My Refurbished Kitchen Table

Well, at least the table is done.  I still have to do the chairs.  Le sigh....

I started my kitchen table project almost two months ago.  I was really excited to get this done and back in my kitchen.  This project has proven to be quite time consuming and it might not haven taken so long had my sweet little pup, Cooper, hadn't needed surgery that required a month and a half of healing and being a "cone-head".  The project was put on  hold while I cared for my best friend.

 

After Coop had healed and was back to his adorable puppy ways, I resumed work upon my table.  First, let me tell you a little bit about it.  Right before I bought my Itty Bitty House, I had a pretty good sized dining room table.   I knew that it would be too big for my new place, so I sold it to a friend for $300.  I was sad to see it go, but it had to be done.  After I sold my table, I used the money I had made to buy another smaller table that would be just the right size for my little place.  I found this on Craigslist for $125.  Now, I knew it was used and was pretty ugly, but I also knew that eventually, I would make it amazing. 

My vision was to stain the top a darker color and to paint and glaze the base and chairs.  I started with sanding the top of table, which ended up being quite a bit of work and had me questioning what I had gotten myself into.  ha!

After the sanding was complete, I applied 3 coats of a Dark Walnut stain.  (It took 3 coats until I enjoyed the outcome.)

After the staining was complete, I did 3 layers of a clear, protective top-coat with a quick sanding job done in between coats and then the table top was complete.  Gorgeous...

The hard part was over and it was now time for painting, a skill at which I am much more comfortable with.  After applying a primer to the entire base of the table, I purchased a flat, sample paint from Home Depot....Behr's Delicate Lace which cost me a whole $3 and because I'm crafty, I was able to paint the entire base of the table with two coats and still have a little left to start the chairs.  Saving those dollars, ya'll!

Then, as with my other projects, I added a dark brown glaze and here is my finished product (minus the chairs, of course).

It really is just so beautiful and I am so happy with it.  And someday in the near future when I replace those funky floors with a gorgeous dark hardwood, this table will really stand-out.

I'm not sure I'll ever not have a project to do with my house, but it is so much fun.  My chairs are next and then I'll start on painting the awesome armoire I scored at a thrift store for $75.  So much to do, so little time.

Cheers my friends!  Thanks for reading.

XO

My New Buffet

I have a new hobby......furniture reburshing!  Now that the main rooms of my house have been painted, I've taken to a few projects that I've been so excited to complete.  I already blogged about my piano and now it is time to blog about my new "buffet".

I have a little nook in my kitchen that desperately longed for attention.  I had in mind what I wanted, an older buffet or an older dresser that I could use as a buffet.  I checked on Craigslist, garage sales and thrift stores until I came across this diamond in the rough...

I about died from excitement when I saw this.  I found it at a local thrift store and it was listed at $70ish (can't quite remember the exact amount).  Anyway, I asked one of the employees there if it were to go on sale anytime and she said it would be marked down 50% the very next day.  WHAT!??!  And....if I were one of the first people to get there when they opened, I would be awarded an additional 20% off.  Shut.the.front.door. 

I was parked in their parking lot an hour and a half before they opened to assure I could score my desired treasure.  I bought along my crochet project to keep me occupied during my excruciating wait.  When I finally got through the doors, I literally ran to that dresser, jumped up and flopped my hiney upon my throne and claimed victory!  IT IS MINE!!!  It was like winning a mini-lottery to me.

Patience is a virtue, so I'm told.  I got my new buffet for a whopping $29. 

It was now time to resurrect this baby.  I sanded the top as it was a bit rough, applied a coat of primer and then two coats of Nifty Turquoise by Sherwin Williams.  I also removed all the hardware and spray-painted it all black.

After that, I applied a dark brown glaze and.............

Once I got it in my kitchen nook, I was in heaven.  It is absolutely perfect!

Here is a quick project I did the other night.  I found this antique window at a flea market for $10.

 

 I found two weathered fence posts for free at a garage sale, cut them to size and attached to the window with L-brackets. 

 

Attached some hangers to the back of the frame and now I have super cool (and thrifty) storage for my beloved antique mason jars!

 

Sigh.......ain't it fun?  My next project is already under way.......my kitchen table!  It has turned out to be quite a lengthy process, but I know it will be worth it.  I'll be sure to post when I'm all done.  

Until then,

Cheers, my friends.

20 is the new 18......

.....or "15" for you old-schoolers.  (please excuse the onslaught of italics and off-handed opinionated remarks)

lemme splain'.........

15 years of my life has been spent in the service/restaurant industry.  15 years.  That's a long time.  From waiting tables, to expo, to bartending, to the grill and all the way up to management....I have done it all, yes...even the dish-pit.  (I am not above it and have never looked down upon anyone in the dish-pit. It's an extremely important position in the restaurant industry.  Like clean dishes?  Yeah, me too.)  I spent years trying to get away from it and for a time, I succeeded.  But here I am, back at it, at least for now, as a second job.  We all know I bought a house this year.  I felt a supplemental income would be nice to pad my savings account for the upcoming possibilities of "oh no, my air conditioner took a permanent vacation" or "hello Oklahoma storm...goodbye roof".  You know, those sorts of things.

Anyway...

For the last 4 or 5 months, I have been a part-time server at a fine-dining restaurant in downtown Tulsa.  I must say, stepping back into the service industry was like riding a bike, like......going home.  When you've spent time in the industry as I have (or any industry for that matter) it can feel just like that.  What you know well runs through your veins like the blood that allows you to live and breath.  And to some who have never had the desire to work in the service industry (and this may come as a surprise to you) I actually enjoy being a server and take an ample amount of pride in the work that I do.  To watch a guest leave the restaurant with a joyful smile on their face and to see an expression of sincere gratitude of being treated like a VIP truly makes doing what I do extremely rewarding.

I say all of this to say the following; 1) 20 is the new 18 and 2) "Serving" is a real job.

1)  20 is the new 18

It used to be that the suggested percentage for gratuity was 15%.  Unless you've been under a rock the last few years, you should know that it is now 18%.  However, I can tell you this....20% is greatly appreciated and is teeter-tottering on the new standard.  Shocked?   You shouldn't be, and here's why.  Did you know that servers STILL only get paid a whopping $2.13 an hour?  While the rest of society's minimum wage has risen several dollars over the last decade, server's $2.13 has held steady.  (Don't get me started.)  And I can tell you that when I am given my "paycheck" it is only a pay stub showing $0.00.  Why, you ask?  Lemme splain' some more:  The government expects you to make up the remaining amount of your "non-minimum wage" with your tips (and honestly, we do) and when we do, we are already "paid" and therefore there is no need for a "paycheck".  We are, by law, required to report 100% of the tips we earn, and yes, I do so diligently.  So, come tax time, we usually owe money to Uncle Sam, because since we have no funds of which to deduct from (ie: our non-existent paycheck) we owe come April.  On top of all of this, there is such a thing called "tip-out".  Not familiar?  Lemme splain' some more again....As servers, we are required to "tip-out" a percentage of our sales (not our tips) but our sales to bussers, bartenders, expo and the like.  This percentage usually ends up being about 5%.  So, let's say I sell $500 in food and drink in an evening.  At the end of the night, I am giving up $25.00 of my hard-earned cash away.  (And rightfully so, as supporting those who support you during your shift is the respectful standard).  Didn't know that?  Not aware of any of the aforementioned normalities of the service industry?  Well, perhaps now you can understand why I say 20 is the new 18.  We pay to play, folks.

2)  Serving is a real job

Most, if not all, of those who have served at some point in their life has had a moment, or many for that matter, of being "looked down upon" by those we serve or even those who ask "what do you do for a living?"  As if being a server is a position for people with no drive, no talent, no education, no life, no future, etc. etc. blah blah blah.  BOO HISS TO YOU!!!  Ever tried waiting tables?  Well, you should.  Then you would know that to be one is hard work, physically and mentally.  And you would also know that it can be a financially stable career.  I am a server.....yet I have a college education, I own my own home, I drive a new Jeep, oh!  And I have a "real" job during the day time, Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week and it pays well.  I work hard and I LOVE what I do.  Look down if you dare, but I care not.  I'll still give you the best service I can offer and go about my day knowing I did a job well done. 

Listen folks, the bottom line is this.  Be kind.......to everyone.  You know, the golden rule and stuff like that.  I felt inclined to write this blog due to a table of two guests I had the honor of waiting on this past Monday.  It was a very slow night and they ended up being the only table I had for the evening.  They were business partners, a man and a women, who both lived out of town in separate states, but had worked together for years.  I could tell that they were "well-off", so to speak.  They were seriously two of the kindest, most-appreciative guests I have ever waited on.  They genuinely appreciated my service, respected me and were just flat-out amazing people.  For being a slow night with little money in my pocket as I left, they really made my night by reminding me that some people really do appreciate good service and by validating my position as a server.  And I didn't mind the slow night after the likes of those two.

I could be a lot of things.  I have many talents and interests.  I choose to be a server (albeit it being a second job, and all).  Be kind, be respectful and appreciative, in all things, and you shall receive the same in return.



Warm Regards,

Your Server

Turquoise Obsession and My Piano

All things turquoise........it's my new obsession.  I have been pretty caught up with decorating and revamping my 1950's bungalow I bought this year and it is filled with many shades of blue that make me oh so happy.  Case in point, blue mason jar bliss. 

I have known for quite some time that I was going to paint my piano turquoise.  Well, I finally got around to that and I am quite pleased with the result.

Before:

Time to apply the primer:

First coat of awesome blue:

Final step - Glazing:

And finally it found it's way home....I have some really neat burlap curtains I made that hang on a painted branch that will frame the opening in the wall.  Can't wait to get those up.  In the meantime, it still looks pretty cool.  I painted the wall "Pennywise" by Sherwin Williams to help my piano really "pop" and be the focal point in my living room. 

I love nesting.....I love creating.  Find your happy and do and be.

Much love, friends.

Just This Side of 36

Aging....it's a part of life one can not avoid.  Many do their best to prevent it as long as possible and try to mask it with cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or even go as far to have surgery.  And then there are people like me who are just completely dumb-founded.  "When did I get these wrinkles around my eyes?"  "What is this dark spot?"  "Is this really my arm?"  "My hands looks weird".

Not only am I increasingly noticing differences in my physical appearance, I've noticed how much I ache more than usual (however, I do attribute a good majority of those aches and pains to the injuries I received playing roller derby for three years, ha!).  I've noticed I'm not as agile or as coordinated as I used to be.  I've also noticed that I fear physical harm more than I ever have before.  When once I would have loved the opportunity to skydive or bungee jump or skate a half-pipe, I know my nerves would get the better of me now.  (Okay, well maybe I still might try the half-pipe!)

And last but not least, and probably what I feel more than any of the aforementioned "whiny-ness", I have noticed that my old ideals of "fun" are not so fun anymore.  Nights of closing down the bar and hitting up taco bell on the way home have long been replaced with dinner parties and book club.  I have found that I would much rather stay home with my dog than do most anything anymore.  Not saying that I have become an anti-social couch potato, just that I prefer a much simpler life these days and I am finally making peace with it.

It's been just a little over three months since I bought my house which I now call home.  I have been completely encompassed with renovating it and I am loving every minute of it.  I have finally started to hang photos and add personal touches here and there and it's really starting to feel more like a home to me than any place has in quite a while.  A friend of mine at work said I'm "nesting".  Maybe I am.  I found where I want to be.  I found my home.

Growing up is weird.  And while yes, I am grown up, you never really stop growing up, ya dig?  Life changes. You change, physically, mentally, spiritually.  It's really a beautiful thing.  And though I am somewhat dumbfounded by it all, I'm doing my best to embrace it and listen to what my heart really wants.  And what I want is pretty simple.  Peace.  Simplicity.  Love.  I get closer to it every day. 

Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing.....

Let me just say this..........I love home-owning!!  While it is no easy task to update a home built in 1950, I am loving every minute of it!  My little home has already transformed SO much in such a short time.  I should probably slow down and relax a bit, but where's the fun in that?  Once a plan gets in my head, I stop at nothing until I accomplish it.  It's just how I roll.......

So far, my living room and master bedroom are complete with new paint, new vent covers, new blinds and new electrical outlets and lighting.  This weekend I finally finished my hallway.  Hallways can be boring but I wanted mine to be special.  At first I thought I would put stripes on the wall at the end or maybe a herringbone pattern but then I thought.........CHALKBOARD PAINT!!!  Yes!  I have been obsessed with the idea of chalkboard paint since before I closed on my house.  I have already decided that an entire wall in my kitchen will be painted with chalkboard paint, why not one little wall in the hallway, too?  :-)

The wall designated for the chalkboard had a texture on it and I had some leftover mud from the drywall guy who flattened my kitchen ceiling.  I used the mud to create a smooth surface on the wall that would be more conducive for chalkboard art.  This was my first attempt with mud and I think I was successful.  Putty knife, sanding and oh boy what a MESS!  lol  But the desired outcome came to fruition and up went the chalkboard paint!

Here is a before and after....

Once all was dry..........I set upon a 4 hour journey with chalk in hand.  A while back, I found a vinyl lettering pattern that I wanted to order that had a Bob Marley song lyric and thought it would be cool on a wall in my house.  The chalkboard art idea, although more difficult, was much cheaper and quite honestly, WAY cooler.  This was all done free-handed.  I have always loved to doodle, especially lettering.  And I suppose my  6 years of art classes didn't hurt.  :-)  I have to stop and stare every time I turn the corner.........

Here is my masterpiece!

Le sigh........I love it!

Next on the list will probably be my guest room.  :-)


On another note.........BABY BIRDS!!!  My sweet neighbor gave me a beautiful hanging plant as a welcome to the neighborhood gift when I first moved in.  (Super sweet!)  Shortly after hanging the basket on my front porch, I found a nest with eggs!

This is mama bird...

And all but one egg has hatched so far....Here is a picture of baby # 1...

What a fun piece of nature to witness!




Cheers, my friends!
Much Love,
~ Sylvie

My "Double Rainbow" Bedroom

Yes, I said "double rainbow"......it's the only way I can describe the amount of love and excitement I have for my new sleeping chambers.  it.is.freakin'.dreamy.

I must say, I owe a lot to my bf, who hung my "canopy" and repositioned my lighting (took down ceiling fan and hung up chandelier right over my bed as well as replaced all my outlets and covers...........He-Man, Hero, Favorite).

Here are some before and afters.  Enjoy.....

Before

After two coats of an oil -based white on the baseboards and trim, I painted my bedroom "Purpoise" by Sherwin Williams....

And here we have the After photos.....le sigh.  Ain't it purdy?

I also have my chandelier on a dimmer (again, a thank you goes to the aforementioned HeMan, Hero, Favorite above).

The canopy effect was created by hanging pvc pipe on the ceiling.  I found some cheap sheers at Ross, 2 for $5 (I actually have 7 sheers on mine).  The sheers fit nicely over the piping (which is attached to the ceiling w/ brackets).  Behind the headboard and hanging from the ceiling are white Christmas lights.  This whole canopy project cost me under $40.  Paint and lighting?  Well, that's another story.

Oh!!!  I almost forgot.  I found that beautiful white quilt with lace top-stitching and two shams at an antique store here in town for $39.  Score....

I love my bedroom.  I feel like a princess sliding on a double rainbow all the way across the sky.

My next project will be the hallway.  I'll find some way to make it look amazing.  Maybe some stripes?  Who knows!

:-)

My Itty Bitty House

My dream of becoming a homeowner has finally come to fruition!  It has been a long, ridiculous process but man, what a ride!  I have finally found the perfect home for me, and it has been aptly named my "Itty Bitty House".  My "new" home is only 860 sq ft.  I say "new" because it was built in 1950.  For what it lacks in modern features and stature, it surely makes up for with charm.

My sleeves have been rolled up for the last 6 days and I don't intend on stopping anytime soon.  The house needs some love and I have plenty to give.  At the moment, I am concentrating on revamping the living room and bedroom before I move my things in this Saturday.  So far, I have painted the trim and baseboards with a nice oil-based paint.  Two coats with a 24 hour wait in between for drying.  The former owners were smokers so there are plenty of nicotine layers to cover.  Example:  bleh...

I have painted the ceilings, they were pretty nasty, too but now look brand new.  A new ceiling fan has been mounted in the living room.  My color choice for the living room is pretty bold but awesome.  Here is the before and the after.  Still need a 2nd coat of paint which will go up today and obviously the tape needs removing.  :-)

Before:

After: (At least one wall, lol)

Before:

After:

I'll be sure to post better pics later, but for now these will do.  Tonight I am going to paint my bedroom a dark gray and put the 2nd coat on in the living room.  All outlets and their covers and all vent covers will be replaced as well as blinds.


I am going to be a weekend warrior for a long, long time.  LOL  Hope you've enjoyed the sneak peak!  I'll be sure to post more as I go along.

I'd like to end this post by saying that the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction are very powerful and effective tools to get what you want out of life.  I have focused so much on this happening and now it is finally mine.  I realized this yesterday and was completely blown away by how quickly your world can change just by saying, "yes" instead of "no", by believing there IS a way your dreams can come true.  If you want something, make it happen.

Cheers!

Dumpster Chair

So, a couple of weeks ago I had just got home from work.  I parked my Jeep in my usual parking spot (two spots  down from the dumpster).  As I got out of my sexy beast of a ride, I noticed a chair sitting next to the dumpster and thought, "Wow, thats a pretty cool little chair!"

Now, mind you, I am no dumpster diver and not that I have a problem with people who do, I just never took anything from a dumpster before but something told me to check out that chair.  It looked in really good shape to me so I brought it inside with the hopes of revamping this antique-ish treasure.

A few days later while perusing my Facebook feed, I saw a post from my friend, Whiskey Birmingham (aka Miranda Neff - obviously a priceless roller derby friend).  Whiskey had just opened her new upholstery business and was taking orders.  Um.....PERFECT!  A few messages later, I dropped my dumpster chair off to her and picked out an awesome fabric.  I took the frame home with me and commenced to painting.

Two coats of heirloom white spray paint (because whicker is a b#$%h to paint with a brush).

Then I used a Java Brown glaze in the nooks and crannies and even some on the edges to give it that neat antique look.  Next I used a non-gloss protective coat to keep the paint from chipping.

By the time I had finished with the paint job, Whiskey had finished reupholstering the cushion for the seat.  She screwed it back on for me and BOOM!!!  I now am the proud owner of one awesome dumpster chair that looks anything but.  

Whiskey did an AMAZING job.  Very professional and very time savvy.  She may just be starting her business but she is already fantastic and i HIGHLY recommend her if you need any work done.  I couldn't be happier with the outcome!

THANK YOU, WHISKEY! 

Holy Wow Tilapia & Sylvie Sprouts

I love food.  I love to cook.  But more than that, I love to cook for others.  Pleasing the taste buds of my loved ones is something I cherish.

I relish every aspect of preparing a meal.  From prep to plate, from the sound of my blade connecting to the cutting board to the sound of the sizzle in my pan -- cooking can be incredibly therapeutic if you let it.  I also love the lingering smell in my house and I must admit, I do get a little sad when the smell of garlic has left the tips of my fingers.  Weird?  Maybe, but I don't care much.

Here is a dish that I created last night.  Don't like brussel sprouts?  Bet you'd like mine!  It's pretty funny that I'm excited about these brussel sprouts (given the name "Sylvie Sprouts" by my BF) because I absolutely loathed them as a child.  Sorry, mom.  :-)  I am fascinated by how much our taste buds can change as an adult.  I used to hate chinese food, chili and sauerkraut, too, but they are all very welcome within the confines of my belly these days.

Enough, enough already......

RECIPE!!

Holy Wow Tilapia & Sylvie Sprouts

Feeds 2
Ingredients:

Sylvie Sprouts
20 Fresh Brussel Sprouts (must emphasize FRESH, pretty important folks)
3 cloves roughly chopped Garlic
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup (ish) Butter
Sea Salt & Freshly Cracked Pepper

Holy Wow Tilapia
4 Tilapia Filets
Flour
Olive Oil
Sea Salt & Freshly Cracked Pepper
3-4 Large White Button Mushrooms sliced
2 Green Onions chopped (white & green parts)
1/2 Shallot finely diced
Handful Parsley chopped
Juice of Half a Lemon
1/2 cup (ish) Chicken Stock

Ok, now that we got THAT out of the way.....

Let's start with the Sylvie Sprouts!

First, cut each brussel sprout lengthwise like-a so...

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.  Coat bottom of skillet with olive oil.  Add chopped garlic. Stir the garlic for a minute or two or until it just begins to brown and then remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside in baking dish.  This step will flavor your olive oil with the garlic like a boss!

Next, add the brussel sprouts to the skillet chopped side down until slightly charred on the bottom (usually takes a minute or two).

Then add the sprouts to the baking dish with the garlic.  (Reserve remaining oil in skillet for tilapia)

Drizzle the sprouts with more olive oil, season with salt & pepper and add the butter.  Stir to make sure all the sprouts are covered with the oil.  Put it in the oven uncovered at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  After about 10 minutes, stir with a spoon and put those babies back in the oven. 

Now.....onto the Holy Wow Tilapia.  mmm mmmm mmmm.....

Pat the filets dry with a paper towel.  Season with salt & pepper.  Then very lightly coat the filets with flour.  

Using the cast-iron skillet used for browning the sprouts, add a little more olive oil and set the filets in the skillet.  Once slightly golden brown, flip the filet (I seasoned with a little more salt at this point).  

After both sides are done, place filets on a plate lined with paper towel to catch the oil and cover with foil to keep the fishies nice and warm.  

In that same cast-iron skillet on low heat (this skillet does work, son!) add the chicken stock and about a tablespoon of flour.  Stir with small whisk until all the flour is incorporated with the chicken stock.  Then add the mushrooms, shallot, green onions and a little salt & pepper to taste.  This sauce is only slightly thickened so if it seems too thick, just add a little more of the chicken stock.

Cook together for about a minute or so and right before it's time to serve, add the parsley and lemon juice and stir.

Time for plating!  Layer the filets on top of each other (oh, who cares....just put em' on the plate!) and ladle a bit of that awesome sauce on top.  Sylvie Sprouts on the side, although those babies could be a meal all on their own....SWEAR.

Serve that plate of heaven (yes, heaven....) with a bottle of your favorite white wine and Aretha Franklin cracklin' on vinyl and your guests will be putty in your hands.  

Enjoy!