Friday, July 31

Dresser Dilema... what would YOU do?

Update: see the finished dresser here!
We need some input on our next furniture makeover project! We brought this dresser home but can't decide what to do with it!


We've made it this far in parenthood with just one dresser shared by our two boys, but with baby #3 on the way it was clear we'd be needing a second pretty soon. So when we stumbled across this guy for just $10 we decided to go for it. The finish was pretty rough but it had nice, sturdy construction (hello, dovetail drawers!). We spent an afternoon sanding it down to bare wood and that's where we're stuck. We've been throwing around several ideas but can't settle on anything, and we'd love to hear what you would do! A couple notes:
  • We'll be using this for kids clothes and want something that can grow with them for years without having to be redone. 
  • It needs to go with light gray walls (side note: we moved the boys into the former guest room last weekend so they would have more space - surprise! - it's currently a darkish gray but we'll likely repaint it a lighter shade.
#1 - The White/Wood Combo
I've been digging this two-tone style lately but I'm afraid it's too trendy and we'll get tired of it before long. And if we do go with this style I can't decide if we should do white drawers with wood frame, or wood drawers with a white frame. Does pregnancy make me super indecisive? Maybe. I'm leaning toward a wood frame because the top wouldn't get marked up like a white top would.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/27514247694669678/
images via pinterest here and here

#2 - Solid White
Clean, classic, simple. But hard to keep clean with little boys running rampant around here? I do think we'll probably like it for years to come.

image via pinterest

#3 - Keep it Wood
I've been favoring painted furniture lately, but maybe it's time to mix it up with another wood piece? I would normally stain anything wood, but once we sanded it down the grain is so pretty I've been considering just doing a clear coat to seal it (that would be a first for me!). The main problem with this plan is that once everything was sanded it became obvious one of the drawers is a much darker shade than the rest. Hmm.

image via pinterest

pretty wood grain peeking out

rogue drawer on the bottom left
#4 - Navy Blue
A little more adventurous than the other options, but not too crazy. It seems so pretty and fun. Maybe the boys room is a perfect place to take a little more risk?

images via pinterest here and here


Of course there's always the tropical island option. Jk, guys. Jk.

image via pinterest

I'd also love to do something pretty in the drawers if I can find a good price on some contact paper... anyone know where to look?

image via pinterest


Okay. You've seen the contestants, and it's time to vote! White and wood, solid white, plain wood, or navy blue (and of course we'd love to hear any other suggestions as well)?

What would you do with this dresser?

Wednesday, July 1

Quinoa, Chicken, Avocado & Cranberry Bowl

We all love quick, easy, healthy dinners and this has quickly become a family favorite! It only takes four ingredients and you can have it on the table in just about 20 minutes. I especially love it in the summer because I'm not cooped up in the kitchen on a beautiful day, and the only cooking is simmering a pot of quinoa.


Ingredients:
  • quinoa (cook as much as your family will eat, plus some extra for leftovers!)
  • shredded cooked chicken (we use leftover from roasting a chicken but you can also use a rotisserie chicken)
  • avocado, diced
  • dried cranberries
I don't have amounts because this is one of those throw-it-together meals! Just use as much as your family will eat. :)



Start by cooking your quinoa according to the package instructions. I like to cook it in chicken broth instead of water for a little more flavor (we make our own broth after we roast a chicken). I also like to soak the quinoa in water for a few hours ahead of time if I remember, then drain and rinse before cooking. But I don't sweat it if I forget. While this cooks you can chop the avocados and shred the chicken.


When the quinoa is ready just scoop some in a bowl and top it with your yummy add-ins. Easy, right?


Just be warned, the kids like it so much they might try to swipe it before dinner even starts!


What's your favorite, healthy summer meal?
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