Found this on Craigslist. Our budget was $200. This was $180 with the chair, AND the seller delivered it to us! Has a few dings and scrapes, but nothing that bothers me. Good condition with lots of character. I’ve been searching for one of these for a long time. So happy to have found it!

Not sure where we’ll place it yet, but Bonsai seems to like it. The movers, however, will not when it’s time to transfer again. At least we have an elevator in the building!

Yesterday, we made our way to a local Salvation Army to drop off a load of items for donation. It was so amazing how much we stuffed into our little ‘72 Super Beetle that even one of neighbors who say the pile of junk before we loaded it up said, “You guys fit all of that stuff in there?!”

I had high hopes of finding something wonderful between the Salvation Army and the nearby Goodwill store, but it was such a let down. We’ll have to check out some other areas of town before we find our gold mine.

I did score this nice lampshade in spectacular condition for a whopping $4.50, so it wasn’t a total bust. I think it replaces our ratty old ORGEL shades from Ikea nicely! Those shades that have lasted us through five moves over the last five years. What do you think?

Now, I just need to score another nice lampshade for our second ORGEL lamp and I’ll be a happy lady.

I’m also not sure where I’ll place this “new” lamp yet. I have been moving it around our new place hoping it will speak to me when it’s found it’s home. It hasn’t spoken yet.

We got the keys today for our very first loft! So exciting. Can’t wait to move our stuff in tomorrow, and share more photos with you of the space. The 38 foot wall of floor to ceiling windows is by far my favorite feature!

For now, we’re adjusting to life on the West Coast with much ease and happiness. Seriously, what’s not to like about this perfect San Diego weather? Not to mention having In-N-Out at our fingertips!

I have so much more I want to share with you, but we have a very loooooong day tomorrow. It’s bedtime. Nighty nite.

Are these not the coolest?! Tracy Melton of focuslineart on Etsy.com creates these lovelies. These original pieces are painted on dead elm trees which the artist cuts down herself with a chainsaw. I love when an artist can take something from their surroundings that is otherwise expired or useless and turn it into such a beautiful item full of new life.

Each an every one of Tracy’s paintings is so gorgeous. Good luck deciding which set of 3 you’d like to purchase! I know I can’t. While I’m particularly drawn to the cooler paintings, I would be thrilled to own any of these beauties. Aren’t they just perfect placed over the bed? I’d love to add a set to my home.

A guilty pleasure: style quizzes for the home. This one, again, I found over at How About Orange. I turned out to be Vintage Modern (83%) with a touch of Zen (17%). Pretty much dead on. It’s super easy, just pick the rooms according to your tastes! Enjoy.

Oh, and have a great weekend!

P.S. I’m trying my hand at my first Flourless Chocolate Cake. Will let you know how that turns out!