Urban Ninja
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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Rust-Oleum® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Rust-Oleum®.
[dropcap2]L[/dropcap2]ately, my life has been a series of tepid decisions. I choose clear polish for my finger tips. I have been driving the same reliable car for eleven years. My wardrobe is a mix of whites, blacks, and grays.
However, something has come over me this summer. I have been exploring the possibility of being bold. Making choices, instead of sitting on the sidelines. Summer calls for something bright and fun, and by-golly I’m going to take advantage of it!
The chandelier in my dining room has undergone many transformations. When I bought my place, it reflected the antique taste of its previous owner. While classic in shape, the brass finish felt dowdy in my home. I wanted something modern, but was afraid of commitment. So, initially I settled for a subtle change. I already had a can of primer white spray paint lying around from a previously unfinished DIY project, so I decided to start there, with the intention of painting it a lovely glossy color at a later date. Six years later, the primer white still stands, covered with dust, begging me to finish it.
One of the downsides of flat white paint is that when it collects dust, it is difficult to clean because the surface is so porous. So the first step was to choose a gloss finish, which makes cleaning easier and will give the chandelier a polished look. Now is the moment to be bold! I could have chosen to keep the beautiful white color that I had become so accustomed to by using the Rust-Oleum Gloss White. But instead, I looked at the bright colors that were available: Cardinal Red, Cobalt Blue, Canary Yellow, Hunter Green, Sunset Orange.
My dining room already has some artwork with bold colors, so I had to choose something that wouldn’t clash with the wall art. “Be bold. Be bold. Be bold.” I kept this mantra running in my head. And guys, I am proud to say I went pretty bold. Canary Yellow was my choice for my summer makeover.
Because I have a large sliding glass door and windows on the opposite wall for cross ventilation, I did not need to remove the chandelier before painting. If you are in a room with poor ventilation, it is recommended that you bring the object that you are painting outside or into your garage where you can have plenty of fresh air.
Prep the area where you are working. Since we were working indoors, I needed to cover my floors and any furniture that was too big to move in the room. The spray paint would eventually settle, so I wanted to make sure that I only had an accent color and not a new yellow floor.
We also decided to do the light switch covers on the opposite wall. Since there was already yellow in the artwork on one wall, the accent color on the opposite wall helped to tie it all together.
It also helps to wear a mask, so that you don’t breathe in any of the fumes.
I am really happy with how it turned out. Relieved that my bold choice was not regrettable like the perm I gave myself in 5th grade, is more like it. And, now it will be sunny inside all summer.
Do you have any bold plans to shake up your space for the summer?
Let us know in the comments below!
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Rust-Oleum ® Universal® Spray Paints offer a variety of on-trend colors and unique finishes, and boast the first-of-its-kind 360 degree any-angle delivery system that allows DIYers to tackle those hard to reach areas, even upside down.
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[dropcap2]S[/dropcap2]ummer is the season of soirées. The long days of summer entice us to gather together to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors that have been hidden from us all winter. Whether you’re hanging out on a blanket on the grass, sunning on a beach towel in the sand, or lounging by the pool at a backyard barbecue, this Summer Picnic Punch is made for sharing and will guarantee that you’ll get invited back.
The key to bringing a beverage to a summer soirée is portability. You don’t want to bring any glass, lest you break it at the pool or have to clean up broken shards in the grass. Most public places don’t allow glass anyway, so invest in a great plastic pitcher. I love the Takeya 2-Qt Airtight Pitcher. It seals shut so there’s no fear of leaking in your bag. Double Bonus: You can shake it, or even store it horizontally in your fridge. In the off-season, you can fill it with iced tea, when it’s not performing its duties as the bearer of summer cocktail fun.
Summer beverages should be refreshing, so you want a beverage with a lower ABV (alcohol by volume). In the summer heat, you need a drink that will quench your thirst, not one that will put you to bed early. The summer punch I made is a refreshing blend of hibiscus tea and rum. Teas are the traditional base for punch, so feel free to experiment with your own combinations. I bet you didn’t know that green tea tastes great with whiskey!
Finally, pre-chill your beverage and keep the ice separate ideally– you don’t want to overly dilute the drink before consuming it. This dulls the flavor of your drink and lowers the alcohol content to the point where it’s no longer fun to drink.
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Serves 4
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves (a handful)
4 c Hibiscus Tea
1 c PAMA pomegranate liqueur
1 c aged rum
1/2 c lemon juice
1 tbsp simple syrup* (or to taste)
*You can make simple syrup with a 1:1 ratio of white sugar to water. Use warm water to ensure that the sugar dissolves completely before using it.
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Pull the mint leaves from the stem and spank them in your hand to release the oils. You don’t have to muddle them, unless you’re a glutton for punishment and need the workout. Brew the tea ahead of time and chill. I used bagged tea from the supermarket for easy clean up. Combine all the ingredients and let it sit in your refrigerator overnight to allow for the flavors to meld while chilling.
I love this punch because of the beautiful red color that makes everyone ask, “What’s in your glass, and where can I get that?” It is also tart and not too sweet. You can do a variation where you fill your glass halfway and top it with soda water, if you would like to lower the intensity, or add more syrup if it’s too tart for your taste buds.
Enjoy! Cheers!
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What’s your favorite summer libation? Share your thoughts and comments with us below! Cheers!
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