from gold to... gold

I decided to paint the gold mirror. I had posted my dilemma on a decorating forum and out of 49 votes, 96% said yes. So that was that... paint it is!


I started with a light coat of my usual white primer and then sprayed with a coat of Krylon Satin Ivory.


I thought about distressing and glazing it to mach the bench sitting underneath the mirror. But I wanted to do something different, and play off the style of the mirror. So, I decided to make it gold. Just not quite the bright and blinding color it had been. Instead, I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased some liquid gold leaf for $5.


Using a small foam brush, I used a couple drops at a time to apply a light coat to the mirror. I have to say that it was super easy to use. Unlike the glaze, it didn't dry moments after hitting the piece. It took me about 10 minutes to apply on the entire frame, creating a great patina.




I took some pictures outside so you can really see the gold color and shimmer, but here it is completed in its current home.

to paint, or not to paint

Today I found this beauty at the Salvation Army.



It was covered in dust and priced at only $3.04 (what is with the Salvation Army and their random prices?), but I knew it was the perfect size for a small, blank wall by our front door. I had purchased it with the intention of painting, but now I am starting to reconsider.

After getting it home and cleaning it up, I noticed a stamp on the back that read "Copyright Syroco MCMLXIX". That's 1969 for those of you struggling with your Roman Numeral Conversion. I did a little Google research and started to see the value of similar mirrors online. I found one that appears to be identical, selling for $125. Now I am now afraid of painting it. I am not such a fan of gold or brass, but I had a bout of painters remorse a few weeks ago after spraying a vintage lamp and now I am a little paint gun shy.

Here it is, as-is, in its new home. Sitting pretty above the up-cycled bench from last month.



Here is a similar mirror I found painted in a creamy white.



What do you think we should do?

mixin up what's left

For tonight's dinner we decided to use a variety of leftovers in the fridge, and freezer overstock.

Our Texan nephews (6 & 8 years old) were here for 10 days, and one night D and I decided to make lasagna with them. They could not have been more excited. From the grocery shopping, to the chopping of onions, mixing the cheese their hands and finally eat the fruits of their labor, they loved every minute of it. We even made our own sauce. We had loads of sauce leftover for the freezer, along with a lb of ground hot Italian sausage I bought at the last meat sale.

There was some leftover half & half from my SIL's daily coffee and of course, the spinach we hid in the smoothies that these "non fruit or veggie eating kids" loved. Add some fresh basil from the patio and I think we have the making of a masterpiece.

Hot Italian Sausage and Pasta in Tomato Cream Sauce

1 lb pasta (we used whole-wheat rotini)
1lb ground Italian sausage (hot)
16 oz of homemade marinara sauce
1/2 cup Half & Half
Two large handfuls washed Spinach
Fresh Basil

• Cook pasta in large pot, according to package directions.
• While pasta is cooking, brown Italian sausage in a separate skillet. With just a minute or two of cook time left, add spinach to the meat.
  
• Drain pasta and set aside.
  
• Using the pasta pot, heat the marinara and half & half until warm.
  
• Add meat and pasta to sauce, stir well.
  
• Top with fresh basil.

This was so good and easy! Just a little creativity and a delicious, quick way to use leftovers.

her name was lolla

She wasn't a show girl, but I am pretty sure there were yellow feathers and a dress cut down to there. For the first time I went to Lollapalooza in Chicago last weekend. D had been there several years ago when it was still a touring festival. However, for the last 5 years it has been located at Grant Park in Chicago, billed as a 3-day, 8-stage music festival. Having been to a number of summer music festivals, I can say that "Lolla" was the most well oiled machine I have been seen.


Beautiful weather, free water, the line-up, the on-time schedule, tasty food options, rarely feeling too crowded and all the sponsors free swag (much of which came in very handy). I could not have been more impressed. We heard a lot of new music, most of which we actually enjoyed. But I think the highlight was seeing the three headliners for the first time.

Lady Gaga - with a show that was all about her. She talked about being made fun of, her 2007 performance at Lolla, her drunk dad, and giving the middle finger to the world after making it. Entertaining? Definitely. Disturbed? Absolutely.


Green Day -who made it all about the fans. There is no denying Green Day's entertainment value, but they also do a great job of making it about the audience. Bringing fans up on stage and Billy Joe even gave one lucky kid a guitar after his rock star performance of Longview.


Soundgarden - it was all about the music. They came, they played, they left. Literally. When the set fished, they walked off stage and that was it. Without a word the show was over.
I swear Chris Cornell has not changed in 15 years. We think they were waiting to tour until his hair grew back.



(all photos from LollapaloozaFest)