tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77006388440954575732024-03-04T21:05:44.853-08:00Boots in City Lightssmall town girl living the big city lifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-62971283812188267212015-05-05T13:37:00.000-07:002015-05-05T13:37:08.312-07:00Black Bean Salsa Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1RpxRIV1ekXVKpj-6lCIDUPaLueOKiZFzoRl-8Vwl_wzsWcBDvJj7weNy2ZDo8NeJaTY7oryeRVsZtRuhOa82Dugp_gAs7rj-GSsTqO8nn-2Zt2hgg53iwVnlJ3DjtUPFums8E8jCUBa/s1600/il_570xN.576743373_8m04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1RpxRIV1ekXVKpj-6lCIDUPaLueOKiZFzoRl-8Vwl_wzsWcBDvJj7weNy2ZDo8NeJaTY7oryeRVsZtRuhOa82Dugp_gAs7rj-GSsTqO8nn-2Zt2hgg53iwVnlJ3DjtUPFums8E8jCUBa/s320/il_570xN.576743373_8m04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all! It's a big day here in Texas.. We are always up for a reason to eat Mexican food and have a margarita on a patio. To celebrate, I made my yummy black bean salsa and want to share the recipe with you! My aunt gave me this recipe years ago, and I have taken it to so many events and always get asked how to make it. Everyone loves it, and it's super simple!<br />
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<u>Ingredients:</u><br />
2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)<br />
1 can tomatoes with green chilis<br />
16oz jar hot or medium chunky picante sauce<br />
1/2 cup chopped green onions<br />
2 teaspoons cumin<br />
1/4 cup dried cilantro<br />
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Just mix everything in a bowl and let sit in the fridge a few hours before serving.. I usually let mine sit in the fridge overnight and eat it the next day.. Believe me, it doesn't taste as good if you eat it right when you make it.. The flavors need to work together for a few hours. <br />
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Enjoy!<br />
Cheers!<br />
Emyli xo<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-16408438155116047192015-03-23T13:32:00.000-07:002015-03-23T13:32:07.866-07:00Farmers Cheese from Scratch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyONIrW3fb43q64doJSbv7SOvxiNFRhsTCZWqs-Bwrpt3jGQiDw6t9bIMxnwQp4wr8wzvvO_f_2oPADVyh95De5E8Rxj8wPfmqFk95cCUzlQrrvxwA6Z8jUQKioJ326_zHQ73qxPJuo1Ye/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyONIrW3fb43q64doJSbv7SOvxiNFRhsTCZWqs-Bwrpt3jGQiDw6t9bIMxnwQp4wr8wzvvO_f_2oPADVyh95De5E8Rxj8wPfmqFk95cCUzlQrrvxwA6Z8jUQKioJ326_zHQ73qxPJuo1Ye/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Y'all, I am such a huge fan of wine and cheese! I love trying new wines and pairing them with unique cheeses while socializing with friends.. And one of my favorite things to do is entertain my friends with wine and cheese! <br />
I was on my main etsy feed, and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/117406903/mini-diy-farmers-cheese-kit-3-5-batches?ref=shop_home_active_3">make your own cheese kit</a> popped up.. What?! Why haven't I thought of this brilliant idea before?! I searched the varieties, read the reviews and decided on the farmers cheese.. From the description, it seemed like it might be the most forgiving if I messed up and needed to add extra ingredients to make it into a spread..<br />
I highly recommend this seller, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanCheesecraft?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count">Urban Cheesecraft</a>.. My package came quickly, and the instructions were easy to follow.. I will be making more in my future! <br />
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Here is the cute little box and the things that came in it minus the instruction pamphlet.<br />
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This is what the curds and whey look like while they are cooking.<br />
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After cooking the curds, I drained them in the provided cheesecloth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RfnWpIYjGFaIV4OU26oVKnLdhLUL_ak106LtyaReX3g_6tWgNmAIbl4TtXPLNVxSbJPwMiO1HU4uNXZSULTir2zmfDqNmnRxkgZHrJfOfm7mevti98VUDfNzZ8yEzU01o7rPNZmA6aBE/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RfnWpIYjGFaIV4OU26oVKnLdhLUL_ak106LtyaReX3g_6tWgNmAIbl4TtXPLNVxSbJPwMiO1HU4uNXZSULTir2zmfDqNmnRxkgZHrJfOfm7mevti98VUDfNzZ8yEzU01o7rPNZmA6aBE/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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After draining, I added the provided cheese salt, and it was delicious! The seller gave a few ideas of variations and things to add so I picked up some store bought pesto and added that. Oh my goodness!!! It was delicious!!! I think she recommended 2 tablespoons, and I used closer to 4.. After mixing it in, I put the cheese back into the cloth to 'ball it up' for serving..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsnXxDyM8_fN3lC_A4UQMo__vzGkUddf-bFGtC0Fg5YP066AAMF6rFSLf_XsB2bUi8RI_CuatDowVG4fnLLXgfxOHT9ZkVee8RsCXM1ZtgvSARhlI93dsNpCyCuGH5y0zF35JBV5pOC5w/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsnXxDyM8_fN3lC_A4UQMo__vzGkUddf-bFGtC0Fg5YP066AAMF6rFSLf_XsB2bUi8RI_CuatDowVG4fnLLXgfxOHT9ZkVee8RsCXM1ZtgvSARhlI93dsNpCyCuGH5y0zF35JBV5pOC5w/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here it is ready to serve! The kit makes several batches so I will get to make more soon! And I can't wait to try to mozzarella one! </div>
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Cheers, y'all!</div>
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Emyli</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-53347869133560442462015-01-13T11:57:00.002-08:002015-01-13T11:57:45.683-08:00Black Bean Quinoa Burgers & Corn Feta Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am a huge veggie burger lover!! They are so tasty, and they don't make you feel as full and heavy as a real beef burger. Plus, it's a kinder meal ;) .. I get veggie burgers in restaurants all the time, but I have yet to find a patty I really like to eat at home so I decided to make my own. This one is pretty spicy! My husband and I love spice so you may want to make a few changes if you are making this recipe for kids. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2txa8uJyL8JDGzu_k96akX2nuZFcznJfQ6VLTYzINiGMTqOzoo2QjXKIPdLpvC2mao7YpMzpGXSPtg7P6dcWUVbIr2SchbBUm_q1-D0I57PPiqDPPLcz93QErzrvAB1ZsT1Z9-WQRrfr6/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2txa8uJyL8JDGzu_k96akX2nuZFcznJfQ6VLTYzINiGMTqOzoo2QjXKIPdLpvC2mao7YpMzpGXSPtg7P6dcWUVbIr2SchbBUm_q1-D0I57PPiqDPPLcz93QErzrvAB1ZsT1Z9-WQRrfr6/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Ingredients:</u></b><br />
1 can 15 oz black beans drained and rinsed<br />
1/2 cup quinoa<br />
1 cup veggie broth<br />
1/2 cup bread crumbs<br />
1 egg<br />
1/2 green bell pepper<br />
3 tablespoons-ish red onion<br />
2 cloves garlic<br />
3 teaspoons Fiagaro Hickory Smoke Flavor (you could use liquid smoke too)<br />
1 teaspoon hot sauce<br />
1 teaspoon chili powder<br />
1 1/2 tablespoon cumin<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
Buns<br />
Any toppings you'd like<br />
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Cook the quinoa according to instructions. I did 1/2 cup quinoa with 1 cup veggie broth. Bring it to a boil then simmer covered for 15 minutes. Cut your green bell pepper and onion into slices and put in a chopper or mini food processor with the cloves of garlic. Process until minced. Mash your drained, rinsed black beans with a fork until they are pretty mashed, but you may leave a few whole. Add the minced garlic/onion/pepper mixure and all seasonings and spices. Stir until blended well. Next add the bread crumbs, quinoa and egg, and mix with your hands then form into 4 large patties. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway between. I added a slice of mild cheddar cheese and chipotle barbeque sauce on ours. <br />
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Go <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/Recipes/recipe/229">here</a> for the corn and feta salad. I cut the recipe in half and used the Trader Joes roasted corn and dried cilantro instead of fresh. Those are the only changes I made, and it turned out delicious! I'm going to use the left overs for a southwest salad! Mmmmmm<br />
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Cheers, ya'll!<br />
Emyli xo<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-36132644012583568552015-01-04T13:24:00.002-08:002015-01-04T13:26:58.881-08:00New Year's Eve Romantic Dinner for Two.. Fancy on the Cheap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My husband and I love a good night out with friends, but on New Year's Eve, we'd rather stay home.. It's safer, we can spend quality time together and we can indulge in a really nice bottle of wine. <br />
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I try to make our special occasion dinners at home a little more festive.. I cook a lot so if it's a holiday, I like to make it stand out a little more. However, I don't like to go all out and buy lots of fancy stuff so I try to get creative and use what I've got and only buy flowers and maybe one or two other things..<br />
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To make it extra special on the cheap, I did a burlap runner which I had because I stock pile burlap in my craft closet.. You never know when you'll need that stuff, right? I used our silver chargers and regular plates that we usually use and added our nice napkins that I only bring on on occasion.. I printed out a little print that said "Cheers", wrapped silver washi tape to the napkin to make a shiny napkin ring, and I used a mini clothes pin I dressed in glitter to attached my print to the napkin.. I also did the same with the champagne flutes with a sign that said "pop fizz clink" and put pearl white gumballs in those until it was time to serve the champagne. My centerpiece was hydrangea flowers from Market Street at 3 bundles for $12, and the vase was half off at Hobby Lobby.. The other crystal vases I already had.. I used silver votive candles that were on sale after Christmas, and I printed up a pretty menu and framed it to complete the 'fancy' dinner.. I had everything on hand except for the vase, flowers, mini clothespins, gumballs, and the little print ups I made.. I don't consider that too much to buy to make a special, memorable night at home..<br />
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Happy Celebrating, y'all!</div>
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Emyli xo</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-90452152365319379922014-12-22T18:48:00.000-08:002014-12-22T21:30:51.151-08:00Fake it til you make it Truffle Popcorn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I die for truffle oil. It is seriously the most heavenly taste in the entire world. I had it for the first time in Venice, Italy on our honeymoon. You can read about that <a href="http://slaglefamilyadventures.blogspot.com/2013/03/venice-italy.html">here.</a> I instantly fell in love with the flavor- the richness, the uniqueness, the oh so goodness! The bad news is truffles are pricey!!!! Lucky for all of us, Trader Joes makes a truffle flavored olive oil for about $5. What?! Y'all, it tastes like the real deal too! I had to snag it up to see what I could come up with.... Fake it til you make it tuffle popcorn!<br />
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The star ingredient!</div>
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I just pulled things from my fridge and pantry that I thought might taste yummy with truffle popcorn. I mixed it all up, and it turned out fab! It was especially yummy with red wine. </div>
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Fake it til You Make it Truffle Popcorn</div>
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1.5 tbsn Trader Joes Black Truffle Olive Oil</div>
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1 bag of Skinny Girl Popcorn (sea salt and butter flavor)</div>
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4-6 springs of fresh thyme</div>
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Cracked Black Pepper</div>
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Shredded Parmesan</div>
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Make the popcorn as directed on the package. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, a tablespoon of cheese, black pepper and thyme. After the popcorn is done, put it into a large bowl and slowly pour your mixture over the popped corn. I divided mine into two cereal bowls and topped with a little more thyme, pepper and cheese.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Emyli xo</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-734670567588170832014-12-17T19:53:00.001-08:002014-12-19T07:33:02.978-08:00The stockings were hung by the chimney with care......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my most favorite Christmas traditions is stockings. My husband and I do stockings for each other every year, and I have such a great time finding little things to fill his. He always does a great job filling mine too. <br />
This year, I have slacked a little with my Christmas decorations because we have just moved into a new house, and I'm trying to finish the house details for family to come over on Christmas Eve. I am doing a few Christmas things here and there, and I wanted to share my fireplace and mantle. It's very simple, but I'm very pleased with how it's turned out! <br />
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Here are my details:</div>
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Fireplace glass::<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055EWAEA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a> (60 pounds is what it took at $3lb..Every other site was $5+)</div>
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Mirror::Hobby Lobby</div>
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Topiaries::<a href="http://www.steinmart.com/famous-maker-22-potted-preserved-topiary-zid25-50108992/cat-25-catid-802?var_id=25-50108992&vva_SizeCode=99999&vva_ColorCode=999&_t=pfm%3Dsearch">SteinMart</a></div>
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Live pine and cedar stems::Trader Joes (only $5 for a bundle)</div>
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Stockings::<a href="http://www.mybabypie.com/holiday-ornament-stockings-by-mud-pie?utm_source=google_shopping">Mud Pie</a></div>
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Decorative Tree::Marshall's</div>
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Bottles::My dad found them on our land..They may or may not have been old moonshine bottles ;)</div>
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Merry Christmas,y'all!</div>
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Emyli xo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-13614345320310993792014-12-15T19:39:00.000-08:002014-12-15T19:39:42.709-08:00Little Putz House Display<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have loved the little glitter putz houses for some time now so I finally decided to make some. I love shopping small businesses so I searched Etsy and found a great assortment of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlevillagehouses?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count">sweet little houses</a>. They arrived pretty quickly, and she even included a mini wreath which looks adorable on my church! <br />
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Luckily, I had lots of glitter on hand, but I made a trip to Michaels for a couple more options since I wasn't sure what they would all look like on cardboard. </div>
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I did pull a few colors other than neutrals and actually used the green. It looked cute, but I just love simple look without much color so I Mod Podged over the green glitter with silver. The Martha Stewart glitter is so fab! After my glitter dried, I cut squares of tracing paper for my windows and hot glued those inside my houses. The Etsy shop has two options of solid back houses, or she will cut circles if you want to use battery operated tea lights to illuminate your houses. Obviously, that was my choice! </div>
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I thought about putting them inside apothecary jars, but my little houses only fit it one of the jars that I had on hand so I ran to Home Goods for a tray and incorporated the jars and my tray. I had some trees on hand, but I found more at Walmart. </div>
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Next year, I'll make more and put them on some shelving in my entry way to make a whole little village. But for now, I'll enjoy my little glittery tray set up.</div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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Emyli xo</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-5773687731453563332014-12-10T18:05:00.001-08:002014-12-10T18:05:35.127-08:00Painting Furniture with Chalk Paint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwSFFRwEL_wAXxJNZ2suuJl0xnRWk6zevuvd1p-5SkaLZku8g8MSRYBl5_UGnn1NhpPUlF9J9Pt-BKdP5wKLhE68oSnIGgnPNpYfNh6yWPL3pRVRq0mwXOdmYWZxEXOGzqT705oZr5xiW/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwSFFRwEL_wAXxJNZ2suuJl0xnRWk6zevuvd1p-5SkaLZku8g8MSRYBl5_UGnn1NhpPUlF9J9Pt-BKdP5wKLhE68oSnIGgnPNpYfNh6yWPL3pRVRq0mwXOdmYWZxEXOGzqT705oZr5xiW/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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It seems like painting furniture can easily intimidate people.. I think people fear ruining a piece of furniture.. But it's just furniture!! It can be sanded out and painted over.. If it eases your fears, find an old piece of wood or buy some cheap wood to practice on first.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY47ez8KYaCztwRPbA6UCgOR1M_AoE_y4UcO3Gh-s9r_OMspLlgjFaHglJc8PLCfxKJJrmQC1BuT6Eqxipr6Tx9FOmDPKv_wRYr35MUkbeOitwEUpy4zwt9dZiZgexZNT0mzNwvS-Ihw2/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY47ez8KYaCztwRPbA6UCgOR1M_AoE_y4UcO3Gh-s9r_OMspLlgjFaHglJc8PLCfxKJJrmQC1BuT6Eqxipr6Tx9FOmDPKv_wRYr35MUkbeOitwEUpy4zwt9dZiZgexZNT0mzNwvS-Ihw2/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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My husband's grandparents were from Orleans, France. We were lucky enough to snag this precious coffee table that his granny had brought over from France. I knew the style would fit perfectly in our new home, but the color would not so to my chalk paint I went. </div>
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I've used Annie Sloan and Maison Blanch in the past, but this time I tried out <a href="http://www.ohlolavintagehome.com/home.html">Oh Lola</a> in Cathedral and used <a href="http://maisonblanchepaint.com/">Maison Blanche </a> medium dark wax. What I loved about Oh Lola was that they had small 8 oz jars for just $13. Most chalk paint comes in 32 oz jars for $32-38. I actually only used about half of the 8 oz jar for this whole table, and that was using two coats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDW-aa0pI8xqmwwyrAmS2yST95f7hUT5C7KGjLvrch6xXe2eksrUDBhEjSexvQP6MJktem8J8A-_qMcFA5AWfnV2-DRh9fI79Uu2jxrA5pw1kaMIcvVtA0SLtMXGMXzck6ottJDKHRrip/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDW-aa0pI8xqmwwyrAmS2yST95f7hUT5C7KGjLvrch6xXe2eksrUDBhEjSexvQP6MJktem8J8A-_qMcFA5AWfnV2-DRh9fI79Uu2jxrA5pw1kaMIcvVtA0SLtMXGMXzck6ottJDKHRrip/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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First, wipe down all dust from your piece then get to painting. You do not need to sand or primer at all with chalk paint. You can paint on pretty much any surface with it too! When you first paint it on, you'll see thick stroke marks. Don't let that discourage you. It will spread out as it dries to have a more even look. I always do two coats with my first one being pretty heavy and thick then my second coat just a finishing coat. I like to do my first coat a little heavy because I feel like it helps reduce stroke marks. It does dry pretty quickly so I maybe wait 30 minutes after my first coat to start my second. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oRTZJWiPWdxw-KWkeHtrlYs5-8LF6JnZnHWjsK8oE0p-ksM3pRgtze3xEHxwADzvlFYCacYDL_VTeeJ03l5pDmO6aI8ecBwLD4_HL7_pkfOsC9wTbOIN2XkoRcZI-hcW8Eygfemr4Rrn/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oRTZJWiPWdxw-KWkeHtrlYs5-8LF6JnZnHWjsK8oE0p-ksM3pRgtze3xEHxwADzvlFYCacYDL_VTeeJ03l5pDmO6aI8ecBwLD4_HL7_pkfOsC9wTbOIN2XkoRcZI-hcW8Eygfemr4Rrn/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once your piece is fully dry, it's time to distress. There are a couple ways to do that- sanding or with damp cloths (shown above from Lowes). I find that Annie Sloan is best to distress with sand paper as it's very hard and time consuming to do with the cloths. Maison Blanche is super easy to do with the damp cloth, and the Oh Lola was an either or. When you do it with a damp cloth, it gives it a more chippy look while the sanding give it a worn from use look. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19N9FdA03qcolid4XCLILF14Mp0P3a3xAlceYGTkVGF2_FhtPXcRzGvFCVeWSs3rrtRQJKmA1dtIu1pEhJ3vMgPP_Q5jMz7bJr2Y3ZbvWiHlKfiIQbaj4Xu61urJ9qsRY0f3y6yMwGGjt/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19N9FdA03qcolid4XCLILF14Mp0P3a3xAlceYGTkVGF2_FhtPXcRzGvFCVeWSs3rrtRQJKmA1dtIu1pEhJ3vMgPP_Q5jMz7bJr2Y3ZbvWiHlKfiIQbaj4Xu61urJ9qsRY0f3y6yMwGGjt/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I decided to do the damp cloth because a lot of my furniture has been distressed by sanding, and I wanted a different look so they don't all look the same. You get a bowl of warm water and one of the cloths, dampen it and wrap it around your finger. With this technique, you can distress anywhere since it just looks like paint chipped off. With sanding, you will want to sand where it will look like it was worn naturally such as around the drawer pulls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosXv_AK79kpXvAenjLs-NGyWtu73u2tVYH0gKKGJAXPThyU9c4PoTwNS-VP5gAj8f65YY2J2SEJWM10ILEdMkbjVDM9dKHVNTy2s17ay_nvJiCBfxWVkIljoNaXxhoTcOmnp95ccaH67_/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosXv_AK79kpXvAenjLs-NGyWtu73u2tVYH0gKKGJAXPThyU9c4PoTwNS-VP5gAj8f65YY2J2SEJWM10ILEdMkbjVDM9dKHVNTy2s17ay_nvJiCBfxWVkIljoNaXxhoTcOmnp95ccaH67_/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The above is a different piece, but it's an example of what distressing with sand paper looks like. There isn't a right or wrong way.. Just get after it! Once you get the distressed look you're wanting to achieve, you have to wax. This seals the paint and locks the chalk in so it doesn't scratch off. Maison Blanche has white, clear, medium, dark and black waxes so I tend to gravitate to that brand of wax since I have more choices. The darker waxes give the paint a tea stained or glazed look which I love. If you're using Annie Sloan, you will want to do a coat of clear wax then go in with dark. With Maison Blanche wax, you do not have to clear wax it first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gSijbOh8V8C2bSFnT2JoMrhbNaPKrqV3FpF1E7UswI1eNxkLrg4Q9mykvKVpXUpfhpUhdCXw6dkeed8bCeYgyEXIE6-JewNFIXxjkw_JEjhAxlv9Xni9Noc8I59ENNPIYq1m9_IwD2bk/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gSijbOh8V8C2bSFnT2JoMrhbNaPKrqV3FpF1E7UswI1eNxkLrg4Q9mykvKVpXUpfhpUhdCXw6dkeed8bCeYgyEXIE6-JewNFIXxjkw_JEjhAxlv9Xni9Noc8I59ENNPIYq1m9_IwD2bk/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the medium wax put on without buffing. You will want to apply with a separate, smaller brush. Just brush it on lightly then get one of your lint free cloths and buff it. I don't typically put a lot of elbow grease in it. I just wipe in a circular motion, and it looks great. The dark wax will stay in the creases and make them look a little darker and aged. Tip: Do not wash your wax brush off with water. Instead, just store in a ziplock baggy for later use. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXLGSxLumepYp3X_jP2n7SIff9OG9t-R7HgXCEUVuHDsSis2ocPROkEQeKvQEnuVi4gqugcK1INKIaVVFQGsDxmCz7eMyZzAsTiTSuVqWI-0so2W6Nio_o96xRvv2S_k4Mkz6Y05NxV8S/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXLGSxLumepYp3X_jP2n7SIff9OG9t-R7HgXCEUVuHDsSis2ocPROkEQeKvQEnuVi4gqugcK1INKIaVVFQGsDxmCz7eMyZzAsTiTSuVqWI-0so2W6Nio_o96xRvv2S_k4Mkz6Y05NxV8S/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is what it looks like buffed out. You can see the difference in shade and how it darkens the original paint color some. The chalk paint has a very matte finish without gloss at all. The wax does gloss it up very slightly, but not much. I think the matte finish adds to the aged look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCm8gGpsHRzoJcbCh1hMjhR0GSCOdfAwpZl_xcDG_Xt3hEEwKqjAx1mRG1ypDcKW6L8cOVuQGswzz0DjsyYYJwj0T9USJYO4POS9u3vnywrffQlbpTAcTYlr6eWQ6MeUaVwYyUhQe1hDj/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCm8gGpsHRzoJcbCh1hMjhR0GSCOdfAwpZl_xcDG_Xt3hEEwKqjAx1mRG1ypDcKW6L8cOVuQGswzz0DjsyYYJwj0T9USJYO4POS9u3vnywrffQlbpTAcTYlr6eWQ6MeUaVwYyUhQe1hDj/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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After I finished the buffing, I put the glass center back in. I followed <a href="http://www.takethesidestreet.com/2010/11/faux-mercury-glass-tutorial.html">these instructions</a> to turn my glass center to look like an old mirror. It was super easy, but I did practice with a vase first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82FqF7ZccTxchTifrzaHV9rKeZSCaW21HnMCGkKJh7G294iL6zesslpCJPPCHXozBM4Ca-mRPrLko8KxeOv26vNxEqjfAK46JPkqdzDKu1UaTlcrh_j1hXS_Q3C4-nQ0XV6rXyD8nfYUe/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82FqF7ZccTxchTifrzaHV9rKeZSCaW21HnMCGkKJh7G294iL6zesslpCJPPCHXozBM4Ca-mRPrLko8KxeOv26vNxEqjfAK46JPkqdzDKu1UaTlcrh_j1hXS_Q3C4-nQ0XV6rXyD8nfYUe/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1APH52bEYZg_cUYnRDiJaag8nss1gSYbGOmeI98dOU04BlRIDBAIboUL1K-aibXKVlTqOxcGMG3nlVzTCI86LUOmcK4-qS5aQY8tcJOL1dJrff7EaCv9NF13Q6Iaiul_SKCKpBHUYYwW/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1APH52bEYZg_cUYnRDiJaag8nss1gSYbGOmeI98dOU04BlRIDBAIboUL1K-aibXKVlTqOxcGMG3nlVzTCI86LUOmcK4-qS5aQY8tcJOL1dJrff7EaCv9NF13Q6Iaiul_SKCKpBHUYYwW/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here she is all set up! I found old books from the nostalgia section at Half Price Books, cut off the covers with an exacto knife and tied with up with jute. They fit perfectly in our living room! At $2-3 each, they made some simple but statement decor.<br />
Happy painting!<br />
Cheers!<br />
Emyli xoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700638844095457573.post-18168448172905798732014-12-02T16:04:00.000-08:002014-12-07T19:36:38.367-08:00Boots in City Lights<br />
Hi, y'all! My name is Emyli, and I was raised on a farm in small town East Texas on land that my papa grew up on and my great granddaddy made moonshine on. We raised cows and chickens most of the time with pigs and ducks on occasion. I grew up on a black top road with no city lights in sight. At night, crickets and coyotes were all you could hear. I climbed hay bales while my dad worked on our land and helped my grandmother in the kitchen every chance I got. I think I have her biscuit recipe memorized just by watching her so many times. I got out of the small town life as fast as I could, and I'm glad I did. I've grown a lot by meeting friends from other backgrounds, countries and religions. Most importantly, I met my husband. He and I have been on an amazing life journey together so far. We travel the world as often as possible and continue to learn and grow together. Now that I am older and have learned a little more about what this great world has to offer, I deeply appreciate how I grew up. I learned so much about nature, animals, creation and family- a lot of what this big city doesn't offer as much. I'm thankful I have gotten to experience two completely different lifestyles as they have both enhanced my life and my spiritual and creative voyage. I miss home each and every day and go back as often as possible. As for now, I wear my boots in city lights.<br />
Cheers-<br />
EmyliAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193418990919052584noreply@blogger.com2