My Starter Story

Monday, January 26, 2015 | Stamp in My Passport| |

Monday, January 26, 2015


I'm coming up on one year of living in my first post-grad apartment, which is hard to believe. New York City based real estate platform Urban Compass reached out and invited me to be a part of their Starter Stories series. Urban Compass is a real estate platform that connects folks searching for apartments with the neighborhood that matches their personality and taste for finding NYC apartments. I wish there was a similar service in Tallahassee; it would have made finding an area of town I want to live in so much easier.

After I landed a job in town, I had two weeks to find an apartment, purchase furniture and move from Valdosta. I scoured the Internet, took apartment photos with a grain of salt and booked appointments for a Saturday afternoon. One was partially-subsidized housing which was still over my budget, one was beautifully renovated but in a horrible neighborhood, which left the third option looking like the stand-alone winner. 

Although it's small, it's my own (Here is what it looked like before I moved in.) I've enjoyed the past year making it feel lived in. All of the prints I collected while I was studying abroad now have permanent homes on my walls. From the Paris scenes, to my DIY world map, to the maps of Paris and London metro, it's not hard to guess where my interests lie. 

Also, since it's sunny and 70 practically year round in Florida, a porch/patio of some size was a must. It's practically an extension of my living room and makes me forget that I can vacuum the entire space without unplugging it.

Here is to another year of slowly continuing to make this space my own.  What did you enjoy most about your first apartment? 







17 comments:

Susanne said...

Your apartment looks beautiful! Nice and warm colors. I'm living in my first apartment for 5 years now and still trying to make it my home. I've adjusted it several times now, I can't seem to get the homey feeling I look for haha!

Alicia said...

You've done a beautiful job decorating! My fiance and I just bought a home last year that we haven't moved into yet due to renovations. It's almost complete and we will be moving in soon. I am so excited. It's great getting to decorate a house to make it feel like a home :)

Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki said...

Your own looks so beautiful, I love your porch area and how you decorated!

Danica Pardini said...

Your home is BEAUTIFUL! I love your decorating style. Also, so glad I found you from BBN group...look forward to following your blog!

xo Danica

Sara Beth said...

I would definitely live on your porch! But the whole place looks cozy and eclectic.

Jess said...

Thanks so much! It's still not quite finished, but it's getting there :)

Jess said...

Thanks for stopping by Danica! Yes, I've really been enjoying getting to meet new bloggers through the group, too.

Jess said...

Thanks Kaelene! It's slowly coming together.

Jess said...

That's wonderful! I'm still renting so I can't make as many changes as I would like, but it's nice knowing that I'm not always going to be moving out at the end of every school year.

Jess said...

I totally get what you mean. I started out with just the necessities and it's just finally taking on that "lived-in" feel. Only problem is there is ZERO storage so I can't become a hoarder haha.

Alicia | Jaybird Blog said...

I love your decorating style! Those Paris prints are gorgeous. All of the rich colors you have going on make your place look warm and cozy.

Mary-My Life in Scotland said...

Love your patio! I'd live out there!!

Katie said...

You have such a lovely apt! I love all of the décor!

Summer @ Coffee With S said...

Your apartment is so darling! Love your style!

abby - little city adventures said...

Your little patio looks adorable!

Natalie V. said...

Your apartment is TOO cute! I love that candle/ lamp holder--I'm redoing our living room and something like that would look perfect! :) I lived in a little house while I was in grad school and I loved it: there was a tiny patio and backyard and even a garage; I was SO proud of it! It wasn't decorated nearly as cute as yours since 99% of the money I earned adjunct teaching went to the rent, but it was home for three years!

Camila said...

I love your decor! Just moved into a new place and trying to find ways to decorate my place...except I have a boy here and his idea of decor is to nail a random mirror in the middle of the wall....