Sometimes I'm lucky

As a general rule, I'm very unlucky.  And I'm also pretty clumsy but we all knew that already.  This morning, I actually got lucky.  I was doing my morning sweep of Craigslist looking for a dresser, credenza or buffet to use as a TV stand in the den.  Usually, there is nothing that good or interesting.  But this morning at around 10:15, I saw THIS:

SHUT UP.  I instantly started sweating.  And my heart was pounding.  My mouth went dry.  I seriously thought I might faint because I wanted this dresser SO BAD.  It was mid-century, in great shape, perfect measurements, and cheap!  I instantly called the number to the thrift shop and had the following conversation, during which I kind of screeched at the poor woman:

Me:  HI!  I SAW THE DRESSER YOU JUST POSTED ON CRAIGSLIST, IS IT STILL AVAILABLE??

Nice thrift store lady: Yes, we have it here. 

Me:  CAN I COME BUY IT DURING MY LUNCH BREAK AND PICK IT UP LATER??

Nice thrift store lady:  Yes, that would be fine. 

Me:  GREAT, I WANT IT REALLY BAD!

Nice thrift store lady:  Ok, we're here all day so just come in whenever you can.

Me:  OK!  SEE YOU SOON!

Then, I got off the phone and realized she didn't have my name or number and someone, ANYONE could just walk in there and buy MY dresser!  So, I did what any normal person would do...called back and gave her my info took my lunch break at 10:45, stopped at a Walgreens to get cash, sped through yellow lights and got there at 11am with cash in hand.  She said another girl had called right after me and she was worried that the other girl would get there before me.  Whoa.  Also, when I got there three other ladies were milling around opening the drawers on MY dresser!  I got there in the NICK OF TIME.  

I paid my $42, called my dad and screamed that I needed his truck ASAP asked him nicely if he could meet me at the thrift store at 5:15 with the truck, and then went to check out the dresser again.  There were more people looking at it.  Nice lady had put a sold sign on the mirror portion (which was priced separately and I wasn't buying it) so I found the price sticker on the dresser itself and wrote **SOLD** in pen, just to be safe.  I also contemplated taking a vacation day from work just to sit on the thing until my dad could come.     

I didn't do that, though.  I asked her repeatedly if it would still be there when I came after work, and she promised, gave me a receipt, and her cell phone number.  I still didn't want to leave.  I can't wait to get that baby home and refinish it! 

Now the big question....stain or paint?  I really wanted something to paint glossy white to lighten up the dark brown walls, but I don't think I can do that to this awesome piece.  It will live on this wall to the left of the door: 

Even with the dark walls, it would be rad to stain this bad boy a nice rich color like John and Sherry did with their very similar dresser.  It is a nice thick veneer, so it definitely could be done.  I could even match it up to my floor stain instead of going darker. 

What do you think??

Parade of mirrors

Helping my friend Jamie fix up her condo's kitchen cabinets has really got me excited about some other painting projects I have on deck.  I don't have much on the walls in our house right now, and we do have a few nooks and crannies that are kind of dark.  With this in mind, I went to Hobby Lobby and found some pretty mirrors at half off to lighten things up.  I love their shapes, but I'm not a fan of the colors:

So they will all be treated to a nice spray with my favorite shade of white, Rustoleum Universal Satin White.  I really wish this stuff didn't cost about a million dollars, but what are ya gonna do?  It covers like a champ, can be sprayed upside down, and it doesn't come out a shocking bright white like some others, it's a more mellow white without being ivory.  Think Kate Winslet as opposed to Dita Von Teese.  A nicer shade of white.  

 

                                          

And then, since I was on a roll, I swung by the Goodwill to drop off some clothes because I want a tax credit because I love to support their mission, and found this really awesome, old (and broken) mirror:

Oh my goodness, please ignore all the gross smears on it, the night time shot, the flash, the mess reflected in the mirror, etc, etc.  The filigree portion is broken off the bottom right side, but I do have the piece and will be reattaching it.  It will all be painted out the same color as our trim.  I'm not sure where I will hang it at this point, but I just loved it and it was only $25!  Tomorrow I will post some 'afters' of these mirrors as they are done.  Then maybe you can help me figure out where to put them?

I also have a rather large furniture painting project in the works, more info on that to come!