Apartment Hunting

So I have an interim apartment for the moment marking the beginning of my post grad life, but it's a sublet and I'll have to move out at the end of the summer. If I'm able to find a job, I'm hoping to continue renting. Moving home is the other option which isn't exactly ideal (although it may very well be necessary). So I've taken to looking at apartments. Is everything currently out of my price range? Of course! Does that make it any less fun? No! Mainly because I'm not having to make any actual decisions at the moment.

So what am I absolutely in love with right now?

Exposed brick and large windows! It's gorgeous and I love it!

I have no idea where this image came from and unfortunately can't credit it (I found it on Pinterest, but it won't like me back to where it's originally from). Wouldn't you just love to curl up in that window seat and read? Preferably with a cup of hot tea or coffee in hand? The only thing that could improve that picture is a throw and a large bookshelf.

This next picture is from Apartment Therapy and I'm head over heels in love with the exposed brick. It even has an old fire place that's been decorated with candles! Does it get any better? I love how the dark wood floors work with the brick and the furniture compliments it so nicely. This apartment also seems to get a lot of light which is just lovely. Remember folks, I'm living in a basement. Light is not my friend right now.

So what do you all think? Not everybody loves brick as much as I do. Are these places you'd want to live? What makes up your dream home?

Pillows Pillows Pillows

I have an obsession with pillows. I can't explain it. An excess of pillows serve no purpose, they destroy clean lines, but I can't help it. They're cozy put a throw over the back of a couch, a few pillows on each side and I feel like I'm home. Coziness is key for me when decoration a room. The major problem with this pillow obsession? They're expensive.

Right now I am absolutely loving the vintage style, linen pillows from Esmery-Caron.

Pillows can be found at Restoration Hardware, which is where all images were taken from

I adore these pillows. They're neutral so I could take them from apartment to apartment easily. They're French and I have to admit I'm drawn to all things with just a hint of French. They're also out of my price range. They seem to be selling off right now; I saw them in a local store for a little over $20, but it's still out of my price range. 

A few other options I scoped out online are even worse at $40 and $49 (both pillows can be found at Supermarket. Aren't they so tempting though?

mosaic star linen pillow cover black

detroit map title pillow cover

I don't need pillows, but I would like some. I'll be moving soon and want to make my next place feel like a home. I'm thinking of sewing pillows like these myself. Now I'm not a sewer, in fact I barely passed Grade Nine sewing, but it's worth a shot no? I know quite a few costume designers who could set me on the right path fabric wise and I'm sure I could borrow a sewing machine. Do-it-yourself design has never been my forte, but it's looking like my budget calls for it. Does anybody know if sewing will actually be cheaper in the long run?

For the next few days I'm going to be searching for some clear, simple instructions for a BEGINNER sewer. It's the internet, it has everything even instructions simple enough for a sew-i-phobic like myself. Now let's all hope I don't hit my finger with a needle.

Around the Home

This week has been a whirlwind of last minute Christmas preparations. I was so busy with shows and then exams I had no time to even think about Christmas and so I'm winging the holidays this year. Christmas shopping is nearly done; the house is almost decorated, well the tree is up at least, and the first round of baking is complete and eaten. I just love the old ornaments that have been used for generations. So many have been broken over the years, but the ones that remain add something special to our tree year after year.

Christmas To Do

Finish Shopping - Two Presents to Go

Bake Christmas Cake, Shortbread, Mince Pie, Sugar Cookies, Rice Crispy Squares, Cherry Slice, Scones

Pick Up Turkey

Well the list really isn't that bad is it? The baking list is a little long, but I've set aside most of tomorrow for it. Sure I still need to pick up the ingredients for the baking, but it will all get done. Nothing to worry about! Other than that, there are Christmas films to watch and books to read in front of the fire. Nothing beats sitting by the fire, looking at the Christmas tree with a good book and a cup of hot coffee. I plan on thoroughly enjoying the next few days and hope you all do too!

Summers Past

This concept of normalcy; I've often wondered if it exists. At university everybody seems to eschew it in favour of finding his or her own path, but I think overall everybody is just a little off. I'm not here to get into a philosophical debate (trust me, I'd lose). Sometimes I just think that even in this little micro-universe I'm not exactly "normal," whatever that means. Who's ever heard of environmentalist theatre major whose obsession with Springsteen led to a love of 1970s muscle cars? What kind of theatre student loves the stereotypical guy thing.

This whole post is a little more personal than I like to get on this blog. It's also incredibly off topic, so forgive me.

I think one of the great things about university is you can explore different interests and find a niche. You're exposed to ideas that weren't necessarily part of your experience growing up. The pool of people is just that much larger. However, I've found a certain type of person which is great, but there's still that hometown girl in me. The girl who remembers struggling to scrape by in an old used car. There's a part of me that will never quite fit in in a world that's dominated by the upper middle class (which is a shame). Most people from my hometown are married with children now. They've got solid jobs and work hard. I think all day.

I'm glad I chose the path I did, but I think I'll always identify a little with the people left in my hometown. They're the people who shaped me. They're my family and my neighbours. I never really fit in there either and I wouldn't go back, but their influence is profound. Sometimes I miss that life. Running downstairs and hopping into my friend's beat up 80s camaro and driving, walking for an hour in the August heat just to get to the coffee shop with board games,dancing down at the local hall, trekking into the city for an outdoor concert that we saved for months to buy tickets too, those are the memories I'll cherish. Those high school summers defined me. I grew apart from those friends and I miss them. We're different people now, but a part of me will stay lost in those summers, the same part of me that doesn't quite fit into the university mold.

Home For the Weekend

As much as I love living alone (well somewhat alone...there's always that whole roommate issue) sometimes a weekend at home is nice. There's food in the fridge and if I had laundry to do I wouldn't have to pay. Sometimes it's the small things in life. Especially when it's the end of the semester and you haven't worked for pay since the past August. Those first few days back are fantastic. Of course if you stay any longer it's back to reality, but for now, I'm going to revel in the laziness that is my Good Friday.