West Coast, Best Coast
This is really weird to be writing. It's one of those posts I've been putting off for week after week, because saying or typing "I'm moving" out loud or in black and white feels suddenly too real, but it's here. It's been coming for awhile. Not at all because I'm unhappy in Minneapolis—spending my first four years of actual adulthood here has been more than blissful. Not because I'm unhappy. Just because I'm ready.
Come April 1, I'll be calling the Pacific Northwest home again. I'm going to use my ever-loving parents' house as a temporary address while I spend the summer traveling until my best friend/sister Elyse heads back to school in the fall: we'll be getting a place together in downtown Seattle, and I can't wait to spend some time as an adult learning new ins and outs of my favorite city in the world.
As a celebration of the wondrously full four years I've called Minneapolis home, I wanted to share a thousand and one photos of my first place, apartment #302. Leaving Loring Park—my little corner of downtown—will be nothing short of bittersweet, but I'm more excited than anything. A very successful woman recently told me this when she decided to move on after ten years at a high-profile, high-paying job: "I didn't come this far to play it safe." It struck me. It stuck with me. And that's when I knew it was time.
Captions I drafted for each photo will appear if you hover your cursor over the image. I hope you enjoy my home as much as I have!
The first prints I ordered for my home, from Etsy...two of my favorite things, coffee and mermaids.
My kitchen looked nothing like this when I moved in. There was a remodel a year or two ago, and it may be prettier now, but I have basically zero storage and literally nowhere to eat (they took out a bar the length of this whole doorway!) One of those "charming little quirks" you learn to live with.
One of the 9,000 ways I have to make coffee in my house—a pourover cone, pictured next to the Nespresso machine I snagged for $40 still in the box at the Salvation Army downtown.
One of my favorite things in here is the pennant banner above my kitchen. They were handmade for a friend's shower and each of us took one home. It adds so much life and color without being too bright for my neutral decor.
One of my favorite people in the world, Katie Ryan, lives right here in the Twin Cities. She's one of the most talented artists I know and drew this stellar and iconic print of the Minneapolis skyline, which I know I'll be bringing into every home I have from now on.
Coordinating baskets I found at Home Goods and Target, respectively, where I throw my seasonal scarves and hats!
I used to use my barstools at the breakfast bar, but when that went away, they became more storage than anything...
Another splash of mermaid. I got these bookends way back in the day on Modcloth. Gold-framed prints I found at a thrift shop in the suburbs.
CN Traveler has provided me so much inspiration for my trips over the last year—one of the best things I spend my money on. The rug is from Target, which I carried about 10 blocks from downtown! My bear mug was a gift from my friend Katie, who didn't even know at the time that they're my favorite animal.
Another mermaid touch, a custom canvas painted by a friend. I got the vintage Jayson ad from Etsy, I think, and thought it would be the perfect girly print for a bathroom!
Always the first thing anyone comments on when they come over—the Essie collection in my beauty-product-loaded bathroom.
Some can't-live-withouts: MAC Cleanse-Off Oil, Fresh's Rose face mask, the Herbivore Activate face mask, Moroccanoil Dry Body Oil, Simple Micellar water, and LUSH body lotion.
I picked up this dresser at a vintage shop in Northeast Minneapolis, intending to paint it white so it would blend in with the rest of my light and bright bedroom. One of those things I never got around to.
My favorite book in the world, The Longest Way Home, always sleeps next to me. I pick it up way too often and will never get tired of it.
Always prime lighting in my sanctuary.
The Marshmallow Bed.
A keepsake from my days working at Free People in Seattle: one of the holiday dresses that were on display. I've played guitar since I was about twelve, but just on my parents' instruments. Hanging on the wall is my first guitar, that was given to me by a very dear friend I met when I worked at in corporate banking here.
Shooting these photos with Alex proved to be a lot more emotional than I anticipated. I've grown so attached to my first little place on my own. It's been perfect for me and my lifestyle, and it might be my hardest goodbye. On the flip side, I have been so ready for this new adventure for so long and can't wait to have you guys along as I discover this whole new side of life. Seattle doesn't even know what's about to hit it. Truly, truly excited! (!!!)
But before that, it's party time! Next weekend is the OFFICIAL LAUNCH of my capsule jewelry collection with Goldfine Jewelry, and I want to see all of you on Saturday, March 12, between 12-3 p.m. CST, at the Goldfine Jewelry showroom in the North Loop.
One-Day Preview Event
Saturday, March 12, 12-3 p.m.
Goldfine Jewelry Showroom
600 Washington Avenue North #350 in Minneapolis
Shopping, local treats & swag
Chat with me and Sara about the collection!
First 25 shoppers receive a swag bag filled with gifts from our favorite local companies!