10 posts tagged “new apartment”
On Saturday, I threw a party for no special reason. I didn't even know about my new job when I started planning this, so this was truly a party with no occasion. I had a pretty good turn out -- 23 guests. I think there were only 18 guests at my housewarming party in November, so my numbers are improving. :-D
(Rob took the above picture of Katie.)
And now, here is my favorite photo from the night:
Hahaha! They actually made name tags listing three facts (and one lie) about themselves.
And now, here is my favorite photo from the night:
My friend Dale got me the above picture at a dollar store (though I think he paid more than a dollar for it). Still, it looks pretty nice for being so inexpensive, doesn't it? I hung it to replace my stupid fish bowl, because my second stupid fish died.
I re-arranged/changed some of the pictures I have hanging in my living room. Above, left to right, are a picture of downtown Boston, a picture of a flower taken at the Chicago Botanical Garden, and an old world map (which I bought at JC Penney).
I am having a party on Saturday and have been tidying up the house in anticipation of guests. I really, really hate hanging pictures. There is far too much measuring involved, and I am always the idiot who punches a million holes in the wall. Other pet peeves lately:
1. I have a co-worker (nice enough guy) who will send an email and then immediately come to my desk and say, "Did you get that email I sent you?" Um, you sent it TWO SECONDS AGO. Give me a chance to read it. And if it concerns something so important that you need to speak to me about it, why did you bother sending an email in the first place?
2. I hate how nobody responds to evite unless you threaten to break their legs. Or, instead of responding to the evite, they'll just email you and tell you whether or not they plan to come to your party. Why not just respond to the invitation I sent you? It's easier for me to keep track of things that way.
3. This weather is irritating. It snowed in Chicago today.
I am having a party on Saturday and have been tidying up the house in anticipation of guests. I really, really hate hanging pictures. There is far too much measuring involved, and I am always the idiot who punches a million holes in the wall. Other pet peeves lately:
1. I have a co-worker (nice enough guy) who will send an email and then immediately come to my desk and say, "Did you get that email I sent you?" Um, you sent it TWO SECONDS AGO. Give me a chance to read it. And if it concerns something so important that you need to speak to me about it, why did you bother sending an email in the first place?
2. I hate how nobody responds to evite unless you threaten to break their legs. Or, instead of responding to the evite, they'll just email you and tell you whether or not they plan to come to your party. Why not just respond to the invitation I sent you? It's easier for me to keep track of things that way.
3. This weather is irritating. It snowed in Chicago today.
I took this photo out my back window. You can see other pictures here and here. I like the contrast of the cool light from the sunset against the warm light from the street lamps.
"Just got home from Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy!
Got to sit down, take a rest on the porch.
Imagination sets in, pretty soon I'm singin,
Doo, doo, doo, lookin' out my back door.
Forward troubles Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy!
Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn.
Bother me tomorrow, today, I'll buy no sorrows.
Doo, doo, doo, lookin' out my back door." -- Credence Clearwater Revival
"Just got home from Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy!
Got to sit down, take a rest on the porch.
Imagination sets in, pretty soon I'm singin,
Doo, doo, doo, lookin' out my back door.
Forward troubles Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy!
Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn.
Bother me tomorrow, today, I'll buy no sorrows.
Doo, doo, doo, lookin' out my back door." -- Credence Clearwater Revival
For Christmas, my mom got me this new duvet from Linens N Things. I told her I wanted something "rich" looking. I think she did an excellent job. :) Note: I have two pillow shams, but only one is pictured because the cat sort of vomited on the other one this morning.
I bought these red velvet curtains from Cost Plus World Market a while ago, and being the nice boyfriend that he is, Rob helped me put them up the other weekend. Well, technically I just sat on the bed and looked at his cute, eye-level butt while he balanced on the step ladder, but anyway ... I really think they look great. The price of two curtain panels and the rod was between $80-$90, which is not a whole lot considering that I don't plan to do much more "decorating." I'm not allowed to paint my place, nor do I have the inclination. The curtains were a smart purchase, though. I've been sleeping well because my room is nice and dark now.
Recently I'd been getting a lot of headaches and neck aches. I thought that the culprit might have been my old, flat, lumpy pillows that I think I bought at Target years ago. I finally bought two extra-firm Ralph Lauren pillows that were on sale at Macy's for $20 each. I LOVE THEM. I call them my "monster pillows" because they're so thick and comfortable. Just look at the above photo. You wish you were sleeping on monster pillows, don'tcha?
I bought this dresser from Ikea and put it together BY MYSELF. Well, Rob did help me initially, but I did all the hard stuff -- putting the two halves together, nailing on the back, and moving it into my room -- alone. I was so proud.
Here are some pictures taken out my window. The first two were taken from the living room, while the last one was taken from the back.
These photos are of the front room. When you walk in the door, you look to your right and this is what you see. The "living room" portion is to the right, while the "dining room" portion is to the left.
When you're a cat, what's the most exciting thing about moving? Investigating boxes, of course!
These aren't the greatest photos, but here are a few pics of my new built-in hutch. I'm happy that I get to display my colorful dishes. :) Also, this is the only part of my apartment that is presentable right now ...
So, I moved on Saturday. Since I had such a terrible time using a professional moving company the last time around (i.e. I got ripped off), this time, I decided to recruit my closest friends to help. I would like to say that if there were such a thing as a "Friend of the Year" award, I would totally nominate all of them, and if there were a "Boyfriend of the Year" award, I would nominate Rob.
The move itself was fairly smooth ... a few glitches here and there, but nothing major. It was actually kind of ... dare I say, fun? At least I got to see most of my good friends at once, and everyone was in a joking mood, for the most part.
I love my new place! It is huge, it's in the city (as opposed to the near-north suburb where I previously lived), a lot of my friends are nearby, and I can WALK to the grocery store, something I've never been able to do. My commute to work hasn't been terrible -- about an hour there and back, so better than I'd expected.
Coming home this week has been somewhat depressing though. The place is a mess, and my cable, Internet and cooking gas haven't been turned on yet. I don't even have a library card. Still, I know I'll love it once I am more settled in.
And again, many thanks to Rob, Katie T., Katie M., Ben, John, Rich, Erica and Melissa for all of their help and hard work. I seriously have the greatest friends!
The move itself was fairly smooth ... a few glitches here and there, but nothing major. It was actually kind of ... dare I say, fun? At least I got to see most of my good friends at once, and everyone was in a joking mood, for the most part.
I love my new place! It is huge, it's in the city (as opposed to the near-north suburb where I previously lived), a lot of my friends are nearby, and I can WALK to the grocery store, something I've never been able to do. My commute to work hasn't been terrible -- about an hour there and back, so better than I'd expected.
Coming home this week has been somewhat depressing though. The place is a mess, and my cable, Internet and cooking gas haven't been turned on yet. I don't even have a library card. Still, I know I'll love it once I am more settled in.
And again, many thanks to Rob, Katie T., Katie M., Ben, John, Rich, Erica and Melissa for all of their help and hard work. I seriously have the greatest friends!
I'm moving in three days, so my life lately has consisted of little more than work, sleep and packing. I stopped by my new place yesterday to pick up my keys.
Cons of New Apartment
1. It is slightly more expensive than my old place.
2. I will have a somewhat longer commute to work.
3. No parking space.
4. Have to go down the back stairs (outside) to get to the laundry room.
5. I'll have to climb 3 flights of stairs instead of 2.
Pros of New Apartment
1. It is a one bedroom PLUS den!
2. It is in one of my favorite Chicago neighborhoods.
3. For the size and location, this place is a STEAL.
4. It is closer to Rob.
5. Most of my friends live very close by.
6. The kitchen has MUCH nicer countertops (granite or faux granite) than my old place, and has a built-in hutch.
7. I have multiple exposures, which means a cross-breeze in the summer.
8. The living room has nice wall sconces.
9. I am way closer to public transportation.
Cons of New Apartment
1. It is slightly more expensive than my old place.
2. I will have a somewhat longer commute to work.
3. No parking space.
4. Have to go down the back stairs (outside) to get to the laundry room.
5. I'll have to climb 3 flights of stairs instead of 2.
Pros of New Apartment
1. It is a one bedroom PLUS den!
2. It is in one of my favorite Chicago neighborhoods.
3. For the size and location, this place is a STEAL.
4. It is closer to Rob.
5. Most of my friends live very close by.
6. The kitchen has MUCH nicer countertops (granite or faux granite) than my old place, and has a built-in hutch.
7. I have multiple exposures, which means a cross-breeze in the summer.
8. The living room has nice wall sconces.
9. I am way closer to public transportation.
