DIY Dresser into Vintage Pottery Barn Entertainment Center + Our New Living Room {Work in Progress}

I'm kind of obsessed with organization lately, my house is a work in progress still but I'm loving learning new ways to store my belongings and ridding my home of all the extra "shtuff" I don't need. It's a cleansing process.

I'm so ready for the change and looking forward to organizing everything in our new place, something else that changed when we moved into our new house is our furniture!

We've updated our couch, decided to add some new super jazzy and fun modern art pillows from Lanre, and hubs and I even did a remodel on an old dresser to make it into a gorgeous Pottery Barn-esque entertainment center. We've learned which projects we should leave to the pros and which projects are worth putting a little bit of effort into. Since I can't sew (yet) and he's not exactly mechanical, we decided to leave the couch and the pillows to the pros.

We found our couch at a consignment shop, brand new straight from a furniture show room and it had just arrived the day we bought it. I highly recommend buying used if you are wanting to create a beautiful room on a budget.

If you want to find pillows just as amazing as these beauties, you can find more here... as well as some information about the artist behind the brand and other beautiful products! I love the way they feel to touch and the colors against our beige couch really pop and add a fun, jazzy coffee house vibe to the room.

Now on to the fun DIY project. We actually completed this beautiful make over in only ONE day and it completely changed the piece to something beautiful. For this project, we used Waverly Chalk Paint in Cashew and Clear Wax that I found in the clearance section at Walmart. Meaning, this dresser to entertainment center makeover only cost us $6 (mind you, the dresser was a freebie find on Craigslist).

To get this project started you'll want to find a place where you can paint in an open area (either outdoors or on a patio or sun porch). Open the windows and lay down newspaper, just in case. Wipe down the piece of furniture with a window cleaner. Remove the hardware from drawers and then remove the drawers themselves.Once the drawers are removed, you will want to remove the track on which the drawer sits from the two top shelves.

Using light and long brush strokes, start applying a layer of the cashew paint all over the oustide of the dresser. You aren't looking for perfection, allow your painting to be a little loose and the chalk paint affect will be perfect. We did two coats of chalk paint on the structure of the dresser and one coat on the drawers, allowing for a weathered nautical look. We also used an older wall paint that we already had in our stock pile to add a pop of color inside of the drawer space.

After you finish painting, you'll need to use wax to coat the project. We used a restaurant style napkin as our "lint free cloth" and rubbed the wax in well. Allow the project to sit for several hours until dry, cut two small holes in the lower bottom of the drawers you will be leaving open to allow your electronic cords to run through the back of your new "entertainment center". Place all the drawers back in the dresser and all of your electronics in their place and now you have a super fun entertainment center with plenty of storage for your movies and other electronic goodies like remotes, gaming systems, etc.

I'm still deciding on what artwork I want to hang in my living room, but for now I'm happy that the pillows and the new entertainment center are bringing a super fun and funky vibe to the room.

Now that I've shared a little bit more about how we are decorating the new place, I'd love to know... What's your favorite room in your home? What about that room makes it your favorite?

Having a Blast with SinfulColors for the 4th of July!

Thanks to SinfulColors for providing me with samples of their lovely 4th of July line up!

I'm a nail polish guru so it's no surprise that I'm super excited about all the fun shades SinfulColors launched to celebrate July Fourth! With bright beautiful red, white, and blue shades as well as two fun glitters, and a gorgeous silver... I'm pretty much gaga for these beautiful colors that represent 'Merica so wonderfully!

This Gorgeous Blue Shade is a real hot color, hence it's name "Hot Spot". I'm totally in love with this shimmery, gorgeous navy-esque color and will be rocking it year round!

"Ruby Ruby" is a gorgeous shade of red that looks just like Dorothy's Red Slippers! This shade is so classy and perfect for a mani-pedi on the 4th!

"Out Of This World" is the gorgeous silver I referenced. It also has a wonderful amount of shimmer without going overboard. I love the way this polish is almost sheer with just one coat, but can be a beautiful normal polish with two coats.

The "Star Blast Off" is a glitter that is made for an American! With blue and red sparkles, silver glitter, and tiny little stars, this polish is all about showing off on the 4th of July and I'm totally in love with it!

Green Ocean is a wonderful shade of glitter polishand it's named so appropriately. It reminds me of the beach on the 4th of July and it's absolutely stunning over the white polish...

Show Me White is the wonderful shade that I decided to use as a base coat. It's a bright white and will also be the perfect polish to grab when I want to work on a DIY french manicure!

These six SinfulColors are the perfect shades for the 4th of July and the best additions to my collection yet! So tell me, which color do you want to add to your collection first?

Stay connected with SinfulColors: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Latest Obsession: Six Beautiful SinfulColors Street Fusion Nail Polish Colors

Thanks to SinfulColors for providing samples of these gorgeous shades so that I can provide an honest and super fun review!

You may have already noticed, but I'm kind of a nail polish fanatic... I change my polish almost as often as I change my clothes so when I saw the new line of Street Fusion shades from SinfulColors, one of my favorite nail polish brands, I knew I had to try every single color! I was overjoyed to receive a sample of these gorgeous polishes from SinfulColors and when I tried each shade out on my nails I fell more and more in love! I've always liked colors that are a little edgy, hence my purple hair, so these colors are right up my alley! I received six shades in the mail: Maroon Fin, Otaku Anime, Sky Tree, Pink Ansen, Fuji Fuji, and  Keira Blu; each color unique and oh so beautiful!

Maroon Fin is a unique shade of reddish orange, close to a copper. It's perfect for a summertime pedi, classy while remaining a little bit sassy for someone looking for a more mature look!

Otaku Anime is a bright shade of neon yellow with extra sheen, my favorite simply because it's cheery and unique. It's super fun to pair with glitter too!

Sky Tree is a beautiful shade of teal, I would compare it to the color of the water at the beautiful beaches nearby me... It's stunning on my nails and even more beautiful on my toes!

Pink Ansen is the perfect princess polish! It's full of pink glitter and sparkle, a little party with a punch - it's girly without being over the top! I loved pairing it with the Sky Tree shade as a top coat!

Fuji Fuji is my second favorite polish in the bunch, it's so FUN! Big specks of holographic silver glitter and tiny little pieces paired together to make a party of a polish on your nails...

I painted this as a top coat over Otaku Anime and it's a dreamy new age mani that I'll be rocking for a few weeks!

Keira Blu is a super modern shade similar to my favorite crayon as a kid, a dazzling indigo shade and even more beautiful in person. I can picture a gorgeous pedicure with this as a base coat and Fuji Fuji over the top!

As I said, I'm totally nail polish obsessed. Are you obsessing over any specific colors this year? I'd love to hear all about your favorite polish of Summer 2015!

Stay connected with SinfulColors: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Chocolate Chip, Banana Pancakes with Nicole's Naturals Mix

Although I received a free sample of Nicole's Naturals to sponsor today's discussion the love I now have for Pancakes is my own.

As some of my close friends may already know, I'm kind of a breakfast hater. While a sugary donut or some cereal occasionally make a great snack, you'll usually find me munching on some spicy chicken or a large serving of peas in the AM. I just don't eat breakfast foods, especially for breakfast.

It may sound silly, but some people just aren't breakfast eaters and I'm one of them... or I thought I was, until I tried Nicole's Naturals Mix. The texture of this mix is perfect and made into chocolate chip banana pancakes, I really felt like I was eating a giant cookie! I can do pancakes if they taste like this.

I'm kind of sharing the recipe today, but it's so easy I'm not even sure you could call it a "recipe". You'll use Nicole's Naturals mix as instructed but instead of using 2 eggs, you'll use 1 egg and a ripe banana. I also used Spring themed chocolate chips in yellow and pink for a fun touch! I'm imagining making these again in the future and topping them with peanut butter next time, because that just sounds absurdly delicious, doesn't it?

This awesome gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, soy-free (but definitely not taste-free) brand just launched nationally and was  recommended as a “delicious” mix and a “waffle you want to eat” by the Los Angeles Times. How cool is it that they wanted to send me some of the delicious mix so hubby and I could try it out...? I was hesitant because I don't eat breakfast, as I just revealed, but hubby is a huge pancake fan so I went all out this weekend. I made breakfast for dinner and I'm so happy to report these pancakes are the bomb dot com.

This mix is so amazing in fact, that they are giving one of my readers an awesome Nicole's Naturals prize pack. You'll get the mix, one container of delicious syrup, 4 small breakfast plates, and a NN apron that you'll just love! Enter to win with the form below:

Entry-Form

Want to get your hands on some Nicole's Naturals Mix now? Nicole’s Naturals Gluten-Free Waffle & Pancake Mix is currently sold for $8.99 for a 22-ounce container and can be found at www.amazon.com or at www.NicolesNaturals.com.



Disclaimer: Must be 18 or older to win. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other company mentioned above. You understand that you are providing your information to Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and not to Twitter, Facebook, or any other entity, I will not use your information other than to e-mail you a winning notification if you are the chosen winner. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form above. Void Where Prohibited. Please note that Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and all other bloggers participating are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Creative Types + {a Giveaway}

Today's discussion is sponsored by Onite.

Everyone deserves to be spoiled on Valentine's Day, whether it's your best friend, your child, your co-worker, or your beau - it's nice to give those you love a little something to remind them they are important to you. Today I'm sharing a collection of items that would be perfect to give to the creative types in your life. If you love an artist, a photographer, a blogger, a kid with a knack for arts & crafts - these gifts will be the perfect way to treat them to something special without breaking the bank.

1. Gimme Mini, ANYTHING - It may sound silly but all creatives love little versions of things, it's just something inside of us. I obsess over miniature versions of most anything but these baby clothes pins take the cake, plus they are useful in craft projects or as a paper clip.

2. Magical Markers - Having an array of colored markers makes for a fun time, anytime for the creative type. Be sure to get a wide variety of colors and the bolder, the better.

3. Funk-ify Their Case - We all love to express ourselves, help the creative in your life express herself (or himself) with an adorable case that suits their personality. Check Etsy for some truly unique ideas.

4. Pens with a Spin - Well, not exactly a spin but pens that are unique that your loved one will cherish. I found these beauties in the $1 section at Target, they don't need to be expensive - just unique or something your sweetie will like. I'm gold obsessed so these funky gold accented pens are totally the perfect gift.

5. Flash 'em This - This Onite Flash Drive is the perfect gift for the photographers and instagram addicts in your life. They can transfer pictures from your cell phone to your PC in seconds with this flash drive. It's tough too, I accidentally dropped mine in water and it still works perfectly.

6. Office Accessories with Style - I'm still working on this one but my purple stapler is doing the job for now. I suggest a kit with rhinestones or studs, whatever your sweetie prefers.

7. Chalkboard and Chalk Pastels - Chalkboards aren't just trendy, they can make for some pretty awesome creative inspiration as well. I love these chalk pastels because they show up SO bright and beautiful and mini chalkboards are where it's at!

The good news - I'm giving away a 32GB Flash Drive to one lucky winner! Enter to win this awesome gadget with the giveaway tools form below:

Entry-Form

Do you have any creative gift ideas for your sweetie that you want to share? What's your favorite Valentine's Day gift you've ever received? I'd love to hear about it below!


Disclaimer: I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Must be 18 or older to win. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter or any other company mentioned above. You understand that you are providing your information to Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and not to Twitter, Facebook, or any other entity, I will not use your information other than to e-mail you a winning notification if you are the chosen winner. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form above. Void Where Prohibited. Please note that Lauren Paints | a beautiful life and all other bloggers participating are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

Lights On with Onite LED Light - Glamping Light

I was provided this light to review, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

While camping, I'm a bit of a diva... I guess you could say I prefer to go glamp-ing. Luckily I had the opportunity to review Onite's Portable USB Camp light and now I can even have lights on while we are in our tent.

I love how easy this light is to use and since it plugs into a USB, it's super convenient no matter where we are. We even use it on our back patio sometimes since it's brighter than our current light.

The perfect item to add to your list of must-have camping items - grab an Onite LED light on amazon for a steal of a deal today!  Plus, if you are a blogger like me, this little light is amazing when taking pictures in low light!