Today I decided to forgo my weekly hike because it was friggin hot out, and my allergies were killing me. It turned out I got a pretty good workout anyway moving all of my books over to my new apartment and setting up a few pieces of furniture I purchased from Pier 1. I really *really* didn't want to go to Ikea, so I spent a little bit more money.. but I really liked my purchases and I'm happy with the quality of the items I bought. Here's what I purchased:

2 glass cotton jars - I'm currently holding my Q-tips and cotton pads in Winnie the Poo cups.

A curtain liner for my shower

A pretty white cotton shower curtain with big, bright embroidered flowers - couldn't find a photo of this

3 sets of bronze metal butterfly lights - for the patio. They look like this except without the hooks. Is there a way to convert a light socket into an electrical outlet? There are no plugs out on the patio so I'm wondering how I'm going to plus them in. Anyone? Bueller?

A 3-tiered folding shelf for the bathroom - no cabinets in this new apartment. The bathroom's layout is a bit wierd.. and its the one thing I don't really like about the place, but eh.. at least it'll be accessorized well and that's what counts.

A very nice 5-shelved dark cherrywood bookcase which matched the current 3-shelved bookcase I have. I had to drive up to the friggin Pinole store for this, but it was worth it because it was only $60 on clearance. No picture because it was a clearance item.

A beautiful wrought iron floor lamp with glass beading and a beige paper shade. It's beautiful! It's more than I ever imagined I'd spend on a lamp, but I fell in love with it.

I unpacked and assembled all of the above pieces of furniture, in addition to moving and unpacking about 10 boxes filled with mainly books and linens and my old bookcase. Let me just say.. I've never sweat so much in my life. It was about 80-90 degrees today in Berkeley, and I was soaked from head to toe. I hope its not this bad next weekend when we have to move the heavier pieces of furniture. Heh, sucks to be my friends who are helping me move. Wait, they're probably reading this.