This was my world from 2016-2017
In 2016, my boyfriend and I had moved to our second apartment just a year after we first felt grown up enough to be on our own. It was a major upgrade from our first spot! we snagged a sweet deal on a brand new "luxury" place and finally had enough room to breathe (and set up our own places to unwind and recharge.)
We weren't the only ones who felt the benefits of a bigger space. Our two cats originally came from different homes and didn't exactly get along at our first place. Gratefully, that all changed when we moved to our dream apartment. They became best friends! They provided us with memories of cuteness that we'll never forget.
Our 14 months at that apartment were really some of the best times of our lives. We created our own bubble that we never wanted to leave. We were content with the home our little family had built. And if we were craving some social interaction, we would selfishly nudge our friends to visit us instead of going out. Here's my story of that apartment. I cherish those times.
The hangout spot!
Or as my boyfriend liked to think of it, the "Man Cave." But it was our go-to second bedroom for all things relaxing and hanging out. It was an office, gaming area and musical space for my boyfriend and his million instruments from his job. We spent a lot of time here with our friends, just having endless conversation and enjoying each other's company. And it even had a sweet view! (We were on the top floor.)
We had a family... Meet my Sweet Serena
Here's my favorite girl in the world, my sweet cat Serena. She's known me since I was just a little child. Even then, she chose me to be her favorite. She was always shy and timid around people, but around me she'd be as free as a butterfly. Everywhere I went, she would follow. When it was time for me to move out of my family's house, there was never a doubt that she'd come with me on my journey. It wouldn't have been the same without her.
And then meet our best buddy, Shadow
And here's our crazy boy Shadow. He was originally a stray, but unfortunately not by choice. His first owner was a drunk and kicked Shadow out when he didn't want to take care of him anymore. So my boyfriend decided to take him into his family's house and they became the best of friends. His personality - selfish, loud, obnoxious, and entitled can all be summed up in one word: endearing. He was a lot to handle, but he gave us endless entertainment and we loved him so much. He thought he was the leader of every apartment we lived at, and he was probably right.
While my boyfriend was in the man cave, the living room was my lady lair!
I had to negotiate when we first signed the lease for a two bedroom apartment. My boyfriend could have the "man cave" if I got to make the living room my own space. And that's exactly what happened! This was my sanctuary. I love binge watching TV while lighting a candle after work. And that's what I did for more nights than I'd like to admit.
But we'd always meet back in the kitchen :)
We finally had a kitchen we could both fit in! It was glorious. There was a good balance between our little family. My boyfriend would cook and I would bake. Some nights, we simply just ordered food out of laziness. I loved this kitchen.
Did I mention I designed the whole apartment myself?
A bigger space meant we needed to furnish a bit more. I've always loved interior design, and each move was a brand new exciting project where I got to live out my pet hobby. I had such a good time nagging my boyfriend to get all the stuff that made our apartment feel alive and colorful!
(Sometimes) we left the apartment to visit my boyfriend's parents
Here's my boyfriend's Dad! I don't think anyone loves animals more than he does. He also loves to plant an awesome garden every year. And whenever he's working hard in the yard, he's sure to have a cat there to hang out with him. That black and white cat is Princess (who's a boy... long story.)