Tag Archives: apartment

Happy Housewarming Gift

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Happy Housewarming Gift

Hello! My bestie, Lea, came by a couple of weeks ago to check out mine and Johnny’s new place. Even though it isn’t perfect yet, I was so excited for her to see it. I was also excited that Johnny would have his own room to hang out in where he could shut the door so we wouldn’t have to listen to his war documentaries lol. Oh, the perks of our new place!

Lea was so sweet and brought by a little housewarming gift and, I admit, I didn’t really know what to do with it at first:

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Lea got us a Turtle Vine for the new place and I have never owned a house plant before! In my old apartment, there wasn’t really a good place to put plants so I just never bothered. The great news, is that I haven’t killed my little Turtle Vine yet… In fact, it’s thriving! When Lea brought it over, the vines didn’t have any length to them at all and I can’t believe how much it has grown in a few short weeks.

My dad is the one with the green thumb in our family and I almost contemplated just having him care for it. But, I think I am doing alright! I love this plant’s soft leaves and the pot that it lives in is so pretty. Whenever Lea comes by, all she needs to do is bring herself and I’m happy so I was tickled by her thoughtfulness. I don’t think I’ll turn into a full on plant mom any time soon but, now, I wouldn’t be opposed to my Turtle Vine having a friend or two. 😀

The best housewarming gift that Johnny and I have is actually being able to host friends comfortably in our bigger apartment. However, this sweet prezzie from my best friend is a very close second! ❤

Do you have a green thumb? How many house plants do you have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Moving On Up: Art Wall

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Moving On Up: Art Wall

Hello! This past Wednesday, I was hanging out at home while Johnny was at band practice and wanted to spend the evening relaxing instead of unpacking. That changed tunes pretty quickly, though, because of an unfortunate mishap with the video game I was playing. Basically, I accidentally loaded a previous save point and everything I did after that point got deleted. I was SO upset!!

Rather than wallow in my frustration, I decided to get started on a new unpacking project: Creating an art wall. It’s looking very nice so far, if I do say so myself:

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^^^ There’s still a ways to go but it’s getting there!

Between an endless supply of paintings from Goodwill, crafts with my bestie, and Johnny’s own artwork collection, I had a lot to work with for my art wall. This was a project that I had wanted to do in my old apartment and just never got around to finishing it… Probably because I never bought more Command strips to hang the paintings with lol. Johnny had actually bought several packs of them during his last trip to Walmart, which is how this first go at the art wall was possible.

The end result will have artwork hanging up all the way along the stairs and it is going to look so cool! I’m really happy with how it’s looking so far, though, and it was the perfect project to sink my teeth into after an epic gaming failure. The concentration it took to hang everything just so definitely kept my mind off of three hours of Paper Mario getting lost in oblivion!

Progress with unpacking has been pretty good but it has slowed down because we need more shelving for a lot of the remainders. In fact, I was feeling a bit down about it and this project helped perk me up and kicked my motivation back into high gear – especially with our housewarming/birthaversary party right around the corner. 😀

Although my project isn’t complete yet, I can already picture the end result and I can’t wait to show all of you. This is how I always wanted the staircase in my old apartment to look and it feels good for that vision to finally come to life!

What have you been crafting lately? Have you been working on any home decor projects? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What Have We Been Up To?

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What Have We Been Up To?

Hello! Johnny and I have been diligently unpacking away after our big move at the end of April. While that has taken up a majority of our free time, we have still been enjoying ourselves and making time for fun things too. And, yes, part of the fun has shockingly come from the unpacking process itself – which I never thought I would say!

Unpacking:

Actually… Let me rephrase that… It’s not so much the unpacking that’s fun rather than all of the opportunities that come with it. Johnny moved into my apartment so there wasn’t much for us to decide on when it came to furniture placement and decorating together. Now, however, with much more room, it has been nice to come up with our apartment layout as a team.

For example, we have a little nook under our staircase that we decided would be perfect for bookshelves to house our massive collection. When I got home from work, it was a huge surprise because Johnny assembled and filled the new shelves while I was gone. This opened up considerable space having the shelves neatly tucked away and we were able to have a lot more options when it comes to placement of other furniture. It looks so nice!

Another fun part about the unpacking process is that we have a goal in mind: A housewarming/birthaversary party. We can’t wait to welcome friends and family into our new place at the end of the month to celebrate all kinds of big events: Our move, Johnny’s birthday, my birthday, and our one year wedding anniversary. I’m so excited! 😀

Entertainment:

Because of having a functional AC unit in our new apartment, it has become the place to chill both literally and metaphorically. We have been having a blast relaxing in a comfortable climate and watching all kinds of good movies and TV. We are currently binging The Man In The High Castle, which is absolutely EXCELLENT. We have also been enjoying lots of movies including The Imitation Game (One of my faves!), Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones, and Role Models (Both of our faves!).

Of course, this was something that we would have done at our old place regardless of the extreme heat. Actually feeling cold and snuggling up with blankets is a brand new sensation to us, though, and we still can’t get over the novelty of it!

Out & About:

Actual spring weather is finally here with some summer like temps peppered in for good measure. We have been making the most of it with outings in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, at hiking trails with my family, game nights with friends, and meeting our new neighbors. It was easy to stay cuddled up at home with the snowy and rainy days last month. But, there is no excuse now that the weather is nice out and we have been trying to have outings together at least once a week.

It has been an exciting and jam packed few weeks for us and I have been enjoying every minute of it… I’ll enjoy it even more, though, when we are fully unpacked and celebrating at our party!

What have you been up to? What are you currently binge watching? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Find The Perfect Home

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How To Find The Perfect Home

Selling your house to buy a new one is a major decision that should not be made lightly, as it can take a significant amount of time, effort, and money to identify and find the ideal property for you. Fortunately, when you know how, choosing the right property doesn’t have to be as challenging as you might assume, and there are just a few important areas in which you should concentrate your efforts to guarantee that you can remain cool and calm during your move. If you’re looking for the perfect house and want to learn some of the most useful ideas and tactics for accomplishing your goals in no time, then read on:

Plan And Prepare:

One of the most common mistakes made by house movers is a lack of preparation. It’s surprising to learn that almost two-thirds of home buyers don’t have a list of questions to ask the real estate agent before they visit houses or apartments to view them. When planning, it’s helpful to make a list of your negotiables and non-negotiables. Other factors to consider include which house characteristics are essential to you and which you are ready to compromise on.

When searching for a new house, an extensive web search will save you time and provide a good starting point. We recommend contacting your local real estate agents as well, as they may have a house on the market – or even one that’s just about to come onto the market that is just right for you.

If you are coming up with a goose egg during your house hunt, you might want to consider building a home from scratch. This will surely set you up with the perfect house! You can design your dream home with Ware Design Build – Wisconsin Custom Homes or a pro in your area.

Know Your Budget:

You’re contemplating a move, but how much can you really afford? Find out how much your present home is worth by getting at least two or three estimates from local real estate professionals. You’ll have a better idea of how much money you have to work with if you do this. Your calculations should include:

  • Any outstanding bills or mortgage payments.
  • The cost of new furnishings.
  • Any additional funds that may be required in the future.

Working out your finances in detail can help you achieve your goal of moving. Knowing your budget from the beginning is essential if you want to erase debt and save for the future. Having a solid budget also helps as it shows you which options can be available to you. For example, you might find that building a brand new home with French Brothers homes (or a similar company in your area) could be cheaper or equivalent to a home on the market.

Think Ahead:

Smaller houses will not accommodate large families effectively, so if you want to grow your family soon, think accordingly and get that additional room. This is also true if you work remotely (or are planning to once you move). It would be beneficial to have an extra space that can be converted into a home office. A smaller house, on the other hand, can suffice if you are single or a couple who does not want to have children in the near future. If and when the time comes, you can always sell and move into a larger house.

We will touch more on looking into the neighborhood in the next section but there is one important thing to note if you have children or are planning on it. If you have a home in mind, you should check out this community beforehand to see if it is a family friendly setting. It can be a huge drag for your children if they are moving away from their school friends and have no kids in the neighborhood to play with!

Check Out The Neighborhood:

Searching online is one thing, and it’s almost certain that you’ll find a few houses that tick all the boxes for you. However, it’s crucial that you take the time to check out the neighborhood too – it might be that the house you love is in a place that won’t suit you, perhaps because it’s far away from work or school, the parking is a nightmare, or there isn’t enough green space (or too much of it – it all depends on your preferences).

When searching for a new home, it is all about the preparation and research on your end to keep the process running smoothly. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Ketut Subiyanto

What’s The Move? Let’s Talk Unpacking!

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What’s The Move? Let’s Talk Unpacking!

Hello everyone! When it comes to mine and Johnny’s move, I think packing has been way easier than the unpacking process. While we have both been steadily chipping away at our endless amount of boxes, it’s so easy to lose motivation since we’re already at our new place! Of course, it is a necessary evil and today we are going to talk about some pro tips for unpacking at your new digs:

Start With The Kitchen/Bathroom:

The first room that I fully unpacked was the kitchen and I am so glad that I did. I enjoy eating out as much as the next person but I don’t like to do it too often. With two take out meals in a row on Saturday and Sunday, I was in desperate need of real food. In fact, just the smell of the pizza we ordered in the fridge made me nauseous.

If you feel similarly, then starting with the kitchen is an absolute must. Or, you could prepare meals that just need to be put in the oven prior to your move so you can have actual food at the ready. The first meal I prepared in my new kitchen was baked ziti and I can’t tell if it was better than normal because I was so over take out or if it actually was just really good!

Unpacking the bathrooms as a priority is a no brainer and I’m about halfway there on that project. This one is a bit of a struggle because, despite now having two full bathrooms, the counter space in each of them is significantly less than my old apartment. It will get there eventually but do make sure you have a bag with your toiletries that you use every day at the ready so you don’t have to go digging for your toothbrush.

Declutter As You Go:

Johnny and I did a significant amount of decluttering before our move and had already taken several bags to Goodwill. Don’t stop there, though! It’s great to declutter before a move but I find it much easier to do it while unpacking. When I was packing up the old place, there wasn’t much of a rhyme or reason to it other than filling up boxes and getting rid of obviously unneeded things.

While unpacking, you get the opportunity to see each item in your new setting and can decide from there if it’s worth the space. With that alone in mind, I was able to fill up two trash bags of donated items just from unpacking my closet. Like many people, Johnny and I moved for the additional space. I want the new apartment to feel as open as possible and that means donating a whole lot more.

Unpack With Projects In Mind:

I find that Johnny and I are much more motivated to unpack with a set goal or project in mind. For example, Johnny decided yesterday that he wanted to prepare our game room closet and that was the first thing he did when he got home from work. It looks great and it is completely done! Whether it’s a big task or small doesn’t matter because it needs to get done eventually, anyways. Just work at a steady pace, keep checking things off of your to do list, and you will be amazed by how much progress you will make.

Don’t Forget Your Boxes:

One thing that’s taking up a lot of space in our new apartment is all of the empty boxes! Make sure to keep breaking them down as you go. This is more of a reminder for myself than anything because I hate that chore! Find the nearest recycling facility to dispose of them properly or it might be worth posting on your social media if anyone else might need them. I was actually able to get rid of all of my boxes from my first move because of Facebook and that was the case this time around too. One of my best girlfriends is moving and almost all of our empty boxes and packing supplies are going to her next week!

I can’t say that I’m having the time of my life unpacking but the end results will be so worth it. I can’t wait to show all of you!

What are some of your unpacking pro tips? What is your least favorite part about moving? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Moving Pro Tips Pt. 2

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Lil Red’s Moving Pro Tips Pt. 2

Hello! Johnny and I had our big move last Saturday and it went as smoothly as it could have gone. However, there are definitely some things that I wish were done differently looking back. A few weeks ago, we looked at some pre moving pro tips and today, we are going to focus on the actual move itself. Let’s get to it:

Eat, Drink, & Be Merry:

One of both mine and Johnny’s biggest downfalls of the day was that we didn’t eat enough prior to getting our keys. While Johnny had a snack, I had nothing and I SO wish that I would have made a big breakfast for us. Rather, we chose to sleep in and that was a mistake. Having a good meal before the move seems like a no brainer but it’s honestly an easy thing to bypass when so many other things are happening that day. Do make sure to eat your fill before the move so you can avoid getting lightheaded, which is what happened to me!

And, of course, drink water, water, and more water. If your dishes are already packed up, it will help to have a travel mug handy that you can keep refilling. Even if your move is on a fairly chilly day like mine and Johnny’s, you’ll find yourself sweating very quickly and that fluid needs replenished. Our rule of thumb was to take a water break at least twice an hour to keep ourselves firing on pretty much all cylinders lol.

Move Boxes Accordingly:

Johnny and I moved in one day and our morning was cut short because we could only pick up our keys at ten. Had this been different, I would have been much more proactive about moving the boxes into the room they needed to be in as soon as they left the car. I tried to do this as much as possible but with our time crunch, it was easier to just put boxes into a spare room.

If this is the case for you, that’s totally fine… Just make sure you label the boxes! This is also something that Johnny and I didn’t do and it hasn’t cost us too much grief but it’s enough to be annoying. I packed up almost everything in the apartment so I have a fairly good idea of where things are. The stuff that Johnny packed, however, is a different story!

Ask For Help:

Moving is a big job and outside help is a necessity, whether that be in the form of hiring movers or assembling friends and family. Johnny and I hired Two Men And A Truck for our furniture and we would have been nowhere without them. Hiring movers can be expensive, which is why Johnny and I cut costs by moving everything else by ourselves. We were wishing all day that we had them move all of our boxes too, though!

My mom was also kind enough to come over and help with cleaning tasks so that Johnny and I could focus on getting boxes to the new apartment. This was a HUGE help because all I had to do was sweep up once we cleared out our old place. Then, one of our friends came by later in the evening to help set up some of our furniture and get our mattress on the bed. All of this additional help was much welcomed and so very appreciated especially considering how exhausted Johnny and I were.

If you have the budget to hire movers, then it can save a lot of stress and time too. Especially at the end when you’re tired and those boxes need to be taken to the right rooms! Besides professional movers, a self storage unit can also make things a little easier when moving house, especially if you’re concerned that you won’t have enough space in your new property or don’t want (and need) to exchange one cluttered space for another.

Set A Time Frame:

One thing that Johnny and I did really well when it came to our move was setting a time frame that we wanted to be done by. We both agreed that if we were done by around six, then that would be ideal. The day was a mad dash but we did finish everything by the time we wanted and that was a huge relief. You don’t have to have a set in stone schedule but a general idea of when the task should be done will help you keep your pace up throughout the day.

Despite some hiccups during moving day, I don’t think it could have gone any better with all things considering. I am so happy to be in our new place! 😀

What are some of your moving pro tips? Did anyone help you when you moved? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Big Move!

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The Big Move!

Hello!! Johnny and I moved to our new apartment this past Saturday and, let me tell you, it was an absolute doozy of a day. When I first moved into my apartment by myself, it wasn’t bad at all and I was actually able to unpack my belongings that day. Of course, I didn’t have all that much to move so I was totally unprepared for the task at hand of moving two people’s stuff out!

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^^^ YIKES!!!

Johnny and I weren’t able to pick up our apartment keys until ten o’clock on Saturday morning and from then until six or so at night, it was a mad dash. We were moving boxes like our lives depended on it until one or so when our moving team from Two Men And A Truck showed up. I had hired this company last time I moved and they were excellent then and now.

The team consisted of three young men and they were SO funny, kind, and efficient. In under two hours, they had moved all of our furniture from Point A to Point B and it was amazing to watch them work! They were moving all of these heavy pieces of furniture like it was nothing and never missed a beat for some playful banter. There wasn’t much that could be done on mine and Johnny’s end while they worked and it was a welcome break!

Once the movers were done, Johnny and I sprung back into action with another special guest: My mom! With sufficient space cleared out, she helped me with the cleaning process to get the apartment back into tip top shape. I had already done a super deep cleaning and she came to assist with finishing touches as well as cleaning supplies. We were both incredibly thankful for this helping hand and wouldn’t have been able to complete our one day move without her.

After my mom left, Johnny and I made several more trips back and forth to our new digs together. Then, I was able to fully sweep and Swiffer our hardwood surfaces. This was a surprisingly time consuming task because the sweepers weren’t picking up everything. After a couple passes, I had to collect the remaining debris with wet paper towel. My back was killing me by the end of it!

I worked my ass off during moving day but, honestly, it was nothing in comparison to Johnny and I am so appreciative to him for it. Johnny has a van which can hold way more than my little car ever could so he handled the brunt of the moving because I did almost all of the packing. He was also in charge of all of the heavy lifting because I just couldn’t do it.

Between moving instruments and equipment when his band plays and working in a factory, Johnny is used to this type of challenge. Myself, on the other hand? Not so much. I have never participated in a move of this level before and it showed. I was getting dizzy from the trips up and down stairs with bags and boxes in hand and Johnny made me sit down, drink water, and eat something every time this happened. He is an angel among men! ❤

By the time we were all settled in our new place amid a sea of boxes, we were beyond tired but so very proud of our work. It was a long, stressful day but there was nothing like sinking into our bed that first night and falling asleep as soon as our head’s hit the pillow. An air conditioning unit in our bedroom that actually works was also extremely conducive to a good night’s sleep. 😀

As we continue the unpacking process, keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for more on our new place. You will receive a grand tour, decorating projects, and some pro tips to make your move as pain free as possible!

What was the last time you moved like? What is the most difficult part about moving? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bringing Some Classic Glam To Your Home

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Bringing Some Classic Glam To Your Home

Fashion (which includes interior design) is always cyclical and referential. Waves come back time and time again, such as the fervor for everything and anything the 80s that we experienced throughout the 2010s. Lately, it’s both the 50s and the 90s that have been in style and, in particular, their taste for everything glam, ritzy, and with a touch of showbiz. If you’ve been feeling that wave, what can you do to bring it into your home? Try out these ideas:

Add some texture to the walls:

In terms of big home improvements, one of the options you can go for is to make your walls less minimalist and add some texture and depth to them. Wall paneling is a great way to do this rather than having to install new walls. You can enjoy the feel and look of materials like wood, stone, or brick without needing to actually invest in putting up a wall of those materials.

Invest in fabrics and trims:

Glam is more than a look, it’s a sensation you can create through multiple senses, including touch. Look at your furniture and think about the rich looking fabrics and trims you could upgrade. Consider taking them to an upholstery service like Simply Upholstering to give them that sense of tactile comfort and class they need. Of course, using throws and other soft furnishings can help you do much the same.

Find your retro inspo:

If you want to evoke a sense of a certain time, then finding the right visuals, such as the fashion icons of the day, can be a great way to do that. A wall gallery of Marilyn Monroe Milton Greene shots can help you evoke that sense of classic movie star glam that can add the touch of taste and class your space needs. Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly are some great options, too.

Get gilded with it:

We call it the gilded age for a reason, the look of gold and everything that glitters was all over the place. For a lot of people, gold accents can make a home look dated, which is why you need to make sure that you commit, using complementary fabrics and other retro looks to make sure that it looks at home rather than standing out. Gold accents for furniture and fixtures can add some real glam appeal when used well.

Don’t be afraid to make a statement (or three):

Glam is not entirely about excess but, to some degree, it almost always incorporates some of it. Take your largest room and make not one, but two or three focal points. A statement piece, whether it’s a piece of furniture or art on the wall and a vignette of your own making can be the perfect thing to give a level of managed richness and excess to your room.

Anticipating the next trend can help you stay at the top of your game when it comes to your home design. Sometimes, to look forward, you need to look back, and some vintage glam can be the perfect thing to do just that.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Moving On Up: Lil Red’s Pro Tips

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Moving On Up: Lil Red’s Pro Tips

Helloooo! Johnny and I are moving at the end of the month and, I’ve got to say, it has been a pain in the ass lol. When I first moved into my apartment, the process was pretty easy because I didn’t have much to move. However, Johnny and I have a lot of stuff and I don’t think I realized just how much until it all had to get packed up! Today, I thought I’d share some pro tips that I learned this time around that I think you will find handy too if you are moving soon:

Start Early:

I signed for the bigger apartment that we’re moving into during the first week of April and I began the packing process the following day. Every day since, I have been trying to pack up all of the things that we don’t use on a daily basis little by little. I considered the day a success if I packed up at least a box or two! At first, the progress was slow going but here we are at the end of the month with an apartment full of boxes ready to move. 😀

If you plan your packing wisely, it really doesn’t have to be a big stressful thing so start as early as you can and take it at an easy pace.

Clean/Declutter As You Go:

During our packing, I was amazed at how much stuff that we have sitting around that we don’t use. Moving provided the perfect opportunity to declutter and Johnny and I have taken seven full bags to Goodwill already. It felt good to let go of so many things and it also lightened the load of what we had to pack considerably. It was a total win/win.

Also, I know it’s a pain but don’t forget to clean as you pack too. You don’t want to have to deal with vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting the day of your move. And I just know you have some dust bunnies hanging around under all of that furniture that’s being shifted!

Make Your Calls In Advance:

The day that I signed for the new apartment, I hired a moving company and I am so glad that I did. They only had one more truck available the day of the move and I got it! Hire a reputable company well in advance and make sure you have an inventory of all of the items you will need moved when you call.

Do be sure to do the same for things like transferring your internet and electric. Last week, I called my internet provider about the transfer and they said they couldn’t find my new address in the system. This was weird because I’m literally just moving down the street. Then, I called my electric company and they told me the same thing. Weirder.

Finally, I called the leasing office and it turns out that I had been given the wrong address. SMH! After two and a half hours on the phone everything got sorted out but I am glad that I did it with time to spare. That was an ordeal! And I actually just realized that I have to call the moving company to let them know my “new” new address. SMH again.

When it comes to moving, the name of the game is to get a head start on everything. It will save you so much stress in the long run and will make the moving process much more bearable!

What are your moving pro tips? Do you have a big life event coming up soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

GREAT NEWS!!!

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GREAT NEWS!!!

Howdy!! Almost three years ago to the day, I moved into my first two bedroom one bath apartment. When I first moved in, I truly felt like queen of the castle and had a wonderful space all to myself. Fast forward to September of 2019 and Johnny and I began to date. Hit the fast forward button one more time and he moved in with me during March of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began hitting at full force.

When Johnny moved in, of course, I was so happy but I truly didn’t appreciate how much stuff we both had until he was actually here! We made do for a while and then began toying with the idea of renting a house in our general vicinity. Unfortunately, that was a bust because it is nearly impossible to find a house to rent in our neck of the woods. We filled out so many applications and went to viewings but never got a call back. It was pretty disappointing, to say the least.

After our lack of success with finding a home to rent, we decided it was fine to continue living in tight quarters. But, I am pleased to say that at the end of the month, that will be no longer because we are finally moving into a bigger apartment!! We will still be in the same apartment community as we are now but we will be upgrading to a three bedroom one and a half bath. 😀

We began setting our sights on a bigger apartment in the same community about a month ago and after lots of paperwork and crossing our fingers, we got a call saying that some three bedrooms were available. The following morning, I got to the leasing office as soon as it was open, did a quick viewing of our new digs, and signed for it all in a matter of forty-five minutes.

Our new place is great and it felt like a mansion when I did my walk through. I wish that we could have moved in that day! It’s nice and spacious, which is just what we need. But, to be honest, what I’m most excited for is having a bathroom on both floors lol. I hate having to walk down the stairs in the dark to make it to the bathroom every night. And we all know that turning on the lights is a no no unless you want to lose your tired!

Johnny and I have already been diligently packing away and I hope that the rest of the month flies by so we can get this move started. I can’t wait to decorate and show all of you our new place once we’re settled!

What is your home decor style? Do you have any pro tips on moving? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah