Little Red, Big Personality

Todays post is coming at you live from the Montreal-Trudeau airport, while I await my connecting flight to Toronto for the Blog Podium Extravaganza! Who's excited?

So far so good on the Finn front, in case you are wondering. No tears shed on either end as of yet. But who am I kidding? Give that kid a bowl of cheerios, warm socks, and a pile of dirt and everything will be A-okay. It is me that is the growing concern. First time away from him for more than a few hours, other than a quick overnight to Moncton with Roberto. I'm wondering if maybe four nights in TO was too big of a leap? It was either that or cold turkey for a week in Jamaica...Toronto it is!

Missing Finn and nerves aside, I am absolutely looking forward to the time away. Miss Sarah tagged along for the trip so that is automatic fun. Add four days with my long lost friend Brenna, coffee, wine, and shopping - apparently food is not a factor in the foreshadowing - and a good time is 101% guaranteed. As if that isn't enough, the cherry on top of such a fantastic weekend will be an entire day spent with fellow bloggers. I will be found in the corner soaking up every bit of information my brain can stand to process and awkwardly trying to spark conversations along the way. Wish me luck! *Actually, go ahead and send me luck via comments along the way when you follow along on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram because I will most definitely be keeping you posted. {Couldn't help the shameless plug.}

But before I get all 'I went to Blog Podium. Allow me to share a detailed play by play of every. single. moment with you.', let's take a look at a DIY we did last week that I have been DY.ing to show you! In the spirit of why I am on this venture in the first place.

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Mother Dearest and I were busy last week with projects up the wazoo. I know, I know. I have mentioned this before. Possibly complained about how exhausted I was along the way?! Eeek. Please do excuse the repetitiveness, and the whining, but you have yet to see the half of it. Which you will, all in good time, and be impressed to boot. Truthfully, there is now officially quantifiable evidence to claim and prove that I am a Pushy Patsy to my gracious guests. If Mother had a forum in which to share a few words I am certain she would simply say, 'Poor Robert...' 

Hey, I'll take it. Every bit of it. I will wear my scarlet B for 'bossy' with great pride. Who do you think I get it from anyhow? We, Mother and I, love nothing more than productivity- on any level. For example: garbage day. It is like the equivalent to Christmas around my house. Out with the old, in with the next project. The circle of life organization according to the Gaudett women. This is earth shattering stuff.

Now onto the project. I am sure you are all at the edge of your seats with anticipation! If not, get to shuffling because this one is a goodie.

You were actually introduced to this beauty a while back {here}, and it has been sitting in the basement ever since. Sitting and waiting. Well, no more!

We brought it up and outside with us during an afternoon of play. Perhaps we have a different definition of fun than you because as Finn and I built roads and mountains in the new sandbox, Mother Dearest sanded her little heart out. The umpteen coats of clear coating fought a valiant fight but Mother was the victor.

After covering the desk top with recycled flyers for protection, everything else received countless coats of RED spray paint. 

Hold the phone! This gal, Beige Al, painted something bright Red? If you like it, direct your admiration to Mother. If not, you can blame her too! I am typically afraid of such a bold choice, but Mother convinced me. She is a mind altering wizard. I have suspected it for some time now, but that day is proof. Her logic, that if I really didn't like it the solution is only a shake, spray, repeat away, was faultless. And seriously, where has spray paint been my whole life? It is a god send for strangely shaped items like this one. It made the transformation a cinch. 

Easy as one, two... ten coats of red spray paint and three coats of chalk board paint later! Lickety-split.

Writing that down actually sounds scarier than it was. Believe me, it was cake. The spray paint was fast drying so it only had to set for all of ten minutes. The chalkboard paint came after the red was completely finished, and it was just a matter of one careful cut-in and two reapplications. That is the joy that comes built in with paint: apply intermittently between other projects or house chores. Multitasking at its very best!

The desk itself has mastered multitasking as well. Ahh function... how I love thee.

Beneath the seat is a dandy storage area. Once upon a time, long long ago, it was used to store text books and looseleaf by countless ambitious young students. Today it is the perfect spot for tidy plastic bins filled with crayons, markers, craft supplies, and colour-yourself puzzle pieces. Sadly, I anticipate it won't stay neat for long as Mr. Finn stuffs it full of colouring books, workbooks, and {finished} homework.

The chalkboard surface is my favourite part! That should go without saying really, because I am obsessed with the stuff! It can transform an.y.thing. from ordinary to extra special. More magic. 

This project is no different. The desk top itself goes from being a simple work surface to functional work space. Hot-Dawg!!

Am I right? Or am I right? And not so humble...

For now, the desk top is the perfect spot for Finn to crawl up and play with his latest discovery - chalk. But it will grow with him. Down the road it will be a great surface to practice numbers, letters, and math equations. Until then, I am positive the cousins will make good use of it!

In the midst of the paint drying on this and several other projects, Mother assisted me in rearranging the basement den/TV room. With new plans taking shape, this little red is the first step in taking that area from drab to dreamy. Just you wait! 

Chat soon friends.

One Job Down

... An endless list left to go. 

But first things first: Things have been productive since we last spoke. We finished the painting in the upstairs bath - 'We' referring to mother Mother Dearest doing the actual painting and me wrangling the child. The difference is remarkable.

A coat of paint really can do wonders, eh?

This colour {I'll enter the name here when I find it} is one of my all-time favs. Like I said on Friday, it looks different in the changing light throughout the day - green, beige, or grey - but always remains a colour I love. It is the perfect solution for my constant desire to change things because painting the entire house every six months would be a tad extreme. Just a tad though.

At night, with the vanity and ceiling lights, it favours a grey.

{The above photos were from Friday night, after the final coat. Mother Dearest was diligent.}

During the day, depending on the time, the colour reads from a light olive green through to a deep grey. No matter what colour I am seeing, it is all round an improvement from the lime.

Our kids bath is officially all grown up. Well, at least for today. Until Finn and I get inspired to make a few changes. {If I include Finn in the scheming, Rob will be less inclined to ask questions. See how that works.}

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Since completing the bath project, Finley and I have packed up shop and travelled to the other end of the province to return the favour and help Gram with her list for a few days. Then I will be relinquishing control, somewhat against my will, and leaving Finn with Mother Dearest for a few nights while I head out to Toronto for BlogPodium! This is a huge, wildly uncomfortable, step for me. Fingers crossed I make it.

I've been photo-documenting our projects along the way and will fill you in on all the details at some point - this week perhaps, or more likely next. Mother Dearest has been a bit more gracious than me at allotting time off - I've been accused of being demanding for some odd reason - so we have managed to do some socializing intermittently. If you don't follow along via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram you most certainly should start. But have no fear, I will also be sharing a few photo's, or more accurately to say an obsessive number, of Finn's adventures.

I can't help but share a couple today. He is so darn cute I can't stand myself.

This kid. *Missing you Pap and Moe.

Chat soon.

A Splash of Paint

...goes a long way. Feel free to write that little diddy down, those are words to live by.

So, we are painting - again! Is anyone surprised? 

This time is different. It is not a piece of furniture - no sir-ree-bob. Today it is the upstairs bathroom! All I can say is that it was due time.

Do you see what I mean? 

If you take a stroll through our home {a virtual tour is available here} you will find that one of the rooms is not like the others. Hello lime green upstairs bath! And let me tell you, these pictures don't quite do it justice.

Allow me a chance to explain. 

When we were selecting paint for the house, I wanted warmth without in-your-face colour. We went with a pallet of neutral greens and beige/browns. BUT, enter the lime, I equally wanted to be the cool aunt with a hip space dedicated to the kids for when they came to visit. So I found this uber cute shower curtain with different colour owls and chose a colour from that pallet to paint the bathroom walls. I'll admit, it was fun while it lasted. The kids thought it was ggggreat - the brighter the better. But since Finn came along, and spending time in there is a daily occurrence, the wall colour just had to go. 

And go it shall.

From green to...green.

We had enough leftover paint from the main floor area, which also runs up the staircase and on to the landing, to do the small bath. The colour is one of my favourites because depending on the lighting and time of day it can look green, beige, light or dark grey. And for a gal who likes to change things on a regular basis, that is as good as gold. Why mess with a good thing?

It is hard to tell what it will read when it is all said and done, but I am optimistic.

What do you think? Questions? Concerns? Anxieties?

Check back soon for the finished product.

Until then, happy weekending!

Where Have You Been All My Life?

Don't tell Robert, but I love our house. Keep that on the DL.

Forever and a day I have ooed and awed over older homes with character and hidden beauty just waiting to be uncovered, but Robert insisted on building new. I get it. After two years living here I am beginning to understand. There is a sense of security building new - as misguided as that might be - and it is comforting. 

There is however a down side, because lets be honest, there always is. Beyond the lack of vintage flair and hidden nooks and crannies found in an older home {I'm not giving up that easy},  a new home is also quite a process to fill. I'm not talking furniture per say; which is in and of itself quite a feat. I'm referring to the things you don't 'see' at first glance: blinds in every window {16 in this house}, doors {if you notice ours are slightly different then the 'norm' and add just a slightly different feel to each space}, light fixtures throughout, and so on and so forth. That all takes time and moolah. 

Those spaces we ogle on Pinterest and immediately add to our boards are made up of layers to reach that gorgeous final product. A stunning chair can only do so much in a room. It is a compilation of all the details along the way that make the overall difference. Few. That was a bit of a round about rant. Back to the point. 

The background items take time to collect in a new home - or at least they have for us - and I am happy to say we are FINALLY making some progress. Our master bath is no longer a sad excuse for a room. Well that is a touch extreme, but it is on it's way to serving its purpose.

This is what it has looked like since we moved in. Blah, I know! Something key, say like a vanity mirror, is MIA. 

Enter my jackpot yard sailing find from the weekend. This mirror, though very plain, is the perfect start to get that bathroom in tip top shape. And honestly, for five dollars, how could you go wrong?

Of course it needed a splash of paint - that is just how I roll. 

Actually, the original colour wouldn't have looked bad, but it had a few bumps and bruises so we just gave it a once, twice, three times over.

Then all that was left to do was hang that heavy sucker. 

Because of the extra weight, we needed to hit the studs for full support. Of course they didn't line up with the pre attached hooks, so we added one to the centre. Three screws later and we were in business. 

Where have you been all my life? 

Seriously. I can not believe I went two years without a proper mirror in there. It actually makes the room feel bigger. Magic.

Not to mention I can finally see myself. The good. The bad. And the UGLY! Why hasn't anyone said anything this whole time? Letting me run around town looking like a frazzled mess. Not cute.

But as always, there is another side to every coin. I may frighten myself when I peer into our new addition, but there is lots of beauty to be found as well. Look at the sweet moment I captured already.

Nice bum, where are you from Finn?

It is all about finding the simple joys in life after all.

Chat soon.

Time Out in Metallic

As promised our latest project is done-like-dinner and all ready for the viewing. 
Honest Moment: Usually I am over the moon excited to share my finished products with all of you - success or fail. It is my extra reward beyond the project itself. The cherry on top so to speak. But for some odd reason I am nervous for todays sharing. Perhaps it is because I stretched myself beyond my comfort zone with the metallic paint? Or it could be that I am questioning the small lettering choice... Either way, it is what it is. Can't let the nerves get the best of me.
Solution: An attempted mini photo shoot with a tired Mr. Finn. He enjoyed exploring the possibilities the 'his size' chair had to offer. 
Take a look and see what you think.

The subtle blue - a leftover from the laundry room - flows nicely with the metallic silver. And the original wood, though small, adds a glimpse into history. 

Finn is a huge fan! And that is what matters. 

Well, at least until it becomes a spot to gather himself. Then he will dislike it either way.

What do you think? A success or a flop?
Looking forward to hearing from you! Chat soon.
I linked up at Remodelaholic

There Was Once A Wee Chair

... trapped all by its lonesome in the basement with no one to love it. The end.

Not! What a terrible story that would be. Gosh, what do you take me for? No, the story does not end there but yes, that is how todays tale begins.

There was once a wee chair trapped by its lonesome - if you recall it was a {free} score from my sweet cousin Stephanie which I told you all about here. Said chair did go unloved for quite some time. Which is in fact a very sad truth. But as of today it has found a temporary new home in our garage while it undergoes a little construction. 'Wee' chair is in the process of transforming into 'Time Out' chair for Finley's misbehaving bum. 

Check out the steps we have taken thus far: *And note the embarrassing reason why we came to a stand still. {Blush}

First things first, this little guy needed some serious sanding. That clear coat is no joke. 

At first I just did a quick job of it which only angered the beast. The clear coating started to peel and lift in layers. It was a hot mess! But after what felt like hours of sanding, which was likely twenty odd minutes, it all lifted and we were left with the good stuff.

Enter my next nemesis: The Rubber Gripper. 

Only to be followed by his pal The Rusty Nail.

I am not exaggerating when I say these little buggers were nearly the cause for temporary insanity! It actually took me over an hour to get them out of there. But with the help of a hammer, needle-nose pliers, and some sort of cutting device discovered in Robert's toolbox I came out the victor!

*And though I may not feel fully justified in my efforts today, it will come down the road. No one wants rusted nails and metal scratching the floors.

With the nitty-gritty out of the way we are down to the good stuff. 

So here is my thought process {be afraid}: Clearly, I want to paint the chair. Paint is my go-to. I'm thinking it will be perfect as a spot for Finley's fast approaching need for time outs. *My brothers family had a purchased one and it was way too cute and functional. But I also want to be able to use it for other tasks as they present themselves {hello helpful step stool} so let's avoid any crazy in-your-face boy style. It is going to be in my kitchen area after all.

Enter the above cursive foam stickers. They call it as it is but in a subtle way. Right? And when it is all said and done they will preserve a bit of the history the chair holds. Just you wait and see...

Now let's add a little metallic spray to the mix why don't we? 

Oh my gracious I must be off my rocker today. *Maybe those rubber grips did get the best of me after all?! Metallics are not typically my thing but when I was going through my supplies the can caught my eye and before I knew it everything was taped up and getting a solid coat of silver!

Even the back got a little frosting! On the front lawn I might add. 

What? You mean it isn't all the rage to spray paint miniature furniture pieces on the front lawn? Few. News to me!

Could that picture be any cuter? My kid and his dirty finger nails!

But seriously, it actually turned out! I was tickled with delight. Once the designated silver areas dried, after receiving three coats of spray paint, I pulled the stickers back to reveal a peak at the original wood grain. It is just enough to make the chair special.

Are we all on the same page thinking this is too cool for school? Or is it borderline tacky with the metallic? I can't tell just yet. Shall we wait until the rest is painted before drawing any conclusions? Done deal.
And why, you might ask is the rest not done? For a complete reveal and all. Your logic makes sense. It is a small chair. Shouldn't take too long to paint. Well I will tell you if you'd quit badgering me! :) But it is quite an embarrassing truth for a DIYer such as I... Our paint brushes are MIA. There is not a single paint brush to be found in our entire home. This is no word of a lie. Not even a sponge brush. Notta. So we are at a standstill the chair and I.
Check back soon {and by soon I most definitely mean tomorrow} for the final product.
Until then!
...Tell your friends all about Slippers by Day of course!