Update on Etsy

I know its few and far between when I write, but that just gives me a lot to write about, right? So, after writing about starting up an Etsy shop I had several moments throughout the process where I seriously considered backing out. I thought nobody would like my stuff, much less buy it. I finally decided to at least give it a try first before I give up on it. With much surprise, as soon as I opened my shop I was blown away at the number of views in the first few days. I'm not sure what is considered "good" but the numbers were certainly looking good to me! It was definitely a confidence boost. Then I made my first sell within a couple of days of opening and it felt GREAT! Especially since I had read that alot of shop owners don't make their first sell for a month. I've made three sells so far and although that isn't a lot, I feel I'm definitely on my way. If you'd like to check out my shop go here http://www.etsy/shop/rustikandrefined

On another note: WE'RE GOING TO JAMAICA!!
Yup! We're going for a honeymoon "do-over." Our honeymoon was a mess. It rained all day, every day the entire week until the very last day. And on that day I got SICK! I mean SICK! My poor hubby had to take care of me instead of going out and getting what little sunshine he could. He was so sweet. So, anyway, fast forward to now. We have been talking about wanting to have a second honeymoon and thought Sept would be the best time to take a vacay (b/c of my husband's crazy work schedulel), but not necessarily the honeymoon. I got a call from my mother-in-law telling me about this great get away deal on Groupon. I checked it out and thought, "Jamaica was not our first choice, however for that price COUNT ME IN!" haha :) And it just happens that we have to take it by September; Perfect! We told our friends about it, and they are going too! Now, you're probably thinking "but I thought its your honeymoon." It is, but everyone that we are friends with say that they got bored and would've had more fun if they had friends there to hang out with. We felt that way too and that's why this time we are doing it completely different. I am so excited and cannot wait! Now the big question is how to lose 30lbs in 6 weeks??????? Yeah, yeah I know; that's not healthy. Honestly, I don't think that is a realistic goal for me anyway lol, but I am definitely struggling with how I am going lose enough to feel comfortable in my swim suit. So far, I'm trying to eat nothing but meat and veggies and walk three miles at night. While this is a good start, I don't feel like this will work fast enough for what I'm wanting to achieve :( Any pointers?

Rustik and Refined

I did it! Today is the opening day of Rustik and Refined; my Etsy shop. The whole time I've been collecting "inventory" I've being trying to convince my husband that there is a market out there for rustic, shabby chic, primitive and cottage chic type things and that I can sell this stuff too. And all of sudden, while setting up shop, I have been flooded with doubt. "What if I don't sell anything"? "What if he's right"? "What if I've wasted a lot of money buying inventory"? These are scary thoughts, but I've just pushed them aside and kept truckin'. I also initially thought that I had to have A LOT of inventory to grab people's attention and sell anything, but I've recently read that shops with bigger items typically have less. This made me feel a tiny bit better since most of my stuff will be furniture. Ultimately, I just have to let go and let God. He's given me the talents that I have, and He has a plan for me and how I will use them, and my Etsy shop may or may not be a part of that plan. There is only one way to find out so, here I go! 

---If you interested you can take a look through my little shop here
www.etsy.com/shop/rustikandrefined

I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee and it's 11:13. Why so late on my daily cup of java? First, I was out of coffee so I ran to Walmart to get more, but then realized I needed to go to Winn Dixie for shrimp (because we don't get meats from Walmart). So I go to Winn Dixie only to find that at 10am the seafood hasn't been put out yet. So I come home mad and frustrated at the waste of time and gas, but am soon consumed in a new found blog. I just sat for a little over an hour reading post after post. It feels so good to know there are other people out there who think like me. They get it! From culture to religion to every day life...they get it! I feel like I have found a new little gem or treasure. Lol. So, I'm just going to enjoy my coffee and sit back and absorb the words of others I have been needing to hear.

Pregnant in America

I am not pregnant, nor do I plan to be any time soon and yet I found myself experiencing a mix of emotions when watching these two documentaries: The Business of Being Born and Pregnant in America. If you haven't watched these, you should. I had no idea the U.S. has the highest C-section rate out of any country. I had no idea that doctors discourage you from having home births and natural births. I had no idea a home birth was an option. I had no idea they price health care cost to discourage you from having at home births. After watching these, I thought, "I will not be wheeled into a hospital room and have nurses and a doc tell me how I'm going to have my baby". The way they do it is all wrong; all wrong! I want an intimate, loving, and bonding experience if and when I give birth. So, as of right now that is what I would like to do. I couldn't do it without the love and support of my husband and family because I know in the midst of it all it is very tempting to say "GET ME AN EPIDURAL!" lol I even got my husband to watch one of them and he totally agrees! But there is a problem. In Alabama you can have your baby at home, but it is against the law for a midwife to assist you. After deciding I may want to do this, then finding out about the law....I felt like I had the rug pulled out from under me. I feel like Alabama has basically taken away my options, like the state is basically telling me this is how your going to have your baby. AND I'M FURIOUS! And I'm not even pregnant! From what little I've researched you can drive to TN, but that's not in the comfort of my own  home; my nest. I shouldn't have to drive to TN to be able to give birth to my baby the way I feel is right. So many women just go along with it because they have no idea! Now, I'm not bashing doctors because there are some good ones out there, and thank God we have them when the need arises, But that's just it. I want a doctor if the need arises, otherwise, I want nature to take its course. I don't want bright lights, needles, synthetic hormones, and no immediate bonding time with my baby. Did you know that it isn't even natural to give birth laying down? I understand that some women can't have a natural birth and that is what the doctors should be here for; complicated cases and emergencies. I can't sum it all up on here, but I encourage you to watch these documentaries. Even if you don't agree, it's thought provoking. I personally just feel that a mother should be able to choose how she has her baby. Anway, I will continue to do more research on this and write about what I find. If any of you have info or stories please share.

Chalkboard 101

Today I tried the Rustoleum chalkboard paint for the first time. I did just a few quick google searches on whether the regular paint or spray is better and didn't have much luck. I went with the spray since it was cheaper and I didn't need much anyway, and sprayed it onto a foam board that I primed with Kilz. The first 2 coats had lines in it. I guess because of the Kilz where I painted it on. Is it a big deal to people if the chalkboard has a few stroke lines? That google search didn't turn up much either. I was beginning to think maybe I should've bought the regular paint, but did a 3rd coat and it looks fine now. The next test will be to see if the foam board even holds up to chalk being pressed against it and how well it cleans. I'll be sure to update on this in a day or two.

Good night folks!
Xoxo

High on Summertime

Just got back from the beach and boy did we have a blast! We visited the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and played with baby kangaroos, lemurs and baby tigers! It has been a life long dream to play with monkeys and I finally got to check that off the ol' bucket list! We also went deep sea fishing. We couldn't convince the guys to go so Mom and I set off on an adventure. I'm sure that lady thought we were crazy because we called her about ten different time with a million questions haha. The seas were rough but we still had fun and caught a lot of red snapper. Mom caught the first fish and the most fish :) We also had a large group of dolphins come up to the boat and swim with it. I think we got our money's worth! That was the best beach trip ever and what better way to spend it than with my mom?! Also, if any of you happen to be heading that way the Oyster House is amazing! I would skip breakfast and lunch to eat there every day for supper. Also, right outside Gulf Shores is a mall, I think it's called colonial mall?...anyway it's an outdoor type mall and there is a restaurant called the Cactus Flower Cafe. It is California style Mexican and We ate here on the way home. It as a wonderful experience. You really get a lot of bang for your buck. Nice fantasy atmosphere, nice presentation of food but reasonable prices. For $9 and some change we got chicken tortilla or chili soup, salad and a quasadilla. I got a lime vinegarett dressing with my salad that was wonderful! Highly recommend this place!

What's in a Name

I'm sooo excited to say that I think I have my Etsy shop name! Not only is it perfect but this also means I can finally move forward with the process! I have read that it helps to have what you do in your shop name, but I don't didn't want mine to be obvious. I always wanted my name to reflects "southerness" somehow. I initially wanted The Blue Hydrangea and was so sad to find out that it's already in use; along with Sweet Magnolia and The Pink Dogwood and everything else my best friend and I could come up with. Then the other night I thought "refined". 2nd thought was "refined like sugar? No, refined as in taste."Like it literally just popped in my head! Then I thought rural, but that's an awful word to say regularly lol.So, Rural and Refined went to Rustic and Refind and I thought "OMG this is it!" only to find that it too is taken :( I really wanted to cry at this point. But then something said to me "look up the definitions" so I did. It was so cool to find that the Middle English form is "rustik". SCORE!!!! Rustik gives a nice twist and goes against the grain :) It could be made to look really cute on a sign one day ;) Rustik and Refined is what my stuff is all about and I can't wait to get started! Also, take a look at these definitions...Ok so I'm having tech difficulties. Will post pic Soon!

Ok, here they are!

Hello Again

Hello out there! I guess you could say I took a non-intended blogging break. Not that anyone probably noticed anyway...but I felt the need to pick back up and continue blogging about life. I like to write stuff down; makes me feel better :) So, since my last post we've had some BIG changes (for the better)! My husband got offered a job back in our hometown (after 2 years of praying), so we made the 3 hour move back! Wahoo! We were beyond excited and feel so incredibly blessed. You just don't know how important family and friends are until you move away for a few years. We are currently in search for our "forever home" and I'm so impatient. I'm ready to put our roots down and be "Betty Homemaker" (not sure if I've heard that or made it up lol) NOW. In the meantime, my infatuation with antiquing has grown to a love for re-purposing furniture and other odd n' ends stuff. After redoing my sewing desk, which I blogged about way back when, it just grew from there. I've done several things since then and have decided to open an Etsy shop to sell my goods. I've been trying to build inventory and get everything ready. Right now I'm at that stage where I'm just about ready to open up shop, but can't think of just the right name. I'm constantly brainstorming! So thats the very very short version of everything :) I'm about to head to my sister's farm to let the dogs run and play, so  until next time be safe and Happy Father's Day!

Laissez les Bon Temp Rouler!

"Let the good times roll," and that they did! We liked New Orleans so much last year that we decided to go again for my husband's big 3-0! We had a great time and ate some great food! One night I had shrimp n' grits and it was waaaay better than it sounds. Probably some of the best stuff I've ever put in my mouth! And the weather was great too. Recap: ate great food, beignets and coffee for breakfast, visited Jackson square, shopped and looked at antique stores, visited the casino (& won some $), almost got picked up by a couple of homeless people, met some crazy fellow Alabamians, jazz bands, cathedral, swamp tour....! That's all I can remember right now. It isn't a place I'd want to put my roots down, BUT I would LOVE to have a little cottage or house down there like others have at the beach. The atmosphere is awesome and so laid back.

Me and Heather

I got to hold an alligator

French Market

Beignets and coffee au lait

Heather and Doug @ Jackson Square

on Bourbon

Watched school children dance in Jackson Square

David's birthday celebration night

getting ready to explore

Random Stuff

I would like to be able to repurpose a piece of furniture to look like this. It only took her an afternoon. It would take me a few weekends :(
I also wanted to share this really cool wooden chair that caught my eye at an antique shop. Guess what it turned out to be! A toilet! Ha! Definitely brings new meaning to when referring to as "the pot".

2012 Bassmaster Classic

My brother-in-law, Greg Vinson, made it to the classic this year; the super bowl of fishing for those of you who don't know. I say that because before I married my husband I never realized the magnitude of it lol. Anyway, we were excited for him but hadn't planned on going to watch until he was holding 1st & 2nd place the first two days! At that point we knew we had to go. It was going to be too close not too. So, we packed up our things again (bc we had just driven to Birmingham ) and headed to Shreveport with two of our closest friends; yay for last minute road trip! It was totally worth it too because Greg placed second!!!! We were on the edge of our seats the whole time, and hated to see him lose the hot seat, but we were proud nonetheless! He is awesome at what he does and a great guy too! You should check him out if your into fishing!

Baby Gaige

My husband and I are so excited! On Feb 6, 2012 we became an aunt/uncle for the first time! I meant to blog sooner but have been busy. His name is Gaige William Vinson and he's beautiful! Can't wait to watch him grow !

P.S.S.

The antique shop I mentioned several weeks ago that was hidden behind another shop. I got my husband to go with me because I was scared to go by myself lol. It is definitely different, but really cool. It was just one huge warehouse. It looked like people may have worked there a long time ago. Anyway, it wasn't heated or cooled, and it was really old so I'm sure the roof leaks when it rains. I was sad to see some of the things in there wasting away that really should be kept in a better place :(

P.S.

Here are two pics I took today :) Lovely Weeds

My very first "repurposed" project

After running tests on craft frames I finally went it at on the old spindle desk. I found the desk at an antique shop; on sale! Got it for $35 ( I think?). I wanted a table or something for crafting/sewing. Finally decided against a table because I wanted drawers. Being my first project it was definitely a learning process and took me longer than it should have. That's a long story. Anway, after lots and lots of work, drying time, and elbow grease from sanding, here's my final product. I was sad I didn't have a "before" picture, but right before I made this post my bestie saved the day! Ta Da! Before and after!


                                                                                                     BEFORE

This was before it made it home. It's ugly and brown & the seat cushion on the chair is hideous! Not to mention it was not cloth, but more like a plastic picnick table cloth.

AFTER

close up of the detail (it doesn't show up well in pictures from far away)

Freshly painted and reupholstered chair, but you can't see the distressing very well :(

And that's a wrap! Now to decorate!

From New to Old

I'm currently working on painting an old spindle desk (whatever that means) in a distressed/shabby chic look. I want to glaze it and have looked at tons of blogs and tutorials but scared to try it for the first time on my desk. So today I tried it on a cheap wooden craft picture frame from hobby lobby. It's not real glaze like Ralph Lauren tobacco glaze. Anyway, it didn't say to use with acrylic or on a gloss finish like others have; just paint on and wipe off. I used it on top of acrylic paint and here is how it turned out. Not at all like what I have seen on people's furniture projects but it definitely looks old to me :)

And might I add that I have fixed up my concoction of steel wool and vinegar to try on a wooden craft frame tomorrow. Can't wait to see if I get that weathered look!

Learning New Things

I'm in the middle of trying to revamp my blog and I see "how to make new wood look old" on someone else's blog. I couldn't resist looking and I had to share right away even though I haven't tried it yet. So the boring part is she sanded with 80 grit....blah blah blah. Ok, the good part; she took 0000 steel wool, tore it to small pieces and put inside a mason jar. Then, she filled the mason jar with vinegar and let set 24 hours. Apparently the smell was AWFUL, but after painting on with a paint brush she let dry for a day and VOILA! She got the perfect weathered look she was wanting. How cool?! I'm definitely trying this.

Also, I want to try white washing. This lady used 1 part paint, to 2 parts water. She painted some onto the wood and then smoothed out (go with the grain) with a cheeseclothe. It looked great! I'm gonna try this too!

....now back to work :)

Doin What I Love

I've finished painting the spare bedroom and am now looking for a same to medium sized table to put my sewing machine own. I got to looking on craigslist and accidentally came across an item for sale by a lady who runs an antique store that I haven't been to yet. So of course, I finished my coffee, got dressed and went straight to it, only to find that behind it and across the street is another antique mall I haven't heard of!! Yay for adventure! And to find them both by accident... :) Anway, haven't got a table yet, and I didn't go to the second one across the street, but here are some of my finds from the new mall.

This is a civil war era sewing machine by the American Button Hole, Overseam, and Sewing Machine Co. I've just emailed someone about its value to see if it's worth buying. VERY VERY cool!

The tag on this said "primitive bench". I have the perfect spot for it. I <3 it

Close up of the sewing machine

Peeeerfect kitchen table for a "crunchy" house!

I like this one even better. The wood top is ruff, so you can't mess it up or scratch it. And I love the butcher block on top!

One of my favorite finds beside the sewing machine and the "bench". It is all heart pine, built between 1920-40 and native to the Wiregrass area. This would look great in my new room too!

I will probably return and get this come pay day :)

This would be beautiful in a country home....if you can look past the red. If it were mine I'd repaint it.

These are old aluminum or tin? cake stands. Made me think of my Aunt Christy (she makes cakes). Perfect for a bride going for an old/vintage wedding theme.

Another bed that would look awesome in "my room". I need to get a job hehe.

More great finds!

This drysink is now MINE! I've been eye'n it for months and just happen to walk in today and the owner had everything 40%!!!!! I found out the owner his moving out so.....I grabbed it!! Now, how to justify to my husband I bought an old drysink to use as a changing table for a baby we don't have. I just couldn't pass it up because I knew I wouldn't come across one like this again.

Amongst all the other "stuff" can you see the black beauty?! Would look beautiful in my freshly re-done spare bedroom

This old buggy seat would make an awesome bench!

I see past the gold. This would be beautiful in a distressed paint! More like white, with the Ralph Lauren tobacco glaze!!