Life Update - We Moved! | Just Add Ginger

After months and months playing the waiting game, on the last weekend in February we finally moved into our new house! A definite upgrade from our last house, closer to family, and with a lot more space, this was something I had been dreaming for for a long time. It wasn't stressing me out, but I just desperately wanted to be in and settled before Baby Ginger arrived so that we could bring him home from the hospital to a brand new start. 

Because we still have our old house, the moving process was relatively smooth, with Ryan and I making weekend and evening trips to and from our new home with our little Aygo fit to burst with bags and boxes. Taking maternity leave when I did came in to play to our advantage, as most of my days were spent packing away all our things, meaning when it came to the big moving weekend, it was really only the big pieces of furniture that needed to be brought over. It was an easy transition, with me spending most of my time staying out the way until all the heavy items were in, and then unpacking at a steady pace.

Print: JazzStanArtworks

Setting everything up was just as easy a process. We were very lucky in the fact that the previous owners decorated each room immaculately, with feature wallpaper, built-in appliances and bits and pieces of furniture left for us to use. The only room that needed anything doing to it was the nursery, which was originally a mixture of pinks and princess themes. But with a quick lick of blue paint on one wall, and the addition of some paintings and prints (including the gorgeous one above by JazzStanArtworks featuring lyrics from Tenerife Sea, a song that featured in our wedding ceremony). 

We all I think also know how much I love upcycling, so the majority of our furniture and decorations came with us, either to serve the same purpose or to be used for another. MG brought up a re-painted bookshelf from my room at her house to use in the nursery, and I re-purposed the box my birthday present from Ryan came in to act as a perfume holder. The only new things we have had to buy are the cot for the nursery, and finishing touches like curtains and cushions. In terms of sourcing things, we did extremely well!

The house isn't finished by all means. Even now I am still unpacking boxes and re-jigging things. There are things that need to be built and fixtures that need to be put in place, but other than that it is definitely feeling like home, more so than the old house ever really did for us. I will never tire of looking out the window an seeing the sky, and grass, and birds. I will never get over the fact that we now have a driveway, and more storage than we could possibly want and need. I just feel so incredibly lucky that things fell into place exactly as they were meant to, and at the right time. I don't think I'll ever take our home for granted, and I just can't wait to bring Baby Ginger home to somewhere both Ryan and I are immensely proud of.

I won't be doing a new house tour, but I wanted to share little accents of the house that I think are just gorgeous. Don't worry - I'm under no delusion that with a new baby the house will stay pristine, but now, with my nesting instinct in full swing, I couldn't be happier with how pretty things look. 

I also vlogged our big move. Not just for YouTube, but as a living record of our very first full weekend here, and just how happy we were to finally say "we did it"!

Ginger's Tips: Top 5 Tips For Living With Your Boyfriend/Girlfriend

A few months ago, Boyfriend and I made the decision to live together. 




It wasn't something we took lightly. 




There were many conversations had in the lead up to the final decision to take the next step in our                 relationship. 




For those of you who may be at the stage where you are ready/want to move in with your other half, here     are my top 5 tips that I think are really important to remember when you live together for the first time -        especially at the beginning of the process.








1. Compromise




Living together can be really fun, but also a bit stressful. 




If you disagree over something living-related, you need to find a compromise. Don't let issues linger otherwise it could end up in a full-blown row.




 It's also really important that you both feel ready to live together too, & make the time to talk about it before you move in so that you iron out any differences in lifestyle that may be there & find middle ground.... Even if it's just deciding what side of the bed to sleep on!




2. Communicate 




Communication is the most important part of a relationship - especially when you live together. 




You may come home stressed at work, be upset, or just need your own space. But if you don't be open, honest and talk about how you're feeling, it could get in the way of your relationship and tension will rise in the house/flat. Share what is bothering or upsetting you and work together on how to solve/rectify the issue.




3. Give Each Other Space




Just because you live together it doesn't mean you need to spend 24/7 together. 




We all need our own space once in a while & it's important to keep this up when you're living with your other half. Don't forget your friends or to take time just for you. This will not only mean that both you and your other half get the time you need to do your own things, but it will also make the time you do spend together that extra bit more special. 




4. Work As A Team 




Homes mean housework. 




It shouldn't be up to one person to do everything. This is where points 1 & 2 come in. 




I know for us I'm in for longer than The Boy during the day so I take charge of most of the laundry & day to day bits but he does the bins because I HATE doing them. Housework should be shared so that one person in the relationship doesn't feel like they have be lumbered with everything to do. Particularly the more heavy-duty tasks like hoovering or mopping.




5. Enjoy It 




If you're moving in with your special girl/guy you're more than likely heard over heels in love. 




So enjoy it. 




It's a big step to take and if you're ready for it, embrace what a special time it is and don't take each other for granted just because you see each other everyday. Let the time you have at home be happy and chilled. Don't bring outside stresses into your relationship. 




And remember, it's good to talk. 




And laugh.





I also asked The Boy for his perspective on moving in together...




"Just because you're living together doesn't mean you have to stop trying. You should continually seduce your parter: Cook meals....run your partner a bath..... Be thoughtful & do special things to show how much you care."




Are you thinking of moving in with your boyfriend/girlfriend? Or have you just moved in with your other half?




Leave any questions/tips you have in the comments below.