2019 Holidays, Home, Tips and Tricks

DIY Bar Table with Giani Butcher Block Countertop Paint Kit

When we bought our home 2 years ago I had so many ideas to do with the place. We bought new build and so we sold and donated a lot of furniture and items so we can move into the new home with new stuff. A few rooms were done right away and some spaces I am just now finishing because I could not make my mind up of what I wanted to do. This weekend I finished all I need to be as ‘entertaining ready‘ as I want to be.

By being ready to fully entertain I mean that I have the products and space needed. I looked long and hard and saved Amazon credit and bought the perfect bar cart. It’s in my dining room corner and holds everything nicely.

Then I had family over and realized while it holds all my bar cart items it leaves no table space to make your drink so everyone would take what they need and walk over to the counter and it suddenly was not serving its purpose. I loved my cart and spent quite a bit for it, but then I was sent the Giani Butcher Block Countertop Paint Kit and the wheels in my head started turning on how to gain more surface area in that corner of my dinning room.

I looked in yard sales and buy nothing pages for some table space that would match the bar cart I bought and I just had no luck. Then one day I ran into Goodwill to browse Halloween items and I saw a TV Tray leaning on the wall and it was marked $2. This could work! Now I can fold it up and store it which means matching is not an issue because I will only have it out when needed. But, it was ugly! So I went to work with my Giani paint kit.

I don’t usually tackle DIY but I really wanted this to work out so I gave it a try. I already had the paint kit which is enough to cover a lot more than this tray so I’d be out $2 if I fail. I sanded it down and applied the Primer which are the first steps.

Once the primer dried I did it again. Two coats of primer and it was time to tape my block lines. The best part about the kit is that it comes with everything you need. The only thing I used of my own supplies was my drop cloth and a larger paint pan.

Using the paint to create the grain and contrast was so easy. I found their YouTube video instructions and it was so easy to follow along! This might just work out.

Once the paint dried, I applied the sealer and that completed the project. The worst part was waiting for each step’s drying time because I was so anxious to complete it and see it done.

When you look at the finished results compared to that expensive cart I bought I get the same table surface area. This means I can dress my bar cart up and when guests come over, I can set up my Butcher Block stand and set it up so there is a surface to fix the cocktail.

Even if butcher block is not your style, Giani paint kits come in so many finishes from granite, shiplap (which is on my wish list), chalk paint, backsplash and more.

Get your home and spaces ready for the Holidays with these easy-to-use, all inclusive kits. You can do many surfaces or one large surface with just one kit (covers up to 35 sq. feet). Visit Giani Granite to get started. Also available on Amazon.

Comment: I was sent product for this authentic feature. All opinions are my own

Home

These SANSI SGLED Bulbs can be used in totally enclosed fixtures

These SANSI SGLED Bulbs can be used in totally enclosed fixtures

I never really knew, until I learned about these SANSI bulbs, that SGLED bulbs are not meant for enclosed fixtures. Come to think of it when I shop for bulbs for lamps, ceiling lights I never noticed LED are not options in that wattage for these fixtures. I love using LED lighting because you get a longer lasting bulb and they are more energy efficient.

When we moved into our new home 2 years ago one of the first improvements we made was removing all of the bulbs in the rooms and recessed lighting in main area and replaced them with LED 5000K daylight bulbs for that bright white light and to save energy. Now I can finish off my enclosed and smaller lamps with these SGLED Enclosed Fisture Rated Bulbs.

Using these SANSI bulbs in your enclosed fixtures and tight spaces means as the temperature surrounding the bulb increases to a certain level, SGLED’s LED chips will gradually reduce the power and amount of lumens the bulb it outputting.

This LED bulb ensures excellent heat dissipation with its patented ceramic heat dissipation technology (CHDT). No breakable parts and free of toxic chemicals, No UV or IR Radiation. No more average light bulbs! They are also flicker-free.

You can buy (and save) on Amazon for your light fixture bulbs buying the 4 pack in the size you need.

Comment: I was sent bulbs to try. Opinions are my own

Home, Reviews

Degrease Kitchen Appliances with Grease Monkey Wipes

Degrease Kitchen Appliances with Grese Monkey Wipes

If you could see our garage it looks like a retail store (well, my husband does work corporate for a major auto retailer). We have every car wipe, tire care, interior, exterior and grease cleaner and they are all lined up in rows. Then Grease Monkey wipes arrived.

Like his car products I tend to grab from the shelf in the garage for any tough jobs inside the house. I love his glass cleaner that is only sold in the auto store for my windows inside and now his Grease Monkey Wipes are a part of my kitchen clean up. Where have these wipes been all the years I have been cleaning gas stove tops and slow cookers?

I love that 1 wipe handles a tough job nicely so a box will last for many clean up jobs. After a family dinner our stove was a mess and I had some Grease Monkey Wipes out so my husband grabbed one. Immediately he had a section clean…and it shined! We were so impressed how effortlessly this cleaned. We were prepared with sprays and cloths as usual and didn’t even use those.

Grease Monkey Wipes also clean my Instant Pot and Slow Cooker rims and crevices like a champ! Wiping out the microwave and counter convection oven is effortless. These are just simply a wonder when I need to degrease kitchen appliances!

What are Grease Monkey Wipes? They are the heavy duty solution to cleaning your hands when you don’t have access to soap and water. Grease Monkey Wipes are a multi-purpose, pre-moistened, disposable cleaning wipe. they work hard to easily remove grease, oil, lubricants, grime, and dirt, from skin and other surfaces. Plus, they safely clean without harsh chemicals. Hands? No problem! The kitchen? My new cleaning tool!

Visit Grease Monkey to learn more and find where you can buy your wipes. I found them on Amazon.

Comment: product samples were sent for feature

Home, Reviews, Tips and Tricks

Tips for Small Guest Room Spaces that Entertain

Tips for Small Gust Room Spaces that Entertain

When we bought our home we finally had enough rooms to not have to share spaces. No more sharing a guest room with my office or game room in a bedroom which was always a constant mess. When we settled in and I started decorating for our new home, I really took pride in our guest room. It was a small room, but I worked with the space and made it a small guest room space that entertains.

guest tv

I took a small dresser and I made sure they are 100% empty to use as guests wish. The TV is small and not overwhelming, but enough. Because we don’t keep cable in the guest room, I have our Jetstream HD TV Box With Voice Control Search Remote by Ematic.

Let me stop a moment and talk about having an HD TV Box. It is 2019 and that means most people are used to their favorite streaming shows and sites. Whether there is a sports game or TV series they are into, an HD TV Box will bring all of that to your guest room. Our Jetsream AGT418 is available at Walmart and gives your guests access to over 450,000 movies and TV episodes on over 4,500 paid or free channels, including Netflix, Hulu, and PBS Kids. Showcase all the favorite entertainment including movies, TV shows, games, sports, music and much more all from your Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Chromebook or TV! Chances are they brought their tablet or laptop so this is a great piece to have in the room!

Google TV

Back to more tips for small guest room spaces! When it comes to electronics I keep the remotes on or right at their given devices. When I have a guest over the remotes are not all stacked on a table. The TV remote is at the TV, HD TV Box remote with the box, etc. This makes guessing what controls what so much easier. I also keep the TV input set back to the right Smart TV input so when the guests turn on the TV it is ready to stream correctly.

electronics for guests

Other touches are easy to handle if you think like a hotel. Have towels, soaps (I get mine from leftovers at hotels), a clear closet that is 100% empty, trash can and an outlet strip if needed for use. I also have a new bottle of water on each nightstand and a fan.

guest room essentials

On my walls I made sure there was a mirror somewhere, so I bought a large framed mirror to hang. I also began collecting brochures when at lobbies and hotels to use on my walls. This is a fun decor idea. In the photo below, notice I also included a sheet with our Wi-Fi info to have easily available for guests. I arranged on clipboards by adventures: Seattle (our local town), mountains, sea, local and more. Do what makes sense for your area or find brochure templates guests can sit and go through as they get to know the area.

guest room wall

I think that about covers it. From the photo below I have all my guests need in one small space. I can also mention that my guests get a Queen Sleep Number bed because my husband and I upgraded to a King so we passed the queen down. Now our guests can position the head fully up to sit and work or watch TV.

Did I miss any tips? Share yours below!

Guest room decor ideas