Antique Dresser Rehab - Stage 2

I recently showed you stage 1 of the rehab that this antique dresser went through here. I mentioned that this dresser needed some assistance with its drawers, or lack there of, and here is a before photo of one that was missing the majority of the bottom...yes, that is how I bought it.

I know, Jake and I had our work cut out for us! 

I needed to replace all of the bottoms of the drawers so that they would actually be put to their use.

River was not amused, but she sure was enjoying the sunshine! ;)

Jake and I headed to Lowe's and picked up a huge thing of plywood and some small nails.

First, we Jake measured each of the drawer's length and width, drew the outline pattern that was necessary for each one, and put that electric saw of his to good work. 

Then, we held the plywood in place and hammered in nails along the edges using these wire nails.

We used these nails because screws would strip the wood with how old it is.

Finally, we were finished!
The drawers are now ready for our baby girl's clothes and necessities for changing, since this is going to get the double use as a changing table.

Here are the final results, fabulous new drawers, knobs, and all!
Enjoy! ;)

Even with its imperfections, this dresser is a beauty!

Aren't these knobs just perfect?

What do you think of the final results?
Anything that you're working on right now?

xoxo,
Jen

Baby Houser's Gender Reveal

The other day I posted a baby bump photo on Facebook and Instagram for the 19 week stage with a chalkboard sign that I created. 

The majority of our family and friends guessed that we are having a little Miss and ever since I found out I was pregnant, I have had a feeling that it was a girl too. 

Here's a throwback picture to the day that we found out we were expecting, and how we announced it to the world on Christmas when I was 11 weeks! 

If it is a girl I would be so excited because honestly, who can deny the cuteness of those little bows. On the other hand, I am completely obsessed with my 3 year old nephew and would not be disappointed if it was a boy either! 

I mean I would have my very own John Ryan!  ;)

Isn't he just the cutest?!

Without further ado, I am honored to announce that Jake and I will be the proud parents of a little baby girl!

We are so thrilled! It was amazing to see her this morning on the sonogram! She was lying on her back and waving those little arms of hers ~ she is perfectly made in His image!

This little girl is already so loved by many and I can't wait to show her off to the world! 

xoxo,
Jen

Antique Dresser Rehab - Stage 1

Several weeks ago I was searching thrift stores and Craigslist for a dresser to give a facelift to for the baby's nursery. I wanted something that I could get the double use out of for a changing table as well. 

I found this run down, antique dresser with adorable key holes in each of the drawers for only $20.00 on Craigslist! Can you say SOLD?!

Aren't those key holes just to die for? I love them! Besides the cuteness that this dresser owns, it needed a lot of TLC, and rehab appointments! 

First, I used a stripping gel (with no harsh fumes for this pregnant lady) that I applied with a paint brush.

I let it sit for about 12-15 minutes and scrapped the old stain off with a putty knife. 

Once I stripped all of the stain (this took me a few days), I sanded it down completely with an electric sander. I also used a little rubbing alcohol and a cloth to remove any excess sticky residue that was left behind. This was either from the stripping gel, the old stain, or both. I'm not sure what it was from but, the bottle recommended this and it definitely helped. 

Finally, I was able to give this baby a new skin using the stain that already had polyurethane in it. I only bought a small 8 oz bottle of it in Mission Oak Satin and have plenty left over.

To apply the stain, I used an old sock. I dipped the sock into the stain and rubbed it all over the dresser until the whole thing was covered. After letting it dry for probably not long enough about an hour, I took a different sock and wiped the excess off that the wood did not soak in. 

{The wood will only soak in as much as it can with each coat applied}

You may not be able to tell much in the pictures, but I am loving the fresh look and smooth feel that this antique dresser now has. I debated about filling in any of the gaps in the wood, but decided to leave them because I feel that it gives it character. Plus, like I said, this baby is an antique!

I also love the detail of the strip of wooden beads at the bottom! Don't you?

Here is a picture of the knobs that came with it. I realized that one was significantly larger than the other 5 so, I am not going to put them back on since that is a clear sign to me that they are not all the original knobs. With me not knowing which were, I am just going to buy some that I like for it! 

I can't wait to show you!

Stay tuned! In the next blog post I'll share how I repaired the dresser drawers, or lack there of, and the final before and after results!

What do you think of the new stain color? How do you like it so far? 

Xoxo,

Jen

Beauty Products & Helpful Tips

There is something about buying beauty products that I just love! It can be makeup, shampoo, skin care, perfume...you name it; it makes me feel so girly!

I had a gift card to Sephora (love that place) and recently used it to buy new foundation. I decided on Sephora's Collection 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation in the 22 light natural color.

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This foundation is great:

•  oil-free
• lasts up to 10 hours
• provides great full coverage
• only $20.00 and I expect it to last me 4-5 months

While I was there, the make-up artist graciously shared her wisdom, that I just had to pass on, about the various ingredients in beauty products NOT to use while pregnant or breastfeeding (as they can be harmful to the baby).

Here are the ingredients that she said to look for as the first 5 active ingredients listed:

1. Salicylic Acid
2. Glycolic AcidR
3. Retinol Retinoids/Retina
4. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
5. Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
6. Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO)

I searched for products to share that listed at least one (or more) of these ingredients and these are just a few that I found:

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If you are an expectant mother or breastfeeding, I would recommend using caution, talk with your doctor, and check the ingredients of the products that you are using; I hope this is helpful.

Do you enjoy buying beauty products? What are some of your favorite beauty products that you recommend? 

xoxo,

Jen

Vintage baby rocker

This adorable little vintage rocker was actually Jake's when he was little that my amazing mother in law had saved (along with several other items that I'll share later). 

My heart is so happy at the fact that our future baby will have little items like this that will forever be in our growing family because it once belonged to his or her daddy. :)

With that said, I wanted to give it a little face lift and adapt it to the vision I have of what the nursery will look like. With the help of my sweet friend, Lea, we first primed it using Valspar Primer spray paint because honestly, no one wants to sand down those tiny spindles. Then, I spent less than $5 on paint by getting a half pint sample size, I chose the color Jaded Lime by Valspar from Lowe's.   

I am loving its new color and I think it will be great for a little boy or girl! 

After (Lea applied) several coats of paint, we teamed up and distressed it to give it the aged/vintage look. I think it will look great next to the other dark accents that will go in the room. 

  

What do you think? 

I can't wait to add an adorable pillow to accent that seat sized for a tiny bottom! ;)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Jen

Diving in

Hey! I'm Jen Houser, a 24 year old girl born and raised in the "Sunshine State" who now calls Arkansas home! I love antiques, thrifting, and DIY projects. I am a proud wife and Jesus follower. 

I’m a chocolate lab owner, and an expectant mother of our first born (due July 2014). I enjoy reading blogs and keep up with quite a few regularly! I've decided to dive in and create my own…why not right? ;) 

My husband, Jake, and I are both graduates from the University of Arkansas - Go Hogs! We are purchasing a home and as I said, expecting our first baby. I hope to be able to keep up with the before and after results of all of our attempted DIY projects as we make our new house a home, and capture our growing family within it.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read!

xoxo,

Jen