{Tips} For Toes

Hey everyone! I'm jumping into another busy week getting ready for an out of town guest coming Friday night. I'm also scouring my recipe files looking for something different and delicious to bring to a cookout on Sunday. I know a lot of you are hooked on Pinterest and I'm sorting through so many food related boards and pinning tons recipes with gorgeous pictures. So I admit it, I'm hooked too!

Now, this post I'm doing today isn't about one of my usual painting or decorating projects but it is DIY so I suppose it's suited for this DIY blog. I rather enjoy a professional mani/pedi, however, I find them time and cost prohibitive. That's why I do them myself, usually on a Sunday night while indulging in one of my guilty pleasures...watching the Housewives of Wherever.

And don't worry...I won't make it habit of sharing my personal grooming routine. I just thought I'd share a couple products that have saved me tons of time and money.

I discovered years ago that this green pot scrubber (yes!) works wonders when lathered and buffed on my heels. It is absolutely the best exfoliating pad. Be warned though, do not use it anywhere other than the soles of your feet! Scrub with this twice a week and your feet will always be soft and smooth.

(I do this while in the shower)

I like to do a French tip and this French tip pen is the best! It makes drawing a tip line so easy and you'll be able to draw a thin or thick tip, whatever your preference. It takes a little practice, and I admit sometimes I have better results than others, but with a little trial and error you'll have great success.

(just a few bucks at Target)

Finish with a couple coats of clear polish and flash those French tipped tootsies!

So, I hope that if you've never tried a DIY pedi this will encourage you to give it a go. Then, with the money you save, buy yourself something pretty!

(beaded sandals on clearance at Macy's)

Have a super week!

Barb

I'll be linking to some of these parties. Hope to see you there!

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch

Make It For Monday @ Cottage Instincts

Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

Making The World Cuter @ Making The World Cuter

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle

Twice Owned Tuesday @ House Of Grace

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Trash 2 Treasure @ Sassy Sites

Time to Shine Tuesday @ A Diamond in the Stuff

Power Of Paint @ Domestically Speaking

Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive & Proper

Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage

Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage

100 Ideas Under $100 @ Beyond The Picket Fence

Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Remodelaholic Friday @ Remodelaholic

Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Strut Your Stuff @ The Saturday Morning Blog

Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different, Act Normal

Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn

Dining Room in a Rental

What? It's been almost three weeks since my last post? Really?? My, where have I been and what have I been doing? Well, just two things. Work and travel. Oh, yeah, and a little project, too. It's been kind of a whirlwind between working ( too much) and I've been to Tampa, Denver, Seattle and back to Chicago.

I realized this week that we moved into this townhouse rental one year ago. It's been a bit of struggle for me settling into and decorating this place and I'm just now feeling like I'm at home here. I've had to decorate on a very tight budget and use my hodge podge leftover furniture that we didn't move down to our Florida home. For months I've felt like we were living in an apartment much like the one we put together as newlyweds- sort of a mix of mismatched hand me downs.

Over the past year I've unified most of my furniture with a coat of white paint. This past week I painted the dining room table. The table was purchased for this very small room and it's the perfect size. It's from the Better Homes and Gardens collection that Walmart sells.

I lightly sanded the top and primed it with a tinted Behr primer/paint in Promenade 400f-5. I painted a second color called Irving Heights 10573 by Walmart paints.

Then I used a creamy white I've used on the other pieces I painted throughout the house.

(Whoa, what the...? I don't know what happened here. I've painted hundreds (lots) of pieces over the years and I've never seen anything like this before.)

...nothing, though, that a little sanding and another coat paint couldn't fix. Then, a schmear of dark walnut stain and lots more sanding and distressing topped off with a coat or two of satin polyacrylic.

I didn't have any dining chairs so I bought a couple of slipcovered chairs from Ikea. They were only $79 each. I love them! These will easily be incorporated into our Florida home once we move there. I'm using a garden bench in the dining room too. I don't have any outdoor space for it, so I'm using it inside. The bench color was the inspiration for the under colors on the table. I wanted the table to look old and worn with a history of different colors peeking through.

So, although we're in a rental this place is feeling more cozy and homey. There are still some changes I'd like to make if our landlord allows.

What about you? Any of you renting and having a tough time making the space feel like you and your haven? I'd love to hear what you've done to make the place "yours".

Tomorrow is the official start of summer! Any plans? I know blogland has a tons of parties planned and I'll be visiting a bunch. Hope to see you around!

Linking to the parties: