I would have updated sooner, but there was the moving stuff and the moving more stuff and also hanging things on walls and cleaning things up and there has been the drinking of lots of wine, because we have had things to celebrate (see: accomplishing all of the above).

Before you see all of the lovely pictures of our new place, I will first tell you all of the things I love about my new town. Within walking distance, I have already found:

• A great wine shop where it is seemingly impossible to find a bad bottle of wine. Hey, someone has to provide the celebratory vino, right?


• A yoga studio, which I've only been to once, but so far, so good.


• A health food store, right next to the yoga studio, where yesterday, an older bearded gentleman shopped for organic Mexican fare, soy milk and vitamins while very much barefoot.


• Several really adorable shops full of antiques, clothes and general awesomeness.

All of that, a man who is more amazing when I see him every day than he was before we lived together, and this is our place:






















Life is good.

Obviously I'm going to have opinions about what is going on our patio...and by opinions, I mean I'm the boss of that sort of stuff.

This is the general idea of what I'm looking to do out there.

Feel free to bring any of these things by as a housewarming gift!

Or, you know, a good bottle of wine works, too. But then, we won't have awesome furniture to sit on, so that will be all your fault.




Yes, the 2 bathroom thing is a must. I'm not sure it will be necessary to McGuyver any locks, since I won't be attempting to barge in on the bathroom when the door is closed. Though you all are extremely inventive and I'm impressed!

As the legal representation for Mr. Bracelet it is my duty, and of course great honor, to announce he has achieved a minor victory in his continuing negotiations for future home decor.

As many of you know, Elizabeth has been very strict in her requirements for their new home. She has an artist's eye (As well as both elbows and the third knuckle on her left hand) and very specific likes and dislikes. As an example, Elizabeth and Mr. Bracelet both enjoy style, however Mr. Bracelet would be quick to sacrifice style for more function and Elizabeth won't is less apt to do this.

Which is why Mr. Bracelet has gleefully informed me from the comfort of his green leather recliner that Elizabeth has agreed to allow some of the furniture currently in his bedroom, to be utilized in the future home's second bedroom.

This has pleased Mr. Bracelet greatly. He was prepared to take legal action, but this new development has moved him to gladly call off the dogs.

Mr. Bracelet is very excited that his Uhaul will now include more than just his bed and his clothes.

This exciting news has kept Mr. Bracelet in a state of GLRDE or Green Leather Recliner Drunken Euphoria.

He would also like me to point out that she has agreed to this as a way to outfit the second bedroom with furniture while new stuff is eventually sought.

Mr. Bracelet is convinced this will lead to more victories, such as a Man Cave, a dedicated St. Pauli Girl Poster wall, and a room that has a trampoline for a floor.

Thanks for your time.

Mr. Bracelet's Legal Team

I realize that I have some quirky habits. I also know that I am not alone in these odd little preferences, though. Take, for example, my hatred for bottles of soap, detergent, shampoo, etc, that most people have throughout their home. These annoy me. I don't like seeing someone's advertising dollars splashed about my house with their logos and their "NEW" "IMPROVED" exclamations. What can I say, it's the little things that make a home feel like home. On my kitchen sink, instead of a big plastic bottle of dishwashing liquid, I have an ornate glass bottle that I refill with the stuff. It has a decorative cork in it, and it just feels nicer than a big old plastic bottle of soap. I'm totally not crazy, because LOOK! There are other people who do this, too, and they make LABELS for those bottles.




Helpful, since the metal bottle next to my bathroom sink is actually lotion and not soap, which has confused plenty of people. Ever try to wash your hands with lotion? Doesn't work very well. Now, I'm not part of some big movement to encourage everyone to stop buying stuff and make everything yourselves, because let's face it. Those companies make plenty of good, yummy smelling and effective products. I just don't want their tacky bottles everywhere.

These are just some of the things my man is going to have to adjust to. Anyone have similar habits your significant other has to work around?

Elizabeth is a stickler on every single certain aspects of our future home.

I'm OK with most of these requirements suggestions because she has good taste. She does like me, after all.

Big closets are great. She wants one. Nice. The larger the bedroom closet is the greater my chances of not having to store my meager wardrobe in the other bedroom are. Sadly, I don't think they make closets the size of small countries. At least I can (probably) have the second closet all to myself.

I shall call it the Man Closet.

Lots of kitchen space. Cool. I like not having to just stand there watching the dinner preparation because there isn't anywhere for me to set my boxes of pizza down.

Kitchen that overlooks the living space. Word. Watching your third Sportscenter of the morning is immensely more enjoyable when you can do so from the kitchen. With the laptop running a $50 poker sng. In your boxers. With your Diet Mountain Dew (in the can).

Artsie Loftie qualities like exposed brick and/or gigantic windows. Of course. Who wouldn't want to live in a cool place? I'm not sure how we'll attach the framed pictures of my high school soccer dominance and my many movie posters to the brick, but I'm sure we'll figure out a way.

Dual sinks in our future bathroom. Excellent. I only need about 3 minutes in front of the mirror and sink, but if it's mine I can outfit it as I see fit.

I shall call it my Man Sink.

I really don't have as many things on the must have list. But for the bathroom, there are certainly a few.

Dancing space. I need room to get down. Usually this only lasts for 10 seconds before I quickly realize how embarrassing it is and I stop. But I don't give up easily, and often get back on the horse the following morning. A slippery tiled floor is helpful but not necessary.

Large mirrors. I absolutely must flex in front of a quality mirror at least 3 times a week. Not after working out or anything. Just in the mornings sometimes. I like to see how my strict regimen of doing nothing is shaping up.

A loud, powerful fan. I don't need people two rooms over able to hear how healthy I am or am not. Bathroom noises should stay in the bathroom.

Lastly, I think there should be a spray of some sorts. I submit Poo Pourri.




Poo Pourri is not a disgustingly scented air freshener. It's a spray you use in the toilet before using it. Apparently it works to create a "barrier to embarrassing bathroom odors!"

I will absolutely positively without fail never ever ever ever become one of those guys who drops a bomb while his woman is in the bathroom getting ready. Or vice-versa. I know of people who do this and I can slap a Bracelet guarantee on its chances. Never. Luckily, like many many things, Elizabeth and I are in agreement on this.

Nobody should even be in the house when I go, let alone milling around eyeing my Man Sink and striking up conversation.

Anybody feel like admitting if they do this with their significant other?

Out yourselves!

First, let me just say that as confounding as this whole process is, and will continue to be, the reason I am willing to wade through it is because my man is adorable. That, however, does not make the green recliner and man cave ok. But I'll get to that in a moment. First I must extend thanks for the lovin we've already received here.

I think the verdict is in, by reasons of obvious overwhelming evidence, as seen here, that the girl power will overcome. I believe, that in solidarity, all women should own this symbol of artsy lofties. How great is that name? I know, pretty damn great, huh? I could, technically take credit, since the person who deserves it refuses to comment on the girly posts of this site (hmmmmph) anyway, so it's not like he'd speak up to argue, right? But anyway...back to the man cave/green recliner.

My man would like to believe that a man cave, complete with enormous tv and green lazy-boy-esque recliner, would be a great addition to the new home. Here, he would display all sort of sport related paraphernalia, including the lovely poster of the Three Stooges in golfing gear. Now, you might think that this is fair, since the majority of the design choices in the apartment will be mine. However, this would require the division of the apartment.

How is dividing this new space, meant to be shared by the two of us, a good idea? Also, it should be noted, that my design sense? It isn't about flowers and pastel colors and lace. In fact, there is nothing about my decorating style that is decidedly feminine, so he is not looking to find masculine solace in a frilly, poofy-pillowed environment. He is looking for a place to sit, surrounded by testosterone, in front of a tv displaying a game of some sort, while I clean, do laundry, etc. Not happening.

I am all about compromise, despite what he may have you believe. As an example, I present you with the solution to this particular dilemma.





He can totally sit in that much lovelier chair and watch sports, after he helps with the dishes.