Media Wine Bar

A few years ago I bought this media cart for my apartment. When we moved into our new place there wasn't a need for it. I thought about selling it but didn't want to get less than I paid for it as it was less than two years old and in great shape! So, I came up with this...A NEW WINE BAR!
I purchased two wood wine cubes that were 20"x20"...lucky me as the width of the cart was 40"

I headed to the hardware store again and found a piece of plywood to put on the top of the wine boxes to be used as a counter. The key to save some $$ is to get a piece that is nice on one side and can have knots on the other. We cut it down to a 16"x24" piece of wood...just enough to have a few inches on all sides.

I also picked up a piece of trim to add a little flare to the wine bar. We trimmed it to size glued and nailed it to the sides then finished sanding.

I then began my painting. I stared with an Ebony stain, realized that wasn't going to do the trick so went an picked up a black satin latex paint.

To finish it off I called up the metal specialty shop and had them cut me a piece of stainless steel to size. (the 16 only showed up when the flash went off on the camera...no clue that was there!)

Ta DA! Another finished product that gets a LOT of use in our place!

Design Board

I have a new favorite thing in our place, my new design board!

I found this amazing frame at a consignment shop around town for $30...little pricey for just a frame but I thought it was too pretty to pass up.

I went down to the hardware store and picked up a piece of 1/8" of MDF board and cut it to size. Then I took a piece of cork, cut it to size, and spray glued it to the wood. (you can find rolls of cork at the craft store)
Once that was secure I wrapped a piece of burlap around the board, lightly spray glued it to the cork.
A close up of the burlap

The finished project! I love it, so much that I can't decide what should be the first thing that should be hung on it!

Fresh Flowers

I love having fresh flowers in my house. To me they make the home feel that much warmer and the best part is that you too can create something just like mine. Here's how...

These flowers above are from Trader Joes and Fred Meyer. I took a bouquet of red roses ($9.99) and two packs of a green tone floral pack ($7.99 each). The idea is to find a variety pack of a solid color (tones of yellow, orange, pink, etc) then pair it with a solid color rose, daisy, sunflower. I take them out of their packaging and cut them down to the size of vase that I am using. You get a custom looking arrangement without the price tag of a florist.

here is another sampling of Duranleau Designs work...

Chateau Duranleau

I have found my home. It is located in St. Helena, CA and she's a beauty. I hope it will still be for sale in my next lifetime because this is where you can find me.

Just imagine the parties I could throw...
Can't you see the line up of lounge chairs where all of my visitors can come sunbath.

The grapes to the winery...TBD on the name

Guest House (you could stay here)

I love the limestone fireplaces throughout

and the great courtyards

She's beautiful, right?

I LOVE Ballard...

for many different reasons, the Sunday market that happens throughout the year, the Starbucks that is across the street, Bastille Cafe, AND...Cupcake Royal.

Last night after watching a movie I was really craving a sweet treat. Craig and I decided to go walk to the grocery store to get some low fat ice cream (we're trying to be good till our trip). When we crossed the street we made the mistake to look into the Cupcake Royal store front...in we went and ordered two cupcakes. Fortunately or unfortunately for us it was late night happy hour on cupcakes. The sale clerk lured us into adding 4 more cupcakes for $3! How do you pass that up?!?

So there I was with 6 cupcakes just staring at me. Now, if no one was looking I probably could have eaten 3 on my own but, I decided to take the skinny-er route...a knife.

(from the top left- Red Velvet, Triple Threat Chocolate, Coconut Bunny, Mint Chocolate, Lavender, and Carrot Cake)

Top if off with a latte and you have quite the Tuesday night, at 10:00pm! It will almost make you feel like you're in New York.

(the remaining cupcakes did NOT go home with us, the went to our neighbor for a late night quarter eaten surprise. That is nice, right? I couldn't throw them away)

Retro Chair Remodel

This summer I decided to take my parents old patio furniture and do a little remodel on it. These chairs were given to my parents by a friend many years ago. I remember painting them in High School as part of my chores to make some money for my drivers ed training. :)

As you can see that was a long time ago and it was time that they be brought back to life, again.

I ended up ripping the wicker seat portion out of the entire chair and sanding down all the worn off paint, cross by cross. Once I was done sanding I picked up 4 cans of brown spray paint and started to spray. Little did I know that all that spray painting would lead to a compressed nerve in my pointer finger. Click HERE to see what I found out...who knew!

Once the chairs were painted I needed something to sit on. I cut a piece of plywood into the shape of the seat, then picked up some 3" foam, and some outdoor canvas fabric. I cut the foam to the shape of the plywood and then sprayed the foam and plywood with spray adhesive. Once that was done I pulled the fabric around to the bottom of the plywood and stapled it all the way around.

Here is my finished product. There are actually two chairs but I was having a hard time photographing both on my 5x10' deck! They are really comfy too. Now I am just on the look out for one of thoes ceramic drum stools.

An Evening with Chef Bobby Moore

Last night Craig and I headed out to Willows Lodge for a cooking demonstration with the Executive Chef of Barking Frog, Chef Bobby Moore. It takes place inside the hotels lobby bar. filled with big leather chairs, couches, and a fireplace. So, we found our seat, ordered some food and wine (off their Happy Hour menu...score!), and enjoyed the atmosphere.

They have two pigs at the property Basil & Borage. For those of you who know my love of pigs, this was of course my first stop! Basil so kindly came out to say hello when I called him...and didn't stay out long either when he realized that I didn't have anything to feed him.

one HAPPY camper right here!!!


This is Ruthie. She is the Lodge dog and official greeter.

Our other entertainment for the evening. He escaped from the winery across the street and hasn't tried to go back.

Chef Bobby Moore

The food was amazing. We are working on our guest list as we speak so I can test out these recipes for myself. We also plan on going back for the next one. I never pass up a free cooking demonstration where I can eat and drink wine!