I’ve been told I live a charmed life, and to some extent, I believe it. It amazes and surprises me how my life has just fallen into place perfectly over the past year. And this experience was no different.

After living in my 450 square foot apartment for a little over a year, I was beginning to get a bit restless. I ate, drank, slept, worked, read, watched TV, lived, on my bed. It was the main attraction and piece of furniture in my apartment. My couch wasn’t super comfortable to sit and socialize in. I’d have to pull out and squeeze behind my kitchen table to sit. And my closet? Well it was big by most standards, but it was definitely filling up. Not to mention, Izzy. Oh, Izzy. The “devil cat” who is only sweet and cuddly toward me, would get so riled up when guests came over I’d have to lock her in the bathroom or they’d risk getting clawed to death. Why? Because she had nowhere to go. She had nowhere to hide if she was scared. She had no choice but to be practically on top of this stranger and she did not like it.

When Casi was first window-shopping for an apartment, she stopped by my building to check out a second floor apartment which had just become available. Needless to say, I’m the one who fell in love. It was much bigger than my apartment. The only issue I had was that it was practically on the street, and had little to no sunlight.

My apartment managers, who I am incredibly lucky to have around, tried relentlessly to get me to move into the second floor apartment. They knew how restless I was getting and they were prepared to do whatever it took to keep me in the building.

After a week of thinking, I decided against the move to the second floor. I couldn’t rationalize moving down and losing the sunlight (the best part of my apartment).

I explained to them my reasoning, my “excuses,” and assured them I’d be fine in my apartment and that I wasn’t going anywhere. My rambling off reasons lasted about 10 minutes — I wanted to be sure they understood how grateful I was and that I was just politely declining.

“Are you done, yet?” my apartment manager asked.

“Uh, yeah…” I replied, not expecting such hostility.

“Well, good. Because the same apartment that you’re turning down is opening up on the top floor.”

The top floor?? Doesn’t someone have to die in order to give up a top floor apartment in Downtown San Francisco??

Wait a second, Lauren. Top floor generally equals top dollar. Let’s be rational here.

“Ok, so how much?”

And when my apartment manager gave me a number that was so irresistible, so affordable, so unbelievable…

“I’ll take it!”

Of course, I began planning my move. How I was going to decorate. Where my furniture was going to go. What I’d need to buy.

And then, it was all ripped out from under me. Apparently, my apartment managers had spoken too soon on the price and the management company was interested in renting the apartment for a great deal more than I could afford. I was crushed. I wanted that apartment so badly — more space, a change, a chance to reorganize my life.

To spare you the nitty, gritty details, I wrote a very detailed and genuine letter to the management company, and with the diligent help of my apartment managers, we, somehow, miraculously, convinced the management company to rent me the apartment for a lower, more affordable price.

See? Charmed life.

So now, here I am, loving every single thing about this new apartment. I have space and Izzy has space and I’m so incredibly happy with the move. Now… what you’ve all been waiting for… PICTURES!

After walking through the “gallery,” you see my Crate and Barrel Coat Rack and an IKEA bookshelf.

Looking back through the gallery:

The bathroom is about the same size as the old one, but I think I’ve used the space a bit better.

And the closet… Oh, the closet. I love you.

And, yes, it’s color coded.

I actually have a living room.

And an entertainment center that fits perfectly into the little nook cut out just for a TV. (There’s also a huge shelf above it that’s great for storage and you can’t even see it!)

The area for the kitchen table is bigger — no more squeezing!

I’m a huge fan of my granite countertops and updated cabinets. Also, the pot/pan holder is such a space-saver.

Passing back through the living room, you now arrive in my “office.” I’m now using the table that previously held the TV as a desk. Perfection.

I transform my bed into a “daybed” when I make it each morning. Provides some extra seating and looks less like a, well, bed.

The best part? This gorgeous view from my bay windows.

Unreal, right?

I can see for miles.

There are still a few decorative things I’m looking for, but for the most part, I’m all set up! And I’m loving my new San Francisco home. Here’s to another year! (at least)