I Own a Rug

I'm a millennial.  I cringe to admit that fact, however,  being born in 1990 places me smack in the middle of the 80s-99 babies. 

I did not grow up with generation X parents like the majority of my peers.  My parents are Baby boomers and I was an oops (They have assured me I'm a very loved and welcome oops)

My formative years happened in a rural community with very traditional "John Wayne-esque" values. 

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Stand for what you believe in.

Work hard and earn your own way.

The fewer words spoken, the better.

Deep patriotism

Whining is for the lazy and the coward.

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Sometimes I stand in awe of my peers and how they...

• not only receive, but demand financial aid from parents well after college.
• fail to see the harm in being late to work (it's cheating the man who is paying you to do a job in case you're wondering)
• who don't vote (my brain atrophies after hearing those explanations) 

Sometimes I really really really hate being a millennial because I get lumped in with that lot.

However

There are many levels where I'm right there with my peers.

#adulting is a real thing.  

I'm not sure if the arrival of social media during our lives, giving us the ability to divulge every nuance of live has caused this, but somehow it seems as tho previous generations didn't fail as much.  They just kind of became adults and had babies and houses and tons of debt and everything was trucking right along sans catastrophe.  This goal/weight of achievement over our heads just adds to the pressure of scraping our way up the slimy, obstacle ridden incline to "responsible adulthood" (insert dramatic music) Whatever that means.

Perhaps it's because so many of my generation received awards for merely showing up to a soccer game let alone winning but we seem to have this communal struggle and subsequent irrational joy of succeeding in the basics of adulthood. Example: taxes, getting engine oil changed, paying bills on time, keeping food in the refrigerator, acquiring a home via rent or purchase and taking care of it. 

I did not grow up getting trophies for existing but I still feel a great deal of pride catching the bus back to MY OWN home from the market with toilet paper and hand soap in my giant IKEA bag.  

They say it's the little success right?

Sometimes I feel quite good about how adult I am.  But remember how I said when I moved I realized I don't own pillows or towels? Yeah that was a blow to ye 'olde self esteem. 

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Today added a big old notch in my adulting belt.

I bought a rug.

Not a bath mat.  That's college kid level.  

No, I am the proud owner of a runner.

A long grey, jute runner that starts at my front door and travels 8 ft. into my kitchen.

It looks like an adult lives here who may have some of her act together! 

An adult who understands that a long sheet of fibrous material between door and abode will keep the dirt and PNW moisture out of my living space.

A mature individual with a sophisticated monochrome decorating scheme.  (Grey's and whites? How Scandinavian chic)

A wizened member of society who stood gazing at this new member of her apartment feeling quite pleased with herself while eating Trader Joe's brand cheerios directly out of the box because someone forgot to buy almond milk...four days ago.

#realtalk

Home Tour: Seattle Micro Apartment

Welp I learned during this move that I did not own any adult furniture.  I have always lived in and rented places that were furnished.  College apartments contained beds and tables and a couch and chairs and desks.  I've since then rented from people who already have their houses set-up and I simply lived in a bedroom and borrowed the rest of the house.  

That era has ended.  Hurray!  Not that I fail to appreciate how kind people have been to me...but I've longed to sit in MY chair by MY table in the home for which I've paid and chosen all the accoutrements for.

Well I didn't have a table, or a chair, but I paid for a key and a door to lock behind me.  My own home.

These photos are the start....

A bare room with my possessions scattered about.  Target bags and Ikea instructions littering the floor.  A solo heater in the corner because snow.

After a great deal of shuffling and organizational elbow grease my home is happily livable! Not just livable though, cozy and sweet and full of details that bring me joy.

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The Finished Product

After a trip to my parents to pick up all the plates, cups, bowls, whisks, and Pampered Chef items I have been storing for years waiting for this moment...I finally had all the amenities to make my wee apartment a home for one.

I have had to learn how to live small (which I love) and to practice my generally minimalist philosophies.  

Not easy but quite simple :) I keep what I use, need, and find value in.

The backsplash is one of my favorite things, that subway tile tho :) Also the awesome giant cutting board from IKEA fits across my sink to give me more counter space for food prep.  

The string lights are one of my favorite ways to light a room.  So soft and bright!  My chairs have been acquired over the last month to my pleasure.  The wooden chair was my great grandmother's which I was gifted over Christmas, and the bamboo chair was a consignment store sale find.  The mismatched charachter and charm makes my space feel lived in and on-purpose.

My essential oils case is so pretty I leave it out :) 

Storage is a trick in a tiny space.  This little cart from IKEA is my pantry and tea/coffee station.

My clothing collection stays well curated since it's totally visible at all times!

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These are just the little bits that bring me joy.

 I'm still fine tuning my home

but realistically, who isn't?

New Year's Decluttering {A Closet Story}

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The wrapping paper is gone, the food coma has worn off, the relatives have evacuated, the New Year approaches and your closet/house/under your bed/spare room/every room is full of new things, presents, the old clutter and and it's overwhelming.  

It's smothering.

It's asphyxiating.

HELP!

I was about to go bonkers with how full my bedroom/home office/living space was getting.  

NO MORE!

Those blogs about minimalist living were calling to me in sweet, steady, simple whispers promising freedom from stuff and methods to dig out from the pile of unnecessary stuff.

This was one of my favorites with some great step-by-step ideas.  I'm not a lock stock and barrel minimalist...but I'm borrowing some practices.

I chose to start at the Achilles heel of most women's accumulation.  

The closet {Insert dramatic Phantom of Opera music}

My first step was to empty the whole contents of closet and shelves onto my bed and line up all of my shoes.  

1} Get everything out where you can see it.  EVERYTHING. no cheating.

2} Get rid of duplicates.  I did this with tennis shoes {and a few other things}.  I have two pairs...old nikes from college, and new-ish trail running shoes that I use now that I live in the boondocks again.  I only use one pair.  So the other goes bye-bye.

3} Hold the garment up and ask honestly. "Do I wear this?"  Don't ask if it's a good brand, a quality piece.  Do you wear it or do you reach past it consistently for something else?  I have a perfect white cardigan, Eddie Bauer brand and everything.  But I ALWAYS reach past it for a gray cardigan I found at a second hand store in Alaska.  It has no tag and the buttons were broken so I took them off...but it's my favorite sweater...it goes with everything...and it doesn't need friends that never go out hanging next to it.  Bye-bye unworn white cardigan.

4} Give question mark garments a trial period.  I have a few really interesting pieces that I never wear but they would make the CUTEST outfit {so I imagine} but somehow those "cutest" outfits never happen. Like the red knit top pictured above...perfect details, so many possibilities...yet still unworn. I took photos of the question marks and gave myself one week to work them into an outfit.  If they don't get worn in that week...off they go.  

5} Bag up the rejects right away.  Don't let the pile be visible or hang about.  Put it in a trash bag by the door on its way to a second hand store or charity.  You'll be surprised how you can't even remember what was gotten rid of.  I can't recall right now and it's been only a few days.  

6} Enjoy your extra space and decreased clutter!

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PS TIP

Make a rule to help yourself not have to do this grueling and emotional process again...or at least not as soon.

Closet Rule: If something goes in, something comes out.  

I'm surprised how well this has already worked.  I received a new scarf and pitched and old one.  Hopefully I can keep up with it and stay disciplined!

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