A Trip Across the Pond : THE FLAT!!

Alright. So the actual building our flat is in is really ugly looking. I'll admit it. It's massive and concrete and drab. It's basically a complex of four buildings in a square and in the middle there's a neat courtyard.

That being said, the inside of our flat was surprisingly decent and now that we are just about finished with our unpacking, decorating and furnishings, the place has turned out to be really nice! Plus, the location is golden. We literally could not have lucked out with a better spot to be. We are situated directly in front of Southampton Central Train Station, a five minute walk to ASDA, the grocery store, a five minute walk to West Quay shopping enter, a five minute walk to IKEA, a ten minute walk to the ferry, beside a theatre, a two minute walk from beautiful parks, and a five ish minute walk from Above Bar Street which is their central street in Center Town. There's a pub right next door, tons of restaurants within a stone's throw away, and we are walking distance to the clubbing district as well.

Our flat is situated on the fifth floor which is the top floor so we get amazing views and a balcony. On the ground level of our flat there's a bunch of shops including a sandwich shop BLT's, an all you can eat Italian buffet, a bike shop, a music store, a guitar store, a drum store, and a wedding dress shop.

Now as per popular request, here are some pics of the flat itself on the inside. These were all taken at light so the lighting isn't the best but I can take some more tomorrow morning as well.

So without further ado: Here is the virtual tour of our flat.

The entryway! Our funky blue lamp.

Kitchen! And no that is not a dishwasher, it's a laundry machine.

Proof that we are eating fruit. Or at least buying it.

Our place literally came with nothing, we had to buy all these dishes.

Such a sweet purchase. 24 pounds for that table and stool set. Carrying the huge box home was not fun but that's now where we eat our meals :)

The lounge! Complete with the moon chairs.

We bought two small tables from IKEA (called the LACK and only 5 pounds each). Put them together and you get a coffee table!

This afternoon's craft project. Some crushed rocks, beach themed pot pourri and and a candle! All from IKEA

You can also find the best book and the best game in the world on our coffee table.

The entrance way leading to the lounge.

Optional curtains we have covering the stairs.

The staircase.. complete with Gabel's stupid cacti.

We're in love with those lantern light shades from IKEA.

Ideally whenever we have money again, we'd like to put a couch here.

Since we kind of have some empty space.

From the top looking down.

We have a strange ledge over our staircase and not really any closets so that's where we now keep our luggage.

This is the toilet room. A room that only has a toilet in it. Nothing else.

This is the bathroom right beside the toilet room. We have a sink, a mirror that is about a foot and a half too short for us (although who doesn't love knowing what their chest looks like in the mirror), and a weird electric shower thingy mabob.

My bed! The heart pictures are mine and Matthew's engagement photos.

Night table 1: picture frames, vase with flower, perfumes, sunglasses, mani kit

Night Table number 2: purple lamp, purple flower in a vase with turquoise and purple rocks, picture frame.

The closet right beside my bed with full length mirrors on the doors.

Another lantern ball light shade. And my sheer purple curtains folded a thousand times.

Scarf hanger and laundry hamper

My little mini desk table and I love the print above it.

I call this corner of my room "The Jungle". Since there is no furniture and I can't afford any, I keep bringing home cheap plants from IKEA.

Back wall of my room.

This is the scary boiler closet right beside my room where have to go to flick a switch to use the electric shower. Unfortunately that switch makes it sound like there is a cruise liner propeller bursting through our floor.