Annie Sloan

I was excited for my Mom to come visit because she usually gets me motivated to decorate or paint something. She makes things seem super easy too. So when I told her about a coffee table that was on it's way out the door to Goodwill, she brought up the idea of painting it. Well call me lazy but these were my issues:

-the long process (sanding, deglossing, priming, sealing blah blah)

-paint smelling up my house

-having to paint outside in the hot humidity

Then my Mom showed me Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was able to paint in my house and I couldn't believe how fast the process went!

Get your piece of furniture and make sure it is clean and ready to paint on. That is really all the prep you need to do so just start painting! It's a fast process because the chalk paint dries so quickly. I read many tips online saying that you don't want to use repetitive brush strokes. Instead use long fluid strokes. Try not to go back and forth over your same paint strokes {that took a little bit for me to get used to}.

Your first coat should be super light and you may even see the wood coming through. Once the first coat dries {I think mine took seriously fifteen minutes} go ahead and put on the second coat. The tip that I read online was to "kiss" the tips of the brush in a little water to help the second coat glide on smoothly.

After your second coat dries, that is when you want to distress your piece if you are wanting to. Once your piece is painted and distressed (or not) it is time for some waxing! A lot of people online used Annie Sloan's waxing brush for this step but some used a thin cloth or even a ripped t-shirt. Apply a small amount of wax onto the cloth (or brush) and then apply to the surface of the furniture. As you are applying it, you are also brushing it into the piece of furniture with a good amount of pressure.

Online they advise you to cover a two foot area, then take another cloth and lightly rub it down to remove any residual wax {extra wax does not make it dry the way you want it to}. Repeat this process over the whole table. Twenty-four hours after the waxing, take another cloth and buff it to bring out the smooth luster the wax can give it.

We are going with an ivory, red, and black color theme to my living room so I went with an ivory for my table (which actually looks more white in the photo). Still trying to find the perfect drawer knob for it. I am already in the process of doing the same thing to two of my new nightstands because of how easy and fast it is. The wax makes the table feel so smooth and clean! I am now addicted to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Here are some of my other favorite Pintrest pieces of people using the chalk paint:

Lamps, mirrors, chairs

Kitchen cabinets

Headboard, walls, & nightstands 

Tom Sawyer.

For my little brother's spring break, my parents decided to come visit us in warm Florida. We missed the rest of the family (and hated on BYU for not having a spring break) but partied nonetheless. Mother Nature threw us a bone and decided to hold off on the intense humidity while they were here. We went and did all of my favorite touristy things and then explored a little more to other islands nearby. It was such a great week. We also had a chance to go tour the new Ft. Lauderdale temple {Shaun and I get the opportunity to be tour guides there this week}. I can't wait until my whole family is together, hopefully soon. We haven't been in the same place since my wedding so it is much needed. 

The last night we went to the beach and took some pictures. A tripod is the best purchase anybody with a camera can get!

Mark & Shaun (Tom Sawyer)

missing sister & brother

Fifteenth Anniversary

Shaun is many things. One of those things is an improv comedian {which means all of what is performed is created at the moment it is performed}. The comedy club that Shaun performed at in Provo for six years was having it's fifteenth anniversary in March. They flew out all of the old alumni for a weekend of special shows. It was so fun to see Shaun with all of his old friends. He had always talked about doing improv in the old days with these guys every Friday and Saturday. The relationship they all had together trusting and playing off of each other was awesome. I was so glad I was able to attend this fun weekend in Utah!

Glad some of my family could come support SJ

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It was also so fun to see some of my favorites during my quick visit.

 

Thirty in Key West

Shaun turned thirty this past weekend so I knew I had to make it big! It is also our anniversary weekend so I decided to combine the two and have a getaway down in Key West. side note: I used to think priceline 'name your own price' was sketchy but it worked like a dream! I got this amazing suite at a Key West resort for 50% off.

I made yummy chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting to bring down with us. I realize baking becomes more fun when you keep having more and more successes (ha).

The resort was so beautiful. It was hard to leave it to go do things (okay, not really). You did feel like you could just lounge around the hotel all day and be perfectly satisfied though. 

We got down there in time to have dinner and watch the sunset. The weather was perfect! There was somebody getting married a little ways down the beach but we could still hear the beautiful music.

Shaun blew out a candle at midnight and I showed him the birthday video I made for him compiling all of his family and friends birthday messages. He was 100% shocked (woohoo). I am SO grateful for all the people that participated and went above and beyond to make it creative and fun for him to watch!

We got up early to watch the sunrise at the Southernmost point. Then we enjoyed delicious crepes at the cutest hole-in-the-wall place. {what would we do without yelp?!} Key West is the most charming city. It was fun to park at one place and explore to the next.

We took advantage of the free birthday parasail deal and it was the best decision. Part of Shaun's birthday present was having me go with him. You see, I am the biggest baby and never do things like that. It was incredible though! I can't believe how peaceful it was up there. Shaun is obsessed with turtles and has been dying to see one since we have moved to Florida. When we were being reeled in, the driver pointed to the water and right below us was the biggest sea turtle we had ever seen. It came up for air and slapped his fins back down. Shaun was freaking out. We brought the GoPro up with us so we have it all on film!

The weekend was perfect. Some of the best parts was just walking around the little shops or finding delicious 'dives' to eat at. I can't believe that we live just hours away! I don't think I will ever get used to living in a vacation town where you are one of the very few locals. I feel very blessed to be here. It was such an amazing birthday/anniversary weekend. Happy thirtieth birthday to my love Shaun Michael Johnson and a happy two year anniversary today. . .

Dad Visits

I have been feeling so grateful to have my Dad visit this past week. It has been amazing spending some much needed time together. I have definitely missed that the past couple years living so far away. He has always been good at spending quality time with his children. Even in college he would come into the restaurants I was working at on his lunch break to eat lunch together. I loved that. Getting thisweek with him was such a dream!

Between all the ice cream runs, movies, alligator hunting, nature walks, spring training baseball games and beach trips...it's safe to say we are all ready for a 24 hour nap. 

Bonita Beach.

The tri-selfie.

Gator hunting airboat.

Spring training baseball.