Football Saturday: Ass Kickin' Chicken Nachos

I love my nachos. I swear I do. These would have to be the best chicken nachos I think I've ever made. And it was all by accident. Sorry-no pictures. I didn't think to take any when I made them, but trust me, you won't need any.

2 lbs chicken breast (or fajita strips if you're too lazy like I am sometimes to cut them up)
Montreal Seasoning
2 cans tostitos salsa cheese
2 cans tostitos salsa (I used mild)
1 bag of shredded cheese
Chips or Crackers

Stop....Fabric time

So here are my choices for our upholstery redo. After some careful consideration I've decided to go with fabric that closely resembles a set I saw at Rooms to Go. 

This particular set from RTG is called the Pemberton. It's $1355 (current sale price) for a 7 piece set. All we really needed was seating for the tables and lamps would go. We would just be charged more for the individual pieces. This set is also at Value City Furniture for $999. Still a little more than we have to spend. So in my ever so crafty DIY/Nesting ways I have decided to recreate my own version of this set. Just suited a little more to our taste

That's not illegal is it?

Chic Shelf Paper

Chic Shelf Paper is a pretty awesome company with one thing in mind--chic shelf paper. When looking for drawer liners for mini me and the boy's dresser's I wanted something totally different from the normal thing. Sure I could hit my local Hobby Lobby and get scrapbook paper to turn into shelf liners--but every once in a while a DIYer is allowed to splurge. So I splurged.

I fell in love with this particular print called Serendipity Serenade. It is absolutely gorgeous and will go perfect with mini's dressers. The best part about this company they offer 4 different styles of paper. You get Matte, Fine Weave, Laminated and Satin Canvas. I ordered free swatches Satin Canvas and Fine Weave in 4 different prints and once they arrive I intend to see how they work. If it turns out I don't like them, then hey there's always the scrapbook paper!!

The Skinny: Getting A High Gloss Finish

I get jealous pretty easily. Especially when it comes to awesome furniture makeovers. You know the ones where the furniture is all shiny and you can't see the slightest hint of imperfections? Where everyone is ooohing and ahhhing over how gorgeous it looks and secretly you wish you knew where these folks lived so you could steal all of their supplies (just kidding, but no seriously)?

Thanks to good old www I've been able to figure out their secrets. Although, it requires time, patience and more time. Whenever you take on painting furniture you have to make sure you do it right. That means no cutting corners. I've scoured dozens of blogs and each blogger seems to have their own method. I tried them all--and to be honest I wasn't too thrilled with the results. So I have decided to give it a go on my own and I loved the way it turned out.

Whenever you paint you need the essentials: paint, brush, sander, wood filler (if applicable). But what most people may not realize is that they need a finisher aka protective coat to give it that gloss. When I was shopping for paint, I picked up these items, but was told by the gentleman at Home Depot that I would not need them because the paint had a gloss in it already. I was even told my by dear sweet DH that I wouldn't need it either. Well, let's just say he doesn't question me anymore when it comes to these things.

My next challenge

So until we can find another dresser, I've been thinking of what I can do to bide my time. Well I told DH last night that this weekend we are going to attempt (key word-attempt) to reupholster his college days recliner. It's in great condition, structurally, but like all seating after several years it gets pretty worn and stained. So that's what I'm hoping to do.

I spend all Labor Day traveling to fabric stores to get an idea for fabric colors. And of course DH didn't care--just nothing girly or ugly. My guess when it's actually time to buy the fabric he will have more of an opinion.

The one thing I don't want to do, is match it to our current craigslist couches--because they are in fact an fugly green color that I would love to reupholster as well. I just don't know if that will be done before the end of the year. Somehow I highly doubt it.

Here are some close up pictures of the recliner below. You can see where it's ripped and stained--and I really don't want to rock another newborn in this chair. I need something different!

Happy Labor Day

I wanted to tell everyone Happy Labor Day!! Remember drink me hearty's yo ho!!! But don't drink and drive!! Remember your Veterans, enjoy the last day of summer and spend as much time loving friends and family as you possibly can!! Check out tomorrow for some exciting post!

Hobby Lobby you are truly a crafters best fried!

I woke up Saturday morning with an urge to do something crafty. So what do I do? Tell the hubby to get dressed we're going to hobby lobby!!!

If you saw my  other post regarding hardware for the dresser makeover, you would know that I was looking for a particular style and that Anthropologie was the only place I knew that carried it. Well I was wrong. Enter the Lobby....

When we got there for whatever reason I immediately got side tracked and headed towards the Christmas ornaments (look for that post in the coming months)--but as I was reminded why I was there I immediately headed to the aisle with the hardware and much to my surprise they were have a 50% sale. So 50% off of $3.99 and $1.36 was music to my ears!!!!

I found some wonderful hardware pieces that will closely match my Alice in Wonderland theme. Why I couldn't  find the key--I was able to find several other knobs that will work perfectly!! I'm super excited I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

So that's one dresser down--we still have another to go, but it may be a week or two before I can even get to it :( (sad face).