Life Lately!

Here we are, March 2018. WHO CAN BELIEVE IT. I cannot. I can't believe two months are gone already and that we are one week into March. So far, it's been quite a year for us, and I wanted to give a little update for those who may be wondering: what is Megan up to?

1. Celebrated our first birthdayversary! 

Did you know our wedding anniversary is the same day as Andrew's birthday?? It is!

Andrew and I have been married for a little over a year! What a time! We celebrated in true Armitano fashion- multiple times. We are both firm believers in celebrating everything, and neither of us have any issue celebrating a few times. We went to a wonderful supper at our favorite Thai place the night before, had takeout and tv together the night of his birthday/our anniversary, and then celebrated with a friend a few nights later at Tallulah! (If you haven't been, GO, Columbia. The people are so nice and the food is delish.) I surprised Andrew last minute with an Apple Watch- which is now giving me major Apple watch envy- but I'm gonna need a new computer before I get a watch. Also, we got a new print for our house since it was our paper anniversary! (More to come on which one and who painted it soon!)

2. We took a quick trip to Williamsburg, VA. 

... and it snowed! It was soooo much fun. We helped move in Andrew's little sister for the spring semester at William and Mary and got to hang with his family, and it was really nice. We stayed in the Williamsburg Inn-  which is so fabulous- and we were one of two families in the whole place. I loved that. 

3. Effie has had a ruff year.

Our sweet sweet pup has had quite the year. While we were away in Williamsburg, VA in January with family, Effie did a number on her knee. We rushed home and got the news that she would need a surgery (read: a really expensive surgery) with a long recovery time and that it was our only option. Not what I wanted at all to start this year. We scheduled it for two weeks later, but two days before her appointment, she got violently ill. She was vomiting, refusing food, and had really bloody stool, and we were worried. The vet didn't seem as worried and wanted to move forward with surgery, but that appointment turned into an overnight hospitalization and no surgery- turns out they got really worried about her too, and quickly. Why she got sick is still a huge mystery. I think it was the Rimadyl she was taking for pain, others think she ate something weird. (read: I know she didn't eat anything weird. she was on a leash for two weeks at all times before we had surgery.) SO we visited a new vet and got great news- there was an alternative surgery and she was a good candidate. She had it last week, and she's doing well. It makes me so sad to see her confined to one spot and in a cast, even though I know it's what she needs- she is a snuggler and she brings me so much calm and companionship during the day when I'm working, so I've been really missing that. 1 week down, 5 (or 7) to go!

4. We went to Charleston and had a great weekend!

I love it there and I'm really glad we got to sneak down for that little break. The weather was gorgeous! Here's where we went: Sesame, The Codfather, Edmund's Oast Brewery, Pink Bellies, and finally EVO. 

5. I launched SUSHI!

On Valentine's Day, I launched one of my favorite series of all time- SUSHI! I loved the colors, I loved the layers, I loved everything about it. There is even a print that goes along with it! 

6. I was featured on BravoTV.com AND Teen Vogue!

WHAT?! These articles were huge for me. It is always a great feeling to have your work liked enough to be featured in places people have heard of before, and two names like that within 2 weeks put me over the moon. 

So what's coming for spring? I have a few things in the works: Monkeys in March, Cats in April, a surprise series in May (??!!), and PUPS II in June and July! Safari will come in August/September, and then another surprise (If all goes well) will launch in late October. I have some exclusive prints with a new retail partner launching with Huntley Belle Designs in the next few weeks, and some other things up my sleeve for early 2019! One of my biggest goals for this year was to paint more original series and I'm almost on track - I can't wait to give updates along the way! 

I'll check back in soon! If you're reading this still, thank you for being a part of my team. You're the best. 

xx

Why Sushi?

It's a question I've gotten a ton. "Why are you doing sushi?" And here is the answer: Because I love it! And there are a few other reasons, too. 

When I started dating my husband, I had only eaten a few things when it came to sushi. I liked it, but it wasn't something I had all of the time. After a few months of dating, we were eating sushi all the time! And he knew all about it, and I loved trying all of the new things. On my first trip to California, I had my first chirashi bowl and it was AMAZING. It's still my go-to lunch when we are there and we don't have any lunch plans. FAVORITE. We also love poke. 

I love sushi because it's something Andrew and I share and love. Last summer, he and I were talking about ideas and together we came up with the idea for me to do a sushi series. I started painting it, and it was hard at first! It's very different than what I normally do, but that's why I've enjoyed it so much. I've spent the last months working on it along and along- and thinking of product ideas like wrapping paper- and I am super excited about how it's turned out so far. I have so many more ideas, too! I'm going to keep working on it over this year in between all of my other projects.

I feel that this series is very "me", and very my style. It's colorful and it's fun, and I'm thrilled to have extended my portfolio with this group of paintings. It's so special to me, and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do! 

**Glitter background image is from the amazing BoroughBabeSupply on Etsy!

The Dresser Project

EDIT: I typed this out last summer. It is now January of 2018. I'm just now realizing I never posted it! But, here it is, just for all of the DIY-ers I have!

This spring, I got crafty. Real, real crafty. Don't stress: I'm going to tell you all about it!

Six years ago, I took the dresser pictured below from my grandmother's house as we were cleaning it. It was a SOLID piece of furniture, but the finish was worn and the handles were missing. Overall, it was a pretty dated piece. Nonetheless, I wasn't ready to say that it couldn't be reused. I took it and vowed to refinish it!

(Note: At the time, I intended for this project to be finished MUCH sooner. It literally took me 6 (maybe 7) years to get it started, and I was finished in a matter of hours. Procrastination at its best, folks!)

Sometime in 2015, I ran across some gorgeous modern handles at Anthropologie. There were enough for my dresser drawers, and they were on clearance + 30% off, so I snagged them. I knew I would love them! Then, in March of this year, I finally decided to start on this project. I headed to Lowe's and purchased:

1 quart of Valspar High Gloss furniture paint

2 Sandpaper options- one fine, one a little coarser

A paintbrush

Wood spackle- for filling holes. Ask an associate for help with finding the perfect one for your project!

A putty knife

So easy, right? You may not even need the spackle. I'll explain below. You'll also need a damp cloth, dry cloth, and a drill. 

The dresser, before, in it's natural habitat.

So, the original dresser had handles with two screws- my new handle pick only had one! In order to make it look perfect, I had to fill the original holes, and drill another right in the center of each set of holes. If you have this sort of situation, the first step will be to fill your holes, and let it dry.

Next, you will want to sand down the whole piece lightly. This is **not required** according to the paint can, but from what I read, it will turn out better if you do. Who knows though! I did it. 

After your light sanding, wipe down the whole piece of furniture with the damp cloth and allow it to dry. Then, dust the whole piece off fully with your dry cloth. 

Last step: paint! I used three coats, allowing them to dry for 2 hours in between each one. After the recommended 24 hours, put your handles on and enjoy!

I'm no contractor, but this DIY was so so simple. I feel like it is 100% better in this space, AND this whole project was under $25. 

CAST YOUR VOTE!

On Friday, I launched 35 PUPS-- it was so fun! THANK YOU ALL, again, for all of the support. It truly means the world!

As per the original plan, I am going to make dog prints... But I need some help!

I have to figure out what the top ten most popular pieces are, what people would want to purchase for friends, family, themselves, etc., so I am going to hold a vote. Below, you'll find the voting options! 

Please let me know what you'd like to see come to the website in the form of a 12x12" signed print. (These little gems will be announced and launched the day after Thanksgiving!! How exciting!!) 

Again, thank you, thank you, for always being the best. I am so excited to finally get some doggo prints online after years of requests for them! 

xx

Columbia Classes!

This post is going to be short and sweet! I'm planning classes for fall, and first two in the lineup are for Columbia! (I'd like to do a few more, so if you have a place in mind, email me!) 

September 20, 2017: Flamingo!

http://studio-cellar.com/index.cfm?page=event&eventid=2850

October 24, 2017: Elephant! 

 http://studio-cellar.com/index.cfm?page=event&eventid=2851

See you soon! 

xx