Tag Archives: chez moi

Picking The Best Location For Your Move

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Picking The Best Location For Your Move

Moving house is stressful enough without then discovering that you have made a terrible mistake with the location you have chosen. With the expense of the move, you will have two choices; either stay put and try to make the most of an uncomfortable situation or put the house up for sale (or contact your letting agent if renting) and start the moving process again.

Of course, we need to clarify what we mean by making a terrible mistake. As examples, you might have moved next door to awful neighbors. The neighborhood could be deemed unsafe because of the local crime rate. And you might discover the location is impractical for your needs. So, if you’re currently thinking about moving, check our previous article on the subject; https://lifewithlilred.com/2017/11/03/looking-for-a-house-savvy-tips-for-your-search/, and then consider the following tips to help you choose the right location.

Commit to research online:

Be specific in your Google search, and try to learn as much information as you can about the location you are considering. Type in ‘things to know about living in (location),’ and you should come up with websites such as this one, https://onthegomoving.com/10-things-to-know-about-living-in-ballard/. In this example, you can find out information on the housing market, cost of living, and many more details on the location in question, so look for the same when you’re searching for info on the area you are considering.

Look at local news sites for the area too, as you will learn a lot this way about crime rates, social problems, community activities, and more. You should also search for crime rates. By visiting sites such as https://www.crimereports.com/, you can quickly and easily look up crime statistics for the various neighborhoods in the location you are thinking about moving into. Social media can also be most helpful as plenty of communities have their own “talk of the town” style pages. This is an excellent way to put feelers out for your new location.

Then, use Google maps or similar, and get an up close and personal look at the neighborhoods in the area. Providing they are up to date; you will get an understanding of the facilities in the area, the cleanliness of the streets, and get an idea of the distance between certain locations, such as the house you are considering and the local shopping mall.

Explore the area on foot and by car:

You can learn a lot of information online, but the best way to discover more about the location is to visit it. Using your car, you can get an overview of what it might be like to live in the neighborhood by driving around the locale. You can also monitor how long it might take to get to your place of work, your children’s school, and any other places of interest.

As you explore different locations, keep in mind that tours might be available in some communities. For example, if you are considering different master planned communities, you might be able to schedule a time to check out the amenities offered like pools or golf courses. You can also get a good feel for a neighborhood by publishing posts seeking recommendations on social media. You don’t want any surprises when you move!

You should also spend some of your time on foot. Without appearing like a prowler, casually spend time near the house you are considering. Listen for any noise from the next door neighbor, such as shouting, music, and barking dogs. Check the state of their property too, as well as that of surrounding properties, as you will get an idea of who lives there by the general upkeep of their houses.

And, look for signs of crime as you’re walking. If you spot a lot of graffiti and other signs of vandalism, you might assume that the area isn’t particularly desirable. Pop into the local police station too and get their professional opinion of the area.

Finally:

When moving home, the location is just as important as the property you will be moving into, so follow our tips when you’re looking to move. Hopefully, you will then make the right choice, and consequently, be very happy for many more years to come.

Featured Image By: Pixnio

Paranormal Activity?!

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Paranormal Activity?!

Hellooooo! Okay, so the weirdest things happened in my apartment this past week which begs the question of if it’s haunted. Lol, I know it sounds crazy, but the instances that occurred were so impossible that it made me really freaked out. Let us proceed:

Exhibit A:

A few days before this occurrence, I accidentally broke a small plate when trying to get it out of my cabinet on the stove and refrigerator side. The plate broke into a few large pieces that were easy to pick up and get moved directly to the trash can. I then got the little shards cleaned up and continued to go about my day. To my knowledge, that was the last of the problem.

But, three days later, broken plate pieces reappeared in places that just weren’t possible for them to be at. That morning, I had taken my trash out that contained the plate fragments before I left for work. I got home that night and walked into my bathroom to start preparing a bath. And, as luck would have it, I stepped on a piece of broken plate. Mind you, the plate broke three days prior, was in the trash, and hadn’t left the trash since. AND, I stood in my bathroom that morning doing my hair and makeup and didn’t step on anything.

I tended to my foot, ran the bath water, and went to the kitchen to get something to drink. Then, on the opposite counter from which the plate broke sat a larger piece of plate that I couldn’t have missed that morning when I stood in the same spot to fix a glass of Tang for breakfast. This is when I started getting really uneasy, because there was just no way that I would have missed such a big piece of broken plate that morning. And, even if I did, the chances of it sitting there for three days without me seeing it was absolutely impossible.

After the glass incident, it made me hyper aware of two other instances that happened, one being the night before and the other happening the day before that.

Exhibit B:

Maybe this was nothing, but I don’t see how this could have happened without my knowledge, either. The night before the glass incident, I got out of bed to go to the bathroom. I was looking in my mirror while washing my hands and, behind me, I saw a HUGE hornet sitting on my wall.

When I go in and out of my apartment, I never leave my door wide open and I am always quick to get in or get out to prevent things like this from happening. But, even if I wasn’t, I definitely would have noticed this big sucker flying into my apartment. I shit you not, it was a little smaller than a silver dollar. So, needless to say, I was terrified when I saw it just hanging out in my bathroom.

I grabbed my fly swatter and, because it was gigantic, it was really slow and I was able to send it to a watery toilet grave. I felt very unnerved afterwards, though, because it just seemed too big to miss and that means it probably was in my apartment while I was home that evening and I didn’t even know it. Weird.

And, finally, the last incident happened the day before the hornet and two days before the two other glass instances.

Exhibit C:

I would say at least two weeks ago, over a weekend, my boyfriend was over and we were drinking wine on my couch. He accidentally dropped his glass and it broke on the floor space in between my couch and coffee table. It was no big deal and the glass was cleaned up and I thought that was the end of it.

But, two weeks after the glass breaking, a shard showed up again underneath my foot at least ten feet from where the glass broke to begin with. Once again, I have no clue how such a big piece could have gone unnoticed for two weeks or longer without me or someone else stepping on it.

I am glad it was me that stepped on it, though, because that morning I had my old skating coach and her daughter over for lunch. Her little girl was running around my apartment barefoot and it could have been her that stepped on it instead of me. I walked on the glass literally right after they left and was so confused as to how it got almost all the way to my front door and was sitting there for who knows how long without anything happening.

Maybe all of these were coincidences but three weird things happening three days in a row had me so spooked. Nothing has happened since and, hopefully, that will be the last of it. But, if not, I’ll keep you all posted!!

Can anyone offer me some explanations for the above instances? Have you ever experienced any paranormal activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apartment Lyfe Update

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Apartment Lyfe Update

Helloooo! It has been almost one month since I moved into my very own apartment and, honestly, it couldn’t have gone better. The move went smoothly, I love my space, and it legitimately feels like a vacation being here. From furniture shopping to stocking up my pantry and cooking in my kitchen or waking up in my loft space, everything is still so exciting to me.

And, the novelty continues, as I work on fixing up my office and an art wall in my living room. But, my main living spaces are complete and it turned out exactly how I wanted it to. Even just sitting here at the desk in my office and typing on my own brand new laptop feels awesome!

This move happened at the perfect time and it felt right instead of rushed or scary. I am enjoying my new home so much and it has been such a joy sharing the process with all of you too! What was your first apartment like? What about your current living quarters? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

Howdy! For the final viewing of Lil Red’s Art Gallery, we are going to take a look at two of the biggest pictures and one of the smallest ones that I purchased from Goodwill. The two large ones honestly have me stumped on why I bought them other than the fact that I just thought they looked cool. The poster sized images feature wild berries and plants of Alaska, a state which I have literally no ties to. But, I don’t know, the colors were unique and I liked that it looked like something out of a textbook so into the cart it went! Take a closer look:

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And, as for the other little painting that I purchased, I loved what the women were wearing more than anything. The flowing dresses, huge sun hat, parasol in hand – I wish that us ladies still dressed like that! The colors in the painting also spoke to me. I like how soft the palette is and how it almost looks like it’s going to rain. You can also see the signs of a heavy wind from the ribbons adorning their ensemble blowing about. And, of course, this picture also reminds me of something that would be in the funeral home too, so there’s that! #funeralhomechic

What is your favorite art museum to visit? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

Hi everyone! So, when my grandma sold her funeral home in Cleveland and opted to live closer to family (like mine) in Akron, obviously, a lot of the furniture and decor couldn’t come with. So, when my grandma downsized, she brought only her favorites. One of which included a painting of a girl looking forlorn while wearing a huge sun hat and holding a bouquet of flowers displayed in an ornate gold frame.

I can recall one of my cousins wondering out loud why, out of all of the gorgeous art work in the funeral home, this picture was chosen. And, sadly, I never asked this question for myself. However, it is now hanging in my family home. The painting of the little boy holding a bunch of flowers seen below reminds me of the picture that my grandma apparently loved a lot so I consider it my version of that!

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My mom commented on my little boy blue giving off serious Little Prince vibes and I can definitely see it! I don’t know what it is about this picture but, as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It’s such a sweet image to me and it makes me happy to think of the little girl or boy he’s going to give his flowers to. Or, maybe, he’s about to run into his mom’s arms and surprise her with it. It just makes me smile and I hope to some day hang up my grandma’s painting side by side with it.

And, of course, the Asian inspired embroidered cloth was a must, too. The colors, the subject, the craftsmanship – WOOF, I love this picture so much. The bamboo style frame is a nice touch and my only hope is that the words on there are something really random like “swimming pool” or “blow torch” and no one will know any better. But, if you do have any idea of what those characters are, let a Lil Red know!

If you could only bring a few things from your belongings to a new place, what would you take? Which of your belongings holds a lot of significance to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

Hello hello! During the initial process of getting everything squared away for my apartment, I was a nervous wreck. But, the more I shopped, the more excited I felt about my big move. Retail therapy at its finest! I had the most fun shopping for my larger pieces of furniture and it felt good to check all of the big purchases off of my list. The extra stuff like things from the wall art seen below to hand soap were just the cherry on top of the moving sundae!

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Now, normally I am not a huge floral girl when it comes to wall art. But, the pictures above spoke to me for some reason and for eight dollars total at Goodwill, I figured “why not?”. Since we established that my decor style is apparently funeral home chic, these pictures will fit right in! I love the lace on the rose picture and the more ornate frame on the smaller one. I feel like someone loved these pictures a lot or maybe they belonged to one of their loved ones and I like feeling like I’ve given both of them a beautiful new home to be showcased in. :*)

Are you a floral decor fan or nah? What is your favorite thing to shop for when it comes to home goods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Ovals, Anyone? Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Ovals, Anyone? Edition

Hiii everyone! When wall art shopping for my apartment, I didn’t really have a specific theme in mind for the pieces that I wanted. I more or less just picked what I liked and went with it. Despite all of the artwork not necessarily “going together”, I think that once all of them are hung up it’s going to look super nice. Especially because even if the pictures are all different, the color palette is similar enough on all of them that it will still look like they belong together. I have a vision! Lol.

I went hard at the Goodwill, buying at least ten framed pictures in total, including these cool oval shaped ones below:

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My sister told me that all of the pictures I picked out are old ladyish and, be that as it may, I like them. In fact, a lot of the artwork that I purchased reminds me of the paintings that my grandma had hung up in the amazing funeral home that she operated. So, I guess you can call my taste in décor “funeral home chic”? Lol, regardless, of if the pieces that I bought are dated, I like that classic, vintage feel and I think that once my art wall is complete, it’s going to compliment the furniture in my living room really well. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, sis! 😀

Where do you get inspiration for home décor? Do you have a more modern or classic taste in decorating? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Van Gogh Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Van Gogh Edition

Hi hi! It seems like I end up at a Goodwill at least once a week when I’m working and, I’m so not mad about it, because I have found so much cool apartment stuff from there. You can’t beat the value of secondhand shopping and the thrill of a real life treasure hunt at your local thrift store.

It’s funny, because I’m a pretty major germophobe and, several years ago, I would have preferred that you cut my hands off than look through a store of other people’s old belongings. But, now, I thrift shop like the best of them (As long as I have Purell on deck, of course!) and it’s a small victory but that’s progress, baby.

During my last trip to the thrift, I found a beautiful framed copy of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting for FIVE BUCKS and I was (AND STILL AM!) excited! Take a look:

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Ninety percent of the wall art that I got for my apartment is from the thrift and my only qualm is that they write the prices on the glass of the frame and I have no idea how to get it off! So any suggestions for that would be greatly appreciated. But, I guess that’s a small price to pay for paying a small price for some new decor.

I have always loved this painting and was so happy to have found it. It will make a great centerpiece for the art wall I want to make in my living room so I’m looking forward to getting everything hung up ASAP. Now, if only I can find me a copy of Starry Night at Goodwill next!

What is your favorite painting? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery

Hellooo everyone! One of the last things that I need to do in my apartment is adorn one of my blank walls in my living room with pictures. During a shopping trip to Goodwill last month, I purchased at least ten framed quirky paintings for forty bucks total. All that’s left to do is find a picture hanging kit and have my dad over to help with the process as he promised when I moved in.

I love secondhand shopping and I wanted to show all of you my finds because it’s like a treasure hunt every time you step foot into a Goodwill or thrift shop. But, first, I wanted to share with you two wall arts that are not from a thrift store but are still really pretty and sentimental all the same. Check it out:

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I love both of these pictures so much because they remind me of my clients. The small “home” block was a gift from one of my families after I told them the good news about my apartment. I was so touched by the sweet gesture when I opened the gift bag during my shift the following week. It is simple and pretty and the rustic wooden feel will be just right in my living room with its hardwood flooring and the dark wood paneling on my loft space up above.

The vibrant “welcome” sign was a Party City purchase when I was with another one of my girlies. She loves going to that store and when we saw that picture, we both thought that it would be perfect in my new place. I normally don’t care for pictures with wording on them but I liked how simple both of these were and how they made a statement without saying much of anything. Now, let’s see if I can get them hung up some time this year!

Where do you like to shop for wall art for your home? What is your style when it comes to home decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: My Room Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: My Room Edition

Hi, MTV, and welcome to my crib! It has taken me a while to get a post up about the room where all of the magic doesn’t happen AKA my bedroom. Mainly, this is because my room is dark AF and it took me two weeks of being moved in to decide to assemble the lamp that I got to brighten things up. Lol, WHOOPS. Anyways, you guys have seen the amazing walk in closet that my room offers but you haven’t seen the rest – so take a look:

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Even with all of the lights on in my room and a huge skylight looking over it, it is still pretty dark so I am open to suggestions on how to fix that problem! But, other than that, I am in love with my loft space and the big open bedroom that it created. Obviously, the walk in closet is my favorite part but it’s so nice to have a large room to sprawl out in.

And, this includes my bed! Because I ball on a budget, I refused to buy a bigger bed. Rather, I just put the two twin ones from my family home together to make an ultimate mega bed. Surprisingly comfy and insanely roomy, there is nothing better than tucking myself into it every night!

Again, because I ball on a budget, almost all of the furniture in my room is from the family home. However, I purchased the gorgeous vanity, stool, and full length mirror from Abbey Ann’s along with my living room furniture. (PS: If you have a vanity but don’t have a matching stool, you could consider purchasing some classroom stools and customizing them as a cool DIY!) I have yet to do my makeup in front of the vanity like I intended because bad lighting but I still love it so much. And, I have always wanted a full length mirror like the one I purchased so they were both an amazing secondhand find. :’)

I am really proud of how my apartment is coming together and I am so happy that I got to share my Moving On Up journey with all of you. Thanks for reading!

How do you create good lighting in a dark space? How is your bedroom decorated? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah