The Weekly Mix: Effortless Moving, Smart Organization & Inspiring Finds for a Beautiful Life

What a whirlwind week it has been! I sincerely hope your past seven days have been a bit more serene than mine. While I admit to feeling a touch of work and blog guilt over the past few days, there’s an exciting reason for the slight pause: our much-anticipated move to a new apartment! The relocation process, thankfully, went incredibly smoothly on Friday, marking a significant milestone. Since then, my life has primarily revolved around the delightful, albeit exhausting, task of unpacking every single item and diligently working ahead on looming deadlines.

The moving saga began in earnest on Friday. We meticulously packed up our old apartment, skillfully transported all our cherished belongings to our new home by the end of that very day, and then embarked on a thorough deep clean of the former space. Our goal was to return the keys by the close of the weekend, a mission we successfully accomplished. For three intense days, I dedicated myself entirely to these tasks, putting my head down and focusing solely on the monumental effort of transitioning homes. Despite my general aversion to the physical act of moving, I surprisingly found immense joy and satisfaction in the subsequent process of reorganizing our new living spaces. There’s a certain unique pleasure in transforming a chaotic collection of boxes into a beautifully ordered and functional home.

I’ve always found it incredibly challenging to concentrate on other aspects of life when surrounded by chaos, especially a sea of moving boxes. This personal trait meant that settling into our new apartment as quickly as possible was paramount for my peace of mind and productivity. By tackling the unpacking head-on, I was able to embrace the process and move forward with minimal disruption. We are absolutely enamored with our new home, particularly appreciating the generous additional storage space it offers. Already, we feel incredibly settled and comfortable, as do our beloved pets, who have adapted to their new environment with remarkable ease and enthusiasm.

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience during this busy period. Rest assured, many wonderful things are coming your way soon, including that much-anticipated restaurant guide I teased last week. On a related note, I must share a fantastic discovery that made our move significantly less stressful and more eco-friendly: plastic moving crates. We rented ours from a local Chicago company called Redi-Box, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Their service is incredibly convenient – they deliver the sturdy crates to your old home and pick them up from your new one, all according to your schedule. This was my first experience using such a service, and it truly revolutionized the moving process. Not only did it make the entire relocation remarkably easy, but it also dramatically reduced waste, eliminating the need to assemble or break down countless cardboard boxes. Each crate is incredibly robust, capable of holding a substantial amount of weight, which, in my case, primarily meant:

Weight = Cookbooks. (And believe me, I have a lot of them!)

Beyond the move itself, home organization has been a central theme of my week. I’m absolutely loving these over-the-door organizers, particularly for the back of our hallway closet. Over the weekend, we installed two of them, and the impact has been phenomenal – they’ve essentially quadrupled our pantry storage! This simple addition has been incredibly helpful in maximizing vertical space, a crucial strategy for efficient small-space living. While I highly recommend the product itself, a word of advice from personal experience: perhaps do not recommend installing them with a spouse. Let’s just say some DIY projects are best tackled solo to preserve marital harmony!

With warmer weather finally gracing us, we’re eagerly anticipating enjoying our new balcony. To complete this outdoor oasis, we ordered this small, affordable patio table from IKEA. I’m incredibly excited to set it up and enjoy morning coffee or evening drinks outdoors. It’s amazing how a little piece of furniture can transform a small outdoor area into a functional and inviting extension of your living space.

My weekly dose of online inspiration also brought forth some truly delightful finds. Molly Yeh’s stunning rose rose cake has brought me an absurd amount of joy. The intricate piping, the vibrant colors, the sheer artistry of the design – it’s utterly captivating! It genuinely makes me want to bake a cake, not necessarily to eat it, but purely for the therapeutic and creative act of decorating it. Baking and cake decorating can be such a wonderful creative outlet, transforming simple ingredients into a beautiful masterpiece.

As we continue to furnish our new apartment, finding the perfect pieces is a priority. We’re currently using our coffee table as a makeshift media console, which isn’t ideal. I’ve been on the hunt for a proper media console and think I’ve finally found the one: this particular model. What are your thoughts on it? The timing is perfect too, as they’re currently offering a 20% discount!

On the travel front, I finally tackled the enormous task of uploading all my Japan photos. The final count? A staggering 3,002 images! That’s approximately 400+ photos for each day we were there, which is absolutely wild. It truly speaks to the incredible beauty and endless inspiration that Japan offers. Speaking of Japan, I recently shared a few of my cheap prop finds from Japan on Instagram, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying shooting with them all week long. It seems I have developed a particular fondness for blue pottery – its serene hues add a beautiful touch to food photography.

Looking ahead to our meal planning, I’m definitely adding this one-pot lentil dal from Minimalist Baker to our dinner menu next week. One-pot meals are a lifesaver, especially during busy weeks, and this recipe looks incredibly flavorful and comforting. It’s always a joy to find delicious and efficient recipes that make healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, we celebrated a very special occasion earlier this week: Marley’s gotcha day! Our furry friend brings so much unadulterated joy into both of our lives. His playful spirit and unwavering affection truly brighten every day. Beyond our immediate family, Marley has also introduced us to so many wonderful new friends in our neighborhood. It’s quite insane, actually, how much a pet can enrich your social life and foster a sense of community. The unconditional love and companionship they offer are truly priceless.

Finally, I came across a truly insightful article from The New York Times titled “How to turn a negative thinker into a positive one.” As someone who occasionally struggles with a glass-half-empty perspective, this piece was incredibly helpful and resonated deeply with me. It offered practical strategies and fresh perspectives on cultivating a more positive mindset, which is something I constantly strive for. In a world full of challenges, learning to reframe thoughts and embrace optimism can be a powerful tool for personal well-being and resilience.