From the Hills of Hollywood...

I have been quite consumed in my life this past calendar year, and I have put my blogs (my other blog is http://upgrd.com/blogs/thoughtsfromthesky/) on the back burner.

One of the things I focused on while being absent (aside from working as well as taking some writing classes) was to look for a place of my own.

Since moving cross country a year and a half ago, my living situation changed 3 times -- mostly due to making hasty decisions on a whim.

First two places I lived in just didn't agree with me (and of course they were things you notice about 5 days after you move in) though I was very lucky to have been on month to month lease for both places; I was able to get out of the situation fairly quickly without penalty of any kind.

However, the third one was a year lease and I regretted it signing it the first week I moved in.

From that day forward, it was a drag.

Not having your own oasis to come home to can do a number on your mind, and your self esteem.
It is hard to live in a place that you just don't care about.
Getting out of a lease would have been expensive and since I was in a transitional phase with my career, I had to put the notion of having my own apartment on hold till my lease ran out.

Finally, starting in the fall, I started to do my research.

Looking around, there were few things I had in mind.
Since L.A. is so big, when looking for a place you have to have in mind exactly where you want to be, otherwise you would be looking forever -- options are limitless.
Do you want to be by the beach? Or up in the hills? Budget?
For me, having an awesome pet sitter who only can go so far for her service limited my options in a good way.

Since I have two very active boy kitties, I wanted to have enough space for them to play around.

After looking for few one bedrooms, I inquired about a studio that was available in Hollywood Hills.

Bingo.

Even though it is a studio, it is a very sizable place. Pricing, parking situation (covered and gated), location, all was there.

Not everything is finished as there are few pieces I wanted to purchase, but just a snippet of my new gorgeous sanctuary.

Beautiful view from my balcony

Kitchen

Just a sneak peek

Bar stool at the kitchen counter

Froggie in the shower

My jewelry display

My Barbie Art