the cozy apartment

Arrgh!

Whaaaat?!  First Blueprint, now this?!  Why, oh, why???  What's a girl to do for a fun design mag now?!  Darn economy.  Messing with people's lives in too many ways! (*edited 10 minutes later after reading more on my fave design blogs*) : Wait a minute here.  So, not only is Domino folding, but Country Home (which had gone downhill any way), Cottage Living (ak!  love that one, too!) and O at Home.  What does that leave us with?  Country Living has kept on, which is good.  It's been aiming at a younger audience lately, which is refreshing!  Um....who else...oh, that's right, NOTHING.  If anyone has a good recommendation, please let me know! 

Come on Martha, we're depending on you!  I mean, really.  Body + Soul can't be selling THAT well!  Bring Blueprint back!   

we had a visitor...

Everyone was very curious.
 

Eventually, we were all able to relax and settle in for a snooze.

She's welcome any time. 

Darn it, Target.

January, here at TCA, is Use What You Have month.  I feel as though this may be the same theme many people have after the holidays.  For me, it's not a social commentary on consumerism, or an effort to preserve the environment.  No, my motives are much more selfish.  Can I do it?  No...really.  Can I?  Can I go without the cute handmade jewelery on Etsy?  Can I NOT purchase more fabric?  I just don't know! 

Well, I'm 13 days into this experiment and so far so good.  Of course, it's easy not to spend money when you don't have time to!  Today was the true test of my will.  Yes, people, that's right.  Target.  Target is killer.  Target is my biggest downfall.  From the great dollar section to the awesome Method cleaning products, Target puts me in a daze.  Seriously, if you're ever in the Tanasborne Target and you see a girl with long, brown hair and a glazed look on her face combing the clearance section and drooling, that's me.  Just back your cart up and slink away, for I am in no condition to interact with other humans. 

Not only was I at Target at 8am when they opened (the BEST time!  There's NO ONE there and all the shelves are stocked!), but it's that time of year.  That's right.  Global Bazzar.  Ak.  The entire seasonal section is awash with Pier 1-esque items.  Sorted by color.  At 30% off. 

Of course, let's be honest, they put this stuff on sale because no one in their right mind would pay these prices at Target.  Or even at Pier 1.  And a lot of this stuff is sub-Pier 1 quality.  But...dammit, it's so *pretty*.  This year they're not calling it Global Bazzar, but the Home Design Event.  Whatever.  All I know is that I *want* that wooden laquered box.  I *want* this wooden burl stool that looks like it was transported directly from 1976.  I *want* the grey Ceana chairs that go with nothing I own and would be destroyed by my cats in matter of minutes. 

You (and my husband, I'm sure) will be glad to know that my will prevailed.  I bought none of it.  I reisited the Target temptation.

I splurged and bought a second box of drier sheets instead.  Long live frugality! 

smitten

The Poster List is one of my favorite sites to salivate over.  With minimal wall space here at tca, I have to be picky about what goes up.  There's not a lot of storage space, so when framed items do come down, there's really nowhere to put them.  That being said, I'd seriously consider crowding my closet in order to include one (or so) of these:  (I like the 'chill' with the red couch and blue background)

2009

(steps tentatively back into the bloggy atmosphere)

After a long sabbatical, I've returned to The Cozy Apartment.  In truth, I never really left, just sat a few games out.  There could be an explanation here, but I don't think it's required.  Just had to wait for the right time.

It's that wonderful time of year, between the Holidays and Spring.  Hibernation weather, esp this year!  The silence while the snow falls feels like the world holding it's breath.  Then we wait for it to melt before exhaling again.  The naps in between...oh, the glorious naps!  And letting a certain boy cat take his first ever steps into snow. 

The snow is gone now, time for sewing, or at least gazing at my wall o' fabric and thinking of sewing!  Received this for Christmas, it's SO cute and inspiring, I might just have to actually make something! 

Later, alligators!