Good morning everyone, today is July 2nd and the day after Canada Day and what a glorious day it is. Hot days lately for the summer but I absolutely love it.
Thrift stores are so much fun, you never know what you'll find or if you find anything that day. Sometimes I find gems and some days I walk out with nothing and thats okay.
Below is the picture of the before of these vases I bought. I thought they were so cool looking and would be an amazing flip into modern stylish vases.

I went into the thrift store not knowing what I was looking for. As soon as I walked in I saw these vases right away. They caught my eye because they looked so neat and I could see what they could be.
After I picked them up and placed them in the cart, I walked around the store but couldn't find anything else that got my attention. I started to smell something that was really bothering me, it didn't matter where I went in the store I could still smell it.
Seeing as I didn't know where the bad smell came from I cleaned these vases right away with Cottage Paint (Use Code LUBBLY10 FOR 10% OFF) furniture prep and clean spray. I scrubbed my hands and the vases but I think the smell was on the cart.

Once I got home I sprayed the vases and then cleaned them. I first sprayed them with a Primer spray. Kiltz spray is my go to but Lowe's was all out so I had to get the pricey shellac spray.

After I sorayed two coats of Primer spray I lightly sanded the vases. I then painted them with Crinoline paint by Country Chic Paint about one coat. I grabbed some green tape and wrapped some tape around the middle of one vase. I sprayed the bottom half with Rustoleum spray in dark Walnut.

Once it was dry I took the tape off. I sealed both vases with clear coat and here below is the final reveal. Simple, easy but modern update to two thrift store vases.
I hope this project provides some inspiration, its so much fun and can be really easy and creative.

Take care my friends and see you for the next project

Meg

If it is Summer where you are then you are going to love this summer pasta recipe dish. It's quick and easy to make and the ingredients are easy to find, you probably already have them in your pantry. Its funny writing the word pantry because I grew up in England and we never had a pantry, just kitchen cupboards.

When my Sister and I went to the US to visit my Dad we found this spice bottle kit for salads and it was the best thing ive ever bought, well i've bought more great things but this was amazing for the kitchen. I'll share a photo below of it. Unfortunately I could not find it in Canada and only the US. If you don't have the bottle kit you can use anything to mix it in. The salad mix spices can be bought in Canada and US at any grocery store and ill also share below the picture.

Again this is such an easy yummy summer dish to take to parties or serve at your own party. Make sure you have a big bowl that you love to use.
​

First thing to do is boil your pasta, while its boiling chop up your veggies. Mix up your salad mix packet with the vinegar and oil, make sure to read the packet instructions and measurements. Once the pasta is done, strain it and pour into a large bowl

Mix in the veggies with the pasta and then pour the salad mix in. Stir really well and let cool. See how easy was that?
​

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and if you make it let me know... tag me on Instagram or Facebook. Let me know in the comments below what you thought. Enjoy

Meg

Hey everyone, hope you are all well. This past couple of weeks have been absolutely crazy and busy for us but we found this dresser. I saw it on Marketplace and the owner had placed the picture of it on the roadside, I messaged asking if I could it have. They said yes, so my Husband went to pick it up and found it at the end of the driveway. I thought it was such a cool piece and how the drawers looked weaved and knew I could give it a make over.

It can be intimidating seeing large pieces of furniture on the roadside and not knowing what to do with it but you so desperately love it you want to take it anyway. Don't be afraid to pick it up and take it home, if you are a beginner and want to learn, follow along and learn step by step what to do. You don't have to do exactly what i do for this design, but this gives you an idea or some inspiration.

It's crazy, we never find anything good on the roadsides in my area, furniture is mostly sold in Facebook marketplace or Kijiji or other buy and sell pages.
When I saw this piece, i thought the drawers looked so unique and had to get it.

I also have a YouTube video out this week on this dresser if you prefer to watch than read.

When I got this dresser home it was filthy, absolutely filled with dirt from the storm we had just had. The outside had tape on it and mud in the drawers, mostly the bottom ones and the underneath. I grabbed my portable vacuum and started vacuuming the outside and everywhere basically.
​

Once I had vacuumed the outside and the inside drawers, I cleaned the entire piece. I took out the bottom drawers and filled a bucket with hot water and a small amount of bleach. I grabbed a rag and cleaned the entire bottom and outside.

​

I did'nt like a groove that was on the top so I filled it in with wood filler.

Then I sprayed the underneath, backing, underneath the drawers and inside the drawers. I knew there wasn't bed bugs but I wanted to make sure as I had gotten this dresser on the roadside and didn't know the reason for the owner to throw it out. Once I let it sit for a bit I then wiped it all down with water and cleaner, after that I vacuumed again. I wanted this piece to be really clean and new again.

Once this piece was completely clean to my satisfaction, I then started to scuff sand the entire piece and sand various drawer panels, the ones that formed a pattern.

Once everything was cleaned inside and out and scuff sanded and sanded panels, i wiped it all down again to remove sand dust. Then finally it was time for the fun parts, priming and painting.
I primed by using my favourite primer, Kiltz Restoration and did 3 coats, sanding in between coats with 220 grit sanding paper.

I had to re-sand the rounded edge so that it was completely smooth. Below is how it looks after priming. I then painted using my sprayer and Lichen by Cottage Paint and Varnish in Satin. (USE CODE LUBBLY10 FOR 10% OFF Cottage Paint) click here. 

I sanded in between paint coats with 1000 grit sanding block and then gave the wood panels a beige paint wash spraying a little water and wiping off the excess. I then sanded each panel with the sanding block and then lined each drawer with peel and stick wallpaper from Lowes. I sealed the entire piece with Cottage Paint Varnish. And below is the final look

Although this roadside find was a lot of work it brough me so much joy to see the final result which in my opinion turned out amazing.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and I hope that it helps you find some great pieces on the side of the road and that you won't be discouraged but have confidence that you can turn something into something beautiful

take care

​Meg