Also need to find a number of new lamp shades...I have one that is ready to retire and this one is too darn small.
Time for breakfast.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Unpacking the Beast
It's 6am and boxes seem to be around every corner. We had an unpacking marathon for the last 2 days. Surprisingly, I don't feel the need to crawl back into bed. I am starting a new job on Wednesday so I am determined to get my apartment in working order before then...wait is that tomorrow?? Oh boy.
Also need to find a number of new lamp shades...I have one that is ready to retire and this one is too darn small.
Time for breakfast.
Also need to find a number of new lamp shades...I have one that is ready to retire and this one is too darn small.Time for breakfast.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Moving Day
Friday, August 26, 2011
Attention SF Dog Owners
Dear San Francisco Dog Owners or maybe all dog owners,
It has come to my attention that most of you pick up your dog droppings. This is great! The human species has accomplished the first step of living civilized in a world of pets. This is not my concern. My concern is that half of you dispose of the bag somewhere OTHER than the trash...? I'm so glad that you have taken the effort to use a bag while walking your dog but I believe you have forgotten the last step. The most important step. Stop me if I'm wrong, but the bag is supposed to be disposed of in a trash; not on the sidewalk, not on the beach, and not in someones yard. I would like to remind you, the community would much rather have nature take its course in decomposing the remains your dog left behind rather than leaving it bottled up in a plastic bag where it will remain forever. Next time, I'm leaving it on your porch.
Love,
me
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Table Restoration Project
Ben and I spent Saturday afternoon working on my table since we finally decided how we wanted to fix it up.
We love the worn look of this table but the top is hardly appetizing. We talked about doing many different things but in the end decided to simply strip the top of the table and leave the old charm of the rest.
BEFORE:
Supplies for paint stripping: Paint stripper-I like the paste and I like the strong stuff-you know, the kind that says poisonous on the front. Thick, chemical resistant gloves are a MUST. In fact, buy a couple pair because the first pair started to bubble and burn through even though they were supposed to be chemical resistant. Steel wool for rubbing the paste around. Masking tape for protecting anything you don't want to remove paint from. Plastic Shovel-like scraper for scraping off paint. The citrus shield is to protect unfinished wood if you odn't plan on re-painting it.
Step 1: Tape any edges you need to protect from the stripper.
Step2: pour paste onto surface and spread around with your scraper tool and steel wool and wait a couple minutes. (working on smaller spaces keeps the paste from drying up to quickly if you are working in the sun. I would say 2x2 feet is a workable amount of space.)
Step 3: The paint will start to weaken and can then be scraped off with scraper tool and also rubbed off with the steel wool. (the scraper gets most of the paint and the steel wool gets the last of it as you rub. I also used the steel wool on the edges around the table)
Tip: Make sure to scrape and rub with the grain. While you can't tell while you are working, you will once the wood is cleaned off.
Last step is to sand the surface to refine the feel of the wood. You can do this by hand or mechanically! If you are not planning on re-painting the wood, rub on some finishing wax and you're good to go!
AFTER:
I love how clean and simple the table looks now. I'm so excited to put it in my apartment!
I think I will eventually make some cushions for the chairs to add a little color and personal style but until then, here it is!
Disclaimer: Make sure to be careful with the stripping chemicals! They are incredibly strong and can really burn you if you leave them on your skin for even a minute. Also, make sure you have proper ventilation or you'll probably pass out.
We love the worn look of this table but the top is hardly appetizing. We talked about doing many different things but in the end decided to simply strip the top of the table and leave the old charm of the rest.
BEFORE:
Supplies for paint stripping: Paint stripper-I like the paste and I like the strong stuff-you know, the kind that says poisonous on the front. Thick, chemical resistant gloves are a MUST. In fact, buy a couple pair because the first pair started to bubble and burn through even though they were supposed to be chemical resistant. Steel wool for rubbing the paste around. Masking tape for protecting anything you don't want to remove paint from. Plastic Shovel-like scraper for scraping off paint. The citrus shield is to protect unfinished wood if you odn't plan on re-painting it.
Step 1: Tape any edges you need to protect from the stripper.
Step2: pour paste onto surface and spread around with your scraper tool and steel wool and wait a couple minutes. (working on smaller spaces keeps the paste from drying up to quickly if you are working in the sun. I would say 2x2 feet is a workable amount of space.)
Step 3: The paint will start to weaken and can then be scraped off with scraper tool and also rubbed off with the steel wool. (the scraper gets most of the paint and the steel wool gets the last of it as you rub. I also used the steel wool on the edges around the table)
Tip: Make sure to scrape and rub with the grain. While you can't tell while you are working, you will once the wood is cleaned off.
Last step is to sand the surface to refine the feel of the wood. You can do this by hand or mechanically! If you are not planning on re-painting the wood, rub on some finishing wax and you're good to go!
AFTER:
I love how clean and simple the table looks now. I'm so excited to put it in my apartment!
I think I will eventually make some cushions for the chairs to add a little color and personal style but until then, here it is!
Disclaimer: Make sure to be careful with the stripping chemicals! They are incredibly strong and can really burn you if you leave them on your skin for even a minute. Also, make sure you have proper ventilation or you'll probably pass out.
A Home for my Peacock
This peacock has been haunting my thrifting. It has been weeks and I haven't been able to find a frame for it. I was starting to think I never would...until last saturday. Somehow, the garage sale angel was with me.
On my way home from Home Depot, I saw many garage sale signs along the street. Each one screamed,
This mirror was so cheap, my eyes almost popped out of my head when the girl told me the price...$15...I literally felt like I was robbing someone. 
What a steal. Not to mention the fact that I ran this thing home before anyone could change their mind.
Only another week until this beauty is hanging in my new apartment.
On my way home from Home Depot, I saw many garage sale signs along the street. Each one screamed, "Maybe they have THE frame!"Surprisingly I refrained from stopping at any since I needed to have some time to work on my table. There happened to be a garage sale across the street which didn't look promising but I stopped by anyway. It only took a minute for me to zone in on this mirror. I had found it! Out of all the garage sales and all the searching...what are the chances I would find this treasure across from my own house?
This mirror was so cheap, my eyes almost popped out of my head when the girl told me the price...$15...I literally felt like I was robbing someone. 
What a steal. Not to mention the fact that I ran this thing home before anyone could change their mind.
Only another week until this beauty is hanging in my new apartment.
Apparel Temptation
This weekend a friend and I stopped by a store called Buffalo Exchange after doing some estate sale hopping. We didn't find much at our estate sales but I did find something unexpected elsewhere...
I have been drooling over this dress for a few weeks now. It's from Anthropologie and of course it's $90 after being marked down from a much higher price. I had been looking at it for too long and was about to give in to my apparel temptation.
UNTIL....coincidentally, I found a dress incredibly similar to this one at Buffalo Exchange- a store where people can bring their old clothes and sell them for cash. Everything is second hand and some things are actually vintage. It has great prices and quality clothing. While this dress isn't the one from Anthro, I love it even more. It's vintage and totally glamorous...Oh and did I mention cheap? Yes, I bought this dress for $15.
You can't tell from the picture but the bottom of the dress has two layers of lace. They give the dress a twenties feel. I also adore the scalloped hem and sleeves. Thank you, Buffalo Exchange and Elise for making me try this little number on.
I have been drooling over this dress for a few weeks now. It's from Anthropologie and of course it's $90 after being marked down from a much higher price. I had been looking at it for too long and was about to give in to my apparel temptation.
UNTIL....coincidentally, I found a dress incredibly similar to this one at Buffalo Exchange- a store where people can bring their old clothes and sell them for cash. Everything is second hand and some things are actually vintage. It has great prices and quality clothing. While this dress isn't the one from Anthro, I love it even more. It's vintage and totally glamorous...Oh and did I mention cheap? Yes, I bought this dress for $15.
You can't tell from the picture but the bottom of the dress has two layers of lace. They give the dress a twenties feel. I also adore the scalloped hem and sleeves. Thank you, Buffalo Exchange and Elise for making me try this little number on.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Estate Sales
Estate sales are a great place to find some vintage pieces. They are typically advertised on Craigslist and often a lot better than garage sales because they aren't full of peoples' unwanted junk. A lot of times an estate sale is meant to liquidate nearly everything sellable from the home because someone has passed away or is moving. Here are a few things that interested me at my first one...
I thought this little handkerchief was precious. My guess is that it was a wedding gift given to the couple many years ago and it was kept throughout their marriage. 
Love this gold mirror selling for $175 
Interesting little chair $45 
old wooden hutch- can't remember how much but fun!
I thought this little handkerchief was precious. My guess is that it was a wedding gift given to the couple many years ago and it was kept throughout their marriage. 
Love this gold mirror selling for $175 
Interesting little chair $45 
old wooden hutch- can't remember how much but fun!
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