Monday, February 21, 2011

I love to move

I know...I know..Most of my friends and family think I'm crazy!
But its true.  I love packing up, getting rid of old stuff and starting fresh and clean in a new place. I can be unpacked with everything placed perfect and put away in about 24 hours. 
I've lived at the beach for going on 3 years this May and have lived in three homes.
Each one holds a special place in my heart.
My first beach house was the darling little cottage on Broadway


It was perfect. I loved it. It was 660 square feet.  This was a huge adjustment as I came from 2200 sq ft.

Hard wood floors and the fireplace that didn't work were all part of its charm.

I love having parties and this tiny dining room saw its share of poker parties and wine tasting events. As small as it was we all had a cozy time.

The kitchen was the entry way to the master suite and the back yard

That's Troy my Yorkie. He also loved it here.

That's Bluto in the kitchen.  He is no longer with us after 17+ years

Candles made for a perfect romantic fire

The master was just big enough for the bed

The back yard was big enough for the BBQ and some light gardening.
I loved it but it was 2 short blocks from the beach. And the rent was almost 3,000 a month

After a year I thought  I could use a little more room and was really missing fixing up a house. So... I jumped on craigslist and found this diamond in the rough on Garnet about 3 blocks from the beach for 1/2 the price.

It was a mess.  But I was up for the challenge!  And for 1/2 the price I couldn't go wrong!

A cute picket fence, some fresh paint and colorful flowers was all this cute little house needed.

a couple of rocking chairs and Waa Laa! Instant cottage charmer
The landlord loved me!

I enjoyed this front porch for hours and hours. Sunday Mornings I would watch the neighbor pack up their beach gear and walk to the beach.  I was happy here. 
But...I still wasn't on the beach! 
I still was only close to my dream... I needed to be on the beach!
One Sunday in April I was sitting on that darling little porch sipping my coffee when a little voice in my head said:
    WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? 
LIFE IS TOO SHORT! 
DO IT NOW!
so I did...
I got in the car at 6:00am and headed for the Esplanade. 
It was as if my car knew where to go....

It lead me here.
My Dream...finally at 50 I'm living it!

Sure I only have the bottom left hand side of this wonderful house.
But it's got the best view in all of Redondo Beach. (only my opinion)

I'm a Shabby Chic kind of gal so I insist that just about everything in my house is white!
I was still hanging pictures...
The bathroom is small but cozy and I can hear the waves crashing while I shower.
 
My bedroom is wonderful and has a built in shelf for my favorite things


I just love all things Shabby Chic


This is where I sip my morning coffee now...when it's too cold outside

I just finished redecorating my kitchen and was told I needed to bring in some color.

and wood.... So I went with green.


It will be one year in May that I have been living my dream.  I think I'll stay put for at least another one.

What are you waiting for?
Life is to short!
Do it Now!
post signature

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are SOOOO lucky to have a view like that everyday. I love your current home. Shabby Chic is gorgeous but not practical for me right now. I have a 12 year old & a 7 month old. White would NOT last long. I loved your first place too. After my kids are grown I'd love to have a tiny little cottage near a lake or the beach. I just love water :)

ashley @ little miss momma said...

The first cottage was my FAVORITE! I wanted to live there too!

Just wanted to let you know that I am SOOOO proud of you! really, I am!

love you,

me

LilBuckarooDesigns said...

Your LOVELY and ADORABLE daughter just bragged (lovingly) about how awesome and beautiful your Shabby Chic decorating skills are and I have to agree!! LOVE your style-each cottage is so cute!! Do you know of the blog TheHouseofSmiths?? She has a great Shabby Chic style like yours! LOVE!

Unknown said...

love this post!!!

Shelly said...

I love your decor. You do such a great job making each place feel like a cozy home. I especially like the green you put in the kitchen of your current home.

Ani said...

I love the look you have given to your home, its feels so pure and clean and still beautifully chic... What would I do to wake up to a beach every morning. For now I'll just dream of it!!!

Chrissy @ the Pearl Blog said...

I just love how you decorated all your places. I see now where Ashley gets all the white decor from!
Looks so clean and crisp. jealous of your beach views.. I am looking out the window of 2 feet of freshly fallen snow.UGH

Brittany@Love Stitched said...

Lucky lady!!! love your shabby chic style and I have the same ikea island that is in your kitchen now :)

we lived in santa monica 10 blocks from the beach last year and I loved it for the few short months we lived there...not the price tag...but the beach ;)

Kimberly said...

I love all your homes! I like Shabby Chic too and is that your bike? I love that, too :)

Fear_less_fitness said...

Great post thx 4 sharing! LOVE the Shabby Chic look! Thx 4 reading my post :)

Lauren said...

I love it!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Wow are you living the dream! What a gorgeous space to call your own...And I love your decorating style!

Anonymous said...

Love your house, I decorate my kitchen green also...my fave. Love your style!

{Peppermint Plum} said...

I LOVE your little beach house! And the green in the kitchen -- couldn't be more perfect.

I'm completely jealous of your view, too. :)

So happy you found a place that makes YOU happy!

-Annie @ {PeppermintPlum}

chryssy67 said...

the cottage is so adorable! i've always wanted to live in something like that!

Angela's Heartwork said...

Living your dream - I'M proud of you & I don't even know you! ;) And love your decorating skills! Beautiful! If I could live ANYwhere, it would be on the beach. SIGH. One day... it may have to be w/o the hubby, though. He hates the sand. lol

~Angela
http://angelasheartwork.blogspot.com

Tracy @photographybytracycook.com said...

love the splashs of green... i'd love to live by the beach !

Lia B said...

I want your life!

Bec @ eleventhirtyish said...

I completely agree with the you on the moving house fresh start, it is like a new chapter in the book yet to be written! We are in our 4th house in 8 years and about to build our 5th and already are dreaming of our 6th - we take sad run down places and make them beautiful! If only Melbourne weather would have sunshine all year round! Would love you to pop over and visit me at "eleventhirtyish.blogspot"

readyornot said...

I love your shabby chic style. So jealous of your little beach cottage.

mstalcup said...

Hi, I'm a new follower from LMM. I LOVE your home. What a beautiful view to wake up to every morning. I love ALL three homes! You are such an inspiration! So happy you finally got to the place you've always wanted! :) Thanks for sharing.

Gabby @ The...Late, Young Family said...

You have such a cozy and beautiful home! I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with that view. :) Well, all of your homes are lovely!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...