Score at Marshalls!!!

Stopped by Marshalls in hopes to score some cute decoration items for a reasonable price....everyone knows that shopping at these types of stores, it's either a hit or miss. Majority of the times, I walk away with nothing but my money in my pocket (maybe that's a good thing lol). This is because I always happen to show up to the store a couple weeks after they receive their delivery...which means all the good items are no where to be found. Luckily for me I scored two very cute items :)

First item: I grabbed an older looking rustic frame....ON SALE for $3.00

I actually like the picture inside the frame...to keep or not to keep?

      

Second item: I scored this unique bird cage pin-board (pins included) that I could use to pin random items on ;)
This only cost me $14.99....
Not too bad for a large not only cute decoration, but also one that might come in handy! (Me and my random notes to hang)

I'm loving the rustic look <3 The pins are even worn out!!

Very cute detail..everyone who knows me..know I love birds!

I'm hoping you all find cute items on your adventures in Marshalls ;)

Please share any cute decorations you scored..would love to hear about them!

xoxo Britt

Say hello to my new coffee table!

So I've been reading various blogs about updating old furniture...or staining furniture to create an antique look. This only made me even more excited to change this old coffee table that we bought a ways back....As you will see in the pictures I also did the matching side table ;)

Before/After

Here's the original table...with obvious sun/rain damage...loose legs..and fading wood

So I decided to head to my local OSH store to pick up some products that would help me fix the table.

These were the items I purchased:

Varathane Wood Conditioner $4.99

Varathane Wood Stain (American Walnut) $9.99

Deft Clear Wood Finish $6.99

There were also several other items I needed...ones that could easily be found in my garage.

Sandpaper

Hammer

Paintbrushes

Towels

Paper Towels

Paint

First step is completely sand down the entire table surface....

This is not sanded yet (as you can tell)

I decided that since I was going to paint the legs and bottom part...there was no need to sand that part down. Plus after the sanding begins, you are not going to want to sand down more than you need to :) 

Make sure that the entire surface is completely down to its base and as smooth as you can make it. This will help the staining process to go about much easier! I also took a hammer and hit the table at different angle to create various textures on the table...Don't beat your table..but I personally like the little indentions within the table..it creates a more older feel.

Next step is to brush the wood conditioner over the entire surface (Not pictured)

Make sure to wipe off all the access liquid before it dries! I let mine dry for about 25 minutes to make sure that the wood was soaking it all up! :)

Finally, the exciting part :)

Take the brush and paint a layer of the (well-shaken) wood stain across the surface! Make sure that you paint in strokes that compliment the direction of the wood. Meanwhile while the first layer was drying, I decided to paint the legs the antique white that I found in our shed!

This is the table after the second layer of staining..

I waited about 45 minutes for the wood stain layer to dry, then I painted another!

While the second layer was drying, I messed around with the legs..scratching them..wiping a little bit of wood stain to create that antique feel....

Finally, after the second layer dried...I painted another. I painted a total of 4 layers of the wood stain! It's based on your desired darkness, once you feel like the wood if dark enough for your liking..you can stop!

This is after 4 layers of wood stain

Once all the wood stain dried...I took my sand paper and sanded the entire surface to make sure that the wood was smooth and that the color was even. Then I sprayed the Deft Clear Wood Finish over the entire table (including the sides and legs). I sprayed the table well over 4 complete times ;) 

The Wood Finish seals the stain and creates a smooth and silky surface top.

                                            

                                              

Obviously I'm not a professional and it took trial and error to get the tables to look exactly how I wanted them....and after 6+ hours..I am pleased with them :)

Please let me know if you have any questions ;) Pictures of them in my apartment are coming soon!!!!


                                                                          xoxo Britt

Here's to my apartment life...

Hello everyone,

Here's a new blog that I'm making to share about my experience with making my apartment at school my home away from home....because as they say..."There's no place like home"! Here I will show my endeavors to find cute items...for reasonable prices...decorate (the best part)...try many D.I.Y (Do it Yourself) projects..all with in hopes to making this year feel as home-y as possible!

;)

                                                                   xoxo Britt