Long time no see.....

It's been a while I know... a very long while... maybe even a year??!!! Shocking!

Anyways, I thought I'd start back up with a laugh or two - this had me cracking up out loud!!!

Simple

I've been thinking about the little things in life. How even the smallest thing can have the biggest effect on our lives. A simple decision to do something which you think can't possibly make that much of difference, actually does.
And it changes our lives, for the better, and sometimes the worst, but in the end our lives are made up of these little things. These little decisions, a decision to walk this way home or take the subway, a text or email, a walk into a bar, a walk out of one, all little moments made up at the perfect time for our lives to unfold right in front of us....
The fun in life is really not knowing what tomorrow will bring, but the trick is being open to all of it's possibilities. The tests come with being true to ourselves and those around us, the rewards follow with friendship and love. Peace is found in our souls and our happiness comes from within.

A Paint Brush?

Well, it's been a little while hasn't it?! Time hasn't exactly been on my side for writing posts!
But! I do have a fairly good excuse! The 'move in' was last weekend, and as stressful as it was, I guess in the grand scheme of things it went pretty well - and thankfully quickly!- or at least the actual move did, the unpacking/settling in is still needing work...
I will of course be sharing photos when the place is at least semi respectable! But until then, just know I'm really loving my new home! ;)
This weekend, along with other things, is going to consist of unpacking the last few boxes, not that I can guarantee homes for all of their contents yet! But I also wanted to keep a promise to myself, and get into my painting again... so I'm going to set up my art space and get dirty with it!! I'm really looking forward to getting back to it, I think it's just what the doctor ordered...

The burning question is, can I fit everything I want and need to do in one glorious weekend? Wishful thinking?!

New and Moo...

Well, I did indeed pick up my new keys today! And I (of course!!!) checked out my new abode!! It's all freshly painted, looking bright, clean and sparkling!! I'm even MORE excited now! (and who thought that was possible?!!)
So I've been spending a lot of today packing, which will undoubtedly be the main job of this weekend, but I've also been dreaming of all the wonderful things that I'm going to buy and create to have my new home a slice of perfect!
And well, first thing on the list.... can you guess?!! I'll give you a clue... "moo"!!

03/26/10 @ 3:00pm

Guess what I'm picking up tomorrow afternoon?!
Can anyone say "excited"?!!!!

Kitchen Color Choices...

Kitchen color? Hmm...
When I viewed my new apartment for the first time (I was in there for about one minute before I said "I want it!") the previous tenants, who were still mid-moving out, had painted the back wall of the kitchen in this gorgeous deep luscious plum purple color.. so I did put a request in to my new super for it to stay when it came to repainting the apartment. However, I'm wondering now if I want to keep it! I LOVE the idea, so I debating whether I should go a smart sophisticated elephant grey or divulge in my most favorite kitchen color; duck egg blue! Oh the decisions!!

By the way, have I told you recently that I CANT WAIT to move in?!!

Movin' Movin' Movin' Rawhide!!!!

SO!!! I'm seriously so very excited about whats about to happen in my life!!!!!
Finally, after stressful searching and an almost desperate need to get out of where I am living now, I have found myself my own perfect studio apartment in downtown NYC!!!

I CANNOT WAIT TO MOVE IN!!!!

With 12 days until the big day I have got some serious packing to do, but I think I'm really going to enjoy it (yes, I can't believe I just said that either!!) it's going to be some kind of a deep cleansing ritual after two years in my current apartment. Above are a two pics taken (via camera phone - nice and grainy right?!) when I first saw the place and it's still showing the remains of the last tenant.

So this is the beginning of what will be, I'm sure, blow by blow posts of the move in, the first set up, and every little detail and design that follows into making my own set of nyc square feet just the way I want it to be!

Oscar is Famous!

My Oscar is famous!!!
He made the cut and was posted today on my favorite blog Desire to Inspire in their 'Monday's Pets on Furniture'!! Aww!!! I am so proud!!!!! :D

Simple is...

The simple things in life... the past few weeks have been a bit tough this end. Really, February hasn't been so nice to me. Still, on the brighter side, with all of these downs and disappointments, something really good must be around the corner and on it's way soon.
So in all this mess, I try to remember the simple things in life. The things I enjoy, those quiet moments where it's just me and the rest of the world. Simple things like walking all the way home from work in the beautifully falling snow, curling up with my cat, appreciating clean water, hot showers, sunshine and a roof over my head...

Architectural & Apartment Insanity!

I've lived in NYC a few years now, and right now I'm living not too far away from the (gorgeous) above 240 Center Street, which was built as the headquarters of the city's police department and designed by Hoppin & Koen in 1909.
I have often wondered what this building is doing these days, but I've never actually gone out of my way to find out (shame on me!). The building itself is really something quite amazing, born out of the "White City" Beaux Arts inspired notion of a beautiful city.
When the new modernistic red brick headquarters opened in 1973, this white masterpiece fell into a limbo of neglect.. it wasn't until 1988 when the building was converted into coop apartments 55-units designed by Charles Gwathmey.
Considered the premier residence of lower Manhattan based on the building and it's apartments, I was excited to finally get a peak inside (especially after finding out they are apts!) when surfing NYC real estate!
So, without further ado, I share with all of you the wonders enclosed in this magnificent and historical building... for the full real estate listing click here. And don't be shocked at the price!! Oh, and to add more juicy interest, I've add floor plans too!! Check these out again here!

Puppy Power...

So, I've been having a rough time of it recently, and so on this sunny gorgeous day in nyc I decided to make some time for me. I started it off with a wonderfully long chat with my Mum in England (why is it Mum's are so good at making everything better?!) and sitting on my favorite set of park benches on Spring St in Soho.
I then decided to hit up Starbucks for my regular latte and go have a manicure... next door to the place on Christopher St there's a pet shop, full of little puppies. Now really I wouldn't ever get a puppy from one of these places but I figured I'd take a look and well, who doesn't get cheered up at the sight of puppies anyways?!
And so, right at the end, as cute as a button, a little brown and black speckled Cocker Spaniel looked right at me, and I couldn't help but be caught by his sad puppy face and big brown eyes! I put my hand up to the glass to which he tried to bite right through it!! aww!!
So, I had to have a play with the little fella, so out he came and into a little pen on the floor. I got in too, and there we played around for ages, him jumping up and down, nibbling my fingers and getting a good tummy rub or two! He made me smile and laugh so much I only wished I could take him home and love him forever.... but sadly, I can't...
One thing for sure though, we had some fun and he cheered me up a treat! Thank you lil fella, I hope you get yourself a loving home... x

Perfect Patchwork!

Patchwork? Love it or hate it?
I love it! BUT it has to be done well!! In a white or neutral room, the bright patchwork taking center stage with nothing to compete with it. Imagine the above bed, as intense as it is, in a room of all white textures, billowing white linens, modern white wood furniture pieces, a light sisal & wool rug (from Merida, I know just the one!), just barely off white corduroy club chairs, white fur cushions, and just to finish it off some bright green table lights... niceeee.
Anyways... here are a few of my fav patchwork peices....oh, the fun is endless with these!!

Want This!

I love this kitchen.. clean, black & white, classic, but warm & friendly.
A kitchen to live in, love in, laugh in...

Bling in a Ring...

So I have a little obsession with big rings!!! Here's a few of my favorites via the wonders and talents of Etsy! mm... I'll have that one... and that one... oh, and that cute bag and pretty necklace while I'm at it!!

Pearl Cluster - Rigmarole Mega Mum - lizhutnick


Three Stone - Toosis Rosie Rose - GemDesignsbyBarbara


Bag - Ninu Necklace - GirlsInPearls

Because Orange Twice in One Day is Better...

To Tuft or not to Tuft? I'll tuft thank you. Especially that stunning orange ottoman above (from cozycozy.com!) I wouldn't say no to that beauty! Also loving that aqua, sea green color of the sofa next to it!! Okay.. so here are some of my absolute favorite tufted masterpieces! Enjoy! (and if you don't like tufting, well... there's always the sweet potato recipe right?!)