Rustoleum Cabinets - Lake House Part 1

We started working on the in-laws lake house this weekend.  And finished round one of the cabinets along with a few other things.  

Here is what we started with.

We used the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformation kit (small size) in Quilters White (around $80 at Home Depot).  Over the past several years, we have done our fair share of painting cabinets.  It normally goes like this:  light sanding, 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of paint, and a protective finish.

The kit saved us a few steps. 

Step One: Remove all the doors and scrub them using the deglosser (I think I forgot I am 8 months pregnant when we started this project - the belly tends to make it a bit more difficult to bend over)

After all the doors and trim pieces were scrubbed, we put on the first coat of the "bond" color.   It says to let dry 3 hours in between coats.  Honestly, we waited about an hour and then put the second coat on.  After the second coat dried, we applied the protective finish (we skipped the optional "decorative glaze" step).

The finish was the only part of the kit I was disappointed with.  It turned yellow in some places.  Maybe we just noticed it more because the cabinet color we chose was so light.  But it says it is supposed to dry clear.  Not too big of a deal though because I just went back over the yellow spots with the original paint color and it looks just fine.

All in all, we were pleased with the outcome.  Christopher removed the old wine rack (we are planning to install shelves), and we added some chalkboard paint.

Next up - a "new" countertop using the Rust-Oleum Countertop transformation kit.  Also in the works - new hardware for the cabinets, a new floor, and fun tile backsplash...

Biting, Weight Gain, and a Laundry Mess

Just a couple of things as we start to wrap up this week and head into a glorious holiday weekend!  

First up on the agenda is my 19 month old "biter".  Let's face it.  You never want to be the parent of a child who bites others.  Ashlyn bit a friend's daughter about 6 weeks ago.  And then on Monday she bit her babysitters little girl.  Everyone tells me it is perfectly normal for this age, but honestly, it still does not make you feel that much better as the parent. 

And speaking of normal, the following pictures are certainly NOT normal for a 4 month old washing machine.

So we now have a virtually brand new washing machine that is out of commission.  How in the world does that happen????  Thank goodness for the warranty. My husband somehow managed to get all of the clothes out of this wrangled mess and we are hoping to get it fixed next week.  Fingers crossed.

And finally, at my 32 week doctors appt. on Tuesday, he told me "It looks like you are getting close to the HIGH end of the normal weight gain spectrum."

Really.

I just stared at him.

This was not my regular doctor (he was on vacation).  Of course I am gaining weight.  I am 8 months pregnant.  And I think that I may be drinking about 10lbs of water everyday with all of this heat.  I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.  To be honest, I have gained about 28 pounds and am 32 weeks pregnant.  I don't think that is really all that bad.

So here's to the double stuffed Oreo Sonic blast I might eat at some point this weekend just because.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Remodelaholic Feature

Y'all - how fun is this?  Cassity over at Remodelaholic invited me to write a guest post about how we made this mirror for our living room.  So excited to be featured on her amazingly cool blog :)

Be sure to head over today and check it out here!

i forgot my camera & 19 months

We had such a fun weekend in Kiawah.  This was the first time we have taken Ashlyn to the beach since she started walking - and oh, what fun she had.  She loved the sand, the waves, the birds - pretty much everything.

Can you believe I forgot my camera?  But please, go ahead and check out the quality shots from Christopher's blackberry.

Ashlyn also turned 19 months last Thursday.  She is finally starting to say more words, but we hear "Peeaaase (please)" most frequently.  I think it is because when she points to something she wants and starts whining, we always ask, "Ashlyn, how do you ask nicely?"  And her response is always "Peeeaaase?????"

She has still been a great eater - and loves to try lots of things.  On our way home from the beach today, we stopped and got milkshakes at Arby's.  They are so good, and you can get the value size (12oz) for $1 (I secretly think it is kind of sad that I know that).  The good part is that I know she will share it with me - so I feel a little bit better about myself for not drinking the entire thing.

Or maybe I should feel worse for letting my 19 month drink a milkshake?

Nah...

Guest Posting at Newcomb Home

So excited the weekend is almost here.  We are heading down to Kiawah Island for an overdue visit with my aunt's family.  I can't wait for a little beach time!

 Today, I am guest posting over at Newcomb Home. I can honestly say I have loved blogging for two main reasons:  

1 - It gives both Christopher and I a creative outlet and a way to keep up with our family and home projects (you know, so when we are really old we can look back and remember all the energy we once had).

2 - I have met so many fun people from all over who share lots of the same interests that we do!

Katie and I have been emailing back and forth for a while now about kitchen project ideas - and I was super excited when she asked if she could feature a few of our projects on her blog today.  So please stop by and say hi!

Have a great weekend!

A New Project: In-Laws Lake Condo

Let me start by saying that my mother in law is amazing.  She truly is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and I am so blessed to have her in my life.  

They purchased a condo at the lake last year - and it is in need of a little updating.  Christopher's mom has given us free reign to make some changes in the kitchen/dining area (I am not sure if his dad knows this yet, haha).  Right now, I am thinking about a new floor, painted cabinets, and possibly trying out Rustoleum's countertop paint. 

We already removed a few cabinets for their Christmas present last year to go from this...

to this...

  

I am always open to any ideas and suggestions...super excited to get started on this little project :)

Master Bathroom is FINISHED!

We've come a long way, friends.  I think the master bathroom is finally finished.  Amazing what two 4'x8' pieces of beadboard, some trim, and a can of paint can accomplish.

Here is where we started...

And the finished result.  I couldn't be more pleased.  Thank you to my sweet and wonderful husband for measuring and cutting and nailing and all the other million things he does.  This was such a great Mother's Day gift.

Finally...a place for her bows

I have been meaning to make some sort of bow organizer for a while now.  Finally got around to it using a bulletin board that had been sitting in the attic for quite some time.

Edges painted with a mix of like 5 different acrylic paints.

Folded up a piece of scrap fabric to fit the inside.

 I added the nailhead trim by using a yardstick to measure the spacing.  I used about 3 packs of 24 on this particular board (they were on sale for $1/pack) and spaced them one inch apart.

Added some ribbon for her bows along with leftover "valentine" scrapbook paper from the art collage above her bed.

I love that her bows have a "home" now.  And that I had almost everything for this little project around the house (except the nail trim).  Yay!

**side note - my sweet friend Ashley and I made the little pinwheel hair clips using this great tutorial from The Mother Huddle**

The Kitchen Sink

Who knew it could be so much fun???

She was sitting on the counter while I was on the phone last night and then climbed in herself.  It was actually really nice to have her in a confined space while I was making dinner.

Work in Progress

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend.  Christopher and I worked on my mother's day gift together on Saturday during Ashlyn's nap.  We still have a few things left to finish in our bathroom - maybe one night this week.  

Here are a few pics of the progress so far...

Mother's Day Master Bathroom

For Mother's Day, I have asked Christopher for a few additions to our master bath.

We have already gone from this...

To this...

And ever since seeing this picture posted on Batchelors Way last month, I have been wanting to add some beadboard and crown molding.  I can't wait to see what my amazing handyman comes up with :)

And a big thanks to Rhonda for the inspiration...

Happy Mother's Day weekend!!!