New Apartment

Today I signed the lease for a new apartment! 

Here are a couple pics.  It is a one bedroom in Glenview.  It is exactly 1.5 miles from work.

I am really excited about the double sink!  Man, I must be getting old, for this to be exciting!

Get a New Apartment  Done!

Goals: Get A New Apartment

I decided I was ready to upgrade to a one bedroom.  It was a hard decision because I love my place and I have spent a lot of time on it and I finally feel happy with it... so why would I want to move?  Well, I would really love to have people over and you can't really have a get together in a studio... well not comfortably anyways.

I also love interior design so I would love to design my own little apartment.  I am very excited about finding a place and therefore "this journey" has been really dissapointing.  I found a nice affordable one bedroom, but the problem is that it's ready to have someone move in while my lease is not over until July 31st... bummer!  I listed my studio on craigslist as a sublease and I did get a few emails... a lot of them were weird and I didn't trust them.  I did show it to two girls, but so far nothing.  This whole situation was causing me lots of stress.

I decided to keep my eyes open for other places and this is how I found this other apartment.  I was too excited because it looked really nice and it was very affordable.  Check it out!

I wrote to them and one later got a response.  After I e-mailed them and waiting for a response to a viewing I decided to google the owner's emails since it actually looked like it belonged to a management company.  Well, surprise surprise!  I found them on the flake list!

It turns out it's a scam.  That's the same e-mail is the one I got.  So far they have "hit" Colorado, Texas and Illinois!  So just be careful when you are looking for apartments (specially on craigslist)!

As far as my aparment search goes, well I decided to stay until the contract expires and start looking at places at the end of June.  Wish me luck! 

My Own Dressing Room!

A couple months ago I saw a posting on a dressing room.  The couple had an extra room in their house and the wife decided to make it her dressing room!  How great is that?!  Well, since I do live in a studio with not even a bedroom... I can't quite have that... but I do have a small closet room!

A trip to Wal-Mart got the decorating juices flowing... I got a $3 poster, a $7 frame and a $10 rug.  I also moved a lamp from the "living room" and waaalaaa!  I got me a dressing room!

At one point I was upset with myself for getting the red dresser instead of the black one.  It has been two years since I changed my bedroom decor from red to green to blue... so the dresser stood out like a sore thumb (literally!), but when I saw this pic it all fell into place! 

I also thought the framed poster made it more glam than a mirror could.  I already have a full length mirror so I won't be missing out on anything.  What do u think?  I love it!

It also makes me want to keep an organized closet.  Which the actual closet part is still a WIP, but I will keep you updated on any progress.

Making Life Better, One Annoyance At A Time

Just a quick post.  Do you ever have that one little annoying "to do" task that could literally take 5 minutes but you just keep putting off?  Well, I do.  I had this board where I tacked up some pics (pics from the pic activity we did a while ago; you 'member?), but wanted to cover the cork board with something a little nicer.  I went out, got the paper...MONTHS ago but I had not gotten around to actually doing it.  Well, enough is enough.  Finally I took 5 minutes to cover it.

It felt good!

I don't know why I waited so long specially because I would see it every time I went out the door!  Now I feel good every time I exit my studio.  Yey me!

Now, if I could only tackle the pile of clothes that has been living on the couch for weeks...or months?  I am embarrased!

Chandelier

Remember this post..when I had the crazy idea of hanging a chandelier in my little studio?  Well, I found one on craigslist, drove out to a far far away home depot to pick it up then left it at my parents...only to go back the next weekend to find it installed!!!

I didn't really mind because I did offer it up to my mom and because it was being properly used, as opposed to what I was planning on doing with it...mmmph I guess it's better that they kept it.

By the way, it was only $10!

Ghost Chair

My mom and I went to Ikea this weekend and found this chair!

I was so excited when I saw it!  I love ghost chairs, but until now I had only seen them for at least $200.  Ikea: $99!  I love them because they are great for small spaces (like my studio) since they don't take up any visual space!  Now if I could only find a spot for one ... or two..  :)

New Inspiration Picture

This picture is driving me C.R.A.Z.Y!

I first saw it on Make Under My Life months ago, then on Oh Brooke, then on Urban Sardines, then on Ish and Chi.  {Yes, I have a blog addiction}

AND....now I have named it my new design inspiration picture!  So what does that mean???  Well, that I will use it to style my new place.  So let's see how it goes.

So for the last couple of days I have been on Craigslist, trying to find pieces.  So far, I've found a low table that could turn into that table, a chandelier that I could spray paint...actually I am all over the place so let me get my act together and then I'll share my plans.

More on the chandelier, so since I am renting I can't really change the light fixture so I thought of a faux chandelier, but they are just as expensive...so my next idea is to get one from craigslist, do some spray paint magic and just hang it from the ceiling.  You know, just with a hook, like a plant.  So what if it won't turn on, I already have enough light.

 

Sound crazy?...yes I am crazy and serious.  I also found this paper (not wall paper, but regular paper) for the wall panel.

 

But now I am thinking that stenciling would be less expensive.

Also, check out this fan chandelier hybrid.

That's a new thought.  Ahh I am going crazy with all these thoughts!

The Move + Acceptance

Hello!  I am back.  I took a little time off to settle into my new studio.  So far so good.

I have a couple posts cooking, but first lets start with the move.

I am now on the 3rd floor!

On Sunday (leave it to me to wait until  the last day of a long weekend) I asked my family to help me move.  By family I mean my mom, stepdad and uncle.  Even though I was only moving to the 3rd floor I was still going to need some man power!
 (Special thanks to all my gfs that contacted me to help, really thanks!)

I am kinda set up...for now. 

So do you remember my "dining room" posts (one and two)....well I finally accepted that I do not have the space for a dinning table...as small as my cute little table is.  I have a counter so I will get some stools instead.  So I let go of the idea and sent it back home with my family.  I promised myself that one day I would give myself a dream dinning room/eating nook.

Ok ... so where are the pics?....well my studio was clean...WAS, but I started to clean my closet and started throwing clothes on the floor...because how else can you clean the closet?  Anyways, pictures to come soon.

In the mean time, I now get to ride this elevator.  Since I am only the 3rd floor I usually take the stairs.  I take the elevator when I want to fantasize about living a fabulous life a la Carrie in an old vintage building in New York... yea I am weird, so?

Old School Elevator

Also, we got a new intercom...and guess what?  I am NOT in it.  I need to call someone to fix that!

West Elm Again!

West Elm got me again!

Check out this dining room!

Ok, let me try this again!

Last time I did my version of a West Elm dinning room...let's just say it was not to the T so here I go again.  Also, last time I used Picasa and that took forever.  I really need to learn how to use it...but not today.

So here I go.

Using my old dining table, not coat of paint needed $0

West Elm $499

These AWESOME chairs from Target at 2 for $55 [insert loud Yes!!!]

West Elm $198

AND another Ikea bookcase, but in white for $69.

West Elm $399

Hanging Lamp from Ikea $39

West Elm $99

West Elm Total $1,195

Eva's Version $163

Wooo hooo!!!!  I did well.  How do you like it? 

Oh I really want those chairs!!!!!

On to prettier things...

In an effort to pick myself up after Oprah's BIG announcement last Friday...I decided to think ahead.  Four days ahead to be exact.  So that means four days to move day! 

Check out this wonderful inspiration picture:

How Glorious!  Love the blue with the oak wood and the pillows!  Ohhh how I love this picture!!!

So much that I have been thinking of using it as inspiration for my new place.  The problem is that not long ago I got new green bedding, which then of course I had to get throw pillows for the bed, the couch, and seating cushions for the kitchen chairs!!!  You have to remember that I do live in a studio so everyhing has to co-exist - so everything is green!

But let's dream for a minute...if I was to forget about the guilt of indulgence...what would I get?

Ok, I can't get over all of my guilt so let's just skip the fancy stores and go straight to the best and the favorite.. Target!

 

I love the design on this tray.  The blue is also perfect.

And how about this pillow!!!  It matches my brown couch!  I like the swirls, makes it girly!

What about the lovebirds?  Awww.

AND this bow?!  Glamour!

 I like this bookcase from Ikea, but how about flipping it sideways and addind books, magazines, and pictures!  Lovely!

I am a girly pink girl, but I think I could live here!

Dinning Room: Work with what u have...

I fell in love with this dining room space from West Elm. The only problem...the West Elm price tag.

So here is my version.

Let's not go in order:

1. 
   
   Table:  I have a table similar to this one, but in maple (Good ol' Craigslist $30).  How about a sanding and a coat of espresso brown?
   
   
   
2. 
   
   White Chairs: I have these chairs in green (Again Good ol'Craigslist $15 for 2).  How about white spray paint?
   
   
   
3. 
   
   The chandelier:  I actually found the West Elm chandelier on Craigslist for $65...except I got no response from the seller!  Grr, I hate it when that happens!  So here is this one from Ikea for $30.  Again, I found this one on craigslist for $10 and AGAIN, seller didn't respond!
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Maple Foldable Chairs: All together...Good ol' Craigslist $20 for 2.  I don't think I need 4 chairs for my size table, so I might just leave these as is and put them away in the closet.
   
   
   
5. 
   
   Plant: Ikea has great plants starting at $0.99,  My only problem is keeping them alive!  No green thumb here!
   
   
   
6. 
   
   Plates:  Got plates at Dollar Store!  Awesome!
   
   
   
7. 
   
   Silverware: From Target at $12.99.  I have the white set.
   
   
   

Still Need: Rug, Wall Decor.

Ok, ok, since I know my bf is very likely going to read this....No, I am not crazy.  I am not buying anything ... yet.  If you notice, I already have most of this stuff so relax (for now).

I just previewed this...and "my version" is really nothing like the West Elm picture... oh well.  I still like it.

Discovered Polyvore! Strawberry Ice Cream Bedroom!

I have discovered Polyvore! It was like having an AMEX blackcard...except I was cramped up in my studio apartment, sitting on my bed and hunched over my hot lap top... but it felt great to pick and choose whatever my little heart desired!
My favorite from this room is the stripped throw pillow! Love the color combo! I originally had a different color scheme, but once I found this pillow I just had to change it all! Love it!!!

Enjoy my little dream room! If you want to try polyvore make sure you are sitting comfortably... bc it will absorb you for a while. My back hurts.

Strawberry Cream Room by prettyblessed on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Matalan.co.uk dress, 25 GBP
Debenhams.com intimates, 20 GBP
Fantasyjewelrybox.com earrings, $40
2modern.com, $2,151
Bedbathandbeyond.com decor, $1,000

New Idea: Bar Cart/Table

Looking through the pages of the new online design magazine Lonny I got the idea that I need a Bar Cart in my next place. 

I have been looking through craigslist, but have been unsuccessful... so here is the next best thing.  Tell me what you think?

Already own this table, but no longer need it since I got the lovely darling new nightstand.

Silver Tray from Ikea

For Ice?

Some wine and probably some vodka.

So what do you think?  Will it work?

One last link.  This was on the home page of Apartment Therapy yesterday!  It's meant to be!  Actually check out the prices...and on second thought...it's not meant to be.

New Bedroom!!!

I really need your help!  I need help deciding on the decor for the new place...so please leave a comment with your opinion...

So after seeing Fixing It Fancy's guest posting on Brooklyn Limestone I fell in love with my black iron bed all over again!

So, so far this is what I have (or what I have found):

- Will be moving in to a place with a place with a similar nook for the bed

My plan is to paint it the same color to get that contrast with the black iron.

This is the bed I have:

I need help deciding on a white duvet.  I would like a white duvet with white flowers.  Here are my choices:

1) Duvet on Smart Bargains

2) Overstock Option 1

3) Overstock Option 2

I also just got this lovely darling nightstand

(I might paint it...but I don't know what color ... or how and I definitely don't want to ruin it!)

What I need:

Faux Fur Rug

Chadelier or Faux Chandelier

If you find something please send me a link... I love me some links!

One last thing... check out this buffet!

Wouldn't this make an awesome dresser!!!  Again from Fixing it Fancy, check out the post!

Moving on Up!

So my apt lease is up at the end of Nov.  Only 4 weeks away.  When I first moved into my studio I only signed a 6 month lease.  The reason I did this was because I was thinking of possibly buying my own place.  With the government's first time buyer's incentives it seemed like the right time to buy.

I have really thought about this ...and after much deliveration I decided that right now is NOT the right time for ME to buy a place.  I thought of how much my life would change...on a day to day basis ...for example all the little pleasures I would have to give up.  Among those little pleasures is the security of being able to afford my rent!

Anyways..I didn't want to stay in the same studio I am at now because it's in the first floor next to the building's parking lot...so I get freaked out that someone is going to come in through a window...that spmeone is peeking in...I can't even open my windows...so that means NO SUNSHINE (ugh this is a BIG no no for me!)!

My Solution...to move up!  Two floors up!  I absolutely love Evanston!  I like that it's close to work, that it's next to the lake, that it's quiet, that starbucks is in the next block...so I need to stay here!

I was lucky enough to find another studio in this building but in the 3rd floor!  Hello SUNSHINE!  The studio will be a little more $, but it was just refurnished (new appliances, new carpet, new flooring, new fixtures, and two walk in closets!).

Here are some pics I quickly snapped when I went to check it out!  (I can't wait to move [inser squeal here!] )

What?!  A Kitchen!? This is huge...compared to what I have now!

Bedroom :)

Now for the FUN part....the DECOR!  (coming soon!)