What does it feel like to go from having 1742 square feet of finished living space to 600?  ...Crowded.

So here I am, over a year into my lease and I absolutely love apartment living.  Yes there are downfalls: No dishwasher, laundry in the basement, no garbage shute and next time I would certainly get something with a balcony.  But other than that, I love it. 

I wasn't sure how I would adjust, going from brand-new-townhome to old-one-bedroom-apartment, not to mention the vast difference in space (only 1250 square feet less...), but I have.  In fact, more than have, I really love it.  I don't mind being in something small, in fact, in some ways it's nice: forgetting something in another room doesn't require much effort to go retrieve it, cleaning takes far less time, and it forces me to get creative with my storage solutions.  

That said, another bedroom to store all my clothes and shoes would be nice.  An option I looked into when the house sold but figured the extra $400 would be better left in my pocket versus spent basically on a closet.

That said, my parent's basement is housing over half my stuff: extra shoes, a Christmas tree, a washer/dryer set, all my artwork, decor items, etc.  Not that I don't want those things with me, but space is a serious issue and I have sort of had to adopt the mindset: if you bring something in, something has to go.  I have even started to build up, as when in a tiny space you certainly cannot build out.

Of storage solution purchases I have made are three garmet rolling racks (purchased at 50% off each), a chrome shoe rack (see below), four faux-leather cube boxes with lids and a ridiculously heavy Ikea armoir that I scored off Kijij for $30.

I'm currently trying to reorganize my apartment and get things in better working order.  I just purchased some new curtains for my bedroom and rolling racks (metallic silver, versus black) and want to start working on my closets.  I thought it might be fun to take you with me on this little 'adventure'.

Here are a few snaps of my place that I've posted on Instagram:

 The fantastic view.

 Bathroom shelving and art.

I wrote this September 2011:

I'm downsizing.  The time has officially come for me to live on my own, and I'm excited.  Really, really excited.  I've never lived alone and it's not that I didn't want to, it's just that the way my life path traveled, it didn't happen, however, it's happening now.

I've been working with a Realtor for months upon months looking for a condo.  I've seen many properties, with and without my realtor.  I have yet to find the 'perfect' condo to purchase.  So, in an event get out of my parent's house and on my own, I have decided to rent for the next year.  Initially, I was very snobby about this idea.  Me?  Rent?  Even though I've already owned?  I wasn't having it (snobby, yes, I know).  However, after spending over two months living at my parent's house (for the first time in almost a decade), I think it's safe to say both parties will benefit from me moving out (ha!).  That's not to say my parents aren't great, they are, and I'm so grateful for them taking me in and letting me live (rent free!) with them, but it will be so nice to have my own space (and they can have theirs back, too).  

My apartment hunt began in the remaining two weeks of August.  I was hoping to find something for September 1st (or September 15th at the latest).  After seeing at least 15 properties (ghetto, after ghet-toe place) I almost settled.  I'd been to an apartment building in China Town and it had everything I was looking for... almost: one bedroom, hardwood, nice layout, bathroom counter space and a big closet. 

Right.  Not so much. 

The closet was about 2/3rds the size I had at my parent's place, and I had already been living with about 1/8th of my wardrobe over the summer months since moving from my house (everything else was still at my house).  How on earth would I make such a tiny space work? 

But the rent was well priced, and the (underground) parking was cheap, and I was close to downtown... but something just didn't feel right. However, feeling frustrated and tired, I decided to call the Super and arrange a time to go see it, again.  It must have been fate because two hours before I was suppose to go see the apartment again, I found something else.  I immediately called and long story short, it was available.  I was there within 30 minutes to view it and loved it.  I felt it.  I got that feeling that you're suppose to get when something is 'the one', and this was certainly it.  From there on out, it was paper work and waiting (oh, and packing, of course, lots and lots of packing).

And here I am, at the end of September and moving into my new place.  MY new place.  The kitchen is small, there is no counter in the bathroom (pedestal sink), but it's mine.  And to name off a few high-points: it's newly renovated, I have brand new berber carpet in my bedroom (and wood and ceramic everywhere else), the view is amazing and it's in a hot-n-happenin' part of town.  Oh, and did I mention it's all mine?

 Fold the sweater in half so your neckline is equal.

 Start cutting about 2 - 3 inches in from the shoulder seam. 

 I wanted to keep the 'triangle' stitching at the neck so 

I just cut above that along the collar seam at the front.

(My boat neck actually ended up being a little too wide, but oh well, I will still wear it).

For my sixth vlog as the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger, I'm talking about getting back into a healthy routine for the new year (c'mon, who doesn't make that a resolution?!) but also cutting yourself some slack after the busy holidays and relaxing (and what to wear while doing all of the above, of course!).

Stay tuned for more videos (specifically on the Place d'Orleans FB page).  Later on this month I'll be sharing some sweet accessories and doing a hair tutorial!

Other videos:

* Fall Fashion (video #1)

* Wardrobe Classics (video #2)

* Bundling Up for Winter (video #3)

* How-to Style a Sequin Skirt (video #4)
* What to Wear for New Years Eve (video #5)

More videos on my YouTube Channel.

I recently teamed up with Firmoo, an online glasses company where you can find hundreds of different types of glasses and your perfect pair (including sunglasses).   

I got to pick out a new pair and the specs I chose are different from any that I own, and that was the point; I wanted to push myself to try something different.  They are a bit  large, dark chocolate plastic frames, and kind of nerdy (which I secretly kind of love). 

They got my prescription right and something I love about these (in comparison to other glasses I have) is that since the lenses are larger, it makes watching movies easier without having to move my head around to ensure I'm seeing through the lenses or nudge them down on my nose (near-sighted peeps will know what I'm talking about it).

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What's in it for you?

Firmoo is offering you guys A FREE PAIR OF GLASSES (what!).  The catch?  You pay the shipping (pffft, easy peasy).

Don't need glasses to see?  Why not rock a pair of non-prescription specs (who will know!?) to up your edge-factor/hipster-ness/inner-sex-kitten?

Click on over to Firmoo to claim yours now.

My style (which is no longer available) but this one is similar.