Introducing my new roommate: Audrey Hepburn

On many occasions I have found myself drawn to Audrey Hepburn in times of great need. Like organic dark chocolate truffles and great girlfriends, Audrey possesses an indescribable ability to cheer me up when times are less than easy. Her movies, whether the brilliant Breakfast at Tiffany's or the Cinderella-like Sabrina, never fail to infuse my life with much-needed 'fairy tale'. Beyond her talent as both an actress and go-to pick-me-up (I'm so pleased that I've never turned to the equally seductive but oh-so-dangerous duo Ben&Jerry), Audrey has also influenced my fashion sense and encouraged me to bring elegance and style into my daily activities. I deeply admire her.

This is where she decided to step into my life and become a part of the new adventure I'm setting out on. I was out shopping with my mother. We'd been at it for a few hours and though I was incredibly excited about the things I was finding for the new loft, I was running out of steam. We were going to go to one last store, but after taking a peek through the door I was less than convinced and ready to bail out in favor of a London Fog and comfy chair. You'd think the antique huntress in me would have a little more stamina and a little less snobbery! The rule in almost all things is never to judge a book by it's cover, and am I ever glad my mother wasn't put off as easily as I was. (Rule 2 should be to avoid shopping for home goods in stilettos. I believe rule 1 would have been much easier to follow if my feet weren't wincing and moaning with each step.)

Anyway. I was on the lookout for something to hang over the couch I had found for

the living room area of the loft. To maximize seating I went with a sectional, like they had, although mine is a pale beige faux-suede piece. I bought it at a store called "Structube", essentially Ikea's glamorous big sister. I love the sectional idea because it can turn into a bed or two if I need to have a few friends crash at my one-bedroom. They had a picture of it up on their website so, courtesy of structube.com, here it is on the right →

Now you can visualize! I was looking for something to go on the wall where that mirror is/was. We decided to go into that last store and after looking around for a few minutes, I was, again, ready to leave. As we headed towards the door, I bumped into a frame that fell forward to reveal the picture behind it. How movie cliche, mm? I bent down to right the landscape I had knocked into and was suddenly face to face with a very dusty, resiliently glamorous Audrey:

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone." - Audrey Hepburn

With this quote in mind I headed immediately for the register.

I love the unique set of emotions I feel whenever I buy something special. I feel almost as though I'm 'saving' the 'poor' item(s) from a tedious shelf life and ultimate purchase by a consumer who wouldn't treat them with the love that I would have lavished on them. I personify like it's going out of style, I know ^~. This case was no exception, and I fancied Audrey's smile deepened gratefully as I took her out of the commonplace store. Am I the only person who feels this way? I hope not! I love the bond I feel between myself and some of the things that I buy. Please don't run away, readers, I promise I do have at least a little sanity in my dreamcloud of a mind.

I've never lived on my own before. Dorms, rez, roommates, sure. But on my own? This is a whole new concept for me and being a very social person, I know it may be a little lonely at times. A very important part of living alone will be, in my opinion, making sure that the little loft exudes 'me' from every candle, picture frame and throw pillow. I love that I have little stories behind the decorative elements of the loft, be they the Audrey Hepburn print or my grandmother's old typewriter. In truly feeling 'home' by loving my decor, I'll be able to appreciate the magic of having my very own place, even when I'm missing my family.

And when even that magic fails to work, I'll always have truffles, a telephone & Breakfast at Tiffany's to carry me through ^~

Have wonderful Tuesdays!

❤ Miss