Harry Potter Flavored Cupcakes...

   Wait, no, they're "ButterBeer Cupcakes". They don't taste like Harry Potter. They were delicious. I was supposed to have a girls night with my girl Lisa and my sis Chelsea...but we had to postpone. I decided it would be rad to "try" making these once myself so I could master it. You should make them... but be sure to set aside about 2+ hours for this "project". Took from 5:45 pm to after 8 pm.
 
   I have been baking recently, which is new for me. And I don't mean "adding eggs to the boxed powder". I mean real, hardcore baking. I had a few items necessary, but fell short when I noticed "butter flavoring" on the ingredient list. Off to the store I went!!

For the cupcakes:

2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp butter flavoring (I used Buttermilk flavoring)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cream soda

   As you know, I like to sort everything out and line it up. I also put my adorable new plaid cupcake shells.

  The for the fancy frosting...


For the butterscotch ganache:
1 11-oz package butterscotch chips
3/4 cup heavy cream

For the buttercream frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup butterscotch ganache
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp butter flavoring
1/8 tsp salt
1 lb powdered sugar
Splash of heavy cream (as needed)

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake tins with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl between each.
- Add in vanilla and butter flavoring.

- Combine buttermilk and cream soda in a small bowl and alternate adding that combination with the flour mixture with the mixer on low, starting and ending with the flour.
- Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.

P.S. The recipe says it yields "18 cupcakes" False. I Got 19.

- For the butterscotch ganache, melt butterscotch chips and heavy cream together using a double boiler (or 4 or 5 minutes in the microwave...just keep stirring here and there) until completely smooth. Cool to room temperature to allow the ganache to slightly thicken. This part takes forever.

- Fill a plastic squeeze bottle with the ganache, and insert tip into each cupcake, filling until the ganache starts to slightly overflow. I did this from the top because I didn't want to ruin my plaid papers. Worked just fine. It was then that I realized the stupid Stop & Shop brand of sugar I bought wasn't confectioners sugar. It was regular damn sugar. So mid-bake, I had to run to the local grocery store and grab the right kind of sugar. Why would Stop & Shop make the packages identical?? WHY? So that's why I know the ganache takes forever to cool. Ha.

- For the frosting, cream butter in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add ganache, vanilla, butter flavoring, and salt and mix until well combined. Beat in powdered sugar and allow it to come together for about 2 minutes. Add cream a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. I had to use a LOT of teaspoons of cream until it was watery enough to be called "frosting".

- Pipe frosting onto cupcakes with a large tip and drizzle leftover butterscotch ganache over each.

   After fighting with the piping parts, I finally decided to read the instructions since last time I used it I ended up with frosting all over my damn hands. Turns out you're supposed to fold it over, fill it with a spatula and the squeeze 'er down. (yes, I still ended up with it all over my hands) However, the cupcakes looked like this after I drizzled the leftover ganache...

A. Mazing.

And these two in the kitchen where I left them. They like to watch me cook/bake. Weirdos.

   Now go enjoy the rest of your Sunday. You have to work tomorrow, right? See you there :)

Care Bears and Head Injuries

  

   Stopping at my mom's house this morning had more than one purpose. None of the intended purposes included me walking out with the handful of items. Especially not the items I walked out with. As a kid my mom sewed a lot. She made my Halloween costumes, she sewed doll outfits, matching outfits for her and I when I was a wee one.



*Janice H seen on the left. Please see this post. *


 She also went through a little phase where she made pillow animals. Included in that were these lovelies.

   The question was "do you still want the Care Bears?". Silly question. Of course I want the Care Bears. I grabbed the plastic bag, ran to the car and immediately dug through them. SWEET, Wish Bear is still in tact. That was my main concern.

In business related news, one of my friend-workers (peep I'm friends with at work) walked into my office and pretended to shoot me with a sawed off shotgun. (Totally normal occurrence, don't worry) I did my usual choking on blood and slumping in my chair bit. However, this time I sunk a little too low and with eyes shut slammed the side of my head against my desk. The picture below is a reenactment of the actual event.

Yes, I really did hit my head hard. My friend-worker laughed and called me a name I dare not repeat. Suffice it to say, it wouldn't be a Friday without Wish Bear and head injuries.



Are you kidding me?

   Everyone has a "most used" phrase. I have been mocked by my family for years for over using "are you kidding me?" and "really?" in a sarcastic annoyed tone. I feel it really brings home the point that I'm trying to express my extreme frustration with the situation or individual. It's better then "You're a real <insert crude swear>". How about a thank you, Ma? At least I watch my language some of the time.

   I told you that so the following story would make sense. Aaron's job yesterday was to begin the bathroom demolition. He insisted that he wouldn't be able to demo it all in one day and we wouldn't have time to buy the new install products. Preface: I have never lived through any kind of home project or demolition, I had little to no idea of what to expect. Driving home I rocked out to Katy Perry, having a grand ol' time. I got a text from my hub telling me he was playing softball and would "clean up condo when get back". OK. I pull up to the condo and to my dismay I was greeted with a terrifying visual of what went on in my home yesterday.

               Wow. That looks like the old bathtub and siding...why is it still sitting in the driveway?
    I start to walk towards our front door and see the ominous "drag marks" of what can only be described as a  bathroom corpse. I feel like I'm entering a crime scene.

   Oh. My. God. Walking, walking, walking. Started to shake in anticipation/terror. Openly angry that I wasn't forewarned.

   Wood. In our gardens. Excellent...I can't wait to see what's inside!! I creak open the front door, anxiety kicks in. I do not have OCD. But I am often asked if I do. I like things neat and  in order. The whole reason I was unsure about this project (though I knew it had to be done) was the terror that Aaron would start it and walk away mid-project and "get to it later". Day one- already happening. Softball which was not on the schedule, happened.

   Yes, that's the old bathroom mirror in my dining area. That Turk of course assumed was another cat upon approach and freaked. It's apparent now that nothing made it to the dump. Which was part of the plan. Start excavation and bring items to dump. I creep up the stairs, my heart pounding. I have no idea what I'm about to see. Think of those movies where someone is being chased by a murderous villain and they use the loud heart pounding sound effect over the scene. Am I being dramatic? Maybe. But this is what my beautiful guest room looks like yesterday and sits still as I write.

   *Hyperventilation* That's my brand new white bedspread from IKEA with tools and crap all over it. And where did that luggage in the background come from?? We put all that away! Did he take it back out to prop items on? I'm scared, I'm confused...I turn to the left...

   AHHHHHHH!!!!! Why is everything on the floor? My God why?! There are probably a million ways to go about disassembling a bathroom. My version would be similar to how I cook. Line everything up so I'm ready for it when it's time and I know where it all is. Aaron's version: dump it everywhere and figure it out later. (I just physically shuddered reliving this all...I hope you enjoy this post because I have the shakes).

  
   Now onto the part of the story that made Aaron smile with a look you give a 5 year old who asks if there are chocolate cows and say "what do you think gutting means?". Newsflash. I'm a GIRL. I don't "gut" rooms and leave the rubble for my spouse to find. But more on that later. I lean into the hole that is now my spare bathroom. It's totally dark and the hall light doesn't really illuminate it. I lean in (he had propped up the door sideways to keep certain curious animals from hiding in the walls) and attempt to turn on the 80's style lamp (that I loathe) that he stole from the spare room. Doesn't turn on. OK. I'll just take a picture of it and the flash should illuminate this madness.

                                   And that, my friends, is what a gutted bathroom looks like. 

 
   I felt so alone and frightened. I went for a jog in 100% humidity and choked the whole way. I needed to escape. When I got back Aaron was just arriving home as I was about to get into the shower. He came around the corner and I said "ohmygodwhydidn'tyoutellmewhattoexpect????!!". "<5 year old chocolate cow face> I told you I was gutting the bathroom!" he may as well have added "silly goose" to the end of that sentence. Great. I'm a kindergartner because I don't know what a gutted bathroom looks like. Thanks, guy.

   On a less frustrating note, I spent the best $3 EVER on a new deep conditioner from Aussie. I swear by  their Sprunch Spray which I use on curly hair days. At Stop & Shop they were running a 2 for $6 deal. SWEET. I grabbed this new product which I haven't laid eyes on prior. 3 Minute Deeeeeep Conditioner and I used it for the first time last night. Maybe it would improve my mood? The smell alone made me feel like I was back on my honeymoon. It smells like delicious Pina Colada! I don't know if that's what they were goin' for...but I approve. It was amazing. I would highly recommend it for anyone with dry or frizzy hair, especially in the summer nastiness.

   I hope everyone out there in blog-land has a wonderful day! This should help.

   Cat fight!! This fight earned Apollo the new nickname "Big Chief" from Aaron. That ball of fur really knows how to regulate. They adore each other. It's so cute to watch my big man be so gentle with the little man.   Then Turk will pop Apollo and run off. Oh to be young and feline...



 

Meatballs of the Swedes

   Another delightful cuisine choice from my cousin Natalie...When I set out to make the balls I had little confidence that they would turn out looking as they are supposed to.

*Image stolen from Google

But guess what? I did it! And it was so good, Aaron polished off over 3/4 a pound of meat in the end.

Swedish Meatballs a la Nat

2+ pounds ground sirloin

1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 small onion chopped
A sprinkle of Nutmeg

1/2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley (3 handfuls) chopped (one little "bundle" is just enough)

Freshly ground Black Pepper
2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
2 cups Beef Stock
1 TBSP Red Currant or Grape Jelly (eew, I used grape. Red Currant??)
1 cup Heavy Cream or Sour Cream ( I did sour cream, next time I may try heavy cream)
1/2 lb. wide egg noodles
Salt
2 TBSP Butter

   Place ground sirloin in a large mixing bowl and punch a well into the center. Fill the well with the egg, bread crumbs, onion, nutmeg, half of the chopped parsley, and a little salt and pepper. Mix up the meatball ingredients until well combined, yet not over mixed. At this point is where I realized that I methodically do every recipe the same exact way. I am terrified of not having an ingredient mid-cook. It always ends up looking like this.

                                                So OCD, right? Whatever. Go eat a meatball.

   Then go ahead and heat a large and deep non-stick skillet or pan over medium-high heat with the EVOO. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes (original recipe aid 5 minutes, but it took longer for me (surprise, surprise), giving the pan a good shake now and then. I would then recommend drainING some of the "meat juice" from the bottom of the pan. I found int he end it was a bit too oily and was separating.

   Then add the stock, jelly, and heavy cream or sour cream. Bring it up to a bubble, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 more minutes.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the stove top....

   Place a large pot of water on to boil. Add the noodles and season the water with salt. Cook until just tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the egg noodles and shake dry. Put the noodles back in the hot pot and add the remaining chopped parsley and the butter and season with salt and pepper. Mmmmmmm. Stir until butter has melted. Top the noodles with the meatballs and their sauce! 

**If sauce isn't thick enough add a little flour. That's what I did and it thickened it right up and it was amazing!** 

                          I LOVE this recipe. I don't know which is better, this bad boy or the Natalie Pot Pie!!

                                                             OK, ice cream social time...

                I'll leave you with my "favorite" new song. "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry.

                                       

                   **All photos personal unless indicated, video courtesy of Youtube**



Never be early for work

   My birthday is August 13th. I will be turning 30 on that blessed day. When I heard that Cheesecake Factory was coming to our mall, I was beyond tickled when they said "in August of 2011". Imagine my consternation when today I took the long route in to work to check on their progress. My birthday is in about 3 weeks. This is all they have to show?

   Apparently these folks are in NO hurry. Thanks for nothing, Factory. Guess I'll have to go somewhere less awesome for my birthday. *tear*


   As I sat in the parking lot (like a creeper) watching the progress with my camera in tow, my eye was drawn to an interesting "character" also intrigued by the progress. I watched this individual walk in erratic lines across the lot, destination: nowhere. This person got VERY close to me sitting in my car and put the fear of God in me.

   I can't tell you any details because it's all a blur. I'd like to try to not make fun of people on my blog as I would in daily life so you all think I'm nice. But the idea of letting this visual feast escape my lens was too much to bear.  So there it is.

   At this point in the morning I was about 20 minutes early to work and I didn't want to elicit reactions from my superiors (often times I get greeted as I walk in with an over dramatic semi-sarcastic hello, especially if I'm way early). So I shuffled around to another parking lot nearby to sit and perhaps check Facebook. It occurred to me whilst I sat and doodled around my phone that no stores that I need open in time for me to get there before work, short of CVS and Stop & Shop. Why is that? Why do you think I DON'T need a bookmark and/or magazine at 8 am Barnes and Noble? Hey Babies R Us...maybe I'm curious and want to peruse? They were all closed and mocking me in this plaza. Then I saw this:

   Dear Christmas Tree Shops; Your items are dirt cheap. If you are telling me you are having a clearance sales, I have no choice but to wander your land of milk and honey for bargains. Yes, I do need a lamp shaped like baseballs (wait...we already have one). Yes, I do need a giant plastic flag that hangs on the door that says "Love" and has faded flowers on it (wait...darnit, we have that already too). I guess I'll just pop in and invent some other item that I "must have". Life size flamingo cut out for my mini-yard? Sure. I'll take 2 of them if they are $4.99 now, marked down from $14.99. See you soon! With love, AV.

   After that little fantasy I snapped back into the real world and drove the rest of the 3/4 of a mile to work and was STILL early and got the sarcastic hello. However, this is all overshadowed by the fact that today is ICE CREAM SOCIAL DAY!!!! Nothin' gon' hold me down today. Oh no. I got to keep on eatin'.

   While I'm at work today Aaron will begin the demolition on our spare bathroom. The install will start on August 6th! I'm so excited and will naturally keep you up to date on progress (please pronounce like British lady). Here is the lousy before. The salmon pink from the previous owner is not OK. I don't like peeing in a sherbet themed hold. Also not a huge fan of  white wood "detail" being pulled from it's holding spot on the wall by Father Time. I can't wait to get 'er done.

Lastly, because he's still so little and so darn cute...here's what I know you're all checking this blog for. Daily Turk pic:

                              Check back later! I will share my Swedish Meatball journey with you!!

If you are enjoying this blog...go ahead and become a follower! Otherwise I don't know if anyone is reading me!!! Go on..do it! Do it! Do it!!!



*all photos are personal unless specified*

MERGE!

   At lunch today with my dear friends I found myself contemplating what's different about dating, being engaged and being married. It dawned on me that all the things I have to do now as "the wife" were not issues before mainly because our finances weren't combined. If I don't want to pay an extra $40 a month because Aaron "never canceled" the phone service we have been paying for for the last 2 years then I have to call them myself.

   Aaron went as far as to paint a hallway at 6 on a weeknight just to get out of calling our cable/phone provider. No one likes to paint...so I'm guessing he just really can't handle professional confrontation. That's what I think the process should be dubbed. When you are being royally screwed by some company and you have to call up and fight for your rights...or in this case to "not pay for a non existent phone". I assure you, I don't even know where the phone jack is. We don't OWN a regular phone. Autumn got on the phone and got it fixed.

   We had horrific damage to our living room carpet, ceiling and our bedroom when the ice hit this winter and our condo complex only had 2 guys to clean ALL the ice and snow up in 400 + units (duuuhhhh). So 250 units ended up with water damage. They somehow "weren't aware" the living room carpet was damaged (even though they just paid to have our ceiling replaced...?) and it the reason I was told is "oh your husband never mentioned the carpet when we came to look". UGH. Guess who "has the time" during the day to fight that battle now? This girl right here. I think Aaron would rather pay $1000 to re-carpet the living room ourselves than to call up and ask for what is rightfully ours. It's all about finding your "character" in the marriage I think. Someone has to be the organized sense-keeper.

I would liken myself to Monica Geller any day. But that's really because I am bossy and I like things clean...

80% of your brownie points

   I spent the evening last night doing my wedding thank you's (with assistance from a tiny kitten) which ended with me terrified because I was watching an especially creepy episode of "Paranormal State". It also ended with a raw finger from the pen and ink all over my hands. Maybe I'm holding the pen wrong all these years?

   Either way, they are done now. And I learned that I am not brave enough to be home alone with the sliding door open that faces the woods once darkness falls. My one small consolation was that my Mother-in-law does live right next door...except I couldn't hear her TV. Which means her sliders weren't open. Which means as the murderous little girl ghost avenging her untimely death entered my home, she would not hear my muffled screams.  Awesome. The cats would probably just continue what they were doing. Turk would not protect me. He'd keep doing this:

   **Disclaimer- I just wanted to show you the above picture. That's the only reason for any of this post today.**

   All jokes aside (hahah that's funny in itself), I came home to find that my husband had vacuumed the living room before he left for work. Which is amazing, because vacuuming is my sing;e least favorite household task. If the vacuum did more work on it's own I may feel differently. I may as well bend over and start picking up lint and cat fur myself at the rate of energy it takes for me to push this damn vacuum. So Aaron vacuumed, for which I thank him. But I would like to point out that if you are awesome and really want to help your wife the second half of the task is putting the vacuum away.

   This was the main reason I knew he vacuumed. I give you 80% of the brownie points you would have earned had you finished the last 20% of your task. Sigh. But it was still a sweet gesture. I have been afraid to try vacuuming since we brought Turk home. I don't want to send him flying into the fireplace again in terror. I can't wipe ashes off a cat over and over again. Apollo did the same thing the day we bought him home. All white, long fur + ashes= DO NOT LET THE CAT DO THAT AGAIN. He was a mess.

   So after I decided I would do the thank you's, I popped a delicious frozen Newman's Own pizza into the over (I was home alone. I can eat whatever the hell I want so SHUT UP). It was time to tackle the upstairs silver shelving fiasco. I was informed that I am not eligible to move the shelves myself. Which meant I had to find something to fit on the 10 foot tall shelf my super-tall honey nailed into place. Of course I won't give up until I win this battle. Probably spent more time than a human should on decorating ONE shelf in a spare bedroom. But this was what I came up with. I took this photo from the floor and I'm hoping a normal sized individual (ie., all my friends) will be able to see the items on said shelf.

   The left shelf now contains a photo of my Grandpa when he was in the army, a tiny little bud vase with fake flower (courtesy IKEA trip found here. ), and an awesome canvas style print my friend Jessica made with her work's photo and gift site SeeHere . Turned out to be a good fit! So one shelf has an engagement pic and the other vases from our rehearsal dinner. Keepin' the wedding flow in my condo.  We spent a wealth of time and money on it, so let's remember it, right? Whatever. Be thankful I didn't start this piece until post-wedding. You would have hated me prior.

    My last thought is the car that was in front of me on my ride home from work last night. The car had a labeled "repair" license plate. I'm assuming this means they are borrowing the car while theirs is repaired?   Perhaps it meant they were a car repair service? I don't know. However, my brain was concerned when I got close enough to see how FILTHY this car was. If this was a loaner, why did they chose to go "off roading" in a Volvo when it wasn't theirs? All I could think was "eew who can I show this to? Then I remembered I had my camera with me. Score.

I would also like to add that this car was behind me when the skies opened up and torrential downpour came crashing down about 10 minutes prior. How dirty does a car have to be for "cats and dogs" to not even make a dent in the dirt? Yuck. Get that WASHED before you return it. You're embarrassing yourself, Volvo.   
  

 *all photos are personal unless specified*

The Ghosts in the house...In my dream, anyways

   So we're back to crazy dreams again I guess. That's was delirium does to a brain? I had a dream that there was this amazing house for sale and it was enormous, had a pool, manicured lawns, huge picture windows and skylights, intricate detail inside the house. Masterfully crafted. It looked like a scale doll house, and who doesn't want to live in a real live dollhouse?  Aaron and I went to look at it, wondering why it was just $179k (where my brain got that number, I can't ponder). We bump into the two daughters who live in the house and they pull us aside.

   "So why is the house so cheap? Is it haunted or something?" we laugh it off. Their faces grow somber...

   Yes, the house is haunted. Normally I'd be dancing in the streets. I love hauntings. And right away we begin to experience these "spirits". They are closing blinds after we open them, pushing us down stairs, and more frighteningly...turning us against each other. Luckily we didn't have pets in the dream. I can only imagine how special it would have been to see my precious Apollo hurled against a window in my sleep at the hands of a vengeful dog-preferring ghost. By the end of the dream we realized we were running late for a wedding and Aaron was trying to kill me. Really, subconscious? I startled awake with a cat on my head. Then all was well with the world again.



    I'm like "Night of the Living Dead" today. I'm shocked no one has said to me yet "wow, are you OK?" just based on my outfit/face/hair. I'll go ahead through the motions, as I did on the road today. Put the Civic on auto-pilot and got here somehow. Safe, I know. It took me almost 20 minutes to realize I was cold because the damn AC was on.

   Besides trying to keep myself awake until bedtime last night I also got around to some minor decorating of my two new silver shelves. Aaron had hung them for me Sunday night and did what I consider to be a "not so good" job. Aaron is 6'7. I wanted the silver shelves to be mid-way on the wall so I could put fun, interchangeable decor on them, depending on the season. This is what I got. Please note the distance from the top of the 10 or 11 foot wall and the left shelf...

   His argument: they're fine. You can still put things on them and they'll be seen. False. I can on the right.

He arranged it based on his height. All our normal sized friends and company won't be able to see a thing! He won't fix it. He "doesn't want any more holes in the walls". Why do we even paint walls to begin with? Men don't want us decorating them, but the whole purpose of painting a wall is to make it more current and desirable looking, correct? Sigh.

   I wanted a letter "V" somewhere int he room to reflect our newly formed family (aww) and I googled a monogram. I came out with this really cool one, copied it and pasted onto a Word document and printed that B! I framed it with a cheapy frame (also courtesy of Xmas Tree Shops) and here's what I got.

   I LOVE this V. It's my new BFF.  I adore monograms to begin with. Anything personalized I just die for. Probably because my hippie-parents gave me a name that never appeared on barrettes or pencils growing up. Did anyone else have that issue? Any weird spellings of common names or any uncommon names that also afflicted you with "no backpacks with your name on them"? Good lord, when the LL Bean backpacks were all the rage in middle school I was one of the first to ask for one with my WHOLE name on it. Take that! Or rather "here you go, kidnappers! Kid on a silver platter!" 

   Luckily "Autumn" is a little more mainstream now and my friend Lisa was able to find me a puzzle that says "Autumn" on it. I will cherish it...



   Now I leave you with anther favorite picture that would NOT look so good on my silver shelf, but deserves equal blogging time.

Courtesy of one of my "must see" sites www.icanhazcheezburger.com. If you need a laugh at any time of the day, you just go there. Nancy, 9+ months pregnant visits regularly and passes along her favorites. So this one's for you, Nan :) Now have that baby! Hurry, there's another heat wave coming... 



DIYing to paint this table...

   I've been reading too many blogs methinks. I suddenly think I can take on "Do it Yourself" projects like some kind of home improvement Super-Girl. I have braved my way to 3 different hardware stores by myself (Never did this before. Be impressed.), bought the necessary items and done my first project!

   Project 1 was turning this old desk that sits in the foyer into something less hideous. I LOVE antique maps though, which is the design that resides on the top of the ol' gal. I followed my friends on all their blogs and taped off the top:

I then did NOT put a protective sheet between the paint and the grass because it's a condo and I don't give a what. Yes, there it is. Busted out my silver spray paint, and began spraying. My only sustained casualty..."spray wrist", I'll call it. From holding down the 2 cans of paint I used for this (and a second project) my wrist and finger were actually sore! Lame. I know. But it's worth it because I am the proud new owner of THIS piece instead now! 

  Now I was a spray paint virgin, so I did miss a spot that I'll have to fix. Of course it was smack in the left front of the leg, right where you see when you walk in. Good job, fool. But overall, it looks amazing! It's a whole new table! Now we have a silver table holding our mail and crap! Yay design!

Onto to #2. The Christmas Tree Shop $6 each shelves.

   Cheap? Yes. But how adorable would they be in the purple guest room if they were....

  

SILVER??!!!

Taaadaaa!!

And voila. 2 silver shelves to be installed on the purple wall of our guest room. Some tips I learned while I messed up my own furniture.

1. Keep the spray nozzle about 8 inches away from whatever you're spraying.

2. Don't use TOO MUCH spray on any one area. It drips and drizzles and with a metallic paint, the marks will always show :( 

 3. It has wide range, so move EVERYTHING out of a 5 foot range that you don't want to turn silver (or color of your choosing. Puce? sure). I especially advise this with cameras. Don't ask me how I know that. Ask my new silver dotted camera.

4. Don't wear flip flops....

That is my foot, still covered in silver paint 2 days after the fact. Plus flip flop line. My foot looks like the Crypt Keeper's foot. Gray/silver isn't a good look for human flesh.

Good luck, kids!