Happy May, everyone! I know it’s been a hot minute since I’ve popped in over here, but to say the last few months have been a blur would be a vast understatement.

The cliff notes version is that I ran a half marathon, spent close to a week in Punta Cana for work, and have been trying to do that little thing called keep my life together in between! I’m finally coming up for air and have been in major planning mode in terms of where I want to take this blog and what I’ll be sharing with you all in the coming months. I’ll dive deeper into all of that next week, but for now, I want to share a little update of what I’m working on around my apartment!I like to think my one bedroom in the sky has really great bones (the French doors leading into the bedroom were what sold me…not the fact that I procrastinated and had just a few days to find a new home or re-sign my lease at my old place 🙃) and I set out to breath new life into each room with my 101 in 1001 list. This proved to be a tad bit overwhelming and I want this to be a process I can have fun with, so I came up with a plan to focus on the bigger pieces I’d like to bring into the space to lay the groundwork. I purged like crazy before moving to Gold Coast from River North and still have more I’d like to get rid of (side note: If you’re in Chicago and are interested in a set of bar stools from Rove Concepts, I know a gal who has two she’d like to find a new home for 😉. I’m also selling a ton of things on my Poshmark account), but for the most part, I’m starting with a clean slate!

My couch is one of the only big pieces of furniture that moved with me and while it was a huge investment, I know it’s something I’m going to have for years to come.I sketched out my ideas in my notepad (I use the term sketched very lightly as it’s painfully clear I wasn’t born with the same artistic talents as my sisters) and snapped a photo to share with you all below so you can get an idea of the layout I’m working with!

Here’s what I’ve got my eye on/what I’ve invested in so far/who I’m teaming up with to bring my ideas to life:

Round dining table – I’m thrilled to be working with IKEA to create a little breakfast nook, and it’s high up on this list for a reason – a girl needs a proper place to eat! Especially a girl who loves food as much as I do. I like the look of an all white table and think the shape will be perfect for the little corner I plan to make its home. 

Dining chairs – I absolutely love my bar stools (mentioned above), but have no need for them since my place doesn’t have a bar counter. I love everything Serena & Lily does and think a few of their dining chairs tucked under the table would be just the thing to bring my little nook to life!

IKEA book shelf – I’ll also be working with IKEA to add a shelf to house my books, knick knacks, and the like. Now placing bets on how many extra pieces I end up with after attempting to put it together on my own. The last time I put together a desk there were six leftovers (oops).

Chair – Another big investment item I have my eye on is this sitting chair. I’m going to keep searching for a cheaper alternative, but so far, nothing compares. I mean, how cozy does it look?!

Coffee table – Pretty self-explanatory. A coffee table is a living room staple (you know, for those times you don’t want to eat at the breakfast nook you created 😉 ). 

End table – I’ve got room for a side table next to my couch, too! 

Rug – This is probably the item I’m most indecisive about. Do I go with color? Keep it neutral? How much neutral is too much neutral? Do you see why it’s taken me so long to get this place in order? 😆

Desk – I work from home on occasion and spend quite a bit of time on my laptop for this blog and need a better spot than my couch and bed to post up and get shit done!

Desk chair – Again, pretty self-explanatory, but I also need something to sit in at said desk. 

Bar cart – I have the perfect little spot between my front entryway and the refrigerator in the kitchen for a small bar cart, not to mention a never-ending list of cocktail recipes I can’t wait to whip up. 

Headboard – I’m learning quickly that I am incredibly picky when it comes to bed frames. My bedroom is really tiny, so I need to be careful about the shape and size. So far, everything I found is either too big or too small – I’m like Goldilocks over here!

Down comforter – I ordered this comforter on major sale last week and am excited to get it on my bed! I had a down comforter in college and am hoping it helps to regulate my temperature (I get so hot when I sleep!) better than what I’ve been working with.

Boll & Branch sheets – I just got these in the mail and let me tell ya, they are like butter. I’d heard people rave about them and finally pulled the trigger thanks to a little thank you bonus from work. They’re an investment, but if I’ve learned anything recently, it’s that good sleep is essential and there’s no price I won’t pay to make sure I’m getting what I need!

Mattress – I’m in the market for a new mattress! While I can definitely think of more exciting things to spend my hard-earned money on, I’m a firm believer that a good mattress is vital to a getting a good night of sleep. Any favorites out there? Do tell!

Bedside table – I’m lucky to have a little windowsill in my bedroom that houses a fan, my candle collection, books, and a few other things. I miss having a place for a lamp that I can turn on to read at night when I don’t want my overhead light on.

And there you have it! If nothing else, I’ve set a plan into motion. I know it’s not going to happen overnight, but I’m looking forward to the process and sharing it with you guys here and on Insta stories!

I’d love to hear what you think about my grand plans down in the comments!