Bookcase 2 Bar

I've mentioned before that I have a storage issue in my apartment. I just don't have enough cabinet space at all, especially for all of my platters, plates and glasses. A few weeks ago I saw an example of a bookcase that had been converted into a bar or sorts and it served as my inspiration for what follows.

I searched Craigslist for weeks until I found a bookcase for $19. That included delivery-something that is really rare around here! It arrived right on time and the only disappointment was that the depth was about 2 inches shorter than quoted. This would be a problem for my glass racks-but I'll tell you about them in a second. Here is what the bookcase looked like upon delivery:



As you can imagine, I had to use a couple of coats of primer to get that red/black combination out of sight:
Next I painted it a turquoise green color which coordinates with some of the squares in my throw rug. Once it was dry, started the task of cutting the wire wine glass holder to accommodate for the 2 inch shortage. That was the hardest part, and some of them are uneven. I have to find a way to secure them 100% but for how I'm using drywall anchors on the end of them as caps. It works for now, but until they are fixed for sure, I won't rest!! Next was painting squares on the background of the middle shelf and making a collage for the top shelf. I forgot to get spray adhesive so I still have to go back to do that and put it on permanently but you'll get the idea.

Last, I loaded up the bar, placed tap lights behind the alcohol and lit some candles in a platter that I've had trouble finding storage for. Overall, I'm very happy with the outcome, and also very happy with the 2 shelves that are empty because of this project! Here is the finished product:

Not glamorous, but fun and functional. It sits right under my wine racks in my living room and fits on that wall perfectly-I guess the depth was meant to be!

Happy Birthday Mo!

Today, as many of you know, is Mo's birthday! Please be sure to stop by his place to wish him the very best year ever!

I've been lucky enough to meet Mo in person several times now, and I can honestly say with all of my heart that he is one of the most caring, genuine people I've ever met. He's funny and smart and oh-so-huggable & I can't wait to see him again. Happy birthday Mo Mo-I love you!

Here are a few pictures of us over the years. :)






And because I don't have any pictures of pies I have made, here is a slice of Lemon Cake. I know you like it. :)

Randomivity

Unemployment has made me hate Bobby Flay less (I'll admit it, I actually kinda like him now) and Sandra Lee more.

I am wondering when "Woot" became popular. I've never in my life seen so many people write that but also never in my life ever heard anyone actually SAY it. I dislike the "woot". (Greg, this doesn't mean you should start using this all of the time, by the way.)

I am searching for a real wood bookcase with 3 or 4 shelves. For free. In my experience, watching Craigslist is the way to do this but it's tedious and not fast enough! I'm planning on making a bar out of it, based off of something I saw on one of my favorite websites, Apartment Therapy.

If I want to fly to LA I could have a job as a personal chef for a man that was at a seminar I catered last week. He was kind of creepy and asked me at least 4 times when I was coming to CA.

The ciabatta bread wasn't too much bread. It actually worked out perfectly.

I would really love a spa day-or at least a half spa day. Nails pedicure, facial...haircut. Yep. Definitely overdue for that!

Do things that advertise that they are "easy to open" mock you too? The other day I threw a string cheese across the kitchen because I almost heard it laughing at me wrapped in it's wrapper of steel.

It's taken over a year, but the other day my neighbor and I walked out of our apartments at the very same time. Her door is perpendicular to mine and it seems like we'd do that more often. I'm glad it does not.

Postage rates are going up again on May 11th. It will now cost .44 to send a letter. This reminded me of an old friend Neil who told me he used to just tape a quarter to the letter when he ran out of stamps (when postage cost .25). He then told me his dad was the mailman and he got sad when I told him that his dad probably just put a stamp on it for him.

Driving around an unfamiliar (and confusing) town in the dark on Valentine's Day when you're dressed up and lookin' good is no fun. Especially when you had to will yourself out the door in the first place.

I still want to know why night time cold medicine is only effective for 4 hours.

I looked at the cafe I talked about a few weeks ago. It was very, very small and in a dingy building so I am not going to pursue it. There was, however, a very cute former bakery for lease up the street from it. Bad news is, the number listed is out of order. I will investigate this further. It would make a lovely cafe.

Why would anyone swim or surf in Australia? Especially right after a shark attack?

I've had some time to compile this list. :)

Toosdae ?'s

I know a few of you missed Toosdae ?'s, so here there are, back by popular demand! I'm sorry that I took a little time off, but it was a much needed break. I'm glad to be back, and am looking forward to reading your answers.

1. What do you call the inside (soft) part of the bread?

2. Do you say "call in" sick or "call out" sick.

3. Do you have a passport? If so, is it valid?

1. My family and I call that part of the bread the "guts". This is why I am curious if we're the only ones.

2. I say "call in" sick, because I am calling IN to tell them I'll be out. Of course, that's when I actually had a job!

3. Yes, I do have a passport but I believe it is expired.

Manic Monday: Candy

Visit Mo's Manic Monday Blog
My sister was friends with her sister-that's how we met. She lived in Columbia-the town, not the country but she stayed with her Dad on the weekends. That's when we would hang out.

Her family owned the bed and breakfast on the hill just above the center of town. Her father and step mother were so busy running the business and attending to guests they didn't really bother watching us as closely as most parents would.

That's when we stole the quarters.

Her father had a very large collection (stored in paper sandwich bags) of quarters stashed away in an old cabinet. There were so many of them that we knew he wouldn't notice if we took $2 worth. And so, when the adults were downstairs, we'd sneak into their living room, open the cabinet and take 8 quarters at a time.

I grew up in a small quaint New England town in CT which to this day, looks like a postcard. Before the artsy funky stores moved in, there was a general store which sold little trinkets. They also sold penny candy. We'd walk down the hill into town and buy ourselves bags full of Fireballs, Rock Candy, Gum Drops and Swizzle Sticks. Then we'd roam around town eating our candy-sometimes sharing with friends we'd see along the way-laughing and playing until the sun started going down. Then we'd treck back up the hill empty handed and a little hyper just in time for dinner.

I'm not sure if her father ever noticed that his stash of quarter collection slowly shrank but if he did, he never said anything. Looking back, I know that if we asked for a couple of dollars now and then, he probably would have given it to us. But then I wouldn't have had anything to write about today.