New Apartment!

We just moved into our new apartment on Thursday, and I am really excited to nest in a brand-new space. Our apartment has hardwood floors, and the appliances and cabinetry are all kind of modern looking, which honestly isn't my thing, but I do enjoy unexpected mixing and matching between decór styles, so I'm ready to work with what I've got.

Here are a few inspirational interiors pulled from my Pinterest: 

Definitely leaning more towards simplistic and artisanal. Nothing ever fussy or perfectly styled. We don't have any sort of yard, so I'm planning on getting some nice indoor plants. 

Also, we pulled a lot of stuff out of our storage unit today, and some of this stuff I had a little over a year ago, I'm so over. Too many colorful patterns. Tastes change, I guess. Here are a few items on my wish list: 

Holland dining chair / Mini geo planter / Fez shag natural hand knotted rug

Mill Street wool blanket / Persian Salt Lamp / Herb drying rack

Last look mirror / Pledge soap dish / Linen bath towels

I'll keep you posted on how nesting goes!

Miss Clean

Image credit

Oh my gosh, I know. ANOTHER post about cleaning! I don't know what it is, I just want to share these discoveries with you, ok? Maybe they'll make your life easier.

I know I praised this concoction as a great tub cleaner, but I think I might prefer this one more. All you do is mix one part white vinegar with one part liquid dish soap. Scrub with a sponge, and rinse. Bath and shower gunk go bye-bye quickly.

Goodbye, Seattle

This is where I... 

Broke bones,

Felt at home,

Made friends,

Broke hearts,

Found love, 

Grew and stretched.

...

But now it's time for this chapter to close, and I'm so ready for the new one to begin. It feels right to go.  

Bring it on, future!

List the Things That Feel Like Home

Me and my dad at Disneyland

1. Listening to the sounds coming from outside

2. Sunlight through the windows

3. Pets hanging around

4. Coziness

5. Chilling out in bed

6. Boyfriend

7. Santa Barbara

8. The creek by my family's old house

9. My old house's backyard/garden

10. Being together, but not in the same room

11. Eating takeout food at the dinner table

12. Making breakfast on the weekends

13. All of my books

14. Candles lit in the evening

15. Summer barbecues at the Power House

16. My childhood neighborhood; having adventures with my friends

17. Forest Home

18. Disneyland

19. Afternoon naps

20. Daily routines

21. California poppies, tuberoses, succulents, bougainvillea

22. Swimming pools

23. The park behind my old house 

Thanks, Moorea!

Art for the Home

Josh and I are thinking about getting some new, affordable pieces of art to hang in the living room.

Here are some of my ideas...

"The Sailor and the Mermaid" by Sophie Blackall

"Women on Rocks" by Elizabeth Huey

"Watering Hole" by unitedthread

"My Butt" by Helena Wurzel

"Every Outdoor Basketball Court in Manhattan" by Jenny Odell

"Lake Michigan, Chicago" by Daniel Seung Lee

"Setting Fire" by Kathranne Knight

What do you think? Which one's your favorite?

Recently Bought

CLAUDIA PEARSON DOG PLATE, from West Elm

(I chose the bottom one pictured)

West Elm is my new drug... It appeals to the nesting mode I am currently in.

Pearl

Hello from Santa Barbara!

Here I am, sitting on my mom's bed, drinking a glass of white wine after a jaunt down State Street. I bought a gold Ganesh ring from a store that had prayer beads and peace flags and flouncy pants and all that sort of stuff and it made me think that if I lived here, I would turn into that kind of person... who makes art out of driftwood and does pilates on the beach and has both icons of Catholic saints and statues of Hindu gods all around her house... That's Santa Barbara for you... Founded by Franciscan monks and Spanish conquistadors, currently populated by upper middle class hippies. It's magical.

One of my favorite gifts I received for Christmas was an edor pearl necklace. I am loving simple and delicate jewelry right now. Less is more. Aside from my Ganesh ring of course. I also bought a thin, gold band from a boutique of State Street. I like wearing it on my left ring finger, even though I'm not engaged... Think of it as a "I'm taken" ring.

On Christmas Eve, my mom and I attended her church's candlelight service and it was really beautiful, singing all the classic Christmas songs and talking to old family friends... Then we had the traditional Mexican food feast at my grandma's. I made sure everyone had a margarita in their hand. My poor grandma is losing her memory, so that is hard to deal with. Patience is a necessity.

Tomorrow I head back to Seattle. Back to the horribly dreary weather. That's the compromise I make. There's always a struggle when one essentially has two homes. But I'm excited to see my boyfriend. And my cat. And have a few more days of vacation. So that's where I am currently.

A Monday Morning Request

I would like to live here, pwease.

{credit}

Life is Short

So why not paint your house yellow, pink, purple, and/or magenta? 


{All images found on Colorful Homes}

Home With Mommy

WE ARE SO COOL.

I've been flipping through my Domino book for decor inspiration. Here are some things I'm in need of:



1) Cool shelving units




2) Potted plants




3) Shag rug

Homely Treasures From Etsy

Bony tea bowls to stock in your kitchen cabinets

A wallmount soap dish for your washroom

A beetle print to hang in your hallway


A blue typewriter for your study

Back to Seattle

Had a great little Christmas break in California; saw SO MANY lovely people.

Now, back to Seattle to celebrate New Year's Eve and kick off 2011.

Bon voyage!

Home, Sweet Home

Goodbye, for now

I hate traveling sometimes. That's why I just upgraded to a seat with extra leg-room, as a little present to myself. Totes something MK/Ashley would do, amiright?

Bye, Santa Barbara. See you in a month.

I don't mean to brag, but....

...this is where I am right now.

Feel free to call me a lucky bitch, I'd understand.

Albert and Gillian

Albert and Gillian Maysles (He did the documentary, Grey Gardens) in their lovely, eccentric, bright home in Harlem.

By Todd Selby.