Tag Archives: apartment

Mar31

Moving On Up: Bed Bath And Beyond Haul Edition

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Moving On Up: Bed Bath And Beyond Haul Edition

Hi! Preparing for my move has been a very positive experience for me. In fact, I just hired movers yesterday to help me out during the big day. Thank you, Two Men And A Truck! 😀 I am feeling good, because I pretty much have gotten all of the big stuff that I need to take care of out of the way. Including setting up my internet, electric, the movers, and getting all of the furniture I need. Now, it’s all about the little odds and ends, like some of the following that I picked up from Bed Bath And Beyond:

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I got my dad a salt lamp for Christmas this past year and I liked it so much that I had to get one for the apartment. The lighting in my place isn’t the best, so I’ve been on the hunt for floor and table lamps to help brighten things up. I think that my new salt lamp will look perfect on the vanity I got for my bedroom and will be a great night light, too.

I also picked up some supplies for my bathroom, a toothbrush holder and a value pack of toothbrushes to go with it. I didn’t even know Bed Bath And Beyond sold toothbrushes but they don’t call it Bed Bath And Beyond for NOTHIN! And, finally, my drinking buddies! I bought this pack of drink markers from TJMaxx for my cousin, Laura, who microblades my eyebrows and we both loved them. So, I was insanely happy to have found a pack for myself at BB&B. These cute pool boys will help keep me company in my apartment and will be very handy during my housewarming party. Nobody better pocket theirs, though! 😡

With every shopping trip, I feel more and more prepared for my own place. My credit card is on FIRE but, at least it’s racking up points on Amazon so I can get more stuff! 😀

Which stores offer the best credit card or rewards program? Do you have any silly drink markers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar30

Moving On Up: Mall Haul Edition

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Moving On Up: Mall Haul Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the next haul in my Moving On Up series. Shopping for my new apartment has been an absolute blast. So much so that any type of stress that I have been feeling about the move has literally melted away. Talk about retail therapy, amiright?! In this haul, I picked up some random essentials at a few different stores in the mall including Bath & Body Works, Party City, and Spencer’s. Take a look:

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I love, love, love the foaming hand soaps from B&BW and I knew that I wanted to have those in my place for the kitchen and bathroom. I took advantage of the five for twenty-three dollar sale and picked out some real winners. The lemon scent will be perfect for the kitchen, but I am most looking forward to using the Peach Bellini and Blueberry Crumble, which both smell insanely delicious.

I also found the darling “Welcome” sign from Party City, which I am really happy with. I spent ten bucks on it and I feel like I got it for a steal! I love the colors, the flowers, and the cursive print and it will look so charming with the hard wood in my apartment. And, finally, no twenty-something’s pad would be complete without shot glasses from Spencer’s! Peep those Step Brothers ones! 😀 #turndownforwhat

I enjoyed this shopping trip to the mall a lot, because it was fun stuff that I picked out. Shopping for the bigger, more expensive things can be kind of a lot so it was nice to purchase all of the little items that felt like treats and will be well loved at chez moi.

What is the decor like at your home? What is your favorite hand soap scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar29

Moving On Up: Five Below Haul Edition

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Moving On Up: Five Below Haul Edition

Hello everyone! With my big move getting closer and closer with every passing day, the major hauling continues. We all know that I love to shop more than I love myself sometimes. And, I really think that because of this passion, the initial stressors of moving have faded away and it’s becoming more fun than anything. However, I am really trying to stick to my ballin on a budget lifestyle by choosing bargain and secondhand stores and being mindful of the best deals when shopping at Target or TJs.

So, it’s no surprise that I ended up at Five Below during my shopping extravaganza. And, I’m glad that I did, because I got all of the goodies seen below for under forty dollars! Check it out:

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An apartment wouldn’t be an apartment without two huge wine glasses that hold an entire bottle of wine in it! Lol, those were definitely a must. And, I loved the gallon glass dispenser so that I can make a big pitcher of cold tea or sangria during the summer months. I also chose two mini water fountains, one for my office and another to put on my TV stand for the ultimate relaxation experience… maybe while sipping from my holds one bottle of wine glass? 😀

While shopping, I also picked up the beautiful book “I Love You, Mommy” for my sister to read to my sweet niece, Valerie. I read it in the store and seriously almost cried seven times. The words are so touching and the pictures are gorgeous and I just know that Kristen is going to get a good cry out of it. In fact, I read some of the passages to my mom and cried so I highly recommend this one to literally anyone. It’s awesome!

And, finally, I grabbed some cute new ribbon hair ties to wear to the skating rink as well as my little sloth pal. One of my clients helped me pick him out to match the one that she got, so he will have a very special place in my apartment. ❤

Overall, this haul was really successful. I got some fun miscellaneous items that will make a big impact in my space and thirty-nine bucks for all of it was definitely the right price!

Where is your favorite bargain store to shop at? What other stores should I go apartment shopping at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar28

Moving On Up: TJMaxx Haul Edition

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Moving On Up: TJMaxx Haul Edition

Hi! As you all know, Lil Red is Moving On Up! So, this means that some shopping has been in order for my new apartment. Over the weekend, I visited TJMaxx and Target to begin the task of gathering my home essentials. I have been having a blast picking out new furnishings and knick knacks but I’d be a liar if I said it wasn’t a little stressful. But, hauls full of new stuff makes it a bit more tolerable! Like the following:

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*Not pictured: A full length mirror because it’s impossible to take a good picture of a full length mirror!*

Grand Total: $95

At TJs, I picked up quite a few kitchen utensils as well as an adorable and appropriate little red toaster. I also grabbed a suction cupped caddy for my shower, which is a must to hold my charcoal face bar, scruffy, and smell goods. To continue on with keeping things clean, I chose a new hamper for twenty bucks that I love because it has a lid on it so that I can keep all of my dirty laundry in there. And, to top it off, I got myself a full length mirror to help style my OOTDs in my bedroom.

I felt like I got a solid amount of stuff for what I paid for in this haul and it took care of a lot of essentials that I will need in my apartment. Granted, I still need a ton of bigger items to furnish my place with but the little things are important, too, and I’m glad to be taking care of it! 😀

What are some apartment essentials that I am going to need? Where is your favorite place to shop for home goods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar26

Moving On Up

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Moving On Up

Hi! So something very exciting happened this past Friday… I put down a security deposit for an apartment! That’s right, in the middle of April, Lil Red will be leaving the nest and moving into her own space. I picked out a two bedroom loft in the Timbertop apartment community, which just so happens to be down the street from my old neighborhood. It is also where my sister and her family are located.

This spot is perfect, because I didn’t want to move too far away from any of my clients and where I am now is basically a central location between the eight of them. I am so looking forward to decorating my place and furnishing an office where I can get all of my blogging and paperwork done comfortably. In fact, I started the haulathon the day I put my deposit down by going to TJMaxx so you’ll definitely see all of the apartment goods I got in a future post.

These aren’t the best pictures of my new place, as I took them quickly when I was seeing it for the first time. But, still:

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Pretty cool, right?!

I am literally in love with my apartment and can’t wait to keep you all updated on the moving process. In the meantime, what are some apartment essentials that I will need? Where is your favorite place to shop in store or online for home products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

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Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

So, you’ve been together for a few years, know each other inside and out, and have decided to move in together. You are both very much in love with one another, so this is going to be a walk in the park, right? Well, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. In fact, some couples find that moving in together can be a huge strain on their relationship, even if they have been seeing each other for years.

But you shouldn’t let that put you off of moving in together, because there are certain things that you can do that can help ease the strain. Here are some tips that will make the move go as smoothly as possible:

Look For A New Place:

You will have to decide whether you move into one of your own flats or if you choose to look for a completely new place altogether. Sometimes, it makes more financial sense for your partner to move in with you or for you to move into their apartment. However, if you can afford to, you should think about looking for a new place where you can both make a fresh start together. That way, you can both start from scratch again, and one of you won’t feel like you are trying to settle into someone else’s home, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.

Buy A Mattress Together:

When it comes to buying new furniture for your shared place, it’s often not necessary for you to do it together. However, you should always go mattress shopping together so that you find one that suits the both of you. That’s because mattresses come in all different styles and are made with different materials. Some types might not be suited to your body and could cause you to develop back and neck pain. So, shop for a mattress together so that you both have the chance to find one that suits you both.

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Respect Each Other’s Decor Choices:

If you decide to redecorate your new place, you will need to respect each other’s interior design and decor choices. If you both have similar tastes, then this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. However, if you have contrasting styles, you should both be prepared to make sacrifices. For instance, your partner might not like a rug that you had in your old flat, so you will be better off buying a new one that you both like rather than bringing your old one with you.

Make Time For Yourself:

Just because you live together now, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend all of your time together. In fact, that could get quite suffocating, and could easily add to some tension and resentment. So, be sure that both of you make time for yourself. You can, for example, spend one night a week out with your friends. This gives you both some breathing space and won’t make it feel like you are on top of each other all of the time.

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting time. Make sure that you don’t let minor frustrations take away from that!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct19

Tiny Living: 3 Home Hacks To Maximize Your Space

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Tiny Living: 3 Home Hacks To Maximize Your Space

There is something genuinely cozy about living in a small apartment – particularly if you live alone! The silence of a big house and its constant shrieks and sighs can’t compare with the snug as a bug in a rug feeling of knowing what’s going on in each and every room; having only one of them makes it a lot more manageable.

Small living can also be frustrating, crowded, and downright messy sometimes, but let’s try not to focus on that! Here are a couple of helpful tips on how to keep it neat and cozy at all times, so that you don’t have to dream about greener pastures quite yet:

#1 Store Things Higher Up:

The more you have on your floor, the more cluttered it will look. You need the little floor space you have, and the apartment will look so much bigger when you manage to keep it as open as possible. Think about those lofted bedroom sets we used to love as children and make use of the same principle. By elevating your sleeping area the same way, you’ll be able to use the floor underneath to create a small dining space, for example, or a reading corner. Maximizing every aspect of space in your small living quarters will increase the overall functionality of your tiny but well loved one bedroom apartment.

#2 Clear Out The Clutter:

Clear away anything that can be stored neatly away somewhere and forgotten about. That countryside kitchen style with all of your utensils and mugs on display isn’t really suitable for tiny apartments, although the look in itself is quite charming. Choose a few knick knacks and place them in the spotlight – the rest needs to go elsewhere.

Pack away all of your summer clothes from your wardrobe, for example, to make room for all of your cold weather layers, and buy a good shoe cabinet so that your snowy boots won’t make a mess of the floor. A cabinet provides you with more surface space, by the way, so you can place some of your ornaments on it if you’ve run out of options and do not have enough shoes to fill it completely. (I would never have that problem!!)

#3 Consider Matryoshkas:

If you want to live in your little home for a long while, it’s a good idea to invest in furniture that is purposely designed to make small living a lot easier. They might cost a bit extra, but you’ll literally be able to buy an all-in-one furniture set that extends into a bed, bookshelf, corner couch, dining table, and even a wardrobe – all of this from one single piece of furniture.

Seems too good to be true? Check it out for yourself and weep tears of joy at the thought of all of the space that you’ll finally be able to use. The same principle is found in simpler versions, as well, in case you don’t need a full dining area and a bed at the same time; opt for a couch that folds into a bed instead and you’ve already saved yourself some space.

Also consider using blinds rather than curtains for your windows to avoid wearing your tiny space down with heavy fabrics and choose glass rather than wood when looking at coffee tables. Light and airy are key terms when you want to maximize your living space and this mindset should extend to all of your pieces of decor.

That studio apartment won’t seem so bad after all once all of the clutter is gone and you’re able to breathe again – it’s at least super quick to clean, if nothing else! 😀

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul18

Rent VS Own: Comparing The Costs

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Rent VS Own: Comparing The Costs

Some people can spend a long time wondering whether it’s better to rent or own your home. While many people have a strong opinion one way or the other, others think that different things are right for different people. It’s ultimately a personal decision whether you think renting or owning is best. Many people change their minds at different points in their lives. Renting can be more flexible, but owning can be more secure. Some people see renting as throwing money away, but if you get a mortgage, the property doesn’t exactly belong to you, either. Working out costs can help you decide which is the best choice for you.

Rent VS Mortgage: The major living expense for most people is the cost of their rent or their mortgage payments. The cost of renting can vary widely, depending on where you live. Some people can spend a third or even half of their income on rent, but others will pay much less. Working out how much you might spend on your own home is easy to do. If you use a house loan calculator, you can work out how much your payments might be. Some people might discover that mortgage payments could end up being less than what they pay in rent in the long run. If you are finding that owning a home might be the way to go, it is important to work with a credible and experienced team for your mortgage. Explore different services like those offered by Jubilee Finance (or a similar business in your local area) and shop around until you find the right fit for you.

Bills & Insurance: Whether you are looking for an apartment to rent nearby or even on the hunt for new homes in Lakeland FL, one thing is for certain: You still have to pay bills. However, if you rent a room or property, your bills could be included in your rent. If you buy a home, you will always be responsible for your bills. This does mean that you have more control over them, though. It’s easier for you to change energy suppliers, for example. Another cost to consider is insurance. As a homeowner, you need to insure the property and its contents. But as a renter, it’s still a good idea to have renter’s insurance. Although the expenses are similar, the amount you pay could be very different.

Property Maintenance: As a tenant, maintenance of the property is usually the responsibility of your landlord. There might be some things that you’re required to do to keep it looking good, but major work isn’t normally up to you. But, as a homeowner, you need to pay for anything that needs to be fixed. And if you belong to an HOA, that could mean a lot of maintenance. Property maintenance is one of the things that can potentially make owning your home more expensive than renting.

Regardless of if you’re in an apartment or home, property maintenance can be a source of stress. This is especially true if you are in an apartment and the maintenance staff can’t get to you immediately. If you are considering renting an apartment, you might want to use a website like StreetSmart to run an apartment background check. From there, you can uncover common complaints and building issues to verify that the apartment you are looking at is where you truly want to be.

The Cost of Moving: Another thing to consider is the costs of moving home. If you own your home, you’re likely to move less often. It’s up to you when you move, unless you can no longer afford to keep your home. But if you do decide to sell and move, it could be very expensive. Of course, moving as a renter costs money, too. You might have to pay a security deposit, first month’s rent, agency fees, and moving fees, plus you could move a lot more often.

Owning a home is often more expensive than renting, but many people prefer it. If you’re trying to decide which is right for you, look at the pros and cons of each and make the choice most suited to your current lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul7

Keeping Your Landlord Happy: A Lowdown

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Keeping Your Landlord Happy: A Lowdown

When you live in a rented apartment, you can’t just think about your own wants and needs. You also need to consider how you can keep your landlord happy, too. If you start to get into disputes with them and end up in their bad books, you will find that they might start to make your life a nightmare! Even worse, they could end up throwing you out, and then you will have to start a house search, which no one ever wants to be forced to do. Wondering how you can keep your landlord as nice as pie (And pie is really nice!)? Here’s the lowdown!

Pay Your Rent And Deposit On Time: Before you move in, you will need to pay a deposit to your landlord. It’s important that you pay this on time, as many landlords withhold the keys until it is paid. Once you move in, you should also ensure that all of your rent payments are made on time. If you don’t pay on time, you might not be meeting your half of the contractual agreement. As a result, you could be evicted. But don’t let it get to that point – mark your calendars for the day the rent is due, cough up the cash, and that will keep a big smile on your landlord’s face!

Of course, problems can arise with paying rent and you might want to ask if payment plans are possible if needed. However, if you feel you have been wrongfully evicted due to rent issues or something else, you should contact a tenant eviction lawyer. This is something that you definitely need an experienced professional for.

Keep Things Neat And Tidy: You need to keep your apartment clean and well-kept. Even though your landlord doesn’t have to live with you, they won’t want to see any long-term dirt accumulate as this can be very difficult to get rid of. Plus, it may encourage mold or damp developing. It is also necessary to clean the property thoroughly when you are preparing to move out. Whizz tenancy cleaning service can keep your apartment looking spick and span if you don’t have much time to do all of the cleaning. They will also give it a very deep clean when you are moving out, as well!

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Cleanliness is godliness!!!

Talk To Your Landlord About Problems: If you do find a problem with your apartment, you need to let your landlord know as soon as possible. That way, they can get to work on solving it before it becomes a huge problem. You shouldn’t try and fix something yourself – in fact, it may say in your contract that you are not allowed to. Just leave all of the DIY and renovations to the landlord as they are responsible for them. And it will save you a lot of money, too! It’s an obvious win/win.

Keep Your Neighbors Happy: As well as your landlord, you also need to keep your neighbors on Team You, too. When you are friendly and pleasant towards your neighbors, you will find that you are a lot less likely to get involved in any disputes and arguments. And happy neighbors with no complaints about the loud tenant below them makes for a very happy landlord!

Apartment living means getting along with all types of people in the building. Be kind and courteous and everyone, landlord included, will benefit from it!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun23

Adulting Essentials

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Adulting Essentials
Hello everyone and TGIF! I hope all of you are having a fabulous day so far and have a bright and exciting weekend to look forward to. If there’s one thing that I know as a twenty-something, it’s that I constantly feel under-prepared. Everything up until the late teens and early twenties was great, right? A la-di-da world where the only thing that you needed to worry about was what to wear to school and your hours at your weekend job. Fast forward to the ripe age of 23. Freshly graduated from college, moving out of your dorm to your own apartment, and (sort of) ready to take on the world. This is basically what your teenage self has been dreaming about since forever. So why does it feel so stressful?!

The life of a twenty-something is a bumbling and haphazard mess 90% of the time. Job hunting, grad school, moving out of chez mom and dad. You’re stretched thin in all directions and all you want is some literal direction in your so called life. As the baby of the family, I’ve watched three older siblings do the growing up thing. And now, as the 23 year old baby of the family, I guess I have to do the whole growing up thing myself. Gross.

So what comes with growing up? A big girl job, your own place, squeezing some time in for fun between binge eating or binge studying – that all sounds about right. For a big girl job you’re armed with your education or experience. For having some fun, you have your high school or college BFFs to schedule a GNO with. But your own place? A place that you need to pay rent for, furnish, AND do your own laundry in? Well, you’re gonna need a few things:

1) Stationary: From calendars and notebooks to highlighters, agendas, fountain pens, and business cards, stationary supplies are a total must. You know how the life of a twenty-something is a bumbling, haphazard mess 90% of the time? That, my dear readers, is what the planner is for. The calendar, the to do list, the agenda – whatever you call it, is a twenty-something essential. Doctors appointments? Job interview? Date night with the SO? Drinks with the girls? Yeah, there’s a planner for that. Hang your calendar with pride wherever you can see it and take a stab at sitting down with a glass of wine and organizing your week. You will be amazed at how your days will open up once you begin utilizing the free space that you have in between work till four and cardio at 7 on Monday and Wednesday.

2) The Perfect Mattress: The first thing that my sister did when she moved into her own apartment was buy herself a queen sized bed. Okay, girl. I see you. Now, I don’t usually say this, but she had the right idea. There is nothing better than tucking into bed with a good book and Enya on your iPod after a long day. Get comfy cozy in your boyfriend’s shirt, throw on an overnight face mask, and snuggle up on your new mattress compliments of Casper. Breathable, lush, plush, springy, and supportive, you’ll be traveling to the land of nod in no time as soon as you get curled up on the mattress of your dreams. Just make sure to put mattress shopping with Casper on your to do list before dozing off tonight! 😉

3) Business Casual Wardrobe: This isn’t necessarily an apartment essential as much as it is a life essential. I think that it is so important for twenty-somethings to begin investing in business casual wardrobe staples. Whether your ideal job setting is laid back or totally formal, you still need something to wear to the interview, right? Start supplying your closet with sharp, chic pieces that scream “boss lady” as soon as you walk in the door. I’m talking pencil skirts, crisp button downs, trench coats, blazers, cardigans, and a smart pair of trousers.

When I began shopping for my job with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (which is about as business cashe as it gets), I gradually began making an effort to instill a more professional feel into my wardrobe. I hit up stores like Loft and Express for clothes that were unquestionably cute, but still looked put together and work place appropriate. Look for simple, well tailored pieces and let your accessories or a funky patterned cardi showcase your personality. There is no rule stating that business casual means boring!

4) Culinary Cool: One of the things that comes with moving out is not having a delicious meal prepped for you every day by the rents. I, personally, am a firm believer that everyone should have a basic understanding of cooking and finding your way around a kitchen. Unfortunately, not everyone shares this mindset with me, so cooking on your own might be a rude awakening to burnt pizzas or blowing a fortune on takeout every night.

BUT IT’S OKAY!! I promise. I absolutely love cooking and baking and my golden rule is that if you can read, you can cook. Go to the library or bookstore, snag some cook books (even if it is Making Eggs For Dummies!), and practice. Hit up your local Aldi’s or Save A Lot for ingredients, follow the directions, and you’ll have a meal that you made all by yourself in no time. I swear that it is not as daunting as it might seem and, within time, you might find yourself actually enjoying your meal preparations in your kitchen.

But, of course, you can’t cook without the proper tools. You don’t need to go overboard, but do invest in some quality but not too costly gear to help you out. Spatulas, measuring spoons and cups, mixing bowls, and a sheet pan for your pizza rolls will go a long way. And, like any well stocked arsenal, it doesn’t become that way over night. Pick up odds and ends for your kitchen every so often when you’re out and about and you’ll have all of the necessities before you know it.

5) TREAT YOSELF: Adulting can sometimes really suck. Like a lot. Believe me, I get it. Full time job, college, bills? It’s like a whirlwind of misery. That is why I am all about incorporating a TREAT YOSELF attitude into my adult lifestyle. Seriously. Get out, have some fun, and let the destressing begin. This can range from going out to get your nails done after a long week in the office to buying that sassy dress from Target because it hugged your curves in all of the right places. Do things that make you feel good (within reason). Buy things that make you feel good (within your budget), and you’ll find yourself breezing through adulthood like the boss lady that you are. YOU GO, GIRL!
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Adulting can be unquestionably overwhelming, but you’ll be just fine with the right Essentials! What are your adulting must haves? How do you destress after a long day of being a grown up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Featured Image By: ZootScoop