finished product.

Last week I posted photos of the desk that I was in the process of sanding, painting, and repurposing into a vanity. I ended up lining the drawers with some fabric that I had leftover from a photo booth backdrop, which drastically improved their appearance. I also painted my large black mirror a light blue/grey color to freshen it up. I am pretty thrilled with how it turned out! 

I'm also in the process of refinishing a night stand that I ruined trying to spray paint it a glossy yellow earlier this year. Can you guess what color I'm painting it this time around? (Hint: not glossy yellow) This was my first attempt at spray painting which taught me that I clearly cannot half ass the sanding.

It's hard to be cooped up in the garage inhaling paint fumes when the weather is this gorgeous. Nebraska has been setting record highs for this time of the year and I hope the weather continues in this fashion.

Cheers.

bloggers block.

Hey guys, Kylie here.  I'm back.  What a slacker I've been, right?!  Have you missed me?  Did we lose any loyal followers? (all four of you.)  I don't understand how bloggers come up with posts every day.  How do they do it?  What are they on?  Are they faking it? (98% of them are women, you know.)  Someone give me a book of tips- preferably "Blogging for Idiots"

I actually haven't blogged because I've done nothing of value on the majority of my days off over the last two weeks.  Oopsies.  BUT THIS WEEK.... I painted a nightstand and rearranged my room.  How exciting! 

I have this really awkward and obnoxious fake window in my room.  It was a real window at one time, but previous owners decided to put siding directly over the glass and never blocked the window off on the inside of the house.  Thanks, assholes.  Rather than removing the blinds that our landlord installed, I just try to camouflage the eyesore.

My grandma gave me this cedar chest and it's one of my favorite possessions.  

I had an old canvas that had been ruined by my non-artistic attempts at painting.  I wrapped some fabric around the frame, attached this owl postcard, and wrapped some twine.  This was so much easier than painting. 

I printed off some photos a couple of months ago and needed a way to display them.  I picked up some wire and miniature clothespins the other day.  Voila!  I can't decide if it's too "Does she live in a dorm room? That's so ugly" or not.  Feel free to tell me if you like, but keep your jerk comments to yourself if you don't.

My mom made me the most amazing jewelry hanger/organizer out of an old window.   Isn't it incredible?  Are you jealous?  

ringz & thingz.

I picked this up at Joe's Collectibles for $10, I think?  

And there she is, freshly painted, next to my newly positioned pallet bed.  It barely fits but it works.  (excuse me but...  "that's what she said.") 

This is where I would tell you the color I used, but I'm far too comfortable to retrieve the can from downstairs.   It's a light gray/light blue and it's pretty.  So, there you go.

I utilized one of my chalkboard trays to write notes for myself.  My memory continues to fail more frequently with my age (24 going on 72, I'm pretty sure.)  The tray will likely begin to collect junk but I promise not to post pictures of the mess it becomes.  

Well, I head back to work tomorrow.  Does anyone else slip into a depression when the hours before a work week are quickly dwindling away?  Don't get me wrong- I like my job & I couldn't be more grateful for my employment but.... the weather has been too nice & I have so much television to catch up on with my bedroom window open.  Major problem, guys.

seriously.  so real. 

I'm just waiting for HGTV or Lifetime to stumble upon this gem of a blog and whisk me & Kelly away to start filming (while restocking our entire wardrobes, of course.)  I'm a realist, really. 

Well, it's bedtime.  And when I say "bedtime," I mean "I'm going to lay in bed until my eyes finally want to shut at 3 am- two & a half hours before my alarm."  My sleep pattern has been a real twerp lately.  Thank goodness for that narcolepsy diagnosis and narcolepsy medication to keep me awake during the day.

all white everything.

We have royally sucked at blogging this week. Blame Kylie.

Remember when I put shutters on my wall? Yeah, well... I got bored with those after a few short weeks. Maybe it's the Gemini in me. 

Onto the next thing...

WHITE SHELVES. WHITE EVERYTHING.

I saw a photo on Pinterest of white shelving with white accent pieces and fell in love. It looked so fresh and so clean. Outkast would have been proud. I had to recreate.

Hobby Lobby was having a 50% off sale on canvas and letters - so I grabbed a couple of things that I could spray paint white, including a "K" and a blank canvas to which I added my favorite Sylvia Plath quote.

Before the spray paint. White on white.

Sylvia canvas after the paint.

The "K" after the paint. 

I found an Etsy shop that sells digital prints and since chevron seems to be my favorite pattern at the moment, I bought this pack and framed the yellow print for my shelves. 

It's a work in progress, but this is what replaced the shutters:

My newly found passion for white doesn't end there. While at Joe's Collectibles in the Old Market the other day, I found a beauty of a desk that Joe was giving away for next to nothing. I had been looking for something just like it to paint and turn into a vanity for my room. Joe's is never not the answer.

I've been sanding and painting all day and will hopefully have pictures of the finished product by Monday. It's looking really good so far. 

These are the before photos:

A formula for dynamite - added bonus that I didn't find until it was in my garage. There's also a devil carved into the backside of the desk. Awesome. 

  
I'm also painting my huge mirror and a couple of other things which I will blog about next week. Try not to let the anticipation get to you.

Have a lovely weekend, all.

spring: browns, brights, and whites

I'll be the first to admit that my closet could use a complete makeover. I've often dreamt of being submitted to "What Not to Wear" for the sole reason of spending $5,000 of someone else's money toward a new wardrobe. (Friends, this is your hint. Submit me.) 

While I wait for Stacy and Clinton to show up at my door, I'll dream up the outfits I'd be buying if I had the money and the body to wear whatever I wanted. I'm obsessed with all things neutral, but since spring is just around the corner, it's fun to add in pops of bright colors to freshen up an outfit.

    

brights & whites by kbentley 

spring mix by kbentley

muted shades by kbentley

If you know me, you are probably aware of my love for baggy tops, skinny jeans, and nude/cognac colored shoes. These items are my daily go-to's. What are your wardrobe staples? Are there any trends you're looking forward to trying out this spring? 

While you're busy dreaming up your own spring outfits, check out Polyvore for help putting ideas together.