New House Tour

Here's an update!

Living Room first ...

Not much has changed here. Some books have been rearranged as well as a lamp or two. 

Some new pillows & pillow covers. But the biggest improvement was getting rid of that big ol' TV.

I have moved into what used to be the Spare Room. I was really needing to pare down how much clothing and how many of pairs shoes I have, so I figured moving into the smaller room would force me to do that! It has, but I still have a ways to go!

Clearly, the biggest changes are in here. I did finally replace the old Ikea dresser with a new Ikea dresser, as well as brought in my old childhood dresser with some new knobs added from Anthropologie. I got some new lamps from Target and I love the little rug and colourful swirly pillow both from CB2.

I added in some Ikea shelves to the wall for shoe storage, and finally got around to properly covering that vintage chair. New bedding is from Winners. And I actually bit the bullet and made new curtains from an Ikea duvet cover. The "closet" situation is also much improved by maxing out the ceiling height and hanging two of these bars from Ikea.

Here's the Kitchen which is fairly unchanged ...

Just a few Mccoys and a chopping block over the sink to create more counter space.

And the Bathroom ...

Yes, I did finally get around to hemming the Anthropologie shower curtains and goodness what a difference!

Though at this point, this room could use a good re-painting since my landlord didn't get around to it when repairing that ceiling mess.

There are no updated shots of the big back bedroom which used to be mine. Currently it is very sparsely furnished and decorated since I'm renting it out. I did however move the lovely Flora and Fauna curtains from the spare room in there and they look great on the window. I do plan to put a few of the things from the boat in there as well as a small couch and maybe a desk when the current roommie moves out in the Spring. 

birthday flowers from Marcel

Marcel knows how much I love flowers and he's the only man in my life who ever buys them for me. Last year he got me the most incredible peonies for my birthday and this year lovely lilacs. He loves the smell too.

He agreed to pose for a few "still-life with cat" photos to kick off the week.

Happy Monday everyone!

more boat, more island

So Perry bought a little house-boat and tomorrow we find out if it floats. What? Yes, we don't know if it really floats, but tomorrow it arrives and goes in the water and I can't wait to see what happens ...

 

I really hope it does because the island at this time of year is incredibly beautiful.

There's hardly anyone around so its

tranquil,

serene,

and vibrant.

spring is officially here!

What's that I spy outside my window?

Yes the trees are blooming! The apple trees in my backyard which I can spy outside my kitchen window.

And finally the gorgeous cherry trees in High Park!

Magnolias are blooming too! But I gotta say, I've been fairly unproductive. I think it's time to start doing stuff, making plans and setting the alarm clock because after a few repairs the fine fellow's boat should be in the water in a week.

And, I did such a great job talking about how great it is over on the island that Perry has bought himself a little house-boat too - should be arriving at the marina on Tuesday! So, I've got about a week to get things all spring cleaned and organized before I start spending a lot more time on the island!!!

counting the days

I'm very excited for two things that are coming up very soon. First, the cherry blossoms in High Park that I adore are due to bloom in about a week.

Second, it's only two weeks until my last day at my job!!!!

Crocuses in the front yard this morning - yay!

what do I want to do when I grow up?

This is a good question since being on the cusp of 40 one could argue that I am, in fact, grown up.

So far, I've been a dancer, a dance teacher, a dance studio owner, a high school english and dance teacher, and an executive assistant.

I guess in comparison to the rest it figures that the last one really wasn't me - all that sitting and all!!

So here's something I've always wanted to do: I love giving advice; I give great advice; I would like to do an advice column.

 Anybody need some advice?

I quit my job

Remember when I mentioned a little while ago that change was afoot? Well, I've been unhappy at my job for sometime now, mostly because it's not the right kind of challenge nor does it give me the right kind of sense of accomplishment.

I'm sick of it and I think it is part of what has, quite literally, been making me sick for the last few months.

So after one too many bad days, and thinking about turning 40 soon, I decided enough was enough, and I quit. The announcement was made today and I've got two months left.

I don't have a game plan and I don't know what I really want to do, but I could not imagine turning 40 and sitting at that desk. So I guess I've turned up the pressure to figure some things out.

But I feel really good about it. If not now then when? 

it feels like spring!!

I wore my spring coat yesterday and no hat, and I didn't even need my gloves!

Today is supposed to be warm too but maybe with a bit of rain to wash away all the dirty ice on the sidewalks.

I know it's not spring yet, but knowing that it is right around the corner is such a relief with lots of good things to look forward to.

Including my 40th birthday ...

from Berkeley with love

There was a lot of love on this trip.

My sweet friends certainly brought me here with love and then let me loose to truly indulge in my love of ...

FLOWERS!! Jas likes them too.

And I had both Ritzi guard-dog love,

and my friend the buddah watching over me in the garden.

And even Swanee turned up to remind me there was love waiting for me at home.

It's nice to go away, but it's even nicer to come home.