DIY: Paint Stick Sunburst Mirror

Over the last year, sunburst mirrors have become a hot topic on the DIY - design blogs. I have seen so many unique variations to this mirror. One of my favorite blogs, 'Centsational Girl', featured her own paint stick sunburst mirror. After seeing so many, this one really caught my eye. I thought it was such a "crafty" idea, so I decided I would give it a shot. I know I should have came up with my own "innovative" design, but the creative juices weren't flowing that day and I just loved this idea too much!

Materials:
7" Round Mirror
7" Wooden Crochet Circle
55 Paint Stir Sticks.
Wooden Base - I used a wooden square frame that was on sale at Michael's.... for $1 :)
Craft Paint
Small Paint Brush
Metal Picture Hook
Hot Glue Gun
Glue
Xacto Knife

Directions:
1. Attach the picture hook to the back of your wooden base.
2. Paint the wooden circle and all the paint sticks. I recommend painting the sticks two different colors, this will give some variation and depth to your frame.... I learned this after I painted mine with only one color.... :(
3. Paint two coats and let dry overnight.
4. Glue mirror to wooden base.
5. Once dry, glue wooden circle to mirror.
6. Glue paint sticks to mirror as shown. If your doing two different colors / tones, make sure to do one color as your first layer and the other color as your second layer. This way the colors will alternate.

7. Once completed, remove excess glue with Xacto knife and make any necessary touch ups.

As you can see I had a few paint touch ups to do....

My recommendations would be to paint the sticks two different colors. Even if they are the same color, I recommend at least using two different shades. I painted all my sticks the same color - antique gold, which is a beautiful color, although it would be much nicer if it were two different shades of gold.

This was a fun and easy project, and one of the best parts is... it only cost $12!!!

Paint - $2
Paint Sticks - Free - thanks to Sherwin Williams
Wooden Hoop - $3
Picture Hook - $3
Mirror - $3
Wooden Base - $1

I plan on making another sunburst mirror soon. I think it would be fun to try using twigs, bamboo sticks, or even chop sticks, so I will let you all know how that goes!

Check out 'Centsational Girl' for her version of the paint stick sunburst mirror.

I hope everyone has a day full of SUNSHINE!

~meg xoxox

All Decked Out!

Over the summer we conquered a few home renovations. One of them was updating the deck and creating more privacy in our backyard.

Our house is sandwiched between a tall apartment building and an old, unpleasant-looking house. We never spent much time in our backyard because we felt watched by people in the apartment building, it was awkward because the apartment door is literally 5 feet away from our deck, and the next door neighbors backyard is in slight disrepair... (i.e. weeds, rotten patio furniture, garbage bags, etc.).

Well, you can't move the apartment building or force your neighbors to take care of their yard - so what did we do?.... we BLOCKED them out! We removed all the railings on the deck, and a set of steps on the side of the deck. We built two tall privacy walls on each side and updated the hand railings. Finally, we replaced some rotten boards on the deck floor and gave it a fresh coat of paint.

Special thanks to my wonderful father for building all the railings and privacy fences, making this pretty simple renovation (for me). :)

Wait a second, I almost forgot... While updating the deck, we thought it was a great opportunity to replace a few rotten boards on the front porch and give it a new coat of paint. Just painting the front porch really cleaned up the house and made it look young again. To help with the curb appeal, we removed some dead branches from the neighbors tree that were creeping onto our yard, and power washed the front walkway. This is our beautiful dollhouse we call HOME!

As usual, there is always more you can do to make it perfect. Here is my updated Exterior To Do List:

1. Paint the front door... not sure what color yet but I am thinking a red/burgundy to match the accents on the house.
2. Plant some more flowers in the front yard.... this year I was a terrible gardner... as you can see.
3. Plant a clematis near the new privacy walls. This way in a few years the walls will be covered with beautiful flowers.
4. Buy a moveable fire pit for the backyard. Just because I love fire pits :)
5. Install a clear mesh on the garage for my baby clematis to continue to grow.
6. Buy an outdoor storage bench for all my gardening tools and patio furniture.
7. Install a concrete pad next to the garage for additional parking.
8. Paint the fence white.
9. Replace the side gate.

You're probably saying to yourself, "Wow you must be crazy - that's a lot of stuff to do!". Well, you're probably right - but with some blood, sweat, and LOVE it will get done!

~meg xoxo

Mood Board


“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” 
                                                             -Marilyn Monroe

I got inspiration for this design from a good friend's new spare bedroom.  :)


~meg 

I’m baaack.....

I just want to start off by saying sorry it’s been so long! I don’t have a good excuse, but it’s been very busy with work, conferences, holidays (not complaining), and home renovations. My summer has been awesome and I am very excited to get back into action and share my summer projects with everyone.

So, over the next month or so you can expect to hear about: the World Interior Design Fair in Chicago, basement renovations, Austin, Texas, my life blogging for ONPA, and other summer adventures.

Hope everyone had an amazing summer!

~meg

Recipe Time
Blackberry Pineapple Mojito

Mojitos and margaritas have always been in competition for the ultimate summer patio drink. During my recent trip to Vegas I decided that this summer belongs to the mojito.
Ever since then I have been trying to find an easy Mojito recipe I can make back home. I found this recipe on www.myrecipes.com and thought it looked tasty and fool proof! This would be an ideal drink to have while sitting on your patio on a hot summer day! 


Ingredients:

2 teaspoons sugar
3 blackberries
3 small chunks fresh pineapple
6 or 7 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus a wedge for garnish
1/4 cup light or dark rum
1/4 cup seltzer


Preparation:

1. For simple syrup: put sugar and 2 tsp. water in a glass bowl and microwave on full power for 10 to 15 seconds, or until sugar is dissolved.
2. Drop blackberries, pineapple, and mint leaves into a sturdy glass and crush to a pulp with the end of a wooden spoon. Add the simple syrup, lime juice, and rum.
3. Pour the contents into an old-fashioned glass and then back into first glass; repeat until thoroughly mixed, then pour back into old-fashioned glass. Add ice cubes and seltzer; stir. Garnish with sprig of mint and lime wedge.

Recipe from: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/blackberry-pineapple-mojito-10000001816267/

ENJOY!


~ meg

(Megan's) Book of Awesome

1. The perfect-consistency Pepsi slurpee
2. Waking up early and realizing it's the weekend and you can sleep in!
3. Salmon sashimi - even better when you get a few extra pieces 
4. When the first flower blooms in your garden in spring
5. Scratching my mosquito bites - even when I shouldn't....
6. When puppies tilt there head when looking at you!
7. A clean car
8. Flying over the mountains
9. Laughing so hard it hurts - especially when it turns into a silent laugh
10. Doing that awkward "dance" when you are trying to pass someone on the street 
11. Someone paying for your coffee ahead of you in line
12. Left over chinese food in the morning - breakfast of champions!
13. When I get butterflies in my tummy :)
14. Goofy looking dogs 
15. The smell of freshly cut grass
16. The feeling in the air after it rains (it also smells wonderful!)
17. Finger dancing
18. Dogs with a job. Seeing eye dogs seriously are amazing! How incredible is that!
19. Goats. Especially the one in this video!

20. Babies laughing. This video will make anyone happy! 

21. Family dinners - because in my family they always turn to something interesting and hilarious 

22. Going to bed when its raining / storming outside. 

23. Spontaneous party nights

24. Showing seniors new technology; I love how they are amazed by the littlest things

25. Any animal that has a bandana around their neck 

26. The person that farts by accident in a yoga class!! Haha you cant help but giggle!

27. Having an extra productive day

28. New born babies dressed up for halloween

29. Afternoon naps

30. A good back scratch :)

31. A front porch. I know that sounds weird but I have always wanted a front porch with potted plants

32. Red front doors. I think the touch of color is AWESOME!

33. When the elevator goes all the way to your floor without any stops

34. Finding money in a old jacket pocket 

35. When you walk by a stranger and they smile and say "hi"! What a small gesture but it sure makes me happy!  

I encourage everyone to make there own "(_)'s Book of Awesome"; it's so nice to sit down and reflect on all the awesome things surrounding you! :)

Have an awesome day! 

Keep smiling - because you never know it could make it to someone else's "Book of Awesome" 

~ meg

hi~lo

Wing Back Chairs
I have been spending a lot of time lately researching the cost of re-upholstering a couple of antique wing back chairs. I found some unique chairs with some interesting curves, fabric, and proportions. I love the idea of using an oversized chair in place of a standard office chair, or at the end of a dining room table.

Restoration Hardware

French Upholstered Wing Chair

$1195-$1590

vs

West Elm

Ellery Chair

$499-599

~