DIY: White Washing

There is nothing better than exploring a sea of unwanted "junk" in search for hidden treasures. Oh wait, I stand corrected, finding a hidden treasure in a sea of unwanted things is better. If you have been following my blog from my first post, or if you have read my first post, you know that I recently moved in with my best friend. It's been nothing short of amazing, but alas, two of the most indecisive people paired together can really make decorating difficult. In the early weeks of June, my mother and I found an old, somewhat ugly coffee table for $20 at our local church's summer fair. Normally, I would have stuck up my nose, made some off comment and moved on, but my recent itch for crafting stopped me. Instead of seeing an ugly brown coffee table, I saw so much more (I like to think there's an artist in me...) So after no hesitation, I handed over Mr. Jackson and happily went on my way. Now, as we all know summer can be hectic. There's always something to do, somewhere to go, someone to see, and our weekends just somehow disappear without really knowing where it went. Earlier this week, I came down with some kind of virus and have literally been sick as a dog, or at least the sickest I can remember since high school. And while this is my last day staying home, I felt inspired this afternoon to make my vision into a reality. And you know what, I'm not too disappointed with the outcome :)

I first cleaned the coffee table with water mixed with vinegar - just to clean it and to wipe away old cobwebs, etc. Next, I used some Krud Kutter Gloss Off to remove any of the gloss used originally on the coffee table. I then mixed 2 parts Sherwin Williams ProClassic Interior Acrylic Latex Extra White with 1 parts water (I may not have done this to the exact, I kind of eye balled it) I then painted on the watered down paint trying to brush in the same direction. I wasn't worried about perfecting the strokes or the paint layering, just trying to cover the entire table. After letting the table dry for about 10-15 minutes, I used acrylic paint - teal and gold - the paint over the trimmings. I only waited 10 minutes or so because I still wanted to have a white washing effect with the trims.

DIY: White Washed Coffee Table with a Teal and Gold Trimming

White Washed:

White Washed with Gold & Teal Trimmings:

Picstitch:

The Awkward First Date After a Drunken Make-Out Sesh (Sometimes at the OD)

Okay, so this is my first summer after graduating college, my first summer living in Manayunk, my first summer being best friends again with my best friend, as well as living with her, my first summer really single after my breakup with my ex, and a first summer of many first dates.

So, most of my first dates have been with guys that I have met at a bar and have drunkenly made out with. So let's talk about the awkwardness of meeting each other again without our beer goggles on. There was one date in particular, which also happened to be my first date of the summer, with this guy that I had meet at the OD in Sea Isle, (for those of you who are not familiar with the OD, it is a sloppy-drunk bar where many people meet other singles and, in a drunken state, may believe they have met their future spouse) so, I met this guy Mike who at the time I believed was a hot, well dressed, guy who had a solid job, lived close by, and was nice to talk (and make out with) and I thought it was destined for a fairy tale ending. So we ended up going on a date, which was actually not as bad as it could have been. He was extremely nice and polite and fun, but nope there was just nothing there. And the awkwardness of meeting up just made me nervous.. do we hug? Will he kiss me? If so, on the check? On the lips? Having already locked lips for a majority of the night, I had no idea what to expect. But being that I happen to LOVE first dates, and the awkward, uncomfortable conversation of first dates it was nothing I couldn't handle, but its safe to say that I did not go out with him again nor have I heard from him since. (Thank GOD)

xx

h