Bootlegging...

So you may think today's post includes a secret recipe for how to create some good ole Alabama Moonshine, but since there are now much more tasty options for creating your afternoon toddy, I figured I would share an oh so easy project for repurposing your bottles.....after they're empty of course!

With Spring in full force, it is time for the inevitable Spring Cleaning...I have a bittersweet relationship with Spring Cleaning - on one hand I typically do not care nor have the time to clean and reorganize all of the closets and spaces that have been neglected during the cold winter months, but on the other hand, this time of year gives me the chance to reorganize, refresh and get rid of things I no longer need or have been worn to the very last thread.

Today we will be focusing on storing all of those fabulous boots to make room for the sandal months ahead...

Do your boots look like this?

If they do, then I have the perfect solution....and it all starts with that empty wine bottle.

Make sure you have at least two empty bottles to start with - size or shape really doesn't matter.

I had some knitting yarn, which I used to wrap the tops of the bottles and make a loop at the top for easy pulling.  You don't have to use yarn, but I just thought it added a pop of color and softened the bottle a bit.

Drop the bottles in your boots, and you have yourself a pair of custom boot fillers!  Before this I was using plastic bags to hold the shape of my boots and make them stand upright which made a mess and wasn't very effective - now I have no mess and straight boots!  All ready to be stored until next Fall!

I also found when choosing which wine bottles to use in which boots that some bottles fit better in some style boots than others.....my short, fat bottles were a better fit for my moccasin boots while the tall, slim bottles were better for the cowboy boots and knee-high suede boots.

Also, if you aren't a wine drinker, then really any bottle will work for this project.....olive oil comes to mind....

Now get to organizing that closet!!

Wine, Cheese & Lacquer Please....

Today's post is a little DIY with a little bit of effortless entertaining.  I found this fun bamboo piece from a little shop in Irondale and immediately knew I had to get it!

Here is this little gem before I spruced it up a bit...

Bamboo Table in Store 

Bamboo Table | Before

This piece actually wasn't in too terrible of shape if you are looking for that shabby-chic look.  I actually really liked the turquoise hue, but it just wasn't the right fit for my purposes.  This piece was actually constructed of true bamboo which I found was an EXCELLENT feature.

I decided I wanted to lacquer this piece to create a sleek 

+ timeless look.  Thank goodness I found the essentials from Amy Howard at Home!

The best thing of all is that Amy Howard takes your step by step on how to refinish your thrifty find....

Furniture Lacquer Spray Paint here

Step 1 :: Sand

After Lightly Sanding

Step 2 :: Prime

Primed

Step 3 :: Lacquer

Coat #1 :: La Grange

Coat #2 :: La Grange

Final Coat in La Grange + Acrylic Tops

I wanted to add that extra bit of sheen, so I opted for a pair of  acrylic table tops....just to be warned, Home Depot and Lowes will NOT cut the acrylic for you.  I ended up using a table saw to cut mine to size, so another option would be to have true glass tops cut to size...probably just as cost effective.

Now that we have a lovely lacquered piece in record time, it is ready for entertaining!

Finished Lacquered Piece

Another way to effortlessly entertain...I grabbed a fresh tomato from my produce bowl and sliced it, pairing it with a few gourmet crackers I had in the pantry with a generous helping of "Palmetto Cheese" (found at your nearest Publix or Costco).  To wash it all down, I used a Savignon Blanc...Cupcake is actually pretty nice to fit within a tight budget :)

Fresh cut flowers from whatever is blooming in your yard, in my case azaleas, adds a finishing touch to make you the perfect host or hostess for unexpected, or expected guests!

Fresh Cut Azaleas

I hope you enjoyed today's post!! It's effortlessly easy and will be the talk of the town at your next soiree!

Italiano...

If you ever have the chance to travel to Italy, one place you absolutely MUST visit is the Amalfi Coast.  Tyler (the hubs) and I were fortunate enough to be able to honeymoon there, and it was hands down one of the best places I have ever visited.

We began our trip in Sorrento which is a little town located right on the Amalfi Coast and known for their phenomenal Limoncello.

Lemons of Sorrento

Sorrento Lemons

Yes, the lemons were really this big....so I guess you see why Sorrento is known for its Limoncello!

Sorrento's Version of the Green Man

Limonoro in Sorrento

Limonoro is a limoncello factory located right in the heart of Sorrento and this lemon liquor oh so tasty!  Limoncello is also perfect to sip on after a meal as it acts as a digestive.

Societa Operaia | Sorrento

Above is a local meeting place in downtown Sorrento....the mural is just gorgeous don't you think?

Not far from Sorrento is Pompeii, which will easily take a full day to visit, and what better way to visit the remains of Mt. Vesuvius's wrath than with an Italian picnic?

Local Deli in Sorrento

Tyler and I made a pit stop at this quaint deli in the heart of Sorrento before our day trip to Pompeii.  We made sure to get their wonderful cured meat, fresh cheese and bread, a small bottle of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and to wash it all down, a bottle of Prosecco! 

Tyler & I at Pompeii w/ Picnic in Hand | Mt. Vesuvius in the Distance

Since that picnic day, Tyler and I have come up with our own version of bringing a little bit of Italy home...

Italian Sub

Recipe ::

(1) Hoagie Bun {we like Pepperidge Farm}

Mayo {Bama or Duke's is oh so yummy}

Cheese {Provolone or Muenster is a nice pairing}

Pepperoni

Genoa Salami, Capicola, Prosciutto

Lettuce

Dried Basil and/or Oregano

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Drizzle of EVOO

ENJOY!

Wash down this tasty Italian sub with sparkling water, or if you're feeling really Italian, a carafe of white wine or Prosecco!  Afterwards enjoy a piping hot espresso or sip on a little Limoncello.

Italian Espresso

WINE!!!

Literally they brought out an entire carafe of wine with every meal.....

Another stop you must make while visiting the Amalfi Coast is Positano, a quaint boating town right on the coast.....and you have to take a bus, or if you're really daring, a scooter, to get there...

Ride along Amalfi Coast

You may not want to look down on this exhilarating ride down the Amalfi Coast full of hairpin turns on a road built originally to only fit mules....

Loved the detail on these steps!

Positano

Having a Cocktail at a Positano Cafe

Positano Market

Make sure to visit the markets before you leave!

I could fill this post with pages and pages of beautiful pictures along the Amalfi Coast, but there just isn't enough room!!  So, I hope you have gotten a little peek of why you simply must put the Amalfi Coast on your list of top places to visit!!

View from Hotel | Sorrento

Ciao!

Dowdy to Chic....

Nothing thrills me more than doing a little thrifting and finding a gem in the rough - even if it needs a little TLC to make it shine again.  Sometimes it's hard for us to see the beauty and potential in an item that has been worn to the bones over the years, but that's what today's post is all about!

Quill Notes Tip on Thrifting:

1. Lines - This chair has elegant curves which gives it a feminine touch

2. Construction - Sturdy as a rock

3. Manufacturer - Thomasville in this case

4. WOW factor - for me, I fall for caning EVERY TIME....I love how the caning on this piece adds a sense of openness...it makes the piece feel less bulky in a space and allows for the eye to see through the furniture.

Here is a little find...although this is it in the beginning's of the deconstruction phase...that was worn and weathered and had the lovely scent of years worth of cigarette smoke.  So I took the bull by the horns and went after refreshing this Thomasville winged back.

Step 1 :: Get that fabric OFF!

Step 2 :: Batting/Foam has to go.

I removed all of the fabric and batting that I could in order to remove all traces of cigarette smoke and anything else that found it's way into this piece over the years.

Step 3 :: Tape off Remaining Batting for Paint!

Step 4 :: Make sure to sand, sand, sand BEFORE painting!

It is important to get off any finish or old paint and to have a clean surface for the new paint to adhere to - this prevents chipping and peeling.

Out of all steps, the sanding took the longest but was one of the most important steps, so don't skimp....put a little elbow grease in it :)

Step 5 :: Paint!

I wanted to get the chalk paint effect, but it is so expensive!  I opted for the next best alternative which is a matte finish white paint.  I use a foam roller to apply the paint for an even coat and applied about 3-4 coats with a couple of hours of drying time in between.....on a warm Spring day drying time doesn't take too long!

I also wanted an antique look, so I purchased a glaze from Lowe's and rubbed it over the final coat of white paint.  The glaze is pretty easy to use...just apply it with a rag and then while it's still wet, wipe off as much or as little as you like until you get the desired effect you are looking for.

The final step is to add a polyurethane coat to seal the paint and reduce the possibility of getting any chips or scratches on your new paint job!

Step 6 :: Off to the Upholsterer

One thing I DON'T do but wish I knew how is upholstery.  I can upholster simple items like a footstool or chair cushion but unfortunately not an entire chair.  

It's Finished!

For this piece, I chose Cotton + Quill's Koi in Flax printed on cotton (Linen Cotton $68/yd, Cotton $62/yd here) for the seat back and cushion with a coordinating solid linen on the backside, arms and welting.  Since I did most of the work myself, I opted for hand-hammered nailhead trim - icing on the cake!

Now go find that little gem hidden in the rough and make it shine again!