is to do just that. I’ll put my hands up; I am not one of nature’s domestic goddesses, so having two dogs and a cat (regardless of how short their coats are) has really upped my household cleaning routine. In fact, it’s never been more rigorously attended to. Keeping toys in a basket, hair off furniture, mud outdoors, and making the back yard barefoot friendly has almost become therapeutic activity to deal with the fear I have of getting my hands dirty… almost.
I don’t need a doorbell. My dogs can detect a postman at 500 meters away. That includes the pizza deliveryman, trick-or-treaters, solicitors, or any other visitors that dare to stop by. I’ve also saved on burglar alarms, as any crook within a hundred-mile radius has probably heard my dogs barking and assumed that I keep a pack of feral English Mastiff’s, not two hyperactive Vizsla’s.
They’ve introduced me to new friends. It doesn’t matter whether we’re strolling through my neighborhood or downtown Dallas – we always meet someone that wants to chat. Even if I’ve made a new acquaintance without my dogs present, they play such a major role in my life that they come up in conversation almost immediately. And in most cases, my converser typically has a dog as well… next thing you know we’re scheduling a date at the local dog park.
And, if I were to add a sixth way that my dogs have made my life better, I’d have to say that they watch my figure for me. If I make cookies, Duke particularly likes to make sure I don’t pile on the pounds by helping himself to anything he can swipe off of the kitchen counter. Come to my house (just once) and you’ll quickly discover that we’re still working on that one…
Love The Space You’re In
I love looking through images of beautiful spaces for inspiration, encouragement and motivation, but sometimes all the ideas start to clog up my brain, and I become overwhelmed. I compare my home to picture-perfect, stylist-cultured, magazine-ready spaces, and I inevitably feel discontent about the walls I look at every day.
I like to call it catalog burn-out (also known as Pinterest fatigue). To combat this syndrome, I think it’s important to reassess our homes for what they should be — a place to thrive, to create memories, to have a shelter away from the world; I have to ask myself sometimes if I am striving to create a space that looks impressive or a space that represents me and feels right.
So, in order to get back on track, I take a step away from my computer, amend my goals, and make a few changes…
Here are a few things you can do to refresh your perspective and gently nudge your home or apartment into a more graceful, creative space that is unique to you. And all it really takes is patience, time, and a little dedication.
• Organize what you have; a clean, organized home is halfway there. Clutter is the first enemy of a peaceful, inspiring space. I have to remind myself of this rule often if I am feeling discouraged or overwhelmed about a room—simply de-cluttering a space is an instant energizer!
• Donate, recycle, or sell extra items. An important part of de-cluttering is paring down what you have to the essentials. I sometimes find myself moving or handling things that I never, ever use. My personal rule is that If it goes unnoticed or unused for a year, it’s a goner.
• Bring out things you love. Once you realize how much space you’ve freed up with the clutter gone, you can choose several things that represent you to use in your space. For example, I currently have a thing for white ceramic owls. I’ve picked them up one by one and never had them on display until recently. I finally realized that having them out to view everyday brought far more enjoyment to me than just stashing them away in a closet, never to be seen.
• Carefully collect new things to love. I am what some would (lovingly, of course) call frugal. I almost never buy an item on impulse, even if I love it. But I’ve learned—especially at garage sales or thrift stores—that if I’m crazy about a piece (and it’s in the budget) to go ahead and get it. Slowly collecting things that I love over the years will really help make my home feel unique and personal. On multiple occasions I’ve wished that I made a purchase because of the regret that lingered after passing up such a unique item. Trust me, it’s not a fun feeling - so don’t let this happen to you!
• Reconsider existing wall art. Imagine taking down everything currently hanging on your walls and looking at it in a fresh way. Are there things that are too small—or too big—for your wall space? Do you have photos or art that could be changed out for something new? Do you have art hanging up that you aren’t really that fond of? I have a few paintings that I’ve made and they aren’t right for my new home because they’re too modern (and my taste has changed as I’ve become older). Although it was hard to part with one piece in particular, I did so that I could replace it with something better suited for the space. It just so happens that my mother was interested in it, so I gladly exchanged it for a couple of furniture items from her home that she no longer wanted. Keep in mind that changing out frames or mats can go a long way toward revitalizing the pieces that you cherish as well.
• Make some new art! I have painted over old canvases that I’m ready to say goodbye to. If you’re not the painting type, create some easy art with magazine cuttings, paint chips, or cardstock. Or try something new—make an original work of art by yours truly - what’s not to love about that?
• Rearrange furniture. I love rearranging a room and giving it a new feel and fresh perspective (it’s also a good excuse to vacuum those never-seen parts of your rugs and floor). A new furniture layout means you get to rethink your space—changing the position of indirect lighting and art can do a lot for making a room feel new.
• Switch rooms. Although I just moved in to my new home, I imagine that almost every bedroom will at one point be an office or guest room. It almost gives you that just-moved-in feeling when you get to decide where everything will go in a new space.
• Bring in some fresh foliage. Even in the winter, you can bring in evergreens or bare branches. I realized this summer that if I cut fresh flowers from outside and brought them indoors, it instantly perked up a room. Plants provide instant life in a room!
• Try to ignore trends and imagine what you like. Sure, I’ve picked up many ideas on the internet or in magazines, but the things that have lasted in my home have been things that I was drawn to just because they spoke to me. Don’t be afraid to try something that you’ve never seen anyone do in their home—all great ideas were at some point done for the first time!
Remember that what makes your home special to you is the extension of you and your family’s personalities. If your home is clean, comfortable, and represents you, it’s special. Sometimes when I start feeling discouraged about my home, I remember that nobody will remember how stylish or trendy my space was years down the road. What they will remember is the feeling of being cared for, sheltered, and maybe even inspired by the space I call my home.
What about you? Do you sometimes need a break from all the pinning—I mean, pining—on the internet? Do you have any tips for making your home special to you? Do share - and in the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed mine!
