Taking the Next Step

So I haven't written in quite a while... Reasons include writer's block, laziness, moving, work schedule, etc... I could go on.  Now that my new apartment is finally put together, I am finding that I finally have some time to relax!
My boyfriend and I ended up moving in together because we didn't want to deal with my crazy landlady anymore.  We actually meant to do this last year but because of my crazy mother... it didn't happen.  So how did we manage to pull it off this time around?
We did all the moving without telling either of our parents.  After I was completely moved out of my old place, I then told her I had moved and was living by myself.  Yes.  It is necessary.  Even my sister admitted this was the best way to handle the situation.
How is it living in sin so far?  Pretty nice.  =)

Feng-Shui with Ikea

When I first moved into my roommate's house, I didn't bring much with me. I had no bed and no furniture. My boyfriend had saved up some money so that I could pick out pieces from Ikea that could carry over to the future when we moved in together. I tried to be practical about what was absolutely necessary. What are the essentials?