the cozy apartment

winter

Moving is....well, moving is wonderful, total upheaval!  Took me slightly longer than expected (though, I admit, my expectations may have been off by a bit) to dig out of the boxes and come back to the blog!  We hadn't moved in so long, I'd forgotten what it's like!  There are still things packed up, including ALL of my sewing/crafting supplies, but we'll get there. 

 

And now it's Winter!  The weather has been perfect, in my opinion.  Sunny and freeeeeezing!  Yesterday morning it was NINE degrees outside!  Today it's a balmy 16.  It's rarely this cold in Oregon, I'm really loving it!  Nothing feels cozier than coming in from the cold, lighting a candle and snuggling with a cat.  My absolute favorite candle is the one above, from Bath and Body Works.  That scent is amazing, it's a crisp version of winter, not the 'apple + cinnamon' scent that's traditional.  This is *bright* and you can almost feel the nip of cold in the air.  It's lovely.  Not to mention the container it's in, which is thick, heavy glass and gives a beautiful glow.  I love the warmth of the flame next to the cold, silvery surface.

The house.  The house is gorgeous, enormous, still smells like paint (which I ADORE and will probably cause cancer, but how often do you get to walk in your door and smell the new-ness of your house?) and we love it.  I wander around here in a daze; my memories of our first months in this place will all have mist around the edges and elicit a 'dream sequence' tinkly sound.  

Now I'm wondering...what's to become of The Cozy Apartment?  Of course the blog will stick around, but what of the name?  I thought of keeping it the same in memory of the old apartment.  I also have an Etsy shop called Cozy Notions (which I haven't put anything for sale in yet...that's still pending) which I could name the blog as well.  Or I could name it something entirely different...but I can't think of a name I like better!  What do you all think? 

home

A friend of mine headed back home to NY for her sister's wedding last week.  She brought me back the best gift a girl from Western NY could ask for, REAL marble rye bread from Wegmans.  Oh, Wegmans, why aren't you on the West coast?!  In any case, the bread was superb.  We ate it all in 2 days.  I had several of these, toasted in just butter with swiss;

Try not to salivate on your keyboard, please. 

There are some changes coming to this cozy apartment!  Good changes, big changes!  That's right, we're looking to dip our toes into the real estate market!  The timing is great, Mr. Cozy Apartment got a new job (his old job was going to be phased out in a few months, leaving us...well....freaking out!) and it's a good time to buy! 

This has me thinking, once we move, what happens to The Cozy Apartment?  Hm.  Something to ponder.  This month has our apartment turned upside down, shaken like a snow globe with the possibilities of a new home!  Summer has *hit* full force, 96 degrees lately, huddling around the air conditioner (affectionately named 'Coolio') looking at real estate listings online. 

Good tomato weather!  We've harvested several and they are SO flavorful!  I'm used to changes like these, slow, methodical changes.  This feels like a HUGE change in a small amount of time!  But, I forget that the slow part is behind us, the waiting, waiting, waiting has already happened!  And now we're here!  Wow.  Just.  Wow! 

cha ching!

Ahhh....Use What You Have month has ended!  I made it through without purchasing one single ancillary item!  It was boring, yes, but possible!  Which is good, since 2009 has officially become Use What You Have Year!  Yes, dear readers, along with thousands of others country wide, TCA has been (or will be, rather) affected by the recent lay-offs.  It won't happen until around September, but we've begun the essential belt-tightening!  We're very lucky that we've had advance notice that DH's job will end.  It gives us time to prepare that many others have not had.  Let the Coupon Clipping begin!

There's some sort of calm peacefulness that comes over me when clipping coupons.  Well, until the cats start playing with the newspaper.  I wasn't able to find a pre-made organizational system that worked for me, so I made my own!  I bought a $2 brag-book style photo album and redecorated it with some Amy Butler paper.  The book has labeled sections for Food, Household, Toiletries and Store Specific coupons.  I keep them sorted by expiration date and it's so helpful to be able to flip through the pages and not have coupons go flying everywhere!  I can see each one clearly and have easy access once I get to the cashier.

No one really wants to have to clip coupons, but it's essentially free money!  Who can pass that up?  2 tips I have are:

1. ONLY clip coupons for things you already use!  That way you don't get sucked into the advertising for things you wouldn't normally purchase.
and
2.  Use something pretty to organize your coupons!  If you love it, you'll be much more likely to use it.

I have learnt to seek my happiness in limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them.

~ John Stuart Mill

untitled 3

For Daisy the kitty. 

the times, they are a changin' + first ever drawing!

The past few mornings have seen me waking up to the sound of birds.  They're back!  But, um, not in a Hitchcock way.  Thankfully.  Last year I had a bird feeder on the veranda and while I *loved* watching the birds, I did not cherish the enormous mess they made.  So, I stopped filling the feeder.  And now the guilt has set in.  These little birdies, each morning at the same time, come flying by to see if the feeder has any food.  And, since I'm a total sap, I picture their (um, they're birds, so expressionless) faces contorted by hunger pangs.  Eh.  Thankfully, I know someone who took an ornithology class!  She suggested putting up a mess-less suet cake for the birds.  I'm not sure it takes an ornithology class to come up with that one, but I sure as heck didn't think of it!  Phew.  Crisis of the Soul averted.  Guilt assuaged.  Thanks, Em!

It's nowhere near Spring yet, which I'm happy about.  I do miss the color, though.  Maybe that's why I've been so obsessed with green and blue lately.  In any case, I have so many projects to do!  Whoopee!  And the Fabric Binge(s) of '07 left me with tons of possibilities!  I have all the fabrics needed to re-do the bedroom.  You know what that means...cleaning.  And purging!  Yesterday I spent a good portion of my day off watching HGTV.  I love that channel, it really inspires me to get my focus in gear and work on this place.  And let me just go back to a point I've made over and over again; I LOVE days off.  Esp days when I get to stay home all day!  Today I'm going to suck down a gallon of coffee and make lists.

Lists are the beginning of all major overhauls for me.  This won't be a huge overhaul, but I've decided I'd like to live with less crap stuff around.  You know...those cargo pants that I haven't worn in 2 years b/c they're too big, but I won't let them go b/c they were the first pair I've ever owned.  And the fabrics I bought 6 years ago (yeah!  SIX years!  I didn't even have a sewing machine!) to make curtains out of.  And the curtains I bought from Ikea that I never used.

Somethings have sentimental value that I can't ignore.  Like, those mugs I love.  The glaze is cracking and they leak through the cracks.  I'm so sad about that!  I adore those mugs.  But...what the heck am I going to do with 2 cracked mugs, people?  I thought about doing some sort of muggie mosaic, but am I really going to get around to doing that?  Gifts my parents have sent that I'll never use.  Blankets made by people I don't speak to anymore.  Blankets that don't fit my bed.  Surely these things happen to other people, what do you guys do?  I always feel sad when I'm at the Goodwill and see crocheted blankets hanging there...someone put a lot of time into those and they just ended up at a thrift store.  I know someone could get good use out of those things.  They're certainly not being used by us! 

Any ideas would be MUCH appreciated!  In fact, so appreciated that I'm going to do a little drawing!  My first blog drawing!!! Woo hoo!  What's the giftie to be?  Wouldn't you like to know?  I'm going to make it a surprise.  Muuuhahaha!   So, yes, please leave any hints/tips you have between today and next Wednesday (the 6th) on any posting and a name will be drawn on the morning of the 7th!  Woo hoo!

Theo says, "quit taking pictures of me, stop blogging and let's get back to snuggling."  He's so demanding.

contentment

Wow.  I feel SO good this morning!  Could be the sunshine outside and the below freezing weather.  Could be that last night was the first night I've slept all the way through without waking up in over 2 months.  Could be that I slept in until TEN in the morning!  TEN!  I haven't done something that decadent since I was a teenager!  Usually I get up at 6:30, when DH leaves for work.  Have some coffee, wander around zombie-like. 

In any case, I feel pretty good about it.  Usually, when I sleep in, beat myself up a fair amount b/c I would like to get up and start getting things done.  But today...today I am happy with this.  Happy with 10am, happy with my coffee (as always!), happy with the sun, happy that I have projects to do today. 

Over at Pixie Wood, she talks about how instead of a resolution, she picks a word to be her theme through the year.  What a great way to focus, instead of having 10 meaningless resolutions floating around!  I'm adopting that idea.  This year my word is going to be "Contentment".  Being happy with what I have, being happy with what I do, who I am.  Accept things the way they are and move forward.  Not to become complacent, just to be comfortable with things as they come. 

I like to observe, that's why I took Sociology in the first place.  That's why I like to take pictures of every day objects and tiny bits of life.  Small quite moments that are what I'd like to remember about my life.  Something about sitting and watching that teaches me more each time I do it.  To sit in the park, library or up here in my tree house/apartment and watch quietly is my favorite past time.  Watch the plants, birds, people as they interact, to observe unnoticed is really freeing. 

So, this year, I'm going to strive towards wanting the things I have, instead of things I don't.  Being happy to be in an apartment I love, with all of it's constraints (and, um, 3 flights of stairs).  Just be.  Be content.   

snug

as a bug here in the apartment.  Feeling under the weather.  Been coughing for about a month every night (I know, I know, get thee to a Dr!) and finally doing something about it today.  Yesterday I sequestered myself here, in my little cocoon, and slept almost all day.  The weather cooperated, being nice and dismally rainy (which I adore!).  Slept with the cats all around me and huddled under the covers in my beige, dull bedroom.  We've been here for 2 years and I STILL haven't done a thing with that room!  It is devoid of any color, any personality at all.  I'm thinking of adding a little green to it, bought this fabric scene (take a peek at the whole scene, it's beautiful!) last April and still haven't done anything with it!  Bought a yard of this to use somehow and hopefully will do something with it this year. 

(random flowers to brighten this grey day!)

DH is probably going to go back to school this year, meaning we're going to be in this cozy apartment for a while.  I'm ok with that for once!  I like it here, I love being on the 3rd floor!  It's like being in a tree house.  In fact, I can't imagine living on a ground level.  Maybe it's all the murder mysteries I've been watching lately (AK!  If I could pay a writer's salary, I would!  PLEASE come back!  Miss my prime time!!!).  Also, it's nice to finally commit to being here for a while.  Now I feel like we can hang shelving, etc. 

SO many projects in the works!  PJ pants for the nephew, a little something for my sister-in-law, Christmas gifties for the girls at work (um, yeah....the handmade holiday thing got away from me this year...), special giftie for someone special (could I be more vague?), pillows for the family room, the list goes on and on.  While I'm excited about sewing again, I'm also a bit apprehensive.  Can I get it all done?  Am I as creative as I think I am?  Can I make these gifts as special as they're meant to be?  Am I putting too much thought into this? 

So, a creative opportunity came to me to distract me for a couple of days from the other projects.  Isn't it funny how that happens at just the right time?  Shutterfly sent a coupon for a free 12 month calendar to my inbox..  It has to be completed by tomorrow.  At first I was thinking about who I could give this to as a gift...then I thought...when was the last time I made something for myself?  Not to be selfish, but really... I give almost everything I make away.  Besides, this could be a good prototype for Christmas ideas for next year.  Check out this calendar at Soule Mama...that's what I'm doing for the fam next year.  But with photos, 'cause I really can't draw!  The company she used looks great, with lots of customizable options. 

Ak.  Time to go to the Dr.  I'll update again in a few days, I have to tell you ALL ABOUT this sweet giveaway from Little Miss Doe!  Really lightened my mood yesterday to receive that!!!  Oh, Cath Kidston.  What you do to me. 

afternoon delight

Coffee in the afternoon.  Lounging with my buddy in a cozy fleece blanket and favorite pajama pants.  The red mug is the perfect size for an afternoon cuppa, and curves nicely to warm my cold hands.  Those jammies are so cute and soft!  Old Navy, of course.  Do I ever shop elsewhere?  Nope.  I love pants low on my waist and no store offers that option for voluptuous women like Old Navy.  Lane Bryant?  HA!  I scoff at you, Lane Bryant.  Somehow you think that women all have incredibly long torsos.  And you use models who are *not* plus sized.  Shame on you.  Sure, you can only buy Old Navy's actual Plus line on their website, but for me, it's worth it.  Some of theirother clothes fit well, too.  They're inexpensive....I like to have *lots* of clothing options and don't feel like one should have to spend a fortune to have a decent wardrobe!  I say "decent", but really I have jeans, cargo pants, hoodies (um, it rains here a lot.  I mean, a LOT) ribbed tank tops and graphic tee shirts.  Oh, yeah, and an extensive collection of lounge wear! 

I read once that the way that you dress is how you dressed during your favorite part of your life.  That's certainly true for me!  Yeah, I'll be 31 in April and I still dress like I'm in college!  Loved college.  Loved living alone, loved not living near my family!  First chance for freedom, learning fascinating theories and able to catch a concert at any point in the day (we had a wonderful music school there).  Emphasis on comfort over all else.  No wonder I gravitated toward a line of work that includes wearing scrubs!

I'm slightly obsessed with the print on these pants.  I bought another pair, in the largest size I could find, just so I could use the fabric for something.  What, you may ask?  I have no idea.  It's so cute, I'd ponder framing it.  Actually....hm...maybe I will frame it. 

Look at this naughty cat!  One of his several monikers is The Cookie Monster.  He adores cookies.  He will get in your face for a cookie.  He knows when you're eating a cookie.  No matter how you try to hide it, he knows.  He's a cookie psychic.  He's bold to the point of rudeness (see above) and extremely  persuasive with his begging.  Naughty.  Of course, um, I work at a veterinary hospital and must add that you're not *supposed* to give your cats niblets of cookies.  I certainly would advise against it.  Ahem.  If only to avoid the situation above.

So, Blueprint is folding.  I'm slightly put out by that, the magazine grew on me.  The photography and layouts were great.  Cozy in my jammies, I'm going to go through each page of the last issue s-l-o-w-l-y...

2008!

The first day of a new year is so energizing!  Oh yeah, I love the holidays, Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, but...man, I can't wait to put those decorations away!  How is it that, in just a few short weeks, I can get so tired of that little 1 foot tall tree, the ornaments and the holiday-ness?  Well, I'm almost out of cookies, so that could be it. 

In any case, I spruced things up around here.  New links, new widgets (love that word!), new banner, the works!  It's a sort of dark and cold color grouping, but I like it.  Blue always reminds me of winter.  I got a great calendar for this year, this one from Better Homes and Gardens;

LOVE, love, love!  The covers span the 20's-40's.  A new calendar is such a great splurge!  Last year I got one from Target that had no pictures or dates.  It's really handy for social events, dr's appts, work schedule, etc.  Very functional.  I was really excited about it at the beginning, but found after a few months that I really missed the changing pictures.  They mark a fresh start each month, and in summer remind me that fall really *is* coming...slowly. 

Yesterday, over at Green Kitchen (a *great* blog I just found), Michelle asked, "What does your calendar year look like?".  I didn't even really have to think about it.  Mine looks like a chain of months, the name for each month hooked on to the previous and next.  Each one has a different color, which is the same way I see the letters of the alphabet.  A is nail polish red, B is deep green, C mustard yellow, D brighter green, E is clear (for some reason), F navy blue, etc...  My months chain like a garland, and swing in a breeze.  The font is always Garamond, authoritative but with a slight bit of decoration. 

January is deep, garnet red.  February, dark purple.  March, light, robin's egg blue.  April, pale, delicate pink.  May, navy blue.  June, light green.  July, bright red.  August, tangerine orange.  September, mustard yellow.  October, light brown.  November, dark, chocolate brown.  December, a deep, dark,  forest green.

Whatever your calendar year looks like, here's to a bright and happy 2008!   

hello?

Is there anybody out there?  Just nod if you can hear me... Oh, Pink Floyd.  Inspiration of my melodramatic adolescence.  Man, I haven't heard that cd in years.  In any case, HI!  I'm back from the Blurb book project!  See, that's me peeking out from under the Abyss Pool.  No, really, that's what it's called.  Wow.  138 pages.  Putting that book together took *forever*.  OK, not forever, but four 10 hr days of constant work.  It was not difficult, I'll say that.  The program was just so SLOW!  It was great to go back through at the pictures from the trip and put them together into something cohesive.  I ordered the books on Weds of this past week and they're already shipped them!  How great is that?  I'll let you know how they turn out, I've heard some people have had mixed results with Blurb.  Their pricing is so much better than any competitor, I think it was worth it to go with them.  They also had MANY more layout options and I've heard their photo color is great. 

Ah...I love doing something from the heart for the fam.  I really would have loved to participate in Handmade Holidays over at Sew Mama Sew, but I just don't have that kind of time.  Besides, the book is kind of handmade.  Or, at least, computer and film made.  Now that I have my life back, I can't WAIT to get started on Christmas!  Last year I wasn't too into the Christmas scene.  Combine that with the HUGE tree DH brought home and you have someone who needs to stop spiking their own eggnog.  This year I feel much different!  It will be the first year of my entire life that we don't have a big Christmas tree.  The cozy apartment is situated on the 3rd floor and I just don't want to deal with that hassle again!  So, now I'm looking for different ways to decorate this place that the kitties can't destroy.  I'll get back to you on how that goes.  More later this week about Christmas and goodies and all the fun, colorful things that go with it!

Things have been pretty hectic here the past week or so.  My sweet little buddy kitty, Theo, got very sick and had to spend some time at the hospital.  I'll spare you the details of what happened, suffice it to say that he's feeling a little bit better now.  He's home and happier, snoozing under my sewing chair at the moment.  It was so very nerve wracking to have him so ill, so suddenly and so violently.  I am *so* very lucky that I have a veterinary hospital that I trust.  Working there doesn't hurt, either.  But, really, everyone at that hospital really made me feel so much better, on top of taking wonderful care of my sweet boy cat.  Now he's back to whining all night for us to cuddle with him.  Wouldn't have it any other way.