a home creative: apartment shopping

Finding an apartment in any city is hard. Finding something affordable in an up-and-coming city is super hard. Luckily with a vision in mind and a lot of phone calls, my sister and I found something we love. 

It's not this place shown above - this one bedroom, den was gorgeous and had a balcony. But it wasn't for us. And we're so much happier with what we've found!

Tips for finding an apartment/home share:

• Know what you want and what you're willing to give up. You can't expect to find something if you have no idea what you are looking for. 

• Be open. This seems a little counter #1, but you really have to be open to all possibilities. You're dream place probably isn't what you think it will be (or should be) so be open to anything that fits your criteria, even if it isn't in the way you thought it would. 

• Call everyone and anyone. The secret of finding housing is knowing someone that knows someone that knows someone. The more people you call and talk to about what you are looking for, the more likely you will find options and eventually something that you'll really love. I talk to all landlords, all house mates and call all those numbers on the side of buildings because you never know who knows of something else. And don't let price scare you -- chances are landlords have multiple properties and they can keep an eye out for you. 

• Be persistent. Don't just wait for them to run your application. Call them and make sure they ran your application. Don't just wait for an email, call them and double check they got your acceptance. I know this seems really annoying, but if you found a great apartment, someone else wants it. And the owners want it filled.  

• Be prepared. Ask the person doing the showing what you would need to apply before you show up. This applies to house shares too! One time I put in an application for a place in San Francisco literally right after I went to the showing and I was 20 people too late. You snooze, you lose. If you are serious about finding something, you should bring all your documents with you. 

• Don't trust anyone. Just today I overheard someone saying there are people in the city that will show you a place, take your deposit, and then disappear. Obviously this totally freaked me out. But the moral of the story is -- do you research, make sure if you are leasing with a company they are legit, and if you are renting from an individual he/she is legit. 

• Speak up. There is not enough affordable housing in DC. If you are not ok with this fact, then say something to your local government. If you don't speak up, you can't expect it to change. Let's see what we can do together!

• Be insanely optimistic. You will not find anything if you think you won't find anything. You just won't. 

I really believe if you can envision it you can make it happen! 

Happy hunting!

Stephanie

p.s. I intend to keep on doing a home creative posts about my move and the making of my new home! Stay tuned!

What are your tips for finding an apartment?

LOVE / LUST: Spring dreaming edition

Can we talk about spring yet? The weather likes to play games with us here in DC. We'll have an absolutely AMAZING weekend, sunny & warm enough to make you think that spring has sprung. Then we'll have a snowday, and it's bitter cold all over again. It's quite frustrating, but hopefully this vicious cycle is almost over! It's practically the middle of March already, Spring can't be thaattt far away. Right?

We've turned our clocks an hour ahead, and i'm trying by best to positively think our way to sundresses and rooftop bars. So, I give you my Love / Lust list: Spring dreaming edition

On the left, are a few things  I've acquired over winter that I LOVE / On the right are their spring accompaniments that I LUST.

1. Capitol Bikeshare: Thanks Santa! Now I can bike everywhere & never worry about my bike being stolen. Also, beach cruiser. / 2. Heritage backpack: Purses and messenger bags are too dangerous when biking. I need a new backpack for commuting to work and carrying picnic essentials.

3. Relay Foods: Our new favorite way to buy local, organic groceries. It's online shopping for things you actually need (food). /  4. Lunchbox: Isn't this the perfect lunchbox? I'm dreaming of days when my quinoa, hummus, apples and granola bars all have their own special space. Oh, and all make it to work for lunch without spilling in my bag.

5. AIAIAI earphones: These make everything sound a million times better while still being small enough to use on a run.  / 6. Gym Bag: Now that I actually want to run so I can listen to music on these headphones, I need a new bright, cheerful gym bag. Morning gym time is the best gym time thanks to Vida Fitness!

7. Planner: A gift from my best friend. The ultimate grown-up planner to plan for things like trips to Disney World and best friends' weddings. / 8. Clogs: Confession: I've dreamt about these for so long I already purchased them. Yes, they do look great with every sundress I own. and yes, I wear them around my room already in anticipation of long walks around the city.

What's on your spring wish list??

snow day musings

I'm still getting used to the notion of a snow day. It's kind of crazy that everything just shuts down--and strange how unprepared DC is for any amount of snow. I suppose it's just so unusual. Things I did today while snow whirred and swirled around me:

• Enjoyed working from home or WFH for all of you that love acronyms. My room is still not quite set up, but I've got an internet connection, a laptop and the enthusiasm of a new job!
• Watched an episode of GIRLS--the one where they take a trip to 'The North Fork'. Definitely the best one I've seen so far this season (I know, I need to catch up).
• Made some Banana-Oat-Coconut-Almond cookies following Ebeth's recipe from our Whole Foods Challenge. They were surprisingly easy and un-surprisingly delicious.
• Worked out in my room ... because I was too scared of slipping on the ice or falling into a few feet of snow.

Hope you had a great day--snow day or not!

remember that day it snowed?

It was gorgeous today in DC. We actually ate lunch outside (gasp) and I spotted a bizillion dogs soaking up the sun. I did not even have to carry a coat. At nearly 70 degrees people had shorts on and did not look crazy! Well, remember that day it snowed? I think it's gonna happen again next week...I took these photos last week and figured I should post them as a reminder that it's not quite spring yet. When you don't have to get through it, snow is pretty beautiful.

But we still can't wait for spring!

snow day

I'm sitting in a small room on the third floor of a row-house in Columbia Heights. My internet finally working (I think all the devices wigged it out since everyone is home on my first snow day!) so I can put up a post. Which made me think about how lucky I am (we are) to even have internet. For many people this is not the case--and if we don't fight for our rights in a digital world, it won't even be the same for us who currently have access. Then what will we do when we want to watch House of Cards?! I'm a bit conflicted about this article in the nytimes...because online petitions are kind of annoying and seem pointless. And people can't call Congresspeople to argue an issue if they don't have all the facts, which is sometimes how I feel...and big internet companies have lobbyists and their interests aren't always our interests ... and so I'll keep blogging until the power players funnel access or censoring denies me the ability.

(My First) Snow Day Facts:

1. Feels like Spain on a Sunday. Harrar Coffee is closed today, which is kind of the worst news ever as it is the only place I would dare walk in this snow. Grocery shopping, gym time, coffee meetings and museum visits have been canceled from my agenda. Kale shake-making, recipe research and novel reading have filled the void.

2. OPM Controls Snow Days. I can now add OPM (U.S. Office of Personnel Management) to my list of new acronyms necessary to know in DC, as it is the place to check for 'snow day' alerts. It's nice having everyone home--this new house of people that I surprisingly get along with really well. They work in all different areas--government, non-profit, yoga...and only one of them is from a state I've ever lived in (or been to), which is a bit sad, but true. Soon I can cross Maryland off my list...

3. Trips Get Cancelled. My sister, aunt and I were supposed to take a weekend trip to NY, but due to weather conditions had to cancel. We are all bummed, but we can reschedule. Now I'm debating how long it will take to order MUJI products online, or if I should just wait.

4. Salt Makes a Mess. I now understand why at a recent house viewing the tenant kept complaining about the salt stains on the wood floor. I can't help but see them now in every house I visit.

5. Scandal is Cheesy. We tried it, we almost got a third of the way through, but it was just too much. Luckily I have Revenge to fill my need for cheesy soapy tv shows.

And news--I start a new job next week and I'm moving to Shaw (permanently) in March! I love the transition, the journey, the unexpected, but it is so nice to have things settle a bit. I am really excited to get back to the grind -- and for a great company with amazing people.

Happy snow day!

that time in Cannon House

Last week my grandmother was invited to go to the State of the Union address by a congresswoman in Arizona. It's so interesting to be in and around the people running the government, especially when it seems straight out of VEEP or House of Cards. They were literally trying to put a pin on a magnet so as not to puncture the congresswoman's clothes as she apparently does not like pins. Hey, I don't like holes in my clothes either, but the way in which it happened could not have been scripted better. There's more strangeness still sinking in, but the point is--life and people are strange. And that strangeness is funny.

It was an honor for my grandmother to be acknowledged for the work she has done for Veterans and everyone was very nice to us. My sister and I got to watch the event at a wine bar down the street and play bingo. Though I wish more things had been crossed out, at least some things were said. And it really is in our hands to create change. How, I'm still trying to figure out, but we will.

The strangest part was when my grandmother told a bunch of staff assistants a story about me as a child. Apparently I was about four, it was the Easter Egg Roll, I had met the Vice President but kept asking for the President and was very disappointed that I could not meet him. Everyone laughed at the cute story, how adamant I was and how much attention I demanded, and all I could think was: What was wrong with me? Why was I so annoying? Why didn't I meet the President? What ever happened to that Easter egg?

My dad always tells me how I used to do the wave on the mall. Like literally run around the mall and try and get other people to do the wave with me. I guess I haven't changed all that much.

And so--people do strange, annoying things and we still love them. Sometimes we vote and follow them. Sometimes we keep believing in them even when they just aren't quite doing enough. In light of the fact that we are all human, I guess the State of the Union was alright. Nothing terribly shocking, some of the unexpected, like the apolitical standing ovation, lots of sneers from the sidelines, and some great delivery, packaged hope and more rhetoric for us to trudge through. Like snow, it will melt and everyone will start slipping and sliding over it, or simply forget about it. I think I felt hopeful, but I also felt a bit like I was forced to enjoy something that was slowly, silently killing me. Rhetorically speaking, of course.

Anyone wanna start on a new constitution?