NYC TO LV

Yes, the exodus has really happened and I can finally sit and breathe and write about it. :) 

I only like NY as a friend! After being an addict to the incredible highs and manic lows, I am breaking up with my fascinating, dynamic, eclectic, giving yet slightly abusive lover, 

New York City.

I really thought leaving NYC would be some kind of huge traumatic experience but it really just wasn't, which makes me believe it was absolutely the right decision. So if anyone is reading this thinking they are "giving up on the dream" by leaving-you're not. And all of a sudden all these articles started popping up that re-affirmed some of my feelings. This one. This one. This hilarious spoof. And especially... THIS ONE. Like the subways aren't bad enough being completely dysfunctional. I had bed bugs in Queens. Worst ever, and I am not surprised in the least that those buggers-pun intended-have taken over-they are an army that could survive a nuclear war.

Reasons for the move: Lifestyle, open spaces indoors and out, speaking of outdoors-being outdoors all year round, cost of living, trading a condo for a sprawling estate....you get the picture. NYC got crazy at the end there, income is dramatically separating itself from cost of living-I had a friend recently get offered a temp job for $15/hr-what I was making fourteen years ago! Now now, I don't want to sound bitter, nor negative about my dear ol dirty town that I have been infatuated with for years....but let's just say things felt very different towards the end there. Who knows maybe I'm just an old lady who wants to sip tea on a mountain somewhere. Maybe partially, but we also chose Vegas because I just couldn't be in a sleepy town! Vegas runs 24/7 too, we can see every concert, tour, and fabulous entertainment as well as hike, bike, and climb a mountain with some tea. It actually ended up being the best of both worlds. And who knew having a car would be so convenient when there is free parking everywhere??
VIVA!! 

More stories on the horizon....xoxo

Nesting Part Trois

Subtitle: The Cupcake Edition

What else do you do when you nest other than change hardware, and organize? Make pumpkin spice walnut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting of course. Want to be in the fall mood while you make these cupcakes? Light a Pumpkin Butter Spice Woodwick candle:

You can also watch your football team lose and have your bestie show you how to whip and frost. Oh and Beth this does not mean we are pregnant. ;)

Nesting part deux

Subtitle: Design on a Dime with hardware.  It makes a difference.

Anyone who watches HGTV as much as I do knows that the easiest way to transform a room is through paint and hardware. We got a new stainless steel fridge that is really making me feel like a grown up (I call it the baby) so we just had to get rid of these handles:

So ugly!

For these more modern angular square versions:

So pretty!

See how it's gone from old fashioned to modern meets vintage? I will be referring to all the "old" parts of my apartment as vintage as it sounds more glamorous. While I was in the kitchen opening and closing shelves with my new hardware I found ingredients to make this dessert.

No I didn't. Haven't gotten to fancy baking yet. ;) Break-off cookies are a sure fire perfect and easy fall evening dessert. 

Uhhhh... YUM!

Nesting part one

This may be a boring post to some, but I think organizing is the key to having a clear space and a clear mind. I found a really great organizational product that is sure to help those with awkward under the sink spaces. Behold:

It expands. It tiers. It has small adjustable shelves that can be used around a awkward pipes. It turns this:

Into this:

Now you are impressed. Now I have your attention. "What else can I do with awkward corner shelves Adriana?" you may ask. Do I have the answer for you! 

Lazy Susans! 

Need to reach hard to reach deep corner kitchen shelves?

Go to Bed Bath and Beyond and get these

so your corner shelf can look like this:

 AND be easily accessible. I have a clear mind now. How about you?

Before and...During, during, during

They always cut from before to after on HGTV and skip the during during during during during work where an entire TEAM of construction and carpentry guys come in and tear a room apart. Jason Campbell, singer, actor, photographer, computer programmer, carpenter and now plumber has torn our bathroom apart on his own. Putting it back together has taken three weeks and after countless trips to Home Depot, layers of dust and his brilliance at this work we are close to a reveal. But in the meantime it's:

BEFORE:

It started with getting a new fan. Ended with GUTTING the entire room!!!!

I had to make it extra cluttered for affect.

Eiw look how cluttered! What ugly tiles!

The medicine cabinet were totally falling apart and one side didn't even open. The vanity was so old it never felt clean. 

DURING:

Removing the vanity. I didn't have any vanity after this process. EIW.

UPDATE: DURING WHILE I WAS AWAY!!!

Woah.

Can we say war zone????

 DURING:

Adding the heated floor. Why? Because when is the next time we will be under the tiles? Never. And another popular answer is WHY NOT? 

Jason rewired the electric to make this happen. Right.

 DURING:

Tiling is fun right honey???

Laying the last tile. Looking so cute and so happy and soooo dirty!!!

Stay tuned for the big reveal after the commercial break!!!!

A tropical paradise

I mean really? It just doesn't stop over here in western New York. Do you see how some of the the icicles are spanning the length of the entire house? I know everyone is posting about the weather, but seriously after my mom got stuck in the driveway yesterday in an icestorm on top of everything I had to "snow-off" the icicles again. Get it? Snow off? Har har!

The Campbell Nest

Did I mention that I have the greatest husband in the world? Not only does he live up to this title with the various positive human attributes that I gush about daily to anyone who will listen, he is lately uncovering his abilities with a hammer, nails and a fresh coat of paint since the purchase of our condo. Here is the before and after of the main dining/living room. The only reason the "after" pictures look darker is because the room has brightened up so much that I had to pull down the exposure in my iphoto!

He stripped the paint off of the fireplace door that he found in an antiques junkyard to reveal a beautiful Victorian scene etched in metal. It was originally made in 1874 and is very Pride and Prejudice. And we all know how I feel about that.  I can go no longer without saying how ardently I admire and love you fireplace!  I am such a nerd. The rustic coffee table he made for a mere $100 out of planks from the renovated Coney Island boardwalk. I know, I know, he's cool!

I had the BEST time with him in NYC as always. We took a walk to Hoboken along the water and it is just gorgeous. I am falling more in love with this neighborhood the more we explore it!

Here is a picture of me trying to point out my ship from the New Jersey view:

Our first home!

I can't believe it, but Jason and I closed on our first property together! He has done most of the work, and has blown me away with it all.  He even went over with the new keys and cleaning supplies in hand and prepped for the move.  I am leaving New York State for the first time, (well, with all of my traveling I don't know if I can really say that) but my Zip code is officially changing. How will I change to 0----?? I'm going to be a Jersey girl! Weird. But Awesome. I am in love with the neighborhood already and I could only part with my dear Astoria to a neighborhood that rocks. Cobblestone streets, brownstones, and two sweet parks within walking distance.  We have a penthouse apartment with a rooftop, two bathrooms and are steps from the water and train. We can even take ferry home! Very British Columbia for my BC boy.  The apartment isn't all fancy and modern but is a diamond in the rough ready to be shined up.  Perfect for us. We'll take care of that.

High Ceilings

Love the Spiral Staircase

A Perfect NYC view

Bathroom #1-begging for a reno-though I love the little B&W tiles

Master Bath-also begging for a reno

Fireplace-yes, I said it before and I'll say it again-will be renovated. HGTV is my best friend right now.

One Bedroom

I can't believe I won't be there to say goodbye to my Queens apartment that I love so much and that all of us have had fond memories in. But being away for the goodbye is probably for the best because maybe I'll feel like I can always go back.  I did say I would never leave unless we bought something and I spoke the truth! I need to be careful with that. Thank you to our parents for blowing us away with their help, support and generosity! There is no way we could do this without them

We are thrilled. :)