Five Years in Ornaments

On our very first holiday season together Jeffrey and I started a tradition. Each year we buy one ornament to represent that year of being together. The very first was an animal and we've kept the tradition going ever since, buying new animals each year. I thought I would share with you our five years of ornaments as they sit prettily on our first real Christmas tree!

1st year: a penguin from Happy Feet 

(Hallmark)

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2nd year: a frog prince/fairy 

(Target)

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3rd year: a glass bird with gold and feather detailing 

(Pier One)

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4th year: an owl made of twigs and branches

(Target)

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5th year: a red knitted fox

(Target)

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Crap Trapped in the Closet

Walk-in closet equals free storage unit!

I don't know why, but Jeff has brought out random boxes from the closet and is going through them. This (ugly bright) green bin is full of cords and other technological crap. We did find two point and shoot cameras, one which takes really beautiful photos that I refuse to throw away. I'm thinking they'll end up as "art displays" on our bookshelves. 

I'm so glad he's going through this stuff so that I don't have to. Technically I'm sitting next to him and engaging in conversation, so it's just as if I were working on it myself! Yes, we'll go with that.

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Virtual Couch Shopping

I'm at my parent's house cat and housesitting for the week, but thanks to the Internet Jeff and I are virtually couch shopping on the Ikea website while talking on the phone. Looks like we'll be picking out our new couch very soon!
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Vanity Pillowcases

Do you think Jeff would notice if I casually snuck in these pillowcases onto our bed? I love the idea of these!

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Actually now that I think about it, I could purchase two pillowcases of my choosing and ask Jeff's mom to sew in the words. She has one of those fancy, uber-expensive Bernina sewing machines that do everything except command NASA flights. 

Rather than "Sleeping Beauty" and "Prince Charming" - which doesn't fit us at all - the pillowcases could say "Hers" and "His" or "Mrs." and "Mr." (someday!).  I love that personalization can be really inexpensive and thoughtful!

Photos: Pretty in the Bedroom

The other day I blogged about prettying up our bedroom with some new purchases. Here's a breakdown of what we did:

• New sheets and (2) pillowcases 
• Curtain (plus rod)
• Decorative pillow

Doesn't seem like much but the sheets alone took up more than half our budget. I think the best deal we got was on the curtain panel, and I really think it lifted the look of the bedroom considerably. It's not picture-perfect yet but I think we're on our way. 

Undressed window on the left, finished product on the right. And I love the way the sun comes through the curtain in the morning! The light is so soft and really brings out the floral pattern.
Curtain: Botanical Burnout, Target.  Rod also from Target.

Fieldcrest Luxury 450 Thread Count Solid Soft Sheet Set  in Grey, Target. 

Adding a touch of femininity to the room. The grey sheets were a compromise  but Jeff let me have my way with the curtain and decorative pillow. Ultimately I think he feels I made the best choice. 

Top: front of the pillow. Bottom: back of pillow
They aren't different colors. My camera is senile.
Simply Shabby Chic Embroidered Euro Pillow, Target. 

Credit: Target.com
View of the pillow that wasn't taken witha  senile digital camera. 

In addition to the new purchases, we also removed the tiled garden table that I had been using as a bedside table. While I'd like to have the free space available for storing extra pillows and bedding, right now it's being used for the portable air conditioner.

The bedroom hasn't received the kind of attention that the other rooms have, but I think we're now in a position to build on the few items we have purchased. We only have so much room to work with and because we're coming from two different households, we have two different sets of furniture. One of the more exciting aspects of living with someone is building everything together. I really like shopping for home furnishings with Jeffrey and I can't wait to see what else we come up with!



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Photo Post: Our Terrace Garden

Jeff getting ready to plant our new gardenia bush.

Our recent purchases: a dwarf lemon tree, gardenia bush, and these two planters. I am loving the large planter for the dwarf lemon. So beautiful!

I can't wait until this yields some fruit!

He's wondering why I'm taking pictures of him, lol.

Clearly he's doing all the work!

The daisy seeds I planted weeks ago are finally starting to sprout!

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Watching Shows About Hoarding Makes Us Want to Clean

Is it wrong that I'm relaxing, trolling on the Internet while Jeff is going around the apartment cleaning and organizing random things? I would do it too but I just don't want to, lol. Plus I need inspiration to clean and I am fresh out of it!

In other news I just finished the latest school term today. I now have four weeks off and no clue what I will do with my time. I'm sure I can think of a few things! There are always things in the apartment that need attention like our closet.

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Spring Planting

Back in January we bought fixings to start growing a small garden on our tiny little terrace. I think we may have missed the deadline to start planting stuff but I think if we can get it done this weekend we'll be okay. I don't have high hopes for things to grow in this climate anyway. But we'll see! It will sure be nice to have some green things growing out there to make the view a bit nicer.

Jeff's mom planted a bunch of seedlings in a big greenhouse starter kit and already many of them have sprouted up quite nicely. They have this perfect area in their kitchen where a small bay window juts out, allowing for sunlight and precipitation. They should look really nice when they are more grown. Jeff is so funny - every time we go to his parent's house he has to comment on the state of their gardening or the pond or some specific plant. I suppose since his emotional ties are stronger to his childhood home it makes sense.

I'm really looking forward to what Spring has to offer. I'm not looking forward to the 100 degree weather that is sure to cause misery, however. But since Jeff is off school for summer (not me, grr) perhaps we can spend a lot of of time at the pool, staying cool and getting tan. It's a nice thought at least!

In the meantime I'm firmly ensconced in finals and will be for the next two weeks. Joy is the life of graduate student!

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I Love Presents

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday with Jeff's mom and dad and we had a really lovely time. We ate delicious food at Bucca di Beppo (where I ate an entire salmon filet for the first time in my life) and I opened some very lovely presents! I have a new set of Fiesta dinnerware (in Plum!), new silverware, and some new drinking glasses. Our kitchen is more equipped and stylish than anything else we own!

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Mini Food Post #2

Jeffrey seems to have a flair for plating his culinary creations and this dish he recently made was no exception. The saffron in the tuna turned it a lovely yellow color, but it really popped when he topped it on purple mashed potatoes. And the whole dish popped again when he put it on this marigold plate. It was delicious, too! 

 

And here was our haul from the Farmers Market last weekend. The shallots are new to me but they are working out quite nicely. I made guacamole for the very first time Monday night and I was having a bit of difficulty getting the flavor just right. Turns out all it needed was pancetta (and pancetta fat). So delicious!!

 

 

Apartment 54

I'm really excited to begin a great new project for the new year. My life took a radical shift four months ago and it was all for the better. I moved away from my family and began a new life in a new city... accompanied by the love of my life, Jeff. Things have been going great and we have adjusted well to being detached from our families. New challenges have appeared and one of the biggest is living in my own (rented) space (with Jeff). We both have a lot of dreams for how we want to make our home reflect the blending of our lives. However, living off of our financial aid (we are both grad students) is challenging and doesn't leave a lot of room for a decorating budget. We are both trying to find creative ways to make our home look great and feel wonderful. That is what this blog is all about. Welcome to our home, Apartment 54.