Fitbit Challenge

Ok so this might just be a challenge with myself -- but honestly those are what motivate me the most.

I spent the last 3 years being a fairly competitive triathlete/marathon runner and decided I just need a bit less structure in my life. That being said it also meant I need to be much more aware of my eating and ensuring i'm getting in a bit of healthy activity at the same time.

Hence the entrance of the fitbit. I just got it but I do like it so far! For the nerdy triathlete in me it has fun metrics and tracking that even encouraged me to go for a 1 mile run (ok really slow walk/jog) today! Yes, yes must keep life simple and easy but also allows me to be healthy!

I start riding horses again next week which i'm very excited about but I think this will also keep me aware of my exercise levels and has a food plan for times I want extra help (reality)!

Need a Photographer?

So my other passion besides eating and crafting is photography. I have loved seeing life behind the camera since I was 10 years old.

So to promote my other blog i'm letting you all know!


http://nicolebsmithphotography.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NicoleBSmithPhotography


Ya know in case you don't get enough of me here... :)

Boring old pots

So i've been trying to garden a bit lately. This ultimate goal is to keep them alive to at least enjoy them a bit as I don't have a good history. I got inspired the other day with some fancy garden store pots to see what I could do with our plain pots.

Turns out it is EASY!

I built a 3 sided box (sorry was before my blogging idea and don't have pics) and picked up Valspar's outdoor spray paint

Did one coat and came back about an hour later for round 2

Love the update and the color it gave to my backyard -- more to come for sure!

NoGlu - Paris

My company is based in Paris and I am lucky enough to 'have' to go generally 3 times  year. I found this amazing dedicated restaurant on the most amazing little passageway near Galeries Lafayette.

I try to go every time i'm in Paris now and have yet to be disappointing. As a gluten free diner being able to not worry but also enjoy a warm chocolate cake dessert is worth whatever it takes you to get there! http://www.noglu.fr/

Last trip

Peach/Mozzarella salad, Mac and Cheese with chèvre and parmesan, and chocolate cake...yes I walked home

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First Chalk Paint Project

So recently I decided furniture was really expensive and my house needs some so I needed to explore putting a fresh coat of 'make up' on some of my own pieces and knowing how to turn garage sale furniture awesome.

So I have an end table that I want to upgrade but decided finding a test project to 'learn from' would be a better place to start. Glad I did!

I read countless blogs (hence why I feel I now need to give back!) and made some key decisions.

1. using chalk paint instead of latex
2. Using home depot brushes not the fancy special chalk paint brushes
3. Not using the fancy wax but painting on minwax polycrylic to finish it up

So with those big decisions I was off!

Step 1 -- find furniture! My sister in law was in town and we found this little gem in an estate sale

And away I went! I decided with this one I wanted to practice all the techniques so I decided to sand/stain the flat parts and paint the legs white.

So once this little table got sanded (and I got husband approval I wasn't just avoiding spots because I was way over it) it was time to stain

I got it stained and went on to painting the legs -- note you have to swap the blue tape around in between so staining took minimal time but taping took some time. Waited a day for the stain to set and was FINALLY ready for the fun part - chalk paint! I went with Annie Sloan for my first go round since it seems to be the preferred brand but will be open to other brands next, and eventually want to try making my own.

Finally the last step of sealing with the minwax and I was all set! I did 2 coats of this.

Things I wish I knew/learned
1. Sanding will take some time but is worth it
2. Chalk paint drys FAST, I mean really fast
3. Do the 1.5 coats method I found after learning fact 2 next time
4. Use a foam roller whenever possible. Had to use foam brush for this round since those cute little legs are touch to paint.
5. The paint will clump, be sure to smooth before you move to another spot (see note 2)
6. When sealing do all the paint portions first THEN the stain as the stain can pull through and get on your pretty white paint

But it was all worth it! Final Product!

Welcome!

So I use blogs....a alot and figured it was time for me to return the favor.

One my first returns is going to be about my 'project' of painting a garage sale piece of furniture. Aside from crafts I plan to discuss my other favorite past time - finding amazing gluten free restaurants around the world.

To Be Continued...