i think i’ve figured out why i am such a packrat…
It’s because you never know what you are going to need. However, you do find out quite effectively once you don’t have it. Monkey and I are still here in the mostly empty apartment. We were due to be back in Chicago this week, but that had to change because of Monkey’s schedule at work (total side note, but our next door neighbor back in Chicago is a true gem; we are so lucky he’s ours). So…we’re heading back to do a preliminary pack-up of some essentials (like a couch, guest bed, some extra towels, etc….) in the next few days. But until then, we’re trying not to buy too much, because that would exascerbate the packrat issues (plus, all those duplicates, how extravagant! I don’t like to waste anything…and then I’d be stuck with 2 or 3 of something I only kind of needed 1 of). Having said that, it’s also hard to live without some creature comforts…
- We bought a new bed from the Mattress Source. Super nice salesguy, super squishy pillow-top bed. Feels like total luxury. It was crafted right here in the Carolinas. We dressed it on the quick in Martha bedding (which is also made in the USA, mipmup!) from the big K (that store is a novelty to us since they’d shut down most of the ones in our area of Chicago), and it was such a treat to go to sleep in a squishy comfy new bed.
- We bought a 20″ TV and a cheapie DVD player. This will prolly live in the guest room later, but as we have no couch/comfy seating (outside a few floor cushions that aren’t that comfy) in the living room, it currently lives in our bedroom (but I generally don’t like having a TV in the bedroom).
- $28 microwave from Target. It gives us a duplicate, but we tried living for a few days without a microwave, and then $28 oven waved itself in our faces in the most tempting way, so could resist no more and took it home with us last night. We’ve been daily Target shoppers for the last week or so. I’m not even kidding you. That is quite sad.
- A handy dandy bistro set that has been serving as our dining table/chairs. It also got to spend some time on the balcony this weekend, as the temps hit 75 and the sun shone like it was summer. {
} It will live permanently on our balcony once our regular dining room stuff comes to join us down south. During the days, I’ve been using it as my desk for the laptop too.
- I went to the local Cost Plus today. I love Cost Plus. I got the sweetest salt and pepper shaker by Stoha on clearance ($3.48! It’s definitely not necessary, but it was too cute not to). I also got a cutie doormat that I later spied in Kathleen’s Flickr Photostream. Like minds!!
- Other observations that necessitated for creation of duplication:
- You cannot make a perfect fried egg with a wooden spoon serving as a turner. No way.
- New shower liner curtains smell forever of that stanky vinyl stink. Ick.
- Even when you think you’ll save money and duplication by not buying more soap dishes for your soap, you wind up having to buy some nice liquid soaps to prevent that slimy soap squidge from developing all over your counter tops.
- Big roomy kitchen = building desire to actually cook within it (we feel so grown-up and responsible now…and we’re in an apartment!?) = need to buy the basic foodstuffs and spices and cookware and utensils and china and glasses. We did come to learn that the Kroger nearby is super swanky and will fill in just fine for the Trader Joe’s we’ll be missing.
- Having showers and such call for the shower liner of stinky sub-bullet2 and for new bath towels. It might be a sickness, but I love buying new bath towels. We have far too many towels for the space we have in Chicago, but I do hope that will not be the case with the mother huge closets here…Close to my joy in buying new towels is the joy of new toiletries. Shampoos and bath concoctions and such. I love loading up on those. And the guilt factor is low, since you use up toiletries eventually, right?
- You cannot make a perfect fried egg with a wooden spoon serving as a turner. No way.
Yeah, bloggy news has been low since I basically am just moving little bits and bobs in and around this apartment for now. And I’ve spent most of this week working on updates for The Walrus. Oh! How could I forget? I went to the A.C. Moore here (my first time ever to an AC Moore) and I was so thoroughly enthralled. Columbia is good because it’s got AC + Michaels + Hobby Lobby. Just need a Paper Source and a Blick now and I’d be set…
Hope your week has started off in a good way!!
That’s so cute we have matching doormats. :DYour flickr photostream is giving me flashbacks to my first apartment…it was so— empty!Despite the lack of furniture…you and Monkey have managed to make the apartment look really cozy. 🙂
I love all the little touches you have been making to make your new place a home! I especially love the bistro set and the adorable salt and pepper shakers. =)
You’ve actually managed to make moving sound nice. Squishy-comfy beds and cute doormats and bits and bobs. I want YOUR move. 🙂
I know you were soaking up that sun, girl!
I know it must be hard living bare-bones, but darn if you don’t make it sound fun…like an adventure. You have the most wonderful outlook on things. Have a great week, Giao!
Wow, nice cushy bed! I know moving is a pain, but there are fun things about it too. Like new stuff. I love the door mat. I may have to cruise on over to my local Cost Plus and snag one. Yep, I’m a copy cat. I miss Hobby Lobby. The only all-in-one store here is Michaels, and they were never my favorite. I know there are some mega ART supply stores in the Berkeley area, but for crafting, all I have is Michaels.
Loving your house-moving/settling-in stories! And yes indeed!! That bed looks super comfy….ready for someone to jump on it like a trampoline (I am just speaking for myself, but as a kid I just had to jump on everybody’s bad like a maniac).
The thing that I like is that you got to fill your new space with new stuff, which is something that I haven’t yet experienced here yet. Maybe one day….when we figure out where the heck we’d like to settle down.
How fun! Your post makes me wanna go shop, shop SHOP! We’re going to be in St.Louis this weekend and I can’t wait to hit the new Crate & Barrel there – o how I miss my C&B…… and I guess there’s a Trader Joe’s across the street – never been to one, completely intrigued, and now I also want that same doormat. We have World Market, which is owned by CostPlus – maybe they’ll have it. Copygnome that I can be. 🙂
Jennifer in Kansas City /plazajen
NOTHING better than a super comfy bed. What did we do before pillow tops?Love the salt and pepper shakers and the adorable mat!
Wowsers! All that cool stuff…your place already looks too damn cute. I love Cost Plus…such an awesome place. There is one near the Pentagon in Virginia..but it’s quite a drive. We definatley have to come see the two of you down South. Thanks for the invite. Guess what! update on my blog…but I am finally leaving corp America, too! It’s been a major roller coaster ride lately…but we finally just made a decision. Now we just have to work out all of the details. Any advice on giving notice? I wish you and David very well and hope the move goes great. And! thank gosh there is a couple of craft stores where you live…that wouldn’t have been too cool if there wasn’t.
You are making moving sound fun!! We don’t have AC Moore here, I’d love to check one out. And we DO have Target. It’s hard to stop once you start buying house stuff there!!
It does look cozy. All the best…(& I’ve been wondering how Michaels and Hobby Lobby compare…)
So fun watching you prettify your new abode!!! Things look grand already! Keep the pictures coming…this is SO fun! 😉
I am so happy for you, Giao. It’s so exciting, and I know what you mean about feeling grown-up. It’s so exciting setting up a house! Keep us posted with all your darling finds!
oooh, you are making me want to shop too!!! the gnomey home touches are wonderful! that bed looks lovely and very squishy! glad you are enjoying the sun. looking forward to more explorations.
Costplus is where I got those footed egg cups/shotglasses…
http://www.justjenndesigns.com/custom/favor.jpg
j
That’s one good thing about moving – getting to buy new stuff. I love the things you’ve bought. Those salt & pepper shakers are adorable! Keep the pictures coming!
Thank you for the CostPlus link. One just opened in my hometown, and I couldn’t remember the name of it. I’m sooo shopping there during spring break. Sounds like things are going well!
Hey girl, thank you for the great up date! Sounds like you are settleing in! Have a good week good to hear from you!
Wow, look at all those great finds, all from stores that we don’t have here :(. Looks like your move is going quite nicely!
Such a fun post! Just reading about all of your bargin buys kind of allowed me to momentarily shop through you, and I didn’t have to leave the house 🙂
The bistro set is very cute, by the way. When you have the time, I hope you’ll set up a housewarming register so that little somethings can arrive at your new home.
I liked seeing all of you finds. The mat is so cute. I totally relate to the Target thing. It’s hard not to go there for stuff because everything is so inexpensive & they do have a great housewares department.
Oh man.. I just finished my taxes tonight, and you would not BELIEVE how many receipts I had from Hobby Lobby. That place is evil. Wonderful, but evil.I really like your dining room suite/patio furnishings. ;o)
The hooby and I are trying to down size all of our pack ratting… it’s damn hard.
I commented on your mat at flickr, but since I see it again I have to say again, how I love it. I may have to go to World Market this weekend for myself… There was one near my old place in VA but none in MD, so since I am heading south for dinner over the weekend I will have to swing by… that was the hardest thing to leave behind… the world market!
Also, so you know, with xanga, you already have a RSS feed and it works wonderfully well – I use it!
Cheers!
I agree about towels — you can never have enough! Thanks for sharing your moving in adventures and purchases. I love how your little touches are transforming your place into a home.
Too bad you’ll be moving soon. We are planning to visit Chicago in June! Take care Giao!
Thanks for sharing! I can’t believe you still have time to blog! That door mat totally looks like something you would illustrate.