Taylor, me, & TysonMy life is about to change...big time! My decision to move to CA, closer to my kids, is a bit scary, but also crazy exciting. I am packing up my things this month and heading West to a land and culture that is quite different from what I am accustomed to. Prepaying for your gas at the pump, wicked parallel parking challenges, paying to park to shop at Target, maneuvering across 5 lanes of traffic to exit, and grocery carts that lock their wheels if taken out of the perimeter of the store parking lot. I can do it! I know I can! (At least my kids say I can!)
My new home is located in a quaint area of LA called Larchmont Village. The small apartment has everything I was looking for, well almost. Close to my kids, Starbucks, and sidewalk cafes. It has hardwood floors, vintage architectural details, and is in a charming building that will suit my eclectic junk style.
Fortunately, I can work from anywhere in the country and LAX is 20 minutes from my door. I will be traveling between Florida, California and Minnesota, for Junk Bonanza, of course. Lots of fun new business stuff on my plate that I will be sharing with you soon. I plan to take a deep breath and dive in. Geez! This is gonna be fun!
Thanks for hangin' out with me this year and have a Happy New Year!
Ki
Good Luck !I know u will love it! the weather is so good there.And closer to your kids. Doesn't the Rose Bowl have a flea market their? judy
ReplyDeleteHappiest of new years, Ki!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Good luck Ki !
ReplyDeleteI have never commented before on your blog, but have been following it for a while, along with all your magazine articles for years, and just felt like I needed to say Good Luck! It sounds like the right thing to do, being around family. Your apartment sounds dreamy. Happy New Years!
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best! Love your blog and all the inspiration you give to all of us!! One of my goals in 2011 is to make it to Junk Bonaza!! It looks amazing!! Have a great New Year!
ReplyDeleteKathy
Ki-
ReplyDeleteso scary!
CA -- land of the fruits and nuts! Have a ball!
The place sounds cool-- you may have all those local ventures to quaint little shops just steps away! CAn't wait to see pictures.
Happy New Year! Can't wait til you show us how you make your apartment "yours".
ReplyDeleteJan
It's always nice to live by our "kids"!! Good for you! Adventures are good for us..keeps us young!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Warmly,
deb :)
What an exciting time for you! You will love LA. I am a midwest girl who lived in the LA area for 3 years about 10 yrs. ago. A job transfer with my husband's compnay is the only reason we left.
ReplyDeleteHave fun being a California girl.
Jane
I have only been to CA once, and found it was totally different than I expected--I really loved it! I know you will, too, especially being near your kids-- that is so important! Very best of luck to you, and Happy New Year! Don't forget to show us pics of your apartment!
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the luck in the world! Kudos to you! I have been trying to work up the nerve to make a similar change in my life, but haven't worked up the courage to dive in yet. Micki
ReplyDeleteChange always leads to new perspectives which sparks even more creativity! Wishing all good things for you in 2011
ReplyDeleteamy of four corners design
Welcome to the State! We're happy to have you. I am a transplanted Eastener, who arrived after living in Europe, China and Australia. It was a bit strange at first, but I'm learning my way around.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy move. Looking forward to hearing all about your various projects,
Happy New Year!
Marjorie in Monterey
Welcome to crazy SoCal! You can do it, especially because you moved for the right reasons! To be near your kids!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year,
Sue
So nice for you to be near your kids! Hope you have lots of great new adventures! See you at Junk Bonanza! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThis will be an exciting time for you! Congratulations for taking the plunge!
ReplyDeletehane a happy new year with great ideas!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Ki,
ReplyDeleteYou deserve it. Here's to a great 2011.
Martin
wow! how exciting! best of wishes to you in your new home. I enjoy following your blog and will enjoy your posts from your new state.
ReplyDeletehappy 2011.
Shannon
www.cascobaysoap.blogspot.com
Sounds like the new year is definately bringing you new beginnings. That's been my moto for this year. Wishing you all the best, T
ReplyDeleteHave a HAPPY NEW YEAR,be sure to post lots of pictures of your new place.
ReplyDeleteGinger
I'm a Midwesterner out here in LA. There are a lot of different kinds of people, places and opportunities out here. Being close to your children is also very important. Best wishes to you in 2011! Maybe I'll see you at the Rose Bowl Flea Market some time. ;-)
ReplyDeleteway to go, ki! your kids will love that you are nearby and you will, too.
ReplyDeletecongrats on what i'm sure was a big decision and good luck with the move. you will be great, just like i am sure you always are.
rock on, ki!
xo
elyse
Best wishes for as smooth a move as possible! We just moved two months ago - it's so worth all the work. I really appreciated the chance for a do-over. I look forward to hearing about your new adventures.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting. Well everything except exiting across 5 lane sof traffic. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteHeya Ki....!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS on your big move....Having met your LOVELY kids at Junk Boanza in September, I can well understand your desire to be closer to them.... :o) !
I'm SO glad to read you will still be able to organise Junk Bonanza though 'cause you KNOW that is my FAVE....!!
Well I've been sayin' I reckon 2011 is gonna be a big year for all of us....Seems my predicition was correct....I can't wait to see your new place & share your adventures through the year....!
GOOD LUCK Ki & may only WONDERFUL things happen for you this year....!
Cheers from Oz,
Tamarah :o)
Ki, WOW! What news! Can't wait to hear what your next adventure is. Have a blessed and SAFE New Year!
ReplyDeleteValarie
Good Luck and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I wish you the best for the New Year. Happy travels!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Talk about a change!
ReplyDeleteSo good that you will be close to your children! You'll adjust and have a ball out there I am sure. Just think of all the thrift stores and flea markets between CA, Florida and MN!!
Best, Vicki
Welcome to Cali....Hopefully our paths will cross and I can pick your mind for some great ideas...Hugs
ReplyDeleteJoy
WOW sunny warm California! Sounds super fun to me. Will follow you close and see what you are up to now. I am accepted to Junk Bonanza this fall and I am so excited to see you there! God bless!
ReplyDeleteKi,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!! Wow what a big change!! I know it will be great!! I can't wait to see the new California junk that you come up with!! Good Luck!! Berton
Ki-
ReplyDeleteWhat a huge new adventure! I am excited for you! Even though you will be in sunny Cali. you will only be an email away!
Your children are beautiful! Your daughter was so sweet when we were at the bonanza. She helped my mom and I several times in the store while we were making our junk purchases. I should have known that she belongs to you!
Cheers to you-
Gina from Iowa
Happy New Year and Good Luck on the move to CA!
ReplyDeleteThis Pfarkel is making some changes too-- we bought a 65 acre farm with buildings and will move sometime in 2011.
See you in Sept. as we will probably not see you inbetween unless we are fortunate to do so.
Sharon
Welcome to California Ki! You will love it here. We have had more rain than usual this year but that means spring will be even more green! The Rose Bowl Flea Market is amazing and check out the Long Beach Flea as well! I hope that you will find your happiness here!
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
Christy
How fun, a new adventure! Good luck and enjoy the lovely weather!
ReplyDeletehey Ki . . . so excited for your new adventure - I just know it is going to be a very exciting year for you!!! All the best to you!! . . . :) liz
ReplyDeleteKi - I just moved from LA to a small village in England. I'm all for big adventures!
ReplyDeleteI lived in LA for 4.5 years and only in the last year discovered two FANTASTIC junking stops. The first is the Pasadena Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It's pretty easy off the 101/210.
The second is the Goodwill Outlet Stores. There are a bunch in the LA area, one near the I5/101 interchange, but the best is in Panorama City just off the 405, just south of Roscoe. This is where things go from Goodwill to die but it's also a scavenger's paradise. Some stuff they have in the back, and a mix of household and textiles, but if you're willing to scrounge and go back regularly you can get treasures. I've gotten a beautiful, high quality silk kimono for $2, an old Coleman camp stove for $5 (sold on eBay for $50), batik prints, old suitcases....you just never know what's going to be there. If you get in good you might be able to convince you to go into the back room (they sell stuff to scrap dealers). It's not only just stuff from the Goodwill stores but stuff that comes in bulk they don't want to deal with. It was thoroughly addicting!!
The Rose Bowl flea market is fun but a bit expensive. I actually liked the Long Beach flea market more...a little scruffier but still lovely. There's a Melrose flea market (in Hollywood on Melrose and Fairfax) every Sunday but it's smaller and mostly arty stuff but some treasures.
There's plenty of junk to be had in LA if you're willing to drive so hope you have a grand time!
Kirstie
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh, and there's a guy at the Long Beach flea market that makes the most amazing garden water fountains out of repurposed items, everything from old wagons to kitchen stoves. I have pictures somewhere....email if you want to see them! I sadly have lost the card I got for him but I guess he's a regular....
ReplyDeleteAnd typo in the previous comment...if you get in good you might be able to convince *them* to let you in the back room at the Goodwill. That's actually one of the places I miss here in the UK The boot sales here are tremendous but the charity shops here are mostly clothes...if you (or anyone) knows of good true junking shops in the North Somerset/Bath/Bristol areas, please let me know!
(re-posted to make sure reply email worked!)
So when can we expect the first Wild West Junk Bonanza? I can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on an exciting new adventure!
ReplyDeleteBeing a California girl myself, I say WELCOME!! It's not as scary as you might think it is. California does have it's perks. The beach 10 minutes to the west and the mountains 30 minutes to the east. And everything else in between. I'm a little further south, so I have Mexico at the backdoor. But once you get used to all the people and driving in gridlock traffic, most people end up loving it here. Venture out into other areas. Redlands houses my most favorite thrift store, which my boyfriend and I tend to find a LOT of our "stuff" at. Out flea markets are very hit or miss, but still fun you can find a hidden gem right under your nose. You'll do great here! And your building sounds divine.
ReplyDeleteKi,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Southern Cal! As a transplanted Easterner myself, I can attest to the fact that there are LOTS of great antique and junk places to haunt here. Fullerton has wonderful little shops to discover, as does Old Towne Orange. And the flea market in Long Beach is great for unusual junk bargains too. Once you settle in, I know you will be on the hunt and find incredible goodies here. You will not miss the ice and snow and you can hunt the outdoor sales all year long here. I love your blog and Flea Market Style. I am a hat collector and millinery historian who has spent 35 years collecting antique pottery, books, kitchen wares, antique textiles and fashions. Again, welcome. I hope to see you out and about on the hunt! Barbara in Long Beach