Didn't we almost have it all?

I am seeking some advice from my blog friends.  I hope you can provide some insight.

I'm finally, finally, in a place in my life where I'm not living paycheck to paycheck.  I put a comfortable amount of money in my savings every week, but that money, she's calling my name.

The sweetie and me, we've been talking a lot about priorities and what we want out of life.  Be both agree that Travel and Financial Security are at the top of the list.  

The problem is, that it doesn't seem possible to do both right now.  I'm still only in this apartment 5 months and there's a lot that I'd still like to do/buy.  This is where I spend 75% of my time and I'd like it to make me happy, not remind me of all that is lacking.

Then there is my measly savings.  I mean, what's all that business about having 3 months of expenses in savings?  What about owning a house or apartment some day?

Then there is the travel.  I'm itching to take a trip.  It's been 2 years since I've even gotten on a plane!  Isn't the key to being happy "just saying yes"?

How do you balance it all?  Do I really have to sacrifice life's smaller pleasures for the big picture?  How big is The Big Picture?

(P.S.  My camera finally crapped out.  It's 5 years old and it's about time, honestly.  Until I can buy a new one, it's cell phone photos for me.  Oh, so add that to the list of Stuff I Want To Spend Money on.)

Have you seen this?

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

I saw this video over at Black Eiffel and it made my heart ache a little.  The semester I spent in Paris when I was 21 did much to shape my life and who I am as an adult.  Also, the friends I made are my friends for life - I still talk to them and see them as much as possible.  (Though not as often as I'd like.)

I miss you girls!  And I miss Paris.  Constantly.

Happy Valentine's Day

If I didn't have plans tonight.  I would be going here.

Sophie Blackall draws inspiration for her illustrations from Missed Connections.  Her spin manages to be whimsical and filled with sweet, innocent longing.  I've mentioned how much I love her before.

 

I don't go in big for Valentine's Day.  It's tough if you happen to be my sweetheart because the holiday comes so quickly after Christmas and my birthday!  Plus, it just puts unneeded pressure on everyone involved.  We prefer smaller, more heartfelt gestures at The Works.

Tonight I'm making dinner, which isn't that out of the ordinary, but I might light a few candles and put out a tablecloth.  When we were first dating, I'd invite my sweetheart over for dinner in the middle of the week as an excuse to see him!  Also, for me, cooking a meal  is the ultimate way that I can express my love for someone. 

What ever you end up doing today, I hope you are feeling loved!

I'm a terrible blogger

When I moved into my new place, I had grand plans to feature all kinds of DIY projects here on the blog.  I would document each before and after, each decision, each purchase.

Does anyone notice something missing here?  Yup.  A lot.  I have yet to really achieve these lofty goals.

I have no "before", but I can show you an "after".  Here it is:

I found these bedside tables on the street.  (I know a lot of you will cringe when you read this, what with the bedbug scare and whatnot.  I know.  But I'm a garbage picker, always have been and always will be.)  These were pretty grimy and beat up when I rescued them, but I could see their potential right away.  

I considered refinishing them and staining them, but my bedroom was looking a little dark and masculine with dark walls and a dark wood dresser already, so I went with paint.  I also was torn between a seafoam green or just white, so I picked something in between.  It's Mint Fizz from Behr.  In this picture, it's a little hard to see.  It's very, very subtle, but I like it.

See those handles?  I don't know why they're crooked.  The holes in the drawer seem straight and the other hardware didn't look crooked, but these are.  No idea.

I also decided to pull out all the stops and line the drawers.  I went a little overboard at Papermojo.com in December and used one of the beautiful papers I bought to line the drawer.  Just a little double stick tape on the bottom and it's a world of difference.

Full disclosure on the bedroom as soon as the headboard is built!

Birthdays and more birthdays

It was my birthday last week, which around these parts looks a lot like this:

That is to say, a lot of wine and eating and general merry-making. 

I'm a little peculiar when it comes to birthdays.  To me, there is nothing sadder, nothing, than a birthday that goes unnoticed and rather than rely on others to make a fuss over my day, I usually end up throwing myself some kind of party.  This creates kind of a conundrum, because I then start to panic that no one will come, which is the worst kind of sad, because you've gone and made your own fuss and then no one acknowledged it!

In the past I've had parties at bars, or parties that my bf organized that were mostly his friends, or parties that I've shared with roommates (which is perfect when your birthdays are a week a part!), but this was the first year that I've had a party in my own apartment to just celebrate me.

It all seemed a little too self-indulgent.  There was a facebook mishap where a bunch of people didn't get invited.  I begged my family to make the drive to the city, so that if no one showed up at least they would be there.  It was destined to fail and I would spend my birthday alone and friendless with piles of food going bad and drinks going warm.

But of course it didn't.  In fact, I had such a good time that I forgot to take a single picture!  And my apartment was full of family and friends and love and merry-making and I was (am) the luckiest girl in the whole world!

I'm slowly digging myself out, mentally and physically.  All this snow and ice don't help, either.  I finished and started some knitting and I've done a bit of sewing.  All to come soon.  

All. To. Come. Soon.

P.S. Thank you, everyone, for making a fuss and making me feel so loved!