What She Made: DIY Magnet Chalkboard

      Chalkboard paint is pretty easy to come by. It's in every craft and home improvement store around. However, it is a little expensive. My solution to everything that's expensive; just make it! I wanted a chalkboard for my art/craft studio, but I also wanted it to be magnetized so I could stick memos and notes up.

When I found a piece of thick sheet metal in our garage, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

I like making my own because you can make any color you like! 

     What you need is paint of any type and color (I just used craft paint) and un-sanded tile grout. Yup, that's it! Next, I mixed about a cup of paint with two tablespoons of the grout. Mix well! It will still be a little gritty but you can get rid of that later.

     If you are one of those patient people that don't mind waiting then you can prime your piece. Me? I'm not one of those patient people so I bypassed the priming stage (Also, I didn't have any on hand and didn't want to go to the store). I painted one coat with a regular bristle brush and let it dry. After covering the whole piece, I then took a foam roller and gave it another good coat. 

It only needed two coats but as I was rolling I kept scratching the surface; so I  went ahead and gave it one last coat. It's optional though. 

     After you let it completely dry, Take a very fine-grit piece of sandpaper and lightly sand the entire board. 

After sanding.

Next, I took a piece of chalk and used the side to "condition" the board.

Just use the side; if you use the point it will take forever!

     Once you are done "conditioning" the board, get a damp paper towel and wipe down the entire board. This helps remove excess pigments left by the paint.

And voila`! 

Learn more about Small Change here!

You know have your very own, custom made, magnet chalkboard! 

I'm not an expert; I just do this for a living.

-- Amanda

Decorating Tips and Tricks: "Formal Sitting Room/Entry Way"

     Not so long ago, people had designated rooms in their houses for certain things. Now, don't get me wrong, some people still do, but I like to be a little more creative with my spaces.

This is right as you walk through the front door. I love cozy corners. 

     When my husband and I first bought our house, the rooms were named, like usual, the "Formal Living Room", the "Formal Dining Room", etc. I know sometimes when you see these labels it's hard to invision anything else there. For me, I have close my eyes and remove all the labels from the rooms and think of what I would put there.

Thomas and I are a musical family. This bench easily holds all his drum hardware. 

     When you first walk into our house, all you really see is a big space. Now, the labels called it a "Formal Living Room" but I didn't really want the "Formal Living Room" to be right when you enter. I really wanted to break up the space. So what I did was make an entry way/sitting space where the "formal living room" was suppose to be and make the "formal dining room" the living room. I know some people still like to have that formal dining space for special occasions, but my house is a little smaller so I didn't feel like I needed it.

Get creative! I turned this ammo crate into shelving. 

I'll post more pics later. I've been doing some rearranging because we are going to get a piano soon. So i've been racking my brain figuring out where to put it!

I'm not a professional; I just do this for a living.

-- Amanda 

What She's Been Doing: Theatre!

I've been neglecting this lately because i've been soooo busy! But I think my life is about to slow down and i'll get back to fashion and home decor.

I've been doing The Follies! If you click there it will tell you all about it. It has been an exciting experience and I cannot wait to do it again!

I've made a ton of new friends and some forever memories.

Working on the Finale

'Bout to do some Disco Dancing! 

Fly Like an Eagle

Opening Number!

Definitely one of my favorites! 

Professional photos by: Kim Cartier

What She Wore: Arcade Date Night

As the weather warms up it's fun to show off some of your new summer wardrobe. However, the nights might have a different story planned. It's easy enough, these days, to pair your summer fashion with stockings or tights! There that was easy wasn't it!

Boots: Forever 21
Stockings: Target
Sweater: 21
Headband: Handmade
Ring: Pretty and Cute (Free Gift)

And yes I wore this about a month ago to friends birthday party at an arcade! (And the Heels) (Also, sorry for the late post). I love fashion more than anything (well almost anything) and I am always trying out new looks. It's fun, I get to play dress up, I love it!

I'm not a expert; I just do this for a living.

-- Amanda

Decorating Tips and Tricks - Fireplace Mantel

Fireplace mantels are often a focal point in your home, whether operating or not. (Unfortunately, mine is non-functioning.) However, the functionality of your fireplace has nothing to do with how great it looks! 

In Texas you really don't get much use out of it, but sometimes it's just nice to have a fire in the wintertime (Yes, it does get cold here in the winter. Just not for very long.) 

I like to mix patterns and shapes to give it an interesting look

Some people think less is more. Some people think more is well, more. I think: Whatever you like is how you should do it. Not everyone will like your style but if you enjoy it then go for it. After all, aren't you the one that is going to look at it day after day? That's what I thought. 

So, here a few tips and tricks for decorating your mantel:

* It doesn't matter your style - more or less - levels are the most important!

* Be eclectic - your mantel should represent you

* Show off some of your own work - everyone has a little artist in them

* Mirrors - mirrors are a great way to add character as well as opening up a room

* Work with it - If you don't like it start over 

(I worked with mine for days, changing my mind and moving things around)

Note some family pieces and original artwork

Owls!

* Statement pieces - you really want something to draw the observers eye 

* Texture - you don't want it all to have the same surface, BORING! 

*Pattern - mix it up! Give your eyes a ride; it's much more fun!

Also some things to consider are your colors. You don't have to necessarily match them, but more importantly, coordinate them.

Well, there you have it! I hope this helps you out; so go and re-do your mantel. I know you want too. 

P.S. Not an expert, I just do this for a living. 

--Amanda

Spring is Among Us

As spring and summer are fast approaching us, the only thing on my mind is ... HOT. And in every sense of the word. In Texas is starts to warm up pretty quick and I can't stand it. There, I said it. I can't stand the summer and I equally despise the heat. I wish it could be fall time all year, but alas, it cannot.

One thing about summer is that I never feel "pretty". I guess that's the simplest way to put it. When I walk outside sweat is instantly drawn to the surface to smudge any makeup and frizz any efforts to smooth my hair. Then I just feel gross the rest of the day.

However, even if my attempts are futile, I still manage to put forth some effort to look decent in the hot months of Texas.

Tank: H&M
Shorts: Forever 21

Sometimes I feel as if I am in mourning during the summer. Hahaha.

Boots: Thrifted 

Cropped Tank: Forever 21
Shorts: Forever21
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Forever21

I guess the best I can do with my hair is to let it be more natural in the summer. It's naturally frizzy so I try my harest to make it look decent, but sweat as a hair product is not usually my ideal technique for manageable hair.

But, I guess a girls got to do what a girls got to do. 

Boots and Rilakkuma

Have you ever put an outfit together just for your shoes? Ya, I knew it. I have several pairs of shoes that I often build an outfit around. I decided to utilize my stirrup leggings that I got at a thrift store. I think that last time I wore stirrup leggings was when I was eight in the 90's. So, I decided to bust them out again.

End result: 

Oversized Long Sleeve Shirt : Forever 21
Long Camisole: H&M
Black Stirrups: Thrifted
Grey Ankle Heeled Booties: Forever 21

I also adore my Rilakkuma Phone case! It's actually really comfy in my hand and not too bulky. 

I swear one of these days I'll get a decent camera so you can see better what i'm wearing. 

Gradient Glitter Nails

Happy friday! I hope everyone is having a great day! Me? I get to go car shopping! It's exciting but annoying at the same time. I got in a wreck a few days ago (it was not my fault!) and fully paid off 2007 Toyota Yaris was completely totaled. I know sad day but, what can you do about it?

I was at my sisters house and she had the cutest gray gradient nails! I just had to replicate them (using different colors of course)

Anyway, with out further ado my gradient nails! For this project I used Orly Nail Laquer in Cotton Candy:

I also used Etude House Nail Polish (The white one):

I started with a base coat of the Orly Polish (two coats) and let them dry. I put a clear top coat on and let it dry completely! Next I put a thin coat of the Etude nail polish over all the nail. After that I went back and and just put a coat halfway up the nail (this is how you get the gradient effect). I think they turned out pretty good! 

After that dried I finished with a clear top coat! Try it yourself in different colors.

Sunday Funday Fashion Post

No, I don't have a fancy camera, maybe one day. But, if you love clothes and fashion as much as I do then it doesn't really matter does it?

Cardigan: Forever 21
Tank: Ross
Jeggings: Maurices
Bullet Necklace: Gift

Boots: Thrifted

Maybe one day i'll get rich and be able to afford the right equipment to make these post pretty. But, for now, this will have to do!

Happy Sunday 

Small Change

    As some of you know, my Husband, Mother-in-law, and I have started a small time vintage store:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-Change/368051516599774?fref=ts

   No, unfortunately we don't have a brick-and-mortar location or a real website, but it is still exciting none the less. One of the best parts is using it in your home until you find something even more interesting to replace it with.

   I've actually learned a lot about "junk", what's worthless, what's not-so-worthless, and what it's worth to other people. Some say things are worth what you are willing to pay for it. (But it's so much more fun to find it cheap!)

Take this little guy for example:

   We sold him for $75! The lady that bought him runs a store in uptown Dallas. So now she is selling him for $240!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. It just goes to show that if it's worth it to you, get it. 

   At the last sale we were at I fell completely in love with this rug. Thomas, not so much. Well, I waited too long to make a move and someone bought it out from underneath me. But then my eye hit that little jewel behind it. The blue rug was a $300 rug from Anthropologie (drool). I wanted it! She had $60 (and to be honest, I probably woud have bought it for that) but she sold it for $40! But to me, it was worth it! It all just depends on how you thing

I finally have a house and kept thinking to myself, how to have a grown up house, but not be boring?!

(I love my house!)

This is NOT a rhetorical question! It's simple. You have to learn to offset things. Place something grownup around something (you) might find fun and interesting!

   I find the best part of starting up this small business is finding pieces that are grownup AND fun! You get the best of both worlds. 

I want it all

There are so many cool blogs out there on decorating and designs. Maybe someday I will put my house on a blog because it looks neat. But, for now, i'll just envy others, like this bathroom:

'bout time

I am so very excited to finally start the "guts" of my musical. I had a very inspirational conversation with Ember yesterday. She wrote and produced "The Severed Kingdom", which is a folk/rock opera I was in a few months back.

It was such an amazing production that it inspired me to write my own. My plot is almost complete and I have two songs written. I have ideas for others but what I really need to do is just bite down and start writing everything down!

The plot is growing more everyday and I can't believe that I am making it happen!

I now leave you with this picture.  This picture is so you can grasp the "feel" of the musical...

- Amanda

slacker

ok, so, i've slacked off; a lot has been going on. the big thing right now is the opera that i was recently in. i met some awesome people and ignited my passion for theater again. and further more inspired me to write my OWN MUSICAL (whoa!).  This is something big for me because well, i don't read or write music. i do hear it, but this will be a challenge for me. but it is a challenge i am willing to face headstrong.

I've written a lot of scripts and plays for church and radio, all of which were family oriented. My musical will not be. This might be a challenge for other people that know me. I've never written anything over "PG" and some people might not expect that of me, however i've had this vision that i've been dying to put out there. only time can tell what will happen, but i've written my first song for it and i can't wait to write more.

Think "sweeney todd" meets "jack the ripper" meets "sense and sensibility".  It's very gothic victorian, (however i will take liberties on the time period) and has a very dark sense of humor.

Well, that's all i have for now here's my rough draft of the first song:

Stupid Girls

Stupid girls with their head so inflated and then

Just sitting, waiting, like a worm hooked and baited, and when

They were done and their lover was finished they knew

There wasn’t any chance, foolish romance, did what they wanted to and

When they were slaughtered, how precious their daughters

And when they are buried their bodies were carried

We plead in the nave while they rot in their graves

And, Oh, how foolish one can be

So Ignorant and naive

Intoxication has spread

Unfortunate since you’ll soon be dead

Stupid girls that boast for only one reason then just

Fertilizing seeds when the men are in season and thus

Judgment consumes emotional drama ensnares and then

They realize, all half truths and lies, now unavailable

Their destined to lose so enthralled in their muse

Live, laugh and procreate in time they disintegrate

No memory of them just pure amusement for him

And, Oh, how foolish one can be

So Ignorant and naive

Intoxication has spread

Unfortunate since you’ll soon be dead

Now in that last instance, they tremble in silence

Regret their decision, and beg for remission

They scream one last time, While In sync with the chime

But their bodies are found, in the dirt on the ground

And…

Oh, how foolish one can be

So Ignorant and naive

Intoxication has spread

Unfortunate since you’ll soon be dead

How foolish one can be

So Ignorant and naive

Intoxication has spread

Unfortunate since you’ll soon be dead

Copy Right 

Amanda Gish

a very merry steampunk christmas

as i have stated in my last post, this christmas i have decided to have a steampunk theme. here is my progress thus far:

 tree topper

 before 

 after