Enjoy the rain

I think one of the coolest life lessons anyone has ever taught me, is to enjoy getting soaked by the rain.  Anyone else ever savor that?  It is especially rewarding in a summer shower, when it feels like the perfect break from the scorching heat.  

The girl who taught me this was my babysitter, and she was about 16 and I was around 8 years old.  We had been outside playing on the playground, when a quick summer down pour started.  I hid under the slide, trying to stay dry, as I watched her and her friends dance and goof off in the rain.  I thought they were crazy.  After all, aren't we taught to be inside when it rains? 

She coaxed me out at some point and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...in fact, it was fun! I don't think I played in the rain again though, until I was 18.  During middle school and high school, I cared what people thought;  girls worried about their hair in the rain, so I pretended to care too and ran for dry cover with the rest of them, while I secretly wanted to dance in it instead.

 As soon as I graduated from high school, I was hired for an administrative position.  I had always been mature for my age, and while going to community college, I held a 40 hour a week "grown up" job in a real estate office.  I had been there about a year, and one particularly slow day (when all the owners were gone...I couldn't have gotten away with this with them there!)  the perfect, soak-you-to-your-bones, rain came. 

 I remember standing by the front desk, watching the rain, and wanting to be out there. I thought back to about 10 years prior and how much fun it had been that day on the playground.  I mentioned that to the receptionist (such a wonderful woman, and mama hen) and the only real estate agent who was left in the office for the day (a guy who was only a few years older than me, but I think he viewed me as a baby still, which looking back, I was).  I think I received more of an eye roll, rather than encouragement...but for some reason I got the nerve to go out there anyways, which was totally out of my usual, "mature" comfort zone.   

I ran out and twirled around for a bit, until I was soaked from head to toe.  Coming back in, I received more eye rolls (especially from the guy...more proof to him that I was a kid I'm sure) and I made my way back to my desk.  I was soaking wet and cold, but it had been so worth that minute of feeling carefree.  It had felt like childhood.

Summer is upon us again.  As I get a little bit older each year, childhood feels further and further away.  In the pouring rain though, I can be 8 again and forget about adulting for a few minutes.  During a storm, when the cashier or stranger makes the comment about how awful the rain is, I get to smile and say I don't mind it.  I know the Magic getting soaked by the rain holds, and I walk back to my car, while the rest of the world seems to run.

Chalk paint

This is almost an intro of a post that is to come because I am just so excited!

I am using chalk paint to redo a wooden high chair. I can't wait for it to be finished because it will be great to use as a photography prop for birthday and cake smash photos. This is my first project using chalk paint and I have to say, I am impressed! At first, I was intimidated with the whole idea of waxing a piece after painting it but, it is really very easy. I love not having to sand the furniture first, and love look and feel of the paint and wax.

My one big complaint was that NONE of the brands carried a true black color. I found slate colored blacks, but those wouldn't work with my decor. I have a hutch, dining room table, chairs, and possibly a kitchen hutch to paint black and I have been seriously dreading the entire process! Without a good chalk paint option, I would have to sand each piece of furniture and move it outside to paint it (because of all those icky fumes and chemicals). With chalk paint, I avoid the sanding step and I can paint inside, without any worries. Sounds like a much better project doesn't it?

I started scouring the Internet for other chalk paint brands. I knew I couldn't be the only one frustrated with the lack of black and was hoping someone had created one. After much searching, I came across a brand called Van Gogh Chalk Paint. I scrolled through the color choices and came cross one called mascara. I stopped scrolling and instantly contacted the closest distributor for the paint. A woman named Scottie (who sells awesome furniture and is located in Virgina), responded back soon after. She told me that mascara wasn't a true black, but the color Revenge, is! Be still my beating heart. I quickly messaged her back and asked her how I could order. Turns out, she would be visiting Annapolis in a few days, and we arranged to meet. I bought the sample size to try out and Scottie threw in the beeswax sample as well. She was just the sweetest person! I will explain the paint and wax further on in the post about the plant stand, but I LOVED it! The beeswax was just amazing and I had to really fight the urge to taste it...which really would have been safe to do LOL. I love that it is safe to use on items food would be placed on, and I am planning on using it on wooden blocks for the baby. If you would be interested in learning more about the Van Gogh paint, let me know! I am sure Scottie would love to give you more information on it, or I can answer questions as well.

Dropped off the face of the earth

But I managed to climb back up ;) It has been a crazy few months, filled with family emergencies, friend emergencies, first birthdays and more. I have been working on various projects and hopefully will remember to blog them for you soon!