We've Been Busy!! {Ombre Mint Dresser}

Projects. Projects. Projects have been filling most of our weekends. We tackled quite a few since I've been on a nesting kick to get things done before I pop. One such project was our downstairs tv situation. It had become quite a situation...

{the before... all manner of bad.}

We got a tv as a birthday gift a few years ago from my parents. We don't have basic tv but sure enjoy movies and hulu. So, it's been sitting on this small entertainment unit right from the beginning. One of those "temporary solutions that quickly turned permanent" as the years piled on. Enter Theo: our tornado toddler. He would get into the DVDs and fiddle with our player every.single.day. It was getting old. Quickly.

So, W found a great deal on Amazon for a tv wall mount and I hunted craigslist {like it was my part-time job} looking for a dresser that would fit our mini-wall's dimensions without being a road obstacle for foot traffic. Found a dresser, but didn't love its look so I knew immediately when we bought it that I'd be re-doing it. But it had a veneer finish. My quick search online led me to chalk paint.

I'd heard of the stuff but didn't really know much beyond the words "chalk paint" "shabby chic" and "Annie Sloan". So after a mini-lesson {there are a lot of posts out there on it}, I learned about its "chalky" or thicker properties, zero prep-work benefit, and that it adheres to pretty much any surface without hassle. I also learned the price point of AS chalk paint. Yikes! So when I found I {Heart} Naptime's homemade recipe, I figured "why not?" All I had to buy was my normal paint in the colors I wanted + plaster of paris. Easy enough.

4 T Plaster of Paris to 2T HOT water
Mix in container until all the clumps are gone
Mix into 2 cups of paint

At the store, I bought my Plaster of Paris {$6}, my normal gallon of classic white, and then four sample sizes of a paint card I liked: graduating shades of mint. I went with a half batch of chalk paint in each of the five colors because my dresser had so many different colors and not much of each. Worked like a charm.

I did minimal sanding since I didn't really want a distressed look for the dresser. I then covered it in a polyurethane protective coat that we already had on hand. I would love to try the wax finish sometime. Heard it really finishes off the piece nicely. Next time. ;)

We mounted the tv, put the dresser in {after drilling a hole in the back of the top drawer for cords}, and mounted my antler project: ebay antlers + white spray paint + gold craft paint

We are loving the extra storage {currently the bottom two drawers are still empty! So huge for us. ;)}, and the simple fact that T is not creating a mess nor are our movies out for all to see {tacky!!} Definitely one of those "feels so good" projects.

So, We're Having...

A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

So I got this silly idea to have a cake party for baby #3. Had to show her some loving since I **thought** she'd be a boy and may feel like, well, the third boy. Figured it'd be a fun way for us to find out this time.

So my girlfriend, Cami, make two cakes. One of each color. And brought them to our "party" {which was basically our community group}. I invited everyone to wear a blue or red shirt to "vote" for their gender. When we arrived, I passed over the envelope from the technician which contained gender pics and a filled out card...

She sneaked to the bathroom, found out, and then placed the right cake in front of us to cut open with everyone.

{they were all so excited to find out too! can't you tell?!}

And then we cut the cake...

And I totally cried. I'm blaming it all on the extra hormones! So much shock, joy, surprise, and excitement to contain.

This had to be one of my favorite moments and favorite ways to find out. It just all turned out so perfect. More than I imagined. A night I'll always remember with such delight.

A special thanks to Cami who did an amazing job on making two cakes for us to enjoy, to Elizabeth for hosting our little shindig {and making sure we didn't wait until our normal Saturday night gathering time}. And all our family and friends who were there in spirit {via social media/texts}. :) Since my parents are roughing it as they travel through Spain, they also got the joy of email notification! I'm pretty sure it was an early 6:30am when they responded.

Here's to our growing family of FIVE!!!