Moving on.

Around this time last year, I was packing up my things and relinquishing the keys to my 'single girl apartment'.

This year, the Husband and I have been purging our things while packing up together. Throughout it all, I kept asking myself at least a dozen times, "How in the fuck, did I accumulate so much shit, in so little time?!"

We've also been sprucing up our current place (this included everything from painting to caulking to replacing all the hardware -- I'm such a handy(wo)man, now!) for our new tenant who was, thankfully, incredibly flexible and patient with last-minute schedule changes that were beyond our control. God bless her heart.

Everything happened in less than a month, and with the holiday season taking up half of that time, I could not have been more grateful and relieved that everything fell into place the way they did, when they did.

It seems to be a reoccurring theme in my life -- some calm before the storm; small, fleeting glimpses of beauty amongst the chaos; rainbows, after torrential rains.

It has been both exhausting and exhilarating. I'm definitely excited, sure, but to be honest, I'm really looking forward to just enjoying the dust settling soon, too.

Moving on.

I am getting ready to move once again, right after the New Year. It will be my fourth move in less than a year, but I am quite excited for this new space. 

The apartment itself is old, and nothing to brag about. But it is a gated complex, with free parking, pool, and gym; shopping, food, and movie theater nearby in downtown suburbia, and ten-minute walking distance from work. But even better than that, I will be getting the master bedroom, which is bathed in an abundance of bright, natural light, generous closet real estate, and my own bathroom. 

I haven't started to pack my belongings yet, but am already imagining how I will make this new place my own. I went through so, so much this past year, but I am grateful for each and every moment. It made this life mine, and it is with a peaceful heart that I am welcoming the new year.

Cheers to 2012.

"Enjoy the daydreaming", she said.

It's a beautiful Friday, made even better by the fact that it is preceding a long weekend. I hope everyone has lovely plans.

Manfriend and I will be spending the bulk of tomorrow jumping from one estate sale to another, and making a trip to Home Depot and IKEA. I am so thankful the latter extended their sale to this coming Monday because I was in no condition to browse for furniture last weekend. Here's to hoping I find the perfect wardrobe and/or vanity dresser! In the meantime, I'll be daydreaming of the perfect home. Thanks for the encouragement and reminder, L.

I owe these inspiring images to Urban Nester, Dolly Pearl, iSocialRealty, and The Cinderella Project. Thank you!

Cinderella is proof.

That a new pair of shoes can change your life. - Anon

This inspiring photo of J. Crew's creative director Jenna Lyons' wall of shoes, spotted awhile ago on my friend J's amazing blog, urgently reminded me that I needed to devise a way to stylishly display my own collection while making efficient use of space.

Now that Manfriend and I are living together, I can't just have my shoes strewn all over the place (even though, to my defense, they were all arranged in a fairly neat manner on the bedroom floor before). Lucky for him, I (relatively) don't own that many pairs to begin with, or else I highly doubt he would have gifted me a few months' membership to ShoeDazzle, right?...

... right. In any case, he cleared out half of his closet and dropped off a few bags to Goodwill last weekend -- my turn to let go of the old is coming up this weekend and the next. (Or, that's the plan, at least.) I swear I'm not (really) a hoarder but I can already feel the separation anxiety kicking in!

images via

A work in progress.

Manfriend and I have been talking about redoing and redecorating our little love nest lately. A few cabinet lights here, a new bookcase there. We also need to get rid of his empty aquarium and that age-old television set in our room as soon as possible... {prints from graphic designer Therese Senneholt}
I was semi-bracing myself for a possible clash in aesthetics, but come to find out, the Mister and I both have similar tastes, which makes these upcoming changes and home improvement projects truly exciting to look forward to. Who knows what will happen once we start getting down and dirty, though... I'll let the animal print and hot pink pillows go, but filling up the house with framed prints and photos is a battle I'm totally fighting (and winning).

But first things first: we are thinking of repainting the walls white, white, white. Whereas some people might find the color too sterile and cold, I have always taken quite a liking to it. I have been browsing the web for inspiration and, although many of these photos look slightly too staged and entirely too sophisticated to truly feel like a comfortable "home" to me, I admire each owner's commitment to creating and keeping such beautiful living spaces. I can't wait to get started!

{via apartment therapy}

{via atlantis home}

{via flickr}

Home is where the heart is.

With each loving, morning kiss received and given, I am continually reminded of how much I love and am loved by him. Our relationship continues to grow and deepen and is developing into something quite unique and amazing.

I am infinitely thankful.

...

He was away on business until this past Wednesday, and, whereas I was still living with my family whenever he was out of town on past trips, his absence was painfully felt much more stronger this time around, as I came home alone to an empty place each night.

The bed seemed to swallow me whole as I tried to fall asleep, reaching over to no one and nothing as I tossed and turned and yearned for him. Even the rainy, dreary weather seemed to be crying along with me at the time.

...


I am still trying to settle into these new quarters, transforming what's his and mine into what's ours, while carefully still maintaining our own personal identities and spaces... but in the midst of these transitions, there is also a certain sense of calmness to the chaos, safely enveloping everything in a soft, familiar comfort.

I want to build a home with this man, and in this home I want weekly fresh flowers in bright and beautiful colors. I want warm, delicious smells to greet every person walking through the door. I want this home, and the next, to harbor lots of love, laughter and memories with family and friends.

I want it all.


And I am working every day towards getting it.