Grey Chic - Old Dresser Overhaul

This is a project I have been wanted to do for a WHILE, like ever since I came I to possession of this dresser while. I love the chic and timeless look of a grey dresser, it was something that I have dreamt of for a while, so it was an obvious choice to breathe new life into this eyesore. Prior to my ownership this dresser belonged to my stepmother and my dad who found it at a flea market, and was used in both my stepsister and stepbrothers rooms. It has the original tag in the top drawer that says it came from the United Furnitire Corporation out of Lexington, North Carolina, and something about it wouldn't let me just trash it. Call it my crazy belief that I can salvage nearly anything but let me tell you, this yellow vinyl scratched up banged up broken pieces dresser was a big challenge. 

It came to me with the bottom drawer having been broken on the corner and poorly glued back into place, so before I began proper sanding I purchased some glue filler from the local hardware store to fill in the gaps. Thankfully I picked out the new hardware ahead of time as well, because I had to fill one of the existing hardware holes and drill new ones to fit my modern selections. 

The wood filler is like a putty that dries to the same consistency of wood, you can see the filled holes (it shows up a lighter color than the wood) in the below pictures of the sanded and stacked drawers. I overfilled the holes a little so when they dried they wouldn't shrink too much, since you can always sand it down.

I used an 80 grade sandpaper with my electric sander to get all the old paint off and smooth the imperfections, which took roughly 4 hours total. Talk about sawdust and sore hands, I have a brandnew appreciation for my precious Poppa who taught me everything I know about woodwork and powertools. Everywhere, I mean everywhere, that there was sweat there was a layer of sawdust. Even on the bottoms of my feet! And I had to blow the sawdust off the dresser two or three times before I started painting because there was so much in the air it kept settling back.

Once I had everything sanded down I used a finer 120 grade sandpaper to smooth everything and help close the wood cuticle so it didn't eat paint like a black hole.

I let the wood rest overnight in the cool garage and then I used two cans of white wood primer spray paint to cover the wood, again to prevent it eating all my paint, and let it dry for a few hours. Now, don't ask me why I picked spray paint for a dresser.. I genuinely thought it would be quick as easy and wouldn't take too much paint, plus it would give a seamless even coverage.. Well it did on the last part.. But it took 7 cans of Krylon Colormaster in Classic Grey Gloss to cover this whole thing!!! Whew!

I ended up having to do two coats of paint as well because this old wood was thirsty!! Maybe I should have used more primer before I started with the grey but, you live and you learn, right? Anyway, here is the finished dresser in its new home of my guest bedroom, plus the gorgeous yet simple hardware! I went with a 6" silver bar for the handles on the bigger drawers, and a pretty little crystal knob for the top two drawers.

And since I'm obsessed with this new split pic app I have here is a side by side before and after of my new dresser!

Pumpkin Carmel Blondies

When I found this recipe it was titled Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Blondies, a pretty befitting name I think. These delectable little treats were super fun to make, and my faithful taste tester (she has such a hard job) was elated that its finally the time of year for all things pumpkin. These blondies have two versions for the carmel sauce that goes in the middle, so you can choose which to use. I of course chose the one that is infinitely harder to make, and infinitely easier to mess up, which I did on my first attempt.

Ingredients:
For the Blondies - 
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 3/4 cups flour (I used wheat, but you could also use half wheat, half white, or all white)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling -
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the carmel sauce -
Option 1 - easy
1 14oz package carmels
1/4 cup heavy cream
Option 2 - advanced
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Begin by preheating the oven to 350 and greasing a 9x13 (or your choice) baking pan.

Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until well combined. Add dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.Combine until mixed well, but don't over-mix.

Spread 2/3 of blondie mix into the bottom of your pan. Cover with chopped nuts and chocolates.

Option 1 of carmel sauce: 
Place cream and carmels into microwave save dish or stove-top pan and heat to melt at medium heat, stirring frequently, or about every 20 seconds in the microwave, until melted thoroughly.

Option 2 of carmel sauce: 
Heat a pot on medium heat, and add sugar and water. Allow mixture to boil, stirring occasionally.

After two minutes or so the color will begin to change, slowly at first. Once it has changed to a maple color turn off the stove and set the mixture aside to cool for a minute.

While stirring vigorously, slowly (very slowly) add the evaporated milk. The mixture will bubble. Stir Stir Stir.

Continue to stir while adding the butter and vanilla extract. Keep stirring.

Carefully pour the carmel mixture over the existing batter in the baking dish, and spread to cover. Then add remainder of blondie mixture over top of the carmel layer and carefully spread to cover.

Bake for 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, save for a bit of carmel ;)

Let cool slightly before serving! *also pairs great with ice cream!*

The Spoon Wreath

So I found this project on Pinterest... Isn't that how it always starts ;) and I couldn't wait to try it out! It's simple, cute, and I'm a huge fan of customizable! Plus, it's a project that can be done all in one day, using supplies that are either already around the house or very easy (and cheap!) to find!

I did mine with a 6" mirror and chose to have 5" of 'spoon space' around that, making a total diameter of my backing 15". You can choose whatever size you want for yours, but for the purpose of this tutorial we will be using my measurements.

You Will Need: 

1 round mirror (mine was 6")

1 large piece of cardboard (mine needed to be at least 17 inches in each direction)

Approximately 200 plastic spoons

1 pair of scissors 

1 glue gun

Approximately 7 glue sticks

1 can of spray paint (color of your choice)

1 bread tie, can tab, or other hanging device

I started out by using a makeshift protractor to draw a circle one inch smaller than the size of my mirror, or 5" diameter, and 3.5" from the center of the protractor.

Next I measured from the same place in the center of the 5" circle to draw a circle again to create the 'wreath', I did mine 15" diameter (5" for mirror, 5" for wreath (10" total)), so 7.5" from the center of the protractor.

Cut the cardboard along the drawn lines to create your wreath.

The most labor intensive part of this is cutting the handles off the spoons. I cut roughly 200 for my whole project, and then determined I needed 15 to surround the inside of the wreath, and cut them very closely and carefully off the handle to create a round finished shape.

Now is the fun part! Gluing the spoons onto the wreath! I started from the inside and used an alternating pattern until I got closer to the outside.

Once you are closer to the outside start just filling in holes instead of focusing on the pattern. You may have to step back a few times to make sure you got it even all the way around. 

*important note, before you begin painting get rid of all those pesky stringy things your glue gun leaves behind*

I put little dots of glue in the spaces between the spoons on the inside of the wreath to give it a more finished look as opposed to bits of cardboard sticking out.

Painting is super easy, just paint in a sweeping motion angling from the outside in to get in between the spoons before painting across the front. Once the front is dry I suggest painting the back.

Once you are done painting and everything is dry, put a line of hot glue around the back of the wreath on the edge of the inside hole and carefully place the mirror down onto it. I used a bread tie to hang my wreath, securing it with some hot glue. 

Finished product! 

Paleo Flourless Chocolate Brownies

Although I still prefer old fashioned baking for myself, there is no denying that flourless, gluten free, sugar free, and many other recipes are becoming all the fad. I finally caved in and decided to try these 'imposter' brownies as I consider them. You know, I have to admit, they are pretty good! Now, you aren't gonna get the ooey gooey melty brownies we all know and love, but you do get a rich chocolatey taste in a thick moist cake, just don't get mad that I added a little agave syrup garnish on mine to add a little sweetness, however I would have used chocolate syrup did I have any in the house. Ooh I just realized, raspberry syrup would also be heavenly... Mmmm. 

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup almond ground

1/3 cup raw cocoa powder

4 large eggs

1/3 cup raw agave (or honey)

1/3 cup apple sauce

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/3 cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray 8x8 dish with non stick cooking spray.

Combine dry ingredients in small mixing bowl and set aside. In large mixing bowl combine remaining ingredients and whisk until combined. 

Add dry mixture to wet mixture stirring. Whisk or beat 2 minutes or until combined. Pour into dish and bake 25 minutes or until middle is set and toothpick comes out clean when inserted into middle (depends on thickness). 

These little bars are so rich that just a little sliver should satisfy your sweet tooth, and as you noticed I added a little agave nectar to mine for a touch of sweetness.

Peach & Grape Smoothie

Felt like having a fresh, deliciously tasty and light, guilt-free snack this afternoon and what better way than with a smoothie! Ok let's get started so I can get back to sipping my snack!

Ingredients: 

2 peaches

Handful of purple grapes

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon agave (or honey)

Handful of ice cubes 

Slice peaches roughly and add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth, insert a straw, garnish with peach slice, and enjoy! 

Warning: you may be forced to share said smoothie with a hungry guy and a sneaky green bird