You guys. It happened. I have flown the coop. Spread my wings. Left the nest. I have moved (well, partially moved, there's still much to be done) into my own, real, wood-floored, big girl apartment. I have a bed, I have a totally awesome roommate, I have Ikea furniture: I am now, by all accounts, a full-fledged grown up human. And for me, the only-child who couldn't sleep over at friends' houses until, say, high school, this is a big deal (more after the jump).
I have to admit that I was a little nervous. It wasn't living on my own that worried me, it was leaving the comfort of my family home. Because moving out is a definite step into true adulthood, and living at home has been wonderful; I've loved spending time with my family (especially Rosie the Dog). I took up knitting. My mom did my laundry. It was delightful.
This was an important year for me: I spent a lot of time writing, figuring out how I can make my life work financially and still have the freedom I want, and learning a lot about myself. College, while fun, wasn't always easy, and I think time in the comfort of my home was necessary after a whirlwind four years. But I knew, back in May when my roommate and I signed the lease, that come September I'd be more than ready to enter the big wide world on my own. And I am: I can't wait to really have my own space, to go on adventures, and to spend lots of nights lounging in my newly built Ikea chair reading The New Yorker (because you can take the girl out of the family home, but you can't take the family home out of the girl).
And I'm happy to report that the minute I saw our apartment again, any concerns I had vanished. We have the third floor of a house on a sweet little side street, and it comes complete with our own quirky built-in shelving, some questionable paint jobs, and tons of sunlight that floods the rooms no matter the time of day. The pantry is huge, the dishwasher works, we have air conditioning, and there's a diner down the street that serves really excellent omelets and leaves you smelling like bacon grease. I'm totally in love with the place. I guess the bottom line is that often, thinking about change is far more worrisome than change itself.
Also, I bought a microwave. Doesn't that seem like a super grown-up thing to do? And my roommate and I put together about ten-thousand pieces of Ikea furniture. She's a master at it, but I managed to put together everything I built backwards the first time I tried (which brings me to lesson number one about living on your own: own a drill, or find a roommate whose parents lend you one). We also visited every chain big-box store in the Cambridge area. I forgot how awesome T.J.Maxx can be: RL towels for $7?! That's enough to make anyone a Maxxinista. Pier One officially sucks, but if you're in the market for really ugly lamps that look like sea creatures from The Little Mermaid, you'll love it.
I'll take some photos of the adorable decorating job my roommate and I have done once it's all finished. But for now, here are eight housewares I'm lusting after, most of which I cannot afford. Because if moving has taught me one thing, it's that I am obsessed with home furnishings and will probably never have any cash ever again because I'm going to just keep buying weird vases and creating tablescapes a la Sandra Lee (kidding about the tablescapes. Mostly).
So to wrap up: I'm in love with the apartment, I can't wait to show you how cute it is, and I am thrilled to be spreading my wings. Up, up, and away!
And now, housewares I mostly can't buy:
As if I could afford this Fornasetti tray at almost $2,000. Whatever. A girl can dream.
Shelves/Drawers/Amazingness from Design Within Reach. I would put this in my bedroom in a heartbeat.
Lampscapes. Punny AND beautiful, so it's definitely a win.
These Baskets from Pottery Barn are the only reasonable item I've showed you so far. I think I might get them to use as drawers in the built-in shelves in my room.
This Walker Evans print might also have to happen. He's one of my favorite photographers. It probably WILL happen. 
Finladia Vase via MoMA Design Store. I love the twisty shape...my mom has one. So if she finds it's missing...
Soda Stream. Necessary.
Plywood Clock via Etsy. This would look great in our little dining room.
