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Shabby Summer

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Okay, I know I haven’t posted much Shabbiness this Summer.

I’ve been SO busy this year,
but the NEED to paint something finally overcame me
and I did squeeze in one little project this week.

I have had this dresser sitting in my closet for a couple of years,
just waiting to be shabbied up.

Or down.

I’m not really sure the proper verbage there.

But the point is that I scored this baby for $15 at a yard sale,
and have had big plans (in my head) for it over the last few years.

Well, today was the day!

Here’s how it all went down.

Wash.

Light Sand.

Undercoat….

I did a quick spray of all the areas I wanted the color to show through.

Time to paint!

Three coats latter…still not the exact color, but I’m pooped.

Time to start sanding….

and sanding….

and even more sanding…

Adding some pretty hardware to the top drawers….
(Keeping the old hardware for the bottom.)

It took about 2 1/2 hours, but here she is all gussied up!

Yikes that is really YELLOW!!

Going to take some getting used to…

Loving the glass knobs, so girly!

Overall cost:
Dresser $15
Paint $13 (though I only used half)
Spray Paint $5 (again, over half left)
Knobs $16

Total Cost $49
(or $40 if you count the leftover paint for another project)

Not to bad shabby!

But, I’m wondering if there is an easy way to tone down the yellow a bit?
I was thinking a tad more golden brown….

Check out a few shabby projects from the past!

It’s Time for a Crock-Pot…

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I have been out to eat way too many times since Monkey was born.

It’s bad.

The lady at McDonnald’s knows my kids names.

That’s not good at all.

But between Homeschooling, Sports, Awana’s, the Baby and just life in general I just can’t find the time to cook dinner.

When 5 O’clock rolls around, I’m struggling in the kitchen to throw together a nutritious meal.

If it wasn’t for Hubby cooking outside on the grill, we’d be eating out every day of the week.

(And boy, my husband can work the grill, let me tell ya’)

But charcoal cooking (though delicious) gets expensive.

So, I’ve decided it’s time for a Crock Pot.

I went to Walmart.com to see what there was and get a price range, but I really have no idea what to look for?

So far I think I like this one:


Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Probe Slow Cooker

It looks real pretty doesn’t it.

But I realize it’s not all about looks.

But what is it about?

I have no idea what to consider when getting one of these things.

It says it’s a Six Quart….is that going to last when my kids are older.
Will that make enough food for Me, Hubby, and Three Teenagers? (2 of them boys?)

This is a big purchase for us (That model is about $50)

So if anyone has any advice or can tell me what slow cooker they recommend, my McDonnald’s hating husband would be ever so grateful!

What am I going to wish I would have thought of?

I’m Soooo Not Martha Stewart…

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But I can put on a good front.

Wanna come on a journey with me?

I’ll totally show you how to fake that “I know how to decorate” look.

(Disclaimer: You’re not going to see anything POSH, or Sophisticated here…so don’t get your hopes up….trust me)

Okay ready?

Here’s how my afternoon went:

First I saw the depressingly blank kitchen walls. (The same walls that have been blank for the past 7 months since we’ve moved in)

Depressing isn’t it?

Then I looked into my wallet.

Hmmmm….No money….Surprise, Surprise.

Okay Think….Where can I find something to decorate my house for like 00000 dollars?

Oh Yeah! Goodwill.

(Okay…Goodwill Tip #1…Go to the Goodwill nearest the most affluent area in your town)

LOL, Rich people get rid of better stuff…..that just the way it works people

So today I was looking for something to hang on the wall, that would:

Match the blue paint of my kitchen chairs…..AND….

My 70’s Green Countertops, and my White Washed Kitchen Cupboards.

So…I was thinking I’m definitely looking for something Shabby Chic.

(Disclaimer #2 Don’t start to think I know what I’m doing……I’m not even sure that I know what “Shabby Chic” means.)

Anyway, I strolled up and down the isles of Goodwill, picking up random items and throwing them into my cart.

Here’s what I snagged:
(Yes I took photos before I cleaned them up….I’m lazy like that)


I spent about $25 total in all and when I got home I was really excited to start figuring out what exactly I was going to do with all of it.

I also snagged this shelf out of their housewares aisle for $2.99:

So I started with my favorite piece:

Fabric Koala Print $1.99

This is my FAVORITE thing I found. I would never dream of picking something like this out for my house….it’s Sooooo not me……Which is probably why I love it.

First I tried this out on a corner chair in my kitchen:

Cute….but not quite where I want it.

Then I tried it out on the floor of the kitchen:

Love it…but really, how long would it last with the Kiddos running around?

Then (Just for Fun) I tried it on my living room mantle.

I totally like it here to….but I’m trying to spice up my kitchen….sigh.

Okay, so I put the picture down, and hung up the shelf first.

Then I added it on the right hand side…..It’s cute there isn’t it?

Then I put up a plate holder that I had. The dark colors sort of match right?

Maybe add a plate…

Or maybe a different plate?

Or, you know….Maybe even a couple different plates?

Okay…something to fill the vase……Hmm, White Blossoms would look amazing.

Yeah, don’t have any.

Raffia will have to do for now till I can get my hands on something fresh:

A Little Ribbon to hang of the towel bar:

Okay this is coming together nicely:

And that is how I left it.

I’m sure I’ll be back to try a different color plate, or remove something to declutter it a bit…but for now I’m really happy with the new color on my kitchen wall!

And I had a few extra goodies that I didn’t hang up, so I sprinkled them around the kitchen:

I added the blue vase to a small basket below the corner chair:



I turned the little green vase into a holder for my kitchen sponges:

And then I stacked all the extra plates and teapots behind the grapevine wreath on the corner chair:

They look cute just peeking out there don’t they?

Not bad for $25 right?

I don’t know what’s gotten into me, I’m NEVER this good at putting stuff together.

Must be all the extra Estrogen or something….

Is this what they call Nesting?