Monday, June 22, 2009

Moving Out

Isn't it interesting the way the Lord intervenes in our lives??

I am not one to appreciate people who go on and on about how wonderful their lives are, and all that they have, and how delightful they are, etc. I hope that you can read this as just someone who is floored at the Lord's goodness and generosity. I really do attribute all of this to Him.

A few weeks ago one of my closest friends told me a distressing story over coffee. Her apartment had been sold out from under her and her roomie by their (dishonest) landlord. Her roomie decided to move to a different state. She had just a few weeks to find a new roommate, move her things and figure out what to do/where to go. I was so burdened for her and the enormous inconvenience.

Long story short, my lease is almost up, and we decided to find a place together. We made several appointments that night with different apartments in Logan Square. The next day we went to see one and absolutely fell in love with it. Day after that we had filled out an application. The next day we had signed the lease and dropped off the security deposit. What?!!

I will miss living in the lovely place that I have called home for the last year, but I am also excited to be rooming with Sarah Bear again in a new place.

I wish I could tell you all of the ways that things have just fallen into place. It seems too easy. It seems like it should not be this simple and stress free. I am amazed at watching the Lord provide. You have to love how personal He is.

I found the most beautiful rug on Facebook marketplace. It was an 8 month old Shabby Chic rug that a wealthy college student thought was so "last season". $12, no problem.

I responded to a Craig's List post of two absolutely beautiful red couches. The girl selling them happened to be one of my friends at work. She gave us an insane deal. Seriously, they are beautiful and we are paying pennies practically for them. Can I also mention that they will go quite nicely with our red accent wall?!

I went home for my one of my best friend's baby shower. We have been friends since birth and now she is having a little baby. It is crazy to think that there is another person growing inside of her. In just 3 months HaileyAnn will be among us.

While home mom and I went thrifting. I am in love with all things vintage and shabby chic, so garage sales and resale shops are just the place to go for some real steals.

Here is one steal we could not pass up. Imagine the possibilitiesCheck out that velvet...


After painting the legs. You can start to see it now, yeah?



$30 later (how is 2 yards of fabric SO expensive?? AND it was 50% off. Honestly...)

May I just say that I have the coolest, most capable mom in the entire world? I could not have done it without her. She was so good and patient and talented to help me do this in under 18 hours. We had so much fun working on this together.


I will admit that the sides are probably my favorite part.


High back vintage chair: check!


My mom is such an incredible woman. She has taught me so much about decorating on a dime. She is so creative and not afraid to use a staple gun and get dirty. I guess you would call her a "Jane of all trades". Seamstress, artist, landscaper, hairstylist, carpenter, chef, tea connisseur, bargain hunter, Mac pro, and the list goes on and on.

Because of her, nearly every single piece of furniture I own is a thrift, resale, or curbside find. It is so rewarding to transform junk into real furniture. I think it gives a place more character. You feel like it's really yours because you put so much into it. It also helps that my preference happens to be all things vintage and shabby chic :) And that I am young, single, live in a city and have no "rules" to obey as far as decorating/matching is concerned.

More photos to come once we make the big move in a few weeks. Mom bought me the most amazing housewarming gift. I will just have to post a picture. It's unconventional, whimsical and oh-so-fun. She really is the best!!

Enough going on and on. Again, please don't read this as brag-y. I am just so pumped and so thankful about how God intervenes in our lives. From the unfortunate scenario of Sarah getting kicked out of her apartment with minimal notice, to getting to now room with my best friend, to finding a wonderful place, to the Lord just giving us furniture within our means, to letting us have so much fun being creative and enjoy this time of life. On and on, my friends! On and on.

Things upcoming:
  • I will be in the city of Chicago next weekend!! Woo hoo! A rare occurrence, it feels like.
  • In just 9 days H-money, RachBaby, SarahBear and I are road tripping it to the mountains in TN!!
  • My parents are coming to Chicago two days after I get back from said adventure to move me in to the new place.