Remember that picture a few post ago when I gave you a peek off to the right at a make over reveal? I found this chair at the curb.. it had all of the prerequisites... great lines, well cared for..didn't smell... :) 
I spray painted it a two-tone brown using American Accents Nutmeg and Rustoleum's Universal Spray (I LOVE IT) in Espresso for a bit of depth and covered it with some left over fabric from my bench seat... and I did hand sew that top pillow, it is tad wonky, if I could have a glue-gunned it, I would have ....:) 
But that's what accents are for!
I spray painted it a two-tone brown using American Accents Nutmeg and Rustoleum's Universal Spray (I LOVE IT) in Espresso for a bit of depth and covered it with some left over fabric from my bench seat... and I did hand sew that top pillow, it is tad wonky, if I could have a glue-gunned it, I would have ....:) But that's what accents are for! I found the red pillow at TJMaxx and I have to say, thought it was so perfect, I actually paid full price for it... $12!!! (That never happens! ;) and a red throw...
And as for my cool news, it's an article on thrifting being published in the Chicago Tribune Local Section...! Here's the link if you'd like to read it...
They e-mailed me and I get to see the article in black and white on my front door step tomorrow morning!! My name at the top! The funny thing is, I don't know if you have ever read The Secret; but I read a book first called Law of Attraction (I actually thought it was much better.). And I think the biggest thing I got from it is beside just wanting something, you really have to put yourself out there. Get back what you give out. I think it's all about the little risks, not the big steps. I can tell you when I submitted it, I had that insecure,queasy, What if it's really stupid?What if I get rejected and they tell me I should just smash my keyboard with a sledge hammer now and just work on being a really good reader? (okay, that is a tad bit dramatic, but you know how it is when you're nervous....) kind of a feeling... but I decided it was worth a try. (I have been submitting articles left and right to magazines and getting NOTHING back, not even my stamped return envelopes! )... A week later, one of the editor's called me and told me they really liked it and wanted to publish it and that it was really well written. I can tell you to have validation for all of the writing I have been doing was amazing. So, before sounding too mushy and Dr. Phil....if you think you want to do something, do it. There are great things ready to happen out there . Maybe I'll end up in Martha's mag yet! :)
~Jen
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI love your new chair...and the project below with the molding! You have wonderful doable ideas and give great directions!
Have a nice day,
Diane
It is stunning and does not look anything like the same chair. You did a marvelous job with it!
ReplyDeleteAh Jen,
ReplyDeleteYou should be in Martha's mag and everyone else's too.
I love that chair, for a second I thought you were saying you got it at TJMaxx (mixed it up with the pillow), I thought ooh TJMaxx is carrying vintage now? I'm going to run down there first thing tomorrow - what a goof!
Thanks for the pep talk too - It's hard putting yourself out there, but what's there to lose? Now, I need to make that note to self right now!
Congratulations! How fun to run out for the paper tomorrow ;)
Off to read it now.
xo~Tracie
Congratulations on the article! You shouldn't have any doubts that you are a great writer...your blog is always well written! :)
ReplyDeleteThe chair looks great! You would never guess that someone left it on the curb! Wonderful job, as usual! :)
Mere
The chair looks great! I love the cheeta fabric! I like the brown color it gave some elegnace to the chair. xo Vanessa
ReplyDeleteyou are amazing just amazing,,,love the chair..
ReplyDeleteGreat article! I might have to trek out there someday while the kids are in school! Love the chair and door. I'm going to have to try the door project soon!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your article being published, Jen. Like someone else said, "You should be published." You do a great job on your blog. :) Sharon
ReplyDeleteWow, what a makeover!! That chair looks fantastic!! I love the animal print!
ReplyDelete-Carrie
Congratulations on the article! First the TV gig, now published writer. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThe chair looks completely different, great transformation. Spray paint comes in such an array of colours now. Our nearest HD used to just carry the basics but now they've brought in all these great colours.
I hate to pay full price, but sometimes if it's something you really want and can't wait, you just gotta do it.
Congratulations on your article!!! How exciting! Your chair turned out great! It's fun to be thrifty!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Kim
Congratulations on getting published! I'm sure it was really exciting and encouraging to get a positive response. On tomorrow's post, I want to see a picture of the paper with your article in it. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting, Jen!! I'm thrilled for you. Congratulations. I'm fascinated by that whole "Secret" and "Law of Attraction" stuff. Maybe I need to check that book out! -Julia :-)
ReplyDeleteYEA YOU!!! How exciting to have an article published!!! And not only are you an obviously great writer...but you do a heck of a job refurbishing chairs too!!
ReplyDeletelove the new look on the chair, the red goes beautifully with the paint
ReplyDeletegreat inspiration on the writing and the advice to put yourself out there, someting I find very uncomfortable to do...but I have been mulling over something that would mean me being confident in myself and truly putting myself out there, I think I was meant to read about you doing it, because it's made me think, heck, why not...what have I really got to lose??? not a lot
so thanks for including that on your post, you've certainly pushed me into doing what I was reluctant to...let's see what happens lol!
Sarah
Way to go, girl!! Love the chair, too.
ReplyDelete~Heather
the chair looks great! I wish i lived in your area so i could check out the sales.
ReplyDeleteLove the new chair. Does not look the same at all. To fun! Dana
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful makeover! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to link to this post on Saturday if that's OK with you.
Great chair!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job and deserve all the love you get!
Hip, Hip, Hooray!!! You, my dear, are one hip lady. Congratulations on being published! You have inspired me to try to "put myself out there" a little more---even if it scares me to death.
ReplyDeleteYour chair and door projects look terrific. I love the sign on the door.
Jen, that chair turned out gorgeous! I love a little leopard print. I still can't believe somene threw that chair away!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your article! That is awesome! I've been thinking about reading the Secret or Law of Attraction, but I haven't. It seems like lots of people have good things to say about it, so maybe I'll give it a try.
Now I'm off to read your article!
I love the style of that chair and now you have give it personality! Awesome :)
ReplyDeleteBella
Jen this is awesome! Your chair is fab, of course, but the news about the article is even better! You need to take a photo of the newspaper itself when it comes. (Is that silly? I don't think so! This is a big deal!) Good for you for pursuing it even when you faced a lot of closed doors. Okay, i'm off to read the rest of your posts I missed this week!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new writing career! Writers say that writing everyday is a must so blogging must have done you good, Girl!!
ReplyDelete