DIY- Hollywood Regency Greyhound

 

As I have previously said, I am in love with anything Hollywood Regency style. I first spotted a ceramic greyhound on a blog a few months ago and I was in love. So naturally, I scoured the internet looking for one for my home. I came across a few but they were way out of my budget. Last month, I went to Tuesday Morning and found a greyhound in their garden department, he definitely wasn't the right color but he most certainly had potential. For $35 dollars he went home with me, for a glamor treatment was in his immediate future.

The Inspirations:

 

Image via

Image via

Image via

What you'll need:

Greyhound- or dog of your choice (mine is from Tuesday Morning)

Fine grit sandpaper

Primer

Spray Paint- High Gloss White

This is how he looked from the store. He is made out of resin and was coated in some sort of varnish.

He was just dying to be something more glamorous than this!

 First thing I did was sand him down. Diva Darling keep telling me he was starting to look more like a giraffe than a greyhound.

After sanding him down, I gave him a few coats of primer. Some of the staining kept showing through so I had to make sure I had him good and primed. After that I used a high gloss white and gave him a few coats.

Here he is in all his glory, looking on guard and very regal next to my bar cart. He is kind of a mobile greyhound, as he has graced my fireplace, buffet and front door. This was a super simple and affordable way to add some Hollywood Regency style to my home. What do you think? I also love that he is virtually indestructible (resin, you are my friend) with my little Diva Darling around. 

♥ Jen

Labor Day Crab Fest

The end of Summer just wouldn't be complete around our house without a blue crab fest. There is nothing like sitting for a few hours with friends and family, cracking crab and enjoying every ones company. You can purchase crab either steamed or live in whatever quantity you choose. Typically in the past we have always had our crab prepared and steamed before we pick it up. This year, we decided to purchase live crab and steam them ourselves and the results were amazing. Here is a super simple way to steam your own crab.  

We purchased a bushel and this is how they will come. They are usually cold so the crab will actually appear as if they are dead. Do not cook the dead ones! The cold kind of makes them lethargic and they won't move very much until they warm up a bit. Just tap them with your tongs and they will start to move.

What you'll need:

Vinegar

Old Bay

Water

Steam Pot with Basket

Tongs

Butter

Crab Hammers

Fill your pot with equal part of vinegar and water. Make sure your steamer basket does not touch the liquid.

Crab waiting to be steamed.

Now, for us this was a team effort. Hubby grabbed the crab out of the basket and I was in charge of holding the lid down on the pot. ***Note, they will become much more sprightly after they have begun to warm up. We may have had some that tried to make a break for it off the deck. But have no fear, once you get a system down the process goes much smoother.  

Put as many as will fit in the pot once you put the lid on. Between each layer of crab we added the Old Bay. You can add as much or as little as you like....we prefer our to be completely doused.

 The amount that will fit will depend on the size of your pot and the size of your crab.  

Steam the crab for approx 20-25 minutes and they will be ready to enjoy. We steamed our whole bushel in about 2 hours. Your neighbors will be able to smell your yummy delicious crab about 4 blocks away!

Heat up some butter and grab your crab hammers, its time to eat. Some people, my son in particular, like to eat their crab with vinegar.

Typically beer is our go to beverage with crab, but drink whatever you would like.

Even Diva Darling enjoyed the crabs. 

Cheers! You did it!

♥ Jen

DIY- Patriotic Nails

I can't believe the 4th of July is already tomorrow....and we are already half way through the year! The year has just flown by so fast. Since I lack really any patriotic clothing I created this simple nail design for the upcoming holiday. Keep reading to see how I achieved this look.

What you'll need:

Red Polish- OPI Ali's Big Break

Blue Polish- Orly Witch's Blue

White Polish- L.A. Colors White

Top Coat

Scotch Tape

Nail Dotter

Nail Polish Remover

Q tips

First, paint nails the red color of your choice. I did 2 coats.

Tear a piece of scotch tape off and stick it on the back of your hand a few times so it is not so sticky...it'll pull up your base coat if it is too sticky. Then place at an angle.

Paint your blue color onto your nail.

When the blue coat is dry, carefully peel back the scotch tape. This is what you should have so far.

On a piece of plastic or paper plate, make a small pool of white nail polish.

Using a dotter, dip into white nail polish and create little dots of the blue portion of your nail.

All finished!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday tomorrow!

♥ Jen

DIY- Thread Wrapped Bangle Patriotic

The 4th of July is undoubtably one of my favorite holidays...although I lack anything patriotic to wear. Last weekend I spent most of Saturday afternoon looking for some inspiration, but I really didn't seem to find just what I was looking for. As I was purusing the internet, my little Diva Darling was playing in my craft stash...with my bangles and thread....and then it hit me! Why not combine the two of them and see what happens.

The bangle was only .25 from a yard sale, and I purchased the pack of craft thread for about $3 from a craft store. Here is how I created bangle.

 

 Supplies:

Bangle

Craft Thread

Glue or Adhesive

Scissor- not pictured

First, I placed a small amount of glue on the inside to hold the thread and then began wrapping. Once I was finished with a color, I placed another small amount of glue and then trimmed with a pair of scissors.

 Once done with one color just continue on with the next using the same method as above.

This is your final product. Here is the break down of the times I wrapped each color in case you want to replicate this pattern.

Thin White- 10

Wide Red- 20

Wide Blue- 50

Wide White- 20

Thin Red- 10

* The amount of wraps may vary depending on the size of your bangle.*

 I didn't choose a real dark blue so it has almost a nautical feel to it so it can be worn past July 4th.

Leave it to my little Diva Darling to spark a little creativity into me. This is perfect for adding just a touch of patriotism to an outfit without being too themed. Wear it alone or add a few extra bracelets for a little arm party. Let me know if you try this, I would love to see what other kinds of patterns you come up with. Have a great weekend!

♥ Jen

Linking up over at Happy Hour Projects, DIY Showoff, Tatertots and Jello, Honey We're Home, Thrify Decor Chick

DIY- Chevron Spray Painted Vase

I am always on the hunt for objects that can be transformed. A few weeks ago my hubby spotted this clear vase at a local thrift store. I was totally in love with the chevron pattern on it, but no so in love with the clearness. I knew I could make her beautiful. So, a simple and easy solution to update this gem was to spray paint it. This is super easy and took one afternoon to paint and I let it dry overnight to dry.

 This is what it looked like the day we brought it home.

I just love the chevron pattern on this vase.

 The spray paint I used was Valspar White in High Gloss.

 All finished. I think I did about 4 coats of paint.

 The white paint really brought out the chevron pattern.

I just love the finished product...just add a summer bouquet of flowers to the vase and your ready to go! This is probably one of the least expensive and easiest DIY's I have ever done. The vase was only $1 and I already had the spray paint from another project. Let me know what you think?

♥ Jen

Linking up over at Thrifty Decor Chick

DIY- Shrimp Ceviche

I absolutely love shrimp ceviche. The flavors and colors are so refreshing for those hot summer days. All the ingredients for this dish were found at my local Friday farmers market. I've mastered the art of patience for this dish, as you have to let the flavors marinate in the fridge for the ultimate perfection. Make sure to use fresh shrimp instead on frozen as well as fresh vegetables. Follow this recipe and adjust to suit your taste.

Peeled and deveined shrimp.

 Cook and cool in water to stop the cooking process.

 Fresh produce is a must!

 Chop and store ahead of time to add when recipe call for it.

Enjoy with your favorite summertime beverage. This is a family favorite around our home. Let me know if you try this yummy recipe, and let me know what your favorite summertime fare is!

♥ Jen