That's right people. After a year (and then some) I have finally finished my first furniture refinishing project!! YAY!!!! I know, at this rate I will get my house in order just in time for me to die and have it all picked over by strangers in a best-of-the-best estate sale, but I'm excited now, so let me have this.
I bought this table for $5 at Goodwill. I wanted something to practice on before I went ahead and made a mess of the dining room furniture (which a lovely former coworker gave us... I am excessively cheap). This was before I started blogging, so I'm sorry, but there is no true before pic, but it's basically like every other crappy wood laminate table from the 70's. Use your imagination.
This is where my imagination got me in trouble. It would have looked perfectly fine like that. But I just saw that little grove going around the edge, and it was screaming for something more. Like maybe a mirror top....
which lead to more research and a trip out to Robinson and the Hobby Lobby with my sister-in-law (I had two coupons so I needed two people...) to buy Krylon Looking Glass spray paint. There are soo many things you can do with this! I have more ideas than time (and obviously follow-through). Add them all to the "some day" pile.
Gaaa! Streaks!
Except for the streaks, it was everything I dreamed it would be. Also, you really shouldn't let a perfectionist paint. It takes much longer than it should, and we're never happy with it. This is how the table looked for the majority of the year. I did the top coat on the main table, and that went well, but when it came to the door the whole thing dried milky, and I had to re-strip and start over (I'm pretty sure that's when all the motivation left me). I finally got a much smaller brush, took a painstakingly long time with it in a room wearing my ventilator, and after a couple of days (over a couple of weeks) managed to get it finished.
Silver and Grey
And put back together! I'll admit, I painted the wrong side of the hinges (previously brass colored, now silver) and made my brain hurt trying to make them go on the way I thought they should, but that's a touch-up for another day. As far as I'm concerned, this bad boy is done. It has a new home in the living room with the lamp base I got at Target (70% off) and the lamp shade I picked up at a film set dressings sale for $5 (TFIOS. Can't wait to see the movie!) Here's hoping this (minor) accomplishment will motivate me to tackle the next big thing... painting the buffet table with chalk paint. Wish me luck!
I've had several people tell me that I have more activities going on than their kids, and I guess I should be proud of myself for not giving up on the things I enjoy just because I'm an "adult", but seriously, sometimes I just want a nap. I'm still recovering from last week, but it was so amazing that I really don't mind the energy suck.
Last Monday I took my fabulous brother-in-law to a costume gala held by the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre (PICT). I only found out about it a few days before the event, and it was a scramble to find someone to go with. Because I had to be there. The guest of honor for the night was....wait for it.....Joffrey from Game of Thrones. Eeeeee!!! If you have the opportunity to get drunk at an open bar while wearing a costume in the presence of the sadistic boy/king of Westeros, all while supporting the Arts, you HAVE to do it. I'm pretty sure my text to my brother went something like: "You want to go get drunk with me and King Joffrey?" "Um, YES!" It's so nice to have people around who are willing to participate in my crazy shenanigans, even on a Monday (when they're starting a new job the next day. We're clearly responsible.)
I ran to the Halloween store last minute to find something to throw together, but the things I bought were crap when I got them home, so I had to go shopping in my closet. I decided to try my new pinstripe corset over a purple blouse I've had for a million years and never wear any more (this is why I hoard!). My first thought when I saw them together was of Regina from Once Upon A Time, so I busted out a purple and black ballgown skirt that I had from a high school homecoming dance (another win for hoarding)... and that's when I entered the world of wardrobe malfunctions. Lacing up your own corset is hard enough, and I was really thankful for all the yoga, but I really should have put the skirt on first. I may still be a fairly small person, but my waist is not the same size as sophomore me. Let's just say I got a little stuck. Once I FINALLY got myself in the skirt there was no way in hell it was going to zip up. So I just jammed the whole top of the skirt up underneath the corset as far as it would go. And that little effer was tight. Luckily I avoided any additional mishaps, and no one at the event saw my bum, so it worked out.
Poison apple anyone?
Brother initially had on the classic cat ears and tail to go with his regular clothes, but after some older society women spent a while gushing about our costumes, I decided he should be Sheriff Graham aka Sheriff Skinnyjeans from the first season of OUAT. Yay for pretending we coordinated costumes!! We're both horribly awkward people, so it took pretty much the whole night for us to work up the courage to ask for a picture with Joffrey (real name Jack Gleeson, who is insanely nice in real life). And by 'work up the courage' I really mean 'get drunk enough not to care about being rude'. Worth it!
Actual Halloween night was also amazing. I went with the bestie to see a screening of the National Theatre Live production of Frankenstein, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller. Benny was the monster, so he spent a good portion of the show only partially clothed (yay!) but mostly covered in scar monster type makeup. Still incredibly attractive. I'll admit, as a HUGE fan of Sherlock, I thought I understood how talented he was... I had no idea. This performance literally left my mouth hanging wide open, full-on amazed and in awe. Everyone should see it. But they won't release in on DVD, so if I find out about another screening you can bet I'll be there. I'm addicted. This little clip just gives you a taste of how amazing it was. And the sets!! Hanging light bulbs, a rotating corkscrew of a stage... I can't even talk about it. I have no words. So imma go now... watch this again.
