Michelle Hinckley

Modern DIY Plant Stands.

June 2, 2017 by Michelle Hinckley 2 Comments

Summer is here and my front porch has been looking a little frumpy. I turned to Pinterest for some outdoor inspiration and found a handful of DIY projects I just had to try.

My first project…this DIY Mid-Century inspired plant stand.

The instructions looked pretty straight forward but as DIY’er who has a few project under her belt, I know that all projects take triple the amount of time you think they will.

The tricky thing about this project is that if you don’t have the right tools, this project is bit difficult. We were able to finagle most of our tools to make the right cuts. Half way through, our drill press broke down and I spent a half hour in my sweet basement’s neighbor while he helped me make a rounded slice through the cross bars. When I brought it home and put it together it was solid but I found that one of the cuts wasn’t exactly perfect which made the stand a little tilted but I wasn’t about to go back and have him re-do it. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most difficult) I would give this DIY project a 6.

The next project I tried was this cute little plant stand from Sugar and Cloth.

This project was totally doable for even the novice DIY’er.

I found the wooden circle plate at Hobby Lobby and the metal plates and legs from Lowe’s. I first stained everything a walnut shade then simply used a screw driver to secure the metal plates in the wood. Easy-peasy. On a scale of 1-10 this would be a 2.

Cute little two-toned pot is from Zulily.

The last project I made is one I created a while back using a tomato cage. You can find these tomato cages pretty much anywhere. In fact, I even saw them at my corner drug store the other day. You simply cut the top wires off. You have to find a pot or planter with a base wide enough to be held within the round base.

I spray panted the cage the same color as my planter and voila…instant interest for your planter.

Scale of 1-10… this one is a 2. You need a little muscle to cut through those wires.

Want another great indoor planter idea…try painting half a basket…

I shared all these ideas on the Studio 5 show.

Top hairpin pot: West Elm.

Happy planting!

My new favorite HEALTHY ice cream.

May 15, 2017 by Michelle Hinckley

It may be a little late to start thinking about bathing suit season but I am. And of course I’m thinking about what crazy diet can help me loose 15 pounds by June but then I speak some sense in to myself. I’m done with diets, fads and hating on my body. I’ve tried to cut every bad thing out there including sugar, carbs, even certain fruits that are considered “bad”. All that ends up doing is make me want it more. I just can’t do it anymore. I’m now looking to make healthier choices as well as portion control on the “naughty foods”.

Not gonna lie, I have a wicked sweet tooth and I love me some good ole’ ice cream. I was recently introduced to a healthier alternative ice cream called ProYo High Protein Low Fat Ice Cream which I thought would not be tasty when I read the label. I found it at my local Smith’s Grocery Store but you can find it at Kroger and other banner stores see here.

First of all it’s high protein.
Whaaaaat?
I don’t know about you but we all know that we should increase our protein intake but most high protein products taste chalky and engineered.
Let me go on…low fat, low glycemic?
Now they’re just messing with us. Ice cream ain’t supposed to be any of those things.
How could it possibly taste good?
It does.
No. It REALLY, ACTUALLY does.

It has approx 1.5g of fat per serving and 120 calories! I love my ice cream just when it starts to melt and barely puddle with some berries.

I also love a good semi-thick milkshake. Here’s my fave recipe.

You want a real discerning crowd? Give it to your kids…they will tell you if it’s really good or not. My kids loved it. Plus I feel better about feeding them something much healthier than full fat ice cream. Diet’ers…you can still have ice cream when you switch to ProYo High Protein Low Fat Ice Creams!

Take advantage of this online coupon, Buy 1 ProYo High Protein Low Fat Ice Creams Get 1 Free now through 7/7, while supplies last.

ProYo High Protein Low Fat Ice Creams are available nationwide at Kroger and other banner stores. Click here to find a store where you can purchase ProYo High Protein Low Fat Ice Cream.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and ProYo, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ProYoHighProteinIceCream http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Refinishing a steel dresser.

May 9, 2017 by Michelle Hinckley

You guys know I love me a good industrial piece of furniture (dresser 1, dresser 2, Simmons Desk 3).
And I’m talking the real-deal-industrial, not the mass produced stuff that is currently popping up in all the big-box stores.
So of course I couldn’t resist when I happened upon this Simmons all steel dresser by Normal Bel Geddes from the 1930’s.

Suffice it to say it was in AWFUL shape.

From what I can guess, it looked like someone had intentions of stripping the authentic enamel green by putting this pink paint remover on it.
Obvey’s it didn’t work from the scraping they attempted on the side and apparently gave up.
Tragic.

Luckily I know a steel-working-magician.

And she transformed it.

Here’s the deal-io about steel furniture refinishing…it is the most difficult type of material to refinish! Each time I’ve attempted to refinish these types pieces myself I’ve throw in the towel. They are so time consuming and SO MUCH WORK. I’ve tried almost every short cut method in the book…power sanders, grinders paint removers…I’ve tried it. Power sanders semi-work but you don’t get that fine finish. Plus you run the risk of over sanding and grinding one area while not touching another. I’ve even called a handful of professional sand-blasting places. They claim they can get the paint off but it won’t be that fine polished look. Instead you’ll get a foggy haze. So the unfortunate truth about refinishing steel pieces to look like this is you have to go at it by hand with good old sand paper and “elbow grease.” Yes, it will take hours, no it will not be fun, but the result will be so worth it.

Check out those beautiful weld marks. That’s like panning for gold and finding it! I can’t even.

Sadly, I’ve been persuaded to put it up for sale. According to the Mr. we don’t have the space for a third steel dresser at our house.
Yah.
What does he know?!
Come pick it up at The Old Flamingo. Or if you’re not local you can purchase it here.

In the meantime, enjoy my other pretty steel pieces that have gone through some major restorations.

Dresser 1. Dresser 2. Desk.