Messy Apartment, or, That time I wrote a blog post just to tell myself it's ok to have a messy apartment.

I always get a pang of jealousy when I go into someone's apartment that is....how do I say this.....empty? Nothing on the floors, tables nice and clear, bags upon bags not hanging from the backs of chairs. My brother lives somewhat like a minimalist, with carefully chosen furniture and design pieces. I think I live like the opposite of a minimalist, and Ben is just along for the ride (though slightly begrudgingly).

There are lots of reasons for the excess in things. A) I work from home, and while I could have a huge studio with a room for packing and shipping and stations for every single aspect of jewelry making, the whole operation is more or less jammed into the very edge of the living room. Therefore, things tend to spill over into the rest of the room. Like boxes. And pliers. And stones. And beads. (Yes, beads. I know. What's happening to me.)

And B). We got married! And got lots and lots of (wonderful and plentiful) gifts!! So at the moment I'm attempting to rearrange the living room in order to fit all of our new tables and lamps and bowls and vases.

I'm going to show you some pictures. Don't be disturbed- they make the apartment look WAY more hoardier than it is. I hope, at least. Let's go on a tour, shall we?

This lovely little end table will now serve as my tiny packing station. That big ol' box of envelopes used to be in it's place, up until 2 minutes ago. I think the table looks better- no?

But now where do I put this enormous box of envelopes??

All I need to do is clear off this stool, and I wouldn't have to stand over the workbench hunched, working. Why don't I clear it off? i don't know. 

Ahhh. My beautiful new book shelf. I can't wait to decorate the edges of the shelves and paint a chalk board on the side where that bag is hanging! 

This is where sh*t gets a little crazy. ( I still haven't decided if I can swear on here. I probably can.)

Note the little gym in the left corner, consisting of a stationary bike I have yet to use more than twice, and a stability ball that I fantasize about doing sit ups on. I love the new giant clock (CB2, wedding gift). All of the pictures in that vertical row are Etsy related (either bought on Etsy, or bought from craft fairs from vendors who are on Etsy). We got that old school map at a yard sale a while ago. That magazine rack all the way on the right is one of my favorite additions (also wedding gift, also CB2- (thanks Emily and Chris, if you are reading this!)

My parents bought that record player on top of the book shelf, with the speakers, instead of going on a honeymoon. I love that. Ben and my dad made that record stand peaking behind the magazine rack when we were home sometime last year. Daniela and Sam got us that cool blanket on top of the hideously upholstered (but free) recliner! 

This is where things get scary looking. I just need to move those cardboard boxes, and things should look slightly more sane. Hi House!

This bigger shot REALLY makes it look crazy.

I do love these though. The little stack of plates was a wedding gift from a small town in France where a famous writer spends time, who came to our wedding. I LOVE them. The vase was also a gift (thanks Josh!) And that TABLE. Ben's friend Bender made it from wood salvaged from NYC water towers! How cool is that?? He makes furniture in New York.

Another glorious view of my little staged set up. That there is soy milk in my coffee. Something crazy is happening to me I think.

This morning I woke up and decided to stop eating dairy for a week and see what happens to me. What if I transform into a different person?! I think I might.

Okay. If you are still reading this, you truly are a champ. Also funny, this is how I look right now as I write this:

My mom got it for me. I don't think I'll ever wear anything else again. It is the PERFECT stay-at-home jeweler uniform. 

So. That's it. I'm off to chance (because today is the one day I have to go work in public. At Ginger Root! Now with online store!!)

Later gators! Next post might be an adventure in making espresso with a stove top...espresso maker. Scary!