apartment heartbreak.

we looked at a place yesterday.
we not really *looking* for a new place, but, didn't want to regret not looking at the place and wondering if we would have liked it or not.

it's downtown above the restaurant that jer works at. a 1/2 block from the restaurant i work at part time and a 15 min walk to the nursin home i work at part time. a parking structure away from the mall and even a grocery store. bank at the top of the street and a fabulous coffee shop 3 blocks away.
the place is huuuge (aout 700 sq ft), but a studio/loft type. the place we're in now is just shy of 610sq ft.
everything is brand spankin' new; fixtures, carpets, tiles, wallcoverings (made to look like brick, but thery're really not), toilet and sink in the bathoom. a large bathroom, really high sloping ceilings, at least 15 ft. 2 fantastic 10 ft windows that let in so much light, ( i can see the kitties basking there all day) and make the place feel even bigger & even a kitchen you can put a table in.. a kitchen table that goes in the kitchen..how novel!

i love love love it.

we'd save so much $$, rent is $580 + utilities (they'd be nothing cuz of the windows and being on top of a restaurant) we pay $736 all included right now, walking to work, supporting local businesses, getting groceries a block away, free indoor (but not secure) parking at the mall...stolen, i guess would be a better word. :)

*sigh*

sounds amazing right? go for it right?

well here's the downside...i keep telling myself these things so i stop thinking about the place.

the landloard is putting in french doors to block off the kitchen, so say good bye to any useable space around the door area (where we thought would be best for the sitting/tv area)

storage- or lack there of. there's one large walk-in closet where the bedroom would kida have to be, and a large enough closet near the bathroom. no front closet for boots/shoes/winter jackets.

kitchen- it's this weird sink, stove top, oven and refrigerator dealie. (like the pic, but picture it from 1974 & without the cupboards) i've never seen anything like it. but needless to say, it's not quite ideal for 2 professional cooks. we'd need to buy a regular fridge. no hood fan which i'm thinking is illegal. plus, no cabnets at all. the sink is the size of a postage stamp.

bedroom- or lack there of. the way the place is layed out, we'd need a murphy bed for things to work properly. because of the windows, the bed almost has to float in the room. we could buy a new car for the price of a murphy bed that would be funtional enough for our needs.

bathroom- is huge for no reason, there's a toilet, corner shower and pedestil sink. it's like 8ftx8ft. i wish the guy would have put a tub in there to at least give it some oomph & point to the room. no cabnetry whatsoever.

no hookups for laundry. we can't even change out that weird kitchen contraption cuz then we'd have no sink. we'd have to buy a stove as well. we'd also have to buy a appt size laundry combo.

in the long run, for the stuff we would want to make the place home & livable we'd have to spend around $7000. totally not in the cards.
i'd have to get rid of a lot of my stuff & i like my stuff.

there are a few more places under construction right now in the area, i'm going to keep my eyes peeled..

random stuff i thought was interesting...

are you a cleaning procrastinator like i am?
need simple and (mostly) environmentally friendly tips to help you get motivated? here's some cool vids to show you tricks...

a better use for a banana rather than eating it. EWW.
clean your toilet with coke
microwave not clean? try this
dirty pot hangover solution.

here's some other interesting things..
wonderful cheap shelf idea. i think i'm going to try this one today!
mmm..naan bread the western way, because i don't have a tandoor. i also might try this in a skillet.
10 minute curry..yes!
garam masala spice blend
chicken vindaloo, so good
cucumber raita


ever wondered how to moodwalk? here's your chance..
are you a good girlfriend? kinda silly
have mad skills in the boyfriend department. again, silly.
want to gnaw your arm off in bed..not after this..
icky festival toilets..this might help.
bigger boobies, no problem

so what...

yesssss! a rat tail!


i added a little colour to it as well, wildfire manic panic.
i took 2 ideas and kinda turned them into one haircut. the back of rhianna's (sans steps, i chickened out) and the rest of andrea's

dexter

i anyone else totally enthralled with this show?
we first encountered it when we went to NYC in '04. they were passing out dexter water bottles (kinda handy since it was freakin' hot that day) and thought 'hmm...looks interesting a serial killer in the police force as a blood spatter expert'.
of course, because i live in canada, we generall don't get the showtime shows as soon as they come out. we get them the season after, unless you subscribe to a US satillite dish(illegal and risky) or get the movie networks.
i mean, i can't watch just one episode.
thank goodness that we don't get the show weekly, or else i'd go bonkers. pulling my hair out wanting more.
renting it is for sure the way to go watching 'em all at once
...3 episodes last night...most likely 4 episodes tonight.

i don't want to give it away for people that haven't seen it....
..wait...WHY haven't you seen it?
GO RENT IT NOW!

my only issue with it is; i can't seem to get the six feet under 'david fisher' character out of my head. it's hard to forget he's not gay in dexter...

on a crafty note:
i will be starting pillowcases this week for my cousin's wedding. i just need to fine a pattern and decide what i'm going to do.... their names and a little picutre to represent them is the best, i think...pics to follow when they're done.
better get my ass in gear.

why i love today.

thursdays are joyous.
most of the time, i get a pay cheque.
this week was more joyous then others.
i was able to pay all my bills and have money to spare.
not everything is paid in full, but i feel better about them.
that never happens.
i even have another pay cheque to to cash.
we can go out for lunch, and i don't have to feel guilty.
i even put money away for a girlie weekend in sept.

i feel relieved.

just like heaven

spent the day in montreal. *sigh* i really need to get out more.


holt renfew- i have to admit, i was a bit star struck while strolling around this store. i was actually able to touch dresses/jackets/shoes that i would have never been able to be in contact with. it's 3 floors of designer heaven. each design house has it's own little boutique.
chanel, fendi (see picture double buckled belt $645), jean paul gauthier *sigh*, hermes, burburry, D&G (silk fushia corset, only $2,459), marc jacobs, jimmy choo, vera wang, miu miu (see pictures goregrous shoes with sparkling chrystals on the heels- even more stunning in person), versace, prada, badgelymischka, nina ricci, zac posen ($1,799 yellow blouse to die for!) manolo blahnik, yves stlaurent shoes.
while admiring the fur section, i noticed that one of the jackets i was stroking cost $16,789.00!!!! are you kidding me?! who lets me touch things that cost that much?!
oh, badegely mischka how i love thee.

betesey johnson- colourful, cheerful and just outright fun store. i didn't feel like i wasn't welcome or like i wasn't allowed to look around. sure, i can't afford (or fit into) any of these wonderous dresses or nifty bags. i did buy these shoes that were on sale:

i tried those heels on too. so cute! the fragrance will be mine..in time..

lunch at mister steer!! (ste catherines)

sangrias and cerveza at tamales (prince arthur)
supper at a greek tavern. grilled marinated chicken, tenderloin brochettes and butterfly shrimp. yum! (also on prince arthur)

i'm not always such a consumer whore, but it's fun sometimes...

golden aquisition and other treasures..

best.wallet.ever.

value village rules!
i also acquired 2 silk scarves and one beautiful from italy (oooo la la) for 99cents + a really cute clutch ($2.99) for when you're getting all gussied up for a night on the town and don't need anything but lipgloss and a credit card.
i got offered 20bux for my wallet today! it was $2.99
the wallet is huuuge. it's got 3 enclosures and lots of hidden room.