Vintage Dresser Redo

Recently I picked this baby up at a yard sale for just $20!

It needed some work definitely! I had already removed the handles in this picture.  Even though she needed some love, I saw her potential.  

Here's a close up of the top.  Water marks and scratches.  Since this dresser is 100% real wood I wasn't too worried.

I started by removing all the drawers and doors, and giving the whole thing a good sanding.  I used 100 grit sandpaper and a palm sander.  It's the way to go when you have a lot of sanding to do.  Makes it go by fast.

Next, I gave the everything except the top 2 coats of primer.  I used the spray paint type, which my primer time super fast and easy.  It also dries faster than the brush on type, and you don't have to worry about brush lines.  The cans were about $4 each.  It took 2 cans for this project.

While my primer was curing, I did the top.  I used Minwax PolyShades in Bombay Mohogany.

It makes the staining process fantastic because it stains and poly's all in one quick step!  I did 2 coats of this on the top.

She's starting to look up!

After a full day of dry time, I went back to more sanding.....
Ug!
But it's important.  I used 220 grit sandpaper and gave the primer a fast light sanding.

Next was painting.  I wanted a grey-blue color.  However, all I had on hand was coastal blue or medium gray. I could have bought a gallon of a color I liked but I didn't want to spend the money.  So guess what I did?  Yep I mixed them together.

I wanted to use chalk paint, so I purchased some Plaster of Paris from the hardware store, (about $5 for a large container of it) and mixed it up.

1 part plaster of Paris disolved in HOT water
3 Parts Latex Paint

Mix your plaster and hot water together first, then mix in the paint.  It will be thinner than most paint.  After 2 coats of now "Slate Blue" chalk paint, this beast was really starting to shine.

I decided to distress the dresser.  I went back to my palm sander, and ruffed up the edges, legs and certain spots on the drawers.

Then I applied a glaze.  I bought my glaze in a discount bin.  It was a chocolate brown color and it was premixed.  I diluted it down with a little bit of water.  Then rubbed it on with a clean cloth, and rubbed it off with a damp one after about 15 minutes.  Here's the look it gave:

Then I spray painted the handles black.

I gave the whole thing a coat of wax and vwalla!

I love how it turned out!

I almost just want to keep it instead of reselling this baby!

What do you guys think?

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

                                    

Mmmmmmmm........

Sweet potatoes are delicious.  This recipe is especially savory!

Twice Baked or Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!

  What could be better than a sweet potato, stuffed with cheese & bacon?

So here's the down-lo:

Ingredients:

1 large Sweet Potato

(I use the white variety, but you can use which ever you prefer.)

1/2 Small Onion- Sauteed

1 Strip of Bacon- Cooked

1 Clove Garlic- Minced & Sauteed

1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, plus additional for topping

Splash of milk

First pierce and bake your sweet potato in the microwave on high for 4-6 minutes or until tender.  If you prefer to bake them in the oven the first time around you can.  This will take an additional 30 minutes.  

Next, quarter your potato by cutting in half lengthwise, and then in half across the middle.

Scrape the flesh from the potato, leaving a small amount of flesh in the skins.  Just enough so the skins are sturdy and don't fall apart.

Next, combine all ingredients in a bowl including the potato flesh, and mix.  If the potatoes do not easily mash, use an electric mixer.  Do not over mix.  The consistency should be a little lumpy not baby food like.

Next, stuff your skins with the mixture in the bowl, and top with a little extra cheese.  The stuffing will overflow like this:

Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes @ 375 degrees.

This is the result:

These have become a regular in our house!  To keep this recipe vegan, omit the bacon  and use vegan cheese, and almond milk.

I have  made it both ways and it is delicious either way.  These potatoes are quite hearty.  With only one large potato it makes 4 stuffed potatoes.  They go a long way!  

I hope you enjoyed this recipe!

Audrey Hepburn Inspired Toddler Hair

This Audrey Hepburn inspired do will get your little one the attention she deserves.  Good for medium to long length hair.

This is a super cute up do that you can do on your little one.  It's not as complicated as it looks, but it does look like you spent an hour on it! :)  You will need 3 rubber bands and 5 bobby pins.

Here's how you do it:

Start with a doing a BUMP in the front, by twisting a small section of hair at the top.  Push this foward and then pin it in place.

My little one has fine hair so it takes a couple of pins.  Next take another section.  There will be three sections of hair.  Not next to each other like a braid, but one on top of the other.

Put the top section in a ponytail, but only pull the hair through half way  like this:

Pin in place.  Next, seperate remaining hair into 2 more even sections.  Repeat the 1/2 ponytail pull-thru and pin each one in place, close to the others like this:

Put a clip at the bottom to hide the last rubberband.  My little one wore this hair all day and wrestled around with her 4 older brothers and it stayed in well.  Make sure your bobby pins are tight.

Audrey Hepburn inspired... Fun, Beautiful, and Fancy!  

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Feel free to ask any questions. :)

The Apple Pie Smoothie

                                                                         

Apple Pie... It's crisp, flaky crust paired with delicious warm apples and cinnamon.... :)

This smoothie mocks that delicious flavor.  However, you skip all the bad calories.  This is a healthy smoothie recipe for those who are watching their waistlines...  Of course, it doesn't lack in flavor.  

I made this yesterday for breakfast, but my kids finished it off!  They loved it as much as I did.  :)

It's perfect for breakfast, mid-day snack, or a healthy alternative to a sweet craving! 

It tasted as good as it looked.

In a blender combine:

2/3 C Vanilla Almond Milk

5.3 oz Container Yoplait Greek-Apple Pie Flavored Greek Yogurt

1/2 Apple Sliced and Peeled

1/2 Banana

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

6 Ice Cubes 

Blend well.  Add more ice if needed.  Drizzle with sugar free Carmel syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

ENJOY!

This was one of my favorites so far!  

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  

What are your favorite smoothie recipes?

Sweet Potato Enchiladas

I LOVE enchiladas.  Homemade are best.  I have had several of my own enchilada recipes over the years, but this new one was the most unique and I could not believe how much flavor they had!  Have you heard of substituting sweet potatoes for meat in enchiladas?  The concept was new to me, but I decided to give it a try.  

You may think replacing your chicken or beef with sweet potato is insane, but trust me, you will not miss the meat.  I used one of my other recipes and modified it with sweet potatoes.

I used canned enchilada sauce.  I'm sure these would top the cake if you made homemade sauce for them, but I have 5 kids... I don't feel the need for further explanation on my canned choices. :P

Best of all, these are pretty good for you!  And good for the Kids!!!!

Here's the cinch:

Sweet Potato Enchiladas

INGREDIENTS:

 16 oz Corn Tortillas

(2 ) 12-14oz  Cans Medium Red Enchilada Sauce

(or homemade sauce)

15 oz Can Black Beans

1 Small Onion - Chopped

1 Jalapeno - Seeded & Diced 

or 2oz Canned Jalapenos

20z Can Diced Green Chilies

2 Large Sweet Potatoes 

1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Ground Red Pepper

8 0z Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Vegan Cheese
1 clove garlic - Minced

Cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

Puncture your potatoes several times with a fork, and microwave on high for 9-11 minutes, or until tender.  (You can also steam them or bake in oven.)  I chose the easy way out.  

Meanwhile, chop onion and Jalapeno.  Add chopped  onions, garlic, jalapeno, green chilies, and 1 can enchilada sauce to a medium sized bowl.  Add spices.

Add RINSED black beans, and one cup of cheese.  Mix well. 

Remove sweet potatoes from microwave.  Cut ends off & remove skin. Dice potatoes and add them to mixture.

Using a small amount of enchilada sauce from your second can, pour a small amount on the bottom  of  a 13x9 pan.  This will keep your enchiladas from sticking. You can also line your pan with foil like I did to help with easy clean up.  You will still need to spread the sauce on the bottom of your foil.

 Fill each corn tortilla evenly.  Roll them up and place them seam side down in your pan.  (The tortillas can be set together tightly.  I fit my whole package of corn tortillas in one pan.)

If a second layer is required, spread some more enchilada sauce in between the layers.  Cover prepared enchiladas with the rest of your sauce, and cheese.

Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  

Sprinkle with cilantro.  Eat & Enjoy!

These were way better than I expected and my husband loved them.  If you do not like things with a little heat or you would like to spare your children, omit the jalapeno and Cayenne.  You can also make half the pan and then add the good stuff and finish the pan like I do. 

These did not make it to leftovers.  They were so good!  I hope you guys try them and love them as much as we did!

Fruit and Maple Oatmeal

Lately I have been loving the fruit and maple oatmeal from Mcd's.  I basically re-created it at home, but I made it healthier and of course it is delich.  :)

 Here's what you'll need:

1/2 C Quick Oats (Cooked to directions on box)

1/8- 1/4 C Almond Milk

1/2 C Chopped Apples

2 Tbs Rasins or Nuts

1 Tbls Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Maple Syrup or Honey

2 Tbs Flax Seed (Optional)

1 Tbs Peanut Butter (optional) 

2 Tsp Cinnamon (optional)

After cooking your oatmeal, add the other ingredients into your oatmeal and stir to perfection.  I love this oatmeal and it only takes about 5 minutes to make.   With the optional ingredients it is super good & good for you. And, it only has 1 tbs of Brown Sugar!  I'm a lover of sweets, and this did not leave me thinking I need to add sugar.  It is Delicious.

Avocado Pesto Sauce

Here's what I made the hubby and I had for dinner:

It was yummy! :)  The spicy kick in this pesto sauce is awesome!  If you like extra spicy, I recommend adding some cayenne pepper to the mix. 

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
1 ripe avocado

1/2 small yellow onion

2 cloves garlic

1 lemon- juiced

2-3 tbs olive or coconut oil

1 fresh jalapeno - seeded

2 tbs basil

Pinch of Sea-Salt

1/8 cup nuts (pine-nuts, pistachios, pecans, or walnuts)

1 small can white beans

Sun-dried tomatoes

Mix all ingredients except nuts, beans, and tomatoes in food processor or salsa maker.  Add beans, nuts, and tomatoes and mix by hand.  Serve cold over pasta or zucchini.  ENJOY!

I made my "Pasta" out of zucchini, but this would be amazing over any type of pasta. 

 I hope you enjoy it!