Tag: Moving

Big Changes Part 2: California, Here We Come!

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment

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So, what did I do after miscarrying my third pregnancy (If you’re just tuning in, check out part 1 Here to get cought up)? I spent 2 weeks hold up in our Ann Arbor apartment frantically packing everything we own and selling off what we couldn’t bring with us. Oh, and stress eating whatever we could get our hands on, cause, you know… that’s how we roll.

All this stuff.... oy
All this stuff…. oy

By the end, I felt like an Olympian! A very bloated, exhausted olympian. Like I managed an impossible feat. Despite my sadness and physical exhuaustion… we had a deadline to meet and that Pod was leaving May 6th whether our stuff was in it or not!

This teeny pod contained everything we own.
This teeny pod contained everything we own.

If you’ve ever moved a household across the country without using professional movers, or at all, then you know it’s insane. I highly don’t recommend using your savings this way… although I highly DO recommend living in California, so I guess it’s kinda worth it. We decided to use a Pod rather than a traditional moving company because it was by far the lowest cost option and they were able to store our belongings for us here in California until we found a new place. We packed prepared for a long time in storage, but ended up finding the perfect apartment for us on our very first weekend in town! Surprise! What a whirlwind.

All packed and ready to leave. Farewell Michigan!
All packed and ready to leave. Farewell Michigan!

On May 7th, Ziva and I boarded a plane in Detroit headed for the San Francisco Bay Area, and Brian, his dad, and our doggy Brinkley started a 4 day drive to meet us on the other side.

Ziva and Mama on the plane.
Ziva and Mama on the plane.

Flying with a 14 month old is by far much harder than flying with a 4, 7 or 10 month old. Ziva was still a stellar little passenger, but now she is so much bigger, stronger, and more restless than she ever was before. I kept her occupied on board with a long nap, some puffy stickers and a notebook, and plenty of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (don’t judge). The puffy stickers (from a craft store) where a big hit. Walking the aisles of the plane on the other hand did not go as well. Ziva is a very social girl and she just wanted to stop at each row and get to know everyone.

We spent the last month getting in as much family time with my family as we could possibly fit in. It’s been INCREDIBLE. I had no idea they were this awesome! JK, I totally knew it, that’s why we hauled our butts back to California! My dad and his fiance hosted us at their home while we searched for a place and waited to move in. Their place is perched on top of a hill in El Cerrito, California, and waking up each day to their amazing view of the whole bay area was the perfect reminder of why we made this crazy move.


The sunshine, family, and friends have made it more than worth the pain of getting here. And as I write this, one month from the day we arrived here in California, I am sitting in our own apartment. Back home again, in our very own little slice of the Bay.

 

 

Ann Arbor Move Countdown: 27 Days!

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky2 Comments

27 days!!!

Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor Michigan (Photo by Ready Set Sarah)
Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor Michigan (Photo by Ready Set Sarah)

It’s finally here! The long awaited arrival of June. Not only is it feeling a lot like summer, but this is also the month we make the long awaited move back to Ann Arbor. Royal Oak has been a blast, but I’m ready to return to my people.

I’ve already started compiling an Ann Arbor Bucket List of sorts, full of all of the fun Ann Arborish activities I want to do during this round of residency in A2. I moved away 3 years ago and there were a ton of things I still wanted to do. This will be Brian’s first time living in A2, so I definitely plan on showing him all the city has to offer.

Sure, there are times I wish we were moving home to California, but Ann Arbor is the most like a home away from home that I’ve found here in Michigan and I’m ready to get back.

I can’t wait to share our adventures with you! Now, time to pack.

Oh! And, Go Blue!

University Of Michigan Stadium "The Big House" (Image by Ready Set Sarah)
University Of Michigan Stadium “The Big House” (Image by Ready Set Sarah)

Moving Day & Nesting

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky2 Comments

Mixed feelings of excitement and nostalgia simmer just under the surface today as I prepare to spend the evening finishing packing up my little Ann Arbor studio…

Sunset in Ann Arbor, Feb 2011 via R.S.S!

The Nostalgic Part:

This place has been good to me. I’m within walking distance of the State Street shops, the Farmers market and campus. Sure, there have been hassles in living right in the thick of student life (the drama/musical neighbors haven’t helped). And I suspect that there are creatures living in the walls here… But, that being said I still loved my little home.

I should have taken more pictures before taking my things down off of the walls. I loved the way my black picture frames looked up against the vintage-butter-yellow color of the walls (that I painted with the help of my Mom and her friend). This picture really doesn’t do it justice, but it’s the only one I’ve got…

Studio walls (not the best angle) image by R.S.S!

I’ve really enjoyed having my own little place, but as you might expect, I think I’ll enjoy having just a bit more room. So, that’s the nostalgic piece, I’m gonna miss Ann Arbor.

The Exciting Part:

Saturday, The Beau and his dad will be showing up bright and early with a Penske truck to carry me off to a fabulous future in this lovely abode:

Ours is the top balcony. Image by R.S.S!

I’ve been obsessing and collecting photos of interior design inspiration for days on Pinterest and I am just itching to let my decorating mind run wild on a blank slate.

Now, to be realistic I have big ideas and very little budget, so most of this is going to take a while (room-by-room, inch-by-inch). At this point the only furniture we have are two beds, one dresser, an old (not very pretty) couch, two black leather ottoman/trunks and some plastic storage drawers…. this should be interesting.

The new place is an older apartment building converted into condos and our unit is a two bedroom with updated kitchen and closets (SCORE!). I plan on updating throughout the nesting process, but here’s my wish list for the record.

Must Haves for the New Place:

  • A statement chair for the living room that can play off of the colors we choose, and add interest to the room. Like this:
Z Gallerie Purple Chair
  • A simple area rug I would love something lightly patterned in grey.  This will depend on the furniture. Maybe a nice neutral jute rug.
  • A long and low media unit that can also hold some books and accessories. I haven’t been able to find an example yet of the kind of piece I want… but when I do I’ll be sure to share.
  • A dramatic architects floor lamp (not sure if that describes what I’m thinking of, but I can picture it)…maybe something like this from West Elm
West Elm Pleated Shade floor lamp via Pronto
  • A new Couch. This is going to be essential in the  living room, but I would love for it to be toned out in color so that the rest can pop. I know white is unrealistic, but I’d love a deep, comfy white couch that I could clutter with textural throw pillows. Sorta like this, only with more interesting pillows:
Love this living room. Great example of the patterns and neutrals mix I want to shoot for. Image via pompandcircumstance.files.wordpress.com

I will complete the want list on another post for the bedrooms and the dining room spaces. I’m particularly into the idea of having a workspace in the guest room for crafting and such. Until then, happy moving to us and anyone else making a summer move!

~R.S.S!