Tuesday

This weekend I spent a lot of time alone at home and it got me thinking about ways that I would like to improve the living space that Violet and I currently share.

Pinterest also has made me rethink everything I ever believed about home wares, craftiness and organization.  Damn you, pinterest!

We live in a large studio apartment.  It fits the needs we have NOW but certainly will be too small for us in the coming year.  Violet needs her own space and I know how important it is to provide it.  Hopefully things on the money-end will improve and we will find another apartment that addresses our needs even better.  I want to give Violet a super awesome room someday soon.

For now, we live in a shoe.  Yes like old ladies out of a nursery rhyme.  We both have way too much stuff and I can't afford a bigger place yet.  I admit that I often feel proud that I can even provide her anything given my salary and lack of secondary income... but then I come home to a studio packed with 500 My Little Ponies and other toys galore -- and reality hits me hard. 

For now, I want to make more "fun space" for Violet by condensing a lot of the clutter and creating "Violet friendly areas" where she can spread out or be imaginative.  I also want to find ways to keep things clean and fresh.  I don't have a lot of cool video games or cable tv or pets and I don't have the most incredible place for her right now.  As much as possible, I want her to feel comfortable, safe, happy and more interested in being with me in my home. 

Here is Casa de Lauren + Violet:  a mini tour.

Violet's space: Hello Kitty and mega-storage.

Violet's Shelf: a bookshelf dedicated to her most precious items.

My furniture is whacked but I love it.  Did you notice my pink and green "dollar chairs"?

My Dad found this little bedside shelving unit at a yard sale.  I think it is adorable. 
It holds Violet's book collection.

Beside Violet's Bed: My Little Pony Poster Collection.

I found them at WalMart for free! 
She loves to marvel at them each morning as we leave.

My Kitchen: And the little table + bench set I bought second hand.  Cute, right?

Juicer Pieces and Cook Books!  Some of my most precious kitchen tools.

This is my dry kitchen storage.  Spices and butters and oils, oh my!

Yay! A peek into the ruckus that is my 'fridge!!

In a perfect world, I would have a huge 'fridge but for now, I organize best I can.

Our one living plant, Gertie.

She is blooming right now.