DIY - Vanity is Almost Done!

Just like the weather man promised, it was a sunny day in Toronto today.  I took the opportunity to finish painting the vanity.  It still has to dry thoroughly, so it's in the garage at the moment.  The sales guy at Benjamin Moore told me that for best results, I should let the paint cure for about 1-2 weeks before I use it.  Just as well...I can postpone the necessary organization and cleaning to get all of my beauty products moved in.

Here is what the vanity looks like after two coats of paint with sanding in between.

I tinted a small portion of the paint with purple artist's oil paint, and painted the flower accents to bring them out a bit more.

I used Benjamin Moore melamine alkalyde (oil) paint.  It comes in a limited collection of colors.  I didn't like any of the premixed colors, so I bought a can of white and had them tint it their 'Antique White' color.  I have to say, I really like this paint.  It went on well with a foam roller and did not leave any bubbles.  It went on more streaky with a paint brush, I think because it's so thick.  So I say, edge with a brush, but then switch to the roller.  There were subtle roller marks at first, but they faded away as the paint dried. 

The paint dries to a non-shiny semi-gloss. And even though oil paint is a pain to work with, I would definitely use this paint again, especially on kitchen cabinets or other furniture that takes some beating.  I like the quality, the durability and the finish.

Oh yeah - and I ended up getting drawer knobs at Anthropologie today.  These beauties were the clear winner:

I can't wait to see it all together.  And I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of the finished product.

For the full story, check out the rest of PROJECT VANITY.

What I'm Reading: A Love Redeemed by Julie Lessman

If you haven't caught on that the first book was awesome than I'll keep you in my prayers because I was sure I wasn't holding back. I am on the last 20 something pages of this book and all I can say is wow. This in the second book in the series of The Daughters of Boston; and I have to admit I was completely shocked at the difference between the sisters. I was actually shaking my head and tsking at every crazy and manipulative thing the main character Charity did. But as I started to dig deeper into the book and not judge Charity but try to understand her; I found myself looking at the former me. We have all been a Charity. We do what we want, what feels good, anything as long as the end result is something that we wanted. But it always comes at a price. That being said; this book is extremely good. I am trying to pace myself but its not working out really, lol. Back to reading.

image source: julielessman.com

Happy Birfday To My MISTER!!!

Happy HAPPY BIRFDAY SUGAR (that's his REAL name, believe it or not, I don't call him "mister" at home) !!!  Let me just say, my mister does NOT like to be the center of attention, will BARELY let me get him anything for his birfday and, I have been well informed, if I was to ever, EVER throw him a surprise birfday party he would be ... well surprised, but more importantly ... PEEVED.  This is all no bueno for this little party-planning, present-buying, over-excitable about tiny things WIFE.  I can't fuss over you and everything that has to do with your birfday?  I'm sorry, WHAT?  Am I sure I heard you right?  Because in MY family we have birfday weeks.  Shoot, we have birfday MONTHS!!!   When May hits I start looking around for my crown and fluffy royal pillow that I most assuredly will be esconced on whilst being pampered every day leading up to the specialest day of the month (and maybe a few days after) ...  any of you ladies have this same state-of-mind?  No?  Just bratty little ol' me?  RIGHT.  I believe you.  Now my mister?  He actually FORGOT his OWN birfday last year.  Yep.  I'm sewious.  I called him, and with a cuckoo, delirious and lunatical (not sure if that's a word, but SCHA-BAM - it is now ...) amount of over-excitement, screamed/yelled/shrieked wished him a happy birfday and what did he respond?  "It's my birthday?  Ha, I forgot."  What?  WHAT!??!  How do you FORGET your birfday???  Do you NOT circle it on your calender, draw balloons and write "HAPPY BIRFDAY TO ME" sorta like this ...

Not that that's sitting on my desk at work AT ALL ... ahem, moving right along ...

SO, without further adieu (adieu, adieu, to you and you and youuuu - sorry sometimes you just feel tha need to bust into song ...)  Here is the picture tribute to my mister who SOMEHOW was JUST as cute when he was little as he is now ...

{Brand spankin' new punkin'.  SPECIAL DELIVERY is right!}

{Somehow he constantly ends up in places he shouldn't be or doing things he shouldn't be doing ... this theme will continue throughout the pictures ...}

{See what I mean?  If we have boys, I'm so going to have my hands full ...}

{What?  Does this not go in here?}

{Apparently we have a fixation with the potty ...}

{Matt and his daddy ... who still has the same full head of hair ...}

{WAZZZZZZZUUUUUPPPPP}

{Dad, you missed a spot ...}

{Look at that BLONDE hair!?!?!}

{He does this every day, but somehow it's not QUITE as cute now ...}

{Creepiest. Easter Bunny.  EVER.  My (little) mister doesn't look too concerned though, I would've headed for the hills (and stealing his/her - what the H is wrong with this bunny?!?! - Easter basket in the process) by then!}

{Loved Baylor before he even knew it.  Sic 'em!}

{I'm in a Robin costume on my bike.  What of it?}

{Heart. this. FACE!}

He may hate me for these next few ...

{Oh such a tough guy.  "I'm NOT smiling."}

{Yep, that's my mister.  He's hot.  I know.  Sidenote:  My mister won best calves on a cruise ship contest (and will hate me for divulging that).  You can see why.}

{My boys.  The day we brought Koda home.  See that pillow to the right?  Koda ate it.  And dispersed feathers ALL. OVER. OUR. HOUSE.  Doesn't look like it can do too much damage does it?  Oh how wrong you are ...}

So, HAPPY BIRFDAY SUGAR!!!  I love you more and more each passing day we spend together.  I am SO excited for what all our future years bring.  Happy 29th to the LOVE of my life, my soulmate and my best friend.  I LOVE YOU!!!

DIY: Drawer Pulls for the Vanity

It has been raining the last 3 days, so the vanity refinishing has been put on hold.  However, the weather is supposed to clear tomorrow, so I will be able to finish the project.  In the excitement, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time looking at drawer pulls.  I have decided on Anthropologie - they have the most unique (and still reasonably priced) pulls I could find.  The above are the top contenders (the vanity is painted antique white).  I think the ceramic flower (top left) is my favorite.  I will have to see it in person to decide for sure.

Which one would you choose?

For the full story, check out the rest of PROJECT VANITY.

Temptation Tuesday!

Let's get ready forrrrrr ...

It's my virtual bestie's alliteration blog day, even though she hasn't put hers up yet, bad soulmatey, BAD.  So what is catching my wandering eye these days?  WHAT is tempting me beyond belief?  Well, my pretties, in keeping with my current obsession of watching Twilight and New Moon back to back over and over again until I'm living in a fantasy hunky vampire world movie nights, I'm lusting after the idea these beautes possibly popping up in my house ...

Dear Santa, I PROMISE I've been good ...

{Minus the creepy, topless, gigantor statue outside the door, what the ... ?}

{This one isn't the most comfy of all the examples, but definately my favorite design-wise, plus I'm thinkin' my mister wouldn't mind watching da foosball on this nice little screen ...}

So what is your little heart's desire today?  Head on over to my Soulmatey's blog and tell her 'bout it.  Mmmk?

Oh and PS - tomorrow is THIS guy's birfday ...

{Well, the one in the yellow shirt, that is.  Love us some Venturas.}

So for tomorrow's post I won't be doing Wishful Wednesday and will be dedicating it ENTIRELY to him, get ready for PICTURE SATURATION ...

Happy Temptation Tuesday loves!!!

Atelier Versace Spring 2010 Lookbook

I really wish I had fancy places to go because Atelier Versace would be one of the lines I would want to wear. I like the look this season: sexy. slutry but still intriguing.

image sources: fashionologie.com

Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody Clean Up....

This week is the last week of the Daniel's Fast. The last week my cousin and I decided we will bring very specific things before the Lord: of living situations, relationships, jobs, etc. This week I feel like things are going to change for the better (for everyone). I'm home today (have been since Thursday) and it feels good to be on vacation. I am actually dreading going back but I am absolutely bored. I have decided to shift around the contents of my room. Which at the time sounded like a genius idea until I realized how many magazines I own and how little space I have;  mind you I have no closets or shelves in my room so its pretty much making the most of the floor as possible, lol. I'm not done yet but its too late to continue on.

 I'll finish tomorrow. My dream bedroom is below:

image source: homehousedesign.com