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.

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! 

Earning His Keep {DIY Tire Rack}

A day last week Robert disappeared all of a sudden. Poof. Just like that. Gone. Of course I assumed, like most women would, that he had gone to the john. Am I right ladies? But after nearly an hour I got worried and went looking. Thankfully he was safe and sound in the garage working away to my utter surprise and delight. Typically, when home, he only works after persistent request. Not that day!
Our garage lacks serious organization solutions - well you've seen it {here}. I'll give that it has come a long way in the past months as far as cleanliness and a bit of added function but it still has a long road ahead. Since moving in I have insisted that we need to make use of the high ceilings in there for additional storage - oh there is the nagging - but we have never made any official plans. Until now apparently.
Upon my discovery of Common-Law he was more than half way through creating a tire rack to be mounted just below the ceiling and above the electric panel for seasonal storage. Now that is what I am talking about! He went with a straightforward L-shaped plan of attack with leftover wood from previous projects - which essentially makes this DIY as good as free in my books. Win. Win.

It was wasted space, so why not?

An L-shaped bracket style. Simple yet Effective.

It isn't finished - to my standards anyhow. Robert insists that it is just in the garage and more than serves its purpose but I will be tackling it with some hole filler and paint one of these days {leftovers of course so it stays on the free track}. 

The best part is that those tires are gone from beneath the work bench. Which clears up the perfect space to house the summer gear. For now anyhow.

It's not too bad, eh? Fits right in. And it clears up floor space! Can I just say that I love handy men and clever, simple storage solutions!
What do you think? Is the Common-Law earning his keep? 

Projects Page Up and At' Em

Calling all friends! 

I have a major announcement! Seriously. This is a biggy!

'It is official. I, Allison Gaudett, am borderline techy!' 

Spread the word. Tell your friends. Tell the world!

{Goodness I am humble}

Finally, after weeks of humming and hawing over this darn {excuse my language} 'Projects Page' I have managed to make it work! How? Honestly, I can't be sure. I didn't, to my knowledge, do anything different than what I had been doing all along but somehow it is now working. Booya Gramma!

From here on out you will find this clever page located on the tool bar to the right of our Master To-Do List - which is well worth a peruse itself. It will serve as a tool to help you easily manoeuvre through the projects that we have gotten up to. Just click on the photo that interests you and beep boo beep {that is the sound of your computer working in case you were wondering} you will find yourself at that post. 

Eventually, once we get a few more projects under our belts, the page will be divided into categories and such but for now it is a hodgepodge of everything from DIY's  to organization.

It looks like-a-so:

A masterpiece!
Take a pop over - or is it up? - and see if  you've missed anything. If you see something you like I welcome you to leave a message. Or go ahead and Pin It! Might as well. Hey, you could even share with friends! {Thanks!}
{Here's a link to make it even easier for ya. Just this once.}
Enjoy! And hope to chat again soon.

Front Porch Pop

We have made it to Friday! Yay!
I am certain those words are music for many of you. Friday means only one more day until Saturday. Obvious yet worth stating. For me it means getting to eat again after three days! And I am one day closer to seeing Robert. 
What does it mean for you? Perhaps a weekend project? Outdoors even, since summer is nearing its end? If so, I have just the project that could facilitate the motivation you need to get started.
My neighbour Janine lives in a lovely bungalow style home with a covered front porch. The perfect spot for morning coffee and outdoor play for the kiddos on those rainy days. But since moving in she has struggled to find inspiration to make that area inviting while maintaining function due to the narrow space. Take a look at her clever solution.

She found this AWESOME dresser at a yard sale for a steal - I think it was a whopping $10 - and added a splash of colour to make it pop against the neutrals of the house. The narrow and high style is perfect and it literally says Welcome to all. Quite a greeting if you ask me. 
Though it is not complete, she would love to track down the perfect vintage knobs, the progress thus far makes a world of difference.
The evolution of change is striking. 

At the beginning of summer the space was completely empty. They purchased the bench beneath the window, pillows, and potted plants to add some flair but they were not quite satisfied with the result.

Janine knew the dresser would be the perfect solution! I would have to agree 100%.

In its original state the dresser was gorgeous but it didn't add the pop she was looking for. To make sure she made the right decision right out the gate she put the dresser in place and added the pretties she planned to incorporate with the end result. After living with it as is for a few weeks she settled on a colour and went straight to work.

A day later this is what she had:

A striking pop of colour, a contrasting combination of new and old, while maintaing an open area for traffic and play.

It is amazing how a few simple changes can make such a drastic difference! I can't wait to see how she will transition the decor throughout the seasons. Fall is just around the corner!
Enjoy your weekend. I look forward to hear what you get up to!
Chat soon.