Apartment Rehab

I don’t know what is going on with me but I am feeling VERY anxious/uncomfortable with my apartment and keep thinking about redecorating ideas to freshen things up.  Here’s some ideas I have for now:

LIVING ROOM:

-Build window seat for the little window nook? The cats LOVE looking out those windows and as such, the end table and chair I have in this space now are constantly coated with bits of cat litter and fur and sometimes cat barf.  I could sell the table and chair since I have no other room for it.  I could make a cushion with a removable, washable cover too.

-Plants.  I keep talking about this but not doing it!  I think 3 hanging plants in the corner would be nice, with maybe a small succulent or 2 in the media console.

-Lose the skulls.  My decorating theme for the past couple of years has been skulls and I think they are played out. I’m not sure what to replace them with, maybe vintage cat figurines and stuff?

-Get rid of the ottoman.  It takes up SO much room and isn’t really used.  I used to use my grandfather’s foot locker as a coffee table and now it’s pushed to the side to make space for the ottoman.  I think the only argument for keeping it would be that it matches the couch, but the couch is already not resellable due to the cats scratching it, so whatever.

-Recover the couch.  First of all, it’s orange.  Secondly, it’s leather and the cats scratch it and the leather is worn and it just looks gross.  I think I can cheaply/easily recover it with a couple sets of king sheets and upholstery pins.  I’d like to do a pattern so it doesn’t show wear very easily.

KITCHEN:

-Get a nice curtain or blind for the window.

-Organize the stuff that is on top of the cabinets and maybe add some plants.

-Organize all the cabinets.  Shit is always so messy.  Maybe get a shallow pantry/china cabinet/hoosier cabinet to go on the wall opposite the kitchen for food storage?  Maybe once I organize this will be fine!

BEDROOM:

-Move the bed back against the wall? It means that Eric would have to roll over me in the mornings but he always wakes me up when he gets up anyway so whatever.  Or we could switch sides.  Again, whatever.  The bedroom just feels claustrophobic.

-Frame some prints to hang.

-Get Eric to build one of those octagonal wall shelves.

-Clean out the closet again.

-Hang a curtain over the window.

BATHROOM:

-Install full length mirror on back of door.

-Remove koala picture over toilet, add shelf/towel rack.

-Get new shower curtain

BACK ROOM/OFFICE:

-Organize closet (of course)

-Hang bikes

-Move patio table and chairs outside, chain to deck.

Ok! I think that’s it.  This weekend I swear I am going to chug a ton of coffee and do a deep clean/organization!

November Goals

Hi! Long time no write.  It turns out that my life is far too boring for a lifestyle blog with regular updates.  However, I wanted to make some goals for November, and I thought maybe publishing them would help me stick to them.

1. Start going to the gym regularly. 
If there is one thing I hate, it's physical activity.  But my blood work came back not so great and I think I can nip some things in the bud if I start exercising a little.  Not a ton- I won't become the gym bunny I once was.  More like walking for 30 minutes after work, maybe some weights, maybe some yoga.  Defining "regularly" is hard- ideally I'd do 5 days a week but stuff comes up, so I guess I will say 3 days a week.

2. Clean out the back room closet.
This closet HAUNTS ME and every weekend I put it on my to-do list and every weekend I do not even go in the back room.  I swear I will get this clean in November.

Well, I guess that's it.  There's other things I want to do, small improvements I want to make to my apartment, but I don't know how money is going to be this month and I don't want to feel badly for not reaching goals I can't afford.

Friday Five for 23 August 2013

Ugh!  I have really been slacking on this blog but truth be told, my life is not too interesting lately.  I've been feeling so sick and tired.  Anyway, here's 5 for you.

Andy leaving: last night was Andy's going away party.  It was a lot of fun (and delicious) but I totally lost it after I said goodbye.  I felt a wave of emotions for her, similar to the ones I felt last time I moved- I am so happy for her and for the new chapter of her life, but saying goodbye is always so sad.

Whole Foods: this probably sounds dumb but one of my favorite things to do is wander Whole Foods and look at stuff.  It's been a long time, so I decided that tonight I am treating myself to a wander (and some papalote salsa).

Housecleaning: is this how boring my life is?  I am really looking forward to cleaning this weekend, the house is kinda trashed.  I guess having 4 pets and 2 humans in 900sq ft will do that!

 Ceiling Fan: I really want a ceiling fan for the bedroom, but all the nice looking ones are so expensive! I don't know what to do.

Swimming: I wouldn't mind a nice swim.  Maybe it'll be warm and sunny this weekend!

Friday Five for 16 August 2013

House News: My buyer counter offered a price for repairs, I accepted, we are one step closer to closing!

Leaving Early: my boss already left for the day and said I could leave as soon as I wanted (after I finish this post)

Pregnancy Symptoms: I am hoping they are actual symptoms and not just my body being weird!

No Plans This Weekend: I am really looking forward to relaxing.

Dinner Tonight: Eric said I could pick.  I might pick Papa Johns.

Weekend Wrap-up

Hi friends!  Work was so busy yesterday I did not have time to write my weekend wrap-up!  Here it is!

Friday Eric and I had a romantic date at Taco Bell and then went to the pet shop so he could buy a moss ball for his aquarium.  I think we might have watched a movie after that, but I don’t remember for sure.  I was exhausted from the work week and I know we went to bed early.  Saturday we ran a bunch of errands to get parts and tools so he could change the brake pads and rotors on my car.  This required going to a far-flung suburb and took a lot of time!  Then he worked on the brakes while I alternated between trying to help and trying to leave him alone.  He ended up having to get more tools and also having to borrow some from our neighbor.  Once the sun went down, we walked to a neighborhood sushi restaurant and had the most delicious sushi of my life.  The walk was nice too.  Sunday we went to brunch with Jessica and Jason at Jessica and I’s favorite Jewish deli, then worked on the car some more, then ran some more errands with spongey brakes.  The brakes finally got finished last night after work and boy do they feel great!  I really am lucky to have a handy partner who can do these things for me.  It’s no secret that I want a new Jetta station wagon, but the longer I can make my old Golf work, the better.

August Shopping Spree!

I wish I knew how to make this cuter!  Anyway, as you can see, I pretty much only wear comfortable plain black clothing.  I think the jacket will be cute over a hoodie for this fall/winter.  I also have lost or broken all my sunglasses so having a pair in the car and a pair in my purse is a good idea.  I love this red purse! My previous red purse was stolen out of a car in St Louis and I've been coveting one ever since.  And finally, I wanted some simple stud earrings and I like these because they are plain black.  I can't wait to get this stuff!

Friday Five for 09 August 2013

1. Not washing my hair every day: you are probably like duhhhh but I had no idea how life changing this would be!  It's so nice to have that spare half an hour in the mornings!

2. Deciding to dye my hair red: it's been dark for a couple of years now and I am ready for the change.  So, as soon as I have some spare money I am doing it!

3. Falafel for lunch: my work cafeteria's falafel is surprisingly good!

4.  Mini shopping spree:  I am about to place a minor order, and am really excited about getting some new things!  I'll post a pinterest board later.

5. Origins Ginger perfume: wearing it again today.  I don't wear it often but I should.  Last time I purchased a new bottle, the guy I was dating at the time said, "It just smells like YOU." Best compliment.