Saturday, July 5, 2014

4th of July Style and Crazy Farm Life

As promised, my Independence outfit...

I paired a retro blue and white polka dot skirt with a new red and white striped shirt. The mix of new and vintage gave it a fun look, paired it with a white sun hat for some SPF protection. 







While my outfit may look fun, the actual fun came from our mammal pack:) we grabbed our boys (the dogs) and baby girl (the goat) and headed to the pool. This was the first time our baby Bella went swimming. I say swimming loosing because she actually can't swim! She is however very trusting that we will support her so she loved it. She napped while I held her.




She loves her daddy and just wanted to give him kisses. She wraps her head over our necks to hug us. 





Our poor olde English bulldog couldn't join in the pool fun. He can't swim but will join us every time we go to the lake. He loves to chase the water splashes and test his limits walking into "the deep" aka up to his shoulders. Notice how getting all their attention at the same time is no small feat. 







Look at sir Beckendorff showing off his doggie paddle skills. He is an excellent swimmer but would rather have a float. 





Hope y'all had an awesome and safe fourth. Enjoy some classy good times this weekend.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

DIY Repurpose Button-up Shirt into a Skirt with Pockets

I am so excited to share this post with y'all today. It is beyond easy. If you have a too big button down laying around in a flowing fabric like silk or satin then you have a skirt! Check your mans closet for some pimping silk:) 


While out thrifting I found this beautiful vintage silk top. This isn't a perfect world we live in so, of course, the shirt was way too big. That didn't stop me from buying it. I love the pattern of the flowers it really has a soft feminine look without being overly girlie. 



I've taken men's shirts and turned them into skirts before but this time I didn't even use the sewing machine. I openly admit that my sewing skills are barely up to par, I mean I have only been dabbling in sewing since January. I'm in need of a few (or several ) classes. Honestly, it was my lack of skill that lead me to this idea. I have seen all over the internet ladies tying the shirt sleeves around their waist for a quick skirt but I'm not into the look of that giant sleeve bow, no offense to those that like it. 


I used the first button and button hole as my waist (not the collar button). Leaving the collar to accentuate the curves of my waist. So essentially it's not buttoned up, but left open to flow around your curves... A lady should always be modest, so I wore some little shorts under my repurposed skirt. 




If you can tie a knot then you can make this skirt with pockets. Just tie a single knot with the sleeve, then push the sleeve inside out so it's hanging in the skirt. I just added that piece of paper so you could see the sleeve. This project doesn't involve a single tool. I would say it's as easy as pie, but pie isn't easy at all. It's as simple as instant pudding:) 


Your pocket will extend from the seam to the knot. The further down the knot, the deeper the pocket. I went half way with it and that works just fine for phone or keys. 


Complete the outfit with a simple tank top and my handcrafted jewelry. The skirt works great on the farm because of the pockets (I'm that crazy lady that carries bird seed with me at all times) and it's so light weight and frilly that it will also look great on my lunch date. 




 


Hope you have enjoyed. I can't wait to share my Fourth of July outfit with y'all. Till then, keep it classy. 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Amazing Before and After Painted Table - DIY style

Sharing another paint transformation. I'm constantly blown away by the miracles of paint. With just a couple coats of spray paint I was able to take a really generic table  and give it a personality to match my home. Here's what I used to DIY-
Sandpaper
Old rag
Toilet paper rolls
Masking tape
Spray paint
Optional - gold paint and a brush 


To get things started you will need to sand the table and the legs. Any surface that you want to paint should always be sanded first. Sanding gives the surface minor scratches that aid in the paints ability to adhere. Surprisingly the best surface for paint is paint. Which leads to primer. Primer is used as a base coat to even the surface, cover stains, and prevent rust. Once you have sanded, wipe everything down so you're not painting dust permanently to the table.



I taped off the bottom of the legs using toilet paper rolls and some masking tape. I knew I wanted the bottom of the legs to be a different color so instead of painting the entire leg and then painting over the indigo, I just taped off the bottom. To do this, cut the paper roll open then tape it around the leg making sure to keep it straight.



Ok head outside for the painting; you need good ventilation when spray painting, or painting in general, so go outside. This little one follows me everywhere and I don't mind the assistance... 




Haha I wish she assisted but usually she is a distraction :) but a lovely one. 




The paint I chose was Valspar - paint and primer in one #85029 in Satin Indigo Streamer -side note- Today's post isn't sponsored, all opinions are my own.  The can advertises any angle spray and it's not a lie, even upside-down the spray continued to be a fine mist and not clot or jam up. The coverage was good and the color matches the cap spot on so I would recommend it. 



Finishing touches are what will really set your piece apart from another's. Think of an outfit. You wouldn't just wear indigo and neither should your table. I'm currently into gold, after a life time of loving silver, so that's what I added to mine. Of course the bottom of the legs got the gold treatment but I also gave the table top a dry brush of gold. I didn't want to cover my indigo but I wanted the shimmer of the gold. To achieve this use a dry brush and apply the gold lightly then immediately follow that with a rag and wipe any excess off, leaving it really only in the crevices. 




Hope you enjoyed and if so check out my other before and afters under the label Paint Transformation. 
Remember sharing is caring and keep it classy. 

P.s. Lakesidehomestead has now joined Facebook. Come and like the page it's Facebook/Lakesidehomestead