20 Something Diaries | new kitchen reveal & tour, going on a winter getaway

Hello friends,
The last piece of my kitchen finally arrived!! I have been waiting to share the space with y'all and today is the day. I can't believe I've been living here for almost two months now - time really does fly by! I hope you are having a great holiday season. Sending some warm virtual hugs your way ♥️
xx,
Julia
[let’s connect!]
instagram: @julia.fei
....
[other videos]
∙apartment hunt 2022: • NYC Apartment Hunting ...
[freebies]
10% off your first Mejuri purchase: mejurifinecrew...
30-day free trial for copyright-free music: www.epidemicso...
JULIAFEI20 for 20% off your next Kotn purchase: kotn.com/juliafei
Get up to 20% sitewide for Caraway: ap.carawayhome....
shop my amazon favorites: www.amazon.com...
[about me]
Hi everyone my name is Julia ~ I'm a 20-something-year-old data scientist navigating through life in NYC. You can find vlogs, fashion & beauty content, productivity videos, and more on my channel. Thanks for stopping by & I hope you enjoy :)
[ftc]
This video is not sponsored. There are some affiliate links above, meaning I may earn a small commission if there are any purchases through them. Thank you for supporting my channel - it means the world to me ♥
[business Inquiries only]
email: [e-mail]

[@BlueberryBoogie]

Okay if you move make sure they reimburse you for the improvements you did to the apartment. They will be charging double to the next person if you ever move. It looks beautiful!

[@juliafei]

I’m not sure if they will but it’s worth a shot!! 🤞

[@jennykur]

I know it might differ from country to country but where I live this is something you just pay out of pocket and since you did it voluntary they dont reimburse you for something like that Buuut where I live its also totally normal that you dont have a kitchen in your apartment to begin with and you often have to buy one 😂 Or when you renovate your floors you usually dont get something from the landlord as well 🥲

[@avdotia452]

Chiming in on this old video :). Wow, what a transformation on that kitchen! Honestly, I think the apt is still a steal even with the out of pocket reno. Yes, you have to pay a lot upfront, but in the long run, if you take what you paid for the renovation and divide by 12 (because you'll be there for at least a year) and add that to your monthly rent of ~$1000, it's still probably less than the average apartment with a new kitchen. And with the rent already being so cheap, I think you'll stay there at least a few years to enjoy your investment. You were able to customize it to your taste, which is usually not something a renter gets to do :)

[@joannegraham3238]

The kitchen looks lovely and it’s worth every penny for you to feel like you have a comfortable cosy home ❤

[@juliafei]

I agree!! It definitely changed up the vibe of the entire place 🥰

[@khalilahd.]

The kitchen is so cute and cozy and has improved so much! I love all the changes ❤ I’m sorry you have to pay out of pocket but like you said it’s kind of an investment and learning lesson

[@juliafei]

An expensive lesson but definitely worth it in the long run 😭

[@carolinehenson5505]

loved the footage of you and your boyfriend - you two seem so comfy with one another and the getaway looked soooo cozy

[@juliafei]

haha thank you for this sweet comment ❤ he really loves reading the comments on my videos esp the ones about us 😂

[@anushkabanerjeee]

Really lovely vibes as always! Have a happy holiday season Julia!

[@juliafei]

Thank you & happy holidays ❤

[@lesandthecity]

Wow the kitchen reno looks fantastic! I think it was such a good decision to make it nice so you can get the max enjoyment while living there!

[@aninditab57]

Love the video as always! I do hope you get some extent of compensation from management considering you don't own the apartment but whoever rents the apartment after you, no matter the number of years from now, will benefit from a wonderful and modern kitchen, as will management. Loved the chill vibe and especially the walk through the snow and the hotpot at the end. A beautiful video as always ❤️

[@kxtiiea6698]

The kitchen is lovely, I love how bright it is! The little getaway looked so cozy and fun

[@juliafei]

🥰🫶

[@Nefertsukia]

Loved the kitchen, what a huge difference! I audible gasped, haha. The getaway looked really lovely. 😊

[@marycervantes3298]

That looked like so much fun I love the snow too😊

[@juliafei]

❄️ ⛄️

[@dig2341]

Your apartment is looking better each time you share a new vlog

[@juliafei]

Thank you for noticing!! That has been the goal 💪🏼❤

[@haleyfranker]

Kitchen looks great! Hopefully you can get some sort of compensation from management because holy cow that is such an upgrade!! And you winter getaway looked so cozy and fun. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

[@juliafei]

Thank you Haley ❤ happy holidays!

[@marcelal.8688]

Wow this is so nice to watch, I love how nice but real you are in this vlogs!

[@tebogo.mokoena]

I know you already spent so much renovating the kitchen, do you think you might do the same for the bathroom??😅 Love how the apartment deco is turning out❤🎉

[@juliafei]

I would love to renovate the bathroom but I need to save more funds for that bc it's going to be a bit more expensive 😭

[@20SomethingDiariess]

Absolutely love the kitchen. Was waiting for the video so eagerly. Love your content ❤️

[@juliafei]

yayy! glad I can give y'all an update 🥰

[@TheMisschrisaz]

Those are great choices you made for your kitchen. It is so nice and bright! I love as much natural light as I can get 🙂 I hope you have a Merry Christmas!🎄

[@juliafei]

So glad you like it!! Merry Christmas 🫶🎄

[@evegracevlogs]

Love your videos! You’re so sweet & down to earth! ❤

[@juliafei]

Aww you're too sweet! Thank you 🥰

[@usernameoftube]

Cute, cozy and inspiring as usual! Happy holidays, Julia!

[@juliafei]

Thank you Maria, happy holidays ❤

[@HouseMeanyBeany]

The renovation in the kitchen is so worth it, love love love it! Thank you for including it in the newest vlog

[@juliafei]

Yes it is definitely a long term investment!! thank you for watching ❤

[@AdamLMore]

@@juliafei would you mind sharing a ballpark estimate on how much that renovation cost? It came out amazing!

[@drunk.werewolf3143]

Great job on the kitchen! Absolutely worth it - every time you pop in for a coffee or a bowl of soup - you’ll be in a nice space that makes you feel good! Fantastic!

[@juliafei]

Yes! And it’s great for cooking and hosting too which I’m super excited about 🫶

[@Nicolelynnn]

julia i hope you have a great holiday season!! your videos are always so comforting and a joy to watch

[@juliafei]

Aww thank you Nicole ❤ appreciate you so much and hope you have a great holiday season too!!

[@lifeingermanydavid]

Your new kitchen looks so beautiful. Your new flat ist now really an eyecatcher! Greetings from Germany and have a good start in 2023! :)

[@preciousstyles6029]

I love the new look of your kitchen. Living in houses with large open kitchens all my life, I have always loved to have small kitchens that is closed off and I would be able to reach around from one side to the other and your kitchen is cute and cozy just like what I have always wanted in my future personal place.

[@juliafei]

omg I'm the opposite! I would love a big and spacious kitchen in the future hehe

[@oneofeverything9820]

I love watching your videos. You're so relatable 🥰

[@juliafei]

Ahh thank you for watching ❤🥰

[@zazazazaza1999]

Wow! That renovation looks amazing. And omg I was just making eggs and I’m a terrible egg roller too 😂 yours turned out well

[@silvanabreur]

Wow, what a nice kitchen you have now. So bright and light. You have a lovely apartment! Greetings from Rotterdam, The Netherlands!

[@juliafei]

Thank you so much! I love the Netherlands, hope to visit again soon 😊

[@sharonwilliams7964]

Love the renovations ❤

[@juliafei]

Yayyy so glad to hear ❤

[@zzzzzzoemy]

this was such a cozy vlog! thank you for sharing it with us!

[@juliafei]

Thank you for watching 🥰

[@________1516]

Y’all are hilarious 😂 I’m glad y’all had fun!

[@larissahora]

aaah what a relaxing vlog!

[@juliafei]

Hehe thank you for watching 🫶

[@MsJisola]

The kitchen looks awesome! Your hotpot set up looks pretty cool. I never thought about doing hotpot at home; I will have to look into it.

[@juliafei]

Yes please do try it out! All you need is the burner and I just use whatever pot I have on hand 😊

[@MsJisola]

@@juliafei Okies, good to know! Thank you!

[@cristinaelliottgarcia]

Just discovered your channel and I’m devouring it 😂

[@riannar4394]

Amazing job on the reno! I do hope they reimburse you something because they would be benefiting most once you leave

[@juliafei]

Thank you!!

[@CynthiaIvers]

Management won't and may charge her for altering the apartment unless she obtained permission beforehand.

[@tangbahongphuc5114]

Oh! The first time I watched your video, I got the feeling that you are Vietnamese. Nice to meet you, I admire you very much and want to work abroad in IT industry. But no chance yet! I am trying to achieve that.

[@juliafei]

Yes I am half Vietnamese! Thank you for watching & good luck I believe in you!!

[@waggermama]

Yay! Needed this after a morning spent rearranging Christmas due to covid

[@juliafei]

Oh no!! I know a handful of people who got Covid during this time and it really sucks :( Wishing you a speedy recovery & hope that you were able to still enjoy Christmas even if it was different from what you had initially planned 🫶

[@waggermama]

@@juliafei thank you ❤️

[@mmqpz]

Kitchen looks great! How much was the renovation?

[@janshaw4636]

what a view to eat lunch!!, great video. thanks xx

[@juliafei]

I feel grateful every time I see the view ❤

[@koysdo]

I love your new house 🛠🏠🛠🏡

[@juliafei]

Thank you!!

[@catherinewong1922]

❤ the kitchen renovation

[@juliafei]

Hehe ❤

[@michaelperfect]

Hi! Can't wait to watch the video ✨

[@juliafei]

Thank you for always supporting Michael 🫶

[@MissTaylorGirl]

Love how the place is coming together!! Where is your Sherpa/leather vest from? ❤

[@juliafei]

Thank you ❤ I got it from stylenanda but it was from a couple years ago so I don’t think they sell it anymore 😢

[@carableu]

Your kitchen looks great. What an upgrade…

[@mariahalvorsen1055]

Love it :) Happy holidays Julia!

[@juliafei]

Happy holidays Maria 🥰

[@Warmbreeze43]

Very nice kitchen. The space is really pretty perfect for New York. It’s so expensive there. Great find. Merry Christmas

[@juliafei]

Thank you for watching & Merry Christmas 🎄🫶

[@stargazer1359]

*Formica.. Love the changes, Julia....good for you. Best wishes for the new year.

[@juliafei]

Thank you for watching 🫶🥰

[@liliansmeenge3297]

I had hotpot for the first time in my life a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing! Also upstate New York looks beautiful... But so expensive to get there from the Netherlands;)

[@juliafei]

Omg don’t get me wrong, upstate ny is nice…but I would swap that for a trip to the Netherlands any day 😂

[@kaskahea1274]

Whew! N.Y.C. renovation arm and leg for a small space. I BELIEVE IT! Rip Off. Nice bright space. 😊😊

[@juliafei]

Yes everything’s expensive here 😭

[@jennifergraham9679]

good job on the kitchen,,hopefully they will give you back the cost,when you leave..

[@juliafei]

Thank you Jennifer 😊

[@SJ-zw4cw]

What type of pan are you using for your omelet? PS You should send before & after photos to your management (and copies of your receipts) and see if they would be willing to reduce your rent for a month or two. It never hurts to ask. It looks fantastic!

[@maddscientist3170]

why? she already probably has the cheapest rent in the building

[@catherinewong1922]

❤ this vlog!!!

[@juliafei]

Thank you for watching 🥰

[@letty88]

Thumb up 👍🏼 thanks for sharing. Happy holidays ⛄

[@juliafei]

Happy holidays 🫶

[@aquagamer1212]

You should definitely get a rolled-omelet pan! It’s been on my list for so long to get one for myself.

[@juliafei]

Yesss it’s definitely on my wishlist 🍳

[@assassinspoiler3488]

Where,i live you can't do renovation without getting ok from management especially one like this one. You are lucky it needed one i wouldn't even move in something looked like that

[@AliceTan29]

The kitchen looks so good! But yes, renters' insurance comes clutch!

[@juliafei]

I’ve learned my lesson 😭 thanks for watching Alice ❤

[@BigScalyBird]

Wow the kitchen looks so much better. Sucks to pay out of pocket but if the place is rent controlled and you plan to stay for a few years, I think it’s worth it, especially since you have to look at it and use it everyday. Is it cold sitting on the floor? Any plans to get a rug for the living room?

[@juliafei]

Yes, my thoughts exactly!! I've been shopping around for a rug but nothing that I like yet 😅

[@Naidayss]

Love your videos

[@juliafei]

Thank you for watching ❤

[@VidaDeJeremiah]

*Please get renters insurance!* I'm not in your shoes but your landlord seems to be very careless if you were without a stove for a month so you need to protect yourself in case things go left. I thought you said that they agreed to renovate the kitchen but not the bathroom in another video, maybe I'm remembering that incorrectly but I'd always get clauses like that in writing when signing the lease. Renters insurance will protect your belongings (including cameras if you have a fancy expensive one) in case of fire, floods, natural disasters etc. Check out Lemonade, they have prices from $5 a month.

[@withloveaaliyah]

I remember her saying that they would cover fixing the kitchen also! I hope that was in writing on something because that’s crazy she had to do it herself. Renters insurance is something I would suggest also.

[@lkive]

how much were your renovations?

[@GoddessKry]

My apt requires me to have renter insurance. It like $60 every 6 months for me but there different plans and such

[@juliafei]

Ohh that's convenient! None of my previous apartments ever mentioned renter's insurance 😭

[@marylmartin671]

Ur vlogs relax me be cool to met one day 42 from Vancouver bc

[@devlynne]

Did yall rent a car? I'm a little jealous that you could just take a quick trip upstate! It looks really beautiful.

[@samlab2935]

you can always try and ask them if they would mind helping a lil … since they will make tone more money when you leave + you were without a stove etc for a month .. thats a long time lol

[@dianadundidit5343]

I'm so curious as to how much you paid for the Reno! It's such a small space, it shouldn't have cost more than 3500 , 4000 max!

[@Stefiiiz]

This "baby stove" is actually a standard stove size in most of Europe, I believe 😁

[@juliafei]

I didn't know that! American stoves are a bit bigger 😅

[@thatgirlnextfloor]

Do you have proper ventilation in that kitchen without the overhead exhaust? Just making sure you’re safe

[@juliafei]

Yes! There is a vent on the wall and it’s just always on/managed by the building. Ty for thinking of me 🫶

[@FAROUKB.I]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KrispyAlex]

Damn girl when you move out they gonna charge $2000 just because of that kitchen upgrade😂

[@mightyobserver12]

Is it not too late to dream living in new york? I am nearing 40

[@Penlandadam]

Having a business that is what you do, can help the cost of remodeling your kitchen. You have a tax advantage on that. It's not for the full amount, but a percentage of the cost based on the time frame you did it. Last year before December 31, you can claim it on this tax return. Everyone who rents should get Renter's Insurance. It is a great investment in your place and it protects you as a renter. So many good benefits come with it. Highly recommend it. Renting is better then a Homeowner, because of the maintenance cost is high. I have house and I do plan on renting out my house in a year or so. I am upgraded my house now, so I will not have any problems. I did find someone that can rent my place. I did need sometime to do a few things. He is ok with it. I am so glad to finally to have a liability turn into an Asset. Everything will be new, for the most part. He will have my security system, but in his name. It be paid off, but the service fee be the only cost. I already talked to the company about it. He has a family, so he liked I had a security system.

[@CynthiaIvers]

Bad advice as this is her personal residence. IRS will flag that and audit her.

[@Penlandadam]

@@CynthiaIvers, the IRS will not come for her. Having a business in your our home is perfectly fine. You are able to write things off as a percentage. That is one way to avoid paying taxes. I is all legal.

[@mcork]

100K though... coming in soon

[@juliafei]

🙏🤞🙏

[@brightgreenleaves]

You are a badass! Congrats!

[@Annrowe64]

Renters insurance is important, but I don’t think it would provide you any compensation for absence of appliances unless that was due to a fire or natural disaster. If the landlord is just slow to provide the appliances I doubt insurance would step in. But do get a policy to cover your belongings in case of fire or theft. Talk to real agent or broker before investing in a policy rather than a random website. Perhaps your parents have an agent or broker you could speak with. You want to have a real person behind the policy who can help you out if there’s a problem or issue

[@youngbossdaily3986]

Korean or Chinese?

[@uklaze]

I WANNA GO VIETNAM

[@Mabre111]

I would never renovate an apartment I don’t own.

[@juliafei]

I never thought that I would either 😭 but it had to be done - tbh I don’t think I would’ve been able to live there with the old kitchen 😂

[@debbieborrie4322]

Can't believe U paid for renovating the kitchen lucky landlord

[@CynthiaIvers]

Did you obtain the Landlord's approval (hopefully written) before making these substantial changes? If yes - then okay. If no, that's a HUGE problem. Landlord could evict and/or charge you for making unauthorized changes to the unit despite the improved look, etc. Regardless, kitchen looks great but making renovations to a place you don't own is never recommended as you will never get the money back. You've, essentially, gifted the owners with a new kitchen. Lovely kitchen though.

[@alanboy5532]

I hope you get compensated for renovating the kitchen. That should be from the landlord's side.

[@tellurium2557]

苍兰诀哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈

[@artificialparadise239]

Are you sure they won’t raise the price? I’m scared for you

[@maddscientist3170]

Bummer..I liked the old mid century wood kitchen cabinets....new isn't always better...but you need a backsplash behind the stove and the wall with the sink. Everybody needs Renter's Insurance. A lot of places require it when you sign a lease.....when is the table coming to eat at? at least 2 people!! a small one with 2 chairs would fit right in front of your screen

[@juliafei]

I've been shopping around for a table but am waiting to really find one that I like for this space so no rush!

[@crazypianistshe]

When is your boyfriend moving in with you ?

[@jlynd5526]

I understand privacy, but how much longer is the boyfriend going to have a blurred out face and why so private? I’m sorry if you have already explained, but I’m curious.🤷🏻‍♀️ Your vacation looked very nice. I hope you had a great time. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!❄️

[@aquagamer1212]

You definitely don’t understand privacy if you ask why she’s being private about her bf 💀

[@mindingminesx]

@@aquagamer1212 exactly lmao there are youtubers who have had their significant others harassed and doxed

[@jlynd5526]

@@aquagamer1212 That’s simply why I’m asking about the blurred face/privacy so I understand the reason behind it. No harm done, just a simple question.

[@juliafei]

No worries at all! I want to protect his privacy (and my own!) for reasons stated above + some more. Since we spend so much time together & he’s currently a big part of my life, it’s inevitable that he’s going to be around when I’m filming. So for the foreseeable future, his face will still be kept a secret 😅🤫

[@jlynd5526]

@@juliafei Thanks for answering my question. I understand now.