I’m Back (Again) and New Apartment

So it feels like every time I post (which is not often), I always begin with an apology about the gap in posting. However, this time, no apologies. I had stuff to do, people!

Basically, this summer was intense because I took the California Bar exam. Two months filled with studying, self-doubt, cancelled trips to the beach, and occasional crying.  Since I went home to California to live with my parents while studying, I also watched a LOT of HGTV on my study breaks because my parents have cable and my mom DVRs all the good stuff.  Just in case you are interested these are some of my faves: Property Brothers, Dear Genevieve, High-Low Project, Design on a Dime, and Rehab Addict (doesn’t Nicole just inspire you to demo something?). Oh, and of course my two most faves: Color Splash and Secrets of a Stylist.

And once I finished studying for the bar exam and sat through three full days of testing in a room with about 1500 other super-stressed pre-lawyering test-takers (fortunately hygiene was not an issue), I promptly flew to the Dominican Republic for a week with my darling boyfriend to forget most of the things I had just learned.  I bought FOUR different design magazines to read while sun bathing, which felt like such a luxurious splurge in terms of both time and money. It was heaven to lie in the sun and read about trending fabric patterns 😉

Us by the pool. Yes – I am reading design magazines. And do you see the fruity drinks on the table between us?

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, and it was AMAZING. You know those vacations where you lie on a beach and  someone brings you fruity alcoholic beverages and/or bottles of cold water all day, and you don’t have to pay? Yeah. Me neither. UNTIL NOW. I didn’t know about those vacations till I started mine. It was beyond relaxing and beautiful.

This is me in the hammock that was ON OUR BALCONY!

Immediately after this vacation we moved all our stuff out of storage and into our new apartment.

Here is the empty box white box with wall-to-wall white carpeting:

Huge patio. Huge!

Lovely garden in our planter box. I cannot wait to plant my own things.

We really looked to find an apartment in our price range with wood floors in the right area, but couldn’t. So we will live with the carpet. Aside from the carpet, this apartment is perfect. After coming from the tiny living accommodations in NYC, we feel really pampered with all this space.

Long living room, looking towards the entrance, and the dining area.

Big window in the bedroom.

Standard, clean and neutral bathroom.

The dining area and entrance to the kitchen.

HUGE kitchen!

I haven’t cooked anything yet, since I am obviously still unpacking, but I think it will work just fine! Look at how big that oven is!

I just snapped these pics with my phone before the movers arrived so you guys could see the beginning.

Now I have to do more work unpacking. And the good new for you readers, there are SO many upcoming DIY projects that will come up in relation to having a new apartment. I cannot wait to get started, and cannot wait to share them all with you.

Love,

Rachel

PS. While writing this post, a maintenance guy was out on my patio sweeping up leaves. Apparently, my patio will be almost zero maintenance. Score!

Decorating A Rental Apartment

When you don’t own a space, might move in a year, can’t paint, and have limited tools, etc, apartment living can seem pretty bland. But, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some suggestions that you can use to make your rental feel less like a borrowed space and more like your home.

1. Ask the landlord what you can do.

The landlord may not care if you paint or hang major paintings. And if that’s the case, that’s awesome. I say go for it. And don’t forget that a jar of spackle to fill nail holes is less than $5 and SUPER easy to use before you move out.

2. If you can’t paint your walls, bring in color through your furniture and linens. The walls of most rental spaces are generally white or off-white or cream. Often you aren’t allowed to paint, or you don’t want to paint since you may be moving, but that shouldn’t limit you from bringing in color in other ways.

Blue curtains, blue chairs, blue center pieces combat the boring white wall and cream trim.