Adventures in Furniture Refinishing

In these shaky economic times, no one (or no one I know) can afford to buy new furniture. Most of us can barely make rent. Fortunately, most furniture is really easy to refinish, and doesn't cost a lot of cash or time.

I've had this old entertainment center for years. When my parents bought it, it was pretty with its caramel colored wood, and it went well with our furniture. But it's been sitting in the storage shed for awhile, and it needed some love. I've always loved black furniture, so I decided to paint it. I bought black high gloss and some primer at Home Depot, and roughed up the surface with sandpaper so the primer would stick. After the primer dried, I rolled the black paint onto the large surfaces, and trimmed with a smaller brush. It only took an afternoon, and I'm really pleased with the results. I also bought some new cabinet knobs to dress the cabinet doors up a bit, but I have not put them on yet- still waiting for the paint to dry. Here are some pictures.

Again, this was super easy, and didn't take much time at all- just an afternoon. Time well spent if you ask me; my entertainment center looks brand new and a lot more stylish.

Let me know what you think.

Nay

It's The Great Pumpkin (puree)!!!

The "Pumpkin Holidays" are coming :) I call them the "Pumpkin Holidays" because everyone is either decorating with or eating pumpkins. This is the time of year when we stock our pantries with pumpkin pie filling, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spices, etc.

Aside from pumpkin pie, pumpkin puree is next to impossible to use. Or so I thought. Then I saw these recipes from, you guessed it, Real Simple.

Pumpkin Pancakes
Serves 4

Prepare 1 cup dry pancake mix according to the package directions.
Whisk in 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree.
You know the rest :)

Pumpkin Milk Shake
Makes 1 milk shake

Blend until smooth 1 cup vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.


Pumpkin Whipped Cream
Makes 2 cups

Beat together 1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, and 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin puree until soft peaks form.


Happy Pumpkin Holidays!

Nay

Just a suggestion....

Christmas is coming!! In preparation, I've already started compiling my Christmas list. However, feel free to get whatever you want for me ;)



All Clad stainless steel, copper bottom cookware.



Augustine duvet cover, Crate and Barrel

Clockwork earrings, I've found ones similar to these at an antique shop here in Richmond

Cobalt blue Artisan stand mixer, Kitchen Aid

Emily pillow, Pottery Barn

Wall art, Keys, Crate and Barrell

Lucky Brand scarf



The Tudors: Final Season- serious guilty pleasure.

 Festively yours,
Nay

Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it...

Fall is FINALLY here!! Gosh I'm so excited about chilly mornings and crispy afternoons. The light is changing, the leaves are starting to get that look. For me, Fall is actually the time of new beginnings, probably because I'm a teacher, and the new year starts in the the Fall. I've always felt this way, even in school. You get to reinvent yourself every year, and what better time to start then Fall, when the old you "falls" away like leaves off the trees.

To celebrate this glorious season, I found some photographs of Fall foliage that I just love. This is just a reminder to savor the season- make sure you stop and take a look at the colors, inhale that woodsmokey, wet leaf smell and embrace the chill in the air. Put on a cozy sweater and take a walk outside. It's gorgeous this time of year.

All my love,
Nay