Tag Archives: apartment

Jan20

Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

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Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

Hi! So as all of you know, I have experienced some paranormal activity in my apartment. The major occurrences happened when I first moved in and the last activity before the most recent one took place about a month ago. This spooky situation came about on Friday the tenth around two in the afternoon and it had me SHOOK. So, let’s discuss:

I always have the afternoons off on Friday and some of the days are spent running around doing errands while others involve curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. This Friday afternoon happened to be one of those days, so I lit my candles, got myself comfortable, and cracked open one of my comic books.

All was going well and I was enjoying my time relaxing when a piece of paper I had on my coffee table FLOATED ON TOP OF ONE OF THE CANDLES. This paper was sitting on top of a board game that was about a foot and a half away from my candles and when I adjusted my head I saw the paper in the air.

Luckily for me, the piece of paper landed on a candle that was burnt down enough that the flame wasn’t going to touch it. But, the candle that it did fall on was about six inches away from a brand new Yankee Candle that I got for Christmas whose two wicks were burning close to the top. Yikes!

Needless to say, I freaked out and phoned my parents who know about the haunting situation in my apartment and they freaked out too. Lol, it was such a crazy thing to have witnessed and I still get goosebumps when I think about it. There was just no way that that paper floating could have happened on its own. It had also been sitting there for months and a situation even remotely similar has never happened.

I have come to associate my “friend” in my apartment with being a man. When I first moved in, I always seemed to hear heavy footsteps at night coming from the office in my top floor apartment. In fact, I used to have to go downstairs to make sure there was no one there.

There is also a mirror in my loft bedroom with a skylight shining directly on it. And, at night when the light from the outdoors is coming in, the shadowy shape that forms behind the mirror looks like a poor silhouette of a man to me. Believe you me, nothing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up like when I see that at bedtime.

The paranormal activity I had in my apartment in December seemed to be a friendly one but this last occurrence was anything but. I think it will be a good long while before I light my candles again!

What did you do to deal with paranormal activity if you’ve ever experienced any? Does anyone have any advice for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec27

Paranormal Activity Update

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Paranormal Activity Update

Hello!! So as you guys might remember, I experienced a few instances of paranormal activity in my apartment when I first moved in. It definitely gave me the creeps but, luckily, after those initial encounters, I haven’t had any cases of unexplained occurrences happen at chez moi. That is, until about one week ago.

I had an unexpected day off on Monday because a client was sick, so I went back to bed for a while and then got up and began to get some writing done. That’s when I heard the catchphrase of little Agnes from Despicable Me, “IT’S SO FLUFFY” coming from my office.

In my office, I have a closet. In this closet, there is my hair dye hoard on one of the top shelves on the left wall, some boxes from when I moved in, and plastic bags from grocery shopping. And, tucked into the corner of the right wall is a bag of stuffed animals, one of which is the stuffed unicorn from Despicable Me, whose paw you can squeeze (Quite hard, I might add.) to hear phrases from the movie.

Because you have to physically squeeze the paw with some extra oomph because of it’s awkward shape, there’s just no way this could have happened on its own. When I checked my closet, nothing fell on the stuffed animals or was out of place in any way. It just happened.

I’d be a liar if I said that I haven’t been freaked out since this paranormal activity occurred, especially because it has been such a long time since I moved in. I don’t think my ghostly friend is trying to be mean, though. Maybe it was just his or her little way of saying “hello” and that they’re still here.

Am I thrilled about it? Not particularly. But, who’s to say that people and spirits can’t live in harmony?!

Have you ever experienced paranormal activity? What did you do about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec18

Affordable Home Improvements To Refresh Your Interiors

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Affordable Home Improvements To Refresh Your Interiors

Making home improvements is something that we do all the time. Whether it is purchasing a brand new rug, re-painting your living room, or doing a deep clean, you are improving your home. You’re making it better than what it was previously, and this is a natural instinct for many people. However, affordable home improvements that refresh the interior of your home is not always easy. Finding what you can do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but makes the inside of your property look fantastic is pretty challenging, so let’s take a look at a few options here:

Repaint your room:

Instead of focusing on repainting the entirety of your house, you should focus on repainting one room at a time. You only need about one bucket of paint to do this and a spare afternoon. It will make such a difference when you walk into a room and it looks brand-new, clean, and pristine. It can be a fun way to bond with somebody as well, because you’re working together to accomplish a goal, and you’ll find that a sense of banter and camaraderie naturally flows.

Replace the flooring:

The average floor is subjected to a lot of punishment. It’s stepped on, has bits of food dropped on it, has mud tracked through it, and there is no denying that your floor will need a refurbishment from time to time. Doing this can often give a new lease of life to what otherwise was a plain room.

Carpet is often a good idea for this particular exercise, offering both warmth and comfort, and at the same time looking neat and modern. If you purchase from a trusted provider like https://carpettogo.com/, then you will have absolutely no issues in redecorating your floor.

Get some decorations:

One of the best things that you can do is get some decorations for your home. There are a lot of things which aren’t that expensive and it’s important to remember that decorations don’t need to be big and ostentatious, so much as just small and decorative. They complement a room, but they don’t make it.

Something like a plant or a painting will be a good idea, and they aren’t usually too pricey. They will help to brighten up a room and offer something different in the way of texture and color. Pick a great statement piece and watch your room transform.

All things considered, these are just a few different options that you have available to you when it comes to making affordable home improvements. It’s not always easy to do so, but there are moments when you have to look after your rooms and change up some of the elements in your house to make sure that everything stays fresh and vibrant.

It’s worthwhile to experiment with different options, textures, colors, and designs because this will help you to get the best possible interior. Your property is often a point of pride, so it is important to look after!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec11

Where Can You Cut Costs When Working On Your Kitchen?

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Where Can You Cut Costs When Working On Your Kitchen?

DIY has long been a popular way to make your home look better without spending a small fortune on it. A lot of people are choosing to go down this route with their homes, working hard to make changes by themselves. Of course, even when you do all of the hard work yourself, it will always be difficult to avoid spending money on a room like a kitchen. There are simply too many expensive items which go into this space.

When planning to renovate a kitchen, you need to get prices for everything and compare those prices to see which is best. You will need to get prices for a skip, flooring, cupboard doors, and possibly even screws and hinges among other necessities. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the best ways to save in the kitchen, covering each of the elements you’ll need to buy:

Cabinets & Surfaces:

This is usually the priciest part of most kitchens. The cabinets and surfaces you have can cost a lot, but you need them to be able to use the room effectively. Thankfully, people often sell this part of their home when they renovate. You can find loads of kitchens cabinets on sites like eBay, and many of them will come in excellent condition. While you have to collect them yourself, this option will be far cheaper than buying something new, while also giving you the opportunity to get features which you may not have been able to afford brand new.

Appliances:

Appliances are another area which can be expensive when you’re renovating your kitchen, leaving a lot of people to keep their old machines for this job. Like the cabinets, though, you can often find appliances in great condition on the used market. This is always a lot cheaper than buying the items new.’

Flooring:

While it may seem like something which should be nice and cheap, flooring can often be one of the priciest parts of a new kitchen. With tiles being so expensive, a lot of people opt for plastic flooring, though this rarely looks perfect. There are a lot of discount tile retailers around the web, giving you access to this resource for far less than you’d pay full price. It’s well worth hunting for deals on items like this, as this can drastically reduce the price of your kitchen, while also keeping it looking good.

Sinks, Taps, & Other Accessories:

Finally, as the last area to think about, it’s time to consider sinks, taps, and other accessories which finish your kitchen. These will always be the most noticeable objects in your kitchen, and this makes it worth spending more on them than the other areas in this post. You can usually find good second hand deals for them, but buying them from regular stores shouldn’t be too hard, as long as you’ve saved enough money on the other parts of the room.

Building a new kitchen will be a challenge. Not only will you have to find everything you need at the lowest prices, but you will also need to put the room together. You’re going to need to do some learning to achieve the best results, but these skills will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec10

4 Simple Ways To Make Your Home Greener

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4 Simple Ways To Make Your Home Greener

From the brands that we buy to our home cleaning routines; most of us value the idea of making green choices. When it comes to shopping for your home ware and utilities, there are plenty of ways to go eco-friendly. For those looking for a few pointers, these four simple solutions could help you on your way (and maybe you’ll save a few dollars too)!

Research your materials:

When shopping for home ware, whether cushions, rugs, or teacups; we often choose based on aesthetics and color scheme. Of course, these factors are important, yet it’s also important to prioritize the right materials. Items made of hemp, for example, are considered an excellent sustainable choice. Hemp does not require pesticides to grow and only needs a small amount of water. What’s more, hemp can absorb C02 during the growth process. Bamboo is another great choice to look out for when shopping for home ware items. Bamboo also requires no fertilizer; it grows quickly and can easily self-regenerate. Materials like jute or seagrass are also excellent sustainable materials to look out for when you are decorating your home.

Save water:

Using less water around the home can make a huge amount of difference to both your green practices and your bill. For example, water-saving shower heads allow you to use less water when showering. There are two types of water-saving shower heads; aerating and non-aerating. Aerating shower heads push the water through smaller holes and provide increased pressure. Non-aerating shower heads combine a restricted water flow with air.

To save money, it’s worth checking out a few different water providers to see if you can make any savings. While you’re at it, ensure that you know what Action to Take Before and After Discovering a Water Leak or Flooding. Staying clued up when it comes to water can help you to go green, save cash, and keep your home safe.

Start composting:

Compost refers to various organic substances, from fruit and vegetables to grass clippings or twigs. When you mix these things together, you’ll have an excellent natural fertilizer to enrich the soil in your garden. Great composting is essential if you want to grow nice fruits and vegetables without using any chemical-based fertilizers. You’ll be going greener by reducing your food waste and creating a space to grow natural foods from the earth. At the same time, you’ll be reducing food waste which goes to the landfill. When organic food waste goes there, the conditions are not right for it to break down properly. Due to this, a buildup of methane gas occurs which pollutes our air.

Zero waste:

When it comes to the home, there are plenty of ways to use less and waste less. First, when you need to make purchases, try second-hand stores before you opt for buying new. As well as this, try planning your meals out in advance to minimize the chance of food waste. There are plenty of zero-waste grocery stores out there which have entirely removed the need for packaging. Getting into a green routine is an ongoing project; so don’t worry if you can’t make every change overnight.

Follow the tips above and do your share in helping to protect our environment by going green!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec6

Where To Splurge And Where To Save When Decorating Your Home

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Where To Splurge And Where To Save When Decorating Your Home

Decorating a home from scratch can be really expensive, so it’s worth knowing the best places to save money and where it pays to spend a little more. Maybe you’ve just moved into a new place or perhaps you want to do up your existing home, either way, here are some places to save and where to splurge:

Splurge: Mattress

As humans, we spend a huge portion of our lives in bed. We might not all be lucky enough to get a full eight hours, but even if you’re only getting six that’s still a quarter of your day. A good mattress is essential for good health, it supports your back, hips, and neck. It keeps you comfortable and allows you to get the highest quality of sleep.

However, mattresses are expensive, and it might be tempting to look for a good quality second hand one – but it’s best not to do that if you can. Not only will a used mattress show signs of wear but it could also be hiding bed bugs which you’ll then bring into your home. Exterminators like Bed Bug Inspector recommend that you don’t purchase second hand items that could harbor these pests, as it’s a common way that they get into peoples homes and spread.

Save: Dining table

A solid wooden dining table will last you for a lifetime if you look after it well, and if you look around chances are you’ll find people selling old and antique tables simply because they do stand the test of time. Don’t be put off by old fashioned looks, as long as it’s in good condition you can always upcycle it. Sand down the top, add some new legs, and you could stain it or paint it and really bring it up to date.

Splurge: Dining chairs

Saving on a dining table gives you more money to spend on the chairs, and it’s often worth buying some more luxurious, comfortable dining chairs. Once you’ve upcycled the table you can go about choosing some nice new chairs that suit the overall look. It could be some modern fabric chairs, some cool perspex ghost chairs, an industrial style – whatever it is you’re going for.

Save: Accessories

Accessories make a house a home, but you don’t need to spend a fortune here. Some plants from Ikea, some vases from TJMaxx, some frames from the Dollar Store, and other little accessories from charity stores and boot fares can all come together really nicely.

Splurge: Sofa

A good quality sofa will cost you a fair bit of cash, but it will look great and last you for many years. If you don’t have the funds up front, lots of companies offer finance options allowing you to spread the cost. The best sofas will be made from good quality fabrics and materials so they won’t go saggy and uncomfortable after a couple of years.

When decorating your home, shop smart with the saving tips above so you can have more moolah towards your splurge worthy purchases!

Dec2

Making The Most Of The Space In Your Home

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Making The Most Of The Space In Your Home

One thing that most people tend to think when they look at their homes is that they wish they could have more space. Unless you happen to live in some kind of palatial mansion, pretty much all of us have thought about what we’d do if we could just make a little extra space here and there in our homes. Of course, for many of us, that’s simply not possible.  However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that you can do to make the most of the space that you already have in your home. Check out these ideas:

Keep things tidy:

One of the most common reasons that a lot of people feel as though they don’t have enough space in their home is that they simply have too much junk cluttering up the place. By keeping things tidy and getting rid of stuff that you really don’t need, even a small room can feel far more open and comfortable. If you’re constantly tripping over stuff and every surface is covered in clutter, it won’t matter how big a room is, it’s always going to feel cramped and tiny.

Use light carefully:

Light is one of the most powerful, and most underrated, tools in your arsenal when it comes to not only making your home feel bigger but also making it feel like a brighter, more vibrant place. The best place to start is with natural light. Try to see if there are any places in your home where natural light is being blocked and work to fix that problem. It’s a small thing but it can make all of the difference in the world to how a room feels.

Find storage solutions:

If you’re not in a position to get rid of a lot of the stuff in your home, then the best thing to do is to make sure that you have the right storage solutions. Being able to store things in a more convenient way can make a huge difference and free up a whole lot of space. Closet & Cabinet Experts can help you turn these areas in your home into a space that houses all of those odds and ends in an organized fashion. This can help fully rid your home of clutter and not being able to find the things you need most will be a problem of the past.

Your storage solutions can also be a great way to furnishing your home. A custom closet allows you to not only create the perfect storage solution but also create one that really improves your home’s style. Check out this post: How Much Does a Custom Closet System Cost? That way you can get an idea of if it’s something that’s right for you.

There are always things that you can do to bring your home more closely in line with what you want it to be. You’ve just got to be willing to put the work in. Sure, this can be a little difficult and stressful at times, though there are always things you can do to make it at least a little easier. However, the benefits that come from making your home a more enjoyable place to be in far outweigh the time and effort it takes to make that happen.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov26

Making A More Creative Living Space

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Making A More Creative Living Space

If you are someone who enjoys creating and is passionate about the arts, then you may find that being in a sterile home environment can be a bit uninspiring. If you are all about the arts, then why not let that shine through in your home decor? Here are some ways that you can make a creative impact on your living space with some little decorating tips that will make a big impact:

Create A Rainbow Bookshelf:

If you are a lover of literature, then you will probably have plenty of books in your home. One creative decor idea would be to arrange your bookshelves by color order. Image having a beautiful rainbow bookshelf! It may take some time to perfect, but the results will look amazing.

Musical Instruments Make The Most Creative Ornaments:

Of course, we would all love the centerpiece of our home to be a Steinway art case pianos, a beautiful work of art that, if played by the right person, can take your breath away. However, that may be wasted on you if you are not a pianist! How about getting some old guitars and mounting them to your wall? Pick an instrument that looks great, or is similar to one that was played by one of your musical heroes.

Hang The Art That You Want To See:

We all have our favorite types of images. Whether photography or paintings, having the types of pictures on your walls that you like will make a statement about you. Think about the placement of the items. You could go with large paintings which are not crowded on the walls, leaving a lot of space around them. Or, you could go for a cluster of images. You could either keep the pictures in a pattern, which will look neat on the walls. Or, you could fill the wall with quirky and interesting images using every piece of space possible.

Go Big Or Go Home On Your Feature Wall:

How often do you see a design makeover show where a feature wall is created, but it is somewhat lackluster? If you are going to create a wall in your home that stands out against the rest, make it a real eye catching statement that matches the room’s personality.

You can try some cute wallpapers as an accent wall in your children’s rooms and adorn the rest of the walls with their own artwork in frames. For the living room a gem hued feature wall is ideal if you are looking for something more bold. The kitchen is a space you could have some fun with by hanging your cookware and spices on floating shelves. The possibilities are endless and you can be as playful or dramatic as you’d like!

Create A Unique Wallpaper Look:

Have you ever gone into a DIY store and had a sample of wallpaper to take away and help you decide on what you want on your walls? Well, why not collect wallpaper samples and use all of them to create the most unique look possible on your walls? Start collecting as many pieces as possible. Think about getting pieces that are up to one foot in size and then fill your wall using them. Have pieces overlapping, in a haphazard fashion and mix up the colors to create a really eye-catching and creative look.

Let your love for the arts shine through in your home decor to keep you inspired and your guests impressed!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov26

Dollar Tree Haul

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Dollar Tree Haul

Hello everyone! If there’s one thing that Lil Red doesn’t believe in, it’s paying full price for just about anything. So, it’s pretty shocking that I really didn’t get into shopping at the Dollar Tree until this past year. One of my clients loves that store and I always end up there at least one time a week. It wasn’t until I took a closer look around until I realized that the Dollar Tree is friggen awesome and I have had much success shopping there, especially since moving into my apartment. Don’t believe me? Check out this big ol’ haul for yourself:

tree

For twenty items I paid twenty dollars altogether and I am confident that if I purchased all of this at a normal grocery store it would easily be over fifty dollars. The Dollar Tree pulled through in the clutch for me at just the right time because after all of my holiday shopping this month, my credit card bill is going to be huge. BUT, I also have no food in my apartment. This will definitely tide me over until my bill turns over in December and I can do a bigger grocery shopping trip.

Also, can we please talk about the potato gnocchi and Arizona nacho trays?! They are both SO freaking good and the only thing that isn’t pictured is the nachos that I already ate, lol. They are a perfect snack for when I get home from work and I was so stoked that the Dollar Tree that I was at had them that I just had to get six, lol! The gnocchi is also a quick, easy, and delicious meal that my boyfriend and I both love and will be a perfect, simple dinner after we’ve both had a long day.

I have never quite understood the people that considered themselves above discount shopping but I, for one, will never be. Compliments of shopping at TJMaxx and Marc’s (a discount grocery store in my neck of the woods), I am sure that I’ve saved over thousands throughout the years and that ballin on a budget train isn’t going to end any time soon!

What is your favorite discount store? How do you ball on a budget for your grocery shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov19

How To Plan A Stress Free Home Makeover

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How To Plan A Stress Free Home Makeover

Giving your home a makeover is an exciting task. From picking out paint colors to choosing your furnishings, the whole process of redesigning your home can be a lot of fun. The problem is, there are just so many different styles of interior design to choose from, so selecting the right one for your home can be a tough choice.

Without careful planning, a home makeover can become a stressful situation to be in. Taking on a project that is beyond your expertise can be overwhelming, as can committing to too much expense. A home redecorating project should be a positive process, rather than a stressful experience.

No one wants to spend money, time, and effort on a home redesign only to find that the results aren’t what they expected. To beat any expectation versus reality disappointment, it is a good idea to plan your project carefully:

Sort Out the Practicalities:

When you are trying to create the home of your dreams, it can be hard to focus on the practicalities. However, getting the practical side of your redecoration project sorted out leaves you free to concentrate on turning your dreams into reality. It is useful to calculate your budget right from the start, so you know exactly how much cash you have to play with. Without knowing how much you can afford to spend, you could find yourself running out of money before completing the project. This would leave you with a half-finished room, while you try to save more money to finish it.

As well as knowing how much you want to spend on your interior project, you need to work out a realistic timescale. This is particularly important if the room needs to be completed by a set deadline. For example, a baby’s nursery that you want to be completed before your little one arrives.

Home makeovers and renovations can be stressful to handle by yourself. It is not as easy as the professionals on HGTV make it out to be, that’s for sure! Many people turn to interior designers like those at K&L Interior Designers (or a similar business in your local area to take on the task. Interior designers are well versed in providing the practicality your home needs while adhering to your personal style. They will also be mindful of your budget so you don’t end up going over what you are willing to spend.

Identify Your Goals:

Once the practicalities are decided, it is time to think about what you want from the redesign. To identify what you want the room to do, you will need to think about what you currently like about it, and what you would like to change. This could be anything from making it look lighter and brighter or completely changing its use. Or, perhaps, you are tying in general maintenance with your makeover. A drafty front door, for example, could be replaced with custom barn doors in Los Angeles (or a similar product in your local area) for lower heating bills and an instant face lift to your home. These aims will provide you with a starting point for your design and something specific to work towards.

pix1

So cool!

Pick Your Style:

Selecting the look of your new room is one of the best parts of the project. Think carefully about what you want the place to look like and then search for some inspiration to help you picture the look more clearly. When choosing a style of interior design, it is useful to think about the overall vibe that you are trying to create. If you want to create a homely feel, then a rustic interior design look will enable you to incorporate some lovely textures for a timeless style. If you are after a boutique hotel type finish, then you will probably be looking for mirrored furniture and silk or plush velvet upholstery.

When you are considering your favorite style, it can be helpful to look at popular past trends and the upcoming 2026 interior design trends. This can give you an excellent starting point but the trick is to make it your own. Use the trends you love and incorporate the things you love that are missing. This could be a funky colored area rug, fabulous art prints or beloved photos, or creating lighting that suits the needs of the room. This way, your space will still feel like your own rather than a staged shot from a magazine.

Prepare the Room:

To be able to redecorate, you are probably going to need to strip the room back to basics so that you have a blank canvas to work with. This means that a lot of items will need to be removed before you even get started. It is useful to declutter the room first. Decluttering will help you to get rid of all the items that you no longer want or need. It will also help you to free up more space in the room.

Once you have decluttered, you will need to move all of the furniture out of the room so that the decoration can begin. Try to plan your space so that you are able to store all these furniture items elsewhere in your home. Anything that can’t be moved will need to be covered so that it avoids any paint splashes or other damage.

Carefully planning your home makeover will make life a lot easier. The whole process will be far less challenging if you know exactly what you want to achieve and how you are going to make it a reality!

Featured Image By: Pixabay