The Cleveland Flea

Last Saturday my friend, Megan, and I went to The Cleveland Flea. I’ve been wanting to go for months because it combines my love for vintage/antiques/handmade goods and Cleveland. However, it only occurs on the first Saturday of every month (luckily the second this month because of 4th of July), so it was hard to find someone to go with me. I was so excited I was finally able to go.
It was really small but I imagine now that it’s becoming more popular it will grow. They had a variety of everything, including local food including iced coffees, food trucks, and popsicles! It was cool walking around and seeing everything but hard since I’m living at home I had to be realistic about what I could buy.











I ended up buying a pair of earrings, an old makeup case, and a pair of shoes. I truly believe I was born in the wrong decade.
Funny story: As my friend and I were walking around we went to one booth and there was a girl there and she kept looking at us. I was kind of weirded out at first so I didn’t want to stay at the booth. Later on we were getting food at the food truck and the girl was standing next to us. Finally, she asks, “Are you a substitute teacher?” I said, “Yes.” She tells me I was her sub at one of the middles schools. I thought she looked familiar when I first saw her, but I didn’t think anything of it. It was the second time that week someone told me I was there sub. Oh, what a small world Cleveland is.

Cocktail Cart DIY

This is my absolute favorite DIY project that I have ever done, and I’m sure it will take a lot to top it. I am in no way an alcoholic, I just enjoy having a glass or two every so often. I’m also really interested in learning about mixed drinks. I have been wanting to create a cocktail cart for a while, especially since moving back home and not having anywhere to keep my wine.

I have been keeping my eye out for a cart every time I was at a thrift or antique store. One day, in January, I was going out to my car after work. I spotted the cart (pictured below) randomly in the parking lot behind the restaurant. I couldn’t believe my eyes. My adrenaline started pumping through my body. It was dark out, but it’s still a busy area so I didn’t want to look creepy putting it in my car so I had the carver help me do it! Luckily, he’s a nice guy and was glad to do so.

Unfortunately, I realized I accidentally deleted the before and during pictures. I am so mad at myself, but luckily I was able to scrounge up this Instagram picture. It’s horrible quality, but as you can see it was really dusty and rusty. Plus, it was an ugly color and the surface wasn’t even.

What you need:

• Cart
• Sandpaper, possibly a scraper for tougher spots
• Killz Odorless Interior Based Primer (Wal-Mart)
• Rust-oleum Spray Paint in Night Tide (Wal-Mart)

I wasn't sure what color I wanted to paint it. I'm obsessed with neutral colors and pops of color. I knew I wanted the cart neutral because then I could just put colorful accessories and containers on it. I really wanted a gray color, but Wal-Mart didn't have what I wanted (or thought I wanted). I couldn't decide between the Fern or Night Tide, but in the end I chose the dark blue. I'm glad I did because I feel like it is more neutral and it looks really great on the cart.

Instructions:

1. First, I spent several days scraping off paint and sanding down the surface. This was a long tedious project because the person before me had done a really bad job of painting the surface, unless it was used to hold paint cans. There were drips and some parts were yellow and the other parts were white. I am usually really impatient, so I forced myself to take my time. Still, I could have spent more time, but my hands were really not taking it, plus it was January and cold.
2. I wiped down the surfaces for any extra dirt, spider webs, and rust that was still on the surface.
3. I used the Killz Odorless Interior based primer on the entire surface and let it dry.
4. Then I used the Rust-oleum spray paint and painted several coats. I ended up using two spray paint cans. (Note: really listen to the can and don't paint under the temperature recommended. Being impatient I did, and ended up have the paint bubble up multiple times. I had to sand those spots down and repaint them. It was a mess.)

I had the cart painted for several months before I did anything. I would buy accessories here and there, but I didn't supply the cart until recently. Like I said earlier, I am not into alcohol at all. Whenever I go out I usually ask what other people are buying. I ended up asking people what they like because I had no idea where to start when stocking my cart. I also asked what kind of accessories I needed. I then made a list that I would take with me so that I could keep my eyes open when I went to stores.

I would suggest supplying the cart with things YOU like. Although I don't really know anything about mixed drinks I do know I hate Tequila, so I won't put it on my cart. I still need a lot of accessories, like bottle opener, cocktail shaker, etc. But I'm so happy with what I do have so far!

I love that my friends are so supportive of my DIY-ing! My friend, Mackenzie, sent me bitters, drink markers, and a muddle for my cart!

My aunt sent me a ton of win glasses that people left at the vacation home in Napa as well as the book Retro Cocktails! There were so many glasses I couldn't even fit them on my cart!

I already made my first drink, and I'm so excited for many more to come! I love this cart so much. It really is my pride and joy. The day I finally finished it I texted my friend telling him I couldn't stop staring at it. I really couldn't. I love it so much!

What do you think? Any suggestions for your favorite drinks or must have cocktail cart items?

Cleveland City Guide: The Bomb Shelter

I'm a huge fan of thrift stores and antiques. I blame my dad for this hoarding of antiques gene. I've been kind of in a slump since being back because I haven't found a good antique or thrift stores. The one in my hometown is pretty picked through. I was very happy when I stumbled upon this place while I was reading Mandi's blog.

I was really excited when Morgan, my friend, said she was free because I was dying to check this place out. It's called The Bomb Shelter, and it's only a short ways away in Akron, Ohio. Living north of Cleveland Akron always seemed so far away, but it really isn't. The Bomb Shelter itself is really worth the drive. It is full of the most eclectic assortment of things I have ever seen in my entire life. You can find anything from vintage clothes, to record players, to stop lights, to kitchenware. They had old ovens and cars. It was such a cool place. I felt like I was on American Pickers. Morgan did say that if you didn't have a family that place would be the perfect place to go to buy pictures for your home to make it look like you do. There were so many old family portraits which was kind of cool in a way, but to furnish your home with them would be kind of creepy.

I went with the intention of buying items for my cocktail cart. I didn't find anything which is typical when you are actually looking for something you want. I did buy three albums (The Doors, The Mamas and the Papas, and America's Greatest Hits) and a really cool airmail stamp. I wanted to buy more things but I realized that I needed to be practical and while I'm living with my parents I will never have the space for any of it. At the end we were greeted by two dogs which I'm assuming belonged to the owners. I felt creepy trying to take pictures of the dogs, but what can I say I have a soft spot for them!

North Carolina

This past weekend my friend, Tom, and I went to visit my cousin Catherine in North Carolina. I've been wanting to visit her for a while and now that I finally have a car I was able to do it!

Friday, March 16: We left about 1 pm because Tom wanted to go into work for a half day. Usually when I am excited to go on a trip time seems to go so slow but the morning went surprisingly fast. I took over the first part of the driving, but we weren't even out of Kentucky before I let him drive. I have RLS (restless leg syndrome) so it was really hard for me to drive for some reason.

My favorite part of the drive was driving through West Virginia and Virginia. I love the mountains. We stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel right before we entered Virginia. Cracker Barrel is a restaurant you HAVE to visit on a road trip! I also love Charleston, WV for some reason. I always remember the gold capitol building on drives to NC years ago.

I also forgot how many toll booths your drive through on your way there. It wasn't too bad though. The worst part was driving through NC with it raining really hard. Luckily, Tom was driving, but I was a nervous wreck in the passenger seat. I get nervous too easily!

Saturday, March 17:  On Saturday my cousin had some ideas of where she wanted to take us. We headed into Raleigh to a flea market. I love flea markets and I wanted to buy a lot of antique furniture and stuff but I had to be realistic. I bought a really cute ring though! I was determined to buy a ring. Ring shopping is always a pain because I have really small fingers so usually when I like a ring they don't have it in my size.

Afterwards we headed to a bar-b-que place called The Pit. It was definitely a nicer restaurant, but the food was delicious and they gave you a lot. Then my cousin wanted us to go to a antique store called Father and Sons because she thought it would be something I liked. She was right I fell in love with the place. They sold all kinds of old things. I ended up buying an owl figurine holder because I love owls, although I wish I could have bought more!

We then headed back to her place and hung out and had some drinks before we went to dinner. The morning flew by and we did a lot so it was nice to just go back and relax. I took pictures of her dog while we were there. I love dogs so much and hers was so cute. She actually brought it back from Africa where she spent two years in the Peace Corps. Her name is Chapati.

Around 8 we headed to a bar/restaurant called Tyler's. It was a nice night so we ate outside. I ate some pretzels because I was still full from lunch. We just sat and talked. Eventually my rls was acting up so my cousin's friend said she would walk with me. We walked around the area. It was actually really neat. There was a river in the middle of the area and we walked across some stones to the other side. I wish I would have taken pictures, but I guess that means I HAVE to go back. Darn.

Had to take a picture for our grandma!

Sunday, March 18: We woke up and talked a bit then got ready to leave. We left about 11 and I started the drive. I'm kind of a fast driver so Tom and I were watching the estimated arrival time go down on the gps. He was bored so I let him use my cell phone to take pictures and he went crazy. Sorry for the black specks on the pictures. I don't know why they are there but it is probably from dropping my phone or something. We were doing so well and we thought we were going to make it back to Ohio in good time, but that was until we stopped in Charlotte for lunch.

It took us forever to find somewhere to eat and both our gps's were acting crazy. We eventually found a mall and ate at Chili's. I have the Four Square app on my cell phone and when I checked in I got us free chips and salsa! You should all download the app! We ate outside and when we first got there we were the only ones outside. It was kind of creepy, but then the outside soon was packed.

After we ate we headed back on the road with Tom driving this time. Then his gps decided to take us off the highway and we were so confused on why we were taking back roads through West Virginia. It was scenic though so that was good. But his gps and my gps were both giving me a headache. I just wanted to get home. Thank goodness Tom is a lot more patient than I am. We eventually made it though!

You can see more pictures from my trip here!

I wish we could have spent more time in NC, but it was a really fun weekend anyways. I needed to get out of Cincinnati for a bit. The funny thing though is that I'm going back to North Carolina next week! I'm going to Charlotte though and not Durham, so I won't see my cousin. However, I am going for my job interview so it could really be a turning point in my life.