restored nightstand

this nightstand has been really bothering me for a while .

the wood color doesn't match anything in our room,

and of course it's on my side of the bed .

I decided it was time to do something about this predicament.

[ before 

( ps the book on my nightstand ,

  the hunger games, is a must read ) ]

I was a little intimated by the sanding process - but it was actually so easy .

the first of ( not kidding ) six coats ...

I used a generic satin white paint .

[ after ]

I got a chic new lamp & 

got rid of some clutter .

It feels so clean & refreshing to finally have 

given this nightstand a much needed makeover! 

tomato basil mozzarella panini

per my sister's request, I have taken a brief break from baking 

to switch it up & share a simple lunch I made .

I don't usually spend time making lunch & opt for 

sandwiches , as I'm normally too busy .

today, I took time to make a sandwich - a panini .

a simple heated sandwich made special using black truffle oil 

in replace of regular olive oil .

it was the perfect lunch ,

light but full of flavor !

necklace handbands

how cute are these necklaces as headbands ?

I've always been a handband girl
( I think a bun always looks pulled together with a handband )
so I decided to put a twist on the average fabric band .

[ necklace : h & m ]

[ necklace : j crew ]

[ necklace : forever 21 ]

life is beautiful

I got really into my spray - paint paintings the other day.

I had leftover vinyl stickers from my prior project ( found here ) , 

& with them made more fun paintings on canvas' I had from forever ago . 

I spray - painted the background of my canvas silver,

so the letters would be silver & the background white. 

I kind of like the imperfections in this painting - 

the letters aren't perfectly lined & the white paint blends into the silver letters.

two out of four of the canvas' ( joey made the cow skull )

I know the saying is cheesy , but everyday I have to remind myself that 

everything about life - the goods, bads, ups, downs, rainy days, 

& sunny days, are beautiful . 

pomegranate pecan pancakes

you know when you're so hungry but you don't know what to make ?

there is little to nothing in the refrigerator , & it makes you just want to give up 

& not eat anything.

that was me this morning . instead of giving up , however , I reached into my cabinets and found some consistently necessary ingredients  & whipped up some pancakes .

I added random ingredients I had in my fridge to spice them up ,

& I was so happy I did . 

recipe for the pancakes here

home is wherever i'm with you

with the new year , I told myself I would really take time & redecorate my apartment 

[ fix things that constantly annoy me , improve on organization,

 & consistently decorate ]

I got the idea for this quote - painting from this blog , 

& this re-worked piece now hangs in our room : ) .

1. ) take an old painting / one you could live without 

2 . ) using vinyl letter stickers [ I purchased mine from michaels ] , 

cut out individual letters and eye where you'd like to place them on the painting

3 . ) stick the letters on the painting

4 . ) we spray - painted over our painting in white so the letters would 

be the color of the original art work. 

you could also spray paint the whole painting white, then spray over the letters in a 

different color & play around with it .

once the paint is dry , gently peel off the vinyl lettering .

finished product ! 

costs under $10 and is a fun , quick, & easy project. 

I love it .