Phase 3: OCD Organize

Today I took off a half day at work for something very important to me, organization.

After two visits to The Container Store to design my coat/entry and linen closets, today the elfa closets were installed this afternoon and totally worth half the vacation day.  I need/crave order and organization in my life and my closets were not working for me, so I took advantage of the Container Store's elfa sale.

Here is before (its a bit scary, even for me)

On Thursday, all the elfa components were delivered.  It was a very interesting elevator ride up with everything on a cart.  I spent the evening taking everything out of the closets, well everything out of the 'linen' closet just fell out when I opened the door.  My living room looked like a bomb exploded and I just moved in, again.

Who knew I had so much stuff packed away in closets

The install was actually pretty quick, but noisy.  The installers had to cut the wires which is like nails on a chalk board.  But they moved pretty quick and you'd be amazed how much space you really have when you utilize it.

Coat/Entry Way

Linen

Then it was time for my favorite part, getting organized.  Its like putting together a puzzle, figuring out where everything should go.  It only really took about an hour after the installers left for everything to find a new home.

And my finished OCD product.

The new & improved coat/entry closet

the now functional linen closet

*Please note, items may move upon further reflection of best location

The Liebster Award

Well, the lovely Mrs. Dr. Looze nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I'm not sure I'm so deserving of a blog award since I've been slacking on my postings, but it's given me the resolve to post more often so that the award is not in vain. 

Here’s How It Works:
The Nominee must list 11 statements about themself
The Nominee must answer the 11 questions the Nominator asked them
The Nominee must nominate 11 others
Go to their page and tell them
No Tag backs please

11 Facts About Me:

1. I really moved to NYC because I always thought I belonged here more than San Diego or any where else in California

2. I know that I am somewhat spoiled and I fully accept and appreciate my parent's love & support

3. I LOVE cheese and will suffer the consequences accordingly to indulge

3a. I'm lactose intolerant

4. I'm very particular about my jelly, I will only eat Boysenberry

5. My perfect vacation is laying on a beach somewhere and the biggest adventure of the day is figuring out where to go to dinner

6. I love to cook, but I HATE doing dishes

7. Though I may look Irish, I'm really a Heinz 57: Slovak, Norwegian, Swedish, English, Dutch, German & Scottish

8. I'm extremely loyal and have the memory of an elephant

9. When I was in 2nd grade I wanted to play in the NFL and in 5th grade I wanted to be a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company

10. I really do believe I can tan

11. I drunk dial my Mom on my way home from bars

Amy's Questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?

My first blog was a big hit with my friends and other random readers, but I think it gave me bad karma. So, I started this one just because I enjoyed recapping my major life events and I do like writing.

2. If you could be any animal in the world what would you pick and why?

I would be a Lab.  Energetic, loyal & lovable. 

3. What would you choose for your last meal on earth?

Lobster Mac & Cheese

4. What’s your middle name?

Carin.  Not pronounced Karen, but Corinne 

5. If you could plan out every day of your life for the next 5 years would you?

 Yes, because I'm a planner and I like to have a schedule.  No, because then there is no spontaneity in life.

6. What is your favorite city in America?

San Diego.  Home

7. What is your biggest downfall?

The need to control and plan or my sarcasm can get lost in translation

8. What is your best attribute?

I can relate to almost anyone

9. If a movie was made about you who would play you?

Alyson Hannigan because this one time at band camp... Otherwise all the other natural redheads are way out of my league

10. What is your favorite article of clothing that you own?

the perfect bra

11. If you had to pick, what is one thing you would change about your appearance?

My legs.  I don't love my stomach or arms, but those I can work on & change.  I think my legs are too muscular, and its not because I work them out all the time, its heredity that they are they way they are.  I just want my thighs and calves to be a little bit slimmer/sleeker.

Questions for my nominees:

1. Cats or Dogs?

2. Beach vacation or adventure vacation?

3. What is your life goal?

4. Biggest Pet Peeve?

5. Favorite food/meal?

6. Favorite childhood memory?

7. The concert you wish you could have attended?

8. Why blog?

9. What is the perfect Sunday?

10. What is your dream job?

11. If you could meet one famous person dead or alive, who & why?

My nominees (sorry its not 11):

Stier Clear

Etcetera

Where the Wild Things Are

Surprise!

NYC headed South to Greenville to celebrate Shelly's 30th Birthday and it was all a surprise!  The surprise for us (Jevne, Marissa and Tara) was that it happened to be the COLDEST weekend in the South.  We were promised that only a fleece was really necessary, but honestly we needed our winter coats all weekend.

Anyways, Back in December Rob had reached out to Jevne about rounding up some of Shelly's NYC friends for a surprise visit for her 30th Birthday.  Marissa, Jevne, Tara and I made the trek down to surprise Shelly for her big 3-0!

Lets Do This btw my head looks HUGE

We surprised Shelly on Friday night after she went to dinner with Becky, Shannon and her Mom.  She was clueless, which made the surprise even better.

Practicing our surprise, not so patiently waiting

Once Shelly had gotten over the fact that we were actually there, we starting hanging out and enjoying the night.

Saturday, we just lounged all day on the couch then went and got manicures and pedicures.  What else do a bunch of girls do?

After we got back from our manis & pedis Melissa, Jenny & Haley were hiding behind the kitchen island to surprise Shelly.  I was just as excited because I got to see my favorite Southern friends too.

A little catch up, then time to get ready for dinner.

Back from dinner and then time to watch the DVDs Melissa had given Shelly for her birthday.  Which were amazing, since they were the video tapes from Shelly's video camera from college.  Watching those videos caused mass bouts of laughter.

Sunday everyone slowly drifted down stairs and we watched Ted for Rob, then ordered amazing southern BBQ.  Then sadly enough it was time to leave.

food.... yum!

Of course, a pic of the cutie Anacpari

facebook album

Phase 2

This post is for those particular friends who have given me so much shit for not posting updates on the progress of my decorating of my apartment.

So, let me update you all... I'm in phase 2.
I've finished purchasing all the furniture (except for one piece, the entry way table) and there are actual window coverings to bring warmth into the abode and give me some privacy.  I've done a little decorating, but the major wall pieces and nick knacks will come later.

For your visual pleasure:

 Updated the bathroom with a new vanity, functions* much better than a pedestal sink.

Got my Home Improvement on and assembled my side table.  I've got mad assembly and direction following skills. 

 

 The bamboo blinds in the living room. They add warmth to the room while letting in light and blocking the morning/mid-day glaring Sun.

 

The entry way accent wall with some frames. My new throw pillows on the couch and finally got a chair for my desk that can also be used as additional seating when everyone can't fit on the couch.  My old entertainment center looks completely different now that it isn't covered with so much stuff.

The bedroom updates: Roman blackout shades because we all know I don't do light in the am (and they're great for when I have a migraine :( ).
Make-up vanity, who knew I could finally have a vanity?  I didn't but, love that I do.  In May I'll be getting a new bed, I've already purchased the bedding (thinking ahead, as usual).

Today I went to the Container Store and got my OCD on designing two closets, my entry way coat closet and linen closet.  They deliver on 2/14 and install on 2/15, I can't wait to get uber organized!!

Phase 1A & 1B

So everyone keeps telling me that it takes time to officially phase from "moving in" to "decorating" to "living in".  But, I'm not that type of person who likes to wait.  I'm the person who wanted it all to happen the day I moved in.  My million dollar idea is to create a company that in one day, moves you from one place to another and completely unpacks, organizes and decorates your new place.  Perfection.  You heard it here first, so don't steal it (unless it already exists).
Still having a few boxes on the floor causes my OCD to flair up like a bad case of eczema.

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Because you're all so demanding for pictures of the apartment... Here is where I am in the phases of moving, somewhere between moving in and decorating, aka Phase 1A

Living Room starting to look more put together

I purchased a desk

Today I completed Phase 1B.  I purchased a ton of furniture to finish the structure of my apartment.  Tomorrow I have someone coming to measure my windows for treatments.

Rugs!

Now I'm patiently waiting for things to be delivered and then I start decorating with nick knacks and putting up pictures.

Moving, Part 2

I know I'm a little overdue on the moving report...

Sunday before I moved Michelle and I ran a few fun before moving errands and then I headed over to my new abode to do a little house cleaning.  I met my next door neighbor, Jamie who was SO nice.  She was awesome to give me the low down for the floor, I got the general information on each of my neighbors and some informational gossip. 

To ensure we start this post off right, here are the before pics:

Front Door/Accent Wall

Living Room

Kitchen

Bedroom

And I know Evan (aka 2012's 2nd hottest Broker according to Curbed) will appreciate this picture, but I couldn't help but share how great he's been through this process.  During the walk through he cleaned my bathroom floor because of a leaking pipe (but I wont go there).  So I didn't really need to do much bathroom cleaning on Sunday.

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Monday bright and early at 9am the Movers showed up ready to load up the last 3 years of my life into a moving van.

It took 3 movers only 3.5 hours to pack up 30 boxes and my furniture. Who knew I was such a hoarder and it's amazing how fast everything you own can be packed away.

(half of) Before & After

Once we (me & the movers) arrived at my new apartment it was a whirlwind.  Boxes started accumulating everywhere and then the movers where gone and I was all alone to unpack.  To so say I felt slightly overwhelmed was an understatement.  But really, I wanted to find the box that had my cooler of refrigerator contents which had my left over Pad Thai because I was STARVING!

Enough boxes?

Thank God for Michelle who came over after work and helped me unpack.  She totally kicked my kitchen's ass!  We kept it classy ate pizza and drank some prosecco for dinner to celebrate my new apartment.  I'm saving the classy champagne for when I feel like I'm completely moved in.


By the end of the night the living room was slowly unpacked....

 The bedroom was a lot easier to unpack than the living room.

My last look before I closed my eyes that night

I only wish I had taken off Tuesday and just not Monday, because let's be honest my need to organize is very intense.  OK, really I should have taken off the entire week because Thanksgiving was Thursday and I was already taking Friday off.  Oh, well.  Lesson learned for next time in 5-7 years.

Moving, Part 1

I took possession of this view on Thursday

and moving is on Monday!  so, its time to officially pack...

A 1/4 of my place was already packed

but, today was the day to get aggressively packed.  So Michelle came over and helped my anxious ass get seriously packed up.  We packed my bedroom, what's left of my closets (besides my clothes), my living room and my kitchen.

Tomorrow we tackle the entertainment center and errands for moving Monday. 

I feel good about it all.  I think I'm ready for the big MOVE. 

Then its organization time, my favorite thing for my OCD.

Frazier B&B

Since Sandy caused power outages through all of lower Manhattan, 41st and south on Monday night I've been off work all week because my office is on 39th & 5th and they haven't restored power back to that area yet, but hopefully by Monday.  I've been going stir crazy at home without a schedule.  I wonder if this is what unemployment feels like.  My apartment is clean, organized and I've made some amazing meals with my time off.  I wish I was already moved in to my new apartment, my time would be better utilized there getting my new home put together.

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To help keep myself occupied and get some social activity back into my life, I've opened up a little Bed & Breakfast in my apartment for a few friends who are without power starting on Wednesday.

Melanie was the first friend to come up, it took her an hour to get 65 blocks in the late morning once they opened up the streets to cabs and some public transportation.  Once she got her she charged all her electronics and was thankful to see a flushing toilet.  We were going to go to lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant across the street, but when we arrived there was a group of LES (lower east side) blocking the doorway and being all "cool", so we opted for the lesser choice of Blockheads.  Then we headed over to the madness that was Fairway Market to get food for Wednesday and Thursday. 

Amy and Chris came up Wednesday evening for dinner and so Amy could shower.  Amy felt like a whole new person after getting clean.

After I made dinner we went out to meet Chris' friends at a bar in midtown for Halloween. Amy dressed like a women who wanted her power back and I apparently dressed like Wilma Flintstone (thanks to a guy at the bar who asked if that's what I was dressed up as, I said, well of course).  At first we thought we could take a cab, we went 3 blocks in 5 minutes and then Amy made the executive decision we could walk 20 blocks faster, which was true.  After a few drinks for Halloween Mellie and I headed back uptown for bed.

Thursday morning Amy called to advise that she just couldn't live in the darkness anymore and was coming over.  Thursday we all did as much work as we could remotely from our blackberries and home laptops, but let's be honest its not the same as being at your desk.  Thursday night it was a full house because Amy and Chris decided to spend the night too, Slumber Party!  So I made a fabulous dinner of grilled skirt steak and we had a few bottles of wine while flipping between The Voice and X-Factor. 

Friday mid-morning Amy and Chris headed out to the Hampton's to his Aunt house to get out of the City and Mel and I brunch at Luke's Lobster.  Then the most amazing thing happened, my Laundromat opened and my laundry from last week was no longer held hostage. 

Friday's brunch

Melanie is now waiting for the robo call from ConEd that her power is back on.  Maybe Saturday night...? 

As for our plans for the rest of the weekend: food, tv, out with friends left in the City...?