Yesterday I showed you my new work table, and now that the paint has dried and I’ve moved it into place, I’m excited to show you the finished product!
(My new turquoise table. I love the view from my back door!)
The boys played outside Wednesday morning while I moved the table (yay for wheels!), stored my supplies on the bottom shelf, and then arranged a few of my plants. We had a really tough winter for central Texas, so I’m waiting to see if some of my native plants will return this year. Everything is beginning to bloom, but with the cool weather, it’s still slow going.
(All of my plant supplies fit nicely under the table.)
I painted the table with leftover paint from our patio posts, and then stained the top with a basic wood stain. Ryan thinks we should add another layer of stain, but I was eager to use the table and it’s sealed nicely now. We left it out in the yard to dry overnight, and when I checked the next morning, the dew beaded right on top of the wood. He might apply another coat, but I’m fine with how it looks now.
(The clouds rolled in as I took a few pictures.)
It started to mist while I was taking these pictures, and the entire day was cool and damp, with the threat of rain that never came. We went to Lowe’s last night for a few things, and I picked up two more succulents and two pots of geraniums to add to my little garden. I’m hoping things will continue to bloom as the weather warms up soon.
I’m so thrilled with my new table and I love the view from inside our house, onto the patio. The turquoise shade is so much fun and really brightens things up in the gloomy spring weather.
You know I’m a plant lover, and since we moved into our house almost nine years ago, I’ve wanted an outdoor work table. I have a ton of plants in pots, both inside and out, and I’ve always knelt on the ground or hovered over a plant stand to pot and prune them. But recently, Ryan decided to build an actual work table for me, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting its arrival. This past weekend, he got to work and spent both days building it.
(Ryan sanding the newly built table.)
The table is really big and heavy, so Ryan added wheels, which will be wonderful to move it around our patio. We’re planning to spruce up the porch area soon, so we didn’t want to build a table that couldn’t be moved for upcoming projects. And my favorite part is that some of the wood actually comes from our house: the legs are old patio posts that were removed a few years ago, and Ryan repurposed them for the table. I also asked him to include a bottom shelf for storing pots and supplies in easy reach, but out of the boys’ play area.
(My new work table, unpainted and unstained.)
I spent Monday and Tuesday evening painting and staining the table while the boys played outside, and tomorrow I’ll show you the finished product. Here’s a glimpse of it outside my back door, but it will look much better the next time you see it!
(ThredUp tags.)
Recently, I learned about two great fashion sites and I want to share them with you. Leah did a wonderful post on ThredUp, an up-and-coming online consignment store, and I ordered a few summer tops for the boys, as well as two pairs of jeans for me. ThredUp has very strict policies, and the pieces I received were in excellent condition, including a shirt for James that was new with tags still attached. I also ordered a bag to return my own donated clothes in, and I filled it up and sent it off last week. Hopefully, I can earn some credit and use it to purchase more items for the boys and a few for myself, too. The items that don’t meet ThredUp’s criteria are donated, so nothing goes to waste, and it’s a wonderful way to recycle clothing that you’re no longer wearing.
(Krochet Kids’ Pocket Tee.)
I mentioned in another post that I’ve had trouble finding comfortable shoes lately, and one pair that I had to send back came from TOMS. When I returned the shoes, I purchased a top from their Marketplace, which features clothing and accessories by fair trade companies.
My new tee is from Krochet Kids, and it’s a simple t-shirt with a hand-crocheted pocket that is really lovely. There’s also a tag inside the top that was signed by the maker, and I was able to send her a note of thanks for her work.
(Carmen Huamantico made my top.)
I was really touched by this small detail, and I think it’s important to remember that real people make the clothing we choose to wear. This tag reminds me of that fact, and Carmen is a mom, just like me, working to raise her family. I definitely plan to support Krochet Kids in the future, and I hope you’ll check them out, too.
I also plan to update you after my ThredUp order is processed. And be sure to check out Leah’s online shopping site, Platinum and Rust, which features lovely sustainable clothing.
