Pallet Trays

So, like everybody else, I've become fascinated with the numerous use of pallets. I mean have you seen what some people are turning them into?? Let me start with the two things that I love: their versatility and the rustic effect of the wood. My sister and brother in law were having a house warming party and I wanted to get them something. The more I thought about it, the more clueless I was about what to get them. Then I found some inspiration courtesy of Pinterest of course. Here is a link to the original image that got my wheels spinning: Inspiration Trays.

 

Luckily we already had pallets. No, not one or two pallets...maybe 6-8. My husband had been bringing them home from work for me for another project that I was going to do, but that had to get scrapped. Sigh. (We will get to that!) All that was needed were handles, sanding paper or a sanding block, and some stain. Once we got back from picking up those (everything was purchased at Lowe's) I asked the hubby ever so sweetly if he could separate the boards and remove the nails for me. Next, I picked the pieces that I liked best; I didn't want them to be perfect, I wanted some impurities in the wood, and it was alright with me if they were slightly warped as it created character. Once I had the pieces laid out, I knew I wanted to make two trays, with one being slightly larger than the other.

 

Picked The Pieces

 

Then I asked the hubby to cut the wood into the lengths that I had measured. It doesn't matter if your cuts on these horizontal pieces are slightly crooked, jagged, or rough; they'll be covered by the vertical pieces that hold the unit together. Again, these aren't supposed to look perfect; at least I didn't want these to look that way!

 

 

Measured & Ready to Be Cut

 

Next was probably the worst part of the entire project, the sanding. I had purchased one of the sanding blocks, it look like a gigantic nail buffer. I knew I wouldn't enjoy this part, so that is why I wanted until the wood was cut down to size. No need to do extra work on the ends that were going to be scrap! I sanded. And sanded. And sanded. Then sanded more. Just when I thought I had sanded them enough I decided to go at them once again. Figured I'd rather be safe than slivered! Make sure you sand the tops, bottoms, ends, and all sides of the pieces. The sides are really most important on the pieces where the edges will be exposed. Sand everything as consistently as you can. It is a huge pain in the butt and will make your arms and wrists hurt, but it's necessary. (Please note, I am now asking for a sander for Christmas.)

 

 

 Post Sanding

 

I am sure that you can see the difference in the color of the pallet wood. The sanding also helps to get off any stains from items that were on the pallets (in this case car parts,) but also helps to bring out patterns in the grain of the wood, and any knots that you might not have been able to see before. When everything was sanded and smooth, it was time to assemble the pieces. My way of determining if they were smooth? Gently rubbing my hand back and forth. Not the best (or safest,) way to test, but it worked for me, and I didn't end up with ANY slivers. Before I started drilling things together, I brushed the pieces off with a dry cloth and then wiped them with a damp cloth. No need to stain the dust that was left from the sanding process. Believe me, it goes EVERYWHERE.

 

Now I had everything wiped down, pieced together (again,) and ready to go. I flipped all of the pieces over, and began to drill in the screws. You want to make sure that the screws are a length that will NOT go through both pieces of the wood. I made sure to measure their length prior to using them, although I didn't remember to take a picture of this. Face down on your work surface you will have the two smaller pieces running vertically. I then placed the longer pieces running horizontally, and made sure to line up the edges. I screwed them in with a drill in a random order, one on one side, then to the other side, and so forth and so on. I never screwed the same board back to back. This allowed me to check that boards were staying where I needed them to, but also allowed me to make slight tweaks if I needed to ever so slightly realign the pieces. You should end up with a crew on each side of each piece of wood that is running horizontally.

 

Once they were all secured it was time to flip them over and stain. I must admit that this was my biggest challenge. Not the actual staining process, choosing the color of the stain! There were SO many. Knowing my sister's design aesthetic, I opted for a lighter color that was somewhat reminiscent of beach colors, this color ended up being SPOT on with what I wanted. The other perk? The color on the label, and the color of the stain are the same. You know what I am talking about, you get paint or stain and the color inside doesn't really look like the color on the label, or that little dot that they so nicely put on the top lid for  you.

 

Highly Recommended!

 

I applied two coats of the stain to achieve the desired color. Although I loved using this and the color made we want to redo everything in my house, I was amazed at how badly the stuff smelled. No, I wasn't in an enclosed area. I was outside which surprised me even more that the aroma bothered me. Oh well, live and learn. After the stain had dried completely (the longest step in the process,) overnight, it was time to add the hardware. I'm sure staining things during the end of August in the humidity isn't recommended but since when have I ever followed directions?

 

I remember my husband asking me if I was going to measure where the hardware needed to go so that it was even. My response, of course, was "no, I will eyeball it." ...luckily for me, they are pretty spot on. Again though, some of the imperfections add to the charm of the piece. All four handles were attached- TA DA! I was in love. That always seems to happen, you make something for someone else and you desperately want it. Needless to say, I am currently working on my own set of pallet trays.

 





 

If you are anything like me you want to see the full before and after effect. Don't worry I made sure to do a side by side shot...don't you just love the features in the "InstaCollage" app? That's where I got the frame and where I added the text to the image you see below. 

 

Before & After

 

..and here is one of the trays in the New Hampshire surroundings it now gets to enjoy. Whether you are using these outside, as tray tables to eat off of, or trays to help you carry lots of things from one place to another (think at a dinner party!) the uses are endless. Perfect example of this, the tray was put on the dining room table, with silverware, plates, and napkins for the desserts!

 

Finished Product

 

 

 

~Keep It ClaSea

 



Sweat It Out

Three weeks ago I started hitting the gym. At work. Crazy right? Wrong. I love it! Not only does my gym "membership" cost me $8 a month, which by the way is literally unbeatable; I have a workout buddy. We help each other push through the not so fun parts of the workouts. Like jumping jacks, while holding 5lb weights. You are sitting there thinking, well that doesn't sound so bad. Go try it, I dare you.

Here are the workouts that my gym buddy and I are currently doing:
Monday: Butt, Legs & Abs
Tuesday: Arms & Chest
Wednesday: Back & Shoulders
Thursday: Butt, Legs & Abs
Friday: You Choose!


So I figured I'd give you some workout inspiration because there are days when I need it, so I'm sure there are days when all of you need that extra little push to get yourself to the gym, to lace up the sneakers, or to max out your workout! For hose of you that want MORE, here's the link to my Pinterest Sweat It Out board, where I get ALL of my inspiration, motivation, and workout plans! But for now...here are a few of my all time favorites...

I'd rather have a good looking butt than one that sags!

It's certainly a great way to take out any anger or built up frustration. Have you ever noticed that you run harder and faster when you're angry?

You will go to bed with satisfaction, and sleep much better! One of the GREATEST perks of working out and running, especially because this girl LOVES her sleep!

The right frame of mind is half of the battle.

Nothing worth working for was ever easy. Challenge yourself.

Always helpful to remember this, or just imagine Jillian Michaels screaming in your face. Pretty sure that would keep me going!

Like the "Little Engine That Could" always remember "I think I can..."

 

This is why my mascara is smeared down my face....SWEAT it out!

I'd rather be healthy and strong!

As I once read somewhere, "skinny girls look good with clothes on, fit girls look good naked."

Bahahahahaha....I find this absolutely hysterical. But it's so true. If you don't sweat you are NOT working hard enough.

This doesn't mean what it used to mean! And if you can have your legs look like this...

 

 

...SIGN ME UP!

Four Months!

So it's been FOUR months since I've written my last blog. I can't believe it's been that long, time apparently does fly. In these past four months though there have been lots of changes. I am not joking when I say that, I'm not sure that many other people have all of this going on in such a short period of time. So here are four exciting tidbits about what's been happening in this ClaSea Lady's life!

1. I have a new job! Disclaimer: I don't really like referring to it as a job, as I am planning on making this into a career, and the opportunities I could have at this company are endless. I started back in June and have loved every single minute and all of the things that have come along with it. Before this, I was at my previous job for 5 years and had been toying with the idea of leaving for quite some time, but I never really felt ready; more importantly, never felt confident enough to actually leave. Then with the suggestions of some friends, and the support of the hubbster, I bit the bullet. All it took was some patience, an application, a phone interview, a killer suit, two half hour long "team interviews," and high scores on assessment tests...and I WAS IN! Although I made this sound like a quick process...believe me, it wasn't! I applied in the beginning of March and started in the beginning of June. I remained patient and optimistic, two things which are not easy for me! This time it paid off.

2. I have a NEW (well new to me,) car! I am 28 years old and now have my first car payment. I've been fortunate enough that all cars that I had were given to me from my parents when they bought new ones, or that it was a company vehicle. My new "whip" is a black Milan; it's shiny, super comfy, and the things can MOVE! Not that I drive fast or anything...all that'd left to do is name it. Yes, you read that correctly. I think that is something that I've gotten from my father. Is it wrong that I LOVE making this payment every month? Hopefully that spirit will keep up over the next few years, especially as I am aiming to have the car paid off a few months in advance!

3. New friends and stronger friendships. Since I've started my job, I've been very fortunate. You see, there were 3 women that helped me get there. One I knew for over seven years, the other a few months, and one I had spent maybe 5 hours with; and they all played a huge role in me getting this new gig. These three are some of my favorite ladies to be around and the added bonus is that our husbands are all friends and Levi has made some new doggie friends. We have huge dinners together, we send silly snapchats, we vent about everything, we all work together, and we hang out OUTSIDE of work!

4. A "normal" schedule. Working in retail afforded me a few luxuries: I was able to create my own schedule and I could sleep in late Monday-Friday. The downsides to being a retail worker: late nights, working on holidays & weekends, never actually being "off" from work. I am now working with the rest of the "normal" world, as I like to say. I'm at work for 7:30am, and I'm home before 5:30pm. I've become that person who has traded an actual lunch break for a hard workout in the company gym. I thoroughly enjoy my commute, it's no longer a ride of dread in the mornings, or a ride of sheer frustration on the way home. I get home and I'm able to do some laundry, clean, and cook dinner. These might sound silly to you, but before I wasn't getting home until 7pm or 8pm depending on the night of the week. Whatever needed to be done was always crammed into one day of the week, which was usually the day I was off. I'm now able to do a little bit here and a little bit there and am not nearly as overwhelmed by everything as I once was. It's definitely the little things that I am more appreciative of.


...until next time readers...

~Keep It ClaSea

Friends. Friends? Friends!

**This blog was supposed to post on 4/25/2013 but I goofed.**

I don't know what's prompting this post. Although that's not entirely true. Let me get right to it...I'm meeting up with a friend from college this coming Saturday. Yippe! There's nothing more than a good chunk of time with one of my girlfriends to catch up on everything. And believe me, these days, there's always of things going on. ...and she's a "lifer!"


Virginia Woolf

In life you meet lots of people, or at least I have. The majority of them I met at college, but more of them have been recent. As I've gotten older relationships with some of these people have changed immensely, which is fine. Or is it? {hmm...still trying to pinpoint exactly how I feel.} Whether it be because of location, interests, or maturity there are so friendships that just aren't the same. ...and then there are some that are no longer there...at all. I might be generalizing here but I think most of you will understand.

...the "Lifer." This is the person that no matter how long it's been since you've spoken to each other, or how many days have past since you last saw each other, you pick up right where you left off. You do a speed catch up, rehash the "good old days" (I think I'm too young to say that, but too late now!) and talk about things that are currently going on in your lives. More importantly, you trust them, their opinions, and their guidance; hands down with no questions asked. I LOVE THESE FRIENDS. They are the ones that will always be there for you no matter what, as they've consistently proven this throughout the years.

...the "One That Got Away." (All of Taylor Swift's boyfriends...HA! Sorry. No...I'm actually not!) People that you were once super close with. Think "BFF" type friend. Then someone moves, or you have a fight. Something has been done that shifted the dynamic of the relationship. You desperately want things to be fixed, or for them to go back to the way they were, but they don't, and they won't. No matter how hard you try, it's just not the same. ...and you drift apart. Wouldn't it be much easier if the drifting was a fast process, rather than something that goes on for months at a time? Although there were time where I would have liked that, it's almost as though you are preparing yourself to see/hear less and less from this person, until you barely speak to them. I tend to look back and ask "what would have happened if we were still that close? How would things be different?" You wish nothing but the best for these individuals, but too much has happened to get back to where you once were. Which is fine! Sometimes there are people in your life for a certain period of time for a reason, and for that piece of time only. A concept which is much easier to grasp well after the "separation."

...the "Blindsided." The person you couldn't stand, but never really took the chance to get to know. Everything about him/her is the polar opposite of you. Then, whether it be because of mutual friends, you have that "ah-ha!" moment, and it all clicks. You understand one another; and while you don't always agree on things, you respect everything about them. This can also happen another way...we all have groups of friends. Usually you're really close with one or two, friendly with a handful of them, and there's always the one person you are indifferent about. Something, unfortunately it's usually bad happens, and rather than the "close" and "friendly" friends stepping up to help you out, it's the one that you were indifferent about. Because of this one lone incident, you forget about your differences, and a connection is built.

...the "Left Speechless" This is awful to say, but after reading this, I can guarantee you will be able to identify at least one of these people! You have you're best friend and you're inseparable. You could black mail one another because you know ALL of the details (good-bad-awful) about each other. This person is your lifeline. Then out of nowhere, one of you gets thrown under the bus by the other. Perhaps he/she missed something monumental in the life of the other. Could it have been a HUGE fight, or did something tragic happen? That lifeline has now flat lined. It's instantaneous- as it's happening you immediately know that this person is now out of your life forever. You start to think back looking for "signs," but this time you aren't looking through the rose colored glasses. Examples and different instance start piling up, and you're recalling situations that now just seem (in hindsight,) off. All the while you are left thinking, "Huh. How was I friends with this person? How could someone I know so well do that?" And you don't have an answer. This person has left you speechless.

There's lots of other types of friends out there, but in one way or another they should fall into one of my "groups." Remember, friends are the brothers and sisters you weren't given; you were able to choose them. Choose wisely my blog readers :)

~Keep it ClaSea

Confession

So...two weeks ago I had typed a bunch of posts, and scheduled them to post on certain dates. What I didn’t realize (more accurately, wasn’t paying attention to,) was that I scheduled them to post at the end of THIS month even though we were still in April. I don’t know what I was thinking. Better yet, I wasn’t thinking. So I apologize in advance for the extreme number of posts this coming week…as they’re all scheduled to go up.

Tonight...Monday...Tuesday...Wednesday...Thursday...and Friday. Hope you're ready to read :)

~Keep it ClaSea

Take a Chance Day- 4/23/2013

Take a Chance Day

So here goes nothing! For those of you that didn't know me back in high school, I ran cross country and track in the spring. I remember coming home after one of the first few days of school my freshman year and telling my parents I signed up to run cross country. My mom smiled and I don't recall her saying anything, just kind of staring at me with a very surprised expression. My dad on the other hand responded very seriously with, "you know that is distance running, right?" Me, "...yes." All the while thinking oh no, what have I gotten myself into. I figured it'd be good conditioning for basketball, but never really though about the "cross country" part of it. Turned out, and I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but back then (10+ years ago,) I was good. Not good, but quite good; much to the shock of my parents. (Horn tooted! If you need proof, I can find my medals!) Then in college I played basketball and ended up having some problems (more along the lines of LOTS of problems,) with my ankles, which essentially ended my collegiate basketball career; if you could have called it that. Ever since then running has been something I occasionally do, but never really dove right back into and I should have. Yesterday, April 23, 2013, was “Take a Chance Day.” So thank you Liz for being the inspiration behind all of this! Liz (a friend from Regiville,) was the one that told me it was “Take a Chance Day,” which led to this decision, and subsequently this post.

     I am going to run at least four 5k’s (in the running world that’s 3.2miles,) by the end of this year. (Sidenote: Did I mention there are some GREAT quotes about running?? Two of my favorite are in this post.) Currently, I am thinking “just shoot me, you're insane, when was the last time you actually RAN?" Yes, I'm insane! The only running I've done recently is chasing after Levi, or to the fridge to get some ice cream during TV commercials. This will be fun. (Insert sarcasm.) However, here’s how I look at it. I’m trying to be more attentive to my overall health, and running certainly isn’t going to slow that process down…and I’ve never complained about shedding a few pounds! I used to be able to run 10 miles because “I felt like it,” or because that was the practice course of the day; and I miss being able to do that! The last reason is because there’s a 5k in September that I know my dad will run, and I want to be able to do it with him. (More about that in a separate post.) ...maybe, my sister and I will be able to run one together with our husbands? I know how I need to train, but I also downloaded the “Couch to 5K” application on my phone, as an additional way to monitor and keep track of how I’m doing. 

     I am aiming to have the first race completed by the end of July…and then will register for other runs! I know that one of the four will ABSOLUTELY be the color run. I’ve had tons of friends run it, and it looks like a blast! It’s exciting and scary, but something I am definitely looking forward to doing. What are your suggestions for running shoes? I used to be a HUGE fan of Reebok’s (whether they were sneakers, flats, or my spikes,) but in recent years I’ve found that the shoes are not what the used to be. …and I’m flat footed, so I need something with crazy arch support. I will definitely need to create a play list for running, have you been listening to anything that’s helped you keep going? Your suggestions on ALL of this are greatly appreciated, as I'll surely need the motivation the next few weeks :)

**This is all starting on Monday, so please excuse any posts early next week that are full of complaints about sore muscles and not being able to move!**

-Keep It ClaSea

           

Boundaries

I've been doing lots of thinking the past few days, which is always a bad sign, as those thoughts lead to rambling tangents. I will try to keep it condensed, but bare with me as these pertain to numerous aspects of life. Boundaries. We all have them, and we've all broken them. Below I've listed some examples, and posted my thoughts on them; and why I think they have broken personal boundaries, or come pretty darn close!

#1. "The Announcement."
     It used to happen in this order: engagement, marriage, babies. Now throw all of that out the window. At any point in time if you (typically a 22+ y/o female,) announce you have "news," to share, people immediately shout "You're pregnant!!" From there here's how it plays out...I know because I've been there. Your response: "Uhhh no." Everyone else, "What's that?" "You're not?! Are you sure?" (Seriously, who asks that?!) "Oh. Ok." "So (long awkward pause,) what's the news?" Don't you just LOVE that? You say you aren't pregnant and just like that you've killed the interest they had in your news. Good luck getting them that excited about the purchase of your new puppy. Why don't people ask, "is it a promotion? a new job? did you buy a house? are you moving? you're getting married?" Aren't those questions far more plausible?
     In this situation I'm a firm believer in waiting for the news to be shared, rather than starting with rapid fire guesses/questions. But what really gets my wheels spinning is why do people feel that it's ok to constantly question women about whether or not they are pregnant? Or when they are having children? Or why haven't you had a child yet? This is a SUPER personal question! How would you feel if the assumed pregnant woman responded with, "when was the last time you had sex with your spouse?" Are you now uncomfortable? If your answer is yes, then the mission is accomplished. Not only is this very personal but it's highly invasive. There's a multitude of reasons why this question shouldn't be asked- and lots of those reasons are crossing many personal boundaries.
     Just for your giggles...Here are two "humorous" situations I've been in. I can assure you that during both of these situations I was not giggling. Nor was I giggling 24 hours after.
     Situation One: Person, "You seem to be glowing today, are you expecting?" My response, "Thanks, but no, I am not." All the while I can't help but think "WTF, do you mean I look dull every other day?"
     Situation Two: Person, "You look 'fuller' than the last time I saw you." Me, "Excuse me?" Person: "It's ok, you must be 3-4 months along, right?" Me: "Nope, not pregnant, just gained some weight."

#2. "That Friend."
     You know exactly who I'm talking about, it's the friend who is TOO interested, despite their adamant denials of any interest in your significant other. Whether it's a hug that lasts too long, a gaze that leaves their cheeks flushed, or just someone too physically clingy; to "that friend" I suggest you heed these words of advice: back off and check yourself. People pick up on your actions, and quite a bit can be determined from one's body language. Not only are you making yourself look like a fool, you are putting your "friend" and his/her significant other in an uncomfortable spot. The significant other wants to (at the very least,) rip your head off; your friend tries to play it down- what else are they really supposed to do; and everyone is watching you grovel for something that you can't have. Haven't you noticed that no one else has found excuse after excuse to hug or touch the person? Desperation isn't a good look on anyone.
     Being overly "touchy feely" with someone else's significant other is equivalent to playing with fire. I have no tolerance for this, nor should the person who feels as though they are being disrespected. If you are "that friend," you need to respect that YOU are not IN the relationship. I'm sure that at one point in time, you had a chance to develop your the friendship into more, but nothing happened. There's a reason for that. And a reason it's in the past. So leave it there. In the end you'll only end up ruining your friendship. You haven't just broken one boundary by being "that friend," you've broken a handful.

#3. "How Rude."
     Simply belittling or teasing someone for something they've done that doesn't pertain to any aspect of your life is wrong, and rude! Not only are you making yourself sound absurd, you are bordering on being offensive, and could be close to "crossing the line." (The line, for those of you that don't know, is an invisible boundary we've set!) Here's an example, I get a great new haircut that I am obsessed with. The next day I am told, "I don't like that hair cut, it makes you look like a child." I don't recall asking your opinion post-haircut, and I didn't ask for your opinion prior to getting my hair cut. I don't look like a child, but you are the one teasing me, because you don't like what I did to my hair? Interesting...this affects you how? Wait, it doesn't. Why be rude just because you can be? It's not going to win you a prize, it won't make you any new friends, and it certainly knocked you down a notch in my book. There's no need for it. You aren't necessarily in this case being a "boundary breaker," but in my personal opinion you are certainly pushing the limits. Be respectful of others, and as my mom told us growing up "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

     There's a lot more for me to touch upon with regards to this topic, but I'll save it for another day. Your feedback and comments are always welcomed, whether they're in agreement or complete disagreement. Have a great night everyone!

~Keep It ClaSea

Marathon Madness

Patriot’s Day.

Tax Day.

Boston Marathon.

Red Sox Day Game.

Explosions. 

Deaths.

Gruesome Injuries.
Panic. 

Heartbreak.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Never in a million years would I have thought those last few words would become synonymous with the Boston Marathon. This was once a truly wonderful mark of springtime creeping into the city of Boston...and now, one can only imagine how it will be viewed in the years to follow.

I spent four years at Regis College, which is located in Weston, MA, just outside of Boston. It was inevitable that every year we were packing up and going to the race to cheer on friends and of course, when we were of age having “marathons” of our own. When you go to school near or in the city of Boston; better yet actually move to the city, the city becomes yours. You feel ownership, you pick up the Boston accent; which is like a language in itself; you live for the diversity of the city, and have an overwhelming sense of pride that is accompanied by a twinge of arrogance. The city becomes your home, regardless of who you are, or where you originally arrived from. You are now a Bostonian! ...and although it's not a saying, "Once a Bostonian, ALWAYS a Bostonian" it is the truth.

All these years later, I still feel that same sense of ownership. My sense of pride has not faltered, but my heart is saddened. You never think it will happen to you or in “your city.” Then it does. You think you are untouchable. Then the bubble is popped. Once the initial shock has hit you, you have tremendous amounts of pride and appreciation for the first responders. To the police officers, volunteers, and the medical staff that are on site and in the hospitals; a tremendous thank you to all of you for keeping your sanity and composure at a time when I'm sure you couldn't begin to fathom what was going to happen next. And to the runners that crossed the line and started attending to the wounded? There are not words sufficient enough to describe your efforts. 

Marathon Monday will never be the same to these people. Point blankly, Marathon Monday, in every single aspect will never be the same.

As of April 15, 2013, this Marathon has forever been changed. How horribly sad, that at one of the most recognized events across the world, went from being cheered and celebrated, to a horror site filled with panic and confusion. As I sit here typing this, I can’t help but be utterly thankful that everyone I know is safe after the horrible events that occurred yesterday. May the angels that were with you yesterday stay with you always.

~Keep It ClaSea

Spring...Finally

Sorry for posting nothing in over a month. There's a lot going on. We will get to all of that in due time. It's finally spring in New England. I can't say that I've loved the weather as we've only had a few nice days, but it's slowly turning the corner. I for one, could not be happier. We've already gone over how winter is two thumbs down for me so I'm as giddy as a kitten with a ball of yarn. Now that the winter is over there's so much to do. Projects inside the house, yard work, gardening, making my hanging flower baskets, getting some color on these Casper shade legs of mine. That last one isn't a priority. ...yet. Isn't it funny how when the weather is nicer everyone seems to have that sense of urgency and needing to get things done?

So here's my list of things to accomplish...by the end of this month. And I will need every minute and hour of those days that I'm not working!

1. Finish front garden area. Believe me this area needs some major help. Note to all homeowners: NEVER use wood chips as mulch. The people that buy your house after you've moved on will loathe your effort to beautify the house. Prime example: me. There are years and years worth of wood chips that were used to "mulch" the front garden bed.
2. Burn baby burn. I like controlled and contained fire. Candles, fireplace, bonfires, grills, etc. Spring naturally plays right into this, as it's burning season; or it is in my town for the next few weeks. Lots to get done. Goodbye lingering leaves, toodle-loo fallen branches, and adios downed trees! For any of you out there, please follow the rules set forth by your town if you are going to be burning brush! There are rules for a reason, but most importantly for your safety and protection.
3. Edge driveway (both sides) with crushed stone.
4. Install lattice under front porch to keep out stray cats that torment Levi. (It seems as though people in my town love to have cats, but never keep them inside the house. There are at least 5 cats that wander through my yard on a daily basis. I love cats, but this is pushing it...)
5. Make post sign as seen below. Thank you Pinterest.

I know that this list doesn't sound or look like much is to be done Believe me...it is. I will make sure to take some before and after pictures so you can see exactly what I mean when I say it's a lot of work.

Stay tuned as this week I'm cooking a turkey on our Big Green Egg. Recipe, details, and pictures will be posted! In the meantime go to this website, Big Green Egg, to learn all about the amazing smoker/grill that is my BFF during the summer.

~Keep It ClaSea

Monogram Wall Art

Looking for an easy home decor item that is "custom" made? Look no further....and if you love monograms as much as I do, this is ideal!

Here's what I used:
-Frame my sister had given me that had no backing or glass; there is a use for everything!
-A wooden "S"
-Black spray paint
-Feather Pick
-Ribbon
-Cloth
-Scissors & Hot Glue Gun

Materials

But let's take a closer look at the feathers...they're soooooo pretty and were actually the most expensive item out of everything I used! By expensive I am talking the whopping $6 at Michaels. Clearly not a bank breaker! Gorgeous...it also reminded me of my wedding as my attendants wore peacock feathers in their hair.

Fun With Feathers

Very easy directions...and it took hardly an hour. I spray painted the "S" while I was prepping dinner. Waited about an hour, and coated it once more. I cut the cloth to the size that would serve as "backing" for the frame and glued it on. After it was attached I trim the edges so they weren't so jagged...although it doesn't matter because it's the back!

Fabric Backing

Unfortunately, this is where I forgot to take more pictures. After I flipped the frame over I positioned the "S" where I liked it. I hot glued the middle and bottom of the "S" to the fabric. I cut a small piece of ribbon and wrapped it around the top of the "S" and glued it as I went. I glued the extra top of the ribbon to the fabric. This makes it look like the ribbon is holding the "S" in place. I cut the long spike off of the feathers, leaving about an inch of the spike to work with. I didn't want this attached permanently as I know I'll switch the feathers for varying seasons. Easy swap out!



Ready To Hang

I tried it in a spot in the living room, but didn't like how it looked. So I switched it to the wall opposite the front door. It's now the first piece of "artwork" you see when you enter the house. Great and easy project to do, and a great way to use an awesome frame that no longer has the main components. I excel in taking crooked pictures...ironic in that having anything crooked is enough to make me whip out a level.



Welcome!

...and I have obviously mastered getting a bad glare in the majority of pictures that I take to post on this blog. It's something completely diffferent from everything else that I have in my house, but it's fun and whimiscal, which makes me smile!

If you decide to make your own and have any questions about the process feel free to comment or shoot me an email. I'll make sure to get back to each of you.

~Keep It ClaSea

Living Room Updates

So a while back in one of my previous posts, I mentioned that we were redoing the living room. It's still a work in progress but I wanted to share a few things that are making this room come together. The first is a few accessories I had picked up at Marshalls. All of these are going to find their new home on the mantle above the fireplace. I wanted to pull in different textures and different colors; especially shades of blue, as well as things of varying heights.

Vase and Bottle

Can't Beat The Prices!

Scrap Wood Seahorse

After lots of furniture shopping, we are still nowhere. We keep going back and forth between a sectional or a sofa and matching love seat, but haven't made any decisions. We did know that we were definitely going to be getting an ottoman, and one with storage was a top priority! My husband was out this past weekend doing some errands and happened to find a killer ottoman. After texting me pictures and the measurements, I told him to pull the trigger. You're thinking "UGH!" Leather!" Breathe easy...you are seeing it correctly, it is leather, but not white, it's more of a whitish/gray/creamish color. And the nail head detail is SUPER awesome. ...not to mention the color totally pops against the navy base of the rug, which you can kind of see here. Can't show you too much...I want the final reveal to be amazing!

 



Clasealdy On Instagram

Did I mention I am a sucker for anything nautical but doesn't scream "Beach! Beach! Beach!" If not, I am. As if you couldn't tell from the wooden seahorse above. Let me pause for a moment. Yes, I'm a sucker for all nautical related things, but I am also slightly obsessed with reusing things that were no longer serving a purpose where they were originally located in the house. We had this great black iron tri-level corner shelving piece that I bought years ago at Walmart. (I'm not a huge fan of Walmart, but loved this piece, so that was the end of the story. ...and I think it was about $40?! Steal.) Since we've moved into our house, it's been in the kitchen not really serving a purpose except for being a catch all of random things. Took everything off, cleaned it up, and transplanted it into the living room. So.Much.More.Functional. Where this corner unit was has now turned into my next little project. Two words: coffee bar. (Eeeeep, I'm soooo excited!) I'm sure you've noticed I have lots of projects going on. It's a blessing and a curse...but it's the way I live!

 



Corner Unit

 

There's my nautical love next to the corner unit. It's a basket hung on a nail! I already had all of these and the starfish were from another project. So it was simple and easy decor! ...and cost me nothing...which is always a huge bonus. I'm sure that over time the items on the shelves will change but this is what it looks like for the time being. I am hoping that the next living room post will be the "final reveal!"

 

~Keep It ClaSea



 

 

Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n Cheese

"Say what?!?" That was my initial reaction when I found the recipe on Pinterest. Yes, I'm obsessed with Pinterest; and all aspects of it. I check it religiously each day, there are some AMAZING things on there. Especially recipes. Anyway, back to the find of the day!

Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n Cheese.

These just happen to be two of my favorite foods, and I knew instantly I HAD to make it. What was awesome about making this was that I had everything already at home. No grocery store run to grab those one or two pesky ingredients that you barely have enough of, or have never even purchased. They say there's a first time for everything, but it seems as though every recipe I make always has me searching for some obscure ingredient.

As I said, I found the recipe on Pinterest (you can follow me there at ME! On Pinterest) and it's pinned under my board "Foodie At Heart." Given that I like to give credit to the "original" pinner, you can get the recipe at Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n Cheese. I did have one issue with this meal. It isn't something you can just "throw together" if you are in a rush. You need to chop the veggies, bake the chicken, boil the water and cook the pasta, and mix together the sauce. Once that's done then you can obviously throw it all together. There was alot going on in my kitchen when I was getting this ready and it felt quite time consuming. Then again, it could have been this was the first time I was making this recipe so I was constantly checking each step over and over to make sure I hadn't missed anything!

Here's the finished result ready to be eaten!


Buffalo Chicken Mac 'n Cheese


It was YUMMY! At first I wasn't sure if I liked it, it's like a fiesta happening in your mouth- there's ALOT going on and you are expecting it to taste a certain way and it doesn't. After each bite I knew I was becoming addicted. Really though, who cares what I thought; it's only a successful meal in our house when we go two for two. ...and what was the hubby's review? He LOVED it. Two reasons: he loves anything buffalo chicken probably more than I do and it wasn't super cheesy, he's not a big fan!

My suggestion for those of you that are making this...don't be afraid to add more of the Frank's Red Hot buffalo sauce, or your hot sauce of choice. We like "heat" but I'm always cautious when I use it cooking because theres' a fine line between "hot" and "inedible!" So I did just the amount called for in the recipe. I'm definitely planning on kicking up the heat and will certainly be more generous with the hot sauce in the future :) ...I also think a side dish of celery sticks and some blue cheese dressing would be an awesome addition, and would help cool off your mouth!

Make sure you try this recipe and let me know your thoughts!



~Keep It ClaSea

Winter Woes

It’s been a while…alright almost a week. Sorry. Am I the only one that gets into a funk during the middle of February? I don’t know what it is, but every year around this time I’m just “blah.” Is it the last homestretch of winter that we are faced with? The anticipation of all of the fun events we have planned for the spring and summer? Yes, to both of those questions. Truth be told, the biggest reason why I have the "winter blahs" is just simply that I don’t like living in New England. Tourists always say how beautiful New England is and that the people that live here are so lucky to experience the different seasons. While that may be true for the majority of my New Englanders, my 28+ years of experiencing the seasons is becoming increasingly miserable.

·         I do not like the cold. So for me November-March is not pleasant. November and March aren’t as bad, as the weather is still tolerable. December, January, and February though- they absolutely crush me, and I dread these months worse than going to the dentist. Which believe me, is a paralyzing fear. The trees are bare, if not covered in snow or ice; a commute to work becomes more fearful than the anticipation of getting on a roller coaster, I don’t mean that in a good way; going outside is met with all sorts of challenges, jackets, hats, scarves, boots, shovels, ice scrapers, etc; and my skin, goodness does my poor skin take a beating along with never ending chapped lips.
·         The snow. Here’s my ideal time for snowfall: a dusting coming down as we leave church on Christmas Eve that covers just barely covers the ground by Christmas morning. It’s just enough so that we can say we had a white Christmas. Then I’d like it melted within 48 hours and none to fall again until the following year. Shoveling plain and simple sucks. Driving while there is a snowstorm is like playing Russian roulette. The snow doesn’t stay “pretty,” and don’t bother getting a car wash; your car will be covered in salt and sand by the following morning.
·         And if you own a dog, I feel for you. If your dog is anything like Levi, you may as well build yourself an igloo in the yard. He LOVES the snow, especially when the winds are whipping and I can’t keep my footing as he’s bounding in and out of snow drifts. What is usually a 5 minute trip for him to do his bathroom duties has turned into “expedition North Brookfield.” My personal favorite is when the snow becomes so slippery it’s almost like ice and any sudden jerk of the leash from him has me sledding on my butt through the backyard. This has happened twice this year. Matthew can vouch for me, as he’s seen the bruises!
·         For those of you that think “oh Christmas won’t be the same without the snow,” you are right. It will be better. I like decorating for Christmas, the cooking and baking, and hosting Christmas parties, but could care less about what is going on outside of my house. You don’t need snow to have Christmas or to (excuse me, I’m going to be politically correct, don’t worry I’ll be brief,) enjoy the holiday season.

Here’s my theory as to why everyone loves New England. It’s quintessential, charming, and historic. Totally agree with all three of those characteristics that people typically dub NE as being. The scenery is beautiful; rivers, mountains, oceans, and forests, we pretty much have it all. There are four seasons so we get to experience “a little bit of everything.”

People have asked, “if you could move, where would you go?” One word: “WARMTH.” I don’t have a specific, but it’d definitely be south (Florida, Georgia, Tennessee) or west (California, Arizona, or Texas.) I know that these two regions have their own weather issues, but I would take them over snow and the blistering New England winter any.day.of.the.year. I wouldn’t think twice about it. I am 110% my father’s daughter in this sense. He hates the snow and cold as well; maybe I’ve been slightly jaded by him? ...if so, good!

Give me sun and temperatures that bottom out in the 50s…and I’m gone! On second thought, give me an island, where this view below becomes "standard." 

Matthew's feet in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Waking up to this would not be taken for granted. On that note, I suppose tonight is as good a night as any to really start doing some research on The Bahamas- that's where we are headed on our 2014 vacation.

~Keep It ClaSea

Refurbished Window Pane

About two years ago I was given a Christmas gift that I loved, but had no idea what I was going to do with the decorated window pane! I originally thought it would look great it a nursery/bedroom for a little girl, and held onto it hoping that it would be soon be hung as part of nursery decor. Fast forward to 2013, and our only child is a 4 legged black furry dog. Back to square one. The window took up quite a bit of space and is surprisingly heavy. Throughout a few moves (4 to be exact,) one of the painted panes (upper R corner,) ended up with a pretty deep vertical scratch. I was running out of places to keep it; there's not lots of storage in our house, and it kept getting scratched. How was I going to save this?!

Original Window Pane

After looking around extensively for something that would suit our needs and looking on Pinterest for inspiration, I had a plan. I wasn't going to be able to save the original piece, but I was definitely going to be able to rework it. The hubby and I love the idea of having a chalkboard in the kitchen and have talked quite a bit about finding a way to incorporate one. There's something fun and whimsical about it; even if it does remind me of solving math problems in front of a classroom full of peers, but it also is a great way to leave a quick little note for one another. I didn't want something huge, as the last thing I need is chalk dust covering my counters.

Krylon- Possibly my favorite spray paint!

I went to Home Depot and purchased "chalkboard" spray paint, as seen above, and "primer" spray paint. That was all I needed to get this project underway. From there I did some sanding. Not some, lots; as there was a crazy finish on the wooden part of the window pane. Once I had sanded it thoroughly (or so I thought,) I wiped it down with a damp cloth to get any dust off. Upon inspection the next day, I realized my sanding job wasn't as up to snuff as I wanted it to be...so I grabbed my sanding block and tackled it again, followed by another wipe down. Day 3: I applied one coat of the primer and then about 5 hours later applied another coat. Things were looking great. That weekend I went back in the basement to "wrap up" the project. I should have known better.

The primer had covered everything evenly, but I was still able to see remnants of the text and flowers on the window pane. I of course coated it AGAIN with the primer, thinking third time is a charm. Turned out it wasn't. In between the third coat of primer and realizing it was NOT working, I spray painted all 4 of the window panes with the "chalkboard" paint. Prior to painting, I had also sanded those and cleaned them thoroughly. I waited until later that night to apply another coat of the "chalkboard" paint. Those were coming out just the way I wanted...after applying about 3 more coats of primer. (Live and learn.)

Glass pane drying, sorry about the glare!

In true DIYer fashion...some time went by. More like a few months. Anyway, with a new sense of determination I decided that I was going to finish the project. Last Saturday, I took out my trusty white spray paint and lightly coated the window, and then applied another "chalkboard" coat to the glass pieces. After getting some reading and cooking done, I applied another coat of the white spray paint. Sunday afternoon I went to put it together, as I had finally gathered the other pieces I was going to use for the finishing touches! Yippe!

Just kidding, you can now start the orchestral ominous music. I was not happy with what I saw. The white paint appeared to have seeped into the wooden casing. It almost looked as though it had never been applied at all. I am NOT posting a picture of that as it's too depressing for me to look at :) ...I was PEEVED! I would have been better off having never applied the white spray paint, and just using the primer. This time I decided I was NOT applying anymore spray paint to the frame. I lightly sanded it to see if that made it look more rustic. Fail. I then had my "ah-ha!" moment as I spotted some stainless steel spray paint that we had. (I lied...I was going to use spray paint again, I just hadn't anticipated it!) I worked in about 3-4" segments. I lightly sprayed the wood, and then "scuffed" the paint with a dryer sheet. The texture from a dryer sheet made it appear more subtle, rather than having full length streaks. I wanted it to look old. Close up of the wood...

Doesn't look like it was spray painted!

Another spot...

Can you believe that this "finish" was created by using spray paint and a dryer sheet? Obsessed. It doesn't look overly fake. You know what I'm talking about; when something is sooooo overdone that it looks like it was purposely made to look old, but doesn't? I hate that. I'd rather have something look slightly worn and weathered than something that looks unnaturally old.

This one is my favorite!

I wanted to "jazz" it up so that it didn't look like a window pane with black glass, so I added a few "doo-dads." I had some flowers left over from another project so I added them to a corner. The green color works perfectly, as the wall that this is going on is a much darker shade of green. I attached those with my ever trust worthy "Zots." I made sure to adhere one to the actual glass, as I wanted them to be multi dimensional.

On one of my trips to Michael's I found "fisherman's netting." I.loved.it. (Obviously it was destined to be, as it was a way for me to add a nautical touch without broadcasting "OCEAN!") It was instantly added to my carriage, as it was a no brainer. I attached it to one of the glass panes, as I had now created a square where we could pin up various "fun things." Aren't the mini clothespins adorable? They will definitely serve as more of a decorative purpose as they are a little difficult to use. They're just SO cute, and I now have about 191 left...

Mini Clothespins & Fisherman's Netting

So, here is a picture of the final product. I can't wait until I have the storage/bar pallet unit built, as this will be sitting on top of it. The white and silver might seem a little boring, but I can assure you that once it's put against the green wall it is going to look amazing. Once the other project is done, I will post a picture of the final look!

Final!

If you have any questions about this process, or are interested in creating your own chalkboard window pane and are looking for advice, please ask! I promise I will try to respond to all of them and I'd be more than happy to share what I learned from my experience with all of you!

~Keep It ClaSea