Another Dresser Redo

It has been quite a while since I made an appearance on here!! Truth is I haven't been working on any decor projects lately 😜 My main focus has been my family and Etsy shop (www.bigsislilsislove.etsy.com) which keep me pretty busy these days! 

But on to the reason I am back...

I just started a new dresser project! Since chalk paint seems to be the biggest trend in furniture revamping these days, I decided to give it a try 😄 

I found this amazing "French provincial" style dresser (please let me know if I am wrong in the style 😉) for FREE!! 

Pretty great right?! 😍 I was in love at first sight! 

Since we had a long weekend for the holiday and amazing weather, my hubby helped motivate me to get this project started!

The plan is to paint, distress and then really step out of my comfort zone and try a little dark wax for an aged look! 

We were able to get it painted and used Valspar Belle Grove Antique White, then mixed up our own "chalk paint" using plaster Paris and water mixture! For this dresser we used 2 cups of paint added 5 tbsp of plaster Paris and 3 tbsp water! We found this "recipe" from the great customer service at Lowes!! So we will see how it holds up, but it may be an inexpensive alternative to the already premixed chalk paint you can purchase. 

Stay tuned for our reveal!! 

**Update 3/1/15**

I love how the final product turned out! And looks perfect in our master bedroom!!

Now we just need to wall mount our tv!!

Little by little we are making progress on our home decor transformation.

More fun projects coming soon!!

Erica

Special Delivery: Free Purex, Sara Lee and Apple & Eve Coupons

So check it out,

these all came in the mail today!!

How fun to get some FREEBIES 

and high value coupons to boot!

Go to the links below to get yours :)

Free Purex Complete With Zout Laundry Detergent sample

plus a $1 OFF coupon

I have mentioned here before 

how I like to take a quick minute 

to write to the manufactures 

and tell them why I like their products. 

Almost always I receive an appreciation email 

and quite often they send me some coupons in the mail!!

That is how I received these:

I wrote to them regarding their Fruitables juices

that Cadee loves!

(4) Apple & Eve Juice Product coupons

I wrote to them regarding Hillshire Farm Lunch Meats

$1 OFF for ANY Sara Lee products

So although this began as a "decor" blog,

I also find it fitting to share ANY type of deal 

that can save us all a "dollar" or two!

Please feel free to share any great recent deals 

you have found :)

Dealin',

Erica

Dresser Revival

So we have this wall...

pretty huh? ;)

Anyway,

we have been trying to find the perfect piece

to put here!

So this is what we found...

Only $10!

Wait, you don't like it??! Pssh!

It's totally ugly??! How rude!!

Okay, I agree ;)

BUT, it has potential, right?!!

So I had a vision of something like this...

Are seeing what I'm seeing?!!!

Get the picture? :)

But first,

we have to do the hard work!

So I put my hubby on that straight away ;)

sanding and sanding

and then some playing with the sand!

Our little Foreman {Lucy} making sure the job is getting done ;)

back to more sanding!

And finally ready to paint :)

Thanks babe!!

So I didn't get any pics of me painting it, 

because I am lame

and got caught up in the moment,

trying to figure out how I was going to create this vision!

But I really did it all myself,

my hubby gave suggestions though :)

I started by spray painting the whole thing

COLONIAL RED

and then with BEHR paint 

in STEALTH JET

I brushed it on in small sections, 

wiping it with a dry rag back and forth

until it looked the way I wanted! 

{My biggest lesson was you want to just go in one direction!!}

Introducing...  

my NEW {old} REVIVED dresser!!!

There are a couple of things left to do,

but I just had to share it with you 90% done because

I am very EXCITED and PROUD of my very first furniture painting project!

I think I matched my vision and very HAPPY with the results!!

Reviving and revamping furniture 

might be something to add to my growing list of hobbies ;)

Revived,

Erica

Spring Color Trends... & a SALE!!

I found this great site on all the new color trends for Spring/Summer 2011

I was inspired to do a little designing and add some new items to my shop!

Here are few of the Limited Edition bags for Spring!

"Poppy"

"Goldie"

"Minty"

"Flutterby"

And since Spring has just sprung,

BigSis LilSis Boutique

is having a Spring Sale

10% OFF all items

use code: SPRING10

at check out!

{Offer ends March 31st}

Inspired,

Erica

xo

Office {Desk} Space... Sneak Peek

These walls need some life!

Don't you think?!

Eww...

 and look at all those ugly cords :(

Here are a few inspiration ideas I have for this space :)

Burlap Pin Boards

Vintage Keys

Remember these

a little something my hubby found!

I think it will be perfect :))

Decor on,

Erica

xo

Talco Paglieri

There is something about this piece of art that I just love and adore!

{Italian artist Gino Boccasille 1950}

I have always wanted to get my hands on one of these

to put in my girls nursery or powder room :)

Presented like a 1950's Italian baby powder advertisement,

it just exudes innocents and femininity!

Not to mention it's fantastic vintage feel!!

This WILL be the year!!

I already have the frame, 

just need the print :))

J'adore art,

Erica

xoxo

The VEGAN Challenge...{GIVEAWAY}

So, if you missed the episode of Oprah yesterday on 

"Harpo's Vegan Challenge"

check out a preview here 

and the run down of what took place here

Since I am turning 30 this year! 

Yup that's right the BIG 3-0!!

I have been thinking a lot about how to get myself healthier 

and live my best life!

I am beginning to see the fine lines around my eyes a little more, 

having a few extra aches in the morning when I get out of bed, 

a lack of energy and just an over all need to feel healthy!

A lot of people make New Year's resolutions 

to get in shape and diet,

but have never been one to feel like I needed to diet or exercise.

Now after having two kids and approaching a pivotal age,

I can definitely sense a change in my body 

and I am not really liking it!

SO...

time to make some changes,

I have decided to take the 

ONE WEEK

VEGAN CHALLENGE

and see how my body responds!

What is a VEGAN? 

A type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs 

and dairy products 

and all other animal-derived ingredients.

Did you know?...

 *Americans eat nearly 10 billion animals in a year.

*The average American's yearly meat intake is 

70 pounds higher 

than it was a century ago.

*Research has shown that non-meaters tend to 

live 6-10 years longer 

than meat eaters.

For more info, check out the FAQ's

I would love it if others would join me and keep me motivated!

I know this isn't going to be easy 

and I may get a little cranky at first {sorry hubby}

and

I can't guarentee that after this I will be 

100% Vegan or meat free.

But...

I just think it is important take charge of my eating habits now,

in order to be a good example for my girls!

I want to show them how to be more conscious 

about what goes into our bodies,

and where our food comes from!

For those of us {meaning myself} that have no idea 

what we are getting into

here is a sample vegan grocery list of items 

to get us started!!

As a little incentive to my readers

that want to take this challenge with me,

if I get at least 5 people to do this with me

I will be giving away a copy of Kelly Freston's book
to one lucky challenger!

Veganist

where she gives you meal planning ideas

and alternatives to meat like this...

Instead of spaghetti with meatballs,

Try spaghetti with veggie meatballs (found in the grocer's freezer)

Instead of pizza with sausage,

Try pizza made with Daiya cheese, veggie sausage 

or mushrooms and a whole grain crust

Instead of chili with meat,

Try chili with three kinds of beans and veggie meat crumbs

So if you are up for the challenge 

and want to enter my giveaway

Go here to enter

Veganist {for a week},

Erica

xo