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Source: vendelasday.blogspot.com via Mona on Pinterest

I forgot to announce…I’m moving! I’m moving into a close by apartment with a new roommate, a garbage disposal (!), a fireplace (!), a washer and dryer (!), a dishwasher (!), a balcony (!!!), and a pool (!!!). Woo! And the best (and craziest) part? It’s cheaper than my current place.

I haven’t had a roommate in 2+ years, but I’m excited to venture back into the roommate world. When I say “roommate,” I mean “apartment mate,” so I won’t actually be sharing a room (whew!). I know it won’t all be fun and games, but I’m looking forward to reduced rent, expanding my social circle, possibly indulging in cable TV, sharing clothes and books, and hopefully fun girly roommate nights.

I obviously have a lot to do before I move:

Pack

Donate stuff to Goodwill {and possibly save some for a future clothing swap}

Forward mail; change address on all accounts

Repaint my bar cart & my leaning bookshelf

Sign over my old lease

Purchase balcony furniture

 As of right now, I’m pretty excited about the moving process, but don’t quote me on that the weekend I actually have to move! That adrenaline rush wears off pretty early on in the process haha.

But I know at the end of the move, I’ll get to brew iced coffee in a coffeemaker on my granite counters and sip it in my orange-walled dining room or out on the balcony. And then I’ll put the used cup in the dishwasher! Woo icon smile moving on Then I’ll sink into my bed in my turquoise-walled master bedroom with en suite bathroom!

 a long overdue life update

I’m sitting with my sister on the couch and she is begging me to write a life update on my blog- which is funny, because she knows everything that goes on in my life!

I was about to type “The past few weeks have been a whirlwind” but I realized 1) I overuse the expression “whirlwind” and 2) when is my life not a whirlwind?! Good thing I like it hectic.

  • Smashingly successful open house for our coworking space (officially The Raleigh Forum); tons of people came out to explore the space, mingle, and enjoy our refreshments
  • Endless promotions for the space
  • Hired an Office Assistant (that’s right, we have an employee! So cool)
  • Spoke with my sister about The Raleigh Forum at a Ladies NC networking event
  • Assigned to several new projects at my recruiting job
  • Put the almost-final touches on my apartment- pictures coming soon! Let’s just say I’m very happy
  • Did a Warrior Dash-esque run through Umstead Park
  • Made potato leek soup, Moroccan chicken stew, and Mexican bean salad
To come:
  • Wine & Design session with a new friend
  • Checking out Benelux Cafe
  • Meeting with new babysitting client
  • A hike in Hillsborough
  • Cupcakes at Gigi’s with another new friend
  • Biking with another new friend (that’s 3+ new friends!)
  • Weekly tennis match
  • Recuperating from my little cold
  • Planning a 2012 cruise with the girls. I spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E icon smile a long overdue life update
[photo credit: here]

I was THRILLED when I walked into my new apartment. First of all, it’s HUGE. Like a palace. So big, in fact, that I have to do some creative thinking to FILL the space (I’m used to buying furniture and accessories that serve double duty so I can fit everything, but now I need more things so it doesn’t look empty).

raleigh apartments floorplan a foyer?!

Did you see that? Look again.

Yes, I have a foyer. How grown up is that?! Not to mention both a linen closet and a hall closet.

And for a fraction of the cost of DC rent.

Although I plan to keep my current furniture and decor, I will need to buy more since I am almost doubling my space! Changes I’ll be making:

  • Photos for the hallway (maybe a Raleigh side and a DC side?)
  • Making good use of that awesome foyer
  • A revamped bathroom (I wonder the apartment policy on painting. My bathroom in high school was seafoam green with white accessories and I loved that)
  • A display of my Washington, DC and North Carolina coffee table photo books
  • So much amazing closet space!
  • Perhaps investing in a real dining room table (as opposed to the adorable white Ikea table I have now, which I still love but isn’t cut out for more than two people)
  • Establishing a home office space in the expansive living room area
  • Possibly a mini bar?!
I have countless other design ideas, so stay tuned for more blog posts featuring Pinterest images!

Soo I’ve officially moved to NC for the summer. It hasn’t exactly been a smooth transition- we have so much to do with the townhouse, so it’s been a bit chaotic and stressful. I have no doubt that in the next week we’ll feel more settled in and HAPPY.

On the plus side, I’ve interviewed with some great babysitting families, ran lots of important errands, been Bob the Builder (put together our furniture), signed up for Habitat for Humanity, got an apartment in DC, and joined the coolest gym.

My last few days in DC were great. On Cinco de Mayo my friend and I accidentally ended up on a huge boat on the Georgetown Harbor…again! I’ve decided that my first “grown up” investment will be a boat, because there is nothing like hanging out on a boat on a beautiful summer night.

I’m trying to think of ways to decorate my studio next year so I’ve been looking at pictures online. My inspiration:

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I love looking at all of the rooms on ApartmentTherapy.com.

Clearly I’m ALL about the colors. I’m aiming for an eclectic but put-together look. Any advice?

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+Cristina Roman