Guest Post: Paint Wine Repeat

So, we are in the home stretch of LSAT studying 22 days to go! I have another fab guest post for y'all today. Amy is a craigslist hunter extraordinaire. I hope y'all love her (because I do), and go visit! Take it away Amy. 

Hello Blue Dog Belle readers!

I am honored to be guest posting for the beautiful and talented Emily today.
I'm Amy, a Canadian blogger, from Paint Wine Repeat. I love to complete DIY projects, test out new recipes and blog about life! I hope you will check out the rest of my posts if you like what you see here.

I, like many other people out there in cyberspace, love to find furniture online. As you probably know, there are services such as Craigslist that are online versions of classifieds (if you remember when newspapers were relevant and they had a whole separate section dedicated to such things!)
If you're willing to use some elbow grease AND if painting, staining and restoring furniture interests you, I encourage you to peruse these online classified for what you might be looking for. I should assure you that there are some items to be found that won't need any work, too!

I decided that since Emily is based in DC, it would be fun to find some awesome deals where she is!

Let the fun begin!!

This dresser is available for $100... and just needs a coat of paint and/or new hardware to brighten it up. You could probably barter to get a bargain and fix this puppy up with some TLC! I'm certain that mirror is removable too, if you'd rather not have it attached.

This next one... is a $75 accent chair that I wish I lived closer to, so that I could snag it for myself! Love the mix of wood and fabric, but mainly - it looks so cozy!! If you don't love the colour, you could always reupholster it down the road. But as is, this chair is pulling all the right moves... maybe its lines are just whispering sweet nothings to me? Anyone? Bueller?

This next one needs a little love... it's a round table with an awesome chrome base. It looks like he's worked his whole life in a conference room, but you could let him retire in your home! For $55...it could be yours. The top looks like wood veneer to me, so you could easily paint it a fun colour to add some spice to your kitchen. I think this baby is a diamond in the rough.

Here's a great example of a perfect as-is piece. This rocking chair would easily fit into a nursery or a porch without much fuss! At $25 only for the chair, you could also spend a little extra on paint or cushions to spruce it up if you like. That's the beauty of inexpensive finds, its up to you to discover their potential!

Things to expect when buying online:

1. You can barter. Try offering a lower price and see where it takes you. Be prepared though, that some sellers won't budge.

2. You'll have to be able to pick the item up. Some people offer delivery, but most expect you to make the trek and use your vehicle to transport the item.

3. You'll have to pay in cash.

4. It can be disappointing. Spot something too good to be true? It could be! If you want to be cautious, always arrange a time to view the piece before committing to buying it. This allows you to inspect it and make a decision without pressure.
5. You might need a thesaurus. Lots of people have different words for the same thing. Want a buffet for your dining room? Search buffet, but also try sideboard.

Disclaimer: Be alert when using these services of scams or giving out too much personal information. Always practice safety and don't meet someone alone.

What have you had the pleasure to find online? Is it too much work for you? Let's talk adventures in babysitting furniture finding...

Thanks to Emily for having me guest post and thanks to all of you for reading!

Happy searching :)

Currently Crushing :Nail Trends for Fall

Wow. I feel like that huge rain storm on Saturday was the end of summer. This weather is amazing. LOVING it. While fall may not be officially here, it's coming... so I need to bulk up my nail collection for the coming season.

Neutrals

Miss Fancy Pants

Sand Tropez

Best Dressed List

Darks

Jewel of a Girl

Downtown Brown

stylenomics

Metallics

Penny Talk

I think the whole world is obsessed with Penny Talk, and I on board. Obsessed with this color.

Good as Gold

I also love anything sparkly for fall and winter. With the holidays coming and the short days... glitter obviously makes any manicure better.

Happy Wednesday!

Charlotte Recap

Okay ladies. I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about the DNC and my epic adventure to Charlotte. But I feel like I owe you a recap of the full adventure. 

I left DC Saturday morning for a quick visit in Williamsburg with my bffirl Lauren and her lovely husband Jason. I know I talk about her often, but if you haven't checked out her blog, you really need to. She has a fabulous cooking blog that inspires me every day... if only I had the pantry she does... maybe I could create half the master pieces she whips up on a daily basis. 

She treated Jason and I to one of her specialties, Pollo en Fricase, and let me tell you, it was amazing. Lauren knows how much I love cilantro, so this was absolutely perfect. 

She also made arros y frijoles, and some yummy mint cocktails. That girl knows me so well. 

I mean really. Look at this awesomeness.  After a while we hit the town for some fro-yo.

Sunday morning we did a few photo-shoots and had a perfect breakfast. Girlfriend knows how to make a waffle. 

That afternoon I hit the road and headed south for Charlotte, through the worst rainstorm ever. I couldn't see anything and was forced to drive about 20 mph. Made the roadtrip so fun. let.me.tell.you. But I made it. Checked in. Hit the grocery store for some essentials (i.e. alcohol and chocolate)

I don't know that I told you officially, but I was offered a position volunteering with the DNCC (convention staff) on the Government Affairs team. It was a great opportunity to meet other like minded  young people in Washington, and I just had a fabulous time. 

I spotted quite a few famous folks (famous if you watch CNN non-stop like me) Congresswoman DWS above. CNN contributor Donna Brazile below.

Since there were no "official" convention events on Monday I wandered around carolina fest before starting an evening of party hopping. 

 

I ran around town through crazy rainstorms. I ended the night up in NODA which is the arts district of Charlotte. I was beyond thrilled to be reunited with Terrapin. 

Tuesday I was up bright and early (with quite the headache) for breakfast with my boss. Then headed off to a few meetings, before reporting for work. 

I made an appearance on MSNBC and a few on CNN... never did find the FOX news stand. SHOCKING. 

I got to go to a discussion with National Journal featuring an amazing line up: Kal Penn, America Fererra, Chelsea Clinton,  Andrew Jenks,  Chuck Todd, Kaseem Reed and more. It was great. AND I got to meet Chelsea. She is gorgeous and amazing. Love her!

After work that night I hit up the B52's concert. I had a great time, but 2 am rolled around and I needed to rest my feet. 

Thursday was a blur. Breakfasts. Meetings. a quick lunch a Moes, then reported for double duty and the big speeches. 

I met so many great folks and had such a wonderful time in Charlotte. If you are at all interested in politics you need to attend a convention in your life. It was so inspiring to meet all these people, young and old, coming together to make america a better place. I definitely had one of those moments where I just had to stop and appreciate everything going on around me. 

I am definitely a driven person. I impose some pretty harsh standards on myself, and while it has definitely been a good character trait in my life, it doesn't always allow the opportunity to stop and smell the roses and appreciate where I am. 

I was sitting down in a tiny corner of this lounge. feet throbbing. dehydrated. exhausted. with hours ahead of me. then former President Clinton came on. I just had a moment. I started sobbing. Partially at his amazing speech and how much I realized that I really do care and believe that we are heading in the right direction in this country (that's a post for another day though). But more for the fact that I suddenly realized where I was, and how lucky I was to be there. and honestly, how proud I was of myself for putting in the hours, and doing the work, and making the connections and generally being a sufficiently successful person to get there on my own merits. I didn't buy my way in. Or call in favors from numerous connections to get there. I did it. Me. And I was just overcome with emotion by the whole thing. What a great experience. 

Okay I know y'all have had enough of this trip. I promise, beauty and fashion will be back tomorrow. Happy Tuesday!